Psalm 66 (65):6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The river represents the mortality of this world. Observe the river: some things flow by and are ephemeral, while other things that should pass through endure. Is it not akin to the water that springs from the earth and flows on? Everyone born must give way to those who are yet to be born, and this entire continuum of life resembles a river. Into this river, let not the soul rush heedlessly; let it instead remain still. How can it overlook the fleeting pleasures of things destined to perish? If she believes in Christ, she will cross over on foot: she will follow Him, our Leader, and cross on foot. There we shall rejoice in Him. O you Jews, take pride in your deeds: set aside the vanity of self-commendation and embrace the grace of rejoicing in Christ. For there we shall rejoice, not in our deeds, but in Him alone. When will we rejoice? When we cross the river on foot. Eternal life is assured, resurrection is promised; there our flesh will no longer be defined by mortality, for we see that what is now mortal is like a river. Observe if any age stands still; boys yearn to grow up, yet they do not realize that with each passing year, their time diminishes. Years do not accumulate but are instead drawn away as they advance: just as the water of a river perpetually flows onward, it is also drawn away from its source. Boys long to mature, hoping to escape their elders' constraints; yet they grow quickly, reaching youth: those who leave childhood behind should strive, if they can, to hold onto their youth as it slips away. Old age triumphs; let old age be eternal, but it abates with death. Thus, the river here is born of flesh. This river of mortality—so that one does not succumb to desire for the transient—must be crossed with humility, that is, on foot. He is the Leader who first crossed; the flood that once engulfed perished, lifting His head high. Therefore, having crossed that river on foot, having traversed the perishable with ease, we shall rejoice in Him. Now, in what else but in Him, or in hope of Him? For if we rejoice presently, we shall also rejoice in hope; but then our joy shall be in Him. Currently, our joy is in Him through hope; yet, in the future, we will see Him face to face (1 Cor. 13:12). There we shall rejoice in Him.

This miracle took place over the Jordan River when first the tabernacle of God, followed by the entire congregation of Israel, crossed on dry ground. The substitution of tense is notable; instead of stating, “Our ancestors crossed over,” it is emphasized, “They shall cross over.” “With their feet” signifies the same as “on foot,” indicating their passage through the Jordan as it lay dry. Here, David recalls to God the miracles He performed to liberate the Hebrews from the slavery of Egypt to the promised land, as they were now returning from the bondage of Babylon to that very same promise, invoking this memory so that as He had leveled the path for their ancestors, He might similarly ease the return for their descendants. Simmachus maintained this tense by saying, “Having turned the sea into dry land, they also crossed the river with their feet.”

Otherwise, there would be no reason to command the observation of God's deeds if they weren't transparent. He also directs attention to the very reflection of God's actions, namely, the manner in which He governs humanity. This understanding, substantiated by experience, profoundly resonates with us; thus, the Apostle Paul, in Acts 17:27, speaks of the power of God and encourages individuals to introspect and seek Him, affirming that God is near to us. The phrase, "He is more fearful in counsels than the sons of men," or as the Hebrew expresses it, "He is more fearful in deed over the sons of men," signifies not a superiority in majesty but rather the marvellous nature of His Providence, which is evident in both creation and sustenance, as noted in Psalm 39:6. Even the most myopic individuals can find ample reasons within themselves to honor and revere God.

The Prophet then shifts from the broad providence encompassing all humanity to the specific care extended toward the Church, recalling the miracles performed for His chosen people, stating, "He that turneth the sea into dry land; in the river shall their feet pass." Here, we observe the use of synecdoche; these words do not intend to catalog every blessing from God but to refer briefly to the countless ones, a notion reiterated in the following statement: "Let us rejoice in Him." Notably, he does not say, "I will rejoice," or "I will rejoice," but rather "we will rejoice." This phrasing indicates that the magnitude of God's blessings and wondrous acts extends beyond himself and his progeny, encompassing the entire Church so that all may rejoice not in their own abilities or merits but solely in God, thereby glorifying His unfathomable mercy. Thus, he proclaims, "Let us rejoice in Him."

Christ’s humanity is praised, while His divinity is exalted; both natures are honored together. All nations of the earth are called upon to recognize this truth. Just as the Jews were liberated from their Babylonian captivity, so too are all people freed from the grievous anguish inflicted by the devil through the Incarnation of God and the Savior.