Psalm 135 (134):12Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The most remarkable miracle is that they not only defeated their foes but were also capable of taking possession of the land and distributing the cities among themselves. This brought them immense joy, honor, and glory. It was indeed a demonstration of God’s might, for seizing control of an adversary's territory is no insignificant feat, and substantial assistance is required in such endeavors.

It is indeed a source of great joy for us to embrace the message of this Psalm, which encourages our praise. It proclaims, "Praise the name of the Lord" (Psalm 134:1). This serves as a compelling reason for us to glorify the Lord’s name. As servants, we are called to worship the One who is most deserving of our adoration. What could be more fitting? Our Lord instructs His faithful servants—the proclaimers of His Word, the shepherds of His Church, those who honor His name, and those who follow His commandments—to find joy and sweetness within their souls, safeguarding them from the corrupting nature of praise and the despair that can arise from human reproach. If He blesses these servants so profoundly, how much greater is He, the Immutable One, who instructs all and showers them with His wisdom? As His servants, we have no cause for embarrassment in our praise. Even if we were confined to being servants eternally, we would still be obliged to glorify the Lord; how much more fitting is it for us to express our praises than to aspire to the blessings reserved for His children?

Thus, let those who dwell in the house of the Lord, within the courts of our God, offer their praise (Psalm 133:2). Let us give thanks for having transitioned from the outside to the inside. Understand the significance of where we now stand—recognizing the One who lifted us up in our lowliness and allowed us to dwell in His sanctuary to know Him and to exalt Him. Is it not a significant blessing that we reside in the house of the Lord? Those who reflect on this grace cannot help but be deeply appreciative, for to neglect such acknowledgment would be to minimize the love of our Lord, who has accomplished wondrous deeds on our behalf. And since we cannot repay Him for His abundant gifts, all that remains for us is to express our gratitude, which is embodied in taking hold of the cup of the Lord and invoking His name. What can the servant offer to the Lord in return for all He has bestowed?

What rationale can I provide as to why you should sing His praises? Simply put, the Lord is good (Psalm 134:3). In one succinct phrase, we encapsulate the glory of our God. The Lord is indeed good, yet not in comparison to His magnificent creation. For God deemed all His creation as "very good" (Genesis 1:31). He fashioned the heavens and the earth, along with all that exists within them, and declared it very good. If all of creation is deemed good, what then can be said of its Creator?

To what extent can we articulate His goodness? Who can truly fathom the depth of the Lord’s goodness? Yet let us redirect our attention inward and recognize His presence within ourselves, praising the Creator through His marvelous works, as we are unworthy to behold Him directly. With the hope that we may one day gaze upon Him after our hearts have been sanctified by faith, let us celebrate the Truth. As He remains unseen, let us focus on the manifestations of His greatness in the world around us, ensuring that our lives are filled with praise. So I declare, praise the Lord for He is good; sing praises to His name, for He is delightful. He is our Mediator, and thus His sweetness is undeniable. What is sweeter than the sustenance of angels? If humanity partakes of such divine nourishment, how could God not be sweet? For both men and angels share the same sustenance. This is the truth, this embodies the wisdom and goodness of God, though we cannot fully experience it as the angels do. The Lord, in His love, became Man so that we could partake of the angels’ food. If you have tasted His sweetness, sing joyfully; if the flavor of the Lord is delightful to you, let your praises abound. Who would be so ungrateful as to neglect appreciation for the one who prepares such a feast for us? If we are vocal in our gratitude for earthly provisions, how much louder should our praises be for Him who has lavished us with all good things?

For the Lord has chosen Jacob, Israel as His treasured possession (Psalm 134:4). Thus, let Jacob refrain from pride, boasting, or attributing his selection to personal merit. He was known, predestined, and chosen not for his own righteousness, but rather brought to life through God’s grace. This extends to all the Gentiles as well; what merit did the wild olive possess that warranted it being grafted into the true olive tree, especially considering its bitter fruit and forsaken nature? It belonged to the wilderness, estranged from the Lord's fields, yet in His mercy, the wild olive was integrated into the faithful community.

"I know that the Lord is great, and our God is above all gods" (Psalm 134:5). If you were to ask me to elaborate on His greatness, I would point to the experiences of my soul, as I recognize His magnitude through His works. Though I may not be able to articulate this fully, let me invite you to reflect with me on the wondrous deeds of the Lord. He has acted in ways that compel even those of us who cannot yet perceive His full glory to find sweetness in His acts that we can understand.

The Lord’s will was fulfilled in all that He created, in the heavens, on the earth, and beneath the seas (Psalm 133:6). Who truly can fathom these marvels? Who can recount the Lord’s works throughout creation? And if we cannot grasp them all, we must hold firm to the belief in all that has been made, acknowledging that everything cultivated in heaven, on earth, and in the depths of the ocean has been created by the Lord.

"The lifting of the clouds from the ends of the earth" (Psalm 134:7) demonstrates His creative power. The clouds, formed from the very edges of the earth, gather in the skies, and rain descends. We do not probe the mysteries of their origins. The prophet reveals that clouds are assembled as He desires, all emerging from the earth. He transforms flashes of lightning into nourishing rain; mere flashes without rain would only bring fear without benefit. He turns lightning into life-giving rain—what once terrified becomes a source of joy. In doing so, He brings forth the winds from His treasure, hidden from our comprehension. When the winds blow, we must recognize that they obey the command of the Creator, who brought them into existence.

Let us rejoice in these divine acts, praising and marveling at God; let us see what He has accomplished among humanity for His people. "Who struck down the firstborn of Egypt" (Psalm 133:8)? Here we recount acts of divine power that invite our love, not fear. Even in His anger, He accomplishes His will, affecting humanity and beasts alike. He sent signs and wonders upon Egypt (Psalm 134:9), as we read in the Scriptures of the plagues He unleashed through Moses upon the proud Egyptians, including Pharaoh and his ministers. What wonders did He perform once His people were freed? He conquered many nations (Psalm 134:10) and claimed the land He intended for His people. He vanquished the kings of great realms, like Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, and took possession of all the kingdoms of Canaan (Psalm 134:11). The Psalmist provides a clear account that resonates with the narratives relayed throughout Scripture, illustrating the might of the Lord's hand. When observing the demise of the wicked, let the righteous act with caution, ensuring they avoid the same fate. And when a good man observes a wicked man suffering, let him rid himself of all wrongdoing to avoid similar consequences, thus fully conveying this lesson. What actions did God undertake? He expelled the wicked and bestowed their lands as an inheritance upon Israel, His servant (Psalm 133:12).

This is followed by a resounding anthem of His praises: "Your name, O Lord, endures forever" (Psalm 134:13), reflecting on all that You have accomplished. For what do I observe in Your creation? I behold Your handiwork in the heavens, the lower earthly realm, the gifts of clouds, winds, and rain. I honor Your people, whom You liberated from bondage, performing signs and wonders upon their foes. You punished those who troubled them, expelled the unrighteous from their land, destroyed their rulers, and granted their territory to Your people. Witnessing all these acts fills me with joy, and I declare, "Lord, Your name endures forever."

The Lord has rendered destruction both in His physical manifestations at the time our ancestors left Egypt and now within our spirits. His work continues unabated until the very end. Therefore, let us not assume that His great deeds were completed in the past and have since ceased. "Your name, O Lord, is eternal," He proclaims—His mercy endures, and His hand is ever at work to fulfill that which was foreordained in the image. These accounts serve as our admonition, as we live in the times heralding the conclusion of the ages (1 Corinthians 10:11), one generation after another—the generation that births us anew through baptism, the generation that resurrects us to share eternal life with angels. "Your remembrance, O Lord, transcends this generation and the next," for He will not forget to call us nor forget to grant us our rewards.

The Lord has already pronounced judgment upon His people and will be known among His servants (Psalm 133:14). Judgments have been rendered, and apart from the final judgment, the Jewish people will face evaluation. What does this judgment entail? The righteous will be gathered, while the unrighteous remain. However, if one doubts that this judgment has indeed occurred, heed the words of the Lord: "I came to this world to judge, so that the blind may see and those who see may become blind" (John 9:39). The proud are blinded while the humble receive enlightenment. Thus, He brought forth His judgment, as proclaimed by Isaiah. "Now, O house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord" (Isaiah 2:5). This truth is manifest, and what follows necessitates our attention. For He has rejected His people, the House of Israel. The house of Jacob is indeed the house of Israel; he who is Jacob is also Israel. God judges His people by distinguishing the wicked from the righteous, thereby affirming His presence among His servants. By whom is He acknowledged? By the Gentiles. For how vast are those nations that come to faith! How numerous are those arriving from desolate places? They emerge without our knowledge of their quantities, eager to believe. When we ask, "What do you seek?" they respond, "To know the glory of God." My brothers, we can hardly contain our astonishment and joy at the declarations of these humble folk. They arrive from previously unknown regions, stirred by an unseen power. "No one comes to Me except the Father draws him" (John 6:44) assures us that they come from the wilderness and distant mountains into the embrace of the Church, speaking our language, revealing the truth that God imparts to them. The prophecy of Scripture finds fulfillment in their experience: "They shall all be taught by God" (Isaiah 54:13). When we inquire, "What is your desire?" they profess, "To see 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 desire sanctification, and they seek a clergy who will guide them. Has it not been proclaimed that He will be welcomed among His servants?

Since their God bestowed upon Israel the territory that had long been held by these evil rulers, as a paternal legacy.

He granted their territory as an inheritance, a true inheritance for his people Israel. David emphasizes this inheritance by repeating the term, indicating its wealth and plenty, declaring, in essence, He bestowed upon his people Israel the land of those nations as an inheritance—indeed, a genuine inheritance. Theodoret observes that the God of Israel provided them with this land, as a paternal heritage, which had long been under the control of those unrighteous rulers.

After recounting the wonders God performed in Egypt against Pharaoh, the text continues with additional signs demonstrated along the journey against two formidable kings, Sihon, the king of the Amorites, and Og, the king of Bashan. The Israelites triumphed over these kings more through divine assistance than through military strength, as detailed in the book of Numbers, chapter 21. Ultimately, it speaks of the miracles God accomplished in the Promised Land itself against thirty kings who ruled those regions. Among the remarkable events that unfolded at the blast of the priests' trumpets, the walls of Jericho fell down, and at Joshua's command, the sun and the moon stood still in the midst of their path, as elaborated in the book of Joshua, chapters 6, 10, and 12. This clearly illustrates that God, in His providence, granted this land as an inheritance to the people of Israel, presenting it to them as if it were their own rightful possession.

This composite psalm, reflecting elements from other scriptures (see v. 7 compared with Jeremiah 10:13, 51:16; v. 14 with Deuteronomy 32:36; and vv. 15-20 with Psalm 113 and following), is anchored in the post-Tribulation era. If verse 14 is interpreted in the context of the contemporary oppression of the Israelites, it may allude to the period of the Samaritan incursions into Israel. It issues calls to the Israelites, referred to as the servants of the Lord (v. 1), to the priests and Levites who stand within the temple (as noted in vv. 19 and 20), and to the assembled people in the temple courts, urging them to exalt God. He is good and compassionate (v. 3), as demonstrated by His choice of Israel (v. 4); He is exalted above all gods (v. 4); He is supreme over every power (v.

In this psalm, the prophet exhorts all people to offer solemn praise to God, reflecting on His boundless blessings bestowed upon Israel. This chosen nation was called from the shadows of idolatry into the true illumination of faith, as God has enlightened the hearts of the believers, revealing His divine glory through Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 4:6). This is the essence of halleluia, which in Hebrew signifies a call to praise—'halleluia' meaning praise, and 'Jah' representing the Lord's name. Given that God's essence is beyond visibility, the prophet instructs the faithful to honor the name of God. Christ, the Rabbi, invites all who genuinely believe in Him, are named by Him, and adhere to His teachings, to join in this act of worship.