Psalm 74 (73):19Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

What creatures are there but those whose heads were shattered upon the waters? For the same adversary is referred to as beast, lion, and dragon. He declares, let not the devil and his angels have his soul acknowledged by You. Allow the serpent to consume me if I still cling to worldly matters, if I desire earthly pleasures, if I continue to dwell in the promises of the Old Covenant after the arrival of the New. Yet, having now relinquished my pride and self-righteousness, I shall only acknowledge Your Sovereignty; let not arrogant beasts prevail against me. The souls of Your humble ones do not forget You until the very end.

Do not surrender to wild animals the spirit that acknowledges You. By referring to the adversaries as beasts, he continues to advocate for mercy, suggesting that those who have sinned are worthy of forgiveness through their confession. He pleads that Israel may be spared from such destruction. This request was granted, as countless individuals who had been crucified came to believe and were redeemed.

Do not surrender to the adversary the soul that acknowledges You. The prophetic message not only intercedes for everyone but specifically seeks grace for those who proclaim the holy name. It refers to the ruthless actions of foes as beasts. Remember not to abandon the souls of the miserable until the very end. The humble are often identified as the needy. For: Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 5:2).

Do not surrender to the beast the spirit that professes faith in You. David, anticipating the devastation that would strike the Jewish people, implores that they not be given over to the Romans, whom Theodoret refers to as beasts due to their brutality and inhumanity. When he mentions the soul, he signifies the entirety of a person, as explained on previous occasions. He uses the term confessing rather than merely thanking You. Origen remarks that sensual beasts consume physical bodies, while others, the spiritual beasts, devour souls. How often has the mental lion gripped your feet and sought to pull you away from the church? How frequently has he filled your mind's ear with appealing doctrines and words that stray from the faith?

The prophet employs a highly appropriate analogy here, likening the spirit of a frail and timid dove, representing the church, to a mighty and ferocious creature, like Antiochus or Nebuchadnezzar and their armies. Although the faithful Israelites were numerous, they were still outmatched by their adversaries. Therefore, he adds, Thou shalt not forget the souls of Thy poor to the end, drawing a contrast between the countless legions of foes and the limited number of the chosen, imploring God to safeguard His small flock. To strengthen his plea for divine favor, he invokes the covenant, which the faithful often relied upon during dire calamities as a sacred anchor, for God had assured them of His paternal presence. Thus, on behalf of the faithful, he entreats, Look upon Thy covenant.

Ultimately, in Christ, the Pinnacle of all that is good, we gather in expressions of gratitude and everlasting praise. This Psalm, inspired by the Holy Spirit and conveyed to David, was entrusted to Asaph, the leader of the singers, so he could share a prophetic message of joy to the people of Israel, foretelling the triumph over Sennacherib, the king of Assyria (4 Sam. 19:35). This victory symbolizes the triumph of the Holy Church over its adversaries, a gift from God through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:57). It is also important to recognize how the Holy Spirit has woven together the truths of Christian faith with Jewish history, offering comfort to the Jew who perceives the message at a basic level and bringing joy to the Christian who grasps its deeper meanings.