Psalm 77 (76):3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

In my own time of distress, I sought the Lord: not through the deity of any other thing, but I sought God Himself. And how did I seek Him? With my own hands throughout the night before Him.

We should not assume that tribulation is something particular. Each individual who has not yet ascended believes that true hardships are only those arising from unfortunate events in this life; however, he who leaps beyond considers all of earthly existence to be his grief. His longing for his heavenly homeland is so profound that earthly trials become the most significant source of his sorrow. For how can life in this world be anything but sorrow-filled? How can it not be sorrow when every experience is termed a trial? The Scriptures affirm in the book of Job, "Is not man’s life a struggle upon the earth?" (Job 7:1). The assertion is not that human life faces temptations on earth; no, but that life itself is a trial. Therefore, if it is a trial, it must indeed be a tribulation. Thus, in this tribulation, which is life itself, the one who leaps seeks the Lord. How does he do this? With his own hands, he declares. What does he mean by ‘his hands’? Through his actions. He seeks not material things to clasp in his hands—the lost coin, gold, silver, garments, or any tangible possession. Our Lord Jesus Christ also desired to be sought with hands when He pointed out the wounds to His doubting disciple (John 20:27). What is it that does not belong to us to seek with our hands? Indeed, it is within our grasp to seek through our deeds. When is this the case? In the night. What is night? It refers to this present age. For it will remain night until the day dawns at the glorious return of our Lord Jesus Christ. Would you like to understand the nature of night? Absent a light, we would dwell in darkness. Peter teaches us, “We have a more sure prophetic word, to which you do well to pay attention, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day breaks and the morning star rises in your hearts” (2 Pet. 1:19). After this night will come day, and during this night, there will surely be light. Perhaps this is the purpose of our current discussion: by illuminating these passages, we hold up a lamp to find joy in this night. This light should persistently shine in your homes. For to such individuals, it is stated, "Do not quench the Spirit" (1 Thess. 5:19). The text continues, instructing us not to neglect prophecy; this means let there always be a light shining within you. Even this light, in comparison to some indescribable dawn, is termed night. For the life of believers is day compared to the existence of non-believers, while night exists relative to the existence of Angels. The Angels experience a day that we have yet to know. We presently possess what non-believers do not, but believers have not yet attained what the Angels possess; however, they shall receive it when they are made equal to the angels of God, as promised to them in the Rapture (Matt. 22:30). Hence, what is day and what is night—a night contrasted with the future day we yearn for, a day contrasted with the past night we have rejected. Therefore, I say, let us seek the Lord with our hands in this night. Let us not cease from our endeavors, let us pursue God, and let there be no idle efforts. Instead, if we encounter obstacles, let us expend our resources to achieve our goal. With our hands, let us earnestly seek the Lord. With my hands all through the night before Him, I was not deceived.

My soul refused all comfort (Psalm 75:2). A deep weariness has taken hold of me here that my soul has shut the door to all consolation. Where does this weariness come from? Perhaps it arises from a vineyard left untended, an olive tree that yields no fruit, or a harvest dampened by heavy rains. What is the source of his weariness? Let us hear it from another Psalm where the voice resonates: “Weariness has weighed me down because of the sinners who have forsaken your law.” Therefore, he confesses that he is overwhelmed by such profound weariness due to this type of wickedness; his soul utterly rejects comfort. Weariness nearly consumes him, and sorrow grips him hopelessly, leaving him unwilling to be consoled. What remains for him? First, let us see what he finds comfort in. Was he not anticipating someone to empathize with him?

Notice that our actions, even in silence, speak to God. Thus, it is written, "The word of the Lord came through Haggai the prophet" (Haggai 1:1). It was not through spoken words but through actions, through deeds. "For the kingdom of God is not in word" (1 Cor. 4:20), but in actions, that is to say, in what we do. "In the night I lifted my hands to cry out." Therefore, it was asked of Moses, "Why do you cry out to Me?" (Ex. 14:15). Despite there being no direct mention of him crying out to God, it indicates the longing of his heart, which uttered "Abba Father." This is why it is asked, "Why do you cry out to Me?" In Jeremiah, it is said, "Let not the apple of my eye remain silent" (Lamentations 2:18). So, behold, even the apple of our eye speaks. Each tear shed is a cry towards God accompanied by our hands. "In the night before Him." Accordingly, it is proclaimed, "At night, stretch forth your hands into the holy place, and bless the Lord" (Psalm 133:2). "In this age’s night and darkness, while others rush towards their desires, I lift my works solely to You. 'And I will not be led astray.' For I have cried out in this manner and through my actions, I have declared my faith, so I will not be misled. This can be understood in two ways: I may either realize my desires or I will not fall into the traps set by the enemy who seeks to ensnare me. In Hebrew, it states: "My hand is stretched out in the night and does not lower." Always, the hand of virtue is extended and is never weakened by sin. "My soul has forsaken comfort." In my sins, I find no solace, leaving me without hope or the ability to be comforted.

Some interpret "hands" as representing deeds, and "night" as the secrecy of one’s actions—essentially, I sought God through righteous works done discreetly so that none could observe. Consequently, having sought the Lord in this manner, I remained hopeful of finding Him as my aid, and my expectation was not misplaced; following Athanasius, my efforts were not in vain, as I received Him as the outcome of my heartfelt petitions, according to Theodoret. These words resonate with the Israelites upon returning from Babylon to Jerusalem, as well as every believer liberated from peril.

Some commentators link David's words to Thomas's encounter with the risen Christ: when Thomas touched the Savior’s side, he was not let down but found assurance that He was indeed his Lord and God alone. Additionally, it is said that many, during moments of trial, blinded by their afflictions, neglect to pray, though this is exactly when they should engage in prayer. Often, even those mourning the loss of loved ones are hesitant to turn to God in prayer, as if it is not the appropriate time. Others may have suffered loss and bear heavy sorrow yet feel disinclined to seek the Lord; in contrast, the righteous amplify their prayers amidst tribulations. Thus, we can assert that it demonstrates great courage during times of hardship, particularly to seek God actively through deeds. I have denied my spirit comfort. My soul found no solace, he laments, nor did I gain reassurance from mankind; for my grief was profound and exceedingly heavy, surpassing all human consolation.

The repeated invocation of God's name serves to strengthen his faith, and the use of "and" signifies an emphasis on his resolute position: he calls upon God because of His mercy and attentiveness. In the subsequent verse, he poignantly depicts the severity and duration of the church's trials. When he states that he sought God during the day of his affliction and reached out to Him throughout the night, this reflects a persistent effort over time. Even though the Prophet’s soul may not have found immediate relief from its anguish, he relentlessly stretched out his hands toward God. To seek God day and night is essentially to engage in unceasing prayer. Consequently, it often occurs that those who diligently seek Him discover God, whom they may not encounter through mere reasoning or studying.

"In the day of my affliction," he states, “I sought God” (Psalms 76:3). Yet, upon realizing that God allowed him to face hardship, David understood that God is the All-Blessed Father, who, perceiving the future as though it were present, orchestrates all things for our good. This conviction did not mislead him; instead, it brought forth remarkable results. "In the day of my affliction I sought God with my hands; I sought Him by night before Him, and I was not dismayed" (Psalms 76:3): this pursuit alleviated his hardships and filled his heart with joy. With great delight, he proclaimed, "I have remembered God, and I am glad."

This reflects the understanding that if one believes that every trial and suffering is for divine purposes, this conviction acts as a healing balm for all ailments and grief.