Let our Lord express Himself; let Christ, in His fullness, speak. "Lord, hear my prayer; give ear to my supplication" (Psalm 142:1). Hearing and receiving reflect the same concept, with a sense of affirmation. "In Your faithfulness answer me, in Your righteousness." It warrants special attention to recognize it comes from Your righteousness. It is a testimony to grace that none among us can claim righteousness for ourselves. God's righteousness is bestowed upon us. The apostle addresses those who take pride in their perceived righteousness, especially concerning the Jews. "They have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge" (Romans 10:2). They misattribute their sins to God while claiming credit for their good deeds. True rectitude arises only when we acknowledge our transgressions and attribute goodness to God. "In Your righteousness answer me," for upon reflecting on myself, I find nothing but sin.
"Do not enter into judgment with Your servant" (Psalm 142:2). Who would dare to confront Him except those who, out of ignorance regarding God's righteousness, attempt to establish their own? They ask, "Why have we fasted, and You do not see it; why have we humbled ourselves, and You take no notice?" (Isaiah 58:3), as if demanding recognition for fulfilling commandments. God responds that He has given what is needed for receiving His promises and urges us to act in accordance with His will. The Prophet questions the proud: "Why do you contend with Me? All of you have revolted against Me" (Jeremiah 2:29). Before You cannot be justified anyone who lives in the flesh and is born of Adam. Though one may appear righteous before oneself, it is not so before You. Justifying oneself differs from being justified by You. "Do not enter into judgment with me, O Lord my God." Even if I perceive myself as upright, Your standard reveals my imperfections.
It is unbecoming for You to engage in legal matters with Your servant or friend (Matthew 5:40). What of the Apostles? They learned to pray as we do, receiving guidance from the heavenly Counselor: "This is how you should pray" (Matthew 6:9). Jesus instructed them to ask for forgiveness with the words "Forgive us our debts" (Matthew 6:12), opting for an appeal rather than an acknowledgment of past forgiveness. The Apostles faithfully prayed this prayer, aimed at those who truly believe. If it were intended only for debts forgiven in Baptism, it might have been more suitable to declare, "Forgive us our debts." Therefore, let the Apostles express their plea: "Forgive us our debts," responding to any questioning of them with the truth that not everyone alive before You can claim justification.
"For the enemy has pursued my soul; He has crushed my life to the ground" (Psalm 142:3). Here, our Head speaks on our behalf. The adversary indeed pursued the Soul of Christ, as did Judas against his Master; and today, the same adversary seeks to afflict the Body of Christ, with one Judas replacing another. There is no shortage of those whom the Body can cry out against, affirming, "The enemy pursues my soul." What do those who persecute us aim to achieve if not to distract us from our heavenly aspirations, attempting to entice us with earthly desires? "They have placed me in dark places like the dead of the world." This sentiment is clearer when expressed by the Head. He indeed died for us, yet He was not counted among the dead who are lost in transgression. The lost are those who perish in their own iniquity, having received their due for sin, as it is written, "I was brought forth in iniquity." In dying, He fulfilled the Father's will, not deserving death but willing to die so that the innocent might redeem those deserving of it. "Put me in a place akin to Hades, akin to the tomb, akin to the Passion itself."
"My spirit is overwhelmed within me" (Psalm 142:4). Remember, my soul is sorrowful even unto death (Matthew 26:38). Here, we perceive a unified voice, reflecting the transfer of articulation from Head to members and vice versa.
We also have shared in this experience. "I remember the days of old" (Psalm 142:5). Did He remind us of the earlier times associated with Creation? No, rather the body acknowledges, "Anyone justified by His grace, remaining steadfast in love and humility, speaks and reflects upon Your works." Indeed, we recognize Your creation as a display of Your goodness; nothing would endure without Your establishment. Your creation has become a source of wonder for me; I sought the Creator in His crafting within all that exists. What purpose serves this, except that one may realize that whatever good dwells within oneself has been created by Him? "Look to the Creator of your life, the Source of your very existence, of your righteousness, and of your salvation." Meditate on His handiwork, for even the righteousness found within you is of His making. Listen to the apostolic teaching: "not of works, lest anyone should boast." Do we lack good works? Surely, we do; yet note this: "For we are His workmanship" (Ephesians 2:9-10). In speaking of creation, he referred not to our humanity but to our deeds. Let us not wander from this thought; return to the text: we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works. We should not presume to act independently of His grace.
"Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12-13). Why this trepidation if all is within our power? Hear the call—to be humble is to recognize that it is God who works in you both to will and to act according to His good purpose. Hence, we look to our Creator with a sense of reverent awe.
"I stretch out my hands to You; my soul longs for You as a dry land" (Psalm 142:6). "Rain upon me," He implores, "that I may yield good fruit." The Lord will grant sweetness, that the earth may bear its harvest. My hands are stretched forth to You; my soul is parched without water, yearning for You yet unable to satiate itself.
"Answer me quickly, O Lord" (Psalm 142:7). Why linger to awaken my thirst when I yearn deeply? You have withheld the rain so that I may receive and embrace Your outpouring. If this delay is meant for my growth, grant me now what my spirit lacks. May Your Spirit fill me. This is why You should hear me better now, for I am spiritually destitute; bless me in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:3). For someone whose spirit is filled with pride seeks to oppose God.
"Do not hide Your face from me" (Psalm 142:8). Your face turned from me in my pride. In my excess, I became self-satisfied, declaring, "I shall not be moved," unaware of Your righteousness while presuming upon my own. Yet, Lord, through Your will, You have granted strength to my form. I thought I could stand firm due to my fullness, yet You demonstrated that all my fullness derives from You. When You concealed Your face from me, I became troubled. After I experienced the turmoil of being forsaken, left in despair, I too felt barren; "Do not hide Your face away from me." You turned away when I was arrogant; return it to me now as I humbly approach. If You continue to withhold it, I will be as those who descend into the grave.
To descend into the pit signifies when a person succumbs to the depths of sin, offering a display of contempt. The pit is often associated with those who fall so far as to deny confession, which Scripture warns against: "Let not the pit shut its mouth against me." This depth, often called the pit, signifies a sinner's acknowledgment of contempt. What does this signify? A failure to believe in Providence, or, if there is belief, an assertion of alienation from it.
"Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, for I trust in You" (Psalm 142:9). Even in darkness, I trust in You until night’s iniquity passes. As Peter stated, "We have a more sure word of prophecy," which you hearken to as a light shining in obscurity until the dawn and the day star rise in your hearts. So, in the morning, we anticipate that time after the end of the age when we shall see what now we believe. What do we undertake until that morning arrives? Hoping for the dawn is insufficient; we must act. Why must we act? God must be sought with our hands amid the night. What are our hands? They symbolize our good deeds. We strive for the coming day, enduring the night in patience. What should we do while waiting? Do not presume your actions alone can usher in that morning; let us seek the Lord for guidance. The prophetic lamp has been kindled; He has sent forth the Son in human flesh, saying, "My strength is dried up like a shard." Walk in alignment with prophecy, following the light of the foreseen future, adhering to the Word of God.
"Deliver me from my adversaries, O Lord, for I seek refuge in You" (Psalm 142:10). I have turned from fleeing You to running to You. Adam once hid from the presence of God among the paradisiacal trees; as mentioned in the Book of Job, "like a servant who flees from his master to find shade." He retreated from God, seeking shelter in shadows. Woe unto him if he remains there, for all may fade like a fleeting shadow (Wisdom 5:9). You contend against worldly rulers, the forces of darkness, and the wicked; it is a profound struggle, fighting unseen foes yet prevailing. Your battle is with the forces of the dark world—including the devil and his angels— not solely the earthly rulers; the world, though made through Him, did not recognize Him (John 1:10). For to You, I have come running.
"Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God" (Psalm 142:11). A splendid declaration! You are my God. I shall not seek another for renovation, for it is You who are my entirety. What shall I look for in my father? You are my God—both the Giver of my inheritance and the inheritance itself. God constitutes my heritage. Should I search for a redeemer? You are my God. Therefore, I seek to be reshaped; for You are my Creator, who formed me by Your Word and renewed me through Your Word. Teach me; I cannot consider You my God while claiming autonomy over my life. Observe how grace shines forth! This truth must be retained in your hearts, that you may cultivate zealousness for God devoid of reason (Romans 10:2). Let it be said: "Your good Spirit, not my flawed spirit, shall guide me into the land of truth." For without Your help, what merit do my so-called good works hold?
"Thus, hear now the glorious sound of Grace, by which you are saved without cost" (Psalm 142:12). Not by my efforts; not according to my merit, but due to Your kindness. Otherwise, presenting my merit would yield nothing but consequences for my misdoings. You have stripped me of my accolades while gifting me with Your own. You will lift my soul from sorrow, and by Your mercy, You will obliterate my enemies, annihilating all who seek to humble me; for I am Your servant.
THEOSIS