Psalm 63 (62):12Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The truth about the King is revealed in the choice made—by opting for the trickster, they rejected the true Sovereign. The authentic King, exalted in suffering, received this title when Pilate affixed the inscription “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews” above Him in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, ensuring that all who passed by could witness the splendor of the King and the shame brought upon the Jews themselves, who, by rejecting their rightful Sovereign, chose the cunning Caesar instead. The King shall indeed rejoice in the Lord, as they have become the prey of the cunning ones. The tongues of those who speak falsehoods are silenced; no one now dares to openly oppose Christ, as fear of Him has gripped everyone. During the Lamb's moments of vulnerability, even the foxes were emboldened against Him. But there, the Lion of the tribe of Judah overcame, (Rev. 5:5) and the tricksters were muted.

The king shall rejoice in God. After detailing the fate of those who opposed Christ and revealing that their destiny lies in the depths of the earth, the focus shifts to another group of individuals. This group consists of those who place their faith in Christ, who are rightfully designated as kings, having inherited the heavenly kingdom, in agreement with the Apostle who states, “That ye might reign” (1 Cor. 4:8). This royal lineage experiences the profound joy bestowed upon them by God Himself. The speaker acknowledges, “I, who have received the kingdom from You, find comfort in Your guidance, rather than in their demise.” All who honor Him will be exalted.

The sovereign will find joy in the Lord. The prophet states that he will not take pleasure in their demise, having received the kingdom from You, but rather in Your provisions that have allowed him to evade all the hostility of the adversary. Everyone who boasts in this will be vindicated, for the tongues of those who utter injustice will be silenced. Ultimately, all will openly acknowledge him as king and affirm his salvation without trepidation toward those who slander, whose voices have been muted by death.

The king will find joy in the Lord. David identifies himself as a monarch, chosen by God's decree. He expresses that he will not celebrate the demise of those who oppose him; in fact, he mourned deeply upon learning about the deaths of Saul and Jonathan, as detailed in the first chapter of 2 Samuel. Instead, his joy is in God, who saves those who cherish Him. A king can also be interpreted as one who governs their own desires, while one who boasts may refer to an individual who vows before God to live a righteous life and reinforces that commitment through actions, just as the Divine Maximus teaches us. According to Maximus, anyone who promises God a holy existence and upholds their vows by performing righteous deeds is deserving of admiration.

God not only assisted David in private but also took care of the entire church through him. Thus, it is appropriate for the collective joy to be united with his own since the well-being of the whole body relies on the head. We should observe David's devout generosity; despite being surrounded by death, he confidently referred to himself as king. Although he had not yet received the promised kingdom, he embraced it through faith. When he expresses his joy rooted in God, he acknowledges his gratitude towards the Lord and extols His mercy, which he links to the preservation of all the faithful. It has been stated that the welfare of God's chosen people could not remain secure apart from the thriving state of David's kingdom.

A Psalm inspired by the Holy Spirit for David, in which he calls upon God while he roams in the wilderness, expressing his sorrow over his wanderings and his yearning to transition from the desolation to the house of the Lord in Jerusalem. This prayer reflects the longing of every believer in Christ who traverses the tribulations of this world, patiently hoping to enter into the peace of eternal life. The earth was barren, lacking the presence of Christ. The one who cherishes God continually yearns to dwell and communicate with Him.