Psalm 5:1Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

“He that loveth Me,” He declares, “keepeth My commandments” (John 14:21, 23); and further, “and whosoever taketh not up his cross, and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me” (Matthew 10:38)—among many other directives found in the covenant.

Next, let us investigate when we may expect to receive this inheritance. This time frame is not merely the present, but encompasses both now and what is to come: “seek,” the Lord instructs, “the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you” (Luke 12:31), with the complete inheritance being granted then. Given that our current existence is temporary and we find ourselves in an imperfect condition, God engages with us similarly to worldly lawmakers who transfer a father's estate to heirs of age. When we attain spiritual maturity and the fullness of our being, passing into eternal life, He will bestow this inheritance upon us. Meanwhile, He has provided us with a decree, leaving behind a written testament that outlines what must be done to claim this inheritance, so that we do not lose or forfeit it. If anyone harbors doubts about our present state of imperfection, let them listen to Paul, who reflects on the ages both present and future, saying: “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, thought as a child, reasoned as a child; but when I became a man, I left childish things” (1 Cor. 13:11), and again: “until we all come to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Eph. 4:13). In this life, he notes, we are nurtured by the world as if cared for by a nurse; and when we are ready to enter the divine abode, having cast off the corruptible and clothed ourselves in incorruption, we shall transition into everlasting life.

The same covenant warns many of disinheritance should they fall short of its stipulations. Let us now explore the nature of this inheritance. “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man” (1 Cor. 2:9) these profound realities. How could we possibly grasp such extraordinary and incomprehensible gifts while in our current state? Thus, they are preserved for us in the life to come. Consider the remarkable providence of God: for this present life, He has assigned labors, so that the burden of such work is made lighter by the brief passage of time; yet He has retained the rewards for a future age, where the recompense will endure eternally. This life He describes as His kingdom. Though it defies full articulation, He uses terms familiar to us, such as kingdom, marriage, dominion, and others of brilliant connotation, guiding us toward the understanding of the future and eternal glory, immortal joy, and life with Christ, unparalleled in worth.

What, then, are the stipulations of the Church, or more aptly, of this inheritance? They are not difficult to fulfill. “In all things, as you would,” He states, “that men do unto you, so do ye also unto them” (Matt. 7:12). Do you see? He has not imposed anything unfamiliar, but rather what nature had already prescribed. As you desire for others to treat you, so should you treat them. If you wish to receive praise, offer it. If you desire to not be stolen from, refrain from stealing. If you seek honor, extend honor to others. If you wish for mercy, then be merciful. If you wish to be loved, show love. If you want to avoid hearing negativity about yourself, do not speak ill of others. Notice the precision in His words: He did not say, “in all things, as you would not have them done to you,” but rather, “in all things, as you would.” There exist two paths to virtue: one is the avoidance of vice, and the other is the practice of virtue; He clearly presents the latter while implicitly guiding us toward the former. God revealed the first directive by declaring, “What you hate, do not do to another” (Tob. 4:15), while He underscored the latter path with the command: “in all things, as you would have men do to you, so do you also to them.”

There is another stipulation: to love our neighbor as ourselves. What could be simpler? Hatred breeds difficulty and turmoil, while love is easy and nurturing. Truly, had the Lord commanded us to love animals, it would have posed a challenge; yet when He instructs us to love one another—aligned in nature and origin—what obstacle remains? Even wild beasts exhibit mutual affection due to their nature. What excuse can we muster when we neglect to embrace with love those of our own kind, while we have the ability to tame lions and make them our companions? Observe how many, in pursuit of a temporal inheritance, care for the elderly, while they themselves are robust and youthful, enduring the tribulations of aging such as pain and frailty in hope of monetary gain; a false hope indeed. Yet we have heaven to aspire to, where the favor of God awaits. The psalm’s heading speaks of “he who shall inherit.” Who is this heir but the Church and her members? Paul states, “I have betrothed you to one husband, that I might present you to Christ a pure virgin” (2 Cor. 11:2); and John affirms, “He that hath a bride is the bridegroom” (John 3:29). Unlike earthly bridegrooms whose ardor diminishes with time, our Bridegroom's love is everlasting, ever-deepening.

To illustrate this, John refers to Christ as the bridegroom, highlighting the profound depth of His love. He calls the Church His bride not only for this reason but also because He desires that we become one body and one spirit, united in virtue and love. Just as a bride dedicates herself fully to please her groom, we too ought to live our lives with the singular purpose of pleasing Him, preserving the sanctity of our union. David exclaims of this bride: “The queen stands at Thy right hand in gold of Ophir; her clothing is of wrought gold” (Psalm 44:10, 14). If you wish to behold her footwear, listen as Paul, the friend of the bridegroom, says: “and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (Eph. 6:15). Do you seek to see her girdle of truth? He teaches us: “having girded your loins with truth” (Eph. 6:14). We long to behold her beauty? He reveals: “without spot or blemish” (Eph. 5:27). The Wise One also affirms, “All you are beautiful, my beloved, and there is no spot in you” (Song of Songs 4:7). In addition, would you catch a glimpse of her feet? “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!” (Rom. 10:15).

Is it not remarkable that, although He adorned her so splendidly, He did not arrive in all His glory? Doing so might overwhelm her with His brilliance; rather, He approached her in humility, sharing in her nature, “having also become partaker of the same” (Hebrews 2:14), and did not bring her sorrow, but came from above to her in accordance with the law whereby the husband unites with his wife. Moses noted this when he stated, “For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife” (Gen. 2:24); Paul elaborates saying, “This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the Church” (Eph. 5:32). Upon entering her dwelling, He found her unclean, soiled, naked, and stained with sin; thus, He cleansed her, anointed her, nourished her, and clothed her in an exquisite garment. He became her very covering and took her as His own. It is to Him that this inheritance is destined. What does the prophet proclaim concerning her? Many things, for He is her protector who has foretold and prepared her for all that is to come—concerning the bridegroom, the wedding, and the gracious blessings ahead. Here too, He describes her, beginning as an orator would, who makes a fair address regarding the heiress. But what does the heiress seek? Let us listen and find out.

Who might be the heir? I believe it is the Church, for she is the one who inherits. The psalm begins by singing of what the Church will ultimately receive. Others, however, interpret it differently. Many, reflecting on history, refer to the people of Israel who yearned to return from Babylon to Judah. While this is how some commentators interpret the text, they overlook the conclusion and who will inherit. We, however, endeavor to understand spiritual truths spiritually and seek, through your prayers, to interpret this psalm on behalf of the Church.

And if children, then heirs: heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together” (Romans 8:16-17); and again, “Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ” (Galatians 4:7). Furthermore, the Holy Scriptures contain numerous other passages that can enhance our understanding of the significance of this psalm.

The Apostle Paul describes her alongside the Church as the betrothed of Christ: ‘having betrothed a pure virgin to be presented to Christ’ (2 Cor. 11:2). Similarly, the Evangelist John states, ‘He that hath a bride is a bridegroom’ (John 3:29). Furthermore, Psalmist David declares about her, ‘the queen is at your right hand’ (Ps. 44:10). Lastly, the reason the prophet refers to the Church as ‘inheriting’ rather than simply inherited or having inherited is due to the nature of her inheritance, which is eternal and unending.