THE ETERNAL DWELLING PLACE This second section of the psalms of Ascents did not end by setting the tabernacle of meeting, which was built according to the likeness of heaven, for God to dwell among His people; But the psalmist, while singing the psalms of Ascents, sees the Lord dwelling around His people “from this time forth and forever” . He sees eternity before his eyes, where “those, who are upright in their hearts” live in the Higher Jerusalem; Whereas those who “turn aside to their crooked ways, the Lord shall lead them away with the workers of iniquity”. Reaching Jerusalem, the believer, seeing himself in the holy city built on a high hill, surrounded by mountains, he would realize the following spiritual facts: (1) God surrounds His church, embraces her, and protects every one of her members, as long as he stays within her walls. He who abides to the true spiritual church membership, God will surround him like mountains; He will never fear storms or hurricanes; for he is hidden in God, the Well-established Mountain. (2) The believer who seems like Jerusalem, built over a high till, will stay well-established like a rock, not to be moved forever; For his faith is in His Christ, the Rock of Ages;… All that would never be shaken, for God is its Builder on the Rock. (3) The believer sees the only secure way, the land of peace with God, where there is the true freedom on an eternal level! He also sees twisted ways where thieves hide, to rob and to kill; he who take them will bring on himself a curse as an evil doer. 1- An eternal dwelling place 1 2- The Lord surrounds His people 2 3- The good and free citizens 3 - 4 4- Separating the wicked from the good 5 1- AN ETERNAL DWELLING PLACE: A Song of Ascents “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever” (1) https://coptic-treasures.com/ 91 Having liberated them from the bondage of Pharaoh, and brought them forth under the leadership of Moses and Aaron to the wilderness; God, their true Liberator, commanded Moses to build the tabernacle of meeting, as His dwelling place among His people. It is a symbolic portrait of what we have enjoyed, after He, by His cross presented to us freedom, and granted us the authority over the devil and all the hosts of darkness; As He prepared us to enter into the Higher Jerusalem, where we live, together with our Heavenly Liberator forever. By His amazing cross He opened before us the gate of hope, and presented to us new possibilities to lean on Him, to become truly holy unmovable mountains; having our Savior dwelling in our depths. The psalmist calls the people of God “those who trust in the Lord” (1). During the period of captivity, Mount Zion was subjected to devastation, and became deserted, yet temporarily; to resume its beauty after the captivity. So, will those who trust in the Lord, they may go through temptations and sorrows; but would soon be eternally glorified. The apostle Paul says: “You have to come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels; to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven to God” (Hebrew 12: 22-23). “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion” (1). What is the significance of adding the word “Zion”? I mean, instead of just saying: “like a mountain”. Why is he referring to a specific mountain? … It is to teach us not to fall down under any tribulation, nor be drown in it, but to trust in God with hope, and endure everything nobly; whether it is wars, dissensions, or dangers. That mountain “Zion” has been once deserted and without inhabitants; then resumed its past prosperity, and restored its old popularity through the pouring of inhabitants and the happening of miracles. So it is with the noble person; He would never collapse, even if he suffers limitless troubles. Therefore, do not expect a life without dangers; because he who seeks a comfortable life is not like him who sails through a storm. The former will become lifeless, soft, and corrupt; whereas the later struggles against a multitude of obstacles above and below the surface, confronts gales of huge caliber, and several other https://coptic-treasures.com/ 92 unpredictable sea dangers; and by going safely through all of them, he will come out with more strength. In other words, you have come to this life, not to live in slothfulness, nor to lead a lukewarm life, or to escape from confronting troubles; but rather to become worthy of commendation through suffering. So, do not seek relaxation, nor a life of luxury, as that would be a sign of unworthy lazy and unreasonable life … But instead, seek not to fall into temptation, in case you confront it. Anyway, do not get depressed, terrified, or horrified, but do everything to become more worthy of commendation. Do not you notice the courageous soldiers, how once the hear the horn, they concentrate their sight, on memories of past brave actions by their predecessors?! … You have a brave Leader, capable of going through any risk, and of solving any kind of problem. Everything is His: heaven, earth, sea, beasts, and fire! He can easily alter every situation! Do not you hear the saying of the inspired author: “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion”? He said “like a mountain” to refer to the feature of hope in God, which is undefeatable, wellestablished, and secure; just like being unable to wipe out a mountain or to destroy it, whatever weapon you may use; So it is with attacking him who trust in the Lord; he will go back empty-handed. Trusting in the Lord is more secure than a mountain! “Which cannot be moved, but abides forever” (1) What then? Didn’t the three young men and Daniel move? … It is not that way! … Although taken away from their city to captivity; yet. Under no circumstances, they ever moved! Although they were going through a multitude of difficult situations, yet they were as though standing on a rock in a calm harbor; they did not suffer any harm! … Therefore, do not refer to certain situations as examples of being shaken; but take into consideration that shaking is a kind of movement, implying a loss of soul, and a fall from virtue … Those who manage to go safely through them, nothing can shake them or make them sin: no lust, nor pleasure, sorrow, struggle, or danger; As all these will eventually pass and vanish1. (St. John Chrysostom) 1 On Ps. 125. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 93 How amazing, that a single person (St. Anthony the Great) living alone in such a wilderness, had no fear, neither of the demons who attacked him, nor the ferocity of the multitude of wild beasts and reptiles; but, as it is written: “He trusted in the Lord, and became like Mount Zion” (1), in an unmoving, nor disturbed faith; until the demons fled away from him, and the wild beasts, as it is written, “were at peace with him” (Job 5: 23). The devil, as David the prophet says in his psalm, was watching St. Anthony, “gnashing at him with his teeth” (Psalm 35: 16). But the blessed saint, comforted by the Savior, stayed safe of his various tricks and snares. While watching the night, the devil released on St. Anthony the wild beasts of the wilderness, each threatening to devour him. Discovering the trick of the enemy, he used to say to them: [You have no authority over me. I am ready to be devoured by you, if you so intend; Yet, if you are sent by the devil, go away from me, for I am the servant of Christ. Before these words they all fled away, as though struck by whips1! They abide like Mount Zion, even if tens of thousands of temptations were stirred up against them; They are founded on a Rock; “that Rock was Christ” (1 Corinthians 10: 14; Matthew 7: 25) 2. (St. Athanasius the apostolic) All those who intend to stay in pride, belong to Babylon; Whereas those who stay in humility, belong to Jerusalem. The saints and the holy books blessed and are still blessing the humble by the words: “Bless, O Lord the good, and those with upright hearts” 3 (Father Caesarius, bishop of Arle) This psalm psalms of Ascents, teaches us, while ascending and lifting our minds to the Lord our God, in sweet love and piety; not to concentrate our sight on those of authority in this world, whose happiness is vain and unsettled, who cling to nothing but pride, and, because their hearts deny God’s grace, they are fruitless! 4 1 Vita Antonii, 52. . فردوس الآباء، ص 38 2 Paschal Letters, 11: 4. 3 Sermon 48: 5. 4 On Ps. 125 (124). https://coptic-treasures.com/ 94 Why is it then, that those dwelling in Zion will abide forever? but because there is another Jerusalem, for which they long! the mother of us all, for whose sake we moan and sigh in our journey, until we reach it … The eternal Jerusalem, our mother, that is in heaven1! (St. Augustine) 2- THE LORD SURROUNDS HIS PEOPLE: “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, the Lord surrounds His people, from this time forth and forever” (2) He likens the believers to the steady mountains, on account of that they are never moved by temptations, not because of their own strength, but because God surrounds His people. They are holy mountains because the Holy One surrounds His people, and lighted, because He is the secret of their enlightenment, strength, and goodness. What is this Jerusalem, surrounded by mountains? Is it a great thing for a city to be surrounded by mountains? Don’t you know what these mountains are? These mountains are different from the mountains we love. These high mountains are those who preach the truth, whether they are angels, apostles, or prophets. They surround Jerusalem as though a stronghold around it. The Holy Book often talks about these beautiful mountains … It does not say that their peace is their own, nor that they make peace, or provide peace, but that they receive peace; So that you may lift your eyes up to the mountains for the sake of the peace they give from the Lord, who made heaven and earth … And lest you may linger in these mountains, he added momentarily: “And the Lord surrounds His people” (2), so that your hope may not be in the mountains, but in Him who enlightens the mountains. As, when He dwells in the mountains, namely, in the saints, He, Himself, will be around His people, and protects them by spiritual strongholds, so that they would not be moved forever! Love these mountains where the Lord is; so that they may love you, if you do not put your hope on them … If you wish to be loved 1 On Ps. 125 (124). https://coptic-treasures.com/ 95 by the good mountains, do no not put your trust even in the good mountains1! (St. Augustine) He says that even though the mountains give it strength, yet it needs a protection from God to make it stronger. . “The Lord surrounds His people” means: Do not trust in the chains of mountains2!. (St. John Chrysostom) 3- THE GOOD AND FREE CITIZENS: “For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous; lest the righteous reach out their hands to iniquity” (3) God surrounds His people to sanctify, enlighten, establish, and protect them from falling under temptation; Yet, although He does not, altogether, keep temptations away, in order that they would be justified, crowned, and enjoy maturity and continuous growth. but God will definitely not allow the enemy to aim a knock-out to His people. God may sometimes allow the scepter of the wicked to strike the righteous; Yet He will never let it rest for long on them. … What is the scepter of the wicked, but their strength, authority, and harm. The Lord would not let His people live in comfort for long, lest they may turn slothful concerning their salvation; He may sometimes allow for temptations; which have to come, like labor to the pregnant; … Yet, even if He allows for temptations, He will never forsake His people, lest they may fail. “God will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape” (1 Corinthians 10: 12). What he means is: God will not allow the wicked to have authority on the portion of the righteous; And if He allows it for sometime, it would be for the sake of reforming, warning, and chastising them… “lest the righteous reach out their hands to iniquity”. Everything happens for this goal, to let His people become more 1 On Ps. 125 (124). 2 On Ps. 125 (124). https://coptic-treasures.com/ 96 zealous, and for their souls to become better through reforming them by temptations1. (St. John Chrysostom) In the present time, the righteous may be suffering indeed, within a certain limit. If the God of heaven and earth, by whom all things were created, has served the unworthy, presented Himself as their Physician, and sought mercy for the sake of His persecutors; How much would it be befitting of man not to refrain from serving a wicked master! …. The better may serve the worse! … But it will only be for some time2! The scepter of wickedness may come upon the portion of the righteous, but will not stay there forever. The time will come when Christ will appear in His glory, and all the nations will be gathered before Him (Matthew 25: 32-33). There, you will see many servants among the flock of sheep on His right hand, and many masters among the goats. As not all the servants are good , and not all the masters are wicked, It is befitting of the good servants who happen to be serving wicked masters, to endure them for some time3. (St. Augustine) “Do good, O Lord, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts” (4) Everyone needs prayers for their sake, even the good, for whose sake, and for that of those who are upright in their hearts, the psalmist pray to the Lord to support them in the moments of temptation and affliction, lest they go astray. As long as man is still in the body, whatever be his spiritual exaltation, his brethren pray for his sake, until he crosses over this world in peace. St. John Chrysostom distinguishes between the good and the upright in their hearts, on the one hand, and the workers of iniquity, on the other. He sees the good in the simple and the uncomplicated; while the workers of iniquity are crooked and complicated. The good 1 On Ps. 125 (124). 2 On Ps. 125 (124). 3 On Ps. 125 (124). https://coptic-treasures.com/ 97 utter the truth without cheating, deception, or hypocrisy; … What is on their outer countenance conform with what is inside them. The saint often repeats this view: that the goodness bears its reward inside it; And evil, bears its punishment. Those who are upright in their hearts, who follow, or intend to follow the will of God, and not their own, will let God go before them, follow Him; and recognize His goodness in everything, whether in chastisement, comfort, training, crowning, purification, or enlightenmenr; as the apostle says: “We know that all things work together to good for those who love God” (Romans 8: 28) 1. (St. Augustine) 4- SEPARATING THE WICKED FROM THE GOOD: “As for such as turn aside to their crooked ways, The Lord shall lead them away with the workers of iniquity; Peace be upon Israel” (5) To whom does he refer by “such as turn aside to their crooked ways:? But to those who divert to doubt faith, the unbelieving apostates? As according to the apostle: “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, … shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Revelations 21: 8); And as is written: “I will surely take away their harvest” (Jeremiah 8: 13); as when the dry branches are taken away from the vine, or the thorns and thistles from the good land, to be consumed by fire. Those who forfeit their works, find comfort in the present pleasures, and do not believe in the punishments to come. How about those who are upright in their hearts, those who do not go astray? … Being children, What shall we acquire? What will be our inheritance? What is our city? How is it called? … It is called “peace”!… Peace in Christ … What is this inheritance called, but “Peace”?... You should know that whoever does not like peace, will have no inheritance! … Those who split unity, do not like peace … Peace is the portion of the righteous, the portion of the heirs. of the children! … And as Christ, the Son of God, is Peace; He will therefore, come, to gather what is 1 On Ps. 125 (124). https://coptic-treasures.com/ 98 His, and to separate them from the wicked. … From which wicked? Those who hate Jerusalem; who intend to tear the unity apart; who do not believe in peace, and who preach vain peace to the people, when they do not acquire it themselves1! (St. Augustine) Yes, the Lord is Good, yet He is also Just! And one of the features of the Just, is to reward according to worthiness … The Lord is merciful, yet He is also Just!. The Lord loves mercy and justice2. (St. Basil the Great) God does not make crookedness that causes destruction; But He exposes those who do. … It is written: “As for such as turn aside to their crooked ways, the Lord shall lead them away” (5). It is not the Lord who leads them away against their will, together with the workers of iniquity; but will expose those who divert from the way after following the lead of such people3. (St. Dedymus the blind) Before applying the punishment, the iniquity will have its own punishment in it; And before getting the reward, the virtue will also have its own reward in it. … Before anything else, What would be more evil than sin itself?! … For this reason, the apostle Paul, referring to some males who dedicate the prime of their youth to practicing what is against the laws of nature; says that this behavior bears, in itself the heaviest of punishment, even before punishment is applied! … “men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due” (Romans 1: 27); calling their abominable behavior a punishment for the sin4. (St. John Chrysostom) 1 On Ps. 125 (124). 2حفظ الوصایا والتعلیم: 4 ترجمة یوسف شماس المخلصي. 3 Commentary on Ecclesiastes 212: 12. 4 On Ps. 125. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 99 AN INSPIRATION FROM PSALM 125 A CITIZEN IN THE LAND OF THE FREE Having liberated the old people; You have set for them the tabernacle of meeting, as a shadow of the eternal city of the free; The people moved from working brick, From the mire and straw, To worship God in the tabernacle of meeting, filled with splendor. You intended to draw their hearts to the city of their heavenly Father; The free heavenly Jerusalem!; Where they dwell as citizens and household; together with their Father, the True Liberator, who defend them. To be partners with the heavenly hosts; Who have never tasted the humiliation of bondage. In Your exalted love and care.\, You open before me the gate of joyful hope; And grant me the trust and surety in Your compassionate fatherhood; Leaning on Your chest, I become like a huge unmovable mountain; Whom no enemy can destroy, whatever his possibilities and weapons are. No; he cannot even move my feelings; Nor approach me; For You are my strength and weapon. He will be terrified when he sees You in my depths. Dwelling in me, and I in You. O, You, the amazing Rock1 By Your exalted love, You set out of us, enlightened, and unmovable mountains. The secret of our enlightenment, and of our perseverance is that You surround us; And protect us against the destructive temptations; Yet, by Your exalted care, and divine wisdom, You may allow for afflictions; https://coptic-treasures.com/ 100 You may allow them, as much as of benefit for our growth and maturation; and for a limited time! Until we are justified and crowned before you; How amazing is Your love! Together with the temptation, You give the way out! Together with each temptation, Your grace conforms me; To be prepared to become a living stone, fit for the heavenly temple. The strikes of the enemy will not destroy me; But, through Your grace, they will give me more splendor. Let the wicked be as arrogant as they wish; I am hidden in You; You are preoccupied with my eternal glory. They strike me for some time; But You will glorify me forever. Amid my affliction, my brethren support me with their prayers; And I, in turn, will never cease to pray for the sake of those afflicted! When shall we gather together as citizens in our eternal Father’s house? Where there is no trace of the devil and his hosts? Nor of the wicked persisting on their evil. There, I shall see my city that, for which I longed? There, I shall discover how much I was preoccupied with my eternal glory! There, I shall encounter You, O Father of all believers, and Savior of all!
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