THE EXULTATION AND THE RESURRECTED LIFE This psalm is a joyful praise, and a call to all humanity to exult in the Lord who reigns on it, and shines His light on it; to find rest, and cry out no more from the violence of the enemy, but conquer him. It is a song by the soul that enjoys the Lord as a King, Awesome, and a Victor over evil. It is a praise full of joy and exultation, when the soul enjoys her King, the Grantor of resurrection, the heavenly life, and the holiness. 1- The exultation, and the resurrected life 1. 2- The exultation, and He, who sits on the clouds 2. 3-The exultation, and the abolition of animosity 3. 4- The exultation, and the holy lightning 4. 5- The exultation, and the spirit of conquest 5. 6- The exultation, and the heavenly life 6. 7- The exultation, and faith 7 – 9. 8- The exultation, and the holy life 10 – 12. The title: A song of praise to the sovereign Lord. According to the Septuagint and the Coptic versions, it came as: “Of David, when his land (earth) was firmly established (Namely, when he reclaimed it). The land he reclaimed is the resurrection of the body. As, after the resurrection of Christ, all what is sung in this psalm was realized. I wish we hear a psalm filled with joy for the resurrection of the earth. I wish our Lord God gives us hope and pleasure, befitting of such a great thing. I wish He would guide our utterance, to befit our hearts; that we would feel every joy dwelling in our hearts, and lets us utter it with our tongue; and consequently brings it to your ears, then to your hearts, and your behavior1. (St. Augustine) According to St. Jerome, the word ‘David’ means (the strength of hand); and David sang this psalm to the Lord when he reclaimed the peace to his land (earth); namely, to Judah, after defeating his enemies 1 On Ps. 97 (96). https://coptic-treasures.com/ 110 by a strong hand. That is according to the historical aspect; but, according to the spiritual interpretation, he says: If the name ‘David’ means (the strength of hand), the strong hand is no one but the Conqueror of all the nations, our David, from whom the demons cried out, saying: “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of David? Have You come here to torment us before the time?” (Matthew 8: 29). This praise was set by Him when He reclaimed His land (earth). Great is our honorable Priest, when He compares the reclaimed earth to our bodies. When peace return to our earth, it would truly be the right time to praise Him. There was no peace in this earth before David realizes his conquest, but there has been chaos and confusion everywhere. One nation worshipped ‘Jova’, another worshipped ‘Mercury’, and a third worshipped ‘Juno’; every nation had her own god. But once the banner of the cross was lifted up, in it the whole earth reclaimed the sound system1. (St. Jerome) 1- THE EXULTATION AND THE RESURRECTED LIFE: “The Lord reigns, Let the earth rejoice; Let the multitude of isles be glad” (1) On the cross, amid the non-endurable passion, and the bitter reproaches, the robber looked at the crucified Christ, and perceived that He is the King of kings who reigns on the hearts, sets in them His kingdom of joy; turns the earth into what is like heaven; and lets the body of dust exults and rejoices, in anticipation of the eternal glories. “The Lord reigns, Let the earth rejoice”, Many fathers like St. Augustine, St. Jerome, and the scholars Tertullian and Origen, used to interpret ‘the earth’ as (the body), and ‘the heaven’ as (the soul). The Lord reigns, not only on the soul of the believer, but also on his body, making his whole being glad. Somebody may wonder, how could the earth rejoice amid the unceasing and un-endurable tribulations and temptations? That is why the psalmist goes on to say: “Let the multitude of isles be glad”. According to St. Jerome those multitude of isles are the believers, attacked by temptations on every side, just like the isles, surrounded by water on all sides, and struck by the waves day and night. 1 On Psalms, homily 24. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 111 According to St. Augustine, those isles are the local churches all over the world, in the midst of unceasing troubles. Symbolically, the isles are interpreted as all the churches all around which temptations are stirred up, like an isle struck, yet not destroyed by waves on every side; But, on the contrary, it stand firm before them. So are the churches of God all over the world, they suffer the persecutions of the wicked, but stand firm before them; and eventually the sea and its waves will calm down1. (St. Augustine) The whole earth has been under the authority of the demons and the idols. But now, it rejoices under the reign of the Lord. “The Lord reigns”. The Creator who made you is, Himself, the King. You, who were before under the authority of the demons, are now under the authority of the Creator. “Let the multitude of isles be glad”. The honorable Priest has applied that well on our souls, struck, and violently opposed by the scattered thoughts from here and there, like the waves of the sea2. “The Lord reigns. Let the earth rejoice”. The earth that was before under the reign of several kings, has now One King. “And let the multitude of isles be glad”. Interpreting the multitude of isles as the countries or their individual churches of believers, Although they are scourged and struck on all sides by diverse tempests of temptations, yet they stand firm, and are never uprooted from their foundations3. (St. Jerome) Now, as the devil, the tyrant over the whole world, is slain; we are not, O beloved brethren, approaching a mortal feast, but an everlasting heavenly feast. We are not imagining the feast as shadows, but approaching it in truth. In the old, after eating the flesh of a dumb lamb, they consummated the feast by painting their doorposts with its blood, and sought help against the angel of destruction. But now, eating the Word of the Father, with the doorposts of our hearts, sealed with the blood of the Covenant, He says: “I give you the authority to trample on serpents 1 On Ps. 97 (96). 2 On Psalms, homily 24. 3 On Psalms, homily 73. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 112 and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy” (Luke 10: 19). For death will no more have authority; but, from now on, instead of death, there will be life; For the Lord says: “I am the Life” (John 14: 6); And as it is written: “The Lord reigns; Let the earth rejoice” (1). When death reigned, we wept while sitting by the rivers of Babylon; we wept, feeling the bitterness of captivity to death. But now, as death, and the kingdom of the devil are no more; everything is filled with joy and gladness. We are committed to approach this feast, not clothed in filthy garments; having clothed our mind with pure thoughts, “we put on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13: 14), to be worthy of celebrating the feast together with Him. (St. Athanasius the apostolic) I prefer to interpret the saying of David: “The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice”, that He grants the body a promise; meaning the bodies of the saints to enjoy the kingdom of God1. (The scholar Tertullian) Now, let the heavens rejoice, and the angels clap their hands! Now, “let the earth rejoice” (Psalm 96: 11; 97: 1); and let men tremble with joy! Let the air be filled with the songs of gladness; and let the night cast away its pitch darkness, and its mourning garment; Let it instead, glitter like the day with the rays of light. Behold, the living city of the Lord of hosts is lifted up high, and to it the kings bring forth gifts beyond value, from the temple of the Lord, from the famed Zion, in the free Jerusalem above, which is the mother of all (Galatians 4: 26). And there, those set by Christ, rulers over the whole earth; namely, the apostles, are in the company of the ever-virgin mother of God2. (Father John of Damascus) 2- THE EXULTATION AND HE, WHO SITS ON THE CLOUDS: “Clouds and darkness surround Him; Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne” (2) 1 On the Resurrection of the Flesh, 26. عن دیر سیدة حماطورة بكوسبا لبنان، عظات في میلاد السیدة ورقادھا للقدیس یوحنا الدمشقي، 1997 ، ص 2 .72 https://coptic-treasures.com/ 113 If the fellowship with Him, who was crucified and risen from the dead, grants us the experience of the resurrected life, amid all those circumstances that seem tough; even though man likens a lifeless corpse in the midst of the dead inside the grave; the believer, on another aspect, should exult, for he would become like a lightened cloud that bears the Lord Christ, the fountain of joy. The psalmist says: “Clouds and darkness surround Him”. The believer would liken the Virgin Mary, prophesied by the prophet Isaiah, saying: “Behold, the Lord rides on a swift (splendid) cloud” (Isaiah 19: 1). She carried the infant Lord Christ, and set forth with Him to Egypt, “and the idols of Egypt will totter at His presence”. In the moments of the transfiguration of the Lord Christ, there appeared such “a bright cloud” (Matthew 17: 5). Therefore, it is befitting of the believer to become like “a bright cloud” that reflects the splendor of the Lord Christ, who will come, on the day of judgment, on “a bright cloud”. In other words, the true believers will become bright clouds, carrying Christ, the true Light. As to the darkness that surrounds Him, this does not mean that there is darkness in the Lord, but it is rather in the eyes of the wicked, like the scales that fell from the eyes of Saul of Tarsus when he received faith (Acts 9: 18). The lack of faith, like evil, covers vision, and denies the nonbelievers seeing Christ the Light; they even cannot endure seeing Him, like the one with sick eyes who cannot endure seeing the sun. “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne” (2). Nothing can make the believer like “a bright cloud”, like the Lord Christ, who is the Righteousness and the Truth. Glory to Him, who scattered His light over the darkness. And was blamed for concealing His true identity from His creation; and for covering up His sanctuaries1. (St. (Mar) Ephram the Syrian) The Lord Himself says: “I have come to this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind” (John 9: 39). Those who think that they can see; those who count themselves as being wise, and need no healing; will be made blind, and will not understand; Whereas those who do not see, will see; By confessing their blindness, they will gain enlightenment. “Clouds and darkness surround Him”, for those who do not understand Him; Whereas for 1 Hymns on Nativity, 2. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 114 those who humbly confess, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne”. He calls those who believe in Him, “His throne”, on whom wisdom sits; because the Son of God is His Wisdom; which is further confirmed by another statement in the Holy Book, saying that the soul of the righteous is the throne of wisdom (see Proverbs 12; 1 Corinthians 1)1. (St. Augustine) On the Mount of transfiguration (Matthew 17: 5), the Father uttered His voice out of the cloud. Why out of the cloud? For as such, God appears: “Clouds and darkness surround Him” (2); He sits on a bright cloud, and “makes the cloud His chariot” (Psalm 104: 3). “A cloud received Him out of their sight” (Acts 1: 9) … “One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven” (Daniel 7: 13) 2. (St. John Chrysostom) “Clouds and darkness surround Him”. The clouds and darkness that surround him are surely the body which the Lord and Savior has taken; although it is said: “He was manifested to us” (1 John 1: 2). Truly, He was manifested to the apostles, but was concealed from the Jews. To the formers, He was manifested on the Mount of transfiguration; but to the later in the low valley. To the formers He spoke beatitudes, and to the later in proverbs, for they were not able to see because of their stubbornness. “Clouds and darkness surround Him”. He appeared when He intended to appear, yet not according to His divine nature. “He made darkness His secret place” (Psalm 18: 11). … If God is Light, how could Light dwell in the darkness? In this phrase, the darkness refers to our incomplete knowledge, and our weakness, being unable to stir at His majesty. If the human eyes cannot look at the rays of the sun, the thing created, and our partner in servitude; how much more would it be for the Sun of Righteousness, whom we cannot perceive, not look at?! … We read how the prophet Moses “drew near the thick darkness where God was” (Exodus 20: 21), to see God, whom he could not see outside it. And Isaiah says: “Behold, the Lord rides on a swift cloud, and will come into Egypt” (Isaiah 19: 1); namely, on the Virgin St. Mary, “the 1 On Ps. 97 (96). 2 Homilies on Matt., hom. 59: 5. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 115 swift cloud”, on account of that she was not burdened with human seeds1. Two things surround the Lord: Clouds and darkness. I assume that it is the same cloud mentioned in the gospel, when Christ transfigured, and His disciples fell on their faces before Him, then a bright cloud came and overshadowed them (Matthew 17: 5). I also think that it is like the clouds about which it is said in another instance: “Your faithfulness, O Lord, reaches to the clouds” (Psalm 36: 5); the faithfulness of the Lord, who said about Himself in the gospel: “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14: 6). The faithfulness of God is Christ, reaches up, even to the clouds, namely, to the apostles and the prophets, who were like the clouds, commanded not to rain upon Israel (Isaiah 5: 6). This conforms with what came in the book of Judges, where the fleece of wool on the threshing floor was dry, while the rain was coming down on the ground around (Judges 6: 37); interpreted as: Israel became dry, while the rain of preaching faith was coming down on the whole world. “Clouds and darkness surround Him”. “Behold, the Lord rides on a swift cloud, and will come into Egypt” (Isaiah 19: 1). The Lord is coming; the Savior is coming into Egypt, where we live; is coming to the land of darkness reigned by Pharaoh; coming on a swift cloud; the Virgin St. Mary, who bore the Son without human seed; the swift cloud who came to the world, and with her the Creator of the world. According to the prophet Isaiah: ‘Behold, the lord rides on a swift cloud, and will come into Egypt. The idols of Egypt will totter at his presence” (Isaiah 19: 1). The Lord is coming, and the idols of Egypt in their terror, will knock one another and be destroyed. The temple of Serapis in Alexandria, was destroyed, not by a war commander, but by that cloud, carrying the infant Christ. Having known about the cloud, let us now discuss the darkness: “The Lord is in the darkness”. He is in both the light and the darkness. He is in the light, concerning the beginners, to whom He speaks in a clear and direct way; whereas to the more advanced in knowledge, he used to speak mystically. He did not speak to the apostles the same way he did to the common people. Speaking mystically to the former, he said: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear” (Luke 8: 8). That is the meaning of the expression saying: “and darkness surrounds Him” (2); namely, mysteries surround Him. Hence it is written in the 1 On Psalms, homily 73. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 116 book of Exodus, that all the people were down below, but Moses alone, ascended Mount Sinai in the thick darkness of a cloud (Exodus 19); because the people were not able to recognize the mysteries, that Moses Alone could; hence, the psalm says: “He made darkness His secret place” (Psalm 18: 11) 1. (St. Jerome) You are, O Good One, in all Your beloved, They find You in the nondescribable glory of the splendor of Your beauty; in the power of Your nature; and in Your knowledge, that is higher than any other2! You are found in Your wholeness, in all Your beloved ones, with all what is Yours. In Your wholeness, You have complete perfection; although no one can completely possess You! Glory be to Your non-limited perfection that controls all perfections3. (The spiritual elder – John El-Deliaty) 3- THE EXULTATION AND THE ABOLITION OF ANIMOSITY: “A fire goes before Him, and burns up His enemies round about” (3) Since the fall of our early parents Adam and Eve, man lost the permanent and true life of exultation, because of his terror of the devil; according to the words of the book of the wisdom of Solomon: “Through the devil’s envy, death entered the world” (Wisdom 2: 24). But with the coming of the second Adam – the Lord Christ – the devil, assuming that he is capable of destroying Him, the fountain of joy, and the source of eternal peace, he entered into many battles against Him, and failed; And finally, he decided to get rid of Him by crucifixion; but that ended up to the loss of the devil’s authority altogether; according to the words of the apostle: “Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it” (Colossians 2: 15); which was already prophesied by the psalmist, saying: “A fire goes before Him, and burns up His enemies round about” (3). … Thus, bearing God inside us, the whole love, and even love itself, God’s Holy Spirit will go before us; and, “will be a wall of fire all 1 St. Jerome: on Psalms, hom 24. رسالة 2 .8 :51 رسالة 3 .10 :51 https://coptic-treasures.com/ 117 around us” (Zechariah 2: 5). He will burn up the fiery darts of the devil; will take away the spirit of animosity from our hearts; namely that of the hosts of darkness, to plant instead, the spirit of divine friendship; for us to become an icon of Christ, and for our heart to become wide enough, with the heavenly love, to accommodate His heavenly ministers, and all humans, if possible. It is the secret of our joy, and of the exultation of our hearts, that animosity no longer has the authority over us, but true love, heavenly peace, and perpetual joy. “A fire goes before Him” The Lord is pure, “The Holy One, dwells in the high and holy place” (Isaiah 57: 15). We cannot dedicate ourselves to Him, unless His fire consumes our iniquities. “Fire will test each one’s work” (1 Corinthians 3: 13); “and burns up His enemies round about” (3). Yet, God does not deal with His adversaries as enemies, but as friends; burning up their iniquities, He turns them into friends1. A holy man is in no need to fear this fire. Let the sinner fear it! This fire purifies the saints, and burns up the sinners. “A fire goes before Him”. “Who makes His angels spirits; His ministers flames of fire” (Psalm 104: 4). I think that His angelic messengers are the fire that goes before Him. Who will the angels burn up with fire? Those who are wood and chaff; whereas those who are gold, silver, or precious stones, will go into the fire to come out more pure2. (St. Jerome) The Lord Himself says: “I came to send fire on the earth” (Luke 12: 49). Fire here has the same meaning as the sword in another instance, in which He says: ”Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth, I did not come to bring peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10: 34). The sword is to divide; and the fire is to burn. Both are of benefit; as the sword of His word in wisdom, is of benefit to separate us from the evil habits. The Lord Christ brought a sword to separate every believer even from his non-believer father or mother … His sword separates, but does not kill. In a similar way, those who believe in Christ sit on fire; and receive the flame of love. Hence the Holy spirit, Himself, dwelt upon the apostles, “appearing as divided tongues as of fire” (Acts 2: 3). Enflamed 1 On Psalms, homily 73. 2 On Psalms, homily 24. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 118 with this fire, they set forth to burn up, and to set fire to His enemies on all sides1. (St. Augustine) I know the purifying fire sent by the Lord Christ on earth. In a symbolic way, He, Himself, is called “Fire”, I also know that there is a kind of fire, not purifying, but avenging fire, poured by God upon all evil-doers; that, prepared by Him for Satan and his angels (Matthew 25: 41); And the fire that “goes before the Lord, and burns up His enemies round about” 2 (3). (St. Gregory, the Nezianzen) 4- THE EXULTATION AND THE HOLY LIGHTNING: “His lightning light the world; the earth sees and trembles” (4) Out of us, He makes spiritual clouds. Through dealing with one another, we become like clouds that produce thunder and lightning; we proclaim the light of our Savior Jesus Christ, like the lightning that shines to give light to the world, to hear the divine voice, saying: “You are the light of the world”. If the world became dust and earth; This earth, seeing the work of God in us will be terrified; While we, on the other hand, will exult for the sake of His light shining to scatter the darkness in us. This lightning shines to light the believers, but to burn up the nonbelievers3. “His lightning light the world” … Now, saying: “Your faithfulness, O Lord, reaches to the cloud” (Psalm 36: 5); the clouds here, surely refer to the prophets and the apostles; who, like the clouds, rubbing against one another, they produce the thunder of common teachings, the splendor of their lightning will light the world. To know how the believers are called “clouds” in the Holy Book; Read in the book of Isaiah: “I will also command the clouds, that they rain no rain on it (on His vineyard)” (Isaiah 5: 6). Having been called “a cloud”, he said: “Let my teaching drop as the rain” (Deuteronomy 32: 2). The epistles of the apostles are spiritual rain to us; according to the words of Paul: “For the earth which drinks in the rain that often come upon it, …” (Hebrew 6: 7); and, “I planted, Apollos watered” (1 Corinthians 3: 6) 4. 1 On Ps. 97 (96). 2 Oration on Holy Baptism, 40: 36. 3 On Psalms, homily 24. 4 On Psalms, homily 73. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 119 “The earth sees and trembles” (4). Before receiving the word of God, and giving fruit, the earth, seeing the lightning of His words, trembled…. “He (God) looks on the earth, and it trembles” (Psalm 104: 32). … “On this one will I look; on him who is poor, and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My words” (Isaiah 66: 3) 1. (St. Jerome) His enemies became on fire, and were burnt up; all their opposition was consumed; and His lightning lighted the whole world. How was it lighted? The whole world came to believe. From where did the lightning come? From the clouds. Who are the clouds of God? The preachers of the truth. The cloud may appear dark and vague in the sky, yet there is nothing vague about it. It may produce fearful sound of thunder, yet, it also produce the bright splendor of lightning. The Lord Christ sent His apostles like clouds. As humans, they were despised and scoffed; yet they produced the shining splendor of preaching2. (St. Augustine) 5- THE EXULTATION AND THE SPIRIT OF CONQUEST: “The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord; at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth” (5) Man often stand in awe before the authority of sins; and sees them like well-established mountains that could never be moved! But before the presence of the Lord of the whole earth our Christ, risen from the dead, these mountains melt like wax. Neither death, nor all the hosts of darkness can stand before Him. Our new experience in Jesus Christ, and our enjoyment of the light of His resurrection, the conqueror of death, grant us an inner glorious joy. Who are the mountains? They are the proud! Everything that stands high before God; against the works of Christ, and against the Christians, will tremble and submit. I find no expression more eloquent than “the mountains melt like wax” 3. (St. Augustine) 1 On Psalms, homily 73. 2 On Ps. 97 (96). 3 On Ps. 97 (96). https://coptic-treasures.com/ 120 “The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord”. The great and mighty rulers are called mountains! Yet, those who previously stood high in their pride; and were violently cruel in vain haughtiness, will go down low at the coming of Christ; will turn soft before the intense heat of the divine wisdom1. I believe that those mountains are the hosts of the devil. Whether they are mountains or not, they are definitely proud. This fire will not consume the humble, but only the proud. As a matter of fact, the lightning strike those on the high mountains, more often than those in the lower valleys2. (St. Jerome) Notice the incomparable majesty in the Lord Christ, the One surpassing all; who by an irresistible might, and with an indisputable authority, crushes Satan, whenever He intends to; He does not even allow him to utter a view contrary to His commands. His will is fire and flame, and according to the psalmist: “The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord” (5); and, “He touches the hills, and they will smoke” (Psalm 104: 32). He compares the high and haughty hosts of evil to mountains, which melt like wax before the might and authority of our Savior, and smoke at His touch. That is the destiny and portion of the unclean spirits3. (St. Cyril the Great) 6- THE EXULTATION AND THE HEAVENLY LIFE: “The heavens declare His righteousness, and all the peoples see His glory” (6) By the resurrection of our Christ and Savior, we sing together with the apostle Paul, with the spirit of exultation and conquest, saying: “We have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man” (1 Corinthians 15: 49). We shall become like heaven; we shall declare the gospel of salvation, and the righteousness of Christ; We shall testify to the resurrected life before the peoples, to the joy of His resurrection. “The heaven declare His righteousness, and the peoples see His glory” (6). The whole church preaches Christ; and the heavens declares His righteousness; For all the believers who care for gaining the non- 1 On Psalms, homily 73. 2 On Psalms, homily 24. مؤسسة القدیس أنطونیوس: تفسیر إنجیل لوقا للقدیس كیرلس الكبیر، عظة 3 .44 https://coptic-treasures.com/ 121 believers do that out of love. They are heavens! … From them, God, thundering His wisdom, the non-believer trembles, and the believer becomes apprehensive. Through men, God reveals to non-believers the power of Christ in the world; and with companionship and debate, He guides them to the love of Christ1. (St. Augustine) “The heavens declare His righteousness, and all the peoples see His glory”. This phrase present two teachings: Unless the heavens are some men, they would not be able to declare the righteousness of the Lord! … Besides, if it is said to the sinner: “You are dust, and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3: 19); Why would it not be said to the righteous: “You are a heaven, and to heaven you shall return”? … “As we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man” (1 Corinthians 15: 49); For “Our citizenship is in heavens” (Philippians 3: 20). Man, therefore, being a sojourner on earth while being in the body, but not according to the body, he declares the righteousness of the Lord. Now, in case someone, because of a lack of knowledge, wonders why the righteous live a life of need and are crushed under the burden of troubles, while the sinners live in prosperity; He should learn from the Holy Book how to prove the righteousness of God! If he meditates in the word of God day and night, he would be able to compare the short period of anguish in this world, with the everlasting rewards in the life to come. It would be better for man to endure the optional poverty, for the sake of the Lord, for a short time, to enjoy the coming life, than to enjoy pleasures here; then to endure torments and punishments later on. “All the peoples see His glory”. Those who have been first offended in the cross of the Lord, not able to recognize its significance; Now, after the heavens declared His righteousness, they glorify Him2. Man, who is in heavens, does not fear the righteousness of God, nor to declare His righteousness. The holy man, who is from heaven, does not fear the God of righteousness; Whereas the sinner seeks the God of mercy3. (St. Jerome) Listen to the words of the Holy Scripture: “The Lord our God; the Lord is One” (Deuteronomy 6: 4); and, “You shall fear the Lord your 1 On Ps. 97 (96). 2 On Psalms, homily 73. 3 On Psalms, homily 24. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 122 God and serve Him; … you shall not go after other gods” (Deuteronomy 6: 13); “You shall not make for yourself any carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth” (Exodus 20: 4); and, “Let all be put to shame who serve carved images, who boast of idols” (Psalm 97: 7). That way, God spoke in the old to the fathers through His prophets. But now He spoke to us through His only-begotten Son, by Whom He made the times, saying: “This is the eternal life, to know the true God, and Jesus Christ, whom He sent”. Believe in one God, the Source of everything, with no beginning; uncreated, immortal, eternal, perpetual, and non- perceivable1. (St. John of Damascus) 7- THE EXULTATION AND FAITH: “Let all be put to shame who serve carved images, who boast of idols. Worship Him, all you gods” (7) Deflecting from the true love, and loosing his joy and peace, man assumed that in worshipping the idols, and practicing their abominations, he would find joy and exultation of his heart. But faith in the Savior gave us back more than what we have lost: a- We have got the exultant spiritual worship (7). b- We came to be the new exultant spiritual Zion (8). c- Our souls became the daughters of Judah; namely, the daughters of the confession of faith, who recognize the plan, the secrets, and the judgments of the Lord, and rejoice in them (8). d- Having perceived the exaltation of God, we hold fast to Him alone, as the source of riches, peace, and joy (9). According to St. Augustine, the worshippers of idols are put to shame, because they worship dead stones; whereas, as far as we are concerned, we worship Christ, the Cornerstone, who died for our sake, and is risen, to let us rise together with Him. An angel said to St John who fell at his feet to worship him: “See that you do not do that. I am your fellow servant and of your brethren who have th testimony of Jesus. Worship God!” (Revelation 19: 10). Those who worship the dead stone are put to shame; We, on the other hand, worship the living Rock! Those stone in truth never lived, but our Rock is alive, and perpetually live with the Father. If He died for عن الصور المقدّسة، الدفاع الأول، 1 .4 https://coptic-treasures.com/ 123 our sake, yet He is living, and “death no longer has dominion over Him” (Romans 6: 9) 1. (St. Augustine) “Let all be put to shame who serve carved images” Being a blessed man, the prophet should not utter curses. He, therefore, is not praying against them, but for their sake, not to be put to shame by their deeds, but to turn to the true God, the only Creator2. (St. Jerome) When Peter saw the glory of the transfiguration of the Lord Jesus; he, wishing not to come down from the Mount, said: “Lord, it is good for us to be here” (Matthew 17: 4). How much more, and beyond any comparison, will be the glory of Divinity, and of the unapproachable Light, compared to anything else, seen and coveted?! There are no beatitudes for having temporal Kingdoms, riches, honors, glory, or authority; Whereas enjoying those exalted goods is indeed worthy of blessing. Bearing such a beautiful icon, man enters into the depths, and does not care for the outer appearances3. (St. Ambrose) “Zion hears and is glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoice, because of Your judgments, O Lord” (8) ‘Zion’ refers to the church of the New Covenant; And ‘the daughters of Judah’ to the souls who confess and believe in the Savior Messiah. If the non-believers are put to shame; the believers would rejoice, because, in the judgments of God they find pleasure and gladness. What did Zion hear? That all His angels worship Him … For the church at that time was not yet among the Gentiles. In Judah, the Jews, who believed, assumed that they alone belong to Christ. Then the apostles were sent to the Gentiles, Cornelius believed and, together with those who were with him were baptized (Acts 10: 47). “And the daughters of Judah rejoice because of Your judgments, O Lord” (8). What does he mean by saying: “because of Your judgments”? Because, in every nation, and every people, those who serve Him are acceptable to Him; “For He is not the God of the Jews only, but He is also the God of the Gentiles” (Romans 3: 29) 4. 1 On Ps. 97 (96). 2 On Psalms, homily 73. 3 Isaac or the Soul, 8: 78. 4 On Ps. 97 (96). https://coptic-treasures.com/ 124 (St. Augustine) “And the daughters of Judah rejoice because of Your judgments, O Lord”. Does this mean that only the daughters of Judah rejoice, and not its sons? Let us first see what the name “Judah” means; to perceive the interpretation of the word “daughters” “Judah”, referring to the proclamation of faith, Every soul that knows God is a “daughter of Judah”. We may therefore say that “the daughters of Judah” are the souls of believers that rejoice because of the judgments of God. For, unless man has faith, he cannot rejoice because of the judgments of God. Job’s soul was a “daughter of Judah”. Loosing his possessions, he found comfort in saying: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1: 21).From being a very rich man, he become penniless, homeless, and with no children. He was crushed under the weight of need, and was struck by painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head; un-healable by man, but healable by God1. If you find no clothes to cover your nakedness, put the lilies before your eyes! … Are you hungry? Remember the words by which the Lord blessed the poor and the hungry! … Do you suffer from pain? Read the words: “I take pleasure in infirmities”; and, “ lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure” (2 Corinthians 12: 7). Rejoice, therefore, because of the judgments of the Lord2 (8). We are told that “the daughters of Judah” rejoice because of the judgments of the Lord. Therefore, as the word “Judah” means (confession), and as every believing soul confesses her faith; he, who claims to believe in Christ is committed to rejoice because of all His judgments3. (St. Jerome) “For You Lord, are most high above all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods” (9) 1 On Psalms, homily 73. 2 Letter 22 to Eustachium, 31. 3 Epistle 39: 2. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 125 According to St. Augustine, “Zion” became glad, and “the daughters of Judah” rejoiced; For, although the Gentiles did not enjoy prophecies, yet they perceived that the Lord Christ is exalted, One with, and equal to the Father; That He is not only high above the idols, but also above the righteous; and even far above the angels. 8- THE EXULTATION AND THE HOLY LIFE: “You who love the Lord, hate evil! He preserves the souls of His saints. He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked” (10) Sin corrupted our life; evil turned our depths to unbearable hell; and we became slaves to evil. Then the Savior came to make sin so bitter in our mouths, to let us hate it. He came to shine with his light in us, to let us rejoice and exult; He came to set His sanctuary in us, to turn our life into unceasing thanksgiving. Christ does not deserve from us to love greed beside loving Him. If you love Christ, hate what He hates. Listen; You love Christ; and greed is an enemy of Christ. So why do you converse with greed; Or let me ask you: Why do you minister to greed? Christ commands you to do many things, which you do not do; Whereas when greed commands you to do something, you hasten to do it1! (St. Augustine) “You who love the Lord, hate evil”. Two contradictory kinds of love could never be found in one man. “As righteousness would have no fellowship with lawlessness; and Christ would have no accord with Belial” (2 Corinthians 6: 14-15); It would be equally impossible for one soul to love both good and evil. Therefore, You who love the Lord, hate evil; hate Satan! … The Lord Christ says: “He who has my commandments and keep them, it is he who loves Me” (John 14: 21). And on another aspect, it is written: “Through the devil’s envy, death entered the world; and those who belong to His company experience it” (Wisdom 2: 24). To put it simply; You who love good things, hate evil things; For you cannot love the former, unless you hate the later2! “He preserves the souls of His saints”. What a magnificent result! Those, who love goodness and hate evil, deserve to become preserved by the Lord; “He delivers them out of the hand of he wicked”…. Here, someone may ask: If the Lord preserves the souls of His saints; 1 On Ps. 97 (96). 2 On Psalms, homily 73. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 126 and delivers them out of the hand of the wicked; How does He allow for the martyrdom of His saints? How did He allow the Tyrant Neron to kill both Peter and Paul in one day?... Now, listen carefully. The Lord preserves the souls, and not the bodies of His saints. For He Himself said: “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10: 28). The blood of the martyrs is shed, to save their soul from temptations; to forsake the short duration of life on earth, and enter into eternity; to leave the persecution behind, and hasten to be crowned by our Lord Jesus Christ1. (St. Jerome) It would seem strange to find hate included among the list of virtues. But it is put here by the apostle (Romans 12: 9) out of necessity. Nobody doubts that the soul has got some kind of feeling of hate inside it, by which it hates sin (Psalm 97: 10; Proverbs 8: 13; Amos 5: 15). Unless man hates evil, he cannot love or acquire virtues. For instance, nobody can acquire purity, and keep it secure, unless he hates and despise corruption2. (The scholar Origen) An elder said: A good monk should acquire: Obedience; meditation; no judgment; no slander of the reputation of others; no murmuring; no looking at what is evil; no interfering in any thing that does not concern him; no listening to what is unbefitting; no stealing, but rather giving; no haughtiness of heart; no unclean thoughts; no greed; no full stomach; and doing everything with discernment. Putting the following command before his eyes: “You who love the Lord, hate evil” (Psalm 97: 10), and keeping all these virtues, a good monk is known. (The paradise of monks) “Light is sown for the righteous; and gladness for the upright in heart” (11) The wicked assume that in practicing evil, they would enjoy a happy life, gladness, and joy; and as though they acquire light; They do not perceive that, through evil, they actually lose the true light and the happiness. 1 On Psalms, homily 73. 2 Commentary on Rom. 12: 9. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 127 What kind of light, you fear to lose through practicing a holy life?! Do not you fear to lose the true light and become in darkness1? (St. Augustine) “Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name” (12) It would be befitting of us to rejoice only with those who practice such work, worthy of being written in heaven; whether of righteousness, of love, or of mercy. We should rejoice with him who returns from evil, forsakes the darkness of ignorance behind him, and comes to the light of the truth, and the forgiveness of sins (Psalm 13: 5-6; 40: 16; 18: 3) … In the same way, we should not partake of the sorrow of him who grieves on the death of someone, or on some worldly loss; We should not mix our tears with his. We should rather weep with him who weeps on his sins; or with him who, after doing something wrong, returns with repentance, and cleanses his sin with his tears; We should weep together with him who grieves for being in the wrong situation, and with tears, seeks to return to Christ2. (The scholar Origen) Finally, the psalmist calls on us to rejoice and exult, not in the pleasures of this world, but in the Lord, and to praise Him. According to St.Augustine, those who rejoice in the things of this world, rejoice in the season of spring, with its plentiful fruition, and in the pleasures of this world; Whereas he who rejoices in the Lord, knows no particular season, but will always rejoice. The joy according to the world is not a genuine joy. Listen to the words of the prophet Isaiah: “’There is no peace’, Says the Lord, ‘for the wicked’” (Isaiah 57: 21) 3. (St. Augustine) 1 On Ps. 97 (96). 2 Commentary on Rom. 12: 15. 3 On Ps. 97 (96). https://coptic-treasures.com/ 128 AN INSPIRATION FROM PSALM 97 MY BODY AND SOUL PRAISE YOU, O, KING OF KINGS Reign, O Lord, on my depths, as well as on my body; By Your resurrection, You proclaimed Your kingdom; You liberated my body, captivated by the king of darkness; Let me return with my whole being to Your kingdom; For my body and my soul exult in You. I came to be like an isle, struck on all sides by the waves of afflictions; Yet, as long as You dwell in me; No temptations could force themselves on me; And no enemy would be able to destroy me; By Your resurrection, Your righteousness dwelt in my body and in my soul; You put to death, the death which put my life to death; You took away the blindness that came on my insight; You, O Wisdom of the Father, dwelt in me; And made out of me a throne for Yourself; Clouds and darkness are no longer able to hide You from my insight; Glory be to You, who opened my eyes; to see You, and exult in Your majesty You set out of me a bright and swift cloud; To bear You, as did Your mother to the land of Egypt! To bear You, O light of the world, to my brethren; to get enlightened by You together with me. I do not fear the fire that goes before You; As it burns up my evil and iniquities, to sanctify me for Yourself; By Your amazing fire of love, You draw the hearts to You; It completely purifies and sanctifies. Enflame my heart by the fire of Your Holy Spirit; My soul would never find rest, until everyone finds rest in You; And everyone enjoys the fire of Your love. You sent Your apostles like clouds that may look powerless; You chose the illiterate of the world, and those with no human wisdom; But, out of them, came splendid lightning; which enlightened the whole universe; They were the ridicule of the world; https://coptic-treasures.com/ 129 But they became bright stars in the midst of a dark and distorted world. Here I am in Your hands; I confess to You my ignorance and my weakness; Tell me, O Lord, what you want me to do! Behold, Your true church became another heaven; It declares Your righteousness, and proclaims Your glory; When will the whole world be a holy heaven?! Give thunder and lightning, O Lord through Your prophets, apostles, and believers; To let the non-believers experience Your divine light, and the riches of Your exalted grace. Zion rejoices when it hears about the Gentiles, joyfully receiving faith, And the daughters of Judah, become glad when they perceive your judgments for the salvation of the world; Grant me the spirit of gladness, when I hear that all have received You; And that all have enjoyed Your salvation
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