Psalm 118 (117):13Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Having illustrated the magnitude of the trials through the multitude, position, force, and aggravation of the attackers, he also conveys his own experiences of suffering. He states that the adversities weighed me down so heavily that I was on the verge of collapse; I was so marginalized by their assaults that I could hardly stand. Yet, in my moment of despair when I had already knelt in prayer and had exhausted all earthly resources, it was then that God revealed His salvation. This is how God operates, ensuring that no one can claim ownership of His glory. He demonstrated this with Gideon during the time of the judges. Likewise, in the era of Hezekiah, He granted victory during the night.

In this Psalm, we learn that when we exclaim Hallelujah, which translates to ‘Praise the Lord,’ we should respond to the phrase, “I love the Lord” (Psalm 116:1), with our own praise for the Almighty. Our words of adoration cannot encapsulate His goodness more succinctly than this: ‘For He is good.’ There is something profoundly solemn in this simplicity, as God’s goodness is such a unique attribute, that even when a figure referred to Christ as the Good Teacher—viewing Him only as a mere man—He countered, ‘Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone’ (Mark 10:17-18). This implies that to acknowledge His goodness is also to recognize His divinity. Since this call is directed towards a liberated people, no longer burdened by toil or the company of the wicked, it reflects a freedom granted through God’s grace, demonstrating that He not only refrains from repaying evil for evil but rather repays evil with benevolence; consequently, it is befitting to add, ‘For His mercy endures forever.’

Let Israel affirm His goodness and that His mercy lasts for eternity (Psalm 116:2). Let the household of Aaron declare His everlasting mercy (Psalm 116:3). Indeed, let all who revere the Lord confess that His mercy is eternal (Psalm 116:4). I trust that my beloved, you remember the significance of both Israel and Aaron’s house; these represent the small and the great, joyously depicted in another Psalm, in which we delight knowing we are united in His grace, the embodiment of goodness, whose mercy forever remains. They were heard uttering: ‘May the Lord multiply you and your children’; this promise extends to the Israelites who believe in Christ, of whom the apostles were a part, potentially welcoming a multitude of Gentiles for the exaltation of the perfect and the submission of the little ones. Together, as one in Christ, we become a single flock under one Shepherd; thus, the body of that Head, united, would exclaim, ‘I called upon the Lord in my distress, and He answered me’ (Psalm 116:5). Our tribulations may appear constricted, yet the vast pathway of our journey has no bounds. Who can bring a charge against God’s chosen ones? (Romans 8:33).

The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid of what man can do to me (Psalm 116:6). But are mortals the sole adversaries of the Church? What is a person devoted solely to earthly concerns but just flesh and blood? The Apostle states that our battle is not against blood and flesh, but against the spiritual forces of wickedness (Ephesians 6:12)—the devil and his angels, that malevolent one known as the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2). Therefore, take heed: the Lord is my helper; I will scorn my adversaries (Psalm 116:7). Regardless of the source of my foes, whether they arise from among malevolent humans or wicked spirits; with the Lord’s aid, whom we shall praise and exalt through our Hallelujahs, they will be held in contempt.

However, as my enemies are disregarded, let not a friend present themselves as a paragon of virtue, persuading me to place my hopes in them; for it is superior to trust in the Lord than in mere mortals (Psalm 116:8). Nor should I treat any being, perhaps an angel of goodness, as a reliable anchor; since no one is good except God alone (Mark 10:18). Even when men or angels come to help through genuine love, it is ultimately through Him, who created them good in their measure, that such assistance occurs. Therefore, it is greatly preferable to rely on the Lord than on leaders (Psalm 116:9); for even angels are regarded as rulers, as indicated in Daniel, where Michael is referred to as your prince (Daniel 12:1).

All nations encompassed me, but in the name of the Lord, I triumphed over them (Psalm 117:10). I was besieged on all sides; yet in the name of the Lord, I overcame them (Psalm 117:11). This alludes to the struggles and victories of the Church; and if one wonders how she could surmount such immense evil, she recalls her initial experiences, adding, ‘They surrounded me on every side’; notably, “all nations” is omitted here since the actions were perpetrated solely by the Jews. That very religious group—the body of Christ, for whose sake all was accomplished in mortality through divine power, suffered persecution, of which their flesh was assumed and hung upon the cross.

They attacked me like bees around a hive, and blazed with fury among thorns; yet in the name of the Lord, I avenged them (Psalm 117:12). Here the arrangement of the wording aligns with the sequence of events. We rightly comprehend that our Lord, the Head of the Church, was besieged by His persecutors akin to bees enveloping their hive. The Holy Spirit articulates, with mystical nuance, what was achieved by those who were unaware of the harm they caused. Just as bees produce honey in their hives, those who persecuted our Lord, even unbeknownst to them, made Him more endearing to us through His very Passion; so we may experience and savor how sweet is the Lord who died for our sins and rose again for our justification (Romans 4:25). Yet, the fire burning among the thorns more accurately refers to His Body, that is, the dispersed people, encircled by nations as they were drawn from every land, consumed by the sinful flesh and deep sufferings of this earthly existence amid the flames of persecution. They were avenged either because the evil within them, which sought to oppress the righteous, has been purged as they join the people of Christ, or because those who ignore the mercy of the One who calls them shall ultimately face the veracity of the Judge.

I was cast down like a heap of sand, yet the Lord upheld me (Psalm 117:13). Even amidst a multitude of believers, they could be likened to countless grains of sand, amalgamated in fellowship, as one heap; but what is humanity, if not ‘You remember Him?’ It is not said that ‘the multitude of the Gentiles outnumbered my hosts,’ but rather the Lord has sustained me. The persecution of Gentiles did not dispel the unity of the faithful.

The Lord is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation (Psalm 116:14). Who then can fall when they are propelled by the strength and praise of the Almighty? For no one falls in the struggle except the one whose strength and praise falter. Thus, he whose strength and praise derive from the Lord will not fall, just as the Lord does not falter. This is why He became their salvation—not that He transformed into that which He was not previously, but because those who believed in Him transitioned into beings they were not before, finding salvation when they turned towards Him, which He could not be for them when they turned away.

The sounds of joy and healing resound in the homes of the righteous (Psalm 117:15), where those who wished to inflict grief thought they could impose despair and destruction. They understood not the profound joy the saints harbor within their future hope. Hence, the Apostle declares, ‘I am sorrowful, yet always rejoicing’ (2 Corinthians 6:10), and further, ‘we rejoice in our tribulations’ (Romans 5:3).

The mighty deeds of the Lord’s right hand have been manifested (Psalm 117:16). What mighty deeds? The text proclaims that His right hand has exalted me. Such magnificent acts include raising the lowly, endowing mortality with divinity, transforming weakness into strength, subjugation into glory, suffering into triumph—extending aid and lifting from despair—so that the true salvation of God may shine upon those who suffer, while the deliverance of mankind remains futile for the oppressors. These indeed are magnificent deeds; but why wonder? The assurance is reiterated: His right hand has enacted wondrous works.

I shall not perish but live, proclaiming the works of the Lord (Psalm 117:17). Yet those who sow devastation and death all around assume the Church of Christ is perishing. Look now as He declares the works of the Lord. In every instance, Christ represents the glory of the blessed martyrs. Through defeat, He triumphed over His offenders; by enduring suffering, He overcame those who tormented Him; by loving those who turned against Him.

Still, let us understand why the Body of Christ, the Holy Church—the people of Adoption—have faced such degradation. The Lord hath disciplined and chastised me, but not condemned me to death (Psalm 116:18). Let not the arrogant wicked believe their authority is unchallenged; they would not possess it were it not conferred from above. Frequently, a father may delegate the discipline of his sons to even the most contemptible servants; while He grants an inheritance to the former, He restrains the latter. What constitutes this inheritance? Is it gold, silver, jewels, land, or estates? Observe how we enter into it and grasp its nature.

‘Open to me the gates of righteousness’ (Psalm 117:19). Indeed, we have discussed a gate. What lies beyond it? ‘So I may enter and give thanks to the Lord.’ Here lies an extraordinary confession of gratitude, resounding joyfully, celebrating in the house of God; this represents the eternal beatitude of the righteous, those who dwell within the Lord’s house, forever praising Him.

But take note of how they enter the gates of righteousness. ‘The gate of the Lord,’ says the righteous, ‘shall be entered by those’ (Psalm 116:20). Let none unrighteous even consider entering that Jerusalem, which accepts no uncircumcised man, as declared, ‘Outside are the dogs’ (Revelation 22:15). It is sufficient during my long wanderings to have dwelt among the tents of Kedar; I withstood the company of the wicked to the end, yet this is the gate of the Lord: the righteous shall enter.

I give thanks to You, O Lord, for You have answered me, and have become my salvation (Psalm 116:21). How often has the confession of one who does not highlight his wounds to the healer but instead shows gratitude for the health restored, proved to be commendable? However, the Physician Himself is our Salvation.

But who is the subject of our discourse? ‘The stone which the builders rejected’ (Psalm 116:22)—this has become the cornerstone; creating peace by uniting both the circumcised and the uncircumcised into one new man (Ephesians 2:15-16).

‘The Lord made it a marvel’ (Psalm 117:23): the Lord appointed Him as the chief cornerstone. Though He would not have achieved this designation were it not for His suffering, it was not through those who inflicted suffering upon Him that He received this honor. For those who rejected Him were the builders, yet in the construction that the Lord secretly established, He became the head of the corner—rejected by them. This is indeed marvelous in our eyes—in the eyes of the inner spirit, in the eyes of believers, those who hope and love Him; not seen through the carnal perceptions of those who disregarded Him, treating Him merely as a man.

‘This is the day the Lord has made’ (Psalm 117:24). This man reflects on what he expressed in previous psalms: ‘Since He graciously inclined His ear to me, I will call upon Him as long as I live,’ remembering his former days; hence he now declares, ‘This is the day the Lord has made;’ that is, the day of my salvation. This is the day foretold, ‘In an acceptable time, I have listened to you; in the day of salvation, I helped you’ (Isaiah 49:8)—the day when the Mediator became the chief cornerstone. Accordingly, let us rejoice and celebrate in Him.

‘Save me, O Lord; prosper my path, O Lord’ (Psalm 116:25). Because it is the day of Salvation: save me; for as we return from a long journey, we are distanced from those who detested our existence, those from whom we once found peace, but who, upon our speaking, declared war upon us unjustly; grant us guidance as we return, for You have become our Way.

This is appropriate for both the faithful and the Jews. The former would have faced complete devastation without the grace of God, while the latter would have descended into evil without the support of divine strength.

I found myself beset by adversaries, and in that moment, I nearly stumbled, facing the peril of falling. The Lord intervened on my behalf to reveal His power and Divine care even more profoundly: He rescued me from the very brink of death, where I felt utter hopelessness. As Isikhiy states, these adversaries tempt us with enticing thoughts, leading us away from our steadfastness in the law, rendering us vulnerable to the attacks of evil spirits. Yet, when we remain vigilant and alert, God stands as our defender, for He is capable of fortifying our spirits and driving away those who seek to bring us low.

In this passage, he clearly demonstrates both the might of God and his own frailty, which could not withstand a multitude of formidable adversaries. When he refers to himself as humble, he admits that he was on the verge of collapse, had the Lord not sustained him and lifted him up from the brink of despair. Therefore, in the following verse, he describes God as his source of gentleness and the melody of his heart. By embracing the first title, he genuinely recognizes his own limitations and ascribes his deliverance solely to God; by taking the second title, he conveys that he has no cause for self-congratulation, affirming that all the honor for his salvation rests exclusively with God. The closing part of the verse expresses, "And it was unto me for salvation."

This Psalm, delivered to David by the Holy Spirit, overflows with joy and gratitude as it acknowledges the boundless and immeasurable mercy of God, the Creator of humanity. It expresses heartfelt praise and thanksgiving during the day of His glorious victory when the people of Israel were united under the singular authority of David's reign. This unity represents the coming together of every tribe and tongue into the divine kingdom of Christ the Lord, the Sovereign of eternal glory, on the magnificent day of His solemn Resurrection. Let us also give thanks to Christ, the Savior of humanity, whose mercy is eternal for those who repent, as His mercy remains infinite and unchangeable.