Psalm 34 (33):11Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Daily, they attend church, kneel in prayer, seek the Lord, yet feel devoid of good gifts, while the wealthy remain unconcerned in their abundance. Such faulty reasoning entangles the soul, for they pursue transient pleasures instead of the true rewards of heaven, ensnaring themselves in the adversary's trap, hindered by their own transgressions, desiring to emulate the many wicked who end their lives in a similar state.

Rather, reflect on this—can one truly be impoverished when filled with spiritual riches? Is one genuinely wealthy due to an ornate bed of ivory? Conversely, if your heart is brimming with virtues such as righteousness, truth, mercy, faith, and patience, how poor can you be? Seek to unveil your spiritual wealth if it exists, and measure it against the superficial riches of the affluent. Imagine someone discovering valuable items at a marketplace and purchasing them. If you could find faith available for purchase, what price would you be willing to pay for that which God offers freely? The truly affluent are in want, lamentably lacking even basic sustenance. For Christ declared, "I am the Living Bread that came down from Heaven" (John 6:51). Furthermore, it is written, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled." Those who seek the Lord will want for nothing, just as I have previously noted.

However, this famine is not merely for physical sustenance or water, but for the hearing of God’s word (Am. 8:11). Consequently, they found themselves “poor and thirsty,” while among the Gentiles, those who have learned to pursue the Lord “shall not be deprived of every good thing.” The ultimate goodness is God Himself; all who seek Him will find themselves fulfilled. Those who misunderstand the essence of good and evil should not mistakenly equate the transient pleasures of this world with true goodness, which is everlasting. By equating material wealth with goodness, they diminish that which is sacred to trivial pursuits, revealing significant contradictions in their reasoning. They must either claim that the Apostles, by not seeking the Lord, lacked material benefits, or, if they sought Him and still lacked such benefits, they must challenge the Scriptures, which declare that those who seek the Lord will not go without “any of the benefits.” In truth, the saints pursued the Lord and were enlightened regarding what they sought, receiving the blessings laid out for them in eternal life. They can truly be described as having “every good,” for earthly pleasures often come with more suffering than joy: marriage can lead to conflicts, agriculture can result in barrenness, trade can lead to loss, and indulgence can bring about excess and illness. Paul sought the Lord fervently and lacked “one good thing,” yet who can tally the hardships he faced throughout his life? He endured beatings, shipwrecks, and numerous dangers, finding himself in hunger and thirst, engaging in fasting often, while constantly in need (cf. 2 Cor. 11:25-27). This man, who experienced hunger and thirst until his last moments and faced destitution and pain, reflects the paradox of lacking worldly goods. Therefore, elevate your thoughts towards the true good, seeking to grasp the unity of Scripture without conflating different concepts and ideas.

The specifics of these cities are revealed in Paul’s letters, although the apostles were not limited to a numerical constraint, as they were commanded to proclaim the Gospel throughout the entire world (Mark 16:15). Paul distributed the Lord’s assets as he journeyed from Jerusalem through the East to Illyria and Italy, as mentioned in Romans 15:19. Interestingly, no one claims that he lent out the Lord's resources for gain. The apostle made it clear that this was the Lord's wealth: “But to the married I give instructions, not I, but the Lord, that the wife should not leave her husband” (1 Cor. 7:10). He also mentioned, “Do you seek a proof of Christ speaking in me?” (2 Cor. 13:3). Regarding this, the King, reflecting God's image, remarked, “Therefore you ought to have deposited my silver with the bankers” (Matt. 25:27), asserting that what is rightfully His is not ours. Thus, the righteous man exhibits mercy and generosity. Listen to how he distributes: “I teach in all the churches” (1 Cor. 7:17). In contrast, the sinner borrows without returning. Consider the wealthy individual who borrows and gives nothing, compared to the poor person who borrows yet diligently repays to avoid prolonged indebtedness. This conveys a moral lesson. Now reflect on the humble individual who embodies sacramental teaching, one who fears God; he hears the call to purity and acts upon it, he hears the message of compassion and fulfills it, he hears the call to humility and refrains from anger. Yet observe the arrogant rich man, who hears God's words but dismisses them (see Psalm 49:17). He is aware of the dangers of indulgence yet grows increasingly entrenched in it. Essentially, the Church returns what it has received, while the synagogue does not. Consider how the Church restores what it has borrowed: “They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word” (John 17:6); and again, “For the Father himself loves you because you have loved me” (John 16:27). The Church has returned the treasures of love taken from God, whereas the synagogue has not. Thus, it is stated regarding the Jews, “If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin” (John 15:22), for they heard but did not believe. It is evident that sinners borrow without repayment; the sinner is perpetually in need, whereas the righteous person requires nothing and possesses wealth through a clear conscience. This explains why the Jews, despite their riches, found themselves in want - the affluent became impoverished and cried out (Psalm 33:11) - while Christians thrive without the riches that accompany simplicity.

The great Basil and Theodoret offer insight into how these words allude to the Jewish people, who once thrived in power, cities, armies, the renowned temple of Jerusalem, and the divine law. Yet, they became impoverished in these very areas after they crucified the Lord Christ, who was abundant in mercy and willingly became destitute for our benefit. They grew hungry, having rejected the Bread of Life, while the Gentiles, who diligently sought the Lord and placed their faith in Him, have flourished and will continue to grow through the grace of Christ.

The Great Basil commented that the term “every good” can pertain to the eternal treasures reserved in divine rest, noting that earthly pleasures often bring more misfortune than delight. Therefore, this teaching encourages us to regard material wealth with disdain, reminding us that hoarding possessions is misguided; wealth is precarious, like waves shifting with the wind, often transferring from one side to another. In line with Theodoret’s observations, wealth has many ups and downs, and someone who is rich today may soon find themselves in poverty.

The seekers of the Lord are contrasted with the affluent, who represent those who fail to turn to God in their trials. Instead, the wealthy possess a false sense of security, relying on their own resources, money, connections, and social status to navigate their lives. These individuals are epitomized in the scripture with the words “Thicken, thicken, widen, and envy God” (Deuteronomy 32:15). When King David speaks of the rich as poor and covetous, he implies they remain unfulfilled, perpetually desiring more, akin to beggars. Conversely, those who seek the Lord find satisfaction, experiencing His goodness as they approach Him in the right manner. They abide in the Lord, feeling abundant blessings bestowed upon them.

This notion reveals that the seekers of the Lord enjoy a sense of tranquility, embodying the assurance of possessing every good thing, unlike those who solely depend on worldly wealth and influence. The latter remain in a perpetual state of fear and deprivation, suffering from inner turmoil. The focus here is not on external circumstances but rather on the internal state of those involved. St. Basil the Great teaches that although the wealthy may appear prosperous, their material fortunes are fleeting, akin to waves tossed by the winds. True goodness is found in God alone, who never forsakes those who earnestly seek Him.

The faithful do not regard earthly possessions as true wealth; rather, they seek spiritual blessings that are genuinely beneficial. Those who misinterpret scripture may find themselves confronting contradictions, questioning how the Apostles, often devoid of physical luxuries, could still find fulfillment in their spiritual pursuits. The text must be understood in the context of spiritual goods rather than material wealth. Spiritual treasures, which the heart perceives, far surpass the transient allure of material possessions.

To illustrate, consider two servants: one is striking in appearance but deceitful, while the other is unappealing yet trustworthy. The discerning heart favors the faithful servant over the attractive one, exemplifying how true value is often hidden from the eye. Therefore, those filled with spiritual blessings cannot be deemed poor, regardless of their material situation. Instead, those who cling to earthly wealth without spiritual enrichment are the true impoverished, perpetually unsatisfied, always yearning for more. The Lord’s promise stands true: those who hunger for righteousness will be filled, affirming that those who genuinely seek the Lord will not lack any good thing.

The unpredictable realities of life reflect the mystery of divine providence. When faced with the plight of those faithful yet suffering, consider the nature of their hardship: are they truly distressed, or do we impose our perspectives upon them? A lack of material provisions does not always equate to a lack of satisfaction; some find contentment in simplicity. If your understanding of deprivation is skewed by personal desires, beware of projecting this onto others.

When assessing those who seek the Lord amidst material loss, scrutinize the sincerity and completeness of their search. The mind of God may test faith to refine and elevate it before fulfilling His promises. Those experiencing trials should cultivate an understanding that their challenges are integral to their moral development. The Lord allows hardships for a reason, and through acceptance and gratitude, individuals can rectify their shortcomings in virtue and reach out to God with sincere hearts.

Encourage them to embrace the belief that hardship does not equate to total loss, for this life serves as a preparation for a more glorious existence. Patience is essential in this temporal journey, as all of life is but a fleeting moment. A future awaits where true abundance exists for those who labor and lay a solid foundation here, ensuring they will not be devoid of any good in the life to come.

The statement reflects that the affluent have become poor and famished; in other words, those who previously enjoyed abundance have now faced deprivation, since material wealth is fleeting, deceptive, and susceptible to numerous hazards. However, those who pursue the Lord—meaning those who place their trust not in riches but in God—will not ultimately miss out on goodness, even if they find themselves in want, for by adhering to the ultimate source of goodness, they discover all that is truly valuable. It is also worth noting regarding the affluent that, despite their wealth, they may still yearn for peace and fulfillment, as various external factors can thwart this peace. Consequently, the Apostle, in his letter to the Romans, advises in Romans 12:18: “If it is possible for you to have peace, have peace with all men.”