SINGING PRAISE TO GOD IN THE TIME OF AFFLICTION The previous psalm portrayed for us the captives sitting by the rivers of Babylon, heavy-hearted and sad; hanging their harps upon the barren willow trees; as there was not befitting of them to sing praise as long as they were in captivity, denied the enjoyment of Jerusalem, the city of God, and the temple of God. … Now, in the present psalm, the psalmist presents to us a joyful portrait of someone feeling the divine presence, and being carried upon the eternal arm in the time of affliction. Man often assumes that affliction would take away the spirit of praise; Yet the experience of the men of God in the old and the new covenants, is against such an assumption. Although affliction is usually associated with some kind of anxiety, fear, or sorrow; yet once the believer concentrates his eyes on His Savior, and on His faithful promises, his eyes would soon open upon the love pf God; his depths would be filled with the divine comforts; and the affliction will no more stand against singing praise to God. Some wonder, according to the title of this psalm, how could David be its author in a time the temple of Solomon was not yet built. Yet, the term ‘temple’ could also apply to the tabernacle of meeting, before the building of the temple. The psalmist provides us with a living practical portrait of the blessing of affliction in the believer’s life: 1- The affliction motivates us to pray and sing praise to God (1 -3). 2- The affliction would not keep us from testifying to our Savior (4 – 6). The prophet David, while praising with this psalm, might have been among heathen kings and elites; and was keen on letting them partake of praising God. 3- Affliction is the way to enjoy the gospel (7); when the believer would experience the life in Christ, and the conquest on the devil. 4- Affliction opens our eyes on the mercies of God (8), to see Him as our Advocate, and our refuge. Some scholars believe that this psalm, bearing the tune of thanksgiving and gratitude to God, might have been written by the psalmist after being healed from some health crisis, or passed through a https://coptic-treasures.com/ 50 personal anguish (3, 7). And some others believe that the author, representing the whole congregation, might have been either a king, or a high priest. 1- A thanksgiving and praise for the sake of a divine salvation 1 - 5 2- God, the Judge, is the Savior of His believers 6 – 8 The title: The Lord’s goodness to the faithful. A psalm of David. 1- A thanksgiving and praise for the sake of a divine salvation.. 2- God, the divine Judge, is the Savior of His believers. 1- A THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE FOR THE SAKE OF A DIVINE SALVATION; “I will praise You with my whole heart; Before the gods I will sing praises to you” (1) A prominent feature of the personality of David, is that he was perpetually giving thanks to God; not just when God listens to his prayer, but even in the time of affliction. He always mixed his prayer with praise; and always felt that felt being under the protection of his Savior. His fiery heart knew nothing but thanksgiving and praise; as though he dedicated all his energies to that heavenly task. Here, the psalmist sings praise in the name of the whole church, that worship God in a unity and harmony, as though one person. The speaker here, is the church, embracing both the earthly believers and the heavenly angels. Some believe that by the “gods” here, the psalmist means the kings, and the elite leaders, before whom he was not ashamed to thank God and praise Him. According to the Septuagint and the Coptic version, it came as: “I confess to You, O Lord, with my whole heart; on account of that You listened to all the words of my mouth. Before the angels I sing praise to You; and worship before Your holy temple”. And some translate it as: “Before the angels I sing psalms to You”. It is not hidden from us that the angels surround the elect of God; rejoice and exult to find them singing praise to Him, the way they themselves do. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 51 As the believers practice their work, being members of the body of the Lord, risen from the dead; they would enjoy the company of angels; the way they surrounded the body of the Lord in His tomb. According to St. Augustine, it is befitting of us to confess to God with the words of praise by our inner mouth; namely, by our hearts; As God hears the words that men cannot hear. What mouth but my heart? It produces a voice heard only by God, and not by men. We have a mouth within, and from it we ask. If there, we prepare a dwelling place for God; from it we talk, and there He listens. “He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17: 27, 28). Nothing would make you far from Him, except sin alone. “Before the angels I sing Your praise”; and not before men! My song expresses my joy. … My joy for lowly things is before men; but my joy for high things, is before the angels. The wicked do not know the joy of the righteous. “There is no peace (joy), says the Lord, for the wicked” (See Isaiah 48: 22; 57: 21). The wicked rejoice in his wine house; and the martyr in his chains1. (St. Augustine) The psalmist means to say: In my confession, O Lord, I pour my whole heart; I confess all my sins and faults. Although I committed many sins against You, and not just one; Yet, in compassion You listen to me. “Before the angels I sing Your praise”… After such a confession and repentance, this repentant is qualified to praise together with angels2. He who praises, will no longer feel remorse, but will give thanks and bless3. (St. Jerome) By saying: “Before the angels I sing Your praise”, the psalmist means “before the priests and in their presence”; For, according to the prophecy of the prophet Malachi, the priests are called ‘angels’ by the Lord, who says about the priest: “The law of truth was in his mouth, and injustice was not found on his lips. He walked with Me in peace 1 On Ps. 138 (137). 2 On Ps., homily 49 on Ps. 137 (138). 3 Homilies on Ps., homily 49 on Ps. 137 (138). https://coptic-treasures.com/ 52 and equity; and turned many away from iniquity. For the lips of a priest should keep knowledge, and people should seek the law from his mouth; for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts” (Malachi 2: 6, 7). The priests begin, and we sing to the Lord in their presence. It also means, we should diligently sing to you as the angels do. (Father Onesimus of Jerusalem) “Before the angels I sing Your praise” When the church gather together to praise God, the angels partake of this heavenly task. Those who were exultant in the holy tomb when the Lord was risen, become as exultant when they see the church enjoy the resurrection. That is why the apostle sought from the women to cover their heads in the church, as a sign of reverence to the angels partaking of the worship (See 1 Corinthians 11: 10). In the interpretation of the Holy Books: I break bread for you if you are hungry to receive it; For your hearts sing the perfection of praise1. (St. Augustine) “Before the angels I sing Your praise”. On one aspect, If he is referring to the angels in heaven, he would mean: Even though there is difference in nature between the angels and myself, I, with all my strength, and with all zeal, will strive to connect with the chorus of the high hosts, and to stand and sing Your praise in their company. On another aspect, if we understand it according to the other interpretation, it seems to me that he is talking about the priests; as the Holy Book used to call the priest, an angel or even a god (See Exodus 22: 28 LXX; Malachi LXX) 2. (St. John Chrysostom) “I will worship toward Your holy temple, and praise Your name for Your loving kindness and Your faithfulness; For You have magnified Your word above everything” (2) Some believe that, by the “temple” here, he means the holy tabernacle of meeting, as the temple was not yet built. And by “Your Word”, he means (Your divine promises); As, for the sake of His mercies, His truth, or His faithfulness, He realizes all His divine promises. As to saying, “You have magnified Your word”, It means that God, not only realizes the promises He uttered, but gives more than he promises. 1 Sermons on N.T. Lessons 45: 1. 2 On Ps. 138. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 53 Some others believe that by “Your word” here, he means the divine Word, who although, humbly incarnated, yet the Father magnifies and glorifies Him, by revealing the glories He has hidden by the divine incarnation. According to St. Augustine, there is a church high up, where the angels are, and another church down here, where the believers are. The Word of God came down to serve us, together with the angels, when we became the temple of God (1 Corinthians 3: 16). It is befitting of us, therefore, when we worship God, to concentrate our eyes on our depths, which our Lord Jesus Christ sets as His kingdom. “I will worship toward Your holy temple”; not the temple made by man, but that which You made for Yourself1. (St. Augustine) “I will worship toward Your holy temple” … For the psalmist , the temple is the holy heavenly Jerusalem. “For Your loving kindness and Your truth”. I wish the sinner concentrates on the words “Your loving kindness”; and the proud on the words “ Your faithfulness2”. (St. Jerome) I will worship toward Your holy temple”. This is also a virtue of value, to be able to ascend up to the temple, and to worship with a pure conscience. What is required before anything else, is not just to bend the knee and enter, but to do that with a fiery and exalted spirit; … not to be present just by the body, but also by the mind; … as it is not a little thing to worship God as is befitting! If the earthly kings should be so honored, how would it be for the King of kings?! “And praise Your name for Your loving kindness and Your faithfulness”. This means, I give you thanks for my enjoyment of Your great care; For it is not for the sake of any good works on my part, that I returned to acquire my home land, and to see the temple, bur for the sake of Your loving kindness and faithfulness. For this I worship You, and praise You. Although I am worthy of punishment and recompense, I truly, perpetually beseech from You, while in a foreign land, to grant me a swift return home. “For You have magnified Your name above everything”. By this he means: I praise you , not only for Your good gifts, but for Your 1 On Ps. 138 (137). 2 On Ps., homily 49 on Ps. 137 (138). https://coptic-treasures.com/ 54 unutterable glory, for Your limitless greatness, and for Your indescribable nature. You have magnified Your name above the angels, the archangels, the demons, even the irrational elements, like rocks, seeds, sun, moon, earth, ocean, fish, birds, lakes, fountains, or rivers! Instead of: “You have magnified Your holy name above everything”; In another version, it came as: “You have magnified Your Word above everything”; and still in another:… Your utterances” 1. (St. John Chrysostom) Saying: “For Your loving kindness”; means, for You had mercy on me, a sinner and worthy of punishment; You listened to my request, qualified me to return to my home land, liberated me from servitude, and made me worthy to enter into Your temple to worship You. (Father Onesimus of Jerusalem) “In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul” (3) Here, the psalmist proclaims the secret why his heart is enflamed with praise and thanksgiving to God; that in his own daily experience, whenever he is in any affliction, he hastens to call and to cry out to God. His response is so instantly realized, that He feels as though a divine strength is poured in the depths of his soul, to take fear away from him, and to give him the possibility to confront any danger with boldness and courage. Grant me to ask for what I should ask … “Grant my soul a multitude of virtue” 2. (St. Augustine) Although my soul is burdened with heavy troubles, Yet “You made me bold with strength in my soul3” (St. Jerome) “In the day I called You, You answered me quickly”. That is actually what God promised in the words: “Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am’” (See Isaiah 58: 9). The psalmist says that the suffering souls always hopes to find a quick response from God. 1 On Ps. 138. 2 On Ps. 138 (137). 3 On Ps., homily 49 on Ps. 137 (138). https://coptic-treasures.com/ 55 “You made me bold with strength in my soul”. By Your strength, You lift me up and help me. .. That is what happened to the apostles, when “they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name” (Acts 5: 41); rejoicing that their souls have become more exalted (more spacious). That is a kind of work, specific for the strength of God, proclaiming His might, and keeps the troubles from dragging the soul down1. (St. John Chrysostom) God will respond to the cry-outs of the believers, if they are raised with piety and persistence; and if what is requested leads to the salvation of the soul. (Father Onesimus of Jerusalem) “All the kings of the earth shall praise You, O Lord, when they hear the words of Your mouth” (4) God’s faithfulness to realize His promises to the psalmist, became a strong testimony before the kings of the earth, who knew what the Lord had promised, and how His divine promises were realized. The psalmist proclaims that all the kings of the earth sing praise to God…. Who are the kings of the earth, but true believers, who are granted the royalty and the authority to tread upon the hosts of darkness and all evils?! The kings and the elites of the earth, who lack no authority, and are in need of nothing; when they hear the words of the Lord, they find in them such exalted sweetness, that their souls rejoice exultingly in Him. Do not allow them, O Lord, while confessing to You, and praising You, to request earthly things from You2. (St. Augustine) The kings of the earth are those who have authority upon sin, and present thanksgiving to God….. I do not think that the psalmist refers to the kings of the this world; … as it is written: “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord” (Proverbs 21: 1). Can you, for one moment, believe that the heart of Julian, the denier, is in the hand of God? … Far from it! 1 On Ps. 138. 2 On Ps. 138 (137). https://coptic-treasures.com/ 56 Or believe that the heart of Neron, Maximian, Dacius, and the rest of the persecutors of the believers, are in the hand of God? … Far from it! He rather talks about those who have overcome the iniquities of their souls, and have, consequently, overcome sin; those who, “hear the words of Your mouth”, and keep Your commandments1. (St. Jerome) `Royalty cannot profit them, the way hearing Your words do; That is their faithfulness, strength, adornment, reward, splendor, and authority2. (St. John Chrysostom) This saying (4 – 5) is a prophecy, that the kings of the earth, will eventually hear the words of our Lord Jesus Christ in the holy gospel, confess His deity, believe in Him, glorify and praise His gifts and His ordinances for our salvation, (Father Onesimus of Jerusalem) “Yes, they shall sing of the ways of the Lord, For great is the glory of the Lord” (5) What are the ways of the Lord, but His divine mercy and truth; in which the true kings walk with the spirit of joy and humility. Do not let the kings of the earth be proud, but let them be humble. I wish they sing the ways of the Lord; … If they love, they will sing. We know that travelers sing to alleviate the boredom of their journey. There are evil songs, of the old man; while the new man has got a new kind of song. I wish the kings of the earth walk along Your ways; I wish they walk along them singing! What would they sing? “Great is the glory of the Lord”, and not the glory of the kings” 3. (St. Augustine) “They shall sing of the ways of the Lord”. The Philosophers of this generation did not sing of the ways of the Lord; But we do sing of the ways of Moses, Isaiah, and Jeremiah; and through their ways we reach that of the one who says: “I am the Way” (John 14: 6) 4. (St. Jerome) 1 On Ps., homily 49 on Ps. 137 (138). 2 On Ps. 138. 3 On Ps. 138 (137). 4 On Ps., homily 49 on Ps. 137 (138). https://coptic-treasures.com/ 57 “They shall sing of the ways of the Lord”; namely, of His laws, and His commandments1. (St. John Chrysostom) 2- GOD, THE DIVINE JUDGE, IS THE SAVIOR OF HIS BELIEVERS: “Though the Lord is on high, yet He regards the lowly, but the proud He knows from afar” (6) The prophet David believes that the kings of the earth glorify the Lord, for He regards the lowly, namely, David, and keeps away from the proud, namely, from Davis’s enemies. Notice how the psalmist wishes to see the kings of the earth sing along their ways, humbly bearing the ways of the Lord, and not exalting themselves against the Lord; Lest, if they exalt themselves, they will realize that, “Though the Lord is on high, yet He (honors) the lowly”. If the kings wish to be honored, they have to become lowly! “The proud He knows from afar”. Do not assume that you are safe, on account that you could not be clearly seen from afar: For “He knows you from afar”; … He can perfectly see you, yet He will not be with you2. (St. Augustine) Although the Lord is on high, yet, He exaltation is unperceivable. He regards the lowly, and nothing escapes His attention. He regards the lowly, namely, He cares for the despised and the humiliated; He loves the lowly, and keeps away from the proud. (Father Onesimus of Jerusalem) “The Lord is on high”, high in His nature, and high in His being3. (St. John Chrysostom) “The Lord is on high”. If you exalt yourself, He will keep away from you. But If you become lowly, He will come down to you. He regards the lowly to lift him up; Whereas he knows the proud from afar, to bring him down4. (Father Caesarius, bishop of Arle) 1 On Ps. 138. 2 On Ps. 138 (137). 3 On Ps. 138. 4 Sermon 210: 2. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 58 Let the lowly listen to the voice of the royal Truth, saying: “Everyone who exalts himself will be abased, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 18: 14). Let the lowly know that, “Before honor is humility” (Proverbs 15: 33); and let the proud know that, “Pride goes before destruction” (Proverbs 16: 18). Let the lowly know that, “On this one will I look, on him who is poor, and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My words” (Isaiah 66: 2). And let the proud remember the words, “How can dust and ashes be proud?!” (Sirach 10: 9). Let the lowly know that “The Lord is on high, yet He regards the lowly, but the proud He knows from afar” (6) 1. Let the lowly know that “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” (Matthew 20: 28); and let the proud know that “The beginning of pride is sin, and the one who clings to it pours out abominations” (Sirach 10: 13). Let the lowly know that our Savior “humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2: 8).; and let the proud know what is written about their ruler, that “when he raises himself up, the mighty are afraid; for he is king over all the children of pride” (Job 41: 25, 34) 2. (Father Gregory the Great) When you sit in your cell, do not let your heart or the thought of your mind get magnified, nor commend yourself, for God hates those who commend themselves, and “listens to the prayers of the lowly”. (St. Paul of Timoa – to the monks) “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me” (7) Here the psalmist presents to us his own practical experience, that God is the Light of the world, whom we discover in due time when we become surrounded by darkness, and attacked by despair. In the right moment He shines His light on us, proclaiming that, even though He is longsuffering, and may allow for us to fall into affliction, but He proclaims His work for our salvation, and He will not perpetually be hidden. 1 Pastoral Care, 3: 17. 2 Pastoral Care, 3: 17. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 59 God’s care, particularly in the time of affliction, reveals His glory, being Mighty and Loving at the same time. The hand of the Father refers to His Son who incarnated to consummate salvation. The psalmist was surrounded by afflictions, suffered troubles from the devil and his hosts; yet the incarnate Word of God, our Lord Jesus, saves Him from every anguish, and grants him conquest upon the devil and his hosts. “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me”. Yes indeed, whatever the trouble you are in, confess, call Him; He will liberate and revive you. If you love the life to come, you will find out that the present life is nothing but anguish. Even though you may be living in prosperity, and abundant happiness; yet, perceiving that it is not perpetually secure, and that you are not free of temptations, your present life is counted as an anguish. Let my enemies stir up; … What can they do? They can take my wealth away, rob me, throw me in exile, pour on me every possible sorrow and torment, and if allows, let them even kill me. Can they do more?! You stretch out Your hand to cover me; Whatever my enemies do to me, they cannot separate me from You! The more You delay, the more You will avenge me; … You will never let me despair; For it follows that “Your right hand will save me”1. (St. Augustine) “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me”. He does not say, “You will save me from the trouble”, but You will give me life, while remaining in the midst of the same troubles. ; … When harm presses, and surrounds someone to disturb him, he would feel secure2. (St. John Chrysostom) “The hand of God” here, refers to His recompense and revenge against the oppressors; while “His right hand” refers to His help and protection of His pious. According to St. John Chrysostom, the right hand of God is our Lord Jesus, who revived, saved, and rewarded us, we, the weak. (Father Onesimus of Jerusalem) 1 On Ps. 138 (137). 2 On Ps. 138. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 60 “The Lord will perfect that which concerns me, Your mercy, O Lord endures forever; Do not forsake the work of Your hands” (8) With the spirit of faith in the Lord his Savior, the psalmist proclaims that He defends him. With the same spirit the apostle Paul says: “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you, will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1: 6). Being the Head of the body, He defends us, members of His body. “When those who received the temple tax came to collect it,… He said to Peter: ‘Go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes out first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money, take that and give it to them for Me and you” (Matthew 17: 24- 26). According to St. Augustine, throughout the four gospels, the Lord defended us, paid our debts by His cross. I do not “repay” on my own behalf; Let my enemies stir up as much as they wish; for You “repay” with what I cannot myself do. According to the apostle: “Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath, for it is written: ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay’, says the Lord” (Romans 12: 19) 1. (St. Augustine) He pay our debts; He does not forsake the work of His hands; and His mercy endures forever. (Father Onesimus of Jerusalem) When I have to repay a debt, He, with His loving kindness, waive it by making a deposit for me; That is what the Lord Christ did when He delivered Himself for our sake2. (St. John Chrysostom) 1 On Ps. 138 (137). 2 On Ps. 138. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 61 AN INSPIRATION FROM PSALM 138 WITH YOUR LOVINGKINDNESS, YOU SHINE YOUR LIGHT ON ME In the midst of my trouble, I discover my sins and faults; I perceive that I commit so many sins; However, You anticipate my repentance and my return to You; When I discover how intense is the darkness that surrounds me, I take refuge in You, O Sun of Righteousness; You shine on me, and scatter my darkness; You reflect the splendor of Your light on me; With the cry-outs and moaning of my heart; My depths give you thanks, O whole in love. When I confess my sins to You; You cleanse the defilement of my soul; And qualify me to praise You together with Your saints and angels; It is as though You allow trouble to come over me; Not to make me feel my weakness in humiliation; But to set me up from the humiliation; To praise You together with the elect of Your creation. In trouble, my depths cry out before my tongue does; You hear the language of the heart; And respond to its hidden words. In trouble, I unite with my brethren; I feel my need for their prayers; As I feel committed to pray for them; Perceiving my weakness, I seek their spiritual support; And feel my commitment to them, despite my unworthiness; With them, and for them, we pray together as members of the one body. In my trouble, I do not seek being relieved of my suffering; But I rather seek Your strength to support me; Then I would be exalted by Your strength, and be clothed by Your righteousness. In my trouble, You hear my voice, and I hear Yours; I find Your words sweet, and become swallowed in Your heavenly joy; I discover Your amazing promises; https://coptic-treasures.com/ 62 And I bear authority from You; You set me a king among Your royal children; To proclaim Your glory in us, O King of kings! How much blessings are there in trouble; When I discover my weakness, I cry out to You; I see You close to me, regarding me; I see You in me, setting Your kingdom; Your right hand saves me, and fills my depths with Your strength; You frighten the devil and all the hosts of darkness; They will never find a place in me; You surround me like a fiery wall; You keep me against all the plots of the devil; Glory be to You, who will never forsake the work of Your hands.
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