Psalm 115 (113):14Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Paul expresses this by saying, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places,” and further, “To Him who by the power that worketh in us is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, to Him be glory in the church” (Eph. 1:3; Eph. 3:20, 21). In ancient times, the prophets, seeking to bestow favors, granted this blessing. For instance, Elisha rewarded the woman who welcomed him with the gift of a son. However, in the New Testament, the nature of the blessing has evolved to something much greater. This was not what the porphyro-seller sought from the apostles, but rather this: “If ye have found me faithful unto the Lord, come into my house, and dwell with me” (Acts 16:15). Notice the stark contrast between the old covenant and the new covenant—what was desired then versus what is sought now. Additionally, Christ encourages us, “Rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20). Paul reminds us, “But let the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may be enriched with hope” (Rom. 15:13). Do you see the strength of this blessing, which imparts unspeakable gifts and is devoid of earthly attachments? Moreover, Paul proclaims, “But the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly” (Rom. 16:20). Under the old covenant, when humanity was more prone to sensual desires, blessings were often material, and polygyny was viewed as the pinnacle of good. In response to the entry of death through sin, God sought to reassure humanity, affirming that He would not abandon them or lead them to complete destruction, but instead promised to make them more numerous than ever before, instructing, “Be fruitful and multiply” (Gen. 9:1). Once it was understood that death is merely sleep, the value of virginity became apparent. Hence, Paul expressed, “I wish all men were like me,” and reiterated, “It is good for a man not to touch a woman” (1 Cor. 7:1). Jesus also stated that “there are some who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 19:12). Nevertheless, even in ancient times, God quietly inspired the recognition that virtue is necessary, not mere multiplication. As the Wise one instructs, “Do not desire a multitude of unfit children, and do not rejoice over the sons of the wicked. When they multiply, do not rejoice over them, unless the fear of the Lord is in them. Do not trust in their life, nor lean on their multitude. Better is one righteous man than a thousand sinners, and better to die childless than to have the children of the wicked; and better is one who does the will of the Lord than the darkness of the lawless” (Sir 16:1-4). However, the foolish Jews, consistently drawn toward sensuality and neglectful of virtue, asked, “He desired to obtain offspring from God” (Malachi 2:15). Thus, God, aiming to demonstrate that this was not His intention, repeatedly allowed them to face ruin when righteousness became scarce among them.

When Israel was delivered from Egypt, and Jacob's lineage emerged from a foreign land, Judah became His sanctuary and Israel His kingdom. Psalm 112:1-2 The sea witnessed this and fled; the Jordan turned back. Psalm 112:3 These narratives should not be dismissed as irrelevant; they also point us to the future. The miracles experienced by Israel were not isolated events; they were genuinely tied to what is yet to come. While the account may differ from our familiar interpretations, it serves to connect the past with prophetic declarations regarding future realities.

We read that rather than describing the Jordan simply as having receded, it was made to stand still at its source while the people journeyed through. There is no mention of mountains leaping, which the psalmist chose to include in his poetic retelling: "The sea saw it and fled; Jordan was turned back," followed by, "The mountains leaped like rams, and the hills like young sheep." Psalm 113:4 He inquires further, "What ails you, O sea, that you fled? O Jordan, why were you turned back?" Psalm 112:5 "Why did the mountains leap like rams, and the hills like young sheep?" Psalm 112:6

Thus, we must recognize the lessons imparted here, as both elements symbolize our own spiritual journeys and invite us to self-reflection. If we hold firmly to the grace bestowed upon us, we identify as Israel, the true descendants of Abraham. The Apostle declares to us, "Therefore ye are Abraham's seed." Our connection with the faithful Jewish remnant, among whom the Apostles emerged, makes it imperative for every Christian to regard themselves as partakers in the name of Israel. Our Lord teaches, "And I have other sheep which are not of this fold; them also I must bring in, that there may be one flock and one shepherd." John 10:16 In this context, the Christian community more accurately embodies Israel and takes its place as the house of Jacob, whereas those who betrayed their birthright traded it for carnal indulgences align more closely with Esau than Jacob, echoing the ancient declaration that "the elder shall serve the younger."

Egypt often symbolizes suffering or oppression and is a representation of this worldly existence, from which we are called to spiritually withdraw, so as not to share in the yoke of unbelievers. 2 Corinthians 6:14 Each believer becomes a true citizen of the heavenly Jerusalem once they renounce this present world, just as the ancient Israelites could not enter the promised land without first escaping Egypt. Their exit was aided by divine intervention, just as no one can turn their heart away from the world without the assistance of God’s mercy. The patterns of the past find fulfillment as we engage in the daily activities of the Church in these last days, as noted by Blessed John. 1 John 2:18

Take heed of the Apostle, the teacher of the Gentiles, who instructs us, "I do not wish, brethren, to leave you in ignorance, that all our fathers were under the cloud and all passed through the sea; and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and all ate the same spiritual food, and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank of that spiritual rock that followed them, and that rock was Christ. But with many of them, God was not well pleased." 1 Corinthians 10:1-6 What more could we desire, beloved brethren? This is unmistakably evident, not from mere human conjecture but through the Apostle’s unmistakable statement, as it is God speaking through him: The actions performed in a figurative manner are now fulfilled in our salvation. The events of the past testify to promises yet fulfilled, while the present reality reinforces these truths.

Marvel at how the hidden mysteries of ancient texts gradually unveil what was concealed. The prophet Micah proclaims, "In the days of your departure from Egypt, I will show him wonders." The psalm we are considering, while looking into the future, recounts magnificent deeds of the past; Judah was His sanctuary, and the sea fled—words which emphasize past occurrences, yet they inherently reveal future implications. It remains clear that even though these declarations came long after Israel's exodus and prior to the Church’s establishment, they forecast what is to come: "The nations shall see and be put to shame." Thus, when we encounter passages that speak of the sea fleeing, we recognize that they also cryptically disclose future truths. And as the psalm further references the enemies that pursued the Israelites, we understand that they metaphorically represent our sins, which are drowned in the waters of Baptism just as the Egyptians perished in the sea, affirming God's mercy in washing away our iniquities.

Dearly beloved, remember that if you recognize yourselves as Israelites—descendants of Abraham from the house of Jacob, inheritors of the promise—you too have emerged from Egypt, having renounced worldly ties; you have distanced yourselves from the unholy practices of the Gentiles by professing godliness. It is not your own tongue but that of the world that struggles to offer praise to God, to whom you sing Hallelujah. For you have become His sanctuary, as true faith does not stem from outward appearance but is a matter of the heart, marked by the true circumcision ordained by God. Romans 2:28-29 Ensure your hearts are examined and purified through faith and confession, for in you, Judah has been transformed into His sanctuary, and Israel has become His realm, granting you the authority to be called children of God. John 1:12

However, do not look solely at the transformation of the Jordan or any negative foresight. The Lord rebukes those who turn their backs to Him rather than face Him. Jeremiah 2:27 Anyone forsaking their spiritual essence and turning their back on the Creator, much like a river converging into the sea, risks falling into the bitterness of this present age. Therefore, it is necessary for one to return to God, bringing Him into their undivided focus if they seek true redemption, so that the fading echoes of this world may linger behind them while they strive for what is ahead. Philippians 3:13

Tremble, O earth, before the Lord, the God of Jacob. Psalm 113:7 What does it mean to be in His presence but to recognize the One who has promised, "Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age"? Matthew 28:30 Although the earth trembles, the one who remains apathetic does so to prompt deeper strength in the presence of the Lord.

He who transforms rock into pools of water and flint into springs of life. Psalm 113:8 Christ, who softened what once seemed unyielding, offers Himself as a source of living water to those who believe, promising everlasting life. John 4:14 For in times past, when His identity was veiled, He retained an appearance of hardness. Hence, those who commented that "This is a hard teaching," questioned his words without awaiting the insight from revealed Scripture. The rock, once perceived as rigid, flowed like lakes of water upon His resurrection, as He revealed to His disciples, beginning with Moses and all the prophets, the necessity of His suffering, Luke 24:26-27 and sent forth the Holy Spirit who invites all who are thirsty to "Come unto Me, and drink." John 7:37

Thus, you shall receive full and perfect blessings from the Lord, both now and in the world to come.” By referring to God as the Creator of heaven and earth, he underscores that it is not solely his displeasure that compels him to protect them; for God did not create the heavens and the earth merely to remain passive, but to sustain and govern all things through His divine providence.

Those who acknowledge and trust in Christ, the genuine God, emerge from the sinful realm of Egypt into the grace of Christ, drawn from the lineage of Judah. The sea and the Jordan signify the people who, witnessing Christ's grace, turned away from wickedness and embraced the holy faith, willingly seeking baptism. Nature itself yielded and receded, recognizing the Leader, thus allowing passage for the Leader of the people, demonstrating that God’s power prevails universally. The mountains embody prophets, and the hills represent apostles, rejoicing in Christ the Lord, who desires to bring salvation to humanity. The sea fled from God’s might, parted by the transient Israelites. The Jordan reversed its course when the covenant of the Lord was entrusted to them. This alludes to the prophecy of the Lord’s baptism. Among all the waters of the earth, Christ instituted the sacrament of baptism in the Jordan. This river is formed from the merging of two springs, Porus and Dan, which flow not into the sea of life but towards the Dead Sea, symbolizing our mortal existence. The mountains signify angels, while the hills denote those favored by God, rejoicing in Christ, the Savior of the world. Humanity, represented by the earth, is stirred by the joyful tidings of the Gospel, moving from sin to repentance. The goodness of Jacob, the descendants of Abraham, alongside the patriarchs and prophets, proclaimed Christ, leading the faithful out of the abyss of death.