Psalm 77 (76):6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Away from the din outside, from humanity's unrest, let those who desire to think on these eternal epochs remain still within. Are these the years we inhabit now, or those of our forebears, or of our successors? It is uncertain if any of these should be deemed eternal. How much of these years remains? Observe that we speak, saying, "This year": but what do we possess of this year except for the one day that is present? The past days of this year are gone and cannot return; yet the days ahead are not yet upon us. We exist in a single day when we proclaim, “this year.” Rather, it is more appropriate to declare “today” if one wishes to reference anything that exists now. In terms of the entire year, what of the present do we have? That which has passed is no more; what lies ahead has not yet arrived: how, then, can we speak of this year? Adjust your language to call it “today.” Speak truthfully; from this moment onward, I shall say, “today.” Furthermore, consider again that the morning has elapsed, while future hours are yet to come. Therefore, let us refine this to say “this hour.” And in this hour, what remains? Portions of it have already transpired, while future moments are still awaited. Rather say, "this moment". Which moment? As I articulate these syllables, the latter cannot be spoken until the former has passed: in a single syllable, if it consists of two letters, the second letter cannot be pronounced until the first has elapsed. What do we possess in these years? These years are ever-changing: we ought to contemplate the eternal years, years that endure and do not consist of fleeting days; years, as Scripture asserts, in speaking to God, “But Thou art the same, and Thy years shall not end.” These are the years reflected upon by the man who leaps not in idle chatter, but in solemn contemplation.

This life is likened to night due to the errors within it, and the watchmen of life comprise the various states of existence: prior to the law, during the time of the law, and under the gospel. David thus reflects that in contemplating these two forms of life—the pre-law and the under-law—he found no instance of abandonment among the Jews comparable to what would later occur. Consequently, God aided the patriarchs both before and during the law; however, with the advent of the gospel way of life, a complete and lasting subjugation of the Jews by the Roman forces ensued. The Lord spoke of such guardians as He commended those who remain vigilant: “And if the master comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those servants” (Luke 12:38).

While this reflection might be the best remedy for present woes, the enemy, the devil, frequently seeks to obscure God’s blessings through deceitful means, causing our hearts to ache more intensely with their absence. As a result, it is likely that the Prophet felt deep sorrow as he compared past periods of blessing with his current misfortunes. He deliberately mentions the night, a time often laden with sorrowful thoughts when one is isolated and away from the eyes of others. The subsequent phrase, "I meditate with my heart," reinforces this notion, as solitude encourages deeper introspection and allows for unreserved self-dialogue in the absence of observers. The concluding segment of verse 7 presents a dual interpretation. Some suggest it refers to God’s scrutiny of the spirit, translating it as, "God searched my spirit," implying a confession that there is nothing hidden from the Lord’s view. Nevertheless, the interpretation from the seventy translators aligns closely with the original text and flows better with what has been said previously. In contemplating this, the Prophet reflects on his circumstances, questioning why he endures such suffering and pondering the outcome of his trials. "By night," he asserts, "I meditated with my heart and tested my spirit." Ultimately, he shares that despite his efforts to gather comfort from various sources, he found no solace in his distress and thus turned once more to God, saying: