And he built his sanctuary as of unicorns, in the land which he founded for ever.
וַיִּ֣בֶן כְּמוֹ־רָ֭מִים מִקְדָּשׁ֑וֹ כְּ֝אֶ֗רֶץ יְסָדָ֥הּ לְעוֹלָֽם׃
9 Church Fathers comment on this verse
In the Psalms, it is stated that He established His sanctuary like a unicorn, grounding it on earth for eternity (Psalm 77:69). This sanctuary refers to the church, which defiantly stands against adversaries much like a unicorn uses its horn to confront other creatures. It was established in time through Christ.
Ultimately, we encounter the statement: "He hath built, like unicorns, His sanctification." (Psalms 76:70) Some interpretations have transformed the term into "His holiness." The reference to unicorns rightly signifies those whose steadfast hope is directed towards the singular focus expressed in another psalm: "One thing I have sought of the Lord, that one thing I will call for." The sanctification of God, as described by the apostle Peter, refers to a holy nation and a royal priesthood. (1 Pet. 2:9) Furthermore, the land established by Him for eternity, which is expressed in Greek as εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα, may be designated as eternal or everlasting in Latin, depending on the preference of translators.
Both terms are valid, with some Latin versions using the singular and others the plural, indicating "for ages," although we have not found this plural form in the Greek texts we possess. Yet, who among the faithful would question that the Church, despite the comings and goings of its members, remains firmly established for all time?
He fashioned His holy dwelling like a unicorn. The term 'holy dwelling' signifies the sacred temple established in Jerusalem. The unicorn, a majestic creature, possesses a formidable horn on its brow, capable of defeating all adversaries. Thus, the Psalmist proclaims that upon the completion of the Divine Temple, all nations stood in awe of the strength that dwelled within it.
He established His sanctuary like a unicorn, which is often described as possessing a single horn. The law instructs that God is to be worshipped as one. Thus, the Prophet appropriately compares the unicorn to a singular temple devoted to the one true God. Upon the earth stands its foundation, lasting forever. Simmachus interprets it as 'the earth which He established in the age,' and various other scholars convey a similar understanding. Consequently, it is stated that just as one created the earth, so one commanded the Jewish people to construct the temple.
He fashioned His sanctuary akin to a unicorn, signifying creation rather than construction. This foreshadows the temple that Solomon would erect in Jerusalem and the future reign within the tribe of Judah. For it is declared: and I will raise up thy seed after thee, that shall be of thy womb, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will sustain his throne forever (2 Kings 7:12, 13). Athanasius designates this temple as a sanctuary. The phrase akin to a unicorn appears incomplete, as it omits the word horn; the full expression should read: like the horn of a unicorn.
Just as the horn of a unicorn is singular, magnificent, and powerful, the temple constructed by Solomon was the only one throughout the earth, unparalleled in grandeur, beauty, and strength, uniquely dedicated as an offering to the one true God. Upon the earth lies the foundation, established for eternity. God proclaims that He will secure the tribe of Judah in the land they inhabit, ensuring it shall not be expelled by its foes. - Forever - This signifies an everlasting promise, interpreted within the context of customary understanding; despite being driven from Jerusalem multiple times, first by the Babylonians and later by the Romans.
If this statement were to apply to the former Zion, then the prophecy would be inaccurate, as there would be no remnants to support its permanence. However, God has established the new Zion eternally, fashioning it like a unicorn with a single, uniform horn at its base. In this new Sovereign realm, there are not multiple baptisms as among the Jewish people, nor are there concerns about new moons, ceremonial cleansings, or Sabbaths, nor the multitude of deities often worshipped by the Gentiles in their unrighteousness. Instead, there exists 'one Lord, one faith, one baptism' (Eph. 4:5), reinforcing the truth that 'the gates of hell shall not prevail against it' (Matt. 16:18), referring specifically to heretical influences.
The connective word indicates that the Prophet now refers back to the earlier subject, stating that although God had harshly disciplined the Philistines for forcibly seizing the Ark of the Covenant, thereby affirming that His covenant with Israel was meaningful, He remained displeased with the wayward apostates, leaving them with signs of His anger. This denial, to which he alludes, illustrates that the Israelites lost the special privilege they once cherished. God was no longer willing for the Holy Tabernacle, housing the Ark, to stay in Shiloh, the territory of Ephraim, Joseph’s offspring, but instead relocated it to the tribe of Judah, where He chose to reside and from which He raised kings after kings. Thus, the tribe of Judah is contrasted with Ephraim.
For this reason, He chose Mount Zion to establish His sanctuary. The Prophet emphasizes that the reasoning for this choice lies solely in God's gracious favor, highlighting that Mount Zion was favored above all others because of God's love for it. Consequently, the foundation of the Sanctuary is not based on the merits of the place, but purely on God's grace, which pertains to humanity. Therefore, the Church has consistently relied on God’s singular grace for its foundation from the very beginning to this day, as human beings lack the inner dignity or outer strength necessary for the Church to stand firm. In the subsequent verse, where it is mentioned that He formed His sanctuary like a unicorn, the Prophet signifies that Mount Zion was adorned splendidly, but this splendor points towards the heavenly Zion. God's aim was not to fix people's attention solely on the external magnificence of the Church, but rather to elevate them toward Christ, the true representative of these images. The Prophet likens Mount Zion to the entire earth, noting that it serves as the foundation forever. While various parts of the earth experience change, such as earthquakes and upheavals, its essence remains steadfast, grounded in solid roots. Thus, the Prophet conveys that the structure he describes is everlasting, not temporary or susceptible to destruction, but solidly established to endure until the end of time. Should one argue that this temple was long gone due to the conquests of the Chaldeans and Assyrians, a simple explanation suffices. The permanence that the Prophet glorifies refers to the Church, not the ephemeral temple, which was merely a physical manifestation. Since it represented the Church of Christ, it is appropriate to attribute eternal steadfastness to it, as the Prophet affirms: "They founded it upon the holy mountains" (Psalm 86:2). Furthermore, "That is the foundation of the Highest" (Psalm 86:5). Additionally, "The Lord is the foundation of Zion" (Isaiah 14:32).
This Psalm attributed to David, rich in prophetic insights, was entrusted to Asaph, the leader of the singers, for the purpose of enlightening all regarding the countless mercies of Almighty God bestowed upon the ungrateful nation of the Jews. It serves to rebuke them for their lack of gratitude and to teach others about the boundless compassion of God, particularly as manifested through Christ the Lord, who trusts in His name. In this psalm, the prophet David speaks as if in the voice of Christ to the believers, urging them to pay heed to the teachings of the Gospel. While the lessons of this psalm were originally relevant to the Jews, they now hold particular significance for the faithful followers of Christ: the old law prefigures the new covenant.
The Saviour calls His people to listen attentively, so they may avoid the same downfall as the earlier Jewish people who failed to heed God's commands. He instructs them to diligently examine the Gospel's teachings and to engage with the prophecies from the depths of their hearts. Even though the Jews were formidable, they succumbed in the struggle during the Passion of Christ due to their unbelief. The tribe of Ephraim was especially disloyal to God; it not only fell into the idolatry of the golden calf but also led the other nine tribes into that sin. In response to their treachery, God stripped them of their courage: despite their prowess in archery, they became fearful and retreated on the day of battle. Consequently, they were taken captive and dispersed among the nations. God showed mercy to the Jews, despite their complete surrender to worldly wisdom and their refusal to repent. In His abundant compassion, He chose not to annihilate all of them in the wilderness but rather spared them and extended His mercy. Humanity is marked by flesh, which bears passions and corruption. The Spirit, having departed from man, will not return until the second coming.
The Lord selected Mount Zion, cherished by Him, and established His sanctuary there, resembling a unicorn. Upon Mount Zion, the Lord God of Israel constructed a holy place that rose majestically like a unicorn's horn, vast and impressive. This sacred Mount of Zion is mentioned, where the Lord of heaven and earth chose to reveal His divine presence. The Mount of Transfiguration shares a similar radiance, as it was the site where Jesus Christ, the God-Man, unveiled the magnificence of His Divinity, and where the voice of God the Father proclaimed, “This is My beloved Son.” (Matthew 17:5)
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS