Psalm 63 (62):7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

As the Psalmist expresses, "when I remember Thee on my bed, I meditate on Thee in the watches of the night." It is vital to keep God in our minds, particularly in moments of stillness when our thoughts can reflect upon themselves and retain what truly matters. During the day, other distractions may draw our thoughts away, but at night, uninterrupted remembrance is achievable; the soul finds peace and safety in that sanctuary. The Psalmist further advises, “In your hearts, meditate ... on your beds” (Psalm 4:5). While it is beneficial to remember God throughout the day, when preoccupied with earthly concerns, at least set aside time at night for contemplation of Him, and also focus on Him in the morning. If we engage in this practice in the morning, we can approach our tasks without fear; by seeking God’s favor through reverence and prayer beforehand, we will confront no adversary. And even if we do encounter one, we shall face him with confidence, for God is our protector.

Without God’s assistance, our righteous actions cannot be accomplished. We are called to perform worthy deeds, akin to working in the light, for it is through Christ that we find our path. Those who commit wrongdoings do so at night, not in the light of day; as the Apostle states, Those who get drunk are drunk at night; and those who sleep at night sleep. Therefore, let us modern believers be sober-minded. He encourages us to conduct ourselves honorably after daylight: As in the day, let us walk decently. And again, he states, You are children of light and children of day; we do not belong to the night or to darkness. Who then are the children of the night and the children of darkness? They partake in all sorts of evils. So deeply are they entrenched in the night that they fear their deeds being exposed. Thus, no one acts in the light of dawn except those who do so in Christ. The person who keeps Christ in mind during their leisure time will meditate on Him in all their endeavors, and He will assist them in their righteous works, safeguarding them from failure due to their frailty. And I will rejoice in the shadow of Your wings. I find joy in good deeds because Your wings cover me. If You do not shield me, much like a hen, I will be vulnerable to the hawk. For our Lord Himself once spoke to that city of Jerusalem, where He was crucified, saying, ‘Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. We are small, so let God shelter us beneath the shadow of His wings. What will happen when we become great? It is beneficial for us that He continues to protect us, that we may always remain as chicks under His care. For He surpasses all, no matter our growth. Let no one say, Let Him guard me only while I am small, as if one day they will grow so large as to be self-reliant. Without God’s protection, you are nothing. Always let us seek to be under His safeguarding: then we shall possess the strength to be great, provided we remain humble under Him. And I will rejoice in the shadow of Your wings.

Theodoret notes that similarly, those among the Gentiles who have come to faith undoubtedly remember the Savior, praising Him at dawn. The references to wings may well signify both the old and new covenants through which, being embraced and nurtured by the cleansing of new life, he matures perfectly to the measure of the fullness of Christ. In some texts, instead of mornings, it is rendered as prematurely, a reading attributed to Cyril of Alexandria's interpretation of Isaiah. David expresses a similar notion elsewhere when he proclaims: I was alert before dawn and called out (Psalms 118), where ‘prematurely’ refers to the early morning or the brink of midnight, about which he states: I rose at midnight to seek Your righteous judgments. Consequently, another interpreter explains that his words mean: The remembrance of You, O Lord, prevents me from sleeping; during this night I nourish my thoughts, and during every watch, You remain on my mind, and I dwell upon You until morning, unfailingly. Saint Isaac further articulates that the one who has attained perfect love for God converses with Him even in sleep, for love naturally inclines one toward such communion, which reflects humanity’s ultimate perfection in this life. Thus, the captive bride, enamored by her love for God, also remembers Him while she sleeps, as indicated in her words: I sleep, yet my heart is awake (Song 5:2). Simmachus translates: I remember You on my bed; during every watch, I meditate on You. According to Theodoret’s insight, while lying on my bed, I cast aside the most pleasurable sleep; during each watch of the night, I contemplate You, and with songs, I express gratitude for Your kindness. Athanasius remarks that if I remembered You, it signifies a yearning rather than a mere action, implying that through remembrance, I am kept awake, devoted to Your praises and in tune with the bright inspirations You provide to those who call upon You.

Thus, he expresses his joy in finding refuge under the shelter of God's wings, signifying a commitment to rest in His protection and find delight, untroubled by the challenges posed by both external threats and internal struggles, secure beneath the wings of the Almighty.