Psalm 38 (37):20Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

What is the result of this? They proclaim blessings upon those who are favored. But what do you say, you who are mindful of your transgressions? What do you say, you who acknowledge your wrongdoing? He states, 'Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.' Yet my foes flourish and bolster themselves against me, and those who unjustly despise me are multiplying. What does it mean to unjustly hate me? I find disdain from those who intend me well, and if they merely reciprocated evil for evil, they would not be counted among the righteous; if they did not reciprocate goodness for the good done to them, they would be ungrateful; and those who unjustly hate repay evil for the good they receive. Such were the Jews; Christ approached them offering goodness; they returned His good with malevolence. Take heed, brethren, of this wickedness; it will swiftly approach us. Let none think themselves immune from peril, for we have stated, 'Such were the Jews.' If a brother, wishing you well, chastises you, and you harbor hatred towards him, you resemble them. Observe how easily and swiftly this can transpire; avert such a grave evil and sin, which is so simple to fall into.

Who experiences daily death if not he who bears in his body the death of the Lord Jesus (2 Corinthians 4:10)? This is so that he may have all his sins put to death. David's adversaries have increased and become stronger in this age, yet there is no firmer foundation than one who is rooted in Christ. In this time, those who unjustly despise the righteous are emboldened; their animosity is both unlawful and unrighteous, for their detestation is without just cause.

Consider the contrast: in another psalm, it states, "Those who hate me without fault" (Psalms 68:5), while here we find, "Those who hate me unjustly" (Psalms 37:20). In the former instance, the psalmist speaks in Christ's name, and in this one, he expresses himself. When he voices words in Christ's name, he acknowledges being without fault in their hatred, but in his own name, he identifies the unjust nature of their hatred. A person may resist a particular affliction, such as injustice or immorality, while succumbing to others; however, in Christ, there is no justification for Him to endure any sin's affliction, as He is entirely detached from sin, free of wrongdoing, and unmarred by vice. Some hold that both Psalms 37 and 68 express sentiments in Christ’s name, who sought forgiveness from the Father for our transgressions. Here, He is attacked unjustly, while there, He is portrayed as without fault.

Athanasius stated, "Although I am not insensible to sin, but rather constantly troubled by it, I cannot help but recognize that my adversaries are stronger than I. Therefore, I implore You, O Lord, do not forsake me, but rather come quickly to my aid." This reflects the ultimate prayer of the penitent. The fear of foes and dependence on the Lord clash within him. He places his trust in God, yet feels unable to rely on his own strength. His adversaries can shatter his noble thoughts and intentions, and his trust, which serves as his fortitude, may become fragile and unsteady. In his cry, he laments: there are so many devious enemies! Do not abandon me; I call out for assistance. For in You alone lies my salvation. v. 20. Yet my adversaries continue to thrive, growing stronger than I, and those who unjustly hate me multiply; v. 21. They who repay my goodness with evil have scorned me; I pursue the path of righteousness. Relating to St. David’s circumstances, history validates such observations. His foes—aligned with the household of Saul and others embittered—persist and are not diminished. It may not appear that they possess greater strength than he does, yet they could overpower him if left unchecked to execute their schemes. Nonetheless, St. David could utter this sentiment even now, empathizing with the thoughts and emotions of his opponents; they may have seen themselves as formidable adversaries at that moment. The hostility multiplied... The faction of unkind individuals who unjustly despised him—motivated by envy—thrived. Those who plotted evil against him had not yet acted upon their intentions, but were ready to encircle David with a multitude of afflictions. St. David was elevated by God’s design while still in his youth. The household of Saul fell from grace due to Saul's unrighteousness. The enemies misconstrued this divine election as mere ambition and cunning. They misjudged my humility for frailty and dared to slander me, scheming against me. Regarding repentance, those adversaries who conspire and carry out such malice are the wicked spirits operating beneath the heavens. The sinner foresees their hostility, which intensifies and multiplies as they seek to assail him. He acknowledges that his enemies are alive, growing more malevolent. They rally all their forces around the penitent, obstructing his every path to entrap him, laying various traps in his thoughts, emotions, relationships, and worldly interactions. As long as the repentant has not yet fortified himself in righteousness, the temptations are more potent. The adversaries are keenly aware of this and escalate their endeavors against him. Their hatred knows no bounds. They roar like lions at one who seeks to forsake them. They not only act directly but also through individuals who submit to their influence, often using these people as vehicles for their schemes. They slander the penitent to those around him, planting sinister thoughts that he is a hypocrite with ulterior motives, undermining his quest for salvation. This often leads to trouble that, if not handled with care, could cause significant harm or even chaos. Consequently, they arrange for malice to return for good. The repentant person seeks to do good for others to the best of his ability. However, the foes succeed in twisting this goodness into harm for those who perform it. Those who receive the good are led to harbor perverse perceptions and are spurred to trouble their benefactors at every turn. Such deception can be devastating for the novice. This is what the penitent faces initially! How does one withstand such trials? Observing the many schemes of the enemy, the prophet himself beseeches the Lord and encourages others to pray as well.

This likely alludes to the insurrection led by Absalom, whose deceitful claims convinced the populace that his father the king lacked just leadership, promising to govern righteously if he were in power. Thus, the people turned against the king and wholeheartedly supported Absalom, as recounted in the second book of Kings, chapter 15.

Any soul devoid of the heavenly seasoning of the Holy Spirit becomes corrupted, filled with the foulness of evil and vain thoughts, allowing wicked spirits to invade and torment it. The souls of sinners resemble wounded beasts, suffering and consumed, covered in festering corruption. The decay caused by sinful wounds leads a person to become frail and distorted, overwhelmed by guilt, shame, and regret. However, if one initiates repentance and embarks on the path of virtue, the Lord will provide support in the struggle against passions. This teaching urges us to confess our sins openly rather than concealing them deep within our hearts, where they fester like rot. The prophet deeply mourns the burden of internal conflict, feeling the absence of the Holy Spirit's light due to his transgressions. Neighbors and angels withdraw from a person because of their sins. Seeking souls become prey to demons, who launch more intense assaults. They plot and scheme against us continually. The patience of Christ during His Passion echoes the cries of Adam and his descendants, yearning for Christ's aid and deliverance from hell to conquer sin, condemnation, and death.