Psalm 68 (67):11Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

You belong to them, not to themselves; they are Thy servants, not their own masters; for they depend on Thee, lacking self-sufficiency. Furthermore, it is said, Thou hast provided for the needy in Thy kindness, O God. In Thy kindness, not in His image. For he is a beggar, having become vulnerable to attain perfection; he acknowledged his own poverty to be filled. This is the kindness referred to when it is written, The Lord shall give sweetness, and our land shall yield its fruit, so that good deeds may be performed, not from fear, but in love; not out of apprehension of punishment, but from a love of righteousness. This represents true and wholesome freedom.

Your creatures depend on it. “Creatures” here denotes those who have received sustenance that brings life. “Depend on it” does not equate to being merely “in His possession.” In Your generosity, O God, You have made provisions for the needy. What has He provided that ‘eye hath not seen, nor ear heard’ (1 Cor. 2:9)? And who is the destitute but one of those He proclaimed: ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven’ (Matt. 5:3)?

"‘Thy animals dwell in him’ (Psalm 67:11) refers to those within the realm of God, specifically the saints. He denotes them as animals, signifying their connection to the divine. ‘Prepared in Thy goodness for the poor, O God.’ ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit’ (Matthew 5:3). The rain signifies the law that has been prepared."

The Prophet refers to the holy Apostles as God's creatures, through whom the Lord banished unrighteousness and guided humanity toward the knowledge of God. Regarding Paul, it is stated, “This is the vessel chosen unto Me, to bear My name before tongues, and kings, and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15). They exist within God's realm, meaning among the Gentiles, as foretold in prophecy. Even today, they continue to inhabit this space, not only sanctifying those who approach their resting places but also transforming souls through the wisdom found in their writings. "Thou hast prepared by Thy goodness for the poor, O God." The Prophet indicates that these provisions are a manifestation of Thy goodness towards the impoverished nature of humanity.

Your living beings inhabit it. In this inheritance of Yours, it is said that those who are spiritually sustained by You and find life in You, O Lord, partake in a divine existence. Theodoret suggests that the apostles of Christ are referred to as animals, with the prophet Habakkuk calling them horses, stating: "Thou hast brought upon the (bitter) sea (that is, upon unbelief) thy horses, which stir up many waters" (Hab. 3:15). You have bestowed blessings upon the needy through Your generosity, O God. The Gentile nation was impoverished, lacking spiritual wealth, the law, and prophets. Yet, You, O Lord, in Your goodness, have made available to them other treasures, namely, the abundant outpouring of divine preaching and the gifts of the Spirit, as noted by Didymus.

In the third segment of David's song of praise, God is acknowledged for providing His chosen people with the promised land. The prophet passionately exclaims to God, "Thou hast granted" to Israel, whom Thou hast selected from all nations (Deuteronomy 7:6), rendering it as if it were Thy rightful possession (Deuteronomy 9:29). This land, though mountainous and lacking in major rivers, is abundantly blessed with rainfall according to Thy Providence (Deuteronomy 11:11, 12). Despite any discouragement Israel may have felt during their journey through the wilderness, bringing them into this promised land allowed them to flourish and prosper. Their inheritance is filled with flocks, a gift bestowed upon them for sustenance.

In this passage, David reflects on the enduring blessings that the people of Israel have experienced since their arrival in the promised land. This estate is referred to as God's inheritance, designated for His children. This designation is fitting because from the moment the descendants of Abraham settled there, God consistently demonstrated His paternal affection, akin to the most nurturing and caring provider. He graciously bestowed rain to support life without any request from them. His words are certainly informed by the nature and attributes of the land inhabited by the Jews, whose fertility relied heavily on rain and heavenly dew. He expresses this sentiment further with the statement: When the earth is weakened, Thou wilt strengthen it.

This Psalm, attributed to David by the Holy Spirit, reflects on God's covenant established in Jerusalem and the intentional triumph over many foes. It heralds the countless blessings of God revealed in the Old Testament, such as leading the Israelites from Egypt to the Promised Land and delivering the law from Mount Sinai. It also prophetically honors the sacraments of the New Testament: the incarnation of Christ the Savior, His baptism, transfiguration, suffering, resurrection, ascension, the descent of the Holy Spirit, and other profound acts of Divine grace.