Psalm 39 (38):2Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

And so David contemplated, cherishing the teachings of Christ within his spirit. Many opposed him, striving to dispute, yet he donned patience and sidestepped the conflicts, recognizing that disputes often lead to fruitless altercations and quarrels. As a result, the adversaries, envious of Saint David and his virtues, frequently ambushed him, seeking to disrupt his spirit of meekness and humility. The wicked spirits of darkness, with whom the righteous constantly contend, inspired their brazen agents to trouble the king more than anyone else. However, the holy prophet chose quietude, lest amidst the relentless disputes and upheaval, an injurious word might escape him. O wise silence, a firm shield and bastion! O steadfast foundation! Those who stand upon it need not fear unreliable words. Many have stumbled, once steadfast in heart, due to careless words. The prophet perceived his competitors luring him with their loud taunts, but he remained silent, imposing upon himself the law of silence. He held his peace when others hurled insults and provoked him to respond. This is the typical approach of the arrogant: "Answer us if you believe yourself our equal! You see that you are defeated and have no retort." When David felt compelled to respond to their mockery, he recalled his resolve to remain silent, and he reflected: "If I said, I will keep my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue, I have set a guard upon my mouth, while the wicked stands before me" (Psalm 38:2). This means: I have pledged, I have committed myself, I have directed my heart to maintain my paths. If I had declared it to others, my word would carry weight—how much more so because I have vowed it to myself! To deceive a stranger is shameful; to deceive a dear one is unpleasant—how much graver if one were to betray oneself about what one has promised! Such a person would have to view himself as dishonest and contemptible. Who can consider themselves worthy when they perceive themselves as worthless? Let us be resolute in our spirits, ensuring that no harmful words escape our lips. Through silence, Job overcame his afflictions and was exalted in his patience. Place not your trust in the flesh; we could have thrived had Eve remained silent. The initial sin emerged from speech, as the cunning serpent deceitfully tempted us through his words. If only Adam had been deaf or Eve mute! He would not have heeded her voice, nor would she have seduced her husband with the serpent's venom! Similarly, Cain, despite staining humanity with fratricide and willfully ignoring the laws of divine love, compounded his transgression by denying the death of his slain brother before God. Why cite only isolated cases? The very people chosen by the Lord, for whom Moses parted the sea in silence, expressed no gratitude for heavenly gifts, and began to grumble, thereby incurring divine disfavor. This people scorned Moses, who had led them through a path untouched by human feet, demanding of Aaron to create idols for them to worship. The Psalmist, aware of the perilous nature of such ways, also stated, "I will keep my ways" (Psalms 38:2). What are these paths of humanity from which we must guard ourselves to avoid falling into even greater sin? The great prophet duly warns us to reflect deeply upon these matters. Solomon, a wise interpreter of his father's wisdom, likewise admonishes us: "There are three things I do not understand, and a fourth I do not know: the way of the eagle in the air, the path of the serpent on the rock, the way of a ship at sea, and the way of a man with a maid" (Proverbs 30:18-19). He noted that three behaviors eluded him, yet among the mysteries, the conduct of a young man was particularly puzzling. If the behavior of a man in his youth is elusive or difficult to grasp, can it truly be contained? It is evident why David opted not to defend the transgressions of his youth, choosing instead to let them fade: "The sins of my youth and my presumption do not remember" (Psalm 24:7). This is no coincidence, for Solomon acknowledged not having comprehended what his father had revealed regarding ignorance, despite the profound grace of God upon him. Perhaps David viewed the sins of youth as impulses of the flesh, and the sins of ignorance as verbal missteps that often arise not from our deliberate thoughts but from the quickness of speech. The prophet recognized this peril: "I believed, and therefore I have spoken" (Psalm 115:1). When grounded in virtue, one’s speech is safeguarded, but without foundation, it is unreliable. Thus, like the sound of a trumpet, the chosen interpreter of Divine Scriptures proclaimed: "For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Rom. 10:10). Faith serves as the foundation for believers, and the confession of that faith is its completion. Let us reflect upon how and why the holy prophet David sought to guard his ways: "Lest I sin with my tongue" (Ps. 38:2). If this is what the prophet sought to avoid, why do you not resolve to do the same? If it troubled him, in whom the grace of God resided, should you not regard it with the same apprehension? For you do not shun words that lead to sin and delight in performative speeches! It is written in the Gospel that one will render an account for every idle word (See: Mt. 12:36). If an idle word carries such danger, how much more will one be held accountable for a sinful word? Not every idle word is sinful, but all that yields no benefit is perilous and must be forsaken, as every tree that bears no fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire (Matt. 3:10). When the spirit is troubled, adversaries stir unrest, and slanderers harass with deceits and accusations; it is then that we must suppress angry words. Silence, therefore, serves as a reliable and appropriate defense; it maintains vigilance alongside caution. Are not our lips our shackles? Each person is held fast by the chains of their own speech. Thus, the wise person remains silent at the right time, choosing when to speak. Of him, the glorious Solomon stated: "The lips of the wise shall disperse knowledge" (Proverbs 15:7). When you observe the wise remaining silent amid mocking insolence, you shall conclude: "He has restrained his lips with wisdom, remaining silent prudently, so he is not ensnared by his own words." The wise man has secured his mouth, protected his hearing with thorns, and locked the door of his speech, safeguarding the treasure of his heart and the purity of his words, to reveal them tested and refined when necessary, lest a thief or a rogue infiltrate his heart, captivate it, and lead it to those who would exploit its shame. Judas conspired to betray Christ, yet the great grace of the Lord and the reflection of the Father's love diverted him from his malicious plan and softened his heart. Judas would not have succumbed to such treachery had the devil not infiltrated his heart (See: Luke 22:3; John 13:2). His intention was to deceive Christ. When you strive to uphold righteousness, those who thwart your efforts are clearly serving the greatest sinner, the originator of all wickedness. David, perceiving the adversary with discernment, chose silence to prevent serving the enemy's will, despite his desire to disturb his inner peace. David maintained his silence, shutting the doors against turmoil and responding to the foe with patience, vigilantly guarding his silence against the enemy’s subtle advances, lest idle or careless speech escape from his restrained lips. Hence, it is far more courageous for a patient and steadfast soul who knows how to restrain themselves than for one who conquers cities (See: Proverbs 16:32). The righteous individual is a fortress for themselves; they are their own sentinel. Justifying himself, David declared within, "I have restrained my mouth as long as the sinner stands before me" (Psalm 38:2). The adversary is continually nearby, ever scheming. Even when unseen, he lurks; even when unheard, he strikes. If you cannot perceive him, heed the one who has witnessed him; as long as he stands before me. He who recognizes his own sin likewise discerns the mocker of his deeds. And he who sees the sinner from afar can avoid sin! King David recognized when the sinner was before him when Shimei cursed and hurled stones at him, crying, "Away with you, murderer!" (2 Sam. 16:7). Shimei was not so deranged as to lack reverence for such a great king, nor to fear his armed forces—anyone among the king’s soldiers could have put the insolent man to death! Yet the devil drove him to madness, compelling him toward destruction. Thus, David contended more against the master of evil than with his servant. Was it truly noble to take revenge upon a feeble man driven to fury by another's provocation, whose demise would satisfy the devil's wishes? The devil cannot be vanquished by the sword but by the Word of God; thus, let human tongues remain silent, while the Divine Voice resounds. Christ maintained silence before Pilate's trial (See: Matthew 27:12-14), setting an example for us of silence, for the mouth of the flesh is predisposed to sin and inclined to stumble. Many are silent in their hearts, such as Moses, who, in astonishment, stood in silence, and to him who was silent, God inquired, "Why do you cry to Me?" (Ex. 14:15). Susanna also remained silent (See: Dan. 13:35). Though she was in peril, God heeded her. If the Word of God dwells within you, you will maintain silence in divine discourse and cry out, speechless, for Christ to hear you. Reflect on those words that belong to Christ, upon which the prophet David meditated. In Christ, there are the words upon which David, as he articulates, reflected in this psalm before they were pronounced by Christ. It is written, "But I, when they afflicted me, put on sackcloth; I humbled my soul with fasting, and my prayer returned to my own heart" (Psalm 34:13). What does "when they afflicted me" signify? In moments of sorrow, when the spirit is embittered with indignation, or beset with anxiety, or entangled in litigation. Who is the tormentor? Consider this! Primarily, the perpetrator of sin and their demons are behind it, along with those who choose allegiance to the adversary over Christ. The Evil One also enlists the spouse, as in the case of Job, and the friend, as demonstrated in that same narrative, the son, embodied by Absalom, the servant, the free man, the head of a household, since even one's household can become a man’s enemy (Matthew 10:36), each troubles and vexes him. What remedy shall we employ for such mental anguishes, if not patience, if not silence? It is most painful when the recipient of your kindness becomes the source of distress; and most exasperating when that distress comes from one who owes you more, eliciting greater bitterness due to human ingratitude or the insolence of the lowly. A righteous person, when confronted with a friend's arrogance, laments, for he knows that his friend is harmed and that the tempter is leading him astray. Should a righteous man be troubled by a friend, his grief deepens for his wife or son when he senses their insolence or when his brother pushes him away, as Esau persecuted holy Jacob. Jacob grieved and sought to reconcile with his brother or to escape his wrath, as Rebekah advised him, lest Esau's fury turn lethal.