Psalm 75 (74):9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Pure wine represents genuine substance, while the mingled wine reflects the sediment. What does this wine represent in this context, and what signifies the dregs? Why does He incline towards this person, ensuring that the leftover does not spill? Recall the origin of this action: He humbles one and exalts another. The parable of the Pharisee and the publican (Luke 18:10) serves as an illustration of two groups: the Jews, represented by the Pharisee, and the Gentiles, portrayed by the publican. As those who were proud distanced themselves, the humble drew near to Him. The cup contains pure wine in the Lord's hand, as far as He allows me to discern.

This cup of pure wine, which is also mixed, can be understood as the Law given to the Jews and the entirety of the Old Testament Scriptures; within it lie the various weights of offerings. The hidden truth of the New Covenant resides amid the bodily regulations. The fleshly circumcision symbolizes a profound mystery pointing toward the circumcision of the heart. Moreover, the Temple of Jerusalem conveys a significant secret, representing the Body of Christ. The Promised Land parallels the Kingdom of Heaven. The sacrifices of animals are steeped in mystery, culminating in the singular Sacrifice of the Cross, which embodies all other sacrifices in representation. To prepare the people to accept the Law, they received just and righteous commandments (Exodus 20:1-17): You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not bear false witness, honor your father and mother, do not covet your neighbor's possessions, worship only God, and serve Him alone; all these aspects pertain to the wine. The earthly matters seem to have settled there, allowing for spiritual insights to flow freely. Yet, the cup, placed in the hand of the Lord, signifies His authority, containing both pure, unadulterated law and the mixed elements of earthly ordinances.

Since He humbles the proud Jew while elevating the humble Gentile, He leaned towards the latter, transitioning from the Jewish to the Gentile populace. What did He bow to? The Law itself. Hence, from it flowed spiritual truths. Nonetheless, the remnants remained unpoured, as all earthly ordinances stayed with the Jews. All sinners of the earth will partake from this cup. Who consumes it? All sinners of the earth. They include the proud Jews and the humble Gentiles. Every sinner will partake, yet discern who represents the dregs and who embodies the wine. The dregs signify those who have come to nothing, while the wine symbolizes those who are justified. I would dare to speak so boldly about them and express no fear: oh, if all of you were intoxicated in this way! Remember, how fleetingly beautiful is Your cup! But ponder this: do you believe that all those who embraced Christ, even facing death, were of sober mind? They were so inebriated by their faith that they did not recognize their friends, nor listen to their kin who sought to detract them from their heavenly hopes with earthly distractions. Were they not transformed, their hearts changed? Were they not distinct in their intoxication, their minds having turned away from this world? All sinners will partake, yet who will consume the wine? Sinners will drink, but not to remain in their sin; rather, to be justified and spared of punishment.

At the same time, He continually observes and unleashes the leaven, which signifies the final wrath upon those who remain unhealed by His kindness and remain stubborn, much like the unyielding Pharaoh, who, laden with harsh labor, exhibited the might of God over the wicked (Exodus 9:16).

Just as this mixture includes water that is added to the wine, the stringent chastisement contains the essence of humanity. The phrase "full of solution" should not be interpreted alongside "wine undiluted," but rather understood in isolation, or it may imply a conjunction is omitted: "and," thus reading: "the cup in the Lord's hand is full of mixture." Otherwise, it raises the question of how the same cup could contain both undiluted wine and this mixture. The subsequent verses clarify the intent here. The Lord poured from one to the other, yet His trembling was not diminished. He transferred, as it were, from the cup of undiluted punishment into the cup of humanity, allowing for a moderated wine suitable for those guilty of minor and forgivable sins. The yeast, representing the dregs of undiluted wine, is not removed from this cup of punishment; it is reserved for those who commit grave and mortal sins without repentance. "Drink, you sinners of the earth," indicates that the unrepentant will imbibe this undiluted and harsh punishment. Isidore of Pelusiot notes that this divine prophecy reveals that righteous recompense is softened by humanity due to the repentance of sinners, for He mitigates the punishment deserved for sins through humanity. Yet, those who are lazy in their repentance should not assume that justice will ignore them; it is further stated that should they wholly reject salvation, they shall not elude justice, for they will inevitably consume the cup of condemnation. According to Gregory the Theologian, the wrath that corresponds to sin is described as a cup in the Lord’s hand, a vessel meant to be consumed. Even though the Lord mitigates the punishment owed to all and incorporates humanity into the undiluted wine of wrath, He sways from strict judgment to mercy only for those who are uplifted by fear, while reserving the final wrath for those who truly deserve it. The Lord is indeed a God of vengeance, pouring out His wrath upon those who not only fail to heal through kindness but who harden their hearts like the obstinate Pharaoh. Although He may relent due to compassion, when facing evil, He does not always forgive those who sin, lest kindness amplify their wrongdoing. Athanasius asserts that the cup in the Lord's hand is filled as if harvesting the fruits of every individual, both righteous and wicked, dissolving the evil with the good. Those whose "yeast"—sins—remain will ultimately drink from this cup, becoming inebriated by their own troubles, just as the righteous shall partake of the cup of life in the Kingdom of Heaven, sharing in the presence of the Lord Jesus, who declared, "until the day when I drink new wine with you in the kingdom of my Father." Didyma expresses that it is no longer mere dilution, but rather total destruction that befalls those who sin recklessly. Regarding this cup, God proclaimed to Jeremiah: "Take this cup of undiluted wine out of my hand, and give it to all the nations to whom I will send you. And they shall drink and be shaken, and they shall become mad because of the sword" (Jeremiah 25:16). Eusebius suggests that God administers punishment like a physician, providing a bitter remedy required to purge the inner evil.

Furthermore, Psalm 59:3, 5 expresses, "O God, You have rejected us, You have shattered us, You have been furious with us... You have subjected Your people to harsh realities, You have made us drink the wine of astonishment." Here, the fermented, intoxicating wine is clearly and emphatically depicted as a tool of divine judgment and retribution. Does Scripture stand in opposition to us who choose abstinence?

When a person suffers punishment from humans, they may find deliverance through mercy, escape, or resistance. However, one who faces divine chastisement, akin to being inebriated by strong wine, will abruptly fall and find themselves devoid of any means of salvation. The Prophet further emphasizes that this cup is filled not merely with one type of wine, but rather with a blend of various wines, which enhances its potency rather than diminishing it. This signifies that God's avenging righteousness is accompanied by an array of afflictions, resonating with the Psalmist's words: fire, brimstone, and a tempestuous spirit are portions of their cup (Psalm 10:6). The phrase indicates how God has already delivered this cup of wrath to many, pouring it from one person to another, and distributing it among various nations, causing the Sodomites, Chaldeans, Egyptians, Romans, and others to partake. Yet, His wine remains inexhaustible. There still exists a significant portion of vengeful righteousness that will be revealed on the final day of judgment. On that day, all sinners will partake of it. For then, mercy will no longer be available, and those who are found in sin will be compelled to drink from the cup of the Lord's anger.

This assistance is not derived from human sources; it is rooted in divine intervention: God brings low whom He wills and raises up others. To reinforce this truth emphatically, the prophet employs a vivid analogy. In ancient traditions, the master of the feast—known in the Gospel as Architricleanus—would serve wine to the guests, possessing the authority to allow them to drink as they choose. The prophet applies this custom to divine providence: according to him, God holds a cup of fine and potent wine in His hands, offering it to His guests to drink, tilting it at His discretion. What does this wine represent? It signifies God’s design. The Almighty dispenses fortune or misfortune to various nations through inscrutable destinies. The wicked ought not to boast in their triumphs; there remains the yeast of consequences, and they shall eventually drink from the cup of sorrow. The prophet conveys through this imagery that God's power over nations is limitless, and His providence will not wane; He will not allow nations to evolve or flourish apart from His holy purposes. All these truths are proclaimed by the Lord to the nations; God is still revealing His intentions, and the prophet, inspired by these divine messages, joyfully declares the ultimate plans of God: "But I will rejoice for ever." Acting as the voice of the entire nation, vested with God’s word, he proclaims the downfall of the unrighteous and God's safeguarding of the just.

Imagine an individual in a seemingly hopeless predicament—bereaved of family, devoid of benefactors, lacking resources for daily sustenance. In such despair, the Psalmist exclaims: Do not be disheartened—your life and well-being do not rely on external sources, not from the west, nor from mankind. God governs all in His wisdom and will always provide a path for your deliverance from adversity. He can promptly enrich you when He chooses. Occasionally, we engage in significant undertakings yet encounter discouragement; our efforts yield no success, leaving us feeling desolate. Interactions with others may prove fruitless; some have withdrawn, some lack diligence, while others possess the zeal but not the skill, and some have outright opposed and obstructed the endeavor. When all avenues seem blocked, and no one can be approached for help, it may appear that all hope is extinguished; yet, aid does not come from the Source, the west, or from the mountains; instead, our help is the Lord. He provides a timely moment, and those who once resisted will willingly support our endeavors, while the negligent will receive newfound diligence. The outcome may transcend human understanding, much like a seed quietly germinates and eventually brings forth fruitful harvest. Conversely, if you find yourself enjoying an abundance of earthly blessings—receiving the highest honors, serving the lowest with joy, and being surrounded by love from peers—where your health remains unscathed, your storehouses are brimming, and every venture succeeds—remember the Psalmist's words: “Lower from the exodus, lower from the west, lower from the barren mountains—but God is the Judge; He humbles this one and exalts that one.” Thus, do not take happiness for granted or presume its permanence, nor question how it might falter in the face of earthly favor. Instead, recognize that the Lord God tilts the cup of joy and grief according to His will. He has nourished you with sweet waters of delight, but know that He can also present you with the cup of sorrow. Therefore, do not place your hope in earthly joy, but rather humble yourself before God and submit to His will with sincere trust. Amen.