TRUSTING IN GOD In the midst of his affliction, the prophet David used to exhort and motivate his soul to trust in God as a Support, Help, and Rescuer. We do not know the circumstance in which David wrote this psalm; Yet, some believe that he wrote it when his son Absalom rebelled against him, and his counselor Ahitophel betrayed him together with others. 1- God, my Rock and my Salvation 1 - 2 2- The deception and violence of the opponents 3 - 4 3- Confirming his trust in God 5 - 7 4-Exhorting others to trust in God 8 - 10 5- God, Whole in might, mercy, and justice 11 – 12 The title: A calm resolve to wait for the salvation of God. To the Chief Musician. To Jeduthun. A psalm of David ‘Jeduthun’, like Asaph and Heman, were appointed by king David as chiefs of musical bands in the tabernacle of the meeting (1 Chronicles 25: 1-3). Those, together with their families did not perform their musical chores as a job; but as saints, filled with the Holy Spirit, they prophesied by the spirit of praise and joy, and gave thanks to God. They used to testify to their God with the language of praise, presenting a magnificent portrait of men of God exultant with the Spirit; and a living portrait for every soul to bear the spirit of joy for the salvation of God. The word ‘Jeduthun’ came in the title of psalm 39. According to St. Augustine, it means (over-leaping them). If some put their hope on temporal things, Jeduthun overleaps them, and passes on without binding to temporal things. 1- GOD, MY ROCK AND MY SALVATION: “Truly, my soul silently waits for God; from Him comes my salvation” (1) It is befitting of him who is called ‘Jeduthun’ to leap over those who put their hope in temporal things, to hide in God, his Rock and Salvation; with the spirit of humility, and not of pride. He would not be able to realize this except through waiting for the Lord, through trusting that from Him, comes his salvation; and not through trusting in his own abilities, wisdom, nor self-righteousness. Having heard that “Whoever exalts himself will be abased, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Mathew 23: 12); and for fear that, through leaping-over, he may be puffed up over those lower than him, David humbles himself for the sake of Him who is High up. And to those who envy him for leaping over them, and threaten him that he would fall, he would say: “Truly, my soul silently waits for God; From Him comes my salvation,. He, alone, is my Rock and my Salvation; He is my Defense; I shall not be greatly moved” (1-2). I know who is above me. I know that, with His mercy, He covers those who know Him I know in whom I hope; And that under the shadow of His wings, “I shall not be greatly moved”. (St. Augustine) It was not possible for the affliction, however great it may be, to let the soul lose her inner peace, nor to move the believer to despair; As, concentrating the inner insight https://coptic-treasures.com/ 17 on God, who, alone can save, will make the believer, calmly, in submission, piety, and perseverance, waits for the exalted work of God. According to St. Athanasius the apostolic, the prophet here, talks in the name of those contemporary of Antichus Epiphanus, who committed the Jews to break the divine law, instead of submitting to God, their Salvation. St. Basil the Great believes that the word “salvation” here, refers to the Lord Christ Himself, according to the saying of Simon the Elder, when he carried the infant Jesus on his hands: “My eyes have seen Your salvation” (Luke 2: 30). Because of that, beside other such secrets, the bride of the song desires to get inside the house containing the secret of wine. Then having done that, she started leapingover to reach what is greater; namely, to fall in love; As according to St. John the Evangelist: “God is Love” (1 John 4: 8). The submission of the soul to God is salvation, as said by David (Psalm 62: 1). “He brought me to the banqueting house, And his banner over me was love” (Songs 2: 4). Saying that He put His love over her; the bride submits to His love; both expressions have the same meaning1. (St. Gregory, bishop of Nyssa) “He alone is my Rock and my salvation; my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken (moved)” (2) As long as God is on our side, our souls will abide in peace; all the troubles in the world, the attacks of the devil, or the body lusts, will be able to shake them. It is befitting of us, if we intend to enjoy the inner peace, to join the prophet David in recognizing God, as being our unmovable Rock, our joyful salvation, our fortress of refuge against the enemy, and our glory. By saying “I shall not be greatly shaken”, the psalmist clarifies that, although no one in the world is never shaken; yet God would not allow for him to be “greatly shaken”, namely, beyond what he can endure. According to father Onesimus of Jerusalem, every man is shaken according to the measure of his sin; If he falls in little faults, he will sway like bushes in a mild breeze. But if his falls are more frequent and serious, he will be “greatly shaken”. The Son of God is our God, the Savior of mankind, who supports our weakness, and corrects the disturbance that dwell upon our hearts because of temptations2. (St. Basil the Great) 2- THE DECEPTION AND VIOLENCE OF THE OPPONENTS: “How long will you assault a man? Will you batter your victim, all of you, as you would a leaning wall or a tottering fence?” (3) In Hebrew, this verse came meaning an attack with violence and ferocity. As the wicked who are attached to temporal things, envy the souls lifted up by God, and abiding in His bosoms, they attack them violently; Yet, he who leaps-over high, does not fear them, nor collapse under their threats. He who stands on a high and secure place, where God is his fortress of refuge, would look down at those over whom he has leapt, and speak to them as though from a high tower. God is described as “A strong tower from the enemy” (Psalm 61: 3). He would 1 عظة 4 على نشید الأناشید ترجمة الدكتور جورج نوّار. 2 Homilies on Psalm 61 (62): 2. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 18 say to them: “How long will you assault a man?”. By your reviles, rebukes, persecution, and lying in wait, you are burdening him with what is beyond what he can endure. Yet inside this man there is He who created him. “You may batter your victim, all of you, as you would a leaning wall or a tottering fence” (3); You may press, strike, and cast him down, yet “he will not be greatly shaken” (2) For God Himself is His Rock and fortress. You, as humans can cast burdens upon him; But can you, by any means, cast them on God, the Protector of man? (St. Augustine) Who is that man whom all the wicked intend to destroy as they would a leaning wall, or a tottering fence? According to St. Augustine, He is the Lord Christ the Head of the church. Opposing the church, the wicked are persecuting the body of Christ, who counts their opposition as though directed against Him personally. That was what He proclaimed to Saul of Tarsus, saying: “Why are you persecuting me?”(Acts 9: 4). What Saul did against the church, the Lord Christ counts as though he did it against Him. As the wicked will not cease to persecute the Lord Christ in the persons of His believers; the apostle Paul says: “I fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church” (Colossians 1: 24). According to St. Augustine: [In this mutual (Republic) of ours, everyone of us is committed to share in paying back our mutual debt, according to his or her abilities and possibilities; Everyone should carry a portion (a quota) of the sufferings which we all partake of. The storehouse of suffering of mankind will not be completely exhausted, until the world comes to an end Here, it is the whole city talking: from the blood of the righteous Abel, to the blood of Zechariah (Matthew 22: 35); to the blood of John the Baptist, to the blood of the apostles, to the blood of the martyrs, and of all the believers in Christ. It is the whole city talking; as one man, saying: “How long will you assault a man; Will you batter your victim, all of you?” (3). Let us see whether you could wipe out the name (the name of Jesus Chris by which the one city – the church -- is called); Let us see if you could destroy Him, or take Him away from the earth; Let us see if you could realize what you vainly thought: “When will he die, and his name perish?” (Psalm 41: 5). You, yourselves, are like a leaning wall that would fall and collapse, and kill those beside it; namely, would be destroyed, and destroy others as well. According to St. Basil the Great, the human nature is like a wall shaken by the shock of sin, to lean and collapse. It would not be possible to Rebuild, except after destroying it altogether. That is why God allowed for death to destroy that shaken wall, to rebuild it by the general resurrection; in a secure and confirmed way. “Their only plan is to cast him down from his high position; They delight in lies; they bless with their mouth, but inwardly they curse” (4) What preoccupies the hearts of the wicked is not to succeed or progress in something, as much as to destroy the righteous and to wipe his name out. That was their intention, whether against king David, or against his Son according to the flesh -- Jesus Christ. Receiving the sonhood of the devil, and not of God, the wicked would find their delight and the gladness of their heart in lies and vanity; as their father, the devil, is a liar, and the father of liars. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 19 The wicked cast their nets mostly through sweet words that conceal the violence of their hearts. Here he refers to Absalom, David’s son,who won a multitude by his deceptive sweet words. I wish we attach ourselves to those who plant peace with piety, and not those who seek peace with hypocrisy1. (St. Clement the Roman) The honor of man is his proper worship of God, and keeping His statutes; and the honor of the righteous is virtue and good religion According to the apostle Paul: Glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good” (Romans 2: 10). The evil hosts; namely, the devil and those who follow him; being helpless before those who courageously oppose them; they think of diverse tricks. By the sweetness of the words of their mouths, they would deceive man, to let him fall down into their pit; they would strongly seek to cast him down from his high position, to take away his honor, to draw him over to blasphemy, and to works that are against the law of God; that whoever does, would lose his honor, and would turn into what is like irrational beasts. And as St. Basil the Great says: [The honor of the believer and the price for which he was purchased – the precious blood of Christ – the followers of the devil would strongly attempt to wipe out, to corrupt his freedom, and to bring him back to bondage]. (Father Onesimus of Jerusalem) The hearts of the wicked are tortured to see the honor of the Christians. The spiritual Joseph, after being sold by his brothers, taken away from his home to Egypt, namely, to the Gentiles; humiliated through casting in prison (Genesis 37: 36; 39: 20) based upon a false testimony; after “hurting his feet with fetters, and laying him in iron”(Psalm 105: 18); Now, he came to promise the hungry with grain; By his humility, purity, non-corruption, temptations, and suffering, he is highly honored. (St. Augustine) 3- CONFIRMING HIS TRUST IN GOD: “For God alone, my soul waits in silence; for my hope comes from Him” (5) The prophet David exhorts his soul to bow down with the spirit of submission and piety, before the good will of God; to wait in silence and hope for His mercies. According to St. Augustine, ‘Jeduthun’, namely he who leaps over those who love the temporal things, submits to God, who grants him endurance, and perseverance with hope in the true promises of God. What perseverance would possibly be in the temptations, and amid such serious slanders, unless “we hope for what we do not see, then we eagerly wait for it with perseverance” (Romans 8: 25)? My suffering comes, and there, as well, dwells my comfort. My tribulation comes, and there, as well, comes my purification. Gold does not glitter in the furnace in which it is purified? It glitters in the necklace and jewelry. Gold endures the heat of the furnace to get rid of the impurities, and for its splendor to come to light. 1 First Epistle, 15. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 20 Put me in the furnace of temptations, to rid me of my impurities! “ “For God alone, my soul waits in silence, for my hope comes from Him” (St. Augustine) “He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress, I shall not be shaken (moved)” (6) Here, he repeats what came in verse (2), omitting the word “greatly”. If, at the beginning of his crying to God, he proclaims his trust in Him, that, even if he is shaken, it would only be temporary, for God is his support. Now, in a general way, he says that “he will not be shaken”. He came to be filled with greater peace, and his mind is completely calmed down! Talking to God, and meditating in his dealings makes hope grow in us, and grants us greater abidance. Strength to endure tribulations and disturbances is from God, who does not forsake us, or let us endure beyond our ability; lest we would go from bondage to Him to bondage to someone else. (Father Onesimus of Jerusalem) “For He is my God, my salvation, and my (Lifter); I shall not be shaken” (LXXX 6). Being my God, He calls me; Being my salvation, He justifies me; and being my (Lifter), He glorifies me; Here, I am called, justified, and glorified; Being glorified, “I shall not be shaken”. Being a sojourner on earth, as were my fathers, I shall be moved from my dwelling place; whereas, from my heavenly home, I shall never be moved. (St. Augustine) “In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge is in God” (7) The psalmist no more looks up to God to save him from a specific temptation or from an anguish that dwelt upon him, as much as to enter into His bosoms, and to enjoy fellowship with Him. That would be his true glory and strength! In God, I shall be saved, and in Him I shall be glorified, I shall not only be saved, I shall also be glorified…. I shall be saved, because I shall change from an evil man to a righteous one; “By Him I shall be justified” (Romans 4: 2). I shall be glorified; as I am not only justified, but honored as well. “Whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified” (Romans 8: 30). Justification belongs to salvation; and glorification to honor. (St. Augustine) 4- EXHORTING OTHERS TO TRUST IN GOD: “Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us” (8) It is befitting of us to trust in God, and to deliver all our affairs to Him; not only in times of tribulation, and not only in things that seem serious to us; but even in things that do not seem as serious; “at all times”. We should pour our heart before Him wherever we are, and under all circumstances; whether they are times of affliction and sorrow, or times of joy and comfort. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 21 Instead of spreading our garments, let us pour our heart before Him1. (Father Methodeus) This saying is a prophecy about calling all the Gentiles. By saying “Pour out your heart”, he means: Take out from your souls the evil and harmful thoughts; separate them, cleanse and purify your hearts. According to St. Basil the Great: We cannot enjoy the pure spirit, as long as the defilements are still in our heart. He exhorts us to love God with no hypocrisy, from the whole heart and intentions; Our faith should be free of any doubt that God is the only Helper. Pouring the heart also means, Do your best, and concentrate on entreating and beseeching God. Pouring implies multitude and profusion; according to the saying of the apostle: “The love of God is poured out in our hearts” (Father Onesimus of Jerusalem) According to St. Augustine, the word “trust” means (hope), which, in Greek, implies the (surety); and not the (probability) of the fulfillment of the promise; It implies trusting in the sure fulfillment of the divine promise. Follow the lead of ‘Jeduthun’; Leap-over your enemies, they fight you because they hate you, and intend to shut the way before you; Leap-over them. “Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him” (8) Do that by entreating Him, confessing to Him, and trusting Him. Pour out your heart before Him; as what you pour is not destroyed. “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you” (Psalm 55: 22) Could they be equal to God in any way? Are they stronger than Him? “God is our Helper”. So do not worry! For “If God is for us, who can be against us?”(Romans 8: 31). “Pour out your heart before Him” (8), by leaping-over to Him, and lifting up your head toward Him. (St. Augustine) “Surely men of low estate are but a breath, those of high estate are but a delusion; If they are weighed in balances they go up, they are altogether lighter than a breath” (9) The psalmist believes that God is his Salvation, Glory, the Rock of his strength, and his Refuge; He no more anticipates from God to rescue him from a specific temptation, or from an affliction that dwelt upon him; but he desires to enter into His bosoms, and to enjoy the fellowship with Him; That is his glory and his strength. As man by nature, tends to lean upon human arm, upon the temporal authority, and the material possibilities; the psalmist compares between God and man, where there is no point of comparison. Man is nothing more than a breath, All what he acquires are vain, however long he lives, and however great are his possibilities, capabilities, and authority. He is nothing more than a shadow walking on earth, and just for a certain time. He is vain if compared to God, the Mighty and the Truth!. Whatever the behavior of man is, he will not be justified by himself before God. That is why, without the divine grace, in the balances, he goes up, he is altogether lighter than breath. 1 Orations on Psalms 1. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 22 According to St. Augustine, the slanders and evil of the wicked are so numerous and diverse, that the wicked are divided among themselves, destroy one another, to become vanity. Everything in men are vain, whether wealth, intelligence, possessions, or glory; the balances of their hearts are prejudiced and not upright; they lean toward doing injustice to men. According to the reverend St. Athanasius, the Jewish leaders, by their balances and measures, plotted treason against the Lord Christ to destroy Him; but their plans came to no avail. (Father Onesimus of Jerusalem) The offerings of fasting which we hasten to present before God, although we count them as bringing pleasure to God, are doing us no benefit; He, “who loves righteousness and justice” (Psalm 33: 5), hates robbery in the burnt offering Those who rob the greater portion of their offering (by fasting to seek honor from men), and leave only the lesser portion for God; will be condemned by the divine Word, as deceptive laborers, and to them He says: “Cursed is he who does the work of the Lord deceitfully” (Jeremiah 48: 10). Therefore, it is not without reason, that God, rebuking those who deceive themselves by false considerations, says: “Vain are men, just a delusion; if weighed in balances, they go up” (9). The blessed apostle counsels us “not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought to think, but to think soberly” (Romans 12: 3). And the divine Giver of the law, says: “You shall do no injustice in judgment, in measurement of length, weight, or volume” (Leviticus 19: 35). It is therefore, not befitting of us to have oppressive, or double balances in our hearts, or in the storehouses of our consciences; Namely, not to burden those to whom we preach the Word of God, by deceptive and extreme statutes, more than we ourselves could endure For, if we weigh for our brethren in a way different from that we do for ourselves, we shall be rebuked by the Lord; according to the words of Solomon: “Diverse weighs and diverse measures, they are both alike, an abomination to the Lord” (Proverbs 20: 10) 1. (Father Theonas) “Do not trust in oppression, nor vainly hope in vain robbery; If riches increase, do not set your hearts on them” (10) Because of the love of money, and the desire to increase his riches, man sometimes resort to cheating and oppression, and even to robbery. If man thinks that oppression is an easy and a swift way to realize material benefits, won’t he by this corrupt his heart?! My trust is in God. Yes, I would not approach evil; for the Scripture says: “Do not trust in oppression” (10). In order to leap-over upward, I should trust in God…. Is there oppression with God?! Oppression could endure for some time, Yet it would never endure forever. To become rich, will you rob? What will you get? And what will you lose? What a lost cause it would be: to get wealth, and to lose righteousness!! 1 Cassian, Conferences 21: 22. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 23 “Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust, and does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies” (Psalm 40: 4). Yes, you intend to swindle; but what will be your benefit by that? “Do not set your heart on cheating and oppression!” (St. Augustine) You should not only keep away from oppression, but, even it so happen that wealth rushes toward you like a torrent flood, do not set your heart on it; for wealth is no more than a fluid that would not abide. (Father Onesimus of Jerusalem) When I see you worried, I feel sorry for you!; For you worry for nothing! You save your treasures, assume the success of your enterprises; utterly forgetting the losses, the evil thoughts, and the great risks that would result from fighting fiercely to get all kinds of profit; Gold may come, but it will eventually go away; You will be clothed on the outside, yet you will be naked on the inside! To pass calmly over all these things, that are against you, “You should not set your heart on them” (10) 1 (St. Augustine) The soul reigns over the body, and gives it life; Without the soul, the body would have neither life nor feeling. “He who is spiritual judges all things; yet he himself is rightly judged by no one” (1 Corinthians 2: 15). And even on such an exalted man, David says: “What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that you visit him?” (Psalm 8: 5; 144: 3-4); Man is just vanity!. As an image of God, man is not vain; yet in case he loses that image, by falling into sin, and stumbling into material things, such a man is certainly vain2. (St. Ambrose) 5- GOD, THE WHOLE MIGHTY, MERCIFUL, AND JUST: “God has spoken once, twice I have heard this: that power belongs to God” (11) Profusely commenting on this verse, St. Augustine demonstrates the following points: a- “God has spoken once”. What God said to Adam, said it as well to Cain, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and to all the apostles. God is unchangeable, so are what He utters; It is us who change. St. Augustine intends to confirm that, As God is impartial, If we humbly submit to Him, we would enjoy His blessings; and if we arrogantly disobey Him, we would fall under judgment. While God the Philanthropic does not change, yet we sometimes submit ourselves to His mercies; and other times, we fall under the corruption of sin. b- God the Father who has spoken to those saints, spoke to His only-begotten Son, saying: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3: 17). This is the Son through whom all things were made, and without Him nothing was made (John 1: 3). He is the Son, the Savior of the world, who wishes to see all enjoy the pleasure and mercy of the Father in Him. C- Saying: “I have heard”, the psalmist confirms that what he says is not on his own, but heard it from the only-begotten Son of God “in whom are hidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2: 3). 1 Sermon on N.T. Lessons, 10: 3. . 2 إسحق أو النفس، 4 :2 https://coptic-treasures.com/ 24 d- The two things he heard were: “Power belongs to God” (11), and: “To Him belongs mercy” (12). These two great things: the power and the mercy of God, constitute the foundation of all the Holy Scripture. For their sake, and because of them, came the fathers, the prophets, the law, our Lord Jesus Christ, the apostles, and all those who preached the Word of God in the church Let us then fear the power of God; and let us love His mercy. Do not lean upon the mercy of God, and disregard His power. And Do not fear His power, and despair from His mercy; For to Him belong both the power and the mercy. (St. Augustine) What are the two things that belong to God? The first thing is His whole Might; He is God of the impossible; We cannot replace Him with another; For He is the true Support, the One capable of salvation. According to father Onesimus of Jerusalem, the proclamation saying: “What man sows, he will reap”, implies two things: punishing the wicked, and rewarding the righteous. “Also to You, O Lord, belongs mercy, For You render to each one according to his work” (12) This is the second thing that belongs to God. Together with His whole Might, His mercy is exalted and without limits; And through this mercy, He also realizes His exalted justice. These two things conform to one another, and are manifested on the cross: By carrying our sins on the cross, He realizes the divine justice; and by His mercy and love, He presents us, bearing His righteousness, before God the Father. “He puts down one, and exalts another” (Psalm 75: 7). He puts the one by His power; and exalts the other through His mercy. “God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction” (Romans 9: 22). Here, you hear about the “power”; Concerning the “mercy”, the apostle goes on to say: “And that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy…” (Romans 9: 23). Judgment of the oppressors belongs to his power. The devil is a kind of power; he often intends to do us harm, but is not able to; because his power is under a more exalted Power…. If Satan has the power to do what he wishes to do, there would not be a single righteous man, nor a single believer on earth. The same thing applies to the vessels which he strikes, to become like “a leaning wall”, whom he strikes as much he is allowed by God; but in order not to fall, these “leaning walls” are supported by God. He who gives (the tempter) the power, is Himself who grants (the tempted) mercy; He allows Satan to tempt, yet within certain limits. “I have given them tears to drink in measure” (Psalm 80: 5). Do not, therefore, fear the tempter, who is given the power within limits; as you have, on your side, the Savior, the One whole in mercy; who allows for temptation in measure of your benefit, for you to be tested and justified The apostle says: “God is faithful who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able” (1 Corinthians 10: 13). Do not fear the enemy, for what he does is within the power he is given; but fear instead, the One who has the greatest power. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 25 How great are the good things that the divine Righteous brings, out of the evil practiced by the oppressors! This is the great secret of God! Even the good things that you may do, is given to you by Him; And He uses the evil of the wicked for your own good. Therefore, do not marvel if God allows for temptations to come over you, yet in certain measure, in certain weight, and in certain number; In Him there is no oppression; Be sure to do what is befitting, and trust in Him; Let Him be your support, and your salvation. I wish you find in Him a Stronghold, a Tower of power, and a Refuge. (St. Augustine) A man of God once went to visit father ‘Bellidius’ about whom he has heard much. He addressed his soul beforehand, saying: [I shall introduce myself to the saintly father; and you are to notice carefully what he will say]. He said to the elder: [Pray for me father, for I have done a multitude of sins]; to which the elder responded by saying: [Jesus Christ, alone, is the One without sin]. The visitor said: [Shall we, O father, be punished on every sin we commit?] The elder answered: [It is written: “You, O Lord, render to each one according to his work” (Psalm 62: 12). Have you annoyed your neighbor? Have you robbed the goods of the humble? Have you stricken the poor? Have you reviled, slandered, or lied? Did you intend to marry someone else’s wife? Have you falsely testified? Have you cast away the law of the fathers? …. Have you oppressed the fatherless and the widow? Have you preferred the present pleasures to the promised ones? Then you will anticipate to have like things! For man will reap what he sowed. Likewise, you will anticipate to have the good things you may have done, and even more. If you put in mind these things all the days of your life, you will be able to keep away of committing many sins]. When the visitor asked him: [What should I do, father?]. The elder said: [Think about the everlasting eternity, where there is no night nor sleep. Put before your eyes death, after which there is no more food nor drink, no illness, pain, medicine, courts of justice, trade, or riches; and where there is no cause for envy, nor for wars. It will be the land of the living; Not of those who died in sin, but of those who lived a holy life in Christ Jesus]. Hearing all that, the visitor was so impressed that he went home thanking God. (The paradise of fathers) https://coptic-treasures.com/ 26 AN INSPIRATION FROM PSALM 62 YOU ARE MY ROCK, SALVATION, AND REFUGE My soul praises You, O Mighty Creator; By Your love You created this beautiful world; For me to dwell in for sometime; By Your Holy Spirit, Grant me to leap-over high; Grant me to desire nothing of the pleasures of this life; Nor to debase myself by entering into struggle with those who are enslaved by this world; Grant me to leap-over, as though up to heaven; To abide in Your divine bosoms; For You are my Rock, Salvation, Refuge, and Glory. Who can dare to crawl into my soul, while being in Your bosoms? What fiery arrows of the devil can reach me? The hosts of darkness intend to destroy me; To make me like a leaning wall, or a tottering fence! The wicked plot oppression against me; They utter smooth things; While their hearts are like those of the deadly wolves; By their mouths, they may utter blessing; While their hearts utter curses; But I trust in You; And in You I hope. Let the enemy bring oppression on me; As this is nothing but his nature; But Your mercy will support me; You will not allow the enemy to attack me beyond my ability to endure; If he thinks that he has the power; Your power is far greater. I will not fear the enemy, as long as I am in your bosoms. You grant me conquest over him by the riches of Your grace; You adorn me with the crowns of glory, that You prepare for Your believers; You turn the temptations of the enemy to my glory by, and in You; To You be the power, O Lord of Mercy!
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