Psalm 59 (58):16Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

In order for them to embrace others and transform believers into their Body, they must be fulfilled; else, they will grumble. As stated previously, their complaints are highlighted with the question, "For who has heard?" The Lord responds, "Thou, saith the Lord, wilt laugh at them, saying, Who hath heard?" Why does He laugh? Because He will account all nations as nothing. Let the Psalm reach its completion. Observe how the Corner rejoices, as noted in Ephesians 2:20, and now both walls share in this joy. The Hebrews exhibited both pride and humility, while the Gentiles, in despair, sought self-exaltation. Let them all converge at the Corner, where they may meet, engage, and exchange the kiss of peace.

They will seek the word of the Lord in every place, yet they will be unable to find it. Even when they come across any statement from the sacred Scriptures and hope to find satisfaction, they will still find themselves ‘murmuring,’ as they are persistently those who complain and grumble against God.

Simmachus linked this idea with what has come before, conveying it in this manner: they should return in the evening and behave like dogs, wandering restlessly around the city, driven by hunger as night falls. However, according to the translation of the seventy, this should be interpreted as follows: like dogs, they will roam throughout the world in search of spiritual nourishment; yet, failing to find it due to their lack of faith in Him who was heralded by all the prophets, they will express their discontent, revealing their ungrateful hearts.

They will be dispersed. Those left among the Jews, without a city or homeland, will wander into various places, seeking sustenance like beggars. If they remain unsatisfied, they will endure hunger and thirst. Through these statements, David indicts the Jews for replicating the complaints of their forefathers, who in the wilderness longed for garlic, onions, and the meat of Egypt. Even while scattered among the nations, they will continue their grumbling against God, persistently voicing their discontent if they fail to obtain food to satisfy their hunger.

At the conclusion of his prayer, David finds assurance in the fulfillment of his aspirations. Although he shapes his words similarly to those spoken earlier regarding the ravenous dogs, he employs irony to convey that his adversaries will be silenced in a different manner, namely, their ambitions will falter rather than flourish as they anticipated. Previously, he lamented that like dogs, they barked with an unquenchable thirst and greed to inflict harm upon him. Now, mocking their lawless pursuits, he declares that after exhausting a full day in vain endeavors, they will ultimately be compelled to forsake their desires. In self-congratulation, he juxtaposes these remarks with his earlier grievances.

The exile of David in his home, due to Saul, symbolizes the entombment of the holy body of Christ the Savior as it was separated from death. This profound truth is meant to be inscribed not only on stone but also within the hearts of the faithful, reflecting the eternal glory and honor of God. This psalm embodies the supplication of Christ the Lord to God the Father during His redemptive Passion. Christ the Lord was without sin, yet He guided sinners towards the path of salvation. Embrace the Gospel, for at the Last Judgment, it will be declared to the unrighteous: Depart from Me, you cursed.