Bless the Lord, O my soul. May the soul of all of us, united in Christ, declare this. O Lord my God, You are most exalted! Psalm 102:1. Where are You glorified? You don garments of truth and splendor. Acknowledge Him that you may be adorned; let Him find you clothed in light, as in a robe, Psalm 103:2. Clothed in His Church, which has become a source of light in Him, transforming what once was void and dark, as the apostle notes, You were once darkness, but now are light in the Lord. Ephesians 5:8 You stretch the heavens like a fabric, so effortlessly it seems—as if You could simply grasp it with ease. The authority of the Holy Scriptures is spread thinly across the whole earth, represented metaphorically as skin, reflecting the mortal condition, for the authority of Divine Scriptures has come to us through mortal beings, whose influence endures beyond their earthly existence.
Who covers the heights with waters, Psalm 102:3? What are these heights? They represent the divine. What is Heaven? Figuratively, we illuminate His Holy Word. What constitutes the upper realms of these Scriptures? The commandment of love, which reigns supreme above all, Mark 12:31. Why is love likened to water? Because the love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been bestowed upon us. Romans 5:5 Where does the Spirit come from—water? For Jesus stood up and declared, ‘Whoever believes in Me, rivers of living water will flow from his innermost being.’ John 7:37-38 The evangelist confirms this, stating, ‘He spoke of the Spirit, which those who believe in Him would receive.’ Who rises above the wings of the winds, that is, transcending the virtues of the soul? What is the virtue of the soul? Self-love. How is it overcome? Because God's love for us far surpasses our love for Him.
He makes His angels spirits and His ministers a blazing fire, Psalm 102:4; these are those who are spiritual and not worldly. He sends them forth to proclaim His Gospel, while the blazing fire serves Him. If the messenger lacks fervor, he fails to inspire those to whom he speaks.
He established the earth upon its foundations, Psalm 103:5. He set the Church upon the bedrock of faith. What is this foundation? It is as the Apostle stated: No one can lay any other foundation than that which is laid, which is Christ Jesus, 1 Corinthians 3:11. Thus, upon this solid foundation, the Church shall not falter forever. He founded the earth upon its firmness, and thus established the Church upon Christ. If the foundation should shift, then the Church too would tremble; yet when has Christ, through whom all things were created, John 1:3, who sustains the universe by His greatness, Hebrews 1:3, ever wavered? Because Christ endures, the Church shall remain steadfast forever. Where are they who claim the Church has vanished from the world, when it even stands against worship?
The depths, like a garment, cloak her, Psalm 102:6. Whose depths could this be? It cannot be God's, for He has already declared, ‘Clothed with light as a garment.’ If we desire this light, we must no longer dwell in darkness. If God is cloaked in light, whose garment then is the abyss? The great expanse of waters is termed the abyss. All water and every fluid substance, flowing through seas, rivers, and hidden springs, are collectively named the Abyss. In this, we comprehend the earth of which He said, ‘He founded the earth.’ I believe He addressed it when stating, ‘The abyss, like a garment, is its garment.’ Water serves as a garment for the earth, encircling and enveloping it.
The waters shall rise above the mountains, indicating how much the earth’s clothing, the abyss, has swelled, reaching even the heights. We recall such an occurrence during the flood... The prophet intended to prophesy rather than recount history; hence he indicates that the Church must endure storms of persecution. There was a time when torrents of persecutors engulfed God’s earth, obscuring even the lofty mountains. When they were dispersed, how was it that these mountains did not cease to be visible? Perhaps it is these very waters that lament, ‘Save me, O God, for the waters have reached even to my soul.’ Especially those turbulent waters that make the sea desolate, for wherever the ocean tide sweeps, it renders the soil barren. Even beneath the waters, mountains existed; above them, the floods surged... Why did the apostles flee? Because the waters overtook the mountains. The might of the waters was formidable, yet how long could it last? Listen to what follows.
At Your rebuke, they will scatter, Psalm 102:7. And so it happened, dear friends; by God’s rebuke, the waters receded; they withdrew from their advance upon the mountains. Now how are the mountains themselves—Peter and Paul—exalted! Those once subdued by oppressors are now esteemed as rulers. The waters fled at the command of God; for the heart of kings lies in the hand of God, turning it wherever He desires, Proverbs 21:1. He has granted peace to Christians; the authority of the Apostles has grown and risen... The waters vanished at His words. At the sound of Your thunder, they tremble. Who does not hold fear toward God’s voice through His apostles, through Scripture, or through His tempestuous might? The seas stilled, the waters trembled, the mountains were laid bare, and the emperor issued his orders. Yet, who would have commanded it if God had not thundered? Because God willed it, they commanded, and it happened. Therefore, let no man take credit for himself.
The mountains rise, and the valleys descend to the area You have established for them, Psalm 102:8. He continues speaking of the waters. We should not understand mountains here as mere earth, nor valleys as just land; rather, consider the tumultuous waves that tower like mountains, which have the potential to engulf the mountains of the Apostles. But how long do these mountains rise, only to eventually yield? They once raged as mountains; now pacified, they lie as plains because He has designated a place for them. There lies a channel, a profound ground, where all these once turbulent hearts of humanity have retreated... Once they were mountains; now they are plains. Yet even in perfect calm, it remains the sea. Why are they not fierce now? Why are they not agitated? Why do they not strive, if unable to overthrow our land, to at least cover it? Why do they not?
Hear this: You have set boundaries that they shall not exceed, nor return to engulf the earth, Psalm 103:9. So now, since even the fiercest waves have received their measure, we are granted the freedom to proclaim such truths without restraint; they have been assigned limits, unable to breach the confines established, and shall not return to overwhelm the land. What is happening in the earth itself? What diligent work occurs now that the sea has left it exposed? Even as gentle waves lap upon its shores, and though the nations may still murmur around, I hear the surf, but I do not fear the flood. What, then, is taking place upon the earth? Who spring forth from the valleys, Psalm 102:10. You provide springs for the valleys. Consider how low places stand in contrast to the heights of hills and mountains. Do not undervalue the valleys; springs flow from them. You send forth springs to the smallest hollows. Observe the mountain, for the apostle says, I labored more than all. We discern a semblance of greatness, but he humbled himself to allow the waters to flow: But not I, but the grace of God with me. 1 Corinthians 15:10 There is no contradiction in mountains also being valleys; they are referred to as mountains concerning their spiritual might, yet valleys in humility. Not I, he asserts, but the grace of God with me...
What is meant by ‘In the midst of the mountains, the waters shall pass through’? We recognize that the mountains refer to the great preachers of the Word, the exalted angels of God, despite being in mortal forms; they are not elevated by their own strength, but by His grace. So, in the middle, he indicates that among the mountains, the flow of living water shall occur. Imagine it articulated this way, ‘In the heart of the Apostles will the preaching of Truth abide.’ What exists at the center of the Apostles? That which is central is shared among all alike; it does not belong to one - it is not mine or yours... For if it stands apart, it becomes private, serving only individual needs; it is not meant for personal gain and does not promote the preaching of peace.
Thus, dear friends, may what we have shared stir your hearts so that you may offer forth springs as valleys, and engage together with all that is of God. Allow the waters to flow among you, without envy, receiving abundantly, and spread forth from your fullness. Let the living water of God be glorified everywhere, rather than the vain tales of men.
Hence, all the beasts of the forest shall drink, Psalm 103:11. We observe that the animals of the woods partake of the springs and streams that flow between the mountains. However, as God rejoices in cloaking His wisdom within the images of these tangible things, He does not hide it from earnest seekers nor keep it from those who pursue it diligently; it pleased the Lord our God to encourage you through our voices. In all that speaks of the physical world, let us seek to discover something spiritually concealed, that upon discovery may bring us joy. By beasts of the forest, we signify the Gentiles, and the Scriptures affirm this in many instances...
These creatures drink of the waters briefly; they do not linger but pass through; for all teachings disseminated throughout this season are transient... Do not assume that in the city to which it is proclaimed, Praise the Lord, Jerusalem, exalt Your God, Zion; for He has reinforced the bars of your gates; where now the gates are secured, and the city is enclosed, that there, as we have previously stated, a friend shall not exit, nor an adversary enter; there we shall possess a book to study, or a message to belt as it is presently explained to you. That is why it is currently being conveyed, to be preserved there; which is why it is divided into syllables, that there it may be contemplated in its entirety. There will be no deficiency of God’s Word present, nor a lack of letters, sounds, books, readers, or interpreters. However, how can this be? 'In the beginning was the Word...' John 1:1. He did not arrive to be taken away from there; He was in the world, and the world was created through Him. This is the Word we ought to reflect on.
For the God of gods shall be revealed in Zion. But when will this be? After our journey is finished; unless, however, upon our journey’s close, we find ourselves before the Judge, that He might send us into custody. But if once we reach our final destination, as we aspire to, hope for, and strive toward, we find our homeland, where we shall behold that which we will ceaselessly extol; and who possesses and enjoys, shall never be filled with gratitude; neither will the one who dines be satisfied, nor the one who consumes ever complete with what he consumes. This contemplation will be incredibly majestic.
THEOSIS