Psalm 14 (13):7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

When everyone turned away from Him, there arose a necessity for One who could forgive sins and offer salvation. It is mentioned ‘from Zion’ since He came from the lineage of David, highlighting the truth that ‘the Redeemer shall come’ from there (Isaiah 59:20), and that ‘from Zion the splendor of His beauty’ will shine forth (Psalm 49:2). You might interpret this as ‘from high Zion,’ reflecting our expectation of the heavenly kingdom. When the nations experience salvation, true Israel—the just and the prophets—will rejoice alongside us in the realization of their prophecies. Simeon refers to the Savior as ‘a light to the revelation of the Gentiles’ and adds, ‘and the glory of Thy people Israel’ (Luke 2:32).

The soul becomes ensnared when it carelessly strays from righteousness and yields to sin, yet it regains its freedom upon receiving forgiveness through repentance, a gift bestowed by the Lord through His sacrifice on the Cross.

The Meaning of Two Comings: Who else could it be but He whom you have scorned with your disdain for humility? For He will return in majesty to judge both the living and the dead, and to set up the kingdom of the just. Just as in His first humble arrival Israel failed to see and many nations entered the Kingdom, so at His second coming, all of Israel shall be redeemed (Rom 11:26). Concerning the Jews, the Apostle also unveils the prophecy of Isaiah: The Savior will emerge from Zion, turning away unrighteousness from Jacob (Rom 11:26; cf. Is 59:20) – as it is stated: Who will bring salvation to Israel from Zion?

Who will bring salvation to Israel from Zion? This statement holds a dual prophecy. It not only announces the redemption meant for the suffering at that time but also foretells the eventual coming of our Savior from Zion after a significant period. Jacob will find joy—referring to the holy patriarchs and prophets, who rejoiced in the knowledge that Christ had brought to fruition the promises they had predicted; and in these promises, the salvation of all nations was anticipated.

“Who will bring deliverance to Israel?” This question encompasses the profound prophecy. Not only does it predict the liberation of those under siege, but it also anticipates the glorious coming of our Redeemer after a long period. “When the Lord restores the fortunes of His people, Jacob will rejoice, and Israel will be glad.” Given that the ten tribes and many of the Jewish populace had already been taken into exile, the Prophet earnestly petitions for their salvation and the restoration of their freedom. He proclaims that this will bring about even greater joy among the people who bear a significant name; they are known not only as Jacob but also as Israel, inheriting the title bestowed by God upon their ancestor.

Who will bring salvation to Israel from Zion? Who of the people of Zion or Jerusalem can rescue the weary Jews? Who will set them free from the grip of Sennacherib and his army? Indeed, none but God can accomplish this, the One in whom they placed their trust. It is proclaimed from Zion, for God, residing in the temple there, is exalted and has encamped around Jerusalem. When the Lord restores the fortunes of His people, Jacob will rejoice, and Israel will be filled with joy. Here, David does not refer directly to the captivity of the past but to the anticipated deliverance. The Jews, besieged by the Assyrian forces, faced the imminent threat of captivity with great trepidation.

Seeking deliverance from Zion, where Christ bestowed upon us the initial prompting of the Holy Spirit, he further states: "when the Lord shall return," etc. From the start, he mentioned James, and subsequently Israel, for to attain divine perfection, we must first embody James—striking down the adversary and engaging in combat through virtuous actions—before we can perceive God clearly, liberated from the constraints of the flesh. Thus, let us also celebrate, starting by seizing the heel of our foe, much like Jacob grasped Esau's, since Jacob signifies one who grapples, and then by approaching God in thought to gain a glimmer of His presence; for Israel, as revealed, represents the mind that perceives God. The adversary ensnared us through cunning, robbing us of the fellowship of the Spirit; yet Christ restored this communion to Zion through the gifting bestowed upon the Apostles.

At times, the Spirit guides the intellect towards Himself, grounding it in the depths of the heart and liberating it from the tendency to wander aimlessly. The intellect is then no longer led away from Jerusalem to Assyria, but rather makes a journey from Babylon to Zion, representing a more profound transformation. Thus, one can echo the sentiment of the prophet: 'When the Lord returned the captivity of Zion we were like those who dream' (see: Psalm 125:1), and also: Jacob shall be filled with joy and Israel shall rejoice (Psalm 13:7). This reflects an active and contemplative mind that, with divine assistance, triumphs over passions through purposeful engagement.

This expresses the yearning of one who eagerly anticipates the moment when Christ will illuminate the world. It conveys a desire for the realization of this mission, enabling humanity to be liberated from wickedness through the manifestation of Christ. In that glorious moment, the just and the prophets will celebrate, sharing in the joy of our redemption and the realization of their foretold promises.

David, after offering words of comfort, turns to prayer and lamentation, teaching that even if God allows us to endure sorrow for an extended period, we should not lose heart but continually glorify Him. Amid extended trials, the best source of solace is to pray to God more frequently. When he inquires, “Who will give salvation to Israel from Zion?” he does not express doubt or look elsewhere for a savior; instead, he reveals the intensity of his longing, as if to say, “You will ultimately unveil Your salvation.” By invoking Zion, he affirms his unwavering faith in God, as it is a holy site where God promises to hear the prayers of His servants. It is the dwelling of the ark of the covenant, which symbolizes God's presence.

Who will bring salvation to Israel from Zion? This is a common prayer of the Hebrews, asking the Lord to provide salvation or a Savior for His people from Zion. On Mount Zion, the Lord first established a tabernacle, a dwelling place of His presence. Therefore, receiving salvation from Zion signifies redemption being offered through the Church. Since the Church of the Old Testament serves as a foreshadowing of the New Testament, the Christian Church, the Holy Fathers recognize this as the salvation brought to the world by the Savior.

Christ the Lord, hailing from heavenly Zion, embodies the salvation of Israel, which includes Christians from both the Jewish people and every nation that turns to Him. The Church of Christ exists in both the celestial and terrestrial realms. When Christ the Savior liberated humanity from demonic bondage, Jacob rejoiced alongside Abraham and Isaac, welcoming the righteous into his embrace. The prophet earnestly petitions for the swift arrival of Christ the Savior from the heights of Zion to rescue humankind, tainted by sin, from the ensnaring grasp of the devil. By invoking Jacob and Israel, he refers to the holy patriarchs and prophets who will celebrate the advent of Christ.