Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why dost thou disquiet me? Hope thou in God, for I will still give praise to him: the salvation of my countenance, and my God.
מַה־תִּשְׁתּ֬וֹחֲחִ֨י ׀ נַפְשִׁי֮ וּֽמַה־תֶּהֱמִ֢י עָ֫לָ֥י הוֹחִ֣ילִי לֽ͏ֵ֭אלֹהִים כִּי־ע֣וֹד אוֹדֶ֑נּוּ יְשׁוּעֹ֥ת פָּ֝נַ֗י וֵֽאלֹהָֽי׃
6 Church Fathers comment on this verse · 7 commentaries
It appears to respond: "Do you not desire me to unsettle those of you who are in such profound sorrow?" Do you not wish for me to challenge you, yearning for goodness, seeking, and toiling for it? What can I say but to put your faith in God; for I still bear my confession to Him. He cites the exact phrases from this confession; he reiterates the foundations upon which he fortifies his trust. He is the source of my joy and my God.
Inner Conflict When the spirit starts to falter between good and evil, ask: Why are you troubled, my soul, and why do you distress me? Place your faith in God, for I will praise Him. The salvation of my being and my God! Do not allow your thoughts to wander: neither in your Babylon nor in times of turmoil. While the adversary remains weak, defeat him, that wickedness may be eradicated at its onset.
When the spirit starts to falter, even slightly, between goodness and wrongdoing, ask yourself, 'Why are you downcast, my soul, and why do you disturb me? Place your faith in the Lord, as we declare to Him, the deliverance of my countenance and my God.'
Do not lose hope, O soul, in your salvation, as the Prophet reminds us: You have a Saving God; trust in Him, set aside your anxieties, and find solace.
In another instance, the oppressed Jewish people express themselves, echoing previously articulated sentiments. He intensifies their plight to instill hope and endurance within them. It’s important to note that this psalm is applicable to everyone enduring suffering in this life, longing to return to their heavenly homeland — paradise — from which they have been cast out during this sorrowful existence.
Thus, the term "guardian" may symbolize the mocking spirits or infidels tormenting him; the reference to "Jordan" can represent this earthly realm contrasted with the heavenly. The Jordan signifies the distant land, while Hermonim translates to a place of sorrow. Each individual should interpret the other phrases of the psalm in a way that resonates personally with their experience. One unnamed person states: when our adversaries, identified as demons, shatter our bones, symbolizing the soul's fortitude, they intentionally vilify our God, branding Him as weak to strip us of our hope in Him, leading us into bondage and servitude, which they pursue relentlessly. How should we respond in such situations? We should not succumb to despair but rather place our trust in the mercy of God.
This reiteration indicates that David did not achieve victory over his temptations in just one encounter, but rather frequently found himself confronting the same challenges repeatedly. From this illustration, we are reminded to remain steadfast in our quest for righteousness, even when our adversary, the devil, launches similar assaults against us. In the latter portion of the verse, it is fitting for the Prophet to refer to God as the salvation of his countenance, as he anticipated prompt and assured deliverance, thus expressing himself as if God were openly manifesting as his Redeemer.
This Psalm, inspired by the Holy Spirit and penned by David, conveys his deep affection for God and his longing to witness the Lord’s covenant, which he felt unable to approach due to the persecution he faced. It serves as a prophetic reminder for all believers to love God wholeheartedly until the very end, through Christ, the Lord and Savior of humanity. Addressing the sons of Korah, leaders of the singers, David instructed them to engage their minds in the act of singing, encouraging them to not only sing but also listen and educate others about the profound truths contained within this Psalm regarding the divine blessings Christ has granted to the world throughout ages, as noted in Galatians 4.
Just as a thirsty deer, distressed by heat or the bite of a serpent, desperately seeks water, so too should the righteous soul long for God. It is essential to face trials with joy, for it has been granted to us by Christ not only to have faith in Him but also to endure suffering for His sake, as indicated in Philippians 1:29. The mystery of the Holy Trinity consists of God the Father, the Mighty Son, and the Living Holy Spirit, the Voice of every devoted follower of Christ. The Church of Christ is the dwelling place in the world, while the living presence of the Mother of God sits at the heavenly altar. The soul acts as God’s temple, and the Spirit of God resides within it. We are to place our faith in Christ, who is the radiance of the Father; he who sees the Son, both God and Man, also perceives the Father in heaven.
The prophet expressed, ‘I am a stranger on earth, and a foreigner like all my ancestors’ (Psalm 38:13). We too will face separation as it aligns with God’s will. The Lord sanctified Himself as the Son of Man so that humanity might receive sanctification through baptism in the Church of Christ by His grace. The depths of grace are in God, while the depths of sin are within humanity. Trials that arise from above come from God. The desires of the flesh, the cravings of the eyes, the pride of life, and various temptations challenge the Christian, who seeks divine assistance through prayer. The depth of my sins calls for God's vast mercy; I trust that this mercy will triumph over my sins if I sincerely seek it. Unceasing prayer is mandated for all, alongside the battle against passions, fulfilling commandments, and leading a virtuous life both day and night. In His suffering, when the Jews crucified Christ, His immaculate ribs were pierced.
THEOSIS