Psalm 56 (55):1Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

When David fled from Saul, he was accompanied by six hundred men, and upon his arrival at Geth, the foreigners welcomed him with great respect, having provided him a place to stay in Sikelag (1 Sam. 27:2-6). This psalm can also be seen as a reflection of the Church, which, while once enslaved to idolatry and demonic forces, was separated from the saints. However, it was redeemed from spiritual adversaries by Him who came in the flesh from the lineage of David, who battled on our behalf and inscribed our victory as if on a pillar. Following this, the Gentiles, who came to believe in Him, also honored Him.

The title indicates that the meaning of the psalm has a dual application, relating both to David himself and to those who were taken captive, forced to live in a foreign land; their sufferings are akin. The captives served the Babylonians, who were an alien nation, while David, in his flight from Saul, resided among foreigners. It is important to note that David visited Gath on two occasions: the first time, he was welcomed as an adversary but then found himself in peril; under the guise of being disloyal, he was allowed to escape. On his second visit, having earned the trust of the people of Gath, he remained with them in peace. This psalm was composed by David during his initial time of peril in Gath.

Ultimately, the people who were expelled from the sacred places gathered together, with David’s image portrayed in a pillar. Those who were foreigners were also restrained in Geth. Just as the psalms labeled "of the mind" are arranged consecutively, so too are those designated "in the pillar-presbyter." The first of these is the psalm in question. According to Theodoret, the people referred to in it are identified by David as the people of Judah, who, during their Babylonian exile, were considered to be removed from the sanctuary, which signifies the temple in Jerusalem. The inscription "to the end" indicates that the prophetic messages within regarding the people of Judah were nearing their culmination.

Ultimately, when considering the separation of individuals from the holy ones, the Psalm is directed toward David, as noted in the Scriptures. This introduction reflects both the theme of the psalm and its divine origin, as illustrated in the first book of Kings, chapter 24. Here, we learn that David, on the run from Saul who intended to take his life, sought refuge with Achish, the king of Gath. However, the Philistines mistook him for an adversary and imprisoned him. To escape from their grasp, David pretended to be insane, and ultimately he fled to a cave, where he discovered around four hundred men who were similarly downtrodden outcasts.

The Hebrew title translates to “Of the silent dove in the distance; David's enigmatic psalm during the time the Philistines took him at Gath.” The silent dove refers to the vulnerable David, isolated from his people and the sanctuary, surrounded by the Philistines. The Septuagint's interpretation of ‘dove’ likely alludes to the exiled people in Babylon (see 73:19, Hosea 7:11, etc.); thus, they rendered it as ‘of the people,’ suggesting the inhabitants removed from God's presence, symbolizing separation from the sanctuary and the faithful—where the Lord resided. For context on “the pillar-writing,” refer to Psalm 15. The term “foreigners” pertains to the Philistines. This psalm alludes to the plight of David illustrated in 1 Samuel 21:11-16.

This psalm is to be sung in honor of Christ, the fulfillment of the law, and to celebrate His divine glory. It is intended for those who have been exiled from Saul and David or held captive in Babylon, and for any who feel distant from the sanctity of Jerusalem, as well as for those in this worldly existence who are separated from the heavenly Jerusalem. The significance of this psalm, inspired by the Holy Spirit and given to David, merits inscription on a pillar or in the heart for perpetual remembrance, a testament to God's boundless mercy towards humanity, also reflecting the inscription of the title on the Pillar of the Cross. This serves as a reminder of those estranged from God due to their transgressions against His sacred commandments. The essence of this psalm should be etched in memory, honoring the profound humanity of God. Throughout the day of Christ's Passion, the multitude of Jews relentlessly confronted Him.