Psalm 7:3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Because of wickedness, he claims, he has driven away the aid of God; thus, he adds: “there is no deliverer and no savior.” Furthermore, the scripture refers to the devil as a lion, as expressed: “Your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). The prophet also states in another verse, “thou shalt trample on the lion and the dragon” (Ps. 90:13). This beast appears in many forms; however, if we remain vigilant, both the lion and the serpent will be brought low, never daring to attack us directly. If they do, they will be crushed, for as the Lord says, “tread upon serpents and scorpions” (Luke 10:19). The devil may roam like a lion with ferocious intent, but when faced with those who bear Christ, the cross upon their foreheads, the fire of the Spirit, and an unquenchable light, he will not even be able to gaze upon them. Instead, he will turn and flee, not daring to return. To assure you that this is not mere rhetoric, consider Paul. He was human like us, yet this lion fled from his garments and shadow. It is no surprise; the scent of Christ radiating from Paul was too much for him, and he could not withstand the brightness of his virtue.

Why does the Prophet first ask for salvation from persecutors and then for deliverance? The clarity of his request lies in the structure: Save me from all who pursue me, and deliver me, lest a man seize my soul like a lion. What distinguishes salvation from deliverance? Salvation is for the feeble who need rescue, while deliverance pertains to those in bondage. Thus, anyone who acknowledges their own weakness yet possesses faith is guided to salvation through that faith, for it is stated: Your faith has saved you (Lk. 7:50), and again: Because you believed, let it be done for you (Mt. 8:13). Conversely, someone seeking deliverance anticipates that others will make the necessary sacrifice for it. Therefore, one facing death, recognizing the existence of a single Saviour and Redeemer, expresses: In You I trust, deliver me from weakness, and free me from bondage.

I reflect on the valiant ascetics of God who, after battling unseen foes throughout their lives, await to escape their tribulations. As they approach the end of their journey, the ruler of this age attempts to claim them, particularly if they bear wounds from their struggles or carry blemishes and marks of sin. Yet, if they are found unharmed and pure, they will be received by Christ with the honor of invincibility and freedom. Thus, the Prophet prays for both present and future existence. Here, he pleads: Save me from my persecutors, and later, in times of trial: Deliver me, so my soul is not seized like a lion. This lesson is also reflected in our Lord Himself, who before His passion declared: The prince of this world is coming, and he has no claim on Me (John 14:30). He, who is devoid of sin, declared, I shall lack nothing; but for man, it suffices to be able to say, The prince of this world is on his way, and he has no claims on me. However, it is perilous for us if we find ourselves without the one who delivers and the one who saves. Each of these concepts calls for our attention: save me from the multitude of those who pursue me, and deliver me, lest I be taken away without anyone to rescue me.

His being identified as an Ethiopian stems from his own choices, whereas being the son of the right hand indicates his divine creation. It is aptly stated of him, "Let him never snatch my soul like a lion." "Our adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Pet. 5:8).

Conversely, the devil is characterized by sin and destruction, as he is the source of these evils. Moreover, the phrase ‘shall snatch away’ does not carry a literal meaning here; it conveys the idea of taking or depriving. This psalm applies to anyone facing temptation, especially in the context of persecution, which may be understood as the influence of demons, with Satan as their leader—who seeks to ensnare our souls in sin and despair or to capture them at the moment of death. There exists no rescuer below to provide salvation. These sentiments echo those expressed earlier, signifying the same concepts. Thus, here, ‘saving’ conveys the same essence as ‘save’ (Psalm 7:2), and ‘delivering’ corresponds to ‘deliver’. Unless You show mercy, as the prophet implies, to manifest Your assistance, there is no one to save or liberate me.

“Let him not tear away,” he pleads, “my soul like a lion, when there is no deliverer and savior.” Our adversary, the devil, “walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). His wicked followers act similarly, pursuing the faithful like ravenous dogs, intent on capturing and destroying them. Who can escape their snares? No one can be saved unless God intervenes, for “salvation is of the Lord” (Ps. 3:9).

Fifth, let us learn from St. David’s example to place our trust not in might, honor, wisdom, wealth, or anything else, but solely in God. To Him alone should we turn in times of sorrow, pain, and every form of trouble, as He is the only one who can deliver and save us, since all creation responds to His sovereign authority.

Sixth, David’s experiences remind us that the godly face significant challenges and tribulations in this world: “Many are the tribulations of the righteous” (Ps. 34:19), and “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim. 3:12). The righteous do not belong to the world, as the Lord tells them: “If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you” (John 15:19). Thus, He also states, “In the world you shall have tribulation” (Jn. 16:33).

Seventh, it is impossible to place trust in both God the Creator and in created things, such as humanity, wealth, power, wisdom, and so forth; one must choose between the two. Therefore, he who claims, “My Lord God, I have trusted in You,” yet relies on the created instead of the Creator, and seeks aid not from God, but from worldly things, deceives himself. God looks beyond words to the heart, assessing what it truly holds in trust and to what it clings—whether it is to God or something else. Trust is demonstrated through actions, and faith is proven by deeds, not mere words.

Consider in whom you place your trust. Faith, hope, trust, and patience are discerned not in times of prosperity, but during adversity. Challenges reveal where a person's trust truly lies, whether in God or elsewhere. In times of hardship, one’s source of help indicates their trust. Misfortune acts like a purging agent, revealing what is truly in the heart, whether confidence resides in God or in something else. Thus, the depths of the human heart are exposed through trials, allowing a person to understand their own heart, which is difficult to know otherwise due to its complexity.

Eighth, it is erroneous to call God one’s own if one does not obey Him or keep His commandments: “Whoever says, ‘I have known Him,’ but does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:4). Therefore, one who refers to God as “My Lord God” must demonstrate faithful obedience, lest the Lord rebuke him, saying: “Why do you call Me: Lord! Lord!—and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46). “Let everyone who confesses the name of the Lord” (2 Tim. 2:19) “depart from unrighteousness” (2 Tim. 2:19).

Lastly, it is worth noting that David, in the same seventh Psalm, proclaims: “My help comes from God, who saves the upright in heart” (Ps. 7:11). To whom does God extend His aid and salvation? To those who are right in heart—those who genuinely turn to Him, believe, walk in newness of life, follow His will, and please Him wholeheartedly. Such are the ones whom God aids and saves. Let us also commit to following God’s will, not our own, aiming to please Him, and then He will deliver us. Be saved.