Now, consider the next statement: “Blessed are those who keep His testimonies and seek Him with all their heart” (Psalm 117:2). It appears to me that no new category of the blessed is introduced here; rather, the pursuit of the Lord's testimonies and wholeheartedly seeking Him is synonymous with being blameless and walking in His law. He further asserts, “For they that do evil shall not walk in His ways” (Psalm 118:3). Yet it is evident that those who commit wrongdoing often examine the Lord's testimonies, driven by a preference for knowledge over righteousness; others study them not because they excel in virtue, but to learn how they should live. Such individuals are not yet walking blamelessly in the law of the Lord, and consequently, they have yet to attain blessedness.
It is declared and acknowledged in this Psalm that “they who do evil do not walk in His ways” (Psalm 118:3). However, we must strive, with God’s assistance—in whose hands we and our words reside (Wisdom 7:16)—to ensure that what is rightly stated is not misinterpreted. We must be cautious not to conclude that all saints, whose words declare, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8-9), cannot be considered walking in the Lord’s ways because sin is sinful, and those who commit sin do not follow His paths. Or alternatively, since it is clear they do walk in His ways, we might mistakenly think they are without sin, which is undoubtedly false. This declaration is not merely to stave off arrogance and pride; otherwise, the verse would read, “Humility is not in us.” The subsequent words provide deeper clarity and address all uncertainty: for after asserting this, blessed John added, “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 it imply when it says, “You have accused us of keeping your commandments too strictly?” (Psalm 118:4). Have we misunderstood something significant? Whether we consider one or the other, the meaning seems contrary to the wise sentiment praised by the Greeks and lauded by the Latins: “Do nothing too much.” Yet, in the Latin language, the term ‘nimis’ conveys a profound essence, and we frequently find it in Scripture. Here, when it says “thou hast accused us of keeping thy commandments too much,” we grasp a profound understanding. If we express to a dearly beloved friend, “I love you too much,” it suggests an extensive love, not an excess beyond measure.
Oh, if my ways could be made straight so that I might keep Thy decrees! (Psalm 118:5). Indeed, You have taken on the burden: Oh, if only I could realize what You bear! When you hear this, recognize the words of one who wishes, and upon recognizing this expression of desire, let go of the pride of presumptuousness. For who claims to desire what is within their power in such a way that they can achieve it without any divine assistance? Therefore, if someone longs for what God commands, they should implore God to provide them with the ability to fulfill His commandments.
And I will not be put to shame as long as I keep all Your commandments (Psalm 118:6). We should regard God’s commandments when they are proclaimed or remembered as one would look into a mirror, as the apostle James teaches (James 1:23-25). This individual wishes to reflect such a nature in themselves that they can observe God's commandments without confusion; because they do not seek merely to hear them but to enact them. Thus, they long for their ways to align and to adhere to God's statutes. How can one become straight except by the grace of God? Otherwise, they will discover in the law of God not a source of joy, but of turmoil if they attempt to examine commandments which they do not aim to keep.
“I will confess to You, O Lord, with direction from my heart; in this way, I shall know the judgments of Your righteousness” (Psalm 117:7). This is not merely a confession of sins but of praise, akin to “In whom there was no sin, I confess to You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth” (Matthew 11:25) and as it is written in Ecclesiasticus, “So confess all the works of God, that they are very good” (Sirach 39:15-16). He states, “I confess to You according to the guidance of my heart.” If my paths are made right, I will confess to You, for You have accomplished it; this praise belongs to You, not to me.
He continues: “I will keep Your decrees” (Psalm 118:8). But what follows? “O leave me not even too much!” or as some versions express, “not even excessively.” Although God withdrew from the world amidst its sins, He would have abandoned it even more completely had it not been upheld by a strong remedy, namely, the grace of God through our Lord Jesus Christ. According to this prayer of Christ's body, He has not abandoned the world even excessively; indeed, God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself (2 Corinthians 5:19).
THEOSIS