Psalm 71 (70):7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

In a season filled with hope and yet marked by deep groaning, humiliation, sorrow, and weakness, I find myself voicing the struggles of bondage. What does this mean? To many, I appear as a grotesque figure. Why is it that they perceive me as this? It is due to my faith in the unseen. While those around me revel in what they can observe, indulging in drunkenness, immorality, greed, wealth, theft, and worldly status, they take pride in these pursuits. In contrast, I turn away from such temporal pleasures, regarding them with disdain and instead fearing even the comforts of the world. My hope rests solely in the promises of God. They claim, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die” (1 Cor. 15:32). What say you? Again, I hear, “Let us eat and drink.” But tell me, what did you mean by that?

I am regarded as a wonder by many. He designates something remarkable and magnificent as a miracle. The essence of this message is: if I am lifted up and recognized as a person of great valor, confidently engaging among various nations, I have not attained this strength by my own abilities; rather, through Your assistance, You have made me strong and brave.

O Lord God of all spirits and flesh, You are aware of the profound frailty of my soul and body; grant me strength, O Lord, in my weakness, and assist me, a humble servant. For You know that to many You are a wondrous miracle, and You are my mighty helper.

I was a wonder to many. However, following this moment of glory, I underwent a significant transformation, causing my experiences to appear miraculous and significant to many. And You are my source of strength. Yet I continue to seek Your assistance.

Having grown fatigued from fasting and prayer, and deeply distressed by sorrow, I appeared to many as if I were something miraculous. Although he seemed miraculous to them, this perception was not accurate; it was merely an illusion to those who were unreasonable. The Scriptures frequently refer to the worst aspects of humanity. Similarly, the apostle Paul reflects this sentiment when he aligns himself with the words of our prophet, stating: ‘We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise.’ This remark, as Blessed Theodoret explains, was directed towards the devout Jewish community during their time in Babylonian exile.

There appears to be an apparent contradiction in these statements, as enjoying the eternal blessings of God while being viewed as a pariah due to one’s suffering seems paradoxical. However, we can gain a profound lesson from this, envisioning that once David experienced the delightful nature of God's grace, he never allowed the weight of adversity to overwhelm him. Despite being scorned by many, he continually held the remembrance of God's blessings deep in his heart. No shadow of despair could extinguish the flame of his faith, which shone brightly within him, guiding all his actions. The term “beast” symbolizes an extraordinary type of affliction.

The descendants of Jonadab symbolize a lineage of obedience, as they faithfully adhered to their father Jonadab's commandments throughout their lives. In doing so, they earned eternal commendation from God (Jeremiah 35:18-19), exemplifying steadfast faithfulness akin to Adam and Eve, the original captives of sin, who were taken into Babylon due to their rebellion against the divine order. However, the Jewish people, who were among the first to be held captive in Babylon for their transgressions against God's law, faced captivity that transcended their immediate disobedience.