Psalm 65 (64):9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Initially, they will experience distress; yet, is this turmoil brought on by the towering peaks established by the might of Christ? The ocean will be agitated, and the mountains will clash; the sea will be shattered, while the mountains will remain firm. The nations will tremble, and humanity will be filled with dread. Look, now all are afraid: those who once lived in chaos now stand in fear. The faithful were fearless, but now even they are consumed by anxiety. All who have faced persecution are now filled with terror. For He has triumphed over those strengthened by might, and all humanity has turned to Him, leaving the rest in a state of fear due to their diminished numbers. And all people who dwell at the ends of the earth will tremble before Thy wonders.

When the nations, symbolized by the legions of demons, are bewildered, then those residing at the corners of the earth will tremble before You, witnessing the extraordinary wonders that manifested at Christ’s advent. When the inhabitants of the world witness these magnificent signs and experience a reverent fear, there will be joy within them at all times, both morning and evening, as they rejoice in the fulfillment brought about by Your arrival.

Those who inhabit distant places will tremble at Your wonders. Previously, there was chaos, but awe arose from the grandeur of Your miracles, guiding them toward righteousness. You will adorn the transition from dawn to dusk. Individuals, filled with reverence at the display of wonders, abandon their previous misconceptions and recognize the one true God. As day breaks and night falls, they lift up a joyful song that is delightful to the Lord. This sentiment is echoed by Symmachus: they sing at the dawn and again at dusk.

The nations will be astonished, and those who reside at the ends of the earth will tremble at Your wonders. He indicates that the nations will experience turmoil, first due to the remarkable and extraordinary proclamation of the Gospel, and secondly because the reverence for idolatry that has been upheld by their forefathers will diminish, transforming their wicked ways. Even those at the ends of the earth will be filled with fear when they witness the signs and wonders that You, along with Your apostles and disciples, perform daily. If those at the edges of the earth are struck with awe, how much more will those in the heart of the land fear? We Christians assert that David prophesied about the miracles of Christ.

In the preceding verse, the Prophet illustrated God's omnipotence through the enduring nature of mountains and the chaos of the sea. In this verse, he reveals the wisdom of the same God, who utilizes celestial phenomena to either instill fear or provide comfort to humanity. Thunder and lightning are among the most fearsome occurrences, causing even the most hardened hearts to tremble. In contrast, nothing is more delightful than the sun’s rising and setting. As the sun ascends, people find joy in their labors until dusk; and upon its descent, tired from their work, they embrace rest. Furthermore, nothing is more delightful than witnessing the sky embellished with countless stars, resembling precious gems that sparkle in the night. This is why the Prophet did not sing aimlessly when he declared, 'You will beautify the morning and the evening.'

Ultimately, this reflects the fulfillment of the prophecy found in this psalm, which was revealed to David through the Holy Spirit, for the glory and honor of God who has selected Zion as the covenant's dwelling place. Within the same psalm, the prophet announces the return of the people of Judah from Babylonian exile to Jerusalem. Jeremiah and Ezekiel, in their prophetic insights, affirmed the certainty of this return, urging us to draw comfort from this psalm in our hope for the liberation we seek. Additionally, this is understood to signify the liberation of souls from the bondage of sin to the freedom of the Heavenly Jerusalem, achieved through the grace of Christ the Lord, to His everlasting glory, for the chosen ones. This also heralds the call to all humanity, as stated by the prophet Joel: "I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh" (Joel 2:28).