Psalm 11 (10):6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

These vivid expressions aim to convey the certainty of divine retribution, the utter severity of torment, and the swift, devastating nature of judgment. What does it signify when referring to ‘a portion of their cup’ or ‘their portion of the cup’? It is their inheritance, their rightful claim, a fate that awaits them in life, and from which their demise will stem.

‘Fire, brimstone, and the spirit of tempests are part of their cup.’ Concerning Babylon it is said, ‘You have coals of fire, and you shall sit on them, and they shall be your help’ (Isaiah 47:14-15). This burning coal, sulfur, becomes a flame: when stirred by a warm wind, it swirls in a whirlwind, consuming all within our gold that is impure, in line with the prophecy of Ezekiel (see Ezekiel 22:18), transforming us into gold by purging silver, brass, bronze, tin, and lead. Isaiah proclaims, ‘The Lord will wash away every defilement of the sons and daughters of Zion, and will cleanse the blood out of his midst with a spirit of judgment and a spirit of burning’ (Isaiah 4:4). Malachi presents a similar image: ‘Behold, the Lord comes like a refiner's fire and like fuller’s soap, and He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver and gold’ (see Malachi 3:2-3). The cup of iniquity brims with fire, brimstone, and the spirit of storms. ‘The cup of pure wine is full of mingling’ from which “all the sinners of the earth drink” (see Psalm 74:9). It seems that Sodom partook of this cup of fire and brimstone; thus Ezekiel foretold, ‘Sodom returned to the beginning’ (Ezekiel 16:55). In the Gospel, it is revealed, ‘It is more manageable for the land of Sodom’ (Matthew 10:15). ‘The Lord will not recover twice for the same thing’ (Nahum 1:9). That is why Lazarus, who endured the consequences of his sins during his life and drank the cup of the Lord's fury, was comforted in Abraham's bosom with the cup of which it is written: ‘I will take the cup of salvation, and I will call upon the name of the Lord’ (Psalm 115:4). Jerusalem also sipped from the cup of punishment leading to healing. This is reflected in the phrase: ‘Arise, arise, Jerusalem, who drank the cup of annihilation, the drink of wrath’ (Isaiah 51:17). Jeremiah also received the cup of pure wine from the Lord's hand, intending to offer it to Jerusalem and all nearby nations for drinking. Those who partake end up spitting it out, perishing, and, having humbled themselves, are brought low in repentance.

Sulfur represents the changes in circumstances, while the scorching wind signifies sudden shifts. Together, they inflict greater agony. Those consumed by their conscience, akin to the devil and his angels, are those who, in their pride, maliciously slander God's Providence and deceive their neighbors. The same fire that precedes the Lord to vanquish His adversaries represents the energies of God. These reflect His essence, encapsulating goodness, compassion, humility, and other similar attributes. Those who embody these qualities are illuminated by Divine energies, while those who reject them—separating themselves from their very image—experience the burning. St. Gregory does not label these fires as eternal; instead, as St. Gregory of Nyssa articulates, nature must reclaim its faculties and, through understanding, be restored to its original state, ensuring that the Creator does not become the author of evil. St. Gregory further describes an even more horrific fire, in conjunction with the unending worm that inflicts everlasting torment on the wicked. When the Divine manifests and brings forth the rewards for the righteous, those who lack good works, constantly reminded of their failures—as if the worm perpetually sharpens their memories—are forever consumed by this flame, suffering endless torment even more terrifying than fire.

There will also be a wind to stir and fan these elements against the unrighteous. If one aspect of this divine chastisement is so unbearable, how can one comprehend the severity of the other forms of God’s discipline? How can anyone endure them? Alas, alas! Numerous passages in the Scriptures refer to punishment as a cup or a drink, as noted in Isaiah: Awake, arise, O Jerusalem, who has drunk from the cup of His wrath at the hand of the Lord. For you have drunk and drained the cup of downfall and the drink of wrath (Isaiah 51:17).

“He shall rain down upon the wicked a net: fire and brimstone, and a stormy wind, their portion from their cup” (Psalm 10:6). “But the fearful, and the unfaithful, and the profane, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part shall be in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone. This is the second death” (Rev. 21:8). Then they will truly understand the dreadful warnings they currently hear from God's holy word. Those who refuse to acknowledge God's grace will ultimately face His just retribution. God currently calls out, offering mercy, but there will come a time when He will cast away those who reject Him, unleashing His righteous anger upon them. Now He invites, “Repent,” but in time He will declare, “Repent.” Presently He says, “Come unto Me,” but later He will command, “Depart from Me.” Where will they go? “Into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matt. 25:41). Right now He listens to those who repent and call upon Him, but on that day sinners will hear, “I do not know you; you did not acknowledge Me, and thus I do not acknowledge you. You did not listen to Me, and I will not listen to you.” “I have called and you have refused to listen; I have stretched out My words and you have disregarded them, rejecting My counsel, and ignoring My reproofs. Therefore I will laugh at your calamity; I will rejoice when destruction overtakes you” (Proverbs 1:24-26). Moreover, “I called, and you did not listen; I spoke and you did not hear; instead, you did evil in My sight, choosing what was displeasing to Me. Therefore thus says the Lord God, ‘Behold, My servants shall eat, but you shall be hungry; behold, My servants shall drink, but you shall be thirsty; behold, My servants shall rejoice, but you shall be ashamed; My servants shall rejoice with gladness of heart, and you shall weep from the anguish of your heart’” (Isaiah 65:12-14). Sinners, let us take heed of God’s commandments and repent while the message of repentance is proclaimed. Let us gratefully accept His mercy while it is available. Let us turn back to God while He is calling us and waiting for us. Let us pray to Him while prayers are being offered. “We are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. In Christ’s name, we urge you: be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be a sin offering for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. As workers together with Him, we implore you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says, ‘In an acceptable time, I have heard you, and in the day of salvation, I have helped you. Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation’” (2 Cor. 5:20-21, 6:1-2). “Come unto Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest; take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls; for My yoke is easy, and My burden is light,” says the Lord (Matt. 11:28-30). “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? But in your stubbornness and unrepentant heart, you are treasuring up for yourself wrath on the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will repay each one according to their deeds: to those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, eternal life; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth but obey unrighteousness, there will be indignation and wrath. Tribulation and anguish on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Gentile” (Rom. 2:4-9).

Therefore, let us steer clear of wrongdoing, that we might not inherit this chalice, and may we strive to live righteously so that we may partake in the best spiritual drink and truly experience the profound joy it brings. Regarding this blessed drink, it is also stated, “The Lord is part of my patrimony and of my cup” (Psalm 15:5).

This punishment manifests in the present life; however, in the life to come, they will face unquenchable fire and burning brimstone, accompanied by the foul stench that led to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Additionally, they will experience an unrelenting spirit, akin to the scorching winds that occur in African regions, which will be their portion—a fitting recompense for their deeds. This cup is already prepared in the hand of the Lord, filled with the wine of wrath: all the unrighteous of the earth shall partake of it (Ps. 74:9).

The situation has escalated insidiously, as evidenced in verse 3, which highlights that all David sought to accomplish is ultimately attributed to him, not to God. David's attempts to seek reconciliation with Saul are seen here, showcasing the struggle a righteous man like David faces against such hostility. What recourse does a man in the right have other than to flee? Yet David dismisses their advice and asserts his reliance on the Almighty, who rules from heaven, where true authority resides, and who is all-knowing. In verses 5 and 6, his trust in God is emphasized; he describes how the righteous Judge scrutinizes all matters closely. He anticipates divine assistance, believing that God understands the righteousness of his case and will judge in his favor. In verse 7, the psalmist warns that the snares laid by the wicked are destined to ensnare them, illustrating God's judgment descending from above like a deluge of rain. Imagery of fire and destruction evokes the ruin shown in Genesis 19:24. The metaphor of a fierce, devastating wind represents chaos bringing destruction to both man and beast. Finally, the reference to a part of the cup signifies the practice of a father sharing a portion of wine with each guest during the meal, symbolizing a designated lot or fate.