Psalm 78 (77):72Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Such individuals may seem to have innocent actions, but their hearts are not pure. And what, might I ask, is this innocence, if not found in the heart, when humanity is created in the likeness of God? (Gen. 1:27) When it is stated that through the reasoning of His hands He led them back home, it appears to me that He was referring to the wisdom He imparts to believers. Thus, regarding His hands, for creation is attributed to the hands, but in the manner through which the hands of God can be comprehended; for Christ was both fully Man and fully God.

This assembly of believers has been firmly established on Earth, for as it is said, the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church of Christ. Hence, the term "for ever" pertains to the church and the tribe of Christ, rather than the tribe of Judah alone, as previously stated. As referenced by Theodoret in Nicene, He did not shepherd us harshly or with cruelty, nor with arrogance, but rather blended simplicity with wisdom, effectively guiding the people and leading them according to divine commands, as it is written: Be wise as serpents, and innocent as doves. In doing so, He purged Himself of inherent evil—removing the serpent's deceitfulness and the dove's shortcomings of mind—while embodying admirable virtue. Initially, He demonstrated gentleness to the people, allowing no room for anger, and with sagacity, He governed them, instilling piety and showcasing wisdom through His actions, in alignment with the divine law. He exemplified this virtue, guiding others with good understanding consistent with wisdom.

Those who slander, gossip, and curse are heading toward the pit of doom. Every lawbreaker finds himself on the way to eternal destruction. Oh, he proceeds like a blind man, risking a fall from which he may never recover! Call out to him, beloved, as you witness his approach: "Brother, you are on the wrong path," for a pit lies before you, into which you could fall and never escape. Restrain him, dear friend, before he stumbles! He is your brother, your neighbor, your kin, a soul endowed with reason, walking toward destruction. Show him compassion and seek to lead him back! He may not recognize where he is headed; his eyes are clouded by the deceptions of the enemy. Have pity on the blind man who heads into a visible pit, facing only temporary disaster. But of greater concern is the blind man who strives toward the chasm of everlasting ruin. This task, which every Christian is called to undertake in accordance with divine love, falls primarily to the church leaders—pastors, bishops, priests—as well as to parents, authorities, and noblemen. For every ruler, if he is a Christian and oversees Christians, assumes the role of their shepherd. It is his duty to protect the flock entrusted to him from the descent into perdition, and to use the authority conferred upon him by God to guide them back to the path of salvation. As it is written regarding David, King of Israel: "He chose David his servant, and took him from the flocks; from the care of the ewes He brought him to shepherd Jacob His people and Israel His inheritance. And he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them with skillful hands" (Psalm 77:70-72). Beloved shepherds! The Lord has entrusted His sheep to your care. Tend to them and protect them from spiritual dangers. Parents! God has blessed you with children. Raise them in reverence for Him and instruct them, steering them away from wickedness. Authorities! The Lord has placed you over His people and equipped you with a sword. Remove all evil from your realms. Gentlemen! Your duty is not only to shear Christ's sheep but also to shepherd them. But what shall we see if the shepherd and ruler himself wanders like a blind man into the pit of destruction, leading those entrusted to him down the same path? "If the light in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!" (Matthew 6:23). O Good and Merciful God! Avert this evil from Israel. "Shepherd of Israel, hearken!... Do not remember the iniquities of our forebears. Let Your mercy come soon to meet us, O Lord, for we are impoverished. Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name. O Lord! Deliver us and forgive our sins for Your name's sake, so that the nations may never say, 'Where is their God?'... O Lord, God of Hosts! Restore us and shine Your face upon us, that we may be saved" (Psalm 79:2, 4, 78:8-10).

Moreover, it is fitting that the inception of Christ's kingdom was marked by humility, aligning perfectly with its purpose and emphasizing that God's intervention in our salvation did not rely on worldly means. Thus, through this narrative, he highlights God's grace by revealing why David transitioned from being a mere shepherd to becoming the leader of God's chosen people. The Holy Spirit intended to distinguish between rightful rulers and those who unlawfully seize power. He also notes that David faithfully executed the responsibilities entrusted to him, thereby confronting the ungratefulness and wickedness of Israel’s populace, who not only violated this sacred decree of God but also, by rejecting their saving guidance, subjected themselves to a disastrous dispersion.

The subsequent remarks regarding the thoughts behind his actions, while not articulated in the most precise manner, nonetheless demonstrate that David was not only prosperous in his endeavors but was also guided by the Holy Spirit. He acted wisely and judiciously, refraining from engaging in any unwise pursuits, and instead performed his duties and exercised his faith with discernment. Consequently, in the success of his endeavors, it is wisdom that is praised more than mere fortune.

The Savior calls upon His people to listen attentively, warning them not to meet the same fate as the earlier Jewish nation, which failed to obey God. He instructs them to diligently examine the law of the Gospel and to receive prophecy with sincerity.

Despite their strength, the Jews faltered on the day of Christ's Passion, succumbing to their disbelief. The tribe of Ephraim, in particular, displayed unfaithfulness to God, having succumbed to the idolatry of the golden calf and leading the other tribes astray. Due to this betrayal, God stripped them of their valor; although skilled in archery, they became cowards, afraid and retreating in battle. As a result, they were taken captive and scattered among the nations. Yet God showed mercy towards the Jews, even as He recognized their total surrender to worldly wisdom and their refusal to repent. In His abundant compassion, He chose not to annihilate all the Jews in the wilderness but spared them and extended His mercy. Humanity is marked by its passions and frailty, and the Spirit that departs from man will not return until the second coming.