YOUR AMAZING PERSON AND WORKS MOTIVATE US TO PRAISE YOU Psalms !35 and 136 are considered psalms of praise which the Jews used in the morning services of the Sabbath day, as well as in the feast of Passover, both called ‘The great Hallil’. This psalm is a call to praise the great name of God, perpetually working to the account of His people, in contradiction with the lifeless idols. According to some, this psalm. although not one of the psalms of Ascents, like the one before it (Psalm !34), yet there are mutual thoughts, and even mutual phrases between them; and both exhort us to praise god. but psalm !34 does not present causes for this call, while psalm !35 refers to particular works of God that motivate us to do. Psalm 134 is directed to the Levites alone; whereas psalm 135 is addressed to the priests the Levites, the whole congregation, as well as to all those who fear God (20). 1- A call to praise God 1 - 3 2- Motives to praise God 4 - 8 a- He has chosen us as His own people 4 b- He is the Almighty God of creation 5 - 7 c- He is God of history 8 - 14 d- He is God of the eternal gladness 15 - 18 3- A conclusion of the praise 19 – 21 1- A CALL TO PRAISE GOD: God seeks from His people to praise Him; not that He is in need of it, nor that He seeks glory for Himself; but because, by praise, He grants gladness to His people, and makes them like angels. In 2 Chronicles 5: 13, it came that, when the building of the temple was consummated, and the arc of the covenant was brought into it, the Lord responded to the praise of His people by His glorious presence, bringing true gladness to them. This praise, is the work of both the Levites and the congregation. The psalmist starts it by calling the people to praise and exultation four times (1 – 3); and ends it by a call to bless the Lord four times (19 – 20); presenting to us the following causes to praise God: https://coptic-treasures.com/ 2 a- For the sake of His goodness: There is no tongue in this world, nor in the eternal life, that can express the goodness of God. We can only get in touch with His goodness in our life, as a fact we enjoy; which motivate us to praise Him by our hearts, by our words, by our worship, and by our whole life. Perceiving His goodness would turn our life into a harp, on which God’s Holy Spirit unceasingly plays. b- He has chosen us as His own people (4). By His exalted love, God cherishes man, as well as the whole humanity. He counts everyone, and the whole congregation, His treasure, although He is in no need of us in anything. c- He is the Almighty God of creation (5 – 7). He cares for the whole creation to our account, and moves it to fulfill our needs. He deals even with the winds and tempests that stir-up against us, to turn their violence for our edification. d- He is God of history (8 – 14). The events of history do not happen haphazardly, but to fulfill His salvation plan for our sake. e- He is the God of eternal gladness (15 – 18). He turns humanity into the likeness of heavenly beings, that know nothing except heavenly gladness and exultation. “Praise the name of the Lord; Praise Him, O you servants of the Lord” (1) Some believe that the reference to the name of the Lord here, means praising the infinite Essence of God; who, although imperceptible, yet, with His holiness and goodness, and, being the Truth, He is worthy of every praise. Saying “Praise the Lord”, the prophet instructs the Jews that the Lord is not pleased with the sacrifice of animals, as much as He is pleased with the sacrifice of praise. As to saying: “the name of the Lord”, it refers to the fact that the Essence of God, being imperceptible, the name of the Lord is praised, by which great things are achieved. (Father Onesimus of Jerusalem) According to St. Augustine, Being servants, we are committed to praise our God, for the sake of His love for us, and His uncountable gifts to us. How much more would it be befitting of us to praise Him, when He has granted us to enjoy sonhood to Him, and to enter into His bosoms? https://coptic-treasures.com/ 3 Being the servants of God, you are not doing much by praising Him; How much more would it be befitting of you to praise Him, to acquire the privilege of becoming His children1?! (St. Augustine) You who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God” (2) Some believe that this phrase concerns the priests and the Levites; although the house of the Lord used to embrace, as well, a multitude of people, coming to it every day. Almost the whole people used to stand there during the annual feasts. The two verses 19 and 20 call on the house of Israel, as well as those who fear the Lord, namely, the pious, to bless the Lord. Saying: “You who stand”, and, “in the courts of the house of our God”, the psalmist instructs the Jews not to do anything concerning their worship to God outside the house or the courts, designated by the Lord. According to St. John Chrysostom, confined praising the name of the Lord to those standing in the house of the Lord, on account of that the Jews, being unpredictable, he is attempting to keep them away from offering their sacrifices and praise in the idol temples; or having any form of fellowship with the idol-worshippers, who used to worship underneath any green tree, on the mountains, hills, and high places. That is why he confined the collective worship of God, and offering the sacrifices to the temple and courts of God. And according to St. Augustine, God grants us the blessing of praise wherever we are; How much more would His blessing be when He brings us into His house, to praise Him, together with His angels? Again, he exhorts them to offer such a sacrifice of praise to God. He also says: “I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the Lord, better than an ox or bull, which has horns and hooves” (Psalm 69: 30-31). Now, he definitely refers to the house and the courts, confining the congregation to a certain place, forbidding them from wandering anywhere outside. You can see that, from the very beginning, God, by His command to build the tabernacle of meeting, He intended to keep his 1 On Ps. 135. (134). https://coptic-treasures.com/ 4 people from being influenced by the surrounding uncleanness of idolworship, and from wildly wandering everywhere, turning the gardens, springs, hills, and high places, to places where they would offer sacrifices; He even condemned those who did to death, saying: “Whoever man of the house of Israel kills an ox or lamb or goat outside the camp, and does not bring it to the door of the tabernacle of meeting, to offer an offering to the Lord, bloodguilt shall be imputed to that man” (Leviticus 17: 3, 4) 1. (St. John Chrysostom) Be thankful, O you who were outside, and now are inside. Is it something little to you, to praise Him who granted you, who were outside, the blessing to stand in His house to know and praise Him?! You would be denying God if you so think2! (St. Augustine) “Praise the Lord, For the Lord is good, Sing praises to His name, for it is pleasant” (3) God is goodness itself; On one aspect, He grants life to the good who attach themselves to Him; and turns even the evil things that may dwell upon His pious to their good and edification. God, Himself, is the source of sweetness and gladness to the creation attached to Him whether angels or men. It is befitting of us to praise God, not only for His dealings with us, but for His dealings with the others as well. And we should also praise Him for the sake of His Person, for He is sweet, and the source of every true sweetness, and eternal happiness for all those who get attached to Him. Whenever we faithfully praise Him, the more we shall enjoy His sweetness, and experience the true happiness. The psalmist says: “Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good. Sing praises to His name, for it is pleasant” (3); and, “praise is beautiful (befitting)” (Psalm 147: 1); and, “At Your hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16: 11). He starts by exhorting on praising God for the sake of benefit; as God is good, merciful, and compassionate; Praise purifies the soul, lifts the mind up, and presents to us good teaching, concerning sound concepts about the present life and worship. And praise with a beautiful tune, will lead the soul to a holy life. And on another aspect, through 1 On Ps. 135. 2 On Ps. 135. (134). https://coptic-treasures.com/ 5 praise, we get in touch with the sweetness and pleasantness of the name of God1. Singing praise bring pleasure to the listener, joy to the hearts, and submission to the souls; if it is done with piety, good order, and without crying out aloud. (Father Onesimus of Jerusalem) If we count the food of the body to be sweet, and give thanks to whom has made it, or presented it; How much more would we rather give thanks to Him who presents the heavenly food of the angels to be eaten by man (Psalm 78: 25); And how much more would be the sweetness and pleasantness of God Himself, and the sweetness of praising and thanksgiving to Him? He presents to us the motive to praise God, that “The Lord is Good”. According to St. Augustine, the word “good” that concerns God, is completely different from the same word concerning the creation. If God, when He consummated the creation, said that “It is very good”; How much more would be the Creator Himself? How far can we talk about His goodness? Who, in his heart or mind, can perceive how God could be good? Let us turn into ourselves and inside us, to recognize God, and to praise the Creator on His work; in the hope that we could meditate in Him, once our heart is purified by faith, then rejoice in the truth. If we truly meditate in His works, we shall keep on praising Him2. (St. Augustine) 2- MOTIVES TO PRAISE GOD: The psalmist starts these motives by choosing us to be God’s own people, before talking about God, as the Creator, the Controller of the universe, and God of history. As the goal of creation, history, and God’s exalted care, is the divine love, by which the creation feels that she belongs to God, and that God is hers. This is the feeling of every true believer, who could say: “I am my Beloved’s, and my Beloved is mine” (Songs 6: 3). a- He has chosen us as His own people: 1 Cf. St. John Chrysostom: On Psalm 135. 2 On Ps. 135 (134). https://coptic-treasures.com/ 6 “For the Lord has chosen Jacob for Himself, Israel for His special treasure” (4) In His amazing love for humanity, God intends to set out of them His own; refers Himself to them, counts Himself the God of Israel; God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob; saying: “For you are a holy people to the Lord your God, the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth” (Deuteronomy 7: 6); And, “If you indeed obey My voice, and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation” (Exodus 19: 5, 6). The Holy Book often refers to God’s choice of the Jews as His own people in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 7; Exodus 33; Amos 3: 2). In the Septuagint version, the words “special treasures” came as “His inheritance”. He cherishes His believers, and counts them as His special treasure; as a valuable pearl, of high price; and His body members. He who longs to get attached to God, feels a kind of relationship, and may stand in awe, wondering: ‘Why has He chosen me?’ Such a joyful feeling will definitely motivate man to worship God with fear, together with an amazing joy. According to St. John Chrysostom, that praising God brings Him pleasure, not because of the multitude of those who so do, but rather for their virtues. Now, what is the meaning of “His special treasure”? as an abundance of goods for Himself; He considers them as His own wealth, taking into consideration, not their number, but their virtue, toward which He meant to lead them to choose it1. (St. John Chrysostom) 3- HE IS THE ALMIGHTY GOD OF CREATION: We praise God as the Creator, who created the world for the sake of man, His beloved creature. Being Almighty, God moves nature for the sake of the edification of man, and for fulfilling his material, spiritual, and mental needs. “For I know that the Lord is great, and our Lord is above all gods” (5) 1 On Ps. 135. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 7 Every nation cherishes her god or gods, despite their lifeless status and helpless to work. The true God, on the other hand, is above all, and there could be no point of comparison between Him and them. Some wonder how could the psalmist say that God is great, then compare Him to the gods of the nations, and say that He is above all of them! St. John Chrysostom says, that, although there is no point of comparison, yet the psalmist so says for the sake of the weakness of the minds of his listeners, who have for so long been connected to idolworship, and even used to revere them. That is why, by such a comparison, he attempts to rescue those lost souls. Our God is great in His love, humility, and care for us in both the great and the little things. Appreciating His exalted love for us, we sing, saying: “How great You are, O our Savior!”. God is above all kings, rulers, and leaders. “He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS” (Revelation 19: 16). “Whatever the Lord pleases He does, in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and in all deep places” (6) The Almighty God, by His will, He realizes everything; He says, and it will be. No will is ever above the will of God; the will that works for the good of His creation, which receives His work in her. He is the King of heaven and earth; He sits on the throne of the whole universe; the Almighty who directs everything; and who does everything according to His pleasure. God is Almighty; What He intends to do, He will do. Human will would not be able to keep Him from realizing what He intends to do1. Do not you know that His bare will is enough to realize, not only what concern things on earth, but also what concern things in heaven2? Do not you see the source of life; the irresistible might? the incomparable exaltation? the undisputable authority? That all things are simple for Him? Not only in heaven, but also on earth, in the seas, and in all depths3? (St. John Chrysostom) 1 Sermon 214: 6. 2 On The Uncemoprehensible Nature of God, homily 2: 30. 3 On Ps. 135. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 8 He intended for all things to be created, and they were. He intended for the world to be established, and it did1. (St. John of Damascus) With His good will, He did not let us in need of anything; His gifts were indescribable; and His care every morning was new. Therefore, being unable to perceive all the works of God in heaven, as well as on earth, we are committed to receive them with faith, and with no dispute2. (St. Augustine) I wish, O brethren, we do not receive lightly the evil thoughts; we do not get angry with out neighbors; as all that are the work of the devil. We should always put before our eyes the verse saying: “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been proved, he will receive the crown of life” (James 1: 12). I wrote this, not that you need to be taught; for if you searched the Holy Book, you will have knowledge and wisdom more than what I have. I am weak and miserable, has only just a name, but with ignorance; But, out of my love for God and for you, “Out of much affliction and anguish of heart, I wrote to you with many tears” (2 Corinthians 2: 4). I wish God hold your heart fast in His fear, “He who created the heaves and stretched them out” (Isaiah 42: 5 – Septuagint). I wish He sets your building on a steady rock, “He who established the earth on the waters (Psalm 135: 6 – the Septuagint). I wish He rebukes the temptations, “He who rebuked the wind and the sea” (Matthew 8: 26). I wish He keeps away from you the forgetfulness of His commandments, “He who removed the East from the West” (Psalm 103: 12). I wish, “As the father pities his children” (Psalm 103: 13), so the Lord will pity you. I wish He enlighten your heart, “He who has shone His light on the darkness” (2 Corinthians 4: 6). (St. Parsnovius) “He causes the vapor to ascend from the ends of the earth; He makes lightning for the rain; He brings the wind out of His treasuries” (7) If it is God who has set all the laws of nature, to work according to His will; It would not be fitting for us to disregard that all creation is 1 Orthodox Faith, 2: 29. 2 On Ps. 135 (134). https://coptic-treasures.com/ 9 in His hands, to move them as He chooses, whether according to the law as He set for them, or contrary to them. Everything work by God’s ordinance; even for a single drop of rain. God’s power is not outside Him, it bears His limitless, eternal, and irresistible features; unperceivable by our human mind1. The clouds often refer to the souls holy to God, for they enjoy getting rid of the burden of sins, to become as light as the clouds, soars up in heavens; Whereas the wicked , because of the heavy weight of their sins, would become like lead that sink in deep water. The lightning refer to the spirit of enlightenment, granted to us by the Holy Spirit of God. And the wind refers to the Spirit. We should give God thanks and praise Him, for He sets out of us, we who live on the earth, holy cloud that enjoy the deposit of heaven, and opens up our insight, to recognize His secrets. He grants us, as well, His Holy Spirit working in us, as though out of His divine treasuries. That would be the subject of our praise to Him, that He takes away from us our sins; grants us His righteousness; sets us as His lighted angels; and makes us a temple for Him and His Holy Spirit, dwelling in us It is said that the apostles are clouds; on account of that, by the heat of the Sun of Righteousness, namely, our Lord Jesus Christ, they were lifted up from the earthlies to the heavenlies; as said by the Lord of Glory Himself: “You are not of the world; but I have chosen you from the world”. As to the lightning, they are their teachings that gave light to the world, and brought on us the mercy of God like rain. (Father Onesimus of Jerusalem) Here, the psalmist marvels at God’s care for man; for whom He allows the water to evaporate in far away places in the oceans, to become clouds that go in the air as though on a journey, until they reach its destination, where they drops its rain. It is as though the psalmist intends to say that God sustains man with water He brings to Him, to his cities, and to his fields from far away places2. The psalmist also sees God brings out wind from His treasuries for the sake of man3. (St. John Chrysostom) 1 W. Macdonald: Believers Bible Commentary, Thomas, 1917, Ps. 135. 2 On Ps. 135. 3 On Ps. 135. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 10 Let us now leave the earth and the earthlies, and soar up in the air on the wings of the brain. Let me carry you higher and higher up to heavenly issues. Heaven and what is beyond heaven. Words would hesitate to approach what is beyond heaven; and yet we shall dare to try to approach them as far as words can express. Who made air with such great abundance, and distributed it, not according to the rank of men, their wealth, or their age; but it is distributed the way he Manna and the quails were distributed in the old age, equally, and with portions enough for everyone (Exodus 16: 14-16). He let all the creature with wings ride on the air, and make it their throne. He gives fixed times to the seasons of the year; He gives the animals life, and keeps it inside their bodies. Our own bodies live in the air; our words are carried on it; light, and what it reveals are in the air. Let us look beyond the air: How about the treasuries of the wind (Psalm 135: 7); and the treasury of snow (hail)? (Job 38: 22). “Who has begotten the drops of dew?” (Job 38: 28); “From whose womb comes the ice?” (Job 38: 29); “Who binds up the water in His thick clouds?” (Job 26: 8). The miracle is that He binds up by His word, something that naturally flow; and yet he drops some of it on the face of the earth for all to enjoy (Matthew 5: 45) in due time. He does not let all the water stored at one time; as the purification that happened in the time of Noah was enough; And God would never forget His promise not to repeat the great flood (Genesis 9: 8-17). But, at the same time, He does not utterly keep the water from dropping; so as not to need anymore the intervention of the prophet Elijah to end the draught (See 1 Kings 17: 1-18; 45). … If He shuts the heaven up, Who can open it? (Job 12: 14; 2 Chronicles 7: 13); And if He opens them up, who can shut them? (Malachi 3: 10). Who can endure the burden of draught or of the flood, if it is not for the Mighty God who controls the whole universe by His measures? (job 28: 25) O Philosopher; You roar like thunder; although you do not possess the shine given by few sparks of the truth. How can you interpret the lightning and the thunder1? (St. Gregory the Nezianzen) “Has the rain a father? Or who has begotten the drops of dew?” (Job 38: 28). العظة اللاھوتیة الأولى: عظة رقم 27 عظة تمھیدیة ضد أتباع یونیموس، 1 .28 https://coptic-treasures.com/ 11 Who treasured the air in the clouds, and bound them up to carry the water of rain, to come, golden in color (Job 37: 22)from the south in different forms and shape? “Who can number the clouds by wisdom?” (Job 38: 37); Or “Who knows the balance of clouds?” (Job 37: 16 LXX) یوجد صفحات ناقصة AN INSPIRATION FROM PSALM 135 HOW SWEET IS YOUR PRAISE, O MY AMAZING SAVIOR! Thanks be to You, O my amazing Creator; My soul plunges deep in the works of Your love; You have not left me in need of any of the works of Your honor; My soul is always exultant in her amazing Creator and Shepherd; In being Your servant, my soul exults; How would it be, when You grant me the spirit of adoption? When You bear me in Your bosom as Your son? Standing at the thresholds of Your house, my soul is filled with gladness; How would it be, when You bring me forth into Your heavenly sanctuary? In Your eternal dwelling places, my depths praise You together with Your hosts; In Your dwelling places, I concentrate my eyes on the splendor of Your glory; In Your dwelling places, I enjoy what no eyes have seen; And what no ears have heard; Neither have come upon the heart of man; You are indeed, good, and sweet, O Lord. My soul praises You, for You have chosen me as Your own; You are mine, And I am Yours, O my beloved; I dissolve in Your amazing love; In Your bosom, I seek nothing else; My soul praises You, O Mighty and wise Father; Anything You choose, You do; What would be Your will, except to save my soul? And to let me enjoy the fellowship of Your heavenly glories? https://coptic-treasures.com/ 12 How mighty are You in Your works, wise in Your ordinances; and sweet in Your fatherhood! What more can I ask for? For my sake, You bring the clouds forth from the end of the world; And make lightening for the rain; And bring the winds out of Your treasuries; You alone, can set out of those made of dust, holy clouds; By Your Spirit, You shine in me, to let me behold the light of Your glory; You open up the treasuries of Your love; Your Holy Spirit works in men; Praise be to You, for the sake of Your daily works with us; Praise be to You, for the sake of the glories You prepare for us; Glory be to You, forever and ever; We glorify You, for setting us as Your children; Glory be to You, for leading us forth, to be together with Your angels in Your heavens.
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