Now consider what follows: “Blessed are they who keep His testimonies, and seek Him with all their heart” (Psalm 117:2). It appears that no other class of the blessed is identified here than those previously mentioned. To examine the Lord’s testimonies and to seek Him wholeheartedly is to embody blamelessness on the path; it is to abide in the law of the Lord. Then, He states, “For they who do evil shall not walk in His ways” (Psalm 118:3). Yet we acknowledge that those who commit iniquity do scrutinize the testimonies of the Lord, preferring knowledge over righteousness. There are others who study these testimonies, not because they lead lives of virtue, but in order to learn how they ought to live. Such individuals do not yet walk blamelessly in the law of the Lord and, for this reason, they have not yet attained blessedness.
It is affirmed in this Psalm, and it is indeed true: “They who do evil do not walk in His ways” (Psalm 118:3). However, we must strive, with the grace of God, who oversees both us and our words (Wisdom 7:16), that what is rightly spoken is not misunderstood, potentially leading to confusion for the reader or listener. We must take care not to overlook the saints, whose declaration is, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8-9). They may be perceived as not walking in the ways of the Lord since sin is indeed evil, and those who commit evil do not follow His path. Yet it is clear that they are walking in His ways, and therefore, they cannot be thought to have no sin, which would be a false assumption. This statement is not merely to avert pride and arrogance; otherwise, it would have asserted, “Humility is not in us.” The clarity of the subsequent verses elucidates its meaning and dispels any uncertainty. For after stating this, the blessed John continued, “If we confess our sins, He, being faithful and just, will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
What does He mean when He states, “You have accused us of keeping Your commandments too strictly” (Psalm 118:4)? Did You demand too great a burden or lessen it too much? Regardless of how we interpret this, the essence seems contrary to that well-known and noble principle admired by Greek philosophers and commended by the Latins: “Do nothing in excess.” However, the Latin language sometimes employs the term “nimis” in ways that resonate with Scriptural meaning and enrich our conversations. In this instance, the accusation of keeping Your commandments too rigorously indicates that we understand greatly if we comprehend rightly. When expressing affection to a cherished friend, to say “I love you too much” does not imply an excess beyond what is fitting, but an abundance of love.
“I wish, O that my ways were steadfast, that I might keep Your statutes” (Psalm 118:5). You have indeed undertaken the burden. If only I could grasp what You have taken upon Yourself. On hearing this, recognize the voice of the willing, acknowledging the expression of yearning and casting aside the arrogance of presumptuousness. Who truly claims to desire what lies within their power without divine assistance? Thus, if one desires what God commands, they should implore God to bestow upon them the capacity to fulfill those commands.
“And I shall not be put to shame, when I consider all Your commandments” (Psalm 118:6). When the commandments of God are proclaimed or remembered, we should perceive them as a mirror, as stated by the apostle James (James 1:23-25). This person longs to internalize such a perspective that allows them to regard God’s commandments without confusion, as they are not merely hearers but doers of the word. Hence, they desire their paths to be straight in order to adhere to God’s statutes. How can one achieve straightness except by the grace of God? Otherwise, the law of God will yield not joy but confusion if one seeks to reflect upon commandments that they do not obey.
“I will confess to You, O Lord, with a pure heart; in this I shall come to know the judgments of Your righteousness” (Psalm 117:7). This declaration is not a confession of sins but an expression of praise. Just as it is written, “In whom there is no sin, I confess to You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth” (Matthew 11:25), and as stated in Ecclesiasticus, “Confess all the works of God, for they are very good” (Sirach 39:15-16). I confess to You, according to the intent of my heart. Indeed, if my paths are made right, I will praise You, acknowledging that it is through You that this is accomplished.
He further asserts, “I will keep Your decrees” (Psalm 118:8). But what follows? “Do not forsake me, even to an excessive degree!” – or, as some manuscripts articulate, “not even intolerably.” Despite God having deserted the world amidst its wilderness of sin, He would have abandoned it utterly had it not been upheld by such a powerful remedy, that is, the grace of God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Consequently, according to this prayer of the body of Christ, He did not forsake the world even excessively; for God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself (2 Corinthians 5:19).
THEOSIS