ENTRANCE INTO THE DIVINE SANCTUARIES Now, that we have reached the top of the ladder, namely, the last of the psalms of Accents, our heart is lifted up, as though to heaven itself, to enter to the bosom of the Father, and share with the heavenly hosts their perpetual praise with joy and exultation. All what preoccupies us will be the glorification for the sake of the Lord’s blessing dwelling upon us. As though we practice the exulting heavenly life, in the eternal house of the Lord. It could be said that this psalm is a liturgical church praise, presented by the believers in heaven itself, as a praise of thanksgiving for reaching the divine sanctuaries. Some believe that as those coming to the temple for the feast at the end of the day; With the beginning of the evening service; the high priest sing, seeking from the priests and the Levites to praise the Lord, together with the whole congregation (1-2). If the priests and the Levites whose main duty is to guard the temple against any disturbance of order; that no one would approach any place where he is not allowed to be; to watch over the fire of the alter, together with the lamps of the lampstand, etc., lest they might be quenched; Yet they, together with the people, are requested to praise and glorify the Lord, who opened before them His house, to enter into it, and to enjoy the divine presence. A Song of Ascents “Behold, Praise the Lord, All you servants of the Lord, who by night stand in the house of the Lord!” (1) By getting to the top of the ladder, he presents these magnificent final words: his praise and blessing. Now he requests from the servants of the Lord, not only to keep His commandments, but to live according to them; Hence he adds: “…. who stand in the house of the Lord”. As it is not befitting of anyone unclean or defiled to enter into the holy sanctuaries. He who is worthy to enter would also be worthy of the blessing. The house of the Lord is like https://coptic-treasures.com/ 201 heaven; And the way the adversary hosts are not allowed to enter into heaven, It is the same way concerning the house of the Lord. Now, how could you show this purity? If you keep away any evil thought, or the works of the devil, from entering into your minds; If you adorn your minds, as it is befitting of the holy temple. … Above all that, If, in the Jewish temple, not all places are wide open before everyone; but there are a place for the proselytes, another for the Jews from the beginning; another for the priests and the Levites; and another for the high priest alone, not all the time, but only once a year – Then, you should put into your consideration the degree of reverence, required from him, who gets what is greater than the symbol, and greater than the Holy of Holiness in that time! For whom, it is not the cherubim, but the Lord of the cherubim, Himself, dwelling inside him; … It is not the vessel of Manna, or the two stone tablets, or the rod of Aaron, but the body and blood of the Lord; … the Spirit instead of the letter, and the grace that surpasses the human mind; … an indescribable gift! Now, as you, seemingly, are more worthy of the great symbols and the awesome secrets; you are required to prove a greater holiness; And you will, as well, get a more serious punishment in case you break the commandments1. (St. John Chrysostom) “Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord” (2) Lifting up the hands refer to lifting up the heart and the mind to God who dwells in heaven. And as the hands refer to the work; the believers, together with meditating in God’s love, grace, and care, should practice what is befitting of them; so that their life would be in harmony with their meditations, prayers, and praises. As. According to the apostle Paul: “I desire that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting” (1 Timothy 2: 8). “By night,… Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord” (2). Why does he say: “By night”? To teach us that we should not spend the whole night sleeping, as then, prayers are more pure, when the mind is more pure, and the time is more free and convenient. … Now, if it has been necessary to go to the 1 On Ps. 134. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 202 sanctuary by night to pray, Just think, what would be the excuse for someone not to pray at that time at his own home? … I mean to say, that, while the inspired author of the psalms used to get up from his bed, and walks to the temple to spend the night praying, you do not pray while having comfort at home1! (St. John Chrysostom) I wish the Groom (the Lord Christ) finds every bride (the human soul) weaving the precious threads of virtue; lifting up her hands by night in prayer, doing her work, adorning her habits, and longingly waiting for her Groom to come2. (St. Ambrose) “The Lord who made heaven and earth bless you from Zion” (3) Some believe that this verse is the response of the priests and the Levites to the exhortation of the high priest to bless the Lord by night. While others believe it to be their response, seeking his blessing on the whole congregation; according to what came in the book of Numbers: “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying: ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them: The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace’” (Numbers 6: 23-26). According to St. Augustine, the blessing of the Lord upon the multitude, is presented in the singular tense; namely, is addressed to one; as he who is attached to his brethren, to become one with them, will enjoy the Lord’s blessing. After giving this advice as a necessary thing, he ends his words with a prayer; something that designates an exalted teacher, who reforms his listeners by advise, and revives them by prayer…. What does he mean by saying “from Zion”? Because this name was dear to them, and all their rites were performed there; That is why he requests from them to forsake their past way of life, to be preoccupied by the rite, and to enjoy that blessing. … Then, to lift them up toward the higher teachings, he tells them that God, even 1 On Ps. 134. 2 In Luc. 16: 16-18. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 203 though is everywhere; yet, because of their limitations, and while giving them instructions to build the temple, He commits them to seek Him everywhere; Hence he adds: “Who made heaven and earth”. We, on the contrary, we are committed to seek Him everywhere: at home, in the market, on board a ship, in the wilderness, and everywhere we are in. Practicing the prayer could not be limited by location, on condition that it has to be fit for praying. In this case God in response, will make every difficult thing easy and simple for us, and will make us glad by the good things to come1. (St. John Chrysostom) AN INSPIRATION FROM PSALM 134 GRANT ME THE DEPOSIT OF HEAVEN Your promises are true and faithful; You came down to our earth to grant us the deposit of Your heavens; Grant us the heavenly heart, filled with love; So that our depths would praise You, and glorify Your name. Let us lift up our hands day and night. To thank You by day when we are at ease; And by night, while we are in affliction. To praise You for the sake of all Your works with us; As You are the Love, the whole Wisdom; Glory be to You, O Lover of mankind. 1 On Ps. 134. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 204 TABLE OF CONTENTS A HEAVENLY SESSION EVERY EVENING. AN INTRODUCTION TO THE PSALMS OF ASCENTS. The origin of the psalms of Ascents; The spiritual concept: The psalms of Ascents and Moses’ Pentateuch; The order of the psalms of Ascents according to St. Jerome; The order of the psalms of ascents according to St. Augustine; The psalms of ascents according to St. John Chrysostom; Of the sayings of the early fathers concerning the psalms of Ascents; Nature of the psalms of Ascents; A general survey of the psalms of Ascents. -- An inspiration from the psalms of ascents: In Your company I ascend to Your sanctuaries. Between the psalms of ascents and the five books of Moses. PSALM 120: My GOD, MY SAVIOR FROM DEATH AND CORRUPTION: A cry of a child to his Savior Father; The corruptive debate with the devil; The feeling of sojourn, and the longing for heaven; The bitterness of living among the wicked. -- An inspiration from psalm 120: Who can save me from the arrows of the enemy but You? PSALM 121: THE SECRET OF MY PEACE: BEING ATTACHED TO THE SAVIOR – THE WORD OF GOD: The Word of God, the holy mountains; Attachment to the Heavenly Guard; Holding fast to Christ and His church; The holy behavior; Feeling the divine peace. -- An inspiration from psalm 121: Let me attach to You, O Guard of my soul PSALM 122: REJOICING IN APPROACHING THE ETERNAL HOUSE OF THE LORD: An angelic call to come forth to the house of the Lord; A collective church call; Peace, comfort, joy, and goods -- An inspiration from psalm 122: Joy, comfort, and peace in the house of the Lord. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 205 PSALM 123: LIBERATION FROM THE SERVITUDE OF THE DEVIL: The eyes lifted up to heaven; Our liberation from humiliation. -- An inspiration from psalm 123: Dwell in my heart, that my eyes become lifted up to Your heavens. PSALM 124: GOD, THE LEADER OF OUR SALVATION: God saves from the earthquakes; God saves from the overwhelming current; God saves from the fangs of the vicious wild Beasts; God saves from the snares of the fowlers; God, the Creator. is the Savior. -- An inspiration from psalm 124: You are mine, with, and in me. PSALM 125: THE ETERNAL DWELLING PLACE: An eternal dwelling place; The Lord surrounds His people; The good and free citizens; Separating the wicked from the good.-- An inspiration from psalm 125: A citizen in the land of the free. PSALM 126: A HOLY EXULTFUL WORSHIP; OR A HEAVENLY JOY TOGETHER WITH A RIVER OF HOLY TEARS: An exultant joyful life; A divine joyful work; Joyful fountains. -- An inspiration from psalm 126: How great is Your love, O Grantor of holiness! PSALM 127: WORSHIPPING GOD, THE BUILDER AND KEEPER OF THE HOUSE: The Lord is the Builder of the house, and the keeper of the city; The Lord, Grantor of comfort; The Lord, Grantor of mighty children. -- An inspiration from psalm 127: Set up Your temple in Your beloved. PSALM 128: THE WORSHIP BY THE BLESSED FAMILY: The members of the blessed family; A working family; A fruitful family; A heavenly church life. -- An inspiration from psalm 128: Your love for humanity is amazing. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 206 PSALM 129: I WAS CRUCIFIED TOGETHER WITH CHRIST: The crucified church; The crucified Christ; The grass on the housetops. -- An inspiration from psalm 129: I was crucified together with Christ. PSALM 130: HOPE IN THE MIDST OF AFFLICTION: The cross and the cry out of the depths; The need for forgiveness; The hope and the joy of the resurrection. -- An inspiration from psalm 130: My soul exults by You, O Crucified. PSALM 131: JOY IN THE CROSS, GRANTOR OF MATURITY: A weaned infant with his mother; The perpetual hope. -- An inspiration from psalm 131: Wean me off the Love of God, by the sweetness of Your cross. PSALM 132: A UNIQUE FRIENDSHIP: A longing to build a house for the Lord; The divine Word came down to dwell among us; He will set us up kings; His resting place is in our comfort and our conquest. -- An inspiration from psalm 132: Come, O Lord, and dwell in me. PSALM 133: THE DIVINE FRIENDSHIP AND THE BROTHERLY LOVE: The pleasantness of dwelling together; The unity in Christ; The unity and the eternal life. -- An inspiration from psalm 133: In You, we gather together with the spirit of love. PSALM 134: ENTRANCE INTO THE DIVINE SANCTUARIES: -- An inspiration from psalm 134: Grant me the deposit of heaven
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