Psalm 78 (77):67Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Given the proximity of David’s selection after Saul’s rejection (1 Samuel 16:1), one might expect such a mention, yet it focuses instead on those with seemingly greater merits. Joseph, revered for sustaining his father and brothers in Egypt, was unjustly sold into slavery due to his virtue, integrity, and wisdom; thus, he was justifiably elevated (Gen 41:40). Similarly, Ephraim was favored through Jacob’s blessing over his elder sibling. Yet, despite their notable merits, God did not choose the dwelling of Joseph or the tribe of Ephraim. In addressing these esteemed attributes, what do we understand but that the individuals who clung to their former greed, seeking temporal rewards from the Lord, were ultimately rejected while the tribe of Judah was chosen, not for Judah’s own merits, but because it is from this lineage that Christ was born. The Scriptures affirm that the new community in Christ supersedes the old one, as the Lord conveys profound truths through parables. Moreover, regarding Mount Zion, which He selected, we gain insight into the Church of Christ, which does not worship God for the sake of material goods of this world but, through the eyes of faith, anticipates future and eternal rewards; in this context, Zion is also interpreted as a place of vision.

Mount Zion was selected for this purpose, establishing His sanctuary there. To clarify the foundation's rationale, the Prophet attributes it entirely to the divine favor of God, implying that God favored Mount Zion simply because He loved it. Consequently, the sanctuary's foundation relies not on the location's worthiness, but solely on God's grace, while the merit of the place pertains to humanity. Therefore, it follows that the Church has, from its inception to the present, been built upon God's grace and favor, as no human effort possesses sufficient inner value or outer strength to sustain it.

In the subsequent verse, when it states, "And He created His sanctuary like a unicorn," the Prophet conveys that Mount Zion was adorned in the most splendid way, but this beauty should be directed towards the heavenly Zion. God's desire was not to fixate human attention solely on the external magnificence of the Church, but to elevate minds to Christ, to whom all truth of the symbols correlates. Thus, he likens Mount Zion to the entire earth, proclaiming, "On the earth is the foundation, and forever." Although certain parts of the earth may face change from earthquakes and other upheavals, its essence remains steadfast and reliable, grounded in a firm and solid foundation. The Prophet signifies that the structure he discusses is not temporary, nor is it subject to collapse or destruction, but is established in such a way that it will endure intact until the end of time. Should anyone claim that this temple was long ago demolished by the Chaldeans and Assyrians, it is simple to respond. The enduring nature that the Prophet exalts refers to the Church, not just the transitory temple, which merely served as a physical representation. Since it symbolized the Church of Christ, it is appropriate to attribute to it eternal stability, as the Prophet asserts: "They founded it upon the holy mountains" (Psalm 86:2). Again, "That is the foundation of the Highest" (Psalm 86:5), and once more, "The Lord is the foundation of Zion" (Isaiah 14:32).

The teachings contained within this psalm are occasionally pertinent to the Jews but are now relevant to the believers in Christ: the old covenant serves as a reflection of the new. The Savior calls upon His people to listen attentively to avoid suffering the same consequences as the ancient Jews, who neglected to heed God’s commands. The Savior instructs them to thoroughly examine the law of the Gospel and to take the prophecies to heart. Although the Jews possessed great strength, they faltered during the Passion of Christ due to their unbelief. The tribe of Ephraim, in particular, demonstrated infidelity to God, succumbing to the idolatry of the golden calf, which led the other nine tribes astray. As a consequence of this betrayal, God stripped them of their courage; despite their proficiency in archery, they succumbed to cowardice and retreated in battle. Ultimately, they were taken captive and dispersed among the Gentiles. God, in His mercy, looked upon the Jews even as they surrendered wholly to worldly wisdom and refused to repent. In His great compassion, He chose not to annihilate all the Jews in the wilderness but instead extended His mercy to them. Humanity is comprised of flesh, which is subject to passions and decay. The Spirit departs from man and does not return until the second coming.