Let all the earth adore thee, and sing to thee: let it sing a psalm to thy name.
כָּל־הָאָ֤רֶץ ׀ יִשְׁתַּחֲו֣וּ לְ֭ךָ וִֽיזַמְּרוּ־לָ֑ךְ יְזַמְּר֖וּ שִׁמְךָ֣ סֶֽלָה׃
7 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Allow the Jewish people to persist in their deceptions: to You, for in the abundance of Your might they have deceived, let this be accomplished: May all the earth revere You and glorify Your name, O Most High (Psalm 65:4). Once humble and now exalted: once lowly among deceitful adversaries; now elevated, receiving praise from the Angels above.
May all of creation offer their praise to You and lift their voices in song. As the Jewish people, witnessing the magnitude of the wonders You have performed, turned away from the truth, the entire assembly of the Gentiles will instead glorify You in their place.
Symmachus articulates this more distinctly: Everyone living on earth will bow before You and sing Your name with joyful melodies. This serves as a glimpse into our current era, where the God of all peoples is praised, and the Lord Christ is recognized as the Most High.
In this passage, the calling of all nations becomes more explicitly evident. Let every Gentile who resides on the earth offer their worship, followed by their songs. The prophet speaks this declaration with confidence, assured that the nations will heed it. He instructs them to sing to Your name, O Lord, as previously mentioned. David joyfully reminds the Gentiles of God's marvelous acts, urging them to sing praises to their redeeming God. The unnamed interpreter questions: Why, when he says, "Let him sing unto Thee," does he also say, "Let him sing unto Thy name"?
It is clear that he commands the singing directed first to the Father and then to the Son, or that in the earlier verse it is addressed to the Son, and here to the Father, for the glory and honor of the Father are found in the Son, just as the glory of the Son is in the Father. Just as everyone is distinguished by their name, the Son is recognized through the Father, the Father through the Son, and in the Holy Spirit as well; thus, Christ proclaimed, "I am come in my Father's name."
It is understandable that the Prophet elaborates extensively on a single teaching, often reiterating the same concepts, as no human language can fully encompass this truth. We observe the lackadaisical and indifferent attitude of many people; they offer mere lukewarm praise to God, who deserves their utmost devotion and heartfelt worship. In this passage, David, inspired by prophecy, recognizes that although the Jews of his time honored God, they did so solely in their own land. Yet, he foresaw a time when all nations would yield to His sovereign rule. Anticipating their genuine and wholehearted reverence, he proclaims, “All the earth shall worship Thee, and shall sing unto Thy name, O Most High.”
Ultimately, there exists an eternal song of praise to God that celebrates the promised resurrection of the faithful. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, David penned this psalm, expressing prophetic gratitude on behalf of the people who returned from Babylonian captivity—symbolizing spiritual bondage. This thanksgiving particularly acknowledges the realization of the blessings awaiting all the faithful after the conclusion of earthly trials and tribulations, which are destined to culminate in the resurrection of the righteous. This event is anticipated to occur in various ways, ultimately culminating in the final resurrection at the end of times, as noted in Hebrews. In this context, praise is given to Christ's humanity, while His divinity receives adoration as well; both are honored together.
The reference to all the earth signifies the nations of the world. Just as the Jewish people were liberated from their Babylonian oppression, so too have all humanity found deliverance from the torment of the adversary through the Incarnation of God and the Savior.
May all nations come together in devotion to You, and for this reason may they turn away from their sins.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS