Psalm 83 (82):15Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

I resemble a blazing fire that consumes the sturdy oak. Let it be known, as He declares, that this fire is of their own making; and it shall reduce them as a passionate flame reduces an oak tree. Similarly, it is written: ‘Behold, you are burning fire: walk by the light of your fire, and by the flame which you kindle’ (Isaiah 50:11). I am akin to a fire that devours the mountains. In the realm of speech, just as fire falls upon the mountains and incinerates them, so may they also be destroyed by the discipline You will impose upon them, which the Psalmist, due to its intensity and forcefulness, compared to ‘a tempest’ (Psalms 82:16).

He referred not to “fruit trees” but to a “forest” that yields no produce. Those who are like straw and lack seed will face ruin; they are akin to a forest devoid of fruit. “Like a flame that consumes the mountains”: their arrogance will be eradicated. Another perspective reveals the psalmist's plea for eleven plagues upon them, symbolizing their rejection of the mystery embodied by the eleven apostles. “Like a fire that devours the forest” (Psalms 82:15): this represents the third imagery. “Like a flame that incinerates the mountains”: this serves as the fourth illustration.

‘I resemble a fire that consumes the oak trees, akin to a flame that engulfs the mountains.’ ‘Thus, with Thy storm, Thou shalt refine me, and with Thy fury, Thou shalt cause me to tremble.’ In the oak trees, the flames ignite spontaneously when the trees, moved by a fierce gale, rub against one another, creating heat through friction, eventually catching fire from each other. Consequently, the Jews beseech that their foes similarly turn against one another and be consumed by their own wickedness, in accordance with the prophecy that states, ‘Walk by the light of your fire, and by the flame that burneth it up’ (Isaiah 50:11).

As He states, the fire consumes the forest, so too, O Lord, have You overthrown the previously mentioned nations that envy the restoration of Jerusalem; for the fire rapidly and fiercely devours the forest. The subsequent flame provides insight into this: akin to fire, etc. Similarly, the declaration, Thou shalt crush them with thy wrath, clarifies the phrase, Thou shalt reap them with thy tempest. Thus, He declares, Lord, You will gather and bewilder them through Your tempest, meaning by Your anger or through a sudden and violent surge of Your wrath, as Isychius remarks. A tempest and a powerful swirling wind inherently bewilder and devastate the areas it strikes.

The prophet implores that they be stripped of all prosperity. The fire that refines gold or silver, bakes bread, and heats medicinal substances serves a purpose; however, the fire that ravages forests and incinerates mountains is of no benefit. It may burn intensely, but when it is quenched, it leaves only charred remains and ashes. This mirrors the fate of sinners when subjected to the divine wrath of God.

Having predicted the punishment awaiting the wicked and the fleeting nature of their joy in this life, as well as their ultimate ruin in the age to come, he now reveals the promptness with which God will execute this judgment. Rather than merely likening God’s ire to the wind that bends the reed, he likens it to flames that consume the sturdy oak and the grass carpeting the mountains. Here, both storm and wrath signify the same reality: the righteous judgment of God, which possesses the capacity to throw the wicked into turmoil, much like an unstoppable tempest. Saint Augustine aptly notes that the wicked are likened to mountains due to their arrogance and pride, and to oak-trees for lacking good fruit, which justly leads them to be cast into everlasting fire.

The Psalm, inspired by the Holy Spirit through David, was entrusted to Asaph, the leader of the choirs, to declare the prophetic message concerning the impending suffering of the Jewish people, particularly the faithful followers of Christ during various ages, with a focus on the era of the Antichrist. In this context, the prophet earnestly petitions God, echoing the voice of the prayer of the Holy Church during times of persecution. Evil exists as a diabolical lure, prompting idolatry and all forms of sin. Due to God’s forbearance, the adversaries grew arrogant and blatant in their defiance. Those who rage against God’s people and His faithful servants wage war against Him, whom they should recognize as their Master and Brother.