Psalm 74 (73):17Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

This is the One who fashioned the farthest reaches of the earth and achieved salvation in its midst. You have created all that lies at the ends of the earth. You are the source of both summer and spring. Those who are ardent in the Spirit embody summer. I declare that You have inspired men in the Spirit; You have also raised up newcomers in the faith, who symbolize spring. You have brought forth both summer and spring. They should not take pride as if it were by their own doing; it is You who has formed them.

Yours is the day, and Yours is the night. You were not just our sustainer during the Red Sea crossing and in the desert, but also the source of blessings for all humanity. You fashioned day and night, the sun and the moon, the harvest and the seasons, and set the boundaries of the earth. He expresses this now, seeking divine assistance. Therefore, he continues, "Remember" this Your creation (Psalm 73:18). If you have created this being for humanity, he appeals for aid to those for whom it was made.

The Prophet transitions from addressing individual acts of righteousness to the broader concept of good works, emphasizing that the Almighty is the Creator of everything, the architect of day and night, the source of light, the originator of the sun, and the sovereign of time. The terms spring and harvest highlight the cyclical changes throughout the year. Instead of saying, “Thou hast created all the boundaries of the earth,” Aquila and Theodotion offered the translation, “thou hast raised,” while Symmachus rendered it as “thou hast set.” Yet, the prophetic message reveals that God is responsible for the earth's creation, allocating portions for plains, mountains, and hills, along with deep areas designated for lakes and seas.

You have established all the boundaries of the earth, which reflect maturity, or the fruit it yields. David refers to the fullness of the year as the fruit of the season. The term ωρος signifies a year. In certain references, instead of ωραια, the term δρια is employed, meaning the borders of the earth. However, ωραια is the more appropriate term, as evidenced by the subsequent words. Theodoret interprets these expressions as: You have crafted the creation and the borders of the earth, assigning some to cultivate fields, while others are designated for mountains and forests. You have fashioned the harvest and spring; these two seasons encompass the entire yearly cycle, including autumn and winter, since they are inherent parts of the year.

In this passage, the author speaks of the favors bestowed by God, which are extended to all of humanity. Beginning with the unique blessings that the Father has given to His chosen people, it is both appropriate and relevant to highlight His mercy and love for everyone. The phrase "Thy is the day, and Thine is the night" conveys that the cycles of day and night are not the result of random chance, but rather follow the established laws of creation and the divine will of God, who has set a purposeful order to them. The text explains that God has granted the sun the ability to light the earth; He has established the sun to rise and, in doing so, brings forth the dawn, which serves as its magnificent chariot.

Ultimately, in Christ, the Fulfillment of all righteousness, who is praised in hymns of gratitude and exalted for eternity. This Psalm was inspired by the Holy Spirit and revealed to David, then passed on to Asaph, the leader of the singers, enabling him to proclaim a joyful prophecy to the people of Israel regarding the forthcoming triumph over Sennacherib, the Assyrian king, signifying the victory of the Holy Church over all her oppressors, granted by God through our Lord Jesus Christ.