Psalm 35 (34):15Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Should the house of God be turned into a marketplace, what then of its transformation into a place of indulgence? As we voice this concern, opposition arises, and yet we find solace in the psalm that states, They gnash their teeth against me (Psalm 34:16). We understand the path to our healing, even though Christ endured intensified suffering; His word suffers rejection, ‘They gathered scourges against me, and knew not’ (cf. Ps. 34:15). He faced the assaults of the Jewish leaders, and now He bears the affronts of those who falsely claim to be His followers. They increase their reproaches against the Lord without awareness. Let us strive, with His assistance, to emulate the Psalmist’s example: ‘I, when they overpowered me, clothed myself in rags, and wearied my soul with fasting’ (cf. Ps. 34:13).

They rejoiced in Me and came together. He stated that with this compensation, they repaid Me for the suffering endured on their behalf. The wounds were laid upon Me without my awareness, and I found no fault within myself. They were in conflict and showed no mercy. 'The crowd was divided,' as the Evangelist recounts (Acts 14:4), with some declaring good and others denouncing evil. Even as these events unfolded, they remained unmoved and were unaware of whom all this was directed against. Yet He expressed this not as an accusation, but out of a desire for assistance. When, He asked, will You come forth and aid him who is wronged?

A multitude of men approached me with the intent to take my life, assaulting me unexpectedly while I was unaware of the peril. They converged on me in their numbers, seeking my destruction, and struck suddenly, aiming to capture me when I did not perceive the threat. Symmachus translates the phrase, "The wounds were gathered upon me, and I knew not," as "The fighters were gathered upon me, and I knew not." They were divided and not appeased; in their misguided hope, though scattered, they showed no remorse for their wicked intentions but returned to their malevolent designs.

They celebrated over me and united together, yet, as He said, I humbled myself and wept. Saul and his followers rejoiced, believing my affliction stemmed from illness, and thus convened to plot my persecution. While the term wounds is used, Symmachus translates it as bruising. David mentions that murderers conspired against me in secret. This is supported by 1 Samuel 19, where Michal, David's wife, divulged the intentions of his adversaries, prompting David to escape to save his life. Some claim that the Jews who struck the Lord felt no guilt for their actions. Moreover, I found no transgression within myself that warranted the chastisement I endured.

Inner Reflection Can you relate this to the Lord’s Passion? The very sufferings of the Lord unfolded in this manner to prepare us. The closer you draw to God, the more adversaries will arise to confront you, and the afflictions will persist. They entrap you, scornfully bringing dishonor, and clench their teeth in defiance against you. You ought to cry out, ‘Lord! When will You take notice? Deliver my soul from their iniquities, from the lions, my only begotten. Our soul is unique in both its essence and devotion.

The Psalmist illustrates through the outcomes that those who persecute the just act in opposition to righteousness, repaying good with malice. He then addresses a further aspect of persecution, demonstrating that the wicked, dissatisfied with deceit and defamation to torment the righteous, also resort to physical harm. He expresses that they found joy in his suffering, implying a sorrow over their own troubles while delighting in his afflictions. Outraged by such cruelty, they often approached him armed, intent on either inflicting injury or, if possible, taking his life, leaving him unaware of their true intentions. This lack of forewarning could be due to his composure, as if he were oblivious to their actions.

The unrighteous leaders among the Jews conspired against Christ, expressing joy when they witnessed Him in a state of humiliation. However, as they scourged Him and caused Him pain, He declared that this was not a reflection of the divine suffering, endured at the hands of mankind.

They rejoiced at my misfortune, delighting in my betrayal and conspiring to bring about my ruin; they amassed wounds, which is more accurately rendered as weapons intended to harm me. This was unmistakably fulfilled in Jesus Christ, when the Pharisees and guards approached Him armed with clubs and swords; yet I was unaware of the reason for my persecution. To clarify this reason, they fabricated various accusations, but their testimonies were inconsistent. As the Evangelist notes, one spoke one thing, while another contradicted it. Despite this, they remained unyielding, showing no signs of remorse, unwilling to acknowledge the truth, and steadfast in their intent to bring about my destruction. They failed to comprehend.