The title of this psalm is succinct and straightforward, and we do not need to linger on it; we already understand whose image David reflected, and in this reflection, we see ourselves, as we are also part of this Body. The complete title is “To David himself.” However, we should contemplate what befalls David himself. Typically, the title of a psalm offers insight into its message; yet in this instance, it only indicates to whom the psalm is directed, while the first verse reveals its meaning. I will confess to You. So let us heed this confession. First, it is important to note that the term "confession" in Scripture refers to two concepts: repentance for sin and the declaration of praise. The acknowledgment of sin is known widely, whereas the confession of praise is less frequently acknowledged. The notion of confessing sin is so familiar that when we hear phrases like “I confess unto Thee, O Lord,” our instinct leads us to beat our breasts, not realizing that confession can denote praise as well. But did not our Lord Jesus Christ Himself make a confession without sin when He said, “I confess to You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth”? He articulates His praise, saying, “I confess to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these truths from the wise and learned and revealed them to little children.” He glorified the Father, honoring God, for He does not reject the humble but rather resists the proud. This is the confession we are about to hear—an expression of honor and gratitude. With all my heart, I dedicate myself to Your praise, presenting a burnt offering of thanksgiving… I confess to You, O Lord, wholeheartedly, for You have heard the words from my mouth (Psalm 137:1). But what mouth is this, if not my heart? For we possess a voice that God hears, though it goes unheard by human ears. Thus, we have an inward voice where we request and plead, and if we have prepared a dwelling place for God within us, it is there that we speak and are listened to. For He is not distant from any of us, as in Him we live, move, and have our being (Acts 17:27-28). Nothing stands between you and God except sin. Remove this barrier of sin, and you shall be united with Him whom you seek.
And I will sing before the angels. My song is not for men but for the heavenly beings. My joy lies in the lower realms before humanity, yet my true joy is found in the higher realms before angels. The wicked do not know the joy of the righteous; “There is no joy,” says my God, “for the wicked.” The wicked find pleasure in their barrooms, while the martyr rejoices even in chains. Consider St. Crispina, whose feast we commemorate today; she rejoiced when captured, before the judge, during imprisonment, as she was led away in chains, as she ascended the scaffold, during her trial, and even in condemnation. Throughout, she found joy, while the unworthy viewed her as forlorn, oblivious to her joy before the angels.
I will worship Your holy Temple (Psalm 136:2). What is this holy Temple? It is the place we shall inhabit and worship. For we yearn to worship. Our hearts are pregnant, approaching labor, seeking where they might give birth. Where is the space for God to be adored…? The Apostle states that the temple of God is holy—what a temple you are (1 Corinthians 3:17). Truly, it is evident that God resides within angels. Therefore, when our joy, grounded in the spiritual and not in earthly matters, lifts a song to God to share with the angels, the assembly of angels itself becomes the Temple of God, and we worship the Temple of God. There is a Church below among the faithful and another above among the angels. Yet the God of the angels came down to the earthly Church, and the angels served Him while He served us (Matthew 4:11); for He declared, “I came not to be served, but to serve” (Matthew 20:28). The Lord of angels died for humanity. Thus, I will worship Your holy Temple—not a temple built by man but one fashioned by You.
And I will declare Your Name in Your mercy and truth. And what You have given me, I will repay according to my capabilities: mercy in assisting others and truth in discernment. This is how God aids us and gains our favor, for indeed, all the ways of the Lord are mercy and truth. There is no other path for Him to reach us, nor for us to reach Him. For You have exalted Your holy Name above all things. What does this gratitude signify, dear friends? He magnified His holy Name over Abraham. From Abraham came Isaac; God was magnified in that household; then Jacob; God was honored who proclaimed, “I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Then came his twelve sons, where the name of the Lord was magnified over Israel. Then came the Virgin Mary. Then our Lord Christ died for our sins, rose again for our justification (Romans 4:25), filling the faithful with His Holy Spirit, sending forth His message to the Gentiles: “Repent” (Matthew 3:2). Behold, He has elevated His holy Name above all.
“When I call upon You, You shall soon hear me” (Psalm 136:3). Why “soon”? Because You declared, “While you are still speaking, I will say, Here I am” (Isaiah 58:9). Why hastily? Because I seek no worldly pleasure. From the New Testament, I have gained holy aspirations. I seek neither land, nor earthly wealth, nor temporary health, nor the downfall of my enemies, nor status, nor riches; none of these do I desire; thus, respond to me quickly. Since You have instructed me on what to seek, grant me what I seek.
Let us examine what is sought and the justification for saying, “Hear me.” What do you desire in order to be more readily heard? “You shall multiply me.” Multiplication can be interpreted in various ways. For people can be multiplied in their souls through worries. A man appears to have a multitude of souls when his vices also increase. This is the multiplication of need, not of abundance. What do you desire, who stated, “Hear me,” having withdrawn yourself entirely from the body, from all earthly attachments, and from every earthly longing, thus saying to God, “You will multiply me in my soul”? Elaborate on this desire. “You will multiply me,” he states, “in my soul through virtue.”
“Let all the kings of the earth confess to You, O Lord” (Psalm 137:4). So it shall be, it is so, and it happens daily; it demonstrates that it was not spoken in vain, save concerning the future. When they confess to You and praise You, let them not seek earthly desires from You. What will the kings of the earth pursue? Do they not already possess sovereignty? Whatever else one might aspire to on earth, sovereignty is the pinnacle of such aspirations. What could they desire beyond that? It must be something loftier. Yet, the higher one ascends, the more perilous the position may be. Therefore, the more exalted the earthly kings, the more they must humble themselves before God. What is their reason? They have received all the words from Your mouth. In a single nation were concealed the Law and the Prophets; in the Jewish nation were entrusted all the words of Your mouth, a nation praised by the Apostle, who asked, “What advantage has the Jew?” “Much in every way, chiefly because they were entrusted with the oracles of God” (Romans 3:1-2).
What was symbolized by Gideon’s fleece? It reflects the people of the Jews amid the world, who held the grace of the ordinances, though not manifestly revealed, but concealed under a cloud as the dew upon a fleece (Judges 6:37, 39). The time arrived when the dew should become visible on the ground; it was no longer hidden. Christ alone embodies the sweetness of this dew; He is the one whom the Scriptures proclaim, for whom they were written. Yet, they have received all the words of Your mouth.
“And let them sing in the ways of the Lord, for great is the glory of the Lord” (Psalm 136:5). Let all the kings of the earth sing in the paths of the Lord. In what paths? Those referenced earlier regarding Your mercy and truth. Therefore, let not the kings of the earth be haughty; instead, let them be humble. Then, let the ways of the Lord echo in song if they remain humble; let them love, and they will rejoice. We recognize that travelers sing; they rejoice while hastening to the journey's destination. There exist wicked songs associated with the old self; the new self holds a new song. Let the kings of the earth walk in Your ways—let them walk and harmonize in Your paths. What remains to be sung? Great is the glory of the Lord, not of kings.
Observe how he desired kings to sing in their own way, gently yielding to the Lord and not defying Him. For if they rise up, what follows? The Lord is high and gazes upon the humble (Psalm 137:6). Do kings wish for His favor? They must humble themselves. And if they show pride, can they evade His notice? Do not think that hearing “He regards the humble” could lead you to arrogance, thinking, “God regards the humble; He does not regard me.” Oh foolish one! Would you express this if you understood what you ought to desire? Even if God appears to ignore you, should you not fear that very fact? He does not seem to honor the proud, but rather, He respects the humble. What is deemed high? He views it from afar. What does pride seek? To be noticed from a distance rather than be unseen. And do not believe you are secure because of this; for what is seen from afar is not clearly perceived. Though God sees you from afar, He observes perfectly but is not present with you. You do not gain assurance from being less perceived, but from not being with the One who sees you. Conversely, what does the humble receive? The Lord is close to the brokenhearted. Let the proud exalt themselves as they desire; for God dwells on high, in heaven. Do you wish Him to draw near? Humble yourselves; for the higher He is above you, the more greatly you shall be exalted.
“If I walk through the midst of tribulation, You will revive me” (Psalm 137:7). Indeed, whatever tribulation you face, confess it, call upon Him; He will rescue and renew you. Love another existence, and you will observe that this life is filled with trials, no matter how much prosperity or pleasure it seems to possess. Since we have not yet attained that joy which is completely without temptation—the joy which God reserves for us at the end—it is undeniably a time of trial. Let us clarify what sort of tribulation he refers to here, dear friends. He does not say, “If tribulation strikes me, You will deliver me from it.” He speaks instead: “If I walk, etc.”; meaning that He will not revive me unless I traverse through the tribulation.
“You have stretched out Your hand against the fury of my enemies, and Your right hand has saved me.” Let my adversaries rage; what more can they accomplish? They may confiscate my wealth, strip me bare, outlaw me, banish me, afflict me with sorrow and pain; finally, if permitted, even kill me—can they do anything beyond that? But concerning what my enemies can do, You have stretched out Your hand; for my enemies cannot sever me from You. Yet, You avenge me all the more the longer You delay… but not to lead me into despair; for it follows that Your right hand has also saved me.
THEOSIS