Psalm 75 (74):3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Currently, it is not the appropriate moment for judgment, but rather a time to tolerate the wicked. The Body of Christ should endure the injustices of those who act immorally. It should hold onto righteousness before the day of reckoning, for through righteousness it will ultimately arrive at judgment.

He is not currently the Arbiter, though He will be in the future. If He were to assume that role now, the unrighteous would not find hope, nor would they experience abundance in this era. Are you troubled by the sight of the righteous fleeing while the wicked face oppression? Does it distress you that immorality holds sway in the world? Remember what the Lord has proclaimed: ‘When the time comes, I will judge according to righteousness.’ The moment of reckoning is deferred. Presently, there is no judgment but conflict. ‘The Father judges no man, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son.’ However, do not be misled into thinking that He who receives is inferior to He who bestows.

Let us praise all Your marvelous deeds. When the moment arrives. Aquila and Symmachus interpret it in this way: when there is a gathering; that is, when we return and convene in Your sacred temple, we will rightly begin to sing Your song and broadcast Your blessings to those who are unaware. For that period will grant us the opportunity to do so, yet for now we lament, How can we sing the Lord's song in a foreign land (Psalm 136:4)? Thus, the prophetic message instructs what should be communicated to the exiles in Babylon, revealing how God fulfills the promises made and declares, I will judge righteousness, meaning I will deliver justice to you and to the Babylonians in accordance with the law.

This passage also appears in Psalm 9. The term miracles refers to the blessings bestowed by God and triumphs over adversaries. The phrase "When I shall have time" can be related to the preceding statements, suggesting that once I am free from my foes, I will recount Your wonders. However, it is more appropriate to link it with the subsequent text. This declaration is made in the voice of Christ, who reassures, "Do not be disheartened, for I do not condemn the Gentiles." Isychius remarks that Christ indicates that when the time for judgment arrives, He will righteously address those who have sinned and those who suffer injustice.

These are the statements of the Lord God, the ultimate Judge of all creation, who, affirming the declarations of the righteous, assures that in His appointed time, He will bestow honor upon them, as well as impose justice upon the wicked who refuse to acknowledge Him. He declares that when the appointed time arrives, He will render judgment on the upright. To judge righteousness here signifies restoring what is disordered to its rightful condition, as Paul notes: It is just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to those who are troubled (2 Thess. 1:6). Through these words, the Apostle encourages us to endure hardships with patience, for the moment of just reward will undeniably arrive.

Idiphum and Asaph led the choir under King David, receiving this psalm from him to be sung at intervals, bringing glory and honor to God. Some interpret Idiphum as a reference to a specific musical instrument that existed at the time, with Asaph, the chief musician, performing this psalm. Furthermore, Idiphum signifies the one who approaches, while Asaph represents the congregation of faithful believers. Consequently, this psalm serves as a guide for those gathered in the name of Christ our Lord, encouraging them to transition from their temporary existence to eternal life, and from their earthly pilgrimage to the heavenly homeland.

For this reason, St. David presents the Lord directly, addressing the nations that were antagonistic towards the Jews and filled with pride, by proclaiming, ‘At the appointed time, I will administer justice. Do not exult excessively in your victories; the designated moment will arrive, and I will carry out just judgments upon the nations.’