Psalm 104 (103):9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The understanding here is this: the prophets share only those revelations that they are commanded to communicate, preventing an overwhelming flood of messages that would be too much for humanity to bear. This is supported by Paul’s testimony, where he states, ‘I have heard unspeakable words, which cannot be told to man’ (2 Cor. 12:4).

Bless the Lord, O my soul! Let every soul united in Christ proclaim this. O Lord my God, Thou art greatly elevated! Psalm 102:1. In what way are You magnified? You have enveloped Yourself in glory and beauty. Acknowledge Him so that He may adorn you, for you are made radiant. You are adorned with light as with a garment, as noted in Psalm 103:2. You are enveloped in His Church, which has transformed from darkness into light in Him, just as the Apostle states, "You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord." Ephesians 5:8. You stretch out the heavens like a tapestry, just as you would unfurl a delicate covering; or grasp the authority of Holy Scripture, which covers the earth, implying mortality, as skin signifies, with all divine authority conveyed to us through humanity, whose glory extends beyond death.

He who covers the heights with water, Psalm 102:3. What are the heights? Heavenly realms. What do we define as Heaven? Figuratively, we may deduce that it refers to the Divine Scriptures. The upper parts of the Divine Scriptures denote the commandment of love, which stands unparalleled. Mark 12:31. Why then is love likened to water? Because God's love is poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit bestowed upon us. Romans 5:5. From where does the Spirit bring forth water? Jesus proclaimed, "If anyone believes in Me, rivers of living water will flow from his heart." John 7:37-38. The evangelist clarifies, saying, "But this He spoke of the Spirit, which those who believed in Him were to receive." He rises above the winds, symbolizing the virtues of the soul. What is the soul's virtue? Self-love. Yet He will conquer it for God's love towards us surpasses our love for God.

He forms spirits into His angels, and He transforms His ministers into a blazing fire, Psalm 102:4: that is, those who are already spirits—spiritual beings rather than carnal—He sends as angels to proclaim the Gospel. The fire serves Him because an unkindled minister cannot ignite one's heart.

He established the earth on its solid foundation, Psalm 103:5. He has grounded the Church on the reliability of Christ, which serves as its foundation. What is this foundation? The Apostle states, "No one can lay any other foundation than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 3:11. Such a foundation guarantees it shall not be shaken forever. Christ, through whom all things were created, according to John 1:3, and who upholds everything by His majesty, Hebrews 1:3, cannot be moved; thus, neither shall His Church. Where are those who proclaim that the Church has vanished, when it cannot be erased from worship?

The abyss, like clothing, envelops her, Psalm 102:6. Is this garment of God? He has already proclaimed, "Clothed with light as a garment." If God is dressed in light, then whose is the abyss? The great body of waters is termed the abyss. All moisture and fluidity, flowing through seas, rivers, and hidden recesses, is collectively labeled the Abyss. Understanding the earth in this light, we see: "The Abyss is like a garment that covers it." For water symbolizes the earth's attire, encircling and shielding it.

The waters rise above the mountains, indicating the overwhelming clothing of the abyss that even floods the towering mountains, reminiscent of the time of the flood. The prophet anticipated a future reality, signifying the Church amid persecution. There was an era when the torrents of persecutors engulfed God's earth, concealing even the towering peaks. Though spread across the land, they seemingly vanished from sight. Perhaps these waters cry out, "Save me, O God, for the waters have reached even to my soul," particularly those tumultuous waters making the sea barren. Wherever the sea covers land, it causes desolation rather than fertility, submerging mountains beneath its swell.

Why did the apostles flee? The waters overwhelmed the mountains. What then of that power? Listen to what occurs next. At Thy rebuke they shall disperse, Psalm 102:7. Indeed, brethren, at God's rebuke, the waters receded, returning from rising upon the mountains. Those mountains—Peter and Paul—are now exalted! Those once oppressed by persecutors are now honored. When the waters yield at God’s command, the heart of kings is in God’s hands—Proverbs 21:1—and He directs it as He wills, providing peace to Christians, raising the authority of the Apostles. The waters fled at God’s rebuke. At the sound of Thy thunder, they shall quail. Who does not tremble at the voice of God through the apostles, through Scripture, through His clouds? The sea has calmed, the waters fear, the mountains have been disclosed, and commands are given by the emperor. But who would have issued orders had not God thundered? Since it is God's will, it is executed.

The mountains ascend, and the valleys descend to the place You have established for them, Psalm 102:8. He continues referencing the waters, suggesting that here mountains do not indicate the earth but turbulent waves akin to mountains. The sea once swelled, and its waves resembled mountains that could have concealed the Apostles’ peaks. Yet how long do the mountains then rise, and the valleys fall? They have raged and now are calmed; in calm, they are now like plains composing a channel where the turbulent hearts of mortals retreat. Previously mountains, now they are plains; yet even so, a still sea remains. Why are they not merciless now? Why do they not break forth, seeking to engulf our land?

Listen! You have set a boundary they shall not surpass, nor shall they return to blanket the earth. Psalm 103:9. Hence, now that even the fiercest waves have been measured, we may freely preach these truths; their threshold is decreed, and they cannot transgress or return to cover the land. What then is unfolding on the earth itself? What activities continue now that the sea has stripped it bare? Even though gentle waves touch the shores and the nations murmur nearby, I hear their sound but fear not. What is happening on the earth? You send springs into the valleys, Psalm 102:10. You send, he notes, springs into the low places. Consider these valleys; for they are lowly amidst the land. While mountains denote elevation, valleys signify humility.

Do not disregard the lowly, for springs flow there. You send springs into the humble valleys. Listen to the mountains. The Apostle proclaims, "I labored more than all." Some prestige is evident before us, but immediately, so the waters may flow, he makes for himself a valley. "Not I, but the grace of God with me." 1 Corinthians 15:10. There is no contradiction in stating mountains are also valleys; for in their spiritual elevation, they are mountains, yet in the humility of their spirit, they are valleys. "Not I," says he, "but the grace of God with me."

What does it imply, "In the midst of the mountains, the waters shall flow through"? We have identified the mountains as the great preachers of the Word, the exalted angels of God, albeit encased in mortal flesh—elevated not by their strength, but by His grace—yet in their own humility, they cause springs to flow. Through the midst, he states, between the mountains, the waters will rush. This suggests, "In the midst of the apostles shall flow the preaching of the Word of Truth.” What exists amid the apostles? It symbolizes a common treasure; the shared essence that sustains all is communal and cannot belong solely to you or me. For it cannot be private; otherwise, it would not flow for the benefit of all, but would suggest possession.

Hence, brethren, may what we have shared serve this purpose because of the springs: to flow through you, as valleys, and commune with the entirety of what God provides. Let the waters flow amongst us, harbor no envy, drink deeply, and let the abundant waters of God be celebrated widely, not the fleeting deceptions of humankind.

Consequently, all wild creatures in the woods shall drink, Psalm 103:11. We observe that the beasts of the forest sip from the refreshing streams coursing through the valleys; God has concealed His wisdom within the imagery of creation, keeping it from indifference while revealing it to those who earnestly seek. The Lord God beckons us, through all these manifestations, to perceive hidden spiritual truths that, once uncovered, ignite our joy. By "beasts of the forest," we refer to the Gentiles, as affirmed in Scripture.

These creatures partake of the waters, albeit momentarily; they do not remain but pass through; for all teachings disseminated in this time are transient. Your love should not assume that within the city identified by the plea, "Praise the Lord, Jerusalem, praise your God, Zion," when the city's gates are fortified and secure—the barrier prevents the entrance and exit of friends and foes alike—there we will find books to read or discourses to clarify as presently taught. Such is the purpose of our current discourse: to ensure it will abide. Hence, it must be divided into syllables so it may be comprehensively savored.

In that eternal realm, there shall be no absence of the Word of God, nor of letters, sounds, books, readers, or interpreters. How is this? "In the beginning was the Word," John 1:1. For He did not come to separate from that realm; He was in the world, and the world was created through Him. Thus, this is the Word we ought to ponder. The God of gods will reveal Himself in Zion. But when? After our pilgrimage, once our journey is concluded. Yet upon the completion of our paths, we must stand before the Judge, who may send us away.

When, however, our worldly journey is fulfilled as we hope, aspire, and endeavor, we will reach our homeland where we will behold what shall ever incite our praise; and he who possesses, alongside us who partake, will find never-ending satisfaction. Great and marvelous shall be that enlightenment.

The onagras are parched with thirst. By "onagras," he refers to mighty beasts; wild asses are so designated. While Gentiles lacked the yoke of the Law, many societies lived according to their proud traditions, like wild creatures amidst the wilderness. The term "wild asses" signifies a larger entity. They shall drink from the waters as well, though each creature—small or large—finds sustenance according to their need. Thus faithfully does this water flow that it quenches the thirst of the wild beast without frightening the timid.

As Cicero’s voice resonates, either reading his works or those of Plato or another, some listen while the unlearned gather nearby, aspiring to understand. Yet the waters' sound might be muddied, yet it flows with such vigor that the timid creatures hesitate to drink. To whom does the Psalm resonate that states, "Is this beyond me?" Even the simplest can grasp these concealed mysteries, yielding joy to children and fulfillment to the uneducated, prompting them to partake and overflow in song.

The Psalm elaborates, "The birds of the sky shall find their abode among them." Psalm 103:12. Birds nest among the mountains; yet many dwell in the valleys, in groves, and gardens; not all reside solely atop mountains. Certain birds inhabit only the elevated heights. These signify spiritual hearts that enjoy freedom in the air. In the purity of the sky, these creatures rejoice while they feast in the mountains—mountains being the prophets, apostles, and all proclaimers of truth we previously discussed.

The mountains ascend while the valleys descend. The waters that surge are compared to mountains, whereas those that recede due to Your awe are akin to fields and plains of the earth. For You have designated a boundary they cannot surpass. This is reflected in the phrase, You have established a boundary that they shall not cross. Thus, they cannot inundate the earth. Similarly, the prophet addressed the sea, declaring, You shall come to this point, and shall not go beyond it: your waves shall be contained within (Job 38:11).

The sound of the ocean is truly awe-inspiring, as the waters surge toward the heavens and envelop the earth. The waves approach the shore only to recede obediently, adhering to God's decree. Yet humanity often fails to obey this command. "And they shall not return to cover the earth" as they did during the time of Noah.

The ocean feels embarrassed by the shore and, before it reaches that boundary, unleashes its wrath. However, like a horse restrained by a bridle under God's command, it eventually submits and retreats.

The Lord declares that neither the mountains nor the ocean's waves shall surpass the boundaries ordained by Him, which reflect His divine decree and will. These commands keep them in their rightful places, preventing the mountains from tumbling upon the earth and the waves from overwhelming it. Athanasius interprets the rising waves as resembling mountains; however, when they recede, they form a flat expanse. Eusebius observes that God has established a location that the waters cannot transgress, which is why they cannot submerge the earth, for they are constrained by the divine command that orders them, "Thou shalt reach this place, and go no further than this," and so it is declared, "but in Thee shall Thy waves be broken" (Job 38:11). St.

Through these statements, it is illustrated that once the waters subsided and were confined within the depths of the earth, the Lord established a specific boundary beyond which they could not cross, ensuring that they would not rise again to engulf the land unaided. During the time of the deluge, the waters returned in obedience to God's authority and enveloped the earth as He had commanded. The limits that God laid down for the bodies of water at the edges of the seas are clearly shown in Job 38 and Jeremiah 5; these boundaries were instituted by God when He apportioned realms to the various elements according to their inherent characteristics. Water, being inherently denser than air, naturally settles in lower regions, while air occupies the uppermost spaces.

A psalm inspired by the Holy Spirit, written by David, exalts the splendor and majesty of God, the Creator of all existence. It reflects on His magnificent and unfathomable creation encompassing the entire world and the heavens, as well as everything contained within them: the earth and all that resides upon it, the sea and its inhabitants. It contemplates their formation, holiness, flourishing, and beauty, alongside the esteemed and powerful providence of our Lord Jesus Christ, who reveals the invisible God and is the firstborn of all creation, through whom all things, both seen and unseen, were made, and in whom they hold together (Rev. 10:6; Col. 1:16). The soul, inspired by divine grace, should express gratitude to Him. God's majesty has no beginning or end.