The boar out of the wood hath laid it waste: and a singular wild beast hath devoured it.
יְכַרְסְמֶ֣נָּֽה חֲזִ֣יר מִיָּ֑עַר וְזִ֖יז שָׂדַ֣י יִרְעֶֽנָּה׃
9 Church Fathers comment on this verse
In this context, while the Midianites and Babylonians are mentioned, the description provided does not pertain to them. The spear and the solitary figure represent the adversary and all his might. The Prophet refers to him as solitary to illustrate his savagery and corruption.
In the depths of the forest, what can we truly comprehend? For the Jewish people, swine are regarded as detestable, representing the spiritual impurity associated with the Gentiles. Yet, it was the Gentiles who managed to conquer the Jewish nation. The rulers behind this conquest were not merely unclean swine but represented a gruesome boar. What is a lance if not a fierce wild boar, stirring with rage? The lance that came from the forest brought ruin upon her, emerging from the wilderness of the Gentiles. She was likened to a vineyard, while the Gentiles symbolized the surrounding woods. However, when the Gentiles came to faith, what was proclaimed? Then all the trees of the forest rejoiced. The beast of the forest brought destruction upon her; a singular wild beast feasted upon her.
How do we define this wild beast? It is akin to a solitary vulture that wreaked havoc upon her, distinguished by its arrogance. For thus speaks every proud individual: it is I, it is I, and there is none other.
A righteous individual is a treasured possession. Therefore, encircle this gift and envelop it in contemplation, safeguarding it with the thorns of vigilance, as stated in Sirach 28:27, to prevent the encroachment of unruly bodily desires that could entrap him. Following the philosophy of Philo of Alexandria, St. Ambrose embraces the Platonic contrast between the intellect and physical passions, as noted by Davidson. It is crucial to avoid being overwhelmed by grave disturbances that might ravage the vineyard of passersby, as expressed in Psalm 79:13-14. Protect the inner person, as referenced in Romans 7:22 and Ephesians 3:16, and do not disregard him as insignificant or scorn him; he is a valuable treasure, rightfully so. His yield is not fleeting or transient, but everlasting, offering eternal salvation. Take care of your treasures, and you will reap abundant harvests.
The Prophet conveyed through this imagery the different assaults of the Assyrians, as Salmanassar and Sennacherib laid waste to other cities, and Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem, taking those who survived into captivity as slaves. Referring to Israel as a grape, the Prophet depicted its adversary as a wild boar, a creature known for its destructive nature toward vineyards. This wild boar is identified as dwelling in a particular habitat and exhibiting greater ferocity than its counterparts, as it withdraws from common association with them. In a similar way, Nebuchadnezzar is aptly described as a solitary king, distinguished by his more intense cruelty compared to other rulers.
A spear from the oak tree. Theodoret notes that Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian king, is compared to a wild boar, as he took delight in the filth of decadence and other corruptions, much like a pig. The oak or grove symbolizes Babylon, representing the density of its population, devoid of virtue, and serving as a habitat for mental beasts—meaning the vices or evil spirits that dwell there. The lone wild creature here referenced by David, the wild boar, signifies Nebuchadnezzar; solitary due to his invasion of the Jewish people without allies, and wild, as he displayed brutality and inhumanity towards them. A solitary boar typically roams alone because of its fierce nature, shunning other creatures, and its ravaging presence can be particularly destructive to vineyards.
Theodoret and others have labeled Salmanassar, the Assyrian monarch who oppressed the Samaritans prior to Nebuchadnezzar, a wild boar as well, due to the harm he inflicted upon the Jews, though Nebuchadnezzar ultimately brought about their complete destruction.
According to St. Basil, human souls may be likened to grapes, while the protective fence symbolizes the commandments and angelic guardianship. Thus, it is crucial for each of us to have a holy angel guarding those who revere the Lord, lest we find ourselves punished for our sins, which may lead to the removal of this divine protection. We should aim to remain under the care of these holy beings, who keep those under their watch shielded throughout their time together. When God shields us through hidden means, we become impervious, unlike the path open to unclean spirits, making us less susceptible to being plundered. Conversely, a soul lacking this divine safeguard is vulnerable to attack by enemies—manifested as hostility and boasting, claiming dominion over the heavenly realm. Once the Holy Spirit departs from a barren soul, the protective barriers weaken—angelic assistance is diminished, and harmful knowledges invade, leaving the soul susceptible to unclean demons that consume it, robbing it of its spiritual fruitfulness. When passions triumph, they impair it like a mindless boar, rushing towards depravity and reveling in it. The Psalm also speaks of a vineyard ravaged by a solitary and vicious wolf, marked by malevolence and filled with sin. Theodoret states that swine, whether domesticated or wild, can severely damage grapes, with solitary and feral creatures being even more destructive, as such beasts possess great strength, much like wolves, and solitary beings inflict the utmost harm.
The adversary is referred to as a lion due to his ferocity and a serpent because of his malicious venom, as well as by various other creatures named in sacred Scripture. He inhabits the desolate woods of evil and is likened to a boar, taking pleasure in the abominations of sin. He dwells in isolation, exhibiting pride against God, wild and savage in nature. This foe has been wreaking havoc upon the synagogue of the Jews ever since the protective barriers were removed; that is, since Christ brought an end to the legalistic way of life. They have since become the possessions of the enemy, lacking law, altar, or any means of divine worship.
In illustrating the magnificence and fortitude of the Jewish people through the metaphor of grapes, the speaker expresses sorrow over their destitution, which has come upon them due to divine displeasure. Continuing the same imagery, he seems to plead, "Lord, why have You withdrawn Your support from this nation that once served as a stronghold, protecting the grapes from all sides?
Why do You permit adversaries to overpower Your people and to strip them bare, just as grapes are taken by passersby when a fortress is laid to waste?" This lamentation reflects the prophet's observations about the nearby aggressors, such as the Philistines, the Midianites, and others, whose incursions frequently troubled the Israelites, plundering their lands when God, angered by their transgressions, ceased to offer protection. Furthermore, under the recurrent theme of grapes, he mourns the severe captivity that befell them during the reign of King Salmaneser of Assyria, as well as Nebuchadnezzar, the former of whom captured ten tribes of Israel, while the latter took the remaining two. This king is depicted as a wild boar, a lone creature who not only ravaged the vine but also completely obliterated the grapes, for he laid the capital city to ruin, set the temple ablaze, and toppled the royal throne.
Ultimately, this aligns with the fulfillment of prophecy, specifically regarding Christ the Lord, within this psalm inspired by the Holy Spirit through David. It reflects the transformation of the Jews who have turned from goodness to the need for repentance against God, as well as others who have shifted from evil to faith, and from wickedness to piety. This particularly includes those wordy sheep who have moved from the error of sin to the path of their Good Shepherd, Christ, the true God.
The testimony of Asaph is intended here, for this psalm was entrusted to the chief singer to convey a prophetic message about the impending destruction of Jerusalem and the establishment of the Holy Church, fortified by the grace of Christ the Savior, which remains resilient against all adversity, as even the gates of hell cannot overcome it (Matthew 16:18). The shepherding of Israel is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who proclaimed, ‘I am the good shepherd’ (John 10:11). Israel represents all the faithful in Christ; Joseph symbolizes the purity of those who live righteously, while Cherub embodies the multitude of reason or the fullness of wisdom, resting incomprehensibly in God.
A solitary divine figure. Theodoret describes it as a fierce, barren, and savage vulture, one which displays greater cruelty than others, symbolizing Nebuchadnezzar.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS