Psalm 77 (76):17Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The waters above, which exalt the Lord, remain untainted by sin, while those below have succumbed to it. The upper waters behold God, whereas the lower waters are blind to Him. It is declared, The waters have seen Thee, O God; the waters have seen Thee and have feared Thee, and the depths have trembled. The tumult of the waters is great (Psalm 76:17-18). There is good reason for the depths to tremble, shrouded in formless darkness—they experience no peace. This is why the legion of demons pleaded (see Luke 8:30-33) to be sent into the abyss, and they rushed into the water, causing the herd of swine to perish in their possession. Thus, sinners are drawn to the abyss, where the deepest darkness resides.

Amid these extraordinary events, he perceives God moving through the waters: "Thy ways are in the sea, and Thy paths in the waters of many.” Overjoyed by this vision of divine protection, the prophet transitions from the visible to the invisible, from the past to the future, and from earthly Israel to spiritual Israel. Just as God led His people through the waters, parting the sea to liberate them from Egyptian bondage while Pharaoh was engulfed and Egypt stripped of its might, the Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, traverses the waters of the Jordan. There, too, the paths of God are revealed in the multitude of waters: the seas, rivers, and lakes pave the way for the new Israel to be freed from the devil's chains. Through the sacrament of Baptism, the devil is vanquished, and death's grip is broken.

Furthermore, a natural phenomenon offers the prophet a new, enlightening thought. Picture a ship gliding across the surface of the sea; it slices through the water deeply, then after a minute, its trace vanishes, leaving no sign of its passage. The prophet likens this occurrence to the ways of God, observing, "And Thy footsteps are not known." Some paths of the Lord are revealed to mankind—when He spoke to Moses, He promised to teach the humble His ways, as the prophet acknowledges. Others are rightly described as unsearchable and beyond understanding, such as the Son of God’s descent from the heights of Heaven into the womb of the Virgin Mary, and the Spirit of God’s daily journey to the Holy Altar where the Sacrament is celebrated. St. Basil refers to this in speaking of the path in His Holy One, including the way to the hearts of men and the manner in which He directs the affairs of humanity. St. Basil connects this to the prophet’s words about treasures stored in the abysses. While it might be more fitting to say treasures in the abysses—suggesting hidden wealth—the phrasing implies that the abysses are precious vessels for God's treasures. Thus, the judgments of God, which can seem deep and unfathomable to our understanding, remain His alone, as He orchestrates all creation.

As illustrated in another Psalm: "Thy destinies are many abysses" (Psalm 35:7), St. Basil reasoned that the paths of God are concealed from mankind due to their incomprehensibility, as His actions reflect the wisdom of the infinite Spirit, divergent from human ways. Humanity, encumbered by flesh and clouded by sin, cannot discern the traces of God’s paths. Moreover, it may be that God, in His mercy, has shrouded some of His ways in mystery. If unveiled, they might overwhelm us; we could not endure the manifestations of the invisible God. For we would witness angels surrounding us, brandishing their fiery swords against the wicked, illuminating the ignorant, and comforting the innocent in despair. If we witnessed divine majesty distributing riches to some and destitution to others, rewarding one field while inflicting devastation on another, it would flash before us with the intensity of lightning. Yet, if distant lightning startles us, how could we withstand the brilliance of heavenly hosts in close proximity?

Let us not delve into why God’s paths are hidden, but rather draw spiritual lessons from this obscurity. As St. Basil remarks: "If you ponder why the wicked thrive while the righteous suffer, why a child departs before reaching maturity, or the reasons for misfortunes like wars, shipwrecks, earthquakes, and extreme weather—remember the destinies of God are unfathomable and housed in His divine wisdom, beyond complete understanding."

When you encounter extraordinary events that bewilder you, avoid passing judgement based on human concepts. Recognize these as the ways of God, unseen yet decisive, as He pronounces His will on nations and the universe. If someone you know, characterized by a sinful life, suddenly displays genuine piety, refrain from labeling them as insincere; who can discern the traces of God's workings in the heart of another? The Spirit moves as He chooses, revealing His voice yet remaining unseen (John 3:8). Should a poor individual suddenly attain wealth, or someone lacking knowledge rise to prominence, resist the impulse to think ill; for God is the one who makes impoverished and wealthy, humbling and exalting.

Lastly, if you find yourself beset by sorrowful encounters, perplexities, or misfortunes, consider not the many human reasons but listen to the wisdom of the Church, which can reveal the truth: “Unto me you go,” sings one of its hymns, “looking for me who has gone astray.” This suggests that within your troubling experiences, the way of the compassionate God is woven, guiding you in the midst of darkness to purify your heart and soul, making you worthy of eternal joy. Amen. Thy voice of thunder in the wheels. According to Theod., by the thunderous blows the Lord troubled the wheels of the Egyptians' chariots in the Red Sea, as recounted by Moses (Ex. 14:25).