It is a source of great joy for us, as this Psalm encourages, for we are called to glorify the name of the Lord as it states, “Praise the name of the Lord” (Psalm 134:1). The reasoning for this celebration emerges from our identity as His servants. What truly deserves our admiration? What could be more deserving? What could be more appreciated? If He imparts wisdom to His devoted servants—those who proclaim His Word, oversee His Church, and worship His name—so that they may enjoy the sweetness of their lives and not be tainted by flattery or wearied by human reproach, how much greater is He, the Immutable One, who imparts all wisdom and guidance? As His servants, you cannot go wrong in exalting your Lord. Even if you were merely servants forever, you should still glorify Him, but how much more should you, as His servants, lift your praises in anticipation of the privilege of becoming His sons?
You who stand in the Lord’s sanctuary, in the heart of our God’s presence, praise the Lord (Psalm 133:2). Be grateful; you were once an outsider, yet now you stand within His house. Now that you’ve been elevated, is it too much to consider where you should express your gratitude to the One who raised you from despair and allowed you to dwell among His faithful? Is it not a great blessing to stand in the house of the Lord? Those who contemplate this truth and do not remain ungrateful will neglect their own worth in contrast to the immense love of their Lord, who has accomplished such great deeds on their behalf. Lacking any means to repay God for His manifold blessings, what remains but to offer thanks? The very notion of thanksgiving entails partaking of the cup of the Lord and calling upon His name. What can a servant offer in return for all that has been bestowed?
What reason is there to praise Him? Simply because the Lord is good (Psalm 134:3). In one concise phrase, we recognize the goodness of our God. While He is good, His goodness transcends all that He has made; indeed, all of creation is “very good” (Genesis 1:31). He fashioned heaven, earth, and all that exists in a state of goodness, and if all is beautiful, how much more magnificent must He be, the Creator?
How far can we truly articulate His goodness? Who can fathom the depths of His perfection? Yet, let us return to ourselves and acknowledge Him, praising the Creator through His creations, for we are unworthy to behold His essence. In the hope that we may eventually gaze upon Him, our hearts will be illuminated by faith and rejoice in the Truth; in the meantime, since He remains unseen, let us observe His works so that we may not live in silence toward Him. Thus, we say, “Praise the Lord, for He is good; sing praise to His name, for His goodness is delightful.” He is our Mediator; how sweet must He be! What could be more delightful than the food of angels? How could the divine not be sweet if humanity partakes of angelic sustenance? For both men and angels share in the same nourishment. This is truth and wisdom; this reflects the goodness of God, yet the enjoyment of it eludes us as it does the angels. For man to partake of angelic fare, the Creator of angels took on humanity. When you partake and find sweetness, lift your praises; shouldn't one express gratitude to the cook or supplier for delicious food? If we do not remain silent in gratitude for earthly delights, how dare we be silent regarding Him who grants us all?
For the Lord has chosen Jacob, Israel, as His treasured possession (Psalm 134:4). Let Jacob refrain from elevating himself or claiming merit. He was known and chosen by grace long before he could earn it. Similarly, those of the Gentiles have no grounds for boasting—what has the wild olive tree merited for being grafted into the true olive tree, given its bitterness and barrenness? It was not from the cultivated fields of the Lord but from the wilderness that the wild olive was mercifully grafted.
As it is said, “I know that the Lord is great, and our God is above all gods” (Psalm 134:5). If we ask someone to delineate His greatness, they might respond, “The One I see isn’t so vast that I can fully describe Him.” Instead, let them recount His works. Let them hold in their hearts the greatness of God they have witnessed and testify of those actions that may inspire understanding in us who cannot glimpse His full glory.
All that the Lord desired, He created in heaven, on earth, in the sea, and in the depths (Psalm 133:6). Who can grasp the entirety of His works? Who can list the wonders He has wrought across heaven, earth, and the depths? Though we may not comprehend them all, we must accept and embrace them in faith, for all creation was brought forth by the Lord.
He sends forth clouds from the ends of the earth (Psalm 134:7). We witness these divine acts in creation; clouds gather from afar, and rain falls richly. It is not for us to question their origin—indeed, the prophet articulates that clouds emerge at God’s command from anywhere He desires. He transforms lightning into rain, for lightning alone may instill fear without providing sustenance. He who frightens offers joy through the gift of rain. He commands winds from His storehouses, and their origins remain concealed to us. When the wind blows, we perceive it without knowing where it originates; yet, we owe worshipful faith to God, for the wind would not blow unless He commanded it.
Thus, we see His handiwork and extol Him; let us marvel and bless God for the acts He performs among His people. Did He not strike down the firstborn of Egypt (Psalm 133:8)? Here, we recount divine actions that inspire love rather than dread. Listen and know that even in anger, He accomplishes His will; He sent signs and wonders against Egypt (Psalm 134:9). Reflect upon the mighty deeds of the Lord through Moses, who confronted and overthrew the proud Egyptians, including Pharaoh and his followers. The wonders He wrought in Egypt were but a prelude. Who struck down many nations (Psalm 134:10), granting His people the land He promised? He vanquished the kings of strength, such as Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, along with all the kingdoms of Canaan (Psalm 134:11). These accounts are recorded both here and in other scriptures, revealing the great power of the Lord’s hand. When you witness the downfall of the wicked, be wary lest you suffer the same fate. When the righteous observe a wicked man’s punishment, let them cleanse themselves from all sin, or they too may face dire consequences. Thus, you will grasp these truths fully. What did God do in those times? He expelled the wicked and bequeathed their land as an inheritance to Israel, His servant (Psalm 133:12).
Then rises a resounding cry of praise—“Your name, O Lord, is forever” (Psalm 134:13), considering all that You have accomplished. For what do I behold in Your creation? I see the heavens You crafted and this earthly realm where we live; I observe the gifts of clouds, winds, and rain. I honor Your people whom You delivered from bondage, performing signs and marvels against their adversaries. You punished those who vexed them, drove away the wicked from their land, and eliminated their kings, granting their territory to Your people. Having seen all these acts, filled with joy, I proclaim, “Lord, Your name is everlasting.”
All these deeds were executed then in the physical realm when our forefathers were led from Egypt, yet they continue to resonate in the spiritual realm. His work persists until the end. Therefore, do not presume that these great acts of God were concluded at that time. "Your name, O Lord, is forever," which signifies that Your mercy continues unendingly, while Your hand remains active in fulfilling all that You have previously declared. These accounts are recorded for our instruction, for "the end of the ages has come" (1 Corinthians 10:11). Through one generation after another, we experience the faith through baptism, are raised from death, and will dwell eternally with angels. Your remembrance, O Lord, transcends all generations; even now, He does not forget to summon us, nor will He overlook our crowning glory.
The Lord has judged His people and will dwell among His servants (Psalm 133:14). He has already carried out judgment upon His people; aside from the final judgment, the Jewish people will be scrutinized. What is the nature of this judgment? The righteous are gathered, while the wicked remain. If someone thinks I am mistaken in saying they have already been judged, then hear the Lord proclaim, “I have come into this world for judgment, so 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. Thus, He condemned His people, as Isaiah declared judgment. “Come now, O house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord” (Isaiah 2:5). Yet that is just the beginning; it further states that He has forsaken His people, the house of Israel. The house of Jacob represents the house of Israel; for Jacob is also known as Israel. So, God judges His people, discerning good from evil; indeed, He will be acknowledged among His servants—by whom? By the Gentiles. The nations that come to faith are numerous! Many emerge from barren lands and desolate regions, and their numbers are unknowable as they seek to know the glory of God. We ask them, “What do you seek?” and they respond, “To see the glory of God.” Believe me, dear brethren, we find their statements both surprising and uplifting. They come from unknown paths, awakened by an unseen guide. Who is this guide? We know the answer—“No one comes to Me unless the Father draws them” (John 6:44). They arrive suddenly from forests, deserts, mountains, and join the Church; many, nearly all, speak of the truth God instills within them. The prophecy is fulfilled as Scripture states, “And all shall be taught of God” (Isaiah 54:13). We inquire, “What do you desire?” and they reply, “To witness the glory of God” (John 6:45). Indeed, “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 fulfillment not evident? Will He not be recognized among His servants?
Finally, after this series of arrangements and divine provisions, the Spirit of God turns its focus upon the reproach and scorn directed at idols, which now mock their devotees. The idols of the peoples are crafted from silver and gold (Psalm 134:15). Since God, the Creator of all that exists, made what He willed, how can the creations of man deserve reverence? Were the references to the idols meant to lead us to vilify them? Certainly not; they are devalued materials. Yet, I speak of what they revere and honor, their silver and gold idols, products of human hands. Do they not have eyes, yet do not see? If they are silver and gold, the shiny metals cannot perceive. Since they lack awareness, why do you craft gods of inanimate materials? Can you not realize the futility that the idols you have fashioned are blind? They have mouths but do not speak; they have eyes yet see not (Psalm 134:16); they have ears yet remain deaf; their mouths hold no breath (Psalm 134:17); nostrils they possess but do not smell; hands without power to act; feet that do not walk. The artisans have designed eyes, ears, nostrils, mouths, hands, and feet, yet cannot impart the ability to see, hear, speak, smell, or move.
THEOSIS