Psalm 135 (134):16Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He remarks that 'mouths have and will not speak.' This illustrates his scorn for them and how he reveals their treachery. Since they are frequently influenced by malevolent spirits, he uncovers their hypocrisy and deceit, implying that there is no true spirit within their words. Why, then, does the wicked spirit not act and communicate independently of them? The representations of idols depict fornication, adultery, and countless other sins; thus, desiring to entice the deceived to emulate the actions embodied by the idols, he inhabits them, animates them, and leads them astray.

It should bring us great joy, as it is indeed delightful, to heed the call of this Psalm. It encourages us to ‘Praise the name of the Lord’ (Psalm 134:1). Thus, we see the rationale behind our praise of His name: "Praise the Lord, O you servants." What could be more deserving of our praise? When He educates His faithful servants—those who preach His Word, lead His Church, worship His name, and follow His commandments—He ensures they recognize the sweetness of their lives within their own hearts, so they are not led astray by empty praise or the scorn of others. How much loftier is He, the Immutable One, who imparts such wisdom, devoid of flattery or disdain? As servants, your praises are wholly fitting; indeed, if you remain as mere servants, you should extol the Lord’s name even more fervently, for in the future, as His beloved children, you shall inherit the kingdom.

Therefore, you who stand in the Lord’s house, in the courtyards of our God, praise the Lord (Psalm 133:2). Be grateful; you were once outside, and now you stand within. Now that you have been lifted from despair and placed in His presence to know Him and exalt Him, is that not a profound gift? To stand in the house of the Lord is a blessing. Anyone who reflects on this and is ungrateful neglects the love the Lord has shown him through His many acts of kindness. With such incredible blessings, what could one offer in return? What remains but to give thanks? Indeed, giving thanks encompasses taking the cup of the Lord and invoking His name. What can a servant possibly offer to repay the Lord for all His generous gifts?

What compelling reason have I for urging you to praise Him? Because the Lord is good (Psalm 134:3). In a single phrase, we recognize the essence of our God’s praise. He is good—good, yet not in the way that His creation is good. For God declared all creation to be "very good" (Genesis 1:31). He crafted the heavens, the earth, and everything therein, and they are indeed very good. If all creation bears His goodness, what then of the Creator Himself?

Can we fully articulate His goodness? Who can fathom how utterly good the Lord is? But let us turn inward, acknowledging Him as we recognize His handiwork; for we are unworthy to behold His essence. With the hope that, one day, we shall see Him when our hearts are purified by faith, let us rejoice for now in the truth of His works; and since He remains unseen, let us not live without giving Him praise. Thus, I say, Praise the Lord, for He is good; sing praises to His name, for He is delightful. He is the Mediator, and thus is truly sweet. What is sweeter than the food of angels? How could God not be sweet if mankind has partaken of angelic sustenance? For both humanity and angels share the same food. This is the truth, this is divine wisdom, this is the goodness of God; yet we cannot enjoy it as the angels do. To enable mankind to partake of the food of angels, the Creator of angels took on human form. If you taste and see, infinitely sing praises; if you savor how sweet the Lord is, honor Him. Who could be so ungrateful to a chef or a provider that he fails to express gratitude for what has pleased his palate? If we respond in gratitude in lesser matters, how much more should we do so for Him who has given us everything?

For the Lord has chosen Jacob, Israel as His treasured possession (Psalm 134:4). Therefore, let Jacob not elevate himself or take credit for his selection; he was known beforehand, predestined, chosen—not for his virtue, but through the grace of God. This is true for all the Gentiles; what merit did the wild olive tree possess to be grafted into the cultivated olive tree, bearing the bitterness of its fruit? It was a forest of wilderness and not fields of the Lord; yet in divine mercy, He integrated 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 about His greatness, could anyone respond adequately? Truly, the one who perceives Him cannot fully articulate His majesty; instead, let him reflect on His works. Let him cherish in his heart the greatness of God as revealed to him, where our eyes cannot gaze, and recount some of the marvelous deeds He has accomplished; that through His works, which are within our grasp, He may seem sweet to us.

All that the Lord desired was brought into being in heaven and on earth, in the sea and all its depths (Psalm 133:6). Who can fully understand these matters? Who can list all His works in the heavens, upon the earth, and within the seas? Yet, though we cannot grasp all of these wonders, we must embrace them with unwavering faith, for every part of creation—in heaven, on earth, in the seas, and all the abysses—was made by the Lord.

The clouds are lifted from the ends of the earth (Psalm 134:7). We witness these acts of God’s creation, as clouds rise from the farthest reaches to the center of our world, bringing rain; we do not seek to uncover their origins. The prophet proclaims that from the ends of the earth, whether from below or from the infinite margins, He calls forth clouds from the earth alone. He transforms lightning into rain; lightning alone would terrify, without delivering. He takes the fearsome and turns it into joy. He brings forth the winds from His treasuries; their sources remain hidden, and we do not know where they come from. When the wind stirs, though we feel its presence, we know not its origin; yet, we owe God our faith and worship, for it would not blow unless He commanded it.

So, we observe His wondrous works; let us adore, marvel, and bless God as we reflect on what He has done for His people. Who struck down the firstborn of Egypt (Psalm 133:8)? Here we recount divine deeds that evoke our admiration rather than terror. Even when He displays anger, He executes His will, from humanity to beasts alike, sending signs and wonders upon Egypt (Psalm 134:9). You have read of the mighty acts the Lord performed through Moses against the proud Egyptians, Pharaoh, and his servants. The deeds He accomplished in Egypt serve as a prelude to what He did after liberating His people. He vanquished many nations (Psalm 134:10), claiming the land He designated for His people, eliminating mighty kings—Sihon, king of the Amorites; Og, king of Bashan; and all the kingdoms of Canaan (Psalm 134:11). The Psalm describes these acts in unmistakable clarity, echoing what we read elsewhere in the Scriptures, where the hand of the Lord is visibly powerful. Therefore, when you witness the downfall of the wicked, take heed; let it prompt you to cleanse yourself from iniquity, lest you suffer a similar fate. Thus, you grasp what God has accomplished: He expelled the wicked and granted their land as an inheritance to Israel, His servant (Psalm 133:12).

Then follows an outpouring of praise: "Thy name, O Lord, endures forever" (Psalm 134:13), a response to all that You have accomplished. For what do I witness of Your creation? I behold the heavens and this realm where we reside, alongside Your gifts—clouds, winds, and rain. I honor Your people; You have emancipated them from bondage and enacted wonders against their foes. You have chastised those who tormented them, expelled the wicked from their land, vanquished their kings, and bestowed their territory upon Your people. Having seen all these things, my heart rejoices, and I declare, “Lord, Your name is everlasting!”

All these acts of God transpired in the flesh when our ancestors were delivered from Egypt, now continuing in spirit. His work endures until the end. Therefore, do not think that these grand divine actions were confined to that time. Your name, O Lord, is eternal. It signifies that Your mercy is ceaseless, Your hand continues to fulfill what You have promised. These accounts were recorded for our instruction, for we are living in the final days (1 Corinthians 10:11). Through one generation to the next, we are transfigured in faith, reborn through baptism; we are resurrected, living with angels eternally. Your remembrance, O Lord, transcends this generation and all the rest; for He will not forget to summon us, nor to crown us in due time.

The Lord has passed judgment upon His people and will take His place among His servants (Psalm 133:14). He has already rendered judgment on His people. Aside from the final judgment, the Jewish people will be held accountable. What is measured in this judgment? The righteous are taken away, while the unrighteous remain. If my assertion seems false, listen to the Lord’s declaration: "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 enlightenment. This is why He condemned His people; as Isaiah foretold the judgement. "Now, O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord" (Isaiah 2:5). This may appear trivial, but what follows? For He rejected His people, the house of Israel; the house of Jacob and the house of Israel are one and the same. Thus, God judged His people, distinguishing between the righteous and the wicked, ensuring He will dwell amongst His servants—by whom? By the Gentiles. What great host of nations has come forth in faith! Countless believers now come from remote and desolate areas; they arrive as if summoned without knowing how many; and when asked their desires, they reply, "To behold the glory of God." Let me assure you, dear friends, we find joy in the words of these humble villagers. They travel from uncharted places awakened by an unknown force. Who is this unknown? I can tell you who it is, for He stated, "No one comes to Me unless the Father draws him" (John 6:44). They emerge unexpectedly from forests, wilderness, and lofty mountains into the Church; and nearly all of them speak the truth imparted by God. The prophecy of Scripture is being fulfilled, "And all shall be taught of God" (Isaiah 54:13). When we inquire of them, "What do you seek?" they respond, "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 are sanctified, and they desire clergy to guide them. Is this not the fulfillment of His promise to be called among His servants?

Ultimately, after all arrangements and divine interventions, the Spirit of God turns to rebuke and mock the idols that their worshipers now scorn. The idols of the Gentiles are merely silver and gold (Psalm 134:15). Considering that God, the Creator of all things, fashioned everything as He wished, what merit can be found in the works of human hands, but rather an object of derision? Is the Lord speaking of pagan idols so we might dismiss them all? Not merely of the despicable materials of stone or wood, but of that which appeals to them—the precious metals they hold dear. The idols of the Gentiles are silver and gold, crafted by human hands. They may glimmer, but do they truly have the power to see? Since such constructs are void of substance, why worship gods of metal? You understand that the deities you fabricate cannot see; they have mouths but cannot speak, eyes but cannot see (Psalm 134:16), ears yet cannot hear; there is no breath in their mouths (Psalm 134:17), nostrils, but no ability to smell; hands which cannot act; feet that cannot move. Craftsmen can mold shapes—eyes, ears, nostrils, mouth, hands, feet—yet they cannot bestow true insight, the power of speech, discernment, or movement.

The deities of the mouth are crafted from silver and gold, formed by the hands of humanity. After confirming and exalting God's Providence, he addresses the servants who have recently arrived from the Gentiles, adding a reprimand against those false gods they once revered. He asserts, "I know that the Lord is great, and our Lord is above all gods. He has performed many remarkable deeds; your former gods are lifeless and unresponsive idols. May those who create them become like them." How can those who venerate lifeless objects avoid being spiritually paralyzed? He exposes those whom others traditionally referred to as gods, labeling them as idols, thereby reducing them to mere representations of the materials they are composed of and indicating who fashioned them.

They will possess mouths, yet will not utter a word; they will have eyes, but will not perceive. They possess ears but will not listen. The prophet declares that they carry representations of sensual tools, yet lack the ability to function. Within them lies the spirit in their mouths. Moreover, the essence of the mute is similarly bound by this, for every living creature breathes; however, idols do not abide by this even as those that are voiceless.

The mouth will have, yet will remain silent; the eyes will have, yet will be blind. The ears will have, but will not perceive. This is similarly expressed in Psalm 113 (Psalm 113:13-16), where you can find further clarification. Below, the spirit is in their mouths. Here, David articulates why the pagan idols lack understanding: they do not possess the breath of life. David continues to mock these idols, deepening his reproach against them.

The Prophet revisits his earlier teaching and strengthens his initial assertion as articulated in the fifth verse, where he proclaims that our Lord surpasses all deities. While it may not matter for God to be greater than the mere idols of gold and silver, He is unquestionably superior not only to earthly kings but also to heavenly beings. The Prophet chooses to compare God with idols to highlight the frailty of the false gods. Firstly, this comparison sheds light on the impotence of these pagan deities. Secondly, even though these idols are essentially manifestations of demons, many pagans were unaware of this fact and worshipped them as if they were divine, as illustrated in the first book of Kings regarding the idol Dagon.

This composite psalm (compare v. 7 with Jer. 10:13, 51:16, v. 14 with Deut. 32:36, and vv. 15-20 with Ps. 113ff.) is associated with the post-Tribulation era and, if the context of v. 14 is viewed as reflecting contemporary hardships faced by the Israelites, it may relate to the period of the Samaritan incursions against Israel.

In this psalm, the prophet invites all humanity to offer solemn praise to God, in recognition of His inexpressible blessings upon the people of Israel. They were led from the shadows of idolatry into the true light, which has illuminated the hearts of the faithful, revealing the divine glory through Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 4:6). This essentially embodies the meaning of halleluia. In Hebrew, praise is expressed as halleluia, with Jah representing the Lord’s name. Given that the essence of God remains unseen, the prophet urges us to exalt His name. The Lord, our Rabbi, calls to those who believe in Him with sincerity, respond to His calling, and adhere to His commandments.