Psalm 104 (103):17Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Bless the Lord, my soul. Let every soul, united in Christ, echo this sentiment. O Lord my God, You are greatly exalted! Where do You display Your greatness? You have donned confession and beauty. Confess to be adorned, so He may envelop you. Cloaked in light as a garment. Clothed in His Church, now radiating light, which was once engulfed in darkness; as the apostle states, “Ye were once darkness, but now are light in the Lord.” You stretch heaven like a thin veil, akin to unfurling a skin, showcasing the authority of the Holy Scriptures spread across the earth, for the skin symbolizes mortality, and all the authority of Divine Scripture has been imparted to us through mortal beings, whose glory endures beyond the grave.

Who envelops the heights with water. What do these heights refer to? They are heavenly. What is Heaven? Figuratively, we have identified it as the Divine Scriptures. What embodies the heights of the Divine Scriptures? The commandment of love, above which there exists none, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” But why is love likened to water? Because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit bestowed upon us. Where does the Spirit derive its essence – water? For Jesus proclaimed, “Whoever believes in Me, out of his bosom shall flow rivers of living water.” This declaration, the evangelist reveals, was concerning the Spirit that those who believe in Him would receive. He soars above the wings of the winds, representing the virtues of the soul. What is the virtue of the soul? The love of self. But how will He prevail over it? Because God’s love for us surpasses our love for Him.

Who transforms the spirits into His angels, and makes a fiery flame His ministers: those who have already been spiritual in nature, He sends forth as angels to proclaim His Gospel. And the blazing fire serves Him. For if a minister does not burn with zeal, he cannot ignite passion in those to whom he preaches.

He has solidified the earth upon its foundation. He has established the Church upon the firmness that is its foundation. What is the foundation of the Church, but as the Apostle states: “No man can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Christ Jesus.” What, then, is the worth of such a foundation? It shall not be moved forever. He founded the earth upon its solidity, implying He established the Church upon the foundation of Christ. The Church can be shaken only if the foundation is shaken; but when will Christ, the very one through whom everything was created, before He took on flesh and became one of us, and without whom nothing was created, who sustains all by His glory, and us by His kindness, be shaken? Since Christ does not falter, she shall not be swayed forever. Where are the voices claiming that the Church has vanished from the world when she is ever-present in worship?

The abyss, as a garment, is her cloak. Whose garment? Could it be God's? Yet He has already declared, “Clothed with light as a garment.” I recognize God adorned in light, and that light, if we desire it, belongs to us. What transpires if we seek it? We cease to be darkness. So, if God is adorned in light, whose garment is the abyss? The deep waters are termed the abyss, encompassing all water and moist essence flowing through seas, rivers, and hidden depths. They are collectively referred to as the Abyss. Thus, we understand the earth, which He proclaimed, “He founded the earth.” Of this, I think it is said: “The Abyss, like a garment, is its garment.” Water, as it were, becomes the garment of the earth, encircling and cloaking it.

The waters will rise above the mountains, indicating that the earth's apparel—the abyss—has increased to such an extent that the waters even overwhelm the peaks. We read of this occurring during the flood... The prophet, foretelling the future rather than recounting the past, indicated so we comprehend that the Church must endure in times of persecution. For a time, the torrents of persecution enveloped God's domain, His Church, concealing even those towering mountains. When they were dispersed, how did they persist out of view? And perhaps it is these very waters that proclaim, “Save me, O God, for the waters have reached even to my soul,” Especially those tumultuous waters which render the sea rough and desolate. For wherever the sea's waters claim land, they shall not cultivate it but leave it barren; even the mountains lie submerged beneath the waters.

Why did the apostles flee? Because the depths loomed over the peaks. The power of the waters was immense, but for how long? Listen to what transpires next: “At Your rebuke, they shall scatter.” And it came to pass, dear ones; by God's rebuke, the waters retreated; that is, they ceased their advance upon the mountains. Now the mountains themselves, Peter and Paul, have been elevated! Those who once endured persecution are now honored as leaders. For the waters receded at God's command; the heart of kings resides in the hand of God, guiding it as He wills. He has decreed peace for Christians, and the authority of the Apostles has flourished and ascended...

The waters fled at God’s rebuke. At the sound of Your thunder, they trembled. Who would not quake at the divine voice through the apostles, through the Scriptures, through His clouds? The sea stilled, the waters trembled, the mountains were revealed, and the emperor issued commands. But who would have commanded had God not thundered? What He willed happened; thus, no man should claim anything as his own.

The mountains ascend, and the valleys descend to the place You have appointed for them. He continues to speak about the waters. We should not interpret mountains as mere land, nor plains as on earth, but rather as waves inflated to mountain-like proportions. The sea once surged; its waves towered like mountains, which could have swallowed the apostles' peaks. But how long do the mountains rise and the plains fall? They raged, yet they are now calm. In their fury, they were mountains; now, in stillness, they have become plains since He established a place for them. There is a channel where these once agitated hearts of mortals have retreated...

Previously mountains, they are now plains; yet, dear friends, even a calm sea is still a sea. Why are they not fierce now? Why do they not rage? Why, if they cannot uproot our land, do they not at least attempt to cover it? Why do they not?

Listen! You have set a limit that they cannot cross over nor revert to cover the earth. What then, since now the most tumultuous waves are confined, allowing us the freedom to preach such themes without restraint? For they have their appointed boundary, unable to exceed what is established and unwilling to return to blanket the earth. What now unfolds on the earth itself? What work is at play while the flood has left it exposed? Although the gentle waves may whisper upon the shores, and the Gentiles continue to murmur around us—the noise of the shores reaches me; I do not fear the flood. What then is occurring on the earth? Who dispatches springs into the valleys? You instigate, declaring springs in the valleys. You are aware of what small valleys are—lowly areas amidst the terrain. For hills and mountains stand in contrast to valleys and small dips. Hills and mountains rise high on the earth, while valleys and small valleys lie lowly upon it. Do not disregard the humble places; springs flow forth from there. You send springs to the lowlying valleys.

Listen to the mountains. The apostle remarked, “I labored more than all.” Some greatness may seemingly appear, but finite valleys are created even for the waters to flow: “But not I, but the grace of God with me.” There is no contradiction in the mountains being valleys: for in their spiritual grandeur they are called mountains, yet in their spirit’s humility, they are valleys. “Not I,” he asserts, “but the grace of God with me.”

What does it mean, “In the midst of the mountains, the waters shall pass through”? We have learned who the mountains are—great preachers of the Word, exalted angels of God, though remaining in mortal flesh; elevated not by their own strength, but by His grace; yet, they embody valleys, in their humility, as they pour forth springs. In the midst, he declares, between the mountains the waters shall flow; it could mean that “In the midst of the Apostles, there shall be the proclaiming of the Word of Truth." What lies in between the apostles? That which is termed “in the midst” represents a commonality. The commonality, by which all partake equally, exists in the middle and is not exclusive to any individual; hence, it does not belong to me, nor to you, or him.

For if it is not shared in the middle, it appears private, flowing not for communal benefit, resulting in, “I have mine, and you have yours,” and it is inappropriate for us to claim it; however, such is not the preaching of peace... Therefore, dear friends, let what we have shared with your love take form due to the springs: may they flow from you, being valleys, and communicate with all that you possess from God. Let the waters flow in the midst, harbor no envy, drink, be filled, and let them flow forth when filled. May the common water of God be glorified everywhere, not the private deceptions of men...

Thus, all the beasts of the forest shall drink. We witness this also in visible creation, that the forest creatures drink from the springs and streams nestled between the mountains; yet now, since it pleases God to conceal His wisdom within the allegories of such things, not to withdraw them from earnest seekers but to veil it from the indifferent while revealing it to those who earnestly seek; the Lord God Himself has chosen to encourage you through us that in all these matters, which speak of corporeal and visible creation, we might seek something spiritually obscured, to be exultant when discovered. The beasts of the forest represent the Gentiles, and many scriptures bear testimony to this...

These creatures occasionally drink from these waters, not enduringly but fleetingly; the teachings disseminated throughout this era are ephemeral... Unless your love contemplates that city to which it is proclaimed, “Praise the Lord, Jerusalem, praise your God, Zion; for He has fortified the bars of your gates;” now that the gates are secured, and the city is closed off, from where, as previously stated, no ally shall exit, nor adversary shall enter; shall we have a book there to read, or speech to elucidate as it is currently being elucidated to you. For this is addressed now, that it may be retained there; this is divided into syllables, that it may be contemplated whole and complete. There will be no deficiency of the Word of God there, nor of texts, nor sounds, nor books, nor readers, nor interpreters. How then? “In the beginning was the Word,” for He did not come to depart from there; for He was in the world, and the world was created through Him. Such is the Word upon which we ought to meditate. For the God of gods shall be revealed in Zion. But when will this happen? After our journey, after we have finished our pilgrimage; unless we encounter the Judge, who may cast judgment upon us. Yet, if when our journey concludes, as we hope and aspire, we arrive at our homeland, there we shall witness that which we will continually praise; and he who has and we who partake shall never find satisfaction; the eater will not be fulfilled with what he consumes. Such a glorious and wondrous contemplation shall be…

The residence of the Herodians is ahead of them. A prophet proclaims that the abode of the Herodians is overseen by the very birds themselves, as these Herodians, having selected the tallest trees, commonly build their nests in fir trees, which stand above all others.

Let us interpret the sparrows as representative of all birds, both collectively and individually. The stork serves as their chief. This bird is remarkable, renowned for being more magnificent than even the eagle, which is known to prey upon it. Unlike other birds that construct nests to return to at dusk, the stork rests wherever night finds it. This imagery conveys a deeper truth: the monk lacks a permanent refuge and settles wherever he arrives. He contends with the evil one who reigns in this world. Just as the stork vanquishes the eagle, the sovereign of birds, it is proclaimed: "Even if you are exalted like an eagle, I will bring you down from there, says the Lord" (see Abd. 1:4; Jer. 49:16). Indeed, the eagle symbolizes the adversary, as noted in the book of Ezekiel (Ezekiel 17).

Akilah interprets, "where the birds establish their nests, and the hedgerow finds its lodging." Simmachus expresses it as "where the sparrows create their nests, and the palm tree serves as a residence for the kite." The same trees are utilized for various purposes by humanity and avian life; they provide materials for people to construct homes, while simultaneously hosting the nests of birds upon their branches.

What is the significance of the phrase ‘Small birds will make their nests there’? The Psalmist likely refers to these small birds as either souls or different virtues. What is indicated by the phrase, The dwelling of the erodius over them? It is noted that the erodius, a type of heron, is known for its purity; it mourns for forty days before mating and then observes another period of mourning for forty days thereafter. This bird builds its nest in trees that rise high enough for the sky to be fully visible above, without any shadows obstructing its view. Due to these traits, the erodius symbolizes chastity, which governs all virtues and remains detached from all sensual distractions, unshaded by anything temporary—the number forty signifies the fulfillment of the four elements.

In those places, the birds will find their nesting grounds, and the dwelling of Herodias, the stork, will serve as a guide for them. He indicates that small birds take to trees and cedars for nesting, encompassing not only birds of smaller size but also other species. Trees serve a dual purpose; they provide humans with materials for constructing homes and vessels, and they offer birds essential places to alight, sing, and create their nests. Prominently, the Herodium is said to nest among these tall trees. The esteemed Athanasius notes that the Herodium prefers to nest in the lofty firs. Chrysostom remarks on the wisdom of God in this matter, noting that not all trees can support all birds; just as the diets, behaviors, and lifestyles vary among birds, so too do their nesting sites.

Birds symbolize individuals who are targeted by the adversary and his agents for their faithfulness, yet manage to evade his traps. David proclaimed, “Our soul is delivered as a bird out of the net of the fowlers” (Ps. 123:7). The term ‘stork’ aptly refers to Peter, who continually followed Christ, resembling a stork that remains closely aligned with its keeper. Consequently, he guides the believers, teaching them how to steer clear of the snares set by those who seek to ensnare them. Peter himself, ensnared by the net of denial, found his way out through sincere repentance.

In this passage, he discusses the overarching Providence of God, which is evident in the sustenance of every part of creation. He begins by mentioning that from the water referenced earlier in verse 13, trees flourish, providing homes for the birds. He further illustrates how God shelters the fir trees and hares in the mountains, emphasizing that no corner of creation escapes the attention of our benevolent Father, and that every creature is included in His Providence. The prophet shifts focus from humanity to trees, suggesting it is not surprising that God abundantly nourishes those made in His likeness when He extends His care even to the trees.

A Psalm written by David, inspired by the Holy Spirit, extols the glory and majesty of God, the Creator of everything, as it reflects on His marvelous and unfathomable creation of the universe, the heavens, and all that inhabits them: the earth and all its activities; the sea and everything within it; the splendor, prosperity, and grace of His work, and the wise and powerful sustenance provided by our Lord Jesus Christ, who embodies the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation, through whom all things were made, both seen and unseen, and in Him all things hold together (Rev. 10:6; Col. 1:16). The soul, invigorated by God's spirit, ought to express gratitude toward Him. God's majesty knows no beginning or end.