Изъяснение псалма 77-го.

"The Mind of Asaph". The God of all, having given the old law to the children of Israel, commanded them to continually learn from it and teach it to their children, and also to explain to their descendants the reasons for the holidays, so that, having learned God’s blessings, they would be grateful to the One who blessed them. For it is said: teach this to your sons and the sons of your sons, and keep the commandments of the Lord God, “that it may be good for them” (Deut. 4:40). This is what prophetic grace means, and in this psalm it reminds the Israelites and their descendants what God has done, what benefits, and with what ungrateful hearts they have accepted. Ps.77:1. Listen, my people, to my law; incline your ear to the words of my mouth. “Hearken, O My people, to My law.” I suggest you listen carefully to what is being said, as if it were some kind of law, I am giving you real advice. “Incline your ear to the words of My mouth.” Listen with all your heart to what I say. Ps.77:2. I will open my mouth in a parable and pronounce fortune telling from ancient times. “I will open My mouth in parables, I will proclaim the decrees from the beginning.” Since he accused the fathers for the benefit of the children, he called this form of speech a parable, as mysterious and bringing hidden benefits. He also added what the ancient fortune-telling suggests, and, showing where he learned this, he added: Ps.77:3. What we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us, Ps.77:4. We will not hide from their children, proclaiming to the future generation the glory of the Lord, and His power, and His wonders that He has done. “I have heard and known.” “Then he pointed out who the teachers were.” “And our fathers told us.” “It was not hidden from their children throughout their generations, proclaiming the praises of the Lord, and His mighty powers, and His wonders that He had done,” that is, in ancient times and in the beginning, the witnesses of miracles taught this to their children, and they passed this teaching on to their descendants. They did this in obedience to God’s law. For this was added by the Prophet. Ps.77:5. He established a statute in Jacob and laid down a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to proclaim to their children. “And you raised up a testimony in Jacob, and laid down a law in Israel.” He calls the tabernacle built in the desert a testimony, because it contained the tablets of a testimony. For the law, as we said before, calls it commandments, and testimonies, and destinies, and justifications. We said this more clearly in the eighteenth psalm. “What was the commandment of our fathers that I should say to my sons.” By this law, says the Prophet, God commanded that the fathers pass on the story of miracles to their children as a kind of inheritance. Ps.77:6. So that the coming generation, the children who will be born, may know, and so that they may proclaim it to their children in due time. “For let the family know that they are born sons, and they arise and command their sons.” So the children, having learned this from their fathers, again conveyed this teaching to those born by them, and an unforgettable memory of this was preserved. And what is the fruit of this teaching? Ps.77:7. Place your hope in God and do not forget the works of God and keep His commandments. “Let them place their trust in God, and not forget the works of God, and seek His commandments.” Having recognized God’s power, having learned how easy it is for God to do all good, they will acquire firm trust in Him and will follow the laws decreed by Him. Ps.77:8. And not to be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious race, unsettled in heart and unfaithful to God in their spirit. “Let not the generation be like their fathers, obstinate and bitter.” Having learned the ingratitude of the fathers, having learned that they often provoked God to anger by breaking the law, they will beware of imitating them. “This generation has not corrected its heart, nor has it trusted its spirit with God.” For they did not acquire firm faith in God, not wanting to walk the right path, but having a heart that was opposed to God’s decrees. Ps.77:9. The sons of Ephraim, armed and shooting with bows, turned back to the day of battle. “The sons of Ephraim returned with bows and bows on the day of battle.” He especially accuses the tribe of Ephraim of the fact that the Ephraimites served idols more than anyone else. The story of Judges and the third book of Kings show us this. For the Ephraimites set up young men, and diverted the nine tribes from serving according to the law, and thus became the authors of apostasy. Having foreseen this most of all, the grace of the Spirit accuses the Ephraimites of a sin not yet committed, offering them decent advice, and although he knows that they will not accept admonitions, he nevertheless suggests what could be beneficial. But, having shown the strength of the Ephraimites and their skill in shooting from a bow, he also exposes their timidity; because “I returned to the day of battle.” Thinking highly of their experience in military affairs, when war broke out, they fled. Ps.77:10. They did not keep the covenant of God and denied walking in His law. “You have not kept the covenant of God, and you have not desired to walk in His law.” He perfectly portrayed their self-will. For, he says, they did not want to live according to the law, to love a way of life consistent with the law. Ps.77:11. They forgot His works and the miracles that He showed them. “And I forgot His good deeds and His miracles, which I had shown them.” And showing when God performed these miracles, the Prophet added: Ps.77:12. He performed miracles in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan, before the eyes of their fathers. “Before their fathers, even perform miracles.” Then, indicates the time and place. "In the lands of Egypt, on Poly Thaneos." All these miracles of God performed in Egypt, which their fathers witnessed, they erased from memory. Ps.77:13. He divided the sea, and led them through it, and made the waters a wall. “Open the sea and lead them through: imagine the waters like fur.” He briefly summarizes the story of miracles, and first mentioned the one that was more important than the others. For they are supernatural - a perfect miracle over the sea and a path opened along it. The watery nature that usually flows down the slope, God made everything motionless here and there, as if enclosing it in some kind of fur with a word. since, by their design, bellows can completely retain moisture, the Prophet successfully applied this image to the divided sea, thereby showing the power of the Divine word. Ps.77:14. And he led them with a cloud during the day, and with the light of fire all night. “And I will teach with a cloud during the days, and all the night with the illumination of fire.” For the same cloud stopped the painful action of the rays during the day, and at night replaced the need for fire. Ps.77:15. He cut a stone in the desert and gave them drink as from a great abyss. “I opened up a stone in the desert, and I gave drink as if in the depths of the deep,” because I brought from it not a few drops, but a source sufficient for many thousands. And the Prophet showed this more clearly in the addition. Ps.77:16. He brought streams out of the rock, and the waters flowed like rivers. “And He brought water out of the stone, and brought it down like rivers of water,” because the flowing water was divided into many streams, giving those who were thirsty pleasant and abundant pleasure Ps.77:17. But they continued to sin before Him and provoke the Most High in the desert. Ps.77:18. They tempted God in their hearts, demanding food for their souls. “And he added to sin against Him, causing the Most High to grieve in the abyss.” “And having tempted God in your hearts, you question the food of your souls.” However, even this did not remove wickedness from their hearts, but they continued to suffer from the disease of ingratitude. And after so many good deeds, they set out to tempt God’s power, and having needed food, they sought the wrong one to get what they needed, but complained about God as having no power. Ps.77:19. And they spoke against God and said, “Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?” Ps.77:20. Behold, He struck the stone, and waters flowed out and streams flowed. “Can He also give bread and prepare meat for His people?” “And slandering God and deciding: food, will God be able to prepare a meal in the desert?” “Smite the stone, and the water flows, and the sweat floods: can food and bread give? or will you prepare a table for your people?” It was easy and not difficult to give water, because what was hidden in the bowels of the earth was brought out. How will the hunger that torments us be satisfied and bread, which is sown and grows over time, suddenly be given to us for food? Ps.77:21. The Lord heard and was kindled with anger, and fire kindled against Jacob, and anger moved against Israel. “For this reason the Lord heard, and despised, and fire kindled in Jacob, and wrath arose against Israel.” Therefore, says the Prophet, the Lord of all people was indignant, and delayed giving them the land promised to their fathers, and handed them over to all kinds of punishments, but did not suddenly send destruction upon them, waiting for the number of their children to increase. The writings of blessed Moses also mention punishment by fire. They suffered this execution, says the Prophet. Ps.77:22. Because they did not believe in God and did not trust in His salvation. “Because you did not believe in God, you trusted less in His salvation.” However, although they were such, God provided food without cultivating the land. This shows what is added. Ps.77:23. He commanded the clouds above and opened the doors of heaven, Ps.77:24. And he rained manna upon them for food, and gave them the bread of heaven. Ps.77:25. Man ate the angel's bread; He sent them food until they were full. "And the commandment was a cloud from above, and the doors of heaven were opened" “And provide them with manna to eat.” The clouds produced an unusual creation, but instead of rain, which usually irrigates the seeds thrown into the ground, they gave birth to wonderful food. The Prophet called alms from above the open doors of heaven. Since it is our custom to lock the doors of treasuries, and we open them, intending to take something out, the prophetic word represents that the God of all, as if from certain treasuries, gives manna. “And give them the bread of heaven:” "Angel's bread is a poisonous man". The Prophet calls it the bread of angels, because it was served by Angels. For Angels, as we know from Divine Scripture, serve God’s beckons; The divine Apostle says this: “Are not all souls of service sent into service for those who want to inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14). And again: “If the word spoken by the angels was known” (Heb. 2:2), and so on. He calls it bread from heaven, as sent down from above, because the divine Scripture calls birds flying through the air birds of heaven (Gen. 2:10). “He sent it to them until they were full,” that is, until they were full, he gave them this food. Then the Prophet announces the donation of meat. Ps.77:26. He stirred up the east wind in the sky and brought the south wind with His power Ps.77:27. And, like dust, it rained meat on them and, like the sand of the sea, feathered birds. “Raise up the south from heaven, and bring down Lebanon with Your power”: “And rain on her like the dust of flesh, and the birds of the sea like sand.” Having driven these birds from everywhere by the winds, he commanded them to fly near the tents of Israel, thereby delivering prey that was voluntarily given into their hands. Ps.77:28. He cast them down in the midst of their camp, near their dwellings. Ps.77:29. And they ate and were satisfied; and gave them what they desired. Ps.77:30. But their desire had not yet passed; food was still in their mouth. Ps.77:31. The wrath of God came upon them, killed their fat ones, and brought down the young men of Israel. “And he attacked in the midst of their camp, around their dwellings.” “And you ate and were very full, and you brought their desire to them.” “Not being deprived of your desire.” They enjoyed what they lusted after and satisfied their greed; however, they were punished for their insatiability. “I am yet a beast in their mouth,” “And the wrath of God arose against her, and she killed the multitude of them, and killed the chosen ones of Israel.” since, having had many experiences of God’s power, they did not believe that God could give food, he showed them admonition, teaching that he could do both, and give good things, and impose punishments. However, nevertheless they continued to sin. For the Prophet added the following: Ps.77:32. Despite all this, they continued to sin and did not believe His miracles. Ps.77:33. And he destroyed their days in vanity and their years in confusion. “You have sinned in all these things and have not yet believed through His miracles.” “And their days perished in vanity, and their years in vanity.” Sinning, falling into mistakes, and not at all thinking about what could serve for the benefit, indulging in vain and useless undertakings, and carrying them out with all care, they departed from this life. Ps.77:34. When He killed them, they sought Him and turned, and from early morning they resorted to God. Ps.77:35. And they remembered that God is their refuge, and God the Most High is their Savior. “Whenever I kill, then I will seek Him and turn and watch the morning to God.” “And let me remember that God is their helper, and God the Most High is their deliverer.” It was not in vain that the humane-loving Lord imposed bonds on them, because they received considerable benefit from this. Enjoying the blessings, they did not feel it, but those being punished began to ask for God’s love for mankind. Ps.77:36. And they flattered Him with their lips and lied to Him with their tongues. Ps.77:37. Their hearts were not right with Him, and they were not faithful to His covenant. “And you loved Him with your lips, and lied to Him with your tongue”: “Their heart was not right with Him, having less confidence in His covenant.” They promised to love Him with lying words, because the thoughts contradicted these words, contemplating in themselves the opposite of the divine laws, and not wanting to believe the divine verbs. Ps.77:38. But He, the Merciful, forgave sin and did not destroy them, repeatedly turned away His anger and did not arouse all His wrath. “He is generous and will cleanse their sins and not corrupt them.” However, He, acting out of His own goodness, did not want to give them over to complete corruption. “And He will turn away His wrath, and will not kindle all His anger.” And Symmachus translated it like this: “and for a long time He turned away His anger, and did not arouse all His wrath”; that is, he did not impose on them punishment commensurate with their crimes. Ps.77:39. He remembered that they are flesh, breath that leaves and does not return. “And I will remember, for they are flesh and spirit, walking and not returning.” For he knew the weakness of their nature, he knew that after a short time they would meet the end of their lives. Ps.77:40. How many times did they irritate Him in the desert and anger Him in the uninhabited country! Ps.77:41. And again they tempted God and insulted the Holy One of Israel. “How many times have you grieved Him in the desert, angered Him in the waterless lands?” “And you turned, and tempted God, and provoked the Holy One of Israel.” All of this shows God's long-suffering. You can learn more about each of these events from history, because the Jews either deified the calf, or “partook of Beelphegor” (Ps. 105:28), and sometimes they thought of stealing power from the great Moses; filled with manna, they remained ungrateful; having received the command to occupy the promised land, they were dissuaded by fear; and on top of this they did thousands of other griefs, which we will not mention, not wanting to continue the word. Ps.77:42. They did not remember His hand, the day when He delivered them from oppression. “Having not remembered His hand on the day, on the same day I delivered from the hand of the offender.” They did not want to bring to mind the previous good deeds, to judge the power of God, by which they were freed from Egyptian work. Then the Prophet counts the miracles that took place there. Ps.77:43. When He performed His signs in Egypt and His wonders in the field of Zoan. “Like you put Your signs in Egypt, and Your wonders in the city of Thaneos.” There was a palace of the Pharaohs in Tanis. There the great Moses brought down plagues on the Egyptians. Ps.77:44. And he turned their rivers and their streams into blood, so that they could not drink. “And turn their rivers and their springs into blood, that they may not drink.” For, first of all, he turned not only the river waters, but also those accumulated from the rains into blood, tormenting those who dissented with thirst. Ps.77:45. He sent insects to bite them and toads to destroy them. Ps.77:46. He gave their earthly growths to the caterpillar and their labor to the locusts. “The dog sent flies to her, and I ate them, and I ate them, and I grew them.” “And give their fruit to the rust, and their labor to the year.” Using dog flies and toads as servants of wrath, he inflicted cruel torment on them, and damaged the fruits of the earth with rust and locusts. Ps.77:47. Their grapes were beaten with hail and their sycamores with ice. “Kill their grapes with hail, and their blueberries with destruction.” Just as he destroyed the fruits with rust and locusts, so with hail and frost he killed the very roots of the trees. Instead of: “blueberry”, other interpreters translated: “wild fig tree”. Ps.77:48. Their cattle were given over to hail, and their flocks to lightning. “And he gave the city their cattle and their goods to the fire.” And Symmachus translated it like this: “he gave their cattle to the plague, and their treasures to the birds of prey,” because, having met a sudden death, they became food for carnivorous birds. Ps.77:49. He sent upon them the flame of His wrath, and indignation, and wrath and disaster, an embassy of evil angels. “He sent upon her the wrath of His wrath, fury and wrath and sorrow, the message of fierce angels.” The Prophet called rage and anger and sorrow cruel executions. And the cruel angels are the servants of execution, calling cruelty not natural or arbitrary malice, but the torment of punishment. This is how he calls the day of punishment (Ps. 40:1) a fierce day. Symmachus also meant the same thing, for instead of: “fierce angels,” he translated: “tormenting angels.” Ps.77:50. He made the path equal to His wrath, He did not protect their souls from death, and He gave their cattle over to the plague; Ps.77:51. He smote every firstborn in Egypt, the firstfruits of strength in the tents of Ham; “Make a path for Your anger”; that is, love for mankind did not prevent punishment, but made room for righteous admonition. The Prophet expressed this also in the addendum: “And their souls shall not be spared from death, and their cattle shall be imprisoned in death:” “And destroy every firstborn in the land of Egypt, the firstfruits of all their labor in the villages of Ham.” For, seeing their stubborn heart, he mercilessly sent executions upon them, first putting the cattle to death, and then the unexpected death of the firstborn. He called Egypt the villages of Ham, because the son of Ham is Mesrem, and Mesrem is Egypt. Ps.77:52. And he led his people like sheep, and led them like flocks through the wilderness. “And I raised up my people like sheep, and I raised up my people like flocks in the wilderness.” Thus, having punished the Egyptians, he led His own people into the desert, like a shepherd leading a flock. Ps.77:53. He led them safely, and they were not afraid, and the sea covered their enemies. “And teach me to trust, and not to fear.” For, having given many guarantees in His own strength, He commanded us to firmly trust in Him and not to be afraid. But although this was done by the God of all, they did not want to rely on God’s power. "And their enemies covered the sea." The sea itself opened the way for them, and the enemies were buried in the waves. Ps.77:54. And He brought them to His holy region, to this mountain, which His right hand had acquired. “And I brought into the mountain of My holiness, this mountain, which His right hand possessed.” Therefore, having freed them from Egypt, he gave them the land that he had promised. For by Mount Zion the Prophet signified the whole earth. Ps.77:55. He drove out the nations from before them and divided their land as an inheritance for them, and settled the tribes of Israel in their tents. “And I drove out the tongues from before them, and gave them lots to give by lot.” For, having liberated this land from the ancient inhabitants, he transferred its possession, according to promises, to His people. This means what was said: “already giving lots.” For rulers usually measure their own land. The lots and divisions of the land are shown in more detail in the writings of Joshua. “And they settled the tribes of Israel in their villages,” because they divided the land among the tribes. Thus the Prophet, having shown their unbelief in the wilderness, describes their violation of the law in the land of promise. Ps.77:56. But they still tempted and grieved the Most High God, and did not keep His statutes. “And I tempted and grieved the Most High God, and did not preserve His testimonies.” After many and great good deeds, they continued to break the law and transgress the commandments of God. Ps.77:57. They retreated and changed, like their fathers, they turned back like a faithless bow. “And they turned away and rejected themselves, just as their fathers did.” They imitated the malice of their fathers, and when they saw their punishment, they did not even take advantage of it. "Turning into a bow is corrupted." A skillfully prepared bow sends arrows fired from it straight to the target. And if the bow is somehow bent, it cannot give direct direction to the fired arrows. Therefore, they, having lost the rightness of mind, did not take advantage, as they should, of divine blessings, which could have served for benefit, but turned it into a reason for harm. Ps.77:58. They grieved Him with their heights and aroused His jealousy with their idols. “And you provoked Him to anger in your hills, and provoked Him to anger in your idols.” Having received blessings from the God of all, they served soulless idols. Ps.77:59. God heard and was inflamed with anger and was greatly indignant at Israel; “God hears and despises.” That is, He did not honor those praying with His providence. But the story of the Judges shows this more clearly, because God betrayed them, sometimes to the Ammonites, sometimes to the Moabites, sometimes to the Midianites and Philistines, punishing them for their wickedness. “And humiliate Israel greatly.” Thus, the notorious people, miraculously freed from Egyptian slavery, who “saw the sea and ran, and the Jordan returned back” (Ps. 113:3), - these same people were easily overcome by their neighbors. Ps.77:60. He cast aside the dwelling in Shiloh, the tabernacle in which He dwelt among men. “And I will cast away the tabernacle of Shiloh, my habitation, where I dwell among men.” This is narrated already at the beginning of Kings, where the high priest Elijah and the iniquity of his sons are mentioned. Ps.77:61. And He gave His strength into captivity and His glory into the hands of the enemy. “And you delivered their strength into captivity, and their kindness into the hands of their enemies.” The Prophet calls them strength and kindness an ark. Hophni and Phinehas, having brought him to the aid of their fellow tribesmen, were punished for their crimes. The foreigners took the ark as the best part of the booty and brought it as a gift to Dagon. And this was the idol they served. Ps.77:62. And he put his people to the sword, and was angry at his inheritance. “And shut up Your people in weapons and despise Your property.” He delivered them into the hands of enemies due to excessive lawlessness. And the Prophet called them a treasure, because they always enjoyed the great care of God. This is what the great Moses called them; for he says: “And Jacob his people became the portion of the Lord: now Israel is his inheritance” (Deut. 32:9). Then the Prophet enumerates the types of punishment. Ps.77:63. His youths were consumed by fire, and marriage songs were not sung to his maidens. Ps.77:64. His priests fell by the sword, and his widows did not weep. “Their young men ate fire, and their maidens did not complain.”: “Their priests fell with the sword, and their widows will not be mourned.” He consigned some to the fire, and over others there was no ordinary crying, because everyone was busy with their own misfortunes. And the priests Hophni and Phinehas, who carried the ark itself, were killed, having been taught by the very act that those living in lawlessness should not rely on God’s care for them. Ps.77:65. But, as if from sleep, the Lord arose, like a giant overcome by wine. Ps.77:66. And he struck his enemies in the rear, consigning them to eternal shame. “And the Lord arose as He slept.” However, subjecting them to this punishment, he showed their enemies the reasons for what had happened. “Like strong and noisy from wine:” “And strike back Your enemies, give them eternal reproach.” As if some dream, putting off patience, dealt the foreigners such a blow that they became worthy of ridicule among everyone. The Prophet understands the disease in the seats, which history tells about (1 Samuel 5:9). This was also expressed by the prophecy; for it is said: “Strike back Your enemies,” meaning with a decent expression the part of the body to which the ulcer was inflicted. The Prophet called long-suffering a sleep, and indignation the sound of wine; since God and righteously inflicting punishment on those who sin is something that comes to Him. Ps.77:67. And he rejected the tent of Joseph, and did not choose the tribe of Ephraim. “And I will cut off the village of Joseph, and will not choose the tribe of Ephraim.” Again the Prophet, leaving the other tribes, mentions only Ephraim, foreseeing the future theft of power, because Jeroboam, who came from it, tore away ten tribes from the kingdom of David. He calls the same tribe Joseph and Ephraim, because Ephraim is the son of Joseph. He says that this tribe was rejected, because the tabernacle did not remain in Shiloh, but the grace of the divine ark passed to Jerusalem, where after that Solomon erected the divine church. Ps.77:68. And he chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion, which he loved. “And you chose the tribe of Judah, and you loved Mount Zion.” He chose the tribe of Judah for the sake of the rod, which was expected to blossom from Jesse. Patriarch Jacob also foretold this growth when he blessed Judas. The divine Paul also mentions her, saying this: “It is clear that our Lord Jesus Christ has risen from the tribe of Judah” (Heb. 7:14). Therefore, for the sake of sowing summer growth, God preferred the tribe of Judah to the other tribes. But, since this mystery was in some way unknown to many, the Prophet added for greater clarity: “Thou shalt love Mount Zion” in order to quench envy in the other tribes, as if to say: do not have any pretext for envy in this; because for the sake of Mount Zion God chose the tribe of Judah. Moreover, the Prophet wants to show the venerability of the mountain because of the church that will be built on it. Ps.77:69. And He built His sanctuary like heaven, and established it forever like the earth. “And He created His sanctuary like a unicorn.” It is said that the unicorn is armed with one horn. The law also taught us to worship God alone. Therefore, the Prophet rightly likened a single church dedicated to the one God to a unicorn. “On earth is the foundation and for ever.” And Symmachus translated it like this: “like the earth that he founded forever.” And other interpreters express the same idea. Therefore he says: just as he created the earth alone, so he commanded one to build a church for the Jews. Ps.77:70. And he chose David his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds. “And he chose David his servant, and took him away from the flocks of sheep.” At the same time, he made it possible to see both the virtue of David, calling him a servant of God, and the generosity of God, who made the shepherd of the sheep king. Ps.77:71. And from the milking men he brought him to feed his people Jacob, and his inheritance Israel. “From the milking women they give him water.” And Symmachus translated it like this: “he led him after those who were with child.” This is a special proof of God's generosity. For David was not a perfect shepherd, but an assistant shepherd who goes after the sheep giving birth. “Shepherd Jacob his servant, and feed Israel his heritage.” And this shows an excess of care. For he did not appoint a shepherd of the sheep over some insignificant people, but over the descendants of Israel, who had adopted the title of forefather and enjoyed God’s providence for them, over those whom God had set apart for Himself as a kind of lot 19 Ps.77:72. And he shepherded them in the purity of his heart and led them with wise hands. “And in the innocence of my heart, and with understanding, I directed my hand to eat.” And he was not ignorant of God’s blessings, but, having combined prudence with simplicity, he guided them according to divine laws. The law of the Lord is similar to this: “Be wise as a serpent, and your targets like doves” (Matthew 10:16). For the Lord, having eliminated the vice of both, having removed both the malice of the serpent and the foolishness of the dove, dissolved virtue worthy of praise. We must also excel in this virtue, who along with blessed David are called to the same, or better yet, to greater things, because we are entrusted with service in higher matters, according to the law of the divine Paul, “to walk worthy of the calling in which we had the same calling” (Eph. 4:1). When translating this passage, the Greek reading is preferred, consistent with the ancient Slavic translations preserved in manuscripts. You might be interested in: