The history of this heading is indicated quite a bit more extensively in the book of Kings. After Saul sinned against God, David was anointed as king by the holy prophet Samuel in the presence of his father.1 But this heading does not speak about that anointing, but it is properly understood to commemorate instead another anointing, when David was brought to the monarchy by the wish of the people after Saul’s persecutions.^[1][2] It is clear that David wrote this psalm in testimony of these events, for if you should wish to concentrate on that first anointing, one reads that he composed no psalm before it. For this reason, it remains for us to understand this second anointing as the reference made here.

The twenty-seventh, twenty-eighth, twenty-ninth and thirtieth psalms have the same theme, composed from the viewpoint of blessed Hezekiah and directed against the Assyrians. The inspired author David prophesied and adopted this theme on the other’s part, using his very words in prophecy and displaying his feelings. The four have a certain change and difference from one another, which commentary on each psalm will mention: the twenty-seventh and twenty-ninth are triumphal odes on the destruction of the Assyrians alone, whereas the twenty-eighth and thirtieth make reference also to Hezekiah’s illness and recovery.

He is called a light by David, and from there the light of knowledge shines in people who are enlightened.

Tribulation caused the Israelites to live in darkness, as it were, whereas the Lord’s support proved a light and help to them.

Whom shall I fear means I will fear no one; for the fear of the Lord has brought him to the point that he could not fear anyone else.

Christians have nothing to fear, even if demons should not be well-disposed to them; for they are protected by the supreme God, who is well pleased with their piety and who sets his divine angels to watch over those who are worthy of such guardianship, so that they can suffer nothing from demons. He who by his piety possesses the favor of the Most High, who has accepted the guidance of Jesus, the angel of the great counsel,^[1] being well contented with the favor of God through Christ Jesus, may say with confidence that he has nothing to suffer from the whole host of demons.

In rendering service to the grace of God, we are not only made subject to our King through obedience but are even joined to him through the will. If we are of one mind with him (willing what he wills, disapproving of what he disapproves), he himself will bring us victory in all our battles. He who has given the will will bestow also the ability. In this way can we cooperate with his works, speaking that prophetic utterance in the exultation of faith: The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defender of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?

Having referred to the victory in the introduction, he states these two clauses by way of narrative; lest he seem to be giving thanks needlessly, he introduces as well the reason for thanksgiving in the words When some enemies assembled against me who were so fierce and unrelenting as even to take a piece of me, as it were, then in particular I clearly sensed God’s help, with their fall and our conquest.

Those who stole an advantage over me in their pursuit like wild animals and their attempts to make a meal of me while still alive, far from doing me any harm, were themselves the victims of total destruction.

David says that he does not fear, because the enemy were eating up his flesh but not his soul.

Having such wonderful experience of assistance, he is saying, even should two or three times the number of enemies try to attack me, I would brave the difficulties, armed with this hope.

You see steadfastness and vigor of the soul that keeps the commandments of God and has the confidence of uncreated liberty.

It may be that these words are spoken by the prophet of no one else but the Savior, who feared no one because of the light and salvation given from the Father and who was afraid of no one because of the protection with which God shielded him. And his heart was not at all fearful when the entire host of Satan encamped against him. His heart, filled with sacred teachings, hoped in God when war rose up against him.

One who follows the active life wages war by his own virtues with alien virtues. One who follows the contemplative life using true dogmas destroys every thought opposed to the knowledge of God.

Having enjoyed such beneficence, he is saying, I seek from my benefactor not wealth or influence, royalty or glory, but constant attendance in the divine temple, contemplation of the divine beauty there and inspection of everything happening in accordance with law. I have . . . already secured salvation from that source and escaped the hand of my pursuers. This the mighty David both asked for and received from the munificent God: he brought back the divine ark, erected another more wonderful tabernacle and assembled the different choirs of singers. You could gain a more precise knowledge of this from the books of Chronicles.

Let us strive with all our strength of soul to arrive there. Let us make our way there by the inward affection of our heart. Let us long [to arrive] there. Let us beg all together, and let us beg individually, of the Maker of that house, that we may dwell in his house all days of our life.

The Lord, born a human being among human beings, did what God, by divine inspiration through [his] angels, prescribed for human beings to do. He himself kept the law that he gave in order to show us, who are human beings pure and simple, that whatever God orders is to be observed in everything. Let us follow the path of his human way of life if we take delight in looking on the glory of his divinity, if we want to dwell in his eternal home in heaven all the days of our lives, if it delights [us] to see the Lord’s will and to be shielded by his holy temple. And lest we be forever buffeted by the wind of wickedness, let us remember to frequent the house, the church of the present time, with the requisite offerings of pure petitions.

The Lord Christ is the head of all the saints, in himself always remaining equal and indivisible, to be sure, but distributing the grace of his Spirit to each one of those who are elect, according to their capacity for receiving. For this reason, not only to the whole church in general but also to each of its members in particular is it permissible to proclaim with confidence that prophetic [word]: And now he has lifted up my head above my enemies.

God takes more satisfaction in the praise in these sacrifices than in the slaughter of animals.

In this place, the lover of God, not seeking any other type of purity but desiring the beauty of Christ alone, in those words which lovers are accustomed to say to those whom they love, cries out in the heart, My heart says to you, as to your face, do not turn your face from me or turn away your servant in anger. I have done such things by which you, rightly angered, have turned away from me, having been justly angered by my desires, but be my merciful helper, do not turn away from me or look down on me, God of my salvation.

What is it that I am asking? For you not to keep silent if ever I sin as a human being or dismiss without concern my situation, leaving me unschooled in better ways. Instead, correct and reform me in a loving way. . . . Do not put me beyond your care.

In place of Guide me by law, Aquila and Theodotion said, Illuminate, whereas Symmachus has, Give me a glimpse of your way. . . . Become for me in your own person both lawgiver and guide, giving me a glimpse of the path leading to you.

Give the law to me concerning your way, show what you wish, what you do not wish, what you love, what you hate. I will offend if I do not learn what I ought. And since my enemies are eager for nothing other except that I would offend you, I ask this, that you direct me on the right way on account of my enemies.

You do two things at the same time, making me better and not giving the foe an occasion for taunting or for thinking that they will be able to harm me against your will.

The mind adorned with virility, he is saying, and by means of it getting the better of the onset of misfortunes, is strengthened, and gains the victory and awaits the divine promises, to which it becomes the heir, the body also co-operating. Now, he calls the life looked forward to land of the living insofar as it is separated from death and free of corruption and sadness.

The strong heart is that which is not filled with false doctrines or impure thoughts.

In your zeal for good works and your contempt of human praise, be careful lest you wish to assign the good that you do, not to the grace of God but to your own strength. Hold firmly that there can be no ability in you for good will or good works unless you received it by the free gift of divine mercy. Know, therefore, that it is God working in you both to will and to do, for a good will. Accordingly, work out your salvation in fear and trembling. Humble yourself in the sight of God that he may exalt you. Ask from him the beginning of a good will. Ask from him the effects of good works. Seek from him the gift of perseverance. Do not think at any time that you can either will or do anything good, once his assistance has ceased. Ask him to turn away your eyes lest they see vanity; ask him to show you the way in which you should walk; petition him to direct your steps according to his word and let no wickedness rule over you. Pray to him that he direct the works of your hands for you. Be strong and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord.

[The Holy Spirit] is called Comforter, because he comforts and encourages us and helps our weakness. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself pleads for us with unutterable groanings,^[1] that is, clearly, to God. Often a person for Christ’s sake is treated with contumely and unjustly dishonored; martyrdom is at hand, tortures on every side, fire, swords, wild beasts and the abyss; but the Holy Spirit gently whispers, Wait for the Lord, for your present sufferings are slight, while your rewards will be great; endure for a little while, and you will be with the angels forever. The sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come that will be revealed in us.^[2] He portrays for the person the kingdom of heaven and even gives him a glimpse of the paradise of pleasure; and the martyrs, who must present their bodily countenances to their judges, are in spirit already in paradise, despise what appear to be hardships.

Great and distinguished successes are brought to completion not without labors. No doubt it is necessary that for every good thing sweat must be caused first. And no wonder if we see that such occurs in great matters, since common and inferior ones are full of care and come to pass through labors. But even in labor we have learned to say, Be strong, and be of stout heart and wait for the Lord. For we have taken heart that a glorious result attends zealous actions aimed at virtue, and we shall find that our reward from God is the gift of spiritual courage.