It is indeed a cause for great joy for us to embrace the invitation of this Psalm, which calls us to celebrate. As it states, "Praise the name of the Lord" (Psalm 134:1). Herein lies the rationale for such praise: “Praise the Lord, you servants.” What could be more deserving of our adoration? What more gratifying? If He imparts wisdom to His faithful servants—the preachers of His Word, the leaders of His Church, those who revere His name and follow His commands—so that they may experience the sweetness of life in their own hearts, to prevent them from being swayed by flattering praise or troubled by human reproach, how much greater is He, the Immutable One, who instructs all creation? You, as His servants, are right to praise your Lord. If you are merely servants for eternity, your praise is still due; how much more fitting is it that you, His servants, offer Him praise, so that you may inherit the privilege of sons.
Therefore, you who stand in the house of the Lord and in the courts of our God, do indeed praise the Lord (Psalm 133:2). Be grateful; you were once outside but now stand within. Given that you stand here, is it too much to consider where you should extol Him who lifted you from despair and brought you into His house for the purpose of knowing and glorifying Him? Is it not a profound blessing that we are in the Lord’s house? If anyone reflects on this and remains ungrateful, they utterly fail to recognize the magnitude of their Lord’s love, who has accomplished such marvelous deeds on their behalf. Lacking the capacity to repay God for such immense gifts, what remains but to offer thanks and not remain silent? To give thanks is to partake of the cup of the Lord and call upon His name. With what can the servant repay the Lord for all the blessings received?
What reason can be given for praising Him? Because "the Lord is good" (Psalm 134:3). In essence, this succinctly captures the essence of praise for our God. The Lord is good; however, His goodness transcends all that He created. For God declared everything He made as "very good" (Genesis 1:31)—not simply good, but very good. He fashioned the heavens, the earth, and everything within them, all of which is good in its creation. If all creation is good, how much more so is the One who created it?
How can we even begin to define His goodness? Who can fathom in their heart or understand the depth of the Lord’s goodness? Yet, let us return to ourselves and discern Him within our own experience, praising the Creator through His works, for we are unworthy to gaze upon Him directly. We hope that one day we may behold Him, our hearts purified by faith to rejoice in the Truth. For now, since He is not visible to us, let us appreciate His works, ensuring we do not live without praising Him. Thus I declare, "Praise the Lord, for He is good; sing praises to His name, for He is pleasant..." He is the Mediator, which is why He is delightful. What could be sweeter than the food of angels? How could God not be sweet if humanity partakes of angelic sustenance? For men and angels share the same nourishment. This is the truth, the wisdom, the goodness of God, though we cannot experience it as angels do. The Creator of angels became incarnate so that humanity might consume angelic food. If you savor His goodness, respond with hymns of praise; if you recognize how sweet the Lord is, offer your gratitude. Who, upon enjoying a delightful meal, neglects to express their appreciation to the chef? How then can we remain silent about Him who provides us with everything?
For "the Lord has chosen Jacob, Israel as His own possession" (Psalm 134:4). Let Jacob refrain from elevating himself, boasting of his own merit, for he was known and predestined before his birth—not due to any accomplishments but purely through the grace of God. The same applies to the Gentiles; what merit did the wild olive tree possess to be grafted in, given its bitter fruit and unfruitful nature? It was but a wild forest, far removed from the fields of the Lord, yet in His mercy, He grafted the wild olive into the true olive tree.
"I know that the Lord is great, and our God is above all gods" (Psalm 134:5). If one were to ask how we might express His greatness, would he not reply that He whom I perceive is not fully encapsulated through words? Instead, he ought to reflect on the greatness of God as revealed in His works, documenting what he comprehends. Let him maintain in his heart the grandeur of God, the glimpse provided to our faith, recounting the marvelous actions of the Lord, offering sweetness to those of us who cannot fully grasp His greatness.
All that the Lord has willed, He created in the heavens, on the earth, and in the seas, and deep within their abysses (Psalm 133:6). Who can fathom such wonders? Who can recount the deeds of the Lord in the heavens, upon the earth, in the seas, and in their depths? Although we may not fully grasp them, we must embrace them with unshakeable faith, recognizing that all creation—everything in heaven and earth, and in the seas—was brought forth by the Lord.
The lifting of clouds from the ends of the earth (Psalm 134:7) is another celestial wonder we witness in His creation. The clouds ascend from the edges of the earth to the center, bringing rain; we do not dissect their origin. Here, the prophet describes how God, from the edges of creation, elevates clouds that bring rain only from the earth. He channels lightning into rain; for what use is lightning without the gift of rain? The lightning that once frightened us is turned into joy by the very hand that commands it. He who sends forth the winds from His treasures conceals their origins. You feel the wind as it blows, yet its source remains unknown. Nevertheless, your heartfelt worship is due to God, for it would not have blown had He not commanded it, having created it.
So we witness these actions and respond in praise, wonder, and blessings towards God, reflecting upon what He has done for His people. "He struck down the firstborn of Egypt" (Psalm 134:8). Here, we find testimonies of divine actions that inspire love, rather than fear. Behold! Even when His anger manifests, He fulfills His will, from humans to beasts. "He sent signs and wonders upon you, Egypt!" (Psalm 134:9). We know from scripture what the Lord accomplished through Moses to dismantle the pride of Pharaoh and the Egyptians. He did not confine His acts to Egypt alone; He continued after leading His people out. "He struck down many nations" (Psalm 134:10), claimed the land He promised to His people, defeated powerful kings like Sihon, the king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, claiming all the kingdoms of Canaan (Psalm 134:11). These mighty works are detailed throughout the scriptures, wherein the strength of the Lord is evident. When you observe the fate of the wicked, beware lest it befall you. And let the righteous, seeing the suffering of the wicked, purify themselves from all unrighteousness, lest they face similar fates. What actions did God take? He expelled the wicked and granted their land as an inheritance to Israel, His servant (Psalm 133:12).
What follows is an uproar of His praise. "Your name, O Lord, is eternal" (Psalm 134:13), as we reflect on all that You have done. What do I witness in Your creation? I behold the heavens, this lower realm in which we dwell, and witness Your gifts of clouds, winds, and rain. I honor Your people because You freed them from bondage, performing signs and wonders against their foes. You have chastised those who oppressed them, expelled the wicked from their territory, put their kings to death, and bestowed their lands upon Your people. After witnessing all this, filled with joy, I declare, "Lord, Your name is eternal."
All these actions of God were manifested in the body when our forefathers emerged from Egypt; they continue to resonate in the spirit today. His hand remains active until the end. Thus, do not assume that His magnificent works ceased at that time. "Your name, O Lord, is eternal." This signifies that His mercy and deeds are ceaseless, forever evident as He promised in His image. These truths are inscribed for our instruction, as the end of the ages has come (1 Corinthians 10:11). One generation passes to another; a generation marked by faithfulness, rebirth through baptism; a generation revived from death, living eternally with angels. "Your remembrance, O Lord, surpasses this generation and that," for He will not falter in calling us and will assuredly remember to bestow His crown upon us.
The Lord has rendered judgment upon His people and will be acknowledged among His servants (Psalm 133:14). He has judged His people already. Except for the final judgment, the Jewish people will also undergo scrutiny. What does this judgment entail? The righteous will be taken, the wicked will remain. Yet, should anyone doubt this proclamation, heed what the Lord has stated: "I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind" (John 9:39). The proud are blinded, while the humble receive illumination. This is why He condemned His people, as proclaimed by Isaiah. "Now, O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord" (Isaiah 2:5). This is a significant statement; but what follows? For He has rejected His people, the house of Israel. The house of Jacob refers to the house of Israel; thus, God has judged His people by separating the righteous from the wicked. He will be acknowledged among His servants—by the Gentiles. How vast are those from the nations arriving through faith! How many emerge from desolate lands? They come in numbers uncounted, desiring belief. We ask them, "What do you seek?" Their response, "To witness the glory of God." Believe me, dear brethren, we are often astounded and delighted by the testimonies of these individuals from remote villages. They arrive from unknown territories, stirred by an indistinct call. Who awakened them? Indeed, I know from whom they come, because He stated, "No one comes to Me unless the Father draws him" (John 6:44). They arrive swiftly from the forests, wilderness, and distant mountains into the Church; many of them, nearly all, convey the truth that God instills within them. The fulfillment of scripture is realized when it declares, "And all shall be taught by God" (Isaiah 54:13). When we question them about their desires, they respond, "To see the glory of God" (John 6:45). All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). They believe, are sanctified, and desire the appointment of clergy. Has this not been fulfilled? Will He not be acknowledged among His servants?
Finally, after this divine ordering and dispensation, the Spirit of God turns to the scorn and derision of the idols that now bring mockery upon their worshippers. "The idols of the Gentiles are silver and gold" (Psalm 134:15). Since God, who created the universe, brought all into being according to His will, what merit can man’s creations possess other than ridicule and contempt? Did He speak of the idols of the Gentiles merely to incite their disdain? Was He referring solely to stone and wood idols made of plaster and clay? Surely, those are base materials. I refer instead to those they revere most highly; the idols of the Gentiles are silver and gold, the work of human hands. Is it not clear that they have eyes yet do not see? All these creations are futile—why then do you fashion gods of silver and gold? Do you not perceive that the deities you crafted are blind? They possess mouths but cannot speak; eyes yet cannot see (Psalm 134:16); ears yet do not hear; there is no breath within them (Psalm 134:17); nostrils yet do not smell; hands yet cannot work; feet yet do not walk. Craftsmen can create images complete with eyes and ears, nostrils and mouths, hands and feet, but they cannot give them real sight, hearing, speech, sense of smell, or movement.
THEOSIS