Psalm 135 (134):18Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The prophet, after revealing a different form of mockery, declares, ‘May those who create them become like them.’ Consider the nature of these deities, if likeness to them is deemed a curse. Conversely, for us, the highest expression of virtue and the pursuit of ultimate perfection lie in mirroring God to the best of our ability. In contrast, he indicates that both the objects of worship and the beings they represent are such that imitating them leads to the deepest condemnation. Therefore, the reality that idols lack any spirit, that they embody immorality, and that they exist devoid of emotion, coupled with the fact that resembling them brings forth condemnation, all underscore the depths of this misguided belief.

It brings us great joy to respond to the call of this Psalm, which encourages us to celebrate. As it states, "Praise the name of the Lord" (Psalm 134:1). This command to glorify His name adds insight into why we should do so. Servants of the Lord, what could possibly be of greater worth? What could invoke more gratitude? If He imparts teachings to His worthy servants—the preachers of His Word, the leaders of His Church, those who honor His name and follow His commands—such that they may enjoy the sweetness of their lives and evade the destructive nature of empty praise and the despair of human taunts, then how much greater is He, the Immutable One, who imparts these lessons not just through praise but also through the trials of reproach. Servants of the Lord, your praises are always fitting. Even if you were simply servants forever, your obligation remains to glorify Him; how much more should you do so as you aspire to the privilege of becoming His sons?

Thus, you who dwell in the house of the Lord and within the courts of our God, celebrate His greatness (Psalm 133:2). Rejoice that you have been lifted from the outside and brought inside. Now that you stand here, reflect on how to honor the One who has raised you from despair, allowing you to reside in His house, to know Him, and to extol His greatness. Isn’t it a significant gift to stand within the Lord's dwelling? Anyone who contemplates this and acknowledges their blessings will find themselves deeply contrasting their gratitude with the love of their Lord, who has bestowed such incredible gifts upon them. Since you have nothing with which to repay God for His immense goodness, what remains but to express your thanks and gratitude? Expressing thanksgiving is intrinsically linked to accepting the cup of the Lord and invoking His name. For what can the servant offer to the Lord for everything bestowed upon him?

Why, you might ask, should you give praise? The answer is simple: Because the Lord is good (Psalm 134:3). In a single word, this encapsulates the essence of our God’s praise. He is good, though not merely in comparison to what He has made. For God deemed all creation as very good (Genesis 1:31)—not just good, but exceedingly so. He created the heavens and the earth and everything contained therein, proclaiming it all as good. If all creation is good, what must the Creator Himself be like?

How can we fully articulate His goodness? Who can fathom or comprehend the extent of the Lord's goodness? Let us instead turn our focus inward, recognizing Him within ourselves and praising the Creator through His works, for we are unworthy to witness Him directly. However, with the hope that one day we may behold Him once our hearts are cleansed by faith, we find joy in the truth; now, when He remains unseen, let us be inspired by His creations so as not to live without giving Him praise. Therefore, I declare, Praise the Lord for He is good; sing to His name for He is delightful. He serves as our Mediator, and thus is truly sweet. What could be sweeter than the sustenance of the angels? If man has partaken of such heavenly food, can we question the sweetness of God? Indeed, men and angels are nourished by the same substance. This is the truth, and this is the wisdom and goodness of God, yet we cannot savor it as the angels do. In order that humanity might share in the nourishment of angels, the Creator of angels took on human form. If you indulge and find His sweetness, then sing praises; if you savor His joy, then glorify Him, for who amongst us would remain silent in gratitude to a chef or provider after tasting delightful food? If we raise our voices in gratitude for earthly sustenance, how could we possibly be silent regarding the blessings bestowed upon us by Him who gives us all things?

The Lord has chosen Jacob, and Israel is His treasured possession (Psalm 134:4). So let Jacob neither boast nor attribute his standing to his own merit. He was known and predestined long before his selection, not based on worthiness, but rather graced with life by the hand of God. This extends to all the Gentiles as well; what virtue did the wild olive tree possess to merit being grafted in, considering the bitterness of its fruit and its barrenness? It stood as part of the wilderness, not the fields of the Lord, yet in His mercy, He connected the wild olive with the true olive. However, before this, the wild olive had not been included.

The declaration is made: "For I know that the Lord is great, and our God is above all gods" (Psalm 134:5). If we were to question this, asking for a deeper understanding of His grandeur, he might respond that to truly see Him is to realize His greatness exceeds our comprehension. Let us dwell on His works, recognizing His greatness manifested through His deeds, which bolster our faith, providing evidence of what may be unseen to our direct sight. We should reflect upon some of the Lord's works that we can grasp in our finite understanding.

All that God desired, He created in the heavens, on the earth, in the sea, and in all depths (Psalm 133:6). Who among us can truly grasp these wonders? Who can catalog the deeds of the Lord across heaven and earth or within the great depths of the sea? Although we may not grasp each detail, we must believe and accept these truths without doubt, for all of creation, from the heavens to the oceans and the depths below, is the handiwork of God.

The lifting of clouds from the edges of the earth is also a manifestation of God's creation (Psalm 134:7). We witness God’s handiwork as clouds journey from the far reaches of the earth to release rain; we do not need to analyze their origin. The prophet indicates that from every corner of the earth, at His command, He raises clouds and turns lightning into life-giving rain. Lightning alone can instill fear, offering nothing, yet He transforms it into something joyous. When the storm brings light, you may tremble, but when the rain falls, you rejoice. The one who once brought fear now provides joy, as He summons the winds from His treasuries, the origins of which are hidden from us. You can feel the wind, yet its source remains a mystery; nevertheless, we owe our faith-filled worship to God, for the winds would not blow were it not for His divine command.

Thus, we recognize this in His works; let us extol, marvel at, and bless God through what He has done for His people. Remember who struck down the firstborn of Egypt (Psalm 133:8). Here, we recount divine acts that inspire love rather than fear. Consider that even in His wrath, He achieves His purpose by addressing both man and beast, sending signs and wonders upon Egypt (Psalm 134:9). Recall what the hand of the Lord accomplished through Moses in Egypt—overcoming the arrogance of the Egyptians, including Pharaoh and his retainers. Yet, what happened after His people were liberated? Who struck down numerous nations (Psalm 134:10) and took possession of the lands intended for His people? He toppled the mightiest of kings—Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, and all the realms of Canaan (Psalm 134:11). These deeds, clearly narrated in the Psalm, are further illuminated in other texts where the hand of the Lord is undeniably evident. As you observe the fate of the unjust, be wary lest you fall into the same affliction. When a righteous person witnesses the downfall of the wicked, they must cleanse themselves from all wrongdoing to avoid sharing the same fate. In this, you gain deeper understanding. What did God accomplish? He expelled the wicked and granted their lands as an inheritance to Israel, His servant (Psalm 133:12).

Next comes an exuberant shout of praise: "Your name, O Lord, endures forever" (Psalm 134:13), reflecting all that You have accomplished. For as I observe the creation of Your hands, I behold what You have made in the heavens and the earth, and I see Your providence in the clouds, winds, and rain. I honor Your people, whom You liberated from bondage, performing signs and miracles against their adversaries. You punished those who troubled them, expelled the wicked from their land, defeated their kings, and granted their inheritance to Your people. Witnessing all this fills me with joy, leading me to declare: "Lord, Your Name is eternal."

God's great works were evident at the time our ancestors exited Egypt and now, in the spirit, His action continues without end. Do not presume that His marvelous deeds concluded in the past. “Your name, O Lord,” reflects a steadfast promise; His mercies are unending, and His hand is always active in fulfilling His declarations through His imagery. These teachings serve as admonitions for us, as the end of ages approaches (1 Corinthians 10:11). One generation succeeds another; it is through this very generation that we find faith and rebirth through baptism; through this generation, we are resurrected and will dwell eternally with the angels. "Your remembrance, O Lord, transcends generation after generation," for He will not neglect to call us in this life nor forget to crown us in eternal glory.

The Lord has already judged His people and will be recognized among His servants (Psalm 133:14). His people have faced judgment. What does this judgment entail? The righteous are taken, while the unrighteous remain. If one wishes to challenge this assertion—believing it is untrue—consider the words of the Lord, who said: “I have come into this world for judgment so that the blind may see and those who see may become blind” (John 9:39). The proud find themselves blinded, while the humble are granted clarity. Thus, the Lord’s judgment has been spoken, with Isaiah declaring: "Now, O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord" (Isaiah 2:5). This is a small matter; what follows is significant. For He has turned away from His people, the house of Israel. The house of Jacob and the house of Israel are one in the same; for while Jacob is Israel, God has judged His people by separating the righteous from the wicked. This judgment leads to His recognition among His servants, particularly amongst the Gentiles. How extensive are the nations drawn to faith; so many emerge from abandoned places. They come forward in numbers; we cannot count them; they seek to understand the glory of God. Believe me, brethren, we are constantly amazed and filled with joy by the words of these humble souls. They approach from distant places, awakened by a mysterious call. From whom do they come? They may not know, but we do: "No one comes to Me unless drawn by the Father" (John 6:44). They arrive from the woods, the wilderness, and the highest mountains and enter the Church. Most of them, nearly all, are fluent in the language, demonstrating the truth of what God teaches them. The Scripture prophesies fulfill that "all shall be taught of God" (Isaiah 54:13). We ask them: “What do you seek?” They reply: “To behold the glory of God” (John 6:45). Since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), they believe, are sanctified, and desire a clergy to be appointed for them. Has it not been fulfilled? He will indeed be recognized among His servants.

The false gods of speech are crafted from precious metals, mere creations of human hands. Having affirmed and exalted God's Providence, he addresses the servants who have recently joined from among the Gentiles, offering a condemnation of the deities they once revered. He proclaims, ‘I know that the Lord is great, and our Lord is above all gods. He has performed wondrous and mighty acts; your previous gods are nothing but lifeless idols. Those who create and worship them become like them. How can those who revere lifeless objects not be spiritually hardened? What were once referred to as gods are now belittled and labeled as idols, diminishing them by revealing the very materials they are made from and the hands that crafted them.

Those who create idols and those who venerate them are deserving of this lack of perception. It is appropriate for those who possess eloquence yet acknowledge as deities that which lacks both life and the gift of speech to share in the silence of their own idols.

Let those who act against me become like those deities, as well as all who place their trust in me. This sentiment is elaborated upon in Psalm 113, where the significance of these words is clarified. Chrysostom notes the nature of the false gods, which are equated with condemnation; however, our reality diverges from this. To reflect the divine, to the extent that it is possible for us, represents the pinnacle of virtue and the pursuit of the highest good. Simmachus, as quoted in Eusebius, offers a thoughtful perspective: Those who follow these idols will become like them; indeed, those who turn to lifeless gods, devoid of any spirit, ultimately mirror the essence of what they venerate. Theodoret remarks that such lack of awareness is befitting of their followers and worshippers. It is justly so that those who possess reasoning and yet honor beings lacking life or intellect become sharers in their folly.

After contrasting the genuine God with false deities, the author examines the supporters of false gods alongside the followers of the true God. Through an oath, he warns the former that they will become like their idols—mute, blind, and deaf to the understanding and pursuit of true blessings. Conversely, he urges the latter to extol God in praise. The true worshippers, as living reflections of the living Lord, possess the ability to see, hear, and speak. Therefore, they are called to utilize their voices in worshiping the Lord, from whom they have received the gifts of sensation, life, and reason. Initially, he addresses the house of Israel collectively, encompassing all of God's people.

This composite psalm relates to the era following the Tribulation and, if understood in the context of contemporary oppression faced by the Israelites, may refer to the period of Samaritan incursions against Israel. It encourages the Israelites (the servants of the Lord, v.1), the priests and Levites (who stand in the temple, cf. vv.19-20), and the congregation (gathered in the courts) to exalt God; He is good and full of mercy (v.3), as demonstrated through His choice of Israel (v.4). He reigns supreme over all deities (v.4), affirming His sovereignty. He is Almighty, the Creator of the universe and the Sovereign of nature (vv.6-7), raising clouds that gather on the distant horizon, akin to lightning preceding rainfall.

In this psalm, the prophet summons all people to reverently praise God, acknowledging His immeasurable blessings bestowed upon the Israelites. They were chosen and led from the shadows of idolatry into the true light, which has been revealed in the hearts of the faithful to illuminate their understanding of His divine splendor through Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 4:6). This encapsulates the essence of halleluia, where the Hebrew term for praise is halleluia, and Jah signifies the name of the Lord. Since God's essence is unseen, the prophet urges the faithful to exalt His name. Jesus Christ, our Rabbi, is the One who calls those who genuinely believe in Him to follow His commandments and bear His name.