Psalm 73 (72):18Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The nature of deception lies in its inherent falsehood; those who are deceitful perpetuate lies. What does it mean when we say they are deceivers and tolerate deception? Their intent is to mislead humanity through their wickedness, as they themselves embrace falsehood, favoring worldly possessions over eternal truths. Thus, dear friends, within their deception, they accept deceit. Reflecting on my earlier remarks, what is the mindset of one who, in pursuit of material items, sacrifices his fidelity? Has the individual from whom he has taken these garments or the one who has endured such a profound loss been deceived?

Yet due to their insincere compliments, You have laid evil upon them. Recognizing what lies ahead through a gift of prophecy, I declare that their cruel punishments will stem from their treacherous nature, for their elevation shall lead to their downfall. The material riches they possess will be counted against them, as if they were void of substance, akin to the fleeting apparitions of mere dreamers.

Listen, then, to the fate of those who neglect the Almighty.

All these events came to fruition with the Babylonian empire under Cyrus, who subjected the Babylonians to captivity while allowing the Jews to return. The Prophet aptly compared their flourishing to a dream, as the reality of earthly existence mirrors the nature of a dream itself. This is particularly evident in the Babylonians, who previously took pride in their ownership of the entire world, only to abruptly lose their power and succumb to severe bondage.

Due to their flattering words, You have set calamity against them. This is where David clearly begins to foretell the downfall of the Babylonians, proclaiming, "You, Lord, have prepared them" – indicating that You have stored up their misdeeds, wickedness, and tribulations. The conjunction “both” seems superfluous in light of Hebrew linguistic structures; Simmachus rather renders it as “truly.” You have brought me low since the time they were arrogant. For, as he states, the Babylonians were lifted high by wealth and various forms of prosperity; yet, O Lord, You have humbled them from their lofty status.

Having triumphed over the preceding temptation, David emerges transformed, speaking with assurance as if he stands vigilant on a lofty watchtower. Similar to the Prophet Habakkuk, who faced comparable challenges, he instructs us through his actions, declaring: On my guard I will stand, and I will ascend on the rock (Habakkuk 2:1). David illustrates the invaluable benefit of approaching God. The Lord observes our actions; though the wicked may be elevated, they tread a treacherous path and will ultimately falter—exalted only to experience a severe downfall. This reality is shared by all, both the righteous and the unrighteous, as the entire world is under the sway of evil.

The Psalm, inspired by the Holy Spirit and entrusted to David, was given to Asaph, the leader of the singers (1 Chron. 16:7), so that he could sing it personally for the encouragement of all assembled before the Lord. This was to ensure that they would not be disheartened by the presence of the wicked, who seem to thrive in this life with an abundance of worldly comforts, nor by the plight of the faithful, who endure poverty and various hardships. It conveys that a brief time is allotted to both groups: the wicked enjoy a surplus of earthly pleasures, while the faithful experience a life filled with sorrow (2 Pet. 2:13). Ultimately, the fate of the wicked is eternal destruction, while the righteous will experience everlasting joy (Theodoret, Athanasius, Chrysostom). Let one who has stumbled in sin strive to avert further downfall through repentance, holding fast to the hope found in the grace of the One who restores the fallen (Theodoret, Chrysostom).