Psalm 60 (59):5Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The initial task requires that you be discontent with yourself and confront your sins, striving for transformation into a better version of yourself. The subsequent challenge, in exchange for this transformation, involves enduring the trials and temptations of this world while remaining steadfast until the end. In addressing this, what additional insight is provided? "Thou hast shown Thy people hard things" (Psalms 59:3) is noted. This is directed towards your people, now offered as a tribute following David’s triumph. You have revealed to your people significant challenges. What are these challenges? They are the persecutions faced by the church of Christ, during which much innocent blood was shed. You have granted us the wine of atonement. What does atonement signify? It is not akin to murder, for it is not violence that causes destruction but rather healing that may inflict pain. You have imbued us with the wine of atonement.

Yet we, who have received your grace, would not have come to this understanding had you not bestowed upon us the cup of reconciliation. This cup represents the message that restores clarity to a stubborn heart.

You have displayed harshness toward Your people. Through numerous trials, as though inducing slumber, You have caused our hearts to be filled with anguish. You have intoxicated us with the cup of atonement. Aquila renders it: "You have bestowed upon us the cup of tranquility." The cup of suffering refers to the judgments prophesied in the Holy Scriptures due to their sins before Christ. When they study the Scriptures and experience what has been foretold, they are deeply troubled in their souls.

He further recounts the events, stating that God has inflicted suffering upon His people. What does this mean? It indicates that He has intoxicated us with the wine of atonement. The Prophet speaks of various tribulations as though they are a potent wine that has rendered us numb and has filled our spirits with anguish. In a similar vein, Aquila interprets this as being given the wine of slumber.

God demonstrates severity towards those who tremble before Him through His commandments, providing them, in line with His all-knowing nature, means to discipline the flesh. Conversely, in His love for humanity, He elevates us for our good through His diverse Providence and judgment, revealing harshness to those who refuse to willingly accept the burdens of His commandments. He refreshes us with the fruit of atonement as He imparts to us, through spiritual insight, the understanding that follows purification through righteous deeds. For all spiritual insight brings low the spirit and fosters humility in the presence of the immense blessings granted to us.

You have revealed harsh realities to your people. David describes the distressing afflictions and severe trials faced by the Jews, such as the siege of Jerusalem, its subsequent downfall, and the bondage imposed upon them by the Babylonians. You have made us drink from the cup of reconciliation. The cup of sorrow symbolizes the tribulations and adversities that lead to genuine remorse and repentance in the hearts of those who have sinned against God.

At the culmination of the law, embodied in Christ for all who have faith in righteousness, and as we reach the conclusion of the age, this psalm is meant to resound with eternal glory and divine reverence. For those wishing to transform from the old self to the new, from shadows into illumination, they who once walked in darkness are now illuminated in the Lord Christ. In the representation of the pillar, the profound humanity of God, revealed by Christ, is deserving of being inscribed on both pillars and hearts as a lasting testament. This psalm was revealed to David by the Holy Spirit, guiding him to instruct all to express gratitude to God and to exalt Him for His inexpressible gifts to humanity.