With Your continual strength, I regard myself as mightier than the nations that surround me. My wounds have festered (Psalm 37:6), yet I still long for the marks of Your discipline, which, once healed, leave no scars. The scars borne by those who triumph are indeed beautiful—so splendid are the victors of earthly contests! However, even more splendid are the wounds endured for faith and the glory of Your name. Such wounds open the gates of heaven, secure the kingdom, and grant eternal life. Therefore, my brethren, such a wound is indeed blessed, just as those who have washed their robes in the Lamb's blood are called blessed. Thus, this mortal flesh begins to transform into a garment of glory, as evidenced in the life of Paul, chosen servant of God, until he yearned to be freed from this body of death (Romans 7:24).
Consequently, while we exist in this body of death, we pray that the beloved Healer of God does not abandon us; even King David implored Him not to depart from him. We ourselves, ready for healing, place our trust in the remedies He desires to provide. No one instructs a physician on how to treat their ailments; the physician understands the appropriate treatments for various conditions. He knows when to excise a rotten wound to prevent a harmful illness from spreading throughout the body. If the doctor prescribes a treatment, and the patient dismisses it with disdain, the physician may withdraw their care. Consider the one seeking healing: they accept whatever guidance the doctor offers, remaining vigilant about the prescriptions. Initially, they reveal their wounds, saying, Cure me, but I ask that you do not grow angry, for I am frail and cannot bear severe care. Christ heals through admonition, for the Lord chastises those He seeks to restore. Thus, Paul counsels the doctor to ‘Reprove, forbid, exhort’ (2 Timothy 4:2). The one who seeks correction does not shy away from treatment (Psalm 37:2), yet longs to mitigate the punishment—to avoid incurring wrath or scorn.
Observe the unfolding: first, the individual seeks to have their guilt revealed, and even more critically, they seek to be chastised. Moreover, they not only confess their sins but also enumerate them, refusing to conceal their misdeeds. This behavior resembles a serious illness: when fever overwhelms a person, immediate relief may seem impossible, but when the illness is brought to the surface, hope for healing emerges. The same applies to the affliction of sin: as long as sins are concealed, they smolder; once confessed, they dissipate. Hence, the righteous person confesses at the outset (Proverbs 18:18), before the wound’s inflammation seeps deeper; the recollection of sins weighs on the conscience without recourse to remedy. If the physician hesitates, the ailing individual must approach him promptly. Thus, David presented himself to the Lord for chastisement, declaring, Recompense me double for my sins (Isaiah 40:2), while seeking forgiveness for his transgressions. Forsake me not, turn not your face away from me (Psalm 26:9), do not reject me, nor be revolted by the stench of my wounds! Job, Your servant, experienced sores from head to toe (Job 2:7) yet discovered his path to salvation, even though his afflictions stemmed from his righteousness, while mine arise from sin. His wounds were festering, and the physicians were unable to remedy them. But You, O Lord, unveiled the secrets of Your mysteries, exposing the serpent’s poison, and by the power of Your word alone healed the wounds of Job, for You did not abandon him. Forsake me not, O Lord my God, forsake me not (Psalm 37:22)! Others have spurned me because my wounds repel them; these ailments I have chosen to expose to Your tender care. People declare, Go away from us, for you are a sinner, depart, lest you defile us! Yet You, O Lord, heal without causing defilement, assist without becoming unclean, for You are the God of salvation, O Lord, and Your right hand saves without destruction.
Thus, we conclude our reflection on the psalm with an understanding of this verse, which is omitted from some Greek and Latin manuscripts. Before our next response is sung, let us consider the phrase, They cast me away like a vile corpse (Psalm 37:21b), preserved only in the Arabic translation, which conveys that they have repaid me evil for good. Yet You do not forsake me, O Lord my God, do not depart from me (Psalm 37:22), meaning: You do not forsake me; You continually attend to the dead and the putrid. This is evident in the Gospel: when He approached Lazarus's tomb and instructed, Take away the stone, Martha remarked, ‘He already stinks, for he has been in the tomb four days.’ Jesus responded, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?’ (John 11:39-40). He called Lazarus, and he emerged unharmed. Let us likewise maintain our faith and apply the healing remedy of salvation and future glory to our wounds! Prayers and pleas accompanied by anguish and tears should be made for repentance, that we may be worthy to witness this glory of God. We should not be troubled by sorrow, pain, or the disintegration of the body, despite their severity; such sufferings are insignificant compared to the glory that is to come, as affirmed by the apostle Paul (Romans 8:18). Let us not feel ashamed to bear the light afflictions in this life, hoping to receive the fullness of praise and glory in heaven, gaining an eternal reward through our Lord Jesus Christ. To Him be praise, glory, honor, and dominion forever, now and always, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
THEOSIS