Psalm 66 (65):16Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Come and listen to the message I have to share. However, to whom will you listen? It is to those who hold the fear of the Lord in their hearts. If you lack this reverence, I cannot convey the truth to you. Without the fear of the Lord, it is futile to communicate the profound truths. Allow the fear of God to open your minds so there is a receptivity to the message I am about to impart. But what exactly will be revealed? How magnificent are the deeds He has performed for my spirit! What can He express? The vastness of the earth is incomparable, the expanse of the heavens immeasurable, the stars countless, and the cycles of the sun and moon are wondrous. This creation unfolds before us, yet those seeking the Creator remain oblivious. Hear this and embrace it, you who revere the Lord, for He has done remarkable things for my spirit, and He can do the same for yours. Truly, how magnificent are the deeds He has accomplished for my soul.

Come, listen, and I shall sing to you. What more will he reveal, other than what has already been disclosed, specifically: ‘Thou hast tempted us,’ and so forth?

“Come, listen, and I will proclaim to you, all you who revere God, what I have accomplished within my spirit;” in other words, I do not intend to present these gifts without purpose, but rather, having received significant blessings from Him, I wish to share this knowledge with you who hold God in esteem. Consequently, in the twenty-first Psalm, the Prophet declared: “I will present my supplications before those who fear Him” (Psalm 21:26). This teaches us to consider those who respect God as our allies and to convey to them the sacred truths primarily. For it is stated, “Do not give what is holy to dogs, nor cast your pearls before swine” (Matthew 7:6); and, “My secrets are for myself and me alone.”

The passage illustrates a form of reinterpretation, which can be refined as follows: Come, listen, all who revere God, and I will share what He has accomplished for my spirit; this means come, listen to the numerous blessings and gracious acts God has bestowed upon me. It then elaborates on the nature of these blessings. Theodoret's words remind us that in the 21st Psalm (Psalms 21:26), it is stated, I will present my prayers to those who honor Him; from this we understand the importance of including them as participants, particularly in articulating the divine truths: for He advises against giving sacred things to those who cannot appreciate them, nor casting pearls before swine; moreover, He declares, My secrets are for me and my own (Isaiah 24:17?).

The prophet, inviting all righteous individuals to listen, demonstrates through his actions that the Lord delights in those who make every effort to proclaim His blessings bestowed upon them. This is not only to encourage others to worship Him unitedly, but also to fortify their own faith, hope, and love. He presents his account solely to those who revere God, as they alone are deserving recipients; the unrighteous and those lacking the fear of God remain unresponsive to such accounts.

Ultimately, in the eternal hymn of praise to God, in anticipation of the forthcoming resurrection of the faithful, David, guided by the Holy Spirit, authored this psalm. In it, he conveys prophetic gratitude to God from those who have emerged from Babylonian exile, symbolizing a form of demonic captivity. This message particularly celebrates the fulfillment of the blessedness awaiting all the faithful after the conclusion of earthly trials and adversities, which is destined for the resurrection of the righteous. This promise may be realized in various ways, culminating in the final resurrection at the end of time (Hebrews). Praise is given to Christ’s humanity, while His divinity receives glory, with both aspects being exalted.