Psalm 78 (77):39Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Thus, having summoned them and shown compassion through His grace, He personally brought them back, for they could not find their way on their own. How can the body make its way back when the spirit departs and does not come back, while the burden of wickedness drags it down to the deepest and furthest realms of sin, except through the choice of grace? It is established, and this matter bears great significance, as noted in Proverbs when the Scripture mentions the path of wrongdoing: all who pursue it will not find their way back.

I will keep in mind that the body is indeed mortal, while the spirit is dynamic and does not veer off course. God showed compassion toward them, as He observed that they had entirely surrendered to the flesh, embracing worldly wisdom, and that their spirits perpetually leaned toward earthly desires, neglecting to turn back in repentance and seek God wholeheartedly. Thus, God extended His mercy and brought them salvation, not for any other reason, but due to His unique embodiment. For this reason, the Psalmist declared in advance, 'He is gracious and merciful' (Ps. 77:38).

For He understood the frailty of their existence, aware that in a brief moment they would reach the conclusion of their earthly journey.

For this reason, He persevered over a long period, recognizing that they were made of flesh, meaning beings that are fragile and transient, with the spirit not remaining in life but instead departing from this realm without returning to earthly existence. The phrase "I will remember" in Scripture frequently pertains to God and should be interpreted in a figurative manner. Just as we say that God appears to forget someone when He takes time to provide assistance to the weary and afflicted, we conversely express that He remembers when He quickly comes to their aid. This is a rhetorical device that the prophet David often employs, aligning himself with the understanding of his audience.

How could God overlook our human nature or frailties? It is clearly stated regarding the Son who took on our humanity; He, as our Creator, not only understands our nature but also incarnated and personally experienced our limitations. This is why Paul states, "though He be a Son, yet by sufferings He learned obedience" (Heb. 5:8), and further, "for as He Himself endured being tempted, so He is able also to help those who are tempted" (Heb. 2:18). Consequently, since "the Word became flesh" (John 1:14), He acknowledged that we are made of flesh, meaning He truly experienced the vulnerabilities of our human condition.

Here, another explanation is provided for why God refrained from unleashing all His power against humanity, which is inherently weak and flawed. The terms used by the Prophet convey the fragility and deteriorating state of mankind. Scriptural texts frequently juxtapose flesh and spirit, illustrating that flesh represents humanity's sinful nature while spirit embodies the completeness bestowed upon the children of God at birth. People are referred to as flesh because they lack strength and resilience, much like how Isaiah characterizes Egypt as flesh rather than spirit (Isaiah 31:3). The Prophet intentionally includes both flesh and spirit in this discussion, with flesh denoting those vulnerable to corruption and decay, and spirit likened to something as ephemeral as a breath or a shadow.

This Psalm, attributed to David and rich in prophetic insight, was entrusted to Asaph, the principal singer, for the purpose of enlightening all regarding the countless blessings bestowed by God Almighty upon the ungrateful lineage of the Jews. It serves as both a rebuke for their ingratitude and a lesson to others on the importance of being thankful for the sublime nature of God, particularly as revealed through Christ the Lord, who has faith in His name. In this psalm, David speaks as if representing Christ, encouraging Christian believers to pay attention to the teachings of the Gospel. The insights offered are relevant to the Jews of old, but now they resonate with the faithful in Christ: the old law reflects the new covenant.