A CALL TO PRAISE LORD The mainline in this psalms is the rejoice in the greatness of God and His love. It confirms the royal authority of God on earth and in heaven; and calls upon us to praise Him every day and forever. The order of the verses of this psalm came according to the Hebrew alphabet. And in the ancient Greek and Syrian texts, it was mentioned: “The Lord is faithful in all His words, compassionate in all His works. The Jews used to praise the Lord by this psalm three times a day in the synagogue: in the morning, noon, and evening. And, according to the Babylonian Telmud, it was used in praise thrice a day, and will have a prominent place in the life to come1. Every day I will bless Him (2); for His greatness (3 – 6); for His goodness and mercy (7 – 10); for His majesty (11 – 13); for His salvation (14): for His care (15 – 17): for He is near to us (18); for hearing our supplications (19 – 20); and I shall praise Him forever and ever (21). 1- An opening glorification 1 - 3 2- The wholly majestic Lord 4 - 7 3- The Philanthropic Lord 8 - 13 4- The Lord King upholds the fallen 14 5- The Lord and the divine care 15 - 16 6- The Lord is gracious in all His works 17 7- The Lord is near to all who call upon Him 18 8- The Lord hears our prayers 19 9- The Lord preserves those who love Him 20 10- A conclusive glorification 21 The title: A song of majesty and love. A praise of David. The title says: A praise of David. Although He who came of the seed of David is called David; yet His is our King who reigns on us, and who brings us to His kingdom … According to the flesh, Christ, 1 Berakoth, 4b. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 199 being the Son of David is David; But according to His divinity, He is David’s Creator and Lord1. (St. Augustine) 1- AN OPENING GLORIFICATION: The psalmist often glorifies the Lord through His dealings with him and with the people. But here, the psalm begins by a glorification of the Lord, the heavenly King; for all creation glorify and praise Him. “I will extol You, my God, O King; and I will bless Your name forever and ever” (1) The church sing verses 1 and 2 of this psalm on the morning following the feast of the cross (the 18 th of the Coptic month of Thout); on account of that the cross, in truth, is the throne of glory of love of our Lord Jesus, the King of kings, who sets the hearts as His kingdom. It is as well, the secret of entry into a personal relationship with Him; that every believer sings: “I will exalt You, my God, O King”. And the cross is also the source of joy and gladness of the human soul. “I will exalt You, my God, O King, and I will bless Your name forever and ever”. Praising God starts here in this life … Start praising God. If you wish to praise Him forever. He who does not praise Him in this mortal age, will be silent in the age of ages2. (St. Augustine) When you say: “I will exalt You, my God, O King”, you reveal the intimate relationship between you and God; Then He would say about you what He said about Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: “I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob” (Exodus 3: 6). I mean to say that when you say: “I will exalt You, my God, O King”, and you say it, not just by words, but you present a testimony of this love, He will, in His turn say about you: “My servant, faithful in all my house” as He said about Moses (Exodus 12: 7).. “And I will bless Your name forever and ever”. Do you notice how he also refers to the life to come? By saying, “I bless (praise), he means that he practices it, not only by words, but by work as well; which is the right way to glorify and 1 On Ps. 145 (144). 2 On Ps. 145 (144). https://coptic-treasures.com/ 200 praise God. That is what He commands us to say in our prayer: “Hallowed be Your name” (Matthew 6: 9), namely, be glorified1. (St. John Chrysostom) Your exaltation, O God, is Your nature, and not got from another. You are not getting more exalted by our praise; for the heavens tell about Your glory, and the stars proclaim Your high status. If day after day, Your majesty is proclaimed, and Your greatness is testified by all Your creation; How much more should I do, with all the good things You have done to me? I exalt You, bless Your name, glorify, and give You thanks, O King! That is what I do in my life, and in the age to come. (Father Onesimus of Jerusalem) “Every day I will bless You, and I will praise Your name forever and ever” (2) Praise, therefore, the Lord your God every day, so that once the present days pass away, and the day with no end will come, you go from praise to praise, and from strength to strength (Psalm 84: 7). No marvel that, on the day of your joy, you bless God. How about when you have a day of sorrow, which is natural in the circumstances of our mortal life, full of troubles and abundance of temptations? Will you stop blessing God? Will you stop praising Him2? (St. Augustine) Yes, my God, every day I will bless You, in my joy, as well as in my sorrow; I will praise Your name forever and ever. (Father Onesimus of Jerusalem) “Every day I will bless You, and I will praise Your name forever and ever”. This is the feature of the pure spirit; which, once liberated from the preoccupations of this world, is dedicated to praise God forever and ever. It is written: “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech; and night unto night reveals knowledge” (Psalm 19: 1-2). The sun, the moon, and all the celestial bodies, proclaim their Creator. It is therefore a shame for man, who is granted reason and more privileges than all creation, to praise Him less than them. It is not only 1 On Ps. 146. 2 On Ps. 145 (144). https://coptic-treasures.com/ 201 shame, but ridiculous, when all the other creatures day unto day, and even hour unto hour, present praises of thanksgiving to their Creator. We are greatly indebted to God for creating us from nothing, for making us what we are; and for His care for us day unto day, general and personal, secret and manifest, in what we perceive, and in what we do not. What can we say about the seen things He created for our sake? about the services He presents to us? about the formation of our bodies, the exaltation of our souls, His daily provisions , and about His diverse care? Yet, the summit of those goods, is that He did not even spare His only-begotten Son for our sake; the gifts he presented to us in baptism, and the Eucharist … Actually, if we count everything He granted us, we shall drown in an unfathomable ocean blessings… Therefore, you see that it is befitting of us to perpetually praise, bless him, and give Him thanks, and unceasingly worship Him1. (St. John Chrysostom) “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable” (3) Youmay start by a wish to praise Him, and may assume that you are able to reach an ultimate end of praising Him, whose greatness has no end. You should never assume that He, whose greatness has no end, could be praised enough. … As there is no end of His greatness, let His praise, as well, be of no end2. (St. Augustine) He means to say: Having such a great Lord, Extol yourselves;Rid yourselves of the preoccupations of this world; Adopt for yourselves a goal, more exalted than the meanness of the present time; Not to become haughty or arrogant, but to have high and great intellect. For haughtiness and greatness are completely two different things: the haughty boasts of the things of the world, and despises his fellow servants; whereas the great is the one with humble thoughts, who counts all the things of this world as nothing3. (St. John Chrysostom) 2- THEWHOLLYMAJESTIC LORD: 1 On Ps. 146. 2 On Ps. 145 (144). 3 On Ps. 146. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 202 “One generation will praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts” (4) According to St. Augustine, this phrase could be interpreted that it is befitting of every generation to praise God; And it could also mean that we praise God in this life, as well as in the life to come. St. Augustine often interprets the expression “one generation to another”, that the talk concerns the first generation, namely, our life in his world; while the second generation is our life in eternity. It is as though the praise extends over all the days of our sojourn, as a deposit for the eternal life, then continues in our eternal life, together with the heavenly hosts. In the present generation, we praise Him for the beautiful creation that he brought into existence for our sake; While there, we praise Him, on account of that He is the beauty itself, the Creator. By saying: “One generation will praise Your works to another”, he probably means” (every generation). Or he means to say, that we are here the generation of God’s children; whereas there we shall be the generation of those of the resurrection. If you are impressed by the beauty of the creation; How would you be by that of its Creator? If the benefits of the created things are to be praised, How would it be of Him who created them? If exaltation is to be praised, What would be more exalted than Him, by whom all those exalted things were created1? (St. Augustine) There is no time that does not bear a sign of His divine care … God will never cease to care for the progress of our nature, on every aspect, andperpetually all along the generations2. (St. John Chrysostom) “I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on Your wondrous works” (5) According to the Septuagint and the Coptic version, it came as: “On the greatness of the majesty of Your glory, they talk; and on Your wondrous works, they proclaim”. 1 On Ps. 145 (144). 2 On Ps. 146. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 203 With every appreciation and thanksgiving, the psalmist meditates on the exalted greatness of God, as proclaimed by the amazing works of His salvation. Anyway, look at how that man meditates in God’s works; … how he moves from the Worker to the works; … how he goes from the Creator, down to the things He creates;…. how he made the things created, a step by which to climbs up to the Creator. … For if you love those things more than you love him, you will never be worthy of acquiring Him.. What would be your benefit if you are overwhelmed by the works, if the Worker Himself forsakes you?. … You are truly committed to love him more; to love Him for His own sake. He does not give promises, without giving threats as well;…. Without giving promises, there will be no encouragements. And without threats, there will be no reform. Those who praise You, O God, talk unceasingly as well about the awesome and exalted works of Your hands, that chastise and also punish; They do not proclaim Your eternal kingdom, and be silent about Your eternal Hades…. By praising God, you proclaim that He is to be loved, and to be feared as well1. (St. Augustine) After referring to God’s “might”, he shows how this might is not normal, but amazing in its kind; It does not wok haphazardly or by chance; it consummates everything in an amazing and glorious way that surpasses the limits of human nature. … As examples, meditate in what happenedin Egypt and Palestine in the days of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph; in what happened in Egypt in the days of Moses; in what happened in the wilderness, and on entering into the promised land …. All those proclaim the might, glory, and greatness of the Creator, that instigate great marveling and awe2. (St. John Chrysostom) “Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts; and I will declare Your greatness” (6) While men speak of the awesome acts of God, the psalmist goes on to declare His great love and care, which, according to St. John Chrysostom3, are proclaimed through His compassion, as well as His 1 On Ps. 145 (144). 2 On Ps. 146. 3 On Ps. 146. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 204 chastisements. He sees that clearly in the creation itself. For God who created the world for our sake, with all its exalted beauty, He Himself, allowed for the existence of fearful things like lightning, thunder, volcanoes, snow storms, floods, wild fires, etc. All those are used by God’s care to exhort us to Him, to wake us up from our slothfulness, and to lead us to the life of watching. When the apostle Paul wrote to the church of Corinth about His heavenly vision, he was not sure if he saw it only by his spirit, or by his body as well. And he testified: “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forward to those things which are ahead” (Philippians 3: 13). It is clear that Paul alone, knew about what is beyond the third heaven, that was not mentioned by Moses himself, when he talked about the creation, and the origin of the universe…. Paul did not cease to exalt, after what he heard of the unutterable secrets of paradise; and did not allow the exaltation he reached to come in the way of his desire to exalt higher and higher. Paul confirmed that our knowledge of God is limited; for God’s eternal nature is limitless, and far more exalted than what we do know. … Yet, those who unite with God, will have their fellowship with Him grow and increase in the eternal life, which conforms with the words of the Lord Christ: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5: 8). They will see and know God as much as is allowed by the understanding of their limited minds; But God, the Infinite, and the Immeasurable, will always be beyond humanperception. As testified by the prophet: “God’s greatness is unsearchable” (Psalm 145: 3). And He will continue to be, whenever we meditate in His exaltation. The great David attempted with all his heart to lift his mind up to the high reaches, and “went from strength to strength” (Psalm 84: 7); and cried out to God: “You, Lord, are on high forever more” (Psalm 92: 8). It is thus clear that he who runs toward the Lord, would become greater, the higher he gets, and would grow in goodness, the higher level he reaches. This happens all along the eras; … God is the highest and most exalted, now, and forever; He so perpetually appears to those who approach Him; but will always be higher and more exalted than the capabilities of all who attempt to rise up1. عظة 8 على نشید الأناشید ترجمة الدكتور جورج نوّار. 1 https://coptic-treasures.com/ 205 (St. Gregory, bishop of Nyssa) “They shall utter the memory of Your great goodness. And they shall sing of Your righteousness” (7) Men will testify to the greatness of God’s goodness, as they find in his righteousness an instigation to joyful praise. According to St. John Chrysostom1, Whenever we mention the fearful things that the divine care uses for our benefit, it is befitting of us, as well, to mention the good things, like the seasons, the gardens, the pastures, the fresh water, the rain, the fertile soil, the diverse fruits, the rays of he sun, the splendor of the moon and of the stars, the tranquility of the night, the flocks of sheep, etc…. All those things presented by God, even to the unworthy. While often talking about God’s love, compassion, long suffering, and about the gates of hope He opens before the sinners for the sake of their repentance and reform; St. Augustine, at the same time, does not disregard God’s fear, awe, and His chastisements in this world; And he also confirms the existence of the fire of Hades, for those who do not accept His love, and do not respond to His chastisement. While using the fearful things for chastisement, God some other times, uses an abundance of good things to let us get in touch with His love and care. By the former He chastises, and by the later He draws us toward Himself. Commenting on the threat of Hades, St. John Chrysostom2 says: [He threatens us by Hades, not with the intention to let it be our destiny, but to keep us from falling into it; … He actually prepared it for the devil, according to His words: “into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25: 41). Having prepared the kingdom for men, He showed His intention not to cast men in Hades]. 3- THE PHILANTHROPIC LORD: “The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger, and great in mercy” (8) Great is the Lord, not only in His might and works, but also in His compassion, longsuffering, and mercy. 1 On Ps. 146. 2 On Ps. 146. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 206 He did not say “merciful”, but said “great in mercy”, showing that His mercy is not only immeasurable, but surpasses all human counting1. God intends to be called: “Gracious, full of compassion, slow to anger, and great in mercy” (LXX) Actually, God’s mercy covers the whole earth; “His tender mercies are over all his works” (Psalm 145: 9). It saves all men, and if it was not for it, everything would be destroyed.. “When we were enemies, we were reconciled” (Romans 5: 10), It presented so much blessings; It exhorted the Son of God to become a servant, and to empty Himself of His glory, for our sake. Let us then compete with all zeal to have mercy; For by it He saved us. … Let us love it. … Let us prefer it over all riches and wealth. … Let us have a merciful soul; as nothing distinguishes the Christian like mercy2. (St. John Chrysostom) We should watch over our thoughts, and keep them under control all the time. … We should not become victims of despair, which is provoked by the enemy. … Let us know that all temptations are allowed by God to let us recognize our weaknesses as humans, and to make us more experienced….We should wail and mourn if we become deceived, yet we should not despair, “For God is gracious and full of compassion” (8); He knows our weakness, and has compassion on us3. (St. Maccari the Great) “The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works” (9) What is translated here as “good”. St. Augustine translates as (sweet). God’s goodness extends over everyone without partiality; All His creation get in touch with His mercies. Do not say: “Tomorrow I shall return; tomorrow I shall please God; All my works today and in the past will be forgiven” … Yes, what 1 On Ps. 146. 2 Homilies on Heb., 32: 7. رسالة 5 :6 (فردوس Recherches Augustiniennes, 1999 – 31, p. 104- 3 رسائلھ المكتَشفَة حدیثًا عن مجلة : 135 الآباء). https://coptic-treasures.com/ 207 you say is true: God promised forgiveness, but He does not like delay, nor postponement from day to day (Sirach 5: 7) 1. (St. Augustine) In His goodness, God does good to both the righteous and the wicked. He shines His Sun, and pours His rain on all. He sends His help to all. Even His punishment on the wicked would bring forth good things; as it puts an end to bad behavior, and become an example for others. (Father Onesimus of Jerusalem) By saying “all, he means, not only the righteous and those who repent, but also the sinners and those who live in iniquity…. He was good, not only to Abel, but also to Cain; not only to Noah and his sons, but to those who perished in the great flood. All things happened through Hid compassion. He delivers “all” to chastisement, which is actually meant to reform rather than to punish them; to purify man from practicing sin, and to make him an example for the others to learn by his suffering. The term “all” applies, not just to the cases we mentioned, but to all the seen creation, both the rational and the irrational, and even to the unseen angels and the archangels up there, where there are great goodness, and an enjoyment of deep compassion2. (St. John Chrysostom) Isn’t God good? … Remember how he fed thousands in the wilderness by the food of the angels; when the multitudes did not have to work to earn their sustenance. They enjoyed that luxury for forty years, and even their clothes and sandals were never worn out. Isn’t He good? …. He brought the earth up to heaven; that as the stars reflect the splendor of His glory in the sky like a mirror, the choir of apostles, martyrs, and priests glitter like stars, and emit their light to the whole world. He, therefore, is not only good, but far more! He is a good Shepherd for His flocks of sheep… “and the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep”.(John 10: 11). It is for my own benefit to believe that God is good; that “It is good to trust in the Lord”; and that “It is good to confess that He is the Lord”; for it is written that “Praise the Lord, for He is good3”. (St. Ambrose) 1 On Ps. 145 (144). 2 On Ps. 146. 3 Exposition of Christian Faith, 2: 23- ترجمة الدكتورة نھى عزت . 25, 27 https://coptic-treasures.com/ 208 “All Your works shall praise You, O Lord; and Your saints shall bless You” (10) According to the Septuagint and the Coptic version it came as: “All Your works proclaim You, and all Your saints bless You”. Beside bringing the creation forth from nothing, God’s exalted ordinance and care of them, represent an unutterable song of thanksgiving for His might, wisdom, and compassion. And His saints are partners with the creation in giving thanks to God for His limitless perfections. St. Augustine quotes the song of praise presented by the three saintly young men, who, while in the furnace of fire, sought from the irrational creation to partake of their praise of God. Isn’t the beauty of the world count as one sound answering you, saying: “I have not created myself; God has created me1”? (St. Augustine) Will all the works of God, rational and irrational, by proclaiming their perfect systems, instigate you to confess His wisdom and goodness?.... The righteous bless Him by their words and good works; describe the glory of His eternal kingdom, and unceasingly proclaim His might. (Father Onesimus of Jerusalem) “All Your works shall praise You, O Lord, and Your saints shall bless You”. Meaning they present their praise, with and without voice. All creation without voice are created in such a way to praise through their nature, even though they may seem voiceless to men. What these creations do through their mere existence, men do through the way of their life, as is clear from the psalmist’s addition: “and Your saints shall bless You2”. (St. John Chrysostom) “They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom, and talk of Your power” (11) It is befitting of the saints to testify to the joyful kingdom of God, and to talk of its greatness by their tongues, as well as by their inner life, and practical behavior. How great is the power of God, who created the earth! 1 On Ps. 145 (144). 2 On Ps. 146. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 209 How great is the power of God who gave life to every creature! How great is the power of God who provided the womb of the earth with the diverse seeds, to give forth to diverse blossoms and beautiful trees! How great is the power of God! O saint of God, if you ask the creation, it will answer you, blessing God, and talking of His might1. (St. Augustine) “To make known to the sons of men His mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of His kingdom” (12) Your saints praise “the glorious majesty of Your kingdom”. If every one of Your creation has such a beauty, how great would be the beauty of Your whole kingdom?! I wish Your kingdom does not terrify us; for its beauty gives us gladness. I wonder how will be the beauty that the saints will enjoy, to whom is said: “Come you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you” (See Mathew 25: 34).How great is the beauty of that kingdom, where there are only angels living together with You! Let us love it before we see it, that when we do, we will remember it2! (St. Augustine) Great is His power; Great is His glory; Great is His honor; Great, unutterable, and beyond any description and any imagination3. (St. John Chrysostom) “Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures throughout many generations” (13) According to the Septuagint and the Coptic versions it came as: “The Lord is faithful in all His words, and holy in all His works”. It is therefore, befitting of us, with perfect love, to submit to the dominion of the Lord, in this generation, as well as in the generation to come, the way the heavenly creatures submit to Him with joy and exultation. The kingdom of this age may have its beauty, but never like the greatness of that of all generations4. (St. Augustine) 1 On Ps. 145 (144). 2 On Ps. 145 (144). 3 On Ps. 146. 4 On Ps. 145 (144). https://coptic-treasures.com/ 210 His dominion extends to every corner of the world, to all ages, and to all times1. After referring to that there is no end for His kingdom, and that it will never be shaken, but will endure forever; the psalmist refers to the endurance of His words; For the word “Amen” implies endurance and truth. “Holy in all His works”. The word “holy” means (blameless, upright, and undefiled), and gives no chance for anyone to criticize it2. (St. John Chrysostom) “God is faithful in all His words” He tells no lies when He says: “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (Isaiah 1: 18). The great Physician of souls, the liberator, is not ready to set you alone free, but all those enslaved by sin; He is ready to heal your sickness3. (St. Basil) Abraham was so faithful, having believed the word of God; And God is faithful, according to the words of David: “God is faithful in all His words’; trustworthy, and would never lie. (St. Athanasius the apostolic) 4- THE LORD KING, UPHOLDS THE FALLEN: “The Lord upholds all who fall, and raises up all those who are bowed down” (14) The greatness of God is shown in His care for those who fall, and those bowed down, to uphold them and to restore the complete life to them. He comes close to those bowed down because of illness, sorrow, or anguish, is compassionate to them, and inclines His ears to listen to the hidden moans of their hearts. Praise be to the Lord who stretches His hands on the cross, to embrace the fallen humanity, raises it from the dust, and sets it upright to enjoy the fellowship of the eternal glory; That is His pleasure! Those who lose something in this world, while being holy, would probably become despised and poor after being honored and rich. However, being the saints of God, although they seem as fallen, the 1 On Ps. 146. 2 On Ps. 146. 3 Epistle, 46: 6. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 211 Lord upholds them; “For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again; but the wicked shall fall by calamity” (Proverbs 24: 16). When evil dwells upon the wicked, they stumble and become weak; Whereas when it falls upon the righteous, who belong to Him. “The Lord upholds all who fall, and raises up all those who are bowed down1”. (St. Augustine) The Lord upholds all who fall in transgressions and tribulations, if they return to Him, and cry out to Him. He raises up thosecrushed by sorrow, and calamities,. (Father Onesimus of Jerusalem) The greatness of the glory of His kingdom, is that He cares, not only for the upright, but also for the fallen, and raises up those who are bowed down. He cares for all, not for this or that person. He cares even for the isolated and needy, to bring them up from their isolation and need. Being the Lord of all, He does not disregard the fallen, or despise the wavering. As an example, He upheld David when he fell, and made him strong; He upheld Peter when he fell, and said to him: “Simon, Simon, Indeed Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail” (Luke 22: 31-32) 2. (St. John Chrysostom) The Lord is faithful in all His words; He never lies! When he says: “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (Isaiah 1: 18) The great Physician of the souls, who intends to liberate, is ready to cure you of your illness; not only you, but all those captivated by sin3. (St. Basil the Great) “A righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, but the wicked shall fall by calamity” (Proverbs 24: 16). When evil dwell upon the wicked they become weak; whereas when the righteous fall, God upholds those who belong to Him (14); but “God resists the proud” (James 4: 6) 4. (St. Augustine) 1 On Ps. 145 (144). 2 On Ps. 146. رسالة 3 .46 4On Ps. 145. 13. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 212 5- THE LORD AND THE DIVINE CARE: “The eyes of all look expectantly to You; And You give them their food in due season” (15) Every shepherd wishes to satisfy his flock, and to provide them with their needs; yet, in due season, lest he may bring forth harmto them. We often wish from God to give us a certain thing, that we consider good for us; but we do not know whether it is for our edification, or for our harm. Because our heavenly Shepherd knows what suits us, and when it is the right time to have it; Let us then, look expectantly to His hands, trusting that He is loving, wise, and generous in giving. If God allows for the existence of both rich and poor; yet He cares for all, and gives them their food in due season; He gives both the good and the wicked. “The eyes of all look expectantly to You. And You give them their food in due season”. … Yet, man often wishes to have something, and God does not give it to him right away. As a good Shepherd, He knows when it is the right time to give. So I say, brethren, lest someone may collapse, when he asks God for something good, and God does not listen to him. He should know that when God does not respond, It would be because He knows that it would bring harm to him1. (St. Augustine) “Let my beloved come to his garden, and eat its pleasant fruits” (Song 4: 16). It is a daring request from a zealous soul, beyond any marvel… Who is He, whom the bride invites to her banquet, to eat her favorite pleasant fruits? … It is, “Of Him and through Him and to Him are all things” (Romans 11: 36); … It is He, “Who gives everyone his food in due season” (Psalm 145: 15);…It is He, who open His hands up, and fills every living being with goods.; … It is He, “The bread that came down from heaven” (John 6: 41); … It is He, who gives life to the world, and let water flood from His own spring to give life….. That is the One for whom the bride prepares her banquet; the garden that produces living trees.. The living trees symbolize us; and our faithful souls refer to the food presented to Him. The Lord said to His disciples: “I have food to eat, of which you do not know” (John 4: 32); which is the consummation of the holy will of the God His Father; who “desires all men to be saved, and to come to 1 On Ps. 145 (144). https://coptic-treasures.com/ 213 the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2: 4). This salvation is the food prepared for Him. Our free will gives the fruit to God, namely our spirits, to pluck from its little branch. The bride, at the beginning, enjoyed the apple fruit of sweet taste, saying: “His fruit was sweet to my taste” (Songs 2: 3); Then she, herself, came to be the sweet and beautiful fruit, presented to the Shepherd to enjoy1. (St. Gregory of Nyssa) The optional poverty is good for those of good behavior; For, once they decide to do without all the un-necessary possessions, they bring forth to the Lord a sign of their pledge, while singing with purity the inspiring verse: “The eyes of all look expectantly to You; and You give them their food in due season” (Psalm 145: 15). (St. Mother Snekletiky) Those who become children, and enjoy the spiritual food, have the right to glorify their Father, according to the words of the Holy Book:, that it is befitting of the son to honor his father, and a servant his master (Malachi 1: 6). You have become His son, and you enjoy the spiritual food; You have communion of the body and blood, that grant you a new birth2. (St. John Chrysostom) “You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living being” (16) The Lord opens His hand, and, satisfying every living being, He fills him with joy and gladness. He provides every one with what suit him. The signs by which we come to know God, are the same signs by which the son is committed to see in his relationship with his father. “He opens His hand and satisfy the desire of every living being with joy”; … “He relents from doing harm” (Joel 2: 13);“God is good to all, and His anger on us is not every day”;…“The Lord is upright; there is no unrighteousness in Him” (Psalm 92: 15 LXX). That is how the relationship between fathers and their children should be3. (St. Gregory of Nyssa) عظة 10 على نشید الأناشید ترجمة الدكتور جورج نوّار. 1 2 On Ps. 145. 3 Addrwss on Religious Instruction 40. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 214 All beings look with a kind of longing and unutterable love to their Creator, who grants them graces, and the possibilities to work; according to what is written: “The eyes of all look expectantly to You”; and “You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living being1”. (St. Ambrose) 6- THE LORD IS GRACIOUS IN ALL HIS WORKS: “The Lord is righteous in all His ways, gracious in all His works” (17) It is befitting of us to perceive that the Lord is so great in His righteousness and compassion, that he keeps nothing from His creature. But, if He, sometimes, allows for troubles, or what we may call calamities and tribulations; He does nothing without wisdom; He is just in all His ways, righteous in all His works.. Whether He strikes, or He heals, He is righteous, and there is no evil in His ways. When His saints are put in the midst of affliction, they first praise Him, then seek His blessings. They first say: [Whatever You do, O Lord, is upright]. So, have Daniel and other saints said: [Righteous are Your ordinances; Yes, we may suffer, but we deserve to suffer]. They never refer evil or injustice to God. Praising His chastisement, they come to perceive His care2. (St. Augustine) Here, he calls His guidance and care, “His ways”, which covers everything3. (St. John Chrysostom) 7- THE LORD IS NEAR TO ALL WHO CALL UPON HIM: “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth” (18) The climax of His gifts -- according to St. John Chrysostom4 – is that He is near to those who call upon Him; namely, He condescends and attaches Himself to those who faithfully call upon Him; He cares for 1 Of the Holy Spirit, 2: 91. 2 On Ps. 145 (144). 3 On Ps. 146. 4 On Ps. 146. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 215 them, provides them with the greatest level of divine care, mercy, and compassion; and proclaims to them His goodness in an exalted way. Many call upon Him, but not in truth. They may seek something, but never seek Him, Himself. You may say: [I love God, For He made me well].Which is true! Someone else may say: [I love God, for He gave me a rich spouse, when I have been penniless before]. Which is also true! God is good when He gives you what you have got. How more blessed will you be if He gives Himself to you? You desired all those things from Him. I beg you to desire Him as well. For all those things could never be better than Him; and could never be compared to Him in any way. He, therefore who prefer God, Himself, to all the things he may get from Him, is truly calling upon God1. (St. Augustine) The expression “The Lord is near”, has long preoccupied many fathers of the church. He is everywhere, and there is no place without Him, Yet He is near to him who gets attached to Him, and who leans upon His chest; to be counted as His favorite, as though one of the divine household. Now, as the Word of God incarnated, He calls us beloved and brethren, and grants us the sonhood to God the Father. In the Old Testament, God referred Himself to His pious servants; He called Himself “The God of Abrahem, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob”. In the New Testament, however, He gave us the daring to call God in all our personal and collective prayers, saying: “Our Father who are in heaven …”. (Father Onesimus of Jerusalem) Let your journey be toward Jesus. To consummate it, you do not have to travel a long distance, to cross vast seas, nor to climb high mountains…. If you prove your piety and perfect remorse, you can see Him without leaving your home; You can even bring down all walls, and take away all obstacles, and make your journey shorter2. (St. John Chrysostom) 8- THE LORD HEARS OUR PRAYERS: 1 On Ps. 145 (144). 2 On the Incomprehensible Nature of God, Hom. 6: 34. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 216 “He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them” (19) He, who is pious and fears God, finds his pleasure in God Himself; And God, in His turn, does what pleases him in due season and proper time for his benefit. Those who fear God find their pleasure in the will of God; And God, in His turn, fulfills their desire according to His wisdom. How great is His righteousness (17), He does nothing wrong, He is great in His salvation for those who fear Him and call upon Him; who approach Him in faith, and with a remorseful heart. According to St. John Chrysostom1, Paul sought from Him to let the angel of Satan leave him; namely, the temptations and the afflictions; but God did not respond to his request. He actually did what is good for Paul, saying to him: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness”…..“Therefore, I take pleasure in my infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distress, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12: 8-10). He will definitely save (19); yet He will do it in the way He promised;… How? …That we, ourselves desire it, and listen to Him; As He does not give promise to wooden blocks2! (St. John Chrysostom) God fulfills the desire of those who fear Him”. He consummates it, albeit not right away; yet He will eventually do. If you indeed fear God, consummate his will. You will see Him serving you. You willsee him consummate your will!. “He will hear their cry and save them”. That is how a physician needs to listen to his patient, to be able to diagnose his infirmity and cure him. Listen to the apostle Paul saying: “For we were saved in this hope; but hope that is seen is not hope, for why does one hope for what he sees?” (Romans 8: 24) 3. (St. Augustine) Father Parsnovius was asked by a brother: [I beg You to tell me from where do the licentiousness of the body and heart come to me? And why am I not able to abide perpetually to the same ordinance?] 1 On Ps. 146. 2 Homilies on 2 Thess. 3: 1. 3 On Ps. 145 (144). https://coptic-treasures.com/ 217 The elder father answered him, saying: [Brother, I am actually astonished and marvel, how the people of the world, disregard the vicious beasts, the snares of the highway robbers, the dangers of the sea, and even death itself, for the sake of getting the riches and wealth they desire to have, with their whole hearts; although they are not sure that they will ever manage to have them. While we, the miserable cowards, who have got the authority to trample on “the serpents, the scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy” (Luke 10: 19);… We, who hear Him saying: “It is I, do not be afraid” (John 6: 20); … We, who know for sure that we are not wrestling by our own strength, but by that of God; … I wonder how would we surrender tolicentiousness and depression?! It is because the fear of God is not nailed in our bodies; and because the cry-outs of our groaning are not true, and loud enough to make us forget to eat our bread (see Psalm 102: 4, 5); Hence, we turn from side to side, and from an ordinance to another; for we are not holding fast tightly to the fire that the Lord came to send on earth (Luke 12: 49), which can destroy and consume the thorns and thistles of our spiritual field. The living Son of God testifies for me, that I know somebody in this blessed monastery – and let no one say that I mean myself; for I count myself as nothing whatsoever – I know him, who can stay without food, drink, or clothing, until the Lord visits him. In all that he needs nothing at all; for his food, drink, and clothing are the Holy Spirit. Now, if you so desire, Compete with him, Long to be filled of the fear of God; who will fulfill your desires, for it is written: “He fulfills the desire of those who fear Him” (Psalm 145: 19). Actually, I, who am nothing, because of the commandment, am doing my best; But it is God from whom I draw the steadfastness, the liberation, the consummation of good work , the avoidance of evil, and the ordinance of salvation in His kingdom. … Glory be to Him. Amen]. (Garden of the fathers) 9- THE LORD PRESERVES THOSE WHO LOVE HIM: “The Lord preserves those who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy” (20) The Lord is also great in watching over those who love Him, whom He calls to cast all their worries on Him. Great is He in His justice; He forsakes the wicked who persist on their evil; and lets them drink from the cup of corruption which they fill through their own evil will. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 218 He will save all those who trust in Him, namely, all who believe in Him; all who fear Him; and all who call upon Him in truth. “All the wicked He will destroy”. … Who are the wicked, but those who persist on their sin; those who dare to put the blame on God, and not on themselves; those who debate daily, opposing God; those who despair of having the forgiveness of their sins, and, accordingly they accumulate them; those who promise themselves the forgiveness in a corrupt way; and, accordingly, they never forsake their sins and evil ways1. (St. Augustine) 10- A CONCLUSIVE GLORIFICATION: “My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord, and all flesh shall bless His holy name forever and ever” (21) Seeing the greatness of God in everything, the psalmist with his heart, tongue, and his whole being, meditates with praising Him; And experiencing the sweetness of praise, he calls upon all men to partake of this joyful experience. Do you see how, in His befitting ordinance, God calls -- not only those who enjoy His goodness, but also those who suffer His punishment; not just the humans, but even the irrational animals; all the elements and lifeless things – to enjoy His goodness2. (St. John Chrysostom) 1 On Ps. 145 (144). 2 On Ps. 146. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 219 AN INSPIRATION FROM PSALM 145 GRANT ME NOT TO BE DENIED PRAISING YOU The psalmist looked at You, and got in touch with Your exalted greatness; Great You are in Your goodness; O You, who turn the troubles into comfort; O You, who take our corruption away from us; To enjoy Your goodness in our life. Great You are in Your mercy and compassion; O You, who forgive sins and save from corruption. Great You are in Your kingdom; O You who set my heart a throne for Yourself; Great You are in your awe; Which You pour into me, to make me bear the image of Your splendor. Great You are in Your wonders; You raise us out of the trash; To sit together with the heavenly hosts; You uproot from us our nature of dust; To grant us to dwell together with You in Your heavens Great You are in Your longsuffering; You open the gates of hope before everyone; Great You are in Your care; You uphold those who fall, and raise up those who are bowed down; Great You are in Yourguarding and watching; That no enemy can crawl and snatch anyone out of Your hand. Great You are in Your salvation; To bring us forth into Your heavenly glories; Great You are in Your righteousness; By which You clothe us, to become righteous by You; Great You are, O Holy One; Who make us saints. Your greatness makes us praise You from generation to generation; We praise You day unto day; We praise You in heaven together with the heavenly hosts, forever; We praise You, and rejoice for those who join us in praising You; https://coptic-treasures.com/ 220 I wish all flesh experience the sweetness of praising You.
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