Psalm 73 (72):23Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Yet “I am always with Thee,” for in longing for these things, he did not pursue other deities. Therefore, it is also stated, “Thou holdest me by the right hand; Thou leadest me by Thy counsel” (Psalms 72:23-24). This means that all the excesses of the wicked, which nearly caused him to stumble, are symbolically positioned as belonging to the left hand.

Yet I was not abandoned by You, O Lord, nor did I waver in my faith in You; I felt drawn to Your presence. This was not accomplished by my own power, but rather through Your unmerited favor. For You, in Your mercy, held my right hand, sustaining and safeguarding me so that my steps would not falter and my legs would stand firm before You.

Thus, just as the compassionate Father, who possesses the cherished Son, has refrained from extending my right hand.

I will continuously be in Your presence, reflecting on You incessantly and proclaiming Your holy teachings, never allowing myself to stray from the awareness of Your being. Another insight asserts that one must not be like cattle before God, nor abandon the principles of the flesh; the very essence of the soul and the intellect must also submit quietly to God’s will in silence, for otherwise, one cannot dwell with Him eternally. As noted, before the complexities surrounding the understanding of Your commands were resolved, I was indeed akin to cattle, as Eusebius remarked; yet I remained steadfast with You, O Lord, and did not lose my hope, for I was always in Your company.

David expresses gratitude to God for His powerful hand that has prevented him from stumbling. The phrase "holding up of the right hand" signifies that he did not stand alone; rather, it was through God's extraordinary might that he was lifted from the deep pit of despair associated with those who are rejected. Thus, we understand how invaluable our salvation is to God, as He vigilantly oversees us, extending His hand even to those distant from Him to rescue them from destruction. It is important to note the significance of the words, "You have kept my right hand," for there is no temptation so slight that it couldn't overpower us if not bolstered by God's mighty hand. The phrase "I will be with Thee" can be interpreted in two aspects.

The Psalm, inspired by the Holy Spirit and given to David, was entrusted to Asaph, the leader of the singers, so that he might present it with his own voice for the comfort of all the gathered assembly regarding God. This serves to remind them not to be disheartened by the prosperity of the wicked, who seem to thrive in this life, enjoying a wealth of satisfaction, nor by the hardships faced by the faithful, who encounter poverty and various struggles. It expresses that a brief time is allotted to both groups: the wicked experience the abundance of worldly pleasures, while the faithful endure a life marked by challenges. Ultimately, the eternal fate of the wicked is destruction, whereas the righteous will attain everlasting joy.