The Church Fathers on this verse
THEOSIS
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Psalm 38 (37):14Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

But I, as a deaf man, heard not: and as a dumb man not opening his mouth.

Douay-Rheims · Hebrew numbering, Septuagint numbering in brackets.

וַאֲנִ֣י כְ֭חֵרֵשׁ לֹ֣א אֶשְׁמָ֑ע וּ֝כְאִלֵּ֗ם לֹ֣א יִפְתַּח־פִּֽיו׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

9 Church Fathers comment on this verse · 12 commentaries

John Chrysostom

4th centuryChurch Father

What actions did David take when conspiracies were contrived against him? He expressed, “And I am like a deaf man who cannot hear, and like a mute who cannot speak; I have become like one who does not hear and has no reply in his mouth.” Observe the immense strength of a man’s wisdom, how he triumphed over adversaries through unexpected means. His foes plotted against him, yet he shut his ears, rendering himself unresponsive; they did not cease their relentless chatter, employing both slander and flattery, but he quelled their fury with silence. Why did he adopt this demeanor? In the midst of such relentless assaults from his enemies, why did he choose to behave as if he were deaf and mute, devoid of hearing and speech? Hear the explanation he offers for his righteous stance: “For in Thee, O Lord, I trust.”

Augustine of Hippo

5th centuryChurch Father

Individuals who were unresponsive to the message they encountered, in a sense, did not truly hear it. However, I, akin to the deaf, found myself unable to hear. I was like one who cannot speak, remaining silent. And once more, the same message is reiterated.

Ambrose of Milan

4th centuryChurch Father

He who is deaf does not hear, and the one who keeps silent does not speak (Psalm 37:14). The gift of speech is indeed marvelous. It is stated not as, “I might not have heard,” but rather, “I have not heard.” By focusing his thoughts, he silenced those who spoke against him and remained voiceless like a mute. Blessed is the person who cultivates such a quality, for when he is disturbed, he does not succumb to anger or seek vengeance. Enemies aim to incite us, speaking ill in order to provoke us to do the same. They accuse us to draw us back into transgression and malign us so that we too would retaliate. This is why the Apostle Peter described the Lord in his letter: “He that hath reproached us against evil hath not reproached us, neither hath affliction abated us” (1 Pet. 2:23).

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Therefore, following His example and likeness, a righteous individual remains silent when harmed and chooses to let go of grievances. When overwhelmed, he conceals his distress and refrains from speaking, emulating Him who, like a Lamb led to slaughter, remained silent, even having a response, preferring to endure rather than to defend Himself. Indeed, our Lord Jesus, upon being accused, kept silent, and when struck, did not retaliate. When confronted, He stated, “If evil be evil, testify of evil: if you are good, what good are you that I am?” (John 18:23). Observe how He appears weak and seemingly unable to defend Himself, speaking in a child-like manner. Likewise, if you find yourself with grounds to accuse your adversary, it is wiser to remain silent so that you do not provoke your own indignation through attempts at justification. It is far more virtuous to overlook an injustice than to respond with accusations. Truly blessed is the one who remains silent, who knows not how to speak ill, and whose lips do not engage in blame. Happy is he who is quiet, mentally affirming, “The Lord grants me wisdom to understand when it is appropriate to speak.” This is how Zechariah interacted internally when he was rendered mute. Indeed, he was unable to speak—not because he had nothing to say, but because God kept him silent until the right moment. When he was finally able to speak, he proclaimed the glory of the Christ he had not previously fully accepted. What can be said of the Lord’s might? Consider Susanna, struggling against the frailties of her condition; faced with condemnation to death, she remained silent rather than compromise her purity. In her heart, she spoke to God, whose understanding of her inner silence was far clearer than any outer expression could convey. If she had chosen to speak, her voice would not have been heard any more clearly. Thus, you, seeking to satisfy your God for your transgressions, should ask for forgiveness quietly in your heart. Look to Him who can cleanse you from sin. The one who brings accusations against you will assist you. In response to his son Absalom’s desire for vengeance, David remarked, “Let him curse me, as the Lord hath spoken unto me: the Lord will look upon my humility, and will return good things to me instead of his oath” (2 Samuel 16:11-12). You see, your adversaries can serve a purpose, leading you to call upon the Lord for forgiveness. When you find yourself as your own accuser, bringing forth your wrongdoings in confession, consider how you could deny the validity of your accusations. True repentance demands patience, and patience can lead to the alleviation of great sins. How can you incite anger in another when your own conscience reminds you of your faults? Why allow indignation when humility is called for? The one who is accused, particularly by oneself, should tend to their own wounds rather than inflict pain on others. No one has ever healed by harming another. To the physician, heal yourself! If one can heal, how much more should a defendant work towards their own healing? If you confess your sin, you will find another healer. Even when the counter-accusations you wield are accurate, the timing may not be appropriate. God asks the sinner, “Why will you tell my justification?” (Psalm 49:16). You, who have strayed from the Law, squander moments of repentance. Why engage in pointless debates, ignoring the scripture that warns against idle talk? And if another speaks, remain silent. If someone is slandered, turn a deaf ear. David triumphed over his enemies through silence, for in his muteness, he found a voice to express his prayers to God.

Let the just remain quiet. Aspiring to shape his existence in the likeness of Christ, the just man holds his peace when falsely accused, bears slander with patience, turns away when struck, and remains mute—mirroring Him who was led like a lamb to the slaughter and did not defend Himself. Although He had words to offer in response, He chose silence over speaking. The Lord Jesus remained silent in the face of allegations against Him, and when He was struck, He did not retaliate. Similarly, if you possess a response to counter an accusation, it is wiser to remain silent, to avoid revealing any misunderstandings through mutual blame. Concealing your wrongdoing is preferable to defending yourself and risking further complications.

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Blessed is the one who speaks little—one who does not utter wrong and from whose mouth no slander flows. Truly fortunate is he who, in silence, reminds himself: ‘The Lord bestows upon me the wisdom to speak when the moment calls for it.’

The prophet remarks, "Unable to falsely accuse me, those filled with envy employed deceit to assert their dominance over me, to mock me, and to incite my anger. However, I, recognizing their deceit, acted like a deaf person and did not hear" (Psalm 37:14). Consider the weight of these words. He did not express, "I feigned ignorance to their words," but stated, "I did not hear," as he intentionally turned his mind away from the speaker’s voice and remained silent as a mute. How blessed is the one who possesses such strength—when provoked, he does not become angry; when angered, he refrains from seeking revenge.

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Adversaries do this to stir up our wrath: they curse us, hoping we'll respond in kind; they accuse us, seeking to draw out accusations in return; they insult us in hopes of driving us to humiliation and causing us to retaliate. Peter beautifully articulated of the Lord Jesus in his epistle, "When He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten" (1 Pet. 2:23). A righteous individual, aligning his life with the example of the Lord, remains silent when accused, forgives when offended, and remains calm in humiliation, emulating Him who, like a lamb led to slaughter, "did not open His mouth" (Isa. 53:7; Jer. 11:19). He preferred silence over speech, though He had a response. Our Lord Jesus, when faced with accusation, remained quiet, and though struck, He did not retaliate. After receiving blows, He asked, "If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?" (John 18:23). Observe how He appeared powerless and bewildered, as if unable to defend Himself. In the same manner, even if you could expose your accuser, it is wiser to remain silent and avoid revealing your irritation; it is better to conceal your offense than to seek revenge through denunciation. A silent individual is truly blessed; they will not utter evil, and no accusations will escape their lips. Such silence is a blessing; even while quiet, they may reflect, "The Lord has given me the tongue of the learned" (Isaiah 50:4), knowing when to speak a word of wisdom. Similar thoughts were expressed by Zechariah during his silence. Indeed, words would have served him no good, and he chose silence rather than to speak; yet, when he did articulate, Christ heard him (Luke 1:18-20, 64, 67). Zechariah noted that Christ listened to him, and he was granted a prophetic voice from Christ, receiving a grace to prophesy about Him whom he had formerly doubted. Why boast of the Lord of all virtues when Susanna (Dan. 13:42-43), though aware of her peril, proclaimed her innocence with unwavering courage? She was wrongfully accused and chose silence, facing death while maintaining her purity. In her heart, she sought the Lord, who was more attentive to her in her stillness, for should she have sought to justify herself aloud, He may not have listened.

And you, wishing to seek forgiveness from the Lord your God, cleanse yourself from within, directing your heart solely to Him who can purify your transgressions. He aids you even when an accusation arises. When someone spoke ill of David, Abishai sought vengeance on his behalf, but David replied, "Leave him alone, let him curse; for so the Lord has commanded him to show me my shame, and the Lord will repay me good for his cursing today" (2 Samuel 16:11-12). Notice that help can also come through the rebukes of your enemies, so that the Lord may aid you and absolve your sin. If you find yourself accusing yourself, cataloging your misdeeds, and accepting blame, why seek to evade reproach? True repentance requires patience and softens grave wrongs. Why allow anger against others when your conscience pricks you? Why allow irritation when you ought to be in tears? He who holds himself accountable must heal his own wounds rather than inflict pain on others. No one finds healing by harming others. "Physician, heal thyself" (Luke 4:23). This is directed toward the healer, yet even more so should the accused tend to their own healing! You confess your sin while being your own judge: even if your claims are truthful, they are out of place. To the sinner, God proclaims, "Why do you declare My statutes?" (Psalm 49:16). You have consistently opposed the Law; why claim the authority to judge? Why pause for tears? Why engage in foolish talk during disputes, when it is written, "You shall not follow a crowd to do evil" (Ex. 23:1), and from the Gospel, you read that you will be held accountable for every idle word (Matt. 12:36)? Even if someone speaks, you should remain silent; even if they scold, you should cover your ears.

David exhibited restraint in his speech, not consistently, but in alignment with the context—his discretion varied with the circumstances and was especially applied to the sinner who enticed him. In another psalm, he expresses that he would not hear the empty talk of those who scheme wickedness, likening himself to a deaf man, and he would keep his mouth closed like a mute. Similarly, in Proverbs, it is advised not to respond to a foolish person's folly to avoid becoming like him. This emphasizes the importance of moderation in our words. Such measured speech can be a form of praise offered to God, as highlighted in various scriptures, and it demonstrates reverence during the reading of Scripture. St.

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Ambrose noted the disturbances during worship services, stressing the need for respect during these times, including honoring parents. It's evident that many speak out without understanding the virtue of silence. It is uncommon for an individual to remain quiet even when they recognize that their words are not beneficial. A wise individual considers their speech carefully: what to say, to whom, where, and when. Therefore, there exists a balance necessary for both silence and speech, akin to the balance that must be maintained in actions as well. Maintaining this equilibrium is crucial at all times.

Theodoret of Cyrus

5th centuryChurch Father

History illustrates this truth more vividly. When Absalom criticized his father’s decisions and gathered those who desired David's verdict but found no success, the beloved David endured these hardships with great nobility. Even when Shimei slandered him, assaulting David both verbally and physically, David accepted these affronts in quietude. Absalom, who aimed to retaliate against the wrongdoer, intervened, saying: let him be; allow him to curse, for the Lord has commanded him to curse David (2 Sam. 16:10).

Euthymios Zigabenos

11th centuryCommentator

In my own experience, it feels as though I have been rendered deaf; I have turned a blind eye to the accusations that have been launched against me. Undoubtedly, David was aware of the insults directed at him, and like many others, he chose to remain silent in the face of provocation. Particularly, he received harsh words and curses, notably from Shimei, yet he remained composed and seemed to disregard them entirely, as recounted in 2 Samuel 16. He refrained from responding, portraying himself as a man unable to speak; by not engaging with the scornful remarks from his adversaries, it is evident that he acted as if he were mute.

Cyrill of Jerusalem

4th centuryChurch Father

When I faced judgment, I remained quiet, prompting Pilate to feel pity and ask, ‘Do you not hear that these testify against you’ (Matthew 27:13)? His fear stemmed not from familiarity with the accused, but rather from the unsettling dream his wife experienced (Matthew 27:18 - the biblical account presents events differently). Throughout this, Jesus maintained his silence. Thus, the Psalmist declares: ‘And I am like a man who does not hear, and in whose mouth are no reproofs. And again, ‘But I am like a deaf man that hears not, and like a mute who does not open his mouth.’ These matters you have previously heard, if only you would recall them.

Theophan the Recluse

19th centuryChurch Father

He is like one who cannot hear, or perhaps he simply chose to disregard the schemes, plots, and discussions, out of kindness and trust, or he bore such endurance that he remained oblivious to them. The latter interpretation is more accurate. He did not utter a word—he did not defend himself nor attempt to make them understand. Perhaps he was apprehensive that speaking out would provoke their malevolence and, by allowing them freedom, he believed it would eventually exhaust itself and fade away without opposition. In his silence, he resembles a person who hears nothing and reiterates this with slight variations to demonstrate his immense patience. He did not seek to reprimand, as though he had no grounds for rebuke against them.

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Though he had the ability to expose their schemes and condemn their wrongdoing if he had chosen to speak, he refrained from exercising that right. The Holy Prophet conveys this sentiment: “My own have turned away; my adversaries are acting wickedly. Yet I remain deaf and silent; I did not intervene, granting my foes freedom to act, entrusting my fate to God.” In the path of repentance, this reflects a determined disregard for demonic temptations. The spirits whisper various assurances into the ears of the sinner, yet the truly repentant person pays them no mind. He internally resolves, “Let it be according to the will of the Lord.” His commands serve as a shelter for those who obey them. He not only chooses not to listen to them now but resolves to ignore them in the future, realizing that indulging in sin appeases demons while tormenting himself. He remains as one who does not hear, regardless of the efforts made to undermine his righteous thoughts and convictions. He does not engage in arguments, for such disputes are unreliable; they only lead to confusion rather than resolution. Thus, the collective wisdom of the holy fathers is clear: do not heed their suggestions. A simple turn away will resolve all discord; do not pay heed. The same principle applies to the world and its attempts to ensnare the penitent. Better to avoid arguments altogether. You may follow one path, and I another. Engaging in arguments only stirs up memories and diminishes determination, rather than fortifying it. It is wise to sever all ties at once.

Irenaeus (Klementjewsky)

18th centuryCommentator

These statements are evident and absolutely accurate, particularly illustrated in 2 Samuel 16. There, we observe how Shimei condemned David, labeling him a man of blood, meaning a murderer and usurper of the throne. Remarkably, David displayed extraordinary forbearance, refusing to permit any of his followers to retaliate or confront Shimei. Consequently, he remained unresponsive, almost as if he were deaf, neither hearing the accusations nor seeking retribution against them.

Psalter with Commentaries (Cave Monastery in Kiew)

19th centuryCommentator

This psalm, attributed to David and inspired by the Holy Spirit, serves as a reminder of the Sabbath—symbolizing the eternal rest prepared for the righteous. The Sabbath is regarded as a time of rest, inviting all to pursue it through repentance. There exists a third psalm dedicated to repentance. The wrath of God towards sinners at the Last Judgment is fierce and unyielding. Earthly tribulation arises from sin, prompting us to fear transgressions and engage in penance. Sin wears down both body and spirit, disrupting inner peace. Acts of repentance, labor, prayer, fasting, and good deeds draw forth God's grace.

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A soul devoid of the heavenly salt provided by the Holy Spirit becomes decayed, filled with the foulness of evil and empty thoughts, allowing malevolent spirits, likened to worms, to invade and torment it. The souls of sinners resemble beasts, suffering from ulcers and becoming enshrouded in decay. The decay stemming from sinful wounds renders a person frail and grotesque, haunted by guilt, shame, and remorse. However, should one begin to repent and embark on the path of righteousness, the Lord will provide assistance in the struggle against sinful passions. This teaching urges us not to conceal our sins or allow them to fester within us like darkness and decay, but rather to confess them openly. The prophet expresses deep anguish due to the loss of the Holy Spirit's illuminating presence owing to his sins. Neighbors here refer to angels who withdraw from humanity due to transgressions. Seeking souls, represented as demons, intensify their attacks. Plotting and scheming occur daily. The patience of Christ throughout His passion reflects the cries of Adam and his descendants longing for rescue from Christ and liberation from hell, in order to conquer sin, condemnation, and death.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.