Psalm 37 (36):31Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The Divine Word residing in your heart frees you from snares; the Divine Word residing in your heart rescues you from the path of deception; the Divine Word residing in your heart brings you salvation from trials. The One whose Word remains with you is always present.

The same truth is conveyed in various forms to ensure it is firmly etched in our minds through continual contemplation. It is stated that the Lord will not forsake the upright when the ungodly conspire against them, nor will He turn away when they attempt such acts, instead protecting the just from harm. Abraham witnessed this divine oversight when Sarah was taken from him on two occasions, just as Isaac encountered it when he faced similar peril. Jacob experienced this as well when jealousy arose from his brother and father-in-law, and Joseph saw it during his time of animosity and false accusations. Yet, must we enumerate every instance? The diligent seeker can easily gather numerous examples from the Old Testament, and further illustrations abound in the New Testament. He will render judgment upon him subsequently, during his trial.

We have thus far explored the concept of righteousness, allowing Scripture to deepen our understanding: The law of his God is in his heart, and his feet shall not falter (Psalm 36:31). The righteous individual carries God's law within them, not as a written code, but as an innate guide; this law is not intended for the righteous, but rather for the unruly (1 Tim. 1:9). The natural law existed before the written law, which served as a concession to the hardness of heart among the Jews. This law resides in the heart, not merely on the lips as was the case for the Jews, since with the heart one believes unto righteousness (Rom. 10:10). Every believer expresses their faith, yet not everyone who speaks truly believes.

The Prophet emphasizes that both our speech and thoughts should be filled with the words of God, which we must study continuously. By doing so, the one who loves righteousness, aware of the path he should follow, stands firm and resolute against those who attempt to undermine him. David expressed this in the first Psalm, stating, "But in the law of the Lord is his will, and in His law he shall learn day and night" (Psalm 1:2), and so forth.

The Divine law, as he asserts, remains ingrained in his spirit, encompassing both the inherent, unrecorded moral principle and the scriptures provided by Moses. Consequently, his journey toward God remains unimpeded, whether faced with visible adversaries or unseen ones, for no force can thwart or hinder virtue. Just as ships are expertly navigated by a helmsman and the swiftest horse runs smoothly when guided, so does the soul of the just, having the Divine law as its guide, forge clear paths amidst life's unforeseen challenges and navigate through turbulent waters, for, as it is written, the law serves as a support (Isaiah 8:20).

In the struggle against the adversary, the devil seeks to destroy him, but God will not abandon him to the devil's grasp. Instead, God will condemn the evil one and bring him to righteousness.

The Prophet previously noted that God's Providence is consistently attentive, ensuring that the righteous are not led astray by the wicked. He further emphasizes that the righteous, through their own discernment—a gift from God—will strive to steer clear of the deceit and malevolence of those who do wrong. The mouth of the righteous will acquire wisdom, implying that the righteous will speak with insight so as not to be ensnared by their words. Learning wisdom through speech is fundamentally about employing understanding during discussions.

Whatever the Father commanded, Christ the Savior faithfully completed for humanity's redemption, as He declared: ‘Father, I have done the work which You gave Me, that I may do it’ (John 17:4). The footsteps of Christ cannot be halted; these are the saints who follow Him continuously, always accomplishing His Divine will without fail.