THEOSISJerome of Stridon
Let us consider the direction of His ascent. Observe the words: Passing through the valley of tears (Psalm 83:7). In the Book of Judges, we find that when the angel of the Lord came to proclaim the necessity of repentance, declaring, ‘You have forsaken the Lord, and the Lord will forsake you,’ the people responded with a great outcry and wept. This location is referred to as the ‘valley of tears.’ We recall this ancient narrative to safeguard against error in our understanding. Spiritually, we can perceive the valley of tears as representing our current existence; we find ourselves not on the mountain, meaning not in the kingdom of heaven, but rather in the valley, indicative of the darkness of this world.
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Through disobedience, we were cast out of paradise, much like Adam, into this valley of tears, marked by repentance and sorrow. What did the prophet intend by expressing this? God designed our world to be a battleground where we can contend against the devil and sin in order to earn our heavenly reward. Why engage in this struggle? Could He not have redeemed us without requiring effort? Yet, as if He were the master of the contest, He established it, providing the arena where we can combat our transgressions, so that afterward, He may justly bestow upon us the crown, as those who have labored rather than remained idle.