Psalm 37 (36):40Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He encourages the faithful to place their trust in Him, not solely when circumstances align with their desires but also during times of adversity. This teaching suggests that it suffices for God to empower His servants so that, even when they are constrained or groaning under severe trials, they may remain steadfast. Notably, in the concluding verse, there are four verbs that convey similar meanings: will help, will rescue, will annihilate, and will save, reinforcing that the children of God should be prepared to endure trials with patience, and even if the Lord’s testing lasts for many years, they can remind themselves that He will ultimately deliver them from all harm after refining their endurance.

Essentially, he is saying, 'Embrace uprightness, for the man of peace makes it a point to uphold both righteousness and integrity.' Throughout this psalm, the prophet highlights the concept of the righteous, stating that the Lord will not abandon His faithful (Psalm 36:28) and that the righteous will inherit the earth (Psalm 36:29).

The rationale behind the prophet's identification of the godly as peaceful is clear. In Scripture, the path of peace often signifies the path of holiness. As St. Zacharias reminds us, "to direct our feet in the way of peace" (Luke 1:79). However, the path of peace is elusive (Isaiah 59:8), as the prophet refers to the wicked. The Psalmist proclaims, "I am at peace with those who hate the world" (Psalm 119:6). There exists a profound connection between peace and genuine holiness. One who is truly virtuous enjoys harmony with God, fulfilling the earnest call of the ambassadors of peace: "we implore you, be reconciled to God" (2 Corinthians 5:20). Such a person also maintains peaceful relations with others, finding no reason to disrupt this tranquility. Righteousness, malice, and oppression are the root of discord, which stands in stark contrast to authentic piety.

In many cases, the pursuit of earthly desires disrupts one's peace, leading to animosity. In contrast, the godly do not yearn for earthly things but seek only the Lord in both heaven and earth. "What have I in heaven, and what do I desire on earth? My portion is God forever" (Psalm 72:25, 26). Every material possession is seen as inconsequential when measured against the surpassing worth of knowing Christ (Philippians 3:8). A careless attitude towards words, along with a penchant for arguments and quarrels, can also erode peace from our lives. Such disputes arise from vanity and self-interest. The righteous and pious do not chase after empty praise, knowing that God is pleased with a pure heart (1 Peter 3:4), nurtured in the tranquility of a humble spirit. Is he inclined to criticize or judge? He remains preoccupied with self-reflection, engaging in a profound struggle with his own thoughts and feelings. For him, peace is invaluable: "Give us Your peace, for You have bestowed upon us all things" (Isaiah 26:12), for only a heart at peace can truly love, and it is in peace that we find the capacity for theological reflection and communion with the Lord. "Pursue peace and holiness with everyone" (Hebrews 12:14), implores the Apostle, for without them, no one shall see the Lord. Ultimately, as the Psalmist states, "My place is with God" (Psalm 75:2). Thus, he is willing to sacrifice everything to maintain peace within himself and in his surroundings.

This peaceful man enjoys respite on earth. What does it mean to have respite on the earth? In Old Testament times, the expectation of a blessed lineage was regarded as a divine grace. David reassures the righteous that they will have a remnant upon the earth, meaning they will thrive through their blessed descendants. Indeed, the lineage of the righteous is favored: the children of their children are akin to fruitful olive shoots surrounding their ancestors, a testament to this blessing. Their legacy persists through generations until the faithful witness is overshadowed by disbelief and worldly desires. Conversely, the descendants of the wicked will not endure (Proverbs 24:20), their spirit will quickly diminish, and their progeny will fade from the sight of others, suffering in poverty and disgrace. It is evident that purity and integrity are passed down from generation to generation, leading to health and longevity—as long as they remain untainted by worldly excess and vice. Therefore, the descendants of the pious are sustained as long as they maintain their faithfulness.

Consequently, there will never be a lack of a remnant among the godly. This blessing is particularly evident in the Orthodox families of our nation, whose lineage we recognize. By tracing back through history, we see that many of their ancestors were righteous, holy individuals acknowledged by God, or at least were characterized by exceptional piety, righteousness, selflessness, love for the Church, and especially charity towards the needy. However, the wicked persistently oppress the righteous: "The sinner watches the righteous and seeks to kill him" (Proverbs 2:20, 22). David observes that many among the godly grow impatient and falter in their faith. He comforts them, affirming that there is peace for the righteous on earth, assuring them that the Lord will defend and aid them, deliver them from the wicked, and save them because they have trusted in Him (Psalm 36:39, 40). Despite the efforts of the wicked, they will not extinguish the lineage of the righteous; they themselves will falter and perish, while God will provide shelter for the godly, hiding them in the mystery of His face—that is, enveloping them with His merciful protection. The ungodly will remain on the earth, while the paths of the wicked will be obliterated, and the wicked will be removed from it (Proverbs 2:20, 22).

The remains of the wicked will be consumed, yet the salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord, who serves as their protector in times of trouble. The Lord will aid them, deliver them, remove them from harm, and save them, as they have placed their trust in Him (Psalm 36:39, 40). The legacy of a peaceful and devout individual continues on through generations, as they carry out countless acts of goodness—not merely for all of humanity but particularly for their neighbors. The legacy of the righteous is one of praise, as the wise declare, unlike the fate of the wicked, whose memory fades quickly, as eloquently expressed by the same sage (Proverbs 10:7). Jerome, Augustine, Theodoret, and Ambrose interpret the remnant to signify eternal life and future reward. Thus, the holy prophet articulates that the righteous, despite suffering visible oppression from the wicked, preserved by divine Providence, will live on through their blessed offspring, remain in grateful remembrance on this earth, and ultimately inherit eternal life in the new earth, where the righteous dwell. To grasp this message fully, we must recognize that the prophet envisions the blessed lineage, uniting the righteous as a single family through the spiritual bonds of faith, righteousness, and integrity. He emphasizes that even with the wicked generation, the seed of the righteous continues to flourish—there is still hope for the godly, resting in the promise of the victorious lineage. Indeed, the prophet refers to it as the root of Jesse (Isaiah 11:1) to convey that while the lineage of the righteous faced dire circumstances, it was not devoid of life; within this remnant lay the promise of a blessed future. Ultimately, from this root, a blessed flower emerged through the Most Holy Virgin, spreading the fragrance of truth, faith, and salvation to all humankind—Jesus Christ, the Source of life and immortality, was born!