A SONG FOR THE SABBATH DAY This psalm which had its special position in the ministry of the Sabbath day in the temple, reveals the true meaning of the Sabbath for the Jews. It did not mean just having rest from work, but meant the enjoyment of comfort and gladness through worshipping and praising God. Worship is not a burden to which the believer is committed, but is comfort and gladness of the soul. In the Chaldean version, it came that Adam was the author of this psalm; a view that was adopted by many Jewish scholars, and few of the Christians. They believed that Adam wrote it, either before falling, or directly after his expulsion from paradise. Yet some object to this view on account of the fact that Adam, in paradise, did not know the musical instruments. Some believe that it was written by the prophet Moses; while still others believe it to be written by the prophet David, after God relieved him of his enemies. It is a call or an exhortation to praise God for the sake of His works, whether as a Creator, or for His care and protection of His people; and His justice in dealing with the wicked. 1- A call to praise God 1 - 5 2- The perdition of the fool 6 - 11 3- Blessing for the righteous 12 – 15. The title: A psalm. A song for the Sabbath day. A praise to the Lord for His love and faithfulness. Commenting on this title, St. Jerome says: [There would be no Sabbath unless it is preceded by six days. We work the six days to have rest on the seventh. We cannot praise God while being preoccupied with the works of this world. But on the Sabbath day, or the day of the comfort of the Lord, no one can do any lowly work, but only what concern the Sabbath. Do you know that on the Sabbath day, while the priests work in the temple of the Lord, no one was allowed to make a fire or even to gather sticks. He who was found doing that was stoned to death (see Numbers 14L 22-36). … It is therefore befitting of us to https://coptic-treasures.com/ 28 praise God on the Sabbath day, and to leave aside the works of this world1]. According to many fathers, allowing the people to gather manna enough for two days (including the Sabbath day), refers to the serious work for the sake of the enjoyment of the heavenly food in the eternal life. St. Gregory of Nyssa says: [This day is the present life, during which we prepare ourselves for the life to come2]. And the scholar Origen says: [The manna that was gathered in advance for the Sabbath day did not corrupt, nor infested by worms. But in case you store for the present life, for love of this world, it will be corrupted by worms3]. Therefore, our Sabbath means sharing with our God His rest, which is a divine work whose holiness never ceases (Exodus 31: 12-17). That is why the Holy Book often uses the expression “Keep the Sabbath”, on account of that it is an encounter with God through the holy worship and the sacrifice; Not that we honor God by our worship, but, what is greater, to enjoy the work of God in us, granting us a fellowship with Him, to enter by Him into His holiness4. The “Sabbath” was the (deposit) of the enjoyment by the chosen people, of the holiness of God, a day every week; a year every seven years; and another every fifty years. They used to stop every temporal work, not to live in idleness, but to lead a holy life, to experience the (deposit) of heaven. As the “Sabbath” was the sign of membership in the divine household, and of belonging to heaven; breaking the Sabbath was punished by death (Exodus 35: 1-3), In the psalm of praise of the Sabbath day (Psalm 92), the psalmist meditates in the works of God, saying: “O Lord, how great are Your works; Your thoughts are very deep” (5). And perceiving that his success is through the Lord, the believer says: “The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree. He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age” (12- 14). By that, the believer’s soul is filled with joy, to sing “on an instrument of ten strings, on the lute, and on the harp, with harmonious sound; for You, Lord, have made me glad through Your work; I will triumph in the works of Your hands” (3-4). 1 On Ps. Hom. 21. 2 Vvita Mos. 2: 144. 3 In Exod. Hom. 7: 6. 4 Thierry Maertens: A Feast in Honor of Yahweh, Geaffret Cheplen, 1966,p. 166. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 29 According to the scholar Origen, the believer’s life become Sabbatical, not through refraining from doing good works, but through meditation in God, His works, and His heavenly glory1. And according to father Onesimus of Jerusalem, the Sabbath refers to the seventh day in which the Jews used to have rest from physical works, to concentrate on spiritual ones, to offer sacrifices, to raise prayers and to sing praises. It refers, as well, to the eternal life to come, when all physical works come to an end. … The time when our Lord was incarnate, was also called a ‘Sabbath’, for in it, we have cast away from ourselves the works of our sins. God proclaims the ‘Sabbath’ to us. … What kind of Sabbath? And where could it be? … It is in the heart inside us! As there are many who are idle, as far as their body members are concerned, while disturbed in their conscience. … The Joy and the tranquility of our hope is our Sabbath. … That is the issue of praise and singing in this psalm. How could the Christian be in the Sabbath of his heart? Namely, in the tranquility and purity of his conscience with no disturbance? … Here he tells us how to keep the Sabbath in our hearts2. (St. Augustine) 1- A CALL TO PRAISE GOD: “It is good to give thanks (to confess) to the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High” (1) The psalmist calls on others to partake of the moments of joyfully praising God, using musical instruments. A perpetual work that endures till eternity. When we (confess) to the Lord, we trust in His mercy; And when we sing praises, we consummate the good work3. “It is good to (confess) to the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High”. Why didn’t the psalmist say first: “It is good to sing praises”, before saying: “It is good to confess”; On account of that (confession) prepares the way for the true singing of praises?! It is good for man, first, to repent and confess his sins to the Lord; And once he recognizes his sins, he could sing praises to God. By 1 Source chretienne 147: 30. 2 On Psalms, 92 (91). 3 On Psalms, homily 21. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 30 remorse, he would be strongly qualified to praise, without being handicapped by the seriousness of his sins1. (St. Jerome) What then does this psalm teach us? … “It is good to confess to the Lord” … What is the confession to the Lord? … You should confess to the Lord in both cases: In your sins, you have committed; And in your good works; for God has done them through you. You can then “sing praises to the name of the Most High”; seeking the glory of God, and not your own glory; the glory of His name, and not the glory of yours. If you seek His name, He would seek your names; And if you disregard the name of God, He will wipe out yours2. (St. Augustine) “To declare Your loving kindness (mercy) in the morning, and your faithfulness every night” (2) The praise starts at dawn, early in the morning; and the soul keeps on praising Him until late at night; Man would continue meditating in God’s mercies, and in His faithfulness in realizing His divine promises. Nothing will grant man sweetness at the start of the day; nor comfort and rest at its end, like praising God. What then is the meaning of: “To declare Your loving kindness (mercy) in the morning”?... It means that we cannot confess to the Lord, and have His mercy, unless when the light clearly starts to enlighten our hearts; Unless when the shadows of the night retreat, and the dawn starts to appear; You can truly declare the loving kindness of God, once the Sun of Righteousness shines in your heart3. Why would we declare mercy at dawn, and faithfulness at night?... Listen carefully, for these issues are not easy to understood! … He first says: “It is good to confess to the Lord”; as singing praise, should follow the recognition of sins. He who repent his sins, and is qualified to sing praises, starts to declare Him whom he praises. … What does it mean to declare His mercy at dawn; and sing praise to His faithfulness at night? … Where God’s mercy is, there would be light, namely, there would be dawn, when the sun starts to shine, and the darkness of the night starts to retreat. … Your faithfulness is at 1 On Psalms, homily 69. 2 On Psalms, 92 (91). 3 On Psalms, homily 21. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 31 night, when justice is; Whenever justice is, there would be trial; and once the verdict is issued, there would be no more chance for mercy, but there would be the threat of the catastrophe of sin; there would be night and not day; according to the words of the prophet: “What good is the day of the Lord to you, It will be darkness and not light” (Amos 5: 18). On that day, every man’s life will be examined according to his worthiness. According to another prophet: “The day of the Lord is great, and very terrible” (Joel 2: 11) 1. (St. Jerome) What does it mean to declare the mercy of God in the morning, and his (truth) at night?... The morning, is, when we are still in good mood; and at night, with the dwelling of the sorrow of temptation. … When you are flourishing, Rejoice in God, for it is through His mercy, that you flourish. And when you are in trouble, praise His truth, for He justly scourges on sins… At night, confessing the truth of God, the prophet Daniel said in his prayer: “We have sinned and committed iniquity;… O Lord, righteousness belongs to You; and to us, the shame of face” (Daniel; 9: 5, 7). Do not ever accuse God for your suffering; but refer it to reforming you on your sins, … By declaring His compassion early in the morning, and His truth late at night, you praise God perpetually, confess to Him, and sing praises to His name2. (St. Augustine) The Sabbaths and feasts, that are consummated with gluttony, drinking, licentiousness, and unbefitting acts, are all abominations hated by God, and their doers deserve His reproach, according to His words on the tongue of the prophet Isaiah: “Your new moons, and your appointed feasts, My soul hates; they are trouble to Me; I am weary of bearing them” (Isaiah 1: 14). This psalm, therefore, teaches us that, when we refrain to work during feasts, it would be for the sake of the following four goals: which we continue doing every morning and every night. 1- To confess to the Lord; namely, to meditate in His goodness, and the salvation He has done for men. 2- To sing praises to His name. 3- To declare His mercy which He has done to us. 1 On Psalms, homily 69. 2 On Psalms, 92 (91). https://coptic-treasures.com/ 32 4- To remind Him of His truth; namely, of His promise to Abraham, that in his seed, all nations will be blessed. (Father Onesimus of Jerusalem) “On an instrument of ten strings, on the lute, and on the harp” (3) When you pray “lift up holy hands, without wrath or argument” (1 Timothy 2: 8). We pray to the Lord on an instrument of ten strings; … our body, soul, and spirit; will all play together in harmony, to produce a nice tune1. (St. Jerome) The instrument of ten strings refers to the ten commandments of the law. It is befitting of us to play on this instrument, and not just carry it, as the Jews did with the law… “On the lute”, namely, by good words, as well as by good deeds. If you just utter words, you would have only the melody without the lute; And if you work and not utter words, you would have the lute without the melody. You should therefore, talk well, and do well, to have both the melody and the lute2. (St. Augustine) “On an instrument of ten strings”; namely, that our singing and talk about the mercy of the Lord, as well as our prayers, should not only be by the tongue, but together with the contribution of the five strengths of the soul, and the five senses of the body; together with love for one another; through the help of the Holy Spirit; Not only during feasts, but all the time. (Father Onesimus of Jerusalem) “For You, Lord, have made me glad through Your work; I will triumph in the works of Your hands” (4) Sanctifying the day of the Sabbath started first for the sake of glorifying God on His works of creation. Man’s true rest is set upon praising God through a study and meditation in His amazing works, both hidden and manifest. God’s perpetual care for His creation, is not less than the act of creation itself. If, by His love, He created everything; By the same love He keeps on caring for His creation. Then came the Christian Sabbath; namely, Sunday, to bring joy to the soul of believers, when they come to 1 On Psalms, homily 21. 2 On Psalms, 92 (91). https://coptic-treasures.com/ 33 enjoy the new resurrected life, through the resurrection of the Lord Christ in the dawn of a Sunday. God’s deeds and the works of His hands, bring joy to our souls, and exhort us to sing joyful praises to His name. According to father Onesimus of Jerusalem, the word “Your work”, refers to the resurrection of the Lord of glory at the beginning of the week. The psalm refers to the joy of the church in the work of His resurrection on a Sunday; the day that became our feast and day of rest. According to St. Jerome, this phrase is an answer to the Gnostics who, despise the matter, wrongly claiming that it is not the work of God, the Good Creator, but of another evil creator, of a lesser status than God. And according to St. Augustine, the true believer rejoices in the works of God for his sake; on account of that the goodness he enjoys is a divine gift. If you come close to God, you will be in the light; That is why the psalm says: “They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed” (Psalm 34: 5). You cannot do any goodness unless you are enlightened by the light of God, and come to be in the warmth of His Holy Spirit. Therefore, when you see yourselve doing a good deed, do not get puffed up, but confess to God, and say together with the apostle, “What do you have, that you did not receive?” (1 Corinthians 4: 7) 1. (St. Augustine) Whenever I meditate in Him, I become full of gladness, and bless God; … I am equally amazed when I look at the huge elephant, or look at the tiny ant2. (St. Jerome) “On an instrument of ten strings, on the lute, and on the harp, with harmonious soun; for You Lord, has made me glad through Your works! I will triumph in the works of Your hands” (3, 4). Beware of Many3, Mercion4, Valentinus5, and the rest of the heretics, who dared to revile the Creator! … Look at how the prophet glorifies the Creator, and rejoice in His works! He knows for sure that anything 1 On Psalms, 92 (91). 2 On Psalms, homily 21. 43 لانھ محتاج ترجمة إلى الانجلیزیة 3 ، الرجاء القراءة من الكتاب ص 42 43 لانھ محتاج ترجمة إلى الانجلیزیة 4 ، الرجاء القراءة من الكتاب ص 42 43 لانھ محتاج ترجمة إلى الانجلیزیة 5 ، الرجاء القراءة من الكتاب ص 42 https://coptic-treasures.com/ 34 that looks evil is not as such by nature, but so became through the free option of man’s will1. (St. Jerome) “O Lord, how great are Your works! Your thoughts are very deep” (5) The more modern discoveries man comes to enjoys, the more amazed he becomes before the greatness of the wisdom, and care of the Creator, that surpass the human thoughts. Yet, on the great day of the Lord, we shall perceive new depths of the work of salvation, given by the Lord, by His crucifixion, and His resurrection. When we enjoy seeing Him face to face, and the fellowship of His glories, we shall stand in awe before His amazing salvation. Indeed, O brethren, there is no sea as deep as such thoughts of God, … how He makes the wicked flourish, and the righteous suffer; which are indeed very difficult to perceive! … Do you wish to cross over this deep sea? Do not ever forsake the wood of the cross, so as not to drown! Hold fast to the strength of Christ; … You heard the prophet Isaiah say: “He gave His back to those who struck Him; and His cheeks to those who plucked out the beard” (Isaiah 50: 6). Why did the Lord choose to suffer all that, except to comfort those who suffer? Endure, therefore, the temptations in this world with the same goal; and do not ever let those who do evil and flourish in this life, shake your faith. “Your thoughts are very deep”, … Do not do like a fish that rejoices to have the bait in its mouth! The fisherman hasn’t pulled the line yet! What you think of as a long time is actually a very short moment. Everything will pass soon enough. … What is a long life for man, compared to the eternity of God2?! (St. Augustine) “O Lord, how great are Your works! Your thoughts are very deep!”. These are the same feelings of the apostle who proclaims: “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” (Romans 11: 33). His thoughts are so deep that no human contemplation can perceive His works3. 1 On Psalms, homily 69. 2 On Psalms, 92 (91). 3 On Psalms, homily 69. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 35 Notice how the angels proclaim His beauty; but keep silent concerning His Essence1! (St. Jerome) 2- THE PERDITION OF THE FOOL: “A senseless man does not know, nor does a fool understand this” (6) What is the thing that a senseless man does not know, nor the fool understands, but the deep thoughts of God, who allows for the wicked to flourish, yet soon to wither like grass. It is befitting for the wicked not to rejoice in his flourishing, but to present repentance and return to God, to enjoy the heavenly glory, instead of a temporary flourishing, followed by an eternal perdition. He who only trusts in his knowledge, and rejects the teaching of God, will enter into a kind of apathy and foolishness; according to the words of the prophet Jeremiah: “For among all the wise men of the nations, and in all Your kingdoms, there is none like You. But they are altogether dull-hearted and foolish… But the Lord is the true God” (Jeremiah 10: 7, 8, 10); And, “Everyone is dull-hearted, without knowledge”(Jeremiah 51: 17); And in the book of proverbs: “Surely I am more stupid than any man, and do not have the understanding of a man. I, neither learned wisdom, nor have knowledge of the Holy One” (Proverbs 30: 2-3); And according to the apostle who calls upon us to enjoy the spiritual knowledge through the Spirit of God, saying: “No one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. We have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God” (1 Corinthians 2: 11-12). Although Your works are amazing, and the depth of Your wisdom could not be perceived; yet, by Your grace, we can imagine it, and teach it to others. But the senseless and the fools do not know, nor perceive. (Father Onesimus of Jerusalem) “When the wicked spring up like grass, and when all the workers of iniquity flourish, it is that they may be destroyed forever” (7) 1 On Psalms, homily 69. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 36 Where are all the great emperors, kings, and military leaders of the world, whom we got to know in the past?!; where are they now? They are no more!… Nothing is good except what is eternal1! (St. Jerome) “But You, Lord, are on high, forevermore” (8) “For behold, Your enemies, O Lord, For behold, Your enemies shall perish; All the workers o iniquity shall be scattered” (9) God, on high, waits until the wicked, attached to corruption, passes away, and the righteous comes forth to the eternal glory. For behold, O Lord, even if You have condescended and have become Man like us, yet You are still up high! (Father Onesimus of Jerusalem) If you wish to be longsuffering and perseverant, get attached to the eternity of God; As, when your hearts get attached to the Most High, everything else under you will become mortal; and you can say, together with the psalmist: “Behold, Your enemies, O Lord, shall perish” 2 (St. Augustine) All the workers of iniquity shall perish, and be scattered; as, within themselves, they carry corruption and perdition.. Like a wife, who could not be an adulteress, unless she is an enemy of her husband, so is the soul which, through its love for temporal things, could not be, but an enemy of God. All the lovers of the world; and all those who seek the counsel of the diviners, astrologers, and those with evil spirits, are enemies of God3. (St. Augustine) “But my horn You have exalted like a wild ox; I have been anointed with fresh oil” (10) According to the Septuagint and the Coptic versions, it came as: “Like a unicorn, my horn is exalted; and in my old age, I have been anointed with fresh oil”. (The unicorn is a wild animal with the body of a horse, and the tail of a lion, and a single horn coming out of the middle of its forehead). The “Horn” refers to strength; hence the psalmist says: “The Lord … is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold” 1 On Psalms, homily 21. 2 On Psalms, 92 (91). 3 On Psalms, 92 (91). https://coptic-treasures.com/ 37 (Psalm 18: 2); and, “I said to the boastful, ‘Do not deal boastfully’, and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up the horn, … do not speak with a stiff neck” (Psalm 75: 4, 5). Having got in touch with the work of the Lord that scatters iniquity, the psalmist perceives here that He will save him from the condition of despair that came upon him because of the wicked; and seeks from Him the spirit of strength, joy, and freedom; and to anoint him with oil, to make him dedicated to the Lord; (the way kings were anointed by prophets) ( 1 Samuel 15: 1; psalm 2: 2; Samuel 12: 20). Commenting on the term “horn”, St. Jerome says: Hornless animals should not be offered as a sacrifice in the temple; on account of that the sacrifice refers to the crucified Lord Christ, stretching His hands on the cross, to strike the devil with the (horn) of the cross, On the cross, the Lord Christ crucified the devil and all his hosts; and granted us the spirit of conquest and victory. As to the divine oil, the Lord Christ ascended to heaven from the Mount of Olives; that, by being anointed with the oil of the Lord’s divine mercy, our hearts would truly be detached from the bonds of this world, and would ascend to the kingdom of heaven. He did not ascend from the (Valley of Olives), but from the (Mount of Olives); for He intends to lift us up high to heaven. The heretics, the followers of the devil, likewise, have their own oil in their ungodly philosophies, by which they promise enlightenment to men; but do not lift them up to the kingdom of heaven, but bring them down to the love of the world, and to the earthlies. “My horn, You have exalted like a wild ox”. Unless an animal has a horn, by which it can defeat its enemies, it would no be counted worthy of being offered as a sacrifice to the Lord. Hence, the Lord is described as “the Horn” (Psalm 18: 2), for those who believe in Him. By the horns of the cross, He defeated His enemies; On the cross He brought the devil, and his hosts to shame. The cross was the sign of conquest, the banner of victory. The ultimate goal of being lifted up on His cross, was to lift us up from the earth. I think that the cross of the Savior has been the ‘ladder’ seen by Jacob1. Like when our bodies are exhausted from hard work, and would be revived by being anointed with oil; and like the light of a lamp would be extinguished if not provided with oil, So is the light of my old age, which needs the oil of God’s mercy to remain lighted with 1 On Psalms, homily 21. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 38 splendor. That is why the apostles, having been psychologically disturbed, they had to ascend up on the Mount of Olives to get enlightened by the oil of the Lord. In conformity with this line of thought, the righteous David says: “I am like a green olive tree in the house of God” (Psalm 52: 8); and, “Your children like olive plants all around your table” (Psalm 128: 3) … Why was it necessary for the Lord to ascend up to heaven from the Mount of Olives? To realize what the Holy Book teaches you. Unless you, and your lamps have the oil, you cannot ascend up to the kingdom of heaven. You have to be on the Mount of Olives, and not in the (Valley of Olives). To explain what is meant by the (Valley of Olives), we say that the devil, likewise, has his own olives; namely, the philosophers and the heretics, who have their own oil; and who also promise the light of knowledge. But their gardens of olives will lead down to the valley. … Let us then pray to the Lord, that the darkness of our old age would be enlightened by the oil of His olives1 (St. Jerome) “My eye also has seen the downfall of my adversaries. My ears have heard the doom of my evil assailants” (11) The adversaries of the psalmist, having been doers of iniquity, their end had to be perdition; his eyes will see what will dwell upon them, and his ears will hear their doom. The Hebrew word translated here as “adversaries”, refers to those who watch his every move with evil eye, anticipating his perdition. 3- BLESSING FOR THE RIGHTEOUS: “The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree; He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon” (12) “The palm tree” is known to be tall, upright, beautiful, and evergreen; its fruits are nourishing, and under its shade people find comfort. It is used as a symbol of endurance, perseverance, fruition, and conquest. “”The cedar of Lebanon” is known for its great height, shadow, strength, long life that may extend to 1000 years, and the high value of its wood which is widely used for construction. Both trees are used as a symbol of the righteous person. The righteous and the wicked, both flourish, yet in different ways: the former, flourishes like a palm tree, and his growth endures forever; While the later, flourishes like grass, just for sometime, about 1 On Psalms, homily 21. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 39 which it is said: “No sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat that it withers the grass, its flowers falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes” (James 1: 11). The former finds his happiness in the eternal things, to be carried together with them; while the later finds his happiness in the temporal things, to be destroyed together with them. The Mountains of Lebanon were described in many ways by the prophets in the Holy Book, both for commendation and condemnation: While it is written: “The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon; He makes them skip like a calf, like a young wild ox” (Psalm 29: 5-6). (This prophecy teaches us that every evil that lifts itself up against the knowledge of God will end up to nothing); It is also written: “The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon” (Psalm 92:12)…. The just grows like a high palm tree (The Lord Christ, is the only Just One, who ascended from the earth to heaven for our sake). He is a Palm tree that carries a multitude of leaves. In our human nature, The Lord Christ, became like a mountain covered with cedars; namely, with all those who believe in Him, and grow on Him. When we are planted in the house of God, we grow and flourish in His courts1. (St. Gregory, bishop of Nyssa) The palm tree is high, fruitful, evergreen, with sweet fruits of different colors. It is a long-lived tree, that needs long time to grow. With its slender stature, it is difficult for wild animals to climb to its top. And its branches are used as banners for those who conquer in battle. For all those features, the righteous is likened to it; on account of that virtue is sweet, needs a long time to grow, and much labor to develop; Yet, it is durable, evergreen, with sweet fruits, white heart; and a diverse and a multitude of good features. The righteous is also likened to the cedars of Lebanon, for their extreme height, firm rooting, fragrant smell, plentiful branches, and rich leaves. Saying “Lebanon” refers to the Gentiles who are justified by their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; planted in the house of the Lord (namely in the church), and in His courts, namely, in the congregations of believers, all over the world. (Father Onesimus of Jerusalem) عظة 14 على نشید الأناشید ترجمة الدكتور جورج نوّار. 1 https://coptic-treasures.com/ 40 It is written: “The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree” (12); namely, that their exalted works are always good, right, and rewarding. Like a palm tree with a good and a white heart, so are the righteous, whose hearts are simple, seeing only God; white, being enlightened through faith; and like a palm tree, have tapering heads to defend themselves against the devil. (Garden of the fathers) I wish the spiritual fire ignites perpetually in your heart; about which the Lord Christ says: “I came to send fire on the earth” (Luke 12: 49). … I wish the peace of the Lord reigns in your heart, according to the words of the apostle (Colossians 3: 15). … I wish your palm tree goes up high, and flourish like a righteous (12)…. I wish you are purified from anger and wrath, those terrible abominations, to become like the perfect saints “who dwell in prosperity” (Psalm 25: 13), with meekness, and without deceit; to be like suckling babes for Christ; like lambs without blemish; … I wish your eyes “can see God”, as someone with pure heart (Matthew 5: 8); … I wish you are longsuffering in afflictions, to become worthy of the divine promise of the Lord. saying: “In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16: 33); … I wish you reach up to that unconquerable love, that makes you worthy of being a brother of Christ. (St. Parsonovius) Although Christ is One Person, Yet He is diverse according to the needs of him, in whom He works. For him, who is weak and slothful; He would be a chastisement rod (that does not blossom!), But, for the righteous, he could be a Rod, blossoming with the fruit of the Spirit, which are “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5: 22), and other virtues in Jesus Christ our Lord1. (The scholar Origen) “Those who are planted in the house of the Lord, shall flourish in the courts of our God” (13) According to St. Ambrose, the Lord Christ likens a Vinedresser, or a Farmer, who cares for His believers, as well as their children, to set out of them fruitful and blossoming plants. 1 In Lev. 9. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 41 “Those who are planted in the house of the Lord, shall flourish in the courts of our God”. We are planted in a location, and flourish in another. In the church we are planted, and in the Kingdom of God we flourish … In the church we are planted, not within its walls, but in its teachings; according to the words of the Lord: “The kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17: 21). Everyone who is planted, and his roots grow deep in the house of the Lord, will produce flowers up there … Compared to the angels and the heavenly hosts, we are here, not in an ultimate dwelling place, but just in a kind of a temporary ‘tent’; … We are now at the beginning, and not at the ultimate end of perfection. We shall not be angels, but (like) angels, which is a great thing to be1! (St. Jerome) He enters into the garden to plant little olive plants in the house of the Lord (Psalm 128: 3); and the righteous would flourish like a palm tree (Psalm 92: 13); watered by the fountain of his blood2. (St. Ambrose) All the blessed believers, will have, at first, to travel along a narrow and a difficult path, as though in a winter storm (Matthew 7: 14), to reveal the extent of the knowledge they have acquired to go through their life; by which they would be able to perceive the significance of the words of the bride of the Song of songs, saying: “My beloved spoke and said to me, ‘Rise up my love, my fair one, and come away. For Lo, the winter is passed, the rain is over and gone” (Songs 2: 10, 11); … and the flowers will appear, those “planted in the house of the Lord, and shall flourish in the courts of our God” (13). It is befitting of you to perceive the significance of the passing of the winter (Songs 2: 11), in no other way but to enter into a struggle against the present winter, with your whole strength, and capabilities, to let the flowers planted in the house of our Lord. flourish in the courts of our God3. (The scholar Origen) “They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing” (14) 1 On Psalms, homily 21. 2 Of the Holy Spirit, 3: 119. 3 Exhortation to Martyrdom 31. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 42 If God allows for man to be physically weak in his old age, yet He makes it up for him, by providing him with increasing fruition in the Spirit. The young flower-laden tree may be joyful for the soul, yet, the old tree laden with fruits will give more joy to behold. It is always amazing to see a perennial tree still green and fruitful! It is not strange to see a little tree with green leaves; but it would be always amazing to see an old tree, still green. “They shall still bear fruit in old age”. Blessed is he who becomes more active, day after day1. (St. Jerome) “To declare that the Lord is upright; He is my Rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him” (14) On the great day of the lord, the righteousness and justice of God will glitter in His saints. 1 On Psalms, homily 21. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 43 AN INSPIRATION FROM PSALM 92 LET OUR HEARTS CELEBRATE YOUR SABBATH DAY For our sake You sanctified the Sabbath day; Not that You needed rest after Your work of creation; But to proclaim Your rest toward us; when we find rest by You; You command us to celebrate the true rest; As Christians, our Sabbath is Your resurrection, that granted us the resurrected life; Our Sabbath is the rest of our hearts, by and in You; What shall we benefit if our body members find rest; While our hearts stay disturbed with no true peace or tranquility?! Your resurrection provided us with the true rest; Our heart, together with our tongue, keep on confessing to You; In our weakness, we confess to You that we are sinners; and You are the Forgiver of sins; In walking with the truth, we confess to You that You are our righteousness and goodness; We praise You and sing to Your holy name, O Most High;; We glorify Your name, O You, who inscribe our names on Your palm; And write them in Your book of life; We do not seek the glory of our names, but that of Your holy name. We proclaim Your mercy, and glorify You early in the morning; And proclaim Your faithfulness by night; Whenever blessings dwell upon us, we exult in Your mercies early in the morning; And when You allow for us to go through temptations and afflictions, We proclaim Your faithfulness in fulfilling Your promises; Both in joy, as well as in anguish, we testify to You; We proclaim Your great mercy, as well as Your exalted faithfulness. When I celebrate Your true Sabbath; Your Holy Spirit plays music on the strings of my harp; He plays by my tongue, and by my whole being; My body, together with my soul, and my spirit, all sing Your praise. What is my instrument of ten strings, but Your holy commandments? I play on them through enjoying practicing them; I rejoice, not just by carrying Your holy book; https://coptic-treasures.com/ 44 But by walking according to Its commands, and by being enlightened by its light; I shall praise You, both by my tongue, and by my behavior; Let my heart turn into an unceasing Sabbath; Let me perpetually celebrate for the sake of Your works with me; Any goodness in me, is from You; Your works fill my soul with perpetual gladness. How deep are Your thoughts, O Lord; You allow for the wicked to flourish; He is not aware that he is enjoying a bait in his throat; That the time will soon come when the bait will be drawn; There, like a fish, he would perish through the same bait it enjoyed; Grant me to exult in the eternity You are preparing for me. I see You look down from Your heavens up high ; You long-suffer on the wicked, hoping that he may turn back from his corruption; And You encourage Your righteous to endure their anguish with perseverance; So as to make them justified and eternally glorified; The time for the wicked will soon pass away, and become past; Then the eternity of the righteous, that exalts above all time, will surely come. Your cross revealed Your wisdom to me; You, the Only begotten Son of God, received suffering with pleasure; So that I, the sinner, would receive my suffering the same way; I will become attached to Your cross, and will receive the cross together with you; By the horn of Your cross You struck the devil, and destroyed his authority; You granted me the spirit of strength, and gave me the enjoyment of the horn of salvation; You granted me the horn of strength; And anointed me with the oil of Your grace
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