Psalm 57 (56):8Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Blessed is the individual who, despite facing injustices for the sake of truth, can sincerely proclaim, “My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast,” as a result of which the following will occur: “I will sing and make melody” (Psalm 56:8). This was demonstrated by Paul and Barnabas, who fulfilled this in the harshest of prisons (see Acts 16:25).

My heart is prepared, O God, my heart is prepared. He implores for the Holy Spirit, whom the Only Begotten, who ascended into heaven, had assured would be sent, declaring that his heart has been made ready to embrace the Spirit.

Symmachus rendered it this way: my heart is unshakable. When I witness your evident guidance, I lose all fear of the adversary's schemes, and I am prepared and enthusiastic to obey your commands and proclaim your blessings.

My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast. He asserts that he is prepared from this moment onward, O Lord, ready to face the trials that may befall him, for in You he finds a source of strength to rescue him. Alternatively, he is poised to fulfill Your will, to bring glory to You, and to offer continual thanks. For You have saved me from peril, as Theodoret states. I will exalt and rejoice in my glory. 'I will sing' signifies praising God with a single voice, and 'I will sing' also implies engaging with musical instruments. David regards his glory as the wisdom and insight for which he has been celebrated by others, or as the gift of prophecy. Thus, he proclaims, With wisdom and discernment of heart, I will exalt You, O Lord, not merely with empty words.

Our eagerness to fulfill the unmistakable will of God should be swift and done willingly. May Your will be accomplished, Heavenly Father; I am prepared to act promptly and of my own volition. Those who hesitate to determine whether to adhere to God's commandments show a lack of desire to follow them. Conversely, one who willingly dedicates themselves to God's service is always prepared to carry out His sacred will without hesitation. The grace of God diminishes in relation to the free will that engages in good works, particularly when it exhibits laziness in doing so. Therefore, every true believer ought to echo the words of David: “My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready; I will sing and chant in my glory.”

In the conclusion of the psalm, the prophet lifts his spirit in adoration of God for His blessings. He expresses a readiness to embrace life and death, to endure hardships, and to experience triumph: in essence, he is prepared to accept whatever comes from Your hand. I will glorify You in moments of triumph, and I will offer my gratitude in times of adversity, recognizing Your mercy in the former and Your righteousness in the latter.

After cleverly escaping the grip of the Philistines, David sought refuge in the cave of Adullam (1 Samuel 22:1) to evade Saul. The psalm reflects the thoughts and emotions that filled David's heart during this period. Some scholars appear to inaccurately connect it with his time in the cave at Engedi (1 Samuel 24ff.). The expression "May ye not molest - destroy not (al tashkhet)" possibly encapsulates the primary message of the psalm—a plea for the preservation of life, or it may be understood as "through (the song of) al tashkhet." The Hebrew text of this psalm presents significant challenges for interpretation; the structural parallels are more coherent when viewed through the lens of the LXX than when adhering strictly to the Hebrew.

The phrase "You shall not harm" is reflected in a certain ancient melody that begins with these words, suggesting that the psalms of David, which bear the title "You shall not harm," should be sung in a similar manner. However, what holds greater significance is the account of David, who, while concealed in a cave from Saul and engulfed in dire peril, implores God not to allow him to harm or take Saul’s life. His conscience strictly prohibited him from committing such an act, deterred by the notion of doing evil, even as he had the opportunity to end Saul’s life multiple times. This commendable restraint deserves to be forever remembered.

On the Feast of the Lord's Ascension, we reflect on the verse: "My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready; I will sing and make music to your glory." The confidence you instill in me, O Lord, strengthens my heart and enables me to face my adversaries boldly, allowing me to joyfully sing your praises in their presence, accompanied by the harp and other instruments.