“Lord, I have cried unto Thee; hear me,” (Psalm 140:1) is something we can all proclaim. It is not merely my voice; it is the voice of Christ expressed through all of us. This plea is articulated in the name of His Body. He, while in the flesh, prayed fervently, experiencing such anguish that “His sweat was like great drops of blood” (Luke 22:44). The sweat pouring from His body symbolizes the collective suffering of the martyrs of the Church. When I call out, “Hear the voice of my prayer,” know that this is not merely an expression of past tears. It is a constant cry, as long as tribulation persists; “I have cried unto Thee” is a continuous appeal, echoed by the Body of Christ.
“Let my prayer be before Thy eyes as incense, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice” (Psalm 140:2). This is universally recognized by Christians as referring to Christ, the Head of the Church. When the evening approached, the Lord surrendered His life on the Cross only to take it back again (John 10:17). What hung on that tree was everything He took from us. It raises a challenging question: How is it possible for the Father to forsake His only begotten Son, who is one with Him? Yet, as the Apostle reminds us, our old self was crucified with Him on that Cross (Romans 6:6). In His suffering, He echoed the desperation of that old self, asking, “Why hast Thou forsaken Me?” This evening sacrifice embodies the passion of the Lord—the Cross and the saving offering that is pleasing to God. From this sacrifice, His Resurrection brought forth the morning offering. A sincere prayer ascends like incense from the sacred altar, enveloping us in the delightful fragrance of the Lord, which every believer should aspire to possess.
“Put, O Lord, a guard before my mouth, and a door of restraint round about my lips” (Psalm 140:3). Rather than a barrier, the Psalm speaks of a door. Doors can open and close—open to confess sins and closed to excuse them. This protective door serves to restrain, rather than condemn. What benefit does this restraint offer? What does Christ request for His Body? “May You not turn away My heart to evil words” (Psalm 140:4). The heart referred to is that of the Church, the heart of His Body.
When your heart remains steadfast, resisting evil words and justifications for sin, you will not align with those who are self-righteous. The verse continues, “And I will not be united with their elect.” Who are these elect? They are those who justify their actions and falsely believe in their righteousness, much like the Pharisee who boasted, “Lord, I thank you that I am not like other men” (Luke 18:11). Such self-righteousness is also seen in other judgments, like the criticism of Jesus by those who failed to recognize the sinful woman who anointed His feet. Even she, had her heart turned to excuses for sin, would have lost the chance to defend herself. Many women engage in self-justification for their sins; they either deny or defend their actions, and their defenses are often readily available yet fraught with folly. When confronted, they say, “God willed it; fate dictated it.” This is the false justification of the world’s elect. However, Christ implores, “Turn not away, O my heart, to evil words,” acknowledging the faults of His Body, uniting us in the cry against self-righteousness.
The wicked are those who prioritize their earthly gains over righteousness. They assert that lending money is of greater merit than farming—it implies a skewed sense of justice that mocks true integrity. They neglect those in need, insisting that helping them would be an affront to God. Their distorted reasoning holds more danger than anyone recognizes, for they deny the necessity of sharing resources while clinging to a false sense of piety. Instead, they craft a narrative where they believe their actions sanctify their earthly goods and elevate them above the divine mercy extended to others.
The righteous will correct me with love and admonish me (Psalm 140:5). This portrays a sinner who earnestly seeks correction through compassion, not disdain. The admonition should come from a heart filled with love, so thankfulness follows. “Rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee” (Proverbs 9:8). The righteous man will correct me—not out of malice, but with mercy. He judges in kindness, not to flatter me through false praise, which is likened to oil poured on the head of a sinner, corrupting the heart. Be eager for the just judgment of the righteous rather than accepting empty accolades from those who seek to deceive.
You may ask, “What is my role amidst this?” Surrounded by flatterers, I face many who commend what I do not value and accuse me of what I deem most important. For instance, they might heap praise upon someone like Gaiusius, who may be knowledgeable and wise, but his Christian faith appears hollow if it is based solely on his intellect rather than the spirit. The flattery of such praise bears no sweetness. It is the oil of a sinner, so do not become enamored with it. Remain humble and steadfast, for the day will come when my words will find favor. Even in times of persecution, let us endure the mockery and scorn from others; my words will resonate with the truth, and they will soon be embraced as righteousness.
What consequences do these martyrdoms yield? “As the fat of the earth is scattered over the earth, so are our bones scattered by the ditch” (Psalm 140:7). This represents the bodies of Christ’s witnesses—martyrs who were slain, seemingly overpowered by those who executed them. Their deaths served a larger purpose, enabling the triumph of Christ's words through the preaching of the Gospel. The disregard for the martyrs stands in stark contrast to their value in God’s eyes. The world may view them as worthless, yet their very sacrifice enriches the Kingdom of God. God calls forth the despised and marginalized, turning their apparent shame into a source of strength.
“My eyes are unto Thee, O Lord; in Thee have I hoped; Thou wilt not take away my life” (Psalm 140:8). During the oppression of persecution, many may falter, but amid trials, the voice of the praying believer rises: “For unto Thee, O Lord, are my eyes.” I pay attention to Your promises over the fears that surround me; I recall what You have endured and what You have pledged to me.
“Keep me from the trap they set for me” (Psalm 140:9). The snare represents temptation: the allure of worldly comfort that could lead to spiritual ruin. Should the heart yearn for temporal pleasures, it risks becoming ensnared. Thus, I seek refuge from whatever entrapments may arise, being wary of both the aggressive threats and the enticing offers that may lead to downfall.
“Not all sinners, but those whose love for this transient life overshadows their longing for eternal life, shall fall into this net” (Psalm 140:10). They who remain oblivious to their peril may not recognize the net laid before them. Consider the disciples during Your time of trial, who abandoned You, hiding rather than standing firm. “Behold,” You said, “the hour is approaching when they will scatter.” (John 16:32). Even those closest to You, the bravest among them, succumbed to fear when confronted directly, denying their allegiance to You. This was their moment of testing before the resurrection restored their hope.
Thus, amidst the treacherous path we traverse, He assures us of hope: “I am alone until I pass over.” This signifies His journey toward fulfillment—after which He will no longer walk alone, as many shall rise to follow Him in the way of the cross. His solitude is preparatory for the fruitful harvest that follows His sacrifice, echoing the truth that without dying to self, we cannot truly live in Him. His death leads to a multitude revived by His Spirit; for a grain of wheat, when sown, yields abundance.
John the Baptist, though martyred, did not die proclaiming the Name as we do. He fell victim to worldly powers by speaking truth to authority, yet his death did not conclude a testament for Christ. Thus, we affirm through His passion, “I am alone until I pass on,” a prelude to the shared fellowship in His Resurrection.
THEOSIS