THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
The reflections from Blessed Theodoret highlight the prophetic nature of the psalm. These phrases are expressed by those yearning for liberation from their Babylonian captivity; they earnestly seek mercy for the city, the restoration of its walls, and the ability to fulfill the rituals mandated by the law. They proclaim that, living in exile, they are unable to present lawful offerings, as the law requires sacrifices to be made only in that sacred location. They assure that, once their prayers are answered and the temple is restored, they will promptly present to You the lawful offerings.
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This psalm culminates in another prophecy, expressing the desire for a renewed Zion, the establishment of a holy Jerusalem on earth, and the introduction of a new way of living, one devoid of sacrifices from the voiceless, but instead characterized by offerings of righteousness.
It is vital to understand this: my intention is to guide all of you—not in terms of renouncing relationships, but in discovering true godliness and fortitude to extinguish the fires of temptation. What concerns us is this: we observe that he prayed, confessed his sins, called upon God, entreated, wept, approached with sincerity, and offered faith. The question arises: did he receive the grace he sought? It brings me immense joy to witness this earnestness. The helmsman does not delight as much in the sight of high waves propelling his ship forward as I do in observing this tumult. In this tumult, I not only see the turbulent waters but also the throngs bustling within; I see the weary and breathless, yet they remain steadfast amid the crowd. Your fervor for the Word fuels my enthusiasm.
Thus, we ask again: he prayed, pleaded, adhered, entreated, rebuked, and was spared from retribution. Has he regained his former honor? Has he been endowed with the Holy Spirit? Did he receive a clean heart and a right spirit, as he earnestly desired? Was his repentance robust enough to restore his previous nobility? Pay close attention: this psalm is regarded as the fiftieth. It is the fiftieth psalm—a psalm of sin, repentance, and supplication. Following this, he composed the sixtieth, seventieth, eightieth, ninetieth, and the hundredth psalm. Yet, some might argue, "What about his psalm writing? It was not through the Holy Spirit, as he had not yet received Him. His compositions were birthed from mere human reasoning, devoid of the Spirit's influence." Indeed, while his sin was absolved, the Holy Spirit was not bestowed upon him. Although he beseeched the Lord, the reply did not disclose, "I have given you."
Consider this: he penned the fifty, sixty, seventy, eighty, ninety, and hundredth psalms, and wrote more after them, including, "The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thy enemies thy footstool" (Psalms 109:1). This psalm, written after his transgression, manifests inspiration from the Holy Spirit. How is this evident? It is seen through Christ. After accomplishing His works—calming the sea, cleansing the lepers, casting out demons, restraining evil, and healing the paralytic—when a voice from above declared, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him" (Matthew 17:5), all these affirmed His deity. When the Holy Spirit descended upon Him like a dove and John declared, "Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29), the evidence was irrefutable.
As He prepared to ascend the cross, Christ posed a question to the Jews, "What do you think of Christ?" (Matthew 22:42). This was not asked earlier, for evidence of His divinity had not been presented. But now, with all elements affirming His divinity, with the Father's testimony, and the teachings that left no room for contradiction, He inquires, "What do you think of Christ? Whose son is he?" The ungrateful and brazenly replied, "of David," thus denying His divine nature and refusing to recognize Him as God's. So, what is He? "How then does David, by the Spirit, call Him Lord, saying, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at My right hand, until I make Thy enemies Thy footstool?" (Matthew 22:43-44; Psalms 109:1). If David possessed the Spirit, his sin was overlooked; if his sin was overlooked, his prayer was answered.
Indeed, David declares, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." Here we see that he regained his former dignity. Once again, he is a prophet, speaking of Christ, once more emboldened, and sin no longer mars him. Witness the might of repentance. What I speak of is this: not only the living possess such power, but the dead, too. Once, a fierce siege was laid upon a city, and righteous Hezekiah turned to God, pleading, "Have mercy on me and spare this city" (Isaiah 37:20). To him, the prophet Isaiah proclaimed, cautioning him against assuming that he was heard solely for his righteousness, and, though David had long been deceased, what did he say? "I will guard this city, to save it for My own sake and for the sake of David My servant" (Isaiah 37:35). Though David was dead, his boldness remained vibrant, interceding still for the living. Here stands a righteous man, even after death, still fighting!
With these thoughts, I conclude my discourse, having addressed sufficiently the matters concerning Christ Jesus our Lord, to whom belongs the glory and sovereignty forever. Amen.