Beloved, it is fitting that we prioritize listening to our Brother and my fellow servant when he stands among us all. He has not turned us away but has sent us on our way, as he insisted on hearing me, provided I would also hear him, for it is in this divine mercy that we all heed our one true Master in heaven. Consider the psalm known as the “Song of Degrees,” which is significantly lengthier than others of the same classification. Let us not delay unnecessarily, unless compelled by necessity, so that we might, with the Lord’s grace, offer a complete explanation. Neither should you approach these matters as uninformed individuals; rather, draw upon your previous understandings, lest everything I say seem unfamiliar.
“Lord, remember David and all his humility” (Psalm 131:1). Historically, David was the sole king of Israel, son of Jesse. The Holy Scriptures affirm and commend his meekness, which was so profound that he did not return evil for evil even to his adversary Saul. With such tremendous humility, he regarded Saul as the king and himself as insignificant, responding to Saul neither haughtily nor with disrespect, despite his greater strength from God. Instead, he sought to appease Saul through his humility rather than provoke him through arrogance. Saul, delivered into David’s hand by the Lord, was subject to David's will, yet David chose to act with grace. Therefore, we praise David's humility and meekness when we call upon God, asking, “Remember David, O Lord, and all his meekness.”
Why do we ask this? Because he swore to the Lord and made a vow to the Almighty God of Jacob (Psalm 130:2). Let this serve as a reminder of his promise, for David himself declared a vow as if it were within his control, praying to God for the fulfillment of that vow: there exists faithfulness in the vow and humility in the supplication. No one should presume they fulfill their vow by mere human power, for the One who beckons you to vow is also the One who aids you in its fulfillment. We must therefore reflect on the nature of his vow to understand the meaning behind David's example.
David is often interpreted as “powerful” due to his prowess as a warrior. Trusting in the Lord his God, he quelled the conflicts, subdued all his foes with divine assistance, thus foreshadowing the One who holds strong against adversaries, specifically the devil and his minions. It is against these foes that the Church contends and triumphs. Regarding the vow he made, consider the weight of his promise. A solemn vow signifies a firm commitment. Observe the fervor with which he pledged, the love and eagerness behind his words, yet he turns to God in prayer as he states, “Lord, remember David and all his meekness.”
In this humble state, he vowed, declaring, “I will not go to my house nor lie on my bed” (Psalm 130:3). I will not allow my eyes to sleep nor my eyelids to slumber (Psalm 130:4). This was not enough; he added, “Nor shall the temples of my head find rest until I have found a place for the Lord, a dwelling place for the God of Jacob” (Psalm 131:5). Where did he seek this sacred place for the Lord? In his own heart, reflecting meekness. For how can one truly find a dwelling 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). If you wish to be a place for the Lord, cultivate humility in your spirit, be broken and tremble before the Lord’s words, and you shall become that which you seek. If that which you desire does not reside within you, what fruit is there in seeking it elsewhere?
Consider how many thousands believed, dear brethren, when they laid their possessions before the apostles. What does Scripture reveal about them? They became the temple of God; each was a temple in their own right, yet collectively they constituted the temple of God. To emphasize that a singular dwelling is prepared for the Lord among them, the Scripture states, “They were of one heart and soul before God.” However, many, seeking to avoid making room for the Lord, clutch their own interests, savor their own power, and pursue personal gains. The desire to make space for the Lord requires one to rejoice not in private gain but in the common good.
Thus, let us, brethren, refrain from the attachment to personal possessions, or through love of them, if we can do so, that we might create a space for the Lord. “It is too much for me,” someone might say. But consider who you are in attempting to make a place for the Lord. If a senator or the deputy of a great man sought a place in your house, would you not ensure to remove any offense to make way for him? What value is human favor to you? Seek the friendship of Christ, unafraid, for He desires to be welcomed in your home; make room for Him.
What does it mean to make room for Him? It means to love Him more than oneself. If you cherish yourself above all, you will find the door closed to Him; if you love Him, you will open your heart. By such an opening, when He enters, you will not lose yourself in selfishness, but rather truly find yourself with Him who loves you.
Listen, we also find in the Psalm, “I found it in Ephrata” (Psalm 131:6). What does it mean, a place for the Lord? It was noted in Ephrata and unveiled in the wooded plains. Did he hear it where he found it? What does Ephrata signify, and what do the forest plains mean? Ephrata, a Hebrew term, translates to “mirror” in Latin, as the translators conveyed. They transitioned from Hebrew to Greek, and then we see Latin versions crafted. Some have noted the significance at play within the scriptures. If Ephrata signifies a mirror, the house found in the forest indicates it was a prophetic vision. A mirror reflects an image; all prophecy contains images of what is to come. Thus, the future dwelling of God was revealed through prophecy.
What then of the "plains of the forests"? Here "Saltus" does not refer merely to a vast land but indicates an area yet uncultivated and forested. What, then, are these forest plains if not peoples that have yet to be cultivated? Regions still burdened by the thorns of idolatry? Thus, while these thorns of idolatry persist, the dwelling place of the Lord is still found, the tabernacle of the God of Jacob. What was proclaimed through imagery to the Jews is now evidenced in the faith of the Gentiles.
We shall enter His worshipful abode (Psalm 130:7); His sacred dwelling belongs to the Lord God of Jacob. Those who enter seek not just a visit but long to reside there. Entering allows them to inhabit this divine space. For the Lord is better, and when He begins to dwell within you, joy will ensue. If He is absent from you, misery follows. Consider the son who said, “Father, give me my share of the property” (Luke 15:12-20); he desired autonomy. His father held onto the valuables, wise enough to protect him from squandering it on vanities. Although the son received it and traveled to distant lands, he eventually wasted it all. In hunger, he remembered his father. Return, therefore, to Him, that you might reside, and though it may not belong to you per se, let us find shelter within His abundance.
We will worship in the place where His presence stood. Whose presence? That of the Lord. It is in the house of the Lord where He declares He will be worshipped. Outside of this dwelling, the promise of eternal life is not grasped, for to belong to God’s house is to be constructed of living stones through mercy. Those devoid of mercy, however, shall encounter a fall, while the house endures.
However, if your understanding draws from the very etymology of where the Lord’s feet rest, let your feet find stability in Christ. They will stand firm, provided you endure in Him. Concerning the devil, Scripture reveals he was a murderer from the start and has not remained in the truth (John 8:44). Thus, the devil’s feet do not find stability. Regarding the proud, one cries, “Let not pride tread upon me, nor the hand of the wicked bring me low.” Look upon all that commit iniquity; they have stumbled and cannot maintain their footing. This signifies the house of God, where the faithful remain steady.
As John rejoiced, saying, “He who has the bride is the bridegroom, and the friend of the bridegroom stands and hears him” (John 3:29). If he does not stand, he cannot hear. He stands justified, delighting in the voice of the bridegroom. Now you see why those who delight solely in their own voice have fallen. The bridegroom is He who baptizes (John 1:33). Some proclaim, “We baptize,” and, reveling in their own acclaim, they falter and fail to claim their place within the house declared as holy.
“Arise, O Lord, to Your resting place” (Psalm 130:8). The plea is made to the Lord, who knows who has slumbered and who has arisen... “Thou and the ark of Thy sanctification,” which is to say, arise so that the sanctified ark may arise. He is our Head; His ark is His Church; He rose first so that the Church may also rise. The body would not have claimed the promise of resurrection had the Head not arisen first. The body of Christ, borne of Mary, signifies the sanctified ark; thus, the words indicate, “Arise with His body,” so that those who lack belief may understand.
“Your priests shall be clothed in righteousness, and let Your saints sing for joy” (Psalm 130:9). When You rise from the dead and ascend to Your Father, let this royal priesthood be clothed in faith, for the just shall live by faith (Romans 1:17). Having received the Holy Spirit's gift, let the members rejoice in the hope of resurrection, which was first seen in the Head; hence, the Apostle says, “Rejoice in Hope” (Romans 12:12).
“For the sake of David, Your servant, do not turn away the countenance of Your anointed” (Psalm 130:10). These words are directed toward God the Father. For David’s sake, His servant, may the face of His anointed not be cast aside. The Lord was crucified in Judea, persecuted by the Jewish people; He who slept now rises to judge those who held Him captive. But it was also declared, “Raise Me up, and I shall reward them.”
As He rewarded them, so shall He reward. The Jews are well aware of their tribulations following the Lord's demise; they were expelled from the very city where He was put to death. But did David's lineage truly perish entirely? No, some from this tribe believed, indeed thousands believed, following the Lord’s resurrection. They acted out in anger and crucified Him, yet soon after began to witness the miracles performed in the name of Him whom they had executed. They trembled upon realizing that such power existed in His name, which at first seemed ineffectual in their hands. Convinced at last there was something divine concealed within Him, they consulted the Apostles who declared, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ” (Acts 2:38).
And now, as Christ arose to judge those who crucified Him, He turned His presence away from the Jews and toward the Gentiles; thus, we pray for the remnant of Israel. Hence, the prayer ascends, “For the sake of Your servant David, do not turn away the presence of Your anointed.” Although the tares may be condemned, let the wheat be gathered, and let the remnant be saved, as Isaiah foretold, “And the remnant shall return” (Isaiah 10:21-22). From among them were the twelve Apostles and more than five hundred brethren to whom the Lord presented Himself following His Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:6). Many thousands were baptized (Acts 2:41), laying their possessions at the feet of the Apostles. Thus, the prayer addressed to God is validated: “For the sake of Your servant David, do not turn away the presence of Your anointed.”
THEOSIS