Psalm 56 (55):11Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Let us, therefore, love God, dear friends, with purity and sincerity. A heart cannot be truly chaste if it worships God merely for the sake of receiving a reward. How can this be? Surely, we will receive blessings for our devotion to God. However, our worship is directed towards God Himself, who is our ultimate reward, as we shall see Him in His true form. (1 Jn. 3:2) Notice that a reward will indeed be given. I remind you, friends, to consider the nature of a chaste heart in human relationships. A husband who loves his wife does not do so merely for her possessions; similarly, a wife who loves her husband should not do so for material reasons. Both those wealthy and those in humble circumstances can embody such love.

I cannot embark on my address without invoking You; yet, regardless of whether my words are brief or extensive, I will honor them by proclaiming Your name. With steadfast faith in You, I will disregard the schemes of humanity.

The term αινεσω (praise) here carries the same implication as previously discussed regarding the expressions, I will render my words commendable through God. This means that I will embellish my speech and my communication through the divine. The term for speech (ρημα) refers to a brief or succinct word, contrasting with the more expansive term (λογος), which signifies a larger and more substantial expression. Thus, the complete understanding is this: the small and great words that I speak to You, O Lord, I will enhance, in line with Theodoret's interpretation, by invoking Your name.

The preceding words are elaborated upon in reference to verse 5; however, it is important to note why the Prophet initially mentioned God and then the Lord. By doing so, he aimed to indicate his faith in God not merely as a judge but also as the source of righteousness, which is encapsulated in the name of the Lord, from whom all things originate. This repetition is significant; it carries substantial weight, as it illustrates that even if God does not respond to David's supplication immediately, he will persist in his trust, fully aware that God never forsakes His faithful servants in their longing.

To fulfill the law, which is fulfilled in Christ, and to exalt His divine majesty, this psalm ought to be proclaimed by those who were separated from Saul and David or held captive in Babylon, and also for those who, in this earthly life, remain distant from the sacred realms of the heavenly Jerusalem. The significance of this psalm, inspired by the Holy Spirit to David, is deserving of being inscribed either on a pillar or upon the heart for timeless remembrance, reflecting God’s boundless mercy toward humanity. The inscription on the Pillar of the Cross is likewise referenced. This concerns those who find themselves estranged from God due to the violation of His holy commandments. The essence of this psalm should be engraved on pillars or in hearts as a lasting reminder of the incomprehensible humanity of God. Throughout the day of Christ's Passion, the Jewish leaders were continuously swearing against Him.

Whether I speak briefly or deliver an extended address, I will embellish my words with Your name, and, with unwavering faith in You, I will pay no mind to the schemes of humanity.