Psalm 73 (72):7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Nowadays, they wage hostility against their mentors and critics, turning into adversaries of those who speak the truth, for they have long been swayed by the flattering voices, having ears that are sensitive and hearts that are unsteady. Who would dare to confront a wealthy man, declaring he has wronged another? Or, if someone finds the courage to do so and proves to be unassailable, what might he retort? His only response is one of disrespect to God. Why is this? Because he is arrogant. Why? Because he is indulgent. Why? Because he is devoted to self-interest. They have transcended the thoughts of the heart. They have crossed over. What does it mean that they have passed? They have surpassed humanity, behaving like others while thinking only of themselves. I assert they have moved beyond humanity. When you tell such a man, "This beggar is your sibling"; when you remind him, "This poor man shares your lineage," you refer to the same origin, Adam and Eve. Dismiss your pride; overlook the illusions that elevate you; despite the institutions that await you, the wealth of gold and silver, and the marble homes that shelter you, you and the destitute man share the vast covering of the universe, heaven. Yet, your distinction from the poor lies in external gains, possessions not inherent to you: you see yourself in what you own, rather than them seeing you. Reflect on how you treat the impoverished man; focus on yourself, not your possessions. Why do you scorn your brother? In the womb of your mother, both of you were born equal. Truly, when you depart from this world and your bodies decay, let the remains of both the rich and poor be identifiable! I speak of the equality of existence, of the human condition into which we all enter: here too, wealth may surface, and the poor will not always remain in their state; just as the rich do not arrive with riches, so they do not depart with them; both share the same entrance and the same exit. I will add that perhaps you may wish to revisit the terms. The gospel is preached everywhere: consider this one poor man, covered in sores, who lay at the rich man's gate, longing for scraps from his table, as noted in Luke 16:19. Also, look at the rich man, attired in luxurious purple and fine linen, who indulged daily. By chance, this poor man passed away and was escorted by angels to Abraham’s side; whereas the other died and was interred, perhaps to little notice…. Brothers, consider the toil of the poor man! Consider the extravagance of the rich man! Nonetheless, their ultimate fates differ profoundly…. He will lament too late, pleading, ‘Send Lazarus,’ (Luke 16:27) so he may warn even my brothers; for he himself will never reap the rewards of repentance. Repentance is not denied, but it is of eternal consequence, and salvation follows not after that moment of repentance. Thus, these individuals have turned to the true intentions of their hearts.

Similarly, Simmachus rendered it this way, and the phrase "will not take wounds," mentioned earlier, should replace "did not take wounds." The esteemed Athanasius observed that pride rendered them unrighteous and impious, to the extent that their ungodly deeds appear to be nurtured and fattened. Another source states that tukom refers to the satisfaction of deceit. Enter into the affection of the heart. Refer to the Commentary on Psalm 72:8.

Conversely, when the wealthy are asked why they encroach upon the possessions of others, they might reply—if they choose to engage—that they already possess numerous properties nearby, to which they merely add more. An illustrative example is King Ahab, who confiscated Naboth’s vineyard not out of necessity but because it was conveniently located close to his own palace (3 Sam. 21). The link between contentment and unrighteousness is affirmed by the prophet Ezekiel, who identifies the root sin of Sodom: “This was the iniquity of Sodom" (Ezek. 16:49)—indicating the fundamental cause of their grave transgressions that led to divine judgment by fire, namely their pride and indulgence in excess.

The subsequent phrase about being "changed into love of heart" suggests that the ungodly rich, due to their excessive abundance, transform entirely, becoming wholly focused on their carnal desires. This concept is echoed in other scriptures, such as where God “gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to uncleanness" (Rom. 1:24) and “God gave them up to the passions of dishonour" (Rom. 1:26). In the Hebrew version, it states: “Their eyes are gone from the cloud: the thoughts of the heart are gone.” Here, David is not critiquing physical appearance but rather highlighting the pride that overwhelms the wicked due to their overindulgence.

The phrase “the thoughts of the heart have gone beyond the thoughts of the heart” can be understood as a reference to the arrogance of the wicked, who, dissatisfied with moderation, let their ambitions ascend beyond the heavens, often envisioning themselves in possession of the entire world or even dreaming of creating new realms. Alternatively, some interpret this as the prosperity of the wicked exceeding their own aspirations. History illustrates instances where individuals received more than they desired, as if fortune spread out before them amidst their wickedness, epitomized by Demetrius, King of Poliorcetes, a successor of Alexander, who conquered an abundance of cities that he could not have fathomed, despite being a ruler of feeble strength and limited wisdom. Thus, God sometimes endows unworthy individuals with an overflow of blessings, surpassing their expectations and desires.