Theodoret of Cyrus: commentary on the Psalms, 73-150

Commentary on Psalm 76

COMMENTARY ON PSALM 76 To the end. In hymns, a psalmfor Asaph, a song on the Assyrian. FOUND THE INSERTION of "the Assyrian" not in the Hexapla but in some copies.l The psalm does contain this theme, however: it forecasts events involving Sennacherib and the punishment inflicted on the army. (2) God is known inJudah, great is his name in Israel (v. 1): With so many myriads struck down in one night by the death-bearing blow [1473] at the hands of an angel,2 the God of all, who takes good care of Israel and made his own appearance in Judah, became clear to everyone. His abode has been established in peace, and his dwelling in Sion3 (v. 2): at the destruction of the multitude , the survivors took to their heels, becoming messengers of the divine power; this was the reason they were not exterminated along with the others. The city enjoyed peace on that account , and everyone formed the impression that God in real fact was pleased to dwell in Sion. Then he teaches how God is known in Judah: There he broke the force of the bows, shield, sword, and war (v. 3). Before the city's ramparts, he is saying, he did away at the same time with shield bearers, archers, and targeteers , and rendered their weapons completely useless. (3) You shed light marvelously from everlasting mountains (v. 4). Symmachus, on the other hand, put it this way, "You are conspicuous , immense from mountains of hunting": on our mountains you dispatch the adversaries to death's hunting, revealed I. Theodoret seems to have had access to various forms of the LXX, we have noted (see Introduction, section 3). 2. Cf. 2 Kings 19.35. 3. For Salem the LXX reads shalom, and Theodoret has no difficulty rationalizing it, unaware of the solecism. 22 COMMENTARYON PSALM 76 23 as conspicuous and immense to everyone; you shed light on the ignorant with the marvel, and teach [them] who you are.4 AU thefoolish ofheart were confused; they slept their sleep andfound nothing (v. 5): adopting a greater arrogance in your regard, they suffered sudden confusion on account of their folly of soul, thought themselves dozing safely and were disappointed, death succeeding sleep. History also teaches this, that on arising they found everyone dead. All the men of wealth in their hands. Symmachus , however, is saying, "All the men, strong with regard to their hands." The strength of their hands, he is saying, was of no use to them, though they counted on it to seize everyone's wealth. (4) To bring out what on earth it was they did not gain from it, he added, At your rebuke, 0 God ofJacob, those riding the horses fell into a sleep (v. 6). You nodded, he is saying, and immediately those priding themselves on their knowledge of equestrian skills fell down. ByfeU into a sleep he indicated the ease ofdeath: just as the sleeper easily dozes ifinclined, so they experienced a sudden end of their life. You arefearsome, and who can withstand you? (v. 7): who is sufficient to withstand you and flee the punishment inflicted by you? From your rage [1476] at that time: as soon as you heard the blasphemies, you were able to punish the guilty, but showed long-suffering in waiting for change. (5) From heaven you madejudgment heard (v. 8). From on high, he is saying, you deliver the verdicts as you wish. In place of you made heard, on the other hand, Symmachus said, "you will make audible." Earth feared and was stiU. when God arose to judgment, to save all the gentle ofthe earth (vv. 8-9). All were filled with dread, he is saying, and ceased their assault on us, seeing you as a kind ofjudge delivering the verdict against them, and those gaining salvation who employed right reason and announced your help. Because human pondering will confess to you, and remnant of pondering will celebrate you: enjoying these good things, they will 4. His LXX version being less than pellucid, Theodoret turns to the different but equally obscure version ofSymmachus, and does his best briefly to paraphrase each without reconciling them. His puzzlement is understandable in the light of his ignorance of the Hebrew, where homonyms 'ad, "eternity," and 'ad, "prey," could easily be confused by translators. 24 THEODORET OF CYRUS devote their thoughts to hymn singing, directing...