Psalm 60 (59):8Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

If it alludes to the incident where the idols were concealed, it signifies the Gentiles; I divide the Gentiles. I divide, but what of it? For not everyone possesses faith (2 Thess. 3:2). I divide, and what then? Some will have faith, while others will not... Shoulders are divided so that some bear the weight of their sins while others shoulder the burden of Christ. For godly shoulders are required when He states, "For My yoke is gracious, and My burden is easy" (Matthew 11:30). Other burdens may weigh you down, but the burden of Christ brings relief: the weight of other burdens constrains you, yet the burden of Christ grants you wings. Even if you remove a bird’s wings, you diminish its weight; the more you carry away, the more it remains on the earth. The burden you have chosen to relinquish stays behind: it cannot soar because you have taken away its load; if you restore the load, it will fly again. Such is the nature of the burden of Christ; let men embrace it actively, while those unable to bear it can set it aside; those willing to carry it will discover how light, sweet, pleasant, delightful to Heaven, and bearable from Earth it truly is.... It may be that due to Jacob's sheep, the valley of tabernacles has come to represent the people of Judah, and they were indeed divided: for those who believed crossed over, while others were left behind.

Consequently, the Lord of all promises to restore those who have been exiled, to allocate their ancestral land, and to fill it with inhabitants to such a degree that those who settle there will seek to measure its expanse, and after they do, will divide the land among themselves.

Alternatively, the abodes can be seen as representations of virtues, which God judiciously allocates to those who are instructable, providing each soul with the guidance best suited to its needs while safeguarding the spiritual riches they have gathered. God knows how to lead each person on the path of salvation through sound teaching. Another interpretation is that the abodes symbolize the churches of the faithful nations, established throughout the entire world by Christ our Savior and God. I believe this explanation is clearer than the others. Finally, the assessment of these abodes is determined by the one who encompasses the physical realm with spiritual insight, just as the assessment of the abodes is made. In Scripture, the body is frequently referred to as a ‘dwelling.’

Theodoret explains that once a prayer is offered, the prophetic mind receives a response that it desires to reveal rather than hide. God spoke in His holy place, that is, through the all-holy Spirit, utilizing the prophet’s voice as an instrument of grace. "I will rejoice and share in Sikima." David expresses joy that the Jewish people have found favor with God, even amidst their bondage. Sikimah, a city within the tribe of Ephraim, signifies that once freed from their captors, David intends to allocate it to his people for habitation after their liberation from Babylon. Theodoret observes that Sikimah was a city given by Jacob to Joseph, who, following the division of the twelve tribes, established its capital in Ephraim. The "valley of settlements" refers to the land of the Israelites, which once lay in desolation but was later revitalized with pastures. Athanasius agrees, stating that "in these last days He spoke to us in the Son, who is the Holy One of God and of the Father." What has been declared? That He would assign Sikimah, meaning the kingdom of Israel located in that city. This blessing was also extended to the nations who embraced it. "I will measure the valley of the dwellings," signifying the area near the city of Sikim. David vows to measure this land and distribute it to the Israelites who have been liberated from oppression, symbolically encompassing the entirety of Judea within these two locations. St. Basil the Great notes that Sikimah, granted to Joseph by Jacob, represents the covenant intended solely for Israel. Therefore, he promises to share this precious inheritance with all. Consequently, once this covenant is distributed universally, the valley of the settlements will be measured, akin to the whole world being apportioned into dwelling spaces, with distant regions united by Him who reconciles both earthly and heavenly realms. According to Athanasius, the valley signifies a human habitation. David aims to fill it with churches. Alternatively, Sikima translates to ‘shoulder’, a term linked by Didymus and St. Maximus to the active pursuit of all virtues. They argue that the shoulder denotes the means of action while the valley represents the tangible world. Hence, it is clear from these insights that the righteous individual, perfected through the grace of the only-begotten Son, rejoices and becomes capable of dividing Sikim, signifying the embodiment of active virtue, and of comprehending the valley of settlements, representing discernment in nature, bestowing proper understanding to each creature in existence.

Ephraim symbolizes fruitfulness - Christ, who embodies the salvation gifted to humanity from Adam. Judah signifies the royal lineage - from the tribe of Judah comes Christ, the King of the Jews. Gilead derives from Manasseh, indicating the lineage of patriarchs extending from God, from whom Christ descended according to the flesh. By referring to Gilead and Manasseh, it is indicated that upon His arrival, He would first proclaim grace to the Jews. Yet, Ephraim and Judah, the two tribes of blessing in Israel, will equally partake in this grace. It is stated, "The fortress of my head," signifying the stronghold of my dominion, for Ephraim was the bastion of Israel, as the kingdom of Israel emerged from Ephraim. With Judah as king, from this tribe, Christ reigns as King of the Jews. Thus, the divided tribes are brought together in unity.