Psalm 104 (103):13Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Why do mountains thirst for rain? They require it for the growth of grass and trees that adorn their slopes.

Bless the Lord, O my soul. Let all of us, united in Christ, echo this sentiment. O Lord my God, Thou art immensely exalted! Where do You show Yourself in greatness? In Your confession and beauty that You have donned. Confess that you may receive His adornment, so that He may robe you in light as if it were a garment. Clothed in His Church, which has been transformed from darkness into light through Him, as the apostle states, “Ye were once darkness, but now are light in the Lord.” You stretch heaven as if it were a garment or fold it over the earth with the ease of a covering, just as we take the letters of Holy Scripture figuratively, as they encompass the world with authority. Mortality is signified in the skin, and all authority of Divine Scripture has been bestowed upon us through mortal beings, whose glory continues even beyond death.

He cloaks the upper reaches with water. What are the upper reaches? They are heavenly. What do we mean by Heaven? In a figurative sense, we refer to the Divine Scriptures. What represents the upper reaches of the Divine Scriptures? The commandment of love, which is supreme. Why is love likened to water? It is because the love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit bestowed upon us. From where does the Spirit come, if not from water? For Jesus declared, “Whoever believes in Me, out of his bosom shall flow rivers of living water.” How do we know this was said about the Spirit? The evangelist clarifies, stating, “But this He spoke of the Spirit, which those who believed in Him were to receive.” He rides upon the wings of the winds, signifying His dominance over the virtues of the soul. What is the soul’s virtue? The love of self. Yet how does He triumph over it? Because God’s love for us surpasses our love for Him.

He makes spirits His angels, and ministers a consuming fire. That is, those who are already spirits—spiritual, not carnal—He designates as angels, sending them forth to proclaim His Gospel. The consuming fire serves Him; if the minister who preaches does not burn with zeal, he will not ignite those to whom he speaks.

He established the earth on its solid foundation. He sets His Church upon the foundation of Christ. What is this foundation? As the Apostle asserts, “No man can lay another foundation than that which is laid, which is Christ Jesus.” What, then, deserves to be heard upon such a foundation? It shall not be rocked forever. He built the earth upon its steadiness, which signifies He built the Church upon Christ. The Church may tremble if the foundation is shaken; but when will Christ, through whom all things were made, and without whom nothing was made, ever be shaken? “In the beginning was the Word,” and He upholds all things by His majesty, and us by His goodness. As Christ does not falter, neither shall the Church eternally be shaken.

The abyss, like a garment, is its cloak. Whose? God’s garment is described as being “clothed with light.” The depths of the waters are referred to as the Abyss, encompassing all water and moist nature, flowing through seas, rivers, and hidden caverns. Therefore, we comprehend the earth of which He stated, “He founded the earth.” In truth, the Abyss surrounds, covering it all, as the garment of the earth.

The waters rise above the mountains, signifying that the clothing of the earth, the Abyss, has increased to the point that waters stand over the mountains. This is reminiscent of the flood narrative. The prophet spoke this to foretell future trials, indicating that the Church would face persecution. There was a time when streams of oppressors overwhelmed God’s Church, obscuring even that which is great, like mountains. When these were scattered, how could they fail to appear? Perhaps these waters lament, “Save me, O God, for the waters have risen up to my soul.” Particularly the fierce waters that made the sea wild and desolate. For, whenever the sea covers the land, it will cease to be fertile, instead rendering it barren. Indeed, even the mountains were submerged, as waters prevailed above them. Why did the apostles flee? Because the waters towered above the mountains. The power of the waters was formidable, but how long would this last?

At Thy rebuke they shall flee. And it happened, brethren; by God’s command, the waters retreated from the mountains—those who were once burdened by persecution are now glorified as heroes. For, by the command of God, the tumult has fled, as the hearts of kings are within His hand, directed as He wills. He has granted peace to His people; the authority of the Apostles has prospered.

The waters have fled at Thy rebuke. At the sound of Thy thunder they tremble. Who would not shudder at the proclamation of God through His apostles, through the Scriptures, through His clouds? The sea calmed down; the waters trembled, mountains became exposed, and the emperor commanded. Yet, who could have issued a command had not God thundered? Because He willed it, it came to pass. Hence, let no one take credit for anything.

The mountains ascend, and the valleys lower to the location You have established for them. He continues to speak of the waters. Let us not interpret mountains as merely earthly forms, nor plains in an earthly sense, but as waves of great magnitude likened to mountains, capable of overshadowing the mountains of the Apostles. How long do mountains rise and valleys sink? They raged but have now been calmed. When they were raging, they were like mountains; now, pacified, they have humbled into plains, for He has destined a space for them. There exists a specific channel, where all these newly agitated hearts of mortals have retreated. What once were mountains have become valleys; yet even in stillness, the sea remains.

Why are they gentle now? Why are they no longer furious? Why do they not strive to cover our land? Listen: “You have set a limit, which they cannot surpass, nor turn back to cover the earth.” What does this mean, that the fiercest waves have reached their measure? It allows us the freedom to proclaim such truths, for they have an appointed boundary, and thus cannot return to cover the land. What is occurring upon the earth itself? Who sends forth springs in the valleys? You send, for springs emerge from low places. For hills and valleys contrast each other. Do not dismiss the low places; springs arise from them. You send springs to the small valleys.

Hear the mountains! The Apostle states, “I labored more abundantly than them all.” Some grandeur may be seen, yet immediately, to allow for the flowing waters, he himself became a valley: “Yet not I, but the grace of God with me.” There exists no contradiction that mountains also serve as valleys; being called mountains for their spiritual stature, they become valleys through their spirit’s humility.

What does it mean, “In the midst of the mountains the waters shall flow”? We recognize that mountains represent the great proclaimers of the Word—exalted Angels of God still residing in mortal flesh, uplifted not by their might but by His grace. Regarding themselves, they are valleys, through their humility they dispense springs. In the midst, between the mountains, the waters shall flow. This implies that “In the midst of the Apostles shall pass the proclamation of the Truth.” What constitutes the ‘midst’ between the Apostles? That which is in the center is a shared treasure. Shared property grants all equal sustenance; it neither belongs to me nor to you. If it does not dwell in the center, it becomes private—mere goods that do not serve the public, where “I have mine and you have yours.” That is not the preaching of peace.

Thus, brethren, allow what we have communicated serve your spirit, for those springs may flow through you as valleys and commune with all the gifts of God. May the waters flow in the midst; envy no one; drink deeply, be filled, and overflow in sharing. Let the communal waters of God be glorified everywhere, not the private deceptions of mankind.

Consequently, all the beasts of the forest shall drink. Indeed, we observe this in creation: the beasts consuming from the springs and streams flowing between the mountains. Yet now, it has pleased God to conceal wisdom within these images—not to deny the earnest seekers but to reveal it to those willing to knock. The Lord God Himself prompts you through us, so that in all these elements, which reference corporeal and visible creation, we might seek out a spiritually hidden truth, and rejoice upon finding it. The beasts are understood as the Gentiles, as various scriptures attest.

These creatures frequent the waters, but fleetingly. They do not abide, merely passing through; for all teachings disseminated throughout this time are transitory. Unless, that is, your love ponders that in the city to which it is said, “Praise the Lord, Jerusalem; praise your God, Zion; for He has fortified the bars of your gates,” where the gates are now strengthened and the city remains closed, no friend can exit and no enemy enter. There, as previously mentioned, shall we possess a book to read or a discourse to elucidate as it is now presented to you. Therefore, it is treated presently to be preserved; it is divided into syllables for contemplation, embraced wholly. There is no scarcity of God’s Word there; neither of letters, sounds, books, nor reader or interpreter. How then? “In the beginning was the Word.” For He transcends all. He was in the world, and the world was formed through Him. Such is the Word we ought to dwell on. For the God of gods will reveal Himself in Zion. But when? After our pilgrimage, when our journey is complete. However, if after our journey concludes we are brought before the Judge, may He send us to imprisonment. For if, as we hope, desire, and strive, we arrive at our homeland, there we shall behold what we shall eternally praise; and neither those who partake of this glory nor those who rejoice will ever be fulfilled. Great and wonderful shall be this contemplation.

The wild onagras shall thirst. By onagras, he refers to formidable beasts. The wild ass is familiar to many; thus, he points to larger untamed individuals. The Gentiles lack the Law's yoke; many nations follow their own customs, lost in arrogance, akin to wilderness beasts. The wild ass denotes a larger kind; they all quench their thirst. The hare drinks here; the wild ass there. They consume in differing ways: the hare is smaller, timid; the wild ass is larger and audacious. Each quenches their thirst in their own manner.

So faithfully does this water flow, that it satisfies the wild ass instantly, yet does not frighten the hare. There exists the echo of Cicero's voice, a dialogue perhaps, whether his own or that of Plato or some other philosopher. Some listen to the untrained, the meek, the less learned; who among them dares aspire? Yet it is the flow of water, likely muddy, yet assuredly consuming with a force that intimidates the timid creature. To whom does the Psalm speak? “Is this too much for me?” These are indeed veiled mysteries, yet it resonates such that even children listen with delight, and the unlearned come, drinking deeply, becoming filled, and bursting forth in song.

The Psalm further continues, “The birds of the sky shall dwell upon them.” The birds dwell among the mountains. Many reside upon the mountains; many dwell in the plains, in the valleys, in the groves, and in gardens, yet not all abide on the mountains. Certain birds exclusively occupy the high places. These spiritual beings revel in the celestial domain, but find nourishment in the mountains—their dwelling place. Mountains represent Prophets and Apostles, all proclaimers of truth.

Yet do not presume these birds exercise their own authority; observe what the Psalm states: “From the midst of the rocks they shall lift up their voice.” If I tell you, “Believe because Cicero said so, or Plato,” who among you would take me seriously? For I would be a bird, voicing opinions devoid of rock-solid foundation. What must each of you declare in response? If anyone brings you a message other than what you have received, let him be anathema.

He will till the mountains with His immense majesty. The mountains and the plains will be cultivated, not from the sources found in the valleys or from the rivers that traverse the land, but from above through the gift of plentiful rain. The earth will be filled with the yield of Your creations. Just as He has provided an abundance of water, so has He arranged nourishment from the ground.

An alternative interpretation might be that the earth is sustained by all Your blessings. Or perhaps: through Your deeds, many are nourished by the apostles.

God not only creates and sustains the waters beneath, but He also sends forth rain from the clouds above. The prophet then highlights the blessing that comes from this provision.

You shall bind the mountains from their heights. The Lord declares that you shall bind the mountains from the clouds, which are referred to here as heights. If the mountains are bound, it follows that the entirety of the earth is also bound, as the rains are appropriately dispensed by God from above through the clouds. Chrysostom remarks that some believe the rains come from this higher celestial water in ways that are inexplicable and unnoticed by us; Mitrophanes of Smyrna seeks to support this in his interpretation of the second epistle of Peter, suggesting the floodwaters originated from this source. It implies that the rains come from His heights, as it was also stated in the beginning: He who covers His heights with waters, meaning heaven.

In Slavonic, the term "Heights" refers to "exceeding heights," which translates to τὰ ύπερῶον, signifying the upper section of a dwelling, akin to an attic. This space, called the air by God, symbolizes the entirety of creation as one unified house. Following the mention of the sea, there is a connection to rain, as its waters originate from the sea.

In this passage, he celebrates a remarkable aspect of God's wondrous Providence, which, beyond providing natural springs and rivers that cannot reach the lofty peaks of mountains, designed to send forth rains that, like overflowing springs, would nourish these high places and render them fertile. Consequently, the mountains, which seem destined for perpetual barrenness and appear to float in the atmosphere, flourish with rich pastures. The Prophet wisely concludes that such abundance is solely the work of God, the divine gardener of creation. While he attributes the efforts of farming to God, he does so with sound reasoning, as God, by empowering the earth through His exalted messengers, accomplishes far more than all human endeavors combined.

A Psalm inspired by the Holy Spirit, attributed to David, extols the glory and grandeur of God, the Creator of all creation, reflecting upon His astonishing and unfathomable handiwork throughout the universe, including the earth and all that inhabits it, as well as the seas and their contents. This creation is a testament to the wisdom, might, and beauty maintained by our Lord Jesus Christ, the manifestation of the unseen God, the firstborn of every creature, for through Him all things were made, both seen and unseen, and in Him all things hold together (Rev. 10:6; Col. 1:16). The soul, divinely inspired by God, should offer heartfelt gratitude to Him. God's majesty is eternal, without beginning or end. The Holy Church serves as the garment of Christ, in which His praises resound.