1. It ought to bring us great joy, and we should celebrate, for the essence of this Psalm encourages such rejoicing. As it declares, "Praise the name of the Lord" (Psalm 134:1). Here we see the foundation for why it is appropriate to exalt His name: "Praise the Lord, you servants!" What could be more deserving of praise? What could evoke greater gratitude? If He instructs those servants who have rightly earned His favor—those who preach His Word, govern His Church, worship His name, and obey His commands—then it becomes evident that they should cultivate a richness in their own lives and not be swayed by the accolades or scorn of others. How much more magnificent is He, the Immutable One, who provides these teachings without relying on accolades or being hindered by condemnation! As servants, you harm no one by honoring your Lord, and if you were to exist solely as servants eternally, you still ought to praise the Lord. How much more, then, should you sing His praises as you aspire to the status of sons in the future?
2. Therefore, you who stand in the temple of the Lord, in the courts of our God, exclaim praises to Him (Psalm 133:2). Be grateful; you were once outside but now stand within. Since you have now taken your stand, is it too much for you to contemplate where to honor Him who has lifted you from despair and placed you in His house so that you may come to know Him and offer praise? Is it not a precious gift that we stand in the presence of the Lord? Anyone who ponders this truth and remains ungrateful utterly neglects to recognize the profound love of their Lord, who has accomplished such great acts on their behalf. Lacking anything to repay God for these immeasurable gifts, what remains for you is to express your gratitude and to give thanks. The act of thanksgiving encompasses partaking in the cup of the Lord and proclaims His name. What can a servant offer in return for all that the Lord has bestowed upon them?
3. What can I cite as a reason for you to praise Him? Simply this: "Because the Lord is good" (Psalm 134:3). In a single phrase, the goodness of our Lord is highlighted before us. The Lord is inherently good, yet not in the way that creation is good. For God fashioned all things exceedingly well (Genesis 1:31); it is not merely good but very good. He created the heavens, the earth, and all that exists within them, declaring them all good. If He deems all of creation good, how much greater is He who brought it all into being?
4. How far can we truly articulate His goodness? Who can fully grasp or comprehend the Lord’s benevolence? Yet let us return to our own experience, recognizing Him through creation and praising the Creator for His works, for we do not merit His direct presence. However, we hold hope that one day our hearts will be purified by faith, leading to rejoicing in the Truth. Now, in His invisibility to us, let us admire His creations, ensuring that we live lives of praise in His honor. Thus I proclaim, "Praise the Lord, for He is good; sing praises to His name, for He is delightful." He is the Mediator, and thus delights us. What can be sweeter than the food given to angels? How can God fail to be sweet if humanity has tasted what sustains angels? For men and angels partake of the same divine sustenance. This is truth, this is wisdom, this is God’s goodness, although our grasp of it may not be as complete as the angels’ experience allows. For humanity to partake in the sustenance of angels, the Creator of angels chose to become man. Taste and rejoice; if you discern how sweet the Lord is, then let your praise abound; if what you have tasted is pleasing, respond in thanksgiving. Who is so ungrateful as to not express gratitude for delightful sustenance? If we speak up in acknowledgment of our earthly nourishment, how can we remain silent about Him who has provided us with all?
5. "For the Lord has chosen Jacob, Israel, to be His own" (Psalm 134:4). Let not Jacob elevate himself, boast, or claim his own merit. He was known beforehand, predestined, chosen—not due to any righteousness of his own, but through the grace of God that granted him life. This is equally true for all the Gentiles; what merit did the wild olive tree possess to be grafted in, considering its bitter fruit and untamed nature? It was a product of the wilderness, not the cultivated fields of the Lord, and yet, in His mercy, He incorporated this wild olive into the true olive tree. This wild olive had not been a part of the tree until this point.
6. "I know that the Lord is great, and our God is greater than all gods" (Psalm 134:5). If he were to explain His greatness, would he not assert that He whom I observe cannot be captured in words? Let him reflect upon His works and recount them. He should keep in his heart the greatness of God that he has witnessed, which cannot be visually expressed, enumerating some of the magnificent acts the Lord has performed. For we who cannot see His greatness should find sweetness through His relatable works.
7. "All that the Lord desired, He created in heaven, on earth, in the sea, and in all depths" (Psalm 133:6). Who can fully understand such wonders? Who can count all the acts of the Lord across the heavens, the earth, the sea, and the abysses? But even if we cannot know them all, we must hold steadfast in our belief without doubt, for all creation in heaven, on earth, and in the sea was brought into existence by the Lord.
8. "He lifts the clouds from the ends of the earth" (Psalm 134:7). We witness these acts of God in creation. The clouds arise from all corners of the earth, carrying rain; their origin has not been unveiled. The prophet thus remarks: whether from the depths or the distant realms of the earth, where He wills, He raises the clouds solely from the earth. He transforms lightning into rain. Without rain, lightning would merely frighten; through rain, it brings joy. He who terrifies us is the same who causes us to rejoice. He summons winds from His treasuries, their origins concealed; we do not know from where they come. When the wind blows, we can feel its presence, yet we are unaware of the source from which it emerges (John 3:8). Yet, we owe God our faith-filled worship, for the winds would not blow unless commanded by Him who created them.
9. Thus we encounter His handiwork; we praise, marvel, and bless God. Let us consider His actions among men for His people. "Who struck down the firstborn of Egypt" (Psalm 133:8)? Here we recount those divine acts that inspire love rather than fear. Listen and perceive that even in His wrath, He executes His will, from mankind to beasts. "He sent signs and wonders upon you, Egypt!" (Psalm 134:9). You are aware, having read of what the hand of the Lord accomplished through Moses in Egypt to crush the pride of Pharaoh and his servants. The acts commanded in Egypt were monumental; yet what did He do following the liberation of His people? "Who struck many nations" (Psalm 134:10), granting the land He had sought to bestow upon His people? He defeated the kings of the mighty: Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, and vanquished all the kingdoms of Canaan (Psalm 134:11). All these events, plainly described in the Psalm, are also chronicled in other texts of the Lord, where His power is evident. When you witness what befalls the wicked, beware lest you suffer the same fate. When a righteous person sees the fate of the wicked, they ought to cleanse themselves from all wrongdoing, lest they too fall into similar punishment. In grasping these truths, what did God accomplish? He expelled the wicked and apportioned their lands to Israel, His servant (Psalm 133:12).
10. Following this comes a triumphant declaration of His glory: "Thy name, O Lord, endures forever" (Psalm 134:13). After everything You have done, what do I perceive from Your creation? I see the heavens you have fashioned, I behold this earth that we inhabit, and I witness Your gifts of clouds, winds, and rain. I honor Your people whom You have delivered from bondage, performing miracles before their oppressors. You have chastised those who troubled them; You have expelled the wicked from their land; You have slain their kings; You have bequeathed their territories to Your people. Observing all these acts, filled with joy, I proclaim, "Lord, Your Name endures forever."
11. All these acts God accomplished in the flesh during the time of our forebears' exodus from Egypt, and now He operates within the spirit. His hand continues to move until the end. Therefore, do not presume that these mighty acts of God have ceased. "Thy name, O Lord, is forever" indicates that His mercy never ends; His hand continues to perform what He has previously declared within the imagery presented. These examples are recorded for our instruction, as the conclusion of the ages has arrived (1 Corinthians 10:11). From one generation to another; the generation through which we become faithful and reborn in baptism; the generation that is raised from the dead to share eternal life with angels. "Thy remembrance, O Lord, transcends this generation and that one"; for even now, He remains committed to summoning us and will not forget to crown us.
12. "The Lord has judged His people and will be glorified among His servants" (Psalm 133:14). He has already carried out judgment upon His people. Aside from the final judgment, the Jewish people will face scrutiny. What does judgment entail? The just are taken, while the unjust remain. Should I be misunderstood or deemed untruthful in saying that judgment has taken place, listen to the Lord: "I came into this world for judgment, that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind" (John 9:39). The proud are rendered blind, while the humble receive understanding. Consequently, He condemned His people. Isaiah declared the judgment. "And now, O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord" (Isaiah 2:5). This is a minor matter, yet what follows? For He has rejected His people, the house of Israel. The house of Jacob represents the house of Israel; for Jacob is also Israel. Thus, God judged His people, distinguishing between the righteous and the wicked; He shall be glorified among His servants. Through whom? Through the Gentiles. How vast are the nations that come to faith! How many now arrive from remote farms and desolate regions? They come from there, beyond count; they seek to know the glory of God. Believe me, brethren, we find great joy in the statements made by these villagers. They come to an unknown destination, inspired by an unknown figure. How do they declare, "I do not know who"? I know how they come, for He states: "No one comes to Me unless the Father draws them" (John 6:44). They appear suddenly from the forests, the wilderness, the most distant and elevated mountains, joining the Church; and many of them, indeed almost all, express their understanding of the truth which God reveals to them. The prophecy of Scripture is fulfilled as it declares, "And they shall all be taught by God" (Isaiah 54:13). We ask them, "What do you seek?" They respond: "To witness 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 sanctified, and they desire a clergy appointed for them. Has this not been fulfilled? Shall He not be glorified among His servants?
THEOSIS