In this Psalm, we are instructed that when we utter Hallelujah, meaning "Praise the Lord," we are to engage in praise as we hear the words "Confess to the Lord" (Psalm 116:1). True praise to God can be expressed succinctly: "For He is good." This concise declaration holds great gravity, for God's goodness is a unique attribute. When someone called Jesus the Good Teacher, perceiving Him merely in His humanity, He responded, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good, except God alone" (Mark 10:17-18). This underscores the point that recognizing Him as good necessitates acknowledging His divinity. This revelation is conveyed to a people liberated from toil and malevolence, granted freedom by God's grace, who repays evil with goodness. Thus, it is fitting to proclaim, "His mercy endures forever."
Let Israel now declare that He is good, and His mercy is everlasting (Psalm 116:2). Let the house of Aaron declare His mercy forever (Psalm 116:3). Indeed, let all who revere the Lord affirm that His mercy endures through all ages (Psalm 116:4). Beloved, you surely remember the significance of the house of Israel and the house of Aaron, both of whom revere the Lord. For they represent both the small and the great, a theme previously joyfully resonated in your hearts. We should all rejoice in our unity in God’s grace, who is good and whose mercy is eternal. Just as they proclaimed, "May the Lord add to your number, to you and your children," let the faith of the Israelites in Christ lead to a multitude of Gentiles being brought forth. Thus, united in Christ, we can become one flock under one Shepherd, and, as one body, exclaim, "I called upon the Lord in trouble, and He answered me" (Psalm 116:5). Our trials may be narrow, but the path we tread is limitless. Who can bring a charge against God’s chosen ones? (Romans 8:33)
The Lord is my helper; I will not fear what others may do to me (Psalm 116:6). But are humans the sole adversaries of the Church? What is man but flesh and blood? The apostle reminds us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of wickedness (Ephesians 6:12), referring to the devil and his followers, who is also identified as the ruler of the air (Ephesians 2:2). Therefore, hear this: The Lord is my helper; thus, I shall despise my foes (Psalm 116:7). Regardless of the source of my adversaries, whether from among sinful humanity or wicked spirits, with the Lord’s strength, we will triumph, and they will be disregarded.
However, as I regard the scorn heaped upon my enemies, let not any friend present himself as worthy of my trust. It is better to place my hope in the Lord than in mere mortals (Psalm 116:8). I must not rely on anyone, even if they bear the title of angel, for no one is good except God alone (Mark 10:18). When a person or angel aids us, it is through the love bestowed to them by God that they act. Hence, it is better to hope in the Lord than in princes (Psalm 116:9). For even angels are called princes, as indicated in Daniel, where it states, "Michael your prince" (Daniel 12:1).
I was besieged on every side, yet in the name of the Lord, I avenged myself (Psalm 117:10). I was surrounded, but in the name of the Lord, I overcame (Psalm 117:11). This signifies the labor and triumph of the Church, and if one wonders how she could triumph over such great adversity, the answer lies in the example that she first experienced mentally, for she has known the pain of persecution. The phrase "all nations" is intentionally absent here, as it was specifically the Jews who brought about the suffering. The same religious body, the Church, suffered at the hands of those who, through the flesh, were also tormentors.
They attacked me like bees swarm a hive and burned like fire among thorns; yet in the name of the Lord, I avenged them (Psalm 117:12). The sequence of words reflects the sequence of events. Our Lord, the Head of the Church, was indeed surrounded by persecutors as bees are around their hive. The Holy Spirit speaks of the actions done by those unaware of their impact. Bees produce honey, and similarly, the opposition to our Lord, though unintentional, sweetened our experience through His Passion, revealing to us how sweet is the Lord who died for our sins and rose again for our justification (Romans 4:25). The fervor that consumed like fire among thorns is best understood in relation to His Body, the scattered people, enveloped by all nations, who endured the trials of this life through persecution. Their perseverance resulted in vengeance, not merely because those that persecuted have fallen away, but also as a warning to those who reject the mercy of God will ultimately face His judgment.
I was thrust down like chaff, but the Lord upheld me (Psalm 117:13). Though many believers may seem as numerous as grains of sand, they gather into one body, united in faith, yet the focus is on the Lord, who supports us. The hostility faced from the Gentiles does not dismantle the unity among believers.
The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation (Psalm 116:14). Who falters when pushed, except those who depend on their own strengths? It is only those who rely on themselves that ultimately fail. Therefore, if the Lord is our strength and praise, we shall not fall, as He does not fail. He became our salvation not because He transformed into something new, but rather because we became new creations through faith in Him.
The voice of joy and victory is found in the dwelling places of the righteous (Psalm 117:15). While those who oppress us may expect sorrow and despair, they do not perceive the inner joy of the faithful, filled with hope for what is to come. As the apostle proclaims, "I sorrow, but I also rejoice" (2 Corinthians 6:10), and "we rejoice in sufferings" (Romans 5:3).
The right hand of the Lord has performed mighty deeds (Psalm 117:16). What are these deeds? The right hand of the Lord has raised me up. The great works include elevating the lowly, transforming the mortal, bringing forth glory from suffering, and offering aid to those in distress. This lays bare the true salvation of God to His faithful, while those who pursue harm to others find it barren. These are indeed extraordinary deeds; listen again: the right hand of the Lord brings about greatness.
"I shall not die, but I will live to declare the works of the Lord" (Psalm 117:17). While many sow fear and chaos, believing they can extinguish the Church of Christ, behold, we continue to proclaim the marvelous works of the Lord. Throughout all, Christ remains the glory of the blessed martyrs. He turns defeat into victory over those who strike Him, demonstrating love even for those who oppose Him.
Yet, let us address why the Body of Christ, the Holy Church, has endured such trials. "The Lord has chastened me severely, but He has not given me over to death" (Psalm 116:18). Let not the arrogant suppose their power is unchallenged; they possess it only because it is permitted from above. A father may direct his sons to be disciplined by those of lesser value, but he secures an inheritance for his own. What is this inheritance? Is it wealth, possessions, or lands? Understand how we enter into it.
"Open to me the gates of righteousness" (Psalm 117:19). We acknowledge there is a gate, and within it lies an entrance to give thanks to the Lord. This echoes a call to praise among the assembly of the righteous, denoting the eternal blessedness of those who dwell in the Lord’s house, praising Him forever.
Consider how they enter through the gates of righteousness. "This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it" (Psalm 116:20). Let none who are wicked enter this Holy City, which welcomes not the unclean, for "outside are the dogs" (Revelation 22:15). It was sufficient that during my prolonged journey I dwelt among the unrighteous; now that I have witnessed the gate of the Lord, only the righteous may enter.
"I give you thanks, O Lord, for You have answered me and have become my salvation" (Psalm 116:21). The praise of one who does not reveal their wounds yet expresses gratitude for the healing received is noteworthy. Yet, it is the Lord who is Salvation.
Who is this? "The stone which the builders rejected" (Psalm 116:22)—this stone became the cornerstone, reconciling both Jew and Gentile into one body, thus making peace (Ephesians 2:15-16).
"The Lord has done this" (Psalms 117:23), meaning He made Him the chief cornerstone. Although He would not have taken this position without suffering, it was not by those who caused His suffering that He became the cornerstone. The builders intentionally overlooked Him, yet secretly, the Lord resurrected Him as the foundation of His Church. This is astonishing in our view; to those who believe and love, it is a source of wonder, unlike the carnal perceptions that dismiss Him.
"This is the day the Lord has made" (Psalm 117:24). This statement recalls what was previously said: "Because He has inclined His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live." He now proclaims, "This is the day of my salvation," also referenced in Isaiah, where it states, "In a favorable time I heard you" and "In the day of salvation, I helped you" (Isaiah 49:8). This day signifies the moment when the Mediator became the chief cornerstone. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
"Save me, O Lord; prosper me in my way, O Lord" (Psalm 116:25). Since this is the day of Salvation, do save me. We, returning from a long journey, are distanced from those who opposed us, with whom we maintained peace until they unjustly waged war against us. Prosper our way upon our return, for You are our Way.
"Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord" (Psalm 117:26). Cursed, then, is he who comes in his own name, just as it is said in the Gospel: "If another comes in his own name, him you will receive" (John 5:43). We have blessed you from the house of the Lord, and I believe these words convey a message from the great to the humble, from those who connect with God, to ensure the littlest among us echo the apostle’s message: "For if we are out of our minds, it is for God; if we are grounded, it is for you" (2 Corinthians 5:13-14). They bless the children from within the inner sanctuary of the Lord, a place of unceasing praise, thus consider what they declare from there.
"God is the Lord who has shown us light" (Psalm 116:27). This Lord, who came in the Name of the Lord, rejected by the builders, became the cornerstone (Matthew 21:9, 42)—the Mediator between God and humanity, Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:5)— is indeed God, equal with the Father. He has illuminated our understanding so that we grasp what we believe and express it to those yet unversed in it, but who already have faith. Proclaim the holy day collectively, even to the altar's horns; that is, to the innermost part of the house of the Lord, from which we bless you, where the altar stands high. Proclaim this holy day not in a slack manner, but with unified intention. Psalm 117:28 represents the joy among those who observe the holy day, proceeding toward the magnificent sanctuary, the house of God. For if spiritual sacrifice exists as an everlasting offering of praise there, then the Priest stands eternal, and the righteous maintain an everlasting altar.
THEOSIS