Psalm 32 (31):9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

For those who refuse to turn away from their own rebelliousness towards God and show no intent to please Him, but rather choose to indulge in the evil that captivates them, there exists an imposition of consequences. What type of consequences? Specifically, they ultimately become subject to what would have been better for them to pursue willingly, yet they find themselves drawn to it as if compelled by necessity and driven by fear. Just as grievous physical injuries, when resistant to healing through medicine, can lead to treatments such as surgical removal or cauterization as advised by skilled physicians, so too does the human soul, which possesses a strong tendency to stray from goodness, face punishments when it disregards words of guidance.

Are we driven by intellect or instinct? Dear friends, when we possess a soul yet fail to engage our intellect, choosing instead to live without mindfulness, we lead a life akin to that of a beast. There exists a primal nature within us due to our existence in the flesh, but we are called to be directed by reason. The intellect receives guidance from above, especially when the soul succumbs to the flesh and seeks to abandon itself to the allure of worldly desires.

Do not resemble a horse or a mule, for they lack understanding. He guides the wayward not to indulge in irrational desires. Their mouths require bits and bridles to keep them in check. This message is directed to the Lord, conveying that those who refuse to repent should turn to Him as if by a sort of bridle.

The enslavement of the nations Those who worshipped false gods are pursued by Him who is the true God; furthermore, He whose message became a yoke for the mouths of the nations possesses all power, and by His words He directed the nations as though in servitude from the reverence of many gods to the reverence of one God, steering them away from idols to Him who sent Him. The lifeless idols, silent and mute, consumed the vitality of their worshippers.

Why do you bring shame upon yourself by yielding to fleshly desires, becoming enslaved to the desires of the body? Why do you forsake the intellect that your Creator has granted you? Why do you lower yourself to the level of animals, from which God seeks to distinguish you, as it is written: ‘Do not be like the horse and the mule, which have no understanding?

Do not resemble the horse and the mare, for they lack discernment; their jaws are harmed by bits, as they do not approach You. In this, I urge you not to engage in foolishness akin to that of the horse and the mare. Should you refuse to heed this advice, you too will find yourselves restrained by harsh means. This punishment is symbolized by their example, which is why I emphasized this point.

Avoid resembling a horse or a mule, as they lack understanding. In this context, 'horse' symbolizes the ability to engage in loud and passionate pursuits, while 'mule' signifies an inability to generate or yield what is truly good. Scripture cautions those who aspire to salvation against possessing these traits, for one leads to sin and the other does not contribute to true virtue.

Do not resemble a horse or a donkey, for they lack understanding. In these words, David speaks from personal experience, offering wisdom drawn from his own trials. He cautions, dear brethren, to not be as uninspired as horses or as resistant to righteousness as mules. Unlike these creatures, you are endowed by God with reason and discernment.

God provides us with understanding, leading us along the journey of life, allowing us to remain under His watchful eye rather than becoming like a horse or mule. Those who refuse to approach Him will find themselves restrained by the harshness of trials and the burdens of judgment.

Just as a donkey or a mule, when tied to a millstone, has its physical eyes obscured and shrouded by a blindfold, likewise does every lustful spirit. Because the spiritual eye is clouded by life's vices and the illusions of its thoughts, it appears to be caught in the relentless cycle of the millstone, painfully burdened and unable to perceive its own path, simply doing the bidding of others. It remains in the way of the wicked, ensnared by the shackles of its cravings, becoming a captive to itself, overwhelmed by the darkness of its own deceptions and paralyzed by a flawed conscience.

Do not behave like a horse or a donkey, for they lack understanding: here the Prophet encourages all believers, both righteous and unrighteous, to take heed from his own experiences regarding the misfortunes that result from sin and the blessings that come with repentance. He has personally faced these realities. Addressing the wicked first, he states: do not mimic a horse or a donkey, for they act without reasoning; that is, do not be led solely by your senses when you possess the gift of intellect. Refrain from roaring like a steed or a she-donkey against your neighbor's wives, as I have done; do not boldly act, like wild and unbroken horses, to mistreat the vulnerable and less fortunate, as I once did to Uriah.

The horse represents the arrogant and unyielding sinner, while the rear signifies those who reject faith in Christ the Lord, showing their reluctance to accept His gentle guidance. The bridle and bit symbolize God's discipline for the unrighteous, which serves as both a temporary and eternal consequence. However, for the believer, the bridle takes the form of fasting, and the yoke consists of refraining from sin, confession, repentance, a healthy fear of God, and the mortification of the flesh, along with silence and patience. The prophet implores the Lord to lead the unrepentant back to repentance, serving essentially as a form of restraint. The mule, or hybrid donkey, is frequently condemned in Holy Scripture, as it was not part of God's original creation, emerging later due to human curiosity and folly; thus, it is associated with wickedness.