Psalm 68 (67):18Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The Greek term utilized here, μυριοπλ-σιον, has been attempted to be translated into Latin by various translators, yet its true essence remains elusive in that language. In Greek, the word for a thousand is χίλια, while μυρι-δες refers to tens of thousands, with one μυριὰς equating to ten thousand. This term signifies an immense multitude of saints and believers, who, imbued with the presence of God, become a divine chariot. God resides within this collective, guiding them as His Chariot towards a predetermined destination. The journey begins with Christ; next are those who belong to Him until His return; ultimately, there is the culmination of all things (1 Cor. 15:23-24). This is the Holy Church, and what follows is a chorus of thousands rejoicing.

The term "chariot of God" signifies the celestial and spiritual forces that uplift the Lord. (Dan. 7: 10.) These beings are also the jubilant ones, as they have been set free from sin. (Dan. 7: 10.) They are characterized by their joy, stemming from their liberation from iniquity. Thus, the One who is borne upon the darknesses in this chariot is the same Lord who bestowed the commandments on the sacred mountain of Sinai.

The chariots of the Lord are countless, numbering in the tens of thousands (Ps. 67:18). He speaks hyperbolically of the countless ministering spirits, reminiscent of the vision in Daniel where ‘Thousands of thousands ministered’ before the Lord (Dan. 7:10). Ezekiel portrays cherubim adorned with four wings, positioned on all sides and possessing four distinct faces, all under divine authority (Ezekiel 1:6-8). The term 'cherubim' can be understood as a 'multitude of knowledge.' The lion's face symbolizes royalty, representing mastery over one's desires; the human face signifies reason. The bull’s face suggests action, while the eagle represents contemplation, lifting us through virtue.

The vehicle of God is obscurity to those, a multitude of seekers. Among the Israelites, God had a select group of saints with whom He engaged and shared communion, but this is no longer the case. The shadows that envelop them merit God's presence upon them; countless thousands and the obscurities of those who faithfully seek the Divine have gained a new inheritance. They are beautifully adorned, deserving of crowns, eagerly striving ‘toward the prize of the upward call’ (Phil. 3:14). ‘The Lord is present among them at Sinai in the sacred space.’ The One who manifested to our forebears at Sinai, as declared by the Prophet, is the same who reigns over these individuals. For it is not different gods, but one and the same Lord of all, who abundantly provides for all who call upon Him. Therefore, the prophetic message, after revealing Him who descended and vanquished the armies of adversaries, ultimately depicts Him ascending and liberating the captives of old.

The divine chariot, enveloped in darkness, evokes the image presented earlier: “Make a way for Him that cometh.” David fittingly refers to the chariot of the One who arrives. This chariot can be understood as composed of all believers who, through faith, have placed themselves under the gentle and kind guidance of Christ, with Christ as their leader. According to David’s proclamation, this chariot consists of multitudes, as described by the early theologians Cyril and Theodoret, in contrast to the ancient assembly of the righteous among the Jews. The abundance mentioned can be seen as a thousandfold; therefore, those who have faith in Christ are numerous and rich in the fruits of virtue.

The central focus of David's song is the exaltation of the victorious and reigning Messiah. The prophet acknowledges that despite the relentless attempts of envy and malice, the Church will remain the everlasting and blessed dwelling of the Divine. As if on a quest, he seeks out the inhabitant and sovereign of this holy place, ultimately finding and engaging with Him. "I see," he declares, "on the mountain of God, numerous clouds like divine chariots, angels serving Him (Dan. 7:10), sent forth to aid those who yearn for salvation (Heb. 1:14), ready to assist the Church in its earthly struggle against the evil spirits that roam above. They are accompanied by countless others forming the second host, comprising both the earthly and heavenly Church" (Rev. 19:11-12).

Many individuals tend to underestimate the omnipotence of God, often overlooking His ever-present nature. This is why David eloquently affirms it with grand declarations. Human thoughts frequently succumb to doubt and can falter at the slightest worldly temptation. Such wavering leads to trepidation and even despair, primarily because people fail to acknowledge God's infinite power, or they significantly diminish it. To address this spiritual malady, the Prophet proposes a vast assembly of angels on Wednesday, emphasizing that they overcome all the trials of this world. The chariot of God, surrounded by darkness, signifies His readiness to deploy a multitude of heavenly hosts for our protection.

This Psalm, attributed to David and inspired by the Holy Spirit, speaks to the establishment of God's covenant in Jerusalem and the intentional overcoming of many opponents. It reveals the countless blessings of God as chronicled in the Old Testament, from leading the Israelites out of Egypt to the Promised Land, to delivering the Law at Mount Sinai, while also prophetically honoring the sacraments of the New Testament: the incarnation, baptism, transfiguration, suffering, resurrection, ascension of Christ the Savior, along with the coming of the Holy Spirit, and other profound acts of the Divine.