Psalm 135 (134):20Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Why does he categorize the call to worship rather than inviting everyone at once? This division highlights the varying degrees of blessings received. The priest blesses differently than the Levite, who in turn blesses differently than the layperson or the assembly. By using the term "bless," he refers to the Eternal and incorruptible One. He encourages blessings because the faithful have triumphed over their adversaries and have been granted the honor of serving such a God. They have come to know the truth: He is inherently blessed, possessing blessing in His essence, and does not require acknowledgment from others; yet in blessing Him, it is the worshippers who receive abundant rewards. Though He is indeed blessed in His essence, He wishes for us to join in blessing Him as well.

Even if you remained mere servants forever, you ought to honor the Lord; how much more, then, should you exalt Him as servants looking forward to the glorious status of sons?

So, in the house of the Lord, within the courts of our God, let us offer our praise (Psalm 133:2). Let us be grateful, for where we once stood at a distance, we now find ourselves welcomed within. Reflect on the privilege of being raised up from despair to stand within His presence—to know Him and to honor Him. Is it not a tremendous blessing to be here in the Lord’s house? Anyone who contemplates this and remains ungrateful must overlook the vastness of the Lord’s love, which surpasses any thanks we could return for such grace. With what can the servant repay the Lord for all His kindnesses?

What shall I say to encourage your praise? The essence of the Lord’s goodness is captured in “The Lord is good” (Psalm 134:3). In just one phrase, it encapsulates our God’s praise. The Lord is indeed good, yet not in the same way as His marvelous creations. For God declared all that He made to be very good (Genesis 1:31). How could anything created possibly compare to its Creator?

How far can we express His goodness? Can we truly grasp how wonderful the Lord is? Yet, let us turn inward and acknowledge Him, praising the Creator through His marvelous works, recognizing our unworthiness to behold Him directly. We hope that when our hearts are purified by faith, we shall one day rejoice in truth. For now, since He remains unseen, let us behold His creation, ensuring that we are never without praises for Him. Hence I declare, "Praise the Lord, for He is good; sing praise to His Name, for He is delightful." He is the Mediator, embodying sweetness itself.

What could be sweeter than the bread of angels? How can God not be delightful if mankind partakes from such celestial bounty? For the sustenance of men and angels is indeed one and the same. This is truth, this is divine wisdom, yet we cannot savor it as fully as the angels. In order for humanity to partake of angelic food, the Creator of angels took on humanity Himself. If you have experienced the sweetness of the Lord, let your songs of praise ring out; if you taste of His delightful nature, express your gratitude. Who would be so ungrateful as to not acknowledge the cook when appreciating a delicious meal?

For “the Lord has chosen Jacob, Israel to be His possession” (Psalm 134:4). Therefore, let not Jacob exalt himself, nor attribute his selection to any merit of his own. He was known, predestined, and chosen not for his deeds, but received life as a gift of God’s grace. This applies equally to the Gentiles; what worthiness did the wild olive possess to be grafted into the cultivated tree, considering its bitter fruit and wilderness? Yet, in mercy, He incorporated the wild olive into the true olive tree.

As it is proclaimed, “I know that the Lord is great, and our God is above all gods” (Psalm 134:5). If one were to inquire about His greatness, the response might be, “He who I see is truly beyond comprehension.” Let him recount the works he recognizes. Let him remember the grandeur of God from what he has witnessed, committing those works to our faith, encouraging us who have not seen His greatness as he has, to find sweetness in the works we do perceive.

All that the Lord willed to create was made in heaven, on earth, in the sea, and in the depths of the ocean (Psalm 133:6). Who can understand these marvels? Who can declare all His works across the realms above, below, and within the seas? We may not grasp all these marvels, yet we must accept and hold fast to them, acknowledging that the Lord created all that exists.

The clouds gathering from the ends of the earth demonstrate His handiwork (Psalm 134:7). We see them travel across the sky to deliver rain, without needing to discern their origin. The prophet indicates that from any point He chooses, the Lord raises the clouds from the earth itself. He transforms storms into gently falling rain; the lightning that could frighten us becomes a source of joy as it nourishes the ground. The winds, sourced from His treasures, are mysteries we cannot fully fathom; yet we owe our faith-filled worship to God, for even the winds could not blow unless commanded by Him.

In witnessing this, let us marvel at God's deeds, for “He smote the firstborn of Egypt” (Psalm 134:8). Here we recount the divine acts of love that we may cherish, not fear. Consider, too, His deliverance for the vulnerable—He sent His signs and wonders against the proud. You know well what the Lord accomplished through Moses in opposing the might of Egypt. What might the Lord do after liberating His people? He struck many nations and compelled them to yield their land to Israel (Psalm 134:10). All these truths are clearly documented throughout the Scriptures.

As we observe what befell the wicked, let us take heed lest we fall into similar fates. When the righteous witness the downfall of the sinful, let them cleanse themselves from all wrongdoing, ensuring they do not encounter the same punishments. Then we can grasp what God enacted. He expelled the wicked and granted their lands as heritage to His servant Israel (Psalm 133:12).

What follows is a resounding expression of His praise: “Thy name, O Lord, is forever and ever” (Psalm 134:13), reflecting on all that He has accomplished. I witness the fabric of creation in the heavens and the earth below, marveling at His gifts of storms, winds, and rains. I honor His people, whom He has liberated from bondage, performing signs and wonders against their adversaries. He has punished those who tormented them, driven out the wicked from their midst, and struck down their kings, granting the land to His beloved people. Upon witnessing all of this, I express my joy: "Your Name, O Lord, is everlasting."

All these episodes reveal God’s power, manifested through the physical realm when our ancestors emerged from Egypt, and now resonate within our spirits. His work persists until the culmination of all things. Do not assume that the great acts of God have concluded. “Thy name, O Lord, is forever,” signifying that His mercy is unending. His hand continues to fulfill that which He has previously promised. Written for our instruction, these events speak to the urgency of every generation, culminating in our baptism into renewed life, birthing us into an existence shared with the angels. "Thy remembrance, O Lord, is above this generation and above that generation," for He will not forget to call and will remember to crown us.

The Lord has judged His people and will be known among His servants (Psalm 133:14). Already, the people have experienced judgment—righteous ones are taken, while the unrighteous remain. Should it be questioned whether His judgment is current, listen to His words: “I have come into judgment into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind” (John 9:39). The proud are blinded, while the humble receive illumination. Thus, His people faced condemnation, as proclaimed by Isaiah, “O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord” (Isaiah 2:5). This is significant, and furthermore, He has cast aside His people, the house of Israel. The house of Jacob represents Israel, and thus God divides the good from the evil among His servants. He will be recognized by the Gentiles, who come in faith from various places, desiring to encounter the glory of God.

Indeed, we are astonished and encouraged by what these humble folks express as they seek the Lord—a thirst for His glory, translated into action, as all are drawn to seek Him. “What do you desire?” they are asked, and the reply is, “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, are sanctified, and desire spiritual guidance. Is this not the fulfillment of His promise to be among His servants?

After this significant arrangement of grace, God’s Spirit directs our attention to cast scorn upon idols that mock their worshippers. “The idols of the Gentiles are silver and gold” (Psalm 134:15). If God, who made everything, considered all creation, is it not foolish to revere the creations of human hands? Did He present this for us to shun such idols? Silver and gold possess no sight, no hearing—they are mere works fashioned by people. Why craft gods from lifeless materials? They possess eyes and do not see, mouths but do not speak (Psalm 134:16); they have ears that hear nothing, and breath does not dwell in them (Psalm 134:17). They were crafted by artisans who could form physical attributes, yet could not impart true senses or spirituality.

Humans, if aware of their creation, should find humor in their own folly; as for those unaware, it is said: “All who make them are like them” (Psalm 133:18). I urge my brethren, this likeness is not merely physical; it dwells within the spirit. They have ears, but cannot hear; eyes but cannot perceive as those who have faith. This prophecy has indeed unraveled among the nations. Those who remain blind have failed to discern the wondrous work of God, despite being instruments of His grace. We bear the good aroma of Christ (2 Corinthians 2:15), a fragrance that eludes their awareness; truly, “All those who make them” remain untouched.

Daily, many testify to the miracles of our Lord; sight is restored to the blind, the deaf hear, the tongue-tied speak, and those weakened find strength. From stones, the sons of Abraham rise (Matthew 3:9), as it is proclaimed, "Bless the Lord, O house of Israel" (Psalm 134:19). They are undoubtedly members of the house of Israel, not merely by physical descent but through faith. Yet, we must also reflect on where the apostles and countless followers emerged from—“Bless the Lord, house of Aaron; Bless the Lord, house of Levi” (Psalm 133:20). Blessings extend to the nations; all who reverence the Lord must bless Him.

With one voice let us proclaim, "Blessed be the Lord from Zion, who dwells in Jerusalem" (Psalm 133:21). Zion signifies the watchful presence, while Jerusalem embodies the vision of creation. In which Jerusalem does He now dwell? Not in what has fallen, but in our heavenly Mother established above, which proclaims, “She that is desolate hath more children than she that hath a husband.” The Lord reigns in Zion as we anticipate His coming; while we live in hope, we dwell in Zion. Upon completion of our paths, we shall inhabit the eternal city, never to succumb to any adversary—neither from within the Church nor outside it, nor from our own flesh or thoughts. For “death shall be swallowed up in victory” (1 Corinthians 15:54), and we shall bask in God’s presence eternally as citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem.

Why does He refer to them separately rather than inclusively? This serves to highlight the significant distinctions in blessing. The priest blesses in one way, the Levite in another, the layperson in yet another, and the congregation as a whole in a different manner. He calls upon you to bless for your liberation from foes and for the dignity of your service to God. Even though He naturally embodies all blessings and does not require praise from creation, your acts of blessing do not add to His glory; rather, they benefit you, as Theodoret states: They offer such service to lifeless idols, but you exalt the Creator of all.

Additionally, David distinguished the Levites, who were deacons and ministers, from the priests; although they held a higher honor than others, they remained subordinate to the priests. Thus, to prevent any attempt by them to usurp the priestly role, as had happened in ancient times under the divinely inspired leadership of Moses, it was necessary to create this distinction. Another category consists of those who feared God, descended from Jacob, and embraced his devotion. Furthermore, the converts were also recognized among the righteous. This made it evident to the Jews that the God of all distinguished lineage favors moral kinship.

This group is then subdivided: first, the house of Aaron, recognized as the priestly lineage; next, the house of Levi, which provided the Levites who assisted the priests; and ultimately, all who revere the Lord, identifying the faithful from all walks of life who hold God in honor.

He surpasses all deities (mentioned in verses 3 and 4), being omnipotent, the Creator of the universe and the Sovereign over nature (verses 6-7). The imagery of clouds forming on the distant horizon indicates His might, bringing forth thunderstorms and rain, with winds held secure as treasures. Furthermore, Israel has reason to exalt God for the mighty deeds He has accomplished on their behalf (verses 8-12). God's name was established not only in antiquity but continues to be glorified (verse 13); He consistently imparts righteousness to His people amidst their adversities, forgiving their transgressions (verse 14). He will 'consider concerning His servants.' In all aspects of divine revelation, both natural and gracious, He transcends powerless idols (verses 15-18); thus, from Zion, Israel ought to offer Him praise (verse 21).