Psalm 78 (77):55Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

And He distanced the nations from His presence, as well as from the presence of those who are devoted to Him. The nations represent, in various respects, the malevolent spirits of false beliefs. By casting lots, He allocated the land to them in accordance with the measure of distribution. The same Spirit is at work in all of us, distributing gifts to each as He chooses. And He established the tribes of Israel in their tents. In the dwellings of the Gentiles, He made His abode among the tribes of Israel, which I believe is better understood in a spiritual sense, for through the grace of Christ, we are raised to the heavenly glory from which the rebellious angels were cast down.

The Israelites took possession of the towns and dwellings left behind by the exiles. They gained these cities and homes as a reward for their faithfulness, as the Israelites indeed received the cities and houses of the exiled inhabitants.

He cast out their tongues from their faces and, by casting lots, allocated the territory of affliction. After freeing the region from its long-standing inhabitants, He entrusted it to His people in accordance with His promises. This is reflected in the term ‘the land of divine allotment.’ Typically, the measurement of land is determined by its stewards. The specific distributions and divisions of the land are thoroughly documented in the account of Joshua. You are to place the tribes of Israel in their settlements, as they have apportioned the land among the tribes.

The prophet reproaches the Israelites for having received abundant blessings, akin to inheriting from others and sharing them equally. When the Lord demonstrated His paternal care for Israel, directing that the division be conducted by casting lots so that the larger portion went to the stronger tribe and the smaller to the weaker, it was meant to ensure that each tribe received according to its size. Yet, they failed to remember those exiled for their nations and the God who had caused their exile. Had they remembered, they might have expressed gratitude to the Lord and avoided replicating the iniquity of the exiles, thereby steering clear of a similar destiny.

Once again, he announces God's grace to His chosen ones, likening them to a flock of sheep, since they lacked the reason and strength to defend themselves against the assaults of their adversaries, without God's decision to take on the role of shepherd. As we are aware, during their time in Egypt, this people endured harsh and degrading labor, limited to the tasks of making bricks and hewing stone. In Scripture, this toil is described as the sustenance of Egypt, from which the Israelites were delivered with hope. This hope arose not from their faith in God, but from the assurance that, under His guidance, they had no cause to fear, and would not have feared anyone had it not been for the tremors of disbelief.

This Psalm attributed to David, rich in prophetic insight, was entrusted to Asaph, the leader of the singers, so he could communicate its message to everyone. It reflects on the countless mercies of God Almighty bestowed upon the ungrateful lineage of the Jews, admonishing them for their lack of gratitude and teaching others to appreciate the immeasurable grace of God, particularly as manifested through Christ the Lord, who believes in His name. In this psalm, the prophet David speaks as if representing Christ, urging believers to pay attention to the teachings of the Gospel. The message is relevant to the Jewish people in some respects, but it now finds its true significance among the faithful followers of Christ: the old covenant serves as a foreshadowing of the new.