Psalm 73 (72):5Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Doesn't the adversary steer clear of tormenting those who are ultimately bound for everlasting damnation? Thus, what actions do these individuals undertake while they remain unscathed, while they do not toil alongside humanity?

All their endeavors flourish abundantly; they do not experience toil, misfortune, or suffering as others do.

The wicked and sinners, as he notes, do not experience the same toil and weariness as others; toil is characteristic of humanity, yet they attain wealth and success effortlessly. It appears to me that they do not endure suffering in the same way that others do, using future tense rather than past. Chrysostom articulates this by saying that those who were not granted the honor of enduring hardships in this life will face punishment alongside demons in the age to come, due to the multitude of their evil actions that surpassed all others.

Individuals are deemed fortunate when they attain their desires. A Christian experiences true joy when he possesses what he longs for and strives after. Blessed are those who have escaped labor, imprisonment, exile, or bondage. A Christian finds happiness when liberated from the sins that ensnared him, as well as from the bondage of the evil one. It is a source of happiness for people to enjoy good health. For Christians, joy comes from having a well-nourished spirit. Victorious are those warriors who conquer their foes; however, the Christian who prevails over self is truly blessed. Many consider vengeance against their adversaries a form of happiness, whereas authentic delight for a Christian lies in submitting to his enemies and refraining from retaliating with evil. Even greater joy arises when he "loves them and does them good," thereby becoming a true child of the Heavenly Father, Who "commands His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust" (Matthew 5:44-45). He who graciously receives and gathers from others is indeed joyful, but the Christian who shares selflessly with his neighbors is truly blessed. "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy" (Matthew 5:7). "The good man who gives generously will arrange his affairs in judgment so that he shall not be shaken forever" (Psalm 111:5).

It brings happiness to people to amass wealth and prestige in this world, but for the Christian, true fulfillment is found in a wealth of good deeds and a disregard for worldly glory. While others may revel in power over others, the Christian finds joy in mastering his own self, flesh, passions, and desires—truly a lord, king, and master of himself! Many may rule over others but remain enslaved by sin and their own unchecked passions. Indeed, the true glory lies with the one who governs his desires! Humanity finds joy in providing and enjoying a lavish feast, but a Christian's delight is in receiving the Word of God in his heart, which nourishes, comforts, and rejuvenates his soul. This is the lavish banquet, a magnificent supper for the Christian spirit! While many exist in the joy and glee of this world, the Christian finds happiness in mourning for God and lamenting his sins. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted" (Matthew 5:4).

People may find joy in living in grand and beautiful abodes, but a Christian's true happiness lies in being a genuine member of God's Church, a legitimate child of the Church, a co-inhabitant with the saints, and a steward of God, fully integrated into the Body of Christ. "Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house: for ever and ever ... they shall praise Thee" (Psalm 83:5). Many may seek comfort in strong protectors and allies, yet the true happiness for the Christian rests in having God Himself as his Defender and Helper. "Blessed is the man whose help is from You, O God! ... Blessed is the man to whom the God of Jacob is his Help, whose trust is in the Lord his God, who made heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them, who keeps the truth forever, who executes judgment for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry" (Psalm 83:6, 145:5-7).

It may be a joy for men to be physically robust and courageous in combat, but for a Christian, happiness is rooted in being steadfast in spirit, unwavering and unconquerable against the devil’s schemes, and resolute in the face of trials, temptations, and tribulations. Here lies the stronghold and nobility of the Christian! Here stands the valiant warrior of Christ! "You are my fortress, O Lord; You are my strength." With You, all things are possible. Without You, there is nothing I can do. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).

Dear Christian, let others find joy in the fleeting pleasures of this world. Your true happiness comes from the contentment found within. This happiness is genuine, steadfast, and cannot be taken away! While people may accumulate knowledge of the world, you are truly blessed when you know yourself intimately, even if you lack all external knowledge. While people may take pride in their physical well-being, you are sufficiently happy when your mind is sound, even if your body is weak. While many amass perishable riches, you experience joy if you possess godliness and inner virtue. While others may boast of mighty allies and supportive friends, you find solace when God is your Helper and Protector.

Let humanity flaunt their status and freedom. Your happiness rests in the nobility of being a Christian and in having a soul liberated from sin, even if you are subjected to labor, imprisonment, exile, or bondage. Although people may take pride in their significance before earthly rulers, your true joy stems from being in favor with God, the Sovereign King, even without earthly mercy. God's grace surpasses the compassion of all human beings.

While the wealthy inhabit splendid residences, you are truly fortunate if you dwell within the house of God, the living Church, are a companion to the saints, and a steward of Christ—no matter if you live in a humble shack, cave, or lack a place to lay your head. People may dine on sumptuous feasts, but you are blessed when your soul is fed by the Word of God, comforted by righteous and spiritual thoughts, even if you subsist on mere bread and water. Although people may pride themselves on their physical prowess, true joy for you comes when your spirit remains firm against the devil's snares, even amidst physical frailty. Let the rich adorn themselves in fine silk and beautiful attire, while your happiness lies in the grace of Christ, adorned with faith, hope, love, and other spiritual gifts, notwithstanding your ragged clothes.

While many boast of friendships with the influential and powerful of this world, you are truly glorious when your friendship with Christ, the Son of God, is your affirmation, enjoying "fellowship with the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ" (1 John 1:3), regardless of your standing among men. This is where genuine happiness and true bliss reside, impervious to fire, water, imprisonment, exile, human wickedness, or even death. "If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31). This blessedness is a treasure carried within, for as the Scripture reveals, "the kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:21). "The kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17).

With this bliss, the Christian journeys into eternal life, carrying it with him from this world to his heavenly homeland, transforming it into everlasting and perfect bliss, where he will find ultimate fulfillment in both spirit and body. Oh, what genuine and precious Christian joy! What worth is earthly happiness if devoid of spiritual joy? What does it matter to be physically healthy if your soul languishes? A relaxed spirit is marked by wickedness. What value lies in boasting about nobility or earthly freedom while remaining enslaved to sin and passions? "Everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin" (John 8:34). "Whosoever is overcome by anyone is a slave to him" (2 Peter 2:19).

What good is external knowledge if you do not know yourself? Strive firstly to discover who you are, and then true wisdom will follow. What value is wealth in perishable goods when one’s soul is impoverished? Consider the wealthy who possess earthly treasures but lack in virtue—true beggars. What joy comes from residing in opulent dwellings if one lives outside the holy Church of God? What advantage lies in ruling over others if one cannot govern oneself? Learn self-mastery first, and then you may govern others rightfully.

What use is it to adorn a corruptible body while the immortal soul lies naked, clothed in the rags of sin? Cast aside the mortal shell—dust and ashes—and instead, invest in adorning your eternal spirit. Then, you shall find true and imperishable beauty within. Indeed, Christian! There is a common happiness shared in this world, enjoyed even by the wicked, and often more so by the ungodly. "For there are no pangs in their death, and their strength is firm. They are not in trouble as other men, nor are they plagued like other men" (Psalm 72:4-5).

Yet spiritual happiness is reserved for true Christians alone. Cultivate sincere godliness within, and then you shall possess genuine happiness, which is unassailable and far superior to worldly joy. "And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God" (Galatians 6:16). From this, those who are godly yet suffer in this world may find solace: 1) The weak. Gentle sufferers, do not exhaust your spirits! Though your body may face hardships, your holy souls are healed and restored. "Though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day" (2 Corinthians 4:16). While you and the poor beggar Lazarus suffer here, you shall both inherit the bosom of Abraham (See Luke 16:22).

2) Those who serve under masters. You humble and meek followers of Christ find consolation in knowing that, although labeled slaves by men, you are genuinely free in Christ. You labor for humanity with your hands, but your souls are liberated from the shackles of sin. Although you may lack the worldly freedoms and status of your masters, your spirits are adorned with true Christian freedom and nobility. Rejoice, for the inheritance awaiting you is that of the sons of God.

3) The impoverished and downtrodden. You servants of Christ enduring hardship and squalor, do not lose heart when you observe others in wealth. They too will eventually relinquish all earthly possessions. "Do not be afraid when a man becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases; for when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory shall not descend after him" (Psalm 48:17-18). You may lack corruptible silver or gold, but within, you possess an imperishable treasure. Take contentment in this! You may not live in luxury, yet you are daughters of God, part of Christ’s household, and co-laborers with the saints. Take joy in this! You may be clad in rags, yet your holy souls are adorned with the garment of salvation. Even if worldly goods elude you, heavenly blessings are reserved for you: "But as it is written: Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him" (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Remember the poverty of Christ, "for you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9). 4) The mocked and reviled. You who are scorned as mere refuse by the world, take comfort in the assurance that regardless of worldly treatment, you are Christ's. There is immense glory in being His, for He is the Lord of glory! "In the Lord I will make my boast" (Psalm 33:3). Though ridiculed and chastised, your souls find refuge in the honesty of God. The world may condemn you, but God will justify you. You may be cursed by people, yet you are blessed by God. "They may curse, but You will bless" (Psalm 108:28). The world may reject you as undesirable; however, you are accepted by God. "O God, do not be silent; for the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful have opened against me—They have spoken against me with a lying tongue, and have surrounded me with words of hatred and fought against me without a cause; in return for my love, they are my accusers" (Psalm 108:1-4). Remember that Christ, our Head and Lord of glory, faced scorn, derision, and contempt from an evil world. "A servant is not greater than his master" (John 13:16). "If they called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household?" (Matthew 10:25). "Blessed are you when they revile you and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven" (Matthew 5:11-12).

The prophet illustrates the fleeting success of the wicked, which causes the righteous to falter in their faith. He begins by referring to their physical well-being, indicating that they appear robust and free from illness, and any sickness they do encounter quickly dissipates. In their death, there is no bowing down, and they do not show signs of suffering. The term "inclination," as rendered by the seventy interpreters, is used here in place of "evasion," because the wicked do not shy away from death; their thoughts remain untroubled by it as they hold onto their strength.

The Psalm, inspired by the Holy Spirit for David, was entrusted to Asaph, the leader of the singers (1 Chron. 16:7), so that he could proclaim it with his own voice for the comfort of all who gathered in the presence of God. This was intended to reassure them regarding the fate of the wicked, who thrive in this world with an abundance of worldly pleasures, while the faithful endure hardship and trials. It underscores that both groups have a limited time here: the wicked enjoy their fleeting riches, and the righteous bear their burdens of sorrow (2 Pet. 2:13). Ultimately, the destiny of the wicked is eternal destruction, while the righteous are promised everlasting joy (Theodoret, Athanasius, Chrysostom). As one’s feet move, the mind may tremble in response to sin. Those who have fallen into sin should seek to rise again through repentance, holding firm to hope in the grace of the One who restores the fallen (Theodoret, Chrysostom).