Psalm 55 (54):17Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The Body of Christ and His unity are expressed in the yearning, fatigue, restlessness, and suffering of its existence, exemplified by the One Man, the Oneness in One Body, who, in anguish, bore His soul, crying from the very ends of the earth: “From the ends of the earth I cried unto Thee, when my heart was troubled.” He is alone yet embodies the unity of that One. His lament is not confined to a single location but resonates from all corners of the earth as a singular voice. How could anyone declare a cry from the ends of the earth if they were not solitary? I have called upon the Lord. Rely on the Lord for your righteous pleas, and do not appeal to Donatus; otherwise, he could become a lord over you instead of the Lord Himself, thus becoming merely a fellow servant under the true Lord.

What was his plea to God if not for the salvation of his soul from those intent on its ruin? For this reason, his request was granted.

David proclaims that, observing my constant prayers offered both day and night, the Lord will rescue me from my foes and grant me serenity.

The speaker expresses confidence that the Lord has listened to his pleas. More explicitly, he indicates that he sought help from the Father, and the Son responded to him, for the Son brought ruin upon the Jews in alignment with the supplication He presented to the Father through David, who proclaimed, "But thou, O Lord, have mercy on me, and restore me, and I will repay them" (Psalms 40:11). It is observed that David, in declaring, "I cried out, and the Lord heard me," does not pursue personal renown; rather, he inspires others to follow his example so they too may call out and receive an answer. Furthermore, Theodoret mentions that he has come to understand the importance of invoking not only the Father but also His unique Son, who will soon accept the mortal endeavors from me.

Although David struggled to find solace in his dire circumstances, teetering close to despair, he remained steadfast in his prayers to God, refusing to lose hope. The subsequent verse highlights his commitment to prayer; he did not settle for a mere single utterance — I will cry out — a practice often adopted by the indifferent. Instead, he proclaims: Evening and morning and noon I will meditate and express my thoughts, and the Lord will listen to my voice. Through his initial proclamation, he emphasizes the importance of diligence in prayer, while his concluding words depict a fervent yearning of the spirit directed toward the Lord.

This psalm, prompted by the Holy Spirit and authored by David, was entrusted to Asaph, the leader of the singers, so that it may be sung with understanding by everyone. The essence of this psalm culminates in Christ, particularly through His unblemished Passion. The entire world is enveloped in darkness, every individual is deceitful, and the Lord came to redeem the first Adam. Let us earnestly implore God to bestow upon us the Holy Spirit, enabling us to turn to Him with reverence and to quell the wicked forces—the very sin that dwells within our soul and body. He renders this salvation a mystery to those who perpetually yearn for and seek Him.