Psalm 77 (76):19Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Yet, I still do not grasp it. You might refer to it as, Your lightning illuminated the entire globe. Let us conclude that I possess little understanding. The globe is akin to the wheel. The circumference of the sphere is also referred to as a ball; thus, the small wheel is aptly termed orbiculus. The Voice of Your thunder in the wheel: Your lightnings revealed themselves to the entire globe. Those clouds within the wheel encircled the world, accompanied by thunder and lightning, stirring the depths, resounding with commands, and brightening with marvels. Their sound has reverberated through all lands, and their messages have illuminated the corners of the earth. The earth has trembled and continually trembles, affecting all who inhabit it. Yet, considering the multitude of people, the earth itself resembles the sea. Why is this? Because all nations are likened to the sea, reflecting how human existence can be tumultuous and fraught with trials and tribulations. Moreover, if we observe how individuals consume one another like fish, with the stronger preying upon the weaker, it is indeed the sea—the very sea the evangelists intended to explore.

However, the sound of such thunder does not echo in every heart; it requires one to be worthy of the title akin to a wheel, as it is written, ‘The voice of your thunder is in the wheels.’ Only when one strives like a wheel, making contact with the earth at a small point, can they truly resonate with the wheel that Ezekiel described: ‘And I have seen, and behold, the wheel is one on the earth, held by four living creatures; and the vision of the wheels, and their creation, resembles the vision of Pharsis’ (Ezekiel 1:15-16).

Basil suggests that the Gospel embodies this thunder, symbolized by Christ renaming His disciples the sons of thunder. Thus, this thundering voice is not present in everyone, but specifically in those deemed worthy to be likened to a wheel. Such a person strives forward while only minimally engaging with earthly experiences, reminiscent of a wheel’s limited contact with the ground. Origen explains that every saint is without fault, resembling a wheel through their limited earthly connection, and only within them does the voice of wisdom arise, untainted by imperfections. On the other hand, those who sin lack this straightness and may pray insincerely.

Bezymenny interprets the world as a wheel, with Ezekiel referring to the interconnected aspects of human existence as wheels within wheels. The universe, circular in nature, mirrors the perpetual motion of the sun, as depicted in Ezra’s declaration that the heavens are high and the sun moves swiftly along its path, completing its journey in a single day. Olympiodorus notes that life, characterized by its movement and cyclicity, resembles a wheel, underscoring the importance of vigilance for our salvation rather than being consumed by life's turmoil.

St. Nilus cautions against the chaotic wheel of life, alerting us to the abyss that claims those who remain oblivious. St. Gregory the Theologian, through poetic verse, reflects on life as a fickle wheel filled with variance; while it appears stable, it is consistently in motion, shifting direction unpredictably. Its movement is capable of drawing in all that is stationary, epitomizing the transience of life as merely smoke, a fleeting dream, or the fleeting shade of grass.

Your lightning has illuminated all creation, revealing the glory of the miracle at the Red Sea to the entire universe. One theologian suggests that the awe-inspiring light of thunders and lightning draws us closer to God, the creator of these phenomena. Their sudden brightness obliterates the night’s darkness, showcasing that both the sun and lightning dispel shadows. Job references the might of thunder, asking who can comprehend its force when it is unleashed. The unnamed writer equates lightning to the gifts of the Holy Spirit that sanctify all creation.

Athanasius posits that the "lightnings" represent those who bestow spiritual enlightenment upon us – the holy Apostles and Evangelists, to whom the Savior proclaimed, “You are the light of the world.” The transformative message spread throughout the earth, invoking pure reverence: “Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.” Consequently, the land itself quaked, as the people of the earth were gripped with fear upon witnessing the miracles performed by the Lord in Egypt, at the Red Sea, and in the wilderness for His chosen people. Rahab, the harlot, conveyed to the spies, “The fear of you has fallen upon us; we have heard how the Lord dried up the Red Sea before you.”

Similarly, at Christ’s advent, the magnificence of His voice, the brilliance of His works, and the splendor of His miracles caused the earth to tremble, signifying the widespread reception of God’s saving proclamation across the entire world.

The subsequent verse supports this notion, indicating that the voice of thunder resonated throughout the cosmos, lighting up the sky to the trembling of the earth. The essence of this narrative is that the power of God during the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt was evidently observable to all, as the heavens roared, the air was illuminated by lightning, and the ground trembled in fear.

Among these wondrous acts, he observes God's power manifesting in the sea: "Thy ways are in the sea, and Thy paths in the waters of many." Overjoyed by this vision of divine care, the prophet transitions from the tangible to the intangible, from historical Israel to the spiritual Israel. God traversed the waters, parting the sea for the people of Israel, who were liberated from Egyptian oppression, as Pharaoh was overwhelmed, and Egypt lost its might. The Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, strides through the waters of the Jordan—here again, God’s pathways unfold in the waters, granting new Israel freedom from the clutches of evil. Through the sacrament of Baptism, the enemy is conquered—hell and death are stripped of their authority.

Ultimately, a natural phenomenon offers the prophet a profound reflection. Envision a vessel sailing across the sea, cleaving through the waters; yet, within a minute, all traces vanish, leaving no indication that a ship ever passed. The prophet applies this observation to divine paths, declaring, "And Thy footsteps are not known." Some of the Lord’s ways are revealed to all humanity, as God told Moses: "He shall teach the meek His ways," while others remain justly termed unfathomable and beyond comprehension. Such are the Son of God’s journeys from the boundlessness of Heaven to the Virgin Mary’s womb, as well as the Spirit's daily passage to the Holy Altar where the Sacrament is celebrated. About this, the saintly prophet reflects: "the way in His Holy One." Ultimately, the path to human hearts and the manner in which He governs worldly affairs. To this, St. Basil connects the prophet's proclamation: "Laying up in the treasures of the abysses." It might be more consistent with broader understanding to say: "Laying up treasures in abysses," indicating a concealment of wealth. Yet, it is expressed here as if the abysses themselves were precious vessels worthy of God’s riches. So, it isn’t merely the laws of divine judgment that are termed abysses, being incomprehensible to human insight; these laws are uniquely entrusted to God, who orchestrates all things. That the judgment of God towards each individual is referred to as an abyss is evident from another Psalm: "Thy destinies are many abysses" (Psalm 35:7, 6, St. Father's Creation). This is St. Basil’s reasoning.

Why, you may wonder, are these paths obscure and concealed from humanity? Because God is intrinsically incomprehensible; His actions arise from a wisdom beyond measure, and His ways differ vastly from those of man. Humanity is enshrouded in flesh, clouded by sinful thoughts, hence incapable of perceiving the signs of God’s direction. Furthermore, it could be that the Lord, in His mercy, intentionally keeps some of His paths hidden. Revealing them might induce terror, rendering us unable to withstand the displays that accompany the presence of the invisible God. For we would behold angels perpetually surrounding us, armed with blazing swords to smite the wicked, illuminating the ignorant, comforting the innocent in captivity, distributing wealth to some while plunging others into poverty, and blessing certain fields while sending decay to others, each appearing swiftly like lightning. Yet, if the sight of distant lightning alarms us, how could we endure the immediate brightness of heavenly beings?

Instead of probing why God’s paths are concealed from us, let us derive spiritual nourishment from this divine mystery. Consider again St. Basil’s words: "Therefore, if you want to understand why the sinner’s life persists while the righteous often face difficulties, why the unrighteous prosper while the righteous are burdened; why a child dies before reaching maturity; and why wars, shipwrecks, earthquakes, droughts, or excessive rains occur—why does harmful creation exist among men? Why is one person a servant while another is free? There exists a notable disparity between those who sin and those who embody virtue; one may be compelled into sin, while another is nurtured from childhood under a good tutor in the precepts of purity. What legitimizes the favor shown to the latter over the condemnation of the former? And what recompense does the Judge hold for each? When faced with such ponderings, remember that God’s destinies are an abyss, existing within divine treasures and beyond full human understanding."

Let us also turn our thoughts to the teachings of the Holy Father. Have you encountered extraordinary occurrences that astonish or alarm you? Do not hastily judge them through a lens of human reasoning; instead, acknowledge: this is God’s way, even if it is not visibly apparent, through which the Lord executes His judgments on nations and possibly on the whole world. If you observe your neighbor, who has lived a morally corrupt life, displaying sincere piety, refrain from labeling him a hypocrite or suggesting his piety is self-serving—who can discern God’s workings in the human heart? The Spirit moves as He desires; you may hear His voice, yet you do not know from where He comes or what He accomplishes (John 3:8). If you witness a destitute person suddenly attaining wealth, or an unlearned individual achieving high honor, don’t fall into the temptation of assuming deceit or trickery as the means; understand that this reflects God’s path, albeit hidden from our eyes, for it is said: "God makes poor and rich, humbles and exalts."

At last, if you find yourself continually beset by sorrowful situations, disappointments, or even misfortunes, what do you attribute this to? Do not fabricate countless human explanations but rather listen to the Church, which will impart the true understanding: "Unto me you go," it proclaims in one of its hymns, "looking for me who has gone astray." This implies that in your trials and adversities, the pathway of God—who is merciful and compassionate—is veiled, and within that obscurity, He approaches you to cleanse your heart and soul, preparing you for eternal joy. Amen. "Thy voice of thunder in the wheels." According to Theodoret, the Lord caused the wheels of the Egyptian chariots in the Red Sea to become bound by His thundering might, as chronicled by Moses (Ex. 14:25).