Psalm 59 (58):5Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Strong individuals charged in, trusting in their own righteousness, but they discovered no transgression in me. For indeed, these robust figures, as if they were virtuous, what justification could they have to pursue Christ, except to view Him as a sinner? Let them truly witness their own strength in their rage, not in the clarity of sound judgement. They perceived their might and their ferocity only against someone they deemed unrighteous. However, neither iniquity nor sin belongs to me, O Lord. Innocent, I have followed a righteous path. Thus, these strong ones could not pursue me swiftly; they considered me guilty because they did not discern my ways. I ran free from fault, moving straight ahead; rise to meet me and observe. This indeed, is what is relayed to God. But why?

I will flow and transform without wrongdoing. This statement pertains not to David in his own right, but to the one who descends from David, the Lord of David. For He alone is devoid of sin, and deceit is never found in His speech (1 Pet. 2:22). Yet, the blessed David expresses this as a foreshadowing, not claiming to be entirely faultless, but illustrating that despite having done no wrong to Saul and having shown him kindness in numerous instances, he suffered various forms of hostility. Even in the absence of any transgression, he was violently attacked by those who were not justified in their actions against him. Similarly, Simmachus conveys that when righteousness is absent, they rush to deliver blows. Rise and witness in my presence. Yet I implore You, says the Prophet, that You, who are pure in all respects, should be the ultimate Judge in this issue.

I have acted wrongfully without guilt, and I have also acted rightly. He states that without wrongdoing, he treated Saul and his companions with integrity, leading to significant achievements. Alternatively, he indicates that he has performed his actions free of iniquity; this statement is particularly applicable to Christ, as noted by Chrysostom and Theodoret. Christ, who was without sin, faced unjust hostility from the Jews: “I have done no iniquity, nor was deceit found in His mouth” (Isaiah 53:9). Rise up in my vicinity and observe. The Lord calls to those who would come to support and fortify me as I flee from adversaries and witness the tribulations I face. David speaks these words to God, reflecting what is fitting in human communication, as we have discussed previously. For God, who lacks nothing, perceives all things without necessitating movement or prompting from requests to gain awareness.

David, in his plea for divine assistance, illustrates the fierce onslaught he faces from his adversaries. When he refers to rising up, he implies not only the audacity and brevity of their assaults but also the overwhelming power with which they have conquered him, subjecting him to their oppression. In the following verse, he laments the unjust and wicked cruelty of his foes. He combines these thoughts to express that he lacks the strength to defend himself and is enduring a severe and ruthless attack despite not having deserved it. While acknowledging his own shortcomings, he nevertheless considers himself blameless in the eyes of Saul, surrendering his innocence to God's judgment, which has been obscured by the ruthless accusations of others.

The evasion of David from Saul in his own dwelling represents the departure of Christ our Savior in the sacred tomb from the grip of death. This truth is inscribed not only upon the stone but also within the hearts of the faithful, to the everlasting glory and honor of God. This psalm expresses the prayers of Christ the Lord to God the Father during His redemptive Passion. Christ, without sin, guided sinners towards the path of salvation. Trust in the Gospel, for at the Last Judgment it will be declared to the unrepentant: Depart from Me, you cursed.