Psalm 66 (65):9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

This speaks of His glorification: Who has revived my spirit. Consequently, it was found in death: in death it was within you. This underscores why you should not have taken pride in your own abilities. Thus, it was in death within you: where can there be life, except in Him who declared, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life? (John 14:6) As the Apostle writes to certain believers, ‘You were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.’ (Eph. 5:8) .... And He has not let my feet falter. He has revived my spirit, guiding my steps so that I do not trip, become dislodged, or driven away; He grants us life, enabling us to endure to the very end, so that we may live eternally....

Who placed my soul in the depths? I find joy in such wonders and in the One who performs them. He, as the Almighty and omniscient, perceives those who reside on the earth and administers justice to the unworthy. The Psalmist refers to the Apostles when speaking of eyes.

When he entrusted me to the hands of evil individuals, he ensured that I did not lose my way or abandon the path of righteousness. It is important to recognize that these matters have been expressed by a multitude of holy individuals; for God accompanied them with men radiating with holiness, serving as guides and mentors who inspire, illuminate, and lead all towards piety. Such were Daniel and Ezekiel, alongside Ananias, Azariah, and Mishael. For those individuals, and others like them, it was appropriate to utter the words presented here; for through the grace of the Spirit, these truths were inscribed for their sake.

In the same way that slavery parallels death, as noted by the wise, David refers to life as liberation: God, he asserts, has liberated my soul and has not allowed me to succumb to confusion or be drawn into sin. Gregory of Nyssa offers a deeper interpretation of these words: God has granted our souls life not only by breathing into us the spirit of existence, but also by providing us with the law of life, adherence to which would have allowed Adam to remain alive and prevented his downfall into confusion, which the adversary had instigated through deception. Once more, God revives our souls through faith and does not allow the inner man's steps to falter, for He has firmly established them upon the rock, which is Christ, the unbreakable Word of God.

In the opening verse, the author encourages all nations to offer praise to God universally, but in the subsequent verse, he highlights a particular grace extended to the Jewish community. First, he points out that even the Gentiles were once recipients of those divine blessings that the chosen people had already experienced through God’s favor. Secondly, he emphasizes the remarkable and notable nature of this grace, desiring that its report be shared widely. This serves to illustrate that God will not only bring judgment upon the wicked who disregard His majesty, but He will also chastise His own elect when they fall into serious sin, as was the case with the people of Judah.

Ultimately, in an unending song of worship to God in anticipation of the forthcoming resurrection of the faithful, David, inspired by the Holy Spirit, penned this psalm. Within it, he conveys prophetic gratitude to God from the exiled people who returned from Babylon, symbolizing demonic oppression, particularly expressing thanks for the fulfillment of the blessedness awaiting all the faithful after the culmination of earthly trials and tribulations. This is ultimately prepared for the resurrection of the faithful, which will reach its completion at the end of time during the general resurrection. Praise is offered for Christ's humanity, and glory is accorded to His divinity; both are exalted. The psalm's scope embraces all nations of the earth. Just as the Jews were liberated from Babylonian bondage, so too are all humanity freed from the torment of the devil through the Incarnation of God and the Savior.