Psalm 62 (61):9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Emulate the spirit of the Iditun and rise above your foes; those who oppose you and hinder your path, those filled with animosity towards you, leap over them: place your trust in Him, the collective wisdom of the people: express your innermost feelings to Him: ...interceding, confessing, and hoping. Do not retain your worries within; release your hearts to Him. What you reveal will not be lost. For He is my Deliverer. If He is willing to receive, what holds you back from sharing? Cast your burdens upon the Lord and place your faith in Him. What fears surround you from the gossips, the backbiters, those who despise God, as described in Romans 1:29-30, who may lash out openly or undermine through insincere praise while truly harboring enmity—what do you have to fear from them?

Having recognized the value of genuine faith in the Lord, the Psalmist urges the people to join him in this conviction, stating, "Trust in Him, all you people: pour out your hearts before Him." It is impossible for us to become receptive to God's grace without first eliminating the harmful desires that have taken hold of our hearts. I have observed that physicians no longer administer healing remedies as they once did through methods such as inducing vomiting, which would clear the body of the harmful substances that individuals have accumulated through their improper actions. Similarly, if a container has been tainted by a foul liquid, it cannot hold peace unless it is thoroughly cleansed. Therefore, what has previously filled the vessel must be emptied out so that it can receive the new blessings that are to be poured in.

Place your faith in Him, the entire assembly of humanity. In Him, having made a path for repentance, He invites others to follow the same route, while simultaneously proclaiming the call for all nations. Open your hearts to Him, as if He is urging: approach Him without reservation, for it is written: ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart ... and with all your mind’ (Matthew 22:37).

Therefore, He called the assembled nations of the Gentiles, redeemed to His Father through His blood: Have faith in Him, all members of My people (Psalm 61:9), which includes not only the people of Israel but every nation. He indicated not just a remnant of the Gentiles, but the entirety of them; not solely the Gentiles, but also Israel. When the full measure of the Gentiles comes to faith, then all of Israel will be delivered. Who can truly grasp the mysteries of the Divine? They are so profound that Paul was rightly astonished, exclaiming, O the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God (Rom. 11:33). The Gentiles were initially set aside so that Israel could be chosen.

Abandon all else and place your complete trust in Him, dear brethren, dedicating your entire mind to Him while confidently anticipating His aid. This aligns with the call to: Pour out your hearts before Him, which signifies offering all your reflections to Him and ensuring that your thoughts remain united.

In this context, the term "hearts" refers to prayers and supplications. As David expresses elsewhere, I will pour out my prayer before Him (Psalms 141:2). Genuine and heartfelt prayer should ascend to God from the very depths of our being. The phrase "pour out" suggests that prayers flow forth from the mouth. Another interpretation may be to unveil the hidden desires of our hearts before God through confession. This is why the revered Basil notes that it is impossible for us to be vessels of divine grace without first casting out the wicked desires that have taken root in our souls.

Inspired by faith in God, he directs his words to others, inviting them to partake in the deeds so that they may experience both victory and triumph. When he refers to the multitude, he undoubtedly speaks of the Jews; prior to the illumination of faith and the understanding of God that reached the Gentiles, the Jews were the only ones with a clear vision of God. Thus, distinctly separating the chosen people from the Gentiles, he implies that it would not be fitting for Abraham's descendants, who were granted insight into God's nature and were specifically embraced by Him, to be anything less than fully devoted in both joyful and sorrowful times. During moments of hardship, it is common for human hearts to become heavy, leading to a spiritual hardness that deepens their afflictions.

Refer to Psalm 38: This Psalm signifies the culmination of the law, which is Jesus Christ (Rom. 10:4). Inspired by the Holy Spirit, it was composed by David and entrusted to Eduthum, the leader of the choir. He is to perform it with heartfelt expression, proclaiming the unwavering hope in God, who grants endurance for Christ the Lord, invaluable and offered up to endure suffering and death for the redemption of all humanity. It is only the Savior who calms the turmoil. "Glory to Thee, O Christ God, our hope, glory to Thee," the Church joyfully proclaims.