Psalm 73 (72):14Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The afflictions of God do not originate from me. I strive to serve faithfully yet endure suffering, while those who do not serve are esteemed. He questioned himself profoundly. The spirit is distressed, yearning for the eternal while rejecting the fleeting and earthly. Within this contemplation lies the journey of the soul; though it may be tossed about like a ship in a storm, it will ultimately arrive at the safe harbor. This mirrors the experience of the ill who may feel less discomfort when healing seems distant; however, when recovery appears imminent, they suffer greater intensity, a condition that physicians refer to as the critical phase of convalescence: a significant fever that, nonetheless, leads to restoration. This man too is in turmoil.

Having embraced the truth and rejected the company of wrongdoing, I am met with daily ridicule and reprimand.

I was afflicted throughout the day. Each day, I wearied myself through fasting, vigilance, and similar disciplines in pursuit of righteousness. My self-examination takes place with the dawn. Each morning, I hold myself accountable for any actions that contradict God's will and that are unworthy of His consideration.

The prophet vividly illustrates the fervor that profoundly disturbed his soul. He indicates, as if gesturing, that these evil individuals, despite their sinful nature, enjoy peace and contentment on earth, not just fleetingly but throughout their entire lives. Yet, can this be considered righteous in the sight of God, who extends mercy and generosity to those whose corruption and impious actions are evident to all?

The Psalm, inspired by the Holy Spirit and attributed to David, was entrusted to Asaph, the leader of the singers (1 Chron. 16:7), so that he might proclaim it with his own voice to comfort all those gathered in the presence of God. This is to reassure them not to be troubled by the wicked, who appear to thrive in this world enjoying a multitude of pleasures, nor to discourage the faithful, who endure poverty and various hardships, for both groups are given but a brief time in this life: the wicked for an abundance of earthly delights, and the faithful for a life filled with sorrow (2 Pet. 2:13). However, the ultimate fate of the wicked is eternal destruction, while the righteous will experience everlasting joy (Theodoret, Athanasius, Chrysostom).