THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
The psalmist commences this passage similarly to how he closed the previous one—by proclaiming praise and honor. This practice significantly contributes to the cleansing of the spirit. Praise, which I have often stated, signifies glorification through action, as indicated by Christ’s words: “let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). Likewise, Paul affirms, “glorify God both in your bodies and in your souls” (1 Cor. 6:20).
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Both expressions found in Psalm 117:26 are attributed to David, not solely to him, but rather to the grace of the Spirit. Though spoken by the prophet, these words were inspired by the Comforter. He declared, “My tongue is a scribe's walking stick” (Ps. 44:2). Just as a cane requires a hand to guide it, so too did the tongues of the prophets speak not by their own accord, but through God’s grace. Yet, why did he not simply say, “My tongue is the scribe's walking stick”? Instead, he referred to “the cane of a scribe of a cursive scribe” to illustrate that they possess profound spiritual insight, allowing for both ease and speed in their communication. People speaking from their own volition tend to ponder, hesitate, and squander time; however, the words of the prophets flowed effortlessly, unhindered like a spring, with the swift movement of thought guiding their speech. Thus, he states, “my tongue is a scribe's walking stick”; within us, abundant streams surge forth, leading to an overflow of thoughts expressed rapidly, without the need for reflection or struggle. Now, let us consider what he conveys with the phrase, “Praise, O my soul.” We too sing these words alongside David, for though he is absent in body, his spirit remains with us. To recognize the presence of the righteous singing along, consider how Abraham spoke to the rich man. When the rich man requested that Lazarus be sent to warn his brothers of hell’s torments, he was told, “They have Moses and the prophets” (Luke 16:29). Though Moses and the prophets had long since passed, their essence lives on through their writings. If one might think a lifeless image of a loved one signifies their presence, how much more can we feel the presence of saints through the sacred Scriptures, which reflect not their physical forms but the essence of their souls in their words. Would you like to know if the righteous indeed live and are present? Jesus calls upon the dead as witnesses to His divinity, particularly citing David, to illustrate his enduring life. When the Jewish leaders struggled to understand Him, He posed the question, “What think ye of Christ? Whose son is He?” They replied, “Of David.” He then asked, “How then does David, by inspiration, call Him Lord, when he said, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at My right hand’” (Matthew 22:42-44)? This demonstrates that David is alive; had he not been, Christ would not have evoked him as a testament to His divinity. More significant is the wording He used, “calls,” highlighting that David continues to speak through his writings. David once sang psalms, and now we join him in this praise. He had a psalter with inanimate strings; the church possesses a psalter made of living strings—our tongues. While we may produce different sounds, they harmonize in devotion. Wives and husbands, the elderly and the young, may vary in age, yet their praises unite, for the Spirit harmonizes each voice, leading them in one accord. As David proclaimed, “Every breath, let it praise the Lord!” (Psalm 150:5). “Praise, O my soul, the Lord.” Why then does he address the soul alone and not the body? This is not a separation but leads the heart to focus. To understand that he includes the body, recall how he states, “Bless, O my soul, the Lord, and all my inward being, His holy name!” (Ps. 102:1). This declaration indicates the body's participation in praise, encompassing all internal organs—nerves, bones, veins, and more. But how can these inner parts bless God without voice, mouth, or tongue? The soul accomplishes this, yet even without voice, the inner structure contributes to praise. Just as “the heavens shall tell of the glory of God” (Psalms 18:1), despite lacking vocal cords, they inspire awe in spectators, prompting them to praise the Creator. So too, if you consider the intricate workings of our inner parts—each uniquely designed, positioned, and functioning—you will recognize the prophet’s proclamation: “How great are Thy works, O Lord! By wisdom Thou hast created all things” (Psalm 103:24). This shows that, even without a voice, the inner parts can exalt God. Why does the prophet call only to the soul? To keep it focused; often, in prayers and hymns, the tongue may wander while the heart remains distracted. Through stating “Praise, O my soul, the Lord,” he encourages prayers from the depths of the heart. This aligns with Paul’s words: “I will sing with the spirit, I will also sing with the mind” (1 Cor. 14:15). The soul served as the master musician, while the body acted as the instrument, whether a psalter, flute, or lyre. Unlike other musicians who occasionally set aside their instruments, God desires continuous praise from us. He has united both musician and instrument within us, guiding us to bless Him always. This exhortation is echoed by the Apostle: “Pray continually. Give thanks for everything” (1 Thess. 5:17, 18). It is essential to offer unceasing prayers, not only during the day but also at night. The necessity of this is illustrated by the psalmist asserting, “At midnight I rose up to praise Thee for Thy righteous judgments” (Psalm 118:62).
David, a king who faced many responsibilities and concentration of affairs, engaged in prayer both day and night, illustrating that such dedication is vital, especially for those of us who might find ourselves in peaceful circumstances, yet still sleep through nights and neglect regular prayers. Prayer serves as a formidable weapon and a profound treasure of blessings. When seeking favors from people, it often requires financial expenditure and flattery. In contrast, turning to God involves no complicating matters; He welcomes us without intermediaries. Every individual, regardless of their state, stands to benefit from sincere prayers to Him. For, God graciously responds to those who earnestly seek Him. True connection with God involves approaching Him with a joyful spirit, a pure heart, and mindfulness in our supplications—traits often lacking in the prayers of many, where lips utter words but hearts are distant. Such distractions are the enemy’s ploys, as he seeks to divert our focus during prayer, where opportunities for forgiveness abound. Approach God with an awareness of His majesty; if conversations with mere mortals encourage us to engage earnestly, how much more should we find motivation when conversing with the Lord of all creation! If you notice absent-mindedness creeping in during prayer, repeat the prayer attentively until you can say it without distraction. When the adversary sees your diligent focus, he will withdraw from his attempts to disrupt your communion with God. Each day, we face countless trials and wounds from various sources. It is through prayer that we find healing. God has the capacity to bestow grace upon us, granting forgiveness if we come before Him sincerely. We seek this remission of sins through the grace and compassion of our Lord Jesus Christ, with whom glory is given to the Father, alongside the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.