Псалом 34

The psalm belongs to David and was written during persecution from Saul. So, for example, David speaks here of his complete innocence before God (Ps. 35:7, 12–15, 19, 20) and the undeservedness of persecution; enemies sought to take his life (Ps.34:4), plotted against him (Ps.34:7, 20). David's position was similar under Saul. God! Come to my defense from the enemies who are plotting evil against me (1–6). Let my enemies perish from the Angel You sent, and I will praise You with all my being (7-10). For my kindness towards them and sympathy, they pay with nothing but evil and hypocrisy (11–16). Do not let my lonely enemies, who are plotting against me, triumph over me (17-21). You have seen my undeserved suffering and the joy of my enemies in my misfortunes; move to my defense and give me the opportunity to always praise You (22-28). Ps.34:1. Intercede, O Lord, in litigation with those who litigate with me, overcome those who fight with me; “Enter, O Lord, into litigation with those who litigate with me” - the image is borrowed from human court, where each party was given the right to prove their innocence by the facts of their activities. David confesses that the strictest court will not find such guilt in him and will not acquit his enemies. Ps.34:2. take your shield and armor and rise up to help me; Ps.34:3. Draw your sword and block the path of those who pursue me; say to my soul: “I am your salvation!” The images of God coming to David's defense are borrowed from the order of arming a warrior going into battle. Ps.34:5. let them be as dust before the wind, and let the Angel of the Lord drive them away; Ps.34:6. let their path be dark and slippery, and let the Angel of the Lord pursue them, “Let the Angel of the Lord drive away” and “pursue them” - an indication of one side of the activity of the Guardian Angel: he expels and pursues wicked people, in this way protecting the righteous from their attacks. - “Their path is dark and slippery” - may their enterprises against the righteous be unsuccessful and may they encounter obstacles, just as a traveler meets them on a dark night on a slippery path. Ps.34:10. All my bones will say: “Lord! Who is like You, who delivers the weak from the strong, the poor and needy from their plunderer?” “All my bones will say.” Bones, as the hardest part of the body and the carrier of the whole body, hidden inside, mean the depth of grateful feeling that fills the entire being of the saved one. Ps.34:11. Unrighteous witnesses have arisen against me: what I do not know, they interrogate me; Unjust accusations were brought against David against Saul, as can be seen from 1 Sam. 24:8–10. Ps.34:12. They reward me with evil for good, with orphanhood for my soul. “The orphanhood of my soul” is David’s abandonment by those close to him. Ps.34:13. During their illness, I dressed myself in sackcloth, exhausted my soul with fasting, and my prayer returned to my bosom. Ps.34:14. I acted as if I were my friend, my brother; I walked mournfully, with my head bowed, as if mourning my mother. David's portrayal of the sympathy that his current enemies and, of course, Saul had previously found in him. He was always sick of their disasters. - “My prayer returned to my depths” - the expression is not clear. It can be understood as an external method of prayer with the head bowed to the chest (“bosom”), or in the sense that my prayer came out of the depths and returned to the depths, that is, although it was silent, it was deep and internal. Ps.34:15. And when I stumbled, they rejoiced and gathered together; Scolders gathered against me, I don’t know why, they vilified me and didn’t stop; Ps.34:16. with hypocritical scoffers they gnashed their teeth at me. The actions of his enemies were completely opposite to David: they rejoiced at his misfortune and acted hypocrites before him. Ps.34:17. God! How long will you look at this? Take my soul away from their atrocities, take my lonely soul away from the lions. “Lion y” is an image of the bloodthirstiness of enemies, “my lonely” soul – me alone. Ps.34:20. for they do not speak of peace, but form evil plans against the peaceful of the earth; “Peaceful are the lands,” these are David and his few followers, they are peaceful, not malicious against anyone and not stirring up unrest among the people. Ps.34:21. they widen their mouth against me; they say: “okay! Fine! our eyes have seen.” “They widen... their lips” - they smile widely at the sight of my disasters. Ps.34:23. Move, awaken for my judgment, for my litigation, my God and my Lord! “Awake to my judgment” - rise to my defense and to the condemnation of my enemies. Ps.34:24. Judge me according to Thy righteousness, O Lord my God, and let them not triumph over me; “Judge me according to Your righteousness” - according to all Your justice. David boldly appeals to God's judgment, as he recognizes his complete innocence before Him. Ps.34:25. Let them not say in their hearts: “Good! [good!] to our liking!” Let them not say, “We have devoured him.” Do not let those who are trying to devour me triumph over me and for whom my death would be the complete satisfaction of their evil desire (“according to our soul” - according to our desire). Ps.34:27. Let those who desire my righteousness rejoice and be glad and say continually: “May the Lord be magnified, who desires peace for His servant!” “Let those who desire my righteousness rejoice and be glad” - save me from my enemies in order to bring joy to those who want my truth to triumph over the unrighteousness of my enemies. You might be interested in: