Psalm 19 (18):5Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

No one can properly administer the sacraments without first having faith in Christ. Yet, belief cannot arise if one does not first comprehend the message being shared. This is where the grace of the Spirit originated, initiating the miraculous event of speaking in different languages. ‘To all the earth shall their broadcasting go forth’ (Their sound shall pass through all the earth, and to the uttermost parts of the universe their words) (Psalm 18:5). The intention was to encompass the entire universe, spreading their message to the farthest reaches of the earth, leaving no one without instruction or guidance.

I fervently wish that those from the Hellenistic world could join us today, to hear the readings that convey the strength of the Crucified upon the cross, the power of the cross, the dignity of the Church, the steadfastness of faith, the disgrace of falsehood, and the derision of evil spirits. The philosophies of the learned have faltered even among those who espouse similar views, while our teachings resonate with authority even in languages that are foreign to us. Such ideas have disintegrated more easily than a spider’s web, whereas our faith stands firm, stronger than steel.

Where are the teachings of Plato, Pythagoras, and the philosophers from Athens? They have vanished. Yet, where are the humble fishermen and tent-makers? Not confined to speaking only to the Jews, even today they shine with brilliance greater than the midday sun; nations such as the Scythians, Thracians, Saumatians, and Indians, even those dwelling at the world’s furthest limits, all recognize the wisdom of our message, speaking it in their native tongues. It is not a mere fantasy to imagine Hellenes adorned with beards, dismissing those who greet them with staff in hand, portraying expressions more akin to a lion than a man. However, such is not our way; not in outward appearance, but in true wisdom is where the essence lies.

The seductress, lacking natural beauty, resorts to artificial means to enhance her looks with makeup, fine garments, and other tricks, trying to mask her inherent unattractiveness. In contrast, the naturally beautiful maiden allows her innate charm to stand on its own, needing no such embellishments, eschewing superficiality in favor of authenticity. This principle is evident within the Church and in outward manifestations. Those who lack genuine beauty, unable to adorn themselves with holiness, attempt to elevate their significance through eloquence, clever expressions, and outward appearances. Yet we find that our faithful reject all these superficialities. They reveal their inner beauty by forsaking external adornments and expressing their grace not through refined speech but through the wisdom found in their thoughts and deeds, reflecting the presence of God's grace within them.

For this reason, they have not only captured hearts in inhabited lands but have ventured into uncharted territories, reaching beyond the land to the sea, encompassing cities, mountains, hills, and valleys, not confined to Greece but extending into foreign nations, embracing both the esteemed and the most destitute, addressing not just men but women, elders as well as the youth. Their reach does not stop there; they even crossed the ocean, bringing back communities and British isles in their nets. Wherever you go, you will find the names of those humble fishermen on the lips of many, not due to their own might but because of the power of the Crucified One, who pioneered paths for them and made the simple wiser than the learned, and the quiet more fervent than orators or scholars. Let no one perceive as shameful that we have welcomed foreigners into our midst to speak; rather, this is the true beauty of the Church, the true adornment, a testament to the power inherent in our faith. As the prophet declared from on high, ‘There are no speeches lower than words, for their voices are not heard. To all the earth their broadcasting shall go forth, and to the ends of the universe their utterances: (There is no tongue, and no dialect, where their voice is not heard. Through all the earth is their sound, and to the ends of the universe their words go forth’ (Psalm 18:4, 5).

alled to the divine song.’ ‘In the sun they have established their dwelling.’ ‘And he who is like a bridegroom emerging from his chamber shall rejoice like a champion in the race.’ ‘From one end of the heavens his ascent, and his presence reaches the other end of the heavens.’ The three translators express this more plainly, stating: ‘to the sun He has made a dwelling in them,’ referring to the heavens. This notion is affirmed by Moses, who taught, ‘And God made two great lights, and placed them in the firmament of heaven, to illuminate the earth.’ (Gen. 1:16-17). Likewise, the divinely inspired David conveyed that the sun was set in the heavens, and as it traverses the sky, its beauty is compared to a bridegroom emerging from the altar in glorious majesty, while its agility is likened to a mighty giant making progress with great strength. ‘And there is no one who will find refuge in his warmth.’ The Prophet employs the term ‘warmth’ instead of ‘light,’ illustrating that the effectiveness of the sun’s light surpasses that of artificial light; thus, even those at a distance can bask in its warmth. Unlike artificial light, which cannot reach those who do not draw near, the sun sends forth its rays, imparting warmth along with light. This alone is enough to reveal the Creator to humanity. Additionally, God has provided a law to aid in guiding those who have wandered from the path. For the Prophet states:

This can also be interpreted in another way. By suggesting that these created beings almost declare the existence of God's Providence that sustains and directs the entire cosmos, David reveals that there are individuals in every nation and tribe who grasp this silent testimony from the inanimate yet meaningful aspects of creation. Therefore, he states that there are no sounds or utterances in any language or dialect through which the voice of these creation elements has not been perceived and comprehended. The intent of these words is fulfilled, as from all parts of the earth and among all peoples, there are those who recognize and articulate the wisdom of God's Providence. Here, the term 'heard' should be understood in the present tense rather than the future, as the prophetic nature often allows for seeing the future as immediate.

As Nyssa and Chrysostom have noted, the latter adds: There is no speech—meaning there is no nation or voice—where the voice of the heavens, day, and night is not perceived; these expressions resonate throughout the universe, for everywhere exists heaven, days, and nights. There is no nation or language that fails to understand this voice. Unlike human voices, which can be comprehensible to some and unintelligible to others due to linguistic differences, the message of the heavens, day, and night is universally clear and understandable.

Simmachus articulately conveys this by stating that the night reveals its understanding not through spoken language, which may go unheard, but its voice resonates throughout the earth. Aquila translates it as this being their law: they utter neither speeches nor words, as Theodoret explains, signifying their rules and calling the earth and sea into divine harmony. God has appointed the sun as His dwelling place.

The implication in this statement is that God has established His presence in the sun and in the heavens. Moses, too, referred to the two great luminaries, the sun and the moon, stating that they were placed in the firmament of heaven to shine upon the earth (Genesis 1:17). Some may interpret this as contradictory in terms of language structure; however, we can clarify the phrasing by understanding "habitation" and "sun" correctly, conveying that God has established the dwelling of the sun in the firmament of heaven.

Thus, the sun, as he states, never abandons the space appointed to it by God—heaven—becoming the herald of God's glory and Providence. Aquila notes: He has made a dwelling for the sun in the heavens. The explanations offered in the Catenae Nikitae indicate that God gathered the light created on the first day and set it in the sphere of the sun, establishing light in it. Others suggest that God created such a magnificent sun to exist in and through Himself, not reliant on anything else.

The Divine Cyril further clarifies that, as the heavens proclaim their message universally, so too this proclamation resides in the sun, which together with the heavens, conveys God's splendor. I align with those scholars who assert that since God is light and dwells in light, He established His dwelling, or light, in the sun so that when one gazes upon the sun, they may envision Him through its radiance and thus honor their Creator. According to Gregory the Theologian, just as the sun illuminates the physical realm, God enlightens the spiritual realm. In the context of the Catena, some even suggest that Christ can be seen as residing within this earthly sun, as the spiritual is embodied in the physical.

Being the sun of righteousness, He emerges from the heights of His origins. He willingly fulfills His role, descending from the heights of heaven and ascending again to where He originated. Diodorus notes that the phrase ‘He put His dwelling in it’ signifies His command for the sun to move autonomously, reflecting the Creator's supreme authority. Thus, those who assert that celestial bodies are driven by the agency of angels rather than by their own power lack evidence. If the great sun moves of its own accord, surely the moon and stars do as well.

They turned away with revulsion from all forms of pagan idol worship, acknowledging the existence of a singular God, the Creator of all that is, and began to worship Him in accordance with the true tenets of faith, filled with the Spirit of God—a rational service for which our Savior planted the seeds among humanity.

It is fitting that the holy Apostles and other devoted ministers are likened to the heavens. Though they lived on earth, they were elevated by contemplation, enriched by love, radiant in wisdom, consistently serene in spirit, and prompt in thought and obedience. Their charity mirrored the expansiveness of the heavens as they imparted doctrine to the earth, resounding with preaching, shining through miracles, and offering many blessings without seeking anything in return. Their lives were marked by purity, stemming from their sanctity: in essence, they served as a dwelling for the Most High King in complete righteousness. In them lay the essence of their celestial abode.

Therefore, the Psalmist's words intertwine the prophetic vision of the Church's future with the imagery visible to human eyes, a prophecy that began its fulfillment on the day of Pentecost. On that significant day, after the Holy Spirit descended upon them, the Apostles started to share God's greatness in various languages with the diverse gathering of people from across the world. That very day, thousands turned to Christ, and these individuals, present at the Pentecost Feast from different lands, returned home carrying the message they received from the Apostles. The Apostles themselves dedicated their lives to spreading the Gospel far and wide. Indeed, their message has gone out to the entire earth. As we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost and listen to the verses of Psalm 18, let us offer our heartfelt gratitude and glorify the Lord, who chose to commemorate this feast with an event that initiated the global expansion of Christianity.

On Thursday, the liturgy honors the Apostles, which is why verses from Psalm 18 have been selected for the prokeimena, reflecting the greatness of God revealed in the heavens and in celestial bodies. However, these words are also attributed by Apostle Paul to the Apostles as the shining lights within the expanse of the Church.