Изъяснение псалма 9-го.

Ps.9:1. To the head of the choir. After the death of Laben. Psalm of David. "At the end of the secret 5 sons, a psalm to David". Symmachus translated: victory song about the death of his son; Aquila: to the victorious son of youth; and Theodotion: about the blossoming youth of his son. Therefore, everyone, having mentioned the son in agreement, teaches us that this psalm also contains a prophecy about the victory over the death of the Lord Christ; because, having fearlessly and courageously conquered sin, and without giving death the slightest reason to catch Himself, he crushed its power. They called this secret “Seventy”; because it was hidden from everyone else and from the Apostles themselves. The Evangelist is a witness to this. since the Lord repeatedly tells them: “Behold, we are ascending to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be crucified, and they will kill Him, and on the third day he will rise again”; then the Evangelist added: “and these things were hidden from their eyes” (Luke 18:31–34). Therefore, blessed Paul also cries out; “In words is the wisdom of God, hidden in mystery, which no one has understood from the princes of this world: if they understood Him, they did not crucify the Lord of glory” (1 Cor. 2:7-8); and again: “a secret hidden from time immemorial and from generation to generation” (Col. 1:26). Therefore, the Seventy rightly called the death of the Son a mystery. Ps.9:2. I will praise [You], Lord, with all my heart, and proclaim all Your wonders. Ps.9:3. I will rejoice and triumph in You, I will sing to Your name, O Most High. “I will confess to You, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders.” “I will rejoice and rejoice in You: I will sing to Your name, O Most High.” Those who are perfect tend to give their whole heart to God and devote their whole mind to Him. For it is said: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind” (Luke 10:27). And whoever divides his thoughts between mammon and God, between Christ and gold, between present and future life, cannot truly say: “I will confess to You, Lord, with all my heart.” The prophet, seeing the future with spiritual eyes, not only confesses with all his heart, but also tells all the miracles of God, making the listeners accomplices in the chant, wanting to praise the only Benefactor, and the reason for rejoicing is not wealth and dominion, not health and strength of the body, but the remembrance of God. For he says: “I will rejoice and rejoice in You.” So in another place he said: “I remembered God and rejoiced” (Ps. 76:4); and in another: “rejoice in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous” (Ps. 31:11); and again: “the heart of those who seek the Lord will rejoice” (Ps. 104:3). Ps.9:4. When my enemies are turned back, they will stumble and perish before You. “Whenever my enemy returns, they will faint and perish before Your presence.” Symmachus translated it this way: I will sing to Your name, O Most High, when my enemies are turned back and stumble and perish at Your presence. For when I see that those who are hostile to me are crushed and put to flight, and then taken captive and given over to final destruction, I will praise You and will not cease to sing of Your good deeds. This is what the Prophet says about human nature, as one who has been delivered from the destroyer and, by the grace of God, has acquired freedom. For this psalm is not spoken on behalf of the Savior Himself, as some have supposed, but rather to Him, as to the Benefactor, pronounced by those who have felt His benefits, as the very expressions of the psalm show. Ps.9:5. For You have executed my judgment and my litigation; You have sat on the throne, righteous Judge. “For Thou hast created my judgment and my judgment.” How? “Thou shalt sit on the throne, judge the truth.” And what was the verdict? Ps.9:6. You were indignant with the nations, you destroyed the wicked, you blotted out their name forever and ever. “You forbade it with your tongue, and the wicked perished; you consumed his name forever and ever,” that is, you did not tolerate the human race, unhappily enslaved by the evil tormentor, remaining without charity any longer; but like a certain judge, seated on a high throne in the midst of a terrible judgment seat, he imposed such a punishment on him that his memory would be consigned to final oblivion. And the words: “Thou hast rebuked with the tongue, and the wicked perished” have the following meaning: through the holy Apostles, and the preachers of truth who came after them, Thou taught the pagans divine dogmas. And since the pagans accepted them and were freed from error, then “the wicked perished,” not having among himself those who were deceived and who worshiped him. So Paul and Barnabas, when the Lycaonians attempted to make a sacrifice, forbade it, crying out: “Men, what are you doing this? And we are men subservient to you, turning you from these vanities to God” (Acts 14:15). So blessed Paul reprimanded the Galatians: “O foolish Galata, who deceived you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was written to be crucified” (Gal. 3:1). This is how he reprimanded the Corinthians: “there is no trace of fornication in you, and such is fornication, which is not known among the nations” (1 Cor. 5:1). Therefore, “he rebuked with his tongue, and the wicked perished, and destroyed his name for ever and ever.” Unholy rituals have been completely destroyed and ultimately consigned to oblivion, so that no one living today knows the mysteries of wickedness. Ps.9:7. The enemy had no weapons at all, and You destroyed the cities; their memory perished with them. Ps.9:8. But the Lord abides forever; He has prepared His throne for judgment. Ps.9:9. And He will judge the world in righteousness, and judge the nations in righteousness. “The enemy has run out of weapons to the end, and you have destroyed the cities.” The enemy has lost his own weapons, having no servants of wickedness. Those who betrayed themselves as his instruments, those who have now gone over to the opposite side are waging war against him. And the cities, after the destruction of the ancient wickedness that had been installed in them, took upon themselves the work of edifying piety. For it was impossible to establish piety without first destroying wickedness. The divine Apostle also said this: “The grace of God has appeared, saving all mankind, punishing us, so that, having rejected wickedness and worldly lusts, we may live chastely and piously in this present age,” etc. ( Titus 2:11–12 ). Thus, everyone is not resurrected with Christ until he has received fellowship in His death. That is why the divine Paul says: “If we are equipped with the likeness of His death, we will also have a resurrection” (Rom. 6:5); and again: “even if we die, we will live” (Rom. 6:8). Thus, God, having crushed the wickedness of the enemies, created piety. “His memory perishes with noise.” “And the Lord abides forever.” The enemy is plunged into visible and very obvious destruction for everyone. This is what the expression means: “with noise,” taken from houses falling during an earthquake and producing a great crash. Our God and Master, says the Prophet, has an eternal power and an undying kingdom. “Your throne is prepared for judgment.” “And He should judge the universe in truth, and judge people in truth.” For not only in this life does He reveal His power, but also in the future He will open His terrible judgment seat, judging all people in it, and rewarding everyone what they deserve. Ps.9:10. And the Lord will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. “And the Lord was a refuge for the needy, a helper in time of need and in trouble.” Aquila translated this: “in good time”: “in time,” and Symmachus: “in time.” This word shows that the Lord accomplished our salvation at the opportune time. For the Prophet calls human nature “poor” because of the great poverty of lawlessness. Blessed Paul points out the goodness of this time, for he says: “When I was in my youth, under the elements of the world of enslavement: when the end of the year had come, God sent His Son, begotten of a woman, and was under the law, that He might redeem those under the law, that we might receive sonship” (Gal. 4:3-5). Ps.9:11. And those who know Your name will trust in You, because You do not abandon those who seek You, O Lord. “And let them that know Thy name trust in Thee: for Thou hast not forsaken them that seek Thee, O Lord. Let them trust.” Aquila and Symmachus translated: “they will be confident,” using a certain image of speech instead of imperative. After You have accomplished this salvation, says the Prophet, those who know You, the Creator and God, will place their hopes in You. Ps.9:12. Sing to the Lord who dwells in Zion, proclaim His deeds among the nations. “Sing to the Lord who dwells in Zion.” The Prophet said this in accordance with the ancient opinion of the Jews. However, from the apostolic teaching we learned that there is also a heavenly Zion. For it is said: “Come near to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem” (Heb. 12:22). “Make known His works among the nations.” The expression: “beginnings” Symmachus expressed: “skillful measures”, while Aquila: “changes”. And a truly great change took place. Ancient enemies have become friends, distant ones have become loved ones, slaves have become sons, those who were in ignorance have acquired knowledge, those who were in darkness are now in the light, the dead have the hope of life, the poor have become heirs of the kingdom of heaven. The Jews became distant, and the Gentiles near, the sons became dogs, and the dogs became sons. But the measures used by the Savior are also divine; because immortality is granted to mortals, life is given by death, honor is given by dishonor, blessing is given by curse, and salvation is given by the cross. Such are the skilful measures, such are the “undertakings” of our God. Ps.9:13. For He exacts blood; remembers them, does not forget the cry of the oppressed. “As I seek their blood, I will remember, do not forget the title of the wretched.” He, says the Prophet, who oversees everything and exactly looks for what is happening, saw that the devil was strengthening through deception to kill people, and therefore came to the aid of those suffering offense. This is what the words mean: “do not forget the title of the poor.” For what the Prophet here calls a title is not prayer or petition, but that miserable state brought on by sin, in which untimely death, mourning, and calamity are experienced. Ps.9:14. Have mercy on me, Lord; look at my suffering from those who hate me - You, who lift me up from the gates of death. Ps.9:15. So that I may proclaim all Your praises in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in Your salvation. “Have mercy on me, Lord, see my humility from my enemies.” Such, says the Prophet, was the cry of lamentations and cries, which contained within itself, as it were, some kind of petition for deliverance from the evils that beset them. “Lift me up from the gates of death: that I may proclaim all Your praises.” This, says the Prophet, is the end of all good things - deliverance from corruption and the crushing of death. Having enjoyed this, we will always praise Your good deeds. “At the gates of daughter Sioni: let us rejoice in Thy salvation.” The Prophet calls the heavenly city Zion, as blessed Paul taught us (Heb. 12:22). The gates of the city refers to the churches that exist throughout the entire earth, through which believers entered that city. In them, says the Prophet, rejoicing and exulting in the hope of resurrection, we will sing songs to the Author of these blessings. And since he mentioned the crushing of death; then by the way I added: Ps.9:16. The nations collapsed into the hole they had dug; in the net which they hid their foot was entangled. Ps.9:17. The Lord was known by the judgment that He committed; the wicked is caught in the works of his own hands. “The coal-miner of the nations is in destruction, having created the south: in this net, having covered the south, their foot is stuck.” “We know that the Lord creates fate: the sinner gets his hand stuck in business.” With the word “pagans,” the Prophet here also means a horde of demons, because, having built a saving cross, through it they lost the power to torment. “And in the net that hid their foot, their foot was stuck, and the sinner caught his hand in business.” But if the saying in question is understood about the peoples who did not believe, who put to death the good-victorious Apostles and martyrs, then in this case we will find the truth of the prophecy. For through their killing the preaching of piety was established, and more than they grasped during life was captured by them after death. “And the sinner has bound his hand in business, and the Lord is known to do justice,” that is, a wise and righteous steward. Ps.9:18. Let the wicked go to hell—all nations who forget God. Ps.9:19. For the poor will not be forever forgotten, and the hope of the poor will not be completely lost. “Let sinners return to hell, all the nations who forget God.” “For the beggar will not be completely forgotten, the patience of the poor will not perish forever.” Those, says the Prophet, who did not believe in the divine preaching will very soon be put to death and go down to hell, without causing the slightest harm to those persecuted by them; because “the patience of the needy will never perish.” For “he who endures to the end will be saved” (Matthew 10:22). And “blessed are the poor in spirit, for for them is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). Then, seeing from afar with prophetic eyes how the preachers of piety are being plundered by the wicked, David prayerfully says: Ps.9:20. Arise, O Lord, let not man prevail, and let the nations be judged before Thy presence. Ps.9:21. Bring fear, O Lord, upon them; let the nations know that they are human. “Rise up, Lord, so that man may not be strong, and the nations may be judged before You.” “Set, O Lord, a lawgiver over them, so that the pagans may understand that they are human beings.” At the same time, it would be fair to ask one of the Jews, which Lawgiver is the Prophet asking here to bestow? For the great Moses, who in ancient times was the servant of God's law, has already ended his life; no other lawgiver arose after him (Deut. 34:10). If it turns out that no one else was appointed as the Giver of the Law, neither to the Jews nor to the Gentiles, then it remains to understand that the Lord Christ is indicated as the Giver of the Law of the Gentiles, who in the Holy Gospel cries out: “It was said to the ancients: Thou shalt not kill. But I say to you: if anyone is angry with his brother in vain, he is guilty of judgment. It was said by the ancients: do not commit adultery. “But I say to you: for everyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:21–22, 27–28). And like this and so on. Therefore, the Prophet begs Him that the law be given to the pagans, and that they, having left the beast-like life, will learn “what men are.” For “man,” as the Prophet says, “is ignorant of honor, having become like foolish cattle and becoming like them” (Ps. 48:13). Why is it said here: “let the pagans understand that they are human beings.” Ps.9:22. Why, Lord, do you stand afar off and hide Yourself during sorrow? Ps.9:23. Through his pride the wicked persecutes the poor: let them be caught in the tricks that they themselves invent. “What things, O Lord, stand far away, dost thou despise in good times, in tribulations?” “Whenever the wicked are proud, the poor are inflamed: they get stuck in the advice they even think.” since you do not protect the offended, it seems as if you, Lord, stand far away and do not look at human affairs. Those who are offended, as if from some kind of fire, melt away from cowardice, seeing the arrogance of those who offend. And the Prophet used the word “burning” very appropriately about those who indulge in cowardice, because they are likened to being consumed by fire, and sighs come from their mouths, like some kind of smoke. The Prophet says that harm will come to them from cowardice; because they are not driven by splendid thoughts, but they doubt Your Providence. For this is what the words mean: “they get caught up in the things they think.” And showing the reason for this, the Prophet added: Ps.9:24. For the wicked boasts in the lust of his soul; the self-interested man pleases himself. “For the sinner is to praise in the lusts of his soul, and the one who offends is to bless.” By producing thousands of evils, they gain praise from flatterers for this. Ps.9:25. In his arrogance the wicked despises the Lord: “he will not seek”; in all his thoughts: “There is no God!” “Provoke the Lord, sinner: according to the multitude of his wrath.” Here you should put a punctuation mark, and then add: “he will not require”, in this meaning: “irritate the Lord,” saying: “he will not require.” Indulging in madness and fury, as if no one was watching over him, he rushes into all kinds of lawlessness, and does not remember that the Judge will punish him for what he has done. Then the Prophet expresses this more clearly: “There is no God before him.” What is the reason for this? Ps.9:26. At all times his ways are disastrous; Your judgments are far from him; he looks at all his enemies with disdain. “His ways are defiled forever: Your destinies are taken away from before him.” He completely neglects Your laws and spends all his time in lawlessness. “He has all his enemies.” However, even doing this, he prospers. Then the Prophet depicts the excess of pride. Ps.9:27. He says in his heart: “I will not be shaken; no evil will befall me throughout generation and generation.” “I say in my heart: I will not move from generation to generation without evil.” Symmachus translated this more clearly: I will not turn away from generation and generation, I will not tolerate evil. He indulges in such insolence, and thinks that he will not be subjected to anything bad, drowning in vices of all kinds. Ps.9:28. His lips are full of curses, deceit and lies; under the tongue is its torment and destruction. “His mouth is full of oaths, and sorrow, and flattery: under his tongue is labor and illness”; because he plots, contrives for evil, spends his whole life plotting against the poor. Ps.9:29. He sits in ambush outside the courtyard, killing the innocent in hidden places; his eyes spy on the poor. Ps.9:30. lies in wait in a hidden place, like a lion in a den; lies in wait to capture the poor; he grabs the poor man, dragging him into his net. Ps.9:31. It bends, it fits, and the poor fall into its strong claws. “He will squat in fishing with the rich in secret, to kill the innocent.” Sitting in assemblies and in hosts, he prepares some kind of snares and traps for the innocent. “His eyes despise the beggar.” “He catches in secret like a lion in his fence: he catches a hedgehog to snatch a beggar, and sometimes draw him into his net.” "He will humble him." Like a lion looks around here and there, looking for prey; So he, day and night, comes up with means of theft and extortion. However, “he will bow down and fall, never having the power of the poor.” When he triumphs over everyone, he will in no way escape the jaws of death, but like others he will go to the grave. Ps.9:32. He says in his heart: “God has forgotten, He has hidden His face, He will never see” “He said in his heart: forget God, turn away His face, so that He does not see to the end.” Evil words and godless thoughts will not help him at all; but in reality he learns that the Ruler of all oversees human affairs. Extremely upset by these evil words, the Prophet again turns his speech into a prayer and says: Ps.9:33. Arise, O Lord, [my] God, lift up Your hand, do not forget the oppressed [Thine to the end]. “Rise up, O Lord my God, may Thy hand be lifted up, do not forget Thy poor ones to the end.” since those who indulge in wickedness and lawlessness seem to say by their very deeds: God has forgotten, then teach them by experience that You do not forget, do not turn away Your face, but have care for those who are offended. And being even more offended by the blasphemies of the wicked, the Prophet added: Ps.9:34. Why does the wicked despise God, saying in his heart: “You will not require it”? “Why do you anger the wicked God? Speak in your heart: He will not require it." But even though he thinks about it a thousand times, You see. Ps.9:35. You see, for You look upon insults and oppression in order to repay with Your hand. The poor man betrays himself to you; to the orphan you are a helper. “You see how You see illness and rage, so that He may be betrayed in Your hand.” This is how Symmachus divided these words: “you see, because you look at work and irritation,” and Aquila: “you know, because you look at work and irritation.” Although those devoted to wickedness, says the Prophet, will claim a thousand times that You do not look at the deeds of men, we know that You look and look at their iniquities, and You will subject them to worthy punishment. For “A beggar has been left for you to eat; be a helper to your sire.” Therefore I beg You: Ps.9:36. Break the arm of the wicked and evil, so that you will seek and not find his wickedness. “Break the arm of the sinner and the evil one.” And this will happen if you only want to exact his sin. If this is done, then he will immediately find himself powerless and will be given over to final destruction. For the Prophet expressed this by saying: “his sin will be sought and will not be found,” because of the sin itself. But Symmachus said this more clearly: “his wickedness will be exacted, lest it be found on him”; because as soon as wickedness is discovered and declared, the wicked will perish. Ps.9:37. The Lord is king forever, forever; The pagans will disappear from His land. "The Lord is king forever and ever." since the wicked said that God does not seek, does not look, then the prophetic word, by the way, teaches that God will reign, and not just reign, but “forever and ever.” It is typical for a king to provide for his subjects. “O Gentiles, you will perish from His land,” the Gentiles, given over to lawlessness and not accepting the saving preaching. Ps.9:38. God! You hear the desires of the humble; strengthen their heart; open your ear. “Thou hast heard the desire of the poor, O Lord; Thy ear hath heeded the preparation of their hearts.” Symmachus replaced the word “preparation” with the word “intention.” You know exactly, says the Prophet, what the poor desire and what their intention is. Then this means more clearly. Ps.9:39. To give justice to the orphan and the oppressed, let no more fear man on earth. “Judge the Sir and the Humble.” This, says the Prophet, is desired by each of the offended. “Let no man be magnified on earth.” When those who live wickedly and lawlessly will be punished; This will be of great benefit to other people, because, looking at them, they will not dare to act like them. The Prophet not only added this to the present psalm, but, firstly, with the intention of showing in what state the human race was in ancient times, and how the Only Begotten Word of God, having become man, appropriately applied the necessary medicine to the ulcers; and besides this, the Prophet teaches that those who do not want to take advantage of this benefit in any way will be given over by God to the most severe executions on the day of the second coming. "Ὑ πὲρ των κρυ φ ί ων “, about the hidden ones. You might be interested in: