Psalm 56 (55):5Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Why? Because I extol my words in God. If you exalt your own speech within yourselves, I do not claim that you should lack fear; it is unavoidable that you will experience it. For your words may either be misleading and therefore solely yours, or they may contain truth, yet you remain false. However, if you recognize that apart from the wisdom of God and the faith of the Truth, you can utter no genuine word except what you have received from Him, as it is written, "For what have you that you have not received?" (1 Cor. 4:7). Thus, you honor God with your utterances, enabling you to be honored in God through His words. In God I place my trust; I shall not be afraid of what the flesh may do to me.

I shall exalt my words to the Lord. In the face of conflict with my adversaries, to shield myself from harm, I prepare myself by transforming all my words into melodies, presenting them as a sacrifice to God while placing my trust in Him, through which I have cast away the fear that comes from man.

I urge you, may faithful Zion not become a place of iniquity, may no evil spirits dwell here, and may no temptations find refuge in the abode of the Holy Trinity. Let not our hearts be divided; however, as soon as our desires stir our emotions or the flames of indulgence offer a tempting warmth, we shall cry out with fervor: The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid of what makes me vulnerable.

Oh, if only those who listen to me were not governed by human desires! Free from the cravings of the flesh, each would proclaim: I fear not the actions of the body! He who triumphed over the flesh is the cornerstone of the Church. While he may not be on par with Peter, he can still emulate him, for the gifts of God are vast. He has not only restored to us what was ours but also bestowed upon us what belongs solely to Him.

When I communicate, I enrich my words with the contemplation of the Lord. In times of assault, I place my unwavering faith in your protection and hold those who oppose me in disdain.

O God, I shall extol my words. The phrase I shall extol is used here instead of I shall render my words commendable, or rather beautiful: he indicates that he will render his words commendable because he expresses hymns and adoration to God. For only those words can be deemed beautiful and praiseworthy that acknowledge and proclaim the glory of God. Previously, he had boasted, declaring, I will not fear in the daylight; now he adjusts his statement, affirming that through God, or rather, through the might of God, I will proclaim praise or elevate my words in worship, as it is written, Whoever boasts, let him boast in the Lord (1 Corinthians 1:31). In God I have placed my trust; I will not be afraid; what can mere mortal man do to me?

He expresses his confidence more openly while simultaneously acknowledging the burden of that trust. This reveals that God had previously assured him of the kingdom, as noted by Samuel regarding David in the first book of Kings: The Lord will find a man after His own heart, and the Lord will command him to be ruler over His people (1 Sam. 13:14). This promise was a source of hope and underlies his declaration: I will praise His words, which represent His promises given to me by God, as being profoundly true, and I am assured they will indeed come to pass. Therefore, I will not fear what my flesh may do to me. What can my persecutors and adversaries accomplish against me, when they are, in contrast to God, merely flesh—weak and transient human beings?

This psalm is meant to be sung in honor of Christ, the culmination of the law, and in celebration of His boundless divine glory. It speaks to those exiled from the times of Saul and David, as well as those taken captive in Babylon, distant from the sacred sites of Jerusalem. It equally addresses those who live in this world, separated from the heavenly abode of the New Jerusalem. The power of this psalm, inspired by the Holy Spirit through David, is significant enough to be etched on a pillar or inscribed on the heart for lasting remembrance, reflecting God's profound mercy towards humanity. It also signifies the inscription on the Pillar of the Cross, denoting the estrangement from God due to the violation of His holy commandments. This psalm is worthy of being recorded on a pillar or held in the heart to eternally commemorate the incomprehensible compassion of God. Throughout the entire day of Christ’s Passion, the multitude of Jews relentlessly swore against Him.