Psalm 68 (67):8Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

His coming is recognized through His actions. However, He does not reveal Himself to everyone, but only to those who can perceive His deeds. I am not referring to the creations that are evident to all, such as the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything contained within them; instead, I speak of the acts that release individuals bound by oppression, and those who disturb those residing in graves, guiding them to dwell in unity. In this way, He presents Himself before His people, specifically those who comprehend this Grace He offers.

He demonstrates that the One who descended even into the depths is the same individual who led Israel out of Egypt through the leadership of Moses. Thus, He declares, When Thou didst precede Thy people out of Egypt,

Historically, when the Lord guided His people from Egypt, He did not stay in the wilderness but actively traversed it as they journeyed.

The ground trembled as the heavens were uncovered. Simmachus expresses it this way: When You, O God, led Your people through the desolate land, the earth quaked and the heavens descended; meaning, when You meant to traverse this empty wilderness, still resistant to the light, the earth trembled, and the dew of divine grace fell from the skies. This event unfolded during Your crucifixion, for at that moment the earth shook and the rocks were shattered, and following Your ascension into heaven, the Spirit's grace poured down upon the Apostles like refreshing dew. In revealing more clearly to the Jewish people the One responsible for these wonders, the Prophet proclaimed: From the presence of the God of Sinai, from the presence of the God of Israel. The Prophet affirms that He who revealed Himself to our ancestors on Mount Sinai also shook the earth in times of affliction, chastising your folly, and granted the grace of the Spirit.

O God when You lead Your people forth and pass through the wilderness the earth trembles for the heavens tremble too. When, O Christ, You declared to the Jews Behold your house is left unto you desolate (Matt. 23:38) and when the prophecy of Jeremiah, uttered in Your name, was fulfilled I have left my house I have forsaken my inheritance (Jer. 12:7) then I assert from the moment of Your departure from the people of Judah and Your passage, as Didymus notes, past the church of the Gentiles—a place resembling a wilderness void of divine understanding and virtuous fruit—the earth quaked during Your suffering and rebellion as Theodoret suggests. The heavens historically poured out manna and in a profound sense brought down the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles on the day of Pentecost.

In this segment of David's exaltation, the deeds of the Lord are extolled for delivering the Israelites from bondage in Egypt and for bestowing the divine law. The expressions depicting these wonders are derived from the poetic account of Deborah and Barak (refer to Judges 5:4, 5). The Hebrew text experiences an interruption with the term םלה, which various interpreters have rendered and understood in numerous ways: (a) the Seventy translate it as διάψαλμα, yet in the book of Habakkuk, they also render it as εις τέλος (Hab.

The Hebrew scripture does not include the phrase, "Let them be crushed from His presence," but it commences with, "He is the Father of the sorrowful, and the Judge of the widow." In this passage, the Prophet highlights the benevolence of God toward the Jewish nation, chosen to serve as a reflection of His compassionate governance. The Prophet adds this to illustrate how the descendants of Abraham could draw closer to God and affirm their identity as part of the elect people. The exodus of the Israelites from Egypt stands as a significant and everlasting testament to God's love, serving to reaffirm the covenant established with Abraham long ago.

This Psalm, inspired by the Holy Spirit, reflects on God's covenant with David, celebrates His victories over many foes, and extols the countless blessings bestowed by God throughout the Old Testament. It recounts the liberation of Israel from Egypt and their journey to the Promised Land, the giving of the law at Mount Sinai, and prophetically glorifies the sacraments of the New Testament. The incarnate Christ—Savior—receives honor through His baptism, transfiguration, suffering, resurrection, ascension, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, along with other ineffable divine deeds. The path to the West serves as a reminder of the Passion and death of our Savior, who, by the divine power, delivered Adam and others from the realm of the dead.