Psalm 108 (107):5Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

I did not believe that Psalm 108 needs further clarification, as I have already explained it in Psalm 57 and in Psalm 60, of which this psalm is a continuation. The concluding section of Psalm 57 serves as the initial part here, particularly in the line "Thy glory is above all the earth." From this point to the end aligns with the final portion of Psalm 60; similarly, the latter section of Psalm 135 corresponds to Psalm 115, specifically in the phrase "The idols of the nations are merely gold and silver." Psalms 14 and 53, with minor modifications, maintain similar themes from start to finish. Consequently, any minor discrepancies found in this Psalm 108, as compared to the two earlier parts, are quite understandable.

Your compassion is immense in the highest heavens. Your compassion is so vast that it surpasses the elevation of the skies, and the brilliance of Your truth radiates swiftly throughout all creation, as prophets, apostles, and teachers have nurtured the earth with its refreshing dew.

Every aspect of creation stands in need of God’s grace. We all are deficient in it. Even the holy beings—Gabriel, Michael, seraphim, cherubim, powers, authorities, and dominions—rely on the grace bestowed by their Creator. My intention is not to diminish the angels but to exalt their Maker, for these celestial beings themselves gratefully honor their Creator. Additionally, we can interpret this in another way: because Thy mercy ascends from the earth to the heavens. ‘And even unto the clouds Thy truth.’ Where are the Jews and those who share their literal interpretations? How can the truth of God ascend to the clouds? The Son of God declares, ‘I am the way, and the life, and the truth’ (see John 14:6). He came to earth and lived among humanity.

The magnitude of Your grace surpasses the heavens, and the brightness of Your truth has reached every corner. As we have previously noted, David refers to the Prophets, the Apostles, and those endowed with the gift of teaching as clouds, for through them, like clouds providing much-needed rain, spiritual nourishment is delivered to humanity; it is from them that we have come to understand the authentic teachings.

Awake, my glory; awake, my stringed instruments. I will rise at dawn. Let us confess to You among people, O Lord; I will sing to You in various languages. How immense is Your mercy in the heavens above and Your faithfulness to the clouds. Ascend to the heavens, O God, and may Your glory fill the earth. All these truths are similarly expressed in Psalm 56, which we have clarified there. The phrase, Your favor reaches to heaven, written there, shares the same meaning as the phrase, Your favor is vast in heaven, which appears here. Moreover, the call to arise and I will arise may also pertain to the resurrection of Christ, as interpreted by the divine Cyril and Isychius.

Grace and truth are described as the hidden truth of Christ’s household, as the prophet remarked elsewhere, ‘Grace and truth met’ in one (Ps. 84:11). The divine and the human natures of Christ converged in the incarnation of the Word. Grace signifies the divinity of the incarnate Word, for it reflects the compassion shown toward creation, while truth pertains to the humanity, affirming that, contrary to the views of some heretics, God the Word genuinely and authentically took on human flesh. David further elucidated this by stating, ‘the truth from the earth shone forth,’ indicating that the Lord’s humanity, originating from our earthly realm, indeed radiated forth. In heaven, the divinity of Christ resided in immense glory earned through His deeds; however, on earth, it was obscured and veiled by the flesh’s shadow.

There is no adequate justification to dismiss the title of the psalm, and thus we acknowledge that David authored it by drawing on two prior psalms, specifically 56 and 59. Initially, the psalmist, representing the people, conveys his unwavering trust and delight in exalting the Lord, as articulated in Psalm 56 (vv. 1-5). A careful reading of Psalms 56 and 59 reveals only minor points of contention. The phrase "glory in my soul" (refer to Ps. 7:6) indicates that this adoration should not merely be superficial; it must arise from the very depths of one's spirit. The expanse of the heavens extends infinitely, prompting the psalmist to beseech the Lord to manifest His mighty power for the benefit of His people during this time (vv. 6-7).

This Psalm, as with all others, was inspired by the Holy Spirit and penned by David, in which the prophet declares his readiness for every divine endeavor. He petitions for triumph over the Idumeans, while also expressing unwavering confidence in receiving this victory, grounded in the promise of the Almighty God. By His omnipotent will, He has vanquished numerous foes and extended His dominion, foreshadowing the expansion of Christ's kingdom, which comprises the Church of His devoted followers, growing daily through God's grace. The act of giving thanks is emphasized twice, acknowledging Him during times of hardship and adversity. David's glory lies in his prophetic gift.