Изъяснение псалма 75-го.

Ps.75:1. To the head of the choir. On string instruments. Psalm of Asaph. Song. “In the end, in songs, a psalm to Asaph, a song to the Assyrian.” The addition: “to the Assyrian” I did not find in the exaplos, but it is in other lists. The content of the psalm is as follows: it foreshadows the events under Sennacherib and the punishment to which his army was subjected. Ps.75:2. God is led in Judea; His name is great among Israel. “God is known in Judah: His name is great in Israel.” For when in one night so many thousands received a deadly blow from an angel, then the God of all became known to everyone, especially looking after Israel and showing His presence in Judea. Ps.75:3. And His dwelling place was in Salem, and His sojourn was in Zion. “And His place was in peace, and His dwelling place was in Zion.” For, after the destruction of this multitude, those who remained fled, becoming messengers of divine power, for which reason they were not destroyed along with the others. From that time on, the city enjoyed peace, and everyone understood that God was truly pleased to dwell in Zion. Then the Prophet shows how “God is led in Judea.” Ps.75:4. There He broke the arrows of the bow, the shield and the sword, and the battle. “Then crush the fortresses of bows, weapons and swords and warfare.” Before the city walls, says the Prophet, having destroyed together the heavily armed warriors and archers and shield-bearers, he made their weapons completely useless. Ps.75:5. You are glorious, more powerful than the predatory mountains. “You enlighten marvelously from the eternal mountains.” And Symmachus translated it like this: “Glorious are You and immeasurably great from the mountains of prey,” because on our mountains, having betrayed those who were hostile to death as prey, He revealed Himself to everyone immeasurably great and glorious. For by this miracle you enlighten the ignorant and teach who You are. Ps.75:6. The strong in heart became prey, they fell asleep, and all the men did not find the strength of their hands. “All the foolishness of our hearts was troubled: we fell asleep with our sleep, and found nothing,” because, having exalted ourselves in thought against You, we were subjected to sudden confusion due to the foolishness of our souls. Thinking to indulge in sleep without fear, we were deceived in our hopes. For sleep was followed by death. History also shows this, because when they rose up they found only dead bodies. "All men's wealth is in their hands." And Symmachus translated it like this: “all men are strong with their hands,” that is, the strength of their hands did not help them at all, with which they hoped to plunder the wealth of everyone. And showing that they did not receive the slightest benefit from this, the Prophet added. Ps.75:7. Because of Your rebuke, O God of Jacob, both the chariot and the horse took a nap. “Because of Thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, I slumbered and rode on horses.” At Your command, those who boasted that they knew the art of driving horses immediately fell. In a word: “asleep” the Prophet depicted the suddenness of death. Just as someone who is dozing easily falls asleep when he wants to, so they accepted the imminent end of life. Ps.75:8. Thou art terrible, and who can stand before Thy presence in the time of Thy wrath? “You are terrible, and who will resist you?” Who is able to resist You and avoid the punishment You send? "From here is Thy wrath." Having barely heard the blasphemy, You could have punished the guilty, but You were patient, waiting for a change. Ps.75:9. From heaven You have announced judgment; the earth was afraid and quiet, Ps.75:10. when God rose up in judgment to save all the oppressed of the earth. “It is heard from heaven that you have executed judgment,” that is, you pronounce judgments from above on whomever You please. “Once upon a time, rise up to the judgment of God, save all the meek of the earth.” Everyone was filled with fear, says the Prophet, and stopped attacking us, seeing that You, as a kind of judge, were pronouncing a sentence on them, and those who were led by right thoughts and proclaimed Your help received salvation. Ps.75:11. And human anger will turn to Your glory: You will subdue the remainder of the anger. “As the thought of man confesses to Thee: and the remnant of the thought celebrates Thee.” Having enjoyed these blessings, we devote our thoughts to the chant, and a small part of them, without turning to other concerns. Ps.75:12. Make and pay vows to the Lord your God; let all who are around Him bring gifts to the Terrible One. Ps.75:13. He tames the spirit of princes, He is terrible for the kings of the earth. “Pray and give thanks to the Lord our God.” They encourage each other to both promise gifts and fulfill promises. For it is shameful and extremely unappreciative when all neighboring peoples do this out of fear—those who have been honored with a good deed suffer from ingratitude. This is what the Prophet expressed in the addition: “Everyone around him will bring gifts.” “To the Terrible One who takes away the spirits of princes, to the Terrible One more than the kings of the earth.” They will bring gifts, being frightened by the miracles performed, and having learned from the very deeds that He is truly God, Who sends death to the rulers and those who think about themselves, who reign on earth. You might be interested in: