Psalm 56 (55):12Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Let us therefore cherish God, dear brethren, with purity and integrity. A heart that is truly pure cannot seek God solely for the sake of reward. How can this be so? Will we not indeed receive a reward for our devotion to God? Certainly, rewards are promised, but our focus must remain on God Himself. He will be our ultimate reward, for we shall behold Him in His true glory. (1 Jn. 3:2) Take note that a reward awaits you.... I say to you, brethren: in human relationships, consider the nature of a chaste heart in its approach to God. A man who loves his wife does not do so merely for what she brings; likewise, a woman who solely loves her husband for material reasons is lacking in true love.

I would not presume to start a discourse without invoking Your presence; yet, whether I speak briefly or at length, I will embellish my words with Your name, and with steadfast faith in You, I will disregard the schemes of humanity.

David initially referred to one who had oppressed him, whether that be Saul, the adversary, or the ruler of Babylon. Theodoret notes that David mentions God three times in a row—by referring to God, the Lord, and upon God—thereby highlighting the Holy Trinity. This expression serves as a profound prophetic insight, offering a prayer that resonates with the essence of the unblemished and coessential Trinity.

The preceding commentary on verse 5 highlights a crucial observation: the Prophet begins by referencing God and then the Lord. This distinction demonstrates his faith in God not merely as the Supreme Judge but as the one who executes righteousness, which embodies the essence of the Lord, to whom all matters are directed. This reiterated expression is far from unnecessary; it carries significant weight. It illustrates that even when God appears delayed in responding to David's supplication, he remains steadfast in his hope, assured that God will not deny His faithful servants their longing.

This psalm should be sung to honor the culmination of the law, which is Christ, and to reflect the immeasurable splendor of His divine majesty. It serves as a remembrance for those who were in exile during the times of Saul and David, as well as for those held captive in Babylon—those distanced from the sacred sites of Jerusalem, and for everyone in this present life who feels far from the dwellings of the heavenly Jerusalem. The strength of this psalm, inspired by the Holy Spirit and attributed to David, deserves to be inscribed on a pillar or ingrained in the heart for everlasting remembrance, celebrating God's profound mercy towards humanity.