Psalm 37 (36):6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Righteousness and faith Your righteousness is currently concealed; it is a reality, yet not fully visible. You possess belief, and indeed you do, but the object of your faith remains unseen for now. However, when your understanding of what you have trusted in begins to unfold, your righteousness will be revealed, for your righteousness is rooted in your faith. For the just shall live by faith.

Your righteousness will emerge like a brilliant light. It is understood that in the coming age, as the Lord declared, 'the righteous will shine like the sun' (Matthew 13:43). The illumination of truth corresponds to knowledge, as truth serves as the standard for virtue. Your fate will mirror that of the sun, acknowledging your deserving of its radiance.

God reveals righteousness and does not keep judgment concealed, ensuring that the righteous are acknowledged while the wicked are cast aside. Furthermore, He does not simply shed light on your judgment; He causes it to radiate like the brightness of noon.

The prophet declares that one should dedicate oneself and one’s actions to the Lord, anticipating His assistance. As the Divine Judge, He will render a just decision, acclaim you, and bestow upon you glory, so that you may shine brightly like the midday sun for all to witness.

He will reveal your righteousness like a shining light. Righteousness here refers to just judgment; God signifies that He will present a just judgment upon you, humanity, shining brightly before all people. For your Heavenly Father, who observes what is hidden, will reward you in a visible manner. Alternatively, He will make your virtue known to others, revealing it like pure light in its time. Your judgment shall be as the midday sun. He conveys the same message here as previously, that God will unveil His just judgment to the world in the brilliant light of noon. The term 'noon' signifies the most radiant and intense light of day. Thus, 'judgment' here can also denote life: God will proclaim your chosen life, which you have favored, as noon, for its brightness is evident to all.

The prophet, much like a skilled healer, has suggested a cure for the inner afflictions of joylessness, thirst, and similar ailments; however, he now presents another remedy for the outward trials of persecution and defamation. In facing these adversities, we are not prohibited from defending ourselves; instead, we are to employ a distinct approach, namely, earnest prayer to God and steadfast faith in Him. This was exemplified by Susanna, who, when falsely accused and condemned to death, lifted her gaze to heaven in tears, as described in Daniel 13, for her heart was steadfast in the Lord. As David advises, we should "open thy way unto the Lord, and trust in Him," which means laying our circumstances before God in prayer and placing our trust in Him, surrendering our destiny to Him.

A devout believer should not harbor the illusion that anything can be hidden from God, for He scrutinizes the depths of the heart, including unexpressed thoughts. Therefore, one must earnestly communicate all the intentions of the heart in prayer to the God who understands the heart, seeking His divine grace for the sake of salvation. Truth acts as a beacon, and genuine virtues are without pretense, as the Gospel rightly declares: Your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you openly at the Last Judgement (Matthew 6:4). In that moment, the virtues of the righteous will radiate like bright light before all the saints. The path ordained by God, which a person has faithfully embraced, will be revealed as pure and as luminous as the midday sun, devoid of any vice.