Psalm 62 (61):11Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Ah, the loss of integrity! You may acquire wealth, yet you forfeit righteousness. Do not be eager to exploit… Therefore, foolish children of men, deceptive sons of men, do not engage in theft, and if wealth comes your way, do not be misled: forsake vanity and shun falsehood. For blessed is the one whose confidence is in the Lord God, who does not concern himself with vain and deceptive folly. You will deceive, you will commit fraud, what reward will you receive for your deception? Dishonest measures. For liars, He says, are like the sons of men on the scales, seeking to mislead by presenting false measures. Through false measures, you deceive those who observe: do you not realize that one is the one who weighs, while the other judges according to the weight? He does not see for whom you weigh, but He discerns what measures you and them. Therefore, let neither deceit nor theft entice you any longer, nor what you wished to possess. I have warned you, I have foretold you, says this Iditun.

If you witness another person prospering excessively, do not deem his life to be blessed. Should riches pour in from all directions, do not permit yourself to hoard them. Consider the phrase, "Riches flow out"—what a striking observation! The nature of wealth is its transience, flowing from one owner to the next more swiftly than a stream. Much like a river cascading down from heights that swiftly passes by those along its banks, the advantages of wealth appear and vanish quickly, often transferring from one person to another. This plot of land may belong to one individual today, only to be possessed by another tomorrow, and soon after, a different owner. Observe the buildings in the city; how many titles have they acquired throughout their existence, each identified with a different owner! Similarly, gold continuously slips through the fingers of those who possess it, moving to another, and then to yet a third. It is far easier to contain the water swirling in a river than to retain your wealth over time. Thus, it is wisely stated: "Wealth flows, so do not fix your heart upon it. Avoid becoming enslaved to it; instead, utilize it without excessive love or awe. Treat it as a tool to serve, rather than an object of adoration." The psalmist concludes these thoughts not with his own words, but as a message imparted to him by God.

Animals remain naturally covered and do not require clothing for protection; they are suitably safeguarded by what nature has provided. However, in our quest for excess, we have lost our natural coverings and disregarded the laws of nature. This psalm imparts a restorative wisdom, as the psalmist, whether referred to as Idiphun or by another name, instructed on the practice of ascending spiritually against temptations. Thus, when faced with challenging situations, you are called to surrender to God, and if you have erred in the past, aim to sin no more and resist future inclinations toward sin.

Basil reflects that anyone who believes unjustly acquired wealth provides a solid foundation of strength and authority resembles a sick individual who, despite their severe condition, believes themselves to be well. Cyril, when referencing the prophet Zephaniah, remarked: Wealth is akin to a fugitive. Wealth is perpetually in motion; do not allow your heart to cling to it. He advises that if wealth, characterized by its fleeting and ephemeral nature, shifts from one individual to another, avoid being so ensnared by it that you develop an addiction or longing for it. Some interpretations include: "of the heart," which if viewed in the genitive form, suggests a caution against a deep-seated desire for riches; and in the accusative, it conveys not allowing your heart to be nailed to such wealth. St. Basil goes on to say: If you encounter someone immensely wealthy, do not envy their life. When wealth pours in from various sources, do not celebrate its abundance. As wealth flows, guard your heart against attachment. This saying is profound. Wealth possesses a nature of fluidity. It moves faster than a river, often changing hands. Just as a river cascades down from heights yet fails to reach those by the shore in time, so too does the allure of wealth, linked with its swift and ephemeral existence, shift from one to another. It is far easier to hold water in one’s palm than to preserve wealth for an extended time. Therefore, it is well asserted: When wealth flows, keep your heart free from its grasp. Do not become ensnared in a soul-crushing attachment, but rather utilize the benefits it presents without excessive affection, appreciating it only as a means to service. Gregory of Nyssa advises: Therefore, do not hinder what is fleeting, nor block its sources. Do not tie your heart to it or entertain a greater value for it than it merits. For wealth drifts by, and before you know it, it disappears like a shadow.

Therefore, “O deceitful children of men,” whose spiritual discernment is flawed, and the Prophet grieves for them, saying, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil” (Isaiah 5:20). To the liars, the deceitful, those who distort the truth, and those who commend what is unjust. It is said, “I require the present, but who can foresee the future?” You judge poorly when you endorse what is evil instead of what is good, when you favor emptiness and falsehood over truth, when you value the fleeting over the eternal, and when you select temporary pleasures over lasting joy. Thus, “the children of men are deceitful in their understanding of what is true.” They first do injustice to themselves, and then also to those who approach them, acting as wicked advisors in their own lives and setting a poor example for others. On the day of judgment, it will not be possible for you to claim ignorance of what is good; you will be referred to your own “measure,” which is adequate to differentiate between good and evil. We assess physical weights by the balance’s tilt, just as we determine our choices in life through the free will of our spirit, which serves as a “measure” because it can lean toward both options. Therefore, “do not place your hope in iniquity, do not set your heart” on wealth, do not choose vanity, and let not your soul’s judgment be impaired. Understand that God is both omnipotent and compassionate; hence, revere His might and do not lose hope in His mercy. To avoid wrongdoing, a measure of fear can be beneficial. And for the one who stumbles into sin, let the hope for mercy be a good refuge. Consequently, towards the conclusion of the Psalm, the Prophet speaks to God, saying, “Thou wilt repay every man according to his deeds” (Psalm 61:13). “For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38). If you have wronged a brother, expect a similar fate for yourself. If you have taken from the less fortunate, exploited the poor, disgraced them, slandered, lied, violated your father’s commandments, seized the land of orphans, distressed widows, or prioritized fleeting pleasures over eternal rewards, prepare for the punishment that awaits: “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7). Conversely, if you have performed any good deed, anticipate a far greater reward. For He will “repay each man according to his deeds” (Matthew 16:27). By keeping this judgment in mind throughout your life, you will shield yourself from many sins. I share this with you from the teachings of the Holy Fathers who came before us, prompted by my compatriot Anthony, who encouraged me in this writing, and I trust that these reminders will be of value to you.

The commandment prohibiting covetousness addresses the most destructive form of desire, which so corrupts the mind that individuals pursue unauthorized actions without fear of consequence. Furthermore, he cautions: If wealth increases, do not fix your heart upon it. To set one's heart on riches implies not just an intense desire for wealth but also placing one's trust in it, which can lead to pride, as Paul illustrates in Romans 11:12. The Prophet desires that individuals steer clear of an obsession with riches, even if such wealth is gained righteously. This message resonates with lived experience, as it is widely recognized that an abundance of wealth often begets various forms of recklessness. This is why the Apostle Paul rightly identifies love of money as the root of all evils, as stated in 1 Timothy 6:10. Basil the Great insightfully comments on those who are ensnared by their wealth; they focus on the influx of riches while neglecting their outflow, illustrating the reason for the admonition not to set one's heart there. The purpose is to avoid having one's heart diminish and perish alongside the ceaseless flow of wealth. Instead, when wealth accumulates, it is vital that the heart remains anchored in God, arranging the flow of resources in a manner that yields benefit—much like a wise farmer who channels water either to nourish fields or to power a mill.