Psalm 36 (35):9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The term ‘drunkenness’ in the Scriptures, dear friends, does not solely refer to being inebriated; it can also signify an overwhelming fullness. For instance, David expresses, ‘They shall be drunken with the fat of the stew of your house,’ implying a sense of abundant satisfaction. In contrast, individuals who succumb to drunkenness are never truly fulfilled; instead, the more they consume wine, the greater their thirst becomes. This cycle means that the act of drinking only amplifies their desire. Even when the initially enjoyed feeling begins to fade, their craving for wine intensifies and becomes insatiable, leading these captives of drunkenness deeper into the depths of intoxication.

He sought a term to articulate the matters of humanity. On one side, he observed how people, through excessive indulging in wine, diminish their reason, while on the other, he contemplated the words expressed in the scripture: from the overflow of God's goodness, embraced by humanity, an indescribable joy emerges. In this state, human understanding fades into Him, allowing the divine intellect to flourish, leading to a delightful intoxication with the richness found in God's presence.

The flow of grace is embodied in Christ, as expressed in the scripture, ‘I will lay upon him as a flooding stream the glory of tongues’ (Isaiah 66:12). Additionally, He is the wellspring of life and the radiance that comes from light.

The Church and the Spirit

It is indeed a blessing to partake in the cup of salvation. There is a joyous inebriation that stems from the richness of Scripture, as well as from the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Those who began to speak in various tongues were perceived by their listeners, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, to be joyfully intoxicated with new wine. Truly, the dwelling place represents the Church, the door of this dwelling signifies the abundance of grace, and the current of sweetness embodies the Holy Spirit.

Human nature will turn to You, recognizing in Your abode an ever-growing treasure of blessings. The Prophet conveys not only the flow of Divine wisdom but also the participation in the sacred meal. He compares the outpouring of such blessings to a stream, primarily because it was not initially offered to humanity, and because he encourages all people to come and partake, not as from a continuously flowing river, but from a stream that flows for a limited time. Those who do not come in this earthly life will miss out on the holy waters after their departure from here. He emphasizes that while the abundance of blessings is everlasting, it is presented as a stream, reflecting the structure of the house. He adds: "For Thou hast the fountain of life; in Thy light we see light."

They will be filled with the abundance of Your house. This intoxication is referred to as joy, and abundance signifies plenty. For the scripture states, "wine makes glad the heart of man" (Psalms 103:15); thus, the abundance indicates a wealth of blessings. Therefore, these words suggest that those who reflect the divine image will rejoice in the riches of Your house, O Lord. The house of God is represented by the Church, and its riches consist of the godly teachings that spiritually uplift those who grasp them. Alternatively, the house of the Word incarnate is the sacred flesh that He embraced, as noted by Isychius.

Two kinds of intoxication are experienced. This discourse is directed toward the Father of all blessings and remarks on the destructive habit of humanity, whereby individuals, when saturated with excessive wine, become stifled by mental despair. Similarly, this divine intoxication erases the recollection of earthly matters, allowing all fleshly distractions to dissipate, much like how wine can render the concerns of the world unfamiliar to our perceptions. O praiseworthy intoxication! O intoxication we should seek earnestly, which gives rise to modesty rather than folly, and which brings clarity and enlightenment to the mind, enabling the soul to attain health through this divine infusion. Let us, therefore, drink deeply of this offering—not with physical lips, but with the purest intentions of the heart—so that we may experience not just fleeting pleasure, but the everlasting joys of eternal life!

They are intoxicated by the nourishment of Your dwelling. Their hearts overflow with devotion for the Almighty, that when their spirits waver, they feel alien to their own selves, embodying the truth of Scripture: ‘If anyone desires to follow Me, let him deny himself’ (Matthew 16:24).

We find refuge under the protective wings of God in this world, where we face the threats of predators, both avian and terrestrial. However, the promise of profound blessings awaits us in the heavenly kingdom. The Prophet endeavors to communicate the inexpressible joys as best he can, utilizing material comparisons. He first draws upon the analogy of a person consuming food and then reflects on the food itself. When a person eats, they experience fulfillment once they are adequately satisfied, reaching a point where desire ceases. This fulfillment, which alleviates thirst, is aptly described akin to drunkenness; for a person who craves wine finds satisfaction in intoxication, as they no longer seek drink and fall into a restful slumber.

The House of God is the Sacred Church, whose nourishment is Divine grace, and the refreshing drink from the flowing stream is the Most Pure Blood, which has poured forth from the Most Holy Side of the Savior for those who partake of it worthily unto eternal life. This represents the waters of baptism, along with the teachings of the Gospel and the sacraments of the Church.