Psalm 5:6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

In verse 7, it states, "Inferior shall the wicked abide before thy eyes." This reveals God's disdain for wickedness and instructs those who wish to approach Him to better themselves accordingly; otherwise, it's impossible to draw near to the Divine. Just as a righteous individual cannot comfortably associate with someone whose behavior markedly differs, so too is closeness to God beyond the reach of the ungodly. The unrighteous find it difficult to tolerate the presence of the righteous, as evidenced by the statement, "it is hard for us to look at him" (Prem. 2:15). Similarly, John the Baptist, while imprisoned and solitary, was a source of disturbance for Herodias, despite her distance from him. Even after his death, John burdened the conscience of the tyrant at the time. Therefore, do not assume that anyone can endure evil in a virtuous manner, even when confronted by the wicked; rather, it is the doers of evil who carry the weight of their wrongdoings.

God demonstrates His love for us through the sacrificial death of Christ while we were yet sinners (Rom. 5:8). He cared for us even in our rebelliousness and wrongdoing. It is rightly acknowledged that “Thou hatest, O Lord, all them that do iniquity” (Ps. 5:6). In a remarkable and divine manner, He extended His love to us even when He disdained us; for He abhorred what we had become, having not designed us for such iniquity. Although our sins could not entirely nullify His creative work, He simultaneously detested our actions while loving His creation. Indeed, both attributes are evident in Him, to whom it was rightly declared, “Thou dost not abhor anything that Thou hast created” (Prem. 11:25).

You have detested all who commit wrongdoing. You will bring ruin upon all who utter falsehoods. He referred to those who practice injustice as those who stray from the path of righteousness; they are loathed by God. Those who depart from the truth and hold differing beliefs are labeled as liars, and God will bring destruction upon them. Notice the distinction between the phrases ‘hated you’ and ‘destroyed you’—the latter signifies a greater depth of malice than the former, and one is expressed in the past while the other is in the future. To speak lies encompasses those who worship idols and demons, treating them as deities, and who through these idols offer false and ambiguous answers and predictions. The one who is deceitful and flattering is detested by the Lord, for God despises and abhors such a person.

Those who continue in sinful actions are the ones detested by God. If we all sin, and everyone who falls into sin is reviled by God, it would imply that we are all under His condemnation. Yet, if God harbors disdain for us, how can we possibly obtain salvation through His grace? Nonetheless, the emphasis is not just on ‘those who sin’, but specifically on those who maintain a lifestyle of sin; these are the individuals the Lord abhors. Conversely, those who turn away from sin are beloved by the Lord.

As the Almighty, You do not take notice of wrongdoing: no evildoer shall approach You. Let those who act without law remain before Your presence. You hear my prayers and regard the one who intercedes; for You reject all transgressions and have a deep disdain for those who persist in sinfulness and detest all who cherish a life devoid of righteousness. The Prophet further states, You have detested all who commit wrongdoing. You shall bring ruin upon all who utter falsehoods: the bloodthirsty and the deceitful are objects of the Lord's aversion. David enumerated various vices, illustrating that such actions are against God's desires.

The wicked shall face Your gaze, as indicated in scripture. These words are often understood as a prophecy regarding the Jewish people, who, while they adhered to the commandments of the Lord, enjoyed His protective grace. Conversely, when they strayed from His ways, they faced just rejection from God. You have detested all those who practice wickedness, referring here to the Gentiles who reject the true God and have not received His commandments. It is essential to differentiate between the transgressor and the lawless: the transgressor is one who is aware of the law yet chooses to violate it; the lawless, however, is one who has not been given any law.

The expressions may seem disordered and fragmented, resembling the way saints pray, often rendered voiceless before God akin to children. Yet, this state of being without words and apparent disarray is more delightful to the Lord than the sophisticated rhetoric of orators. The Prophet aims to convey that the Lord will not exempt the wicked and malevolent adversaries of His Church from judgment, especially when they exhibit extreme animosity and moral corruption. This assertion stems from the essence of God, who finds nothing more abhorrent than sin and malice; conversely, nothing is as gracious as holiness and virtue. Thus, it is inconceivable for the unrighteous and malevolent to evade the just retribution of God. Sin and wrongdoing manifest through action, speech, or thought.

The Lord detests all wrongdoers and brings ruin upon those who refuse to turn from their ways; however, He shows compassion to those who seek forgiveness, granting them salvation from destruction. In contrast, the wicked ones among the Jews who have borne false testimony against Christ's death and have belittled His Resurrection face eternal doom.