Now listen to his additional words: “Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and seek Him with all their heart” (Psalm 117:2). It appears to me that no group of the blessed is indicated here other than that which has already been mentioned. For engaging with the testimonies of the Lord and seeking Him wholeheartedly is to walk blamelessly along the path; it is to abide by the law of the Lord. He continues, “For those who do evil shall not walk in His ways” (Psalm 118:3). We recognize, however, that those committing wrongdoing do examine the testimonies of the Lord, as they prefer learning over righteousness. We also acknowledge that some scrutinize the Lord's testimonies not because they live rightly but to discover how they ought to conduct their lives. Such individuals do not yet fulfill the call to blamelessness in the law of the Lord and, for this reason, remain outside of blessedness.
It is written and attested 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 abide (Wisdom 7:16), to ensure that what is rightly articulated is also rightly comprehended, so it does not confound the listener or reader. We must be cautious lest all the saints, who proclaim, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8-9), be perceived as failing to walk in the Lord's ways, since wrongdoing is evil, and those who engage in evil do not walk according to His paths. Alternatively, recognizing that they do indeed walk in the ways of the Lord may lead to the false belief that they possess no sin. This is certainly untrue, for the statement is not intended merely to preclude arrogance and pride; otherwise, they would have indicated, “Humility is not in us.” The subsequent words further illuminate the intent and eliminate doubt. After making this observation, the 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 can this mean: “You have accused us of keeping Your commandments too strictly?” (Psalm 118:4). Have you demanded too large a sum? Or have you taken away too much? Regardless of which interpretation we choose, the implication seems contrary to the renowned and noble saying esteemed by the Greeks in their philosophers, and praised universally by the Latins: “Do nothing excessively.” Yet, the Latin language occasionally employs the term *nimis* in such a manner that it becomes significant within Scripture and our discussions. In this passage, when it is said, “You have accused us of keeping Your commandments too much,” we can glean a profound understanding. If we express to a very dear friend, “I love you too much,” we do not mean to convey an inappropriate excess, but rather an abundance of affection.
“Oh, if,” he articulates, “my ways would become so straight that I might keep Your decrees” (Psalm 118:5). You have indeed taken upon Yourself the charge: “Oh, if only I could realize what You have committed to me.” When you hear this, perceive these words as those of the willing and, having recognized the expression of desire, cast aside the pride of presumption. For who declares that they desire what lies within their power—able to accomplish it without aid? Therefore, if one yearns for what God mandates, they should beseech God for the grace to fulfill His commandments.
“I shall not be put to shame while I keep all Your commandments” (Psalm 118:6). When we consider the commandments of God—whether they are read aloud or recalled in our hearts—we should do so as though gazing into a mirror, as the Apostle James instructs (James 1:23-25). This individual desires to see himself rightly, to reflect on the commandments of God without confusion; for he chooses not to merely hear them but to act upon them. Hence, he longs for his paths to be directed so that he may observe the statutes of God. How can one achieve straightness except through the grace of God? Otherwise, one will discover within the law of God not a source of joy but of confusion if they seek to look upon the commandments without the desire to live righteously.
“I will confess to You, O Lord, according to the inclination of my heart; in this, I shall know the judgments of Your righteousness” (Psalm 117:7). This is not a confession of sins but rather an expression of praise, as when it is proclaimed, “I confess to You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth” (Matthew 11:25), and as noted in the book of Ecclesiasticus: “So confess all the works of God, that they are very good” (Sirach 39:15-16). “I confess to You,” he asserts, “in accordance with the guidance of my heart.” Indeed, if my paths are made right, I shall acknowledge You, for You are the source of this, and it is Your praise, not mine.
Furthermore, he proclaims, “I will keep Your decrees” (Psalm 118:8). But what follows? “O do not forsake me— not even excessively,” or as some translations render, “not even too much.” Yet, since God abandoned the world in the wilderness of sins, He would have abandoned it to a far greater extent were it not for the potent remedy of grace, which comes through our Lord Jesus Christ. Now, according to this prayer from the body of Christ, He has not forsaken it excessively, for “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself” (2 Corinthians 5:19).
THEOSIS