Bless the Lord, my soul. Let us all, united in Christ, declare this. O Lord my God, You are greatly exalted! Psalm 102:1. In what way are You magnified? You have adorned Yourself with a beauty that inspires confession. Acknowledge Him, so that you may be adorned; let Him cover you. Enveloped in light as if wrapped in a garment, Psalm 103:2. Clothed in His church, which has transformed from darkness to light through Him, as the apostle states, You were once darkness, but now are light in the Lord. Ephesians 5:8. You stretch out the heavens as a veil or with the ease of unfurling a skin, understanding that this represents mortality, as all the authority of the Holy Scriptures is conveyed to us through mortal messengers, whose glory transcends their earthly existence.
He covers the heights with water, Psalm 102:3. What does ‘the heights’ mean? It symbolizes heaven. What is heaven? Figuratively, we reference the Holy Scriptures. What are the heights of the Holy Scriptures? They are the commandment of love, for there is no commandment greater than this. Mark 12:31. Why is love likened to water? The love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that was given to us. Romans 5:5. The Spirit is symbolized by water, as Jesus proclaimed: “Whoever believes in Me, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” John 7:37-38. This is confirmed by the evangelist, who clarifies, “But this He spoke about the Spirit whom those who believed in Him would receive.” He rides above the wings of the winds, denoting His supremacy over the virtues of the soul. The virtue of the soul is to love oneself, but how does He conquer it? Because the love of God for us surpasses our love for God.
He makes His angels spirits and His ministers a flame of fire, Psalm 102:4. He transforms those who are already spirits—those who are spiritual rather than carnal—into His angels, commissioning them to proclaim His gospel. A blazing fire serves Him, for if the preacher does not blaze with passion, he will not ignite the hearts of his audience.
He established the earth upon its foundation, Psalm 103:5. This refers to the Church founded on solid ground. What is the foundation of the Church? It is that of which the Apostle states: No one can lay any other foundation than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:11. Therefore, what can it expect upon such a foundation? It shall not be shaken forever. He laid the foundations of the earth, signifying that He has grounded the Church in Christ. The Church would falter if the foundation were to falter; but when will Christ, the pre-existing Creator, before whom all things were made, and in whom nothing exists without Him, John 1:3, who holds everything by His Majesty, Hebrews 1:3, and us through His goodness, ever be shaken? Since Christ remains steadfast, she shall not be moved forever. Where are those who claim the Church has vanished from the earth when she is yet to be worshipped?
The abyss surrounds it like a garment, Psalm 102:6. Whose garment is that? It cannot be God's, for He has already declared, “Clothed in light as in a garment.” If He is wrapped in light, what then is the abyss? The abyss, representing the vast expanse of waters, denotes all moist essence—everything that flows through seas, rivers, and hidden chasms, unified under one title, the Abyss. Therefore, when He states, “He founded the earth,” we must consider, “The abyss, like a garment, encloses it.” Water functions as the earth's covering, enveloping and protecting it.
The waters will rise above the mountains; indeed, the attire of the earth—the abyss—has increased to such an extent that the waters now cover the mountains. We read of this during the time of the flood. The prophet intended to depict the future, emphasizing that the Church would find itself amidst a torrent of persecution. There was a time when waves of persecutors inundated God’s Church to such an extent that even prominent leaders, akin to mountains, seemed hidden. How is it that in such scattering they do not cease to be seen? Perhaps these very waters echo, “Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my soul.” Especially those tumultuous waters that cause the sea to be violent and barren. Wherever the sea touches land, it renders it infertile, for many mountains lay submerged beneath these waters.
Why did the apostles flee? Because the waters towered over the mountains. The force of the waters was formidable, but for how long? Listen to what follows: From Your rebuke they will scatter. Psalm 102:7. Indeed, this occurred as brothers; by God's rebuke, the waters flowed back, retreating from the mountains. Now, behold how the mountains themselves—Peter and Paul—have been exalted! Those once subject to persecution are now honored like emperors. The waters retreated in response to God's rebuke, as the hearts of kings are in His hands; He directs them as He wishes; Proverbs 21:1, and He has commanded peace for Christians. The authority of the Apostles has expanded and flourished. The waters fled at the sound of God’s thunder. Who does not tremble at the divine voice through the apostles, through Scriptures, through His clouds? The sea calmed, the waters quaked, the mountains emerged, and the emperor issued edicts. But who would have commanded such if God had not thundered? Since God willed, they commanded, and it was fulfilled. Therefore, let no one claim any accomplishment for themselves.
The mountains rise, and the valleys sink to the place You have established for them. Psalm 102:8. He still speaks of the waters. Let us not interpret mountains merely as physical formations, nor plains simply as earth, but as waves comparable to mountains. Once, the sea surged, and its waves loomed as high as mountains, potentially concealing the mountains of the Apostles. But how long do the mountains rise and the plains subside? They raged, but now they are silenced. When they raged, they appeared as mountains; now pacified, they have become plains, for He has prepared a place for them. There exists a channel—a depth where all these restless hearts of mortals have retreated. Previously mountains, but now plains; even a silent sea is still a sea. Why are they not violent now? Why do they not lash out, when they cannot overthrow our land, striving to at least engulf it? Why do they hold back?
Hear this: You have set a limit they cannot surpass, nor return to cover the earth. Psalm 103:9. Now, given that the fiercest waves have received their measure, we are free to preach with liberty, for they have an appointed limit that they cannot stray beyond, and they will not return to overwhelm the earth. So, what is happening upon the earth now that the sea has receded? What work is currently unfolding in this land? You cause springs to gush in the valleys, Psalm 102:10. You bring forth springs in lowly places among the lands. Hills and mountains stand in contrast to valleys and low spots, yet do not despise the lowly spaces; springs emerge from them. You send forth springs to the humble valleys. Consider the mountains—the apostle expresses, “I labored more than all,” displaying some grandeur before us, but swiftly acknowledging that, to allow these waters to flow, he made himself a valley: “Not I, but the grace of God with me.” 1 Corinthians 15:10. Mountains can also be valleys; as they are called mountains for their spiritual height, they are valleys in terms of their humility. “Not I,” he proclaims, “but the grace of God with me.”
What does it signify, “In the midst of the mountains, the waters shall flow”? We have identified the mountains as the great preachers of truth, exalted beings of God, though still encased in mortal flesh—elevated not by their own strength but by divine grace; yet, of themselves, they are valleys, pouring forth springs. In the midst, signifies that which is common property. This common element, which sustains lives equally, dwells among us, and it does not belong to one exclusively. If not shared, then it appears private, and each possesses their own. This is not in alignment with the preaching of peace.
Thus, brothers, let what has been said serve a purpose for you, that through those springs, let them flow from you as valleys, and unite with all that is of God. Allow the river of God to flow uniformly, free of envy; partake, be nourished, and let the waters of God be glorified everywhere, not the personal lies of men.
Consequently, all the beasts of the forest will drink. Psalm 103:11. We indeed observe this in creation: beasts of the forest quench their thirst from the springs and streams flowing between the mountains. Yet, God has chosen to conceal His wisdom within such imagery, not withholding it from the diligent seekers, but obscuring it from the indifferent while opening it to those who earnestly inquire. It pleases the Lord God to encourage you through us that, amidst all creation, we might seek deeper spiritual truths, finding joy therein. The beasts of the forest signify the Gentiles, a truth testified in Scripture on many occasions.
These creatures sip from these waters, but transiently; they do not abide but only momentarily partake; for all the teachings disseminated in this era are temporary. Should your love reflect on that city to which it is proclaimed, “Praise the Lord, Jerusalem; praise your God, Zion,” for He strengthens the gates of your walls; when now the bars are fortified and the city is secured, it is in that place, we asserted previously, where no friend shall exit nor foe enter; it is there that we will seek a book to read, or a teaching to be unpacked as you now hear. This is why it is now treated; so that it may be held; that is why it is divided into syllables, so that there it can be contemplated in its entirety. There will be no scarcity of God’s Word; nor of letters, nor sounds, nor books, nor interpreters. How, then? As it is written, “In the beginning was the Word.” John 1:1. For He did not come to be moved away from where He is; He was in the world, and the world was created through Him. Thus we should reflect on this Word. The God of gods will be manifested in Zion. When shall this occur? After our pilgrimage, when our journey is complete; unless, when we reach our journey’s end, we are presented before the Judge, that He may cast us into prison. Yet if, as we hope and strive for, we reach our promised land post-journey, we will behold what we will eternally praise; and he who has feasted, and we who partake, shall not be filled; neither shall he who dines grow weary. Indeed, this vision shall be great and wondrous.
The onagras shall be filled with thirst. Onagras refers to wild beasts, specifically wild asses. It conveys the notion of great untamed individuals, for the Gentiles had not been bound by the Law; many nations followed their own customs, swaggering proudly through life as in a desolate wilderness. Likewise, all beasts incline towards their own paths, but wild asses symbolize a greater species. And they shall drink their fill from these waters, with hares drinking from one source and wild asses from another; the hare is diminutive, whereas the ass is robust; the hare is meek, while the wild ass is bold. Each drinks from their respective sources, yet the waters flow gently, quenching the wild ass's thirst swiftly without alarming the timid hare. You may recall the voice of Tullius, listening to Cicero’s readings, or those of Plato or others: some engage with the unlearned and less-wise; who among them would dare to aspire to such?
Yet the Psalm resounds, “Is this overmuch for me?” It seems these are hidden mysteries, yet presented in ways that even children delight in listening, and the uneducated come forth to drink deeply and, filled, burst forth in joyful song.
THEOSIS