The Church Fathers on this verse
THEOSIS
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Psalm 5:7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Thou hatest all the workers of iniquity: thou wilt destroy all that speak a lie. The bloody and the deceitful man the Lord will abhor.

Douay-Rheims · Hebrew numbering, Septuagint numbering in brackets.

תְּאַבֵּד֮ דֹּבְרֵ֢י כָ֫זָ֥ב אִישׁ־דָּמִ֥ים וּמִרְמָ֗ה יְתָ֘עֵ֥ב ׀ יְהוָֽה׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

9 Church Fathers comment on this verse · 11 commentaries

John Chrysostom

4th centuryChurch Father

"‘Thou shalt destroy all them that speak lies: the Lord abhorreth the man of blood, and the man of falsehood.’ This is not merely a reminder to listen, but rather an invitation to regularly reflect on these words so that we may align ourselves with the ways of the Bridegroom and draw closer to Him. Failing to do so would result in losing the greatest help available to us, which is an unimaginable loss. ‘Thou hast hated all them that do iniquity,’ even if they are in bondage, free, or of royal stature; for God typically selects His friends based not on external virtues but on inner goodness.

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However, since many unrefined individuals may disregard being detested by God, the scripture presents the fear of retribution: ‘You will destroy,’ he proclaims, ‘those who speak lies,’ addressing the more coarse sinners. The consequence goes beyond divine animosity—though that alone is a grave punishment; He will annihilate all liars. To be hated by God is indeed fearsome, far more so than Hell itself, and this is communicated to those who can comprehend it, while the more simplistic are cautioned with the latter point. Thus, do not be disheartened, dear one, when you observe those who lie, steal, indulge in greed, and seem unchastised: what has been declared will undoubtedly occur, for such is the very nature of God—He detests vices, continually abhors and refuses to tolerate them. By ‘speaking lies,' the prophet refers to those who engage in immoral living, commit unjust acts, and indulge in pleasures and greed; these are often labeled as unrighteousness. ‘The Lord abhorreth the man of blood and flattery’ speaks of an individual prone to violence, deceit, and betrayal, one whose words are disingenuous, portraying a façade of humility while embodying the traits of a predator, which is utterly despicable. It is not difficult to guard against an overt enemy; yet he who conceals his treachery while behaving maliciously, evading detection, can perpetrate great evils. This is why Christ instructed us to remain vigilant when such individuals arise, for they ‘come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves’ (Matthew 7:15)."

Augustine of Hippo

5th centuryChurch Father

Proclaim the truth It has been remarked that we are those who convey falsehoods. To transform into ‘bearers of the truth,’ we must turn to the Lord, for through Him we testify to the truth, whereas on our own we are prone to deceit.

Iniquity, malevolence, deceit, murder, treachery, and similar offenses represent the darkness we refer to: when it passes, dawn arrives, enabling the manifestation of God. He disclosed His purpose for standing in the light of day, declaring: "For Thou art not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness." If He were a deity who sanctioned wrongdoing, even the unprincipled could perceive Him, thus obscuring His presence at dawn, meaning after iniquity had been vanquished. The wicked shall not dwell in Your presence, implying that they cannot remain close to You. Consequently, the unjust shall not stand before Your gaze. Their minds are struck by the illumination of truth, suffocated by the obscurity of their transgressions, rendered incapable of sustaining the clarity of righteous understanding.

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Therefore, those who occasionally comprehend the truth, yet persist in unrighteousness, do not remain steadfast in that truth due to their affection for those who forsake it. They carry with them their own darkness, which encompasses not only habitual sin but also the love for it. However, if this darkness dissipates—if they abandon sin and the affection and habits associated with it—the dawn will break, allowing them not only to comprehend but also to adhere to the truth.

You have loathed all who commit wrongdoing. The divine disdain for evil can be discerned through the expression of each sinner who detests the truth. It seems as if she also despises those who cannot remain in her proximity. You will obliterate all those who speak deceit, for it stands contrary to truth. To clarify, one should recognize that falsehood pertains to that which does not exist, while truth involves what is real. Thus, when the declaration is made, it is true; and if something remains unspoken, it is false. Hence, He states, "Thou shalt destroy all that speak lies," for they veer away from truth and embrace the non-existent. Many falsehoods might seem to be told for the sake of safety or benefit and may not originate from malice but rather from goodwill, as was the case with the midwives during the Exodus, who provided a false account to Pharaoh to protect the infant Israelite boys. Such actions are lauded, not for the lie itself but for the kindness behind it; those who engage in such deception will eventually experience liberation from all falsehoods. In the righteous, no deceit exists. For they are reminded to let their yes be yes and their no be no; anything beyond this is of evil.

Not without reason is it stated elsewhere, "The mouth of lying kills the soul," to prevent the notion that a perfect and spiritual individual might lie for the sake of existential life, in which no soul is destroyed, whether their own or another’s. It is essential to differentiate between telling a lie and concealing the truth (if indeed there is a distinction). One may be required to endure even the experience of tangible death rather than compromise by lying, which would risk their immortal soul for the sake of another’s corporeal existence. Should one struggle to achieve this, they should at least permit only such necessary untruths, aiming ultimately for their release from them, and gaining through the Holy Spirit the strength to disregard everything demanded for the sake of truth.

In summary, there are two categories of falsehood that, while not entirely virtuous, do not rise to the level of sin: one that occurs in jest, which is generally innocuous because it bears no deceitful intent; and another that is constructed for benevolence. The first type, being light-hearted, does not involve deception since the recipient is aware that it is playful language; the second kind is less harmful because it carries with it a noble aim. In truth, anything devoid of duplicity cannot truly be labeled a lie. For example, if someone is entrusted with a sword and promises to return it, yet the holder demands it in a fit of madness, it becomes evident that returning it in such moments is inappropriate, as it would bring harm either to oneself or others. There is no deceit here; the promise given assumes the other party acts rationally. Even the Lord concealed certain truths from His disciples, indicating: "I have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now." Likewise, the apostle Paul expressed that he could not address them as spiritual individuals but rather as those governed by the flesh. Hence, it is evident that there are instances where withholding the truth is not blameworthy. Yet for the perfect, uttering falsehood is unacceptable.

The Lord shall turn away from the man who sheds blood and from the wicked. The previous statements, "Thou hast abhorred all that do iniquity," and "Thou wilt destroy all that speak lies," resonate here, aligning the bloodthirsty with the wicked and classifying the latter alongside those who propagate falsehoods, as both engage in deceitful craft. Furthermore, He aptly declared, "I shall be abominable," for those estranged from grace are frequently regarded as abominable.

Athanasius the Great

4th centuryChurch Father

You have shown disdain for all those who commit wickedness. You will bring ruin upon all those who utter falsehoods. He referred to those who engage in iniquity as those who stray from the path of true living; they are detestable to God. Likewise, those who deviate from the truth, including those with differing beliefs, are labeled as liars; and God will bring destruction upon them. It is important to note the distinction between the phrases "hated you" and "destroyed you"—the latter conveys a greater severity than the former, and one is expressed in the past while the other is in the future. Speaking falsehoods signifies those who regard idols and demons as deities, articulating misleading and ambiguous responses and divinations through idols. The Lord detests the deceitful and the blood husband. For God indeed loathes and rejects such individuals.

Jerome of Stridon

4th centuryChurch Father

The deceptions of heretics When it is stated, “Thou shalt destroy all who speak lies,” this should not be interpreted solely from the subsequent verses of the psalm, but rather from its opening lines, as it pertains to heretics. The one who engages in wrongdoing harms only his own soul, yet the heretic, by uttering falsehoods, endangers the souls of all whom he is able to convince. A heretic is indeed a killer, for he spills the spiritual blood of souls on a daily basis. Hence, it is fitting to label such an individual a flatterer; a heretic is a flattering executioner. Why is he a flatterer? Because he falsely proclaims that his words are those of the Lord. Contemplate the nature of a heretic: the Lord despises him.

"You will destroy all who utter falsehoods." A new insight becomes clear. The one who commits wrongdoing is despised, while the deceiver faces ruin. Let us examine what is more severe: being detested by God or facing annihilation. The individual who is loathed by God experiences misery, as the Lord does not accept him, yet he continues to exist. However, the one who speaks falsehoods and meets destruction ceases to truly live. Thus, it is ultimately worse for the liar than for the one who commits evil: the latter is abhorred, but the former is condemned to perish. "The mouth that speaks lies slays the soul" (Prem. 1:11). Why is it stated, "Let God be true, but every man a liar" (Rom. 3:4)?

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If the liar is already facing death and endangers his soul, and we all fall into falsehood, are we all doomed? Hence, the psalmist's phrase, "You will destroy all who speak lies," can be understood, both from the subsequent lines of the psalm and from how they are articulated, as referring to heretics. For the one who commits wrongdoing destroys only his own soul, while the heretic who spreads lies brings ruin upon countless souls. "You will destroy all who speak lies." Let us reflect on who these liars are. "The Lord abhors a man of blood and a flatterer." Every heretic is indeed a man of blood, for he daily spills the blood of souls. "A man of blood and a flatterer." Indeed, he is both a murderer and a deceiver. Why is he termed a flatterer? Because he misrepresents his words as those of God. "The Lord will abhor a man of blood and a flatterer." Observe the nature of a heretic: he will face disdain from the Lord. Of sinners it is spoken, "You have abhorred all who commit iniquity," and concerning false teachers, "the Lord will be abhorred by them."

Theodoret of Cyrus

5th centuryChurch Father

As the Divine, You are unconcerned with wrongdoing: no evildoer can approach You. Allow the lawless to remain before You. You hear my cries for mercy and gaze upon the one who intercedes; for You reject all forms of wickedness and utterly detest those who dwell in sin, abhorring those who embrace a lifestyle devoid of law. The Prophet further proclaimed, You have despised all who commit iniquity. You will bring destruction upon those who utter falsehoods: the bloodthirsty and the deceitful are an abomination to the Lord. David outlined a series of transgressions, indicating that all these are opposed to God's desires. He not only condemns deceit, wickedness, falsehood, treachery, and murder, but He also loathes those who persist in these actions, unless they repent.

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This includes those who have historically rebelled against the Church and failed to conquer it, as forbade by God our Savior. For it is written, The gates of hell shall not prevail against her. This understanding is also mirrored in the Psalm.

Euthymios Zigabenos

11th centuryCommentator

The passage being discussed primarily addresses those who fail to honor the true God, favoring other deities instead. It also refers to heretics and, by extension, to all individuals, including Jews and Gentiles, who succumb to falsehood in any form. These individuals serve not the true God but rather the adversary, as Satan is known as the father of lies. The phrase "destroy them" reflects the severe judgment intended for such people. It is possible that the prophet employed this phrase to instill fear in those who are prone to dishonesty—thoughtless and indifferent individuals—who not only endanger their own well-being but also lead many others to ruin. The Lord detests the man of bloodshed and deceit. Notice how the prophet equates flattery with murder; for the one who flatters and the one who jeopardizes their neighbor's life share the same essence as murderers.

Macarius the Egyptian

4th centuryChurch Father

The Scriptures declare that the Lord detests the person who sheds blood and the one who flatters, equating the acts of flattery and murder as a single wrongdoing.

Irenaeus (Klementjewsky)

18th centuryCommentator

The expressions may seem disconnected and fragmented, similar to the manner in which the faithful communicate in their prayers, resembling the silence of children before the Lord. Yet, this silence and disarray resonate more favorably with God than the artfully crafted speeches of skilled orators. The Prophet aims to convey that God will not leave unpunished those wicked opponents of His Church who descend into depths of extreme hatred and malice. This understanding emerges from the essence of God, affirming that nothing is more detestable to Him than sin and iniquity, while conversely, nothing embodies His kindness more than holiness and righteousness. Therefore, it is inconceivable that wicked individuals will evade the just retribution of God.

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Wickedness manifests itself through actions, words, or thoughts. Consequently, the Prophet outlines specific transgressions, beginning with a general reference to the lawless or wicked; then addressing those who bear false witness, namely slanderers; next describing bloodthirsty individuals; and finally identifying flatterers, who are deceitful and treacherous.

Psalter with Commentaries (Cave Monastery in Kiew)

19th centuryCommentator

The murderer Cain, seduced by flattery, lured Abel from his field and took his life (Gen. Ch. 4). Similarly, the treacherous Judas betrayed Christ the Redeemer, sealing His fate with a deceitful kiss (Lk. Ch. 22), alongside others of his kind. The Lord detests a deceitful tongue, but those who uphold truth find favor with Him (Proverbs 12:22). The Lord regards hidden transgressions of the heart as equal to overt sins. He detests those who shed blood and are given to deception, indicating His abhorrence towards both flattery and homicide. The Apostle John equates hatred with murder, asserting that anyone who harbors hatred for a brother is akin to a murderer (1 John 3:15).

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As the Just and Holy One, God loathes all forms of sin and wickedness; even a single unrighteous thought is an abomination to Him (Proverbs 15:26). Sin arises from our own malevolent will, as articulated by Chrysostom, Lestvitchnik, Macarius the Great, and John of Kronstadt.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.