The poor shall eat and shall be filled: and they shall praise the Lord that seek him: their hearts shall live for ever and ever.
יֹאכְל֬וּ עֲנָוִ֨ים ׀ וְיִשְׂבָּ֗עוּ יְהַֽלְל֣וּ יְ֭הוָה דֹּ֣רְשָׁ֑יו יְחִ֖י לְבַבְכֶ֣ם לָעַֽד׃
9 Church Fathers comment on this verse
The meek and those who reject worldly desires will partake of and follow My example. They will not covet the riches of this life nor fear the lack of them. Those who earnestly seek Him will glorify the Lord; indeed, the adoration of the Lord is the expression of this divine abundance. Their spirits will thrive eternally. For this sustenance nourishes the soul.
They will partake and be satisfied, and they will exalt the Lord who seeks Him. Not everyone will find satisfaction, as not all have heeded the gospel, but those who have embraced the divine yearning. Of those who hunger and thirst, He proclaimed that they shall be filled, having savored the everlasting nourishment. This heavenly sustenance, revealed to us, comprises both spiritual teachings and the sacred eternal banquet, of which those who have experienced the mystery are aware. Their spirits shall thrive in the ages to come; for even the perishable, though still bound within the flesh, are uplifted by the promise of the resurrection, eagerly anticipating eternal life.
They will partake of spiritual nourishment and be satisfied. Theodoret describes those who were once lacking in faith and virtue, akin to those lacking in worldly riches, while true followers of Christ are not greedy or impoverished. They consume the life-giving sustenance of the Gospel's teachings, which enrich and nurture the soul. Those who earnestly seek Him shall offer praises to the Lord. Those who wholeheartedly pursue Him will glorify God, for He did not hold back His only Son but surrendered Him to death for the redemption of humanity. A seeker of God in this manner aligns with His commandments, leading him closer to divine communion.
Alternatively, it can be understood that believers partake of the body of Christ, accompanied by the reception of His blood, resulting in being filled with the Holy Spirit, thereby honoring God through the Holy Eucharist. These words serve as a prophecy, foreseeing not only the teachings of the Gospel but also the sacramental feast of the life-giving bread and wine, as noted by Theodoret. Their spirits shall be revived eternally. Jesus proclaims in the Gospel, "I am the bread of life," and again, "He that eateth this bread shall live for ever" (John 6:48, 51). This indicates that those who adhere to His commandments will also find life through Him. Therefore, the Lord asserts that those who partake of His body will dwell in the heart; and through the heart, which is an integral part, the entirety of existence is represented. Furthermore, 'for ever and ever.' Although those who partake in the sacrament with due reverence may experience physical death, they will be resurrected to everlasting life.
Genuine understanding of the Divine, when it leads to revelation instead of mere accumulation, is beneficial for the soul. As it is stated in the Psalms: Let the poor eat and be satisfied, and let those who earnestly seek Him give praise to the Lord; their hearts shall live forever. This conveys that those who genuinely seek the Lord will encounter Him and receive His abundant gifts, which include true understanding and the discovery of their essence. The term "heart" serves as a symbol for the soul, as it embodies life, and through the soul, they will experience existence, for through the Son, they come to know the Father.
The impoverished and the affluent should be understood in terms of their attitudes towards worldly temptations. The "poor" refers not merely to those lacking material wealth but to those who scorn the allurements of earthly desires. It is not the affluent, who revel in the pleasures of this life, but rather the spiritually hungry who seek the Kingdom of God. The humble glorify the Lord, while the wealthy tend to elevate themselves. Some accumulate temporal riches, while others find fulfillment in the enduring treasures of heaven. Their circumstances differ significantly, particularly their moral awareness. In essence, some find wealth in worldly possessions, whereas others draw their abundance from divine sources. The impoverished hold onto treasures that can never be taken from them; conversely, the wealthy possess that which often eludes the dead and is frequently unappreciated even by the living.
In these statements, he passionately announces the magnificent deeds following the Resurrection, which resonate with the summons of all peoples and the selection of individuals from the farthest reaches of the earth. The results of this calling are evident to all and vividly illustrate the message echoed in the psalm. We, too, are the needy. By nourishing us, who seek relief from God, with thoughtful and nourishing bread, a sustenance that brings life to our spirits, the redemptive Word grants us everlasting life.
This passage addresses the practices that were prevalent during that period. The Jewish tradition included feasting during solemn sacrifices, a custom clearly documented in sacred texts. David, too, makes a promise of such a feast to express his gratitude to God and his compassion for the impoverished, reflecting his own state at that time. Every offering is truly acceptable and pleasing to God only when it is accompanied by human kindness and mercy; without these, all the external rituals and traditions used to honor God, no matter how magnificent, dissolve away like vapor.
David's intention in inviting the poor to share in the meal extends beyond simply satisfying their hunger; he aims to provide them with comfort and uplift their weary spirits. He perceives, as through a mirror, the benevolence of God, who nourishes the needy and heals the afflictions of their hearts with divine consolation. Therefore, he concludes with the proclamation, "Those who seek Him will praise the Lord." While physical nourishment should inspire us to glorify God, David undoubtedly intended to emphasize the ultimate purpose of the sacrifice, as revealed in the latter part of the verse: "Their hearts shall live for evermore." A mere offering of earthly food cannot impart eternal life to the hearts of the faithful. Thus, it follows that the key virtues of faith, hope, and love, which glorify God the most, hold primary importance in the peace offerings. However, since hypocrites tend to be satisfied with mere appearances, David attributes the genuine benefits of these offerings to the righteous who seek God, as the pursuit of God serves as a clear indicator of true piety.
They will partake of the ubozia and be satisfied. St. Athanasius remarks that this points to the invitation extended to the Gentiles. This implies that the Gentiles, who were in a state of wretchedness due to their ignorance, and who for ages lacked the riches of godliness, will be nourished at Christ's banquet. Those who seek Him will give thanks to the Lord. While not all will be nourished, those who earnestly desire righteousness are promised to be filled with Christ’s true “food”—His teachings, the Eucharist, and divine grace. Blessed Theodoret adds that their hearts will be revitalized for eternity. This means that the spirits of believers, previously dead before their conversion, will awaken to true life and receive everlasting life through faith, being sustained by heavenly sustenance. As it is written in Hebrews, “let your hearts live forever”!
The humble and faithful, nourished by the hidden sustenance of Christ’s Body and Blood, partake in eternal life and express gratitude to God.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS