Psalm 74 (73):11Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Once again, a sign was given to Moses. Just as the sign was demonstrated through the rod earlier, this time it comes from the hand. When the miracle with the rod was performed, God offered a second sign: "put your hand into your bosom," and he did so; "pull it out," and when he did, it was discovered to be white, which denotes uncleanness (Exodus 4:6). The whiteness of the skin represents leprosy (Lev. 13:25), rather than a healthy complexion. God's own heritage, His people, found themselves cast out and thus became impure. Yet, what does God instruct him to do? "Return it to your bosom." He did so, and it was restored to its natural color. Asaph, when will You act? How long will You keep Your right hand hidden in Your bosom, allowing it to remain unclean?

Why do You withdraw Your hand? Why, He asks, do You pause in the granting of the blessings that You have freely given to us, as if they came from Your very heart?

The heart of God is the source of blessings; however, the hand represents His active might. Why do You withhold Your favors as is Your nature, while withdrawing the hand from the depths? The prophet expresses this in metaphorical language, drawing on imagery of those whose hearts are filled but refuse to share, pulling their hands back instead.

One can note that the term end, frequently appearing in this Psalm, indicates the perpetual rejection of the Jewish people. This concept is represented here as the hand and the right hand, while God's depths are described as the reservoir of goodness, as noted by Theodoret. The right hand symbolizes God's action, which involves the bestowing of blessings. The inquiry posed is why, O Lord, do You not currently share Your blessings with us as You did in times past? These expressions hold a figurative meaning, akin to a metaphor: one who possesses a nest filled with rewards, when intending to share them, extends their hand into the nest to take and distribute those blessings; conversely, when displeased and unwilling to share, they withdraw their hand.

Until now, the Israelites called upon God to direct His anger toward their adversaries; however, in this instance, they beseech Him to shelter them as He once did, imploring that they not be deprived of their Father’s favor. It is as if they were saying, "Lord, do not cast us away from our Father's embrace, but welcome us back under Your guidance." They also ask concerning the wicked, the arrogant who revile You, either destroy them or reduce them to submission. As long as You remain humble and Your hand is not visibly active, they will remain unchanged; they believe You are inactive in heaven. Yet, demonstrate Your power to annihilate them with a mere gesture, let alone when You choose to move Your hand or even a finger.

Ultimately, in Christ, the Fulfillment of all righteousness, we offer our praises in songs of gratitude, exalted eternally. This Psalm, inspired by the Holy Spirit, was given to David and conveyed through Asaph, the leader of the singers, so he could announce a prophecy of joy to the Jewish people regarding the impending triumph over Sennacherib, the Assyrian king (4 Sam. 19:35), which symbolizes the Holy Church’s victory over all its adversaries, granted by God through the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:57).