Psalm 74 (73):14Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

This dragon is not merely another creature that delights in chaos and destruction, but rather symbolizes individuals whose souls are shrouded in darkness, having no share in the heavenly light.

What remains beyond the leaders of the dragons? These dragons are under a chief, and he is the foremost great dragon. What actions have been taken regarding him, that salvation has been accomplished in the midst of the earth? Listen, You have crushed the head of the dragon (Psalm 73:14). Which dragon are we referring to? By dragons, we envision all the demons battling under the devil; thus, what single dragon, whose head is broken, could we be referencing but the devil himself? What has been done to him? You have shattered the head of the dragon. This symbolizes the origin of sin. This head represents the cursed part, which received the decree that the seed of Eve would strike the head of the serpent (Gen. 3:15). The Church has been called to avoid the root of sin.

You have granted this armament to the people of Ethiopia, specifically to Pharaoh and his three hundred warriors and chariots. The term 'people' in this context denotes the multitude of birds from the adjacent Ethiopia that consumed the corpses of the Egyptians, which were cast onto the shore by the sea.

To ensure that you are aware of the readiness of the sacrificial lamb, John emphasized it in the wilderness by declaring: behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29). The Father, who is both compassionate and willing to receive repentance, invites you to partake of the fatted calf without neglecting the goat that waits nearby. However, at the culmination of time, you will be responsible for bringing forth the goat, identified as the Antichrist, and alongside your companions, the unclean spirits, you will consume his flesh, fulfilling the prophecy: you have crushed the head of the serpent; you have given that charge to the people of Ethiopia.

We need only to listen to the words of the Lord regarding the adversary's descent from heaven like a flash of lightning (Luke 10:18). The one who has fallen is not sustenance for the children of light, but rather for those of the darkness and night, as it is stated: He made him a prey for the nations of Ethiopia.

You have shattered the serpent's head. See v. 12. You have provided that spoil to the people of Cush. The Cushites, being neighbors to the Egyptians, often engaged in battles against them; however, when Pharaoh and his forces were delivered to the sea as a captor, it became simple for the Cushites to defeat the Egyptians. Just as a famished person swiftly devours food, so the Cushites vanquished their foes with ease. Consequently, the prophetic declaration states, You have delivered the people of Cush that sustenance, meaning you have rendered the Egyptians vulnerable to defeat, allowing the Cushites to annihilate them in great numbers.

In this context, he refers to Pharaoh as the singular dragon, as highlighted by Theodoret and Athanasius. The reference to the breaking of his head symbolizes the obliteration of his authority and realm. The neighboring Ethiopians, who historically held animosity towards the Egyptians, witnessing the destruction that befell Pharaoh and his followers in the Red Sea, surged into Egypt, plundering it. They consumed the surviving Egyptians effortlessly, as a ravenous individual swiftly consumes food, similar to the imagery expressed by Theodoret. The term "gave" is used in place of "gave," representing Pharaoh as a figure encompassing all Egyptians under his rule. Athanasius notes that the flocks of Indian fowl, mentioned here, feasted upon the Egyptians discarded by the sea. Additionally, Eusebius interprets the Ethiopians as the dark ravens that fed on the lifeless bodies of the Egyptians, as indicated in the published Codex.

The Prophet highlights several significant and remarkable acts of salvation or blessings from God, all centered around the period when He liberated His people from the anguish of Egypt. He then moves on to describe the divine grace bestowed upon all creation, particularly upon the Church, which God shields through His Providence. Initially, he emphasizes that God, by His might, divided the sea. In the subsequent verse, interpreters commonly associate the reference to Pharaoh, as the Hebrew term used is leviathan rather than the more typical serpent, aptly symbolizing Pharaoh due to the immense kingdom he ruled over, akin to a great sea creature.

Ultimately, in Christ, the Fulfillment of all good, who is celebrated in hymns of gratitude and exalted eternally, we find our victory. This Psalm, inspired by the Holy Spirit, was given to David and conveyed through Asaph, the principal musician, as a prophetic message of joy for the people of Israel regarding the triumph that would come over Sennacherib, the king of Assyria (4 Sam. 19:35). This triumph symbolizes the victory of the Holy Church over all her adversaries, granted by God through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:57).

The text highlights God's supreme power manifested in creation. You have established the sea by Your might… You have released the springs. The day belongs to You, and so does the night. This conveys the message, ‘O Lord, You are all-powerful; it is effortless for You to bring low the foes of Your people: every element is under Your command, and with a mere touch from You, all of nature will rally to support Your followers. You have crushed the head of the serpent; You have given that authority to the men of Ethiopia. Theodoret interprets the serpent as Egypt and the head as its leaders. After Pharaoh and his forces were submerged in the sea, the Ethiopians were able to easily seize control over Egypt and claim its wealth. The Ethiopians are described as ancient, according to Theodoret.