Psalm 9:16Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Another translator refers to it as plunged. He equates ‘plague’ with vice, as nothing undermines our well-being more than vice. A person who is caught in vice is rendered powerless, defeated by the very tools he possesses; just as iron deteriorates from rust and fabric falls prey to moths, sin leads the sinner to ruin. Thus, even prior to divine punishment, sin exacts its own toll on those who engage in it. The prophet frequently emphasizes the justice of heaven and the assistance of God, which is not always readily apparent but is often delayed, causing many to become complacent. He suggests, however, that retribution is imminent, striking those who indulge in vice, in alignment with Paul's assertion that they receive ‘in themselves the due recompense for their error’ (Rom. 1:27).

The Corruption of Love

The essence of the soul is best understood as love. When this love becomes distorted, it manifests as lust; when it is pure, it is recognized as love or charity. Love draws everything toward its desired direction. Yet, the essence of the soul is not confined to a physical location within the body; rather, the soul experiences joy wherever it achieves victory, having arrived there through love. Destructive pleasures are born of greed, while genuine joy stems from love.

The discussion regarding the title also encompasses the understanding of the entire psalm as a foreshadowing of the Savior's crucifixion. To illustrate that it refers to Him, it is stated concerning the Jewish people: “In the net which they spread their foot was entangled” (Psalm 9:16).

The nations face destruction due to their own actions: their hidden traps will ensnare them. We understand that the Lord governs all destinies; through His creations, even sinners will find their paths constrained. In this context, the term ‘nations’ refers to the legions of evil spirits that, through the establishment of the saving cross, have been rendered powerless in their attempts to inflict suffering. The snares they conceal will ensnare their own feet, and by the fruits of His creation, sinners will find themselves restrained. However, if we interpret this statement as referring to the unbelieving nations that persecuted the righteous Apostles and martyrs, we will still see the prophecy fulfilled.

The Gentiles are engulfed by the devastation they have wrought. The term Gentiles here can also be interpreted to refer to the Jews themselves, who, despite possessing the law, became like the Gentiles due to their malice and envy, remaining unaware of the law; and this devastation signifies death itself. In their attempts to extinguish the life-giving Prince, they ultimately faced their own destruction at the hands of the Romans; while in their effort to prepare Him for death, they instead found themselves completely surrendered to the grip of death. Alternatively, this can also relate to those opposing the Christians, who sought to annihilate them swiftly, only to themselves be destroyed even more rapidly.

Nations that lack reverence for the Lord are ensnared by sin, deception, and wrongdoing, binding themselves with the chains of their transgressions. They remain unable to liberate themselves from the burdens that clearly weigh them down. We refer to those entrapped in the web of treachery as lost. The reference to feet symbolizes the journey of the soul and the wicked desires that lead them down a crooked path, as Solomon notes in Proverbs: their feet run to evil, and hasten to shed blood (Proverbs 1:16).

The snare of sin Each individual stands responsible for their own transgressions and depravity, rather than being held captive by another’s wrongdoing. Conversely, those who are wicked inflict harm primarily upon themselves while attempting to lure others into their own downfall. Stealthily, they devise deceptive traps through their schemes and words, aiming to ensnare the unwary. Yet, they ultimately become ensnared in their own deceitful schemes, facing consequences for their treachery. This retribution aligns with divine providence, as the judgment of God reveals that the sinner becomes ensnared by their own actions, for there is just cause for God to judge those who persist in sin. This resonates with the scripture, “He who digs a pit for his neighbour will himself fall into it."

Those who aim to eradicate and eliminate the faithful community have inflicted upon themselves their own ruin. Furthermore, those who set traps for the people of God find themselves ensnared by their own devices, left helpless in their own deceit.

Historically, the term 'tongues' refers to the foreign nations that opposed David, while morally, it symbolizes the multitudes of unrighteous individuals, which is the essence of vice. Vice causes destruction like nothing else. A wicked individual ensnares himself and faces ruin through his own malice; just as rye is forged from iron and a moth originates from fleece, the wicked perish due to their own iniquity. Thus, even prior to divine retribution, vice itself exacts punishment on its author, as Paul states, ‘And the wages that are fitting to their wickedness they receive in themselves’ (Romans 1:27).

The faithful find joy in the Cross of Christ, our Savior. Through His Cross, joy and salvation have been granted to all humanity. Sin, like a scourge, causes those who refuse to repent to plunge into the depths of hell for eternity. The hidden snare represents the wickedness within the heart; greed is symbolized by the desire for wealth. In this snare, the unrepentant become ensnared, much like Pharaoh, Holofernes, Haman, and others. The snare, along with the tongue, illustrates the secrets of the heart. A grievous sin is the disbelief in Christ God, who came in human form. This truth is proclaimed by all the prophets and throughout the Psalms as if confirming the reality of salvation.