GOD THE LEADER OF OUR SALVATION Reaching the house of the Lord, the believer as a member in the holy congregation, looks back on the road, and marvels how he has safely managed to cross over it. This psalm, the fifth of the psalms of Ascents, as a thanksgiving to the Savior, is presented by the congregation as whole, or by every true member in the name of the whole congregation; as they have all reached the house of the Lord by a miraculous divine work. They have got an amazing salvation from overwhelming dangers which almost destroyed them, if the Lord was not on their side. The psalmist portrays the lack of balance between our human possibilities and those of the enemy, who, not only intends to enslave us, but to swallow us alive. … Again he likens the believers in their battle against the devil and the hosts of darkness, to those overwhelmed by water, that has gone over their souls; with no hope for salvation. … And likens them to a bird fallen in the snare of the fowlers, with no power to be saved. … Yet by the entrance of the factor of God’s presence with us, and on our side, all measures will utterly change. … The psalmist confirms that the leader of salvation is God Himself, the Grantor of conquest. In portraying the enemy, the psalmist chose four kinds of devastating calamities, always feared by men; which are: a- Earthquakes b- Floods c- Vicious wild animals d- Snares 1- God saves from the earthquakes1 - 3 2- God saves from the overwhelming current4 - 5 3- God saves from the fangs of the vicious wild beasts 6 4- God saves from the snares of the fowlers7 5- God, the Creator, is the Savior8 1- GOD SAVES FROM THE EARTHQUAKES: https://coptic-treasures.com/ 75 Here, the psalmist likens the enemies, in their multitude and mighty possibilities, to the earthquake which is difficult to confront, as it buries many alve underneath the earth. No power can control or confront an earthquake, but the mighty Creator Himself. It is the same in our confrontation of the devil and his temptations; we have to resort to the Lord, so that our souls would not be buried in the love of the world, and become like those buried alive underneath the earth because of an earthquake. A Song of Ascents. Of David “’If it had not been the Lord who was on our side’, let Israel now say” (1) The goal of the book of Genesis is to confirm that the salvation from the bondage of Pharaoh, has not been by the power of Moses or Aaron, nor by their wisdom or planning, but God, Himself, was the real Leader of the procession of their conquest, and their liberation from the servitude. This is the experience of salvation in all eras, as a symbol of the true salvation from the servitude of the devil, by Christ Jesus, the Incarnate Word of God. According to St. John Chrysostom, the psalmist here, is like a conductor of music training his students on how to sing and praise together, God who surrounds them like a Wall, and preserves them like a tower, so that the enemy would not swallow them. “If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose against us” (2) Here, the psalmist speaks in the plural tense, because, although the devil uses all the ways of deception to catch every believer, yet his war is actually against all: children, elders, men, women, young men and girls, priests, ministers, congregation, the spiritually weak and the strong. He would never rest until he brings all together with him to the eternal perdition. The devil keeps stirring men against one another; and in particular against the believers. He uses men as tools of iniquity to oppose God’s work of salvation in the life of believers. Sometimes they sing as though they are one man, and other times as a multitude; because the multitude are one, as Christ is One; They are several members of the One Christ; … The Head of all members is in heaven, and although the body is on earth, yet it is not cut off its Head. … The Head looks from high above, caring https://coptic-treasures.com/ 76 for the body … So, whether those who sing are one or many, yet those many are one man; This is the unity. Christ, as we say, is One, and all Christians are His members. ”’If it had not been the Lord who was (in us) or on our side’, let Israel now say” (1)… When? “When men arose against us”. Do not marvel! … They submit because they are human; Yet it was God who was (in them) or on their side, and not men, who arose against them. … Men destroy men, unless there is in them, He who could never be destroyed – God, and not men. … What can men do to you, when you are singing and rejoicing; and in security, you are holding fast to the eternal blessing1?! (St. Augustine) Returning to Jerusalem from captivity, the Hebrews were weak and frail because of the severe bondage they have gone through all along seventy years of captivity; and on account of their small number, as they have not all returned together, but in separate groups, and without weapons. Their city having been in ruins and without walls, they were an easy target for every one who intended to devour them. The nations around them gathered together to attack them, and to wipe them altogether out of existence. But when they put them under siege, they did not seek help from the Egyptians, nor from the false idols as they used to do before captivity, but sought it from God, who supported them and strengthened them against their enemies, became a Wall around them, and relieved them of the authority of their adversaries. (Father Onesimus of Jerusalem) The believers uttered the words of their father Jacob, who said to Laban his father-in-law, when he was about to begin his journey back home: “If the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had not been on my side, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed” (Genesis 31: 42). What keeps the devil from harming us, but the presence of God on our side? … Listen to what the Lord Christ says to Peter: “Simon, Simon! Indeed Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail” (Luke 22: 31). 1 On Ps. 124 (123). https://coptic-treasures.com/ 77 The devil, the fierce beast is, before anything else, evil and greedy; if he is not continuously reined, he will come back to devour everything. If, in the case of the righteous ‘Job’, having got a little permission, he destroyed his household, corrupted his body, killed his children, filled his flesh with worms, and stirred up his wife, friends and servants against him; how could he not destroy everything, unless there is a super power to reign him?! Hence the words of the psalmist: “If it had not been the Lord who was on our side …”1. (St. John Chrysostom) “Then they would have swallowed us alive, when their wrath was kindled against us” (3) The enemy, in his wrath, wishes to swallow me alive; as though he is an earthquake which no one can oppose. Yet he is miserably helpless, and has no authority over me. If he intends to swallow me alive, I have been already crucified together with my Savior, died, and by Him, am risen again; The enemy, therefore cannot swallow me anymore. Those in whom the Lord is, are slain but do not die … Those who suffer, yet do not submit to temptations, rejoice and say: “If it had not been the Lord (in us), …etc.” 2. (St. Augustine) Do not you see how he demonstrates the ferocity of the attackers? They are actually more fierce than the wild beasts, if not more so in their dealings. The wild beast, once he attacks, his rage comes to an end, and, in most cases, it does attack again. Humans, on the other hand, in case they initially fail, would, in most cases resume their offense, to satisfy their evil instinct to shed and taste blood. That is the nature of human wrath, it often surpasses the limit of reason, keeps stirred-up again and again3. (St. John Chrysostom) 2- GOD SAVES FROM THE OVERWHELMING CURRENT: 1 On Ps. 124. 2 On Ps. 124 (123). 3 On Ps. 124. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 78 “Then the waters would have overwhelmed us; the streams would have gone over our soul” (4) The devil is stirred up against us like an earthquake, wishing to bury those alive by Christ in earth like dead; And if he fails, he would be like an overwhelming current. Pharaoh and his army chased the people of God who were fleeing from servitude, intending to push them into the waters of the red Sea. The believer marvels how all those people could be saved from such raging waters that could not be opposed, that would bury men alive?! They would have no salvation except by striking the sea by the rod of God in Moses’ hand. The people were saved, while Pharaoh and his men sank like lead in the mighty waters (Exodus 15: 10). What are these floods of raging water in which the devil intends to drown us, but the evil nations that do not accept the name of the Savior, and do not endure His cross; who, according to St. Augustine, are stirred up against the children of God, and descend on them like raging waters, then retreat. … They could be, as well, the sins and temptations poured by the devil for our perdition; Or they probably also refer to the strong and mighty armies that come against us (Isaiah 8: 7, etc.)…. Those have been actually stirred up against Jesus Christ who have been confronted by a flood of sufferings, which could not swallow Him up; But, by His death He rather swallowed death; and the power and glory of His resurrection was proclaimed. Now, as our Lord risen from the dead dwells in us, we do not fear the raging flood; For through it we go forth to the fellowship of the heavenly glory. He likens the wrath of the enemy to the exceptionally overwhelming current of water that sweeps everything in its way … Do not you see the support of God, who would not allow for his children to drown?! He may allow for the increase of problems and troubles, but not to let His children drown in them, but to make them more upright, and to provide them with more confirmation of His power1. (St. John Chrysostom) The psalmist sees as though the enemy, intending to get rid of the Lord Christ, brought over him death like an overwhelming current 1 On Ps. 124. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 79 of water; But it turned into a calm brook from which to drinks by the wayside. That is why “He lifted up His head’, and granted His body -- the church -to be lifted together with Him. In other words, having received death by His own free will, the Lord Christ is risen, and let us, as well, rise together with Him. Hence the psalmist says: “He shall drink of the brook by the wayside; therefore He shall lift up His head” (Psalm 110: 7). “When their wrath was kindled against us” (3). They are now highly stirred up against us. “Then the waters would have overwhelmed us” (4). Our Head drank from it first; He, about whom is said in the psalms: “He shall drink of the brook by the wayside; therefore He shall lift up His head” (Psalm 110: 7). If our Head is actually risen, Why then would the body fear the flood? 1 … (St. Augustine) “Then the swollen waters would have gone over our soul” (5) According to St. Augustine, the swollen waters are the waters of sin which are truly without being; as what man desires of the temporal things would not hold for long. What does: “Then the swollen waters would have gone over our soul” mean? They endure a great death; they are in great danger; they are under such a great pressure, to receive it while alive2. (St. Augustine) Love should work in us in such a way that would keep us from forsaking Christ under any danger that may dwell on us. It is written: “Many waters cannot quench love, nor can the flood drown it” (Songs 8: 7); because “the soul of the lover can pass over through the raging flood” (Psalm 124: 4,5). Neither a violent storm, nor a serious danger, or the fear of death, or of punishment, can appease the power of love3. Lovingly, the bride says: “I went down to the garden of nuts to see the verdure of the valley” (Songs 6: 11). Now, Where is the 1 On Ps. 124 (123). 2 On Ps. 124 (123). 3 Jacob. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 80 church, but where the bishop’s rod that sprouted and put forth buds (Numbers 17: 8), is found, and where his spiritual talents are? There it is found to be tested by bitterness and temptation; (as nuts implies bitterness); and the flood means temptations, that could be endured; according to what is written: “The swollen waters have gone over our souls” (5). Hence she went down to the site of bitterness, where the vine blossoms, and many fruits like pomegranates bloom (Songs 6: 11). In bitterness the soul recognizes herself; the corrupt body may weigh it down; but she has to know herself1. (St. Ambrose) This analogy to the overwhelming current was used because man’s life is like a raging river that rushes down to the plains to find its natural course. Nothing of the things that we see in life give satisfaction to the soul; for all that float on the water of the river, and seem like coming close to you, once you touch it, it would disappear; because the following wave would take it away from you; that the present moment in this raging river, is a waste of an expected pleasure. Let us care therefore, to keep away from this river, lest, in caring for the temporary things, we may forget about the eternal things2. (St. Gregory of Nyssa) 3- GOD SAVES FROM THE FANGS OF THE VICIOUS WILD ANIMALS: The devil walks about like a fierce lion, attacking, tearing, smashing, and swallowing; Yet he will soon discover his helplessness, because the Lion of the tribe of Judah will never allow for His body to be a victim of the enemy. “Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as prey to their teeth” (6) The enemy, in his wrath, attempts to shake our hearts to let us lose our inner peace, and to be buried in dust. And as he finds out that we do not fear his wrath, he brings over us temptations and evil . 1إسحق أو النفس، 64 :8 .82- 2 دیر السریان: البتولیة، 1966 ، ص 81 https://coptic-treasures.com/ 81 thoughts like an overwhelming current to drown us; and when, again, he fails he comes forth “like a roaring lion , seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5: 8). Who can save us from him, but the Lion coming from the tribe of Judah! And as St. Augustine says: [Do not assume, O brethren, that those have overcome their enemies because they are strong men, but because the Lord was on their side]. “Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as prey to their teeth” (6). The hunters chase us, and provide their traps with bait. What bait? The sweetness of this life, for which every man puts his head into evil, and falls into the trap. Yet not those in whom the Lord is, who say: “If it had not been the Lord who was (in us)…”, as these would never fall into the trap1. (St. Augustine) 4- GOD SAVES FROM THE SNARE OF THE FOWLERS: “Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers; The snare is broken, and we have escaped” (7) The psalmist stood in awe before the amazing work of God. In the midst pf the battle between God and the devil, he saw himself like a bird, helpless to escape from the snare of the fowler, namely, from the devil and his angels; But the Mighty God helped him, broke the snare, and set him free. The fathers often confirm the following facts: (1) The great weakness of man before the power and the deception of the devil; In his own possibilities, he is like a helpless bird. (2) By grace, man came to be in the position of strength and not of weakness; So it is not befitting of him to fear and worry, but to trust in the possibility of victory by Christ Jesus “who went out conquering and to conquer”(Revelation 6: 2). (3) The devil collapsed and lost his might and authority, to become like a toy, unable to oppose the true believers. (4) The riches of God’s grace is not given, nor work by force, but through man’s readiness to receive it, with the spirit of seriousness, and with no slothfulness. 1 On Ps. 124 (123). https://coptic-treasures.com/ 82 (5) Continuously giving thanksgiving to God for the conquests He gives to the believer; that his eyes would look at spiritual memorials which support him in his hope in the Lord. By that he would not become a denier of God’s grace; And by thanksgiving he will come to enjoy a greater abundance of continuous conquests. (6) He should give thanks to the Holy Trinity: to the Father who delivered His only-begotten Son; to the Son, the Savior; and to the Holy Spirit, the Grantor of life, sanctification, and renewal. The psalmist sang, saying: “Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped; Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth” (7). If the enemy sometimes appear as a roaring lion to terrify the believers; In other times he sets hidden snares to catch them; counting them like a bird that falls into a snare, with no possibility to escape. But strangely enough, the snare is broken, and the bird escapes unharmed; which could never be realized except by the divine salvation. “Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of fowlers” (7). As the Lord dwells in the soul, it escaped as a bird from the snare of fowlers. Why does he liken the soul to a bird? Because, like a bird it fell unaware … Let the Lord be inside you; He will save you from greater threats … The snare will be broken; Be sure of that! As the pleasures of this life, will not hold for long when its ultimate end is realized, Let us then, not get confused by them, so as to rejoice when the snare is broken, to say: “The snare is broken and we have escaped”. And lest you may assume that you can do that on your own, Look at Him who works on your escape, and say: “Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth” 1. (St. Augustine) If you wish to oppose, do not dare to enter into an open battle against the enemy. On another aspect, the enemy overcomes him who is asleep, not on account of his strength, but because of his 1 On Ps. 124 (123). https://coptic-treasures.com/ 83 slothfulness. … Who would not overcome someone sleeping, even if the attacker is the weakest of the weak?! The mighty enemy is in chains, his sword is broken, his strength collapsed, and his dwelling place is destroyed! What more would you ask for? Why are you still afraid of him? Why are you terrified? Why do you worry? Do you wish to know the kind of help that you have? Your enemy has not only become weak, but your help has become great1 The rebellion of the body is destroyed; The weight of sin is no more; You have gained the power of the Spirit, the power of the Holy Anointment! “For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh; On account of sin; He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8: 3,4). He made the body obedient, provided you with the weapons: “the breastplate of righteousness, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit, and girded your waist with truth” (see Ephesians 6: 13- 17); And the deposit given to you (2 Corinthians 1: 22) is that He feeds you with His own body, grants you His precious blood to drink, and puts a cross in your hand like a spear, a spear that would never bend1. (St. John Chrysostom) What is this snare which is broken? According to the apostle Paul: “The God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly” (Romans 16: 20); “That you may come to your senses, and escape the snare of the devil” (2 Timothy 2: 26). Now you see that the devil is the “fowler”, who longs to catch a multitude of souls for perdition. He is the master of many snares, and deceptions of every kind … When we are in a state of grace, our souls will be secure, But once we play with sin, our souls will be disturbed, and will become like a boat struck by mighty waves2. (St. Jerome) 1 On Ps. 124. 2 On Ps. Hom. 20. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 84 Conquest is not realized by the size of wealth, nor the height of glory; but the Lord grants his help free to those who seek it by the dense sorrows. So was the apostle Paul, who made his sorrow the subject of his boasting; to be able to say: ‘When I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12: 10) 1. Do you see where sorrows will lead you? … To the hope that does not fail. (St. Basil the Great) The Groom appears among the snares. … For you, Jesus prepared a way of escape; Having seen a great multitude of mankind fallen into snares; and knowing that no one but Him can save them, He has taken a human body, came down to earth, and exposed Himself to the adversary snares of the world; was caught in them; but broke them utterly for your sake; and yet you say: “Behold, my beloved stands behind our wall; He is looking through the windows, gazing through the lattice” (Songs 2: 9) 2. But, having torn (the nets), and treaded upon them, He, as well, encourages His church to tear the nets, and to tread upon the snares, to be able to say with joy: “Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped” (7). Who is He who has broken the snares, but, alone could not be caught? … Although He suffered death, yet it was by His own free will, and not as what happen to us because of our sin. He alone, became free among the dead. He is the living among the dead, having destroyed by His death, him who has the power of death (Hebrew 2: 14); and brought forth, those who were captivated by death. He us not risen alone from the dead, but, together with Himself, he raised those who were overcome by death, and made them sit with Him in the heavenly glories; “When He ascended on high, he led captivity captive” (Ephesians 4: 8). He did not only bring forth the souls, but He resurrected the bodies as well, as is testified by the gospel: “Many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many” (Matthew 27: 52; Hebrew 12: 22) 1 Hom. 20 On Ps.59. 2 Commentary on Songs 2: 12. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 85 (The scholar Origen) Let us always draw the mercies of God, to save our souls from the sword, rescue our souls from the mouth of the dog, and set us free from the mouth of the lion. Let us hasten to free our souls from the snares of the earthly lusts, that the devil would not be able to devour us. Let us, by the help of God, acquire spiritual wings, to say together with the prophet: “Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers;… Our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth”(7-8). Let Him begin granting that to us, He who lives and reigns over the world, forever, Amen1. (Father Caesarius, bishop of Arle) Greed is the mother of serpents, and the companion of those who do not practice self-poverty…. When our souls get rid of all that, they will never fall into the snares of the fowlers, but can elegantly fly toward God, where they can find salvation2. (St. John Saba) Blessed is the soul that is not overcome by any adversary struggle in the body; For such a soul would flee like a bird from a broken snare (124); Because the pleasures of the flesh are the food of evil; he who is drawn to them will fall into the snare3. (St. Ambrose) The Cedar of Lebanon which is planted by God, where the big birds build their nests, symbolize the virtues. Cedar is the support of the wedding house, and of the bride’s room; They are the dwelling place of the souls that liken the birds which escape from the snares of the fowlers, where they build their nests, and find refuge…. The pure bride of the Songs looks at the Cedar beams in her room, and sees the Oak adorning its ceiling, give the room more beauty and elegance, emit a nice fragrance (the oak wood is anti-rot, light, and easy to shape). From this example we learn that we should plant the virtue in our souls, without disregarding the 1 Sermons, 136: 7. 2الرسالة ال ا ربعة: 2 (ترجمة الرب سلیم دكاش الیسوعي). . 3 إسحق أو النفس، 61 :7 https://coptic-treasures.com/ 86 beauty of our outer appearance; as we are committed to care for what is honorable before God and men (see 2 Corinthians 5: 11) 1. (St. Gregory, bishop of Nyssa) 5- GOD, THE CREATOR, IS THE SAVIOR: “Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth” (8) Realizing that the secret of his salvation is the name of the Lord, the psalmist did not say: “I broke the snare and escaped”, but said: “Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth”. Be sure that the snare will be broken; … I wish we are not enslaved to the present life which will, eventually, be no more; so that, when the snare is broken we may rejoice and say: “The snare is broken, and we escaped”. And lest you assume that this was realized by your own strength, Remember by whom you were saved; For if you are proud, you will fall into the snare. … Say: Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth2. (St. Augustine) Do not you see what kind of Leader you have? It is the King; the Creator of all! He, who has created such a great multitude of things by His Word! Be of courage, Let your hearts not fail! It is befitting of you, beloved brethren, to awake, and persist on your strife! I wish we do not slumber, but rather polish our weapon, strengthen our wills, strive well without diversion, until we reach the glorious conquest, and enjoy the kingdom of heaven with a great glory. Let this be the good portion of us all, Thanks for the grace and the compassion of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom the glory, and the authority, to the age of ages, Amen3! (St. John Chrysostom) Let us then beware, and give thanks to Him who has the heaven as His throne, and the earth as His footstool (Isaiah 66: 1), who is served by the whole creation. Starting from the previously 1 عظة 4 على نشیط الاناشید ترجمة الدكتور جورج نوّار. 2 On Ps. 124 (123). 3 On Ps. 124. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 87 mentioned example…. Let us give thanks to the Father who had mercy on the world, and did not spare His only-begotten Son, and sent Him a Savior of the world (Romans 8: 32; John 4: 14), and a Redeemer for our souls. … Let us give thanks to the Son who delivered Himself and obeyed even to death, death on the cross (Philippians 2: 8), for our sake, we humans. … And let us give thanks to the Holy Spirit, the life-Giver; who spoke in the law, the prophets, and the teachers; who instructed the repentant Peter to go to Cornelius (Acts 10: 19-20), glorified him, and gave him the authority to raise the dead, like Tabitha (Acts 9: 40); … The Lord who always precedes by breaking the snares of the enemy for those who call Him, according to the prophecy of the prophet David, saying: “The snare is broken, and we escaped; Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made the heaven and the earth” (7, 8). (St. Parsenovius) https://coptic-treasures.com/ 88 AN INSPIRATION FROM PSALM 124 YOU ARE MINE, WITH, AND IN ME How can I describe my adversary enemy? Is he like an earthquake, intending to destroy me? And to bury me alive under earth? Is he a torrent flood and a terrifying overwhelming current? Who intend to swallow me and to sweep me to the deep? Is he like a roaring lion, who walks around to devour me? Is he like a crafty dangerous fowler? Who sets for me hidden snares and nets? To catch me like a helpless bird? No, he is far more dangerous than all that! There is no fitting analogy for him! But my God is my Savior He is mine, with me; and I am always in His presence. Who dares to come near me? He is in my depths.; setting His kingdom inside me! He turns my dust into a high heaven. Let the earthquakes move; whatever their strength is! They have no authority on me! How can they burry me, when I am alive by the Creator of heaven and earth? Let the heavy rain pour; They cannot drown me! By the cross, I can be like Moses who crossed over the Red Sea! And the devil and his hosts will drown in the lake of raging fire! I will sing together with Jonah the prophet, saying: “You have brought up my life from the pit, O Lord my God” Like a flood, death poured over my Savior! The enemy thought that he can finish Him off by death! Yet, by death, my Savior put death to death! And death turned into a brook from which my Savior drank, and raised His head! He is risen, and raised me together with Him! What can the enemy do with his earthquakes and flood?! https://coptic-treasures.com/ 89 Let the enemy come like a roaring lion to devour me! Can he confront the Lion of the tribe of Judah?! Let the enemy set his snares! Even if I am as helpless as a little bird; Yet my savior is inside me; By His Holy Spirit He sets me forth to His heavens; All the snares of the enemy will be broken; and I will escape; By You, O my savior, my soul will never worry; By You, I will enjoy unceasing conquests! By You, the enemy will be crushed under the feet of Your church! By You, even if I am weak, I shall be strong. My hope in You will never fail, O Maker of heavens and earth!
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