It is truly a cause for joy and delight, as this Psalm encourages us to find pleasure in praising God. The Scripture states, “Praise the name of the Lord” (Psalm 134:1). Here we find the rationale behind why it is fitting to honor His name. Servants of the Lord, what is most deserving of adoration? What could possibly be more worthy or gratifying? If He instructs His devoted servants—those proclaiming His Word, leading His Church, honoring His name, and obeying His commandments—to cherish the richness of their lives, that they might not be swayed by empty praise or discouraged by the derision of others, then how much greater is He, the Eternal One, who imparts wisdom to all and transcends both praise and reproach! As servants, it is entirely appropriate for you to extol your Lord. Surely, even as mere servants, you ought to sing His praises; how much more fitting would it be for you, His servants, to exalt Him in anticipation of the privilege of being His sons in the future!
So, you who stand in the presence of the Lord, in the courts of our God, praise Him (Psalm 133:2). Rejoice, for you were once outside but are now within His house. Is it not a small blessing for you to consider where to give thanks to Him who lifted you up from despair and welcomed you into His dwelling, that you might come to know Him and worship Him? Is it insignificant that we dwell in the temple of the Lord? Let anyone reflecting on this, who is truly grateful, avoid neglecting to honor the Lord, who has bestowed such bountiful gifts upon him. Lacking a way to repay the Almighty for His kindness, what can he do but express his gratitude? The very act of thankfulness includes receiving the cup of the Lord and calling upon His name. How can a servant compensate the Lord for all He has entrusted to him?
What justification can I offer for why you should exalt Him? Simply put, “Because the Lord is good” (Psalm 134:3). In a single word, we affirm the goodness of our God. The Lord is good, but not in the same way as His very creation. For He made everything and declared it very good (Genesis 1:31). He fashioned the heavens, the earth, and all within them, and deemed them exceedingly good. If He made it all good, what does that say about the Creator Himself?
How can we even begin to articulate His goodness? Who can internalize the depths of the Lord's kindness? Let us turn inward and recognize Him within ourselves, praising the Creator through His creations, for we are unworthy to behold Him directly. With the hope of one day seeing Him, may our hearts be purified by faith so they may rejoice in the Truth. And as He remains unseen to us now, let us behold His works, ensuring we do not live without glorifying Him. Thus, I say, “Praise the Lord, for He is good; sing praises to His Name, for He is delightful.” He is indeed our Mediator, and thus, delightful. What could be sweeter than the food of angels? How can God not be sweet if humanity partakes of angelic sustenance? For humans and angels do not thrive on different nourishment. This is truth; this is divine wisdom; this is God’s goodness, even if we cannot experience it to the fullness that angels do.
To enable mankind to partake of angelic sustenance, the Creator of angels became man. If you taste and discover His sweetness, sing your praises; if what you consume brings joy, honor it. Who among us would be ungrateful to the chef or supplier if they find their meal pleasing? If we do not keep silent in appreciation of earthly delights, how can we remain silent regarding Him who has granted us all?
The Lord has chosen Jacob, Israel, as His treasured possession (Psalm 134:4). Therefore, Jacob should neither elevate himself nor take pride in his own worthiness, for he was known before his calling, predestined not for personal merit, but chosen by God's grace. This is true for all the Gentiles as well; what merit did the wild olive tree possess that warranted its grafting, considering its bitterness and barrenness? It existed in the wilderness, far from the Lord's fields, but in His mercy, He grafted the wild olive into the true olive tree.
“I know that the Lord is great, and our God is above all gods” (Psalm 134:5). If we were to inquire concerning His greatness, he might answer that the one whom he perceives is not so great if stated in words. Let him return to recount His works. Let him carry in his conscience the perception of God's greatness, the belief which is sealed in our faith when our eyes can’t behold it. He might then share a few of the Lord’s wonders, that we, who can’t perceive His majesty as he does, might find joy in His works that we can understand.
All that the Lord wished, He made, in heaven and on earth, in the sea, and in all its depths (Psalm 133:6). Who can fully comprehend these marvels? Who could list the multiple acts of the Lord in the heavens, the earth, and the seas and their depths? Though our understanding may be limited, we must believe and cling unwaveringly to the truth, for all creation, heavens above, earth below, and all within the seas, has been brought into being by the Lord.
He raises clouds from the ends of the earth (Psalm 134:7). We observe the works of God in creation. Clouds gather from the farthest reaches and open to provide rain; we do not concern ourselves where they originate. The prophet speaks of clouds arising from all corners of the earth, fulfilling His will. He transforms light into rain because lightning without rain causes fear but yields no benefit. The lightning that troubled us becomes the rain that brings joy. It is He who frightens us who also comforts us. He summons the winds from His storehouses, the source of which remains unknown; when the winds blow, we feel their presence but cannot discern their origin. Yet, we owe our faith-filled worship to God, for the winds would not stir unless commanded by their Creator.
Thus, we observe this in His creation, and we are called to praise, marvel, and bless God. Consider what He has accomplished among His people. “Who struck down the firstborn of Egypt” (Psalm 134:8)? Here we recount divine acts meant to inspire love rather than fear. Notice how, even in His wrath, He accomplishes His purpose. “He sent signs and wonders upon you, Egypt!” (Psalm 134:9). You know well the power of the Lord’s hand through Moses in Egypt, overpowering the arrogant Egyptians—Pharaoh and all his servants. What he did in Egypt was magnificent, but what followed after His people’s exodus was even greater. “He struck down many nations” (Psalm 134:10), taking the lands He intended for His people. He defeated powerful kings—Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, along with all the kingdoms of Canaan (Psalm 134:11). The Psalm recounts these events plainly, and other scriptures confirm the might of the Lord's hand. When you witness His judgment upon the wicked, guard yourself against falling into similar fate. Likewise, let the righteous seeing the wicked's suffering, cleanse themselves of sin that they may avoid the same penalty.
Then we understand—what did God do? He expelled the wicked and made their lands an inheritance for Israel, His servant (Psalm 133:12).
After all, let out a resounding cry of praise for Him forever: “Thy name, O Lord, is everlasting” (Psalm 134:13). For I see what You have created! Creation in heaven, the earth beneath us, and the provisions of clouds, winds, and rain. I honor Your people; You freed them from bondage, performing wonders against their foes. You executed judgment upon those who troubled them, removing the wicked from their land, slaying their kings, and granting their territory to Your people. Upon witnessing all this, I was filled with joy, and proclaimed, “Lord, Your name endures forever.”
In those days, God destroyed in the flesh what was present when our ancestors exited Egypt. His work of salvation continues in spirit and will persist until the end. So do not assume that God’s mighty acts were concluded long ago. “Thy name, O Lord, is eternal.” This indicates that His mercy is unceasing, and His work continues as He has previously declared. These truths are set forth for our learning, for the end of the ages has arrived (1 Corinthians 10:11). One generation leads to another; through this generation, we are made faithful and reborn through baptism; through this generation, we are resurrected from death to live eternally with the angels. Your remembrance, O Lord, encompasses this generation and beyond, as He will not neglect to call us forth nor will He forget to crown us.
The Lord will judge His people and be exalted among His servants (Psalm 133:14). His people have already been judged. Save for the final judgment, the Jews too will face His reckoning. What is the essence of this judgment? The righteous are taken, while the unrighteous remain. But if I say this judgment is past, listen to His words: “I have come for judgment into this world, that those who do not see might see, and those who see might become blind” (John 9:39). The proud are blinded, while the humble gain understanding. And thus, He has convicted His people, as Isaiah speaks of this judgment, “Now, O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord” (Isaiah 2:5). This is but a preliminary matter; what comes next? For He has set aside His people, the house of Israel. The house of Jacob is indeed the house of Israel, for Jacob and Israel are one. Therefore, God judged His people, separating the righteous from the wicked, leading to His recognition among His servants—through the Gentiles.
Behold how numerous the faithful are! How many come forth from desolate places to us? They arrive without number, seeking to understand the glory of God. Believe me, dear ones, we find astonishment and delight in the words of these villagers. They arrive from obscurity, stirred by an unknown invitation. How can one claim ignorance of their guide? We know who draws them because “No one can come to Me unless the Father draws him” (John 6:44). They emerge suddenly from forests, wilderness, and lofty mountains into the Church; many of them, nearly all, articulate the language of faith, revealing the truth taught within by God. The prophecies of Scripture are fulfilled in that “All shall be taught of God” (Isaiah 54:13). We inquire of them, “What do you seek?” They reply, “To behold the glory of God” (John 6:45), for “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). They believe, they are consecrated, and they yearn for ordained clergy. Has this not been realized, and will He not also be recognized among His servants?
Finally, after orchestrating all these provisions, the Spirit of God turns His attention to the mockery towards idols which their devotees now disdain. “The idols of the nations are silver and gold” (Psalm 134:15). In contrast, the God who formed everything in heaven and on earth created only what He desired; what place do human-made objects hold for adoration? Did He speak of these idols to inspire disdain? I do not refer merely to the physical idols of stone, wood, or clay. Rather, I address what people esteem most—idols of silver and gold, crafted by human hands. They are indeed made of gold and silver; they sparkle, yet do they possess eyes that can see? Since such creations are devoid of meaning, why craft deities from silver and gold? Do you not recognize that these gods are blind? They have mouths yet do not speak; they have eyes and do not perceive (Psalm 134:16); they have ears but cannot hear, and there is no breath within them (Psalm 134:17); they possess nostrils that do not smell; they have hands that cannot accomplish labor; and their feet are immobile. So much could the carpenter, silversmith, and goldsmith produce—eyes, ears, nostrils, mouth, hands, and feet—but they cannot endow them with sight, hearing, speech, fragrance, or movement.
THEOSIS