Psalm 80 (79):20Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

You find admiration in these creations because you fail to perceive Him; yet, through your admiration for them, you unknowingly express love for Him whom you do not see. Contemplate the creation; if it exists on its own, then remain attached to it; but if it is from Him, it brings harm to those who revel in it, as it distracts from the Creator. Why do I mention this? Concerning this scripture, dear friends: Those who worship God solely for material benefits are truly dead in spirit. For to be carnally minded is death (Rom. 8:6), and those who do not worship God freely—recognizing His goodness for what it is, independent of the gifts He bestows—are likewise lost. Do you seek riches from God? Even thieves possess wealth. A spouse, a plethora of children, physical health, social status—observe how much these worldly goods are enjoyed by the wicked. Is this the basis for your worship? Your faith will falter when you see the fates of those who do not honor Him. All these things, I assert, He grants even to the unrighteous, but He reserves Himself for the righteous alone. You will restore us; for we were lifeless when we clung to worldly desires; we were lifeless while bearing the image of the earthly. You will restore us; You will renew us, granting life to our inner beings. And upon Your Name we will call; that is, we will love You. You will be our sweet forgiver of sins; You will be the ultimate reward for the justified. O Lord God of all virtues, turn us toward You, reveal Your face to us, and we will find healing.

As Athanasius noted, this prayer reflects a yearning for the prompt revelation of the Only Begotten, who will bring salvation to those who believe. This resonates powerfully with us Christians, whose temples and cities have been devastated by unfaithful rulers and persecutors, permitted by God due to our transgressions. The term “people” can be understood as the Christian community, aptly referred to as Ephraim for their fruitful virtues and Benjamin for their faithfulness, since Benjamin signifies the son of the right hand. We may also think of Manasseh, symbolizing the forgetfulness of past idolatry, as Manasseh translates to “forgetting.” Likewise, numerous terms can be aptly applied to Christians. The phrase “grapes” metaphorically pertains to the Christian nation, which has transitioned from the darkness of error and ignorance, represented by Egypt, to the promised land of holiness. The chaotic nations symbolize demons, idols, and adversaries of Christians who are lost and tormenting. The path to holiness is paved by the commandments of the Gospel, as they nurture and refine the essence of knowing God and embodying virtue.

The foundations of this holiness lie in the truths of Christ’s doctrine. This holiness has filled the earth, as it is proclaimed that the apostles' voice has reached all corners of the globe. The radiance of holiness is its glory covering the mountains, signifying exaltation, or it could refer to the Divine grace arising from holiness. Its mountains and hills symbolize individuals distinguished by active virtue. The branches again represent doctrinal truths, and the cedars of God signify lofty contemplative virtues. The branches and fertile offspring represent the Church, including the newcomers to faith from the Gentiles. The sea and rivers symbolize the entirety of creation. The vulture represents the devil, who delights in spiritual filth. The forest and the grove are souls ensnared by passions and unproductive, where the devil resides. This devil is characterized as singular, representing unique and distinct evil, as well as wild, cruel, and inhumane; embodying every harsh ruler who wages war and ravages the grapes of Christ. A solitary beast also signifies a wolf, for the reasons previously articulated.

He is rightly identified as the man at God's right hand and the Son of man because He assumed a humble role, taking on the form of a servant and being made in human likeness (Philippians 2:7). The phrases "Let us not depart from Thee, revive us, and let us call upon Thy name" represent all the faithful who pledge their continual gratitude to God. The act of calling upon God's name symbolizes an offering of praise, essentially a sacrifice of thanksgiving, as articulated by the Prophet. The repetition of the last verse serves a significant purpose; it is a reminder to the Israelites, who face numerous hardships, not to lose heart, but rather to turn towards God and anticipate His assistance alone.

The account of Asaph is pertinent here, as this psalm was entrusted to the chief of singers, intended to convey a prophetic proclamation regarding the impending destruction of Jerusalem and the foundation of the Holy Church, established by the grace of Christ the Savior, which shall remain steadfast, such that even the gates of hell will not overcome it (Matthew 16:18). The shepherding of Israel can solely be attributed to Jesus Christ, who declared: ‘I am the good shepherd’ (John 10:11). The term Israel encompasses all the faithful followers of Christ; Joseph symbolizes the purity of those who live righteously, while Cherub represents the multitude guided by reason or the embodiment of wisdom, where God dwells in incomprehensible peace.