Chapter 64

Ps.64:1. In the end, a psalm to David, a song of Jeremiah and Ezekiel, the people of exile, when they wanted to leave. In this psalm, the prophet introduces the face of the pagans who believed in Christ, who reproach the wise men of this age, and ask for remission of their former wickedness. And the prophet also sends up prayer for them, as for those who were barren in ancient times, but through faith in Christ they became fertile. Ps.64:2. The song of God in Zion is due to you. Let us no longer send up hymns to the gods, which we previously recognized, having learned that it is indecent to sing hymns to trees, stones and demons, but it is most fitting for You alone to repay this debt. And prayer will be offered to You in Jerusalem, either in earthly Jerusalem, which is the Church, or in heavenly Jerusalem, in which, having reached it, he will offer praises. Ps.64:3. Hear my prayer, all flesh will come to You. This proclaims the calling of all pagans, according to what was said in Joel: “I will pour out my spirit on all flesh” (Joel 2:28). Ps.65:4. The words of the lawless man prevailed over us. “The words of the wicked” he calls the wisdom of the sages of this age, from which they fainted, having lost true knowledge. And you will cleanse our wickedness. They pray for deliverance from the wickedness to which they indulged during their error. Ps.64:5. Blessed is he whom you chose and accepted. Those who have perfected themselves in virtue and have achieved the honor of the highest rank are called blessed. Let us be filled with the good things of Thy house. “Good to the house” refers to various gifts of the spirit. For it is said: “To one... the word of wisdom is given by the Spirit, and to another the word of understanding” (1 Cor. 12:8) and other gifts. either heavenly or earthly, according to what was said: “The church of God is holy, just as you are” (1 Cor. 3:17), filled with sanctification. And with Your words He teaches those who come Your righteousness. Ps.64:6. Hear us, God, our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth. So, hear us and grant us what we ask. In You, he says, the limits of the universe and those living far from the sea trust, which again means the limits of the universe. Ps.64:7. Prepare the mountains for Your strength. “Mountains” here refers to the resisting forces. “You are preparing” them for punishment, for you have prepared the abyss for them. And you will do this because You are strong. Ps.64:8. Confuse the depths of the sea. The sea here refers to the multitude of unclean spirits, and they are confused by the coming of Christ. That’s why the frightened spirits said: “Thou art come... before the time to torment us” (Matthew 8:29). Ps.64:9. and those who dwell in the ends will fear because of Your signs. When the nations are confused, i.e. hordes of demons, then people living on the borders of the universe will fear You, having seen great signs, meaning the signs that happened at the time of the coming of Christ. Decorate the outcome of the morning and evening. When the people inhabiting the universe, having seen great signs, fear with good fear, then, during the morning and evening exodus, i.e. at all times, they will have joy in admiring what has been accomplished by Your coming. Ps.64:10. Thou hast visited the earth, and thou hast made it drunk. Shows what the joy of all nations is about. What else is it about, besides the fact that He honored the earth with His visit and intoxicated it with His gifts? The river of God is filled with water. “River” here calls the Gospel word, and says that it is “filled with waters.” What kind of water is this? Are these not the Divine promises which He proclaimed to those worthy of the heavenly kingdom? These are the promises: “blessings for the poor in spirit” (Matthew 5:3), and the blessings that follow. Means spiritual food. He says that it is prepared, because before the foundation of the world the mystery of Christ was determined, Who is “the bread that came down from heaven and gave life to the world” (John 6:33,51). Ps.64:11. Give her reins, multiply her life. “Reins” he calls the depths of the heart, and “the lives of pious thoughts.” In its drops the vegetating rejoices will rejoice. And the small Divine gifts given to her will delight her and prepare her for the vegetation of, obviously, mental fruit. What are its drops, you will understand from what was said about Christ: “It will fall like rain on the fleece, and like a drop dripping on the ground” (Ps. 71:6). Ps.64:12. Bless the crown of summer with Your goodness. “Summer” he calls the time of the next century, and calls it “the crown of goodness,” because in it the saints will be crowned with great goodness. And Your fields will be filled with fatness. “Fields” he again calls the souls of those who believed in Him. Ps.64:13. The red desert will become sick. “Mountains” 7) according to other lists it reads: τὰ ὄρη τῆς ἐρήμου (“desert mountains”). names the holy Apostles and Evangelists who were nourished with spiritual gifts. “Desert” refers to the pagan Church, which in ancient times was deprived of knowledge of God. And the hills will be girded with joy. “Hills” refers to the primates of the Churches. Ps.64:14. Dressed as sheep's clothing. He calls the rulers of the people “rams of the sheep.” What will they put on if not the robe of incorruptibility and the robe of joy? He also calls the holy Apostles “rams of the sheep,” because they bowed their heads and were able to gore their enemies, as the Lord said: “Behold, I send you like sheep in the midst of wolves” (Matthew 10:16). And the harvest will multiply the wheat. The souls of the pagans, he says, previously incapable of anything and barren, will be filled with spiritual fruits. “The Udoliyas,” after they have changed for the better and multiplied their spiritual fruits, will unceasingly offer up hymns to You. Instead of τὰ ὡραῖα τῆς ἐρήμου ("red desert"_ You might be interested in: