Psalm 22 (21):29Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

She honors and affirms the authority of earthly kings, connecting it with God’s reign. By acknowledging the start of a blessed reign and praising God as King, she impresses upon us that the ultimate foundation of kingship lies in God, even as it is expressed through the earthly line of succession by the decree of the ruling family. If we benefit from the King’s valor, wisdom, strength, and goodness, then truly, “Blessed is the kingdom” of God, who bestows these gifts upon us. With this awareness, consider how exalted is the King when His authority reflects and manifests the reign of the King of Heaven! How steadfast is He on His throne, upheld by the Eternal Almighty! And what a profound motivation for the King to pursue virtue and excellence, enabling him to serve as a worthy instrument of the Almighty Sovereign! What strong and virtuous encouragement for the subjects, not only to obey the King but to respect him, not merely fulfilling his commands through outward actions but dedicating themselves to him with a loyal and loving heart throughout their lives, under the gaze of the All-Seeing King of Kings! In our age, many nations remain unaware of the relation between human governance and the kingdom of God, and it is particularly disheartening that even Christian nations lack this understanding, not due to inability but a lack of willingness to comprehend; those considered wise among them often disdain what is acknowledged by ancient wisdom. They reject the foundational construction of the state built upon the blessing and law of God, preferring instead to establish human society on the shifting sands of popular opinion, precariously supported by constant social strife. Their new constructs are perpetually unfinished, threatening to collapse daily, often indeed falling apart; yet the new pillars of Babylon, amidst the chaos of thoughts worse than the ancient confusion of tongues, continue undeterred in their pillar-making efforts. In such times, it is vital, and should bring us comfort, to continually remember and firmly hold onto the legacy of our homeland as passed down from our ancestors, or more accurately, from the Prophets, teaching us that “the Highest possesses the kingdom of men” (Dan. 4:14) and that “the Lord is the kingdom, and He possesses the tongues.” Had this profound truth not been revealed through God’s word, it might have still been discerned within humanity’s inherent understanding of God the Creator and Provider. Just as God created both the material and spiritual realms, He undoubtedly maintains Providence over both. If the material world, governed by the laws established at creation, requires His Providence, how much more does the spiritual realm, where beings, endowed with free will, can deviate from the Creator’s intent, calling upon the Provider’s hand for protection and restoration in such instances? And as these spiritual and moral beings necessitate divine oversight tailored to their unique traits and circumstances, does not all human society require God’s concentrated care? Since humanity’s improvement and preservation principally hinge on supreme authority, it follows that God’s Providence must be primarily directed over that authority, for “the Highest should rule over the kingdom of man.” God’s reign over human governance may not always be evident, firstly because the King of Heaven is infinitely exalted and transcendent, with His actions often hidden within the series of natural causes; and secondly, because He grants freedom to those He governs, preserving the gift of free will, allowing for a prolonged perception of chaotic human affairs while divine Providence quietly ensures the confirmation and elevation of what aligns with God’s reign, eventually prevailing over opposition. Thus, to perceive the sovereignty of God over humanity, we must carefully observe individual circumstances in which it becomes distinctly apparent. “The Lord said to Samuel, ‘Come, I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have selected a king from among his sons’” (1 Sam. 16:1). Samuel hesitated, sensing the risks involved in such a mission. The Lord understood this fear and instructed Samuel to cloaks his mission within the guise of a regular sacrifice, while still ensuring the act itself was carried out. Upon arriving in Bethlehem, Samuel reviewed Jesse’s sons, uncertain of which one was chosen to be king. At last, he found David, who had been tending sheep and overlooked by his father. God had already revealed His decree to Samuel—he anointed David as king. Yet what followed? Rather than ascending to the throne, David returned to his flock. Eventually, he was summoned to the court, not as a ruler but as a musician. Further along, he came to the battlefield, not equipped as a warrior but bearing provisions for his brothers. Yet he then volunteered for a duel with Goliath, defeated him, claimed glory, and became kin to the king. Nevertheless, even after these victories, he remained far from kingship, often living as an outcast in mountains and wilderness, pursued and at times finding refuge among strangers. What can we infer from this? Why was David anointed so early, in such an apparent season of unpreparedness and danger? First, the anointing conferred royal grace, empowering him to be triumphant, compassionate toward his people, and steadfast amid persecution, ultimately leading him to the throne. Scripture attests, “the Spirit of the Lord was upon David from that day forward” (1 Sam. 16:13). Second, David’s early anointing served the purpose that his rule would be recognized as divinely instituted—not merely a product of human choice—when the time for his enthronement came. It is worth noting how this early choice of God manifested itself throughout history. In the initial three centuries of the Church, she was often met with persecution from the ruling powers. The words of the Apostle illuminate the mystery of this divine allowance: “God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise” (1 Corinthians 1:27-29). The Church needed to appear vulnerable, to reveal that her foundation did not arise from human strength but through the power of God. She was meant to endure hardship to achieve victory, silencing both ancient and modern critics. Ultimately, it was necessary for the truth to receive visible vindication, that “the truth should be at peace” (Isaiah 32:17); so the Church, after enduring numerous kings who persecuted her, could finally find a protector among them. God appointed Constantine for this very purpose, even though he was a Gentile, and the truth of Christ hadn’t yet truly penetrated his heart through conventional means of instruction. Thus, the King of Kings intervened directly, a claim echoed by Constantine himself and recorded by the historian Eusebius: “Once during midday, when the sun was slanting toward the west, I saw a sign made of light in the shape of a cross, inscribed with ‘In this sign, conquer.’ This vision amazed me and my entire army. Later, Christ appeared to me in a dream, demonstrating the same sign, instructing me to make a standard resembling what I witnessed in the sky, to bear it as a rallying point against my foes” (Eusebius, Life of Constantine, Book 1, Chapters 28-29). Constantine obeyed the command and, under the sign of the cross, defeated Maxentius, becoming the Emperor of Rome; he embraced Christ and became the first Christian king, equal among the Apostles. This clearly illustrates that Christian monarchs trace their origin back to the King of Heaven. I could highlight the specific paths of God’s Kingdom during the reign of our Equal-to-the-Apostles Vladimir and the reigns of subsequent kings. Yet, rather than prolong this discussion, which may burden you, I will conclude with principles emerging from our preceding reflections. If God imparts the notion that He reigns over the kingdom of man through His special Providence, then it is beneficial for us to recognize and embrace this concept; we must stay attuned to it, as it encompasses strength, weaponry, support, and guidance for the king, the kingdom, and all within it. A lawful, necessary, yet daunting task is set forth: the earthly king issues commands; the Heavenly King extends aid; the mission is fulfilled—but often unrecognized or inadequately acknowledged. Not a single aspect is lost; the King of Heaven retains the full reward. When temptation arises, if reverence for the earthly king’s laws falters amidst allurements, the watchful eye of the King, observing from afar, will illuminate any perilous paths iniquity may present and will steer the tempted toward duty and honor. If Christ the King, through His direct action represented in the person of the Equal-to-the-Apostles Constantine, established the honor of the Christian King to promote His true faith and Orthodox Church, can any Christian realm disregard this sacred duty without offending King Christ? Glory to God! Our most devout Emperor is actively fulfilling this duty with successful outcomes, drawing countless souls to Orthodoxy from non-Orthodox backgrounds. May each of us, within our respective spheres, zealously ensure that our service to the earthly Tsar and allegiance to the Heavenly Tsar, as faithful subjects and true Christians, converge into a singular, undivided obligation throughout our lives. Amen.

Therefore, the message conveyed here is not simply one of transformation but speaks to the collective turning of all nations toward God, as David, by inviting them to partake in the sacred feast, positions them within the church's community.

The following verb is interpreted by some as a reference to the renewed light of faith, suggesting that the Gentiles, having forgotten God, will once again remember Him upon conversion; however, this interpretation lacks a solid grounding in the Prophet’s intent. It is undeniable that the mention of conversion implies a prior estrangement of the Gentiles from God due to their wickedness. Yet, the term 'remembrance' indicates that the unbelievers, stirred by God's glorious acts, will return to true piety from which they had deviated. There is also a possibility to read this passage as the Gentiles recalling their origins—acknowledging that they were created by God through their ancestral forefather, yet due to sin, they had long forgotten this truth and erroneously referred to wood and stone as their creators (Jeremiah 2:27). Consequently, all the ends of the earth shall remember their initial creation and turn to the Lord, encompassing all peoples, even those at the farthest reaches of the earth. All languages and cultures will bow in worship before Him.

It is essential to recognize that returning to God is contingent upon knowing Him. Those who humbly submit to God are those who, through contemplation of His works, attain knowledge of God, leading them to worship, as denoted here. This idea is further articulated through the subsequent assertion that the Lord is indeed the King, possessing authority over all nations. In these words, it is not only affirmed that God created the Gentiles and directs them, but it is also emphasized that He has laid open the path to His kingdom for them. The Lord exercises His reign over us when He dispels the darkness of ignorance, enlightening us with the true knowledge of God.