Psalm 78 (77):34Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Thus, the prophet scornfully remarked, “When I killed, then sought ye Him, and turned, and mourned unto God.” Similarly, Moses admonished them, saying, "And you who eat and drink, when you are full, remember the Lord your God" (Deuteronomy 6:11-12). Yet, it is remarked that, “Jacob did eat, and...grew fat, and grew wide, and turned away beloved” (Deuteronomy 32:15).

We should admire the saints, not solely for their piety during times of great trial but for their continued humility and diligence after the storms had passed. It is worth noting the analogy of a horse that can walk straight without a bridle; if it does so merely by being steered, then that is no cause for wonder. In the same vein, a modestly behaving soul under duress is not surprising; rather, true strength lies in maintaining that dignity when temptations cease and fear is lifted. I fear that in pointing fingers at the Israelites, we might unwittingly reflect on our own ways. In times of famine, plague, hail, drought, fire, and invasion, was our church not filled daily with crowds seeking refuge? Our reverence was immense, and we were unconcerned with worldly pursuits. We were free from the love of money, the desire for fame, and the passions leading to debauchery; all of us were devoted to piety, prayer, and tears. Fornicators chose to abstain, the vengeful sought reconciliation, the greedy were inclined to generosity, and the angry humbled themselves. However, once God quelled that fury and restored peace after the turmoil, we reverted to our previous ways. I had called attention to this during our trials and persistently warned you, but to no effect; those admonitions were dismissed as mere fleeting thoughts. Thus, I now harbor a greater fear than before; I worry profoundly about what I cautioned earlier, that we might invite upon ourselves calamities even worse than those we've known and, in turn, receive from God a wound that cannot be healed.

If you show a lack of diligence towards the higher virtues that are arduous to attain, how can you claim you would strive for the simpler, more straightforward ones? Wake from your illusions and heed reality. (Deuteronomy 32:15) Consider once more the experiences of Israel during times of trial, and observe whether their suffering hindered or instead aided them in glorifying the Lord. The Psalmist reflects, “When I was afflicted, then they sought Him, and returned, and groaned unto God; and they remembered that God was their helper, and God the Most High was their deliverer.” Do you perceive that prosperity can sometimes pose greater risks than adversity, while adversity can lead to salvation more effectively than wealth? Do not envy those who enjoy prosperity, nor allow despair to take hold during your trials. Remember that calamity may be granted to you as a means to guard against ingratitude and forgetfulness of God, which can arise in times of abundance when one becomes attached to earthly pleasures; to purify you from the sins committed in more fortunate times; or to summon you toward a higher calling, not only for your protection from despair but also to adorn you with a more brilliant reward in the life to come.

He indicates that the Israelites were not only exposed for their wrongdoings but also became aware of the significance of their salvation, which had slipped from their memory. This left them without any valid justification for their actions, making clear that their betrayal was intentional rather than due to ignorance, thereby incurring God’s anger. At that moment, God Himself illuminated their understanding, bringing their hypocrisy out of darkness into the light, enabling them to see their destructive sins more vividly. By denouncing their insincerity, the Prophet reveals that their confessions lacked genuine repentance and failed to honor God for their deliverance. He proclaims, "They loved Him with their mouth, and lied to Him with their tongue," indicating that their verbal acknowledgment did not stem from true remorse but rather was a facade. He further exposes the root of their deceit: their hearts were not aligned with Him, even as they maintained belief in His covenant. It is as though he communicated this truth: all such expressions are mere lies and deceptions before God when they lack purity and sincerity. Given that a pure heart is universally requisite under the law, he therefore condemns as disobedient and treacherous all who fail to uphold God’s covenant with unwavering faithfulness.

The lessons found in this psalm, while initially relevant to the Jews, are now directed towards the faithful followers of Christ; the old law serves as a foreshadowing of the new covenant. The Savior seeks an attentive response from His people so that they may not face the same fate as the earlier Jews who disobeyed God. The Savior urges a careful examination of the Gospel and an inner listening to the prophetic messages. Though the Jews were mighty, they faltered during the trial of Christ’s Passion due to their disbelief. The tribe of Ephraim, particularly disloyal to God, succumbed to the idolatry of the golden calf and led the other nine tribes astray. For this betrayal, God stripped them of their courage; despite their proficiency in archery, they became timid, fled, and retreated on the day of battle. Consequently, they were taken captive and dispersed among the Gentiles. God extended His mercy to the Jews, witnessing their total surrender to fleshly wisdom and their resistance to repentance. By His great compassion, He refrained from annihilating all of the Jews in the wilderness, showing them mercy instead. The flesh represents humanity, bound to passions and corruption, while the Spirit, having departed from humanity, will not return until the second coming.