Psalm 104 (103):21Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Bless the Lord, my soul. Let all our souls, united in Christ, proclaim this. O Lord my God, You are greatly exalted! Psalm 102:1. Where are You glorified? In the beauty and splendor You have assumed. Acknowledge this so that you may be adorned, allowing Him to envelop you. As it is written, Clothed in light as with a garment, Psalm 103:2. We are clothed in His Church, which has been transformed into light through Him, emerging from its prior state of darkness, as the apostle declares, "You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord." Ephesians 5:8. You stretch out heaven as a canopy; just as one might easily unfurl a covering, so too do the Divine Scriptures spread across the earth—symbolically called a covering, for the skin represents mortality, and all the authority of God’s Scriptures has been conveyed to us through mortal beings, whose glory transcends even their earthly demise.

You cover the heights with water, Psalm 102:3. What are these heights? They represent the heavens. What constitutes Heaven? We metaphorically refer to the Divine Scriptures. What pertains to the upper realms of these Divine Scriptures? The commandment of love, which stands above all, as it is written, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Mark 12:31. Why is love likened to water? Because the love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit bestowed upon us. Romans 5:5. Is it not meaningful that the Spirit is connected to water? Jesus proclaimed, "Whoever believes in Me, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." John 7:37-38. How can we affirm that this was spoken regarding the Spirit? The evangelist clarifies this, stating, "But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive." He who rises above the wings of the winds signifies His dominion over the virtues of the soul. What captures the essence of the soul? Self-love. But how shall He conquer it? Because God’s love towards us eclipses our love for Him.

He transforms spirits into His angels and makes a flaming fire His ministers, Psalm 102:4. Those who are genuinely spiritual and not carnally minded become His angels, sent forth to proclaim His Gospel. The fire represents His divine presence; for if a minister does not burn with holy zeal, he will not ignite passion in those to whom he preaches.

He founded the earth upon its solid ground, Psalm 103:5. Likewise, He established the Church upon the unshakeable foundation. What is this foundation? It is that of which the Apostle writes: "For no one can lay any other foundation than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 3:11. Thus, what should be proclaimed from such a foundation? "It shall not be moved forever." He grounded the earth on its firm foundation, meaning He built the Church upon Christ. The Church would tremble if the foundation were to waver; yet when will Christ, through whose incarnation all was created, and without whom nothing came into being, John 1:3, who sustains everything by His glory, Hebrews 1:3, and us by His grace, be shaken? Because Christ endures, His Church will stand steadfast forever. Where are those who declare that the Church has perished from the earth when she remains indomitable?

The abyss, like a garment, is her covering, Psalm 102:6. Whose covering could this be? Could it be God's? Yet He has already spoken of His own covering, saying, "Clothed with light as a garment." I hear of God robed in light, and that light can become ours if we desire it. What if we desire this light? We must relinquish our darkness. If God is garbed in light, whose covering is the abyss? The great body of water is termed the abyss. All water, all elements of moist nature, flowing through seas, rivers, and hidden springs, collectively are known as the Abyss. Thus, we comprehend the earth, of which He said, "He founded the earth." Regarding that, it seems He declared, "The abyss, like a garment, is its garment." The water serves as, in a sense, the garment of the earth, surrounding and enveloping it.

The waters will rise above the mountains, indicating that the earth's cover, the abyss, has risen to such a degree that the waters reach even above the peaks. We read of this event during the deluge. The prophet, who aimed to forecast the future rather than recount the past, made this declaration to signal that the Church must endure the deluge of persecution. There was a time when streams of persecution encircled God’s domain, so much so that even the lofty mountains were obscured. How could they possibly escape notice when scattered? Perhaps it is precisely these waters that utter, "Save me, O God, for the waters have reached even to my soul." Especially the troubled waters that leave the land desolate. Wherever the sea has overwhelmed the land, it renders it barren rather than fertile. Thus, mountains lay submerged as waters rose around them. Why did the apostles flee? Because the waters had surged above the mountains. Indeed, the might of those waters was grand, but for how long?

Listen to what comes next: "At Your rebuke, they shall flee." Psalm 102:7. And it indeed came to pass, dear friends; at the voice of God, the waters retreated, meaning they withdrew from encroaching upon the mountains. Now behold the mountains themselves—Peter and Paul—how they have risen! Those once crushed by persecutors are now honored as emperors. For the waters retreated before the rebuke of God; since kings’ hearts are in God’s hands, He directs as He pleases; Proverbs 21:1. He declared peace for the Christians; the authority of the apostles has flourished and ascended. The waters withdrew at the rebuke of God. At the sound of Your thunder, they shall tremble. Who among us will not fear the voice of God that speaks through His apostles, through the Scriptures, and through His clouds? The sea was calmed; the waters trembled, the mountains became visible, and the emperor issued commands. But who would have given such commands if God had not thundered? Because it was by God's will that they commanded, and it came to pass. Therefore, let no man claim anything as his own.

The mountains ascend, and the valleys sink to the place You have established for them, Psalm 102:8. He continues to refer to the waters. Let us not interpret mountains here as mere earth; nor valleys as terrestrial but consider waves so massive they are likened to mountains. The sea once surged, and its waves rose perilously high, shadowing even the apostles' mountains. But how long do the mountains rise and valleys sink? They once were enraged, but now they have calmed. When they raged, they were mountains; now pacified, they exist as plains, for He has carved out a space for them. A certain depth has emerged, wherein the hearts of all those struggling souls have retreated. They were once mountains; now they are plains: yet, dear friends, even tranquility is still part of the sea. Why have they ceased their fury? Why are they not furious now? Why do they not strive, even though they cannot overthrow our land, at least to submerge it? Why do they not?

Hear this: "You have set a boundary they must not cross, nor shall they return to cover the earth." Psalm 103:9. What does this imply, that now the fiercest waves have received a limit, permitting us the liberty to preach such truths? They have a predetermined boundary; they cannot surpass it or return to overwhelm the earth. What is happening on the very earth from which the sea has receded? What great works are taking place now that the floods have left it bare? Though gentler waves may whisper on its shores, though the Gentiles persist in their murmuring, the sounds of the shore echo; yet I do not fear the torrent. So, what exists on the earth? "You send springs in the valleys," Psalm 102:10. He sends forth springs in the lowly places of the land. For hills and mountains stand opposed to the valleys. Recognize the elevated heights as significant, while valleys represent humility. Do not dismiss the low places; springs flow forth from there. You dispatch springs to the low valleys.

Heed the mountain; the apostle reveals, "I labored more abundantly than all." There appears to be a notion of greatness, but immediately, in order to allow waters to flow, he humbled himself to create a valley: "Yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." 1 Corinthians 15:10. There isn’t a contradiction; mountains can also serve as valleys: called mountains for their spiritual significance and valleys in their spirit of humility. "Not I," he claims, "but the grace of God which was with me."

What does it signify that "In the midst of the mountains the waters shall pass through"? We have recognized who the mountains are: great preachers of the word, exalted angels of God, albeit in mortal flesh; elevated not by their own power but by His grace. But in their humility, they allow springs to flow forth. In the midst, he proclaims, between the mountains shall the declarations of the Word of Truth flow. What lies in the center between the apostles? That which signifies the common good. The common good, which sustains all equally, lies among us; it belongs neither to me nor to you but is collective for all. If it does not exist in community, it is as if it were private; one says ‘this is mine’ while another claims ‘this is his.’ But such is not the preaching of peace. Therefore, let what has been shared serve your love due to these springs: that they may flow from you as valleys, connecting with all that you receive from God. Let the waters flow into the common space, harbor no envy, partake, be filled, and share abundantly. Let the living water of God be glorified everywhere; not the private interests of men.

Thus, "the beasts of the forest shall drink," Psalm 103:11. We witness this in visible creation, as the beasts of the field drink from the springs and streams flowing between the mountains. However, since God has chosen to veiled His wisdom within these images—not to deprive the diligent seekers but to conceal it from the indifferent and make it known to those who earnestly pursue it. God sought, through us, to encourage you to perceive in every aspect of this corporeal and visible creation a spiritually hidden message, yielding great joy when discovered. The beasts of the forest symbolize the Gentiles, as testified by the Scriptures in various passages.

These creatures partake of the waters, though fleetingly; they do not persist but merely pass by, for all the teachings shared in this time are transient... unless your love envisions that in the city where it is declared, "Praise the Lord, Jerusalem; praise your God, Zion; for He has strengthened the bars of your gates." In this city, locked tight, where no friend departs, nor enemy enters, there we shall possess a tome for reading or a discourse comprehensively expressed as it stands before you today. This is why it is currently expounded, to be upheld there; hence it is broken into syllables, to be contemplated wholly. There shall be no lack of the Word of God, not of letters, sounds, books, nor interpreters present. How so? "In the beginning was the Word..." John 1:1. For He did not abandon this realm; He was in the world, and through Him, the world came into existence. Such is the Word upon which we must meditate. The God of gods shall reveal Himself in Zion. But when will this occur? After our pilgrimage concludes, unless upon completing our journey, we are presented before the Judge, so He may send us to labor. If, upon journey's end, as we hope and aspire, we reach our homeland, we will see that which we shall forever glorify; neither will He who possesses nor we who partake be left unfulfilled; for great and marvelous will be this contemplation.

The psalmist aptly noted the relationship with God, for the adversary sought to lead astray the faithful, including figures such as Judas, David, Solomon, and Peter, as recorded, ‘His food is refined’ (Hab. 1:16).

He has created darkness, and thus night has come into being. The arrival of night is essential; it follows the absence of light and provides rest for humanity. In this time, all the creatures of the forest will retreat: the mighty beasts will roar and look for sustenance from God. Night offers tranquility to people and grants freedom to the animals to satisfy their hunger. The phrase “seek sustenance from God” indicates that Divine Providence meets their needs. It is fitting for rational beings to petition God, while non-rational creatures simply search; nevertheless, God also provides them with the essential nourishment they require.

The young lions let out fierce roars, seeking sustenance from the Creator. In the darkness of night, these lion cubs roam, their wild cries echoing as they pursue food, which they receive from the hand of God. It is God who provides nourishment for all living creatures, as David reminds us, “He that giveth food to all flesh” (Psalms 135:25). Thus, it is suggested that the roaring of lions serves as a call to God for sustenance, reflecting a truth observed by many: animals, in their moments of hunger and thirst, often look upward, imploring their Maker for provision. As David noted elsewhere, “To Him who gives cattle their food, and to the chicks of ravens who call upon Him” (Psalm 146:9).

In reference to the creatures of the forest and young lions, the prophet indicates the malevolent spirits that howled during the Lord's agony on the cross, believing it was their moment to capture their quarry. They witnessed Judas's betrayal, Peter's denial, and the scattering of the other disciples, eagerly poised to seize their chance to claim their spoil from God. Initially, they sought to pounce, and when that attempt failed, they then sought to claim their prize. They do not hesitate to audaciously implore God for the ruin of the just. Did not the adversary seek permission regarding Job? He likewise asked the Lord concerning the apostles, prompting Christ to declare, “Simon! Simon, behold, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat, but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail” (Luke 22:31-32).

In this passage, another instance of God’s Providence is illustrated, demonstrating how He has orchestrated the paths of the sun and the moon to create a harmonious and remarkable order between them. Unlike what one might expect from their periodic changes, they complement each other well in delineating the times. When it is stated that the moon governs times, it conveys that the moon not only distinguishes days from nights but also marks significant periods such as holy days, and helps conclude months and years, thus contributing to various advantages for humanity. Furthermore, the phrase “the sun knows its west” not only refers to the sun's daily journey across the sky, but also its cyclical presence, which brings with it the seasons of summer, winter, spring, and autumn.

A Psalm attributed to David, inspired by the Holy Spirit, exalts the glory and majesty of God, the Creator of all things, reflecting on His marvelous and unfathomable work in the creation of the universe, including the heavens and everything within them: the earth and all that dwells upon it, the sea and its contents; celebrating their establishment, holiness, prosperity, and beauty, along with the wise and powerful upkeep by our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the image of 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, inspired from above by God, should offer gratitude to Him. The majesty of God has no beginning and no end.