Psalm 72 (71):19Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

What other interpretations could Latin scholars provide, unable to express 'for eternity' and 'for eternity from eternity'? It seems that the former phrase suggests a notion of eternal existence, while the latter alludes to a specific age; however, in Greek, we find εἰς τὸν αἰωνα and εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τοῦ αἰῶνος, which can be more accurately rendered as age and age from age. Here, age could signify the duration of this temporal existence, while forever represents that which is promised beyond its conclusion. The entire earth will be filled with His glory: Amen, amen. You have commanded, O Lord, and so it shall be; it shall endure until that which commenced with the river flows to the very ends of the earth.

Blessed be the name of glory; thus, all ought to offer Him praises. Although we may not comprehend His essence as inaccessible, we do recognize His redemptive name. The psalms of David, the son of Jesse, have concluded.

Blessed be the name of His glory for eternity and beyond. Therefore, all should lift their voices in praise. While we may not fully comprehend His essence, we have come to know His redemptive name. “And all the earth shall be filled with His glory: be it, be it.” What He foretold repeatedly throughout the entire psalm, He reaffirmed at the end of the prophecy to ensure its certainty. He proclaimed that it will be revealed and acknowledged across the whole world that He is God and the Lord of all, to be honored by all, as He radiates His divine light upon everyone. When the Prophet received this understanding through the grace of the Spirit, filled with yearning, he implored for these truths to come to pass and for the prophecy to be fulfilled. Thus, he adds: “Wake, wake, wake,” or as Aquila translates it: faithfully, faithfully; signifying that what is declared is genuine and will undoubtedly come to realization.

Blessed is the name of His glory throughout eternity. The glory of Christ lies in His humanity and the suffering He endured for humankind. It is for this reason that He is exalted among the faithful, for being divine, He suffered on our behalf. In His humanity, He is called Christ, which signifies the union of God and man, both glorified and blessed in this life, and even more so in the life to come. In that time, no one will speak ill of Him; all, whether human or demonic, will yield to Christ. The term describing His glory is used illustrative of Him, and similarly, glory refers to His glorious nature. Theodoret remarks that while we cannot comprehend His essence as it is beyond us, we have come to know His saving name.

The prophet, after praying fervently for his son and receiving assurance from the Holy Spirit that his wishes would not be futile, shifts his focus to glorifying God. Had he not perceived with the eyes of faith all that we have already contemplated in this psalm, his expressions of joy and blessing would not have been as uninhibited, as he proclaims, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel." The subsequent phrase, "He that worketh miracles alone," certainly pertains to the matter at hand, emphasizing not only the need to entrust the kingdom to God but also serving as a reminder to his son and future leaders that divine power would be essential to safeguard it. Indeed, most of David's descendants faced numerous challenges that put his throne at risk, ultimately leading to its complete downfall.

A psalm, inspired by the Holy Spirit and attributed to David, expresses a prayer to God for Solomon, his son and the new king, asking that he be granted the ability to judge with righteousness, a gift bestowed upon his people within his realm. However, the prophetic message of David in this psalm is primarily focused on Jesus Christ, who is foreshadowed in Solomon, recognized for his peaceful nature. Yet, Christ is our peace (Eph. 2:14), the King of righteousness and peace, who has reconciled us to God through His sacrifice; concerning Him, it is declared, “God will give Him the throne of David His father, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:32).