Psalm 78 (77):33Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Although they had the opportunity, if they truly believed, to live their lives in truth without fail with Him of whom it was declared, ‘Your years shall not pass away.’ Thus, their days were spent in futility and their years quickly elapsed. For the entire existence of humanity is fleeting, and what may seem lengthy is merely a mist that lasts a little longer. Nevertheless, after experiencing destruction, they sought Him—not for everlasting life, but out of fear of their own swift demise. It was not those who had been killed that turned to Him, but rather those who feared following in their footsteps. Scripture describes their actions as though they sought after the God who had been slain; for they were united as one people, and it is expressed as if they constituted one body: they returned and sought God at dawn.

Yet they persisted in their transgressions. The Prophet further states: In all these matters, they continued to sin and remained unbelieving in His wonders. Their days vanished in emptiness, and their years were filled with anxiety. Engaging in sin, straying from the truth, and neglecting what could have been beneficial, they surrendered themselves to futility and fruitless pursuits, devoting themselves to these endeavors, and ultimately, they left this life.

Their lives faded away in futility. They neglected good deeds and succumbed to the desires of the flesh. Consequently, they all perished in the wilderness, as God declared, ‘They shall not see the land which I swore to their fathers; only their children who are here with me, who know not what is good and what is evil’ (Numbers 14:23-24). In another passage, it is stated, ‘in this wilderness your bodies shall fall’ (Num. 14:28). They vanished swiftly, he observes, or perhaps they vanished in haste; for those who live in laziness and carelessness, the time appears to slip by rapidly due to the ease that pleasure offers. Conversely, for those who labor in virtue, the passage of time feels prolonged due to their exertion. Alternatively, because he mentioned that their years vanished with care, it implies that they soon met their end.

The prophet expressed astonishment at the disbelief and stubbornness of the Jewish people, who remained oblivious not only to the blessings bestowed upon them but also to the consequences of their actions, continuously transgressing and compounding their sins. Their lack of faith stemmed from an inability to recognize the miraculous works of God, reflecting their absence of trust and belief. Like many who are unrighteous, they perceived miraculous signs as mere coincidences. As a result, their lives were incomplete. The prophet does not describe their lives as short due to the number of days but rather due to a deficiency in virtuous living.

Israel sought only trivial desires, provoking the anger of God. They neglected to marvel at the awe-inspiring wonders that God accomplished and instead pursued the fleeting cravings of their flesh. Yet “the wrath of God is still in their mouths, and the wrath of God is come upon them” (Psalm 77:30-31). Present your requests to God in accordance with His glory, that your worth may be elevated in His sight, causing Him to delight in you. When one approaches a sovereign with requests as insignificant as a mere trifle, they not only diminish their own honor with such a foolish plea but also offend the king with their request. Similarly, those who petition God for worldly blessings in their prayers exhibit the same disregard.

In this passage, the Prophet rebukes the Israelites for their profound wickedness; they not only rejected God’s words but also disregarded His miraculous works. Consequently, he states that their punishments were intensified, echoing God’s warning through Moses, “If ye will not hearken unto me, I will punish you with plagues seven times for your sins” (Lev. 26:18). He addresses the entire populace, implying that all, from the least to the greatest, met their end swiftly. This can certainly be connected to the dire judgment that was sworn, declaring that all would perish in the wilderness except for two individuals, Joshua and Caleb, who, having been close to entering Canaan, did not turn back.

This Psalm attributed to David, rich in prophetic insight, was entrusted to Asaph, the head of the singers, so he could proclaim it for the enlightenment of all. It reflects on the countless blessings bestowed by God Almighty upon the ungrateful nation of the Jews, chastising them for their ingratitude and teaching others the importance of gratitude for the immeasurable mercy of God, particularly as manifested through Christ the Lord, who believes in His name. In this psalm, David seems to speak on behalf of Christ to the Christian faithful, urging them to heed the principles of the Gospel, as noted by early Church Fathers like Chrysostom, Theodoret, and Athanasius.