Изъяснение псалма 12-го.

Ps.12:1. To the head of the choir. Psalm of David. "At the end, a psalm to David." And this psalm was spoken by the great David about himself, not being persecuted by Saul, but being persecuted by Absalom. Saul's persecution was before David's sin, and therefore David spoke then with great boldness; and Absalom’s rebellion was after sin, therefore David’s words were dissolved in weeping and sighing. Ps.12:2. How long, O Lord, will you forget me completely, how long will you hide your face from me? “How long, Lord, will you forget me completely?” The Prophet called delay in help oblivion; He begs not to be completely forgotten, that is, not to be completely deprived of Divine providence. “How long will you turn Your face away from Me?” The Prophet used this saying, taking the image from the angry, who do not even want to see those who have done something unpleasant to them; why after a few words he says: “Look at me and have mercy on me.” By the name of face he does not mean face, and by the word disgust he does not mean disgust, but again he borrows a figure of speech from that characteristic of man. Ps.12:3. How long shall I formulate counsels in my soul, how long shall sorrow be in my heart day [and night]? How long will my enemy exalt himself over me? “How long will I put counsel in my soul, illness in my heart day and night?” I spend day and night in worry, turning my thoughts one way or another; Sometimes I hope to be worthy of philanthropy, sometimes I doubt whether I will be worthy of it, and sometimes I lose good hopes. “How long will my enemy exalt himself against me?” And it is fitting for us, who are fighting against the devil, to say this and always cry out for Divine support; because the divine David also grieved when he saw his enemies overcome. Ps.12:4. Look, hear me, O Lord my God! Enlighten my eyes, may I not fall asleep in the sleep of death. “Look, hear me, O Lord my God, enlighten my eyes, lest I sleep into death.” In this night of disasters, like some kind of dream, I am obsessed with cowardice. But if the light of Your help appears; then the night of disasters will dissipate, the sleep of cowardice will end. If you slow down with help; then I’m afraid that sleep will turn into death when sadness overpowers thoughts. Ps.12:5. Let not my enemy say, “I have overcome him.” May my persecutors not rejoice if I waver. “Never mind when my enemy says, “Be strong against him.” Those who are cold will rejoice if I move.” Do not make me a laughing stock for those who dislike me; because for me this is the saddest of all sorrows. Ps.12:7. I trust in Your mercy; my heart will rejoice in Your salvation; I will sing to the Lord, who has blessed me, [and I will sing to the name of the Lord Most High]. “I have trusted in Your mercy.” And from here it is clear that David spoke this psalm after committing a sin; because he hopes not for truth, but for mercy, and says that he places his trust in it. “My heart will rejoice in Your salvation.” Although even now I have hope for mercy, only after receiving salvation will I be freed from cowardice and sing with complete joy. For this is what David added: “I will sing to the Lord who has done good to me, and I will sing to the name of the Lord Most High.” Although I do not know the ineffable nature, Your name is enough for me to worship and sing songs and ask for all righteous help. For I believe that I will receive it by calling on Your only name. You might be interested in: