Psalm 38 (37):23Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

As we reflect on the majesty of God and behold His presence, we will glorify Him eternally; we will do so without blemish, free from the taint of wrongdoing, and devoid of any distortion of sin—worshiping God, no longer yearning for Him, but holding fast to the One for whom we have longed, and celebrating in hope. For we shall dwell in the city where our benevolent God resides. All that is truly good for us, for which we have endured suffering, we shall find in Him.

Empowered by You, I will regard myself as stronger than the nations surrounding me. My injuries may fester (Psalm 37:6), yet I crave the marks of Your discipline, which—once healed—leave no trace behind. The scars of those who triumph are beautiful, revered among the victors of this world; yet, infinitely more glorious are those wounds borne for the sake of faith and for Your name's honor. Such wounds open the gates of heaven, secure a place in the Kingdom, and grant eternal life. Thus, dear friends, a wound like this is truly blessed, as are those who have washed their garments in the blood of the Lamb. From such suffering, the mortal flesh begins to assume a mantle of glory, which Paul, Your chosen vessel, experienced until he sought liberation from this body of death (Romans 7:24).

Therefore, while encumbered by this body of death, we beseech the Divine Healer, beloved of God, not to abandon us. The patriarch David entreated Him not to turn away; likewise, we prepare ourselves for healing and commit to the remedies He has ordained. Just as no one instructs a physician on how to treat ailments, for he understands which medicines address specific conditions and knows how to excise a festering sore to prevent further disease. Should a patient disdain the treatment prescribed, the physician may withdraw. Observe the one seeking healing: they accept whatever the physician decides and heed the instructions given, first revealing their wounds and requesting, "Heal me, but please do not be angry with me, for I am frail and unable to withstand severe treatment." Christ heals through admonition because the Lord chastises those He desires to transform. This is why Paul instructs the physician to "Rebuke, reprove, encourage" (2 Timothy 4:2). Those who seek correction do not shy away from treatment; rather, they wish to mitigate the punishment and prevent condemnation or harsh rebuke.

Consider what transpires: initially, the individual requests to have their faults revealed, and then—more importantly—they seek to be disciplined. They not only confess their sins but also list them, refusing to conceal their transgressions. This mirrors a grave illness: when a fever envelops a person, it cannot simply be eradicated, but healing becomes possible when the sickness is acknowledged. Sin operates similarly; while concealed, it simmers, yet when brought to light through confession, it dissipates. Thus, the righteous person condemns themselves at the outset of their plea (Proverbs 18:18), before the inflammation of guilt takes hold. The memory of sins weighs heavily on the conscience unless a remedy is sought. If a physician hesitates, the afflicted must approach him without delay. David brought himself to be corrected by the Lord, saying, "Recompense me double for my sins" (Isaiah 40:2). Despite Your forgiveness of sins here, "Forsake me not, nor turn Your face away from me" (Psalms 26:9), do not reject me nor be appalled by the odor of my wounds! Job, Your servant, bore sores from head to toe (Job 2:7) yet discovered the path to his salvation, despite his afflictions stemming from righteousness, while mine arise from sin. His wounds festered, and the physicians could not heal them. Yet, O Lord, You unveiled the truths of Your mysteries, revealed the serpent's venom, and with the healing of Your Word alone mended Job's wounds, for You did not forsake him. "Forsake me not, O Lord my God; forsake me not" (Psalm 37:22)! People have abandoned me because my wounds repel them; I have chosen to unveil these sores to Your loving care. They declare, "Depart from us, for you are a sinner; leave us, lest you pollute us!" However, You, O Lord, heal rather than defile, assist instead of contaminating, for You are the God of salvation, and Your right hand saves without destruction.

We concluded our reflection on the psalm with an interpretation of a verse not found in certain Greek and Latin manuscripts. Before the next responsory, consider the declaration: "They cast me away like a worthless body" (Psalm 37:21b)—a line preserved only in the Arabic version. This reveals that they have returned evil for good. Yet You do not abandon me, O Lord my God; do not depart from me (Psalm 37:22)—meaning: You do not forsake me; You consistently care for the dead and the decayed. This resonates with the Gospel account when He approached Lazarus's tomb and commanded, "Remove the stone." Martha protested, "By this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days." Jesus replied, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" (John 11:39-40). He called Lazarus, and he emerged unharmed. Let us also believe and apply the medicine of salvation and future glory to our wounds!

Our prayers and petitions, accompanied by sorrow and tears, should beseech repentance so that we may be graced to witness God's glory. Do not let the anguish, pain, and decay of the body bring distress. Even if they seem severe, such sufferings are insignificant compared to the coming glory, as testified by the apostle Paul (Romans 8:18). Let us not feel disgrace in bearing lighter burdens on earth, so that in heaven we may receive the fullness of praise and divine glory, attaining eternal reward through our Lord Jesus. To Him be praise, glory, honor, and everlasting dominion, now and forever, unto ages of ages. Amen.

Those Christians who possess a vigilant and righteous disposition discern the urgings of their souls, resisting and remaining silent in the face of the evil thoughts of demons, allowing no internal words to take shape in their hearts. They call upon God alone for assistance and protection from these demonic forces. The very demons, recognizing that attentive sinners seek true repentance, respond by unleashing an even greater multitude of external and internal trials, and further traducing them before everyone as sinners.

3) Attribute every good action you have performed or are currently undertaking solely to God, so you do not misappropriate His achievements and claim His glory, and in doing so, avoid serious sin. 4) Continually cry out to God lest He withdraw His mighty hand from you, for in the absence of divine assistance, you may fall into transgression. Frequently invoke the Psalmist's plea: "Do not forsake me, O Lord my God; do not forsake me; call for my help, O Lord of my salvation!" (Psalm 37:22-23). 5) When the Lord brings you trials, tribulations, and grief, He desires to refine you and transform you into a fruitful tree. Endure with your Lord as you would with a physician administering a harsh remedy. Such remedies may cause sorrow to the flesh, but they bring healing to the afflicted spirit. "Trust in the Lord, be of good courage, and let thy heart be strengthened, and hope in the Lord" (Psalm 26:14).

In this way, the timid penitent finds solace in the embrace of God’s all-sustaining grace, like a child sheltered from the gaze of strangers in their mother’s arms. Empowered by faith and sustained through repentance, he finally steps forth for his mission, equipped with the full armor of divine assistance and celestial protection. He now affirms in his heart: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)—and neither the challenges of action nor the daunting nature of external circumstances can deter or unsettle his steadfast journey along the path he has chosen and committed to.

Souls devoid of the divine seasoning from the Holy Spirit become corrupted and filled with the foulness of evil and hollow thoughts, allowing malignant spirits to invade and torment them. The souls of the unrighteous resemble beasts, afflicted and consumed, and covered with filth and decay. The deterioration resulting from sinful wounds leads a person to become frail and grotesque, plagued by guilt, shame, and remorse. However, if one takes the path of repentance and virtue, the Lord will provide support in overcoming passions. This message teaches us to avoid concealing our sins, urging us to reveal them without reserve rather than allowing them to fester internally as darkness and corruption. The prophet experiences deep distress due to the absence of the Holy Spirit's illuminating presence, a consequence of his sins. The term "neighbors" here refers to angels, who distance themselves from individuals due to their transgressions. Meanwhile, demons relentlessly pursue souls, launching more potent assaults. They conspire daily, devising schemes against the faithful. The endurance of Christ during his Passion is echoed in the cries of Adam and his descendants, who await salvation and liberation from hell, striving to conquer sin, condemnation, and death.