Psalm 71 (70):11Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

This pertains to Christ. He, who wielded the immense power of the Godhead, equal to the Father, resurrected the dead yet found Himself rendered vulnerable in the hands of His adversaries, as though devoid of strength, He was captured. When would He have been apprehended, had they not first harbored in their hearts the thought, God has abandoned Him? From where did that cry on the Cross stem: My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me? Thus, God did forsake Christ, even though God in Christ reconciled the world to Himself, as stated in 2 Corinthians 5:19. Christ, indeed God, was of the lineage of the Jews according to the flesh, as declared in Romans 9:5, yet did God abandon Him? Absolutely not.

Those who harbor ill will toward me mock my struggles and carry out various wrongs against me, believing that I am forsaken by Your protection and that I am eternally rejected, convinced that I can no longer count on Your grace. Thus, I earnestly implore You, my God, to remain close to me; O my God.

These are the words of the adversaries: they urge to chase him, declaring that if you, O people, pursue him, you shall capture him. For if the God they revere has abandoned them, no one else can rescue them.

It is impossible to fully express the immense struggle and sorrow that accompanied the temptation when the wicked perceived David as one abandoned by God. They maliciously declared, “God has forsaken him,” fully convinced of David's supposed immorality, which they believed warranted divine rejection. Nevertheless, David faced their unjust accusations with unwavering courage, placing his faith in the mercy of the Almighty and turning to Him earnestly. By addressing God as his own, he shielded himself against the fierce and cruel attacks of his adversaries. In seeking God’s assistance, he simultaneously prays that his enemies will be brought to shame and ultimately destroyed. As we have previously clarified the understanding of such oaths, it is unnecessary to reiterate them here.

The descendants of Jonadab exemplify a spirit of obedience, having faithfully adhered to their father Jonadab's instructions until the very end. In recognition of their unwavering commitment, they have been honored by God (Jeremiah 35:18-19), serving as a model for all who embrace faithful adherence. In contrast, the original captives of sin, Adam and Eve, experienced their own captivity to Babylon due to their failure to heed the command of the Heavenly Father. The Jewish people, having been the first to be taken captive by Babylon for their transgressions against God’s law, faced consequences distinct from those of the sons of Jonadab.