Psalm 59 (58):17Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

In the early hours of the day, when temptations are vanquished, as the darkness of this world fades away; in the morning, when we need no longer fear the ambush of thieves, being the devil and his demons, in the morning, when we are guided not by the light of prophecy but by the true Word of God, shining like the Sun, we witness His glory. And I will rejoice in the morning of Your grace.

I will raise my voice in praise of Your might. As a representative of the Gentiles who have witnessed Your power, I will celebrate Your grace made evident in the light and on the day of Your resurrection, for through that resurrection, You have become our intercessor and refuge in times of trouble. Consequently, I present these psalms as an offering to You, O God, who shows compassion to me. I have consistently relied on Your support, and through Your divine care, I have evaded the misfortunes that threaten me. Hence, I acknowledge You, the one true God, and I declare You to be the wellspring of mercy and humanity. Even in foresight, the blessed David prophesied the afflictions of the Jews, vowing to continually proclaim hymns to the Lord, a promise he fulfills by singing praises with the voices of the righteous.

I will declare Your strength and rejoice at dawn in Your compassion. Those who defy You will encounter numerous tribulations, yet I will celebrate Your mercies. When Your illuminating presence dawns, bringing light to the world, I shall proclaim Your great kindness throughout all the congregations. For You have been my advocate and my sanctuary in times of trouble. You are my support; to You I lift my voice in song, for You are my God and my mercy. Your aid has always been with me, and through Your watchful guidance, I have been delivered from the trials I faced. Thus, I acknowledge You as the one true God, the wellspring of compassion and humanity. King David witnessed this from a distance with his prophetic vision, foreseeing the tribulations that would befall the people of Israel. He committed himself to continually praise the Lord, fulfilling his vow by singing with the voices of the righteous.

I will sing with my voice a song that praises Your strength, O Lord, and I will rejoice in the morning for Your mercy. It is stated that the Jewish people will endure such a fate; however, I will sing with my voice a hymn honoring Your power, O Lord, and I will take joy in the morning because of Your kindness. This joy comes swiftly, as I will soon receive Your forgiveness. This is captured in the word αγαλλιασομαι, which expresses joy freely, contrasting with the phrase found in the scripture when it refers to rejoicing in Your mercy (επι τω ελεεει σου). The phrase “Your mercy” (ελεος σου) reflects this sentiment. In the words of the esteemed Athanasius, I proclaim my joy for the grace You displayed on the morning of Your resurrection.

In this passage, the Prophet expresses gratitude to God for the graciousness shown towards him and acknowledges that his salvation will eternally stand as the most profound testament to God's might and the unique grace displayed within it. Though David was rescued from his foes through the wisdom of his wife, it was ultimately God who inspired her actions, triumphing over Saul and thwarting his plots. Thus, it is appropriate for David to uplift his voice in praise of God’s strength and to celebrate His mercy.

The growth of David's spirit within his dwelling during the time of Saul symbolizes the emergence of the untainted body of Christ the Savior from the grave, a truth meant to be inscribed not just on stone but in the hearts of the faithful, bringing eternal glory and honor to God. This psalm expresses the prayer of Christ the Lord to God the Father amidst His redemptive suffering. Christ the Lord committed no wrongdoing; instead, He led sinners toward the path of salvation. Embrace the Gospel, for at the Last Judgment, it will be proclaimed to the unrighteous: Depart from Me, you cursed.