Psalm 115 (113):1Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Just as His name is exalted when He provides protection and assistance, it is equally honored when we lead righteous lives and reflect His light. "Let your light shine," instructs the Lord, "before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). Our virtuous living brings Him praise, while our sinful actions can lead to His name being dishonored. To highlight this, He conveyed through the prophet, “For your sake my name is blasphemed in the Gentiles” (Psalm 52:5). In such circumstances, unable to justify them fully, the psalmist seeks refuge in this assertion, just as Moses did. However, God, being mindful of humanity’s salvation, does not always act in this manner. If He did, many careless individuals could become more reckless, banking on the notion that God would unceasingly deliver them for His own glory. Yet, this is not the case, for God's primary concern is not for His own honor but for the salvation of humanity. If people sometimes disregard glory, it is even truer for God who lacks any dependency on us. Nonetheless, the prophet intercedes on their behalf and presents a valid defense, repeatedly asserting, “not to us, O Lord, not to us,” highlighting the deep unworthiness of those who are redeemed, “but to Thy name give glory.” We deserve countless misfortunes, yet “for Thy mercy and Thy truth!” One translator remarks: by Thy mercy (διά τό έλεόζ σου). This indicates the prophet's understanding that God often prioritizes the reformation of the sinful over His own glory. Thus, he adds, “according to Thy mercy and Thy truth,” imploring that should God choose not to seek glory from humanity, He should instead act based on “Thy mercy and Thy truth.” Indeed, God can achieve glory, not solely through mercy but even through discipline, yet the psalmist pleads that it be done “according to Thy mercy.” We should honor Thy name through our lives and actions; however, since we have fallen short, let us receive according to Thy grace, mercy, and compassion.

Psalm 112:2 The sea witnessed this and fled, while the Jordan turned back. Psalm 112:3 Thus, we should not view past accounts as detached from us, but rather as anticipations of what is yet to come; the miracles that occurred among this nation were certainly current events, yet they also pointed towards the future. There are elements described differently than what we understand from the texts, ensuring that they are not simply repetitions of past occurrences, but also prophecies of what lies ahead. For instance, it is stated that the Jordan did not simply recede; rather, it stood still at the point nearest to its sources while the people crossed over. Additionally, we do not read about mountains and hills leaping; these details were added to emphasize the greatness of the events. It is written, "The sea saw it and fled; the Jordan was turned back," and then it adds, "The mountains skipped like rams and the hills like young sheep." Psalm 113:4 The psalmist then inquires, "What ails you, O sea, that you flee? O Jordan, that you turn back?" Psalm 112:5 And "You mountains, why jump like rams, you hills like young sheep?" Psalm 112:6

Let us then reflect on the lessons offered here, for both of these narratives serve as symbols for our own journey, urging us towards self-awareness. If we embrace the grace of God bestowed upon us, we become Israel, the descendants of Abraham; hence the Apostle states, “Therefore you are Abraham’s seed.” ... Therefore, no Christian should regard themselves as disconnected from the identity of Israel, for we are united through the Cornerstone with believing Jews, where we encounter the foremost apostles. Thus, our Lord asserts at another moment, “And I have other sheep that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, that they may hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one Shepherd.” John 10:16 Hence, the Christian community is indeed Israel, and correspondingly, Jacob’s household, for Israel and Jacob represent the same entity. Yet, that multitude of Jews, justly criticized for their betrayal, forfeited their inheritance for earthly satisfactions, aligning themselves more closely with Esau than Jacob. As stated, "The elder shall serve the younger" carries a deeper meaning.

Egypt, which represents affliction or oppression, frequently symbolizes this world from which we are called to spiritually detach ourselves, lest we share in the burdens of the unbelievers. 2 Corinthians 6:14 Thus, every individual becomes a rightful citizen of the heavenly Jerusalem only after renouncing worldly ties, just as the Israelites could not enter the promised land until they had first exited Egypt. However, just as they were led out by Divine assistance, no one can genuinely turn their heart away from this world without the help of God’s mercy. What began as a type has now found its fulfillment in every faithful individual within the daily endeavors of the Church during this age, as Blessed John notes in this, the last hour. 1 John 2:18 Listen to the Apostle, the teacher of the Gentiles, as he instructs, “I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that all our forebears were under the cloud, all passed through the sea; all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and the sea; all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and that rock was Christ. However, many were displeased with God and faced rejection in the wilderness. These things serve as our examples.” 1 Corinthians 10:1-6 What more could we desire, beloved brethren? For it is evident—not through human opinion, but through the Apostle's proclamation—that God communicated through them; even if presented through the veil of flesh, it was God crying out: Thus, through such powerful testimony, it is clear that all those actions symbolized within the past are now realized in our redemption; the future was foretold then, now we read of the past and consider the present.

Listen to a further marvel: the concealed and mysterious truths of the ancient scriptures are revealed through them. As the prophet Micah proclaims, "In the days of your exit from Egypt, I will show him wonders," etc. ... Therefore, in this psalm, though the extraordinary spirit of prophecy gazes into the future, it appears to merely recount the past. It states that Judah was His sanctuary: the sea saw it and fled—these are past tense phrases. Additionally, the Jordan turning back, the mountains leaping, and the earth trembling also evoke past events; yet, it remains possible to interpret the future through those words. Even if it has been ages since the departure from Egypt, and long before the moments of the Church, this witness affirms that he is undeniably forecasting future events. He states, "In the days of your exodus from Egypt, I will show him wonders. The nations shall see and be ashamed." This declares, "The sea saw it and fled"; if in this passage the past tense serves to reveal future truths, who would dare apply the phrase "shall see and be ashamed" to events that have already occurred? Furthermore, he alludes more clearly than sunlight to our adversaries who pursued us, representing our sins, which are vanquished and obliterated in Baptism, just as the Egyptians perished in the sea. Recognizing this, "For He will not withhold His wrath forever; being kind and compassionate, He will turn back, showing mercy upon us, and cast our transgressions into the depths of the sea."

What then, my dear ones? You who identify as Israelites through the lineage of Abraham, you of Jacob’s household, heirs according to promise, understand that you too have exited Egypt by renouncing worldly pursuits; you have departed from foreign nations, having distanced yourselves from the blasphemies of the Gentiles through godly living. Your vocal praise of God is not through a foreign tongue but from your own lips that sing Hallelujah. For in you, Judah has taken on the character of His sanctuary; for one is not a Jew merely outwardly, nor is true circumcision simply a matter of the flesh; rather, he is a Jew who is one inwardly, through a heart's circumcision. Romans 2:28-29 Therefore, examine your hearts: has faith purified them? Has confession cleansed you? In you, Judah has become His sanctuary, in you, Israel has become His dominion. For He has bestowed upon you the grace to become children of God. John 1:12

However, I urge you not to aimlessly seek as the Jordan was reversed, nor interpret this as omens of harm. For the Lord admonishes those who turn their backs to Him rather than face Him. Jeremiah 2:27 And everyone who turns away from the fountain of their existence, who shuns their Creator, succumbs to the bitter turmoil of this world. It is far better for them to reverse their course, for He whom they have forsaken may once again be at the forefront of their lives, while the tumult of this world, which they previously prioritized, recedes behind them. In this way, they can forget what lies behind and strive toward what is ahead. Philippians 3:13 This renewal will nourish them after their return.

Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob. Psalm 113:7 What is meant by "at the presence of the Lord" except recognizing the presence of Him who declared, “Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age”? Matthew 28:30 The earth trembled; but due to neglect, it strives to be strengthened in His presence.

He who transforms solid stone into water and flint into flowing springs. Psalm 113:8 For He softened His own being, and what could be considered His hardness quenched the thirst of those who believe in Him, that He might become in them a well of water springing up into everlasting life. John 4:14 Before, when unknown, He appeared as unyielding. Thus, those who exclaimed, “This is a hard saying; who can bear it?” John 6:60 were bewildered and did not wait to receive the outpouring of grace when the Scriptures were unveiled. That rock, once perceived as rigid, became reservoirs of water; that rock became fountains when, following His resurrection, He made known to them—beginning with Moses and continuing with all the prophets—how the Christ must suffer. Luke 24:26-27 He then sent the Holy Spirit, who invited, “If anyone thirsts, let them come to Me and drink.” John 7:37

David frequently equates true mercy with both mercy and truth, where truth is presented as the essence of God’s reliability, contrasting it with human mercy, which is often deceptive and only resembles divine mercy through shared grace. Eusebius suggests that David here embodies the voice of the Israelites desiring to be counted among the called nations, acknowledging their unworthiness for the grace granted to all nations. They implore, O Lord, that this grace is not bestowed upon us for our righteousness, but rather for Your name’s sake, established from the beginning, and according to Your mercy and truth. Chrysostom remarks that this is not to elevate our status or fame, but to manifest Your almighty power universally. His name is exalted both when He intervenes and assists us, and when we live virtuously and shine with righteousness. Isychius interprets grace and truth as references to Christ, and the glory as what the Father bestowed upon Himself through the incarnation of His only Son, through which He was glorified and revealed. As the Lord proclaimed in the Gospel, "Father, glorify Your name." How was it glorified? By redeeming us.

The Prophet then outlines three reasons why it is fitting for God to pursue the honor of His name in safeguarding His followers: first, due to His gracious nature; second, because He is steadfast and faithful in honoring the covenant; and third, to prevent the nations from having the opportunity to speak ill of His people should they be abandoned.

The sea and the Jordan—representing those who recognized the grace of Christ—returned from their wickedness to embrace the holy faith and willingly received baptism. Creation itself obeyed and receded, acknowledging the Leader and clearing the path for the guide of the people, demonstrating that the power of God is ever-present. Mountains are likened to prophets, hills signify apostles, rejoicing in Christ the Lord, who desires to redeem humanity. The sea retreated from God's might, divided by the passing Israelites, while the Jordan turned back upon receiving the Lord’s covenant box. Herein lies the prophecy regarding the Lord’s baptism. Of all the rivers on earth, Christ chose the Jordan for the sacrament of baptism. This river, formed by the convergence of two sources, Porus and Dan, flows not into the sea of life, but into the Dead Sea. The Jordan serves as a representation of our mortal condition. The mountains symbolize angels, and the hills represent God’s chosen, rejoicing at the coming of Christ, the Savior of the world. Humanity, metaphorically the earth, is stirred by the joyful tidings of the Gospel, moving from sin towards repentance. The goodness of Jacob concerns the descendants of Abraham, as the patriarchs and prophets proclaim Christ, leading them forth from the depths of Hades.