Among all the psalms known as 'Songs of Ascents,' this particular one bears the additional title 'The Psalm of Solomon.' This designation has piqued our curiosity, leading us to explore the significance of Solomon's name in this context. There is no need to reiterate the meaning of 'Songs of Ascents' as a category. Solomon, in his time, was David's son, a distinguished figure through whom the Holy Spirit imparted many sacred commandments, wise teachings, and divine truths into the Scriptures. However, it is important to note that Solomon himself fell into sin, resulting in rejection by God; his desire for women led him to even offer sacrifices to idols, as documented in 1 Kings 11:7-8. Should the fallen state of Solomon have erased the legacy he carried, it would imply that these commandments originated solely from him rather than being divinely inspired. Thus, God's grace and Spirit ensured that all the good teachings associated with Solomon were ultimately credited to God, while human sin remained the responsibility of man. Is it surprising that Solomon stumbled among God's chosen people? Did not Adam dwell in paradise? Did not an angel fall from grace and become a devil? This serves to remind us that we can place no hope in mere mortals. Solomon's name signifies 'peaceful'; yet the true Peacemaker is Christ, of whom the Apostle affirms, "He is our Peace, who made both one" (Ephesians 2:14). Therefore, Christ is the ultimate Solomon, as Solomon prefigured this Peacemaker when he constructed the temple. It would be a misconception to consider the builder of God's house as the true Solomon without acknowledging another Solomon referenced in Scripture. This Psalm begins with the declaration, "Unless the Lord builds the house, the labor of those who build it is in vain" (Psalm 127:1). Hence, the Lord Jesus Christ is the one who builds His house. Many are engaged in this labor, but without His guidance, their efforts will yield no fruit. Who are those striving in this construction? They are all who proclaim God's word within the Church, the ministers of divine mysteries. We are all in the race, all engaged in the work of building; many have gone before us in this endeavor. However, if the Lord does not build, their labor will prove futile. Therefore, the apostles, observing the failures of some, lamented that their efforts were ineffectual (Galatians 4:10-11). We assert that while He builds internally, we can see your attentive reception of His word; only He who knows your innermost thoughts understands your beliefs. He alone builds, instructs, enlightens your mind, and ignites your faith. Yet, we too labor as His servants; but unless He creates...
The house of God is also characterized as a city. The people of God constitute the dwelling of God; this parallels Jerusalem, which has builders as well as guardians. These guardianship duties align with the words of the Apostle: "I fear lest your minds be corrupted in any way from the simplicity that is in Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:3). He provided oversight for the Church with unwavering vigilance. Bishops fulfill this role as well since they are appointed to be stewards and protectors of the people. The term 'bishop' in Greek is synonymous with 'overseer,' for a bishop oversees precisely because he observes. Just as a vinedresser is elevated in his vocation, so too are bishops granted authority. Yet, should we not approach this elevated office with the humility to pray for one another, seeking the true Guardian of our thoughts? We can track your coming and going, but we are unable to perceive the thoughts of your hearts or the nature of your actions in private. How, then, can we effectively guard you? As men, we can do so to the extent of our given authority. But do not think you are without a guardian, for consider that "Unless the Lord keeps the city, in vain does the watchman stay awake" (Psalm 127:1). We may watch, yet without His oversight, our vigilance is meaningless. He guards while you are awake, and He also guards as you sleep. He once slept upon the Cross and rose again; He never sleeps now. Be, therefore, as Israel, for "the Guardian of Israel neither sleeps nor slumbers." Yes, dear brothers, if we desire to remain under the protection of God's wings, let us embody Israel. Though we serve you as custodians, we too seek to be safeguarded alongside you. We stand as shepherds to you; yet together with you, we are sheep under the one true Shepherd. We may serve you as educators from this place; yet before Him, the sole Master, we are all students in His school.
If we wish to be shielded by Him who humbled Himself for our salvation and was exalted to guard us, we must practice humility. No one should regard themselves highly or consider themselves self-sufficient. All goodness must be received from the One who is truly good. The one who clings to his own wisdom is foolish; he should seek humility to gain knowledge and enlightenment. If he presumes to be wise before true wisdom arrives, he progresses before the dawn but walks in darkness. What does the psalm convey? "Vain is it for you to rise before the dawn" (Psalm 127:2). This implies that if one rises before the light appears, their labor is in vain, as they will be shrouded in night. Our Light, Christ, has arisen; it is beneficial for you to rise in His wake, not ahead of Him. Who would dare rise before Christ? Those who seek to elevate themselves above Him. And who are these individuals? They are those who aim to exalt themselves while He was humbled. Thus, let them lower themselves here if they aspire to be exalted where Christ is lifted high. The Lord called the sons of Zebedee toward humility, asking them, "Can you drink the cup that I shall drink?" (Matthew 20:21-22). I came to humble myself; do you wish to rise before me? The path I take, you are to follow. For if you choose contrary to the way I walk, your efforts will be futile if you seek to rise before dawn. Peter, too, sought to elevate himself before the light when he attempted to deter the Lord from His suffering on our behalf. What was our Lord's response? He caused Peter to understand his place: "Get behind Me, Satan" (Matthew 16:23). Peter became a hindrance because he sought to rebel before the light. He instructed Peter to follow Him, showing him that where He goes, he too must accompany Him.
And as if one were to ask, "When shall we ascend again?" We are presently commanded to be seated; when will our ascent occur? It happened when the Lord did. Look upon Him who went before you; if you do not heed Him, your labor to rise prior to dawn is in vain. When did He rise? In His death. Therefore, await your own elevation after you have died; place your hope in the resurrection of the faithful, for He rose and ascended. But where did He endure sleep? On the Cross. When He rested on the Cross, He established a symbol, fulfilling what was foreshadowed in Adam: for when Adam slept, a rib was removed to create Eve (Genesis 2:21-22). In the same manner, when the Lord slept on the Cross, His side was pierced, and from Him issued forth the sacraments (John 19:34), through which the Church was born. The Church, as the Bride of Christ, was formed from His side, just as Eve was created from Adam's rib. As she emerged from Adam while he slept, so too was the Church birthed from Christ in His death. Thus, if He was raised from the dead solely through dying, how can we expect exaltation outside of this life? The psalm instructs us: "When He puts His beloved to sleep" (Psalm 126:3). This is God's promise; when His beloved, Christ, is laid to rest, He will bring forth resurrection for His own. All will be resurrected, yet not all shall be transformed. As the apostle states, "We shall all rise, but not all will be changed" (1 Corinthians 15:51). They will rise unto judgment; we shall rise as our Lord has risen, following our Head, provided we are members of Him.
Hope for such a resurrection; for this reason, let us commit to being Christians, foregoing the pursuit of worldly happiness. If you seek to be a Christian merely for worldly gain, you are missing the essence of His light; do not seek fulfillment from transient pleasures, as it will lead you into darkness. Transform, follow your Light; ascend where He rose: first be seated, and then, when He raises His beloved, rise together with Him.
Should you inquire again, "Who is the beloved?" Consider the scripture: "Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward" (Psalm 127:3). The phrase 'fruit of the womb' suggests these children are born through labor. There exists a woman who symbolizes what was said to Eve, "In sorrow you shall bring forth children." The Church, as Christ's Bride, bears children, and in doing so, she endures suffering. In this light, Eve was also designated the Mother of all living. He who declared: "My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you" (Galatians 4:19), was embodying the pains of childbirth. Yet, her labor was not in vain, nor shall it be without purpose, for at the resurrection of the dead, a holy lineage shall arise; the righteous, once scattered, will multiply. The Church groans and suffers for their arrival; yet in the resurrection, the Church's offspring will be revealed, and the pains of birth shall cease.
"As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the sons of those born in one's youth" (Psalm 127:4). From where did this heritage emerge, dear brethren? How did such a great inheritance materialize? Those like arrows were released from the hand of the Lord and ventured far, populating the land, from which the saints have descended. This is the inheritance proclaimed, "Thou shalt desire Me, and I will give thee nations for thy inheritance, and the ends of the earth for thy possession." (Psalm 2:8). And how does this possession expand to the farthest reaches of the earth? It is because they are like arrows launched from a strong bow. Arrows fly forth from their bowstrings, and the mightier the hand that releases them, the further they soar. But what is mightier than the arrows released by the Lord? He sends forth His apostles; there is no location where an arrow shot by such a powerful hand cannot penetrate; it extends to the remotest regions of the world. If there were territory beyond that could be reached by an arrow, He would launch it there. Such are the offspring of those who were sent forth, akin to arrows shot from the bow.
Perhaps the apostles can be regarded as the offspring of those shaken free, the sons of the prophets. The prophets concealed deep mysteries, but were unveiled so they could manifest forth. Had the prophetic words been meticulously examined, the hidden meanings would not have been disclosed to us? These profound meanings remained obscured until the coming of our Lord. The Lord arrived and revealed these mysteries, as the prophets were brought forth and the apostles were born. As they emerged from the released prophets, so too the apostles are the children of those who were freed. They stand like arrows in a mighty hand, reaching even the furthest parts of the earth.
THEOSIS