Psalm 69 (68):6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Once again, through the voice of the Body, we consider the question of Christ's actions. Is there any lack of understanding in Him? Is He not the very manifestation of God's virtue and wisdom? Does He refer to His own actions, as the Apostle states, as the foolishness of God, which surpasses human wisdom? (1 Cor. 1:25) My perceived lack of wisdom, the very quality for which they mocked Me, was intentional; you understand the purpose behind it. For what can be more foolish than, knowing He had the authority to silence His tormentors with just a word, allowing Himself to be captured, whipped, spat upon, crowned with thorns, and nailed to a wooden cross? This action may appear to be a lack of wisdom, a form of folly; yet, such folly exceeds the understanding of all the wise.

The enemies of My cause have multiplied, and they conspire against Me with great malice, driven by numerous demons. Although we have not wronged them, they rush to bring about our demise. They unjustly strengthen their opposition against Me. This demonstrates that the judgment against Him was rendered unfairly. O God, You are aware of My shortcomings. What He calls madness is seen by men as a chaotic uproar, and this chaos stems from proclaiming the sufferings of Christ. As the holy Apostle stated, the cross of Christ is a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles (1 Cor. 1:23). Thus, he affirms, 'You, Father, have observed the work of the cross.' He declares this because He submitted to the Father even unto death, specifically the death on a cross (Phil. 2:8). My transgressions are not concealed from You; this echoes the truth that 'He who knew no sin became sin for us' (2 Cor. 5:21). This aligns with the declaration, 'My sins are not hidden from You.'

You are aware of everything, O Lord, and nothing is concealed from You. Thus, You know that I have not sinned in their sight, yet I have violated Your commandments. This aligns with the declaration, I have sinned against You alone, and committed wrongdoing in Your sight (Psalm 50:6).

You, O Lord, who possess all knowledge, reveal my folly, questioning whether I have acted irrationally towards my adversaries; for if I have sinned against them in any way, it is not hidden from You. Gregory the Theologian notes that Christ refers to our folly and sin, and according to Cyril, Eusebius, Athanasius, and Didymus, He designates as madness what others deemed such, referring to suffering. The cross was a source of offense to the Jews and considered foolishness by the Greeks. Likewise, Paul expresses that the folly of God surpasses human wisdom, and the perceived weakness of God surpasses human strength, equating Christ's sufferings with foolishness and the cross with weakness.

Indeed, ‘O God, Thou hast seen my folly, and my trespasses are not hid from Thee,’ which suggests an affirmation that I have not committed sin.

The statement carries an element of irony, as David, feeling constrained by the unjust judgments of humanity, turns to God seeking His protection. This plea holds greater weight than if he had merely claimed that his righteousness was known to the Lord. By this means, he effectively confronts his adversaries, standing as if on elevated ground, looking down upon their slander. This mirrors the lament of the prophet Jeremiah, who articulates, "You have deceived me, O Lord, and I am deceived" (Jeremiah 20:7). Jeremiah does not imply that God has enticed or misled him; rather, he sharply criticizes his foes, indicating that they not only dishonor him but also intentionally offend the Almighty.

At the conclusion of the law, represented by Christ the Lord (Rom. 10:4), this psalm is directed toward David, divinely inspired, for those who have transitioned from wickedness to righteousness, from doubt to faith in Christ, and from sin to repentance. In the psalm, the prophet seeks divine assistance, asking that his grief be transformed into joy through the defeat of his adversaries who pursue him; concurrently, he unveils the numerous afflictions and perilous trials faced by Christ the Lord during His pure Passion, as He endured suffering at the hands of the ungrateful Jewish authorities (Theodoret, Jerome).