Psalm 19 (18):7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

This revelation shines brightly, revealing much that was foretold in the psalm from which I derived this brief excerpt. The apostles of Christ are called the name of heaven because God empowers them to proclaim the gospel, as the heavens have already declared the glory of God, and the firmament has made known the works of His hands. Day after day pours forth speech, and night after night reveals knowledge. There is no language or dialect where their message is not heard. Their sound has traveled throughout the entire earth, and their words have reached the ends of the world. He has made His dwelling in the sun—that is, in preaching—establishing the Church for which He, as noted, "like a bridegroom, came out of the throne room"—the Word united with human flesh, emerging from the womb of a virgin. He leaped with joy and ran like a champion. From the heights of heaven, He descended and then ascended again, completing His journey. The verse I quoted earlier follows: "Nothing is hidden from His warmth." Yet still, they prefer their inconclusive and contradictory ramblings to be like straw rather than being refined and purified like gold. The idols of their false gods have already become nothing, while the proclaimed truth of the unknown God has been fulfilled.

ablished their dwelling.’ ‘And like a bridegroom emerging from his chamber, he is filled with joy as a strong man to run a race.’ ‘From the edge of heaven is his journey, and his circuit extends to the end of heaven.’ This is elaborated in the translations of the three scholars, indicating ‘the sun has made its home in them,’ referring to the heavens. In alignment with this, the great Moses taught, ‘And God made two great lights and placed them in the sky to shine upon the earth’ (Gen. 1:16-17). King David similarly noted that the sun was placed in the heavens, and upon its journey across the sky, it is beautifully compared to a bridegroom emerging from the altar in grand splendor, and its swift movement is likened to a mighty warrior, advancing with great strength. ‘And no one can find refuge in its warmth.’ The Prophet employs the term ‘warmth’ in place of ‘light,’ illustrating that the effect of the sun’s light surpasses that of artificial light; even those at a distance can bask in the sun’s warmth. Unlike artificial light, which fails to reach those who remain distant, the sun, even from afar, sends forth rays that bring warmth along with light. This serves as sufficient evidence of the Creator to humanity. Additionally, God has provided a law to guide, allowing those who stray to find their way back. The Prophet states:

It is particularly remarkable that, despite being at the same distance, the sun illuminates and warms everything equally, unlike artificial fire, which shines from afar but only provides warmth when approached, as noted by Theodoret. In acknowledging both the beauty and the might of the sun, David exemplifies the power and generosity of its Creator. Such is a straightforward and humble explanation of David's words.

Some, like Asterius, interpret these passages in a less direct manner, suggesting that the heavens refer to the celestial ranks of angels who eternally glorify God, as revealed to the prophets Ezekiel and Isaiah. Origen and Asterius posited that the term ‘heaven’ refers to those who rise above earthly concerns through contemplative wisdom, while the ‘firmament’ signifies individuals who, through diligent wisdom, remain steadfast against temptations. The ‘days’ represent the radiant angelic forces, who are tasked with conveying God's commandments to the lower ranks, while the ‘nights’ symbolize those whose hearts and physical states are darkened, hindering divine illumination. Thus, they elucidate the rest of the Psalm in light of these interpretations. Regarding the statement ‘Their voice has gone out into all the earth,’ the Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, aptly applied these words to the Evangelists and Apostles of the Lord. As for the phrase ‘In the sun, He has set His dwelling,’ some suggest this means that Christ resides within those who radiate the virtues. He proclaimed, “I and the Father will come to Him and make Our home with him.” Alternatively, Christ’s dwelling can be seen as the humanity He united with in the Incarnation, where God the Word resided in light, living with glory and visibility like a radiant bridegroom, more beautiful than the sons of men.

This Christ, the sun of righteousness as Malachi described Him, delighted in walking the path of the cross towards death for our salvation. After descending from the heights of heaven, He returned once more. “I left the Father and came into the world,” He stated, “I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.” No one was exempt from the illumination and warmth of His teachings; rather, all were spiritually enlightened and embraced.

Gregory of Nazianzus described the sun as beautiful as a bridegroom, swift as a giant, encompassing warmth to every corner, ensuring that nothing remains untouched by its light, filling every eye with brilliance and the earthly nature with warmth. It warms without consuming because of its gentle presence, moving as if inherent to all, universally surrounding everything. Theodoret noted that the heavens were designated as the sun's dwelling, allowing it to appear, like a grand chariot, resplendent as a bridegroom emerging with radiant splendor; in its swiftness, it resembles a giant running with unstoppable force, sweeping forth without hindrance. Thus, it rises at dawn, traverses the sky throughout the day, and at evening, having imparted its warmth to every creature.

Maximus the Confessor explained that just as a giant connotes a mighty force, so too did the Lord rejoice on His path to crafting salvation, bravely confronting and defeating the demon legions to liberate us. Basil the Great further remarked that if a decaying sun is so magnificent, how much more radiant is the Sun of Truth? If it is tragic for the blind not to see it, how grave is the loss for the sinner who is deprived of this true light?

The second point, regarding strength and might, highlights the sun's ability to traverse its vast course effortlessly and with remarkable speed. The sun exults like a mighty warrior on the path before him, or as the Hebrew text conveys, rejoices in a noble manner as it journeys along its way. This joy represents both speed and vitality, characteristics evident when actions are taken with ease and delight. Thus, the Prophet reveals that the sun glides through the infinite expanse of heaven with unparalleled rapidity, without experiencing weariness or toil.

In reference to its journey, it departs from one edge of the heavens and reaches the other. The term 'edge of heaven' refers to the east where the sun rises, while the opposite edge signifies the west where it sets, completing its entire celestial circuit. No one can evade its warmth. The third and final reason underscores the benefit conferred upon all earthly creatures through the sun. With its life-giving warmth, the sun nurtures all beings, making it akin to a universal father to everything that sprouts from the land and the sea. This explains why the sun swiftly traverses the entire circle of the earth, ensuring that nothing remains hidden or excluded from the reach of its generous influence.