Psalm 60 (59):10Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Thus, the Prophet proclaims that Manasseh will reclaim his territory, Ephraim will restore his former vigor, Judah will reign supreme, and the Moabites will bow before them upon witnessing their indomitable power; they will yield not only to them but also to the Idumeans and other nations. "Upon Idumea my boot shall be pressed: the foreigners shall be subdued to me." In addition to the Moabites, I will put the Idumeans under subjection; the other nations will also comply. However, Sacred Scripture designates the Philistines as foreigners, not due to a shared lineage with the Jews, but rather because they were separate nations, while the Philistines not only bordered the Jews but also resided among them. For a significant duration, the Jebusites occupied Jerusalem, and the Gibeonites lived in Gibeon, along with the Gazans, the Ascalonites, and others in the vicinity. This is further illuminated through historical accounts. Thus, prompted by the Sovereign God, the Prophet desired to witness the flourishing of the people upon their return and proclaimed:

The words, "Upon Idumea I will spread My boot," reference Idumea, which is understood as "blood-red clay" and can be associated with the flesh of the Lord, through which He approached humanity. Without this embodiment, creation cannot truly grasp the Creator, as He is inherently infinite and beyond comprehension. Idumea may also represent the flesh of each individual. The boot symbolizes ascetic practices and self-control, which serve to shield the soul from the malevolent thorns and snares of the adversary. Without these disciplines, one striving for holiness cannot conquer bodily desires. The soul's boot may also refer to the sensibilities that are awakened through contemplation and reason. Through this awareness, the soul engages with the tangible world, navigating through life while remaining untainted, and utilizes its senses to discern the underlying truths present in the visible realm. Ultimately, it seeks understanding of the singular, sovereign Word. The statement "The foreigners have submitted to me" reflects that when the Lord manifested in the flesh among us, He not only vanquished the evil spirits He encountered but also subdued all nations that heeded the call of the gospel. Furthermore, righteous individuals also subdue foreign influences; as they walk in abstinence, they trample down the sinful desires within their own flesh and conquer the wicked demons that incite those desires.

In a profound interpretation, the prominent Basil elaborates that Moab symbolizes those excluded from the worship of the Lord. As it states, a Moabite or Ammonite may not enter the congregation until the third, even the tenth generation (Deuteronomy 23:3). However, since baptism offers the forgiveness of sins, granting respite from burdens, it points toward redemption and dedication to God, thus saying: Moab is the vat of the bath, or a vessel of neglect. Moab and Ammon, the offspring of Lot noted for their illicit beginnings, reveal that even this once godless nation shall find hope in me.

The Divine Maximus explains that Moab translates to the essence of the father, referring to our physical bodies, which, like a bath, facilitates the cleansing of our sins. The vessel of confidence represents purification—having the readiness through cleansing in life's continuity to gain the blessings promised through faith. Theodoret indicates that "vat" in Scripture often conveys punishment. Blessed Ezekiel was commanded to refer to Jerusalem as a cauldron, its people as meat, the king of Babylon as the fire, and the vital sustenance as the liquid essential to prevent the meat from burning (Ezekiel 11:3). The blessed Jeremiah also envisioned a vessel ablaze with his gaze set toward the north. However, interpreting this vessel as the Divine source, which eradicates sin and purifies those renewed through it, is fitting.

Upon Idumea, my foot shall tread. David likens shoes to a footstool, indicating his intention to walk through Idumea, which signifies his mission to subjugate it for his people, Israel, providing them strength in battle. Basil remarks that all nations have submitted, placing their burden under Christ's yoke. Hence, it is mentioned that shoes are worn in Idumea. The shoes of divinity refer to the God-bearing flesh, which made its way to humanity. Alternatively, Idumea derives its name from Edom, associated with Esau, or it may denote the ministers of the Gospel.

Idumea is considered bloodshot, as per Didymus, emblematic of an earthly realm. According to St. Maximus, Idumea can also relate to each individual's flesh, which we equip with shoes to shield our souls from the wickedness and thorns of evil, emphasizing that overcoming carnal desires necessitates the discipline of ascetic practices. Furthermore, in Maximus's view, the "shoes of the soul" embody the reasoned and contemplative suppression of sensuality, enabling the soul to navigate this present age without harm, perceiving through sensory experience while reflecting on the virtues represented in them, manifesting knowledge of the singular original reason.

Isychius articulates that Christ, having triumphed over the Gentile church, rendered it esteemed over Israel, as he spreads his shoe over them—symbolic of the Gospel heralded by John the Baptist who proclaimed, "He who comes after me, I am not worthy to untie the thong of His sandal," indicating it was not yet time for Him to reveal the Gospel. Similarly, Paul speaks of being shod with readiness for the Gospel of peace. The mention then that the foreigners—from Moabites to Idumeans and neighboring nations—have submitted expresses that what was a future act is described in the past tense, in line with prophetic speech that addresses what is to come as if it has already occurred.

Ephraim is fruitful—representing Christ, the source of salvation for humanity. Judah signifies kingship—Christ, the King of the Jews, arises from the tribe of Judah. Gilead, originating from Manasseh, points to the lineage of patriarchs stemming from God, leading to Christ according to the flesh. Through the mention of Gilead and Manasseh, it is indicated that upon His arrival, He would first extend grace to the Jews, while Ephraim and Judah, the two tribes blessed by God, will also partake in His grace. It is declared that "The fortress of my head" signifies the stronghold of authority, as Ephraim serves as the stronghold of Israel, from which the kingdom emerged. Thus, Judah remains the royal line; from Judah, Christ emerges as the King of the Jews. In this way, the previously dispersed tribes find unity in agreement.