Chapter 19

Ps.19:1. Finally, a psalm to David. The psalm is pronounced as if on behalf of David’s friends, expressing good wishes to David, who makes a sacrifice, but is also applied to the face of the Apostles, as if spoken on the day of the crucifixion. Ps.19:2. The Lord will hear you on the day of sorrow, - that is, it will be with you, - that is, it will save you. Ps.19:3. Send help from the Holy One, and you will intercede from Zion. To console the one who is faint in spirit, this is spoken either by the Word indwelling in the soul or by the Holy Spirit. The mourner must pray and not lose hope. For only in this case is God ready to hear him. Ps.19:6. Let us rejoice in Your salvation. The salvation of the world is the Son from the Father; the salvation of the world is the cross from the Son. And You gave salvation to the human race, says the Psalmist, making it obvious to everyone through Your resurrection. The Lord will fulfill all your requests. What kind of petitions are these, besides something like this: “Holy Father, keep them from the world” (John 17:11)? It is clear that he is asking here for those who believe in Him, or for David, or for Hezekiah in the days of priests and kings; He asks - either for the sake of the Lord’s economy according to the flesh and for the sake of the resurrection, or because with our salvation He calls Himself saved, and will take care of us, since we are one body with Him. That’s why he said: “today.” For in the present we perceive that Christ is saved, just as soon as the guarantee of our salvation is accepted in this. You have saved us by the power of Your right hand. And the right hand either names deeds, great powers, help, or foretells the theophany of Christ. Ps.19:7. Now I know that the Lord saved His Christ. How one who had already been enlightened by the Spirit knew the mystery of the resurrection. His right hand has the power to save. He saved us by showing great strength. For here he makes it clear that He also grants works to those who come to Him through the power of His right hand. The word “right hand” is used here again in a human form, to designate God’s power. Ps.19:8. These are on chariots and these are on horses. Just as, saving the Israelites from the sensual Egyptians, he plunged Pharaoh’s chariots and power into the sea, so, saving the entire human race from the mental Egyptians, he crushed the chariots. Ps.19:10. Lord, save the king. Therefore, using this help, we ask: and always, Vladyka, do not deprive us and our king of it. You might be interested in: