Psalm 18 (17):16Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

And the sources of water were disclosed, with streams of living water leading to eternal life being witnessed, as noted in John 4:14, which were manifested through the preachers. The very foundations of the earth were unveiled, as expressed in Psalm 17:15. The Prophets were made known, though they were not fully comprehended, and upon these revelations, the faith of those who trust in the Lord would be established. At Your rebuke, O Lord, it is proclaimed, The kingdom of God is at hand (Luke 10:9). In the face of Your displeasure, it is warned, If you do not repent, you will all likewise perish (Luke 13:5).

And the fountains of water emerged. Once the adversaries were subdued, these fountains manifested, representing the salvific message of the Gospel, which serves as the foundation of all creation, since we are grounded in it. Alternatively, the term ‘fountains’ can refer to the holy prophets, who communicated the saving word. It is written of them: “And ye shall drink water with gladness from the fountain of salvation” (Isaiah 12:3), and by ‘the foundations of the universe’ we can understand the writings of the wise Moses; in these texts, the groundwork of faith and the theology of God are first established, much like the writings of the Prophets, which encapsulate the mystery of Christ in symbolic forms.

This has occurred in numerous nations. When the earth trembled, a great chasm was created in the lofty mountains, and water surged into the dry land. However, the Sovereign of All brings this to pass, demonstrating His disciplining authority to humanity and showing that although He can bring about ultimate judgment at any moment, He is moved by compassion, postponing punishment and waiting for people to turn back to Him in repentance.

And the sources of water emerged. These sources should again be understood as referring to the apostles. They were the initial proclaimers of faith in Christ, selected by the Lord Himself and devoted to this sacred mission. The water symbolizes the teachings of Christ, which He instructed them to convey; the springs represent the very first keys of this teaching, or the apostles, who are now evident to all because they were sent to all. They, the apostles, serve as the cornerstones of creation, being the first to place their faith in Christ and to establish the inception of His teachings throughout the world, forming a solid and unyielding foundation upon which all Christian leaders would later build.

In this passage, the Prophet undoubtedly references a miraculous event from the past, specifically the crossing of the Red Sea by the Israelites. It is important to consider the purpose behind the Prophet's words. He draws a comparison between the personal assistance he received from God and the comprehensive deliverance that was previously granted to the Hebrew community as a divine revelation. This indicates that the same God who once provided a path through the sea for His people, revealing Himself as their Savior, continues to display His remarkable power in the liberation of an individual. This serves as a reminder for all to appreciate God's goodness, with the ancient narrative ever present in their hearts.

The Sacred Rite of Baptism stands as a cornerstone established by the Holy Apostles of Grace, who disseminated the joyful message of the Gospel across the world, affirming believers in their faith in Christ. The Lord prohibits the spirit of His anger from succumbing to demonic forces, dispelling their shadowy influence and freeing individuals from their enticements through the sanctifying act of baptism.