Psalm 74 (73):8Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

From the Lord, the presence was manifested in this individual, specifically in Asaph. In their wrath, they refused to acknowledge Him as Lord, the one whose sanctuary they had ravaged. Let us erase every victory of the Lord in this land. What of Asaph? What does he comprehend in these statements? Is he not enriched even by the corrective measures that have been enforced? Is the distortion of thought not being rectified? Everything that once existed has been overturned: there is no priest to be found, no altar belonging to the Jews, no offerings, and no temple. Is there not something deeper that should be acknowledged following this fracture? Or, indeed, would the promise have been nullified if that which was promised had not been fulfilled? Let us now contemplate Asaph's perspective in this context and assess whether his sorrow is beneficial. Observe his words: ‘Our signs we have not seen, there is no longer a prophet, and He does not yet recognize us.’

They have set ablaze Your sacred dwelling. In our profound sorrow, when they attacked us, their sole intention was to obliterate the Law that You bestowed upon us. The prophet refers to 'feasts' (Psalms 73:8), indicating a rightful worship. Yet, he notes, they audaciously proceeded with their plans, ignoring the miracles performed during the time of our ancestors and showing no reverence for the prophetic gift. For in an instant, they lost all that, whereas previously, and even after their return from exile, prophets such as Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi were present. The earlier prophets had revealed the future to the people and the kings, unmasking the wickedness of their adversaries, as is easily confirmed by historical accounts.

In unified purpose, they sought us out with a singular intention: to abolish the commandments You have bestowed. When the Prophet spoke of 'feasts,' he referred to living in accordance with the law. However, they dared to pursue this, as he stated, ignoring the miracles performed by our forebears and untroubled by the grace of the prophets. The Jewish people were suddenly stripped of all these blessings. Upon their return from exile, they received a number of prophets, including Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. Additionally, the former prophets had previously proclaimed future events to the people and rulers, unmasking the schemes of their adversaries, a truth readily available in the annals of history.

In their hearts, the Southern people, along with the nations that supported them, unified their resolve. All the nations allied with their adversaries, the Romans, secretly consulted one another, expressing their thoughts sincerely and with fervor. The call to “come” indicated a collective intention, which suggests a deeper level of agreement among them; hence, we might interpret their intentions as serious and purposeful. What did they propose?

The faithful recount the horrific acts committed by their adversaries in Jerusalem, asserting that those foes behaved like thieves and marauders. Armed with implements of timber and metal, they ravaged the city walls, hewing down the temple doors with axes, and marred everything crafted with exquisite artistry, leaving it in ruins like a ravaged forest. Their insatiable wrath escalated to the point where the most splendid temple in the world, consecrated to God's name, was set ablaze. To illustrate the brutality of these adversaries, the Prophet depicts them urging each other to show no mercy; in essence, he laments that their ferocity resulted in total destruction.

Ultimately, in Christ, the Perfection of all things good, we offer songs of praise and exalt Him forever. This Psalm, inspired by the Holy Spirit and given to David, was entrusted to Asaph, the leader of the choir, to proclaim a message of joy to the Jewish people, heralding the impending victory over Sennacherib, king of Assyria, which symbolizes the triumph of the Holy Church over all its adversaries, a victory bestowed by God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Furthermore, it is important to note that the Holy Spirit intertwines the principles of Christian faith with Jewish history, providing comfort to the Jewish people who interpret these words in a foundational sense, while simultaneously bringing joy to Christians who grasp their deeper significance.