Psalm 56 (55):4Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

When should we experience fear? When the day has passed that elevates the proud. They may seem high for a time, but once their moment of glory is over, fear will envelop them. Yet I find my confidence in You, O Lord. It is not merely that he declares, "I will not fear," but rather, "Many who stand against me will be afraid." On the day of judgment, all the nations will lament for their own fate (Matt. 24:30). When the sign of the Son of Man is seen in the heavens, the righteous will find safety. What they have yearned for, hoped for, and prayed for will finally be realized; however, for the unrepentant, there will be no opportunity for remorse, as their hearts have turned hardened against the Lord's call. Will they erect a barrier against a God who judges?

The prophet expresses that he had no apprehension regarding worldly success, relying on Your support. However, Symmachus conveys it this way: On any day that I may feel fear, I place my faith in You; this highlights the contrast between fear and steadfast trust in You.

Throughout the day, he addresses the success and joy of his adversaries; for David, finding solace in the prophecy of their eventual downfall, declares, I will not fear the fleeting triumphs of mankind. Nyssa remarks: My enemies have oppressed me continually, casting me down from great heights, for they have risen above me. This struggle did not occur in the light of day. Had I received support from the light, I would remain unafraid; thus, he proclaims: By day I will not fear, implying that the night highlights the fear imposed upon him by his foes through darkness. In contrast, the one who places trust in the light—by which darkness is dispelled—creates a day for himself; this is why he asserts, I will not fear by day, but I will place my trust in You.

In moments of profound fear, he acknowledged his human frailty, yet he bore this fear with such grace that it did not overwhelm him. Despite the obvious peril surrounding him, he maintained his faith in God. He refrains from boasting about the nobility of his spirit or claiming to be unafraid in the face of threats; instead, he openly admits his fear while simultaneously demonstrating an unwavering trust in God's mercy. This reflects the genuine experience of our hope in the Lord, where, despite the frailty of the flesh shaking us amidst arising dangers, our spirit does not waver.

This psalm is to be sung in acknowledgment of Christ, who fulfills the law, and in homage to the limitless glory of His divine majesty. It resonates with those who were exiled by Saul and David or held captive in Babylon, far from the sacred sites of Jerusalem, as well as those in the present age distanced from the heavenly Jerusalem's eternal dwellings. The profound insights of this psalm, inspired by the Holy Spirit through David, merit being inscribed on a pillar or etched in the heart for everlasting remembrance, reflecting God's incomprehensible mercy towards humanity. It echoes the significance of the inscription found on the Pillar of the Cross. It speaks to those who have become estranged from God by violating His sacred commandments.