Psalm 73 (72):3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Those who expressed such thoughts were merely seeking understanding, as they lacked completeness; however, one who remains troubled by these doubts is unworthy of any grace, for they have been given clear guidance and discipline regarding the teachings of what is to come, including the realities of Gehenna and the kingdom, where each individual will receive rewards based on their deeds.

Not merely theoretical belief, observe how weak and bewildered he is. David, in another psalm, referring not to himself but to the sufferings of those who waver, states, ‘How good is the God of Israel to the upright in heart! But my feet have almost staggered; my feet have almost slipped,’ indicating not a physical stumbling but faltering thoughts. He further provides the reasoning by saying, ‘But I said in my frenzy, Every man is a liar’ (Psalms 115:2), expressing his dismay at witnessing the prosperity of the foreigners while his own people were brought low.

Let the righteous who labor not be troubled; within them lies a treasure that the happy person lacks. Thus, let them remain unperturbed, free from anguish and despair. The one who revels has wealth stored away, but the righteous holds God in their conscience. Consider the contrast: wealth versus the divine presence, material possession versus spiritual fulfillment. The former is but transient and can easily vanish, while the latter is eternal and cannot be seized—provided the individual maintains a pure heart. For then they may enter into this abiding presence and never withdraw.

Through these teachings, He dismantles pride and empty glory while guiding those who seek salvation to genuine honor. Thus, let us not merely skim over the words but strive to grasp the deeper significance of the Psalm, enabling us to live out the power of its message.

Cicero, in the ‘Tusculan Conversations,’ references the view of Jerome of Rhodes, who stated that pain is the greatest evil (the second book is aptly titled ‘On Overcoming Pain’). He laments for himself, desiring that his heirs do not follow his example, for there is no true inheritance for the sinner. Thus, the wicked become their own punishment, while the righteous reap their reward; each finds within themselves the recompense for both virtuous and sinful actions. Yet, let us return to our primary discussion, lest we stray too far from our objective. We challenge those who, upon seeing that evildoers are wealthy, joyful, esteemed, and powerful, while the righteous often endure want and weakness, conclude that God either does not care for humanity, as the Epicureans assert—Epicurus (c. 341-270 B.C.) believed that the soul was mortal and that the gods were indifferent to human affairs, thus not to be feared—or that He is unaware of human conditions, as the bold presume; or that, if He is all-knowing, He is an unjust judge for permitting the good to suffer while the wicked flourish. Our excursion from the topic was not unwarranted; it reflects the belief of those considered fortunate, though they perceive themselves as unfortunate. I have resolved that they would prefer to trust their own perspective rather than accept ours.

Job questions God, asking why the wicked thrive and grow old in abundance (Job 21:7). Similarly, Jeremiah asserts God's righteousness as he addresses his struggles: Righteous are You, O Lord, for I would contend with You; yet I seek understanding about the outcomes: Why do the wicked prosper? (Jeremiah 12:1). The saints too experienced bewilderment, but unlike the wicked, they did not challenge God or reproach Him for his deeds. David, in another instance, declares that God's righteousness stands as firmly as the mountains. Throughout his trials, Job remained silent against God, and Jeremiah, anticipating that others might form their own judgments, clarifies his stance before posing his query: You are righteous, O Lord, affirming that all things are justly orchestrated by God, even if the path remains unclear. Did they grasp anything beyond this? No, and they received no further reply, allowing future generations to learn to refrain from such inquiries.

Saint Anthony, who was several miles away in his monastery, seated on a stone, urgently summoned two of his monks and instructed them to “Run as quickly as you can to the desert area, carrying a vessel of water; one of the brothers who is coming has already succumbed to thirst, and the other is still alive but in great distress and weakness; if you delay, you may find him dead: this was revealed to me by God during my prayers.” Upon receiving this instruction, the messengers set off immediately and with eagerness. When they reached the travelers, they buried the deceased brother and revived the other with water and nourishment, bringing him back to Saint Anthony.

Athanasius wisely notes that one might question why Saint Anthony did not send out his monks sooner to save the wayfarers before one of them died. Such a query, however, is not fitting for a Christian, for the actions of Saint Anthony were not his own, but rather the divine judgment of God: the Lord rendered His righteous decree upon both the dying man and the thirsty survivor. God also conveyed His will to Saint Anthony for the rescue of the living traveler. Contemplating these hidden and profound mysteries of God, Saint Anthony humbly cried out, “O Lord, my God, You sometimes grant extended life to those who seem unworthy and steeped in wickedness, while at other times You take from life those who are beneficial to society. Some who have committed few sins are met with harsh punishment from You, while others live joyfully and freely engage in wrongdoing: ‘their eyes stand out with fatness, they have more than heart could wish’ (Psalm 73:7).” While pondering this, Anthony heard a voice admonishing him to “Take heed of yourself: what you are contemplating is the judgment of God, which you ought not to question or scrutinize. How marvelous are Your works, O Lord! Your thoughts are exceedingly profound: ‘A brutish person does not know, and a fool does not understand these things’ (Psalm 92:6-7). Truly, You are the hidden God, beyond the comprehension of Your creation.”

In the year 1117, during an earthquake that shook Italy, Rogerius recounts that some residents of Mediolanum gathered in a house to discuss public repairs. Suddenly, a voice was heard from the courtyard calling one of those inside by name to step outside. The man called was bewildered, unsure of who was beckoning him, and hesitated, waiting for the call to come again. Then, an unknown individual approached the door, urging him to come out immediately. As he took just a few steps away from the house, it collapsed, burying and killing all those still inside. Why was it that only this one person escaped death while the others perished? The judgments of the Lord indeed delve into profound depths! One can clearly see in this occurrence the ancient miracles manifested: just as the angel of the Lord guided Lot and his family out of Sodom while leaving the others to face destruction, many others have been similarly spared amid calamity.

In 1597, in a place known as 'King's Mountain' in Sicily, a defiant man lived a life of debauchery. A devout monk, aware of his moral failing, urged him repeatedly to repent and turn away from his sinful lifestyle. Yet, the man remained unyielding, entrenched in his rebelliousness. A few days after this last appeal, he tragically died in the embrace of a vile woman, accidentally pierced by a bayonet. In contrast, another lawless man living alongside him, who had similarly indulged in immorality, upon hearing of his companion’s death, chose to abandon his reckless lifestyle and spent the remaining sixty years of his life in heartfelt repentance. What more can be said than the profound truth, “Your judgments, O Lord, are a great and unfathomable abyss!”

For this reason, I have curtailed their arrogance: they are enveloped in injustice and evil. Their awareness of their sinful state is obliterated, replaced by an overwhelming and incurable pride; their sinful existence becomes inseparable from them, akin to a permanent garment. Their impiety, rooted in ignorance of the Almighty and misconceptions about His nature and the truths He has revealed, likewise becomes intrinsic to their identity. Thus, in this condition, death encounters unrepentant sinners, claiming them and presenting them before the judgment of God.