Psalm 75 (74):8Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Who does this Divine Judge bring low and who does He lift up? Observe the two individuals in the temple, and you will discern whom He brings low and whom He elevates. They both entered the temple to offer prayers, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. Truly I tell you, the tax collector went home justified rather than the Pharisee: for everyone who exalts himself will be brought low, but he who humbles himself will be lifted high. This illustrates the message of the psalm. What actions does God the Judge take? He humbles the proud and elevates the meek, demonstrating His justice in exalting the humble and bringing low those who are arrogant.

He lowers some individuals while raising others. As a righteous judge, He brings down the arrogant and lifts up the meek-hearted. This is to be understood in relation to the two peoples, namely the Jews and the Gentiles who have come to faith. The former are brought low because of their pride, while the latter are elevated because of their humility. He is the one who establishes rulers and removes them (Dan. 2:21), who lifts the poor from the dust, and raises the needy from the ash heap (Ps. 112:7). Thus, having humbled those of the circumcision, He has exalted those of the Gentiles.

As the Sovereign Judge, the Lord is the one who humbles certain individuals while elevating others. The cup is held by God, filled with wine that remains undiluted. He distributes it, transferring contents from one vessel to another. The message of the prophet Jeremiah also speaks to this cup, as he was instructed by the Almighty to offer its contents to Jerusalem, the rulers, and the neighboring nations (Jeremiah 25:15-28). The Prophet refers to wine as a means of judgment because, akin to drunkenness, it diminishes strength and disrupts the natural order. Thus, the prophetic proclamation indicates that the righteous Judge occasionally administers judgment upon us and at times upon others; He elevates one and lowers another, raises some, alters hardships, and ushers in blessings.

God, as stated, is the ultimate and just Judge: for He is aware of all things and knows everything even before it comes into being. As expressed by Sosanna, He brings low one person and lifts up another as He deems fit, based on each individual's actions and His righteous assessment. In the words of Isychius, the Lord impoverishes and enriches, humbles and honors (1 Kings 2:7), not without purpose but to test some through abundance and others through lack. Athanasius, interpreting this truth profoundly, notes that He brought down the circumcised and raised up the Gentiles. Blessed Augustine articulates in the 29th chapter of his sermons, addressing God: Thou art better in all respects, and all these things exist in Thee.

The prophet provides an effective solution for the affliction of arrogance, illustrating that the elevation of individuals originates not from earthly sources but from God. This misconception profoundly obscures human perception, causing people to fixate on trivial matters and seek various means to fulfill their ambitions and attain status. Because they remain entrenched in the worldly realm and fail to elevate their thoughts towards God, the Prophet highlights their profound delusion and deception, emphasizing that true elevation and degradation exclusively stem from God. Although some may ascend to great heights through their own cleverness or worldly assistance, such occurrences are not mere coincidences but rather unfold according to God's divine plan.

Idiphum and Asaph served as the leaders of David's musicians, to whom this psalm was entrusted by David so that they might perform it at intervals with their expressions, bringing glory and honor to God. Some interpret Idiphum as referring to a specific instrument that existed at that time, which Asaph, the foremost of the singers, used to perform this psalm. Additionally, since Idiphum is described as the one who approaches, and Asaph symbolizes the congregation, this psalm conveys a message to the faithful who assemble in the name of Christ the Lord. It calls them to transition from their temporary existence to eternal life and from their earthly pilgrimage to the heavenly homeland.

Do not assume that the Jews are without assistance. This idea is articulated by the prophet with the words, 'Lower from the exodus, lower from the west, lower from the barren mountains.' The mountains of the wilderness, represented by Lebanon and Carmel, signify the north and south. The adversaries, as understood from the prophet's message, believe the Jews are encircled by enemies on all sides and thus devoid of support from their neighbors. In truth, from the north come the Sidonians and subsequently the Syrians; from the west, the Idumaeans; from the east, the Ammonites; and from the south, the Egyptians are perpetually in conflict with Judah. Yet, the prophet reassures us that the Jews are not without aid.