Psalm 72 (71):5Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Therefore, the phrases “before the sun” and “before the rising of the sun” convey different meanings; the latter pertains to the sun's activity and signifies dawn, whereas the former pertains to its existence.

Furthermore, if the prophet intended to symbolize the night, he would have said ‘before the day’ rather than ‘before the rising of the day.’ In addition, Christ Himself does not connect this psalm to His physical birth but rather to His spiritual birth. When He posed the question to the Jews, ‘What think ye of Christ? Whose son is He?’ and they replied, ‘Of David,’ He then referenced this psalm, stating: ‘how then did David, by the Spirit, call Him Lord, when he says, “The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at My right hand’”?’ If David refers to Him as Lord, how can He also be his son?’ (Matthew 22:42-45). What do these words signify? They illustrate His true birth, which comes from God the Father. Is it to say He only exists before the day? No.

Moreover, it states, ‘He shall be with the sun, and before the moon in the generations of labour’—but this does not imply that He exists merely before the moon. Concerning the Father, it is stated, ‘Before the mountains were formed, and the earth and the universe were created, from everlasting to everlasting Thou art’ (Psalms 89:3); yet He exists not only from everlasting but also before it, and not merely until everlasting but infinitely. Do not let the expressions mislead you; rather, comprehend them in a manner that reflects divine understanding.

When it is stated, and before the moon, the generations of generations, it may be interpreted as encompassing both the sun and the time before it, understood in terms of past ages as well as the ages to come. Therefore, what exists outside of time is eternal; genuinely eternal is that which remains unchanged, as noted in the beginning was the Word (John 1:1). By mentioning the moon, the intention was to signify the fluctuations of mortal existence. When referencing ‘before the moon,’ it serves to clarify that He existed prior to the transient generations that pass through the cycles and transitions of earthly life, akin to the waxing and waning of the moon. Thus, interpreting His existence before the moon suggests that He transcends all that is mortal by virtue of His immortality.

It is not irrelevant to note that now, having triumphed over the false accuser, He sits at the right hand of the Father, enduring with the sun. The radiance of eternal glory is embodied in the Son (Heb. 1:3)—the sun symbolizing the Father and the brightness representing the Son. This discussion pertains to the invisible essence of the Creator, rather than the visible creation, which includes heavenly bodies, where some luminous entities surpass the sun, drawing from this very likeness just as earthly representations do, including stone, lion, lamb, and man with offspring. Therefore, having conquered the false accuser, He remains with the sun, having vanquished the devil through His Resurrection, and now sits at the right hand of the Father (Mk. 16:19), where He will die no more, and death shall no longer hold sway over Him (Rom. 6:9). It is also noted regarding the moon, as if the Firstborn from the dead precedes the Church, which navigates the fleeting cycles and changes of humanity. This refers to the generations of generations. Perhaps what's meant by generations involves our mortal birth, while generations of generations signifies our rebirth into immortality. Such is the Church, which He precedes as the Firstborn from the dead. It is true that the Greek term γενεας γενεῶν has been interpreted by some not merely as a single generation but as a lineage of generations: the term generally has an ambiguous grammatical case, leaving it unclear whether it refers to the singular genitive της γενεᾶς or the plural genitive or accusative τὰς γενεὰς, that is, generations. Nevertheless, the interpretation that adds clarity regarding what is meant by the moon in connection to the generations of generations seems to be the most fitting.

The phrase “genus of genera” serves to signify the extent of time wherein a lineage of humanity or an individual may exist. In this context, the term "under the sun" can imply the divine nature; for just as the visible sun represents the physical realm, God embodies the spiritual, as explained by Gregory the Theologian. The humanity of Christ shall, in unity with His divinity, remain with Him eternally, a truth articulated by Didymus. Moreover, Didymus also interprets the moon as symbolizing the Church of Christ, which continually reflects the labor of Christ. Just as the moon derives its light from the sun, the Church receives its enlightenment from Christ, the Sun of Truth, guiding those in the darkness of ignorance and showing the path for the wayward. Theodoret observes that He who accomplishes all this has no beginning or end, as articulated by the Apostle. He was begotten by the Father long before any generation existed, signifying His existence through endless lineages predating creation. He shall endure alongside the sun, implying an everlasting existence. Some suggest this may also refer to the temporal King Solomon, who will subdue the slanderer and the greedy. However, it is not Solomon himself who will endure with the sun, but his glory, attained through wisdom, which will persist comparably with the sun and surpass the moon, which is ever-changing. Yet, this notion primarily applies to Christ, whose reign expands into eternity.

David was deeply concerned that the collapse of societal order could lead to a decline in faith and a diminishment of reverence for God. Consequently, he prays that God, while safeguarding his son the king, also protects the glory of His name. In doing so, he reminds kings of their responsibilities and encourages the people to pray, emphasizing that nothing is greater than the effort to promote the fear of God. When we consider these words in relation to Christ, we find they align with Him far better than with Solomon, for true godliness is established solely in His kingdom. In extending his reverence for God beyond earthly concerns, David indicates his aspiration towards the eternal kingdom promised to God's Son and to all who place their faith in Him.

This psalm anticipates the arrival of Christ on earth and the gathering of nations who shall offer gifts and worship the Savior as God (Chrysostom, Athanasius, Theodoret). The Father has conferred authority upon the Son to carry out judgment. The Lord Christ stands as the King and the Son of the King; He was born of the Almighty God and, in His humanity, traces His lineage back to King David (Athanasius).