Psalm 76 (75):6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

How were they perplexed? When the message of salvation is proclaimed. What does it mean to have everlasting life? Who is the One who conquered death? The people of Athens were astonished when the Apostle Paul discussed the resurrection of the dead, dismissing his words as mere myths. Yet, when he spoke of a life beyond this one—“which no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man” (1 Cor. 2:9)—those with hardened hearts became uneasy. But what has come to pass for them? They are in a restful slumber, and all their riches avail them nothing. They delighted in the here and now, succumbing to the allure of the present moment; their enjoyment rendered them complacent, much like one who dreams of discovering hidden treasure remains rich until awakening.

Those lacking understanding in their hearts experience turmoil. Individuals who do not accept the illumination of the Holy Spirit will feel unrest and agitation when the judgment of God is made manifest. They have succumbed to slumber, finding themselves with nothing. By indulging in neglect and carelessness throughout their lives, they will discover at the time of divine judgment that they possess nothing, even though they were once affluent in their earthly existence. For how can they claim rewards for what they have not accomplished? Every person is endowed with potential and strength. They have not utilized the power within their grasp, which they believed would lead them to acquire wealth from others. Realizing they achieved nothing from this, it follows that they shall be left wanting.

Those who are foolish in heart are filled with trepidation (Psalm 75:6). This can be associated with those who lack faith. They have succumbed to a slumber without gaining anything valuable. Indeed, our existence resembles a fleeting dream. The same can be said about material riches: often, just when we believe we possess them, we let them slip away. As the prophet conveys: "As a thirsty man dreams that he has found water and drinks, when he awakens he is still thirsty" (Isaiah 29:8). Such is the nature of wealth in this world; we hold it only until we release it.

The foolish-hearted are filled with distress; they have succumbed to a deep slumber and discovered naught, for they arrogantly opposed You in their thoughts, only to find themselves suddenly unsettled by the folly of their souls. Believing they could rest without fear, they were misled in their expectations, as their slumber led to death. History bears witness to this, for when they awakened, they encountered lifeless bodies. Every person possesses riches in their hands. Symmachus interprets it as the strength of all men was in their hands; in other words, the might they relied on to seize the wealth of others brought them no assistance whatsoever. The Prophet, making it clear that their endeavors yielded little benefit, added.

The unwise at heart were filled with distress; they succumbed to slumber and found their expectations empty. The Assyrians besieging Jerusalem, struck down by an angel in a moment of divine intervention, were troubled, unaware of the origin of their sudden demise. They are described as lacking wisdom, having opposed God and failing to recognize the true God. They fell into sleep with the expectation of capturing the city, yet upon awakening, their anticipations were dashed, revealing their hopes to be unfounded.

When the contemplation of God inspires you to perform acts of goodness, and this reciprocal goodness leads you closer to Him, prompting you to dedicate your righteous deeds to His glory and express gratitude for His assistance: it becomes clear that you are living in His presence and remain vigilant. In contrast, if the driving force behind your actions is selfish desire, worldly ambition, or the pursuit of wealth, then regardless of the accolades and achievements you may attain, a time will inevitably arrive when you reflect on your seemingly tireless efforts. At that moment, the truth of the prophetic saying will resonate in your heart: ‘They have fallen asleep in their sleep, and the men of wealth have found nothing in their hands’ (Ps. 75:6).

In this passage, the prophet illustrates how the Israelites triumphed over the Assyrians by invoking the power of God. The Prophet declares that the Lord has illuminated us from the eternal heights, implying that He has bestowed upon us the light of divine assistance. Like lightning descending from celestial mountains, God has dispatched His angel to confront the Assyrian forces. Consequently, the troops of Sennacherib were struck with fear, leading to their sudden insanity; they lost their sanity and became uncomprehending in spirit. Spiritually, this indicates that the foundation of victory against unseen foes originates from the divine enlightenment provided by God, which enables us to perceive both our adversaries and their deceptions.

Ultimately, through Christ, the Fulfillment of all goodness, who is celebrated in hymns of gratitude and exalted eternally. This Psalm, inspired by the Holy Spirit and given to David, was conveyed to Asaph, the chief musician, to announce a prophecy of joy to the people of Israel concerning the forthcoming triumph over Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, which symbolizes the victory of the Holy Church over all of her adversaries, granted by God through our Lord Jesus Christ. It is important to note that the Holy Spirit has interwoven the truths of Christian teaching with Jewish heritage, offering solace to both the Jew who interprets these words in a straightforward manner and delight to the Christian who comprehends their deeper significance.