Psalm 35 (34):7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Through this wickedness, He brought forth great good, and still, He selected him from the twelve, so that even in the small assembly of the twelve, there would not be a complete absence of evil. This serves as an illustration of endurance for us, for it is vital for us to navigate a world filled with malice: we must withstand evil, whether we are conscious of it or oblivious to it. The perseverance He demonstrated was meant to encourage us, so we would not falter as we live amid wrongdoing. And since the School of Christ did not fail with the twelve, how much more resolute should we be when the fulfillment of what was prophesied regarding the mingling of evil comes to pass within the great Church...

He asserts that my enemies have slandered me without justification, labeling me as ungrateful and treacherous toward King Saul. Some theologians, like Cyril, interpret this as a reference to Christ speaking about the Pharisees, scribes, and Herodians, or generally the Jewish leaders, while Isychius suggests it pertains to Judas and the adversary.

Here, he focuses on the first group of persecutors, stating, "For thou hidest not the destruction of their net." The Prophet bears witness to his own integrity, affirming that he does not invoke God's name lightly nor call upon his protector without purpose: he presents his innocence on Wednesday, lamenting that he has been unjustly wronged despite having done nothing to merit such treatment. This serves as a caution that no one should approach God with indifference or audacity, nor seek His vengeance except those who genuinely rely on the purity of their own conscience. When the Prophet declares that he has been tormented by deceitful plots, he clearly indicates his own innocence, as if to say, "My foes, unfounded in their grievances against me, persistently devise schemes." Therefore, he prays for God’s guidance, that their accusations may lead to their own downfall. Yet, these statements also reflect not merely malice but prophetic insight, as previously noted: God's Providence ensures that the accusations ultimately harm the accusers, or at least primarily affect them before others, akin to a lit candle that consumes itself before damaging the surrounding environment, often leaving the surroundings unscathed. Likewise, the malevolence of those who bear false witness tends to inflict greater harm on their own souls, while affecting others either not at all or to a far lesser degree, for the suffering of punishment is less damaging than the burden of accountability.