Psalm 74 (73):20Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

31:31) Observe Your Covenant: for those who are in darkness have filled the land with unrighteous dwellings, this is due to their unclean hearts. Our dwellings are our hearts: within them reside those who are blessed with a pure heart. (Matt. 5:8) Therefore, heed Your Covenant, and may the remnant be delivered: (Rom. 9:27) For many who are absorbed in earthly matters have become blinded and ensnared by the things of this world. Dust has settled in their eyes, concealing the truth, and they became dust themselves, swept away by the winds from the face of the earth. The darkened ones have filled the ground with unjust dwellings. Their vision, fixed upon the earth, has led to their blindness, of whom it has been said in another psalm: “Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and let their backs be bent continually.” The earth was saturated with those in darkness, the landscape of unrighteous houses, for their hearts are wicked.

In the voice of the faithful, he petitions, "Look upon Thy covenant," implying that if God will not regard them, He should at least consider the covenant established with their forebears, that they might be as God, their protector and defender on earth, granted to them. He further emphasizes the rationale behind such a plea, revealing that violence, theft, and murder have become rampant everywhere, as if every place has turned into a den of robbers, for the darkness of iniquity has overwhelmed the land.

It's important to note that the Holy Spirit has intertwined the verities of Christian faith with Jewish history, aiming to comfort the Jew who interprets these words in a straightforward manner while simultaneously bringing joy to the Christian who perceives their deeper significance (Theodoret, Euthymius).

He illustrates the troubling state of the world, stating, "The whole universe is under the darkness of ignorance, the whole universe is become a habitation of iniquity: The darkness of the earth is fulfilled in the houses of iniquity;" and in another context he emphasizes, "There is none that understandeth, none that seeketh God; not even to one" (Ps. 13: 2-3). Thus, the prophet implores the Lord to free humanity from the dominion of its visible adversaries. The physical enemy deprives man of his natural life, whereas the unseen enemy, the devil, destroys the soul through unrighteousness and sin. The earthly adversary wields its own weapons, and the devil's most formidable weapon is ignorance, which ensnares mankind. The prophet's message can be further clarified by noting that the realms of the earth, shrouded in ignorance, have become replete with abodes of iniquity. Notably, the holy prophet chooses not to say they are filled with iniquity, but rather with houses of iniquity. This highlights the predominance of sin in those unenlightened. One who is illuminated by genuine piety may encounter sin, yet it doesn't establish residency in his heart; iniquity does not become ingrained as a habit. Conversely, in the unenlightened, iniquity erects a dwelling, residing comfortably without remorse or fear of God. Lawlessness occupies the sinner’s soul, controlling all emotions as a household master. This truth is abundantly evident in human history and is continually evidenced in personal experiences. Examine the world, engulfed in ignorance before the arrival of Jesus Christ: the pervasive influence of injustice and malevolence is stark. The Apostle witnessed the culmination of the Gentile world, and though he acknowledged the vastness of vices present in his time (Eph. 5:12), his portrayal reveals deep corruption and the most profound moral decay in humanity's actions. Nevertheless, even amidst such darkness, sin often finds cover. Is it not true that the shadows of night conceal the deeds of predators, seducers, and murderers? Furthermore, where does evil take root more deeply than in the heart of the unenlightened? Where is vengeance more intense than within the souls of those who are estranged from God? Where do the most egregious vices—deceit, slander, drunkenness, and debauchery—reside if not among those who, despite living in the midst of Christianity, remain uneducated and unaware due to their negligence? “He who will not learn will fall into evil,” states the wise (Proverbs 17:16), inferring that those who refuse to pursue knowledge will stumble into sin and vice, for the genesis of all wrongdoing is sin. Furthermore, “where there is no teaching of the soul, there is no good” (Proverbs 19:2). Ultimately, why do even the most knowledgeable individuals engage in lawless actions? It is because unchecked passions cloud their discernment. When swayed by desire, they become oblivious to the precipice their offenses lead them toward. When do the righteous stumble? When their vision is obscured by carnal desires, the light of heaven fades. However, one must acknowledge that there exists a form of so-called enlightenment or education that fails to abolish darkness and does not impart true illumination; those who are haughty in such knowledge remain in spiritual obscurity. To dispel the darkness that shrouds iniquity requires the wisdom of the soul, as the Sage suggests, or, as the Apostle remarks, one must attain the enlightened eyes of the heart, wherein the knowledge of God remains untainted. Then, the heart would not be ensnared by anything sinful and displeasing to the Lord; this sanctified discernment cannot be achieved through secular education. For instance, is it not a clear indication of a corrupted spirit when individuals eagerly cast aside their hard-earned wealth into the fire of gambling? When treasures are lavished at the feet of a harlot seducing with her dance, all while countless families endure hunger and suffering? Is it not sheer foolishness to dedicate what could serve God and humanity to mere vanity and indulgence? Therefore, not all who pride themselves on their education are free from the filth in which iniquity takes root. Many bear personal culpability for their spiritual darkness, as they possess the means for enlightenment. What can be said for those who lack illumination or learning and have limited opportunities for study? Much of their ignorance stems from those entrusted with their guidance, the sparse attention of their mentors, and the scant support from their benefactors. Yet, this will offer no justification during God’s judgment. The holy church stands as the finest instructor and foremost school of divine truth. Do you not hear daily, or at least every feast day, the Creed, or “I believe in One God,” alongside the Lord’s Prayer “Our Father,” spoken with clarity? Is it not customary to hear, each Sunday, the angelic greeting of the Mother of God, “Hail Virgin Mary,” recited three times in unhurried clarity? Is it not accurate that if you had consistently attended church from youth and attentively followed these prayers, you would have committed them to memory long since? Thus, whose fault is it that you remain ignorant of them? It is your lack of attentiveness. Therefore, strive to be diligent in church attendance and focus during divine services, and grace itself shall lead you in the paths of salvation, for it is written: “all will be taught by God.” It does not require much knowledge to achieve the salvation of the soul. As the Sage states, “There are words of the wise; they are as firm as an ox's horn, and confirm the inner building like a nail driven in.” These truths have been handed down from the foundation of the world by the One Shepherd and must be recognized and preserved. The Sage further instructs, “Keep” (Ecclesiastes 12:11, 12); that is, do not deviate from them and do not contrive anything unnecessary or contradictory to them, nor accept such from others. What are these essential truths? God exists in Trinity, humanity is flawed, the Son of God suffered and was crucified for mankind’s sins, He guides us through the Holy Church by His Holy Spirit toward salvation, and He will return to judge the living and the dead. We must strive to please Him by obeying His commandments and place our hope in His salvation. Amen.