For the word of the Lord is right, and all his works are done with faithfulness.
כִּֽי־יָשָׁ֥ר דְּבַר־יְהוָ֑ה וְכָל־מַ֝עֲשֵׂ֗הוּ בֶּאֱמוּנָֽה׃
8 Church Fathers comment on this verse
The word of the Lord is true; it shapes you into what you cannot achieve on your own. All His deeds are performed in faith, so that no one may believe they have earned faith through their actions. Rather, all the works that please God are accomplished in faith.
The declaration that the Lord's word is just deserves our adoration, for the "Word of the Lord," which “in the beginning was with God, and the Word was God” (cf. Jn. 1:1), is indeed just and merits our praise. Thus, the essence of righteousness belongs to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Moreover, "all His deeds are in faith." What does this statement convey? The heavens are His creation, the earth is His creation, the sea and the air, and everything that is inanimate and animate, rational and irrational, all belong to Him. How can we say that all these things exist "in faith"? Where is the faith in the lifeless or the irrational? Is there faith in a stone or in a dog? The inanimate and the irrational do not possess faith.
However, the current assertion encompasses everything, proclaiming that "all His works are in faith." What, then, is the meaning of this statement? The Psalm conveys that if you look upon the heavens and the order within, it serves as a guide to faith, directing you toward the Creator. Likewise, if you observe the arrangement of the earth, your faith in God is further strengthened. We do not come to know God through our physical senses alone but through the intellect, which, through the visible, perceives the invisible. Hence, “all His works are in faith.” Even when examining a stone, it reflects the might of the Creator. When you contemplate an ant, a mosquito, or a bee, you will discover the same truth; often in the tiniest of creations, the wisdom of the Creator is manifest. For He Who stretched out the heavens and filled the vast expanse of the seas also designed the delicate sting of the bee, allowing it to dispense poison with precision. Therefore, “all His works are in faith.” Let nothing deter you from belief. Do not think, "This occurred by chance," nor declare that any event simply came to be on its own. In all of creation, there is no chaos, no uncertainty, no triviality, and no accident. Do not assert that a misfortune or an unfortunate moment is merely random. Such statements stem from ignorance. "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father" (Matt. 10:29). How many hairs are on your head? Not a single one is overlooked. Observe the careful watching of God, how every detail, even the smallest, remains within His gaze.
The word of the Lord is true, referring to the message of the gospel. All His actions are rooted in faith. We are called to trust in what He has accomplished in a holy manner.
Indeed, the Prophet declares that the Sovereign of all governs everything and has revealed His deeds to us, urging us to have faith rather than to question with undue curiosity the manner of their execution.
The essence of these reflections is this: The Lord's message conveyed to Hezekiah by the prophet Isaiah, announcing the downfall of the siege, is indeed accurate and trustworthy. Additionally, the wonders performed by God against the Assyrians stand as truth, corroborating this divine proclamation. As the eminent Basil expressed, all of God's deeds are authentic, designed to inspire faith and reverence in those who contemplate them. For instance, consider the remarkable design of a bee’s stinger, which, shaped akin to a trumpet, releases venom upon striking. This intricate formation illustrates that such finesse is not a mere accident but a manifestation of divine ingenuity.
Cyril offers another perspective, noting that the message of the New Testament, the word of the Lord, is also accurate and straightforward, devoid of the ambiguities often found in the Old Testament scriptures. Furthermore, the actions of the Lord during His earthly ministry validate and align with His teachings. As such, these works are undeniable. Indeed, the Son—who embodies the Word of God—is the embodiment of righteousness, as He is the Way and the Truth that cannot mislead (John 14:6). The miracles, signs, and wonders He performed were meant to assure onlookers of His truthfulness, encouraging belief in Him.
Thus, Basil the Great emphasizes the call for the righteous to praise this praiseworthy Word, the Lord who is eternally united with God and who is God. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit each embody truth, as does the Divine itself. Additionally, Cyril remarks that the word of the Lord is the Gospel teaching, which is both clear and capable of leading individuals towards diverse virtues.
He begins to articulate the reasons for honoring God with reverence and love, drawing firstly from His righteousness, then His goodness and might, and finally from His wisdom. Concerning righteousness, he states: as the word of the Lord is right. The term "word of the Lord" refers to God's commands, prohibitions, promises, and warnings, all of which are executed by Him in a perfectly just and trustworthy manner; for God commands only what is good and forbids only what is evil. Everything He promises or threatens is carried out with utmost faithfulness. Thus, the word of the Lord is right.
Moreover, since the works of the Lord align perfectly with His word, he adds: and all His works are faithful, meaning they are reliable, just, and holy, as the same Psalmist declares, The Lord is faithful in all His words, and honorable in all His works (Psalm 144:13).
In Hebrew, this psalm lacks an inscription, leading to the conclusion that it is connected to Psalm 31. It serves as an Old Testament interpretation of the Lord's words: do not be afraid, little flock (Lk. 12:32). Its origin may be linked to a miraculous victory achieved by God’s small group of followers over powerful pagan nations. In light of God's extraordinary assistance, the psalmist encourages the faithful of Israel (the righteous, the upstanding) to uplift their voices in joyful and triumphant praise (1Ezdr. 3:11) through an unusual new song (vv. 1-3). In the victory granted, the Lord has magnificently demonstrated His love for truth (v. 4, in faithfulness to His promises), mercy (to Israel), and righteousness (in His judgment against the Gentiles, v. 5).
He is the Almighty God, as evidenced by the creation of the world (vv. 6, 7, 9). The vastness of the stars and the heavenly bodies illustrate His authority; He controls the waves of the sea as easily as a man inflates and deflates a garment. The treasures are compared to storehouses; the depths of the sea act as repositories for the abyss. Therefore, all the earth must revere Him (v. 8), and the nations should also respect Him, for the Almighty will shatter their hostile schemes against Israel (v. 10). He will annul the advisors' plans—though not related to the Jewish people—while His gracious intentions toward Israel remain unaltered forever (v. 11). Can we not consider blessed the nation that the Almighty has chosen as His own heritage and safeguards with His mighty hand (v. 12)? The Protector of Israel is not only omnipotent but also all-knowing (vv. 13-14). From a prepared abode, He observes each individual attentively, understanding the thoughts and actions of all (v. 15). Thus, He can render them ineffective against His people, ensuring that no force can harm Israel (vv. 16-17). The Lord's all-seeing eyes watch over him (v. 18), turning aside all threats (v. 19). Therefore, Israel confidently relies on the Lord in every circumstance, assured of His constant help and rejoicing in it; may His mercy align with Israel's expectations!
The Lord Christ, the authentic Word of the Father, who has assured the human race of all promises, has secured this through His Cross and life-giving death, liberating humanity from the grip of evil and the finality of death. All of God's works rest on faith, rather than on tangible evidence. Observing the sky and its divine order serves as a testament to faith. Likewise, when you reflect on the smallest creatures like ants and bees, you can witness the wisdom of the Creator, Christ, the True God.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS