Psalm 65 (64):2Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The homeland of this concept is Zion, which is synonymous with Jerusalem; understanding this name is essential. Just as Jerusalem is viewed through the lens of the world's experiences, so Zion is understood through contemplation and reflection. A profound and unexplainable vision is promised to us, revealing that God Himself is the architect of this city. It is a beautiful and elegant city, yet its Creator is even more magnificent. “To Thee is a song worthy of song, O God,” it is declared. But where is this song found? In Zion, not in Babylon.

To You belongs the song of God in Zion. We will cease to offer hymns to the deities we once acknowledged, having come to understand that it is inappropriate to sing to wood, stone, and spirits. Instead, it is most appropriate to direct our devotion solely to You. Moreover, in Jerusalem, prayer will be rewarded, whether in the earthly Jerusalem, referring to the Church, or in the heavenly Jerusalem, where, once we have arrived, we shall offer our praises.

It is appropriate for You, O God, to offer a song in Zion, as stated in Psalm 64:2. This signifies that it is right for us to revere You, cherish You, petition You, and exalt You, in accordance with the Scripture: Let all things be done decently and in order (1 Cor. 14:40).

In this city, you have decreed that a hymn be presented to you; for this reason, I earnestly request that a prayer be lifted up to you in that place.

To Zion, He proclaims, which is the hill of Jerusalem, it is fitting to offer songs to You, O Lord, for there You have instructed the Jewish people to serve; and in Jerusalem, prayers and vows from every individual shall be presented to You. With these words, David foretells the return of the Jewish people to Jerusalem. Yet, Zion and Jerusalem can also be understood in a more profound sense—as representing the universal church of believers and their individual congregations. St. Cyril articulates that Zion refers to the church both in the heavenly realm and the one on earth. Therefore, this song in Zion, referring to both the celestial and terrestrial churches, is a hymn sung unto the Almighty who is to be glorified.

The psalm opens with the voice of the prophet, representing the people of God, expressing the deep yearning of the Israelites to return to their homeland. This longing is justified, as it is their sacred duty to exalt the Lord and lift their prayers in Jerusalem. If it is right to celebrate every goodness, how much more should the greatest goodness, which is God Himself, be praised. However, this exaltation must occur in the locale where the true goodness is manifested. God is absent from Babylon; His presence is in Jerusalem, and thus He is to be honored there. The sacred temple and altar reside in Jerusalem, where the faithful are called to present their supplications.

Ultimately, this represents the fulfillment of the prophecy found in this psalm, revealed to David through the Holy Spirit, for the glory and honor of God, who has designated Zion as the location of the covenant. In this same psalm, the prophet articulates the return of the people of Judah from Babylonian exile to Jerusalem; consequently, Jeremiah and Ezekiel proclaimed with prophetic certainty the assurance of that return, urging us to find comfort in this psalm as we hold on to the hope of achieving the freedom we seek. This is also interpreted as the deliverance of people from the bondage of sin, returning to the liberty of the Heavenly Jerusalem, through the grace of Christ our Lord, for His everlasting praise, the chosen ones. This proclaims the calling of all humanity, in alignment with the declaration of the prophet Joel: ‘I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh’ (Joel 2:28).