GOD’S ROYAL EXALTATION AND HOLINESS This psalm bears a short description of the reign, exaltation, and conquest of God. Three psalms started with the words: “The Lord reigns”. although different in what follow: In psalm 96, it came as: “The Lord reigns; He is clothed with majesty”. In psalm 97, it came as: The Lord reigns; let the earth rejoice”. In psalm 99, it came as: “The Lord reigns, let the people tremble”. In psalm 96, it came as: “The Lord reigns, He is clothed in majesty”. According to St. Jerome, Majesty here refers to the exaltation of the early father Patriarchs, and the prophets, and the faith of the people; who are all the garment by which Christ is girded, full of splendor (Jeremiah 13: 11). Do not you know that the saints are the girdle and the garment of God, who Himself says in Jeremiah: “For as the sash clings to the waist of a man, so I have caused the whole house of Israel, and the whole house of Judah to cling to Me” (Jeremiah 13: 11). But now, this exalted girdle, by which the Lord was clothed, has been cast on the other side of the river Euphrates; hidden in the hole of a rock, and got corrupted and ruined (Jeremiah 13: 4-12); taken into captivity by the Babylonians. … What will God do? He would not stay naked without a girdle, without a cover! … Having lost His old garment -- His first people, Israel, he made for Himself a new garment of the Gentiles1. (St. Jerome) In Psalm 97, it came as: “The Lord reigns; let the earth rejoice”. Let the earth, the whole world, rejoice for those who believe. Do you need to hear a confirmation from the Holy Book that the Gentiles, likewise, are like a girdle to God? It is written: “The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad” (Psalm 97: 1); 1 On Psalms, homily 26. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 141 Not just one isle – Judah, but a multitude of isles; or in other words, the whole world1. (St. Jerome) Now, our plan is complete. Whenever you hear a psalm written by a prophet, or the law, before the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in the flesh; You will see Christ, and understand Him in it, Let us now listen together to this psalm, and search for Christ, who appeared first to those who did not look for Him, and who saved those who disregarded Him. Consider the psalm that starts saying about Christ: “The Lord reigns, let the peoples rage” 2 (1). (St. Augustine) 1- The Lord reigns 1 - 4 2- Worshipping God 5 - 6 3- His holiness and His love 7 – 9 The title: A praise to the Lord for His faithfulness. 1- THE LORD REIGNS: “The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble! He dwells between the cherubim; Let the earth be moved” (1) When the Lord reigns, the peoples tremble before Him, who presides over the cherubim to judge; Whereas those who became the children of God, will rejoice in His coming, Haughtily, some believe that they are like great mountains or deep oceans; Yet, before the Lord, they tremble; not to be destroyed, but to have the old man in them destroyed, and the new man exult. The word ‘cherub’ in Hebrew means (knowledge). The Lord, therefore, sits on His throne, or the cherubim. And we, if we wish to become a throne for God, we are committed to have our souls filled with the true spiritual knowledge, or the heavenly wisdom. According to St. Augustine, if there is love in the heart, God will dwell in it. As “love is the fulfillment of the law” (Romans 13: 10), Our Lord Jesus Christ started to reign, and preaching Him started to spread, after His resurrection, and His ascension to heaven, and after 1 On Psalms, homily 26. 2 On Ps. 99 (98). https://coptic-treasures.com/ 142 He filled His disciples with confidence in the Holy Spirit, not to fear death, which He has already put to death in Him. Preaching Jesus Christ started; and those who intending to be saved, had to believe in Him. The idol-worshippers raged. They raged against the Lord to the account of their idols; Although those who rage against their servants to the account of their idols are condemned; for their servants are better than their idols; for the former are created by God, while the later are made by man1. According to the Holy Book, the cherubim are the heavenly throne of God, who, although we cannot see, yet they are recognized by the Word of God as His throne. The Word and the Spirit of God appear to minister to God wherever God sits; Not that God literally sits like men; but, in case you wish, God will sit in you. If you are good, you may become the throne of God; as it is written: “The soul of the righteous is the chair of wisdom”. As in our language, the throne is called a chair2. Do not get disturbed. You are now told in short, that in case you intend to acquire the perfection of knowledge, and to become a throne for God; According to the apostle: “Love is the fulfillment of the law” (Romans 13: 10). Ask your heart if there is love in it; for if this is the case, In it there will be the fulfillment of the law, God will dwell in it, and you will be a throne of God; … a heaven for God, … This heaven which we see by our eyes, is not of value before God. The holy souls, the minds of the angels, and the minds of His ministers are God’s heaven3. (St. Augustine) As the cherubim means (the treasure of knowledge), he, who acquires such a treasure is the throne of God. This treasure of knowledge is not just bare knowledge, but is also (a treasure of works); as the true knowledge is established by works4. (St. Jerome) 1 On Ps. 99 (98). 2 On Ps. 99 (98). 3 On Ps. 99 (98). 4 On Psalms, homily 26. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 143 Seeing the might of Him who sits on the cherubim, men were moved; namely, turned from sorrow to joy, for the Lord King reigned; He, who is joy for the righteous, and sorrow for the wicked. The Jews, hearing that Christ is called their king (by Pilate), protested indignantly, and cried out: “We have no other king except Caesar” (John 19: 15). Let the earth tremble, for its inhabitants, once they saw the weakness of the demons, and perceived the vanity of their works, they were moved; and, before the wisdom of Christ, and His great might, they turned back from the vanity of their fathers, and called Christ a King and a Lord. (Father Onesimus of Jerusalem) “The Lord is great in Zion, and He is high above all the peoples” (2) The great God dwells among His people, His church, the spiritual Zion, embraces and sanctifies them. Whereas, to the other peoples, who feel haughty before Him, He is High above them, and they will never encounter Him, unless they humble themselves. Now, about Him who is said to sit on the cherubim, and is great in Zion; I ask you, ‘What is Zion?’ We know that ‘Zion’ is the city of God, another name for Jerusalem; And according to a sure interpretation, ‘Zion’ means (watching), namely, (vision) and (meditation). To watch, is to look at something, and concentrate your eyes on it. Now, every soul is ‘Zion’ if it attempts to concentrate on that seen Light. In case it concentrates her eyes on her own light, it gets darkened; but if it concentrates on the light of God, it is enlightened. This city of God is called ‘Zion’; hence the church is ‘Zion’, for God is great in her1. (St. Augustine) “Let them praise Your great and awesome name – He is holy” (3) He, who is great in His church, namely, in the spiritual ‘Zion’, and is high above all the peoples, is preached as being crucified for the sake of the world. He came in weakness for the sake of His love for us, and for our salvation. Whoever gives Him thanks, and confesses Him as a Savior, would perceive that He is the great, awesome, and the holy Judge, who comes to judge. 1 On Ps. 99 (98). https://coptic-treasures.com/ 144 In the present time, God forgives those who blaspheme Him; because His longsuffering leads to repentance (Romans 2: 4). Yet He, who forgives now, will not perpetually forgive; nor He, who is preached now, that He will be fearful, will not come to judge. He, O brethren, will certainly come. Let us, therefore, fear Him, and live as is befitting, so that when he comes to judge, we would be at his right side1! (St. Augustine) The name of our Lord is great; according to what the apostle has written to the Philippians, saying: “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him, and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and those of earth” (Philippians 2: 9-10). To the name of Jesus, then, all peoples confess, as its meaning is ‘salvation’. He is “fearful” to the non-believers, as well as to the demons; for at hearing it, they flee; and he is “holy” to those who believe in him. (Father Onesimus of Jerusalem) “The king is mighty; He loves justice; You have established equity; You have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob” (4) We, whom He created to work in us, should, as well, have the truth and the righteousness; … How would we have the truth and the righteousness? We shall have “the truth” when we discern between evil and goodness. And we shall have “the righteousness”, if we walk with goodness, and avoid evil. Through discerning between them, we shall have the truth; and by working them, we shall have the righteousness2. (St. Augustine) Every sinner fears the justice of God; he does not wish to get to know God as “the Judge”; but wishes to encounter Him as “the Merciful”. Watching God, a holy man glorifies Him in his body; He does not fear the Judge, but loves Him … So does a faithful minister; Then, what is written: “The king is mighty, He loves the truth (the justice)” (4), would be realized3. (St. Jerome) 1 On Ps. 99 (98). 2 On Ps. 99 (98). 3 On Psalms, homily 26. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 145 The authority of the king is established, if he rules with justice. … Saying: “You have established equity”, means that God whom we worship is not new. He means to say that: You, O God, have already established equity, righteousness, and justice in Jacob, namely, in Israel; when You gave them the law at the hand of Moses. Now, You fulfilled Your promise, and realized Your justice, for You took away the darkness from us, and saved us from the servitude to shame and reproach, by Your incarnation. (Father Onesimus of Jerusalem) In case we do everything right, not looking at what other people think of the purity of our hearts, but searching our own consciences, this period of rest will not lessen our firmness and self-control. That would be, as I already said, if our mind thinks within the limits of reason, concerning what we should or should not eat; if we refrain from being extreme on either aspect; and have the true discernment, that would keep us from going too far, in the enjoyment of pleasure, or in fasting; which would be a burden on our spirit in either case. God would not be pleased if we do things for the sake of His glory, without sound discernment, which He loves (4). Hence, we find Solomon, the wisest of men, exhort us not to deflect toward either side, counseling us to honor the Lord by labors, filled with righteousness, and to offer Him the fruits of righteousness1. (Father Theonas) 2- WORSHIPPING GOD: “Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at His footstool, for He is holy” (5) The Lord called the cross ‘glory’; Proclaiming His love for humanity, He lifts them up to His heavens, sanctifies them, and is glorified in them. According to St. Gregory of Nyssa, man, even if he raises his mind, as far up as he can, would not be able to perceive the exaltation of Divinity; but would stay low at the Lord’s footstool. According to St. Jerome, the literal interpretation of this phrase is that we should worship at the locations where Jesus Christ was born, was crucified, and risen from the dead. Whereas the spiritual interpretation is that our Lord Jesus Christ treads with His feet in the soul that sanctifies Him, for He is holy. He is her Groom, who attaches Himself to her, as long as she is sanctified to Him; Whereas, if she gets 1 Cassian, Conferences 21: 22. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 146 attached to evil, He would forsake her; For there is no fellowship between the Holy One and evil. They worship His Divinity, at His footstool; according to what is written: “Worship at His footstool, for He is holy” (5). And in case they deny that in Christ, as well, there are secrets of His incarnation to be worshipped, the way we are aware of, Let them read how the apostles, themselves, worshipped Him, when He resurrected in the glory of His body (Matthew 28: 17) 1 (St. Ambrose) Let us give Him thanks, and glorify Him, He who made the righteousness that is ours; who made it in us by Himself. … Who is He, but who justifies us, and makes the righteousness in us? … About Christ, it is said: “He justifies the ungodly” (Romans 4: 5) 2. (St. Augustine) The footstool of Jesus is the soul of the believer. Blessed is he, in whose heart Jesus treads with His feet! … How I wish to have His footstool attached to my heart forever!... Then I would “hold Him, and would not let Him go” (Song 3: 4). … Yet, the Groom who loves perpetual purity, would be offended, and instantly withdraw, if He sees any defilement in the soul3. We should take into consideration that the term ‘worship’, as far as man is concerned, may be also an act of greeting or showing respect between men; as when Sarah worshipped before her man Abraham; or when the prophet Elijah worshipped before the all-evil king Ahab4. (St. Jerome) Abraham worshipped with his knees to the ground, before the nonbeliever Hittites, who sold him the cave to bury his deceased wife Sarah; in an act of honoring and an expression of gratitude, and not of worshipping them like God. Jacob worshipped before his brother Esau; and blessed Pharaoh, a heathen and non-pious man; yet he did not bless him as a God. Hasn’t God commanded us to worship before the earth and the mountains, when He said on the tongue of His prophet: “Exalt the Lord our God, and worship (in the mountain of His holiness), at His footstool. 1 Of the Holy Spirit, 3: 76. 2 On Ps. 99 (98). 3 On Psalms, homily 26. 4 On Psalms, homily 26. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 147 For He is holy” (5); The earth is His footstool, for He says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is My footstool”. Who can say that Moses worshipped Jethro, his father-in-law, who was an idol-worshipper (Exodus 18: 7)? How could you blame me, if I honor those who honor and worship God? Tell me, what would be more appropriate; to honor the saints, or to cut them to pieces, and cast them to the mire? If you love God, you would love to honor His ministers, as well! And if the bones of the righteous were unclean, why then were the bones of Jacob and Joseph, carried with honor from Egypt? (Genesis 50: 5). (St. John Chrysostom) “Moses and Aaron were among His priests, and Samuel was among those who called upon His name. They called upon the Lord, and He answered them” (6) According to St. Augustine, the Word of God talked to His prophets and priests, yet through a pillar of cloud; namely, through the shadows of the law, the symbols, and the prophecies. But, as far as we are concerned, He descended to us through His incarnation, to let us perceive the secrets of His exalted love. It was not said about Moses, that he was a priest. If he was not, what was he? Was he greater than a priest? This psalm proclaims that he was a priest. Those men were mentioned, for God talked to them through a pillar of cloud; which means that He talked to them in a symbolic way. He who talked through a pillar of cloud, came in Person to talk to us, when He was incarnated, at His footstool, namely, on the ground, That is why, we worship Him at His footstool, for He is holy. He who used to talk through a pillar of cloud, and His words were sometimes beyond understanding, when he talked at His footstool, I came to understand the words He said through the cloud1. (St. Augustine) “Moses and Aaron were among His priests” (6). He who is nominated for priesthood, is committed to be like Moses … that, if the horrible death happens to be poured on his people, because of some disobedience, he would come forward to place himself between death and life, to keep his congregation from perdition. 1 On Ps. 99 (98). https://coptic-treasures.com/ 148 He who has the spirit and mind of priesthood, being a good shepherd, should proceed with a pious spirit, to die for the sake of the herd of God; And would then, like Moses, break the thorn of death, hold its power back, and take it away. Love should be the support that justifies him, jn case he offers himself to death for the sake of his opponents. (St. Ambrose) Many have wrongly assumed that the blessed Samuel has been a priest. He was not a priest, but a Levite, not like the first two were priests. Yet, before God, it is not a question of a title or of honor, but of work … Although Moses and Aaron carried different titles, yet they both practiced similar mighty works1. (St. Jerome) 3- HIS HOLINESS AND HIS LOVE: “He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud; They kept His testimony and the ordinance that He gave them” (7) If the pillar of cloud refers to the descent of the Word of God, and His incarnation, to let us encounter Him in His first coming in His humility, and in the second in His glory; He talks to us by the pillar of cloud. As the pillar gives strength to a building, and pours on it a kind of beauty, It is as though our Christ talks to us in a pillar of cloud, to grant us His strength, and to pour on us His splendor. “You answered them, O Lord our God; You were to them God who forgives, though You took vengeance on their deeds” (8) The Lord, whole in His love and mercy, responding to His prophets and priests, forgave their sins, and punished them on their deeds to gain forgiveness; His punishment therefore, in essence, is an act of love. God is not just the Forgiver of sins. He forgives when He forgets the sin; And when He punishes, He is forgiving a page of it?! Whether He forgets man’s sins, or punishes him for them, He forgives2! (St. Augustine) “Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at His holy hill; for the Lord our God is holy” (9) According to both Isaiah and Micah, the prophets, at the end of days, the holy Mount of God will be apparent; namely, we shall have 1 On Psalms, homily 26. 2 On Ps. 99 (98). https://coptic-treasures.com/ 149 knowledge of His exaltation, and the faith in His divinity; So will be the Mount of His cross. The Lord says: “For I am God, and not man, the holy One in your midst, And I will not come with terror” (Hosea 11: 9). The name “The holy One” is God’s alone; not just to show the vast difference between His purity, and that of His heavenly and earthly creation, but to proclaim Him as the Eternal Creator, and all are the product of His hands. That Holy One, amazing in His love, condescended and became Man for the sake of mankind; came to dwell among us, counts us as His children, and even refers Himself to us. He is the Holy One, who became to us, righteousness, redemption, and holiness. We exalt Him, who is merciful, even when He strikes; How could He be fittingly praised and exalted? Do you perceive this, even in your dealing with your children, and cannot perceive it with God? … Do you perceive that, whether you care for your child or strike him, you are his father. You care for him to hold him up; and strike him to save him from perdition1! (St. Augustine) The other kind of (relative) worship, is to give reverence to the created things, and the locations, used by the Lord to consummate our salvation; whether they are before or after His incarnation; like for instance: Mount Sinai; the manger in Bethlehem; the holy Mount of Calvary; the wood of the cross; the nails; the sponge; the hyssop; the spear; the robe; the holy Sepulcher, which is the fountain of our salvation; the stone; that was on the tomb, the holy Mount of Israel; the holy Mount of Olives; the pool at Bethesda; the Garden of Gethsemane; and all the similar locations. I revere and honor all those holy locations, and wherever the name of God is called; not for their own sake, but because they are vessels for the power of God, in, and through which, it was God’s pleasure to consummate the salvation. I revere and honor the angels, man, and even the matter that partook of the divine power; because through those things God worked my salvation. But I do not honor the Jews , on account of that they refused to partake of the divine power; did not wish for my salvation; crucified the Lord of glory; were stirred up, with envy and hate, against the Lord, who did them good,. 1 On Ps. 99 (98). https://coptic-treasures.com/ 150 David says: “Lord, I have loved the habitation of Your house, and the place where Your glory dwells” (Psalm 26: 8); And, “Let us go into His tabernacle; Let us worship at His footstool” (Psalm 132: 7); And, “The mountains skipped like rams; the little hills like lambs” (Psalm 114: 4) 1. (St. John of Damascus) AN INSPIRATION FROM PSALM 99 GLORY BE TO YOU, O MY KING AND MY HOLY GOD Glory be to You, O who came; To make my soul Your dwelling place; Zion, beloved to You; To posses and dwell in me. You, who sits on the cherubim; Grant me Your true knowledge; And fill my heart with Your divine love; That my depths be qualified for Your presence. Let the peoples stir-up; and let the earth move; For, even if the whole world stir-up against You, You are the Great in Zion; You are the Exalted and Holy One; What could the hosts of darkness do against You? Grant me the spirit of thanksgiving; To give you thanks, and faithfully confess to You; To enjoy uniting with You; To be sanctified by Your grace; Run in me the truth and the righteousness; For I am the work of Your hands; Grant me Your truth; To bear the spirit of discernment; That in me, truth and vanity will not mix; Nor goodness with evil; Grant me Your righteousness, to love Your goodness; And walk according to Your Holy Spirit; عن الصورة المقدّسة، الدفاع الثاني، 1 .34 https://coptic-treasures.com/ 151 The Spirit of truth and equity. You came down to us, emptying Yourself; You took over Yourself the form of a servant, and was crucified for our sake; Grant us to exalt Your name, and glorify You; For You are the Savior of the world, and the Judge of the universe; Come, O my Savior, and let me encounter You; Let me have a portion on Your right side; And do not let me be denied seeing the splendor of Your glory. You, O Lord, used to talk to Your pious men: Moses, Aaron, and Samuel; Talking to them through the cloud; They could not clearly perceive the secret of Your salvation; Then You came down to us, on our earth; Le us worship at Your footstool; And perceive clearly what came through the shadows and symbols.
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