Thus, let us sing: if you wish to know how to place your feet securely upon the path, to avoid weariness in climbing and prevent stumbling: pray with these words, “Let not my foot be shaken!” Psalm 120:3. What enables movement of the feet? Consider why the foot of the one who was in Paradise faltered. First, look at the feet of him who was among the angels, who, when his feet were moved, fell, transforming from an angel into a devil: his fall was due to pride. Nothing causes the feet to stumble but pride; pride leads to downfall, while love encourages walking, growth, and ascension. Hence, rightly, the psalmist, desiring guidance to rise instead of faltering, beseeches God, hoping to gain wisdom from suffering, avoiding the perils of inflating pride, saying, “Let not my feet be moved!” And God's response is this: “May the one who supports you not slumber. Be present, O beloved.” It is as if a single thought is conveyed across two statements; the individual, rising and singing the song of ascents, says, “Let not my foot be shaken.” And as if God replies, “You call to me, ‘Let not my foot be shaken’; be vigilant, and your foot shall remain steady.”
Choose Him who neither sleeps nor slumbers; your foot shall not falter. God is ever awake: if you desire a guardian who is perpetually vigilant, choose God as your protector. You express, “Let not my feet be shaken,” but He also reminds you not to allow it to lull you to sleep. Perhaps you were contemplating relying on mortals as your guides, questioning, “Who among them will not slumber? Where can I find such a one? Where do I turn?” The psalmist informs you, “He who keeps Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps." Psalm 120:4. Would you wish for a keeper who is always alert? Behold, He who safeguards Israel is eternally vigilant, for Christ is the guardian of Israel. Thus, be a part of Israel. What does Israel signify? It translates to "Seeing God." How does one come to perceive God? Initially through faith, and subsequently by sight. If you cannot yet behold Him with your physical eyes, perceive Him through faith.
Who is there who neither sleeps nor slumbers? In your search among men, you will face disappointment; you will never uncover such a one. Thus, do not place your faith in mankind: every individual sleeps and slumbers. When does slumber occur? It happens when one bears the flesh of frailty. When does death arrive? It comes with the end of life. So, do not place your trust in humanity; mortal beings may slumber, giving in to the sleep of death.
And who, you inquire, will assist me other than He who neither slumbers nor sleeps? Pay attention: The Lord Himself is your keeper. Psalm 120:5. It is not man who dozes, but it is the Lord who watches over you. How does He do this? The Lord is your shield at your right hand. There is a deeper meaning here; else, He might have simply said, “The Lord will keep you,” without any additional qualification about “at your right hand.” For how long does God guard our right side and not our left? Did He not create us entirely? Did not the Creator of our right hand also form our left? Ultimately, if it pleased Him to speak only of the right hand, why mention “at your right hand” specifically? Surely, if He had merely declared, “The Lord will keep you,” it would have sufficed; or, if He included His right hand, it would be stated, “The Lord will keep you on your right hand.” Every expression serves to invite us to seek a deeper understanding, as if He intends for us to knock for insight.
Consider how you interpret the Gospel's admonition: “Let your left hand not know what your right hand is doing.” Matthew 6:3. Understanding this will elucidate the significance of your right hand compared to your left; it also reveals that God created both hands, the left symbolizing our temporal possessions, while the right signifies God's eternal and unchanging promises. If the Giver of everlasting life also enriches our present existence with temporal blessings, then it follows that He creates both our right and left hands.
Now, let us reflect on this psalm verse, “The Lord is your defence at your right hand.” Psalm 120:5. The term “hand” signifies power. How can this be demonstrated? The strength of God is often denoted as His hand. John states, “He gave them power to become sons of God.” John 1:12. From whom have you received this power? It is granted to those who believe in His Name. Thus, if you believe, this very ability to be counted among the sons of God is bestowed upon you. Being among the sons of God places you at His right hand. Therefore, your faith is emblematic of the hand of your right hand; that is, the power conferred upon you to belong among the sons of God symbolizes the strength of your right hand.
May the Lord guard you at your right hand. Psalm 120:6. I assert this, and I believe you recognize it. For had you not gleaned understanding from the Scriptures, you would not express this comprehension vocally. Having grasped the message, it follows that the Lord protects you with the strength of your right hand, which is your faith, the source of our power to become sons of God and to occupy a position at His right hand. Why does God provide this protection? Due to offenses. Offenses arise from both directions, as two commandments undergird the entirety of the Law and the Prophets: love for God and love for neighbor. Matthew 22:37-40. The Church is cherished for the sake of the neighbor, and God is adored for His own sake. God can be likened to the sun, while the Church resembles the moon. Anyone who misinterprets God’s nature, failing to believe that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit share the same essence, has fallen prey to heretical deceit, especially that of the Arians. Should one regard the Son or the Holy Spirit as less than the Father, such a person has offended God and is scorched by the sun.
Who among us can believe that the Church exists only in a single location, dismissing its presence throughout the world, and entertain those who claim, “Here is Christ, or there”? Matthew 24:23. For He, who paid such a price, has redeemed the whole world; to take offense at neighbors is to be burned by the moon. Thus, those who err in understanding truth itself are scorched by the sun, enduring its heat all day long, because they misjudge Wisdom itself.
God designed one sun, which shines on both the righteous and the unrighteous, a sun visible to all; yet this sun reflects another, uncreated and eternal, through which everything was made—where stands the essence of Immutable Truth: those wicked souls lament, “The sun has not risen over us.” Those who are not misled in Wisdom itself are not scorched by the sun. He who does not stray in the Church, within the Flesh of the Lord, and in what is temporally created for us, is likewise unscathed by the moon. Nevertheless, every person, even believers in Christ, often misunderstands in one way or another unless the prayer offered here becomes realized: “The Lord is your defence at your right hand.” The psalmist continues, “Lest the sun smite you by day and the moon by night.” Psalm 120:6. Thus, your protection lies at your right side, guarding against the sun's scorching rays by day and the moon's by night. This statement conveys a figurative meaning. Certainly, if we consider the physical sun, it emits heat during the day; can the moon truly burn by night? But what does cause injury? Sin does. Listen to the Apostle's words: “Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is offended, and I am not on fire?” 2 Corinthians 11:29.
For the Lord shall guard you from all harm. Psalm 120:7. He will shield you from the offense of the sun, from the offense of the moon—He who is your protection at your right hand will neither sleep nor slumber. And for what purpose? Because we dwell amidst temptations; the Lord will protect you from all wickedness. The Lord will safeguard your very soul. The Lord will preserve your going out and your coming in, now and forever. Psalm 120:8. Not your body; for martyrs were burned while still in their flesh, but the Lord will safeguard their souls, as the martyrs did not abandon their spirits. The oppressors grew hard-hearted against Crispina, whose feast we commemorate today; they terrorized the wealthy and gentle woman, yet she remained steadfast for the Lord was her protector at her right hand. He was her Guardian. Is there anyone in Africa, dear brothers, who does not know of her? For she was renowned, nobly born, prosperous, yet all these earthly treasures rested in her left hand, beneath her head. The enemy approached to strike her head, and her left hand, which lay beneath her head, was raised in defense. Her head was lifted high, and her right hand embraced her from above.
THEOSIS