MY GOD, MY SAVIOR FROM DEATH AND CORRUPTION This psalm represents a cry-out from someone moaning of sojourn; feeling that he is surrounded by cheat and deception on every side; whose soul became spiritually a captive, that he is in need of Him who could liberate and support him inside and outside. The psalmist feels that God alone can save him from the lies and their destructive power; can condemn the liars, particularly the devil, “the liar and the father of it” (John 8: 44); can save him from those who “’like their bow they have bent their tongues for lies. They are not valiant for the truth on earth. For they proceed from evil to evil. And they do not know Me’ says the Lord” (Jeremiah 9: 3(. The songs of Ascents begin from the lowest step, when the believer discovers that he is a sojourner on earth, suffers bitterness because of his liar enemy, who accuses him with his sharp tongue. Approaching Jerusalem, he feels unable to enter into the divine sanctuaries, because of his scoffing spiritual enemies, and feels his need for the help of God His Savior. It is amazing how the psalmist mixes his moans and lamentation with thanksgiving to God the Grantor of peace who brought him over to the Higher Jerusalem, His eternal city, where the exalted peace is, in the company of the heavenly creatures and the saints, instead of his adversary enemies. 1- A cry of a child to his Savior Father 1 2- The corruptive debate with the devil 2 - 4 3- The feeling of sojourn, and the longing for heaven 5 - 6 4- The bitterness of living among the wicked 7 1- A CRY OF A CHILD TO HIS SAVIOR FATHER: A Song of Ascents“In my distress I cried to the Lord, And He heard me” (1) https://coptic-treasures.com/ 23 This cry is analogous of that of the prophet Isaiah who says: “Woe is me! I am ruined, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips” (Isaiah 6: 5). Yet despite the bitterness of his soul and his anguish inside and outside, he was so filled with hope to add: “He heard me” (1); the way Jonah said: “Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and You heard my voice” (Jonah 2: 2-3). Like a little child trusting in his father’s compassion, and ability to save him, he said: “I called on the Lord in distress; The Lord answered me, and set me in a broad place” (Psalm 118: 5). +Distress, producing crying out to God, and supplication to Him with one’s whole might; would certainly brings forth His hearing and help. When the prophet Elisha saw the Shunammite woman approaching him in deep distress, he did not let his servant push her away, but allowed her to approach him and responded to her request (2 Kings 4: 17); to let us know that God would do the same to those who cry out to Him in their distress. You, as well, O Christian brother, in your distress, do not despair, but cry out to the Lord. (Father Onesimus of Jerusalem) Our inner man, in his distress has put his foot on the first step of the ladder. Compared to the fifteen steps, what would be my benefit of standing on the first step? Although forsaking the things of this world, I have not yet reached the top of the ladder; I therefore am committed not to feel secure. With every step I ascend, I should pray for further help from God1. (St. Jerome) How could they be liberated from captivity? By their desire to get back to Jerusalem. Those who were not faithful, stayed and died there as slaves, did not benefit of the grace of God. We would suffer the same fate, if we follow their lead; if we do not acquire the love of the heavenly home, the desire for the Higher Jerusalem, 1 Homily 4 on Ps. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 24 if we remain attached to the present life, and stay plunged in the mire of the worldly worries1. To know that the prayers uttered in the time of affliction are always heard by God, listen to the words of the prophet, saying: “In my distress I cried to the Lord, And He heard me” (1). We therefore are committed to have our souls grieve by remembering our sins; not to be destroyed by despair, but to let our prayers be heard, and to have the chance to acquire heaven itself. Nothing like praying in sorrow and anguish, to bring forth the gladness of heart2. (St. John Chrysostom) Once a Christian starts the ascent; namely, once he starts progressing in his spiritual reform, he will become the subject of ridicule by adversaries. … Once he starts despising the earthly and temporal things, disregarding the worldly happiness, thinking of God alone, neither rejoicing for profit, nor becoming confused by losses; … Once he sells everything he got, gives to the poor, and follows Christ; we will see how he would suffer from the tongues of the scoffers and the adversaries, and in particular of those who pretend to be counselors, who actually attempt to lead him away from salvation…. He who intends to ascend, should first of all pray to God to support him against such tongues; to be able to say: “In my distress I cried to the Lord, and he heard me” (1) 3. (St. Augustine) An abundance of affliction would make prayers heard: “In my distress I cried to the Lord, And He heard me” (1); and: “You shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him … It will be that when he cries to Me, I will hear, for I am gracious” (Exodus 21, 27) 4. (Father Isaac) 1 Pn Ps. 120. 2 On the Incomprehensible Nature of God, 5: 6. 3 On Ps. 120 (119). 4 Cassia, Conferences 9: 34. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 25 2- THE CORRUPTIVE DEBATE WITH THE DEVIL: “Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue” (2) Eve fell into sin through debating with the serpent with its deceitful tongue. According to St. Athanasius the apostolic, many souls as well, are destroyed by the deceitful tongues of the heretics. And according to St. Augustine, as the real adversary to the believer who starts to ascend the ladder of spiritual reform, is not a human, but the ancient poisonous serpent; he should resort to prayers against the devil. Can’t you see the value of tribulations? They lead to faithful prayer, and prepare for the sure gain of compassion once they are raised; the way it happened in the land of Egypt, when the Lord said: “I have observed the misery of My people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters; … And I have come down to deliver them” (Exodus 3: 7-8). … You as well, dear beloved, When you suffer a tribulation, do not despair, nor become slothful, but resort to prayers, which would then be more pure and well received by God. The reason the inspired author said: “In my distress I cried to the Lord, And He heard me” (1), is to let you learn how to ascend gradually, and to provide your prayers with wings, lest you may become confused and lose your hearts in your tribulation, instead of profiting from them. If Elisha, the human prophet, did not allow his servant to push the woman away from approaching him, saying: “Let her alone, for her soul is in deep distress” (2 Kings 4: 27); How much more would God not push you away when you approach Him with distressful souls? Therefore, do not delay, nor postpone; … Start your ascent with strength; one or two steps every day1. 1 On Ps. 120. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 26 “Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips and from a deceitful tongue” (2). Notice here, how the evangelic counsel shine: “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation” (Mark 14: 38). Before anything else, beloved brethren, Nothing like this temptation: A deceitful man is more dangerous than a fierce beast; the latter is the way it looks, whereas the former (the one with the lying lips and the deceitful tongue), mostly hides his evil nature behind an apparently sweet veil, which makes it difficult to discover his deceit, and his victim would fall into his snare unaware. Hence the psalmist seeks from God, day after day, to protect him against falling into such snares1. (St. John Chrysostom) What is the deceitful tongue? It is having the appearance of counsel, while having the poison of harm underneath2! (St. Augustine) This also applies to the heretics … The wounds caused by the tongue are more dangerous than those inflicted by the sword!. The sword kills the body; whereas the evil tongue kills the soul! “The tongue is a little member and boasts great things” (James 3: 5). Listen to the words of the wise Solomon: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18: 21). We do no harm to the one we slander by our tongue, as much as we kill our own souls: “A lying mouth destroys the soul” (Wisdom of Solomon 1: 11). (St. Jerome) +Judas, the father of all lies, approached and gave peace by which he shed the innocent blood! He gave an apparent kiss, that was actually a knife; an apparent peace, that was actually a drawn sword! Apparently he was like a meek dove, but inside, he was a poisonous serpent that stings and bites! Daringly, he gave Him the poison hidden in honey; By iniquity, he concealed the sword in a show of peace! 1 On Ps. 120. 2 On Ps. 120 (119). https://coptic-treasures.com/ 27 Judas introduced a hateful deed to the whole world; I wish no one follow his deadly example! Let us not kiss like that killer; Let us not conceal deceit in sweet words1! (St. (Mar) Jacob El-Serougi) “What shall be given to you, Or what shall be done to you, You deceitful tongue?” (3) The psalmist stands amazed; No language could imagine the punishment that the one with a deceitful tongue deserves; God alone has the right to give him the fitting punishment. Deceit carries its punishment in itself; as there is no punishment more bitter than the evil itself! What would be the fitting punishment for such an evil, about which Isaiah said to the Jews: “Why do you seek further beatings?” (Isaiah 1: 5). Which means that the deceitful tongue is a punishment in itself! … There is actually no more horrible punishment for the soul than evil itself! … While no man could find a punishment fitting for this crime which surpasses punishment; Yet it is God who will give it2. (St. John Chrysostom) “A warrior’s sharp arrows, with glowing coals of the broom tree” (4) Who is the one with a deceitful tongue but the devil who is called “a liar and the father of it” (John 8: 44), who, by his deceit, casts fiery arrows to destroy men; against which the apostle Paul warns and counsels us to use “the whole armor of God” (Ephesians 6: 13). If the devil fights us with his deceitful tongue as fiery arrows; God, on His side, provides us with His Word as arrows that would destroy the devil and all his hosts. . 1 میمر 53 2 On Ps. 120. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 28 The broom tree is a a kind of desert plant, abundant in south Palestine and the Sinai peninsula, scientifically known as Retama retem, of the Leguminosea family, whose stems and roots are used as a good kind of coal that produces a great thermal energy; hence the analogy to the deceitful tongue According to St. Augustine the warriors sharp arrows are the Words of God; and the glowing coals of the broom tree are analogous to many sinners who return to God; those who were wounded by the strong arrows of the Words of God that scattered the evil in them, and took it away; like a scalpel in a clever physician’s hand by which he cut off the corruption to restore heath to the sick. The Word of God turn the sinners into fiery coals glowing with divine love, that the water of sin could not quench. The preceding psalm 119 was dedicated to the Words of God, as divine arrows which wound our hearts; that, by the divine wounds we become healed of the wounds caused by the deceitful words of men, which are poisonous sharp arrows that kill the soul. While the divine wounds are healthy, and would lead us along the practical way of love; the other wounds, on the other hand, are deceitful and destructive. “A warrior’s sharp arrows with glowing coals of the broom tree” (4) My whole tongue is swollen; Unless it is pierced by Your arrows, poison filling it would never be released! To give you an example: In case a body member is infected and is filled with pus, there would be no way to heal it except by an incision with a scalpel. … Therefore, O Lord, wound my pus-laden swollen tongue by Your arrows to release its poison; then touch it by the glowing coals of Your words, to consume all the evil it contains! Because the lips of the prophet Isaiah were unclean, God sent a Cherub with a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the https://coptic-treasures.com/ 29 altar, and with it he touched Isaiah’s lips and tongue, and purged his mouth (Isaiah 6: 5) 1. (St. Jerome) Here as well, he calls the punishment “arrows” and “fire”; the same way the chastisements of the Lord are called in the holy books2. (St. John Chrysostom) You should understand, beloved brethren, that the warrior’s sharp arrows are the words of God … Now, what is meant by the glowing coals of the broom tree? … It is not enough to respond to the deceitful tongue and the lying lips by mere words of your own; But you should be yourselves good role models. … The word “glowing coals” is used to refer to many sinners who returned to the Lord. If you happen to see someone slow to follow God, pour on him the glowing coal, the sharp arrows of the Words of God, that are capable of dealing with the lying lips and the deceitful tongue3. God sends His coals (glowing with fire) to destroy what is built in us for evil; and once this location is purged, the building of the temple – the house -- will be set, where a kind of happiness of eternity will flow. Before the coal glow with fire. we can say that it is dead, and once it glows with fire, it is called ‘live’. This is a magnificent portrait of the change that happens when a man or woman returns to the Lord. Sometimes you hear people say: You should see him as he was before: drunk and leading a shameful life; he was actually the most deceitful man on earth. Then they would add: We cannot believe how he has become! He is now living in an atmosphere of utter innocence, as though what was before never happened! He is zealously ministering to the Lord. … Why would this be so amazing?! 1 Homily 41 on Ps. 2 On Ps. 120. 3 On Ps. 120 (119). https://coptic-treasures.com/ 30 The sinner has been dead, and now he is a glowing live coal! The spirituals who are aware of these facts used to cry for the sake of such a man as though dead; And now, seeing him alive, they are swallowed with joy. You should apply this example to yourselves. If you are wise, you should zealously look for what is quenched inside you. You should be well prepared and armor yourselves with the word of God. To return to God, you are committed to fight your old way, the deceitful voice within you1. (St. Augustine) 3- THE FEELING OF SOJOURN AND THE LONGING FOR HEAVEN: “Woe is me that I sojourn in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!” (5) Meshech is one of the descendents of Aram (Genesis 10: 23; 1 Chronicles 1: 17). There is much controversy concerning the location of Meshech. As it appears in the Assyrian inscriptions, and according to the historian Herodot, the land of Meshech was east of Turkey; while Some others believe that he dwelt on the mountain of Masius (Tor Abedin) in Syria. The psalmist moans for dwelling among the tents of Kedar. who is a descendant of Ishmael; the head of an Arab tribe that dwelt in tents. According to St. Augustine, those who intend to fly away and ascend to God to dwell in the Heavenly Jerusalem, where there are no lying lips nor deceitful tongues, … live for God in a state of sojourn from their heavenly city, … live the way Isaac did with Ishmael. The role of the wicked, on the other hand, is to discourage and resist the righteous, plucking the feathers from their wings, by their lying lips and deceiving tongues, to bring them downward instead of rising upward. “Woe is me that I sojourn”. … I departed from You, and my sojourn became too long. … I have not reached that city where no 1 Hom. On Ps. 5. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 31 wicked dwell; … I have not reached yet the company of angels, where I fear no offense ,,, There (n the heavenly Jerusalem), where all are righteous and saints, they enjoy the Word of God without reading any letter, because what is written for our sake, they will apprehend through the face of God. How great is that city!; And how miserable are those who have lost their way to it1! “Kedar”, as I may recall, is interpreted in Hebrew to mean (darkness) … You know that Abraham had two sons, mentioned by the apostle Paul (Galatians 4: 22; etc.) to refer to two kinds of eras … ‘Ishmael’ was in darkness, whereas ‘Isaac’ was in light. Those, in the church, who seek the earthly happiness, belongs to Ishmael; Namely, those who belonging to Isaac dwell among those who belong to Ishmael, The former seek to ascend, and the later seek to apply pressure on them to descend. The former intend to fly up to God; while the later do their best to pluck the feathers off their wings2. (St. Augustine) Our present life, as you can see, is a journey. And why should I call it a journey when it is actually much less than that? Referring to it, the Lord Christ said: “Narrow is the gate, and difficult is the way which leads to life” (Matthew 7: 14) … So did Paul, who said: “Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God” Why? For “they confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on earth” (Hebrew 16, 13). That is the origin and foundation of their virtue: He who is a pilgrim here will be a citizen there. … He who is a stranger here would not be happy to live among the present circumstances, nor be preoccupied with dwelling, wealth, food, or anything else of the sort. Instead, he would only care to return home to the land that embraces him. … He who yearns for the things to come would never feel sorrow for the present things, nor 1 On Ps. 120 (119). 2 On Ps. 120 (119). https://coptic-treasures.com/ 32 care for the temporal prosperity, but would despise both, as a traveler on his way1. “That I dwell among the tents of Kedar” (5). Kedar were a race known for dwelling in pitch black tents, and for being violent like fierce beasts against those enslaved by them2. (St. John Chrysostom) Those sojourning in such pitch black tents lived as though in darkness; as dark is the night; a darkness that blinds the eyes of man, that he could not recognize his ways, nor know the true significance of his being. In such a darkness everything seem to man upside down, his being seems temporary, and his soul of no true value; he does not see the truth clearly, as the darkness blinds his eyes3. (St. Gregory of Nyssa) That is the complaint of the lover of Christ who seeks nothing from the body that sojourns in the world and longs for heaven. The longer he stays in his earthly tent, he is sojourning from the Lord. “I sojourn”, because, in the present world, I have no permanent home; I am a sojourner (a pilgrim) (1 Peter 2: 11). “Kedar” in our language means (darkness) … The longer I stay dwelling in this dead body, the longer I stay in the darkness4. To our flock, belong the sorrowful, the pale, and those with simple attire; who are sojourners in this world. Although their tongues may be silent, yet they talk by the way they dress and walk5. 1 On Ps. 120. 2 On Ps. 120. .78- 3 دیر السریان: البتولیة، 1966 ، ص 77 4 Homily 41 on Ps. 5 Against Jovinianus, Book 2: 36. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 33 “Kedar”, means (darkness); and darkness represents the present world; as it is said that “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it” (John 1: 5) 1. (St. Jerome) In a following text, David saying: “My soul has (sojourned) too long” (6); he prays to the Lord to hasten his setting forth toward the goods. In the midst of the sufferings of this world, beside great comfort in the present things, there is hope for things to come, … Who would not raise his heart hoping for a blessed portion in the heavenly tabernacles stored for him there?! As in our weak condition, we generally feel some anxiety anticipating the things to come; So did the soul of the saintly psalmist because of such controversy flaring in his body2. (St. Ambrose) I long for one gift; and I strife for the sake of one unique glory – that of the heavenly kingdom … Whenever such divine beauty shines over a saint, it creates in him a motive for an unbearable desire; In disturbance, he cries out because of his present life: “Woe is me; my soul has (sojourned) too long; When shall I come and appear before God?” (120: 5; 42: 2) 3. (St. Basil the Great) Tears would flow when one meditates in the good things, and longs for the glory to come; Tears would flow out of joy that could not be contained, and of exultation without limits. Feeling thirsty for the mighty living God, our souls say: “When shall I come and appear before the Lord? My tears have been my food day and night” (Psalm 42: 2, 3); My soul proclaims: “Woe is me, my sojourn became too long” (5) 4. 1 Letter 39 to Paula, 3. 2 Prayer of David 4: 3: 10. 3 Reg. Feus 2: 1. . 4 مناظ ا رت یوحنا كاسیان مع مشاهیر آباء البریة، 29 :9 https://coptic-treasures.com/ 34 (Father Isaac) “My soul has dwelt too long among those who hate peace” (6) Whenever the believer realizes the truth of his situation as a sojourner on earth, his longing becomes intense to dwell among the heavenlies, and to set forth away from those who hate peace. In his letter to comfort Eustachium who lost her mother, St. Jerome talks about how she forsook the land of her sojourn to get attached to God in paradise, being one of His household. He wrote: [All those who return to God after living according to Him, are still counted as His own household. We have truly lost her, Yet she was gained by the heavenly places; As in body she sojourned from the Lord, and used to complain with tears: “Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar; My soul has (sojourned) so long” (5, 6)] 1. According to St. Augustine, the psalmist moans because of his inner condition of feeling lost. The body is lost in places; and the soul is lost in emotions. … If you love the earth, you are lost to God. Whereas if you love God you ascend to Him. … Let us then experience the love of God and our neighbor; For if we fall down to earth, we will dry up and be corrupt2. (St. Augustine) “My soul has dwelt too long”. Our life is actually not that long; being merely around seventy years; But he so called it, not because of the number of years, but because of his difficult situation; as even a short time may seem too long for those in tribulation. We, as well, are committed to adapt ourselves; Even if we live here a short time, we should consider it too long because of our desire and longing for the things to come. So saying, I am not prejudiced 1 Letter 108 toEustachium,m 1. 2 On Ps. 120 (119). https://coptic-treasures.com/ 35 against the present life, but I am trying to incite in you the love for the future1. (St. John Chrysostom) 4- THE BITTERNESS OF LIVING AMONG THE WICKED: “I am for peace; but when I speak they are for war” (7) The children of God feel sojourn in this world, together with a flaring desire toward peace; while the world presents to them hate. Here we find a prophecy about the Lord Christ, the King of peace. Peace represents the might and greatness of the Christians who have “the peace of Christ which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4: 7). “Blessed are the peacemakers”, not just those who restore peace amid wars, but those who establish peace within themselves … Blessed are those who present peace to the ones who hate it2. (St. Jerome) ‘Among those who hate peace, I was a man of peace’ Beloved brethren, You cannot prove how truly you praise, unless you start to apply what you praise … Start work, and watch over what you utter … When tears flow together with every word, the psalm would praise, and the heart would practice what is praised with the psalm … Who are they who hate peace? Those who tear up unity. For if they do not hate peace, they would have dwelt in unity… We are committed to say: Love peace to love Christ! Why? For the apostle say about Christ: “For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one” (Ephesians 2: 14) 3. (St. Augustine) 1 On Ps. 120. 2 Homily 41 on Ps. 3 On Ps. 120 (119). https://coptic-treasures.com/ 36 It is obvious that our life would become odd, lacking harmony with God, who is exalting Righteous, on account of that the strings of our harp have become in harmony with the wicked. We should preach the peaceful, not to fear the violent storms of disturbance that threaten to wipe away their earthly peace; and to break down the wall of silence by words of rebuke; Yet they should keep their inner love intact, before any probable disturbance of the outer peace because of their rebuke. … Here the prophet David proclaims to us that he wisely managed to keep both sides, saying: “I am for peace; but when I speak they are for war” (7). Notice how, when he spoke, and was confronted by his adversaries, he remained peaceful; He neither stopped his rebuke, nor his love for those he rebuked1. (St. Gregory the Great) He did not say: ‘with those who had no peace’, but said: “with those who hate peace, I am for peace” (6, 7). Do not you see the value of tribulations?! Do not you see the fruit of captivation?! … Anyway, Who among us in these days could say such a thing? … You should be commended if you are in peace together with those who love peace; But it would be different if you are living among those who hate peace. How could we manage to do that? … If we live as sojourners; if we do not get attached to things of the present life! … Nothing would create controversies and animosity like love of the present world, the desire to become a celebrity, and to have wealth and luxury. That is why the Holy Book commands us to live like lambs among wolves (Matthew 10: 16) … This or that could be wicked and corrupt; Yet you have the authority to overcome them. … Who could be meeker than a lamb? And who could be more fierce than a wolf? Yet, the former overcomes the later; as it was shown in the case of the 1 Pastoral Care Care, 3 22. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 37 apostles. Nothing is of more authority than compassion; nor stronger than longsuffering1! “When I speak to them they attack me for no reason” … In the proper time I give a testimony of love; And in proper time I utter words of compassion … Nevertheless, although neither this nor that had any impact on them, On my side, I kept presenting proofs of virtue2. (St. John Chrysostom) AN INSPIRATION FROM PSALM 120 WHO CAN SAVE ME FROM THE ARROWS OF THE ENEMY BUT YOU? My soul praises You, O who brings out of affliction, blessings of no limit. Amid my affliction, when I cried out to You; The door of hope opened before me; I saw Your arms stretched to embrace me; In the midst of suffering, I trusted in Your help; When the light of Your resurrection shone on me when I was among the dead. The devil is lying in wait for me; He is a liar and the father of lies; He casts his words in my mind like deadly arrows. Who can save me against his arrows but the arrows of Your fiery words? Their wounds are healers; 1 On Ps. 120. 2 On Ps. 120. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 38 Instead of the wounds of sin, my heart gets filled with the wounds of love; My soul would flare with the fire of Your Holy Spirit; It would turn into glowing coal of fire; That no enemy could quench. My depths desire to set forth to You. But the wicked oppose me; And the darkness intends to surround me; All are against me; But Your peace fills my heart; My depths love even my adversaries; Your peace is amazing; O King of Peace!; My God! You are my unique Savior! You save me from the devil and all his hosts! You grant me Yourself an eternal life instead of death; In You, I find my inner peace; By You, all corruption would be taken away from me; And my life is renewed day after day.
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