Our observance before Easter parallels our current state, whereas our celebration after Easter signifies that which we have yet to fully realize. In this timeframe, we engage in fasting and prayer, and we celebrate through songs of praise, diminishing our fasting. The "Hallelujah" we sing means "Praise the Lord" in Latin. Thus, the season before the Resurrection of our Lord references our anticipation of future hopes, which have yet to be fulfilled; for what we envision occurring after Christ's Resurrection will also occur after ours. In our minds, both events are vividly present.
The Baptism of the Lord symbolizes our current life of testing and labor, leading ultimately to death. In contrast, the Resurrection and Glorification of the Lord foreshadow the life we will enjoy in the future, when He will come to render justice, rewarding good with good and evil with evil. Presently, even those who do evil may sing “Hallelujah” alongside us; yet, if they persist in their wickedness, they may utter the words of our future existence, but they cannot partake in that life, which is a reality based on their unwillingness to embrace it beforehand.
"Hallelujah!" you call to your neighbor, and he returns the gesture. In such exchanges, everyone encourages one another, engaging in the very actions they commend. Yet, true praise must encompass the entirety of oneself—your voice, your conscience, your life, and your deeds. When we gather in the Church, we worship; however, when we return to our individual pursuits, it's as if we stop praising God. Let a person continually strive to live righteously, and he will invariably glorify God in all things. It is impossible for a person whose thoughts are good to perform evil deeds, just as actions stem from intentions. A person cannot act or mobilize unless guided by their thoughts. In every realm, everything executed by the emperor flows from within his palace across the Roman Empire, instigating great commotion. The emperor simply moves his lips in speech, yet the whole province reacts to his commands. Similarly, within each individual resides an inner emperor—the heart. When this emperor orders virtuous deeds, acts of goodness follow; when he commands wicked actions, evil ensues. When Christ reigns within, only goodness can arise; however, if the devil holds sway, evil will prevail. God has allowed us to decide whom we will prepare room for—God or the devil—because the one for whom you make space will subsequently govern.
Therefore, dear friends, attend not solely to the sound of praise; offer your entire being in glorification of God—let your voice, your life, your deeds, all harmonize in joyful acclaim. "Praise the Lord from heaven," exclaims the psalmist, suggesting that one finds serenity in praise within the heavenly realms. Truly, things in heaven have never faltered in honoring their Creator, nor have earthly beings ceased their tributes. It is apparent that certain creatures possess the breath of life, enabling them to praise God in a manner that delights Him. No one exalts anything unless it brings them pleasure. Conversely, there are inanimate and rational beings that, while lacking the ability to verbally glorify God, contribute to the beauty of the universe that He created; thus, even without voice or conscious thought, they in some way reflect His glory.
"Praise the Lord from heaven; praise Him in the heights." The psalmist calls for praise first from the heavens, and then from the earth, for God, the Creator of both, is worthy of adoration. In heaven, all is tranquil and joyously glorifying God, free from suffering and disappointment; however, we dwell below in a state of struggle. Let us aspire to heartily devote our thoughts to the heavenly praises, elevating our hearts to avoid corruption from earthly distractions. In doing so, we partake in the angels' joy, a preview of the reality we will fully experience upon arrival in the heavenly kingdom.
"Praise Him, all His angels; praise Him, all His hosts." "Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all stars and celestial bodies." "Praise Him, you highest heavens and the waters above the skies." "Let them praise the name of the Lord." Though he seems to summarize them all, he has touched upon every heavenly being that extols its Maker. When questioned about the grounds for this praise, the psalmist reminds us, "For He spoke, and they were created; He commanded, and they were brought into existence." Naturally, creation sings praises to its Creator, as it can do no less.
"He established them forever and ever." Everything that exists in heaven, from angels to powers, exists under the everlasting decree of God. What is the charge entrusted to heaven and the holy angels? It is, without doubt, to glorify Him. Blessed indeed are those whose purpose it is to exalt God! They engage not in earthly labors—weeding, sowing, grinding grain, or cooking, as such duties stem from necessity, which does not pertain to the blissful inhabitants of heaven. Nor do they steal, forsake, or harm one another, for there is no iniquity among them. They do not minister to the hungry, clothe the naked, or tend to the sick, for there is no misfortune to warrant such mercy. Oh, blessed beings! Do you believe we shall also be like them? Let us tread carefully, lamenting our earthly condition. What right do we have to dwell there, being dust and ashes? Yet the Promised One is mighty...
Let us now shift our focus to earthly matters, having already lauded the heavenly. "Praise the Lord from the earth," he notes. Here, the attention turns to creatures of earth such as dragons and deep waters. The abyss encompasses all depths, including seas and clouds, that bear storms, rain, lightning, thunder, hail, and snow, all of which obey God’s command. These are mentioned under the name of the earth, as they represent that which is transient and mortal. We may observe clouds gathering above the mountains, and we understand that disturbances manifest from the atmospheric turmoil occurring in the lower sky. Although these elements seem fickle and subject to decay, they hold their place and rank, contributing to the beauty of the world and glorifying God in their own way. The psalmist speaks to them as if urging both them and us to recognize God’s majesty through their existence. Dragons, dwelling in the watery depths, fly in the air—while appearing formidable, they merely remind us of their Creator; when we marvel at their might, we ultimately welcome acknowledgment of the Lord's greatness through our recognition.
"Fire, hail, snow, and stormy winds fulfill His word." Why does he add that they fulfill His command? Many foolish individuals, incapable of contemplating creation’s intrinsic order, assume that God governs the heavens but neglects the earth; they believe earthly occurrences are governed by mere chance. They may disparage His providence, wondering why He would not direct rain towards parched soil, suggesting their detachment from the truth. Yet, those truly in need see God's care in each detail of the universe, from the most minuscule creature to the vast expanse of creation. One could marvel at the intricate design of the smallest insect and ponder the authority and wisdom behind such artistry. If one can appreciate the smallest of wonders, how much more should they exalt the One who is incomparably magnificent?
Thus, we must hold steadfast to our faith and sound doctrine, recognizing that the same God who crafted the angel also fashioned the humble worm below. Each creature occupies its destined realm; incorruptibles inhabit heavenly abodes, while corruptible beings dwell on earth. The Creator orchestrates all existence—each element submits to His command. He also assures that everything in nature, seemingly contingent and random, is, in fact, obedient to His word, for all were called into being by His command.
Next, the psalm focuses on mountains and hills, fruitful trees and cedars, along with the beasts of the earth, livestock, creeping things, and soaring birds. With the words of the psalmist, "Let kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all judges, young men and maidens, old men and young alike, praise the name of the Lord." When we observe all the evidence of divine creation, we acknowledge that His Name alone is exalted. No one should seek to elevate themselves, as true exaltation belongs solely to Him who cannot be humbled. His acknowledgment extends from earth to heaven. What is His acknowledgment? It is not a confession of personal failings, but rather the collective acknowledgment of all creation: the splendor of all things serves as a symphony through which they glorify God. The heavens declare, "You fashioned me, not I myself," and the earth responds likewise. Creation, opening our eyes to its beauty, prompts us to praise the Lord. Both realms require us to recognize and rejoice in the Creator, who governs and renews all.
In recognizing His sovereign hand, we confess from our earthly and heavenly insights. Acknowledging that all things were crafted by Him, we must not allow our affection for His creations to divert our devotion from the Creator. The beauty resident in the created order should inspire us to love the Creator even more. If the crafted universe is magnificent, how much more glorious is the One who fashioned it?
Ultimately, He shall elevate the horn of His people, as foretold by the prophets. Currently, that horn is humble amid affliction and trial, and it will be lifted high when the Lord arrives, shining not merely with a visible light that illuminates both the righteous and the wicked, but with the radiant light of righteousness and healing. This will be our eternal summer. In this current winter of our existence, fruit may not be evident, and the false perception may arise that the vine is lifeless. Yet, life and death are often obscured; with the arrival of summer, the true vitality of the living will emerge while the dead will be laid bare for all to see. Just as believers walk through life somewhat akin to everyone else, our hidden glory will eventually shine forth.
The hymn we sing for all saints encapsulates a dedication to praising God. Merely to sing without heartfelt worship does not qualify as a hymn, nor does the act of singing devoid of true glorification. A hymn harmonizes song, acclaim, and reverence directed to God. Thus, let the saints sing their eternal hymn, as they await the promise of everlasting praise.
THEOSIS