Bless the Lord, my soul. Let us, unified in Christ, make this declaration. O Lord my God, You are greatly exalted! Psalm 102:1. Where is Your greatness seen? It is revealed through Your grace and beauty. Acknowledge Him to adorn your soul, for He offers you His garments. Clothe yourself in light as though it were a robe. Psalm 103:2. You are enveloped in His Church, which has transformed from darkness to light in Him, as the Apostle reminds us, You were once darkness, but now are light in the Lord. Ephesians 5:8. You stretch out the heavens effortlessly, much like unfurling a fabric, reflecting the authority of the Holy Scriptures that encompass the world. The skin symbolizes our mortality, yet through mortal messengers, the divine wisdom of the Scriptures has been imparted to us, outstretched even beyond their earthly existence.
He covers the heights above with water. Psalm 102:3. What does this refer to? It pertains to the heavenly realms, which can be understood as the Divine Scriptures. And what are the spiritual tenets within those Scriptures? The commandment of love, paramount 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 bestowed upon us. Romans 5:5. From where does the Spirit come as water? It comes from Jesus who proclaimed, “Whoever believes in Me, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” John 7:37-38. How can we confirm that this refers to the Spirit? The evangelist clearly states, “But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing 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? Self-love. Yet, how will He triumph over it? God's love for us surpasses our love for Him.
Who transforms spirits into His angels and makes a fiery flame His ministers. Psalm 102:4. These are the beings who, being spiritual rather than fleshly, are sent forth by Him as His messengers to proclaim His gospel. The fiery flame serves Him, for if a minister does not possess the fire of devotion, he cannot ignite passion in those to whom he preaches.
He established the earth upon its foundation. Psalm 103:5. He has firmly positioned the Church upon the bedrock of Christ. What constitutes the foundation of the Church? As stated by the Apostle, “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 3:11. What, then, does the Church deserve by standing on such a foundation? It shall not be moved forever. He established the heavens upon their foundation, specifically the Church upon Christ. The Church may tremble if its foundation is shaken, but when will Christ, through whom all things were created prior to His incarnation, ever be shaken? John 1:3. For He sustains all by His power, Hebrews 1:3, and us by His goodness. Since Christ does not falter, she shall not be overturned eternally. Where are those who claim the Church has vanished from the world, even when it remains unshaken?
The abyss, like a garment, envelops it. Psalm 102:6. Whose garment could this belong to? It cannot belong to God since He is already said to be clothed in light. If we wish to receive that light, we must no longer dwell in darkness. If God is indeed clothed in light, then whose garment is described as the abyss? The expanse of waters is termed the abyss. All water and all moist essence, which flows through seas, rivers, and hidden caves, are collectively known as the Abyss. Thus, we understand the earth about which it is said, “He founded the earth.” In respect to the earth, it can also be said, “The Abyss, like a garment, is its covering.” Water serves as the garment of the earth, surrounding and cloaking it.
The waters stand over the mountains, so much so that the abyss has risen that the waters surpass even those heights. We read of this during the time of the flood. The prophet, seeking to foresee the future rather than recount the past, implies that the Church faces torrents of persecution. There was a moment when streams of persecutors inundated God's Church, obscuring even the mightiest mountains. When the adversaries were scattered, how did any cease to emerge? It could very well be these waters that cry out, “Save me, O God, for the waters have reached to my very soul.” Particularly, the waves that make the seas turbulent and desolate. For anywhere the sea waters submerge, they render it barren instead of fruitful. Indeed, there were mountains submerged, for waters engulfed even the heights.
Why did the apostles retreat? Because the floodwaters had risen above the mountains. The might of the waters was tremendous, but for how long? Hear what follows: “At Thy rebuke they shall flee.” Psalm 102:7. And it came to pass, beloved; by the Lord’s rebuke, the waters receded, having stopped their advance upon the mountains. Now look at the mountains themselves—Peter and Paul, exalted! Those once oppressed by tyrants are now honored. For the waters have withdrawn at the Word of God; as the heart of kings rests in the Lord’s hand, He directs it wherever He desires. Proverbs 21:1. He decreed peace for Christians, and the authority of the Apostles has grown and ascended. The waters fled at God’s rebuke. At the sound of Your thunder, they tremble. Who would not shudder at God's voice through the apostles, through the Scriptures, through His messengers? The seas calmed; the waters grew fearful, and the mountains stood revealed, obeying the emperor’s command. Yet, who would have commanded if God had not spoken? What He willed, they commanded, and it came to pass. Therefore, let no man take any credit for himself.
The mountains rise while the valleys lower to the designated spot You have established for them. Psalm 102:8. He continues to speak of the waters. Let us not interpret mountains as mere land, nor valleys as physical terrain, but as monumental waves resembling mountains. Once, the sea surged, and its waves towered like mountains, potentially obscuring those of the Apostles. But how long do the mountains ascend and the valleys descend? They once raged, but now have been calmed. Once they were tumultuous, now pacified as plains, for He has designated a resting place for them. There exists a particular channel, a hollow space where these once violent hearts of mortals have fled. Previously mountains, they are now plains; even the stillness belongs to the sea. Why are they no longer savage? Why do they not rise against us, if not to at least cover us? Why this restraint?
Listen, for You have set a boundary they cannot breach or return to engulf the earth. Psalm 103:9. Now that the most turbulent waves have been given a measure, we may preach without hindrance because they have their limits, unable to overstep or return to engulf the earth. What is happening upon the earth now that the sea has left it bare? Even as gentle waves whisper upon the shore, though the Gentiles continue to murmur around it; I hear the sound of the shores, yet I fear not the flood. What then is transpiring on the earth? Who sends forth springs in the valleys? Psalm 102:10. You send, indeed! Consider those valleys—low places amidst the lands. For hills and mountains stand tall, while valleys appear low by contrast. Do not disdain the lowly places; springs flow from there. You send forth springs to the humble valleys. Hearken to the mountain. The Apostle declares, “I labored more abundantly than they all.” Though spiritual greatness manifests as mountains, it concurrently reveals humility as valleys. The Apostle confesses, “Not I, but the grace of God that is with me.” 1 Corinthians 15:10. There exists no contradiction in mountains also embodying valleys; as they are known as mountains by virtue of their spiritual stature, so they are valleys by virtue of their humility.
What does it signify, “In the midst of the mountains the waters shall pass?” We recognize the mountains as the great Preachers of the Word, exalted Angels of God, though still in mortal form; they are raised not by their own strength but through His grace. In-between these mountains, the waters shall flow; it alludes to the preaching of the Word of Truth being conducted among the Apostles. In the center, what exists that symbolizes common possession? What is shared by all to sustain life cannot be private. If it belongs solely to one, it is not communal, and we are divided—each with our own, leading to exclusivity rather than the peaceable proclamation. Thus, beloved, let our discourse serve to awaken your hearts—a call for the springs to flow from you, who are valleys, and to share the grace of God you possess. Let the waters flow freely, harboring no envy, and may you be filled to overflow, edifying the wider body of Christ.
From this, all the beasts of the forest shall drink. Psalm 103:11. We observe in creation itself that the forest beasts quench their thirst from the springs coursing between the mountains; yet, it seems that God concealed His wisdom in these reflections, both to reward the diligent seeker and to veil it from those who are indifferent. God desires us to see the spiritual essence even within these corporeal manifestations. The beasts of the forest represent the Gentiles, as the Scriptures affirm.
Though these creatures drink from these waters, it is transient; they do not remain but pass through. All teachings disseminated during this time are passing away. Let not your love conjecture that in the city where it is commanded, “Praise the Lord, Jerusalem, praise your God, Zion,” while its gates stand fortified, preventing anyone from entering or leaving; let not this be where we seek knowledge through written words or discourse as we presently endeavor. That is why such teachings are shared, prepared for contemplation, shaped syllabically for reflection. There, the Word of God will be abundant—not lacking in letters, sounds, books, readers, or interpreters. How, then? As it is written, “In the beginning was the Word.” John 1:1. For He did not come to disappear from our presence; rather, He was in the world that was created through Him. Such is the Word upon which we must reflect. The God of gods will reveal Himself in Zion. But when? After our pilgrimage, once our journey is complete. But should we arrive before the Judge once our voyage ends, we may face judgment, which could lead to imprisonment. Yet if we achieve our destination, as we hope, long for, and strive for, we will discover that which we shall continually praise.
The onagras will quench their thirst. The term onagras denotes untamed creatures, referring here to substantial beings. For the Gentiles, who lived outside the Law's constraints, exhibited diverse customs while wandering freely through life. Hence, all creatures categorically reflect this; though wild asses symbolize a more significant variety. They shall satisfy their thirst, drinking from these flowing waters. The hare quenches its thirst here, while the wild ass finds its water there; each according to its nature—small and timid versus large and fierce. Each drinks from where it can, yet the waters flow so gently and faithfully, they satisfy the fierce without instilling fear in the timid. Amidst this, the sounds of Cicero's voice are heard, and books—whether his, Plato's, or some other thinker’s—attract various listeners. Some are drawn to basic teachings, while others, less discerning, may aspire to deeper insights. The currents of sound may be muddied, but they flow vigorously enough that none dares approach the waters without hesitation. Who does the Psalm resound to when it asks, “Is it too much for me?” It carries profound mysteries, yet it speaks in ways that even children find captivating, and the uneducated come to drink deeply, bursting forth in joy.
THEOSIS