Psalm 59 (58):14Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

2:10) This illustrates the function of the stone, which the builders rejected yet established as the cornerstone, uniting the two walls, as the corner does. The Jews prided themselves on their status and greatness, while they deemed the Gentiles as inferior, sinners, worshippers of false idols, and servants of demons, despite both groups being flawed. Even the Jews were discovered to be sinners, for none are righteous; they set aside their arrogance and ceased to envy the salvation of the Gentiles, recognizing that their own weaknesses were similar. Together, they became one with the Cornerstone, worshipping the Lord as one.

As they are scattered across the earth and subjected to Roman dominion, they are deprived of their rightful Divine worship, far removed from the glorious city of their King, lacking royal protection, without the care of the priesthood, and missing the grace of prophecy. Consequently, when he declares they shall not be, it means they will no longer form a distinct nation solely in Palestine, known as the people of God. The Prophet also refers to various forms of execution as the end. For, under Caius, the fourth emperor, they endured severe hardships, and during Nero's reign, they faced numerous calamities, with Vespasian capturing many of their cities and Titus devastating Jerusalem, taking those who survived captivity. Following these events, they encountered further tribulations of every sort; even now, in the cities where they reside, they frequently endure terrible afflictions in retribution for their oaths, lies, and the sins of their tongues, knowing full well that the Crucified One is Lord and Sovereign over all. They will recognize that God rules over Jacob and the entire earth. It is remarkable that prior to the crucifixion, the Jews themselves did not accept Him, but after enduring such humiliating suffering, the Crucified One now reigns over all creation, with some willing to worship Him while others, lacking belief, are compelled to submit to Him out of fear.

Because of these slanders, he remarks, they faced this outcome; and he does not refer to the end as total destruction, but implies that they would no longer be acknowledged as God’s people. Thus, ‘shall not be’ equates to (shall not be) a people; he implies they will not dwell independently in Palestine nor claim to be the people of God. The wrath at their conclusion refers to the various sufferings they endured under Caius, Nero, and ultimately Vespasian and Titus, who seized their city. When it is said they will proclaim the end, Nicetas interprets this as: their unprecedented demise will remain unmatched, signifying the ruin of their dignity, not an absolute annihilation of the people. Their splendor, rightful position, divine law, and esteemed office abruptly came to an end following the heinous murder of the Lord, as they continued to invoke curses against Christ, falsely denying His glory. Chrysostom remarks that the end in wrath signifies the future judgment; at that time, sinners will not exist in a state of nothingness but will have lost all semblance of being. Those they have deemed deceivers will stand as judges. How will they recognize God’s sovereignty? They will witness His glorious return for judgment, with all of humanity gathering before Him. They will understand that God reigns over Jacob and the ends of the earth. As they are scattered among the nations and brought low, the Jews will come to know that God, or the Christ whom they crucified, is Lord and King over the tribe of Jacob and all nations, residing, as Theodoret states, across the ends of the earth.

Consequently, the Prophet predicts their downfall, stating, "They shall be known in their death for swearing and lying, and shall not be." This implies that they will be recognized as dishonorable throughout their lives until their demise. God will expose them to the light as a demonstration of His retribution, with living signs of His wrath upon them, serving as a warning to distant nations, for God reigns over Jacob and the ends of the earth. This clearly affirms God's sovereignty so that all may recognize His authority over His people. It would be unjust and inappropriate for disorder to reign where God has established His throne, ensuring that His sanctuary is not confused with a den of thieves.

Similarly, as a beast rushes toward its prey and becomes ensnared in a trap, so too do the wicked find themselves caught in the snare of their own corruption (Luke 21:35), as the evangelist indicates, facing the wrath on the day of God’s judgement. The prophet’s words convey that they will be ensnared or captured. Those ensnared by pride are oblivious to God’s providence. The actions they commit in their haughtiness are articulated by the prophet through two concepts: swearing and lying. Swearing in this context signifies not just taking oaths, but also committing cruel acts that invoke a curse upon the lawless, exposing them to the condemnation of God's law. For instance, when a powerful individual oppresses an orphan or takes the last morsel from a poor man, falsely accuses an innocent person, the human curse lingers as evidence of his actions, preparing for him the dreadful judgement from God: “Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire” (Matthew 25:41). Thus, the prophet remarks regarding Judas, the betrayer of Christ, that he cherished an oath (Psalm 108:16). It is typical for those consumed by pride to resort to all manners of falsehood to fulfill their ambitions. Yet, it seems the prophet, by mentioning deceit, implies more than mere dishonesty. Individuals have twisted the truth of God into a lie, and these arrogant evildoers blatantly deny providence through their actions, as if they are lying to God, denying the truth of His word. The Apostle John observes, “He who does not believe God has made Him a liar” (1 John 5:10). The very notion that their iniquity will go unpunished by God is a profoundly blasphemous falsehood. To assert that God overlooks unrepentant sin is to deny His righteousness, akin to denying His existence. Jerome references the Jews who perjured themselves and blasphemed against the Lord Jesus Christ. Those who have marked their lives with oaths and blasphemies will be revealed in the end. What does this signify? It is evident: the lives of virtuous individuals are recounted for our emulation, while the deeds of the wicked are unworthy of remembrance, and when scripture addresses their lives, it serves to reveal their downfall, highlighting the dire consequences of their sin. The Church continually proclaims, with the Fathers passing this down to the children, that some were hanged by tree branches, others fell into irrevocable condemnation, some were swallowed by the earth, some perished in floods, and upon others, fire rained down from heaven to their destruction. Who knows the names of these last souls? Their end has been declared for millennia and will continue to be announced until the end of time. For what purpose? To guard us against similar transgressions, shielding us from eternal torment, as expressed by St. Jude the Apostle (Jude 1:7). The prophet adds, “In the wrath of the end, they shall not be.” It is clear that the holy prophet was filled with zeal against the wicked. Perhaps he was reflecting on the disdainful remarks of those who, witnessing the apparent prosperity of the wicked, ridiculed those who placed their trust in God’s providence. They sneered, “Where are your warnings? Where is the anger you use to threaten those who disregard God’s law?” Provoked by such words that mock the truth of God, the prophet responds with fervor, declaring, “In wrath shall they end, and they shall not be!” Signifying that the decisive judgement of their wickedness is imminent. Pay no attention to the fact that God allows them to live in apparent safety; His patience has not yet reached its limit. According to Chrysostom, the axe of God’s judgement hangs ready at the root of the tree, yet the Lord has not yet wielded it, waiting for the final moment of the sinner’s repentance; but should they fail to repent, God will unleash His wrath upon them, punishing, in a most dreadful manner, those whom He spared during their lifetime (Philippians 3:19). At that moment, the pride of the wicked will be brought low; God’s wrath will erase them from the earth. In an instant of divine anger, they will cease to exist, declares the prophet. He further expounds this truth: “I have seen the wicked in great power, and flourishing like a tree in full leaf; yet I passed by, and behold, he was gone; I sought him but could not find him” (Psalms 36:35, 36). Thus, the Lord God does not threaten or promise lightly, but shows great patience toward us, desiring that no one perishes. However, should we not turn back to Him, He will ready His weapons and draw His bow tight. Therefore, let us strive to please the Lord God with righteousness born of love for Him. And when our love wanes, let us fortify ourselves with virtue and avoid sinful pursuits by revering the wrath of God. Such fear will not replace love but will purify and safeguard our hearts from sins (Psalm 36:5, 36), enabling us to experience authentic Christian love. Amen. The sin that intrudes from their mouths brings them to humility, emphasizing the destructive impact of their very words. Notably, Theodoret, Jerome, and Hilary interpret this as the cries of the Jews: "Take Him, take Him, crucify Him," and so forth.