Beloved, it is certainly fitting for us to heed our Brother, my fellow servant, while he stands among us. He has not turned us away but has instead sent us forth, as he compelled me to speak while also requesting my attentive ear in return—thus, in mutual mercy, we listen to him, our sole Master in heaven. Let’s turn our attention to the psalm known as the ‘Song of Degrees,’ which is notably longer than others of the same kind. Hence, let us not prolong our time unnecessarily unless compelled by necessity; if the Lord allows, we may attempt to elucidate its entirety. It’s important that you do not hear these matters as if you were uninformed; rather, draw upon your previous learnings so we need not explain everything anew.
“Lord, remember David and all his humility” (Psalm 131:1). In historical records, David was indeed a singular ruler of Israel, the son of Jesse. He is recognized in the Divine Scriptures for his meekness, to the extent that he refused to repay evil with evil towards his persecutor Saul. His humility was so profound that he acknowledged Saul as king while considering himself as lowly as a dog. David did not respond to Saul with pride or disrespect, despite being more powerful; instead, he sought to appease him with his lowly demeanor. Saul was placed in David’s power by the Lord, allowing David the freedom to act as he chose, yet he turned to the kindness granted to him by God. Thus, David’s humility is extolled, with God asked to remember David and all his humility. What is the purpose of this remembrance? It is as David swore to the Lord and vowed to the Almighty God of Jacob (Psalm 130:2), so that he might fulfill his promise. David offered a vow that he believed he could fulfill, praying for God’s aid to accomplish it; this reflects faithfulness in his vow and humility in his prayer. No one should assume that they can fulfill their vow by their own power. The One who calls you to vow also assists you in its fulfillment. Let us consider the vow he made to glean insight into David's understanding.
David is interpreted as ‘Strong-handed’ due to his prowess as a warrior. Trusting in the Lord his God, he ceased hostilities and subdued all adversaries through divine assistance, serving as a foreshadow of the One who is both mighty to vanquish His foes—the devil and his angels. Against these enemies, the Church strives and triumphs. What does he mean by mentioning how he swore? Let us investigate the nature of this vow.
Swearing denotes a solemn promise. Observe the fervor and love with which he made his vow; still, he implores God to fulfill it with the words, “Lord, remember David and all his humility.” In this spirit, he made his vow, saying, “I will not enter my house, nor lie down on my bed” (Psalm 130:3). He continues, “I will not allow my eyes to sleep or my eyelids to slumber” (Psalm 130:4). As if this were not enough, he adds, “Neither will I give rest to myself until I find a place for the Lord, a dwelling for the God of Jacob” (Psalm 131:5). Where did he seek a place for the Lord? If he was truly humble, he sought it within himself. For how does one find residence for the Lord? Listen to the prophet, “On whom shall my Spirit rest? On him who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at My word” (Isaiah 66:2). Do you wish to be a dwelling for the Lord? Cultivate humility, be contrite and reverent before the Word of God, and you will become the very thing you seek. For if what you seek is not realized within you, how can it profit you elsewhere?
How many thousands believed, dear brethren, when they laid the value of their possessions at the feet of the apostles? What does Scripture declare about them? They became the temple of God—not only as individuals but collectively as one temple. To demonstrate that a single place for the Lord exists in all of them, Scripture notes, “They were of one heart and soul before God.” Yet many, desiring to avoid making space for the Lord, seek their own interests and indulge in personal gain. But he who aspires to make room for the Lord must not delight in personal benefit, but rather in the communal good.
Therefore, let us strive, brethren, to refrain from private ownership or the love of it. Even if we cannot renounce it, let us make room for the Lord. “It is too much for me,” someone might protest. But consider who you are when you set out to create a space for the Lord. If a senator desired entry into your home, even one who merely represents a powerful figure, and expressed offense at something, you would seek to rectify it, even if you valued him. What value does a human friendship hold? Seek the friendship of Christ without fear, for He desires to be welcomed into your life—make room for Him. What does it mean to prepare a space for Him? It means to prioritize Him over yourself. If you love yourself, you will hinder His entrance; but if you embrace Him, you will open your heart to Him. And as He enters, your love for yourself will be transformed; you will find your true self united with Him who loves you.
“Behold, we heard the same thing in the psalm of Ephrath” (Psalm 131:6). What about finding a place for the Lord? We heard it in Ephrath and discovered it in the forests. Did he hear it where he found it, or did he hear it in one location and discover it in another? Let us inquire what Ephrath signifies and what the forest plains denote. Ephratha, a Hebrew term, translates into Latin as 'Speculum'—a mirror—as the translators of the Holy Scriptures have recorded, in those who have reflected upon the sacred texts. If Ephrath means mirror, then the dwelling sought in the wooded plain reflects what was recognized previously. A mirror displays an image; all prophecy serves as an image of the future. Thus, the future house of God was foreshadowed through prophetic imagery.
What do the plains of the forests represent? Saltus should not simply be understood as a vast area of land; it refers specifically to places that remain undeveloped and forested. It indicates a genteel setting where visions are grasped amid glades. Therefore, these forest plains symbolize unrefined nations, covered in the thorns of idolatry. Yet, amid these very thorns, we find the Lord’s dwelling, the tabernacle of the God of Jacob. What was foretold through imagery to the Jews has been made real in the faith of Gentiles.
“We will enter into His tabernacles” (Psalm 130:7). Whose? Those belonging to the Lord God of Jacob. Those who enter to dwell therein are simultaneously the same who reside within it. You enter your own abode to reside there; likewise, entering into God’s house entails living within it. For the Lord brings peace; when He dwells within you, He brings joy. If He remains absent, you will find yourself in despair. The son who said, “Father, give me the share of property” (Luke 15:12-20), wished to govern his own life. The father withholds this from him, conscious that he may squander it. Yet once it was granted, the son wasted it in indulgent living. In dire hunger, he remembered his father and returned, hoping to be fed.
Come then, enter in and truly dwell; it may seem as if you claim nothing, but surely you will abide in His care. We ought to worship in the very place where His feet arrived. Whose feet? The Lord’s, within His own house, where true worship resides. Outside His house, the Lord does not offer knowledge of eternal life; those in His house flourish through His mercies as living stones. However, those devoid of mercy will stumble, yet the household stands firm.
Should you wish to grasp this considering the house where the feet stood, be sure your own feet stand in Christ. They will remain standing if you stay rooted in Him. Concerning the devil, it is said: “He has been a man-killer from the beginning and does not abide in the truth” (John 8:44). Thus, the feet of the devil do not stand firm. And what of the proud? “Let not the foot of pride tread upon me, and let not the hand of the wicked cast me down.” Observe how all who do evil have fallen and cannot remain standing. This house of God has feet that firmly stand.
John rejoices, stating, “He who has the bride is the bridegroom, and the friend of the bridegroom stands and listens to him” (John 3:29). If he does not stand, he cannot hear. He stands justly, rejoicing in the voice of the bridegroom. Now, see why those who revel in their own voices have stumbled. The friend of the bridegroom testified, “The same One who baptizes” (John 1:33). Some declare, “We baptize,” reveling in their own accomplishments and, as a result, cannot stand; they do not belong to the house indicated where His feet stood.
“Arise, O Lord, to Thy resting place” (Psalm 130:8). To the resting Lord, he urges, “Arise. You know who has slept, and who has awakened...You and the ark of Thy sanctification; arise, so that the ark of Thy sanctification, which Thou hast consecrated, may also rise.” He is our Head; His ark is His Church. He rose first, so shall the Church also rise. The body would not dare expect a resurrection if the Head had not first arisen. The body of Christ, born from Mary, is acknowledged by some as the ark of sanctification; thus, the plea is for the body to rise alongside Him, so that even those lacking belief may have something to grasp.
“Thy priests shall be clothed with righteousness, and Thy saints shall sing for joy” (Psalm 130:9). When Thou art raised from the dead and approach Thy Father, may this royal priesthood be adorned with faith, for “the just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17). Having received the gift of the Holy Spirit, let the members rejoice in the hope of resurrection that was present in the Head, for the Apostle says, “Rejoice in hope” (Romans 12:12).
“For the sake of David thy servant, turn not away the face of thy anointed” (Psalm 130:10). These words are directed to God the Father. For David’s sake, Thy servant, grant favor to Thy anointed one. The Lord was crucified in Judea, cast out by the Jews; in their tumult, He took rest, only to rise and pass judgment over those who had laid hands upon Him. Elsewhere, it is said, “Raise me up, and I will repay them.” The retribution was evident as the Jews recognized the severity of their tribulations following the Lord's death, being cast out from the very city where He perished. Did all who descended from David and the tribe of Judah perish? No; some members of that tribe believed, indeed thousands came to faith after the Lord’s resurrection. They were incensed and crucified Him, yet began to witness miracles enacted by His name, trembling at how profoundly His name held power despite their earlier belief.
Questioning their counsel, they turned to the Apostles, who advised them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 2:38). Since Christ arose to judge those who condemned Him, turning His focus to the Gentiles, it appears we implore for Israel’s remnant, as it is said, “For the sake of Thy servant David, turn not away the presence of Thy anointed.” Let the tares be condemned, while the wheat is gathered. Let the remnant be spared; as Isaiah points out: “And the remnant shall return” (Isaiah 10:21-22). Among them were the twelve Apostles and some five hundred brethren, to whom the Lord revealed Himself after His resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:6). Countless thousands were baptized (Acts 2:41), laying the value of their possessions at the apostles' feet. Thus, the prayer directed to God was fulfilled: “For the sake of Thy servant David, do not turn away the presence of Thy anointed.”
“The Lord had sworn a faithful oath to David, which He will not retract” (Psalm 131:11). What does it mean to swear an oath? It establishes a promise anchored in Himself. What does it imply that He will not retract? It means He will not alter His course. God does not experience the pangs of regret, nor does He deceive Himself into wishing to amend what He has overlooked. Just as a man seeking to right his wrongs desires to amend past deeds, expect that when God “repents,” it signifies substantial change in contrast to how humanity understands it.
THEOSIS