Psalm 56 (55):6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Throughout the day, my words have been despised. He states that he devoted his speech to God as an offering, yet all day long, their relentless attempts to harm me persisted.

The Prophet declares that each of their thoughts is aimed at evil intentions toward me; they dismiss my words as deceitful and refuse the righteousness that is presented.

Throughout the day, my adversaries, the outsiders, have shown contempt for my teachings. They have scorned me in the past, and their intentions are consistently aimed at my harm. The words of Isychius now unmistakably refer to the Jews. They have perpetually rejected the messages of the faithful, which expose their lack of faith: from dawn until dusk, Paul communicated to them, but they, rejecting the truth of the message, left in disagreement among themselves as recorded by Luke (Acts 28:25).

He elaborates on the wickedness of the outsiders, indicating that throughout his entire time among them, they continually reviled him like a lunatic and sought methods to bring about his ruin. This behavior is similarly applicable to the scribes and Pharisees, who maligned the teachings and actions of Christ and plotted harm against him, much like Saul and his followers did with David.

This psalm is to be sung in reverence to Christ, who embodies the fulfillment of the law and the immeasurable honor of His divine majesty. It is intended for those who found themselves in exile from Saul and David, or held captive in Babylon, far from the sacred sites of Jerusalem. It also serves those who, in this earthly life, feel distanced from the heavenly Jerusalem. Inspired by the Holy Spirit and composed by David, the profound significance of this psalm deserves to be inscribed on pillars or etched in hearts for everlasting remembrance, celebrating God's unfathomable mercy towards humanity. The inscription on the Pillar of the Cross is likewise referenced here. It speaks to those separated from God through the breach of His holy commandments. The essence of this psalm should be engraved on pillars or within hearts, as a lasting testament to the immeasurable humanity of God. Throughout Christ’s Passion, the crowds continually hurled oaths against Him.