Psalm 36 (35):7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Because You are God, Your abundant mercy encompasses the well-being of both human beings and voiceless creatures. You have granted physical health, shared by humanity and livestock alike. Is there no form of health that You reserve uniquely for people? Moreover, there exists another type of health, one not only uncommon to both men and animals, but also rare among humans: that of good and evil. After the Psalmist described this health, enjoyed by both people and animals, he elaborated on the health that only good men can aspire to when he stated, “The sons of men under the shadow of Thy wings are at rest: they are fed from the abundance of Thy house, and from the stream of Thy joy Thou dost drink them. For Thou hast the fountain of life; in Thy light we see light” (cf. Ps. 35:8-9).

There exists a truth within us, one that involves assigning each person their rightful due. While we may not achieve this perfectly, by striving with the utmost integrity, we remain close to this ideal. Additionally, there exists a higher truth that envelops us from above, bestowed by the just Judge—a truth that both rectifies and rewards us, containing many aspects that are beyond our understanding due to the profound nature of its principles. This is likely what the Psalmist expresses when he states, “Thy righteousness is like the mountains of God.”

Your truth reaches as high as the heavens and stands firm like the mountains of God. You have demonstrated the reliability of the promises proclaimed by the prophets. The heavens represent these prophets, and You have validated their message by revealing an abundance of truth, akin to the grandeur of God’s mountains. Your plans are vast beyond measure. Yet, in light of Your profound truth and justice, I question Your patience. Your designs are as unfathomable as the depths of the sea. Just as humanity cannot fully comprehend the depths of the abyss, so too is Your understanding of judgments beyond reach. Both people and animals find salvation, O Lord.

Consider this passage: O Lord, in HEAVEN resides Thy GRACE, and THY TRUTH IS BEFORE THE HEAVENS! Thy TRUTH is as the mountains of God, and Thy judgments are like a vast abyss (Psalm 35:6-7). Paul seemingly reflected on this when he exclaimed, "I am a wretched man! Who will rescue me from this body of death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 7:24-25). In times when our minds are clouded, and harsh struggles wear us down, we must seek the Lord's aid. Thus, in his appeal, Paul earnestly implores the Lord for His assistance. Divine mercy must be pursued, and the truth of God discerned from the prophecies of old, which, like clouds, conceal the depths of divine wisdom.

O Lord, Your mercy dwells in the heavens, and Your faithfulness extends to the skies: Your truth stands firm like the mountains of God. They conspire to commit their acts as if no one observes their deeds, yet with You, O Lord, Your compassion is boundless, Your truth immeasurable, and Your truth is akin to the loftiest peaks. Your truth reaches humanity through the Prophets, as if sent by clouds, bestowing upon them the rain of salvation. "Thy destinies are many." But why do You remain patient, possessing such abundant truth and righteousness, is a mystery to me. Your judgments are as profound as the depths of the sea. Just as its vastness exceeds human perception, so too is comprehension of Your judgments beyond reach. "Thou wilt save men and beasts, O Lord." What could be the reason for this?

Your righteousness is akin to the towering mountains of God, and Your purposes are multitude. See Psalm 35:6 You will deliver both humanity and livestock, O Lord! This notion of saving is sometimes interpreted as an ongoing and everlasting salvation found in heaven; thus we affirm that the righteous shall attain salvation, meaning eternal deliverance; while at other times, it is understood as a temporary salvation in our current existence, as expressed here. Salvation in this present life signifies restoration. Therefore, David proclaims, Lord, in Your goodness, You not only revive humans, but also the mute creatures (and by gentle animals, he encompasses all wild beasts as well).

The purpose of Christ is to reveal the Truth to them, which is Christ Himself, whose veracity stands firm like the mountains of God and whose decisions are as profound as the depths of the sea. Through His arrival, He delivered both humanity and creation—encompassing Jews and Gentiles alike. Even the descendants of Adam, who lost all hope through the sinful fall, discover renewed hope under the safety of His embrace, symbolized by the shadow of the cross where He extended His arms.

Incomprehensible Judge The abyss represents a profound depth that eludes our understanding and cannot be fully perceived. Who can measure the vastness of the ocean or truly grasp its enormity? Likewise, we are unable to understand God's justice through our intellect, nor can we ascertain it through logic, as the apostle noted, ‘How incomprehensible are His judgments? His judgments are untraceable, and His ways are beyond finding out! (Rom 11:33). Clearly, a single name must encompass all these matters.

Your holy Church is the greatest mountain of Your righteousness, the highest of the many mountains. Your holy Church, O Lord, searches out Your judgments and Your ways, and its wisdom is great and sweet, like honeycombs full of honey.

In this section of the psalm, the prophet transitions to emphasizing that despite the immense wickedness found in certain individuals, the goodness of God—characterized by His mercy and righteousness—far surpasses it. Concerning mercy, he declares: Lord, Thy mercy is in heaven, suggesting that it is so vast that it stretches from the earth to the heavens, encompassing all things, as expressed in Psalm 107: How great is Thy mercy in the top of heaven. To this grace, he adds truth, which refers to God’s faithfulness that ensures He fulfills all His promises in a trustworthy manner, as noted in Psalms 144:13: the Lord is faithful in all His words.

The peaks of God contain the heights of divine mysteries, where the truth regarding Christ the Lord remains certain yet unfathomable. The plans of God are beyond expression and understanding; through the mystery of His Incarnation, Christ the Lord has brought salvation to humanity. Indeed, the Lord has rescued both humans and animals. He saved Noah along with the livestock from the flood while in the ark. Likewise, He delivers those who are faithful and those who live in a manner akin to livestock, inviting all who turn to Him in repentance from every nation and language. In his honor, man (Adam) became associated with mindless animals, taking on a similar nature. A washed sow returns to wallowing in the mire, and a dog goes back to its vomit (2 Pet. 2:22).