It is a source of great joy for us, as this Psalm encourages us to find delight in the act of praise. As stated, ‘Praise the name of the Lord’ (Psalm 134:1). The reason for such praise is also given: “Praise the Lord, you servants.” What could be more worthy of our adoration? If He instructs His devoted servants—those who proclaim His Word, guide His Church, worship His name, and follow His commands—to find sweetness in their own lives, so they are not led astray by flattery or discouraged by human reproach, how much more deserving of praise is He, the Eternal and Immutable One, who teaches all things. As servants, you commit no wrongdoing when you exalt your Lord. If you are merely His servants, you should still praise the Lord; how much more, then, should you sing His praises, as you aspire to become heirs as sons?
Therefore, you who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of our God, let us celebrate the Lord (Psalm 133:2). Be filled with gratitude; having been outside, you now find yourselves within. Is it too much to consider the One who lifted you from despair and allowed you to stand in His presence to know Him and offer your praise? Is it not a great blessing to be in the Lord’s house? Anyone who understands this and remains thankful surely recognizes the depth of God's love that surpasses all He has done for us. Lacking the ability to adequately repay Him for His immense kindness, what must we do but thank Him? To give thanks involves partaking of the cup of the Lord and calling on His name. What can a servant offer in return for all He has been given?
Why should you praise Him? Simply because the Lord is good (Psalm 134:3). This is a succinct declaration of our God’s praise. His goodness is unparalleled—though all His creations are deemed "very good" (Genesis 1:31). If all He made is good, how much greater must He be, the Creator Himself?
How can we adequately articulate His goodness? Who can truly grasp the depths of it? Instead, let us turn inwards to recognize Him through His creations, remembering we are unworthy to behold Him. Yet, with the hope that we will see Him when our hearts are cleansed by faith, we can find joy in the Truth; for now, as He remains invisible to us, let us reflect on His works to ensure we are not devoid of praise. 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, sweet. What could be sweeter than angelic food? How can God not be sweet if mankind has partaken in it? For angels and humans do not subsist on different sustenance. This is profound truth, wisdom, and goodness from God, but you may not experience it as the angels do. To allow mankind to consume the food of angels, the Creator of angels became man. If you taste how sweet the Lord is, let your praises arise; who among us would withhold gratitude from a cook or supplier for food that delights us?
The Lord has chosen Jacob, Israel, to be His own possession (Psalm 134:4). Let Jacob not elevate himself, nor claim credit, nor attribute it to his own works. He was known, predestined, and chosen not for merit but rather gifted with life through the grace of God. The same extends to all the Gentiles; what did the wild olive tree merit to be grafted in, given its bitter fruit and wild nature? It was part of the wilderness, not the Lord's cultivated fields, yet in mercy, He integrated the wild olive into the true olive tree.
As the text proclaims, “I know the Lord is great, and our God is above all gods” (Psalm 134:5). If we asked someone to define His greatness, they might respond that He isn't merely great if they could explain Him. Thus, it is essential to recall His works, holding tightly the greatness of God that has been revealed to us through faith, and recount what the Lord indeed has accomplished, so that we may grasp His sweetness through that which is evident to us.
Everything the Lord desired, He created in heaven and on earth, in the sea and in the depths (Psalm 133:6). Who can fully understand these wonders? Who can recount the mighty works of the Lord? Yet, while we may not comprehend all of them, we must believe without doubt, for all of creation, from the heavens to the depths of the sea, exists by His will.
Consider the clouds rising from the ends of the earth (Psalm 134:7). God’s handiwork is evident in creation; clouds from the farthest ends come to bring rain without us knowing their origin. This illustrates that from all corners of the earth, He raises clouds. Lightning appears as a fearsome event; yet He transforms it into blessing through rain. The one who made you tremble offers you joy. He brings forth winds from His treasuries; their source remains mysterious. When the wind blows, you feel it, yet you cannot discern from where it comes or why. Nonetheless, you owe God your faithfulness, for it blows only at His command, as He created it.
We observe this through His actions; let us praise, wonder, and bless God for what He has done among His people. “Who struck the firstborn of Egypt” (Psalm 133:8)? Here, we recount divine acts meant to inspire love, not fear. Even when angry, He enacts His will over all creation. The signs and wonders sent to Egypt demonstrate His power against a proud nation. What did He accomplish for His people upon their exodus? He smote many nations (Psalm 134:10), claimed the lands meant for His people, and defeated the kings of the powerful, naming them as Segon king of the Amorites and Og king of Bashan (Psalm 134:11). We read of these victories both here and in other writings of God, attesting to His might.
When witnessing the fate of the wicked, consider whether you too might face similar consequences; the righteous are uplifted, and the unjust left behind. Therefore, remember what God did; He expelled the wicked and assigned their land as an inheritance for Israel, His servant (Psalm 133:12).
Next emerges a loud proclamation of His praise. “Thy name, O Lord, forever and ever” (Psalm 134:13), in light of all You have accomplished. What I see in creation—both the heavens and our lower world—is evidence of Your gifts: clouds, winds, and rain. I honor Your people, recalling how You liberated them from bondage and performed miracles against their adversaries. The Lord has punished those who troubled them, dispossessing the wicked, and granting their land to Your people. In witnessing such deeds, I rejoice and declare, “Lord, Your name is everlasting.”
God brought about destruction in the flesh when our forebearers were freed from Egypt, and now too within the spirit. His work continues through the ages. Thus, do not think God's works ceased in the past. “Thy name, O Lord, is everlasting,” reflecting continuous mercy and action in alignment with what has been expressed in His eternal purpose. They serve as reminders for us, for the culmination of the ages has indeed come (1 Corinthians 10:11)—our generation reborn through baptism, thereby raised to new life with the angels eternally. “Thy remembrance, O Lord, transcends all generations,” as He will not forget to call us or to reward us in the future.
The Lord has judged His people and identifies as among His servants (Psalm 133:14). Judgment has taken place for His people. The righteous are taken, while the wicked remain. Should anyone doubt this, listen to the words of Christ: “I have come into judgment in this world, that the blind might see, and those who see might become blind” (John 9:39). The proud are obscured, the humble enlightened. This is why His people faced condemnation, as Isaiah pronounced judgment: “O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord” (Isaiah 2:5). Yet the matter goes further; He has cast aside His people, the house of Israel. Such judgment delineates between good and evil; He will be invoked by the Gentiles.
How immense is the number of nations coming in faith! Many emerge from the hinterlands and desolate lands. They arrive, uncountable yet drawn by His grace. When we inquire of them, “What do you seek?” their unity in response—“To know the glory of God”—is both surprising and delightful. They come prompted by an unknown force, for truly, “No one comes to Me unless drawn by the Father” (John 6:44). They emerge from hidden places—they speak our language so that we witness God’s truth evident among them. The prophecy finds fulfillment in “And all shall be taught by God” (Isaiah 54:13). When we ask, “What is your desire?” they affirm, “To see the glory of God” (John 6:45). Yet all have sinned and fall short of His glory (Romans 3:23). They believe, seek sanctification, and request clergy to guide them. Has this not been fulfilled? Has He not been proclaimed among His servants?
Lastly, after all divine arrangements, the Spirit of God turns to the disdain for idols, ridiculing the mockery aimed at these representations of worship. “The idols of the Gentiles are silver and gold” (Psalm 134:15). Given that God, who crafted all, acted with purpose, how can man's creations be objects of reverence? Were idols mentioned to provoke our disdain? No, these pagan images crafted from stone and clay are mere materials. Instead, I speak of what they value—silver and gold, the product of human hands. They possess features—eyes that do not see, mouths that do not speak (Psalm 134:16); ears that do not hear and breath that does not fill their mouths (Psalm 134:17). The craftsman may form these shapes, but he cannot give them the essence of life: sight, hearing, or movement.
Thus, mankind should indeed reflect on these actions with humor, recognizing their folly in creating such representations. “All who make them and trust in them are like them” (Psalm 134:18). Brethren, understand this likeness expressed not in flesh but in spirit. They have ears but do not perceive; God beckons, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear” (Matthew 11:15). They possess physical eyes but lack the faith to see. This prophecy finds its fulfillment universally—has it not been actualized? Is it not observable as recorded? The remnants carry eyes yet do not perceive; nostrils without the ability to smell. We are the fragrant aroma of Christ (2 Corinthians 2:15), as the apostle notes. What good is it that they hold nostrils yet do not capture such a pleasing fragrance?
Daily, men witness the miracles of our Lord; the blind see, the deaf hear, the insensible breathe, and the mute speak; even the sons of Abraham arise from stones (Matthew 3:9). “Bless the Lord, O house of Israel” (Psalm 134:19)—all sons of Abraham; if the sons of Abraham can rise from the stones, clearly they belong to the house of Israel, the lineage of Abraham not by flesh but through faith. Even if one interprets it concerning that house and the people of Israel, whence did the apostles and numerous faithful arise? “Bless the Lord, house of Aaron; bless the Lord, house of Levi” (Psalm 133:20). Bless Him, nations, for this encompasses the house of Israel; bless Him, leaders—this is the house of Aaron; bless Him, servants—this refers to the house of Levi. As for the other nations, those who revere the Lord, they too must bless Him.
THEOSIS