Let us exalt the Lord both vocally and intellectually, engaging in virtuous deeds, and as encouraged by this Psalm, let us offer Him a fresh hymn of praise. It commences with the line, "Sing unto the Lord a new song." His glory is celebrated within the assembly of the faithful, Psalm 149:1. The old self sings an antiquated tune, while the new self sings a contemporary melody. The Old Covenant resonates with old verses, and the New Covenant presents fresh lyrics. The former offers time-bound and earthly assurances. One who delights in earthly matters sings the old refrain; however, whoever desires to lift a new song must love the eternal. The essence of love itself is both new and everlasting, which is why it remains perpetually vibrant, as it never becomes outdated. This song speaks of peace and mercy. Those who separate themselves from the communion of saints do not sing a new hymn; rather, they remain entrenched in an old struggle, lacking new love. What embodies this new love? It is peace, the bond of holy fellowship, a communion of spirit—though not confined to one place, it permeates the entire world. Another psalm proclaims, "Sing unto the Lord, all the earth." Thus, it is evident that anyone not harmonizing with the entire earth is merely vocalizing an old melody, regardless of what words they use. We have previously asserted, dear friends, that the entirety of creation praises a new song. Those who do not sing this new song alongside all creation, regardless of their vocalizations—let them raise their Hallelujahs day and night—yet my ears are less inclined to hear mere song, seeking instead the actions of those who do sing. I inquire, “What is it that you sing?” They respond, "Hallelujah." But what is Hallelujah? It is a call to “Praise the Lord.” If I praise the Lord and you praise the Lord, then why are we in conflict? Love glorifies the Lord, while discord disparages Him.
The field of the Lord symbolizes peace, not merely geographical locations. It is not only the Lord’s ground but also extends to other fields, where fertile lands yield miraculous harvests; Numerically even this varies, with one yielding sixtyfold while another produces only tenfold: everywhere, the harvest returns to Him in different measures—one hundredfold, sixtyfold, thirtyfold—but it is your choice to decide where you stand in relation to the Cross of Christ. Thus, the Church of saints embodies the Catholic Church. The Church of saints stands in contrast to the assembly of heretics. It is a divine creation, envisioned by God before manifesting visibly. Once known only through scripture, now it encompasses nations: formerly just a subject of reading, it is now seen and experienced. In its former state, it inspired belief; now, it is witnessed and challenged. Let us exalt Him in the children of the kingdom, that is, in the Church of the saints.
Let Israel celebrate in the one who formed him, Psalm 149:2. What is Israel? It is a reflection of God. The one who perceives God rejoices in the Creator. What, then, dear friends? We claim membership in the Church of the saints: do we already behold God? How can we assert our identity as Israel if we do not see? There exists one type of sight relevant to this current age, and another for the age to come: the vision we possess now is by faith; the vision that awaits us is one of reality. If we believe, we see; if we love, we see; what do we see? We see God. As John states, "God is love," 1 John 4:16; let us bless His holy Name and rejoice in God, finding joy in love. If one possesses love, why should we send him far away in search of God? Let him examine his conscience, for therein he will find the divine.
Let the descendants of Zion exult in their King. The sons of the Church are Israel. For while the historical Zion was a singular city that crumbled, among its ruins dwelled some saints in the flesh; however, the true Zion, the authentic Jerusalem (for Zion and Jerusalem are united) is eternal in the heavens, 2 Cor 5:1, and stands as our mother, Galatians 4:26. She is the one who birthed us; she is the Church of the saints, nurturing us while partially wandering and partially residing in heaven. The fragment residing in heaven experiences the joy of angels, while the wandering part serves as hope for the righteous. Of the heavenly, it is proclaimed, "Glory to God in the highest," and of the earthly, "and peace on earth to men of good will," Luke 2:14. Therefore, those who groan and yearn for their homeland must endeavor with love, not merely with their feet; let them seek not vessels but wings, spanning the two wings of love. What are these two wings? The love of God and the love of neighbor. In the meantime, we exist as wanderers, sighing and longing. A letter has arrived from our homeland: we share it with you. The descendants of Zion will rejoice in their King. The Son of God, who created us, willingly took on our humanity: He reigns over us as our King since He is our Creator. He, by whom we were formed, is also the one who governs us; we identify as Christians because He is the Christ. He is named "Christ" by the anointing of the chrism.
Offer something to the priest as a sacrifice. What pure offering could a sinner present? What kind of sacrifice is fitting? What clean thing might a sinful man bring forth? O unjust, O wayward soul, anything you try to offer is unclean; thus a pure sacrifice must be provided for you. Let the Pure Priest present Himself to sanctify you. This is what Christ accomplished. In His search for a clean offering among humanity, He found none and thus offered Himself as the unblemished Sacrifice. A blessed offering, the truest of sacrifices, unblemished and complete. He did not present what we bestowed upon Him; rather, He offered what He took from us, presenting it in purity. For our sake, He took on flesh, which He offered. From where did He take this flesh? From the womb of the Virgin Mary, to bring forth the pure for we who are unclean. He is our King, our Priest; in Him, let us rejoice.
Let them exalt His name in song, Psalm 149:3. What constitutes a choir? Many are familiar with choirs, for it is a gathering of singers. If we are to sing as a chorus, let it be in unity. If one voice is discordant among harmonious singers, it jars the ear and disrupts the collective chorus. Likewise, if one whose voice diverges disrupts the harmony among the praises, how does the dissonance of heresy confuse those who glorify? The entire world now forms the choir of Christ. This choir harmonizes from east to west. Let them sing a psalm to Him using tambourines and lyres. Why bring instruments with you? So that you may not only raise your voice in praise but also demonstrate good deeds. When you take up the tambourine and lyre, your hands align with your voice. Thus, when you sing "Alleluia," remember to share your bread with the hungry, clothe the naked, and welcome the stranger; then your voice will resonate harmoniously with your actions, as your deeds will mirror your words. You have picked up your instrument, and your fingers will flow with your tongue. Let us also recognize the profound symbolism of the tambourine and the psaltery. The tambourine's skin is stretched, the psaltery's strings are taut; on both instruments, the flesh endures crucifixion. How beautifully does the psalm harmonize on tambourine and psaltery, declaring, "For me the world is crucified, and I for the world," Galatians 6:14. This psaltery or tambourine is for you who cherish a fresh song and it bids you, "Whoever wishes to be my disciple, must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow me," Matthew 16:24. Do not abandon your psaltery, do not discard your tambourine; do not become ensnared by worldly desires, nor allow yourself to be diminished. The tighter the strings, the clearer the sound. What did the Apostle Paul express to intensify his psalms? "Reaching forth unto those things which are before," Philippians 3:13: he extended himself, Christ reached out to him, and the sweetness of truth echoed forth.
For the Lord has worked marvelously among His people, Psalm 149:4. What greater grace exists than to die for the unrighteous? What grace encompasses the blood of the righteous which cleanses the record of sin? What could be as gracious as declaring, “I disregard your former identity; become what you were not”? He graciously transforms the rejected, aids the struggling, and crowns those who prevail. He shall elevate the humble toward salvation. The proud may be honored, yet not in salvation: the humble find honor in salvation, the proud in death; that is, the lofty are exalted at the Lord's decree, and He humbles them; the meek are brought low, and God raises them up.
The saints shall rejoice in glory, Psalm 149:5. I wish to reflect on the significant nature of the saints’ glory. For who among us does not cherish glory? Yet the glory of the foolish, commonly called fame, ensnares one into vanity, prompting individuals who are swayed by empty praises to strive merely for recognition from those who hold no merit. Such people, who are misguided and prideful, tend to squander their fortunes on entertainers, performers, and contests. They indulge in lavish expenditures, draining not only their inheritances but also their intellects. They disregard the poor because the crowd does not call out to assist those in need; instead, they clamor for gifts for the gladiators. When cries are absent, they withhold generosity; yet when craziness prevails, they too fall prey to it: their folly infects both giver and recipient. The Lord condemns this foolish glory, which is detestable before Him. You clothe the wrestler, who is merely a man meant to be conquered, and you feel shame for that—Christ, on the other hand, cannot be defeated; He has triumphed over the devil for you, within you, and through you. Such a conqueror is one you ought to glorify, yet the lack of raucous applause leads to diminished acknowledgment. Those who chase after such hollow glory bear empty consciences. Just as they deplete their resources for appearances, they likewise deplete their souls, rendering them void of significance.
Concerning the saints who rejoice in glory, we need not elaborate on their jubilance; rather, we need only refer to the subsequent lines of the Psalm: the saints shall exult in glory, they shall rejoice in their chambers—not in theaters, amphitheaters, circuses, frivolities, or marketplaces, but within their own hearts. What is found in their chambers? Their innermost beings. Consider the Apostle Paul, who rejoices in the solitude of his heart: "For our glory is in this, the testimony of our conscience." 2 Corinthians 1:12. Yet, there exists a warning that no one should indulge in self-satisfaction or inflate their ego within their conscience. Each must rejoice with a sense of humility, realizing that their joy is a divine gift, not a result of personal merit. Many delude themselves into believing they are righteous, and yet we find that another scripture challenges this notion: “Who can say, ‘I have made my heart pure; I am clean from sin’?” Proverbs 20:9. Therefore, it is appropriate to recognize that our glory has limitations, specifically the understanding that your faith is genuine, your hope unwavering, and your love sincere. The joy of God resides upon their lips, Psalm 149:6. Thus, they will celebrate in their private spaces, not claiming goodness for themselves, but praising the one from whom they receive their essence, who calls them toward what they do not yet possess, and from whom they hope for perfection, giving thanks for the beginnings He has established.
THEOSIS