Psalm 132 (131):7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Observe the vivid language he employs, prompted by the profound indifference of his audience, as he refers to the towns of God, His feet, and the location where His feet rested. He speaks of the site of the ark, from which emanated awe-inspiring proclamations that clarified the mysteries surrounding Jewish matters and predicted the days to come. Note the striking imagery he utilizes, reflecting the considerable apathy of his listeners, when he mentions the towns of God, the feet, and the place where they stood. These words pertain to the ark’s location, for from there arose remarkable declarations that addressed the complexities of Jewish affairs and anticipated what was yet to unfold.

Indeed, my cherished friends, it is fitting that we should heed the voice of our Brother, my esteemed colleague, when he is present among us. He has not turned us away but has sent us forth, having insisted that he would listen to me under the condition that I listen to him as well; for in that very act of mercy, we all heed him, our sole Master in heaven. Pay attention to the psalm titled 'Song of Ascents'; it is considerably longer than the others sharing that heading. Thus, let us not dawdle unless compelled by necessity, so that, if it pleases the Lord, we may elucidate the entirety of it. You should not approach this with a mindset of the unlearned; rather, you ought to aid us with your previous understandings, preventing the need to present everything to you as though it were unfamiliar.

"Lord, remember David and all his humility" (Psalm 131:1). Historically, David, the son of Jesse, was the sole king of Israel. The Scriptures affirm his meekness, so profound that he avenged not his own wrongs against his adversary, Saul. He exhibited such great humbleness towards Saul that he recognized him as king and himself as merely a servant, responding to the king without pride or disrespect, despite knowing his strength came from God. Rather than aggravate Saul with arrogance, he endeavored to win his favor through humility. Saul was delivered into David's hands by the Lord, allowing him the chance to act as he wished, yet he chose to embrace the grace given to him by God. Hence, David's humility is lauded, and we beseech God to "remember David and all his meekness." What is the purpose of this request? As he made an oath to the Lord and vowed to the God of Jacob (Psalm 130:2), we ask this so that he may fulfill the commitments he has made. David swore a vow as if it rested upon him, while simultaneously praying for God to assist in its fulfillment; there exists faithfulness in the vow and humility in his prayer. Let no one presume to have fulfilled their vow through their own strength–the One who calls you to vow also provides the means for its fulfillment.

Let us examine the vow he made to grasp the meaning embedded in David’s image. David is often depicted as 'mighty-handed' due to his prowess as a warrior. He relied on the Lord to bring peace, overcoming his enemies with God’s assistance in that kingdom; yet he serves as a precursor to the One who powerfully vanquishes His foes, namely, the devil and his minions. The Church engages in this battle and triumphs. What, then, does it mean that he swore? To make a solemn vow is to promise sincerely. Observe the fervor with which he made his vow and the love and earnestness with which he spoke; still, he entreats God to aid him in honoring it: "Lord, remember David and all his meekness." In this spirit, he made an urgent vow: "I will not enter my house nor lie on my bed" (Psalm 130:3). "I will not allow my eyes to slumber nor my eyelids to rest" (Psalm 130:4). This is not merely sufficient; he adds, "Nor will I give rest to my head until I find a place for the Lord, a dwelling for the God of Jacob" (Psalm 131:5). Where did he seek a dwelling for the Lord? If he was indeed meek, he looked within himself.

How, then, might one find a dwelling for God? "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? Be humble in spirit, brokenhearted and reverent before God's word, and you shall embody what you seek. For if that which you seek is not found within you, what good is it to seek elsewhere?

How many thousands came to believe, dear brethren, when they laid their possessions at the apostles’ feet! Yet what does Scripture say regarding them? They became the very Temple of God, not just individually, but collectively as God's Temple. To assure you of the unity prepared for the Lord within all, Scripture states, "They were of one heart and one soul before God." However, many, in their unwillingness to make room for the Lord, pursue their own interests, revel in their own possessions, and are consumed by their private desires. Conversely, the one who seeks to create space for the Lord must not take joy in personal gain but in the common good.

Therefore, brethren, let us refrain from the attachment to private property or the love of it, for if we cannot, due to its possession, let us create space for the Lord. A voice may say, "That is too much for me," but contemplate who it is that you are preparing to welcome. If a senator sought to be received in your home, not just any senator, but the deputy of a significant individual of this world, and expressed some displeasure with your house, even if you loved him, you would still remove it to avoid offending the one whose friendship you desired. Indeed, how valuable is human friendship? Pursue the friendship of Christ without fear, for He longs to be welcomed within you; make room for Him. What does it mean to make space for Him? Do not cherish yourself but Him. By choosing to love yourself, you close the door to Him; but if you love Him, you open your heart to Him, and when you make room for Him, you will not be lost in self-love; rather, you will find yourself with the One who loves you.

Behold, we find the same message in Psalm Ephrata (Psalm 131:6). "What, a place for the Lord," we read in Ephrata and discover it in the forest glades. Did he hear it where he encountered it? Or did he hear it in one spot and find it in another? Thus let us examine what Ephrata signifies, where he heard it, and explore the meaning behind the forest plains where he uncovered it. Ephrata, a Hebrew term, is translated into Latin as Speculum, as conveyed by the translators of Hebrew texts in the Holy Scriptures for our understanding. They translated it first into Greek and subsequently into Latin. Ephrata means mirror; the house discovered in the wooded plains was noted in a mirror. A mirror reflects a likeness; thus, all prophecy is an image of what is yet to come. Consequently, the future house of God was heralded through the imagery of prophecy. The forest plains—what do they signify? Here, "saltus" does not refer to a vast tract of land; rather, it implies an uncultivated and wooded area. The depiction of forests represents uncultivated peoples, those blanketed in the thorns of idolatry. Yet, amidst this thorny thicket, we discern the dwelling of the Lord, the tabernacle of the God of Jacob. What was proclaimed in image to the Jews has been made manifest in the faith of the Gentiles.

"We shall enter into His tabernacles" (Psalm 130:7). Whose? Those belonging to the Lord God of Jacob. To dwell within them is to truly possess them; when you enter your house, it is to reside, and when you enter the house of God, you come to abide. The Lord's presence is preferable, and when He dwells within you, happiness ensues. For if He does not dwell within you, sorrow abounds. The son who said, "Father, give me the portion of goods that belongs to me" (Luke 15:12-20), desired to govern his own life. His father withheld it, cautious of him misusing it. Having received his inheritance, he squandered it all in a foreign land, and upon becoming famished, he recalled his father. "Come in, therefore, that you may dwell," though it may not seem yours, for truly it belongs to Him. Let us enter into His fold and worship in the place where His feet rested. Whose feet? The Lord's, for it is His house where He commands to be worshiped. Outside His dwelling, the prospect of eternal life remains elusive; for one belongs to the house of God, fashioned of living stones through mercy, whereas he who lacks mercy crumbles, even as the house endures.

Should you desire to comprehend it through the very house where His feet stood, let your feet be anchored in Christ. They will remain steadfast if you persist in Christ. For what is said of the devil? He has been a murderer since the beginning and did not abide in the truth (John 8:44). Thus, the feet of the devil do not remain. And what do we hear regarding the proud? "Let not the foot of pride come upon me, and let not the hand of the wicked drive me away." Behold, all who do evil have faltered and fallen, unable to stand. This constitutes the house of God, the foundation of which is firm. Hence, John, filled with joy, proclaims, "What? The one who has the bride is the Bridegroom, and the friend of the Bridegroom stands and hears Him." Without standing, he cannot properly hear. His footing is just, for he rejoices in the Bridegroom's voice. We see why those rejoicing in their own voices have stumbled. The friend of the Bridegroom observed, "The One who baptizes" (John 1:33). Some say, "We baptize," delighting in their own voices, unable to stand, and hence are not part of the household where it is said, "where His feet stand."

"Arise, O Lord, to Your resting place" (Psalm 130:8). He exhorts the slumbering Lord to awaken. "You know well who slept and who has arisen... You and the ark of Your sanctuary; arise, so that the ark of Your sanctification may also arise." He is our Head; His ark signifies His Church: He rose first, and likewise, the Church shall rise. The body would not have dared to claim resurrection had the Head not first arisen. The body of Christ, born of Mary, has been seen by some as the ark of sanctification; thus, the words symbolize His rising with the body to empower believers.

"Your priests shall be clothed in righteousness, and Your saints will rejoice and sing" (Psalm 130:9). When You rise from the dead and return to Your Father, may this royal priesthood be clothed in faith, for "the righteous shall live by faith" (Romans 1:17), and having received the Holy Ghost, let the members exult in the hope of resurrection mirrored in the Head: for the Apostle asserts, "Rejoice in hope" (Romans 12:12).

"For the sake of David Your servant, do not turn away the face of Your anointed" (Psalm 130:10). This plea is directed to God the Father. For the sake of His servant David, turn not away the presence of Your anointed. The Lord was crucified in Judea, at the hands of the Jews; they persecuted Him, yet He slumbered. He arose to judge those who had cast Him into slumber; and in another passage, He proclaims, "Raise Me up, and I will reward them." Just as He rewarded them, so shall He reward. The Jews are well aware of the extent of their suffering post the Lord's death; they were expelled from the very city where He was slain. What then? Have all been cut off from the lineage of David and the tribe of Judah? No, some from that tribe have come to faith, in fact, thousands came to believe after the Lord's resurrection. Enraged, they crucified Him, yet later, upon witnessing miracles performed in the name of the Crucified One, they trembled at His power, for despite being in their control, He could do naught but display a heart of hidden divinity. As they sought counsel from the Apostles, they were instructed, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ" (Acts 2:38). Since Christ arose to justly confront those responsible for His crucifixion, withdrawing His presence from the Jews and offering it to the Gentiles, it appears that prayer is made to God on behalf of the remnant of Israel, asking, "For the sake of Your servant David, do not turn away the presence of Your anointed." Should the tares be condemned, let the wheat be gathered. Let the remnant be redeemed, as Isaiah states: "And the remnant shall return" (Isaiah 10:21-22). Among them are the twelve Apostles; more than five hundred brethren sojourned with Him after His resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:6). Many thousands from this number were baptized (Acts 2:41), laying their possessions at the feet of the Apostles. Thus, the prayer directed to God has indeed been fulfilled: "For the sake of Your servant David, do not turn away the presence of Your anointed."

Let us approach His communities, referring to the Churches that will come in due time. Let us offer our worship in the location where His feet rest, which signifies the Mount of Olives, a place where all who journey past will come to worship.

The prophet has transformed the appointed time, declaring that we will worship there, confident that the temple will be prepared for the arrival of God. This interpretation aligns with the phrase, Where His feet stand. We hold that the Divine Nature is not only immaterial but also beyond human comprehension. Nevertheless, Sacred Scripture conveys His essence in a tangible way, adapting its expression to suit human understanding.

Let us approach His dwelling places, and let us offer our praise in the location where His feet rest. These expressions are uttered by the saints of the Jewish people, who foretold the future construction of the temple, their entry into it, and their devotion and service to God, reminiscent of the time before the exile. The term dwellings can refer either to the temple courts or to the temple itself, aligned with the customary language in Hebrew. However, regarding the divine presence and the imagery of His feet and standing, he spoke in a manner suited to the simplicity of his listeners' understanding.

Consider Psalm 98:5

It is probable that St. Isychius provided an interpretation of the entire Psalter, although we currently lack access to his commentary on Psalm 131.

During his era of wisdom and purity, Solomon seems to honor his devout father with a heartfelt and reverent Psalm, in which the entire Jewish congregation takes part. The subsequent lines of the Psalm, ‘let us enter into His villages,’ referring to the dwellings of God, and 'let us worship in the place where His feet stand,' depict the scene of the faithful gathering in the house of the Lord.

Solomon recounts the commitment and longing expressed by his father David, and as he prepares to place the tabernacle in the newly constructed temple, he addresses the priests and the assembled people, inviting them to enter into His dwelling places. This suggests that the Lord had previously appeared as a transient being, roaming from one location to another, but now He will establish a lasting home. Therefore, let us approach His dwelling, already constructed and firmly established on Mount Zion, and direct our hearts toward the Holy Place, the site of His footstool, to offer our worship.