Psalm 38 (37):3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

One laments that the arrows of the Lord are in his flesh, while the other mourns being pierced; one’s blood is consumed, while the other’s blood is spilled; one is pierced through, the other is wounded; God’s hand touched one, while the weight of His hand lay heavily upon the other (Job 19:21; Ps. 31:4). One grieves for a soul filled with deceit, and the other for a body afflicted with sores. We recognize in God's hand the authority of punishment. This hand struck the king of Egypt for the offenses done to Abraham and the violations against Sarah’s virtue (Gen. 12:15-19). It was this hand that plunged the chariots, horsemen, and people of Egypt into the depths of the Red Sea (Exod. 14:28). This hand troubled King Saul's mind, leading him to despise the nobility of his savior. Saul, unable to remain true to the Almighty King, found himself forsaken by friends, bereft of his children, and defeated by his foes—a dishonor greater than any for a king! In his despair, he turned his sword upon himself, unwilling to live as a captured old man, a bearer of grief for his children and his realm. David experienced the weight of this hand in relation to himself and his offspring (2 Samuel 13), lamenting the violation of his daughter and the fratricide of one son by another. What struck the righteous father as more tragic than the loss of his own fortune was the dishonor cast upon his children and the death of their piety: one son’s illicit love for his sister led to violence, while the other’s zeal for chastity led to murder. Alas, the proximity of grave sins to virtues casts a shadow upon the latter! If only one son had not desired his sister, and the other had not sought revenge! Eventually, David was driven from his homeland by his son and fled from an adversary he had once chosen as his heir, now fearing to lose his fatherly love.

Yet, one may wonder how the hand of God is involved in fratricide or incest if such acts arise from an enemy's influence. We must understand that when the devil inflicts wounds, it is still regarded as God’s arrows that cause the injury. This is evident from the account when the Lord praised His faithful servant Job before the devil in the heavenly council (Job 1:8), inciting envy in the adversary of humanity; he argued that Job’s devotion was purely self-serving, asserting that if God were to but stretch forth His hand and strike all that Job possessed, the man would surely curse Him (Job 1:11). The Lord then entrusted the devil with authority over Job's possessions. The devil followed through, yet Saint Job remained steadfast; he did not rage at the loss of his children or wealth. In turn, the Lord, mocking the devil, declared that even after stripping Job of his possessions and sons, he could not shake Job’s virtue. The devil retorted that a man would sacrifice all he has for his own life, demanding once more that God stretch forth His hand to touch Job's very being (Job 2:4-5). The devil was granted further permission to afflict Job’s body while safeguarding his soul, bringing upon him painful sores. We understand the “hand of the Lord” to signify the trials inflicted by the devil, for even Job included this when he said that he was smitten by the hand of the Lord (Job 19:21; Job 6:4), referring to God’s arrows as if they belonged to a robber: And into the hand of the wicked He hath cast me (Job 16:11). Job’s words justify him, acknowledging that although the devil strikes, the source of those arrows is indeed the Lord, who has granted the devil the power to inflict harm. Similarly, if you command your servant to be punished, it remains true that you are the one who inflicted the punishment, even if carried out by others. The Lord permits the tempter to test, thereby revealing the intention of hearts during trials; this is the purpose behind persecutions, so that faith might be revealed and virtue exalted.

Temptation infiltrates one's inner self like an arrow or a divine sword piercing deep within. The Word of God is likened to a formidable sword (Eph. 6:17; Heb. 4:12), sharper than any earthly blade. Recall the angel’s words to Mary: "And a sword will pierce through your own soul also" (Luke 2:35), revealing the inner thoughts of many. To the Word of God, all is uncovered and transparent (Hebrews 4:13); even the soul is divided, and the most hidden thoughts are disclosed—no creature can disguise itself from His gaze. We must be willing to forsake all to possess the Word and hold it dear within our hearts.

The devil himself confirms (Job 2:4) that a man would give up everything for his soul, recognizing that nothing in this world is sufficient for the redemption of a single soul. Why do we place such value on worldly possessions when the devil views them as trivial in the light of salvation? I suggest that they are lacking for such a purpose, and he shows that for sin they are insufficient too, presenting not just earthly riches but also honors and kingdoms: All these things I will give thee, if, falling down, thou wilt worship me (Matt. 4:9). This illustrates the price of allegiance to the devil. How much more is a Christian called to offer in their rise with Christ? But let us send the devil away, like a scapegoat into the wilderness (Lev. 16:10); he remains a deceitful advocate of truth, albeit sometimes masquerading as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14).

Numerous truths in Holy Scripture affirm that no possession is more valuable than faith, and no inheritance can compare to the price of our salvation. In his faith, Abraham left his homeland, possessions, and acquaintances (Gen. 12:1-4; Gal. 3:6-8), departing from the familiar to follow the unseen God, as if he beheld Him. Moses too considered his spirit more precious than the treasures of Egypt (Heb. 11:26). Not to mention the harlot Rahab (James 2:25), often seen as a representation of Christ due to the similarity in names. Despite being looked down upon, she risked everything for the salvation of her soul, rejecting her possessions and exposing herself to peril. She chose to protect the spies sent by Joshua rather than betray them to her fellow citizens, demonstrating unyielding faith despite the threats from her people, the dangers of war, and the impending ruin of her homeland. Let us learn from her; husbands and Christians alike should pursue the true Christ, as one woman forsook her own legacy to follow a shadow of Christ, drawn by the resonance of the name.

Moreover, Solomon wisely said, The ransom for a man's soul is his riches (Proverbs 13:8). Redeem your soul! Money is worthless compared to faith. It may seem cheap, but it becomes priceless when given for a noble cause. St. Ambrose sold church items to free prisoners after the battle of Hadrianople (378). Of this, it is recorded: he distributed, he gave to the needy; his righteousness endures forever (Psalm 111:9). If you are like him, you can willingly give up not only your possessions but also your very body for the sake of righteousness, the most secure treasure. A pure person is indeed a valuable treasure! Even if surrounded by torrents, you will traverse them. Even if God allows the devil to tempt you, He promises to safeguard your soul (Job 2:6), as it is written, That thou shalt crush the enemy and the avenger (Ps. 8:3), for the devil assails as an enemy but protects as a servant. It is told: And the unicorn shall want to serve thee (Job 39:9). It is not the one who acts voluntarily who serves, but rather the one who obeys against their will and by necessity.

Consider the greatness of Christ, who skillfully turned the schemes of the devil against him. He compels us toward actions we detest; as the Apostle states, “I do not do what I want, but what I hate I do” (Romans 7:15). The Lord coerced the devil into actions contrary to his desire, all to safeguard the soul which he yearns to claim. While we may condemn the corruption of the body, we must not behave like the widow described in 1 Timothy (5:11-15), who fails to uphold her promised fidelity while yearning for remarriage. The devil stands against the saints yet inadvertently defends them; he is punished to ensure he does not dare harm those he covets. It is far better to love good virtues, even if perfection eludes you, than to scorn the virtues that you cannot endanger.