WORSHIPPING GOD, THE BUILDER AND KEEPER OF THE HOUSE The eyes of the Jews in Jerusalem concentrated on the temple of Solomon, being the house of the Lord, outside which no holy sacrifice, well-received by God, would be offered. The temple was the center of the holy worship in the Old Covenant, and the center of the joy and exultation of believers. The prophet David wished to build it, but he got a promise from God that it will be built by his son. Yet, it was God Himself who actually built it, and who kept the city of Jerusalem that cherished the house. So is the longing of the believer, that God would work in him, and set a new temple in his heart, as a divine heavenly house, not made by man, but is God’s work through His believers. The Lord is the Builder and the Keeper of the spiritual house; He is the Grantor of peace; and the Grantor of children, as a heritage from God. God calls us to experience of the heavenly life; The essence of worship is to set a spiritual house for the Lord in the heart, to liberate the land of our heart from the curse of producing thorns and thistles, but to become a new heaven exulting in the Lord. God works in the serious souls, not in the slothful and lazy ones; The Lord Himself will always be the One who works in and with us. St. John Chrysostom believes that the talk here reveals what happened when the returning captives to Jerusalem were confronted by a great opposition which caused the building of the temple of God to take many years; to which the Jews referred by saying: “It has taken 46 years to build this temple” (John 2: 20). The Jews were not talking here about the initial building it in the days of Solomon, which was built in 20 years; but, according to St. John Chrysostom, about its rebuilding after the return from captivity. And still some others believe that rebuilding it began by Herod the Great in the second year of his reign1, when the main task was finished in nine and a half 1 Josephus: Antiq. B. 15c. 11 s. 1; b. 20 c. 9 s, 7. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 117 years; but other repairs and additions were done along several years. At the beginning of the ministry of the Lord, the Jews were then, at the climax of their cherishing the newly built temple. 1- The Lord is the Builder of the house, and the Keeper of the city 1 2-The Lord, Grantor of comfort 2 3- The Lord, Grantor of mighty children 3 – 5 1- THE LORD IS THE BUILDER OF THE HOUSE AND THE GUARDIAN OF THE CITY: A Song of Ascents. of Solomon “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain” (1) The Word of God incarnated and took the body of man, “that He may dwell in our hearts through faith” (Ephesians 3: 17), to take away the curse from our hearts; and instead of the thorns and thistles, the truth may grow (Psalm 85: 11). By His resurrection He builds our souls as a holy temple for Himself, and grants us His Holy Spirit dwelling in it. Indeed, “He who built all things is God” (Hebrew 3: 4); and, “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2: 10). The Jews boasted the temple built by Solomon, counted it as one of the seven wonders of the world, and the center of the whole earth; as the dwelling place of God among His people. Whereas our Lord Jesus has drawn our attention to the resurrection of His body, proclaiming that, in three days He would raise it up (John 2: 19-22). Our Lord Jesus does not disregard the labor of the builders; yet He confirms that the building would not be realized without Him; Namely, that without the divine grace, our whole effort would be in vain. The word “vain” came three times in this concise psalm. The Lord is the Creator who, alone, has the ability to build His house in the depths of our hearts; By His care for us, He preserves us as His holy city; and grants us the fruits of His Holy Spirit (the children); …but not in the life of the slothful and the loose. Cain built a city in the name of his son; Some intended to build the tower of Babel; and the people of Jericho surrounded their city by strong walls; But, because all those works were not according https://coptic-treasures.com/ 118 to the pleasure of God, they did not hold. Hence the words of the psalmist: “unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain” (1). … The ‘city’ here refers to the congregation of the church, who need the divine care against the various evils, dangerous threats, and wicked men. “Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain”; As away from Him, there is no help, protection, or blessing. According to St. Augustine, as the body cannot work without the spirit, man cannot work without the grace of God, who builds the house by us, and guards the city. St. John Cassian says that the early fathers monks believed that one of the fundamentals of the spiritual behavior, is that it is impossible for any man to acquire the purity of heart or the perfection of virtue, unless he believes first that all his diligence and labors are not enough for what he seeks, but are vain without the help of God and His grace; who, alone, is the Grantor of goods. However clever and alert you may be in your work, O Shepherd, you cannot refer your success to your good ministry, to your strong personality, or to your diligence in work. The Lord, alone, is the keeper of the souls, and His grace watches over them1. “Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain” (1)… We guard you as stewards of God; Yet, we, as well, wish Him to guard us together with you. Although we may be your shepherds, Yet we are, as well, under the care of the Great Shepherd – God; We are your fellow sheep. We may be your teachers; Yet we are your fellow students in the school of the One Great Teacher. If we wish to be guarded by Him, who humbled Himself for our sake, and was glorified to guard us, Let us then be humble in our turn; Let no one count himself as something; As no one has any thing good, that he did not take from God, who is alone Good. This is the house we should build by virtuous living life; which God builds by helping us to live a virtuous life; as “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it” (1) 2. 1 On ps. 127 (126). 2 City of God 17: 12. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 119 (St. Augustine) Concerning Psalm 127: 1: “Unless the Lord builds the house …”, Such a blessing may be beyond the limit of our choice; as the power of God lays the foundation for the builder, and works together with him until the building is consummated, something he cannot achieve on his own…. The same in agriculture: a bountiful crop is the product of what is within the authority of the farmer, as for example his diligence in his work; and what is beyond his authority, depending on the divine care, like convenient weather conditions, enough rain, etc. … So it will be concerning the good which is sought by the reasonable man; it depends on his works and the effort he exerts through his own choice; as well as on the divine power that supports him, who chooses the exalted life as his goal. We therefore need our own choice, together with the divine support, not only to realize the honor and goodness, but to continue having them1. Notice how we say that nothing happens without His care, and do not say, without His will; As although many things may happen, not according to His will, but nothing happen without His help, by which He cares, divides, distributes the portions, grants, and consummates all that happen2. From Psalm 127: 1, we learn that, not because it is God who builds, man would sit idle, while God builds the house for him. But, because he diligently works as much as his human possibilities allow, God would take away all the difficulties that he may encounter, and consummates the work with success. Therefore it is befitting of man, in truth and piety, to leave the consummation of his work to God, and not to any human. This way, “I (Paul) planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase; So then, neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase” (1 Corinthians 3: 6-7). We can say that it depends, not on the will or the strife of man, but on the mercies of God3. (The scholar Origen) 1 Sel. Ps. 4; 6. (See Drewery) 2 In Gen. hom 3: 2. (See Drewery) 3 Commentary on rom 9: 16. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 120 Why should we suffer, because we have neither house, nor protection, or human support?! Is it not better for us to dwell in the Builder of our house, and under the protection of the Guardian of our city?!... If David had no place for comfort until he found it in God, how then could we seek comfort outside Him1?! (St. John Saba) God made all the resistance to the devil within the limit of man’s will and freedom; Yet He did not grant man a perfect power by which he can have the authority over his psychological reactions and lusts; Hence it is written: “Unless God builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain” (1). (St. (Abba) Macarius the Great) The Lord Himself explained the reason for His baptism, saying to John the Baptist: “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill the righteousness” (Matthew 3: 15). Among His multitude of mercies, is His building of the church; After the fathers, and the prophets, the only begotten Son came down and came to be baptized. Here, is revealed, the divine fact, mentioned concerning the church, that: “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it” (1); and that man cannot guard, as: “unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain”. I even dare to say that man cannot even walk on a way, unless the Lord is with him, leading him; as it is written: “You shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear Him” (Deuteronomy 13: 4), and: “The Lord leads the steps of man” 2. (St. Ambrose) These words instigate humility, and uproot the great evil, namely, pride, that made Lucifer, the Morning star collapse and fall down to earth3. (St. Oghris) The house built by Solomon did not realize the faith like the church did, the true temple of God; which is not formed of walls, 1 الرسالة السابعة والثلاثون عن الحرمان من التعزیة: 3 (ترجمة الرب سلیم دكاش الیسوعي). 2 In Lic. Ch 3. 3 Praktikos, Introd. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 121 but is in the hearts of believers. The temple of Solomon, having been built by human hands, By human hands it has fallen1. (St. Lectantius) We are committed to ask; And it would be for Him to grant us what we ask for. It is befitting of us to present what is within our possibilities, And it is up to Him to consummate what we are not able to do; as: “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; and unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain” (1). The apostle commands us to strive in order to get2. (St. Jerome) Those who believe that human affairs are led by the divine care, refer nothing achieved by them, to their own effort; as: “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; and unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain” (1). He does not say that no one should build or guard the city, but it is befitting of man to remember that unless God grants success to the effort exerted, both the effort and those who strive for its sake, will be without success. On our side, we have to begin, but it is on God’s side to grant success. We should begin building the house; and God will help us, and consummate the work. We guard our city, but it is God who would keep it from being destroyed or defeated by enemies who attack it. This was expressed by the book of proverbs, saying: “Keep your heart with all diligence” (Proverb 4: 23). And yet, you still say to God: “You, O Lord, guard and keep us”. This line of thought is confirmed by the apostle Paul, saying: “It is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy” (Romans 9: 16). He does not mean to keep us from running and seeking what we wish to have, but forbids us to think that we can reach it by our own effort. Many of those who so thought ended up to failure3. (St. Dedymus the blind) 1 The Divine Institutes, 4: 13. 2 Against the Pelagians, 3: 1. 3 Commentary on Ecclesiastes 282: 1. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 122 How could we hold fast to, and keep our talent? By the Holy Spirit dwelling in us1. St. John Chrysostom says: It is not within the ability of human soul to keep such great thing. Why?! … Because there are many thieves who lie in wait for it; there is dense darkness, and there is a devil at the doors, who plot against it. … How then can we keep it? By the Holy Spirit. … Namely, if the Holy Spirit dwells in us; … If we do not drive the grace away, God will stand on our side; as “Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain” (1). That is our stronghold; that is our castle; that is our refuge! … If the Spirit dwells in us, and guards us, what would be the need for the commandment? … To hold fast to the Spirit, and to keep Him from deserting us2!. Paul went here and there like a bird with wings; and with a single mouth (by preaching) he fought against the enemy… The tentmaker, having got the deposit, and carried the ring of marriage, he was stronger than Satan! Seeing that God has betrothed the nature of mankind, Satan retreated; … Seeing the deposit (the Holy Spirit), he was terrified; … Seeing the (aprons) of the apostle, he fled away (Acts 19: 11). Great is the power of the Holy Spirit; He gave authority, not only to the spirit, or to the body of the apostles, but also to their garments, and even to their shadow3! (St. John Chrysostom) 2- THE LORD, GRANTOR OF COMFORT: “It is vain for you to rise up early, and stay up late, toiling for food to eat; For He grants sleep for those He loves” (2) Some interpret it, that it is befitting of the believer not to rush time; not to assume that he would enjoy the reward amid the darkness of temporal life; but he should anticipate the dawn of eternity, when he will enjoy the eternal light, and see God face to face. Let us therefore walk with hope in the shine of eternity, and enjoy the fellowship of the eternal glory in its due time. 1لد ا رسة سكنى الروح القدس فینا، وهل هو یهجرنا أم لا، ا رجع مقال: "لا تطفئوا الروح القدس" للقدیس مار فیلوكسینوس". 2 In 2 Yim. Hom 3. 3 Two Sermons on Eutropius. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 123 By His resurrection in the dawn of Sunday, thr Lord Christ granted us the risen life, and granted us the true comfort. He grants sleep for those He loves; not the slumber of slothfulness and laziness; but, by sleep, he means security, inner peace, and non-anxiety. The beloved only- begotten Son slept on the cross like a victorious Lion, destroying the power of Satan. He also slept in the boat amid the violent storm, to grant us peace amid the storms of this life. It is in vain for man to think that he would enjoy comfort before the resurrection of the Lord of Glory, and the rise of the Sun of Righteousness on us. When Simon Peter intended to (rise up early) ahead of the resurrection of Christ, and said: “I put myself for Your sake”; the Lord rejected his statement as vain, and said to him: “Get behind Me Satan!” (Matthew 16: 23). God created man, to share His glory, and to be in peace. The psalmist calls man “God’s beloved”. “Rise after sitting”; namely, rise up after death … For the Lord is risen on our behalf, to grant us (by His death) to follow His lead; By His resurrection, He gave us comfort1. The Lord did not rise up from the dead, except after He granted sleep to those He loved; For those who died, died on hope; So the Lord came and realized their hope by His resurrection; and turned their death into ‘sleep’, to be followed by an eternal awakening; … Therefore, we go to sleep in hope2. (St. Augustine) We can escape from the snare of that spear of more evil; namely of pride; if, when we feel that we have achieved success or progress in any virtue, we hasten to say the words of Paul the apostle: “It is God who woks in us both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2: 13). The Fountain of our salvation, Himself, says: “He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15: 5); and: “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; and unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain; It is vain for you to rise up early…” (Psalm 127: 1, 2); “So then, it is not of him 1 On ps. 127 (126). 2 On ps. 127 (126). https://coptic-treasures.com/ 124 who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy” (Romans 9: 16) 1. (St. John Cassian) How does God help man? He gives him sweet sleep, and life without dangers, full of security. By giving him sleep, he grants him comfort. … He grants those whom He loves, not only the security of their city, but in addition, He grants them the grace to become parents to a multitude of children, and to get increasing family blessings2. (St. John Chrysostom) 3- THE LORD, GRANTOR OF MIGHTY CHILDREN: “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is His reward” (3) The Hebrews used to count children as blessing from the Lord: “Blessed shall be the fruit of your body” (Deuteronomy 28: 4); and, “And the Lord will grant you plenty of goods, in the fruit of your body” (Deuteronomy 28: 11). If the children according to the flesh are a grant from the Lord, Much more will be those who enjoy the grace of adoption as children of God; they are a gift from the Lord. The church as well, our beloved mother, gives birth to good children. … Now, meditate in how she gives birth; She gives birth by baptism, the womb of the church into which enter those who intend to be born again, “enters into his mother’s womb again and be born”; a miracle that Necodemus, the teacher of Israel could not comprehend3. (St. Augustine) In a letter of condolence to ‘Salvina’ for the departure of her husband, St. Jerome used this phrase: [Instead of one husband, you have got two children; by which your emotion will be more objective than before4]. “Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth” (4) 1 De institutis caenoborum, Book 12: 9 2 On ps. 127. 3 On ps. 127 (126). 4 Letter 79 to Salvina, 7. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 125 Presenting His Holy Spirit as a divine sword or arrow coming out of his mouth, the Lord Christ makes His believers, the bearers of His Spirit, “Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth” (4). According to St. Augustine, the children of one’s youth, who are like arrows in the hand of a warrior, are the disciples and the apostles, whom the Lord Christ sent forth like arrows all over the earth, from the hand of a divine Warrior, God: “Their sound has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world” (Romans 10: 18). They were called the children of youth because they preached with the Spirit of power, and were not inflicted by the weakness of old age until the last breath; as the Holy Spirit renewed their youth like an eagle. St. Augustine believes that the Mighty Warrior who aims His arrows by His hand to the whole earth, is the Savior Himself, to whom is said: “Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for Your possession” (Psalm 2: 8). How could that possession reach the ends of the earth? … Because it is “like arrows in the hand of a (Mighty) Warrior”. As the arrows are sent forth from the bow; the stronger the hand that holds the bow, the greater the distance the arrows reach. What arrows are stronger than those in the hand of the Lord; From His bow, He sent forth His apostles, and there is no place on earth where those mighty arrows have not reached1! (St. Augustine) The arrows are terrifying, but not in themselves, but when the bow is held by a strong hand. So were the apostles sent forth by the Lord2! (St. John Chrysostom) “Happy are those who have their quivers full of them, They shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate” (5) 1 On ps. 127 (126). 2 On ps. 127. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 126 Tribunals were mostly held at the gate of a city. But according to St. Jerome1, he probably means here, the gate of paradise; where the enemy has nothing against the true believers in paradise. Those who preached with the spirit of power did not fear opposition but “spoke with their enemies in the gate”. When messengers were sentto strong kings from their enemies, they were not allowed to enter the city, but delegates of the king would come to meet them at the gate. The “quiver” is a container to keep arrows (see Isaiah 49: 2), carried by a warrior on his back, with the opening on the right shoulder. According to St. Augustine, the quivers of the disciples and the apostles are their holy minds, the arrows are the Words of God, while the enemies are the evil thoughts and works of the devil, opposing the Word of God. According to him, who has his quiver filled with them, is he who does not covet the world and its riches, but the living faith, preached by the apostles. The gate here, is the Lord Christ, who said: “I am the Gate” (John 10: 9), through which will enter into the city, those who receive the preaching of the apostles; Whereas those who reject their preaching will stay out of the city, until the gate is closed. According to father Onesimus of Jerusalem, it is befitting of the believer not to allow the enemies, namely, the evil thoughts, to enter into his city, namely, his mind and heart, but resist them before they manage to crawl into his depths. The wise Solomon believes that the riches may be evil for him who acquires them; on account of that the fear of loosing them causes him great worry and a loss of peace. Actually they are as good as lost for a dead man who left them behind. … They are far from being what is meant by: “Happy is those who have their quivers full of them; they shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate” (5). whose inheritance is the Lord; their reward is the seed of the Virgin St. Mary; and are praised by the wise2. (St. Ambrose) 1 Cf. St. Jerome: Letter 118 to Julian. 2 The Prayer of Job and David 2: 4: 12. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 127 “Blessed are those who have their quivers full of them”; meaning the privileges of having children: strong bodies, irresistible awe, family blessing, security, and victory in war; Blessed are they who have such abundance of good; they would never hide their faces from their enemies, but will daringly go to confront them with great courage, exalted appearance, and a trusted plan of battle; as God confirms to help them in every way1. (St. John Chrysostom) 1 On ps. 127. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 128 AN INSPIRATION FROM PSALM 127 SET UP YOUR TEMPLE IN YOUR BELOVED Who could imagine that the great temple of Solomon would be destroyed?! Yet, what is built by human hand, could be destroyed by the same! Whereas what is built by the Lord of hosts, Will challenge the time, and remain forever. Stretch Your hand, O Lord, and set Your temple in me; That the enemy would not dare to approach it; Nor time would destroy it. You came down, O my Savior, to our earth; Not to bring us back to the lost garden of Eden; But to set out of us a heavenly spiritual paradise; By Your Holy Spirit, You set out of us a holy temple; That in us, the voice of joy and exultation would be heard; Let Your fiery Spirit guard me; And lead me to Your eternal kingdom; Enter, O Beloved, into my heart, so much beloved by You; There, You dwell and find comfort; And I, as well, will find comfort by and in You; You grant Your beloved the sleep of eternal comfort By Your resurrection, You destroyed death, and granted us the risen life; You made us Your beloved, granting us the true comfort; Our life became an unceasing Sabbath; As long as You are inside us, Your peace will dwell on and in us; You are the Builder of the house, and the Guardian of the city; Your grace works in us and surrounds us; It becomes like a wall of fire, through which the arrows of the enemy cannot penetrate; You granted us the fruit of the Spirit, as blessed children; You set out of us witnesses for You, to draw souls to You; That many would taste the sweetness of sonhood to You; Your dwelling would turn my wilderness into a fruitful paradise; To be filled with love, peace, and goodness. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 129 My heart, as well as my mind, would be filled with Your mighty arrows; Your active word would be set in me; That the enemy would not dare to knock on the door of my heart; The devil and all the hosts of darkness would stand in shame; As there is no place for them in Your presence, O Holy One; For, You, the Zealous One, dwells in me.
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