Изъяснение псалма 55-го.

Ps.55:1. To the head of the choir. About a dove, silent in the distance. Scripture of David when the Philistines captured him at Gath. “In the end, about the people who were removed from the saints, David in the pillars of history, who also kept foreign women in Gath.” And the inscription shows that the meaning of the psalm is twofold, corresponding both to David himself and to the people who became captives and were forced to live in a foreign land, because the sufferings are similar. And they served the Babylonians, a people of foreign tribes: and David, having fled from Saul, lived with the foreigners. You should know that David came to Gath twice: the first time, being considered an enemy, then being exposed to danger and pretending to be frantic, he was released and escaped; and another time, having gained the trust of the inhabitants of Gath, he stayed with them, enjoying peace. This psalm was written by David when he was in danger for the first time in Gath. Ps.55:2. Have mercy on me, God! for man wants to devour me; attacking every day, presses me. Ps.55:3. My enemies seek every day to devour me, for there are many who rise up against me, O Most High! “Have mercy on me, O God, as man has trampled upon me: I have struggled with the cold all day long.” “Beg me and defeat my enemies all day long.” Driven out, fought, and trampled upon, as it were, by various enemies, and constantly enduring this, I await Your love for mankind, O Lord. Symmachus translated the words: “all day”: “every day”, i.e. continuously, unceasingly. “Like many fighting me from on high.” I was not afraid, says the Prophet, of the prosperity of the people, relying on which they undertook warfare against us. For he called success in real life, temporary, one-day, fragile, and not far-reaching, the “height” of the day. Then he teaches why one should not be afraid of those who are puffed up by prosperity. Ps.55:4. When I am afraid, I trust in You. “On the day I will not fear: but I trust in Thee.” I was not afraid, says the Prophet, of temporary success, having Your help. Symmachus translated this as follows: “No matter what day I fear, I will trust in You,” that is, I contrast fear with firm hope in You. Ps.55:5. In God I will praise His word; I trust in God, I am not afraid; What will the flesh do to me? “I will praise my words in God: I have trusted in God; I will not fear, what will the flesh do to me?” . And when I speak, I decorate my speech with remembrance of God. And when they attack me, I firmly trust in Your care; I despise the attackers. Ps.55:6. Every day they distort my words; all their thoughts about me are evil. “All day long I abhor my words; all their thoughts of evil are upon me.” Every thought of theirs, says the Prophet, is directed towards malicious intent against me, they turn away from my words as false, and reject the justification offered. Ps.55:7. They gather, hide, watch my heels in order to catch my soul. “They will move in and hide; they will keep my heel, just as they have suffered my soul.” Symmachus translated this more clearly: “They gathered together in secret, and watched my steps, waiting for my soul.” With these same words the Prophet depicted their traps, snares and intrigues. Ps.55:8. Will they really escape retribution for their unrighteousness? In wrath, O God, overthrow the nations. “I won’t say anything about it.” It is not difficult for you, says the Prophet, and it is extremely convenient to repel them, depose them and put them to death. He said: “not about anything” instead of: not difficult, easy. “Bring down people with wrath, O God.” For you will punish not only them, but also all those who intend to live lawlessly. Ps.55:9. My wanderings are numbered with You; put my tears in a vessel with You; are they not in Your book? “I have declared my belly to You.” Everything I have, deeds, words, thoughts, is clear to You. This is how Symmachus translated it: “My inner parts are numbered before You.” “Thou hast laid down my tears before Thee, even as Thy promise.” You bowed down to my tears, says the Prophet, and fulfilled the promises. For in giving the law he promised to listen to the sighs of the offended; it is said in the law: “Whoever sighs to Me, I will hear him, for I am merciful” (Ex. 22:27). Ps.55:10. My enemies turn back when I cry to You, from this I know that God is for me. “May my enemies return back.” As soon as You accept my prayer, the enemies will flee and their courage will cease. “One day I will call upon Thee: behold, I know that Thou art my God.” Having received what I asked for, I am convinced by my very actions how great Your care is for me. Ps.55:11. I will praise His word in God; I will praise His word in the Lord. Ps.55:12. I trust in God, I am not afraid; What will a man do to me? “I will praise the word about God: I will praise the word about the Lord.” “I have trusted in God; I will not be afraid; what will man do to me?” Without calling on You, I will not dare to begin a speech, but whether I utter a short word or make a long speech, I will decorate them with Your name, and, firmly trusting in You, I will despise human intrigues. Ps.55:13. I have vows to You, O God; I will give you praise. “In me, O God, are the prayers that I will give Thy praise.” With gratitude, says the Prophet, I will fulfill my vows to You, for he calls promises to God prayers (ἐυχαὶ). So in another place it is said: “I will give You my prayers, which my lips have spoken, and my lips have spoken in my affliction” (Ps. 65:13-14). Then he shows on what occasion and what promises were made. Ps.55:14. For You have delivered my soul from death, [my eyes from tears], and my feet from stumbling, that I might walk before the face of God in the light of the living. “For thou hast delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my nose from creeping, that I may please the Lord in the light of the living.” Having taken advantage of so many blessings and overcome various intrigues, I will take care of serving You, and I will choose a life that will be pleasing to You, and will bring me eternal life and that light that is promised to those who live in accordance with the law. This, as I said, is applicable both to blessed David and to the captives in Babylon. And it also applies to us, who endure many intrigues from people and from demons, but with God’s providence for us we avoid the harm that comes from them. You might be interested in: