It is truly delightful and a cause for our joy, for this Psalm encourages us to rejoice. It proclaims, “Praise the name of the Lord” (Psalm 134:1). Herein lies the rationale for esteeming the name of the Lord—exalt Him, all you who serve Him. What could be more deserving of adoration? If He instructs His faithful servants—those who preach His Word, lead His Church, worship His name, and follow His commands—to possess the joyful essence of their lives, ensuring they remain unaffected by accolades or the scorn of others, how much greater is He, the Immutable One, who teaches all things without the need of praise, and stands beyond reproach? As His servants, you are justified in offering praise to your Lord. If you are merely His servants for eternity, your praise is still warranted; how much more should you exalt Him to obtain the rights of sons in the age to come!
Therefore, you who dwell in the Lord’s house and within the courts of our God, praise Him (Psalm 133:2). Be grateful, for you once wandered outside but now stand within. With this newfound standing, is it not a small matter to recognize the One who lifted you from despair and invited you to His presence to know and worship Him? Is it insignificant to rejoice in the house of the Lord? If anyone contemplates this and feels ungrateful, they are greatly failing to comprehend the love of their Lord, who has performed such mighty deeds on their behalf. Without means to repay these profound gifts, what is left but to offer gratitude? The act of thanksgiving encompasses drinking from the cup of the Lord and invoking His name. What could the servant offer in exchange for all the bounties received?
What justification can I present for your praise? Simply this: “For the Lord is good” (Psalm 134:3). In this concise declaration, the essence of our God’s praise is summarized. The Lord is indeed good, but not merely as good as His creation. For God deemed all things very good (Genesis 1:31)—not just good but exceedingly so. Having created the heavens, the earth, and all therein as good and very good, what must be said of Him, the Creator?
How can we fully articulate His goodness? Who can fathom in their heart or fully grasp the goodness of the Lord? Yet, let us reflect on our nature and recognize Him within ourselves, praising the Creator through His creation, for we are unworthy to behold Him directly. In hope to one day see Him with purified hearts—rejoicing in the Truth—let us marvel at His works while He remains invisible to us, so we do not dwell without offering Him 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 therein lies His sweetness. What could be sweeter than the sustenance of angels? How could God lack sweetness if humanity has partaken of angelic food? Angels and men partake of the same nourishment. This is truth, this is wisdom, this is the goodness of God, yet you cannot relish it as angels do. For mankind to partake of angelic nourishment, the Creator of angels assumed human form. If you have tasted His sweetness, sing blessings; if His flavor delights your palate, express your praise. Who would be thankless to the cook or provider if a meal delights? If such sentiment arises in earthly matters, shall we be mute before the One who has bestowed upon us all?
For the Lord has chosen Jacob, Israel, as His own possession (Psalm 134:4). Therefore, let Jacob not elevate himself, boast, or ascribe his selection to personal merit. He was foreknown, predestined, and chosen—not for his virtues, but through the grace bestowed by God. Similarly, the Gentiles have not earned their place; what merit had the wild olive to be grafted in, considering its bitter fruit and wild nature? From the wilderness, devoid of cultivation, yet through mercy, the wild olive has been joined to the true olive tree.
For as the psalmist declares, “I know that the Lord is great, and our God is above all gods” (Psalm 134:5). If prompted to elaborate on His greatness, would he not say that he cannot fully expound upon it? Let him return to the works of the Lord and recount His deeds. He must hold in his consciousness the greatness of God experienced, which he believes on faith, identifying some of the marvelous acts done by the Lord, displayed before those unable to witness His grandeur. Though we may not comprehend all, we must accept it without doubt, for all creation in heaven, earth, and the sea was crafted by the Lord’s sovereign will (Psalm 133:6).
“From the ends of the earth, He raises the clouds” (Psalm 134:7). This manifests in His mighty creation: clouds move from the peripheries to the center, delivering rain without investigation into their origin. Thus, the prophet conveys that God raises clouds as He desires. He transforms lightnings into rain, for without such conversion, lightning merely terrifies, offering no benefit. Light brings fear, yet rain brings joy, as He changes what frightens us into what brings delight. He summons winds from His treasuries, their origins concealed, unknown to us as it comes. When the wind blows, we perceive it; yet why or from whence it arises, we know not (John 3:8). Nevertheless, we owe God worshipful faith, for the wind would not blow unless commanded by the One who created it.
In gazing upon His works, we ought to praise, wonder, and bless God. Let us reflect on the wonders He performed for His people: “Who struck down the firstborn of Egypt” (Psalm 133:8). This recounts divine actions we admire rather than fear. Even in His anger, He fulfills His will—from human to beast. He executed signs and wonders against Egypt (Psalm 134:9). Remember the hand of the Lord through Moses, which humbled and defeated the proud Egyptians, Pharaoh and his servants. Consider His deeds after delivering His people from Egypt—striking nations and granting their lands to the Israelites, even slaying the mightiest kings such as Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, along with all Canaan’s kingdoms (Psalm 134:11). The psalm recounts these occurrences, which are also detailed in other sacred texts, revealing the great power of the Lord's hand. When witnessing the fate of the wicked, let the righteous heed caution lest they share in the same fate. Herein lies understanding: God expelled the wicked and bestowed their land as an inheritance upon Israel, His servant (Psalm 133:12).
Following this, let our hearts burst forth in praise: “Your name, O Lord, endures forever” (Psalm 134:13) for all You have done. In observing Your creation—the heavens, this earthly realm, and the gifts of clouds, winds, and rain—I honor Your people, whom You liberated from bondage, displaying signs and wonders against adversaries. You have punished tormentors, cast out the wicked, defeated their kings, and granted the spoils of the land to Your people. Upon witnessing these acts, my heart rejoices, declaring, “Your name, O Lord, lasts forever.”
All these deeds God wrought in the flesh when our ancestors were liberated from Egypt, and now anew within the spirit. His hand remains active to this day. Hence, do not assume that God’s monumental acts ceased. “Your name, O Lord, is eternal” signifies His endless mercy and the ongoing work of His hands, fulfilling that which was foretold through types and images—written for our admonition as the end of the ages approaches (1 Corinthians 10:11). A generation births faithful believers, reborn through baptism, enlivened and destined to dwell with angels eternally. “Your remembrance, O Lord, transcends this generation and the next” for He will not forsake calling us to Him and will not forget to crown us in glory.
The Lord has rendered judgment upon His people and will forever be proclaimed among His servants (Psalm 133:14). His judgment stands; the righteous are gathered, while the unrighteous remain. If I am accused of falsehood in claiming this judgment is present, listen to the Lord, who declared, “I have come to judge the world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind” (John 9:39). The proud are rendered blind while the meek are enlightened. Hence, the judgment pronounced upon His people becomes evident. “Now, O house of Jacob, arise and walk in the light of the Lord” (Isaiah 2:5). This is no trivial matter; what follows reveals that He has rejected His people, the house of Israel—the house of Jacob representing Israel. God judges His people, differentiating between the righteous and the wicked; He will be honored by His servants—by the Gentiles. From among the varied nations that now come through faith, how many arise from barren places? Uncountable multitudes seek Him, responding, “We desire to know the glory of God.” I assure you, my brethren, we are amazed by the fervor of these humble souls. They journeyed from obscurity, summoned by an unknown being, although we know who draws them: “No one comes to Me unless the Father draws him” (John 6:44). They arrive unexpectedly from the forests, wilderness, and distant mountains, entering the Church; many speak the tongue of faith, revealing the truth imbued in them by God. The Scriptures fulfill the prophecy, stating, “And all shall be taught by God” (Isaiah 54:13). We ask them, “What brings you here?” to which they respond, “To behold 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, aspiring for clergy among them. Has this not come to pass? Will He not be honored among His servants?
Ultimately, after establishing this arrangement, the Spirit of God turns towards reproaching and ridiculing the idols—the false gods that their worshippers now endure scoffing for. “The idols of the nations are silver and gold” (Psalm 134:15). Since God, who fashioned everything in heaven and earth at His will, what can man create but an object of scorn instead of reverence? Did He intend for us to disdain all idols? Were He speaking solely of pagan symbols crafted from stone, wood, or clay? I speak not of those inferior materials; rather, I refer to what they passionately hold dear—“the idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of human hands.” Is it not true that these deities, made of glittering metals, have eyes but do not see? If all these creations are devoid of insight, why then worship beings crafted from men’s hands? Do you not recognize that the gods you create cannot perceive? They possess mouths yet do not speak, eyes yet are blind (Psalm 134:16); they have ears yet do not hear, breathless mouths (Psalm 134:17); nostrils yet cannot smell, hands yet lack motion, and feet but do not walk. All of these things the carpenter, silversmith, and goldsmith can create: eyes, ears, nostrils, mouths, hands, and feet, yet they cannot impart sight, sound, speech, inhalation, or movement.
O man, how you must laugh at your own devices if you understand the One who molded you! Of those ignorant of this truth, it is said, “All who make them will be like them” (Psalm 133:18). And dear brethren, believe this likeness to idols is revealed not through their appearance, but in their inner being. They have ears but cannot hear; indeed, God beckons, “Let anyone who has ears to hear, hear” (Matthew 11:15). They possess sight yet do not perceive, lacking faith’s vision. This prophecy has indeed been realized among all nations... Has it not unfolded just as written? Yet those who remain have eyes yet cannot see; they have nostrils but cannot scent the sweet aroma of Christ (2 Corinthians 2:15). What good is it if they have noses and fail to discern the fragrance of Christ? Indeed, this is manifest among them—their state is accurately described, “All those who make them…”
THEOSIS