Psalm 89 (88):13Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Do not focus on earthly matters, but rather on divine ones: ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; listen to him.’ I have proclaimed this message concerning Him twice: once with you on this mountain and once with John at the Jordan River. The ancient prophet indeed referred to this declaration when he declared, ‘Tabor and Hermon rejoice in Thy name’ (Psalm 88:13). What name does this refer to? ‘This is my beloved Son.’ He has been granted a name that surpasses every other name. However, you may wonder, ‘What does it signify that “Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in Thy name”?’ Understand that Tabor is the mountain where Christ was transfigured at His will, revealing Himself and being affirmed by the Father, as you have just heard.

Beloved, as we delve into this psalm, may we understand it through the grace of God, finding hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. Take courage, for He who made promises will bring them to fruition, as He has done much in the past. Our confidence rests not in our merits but in His grace. It is my belief that the psalmist refers to Ethan the Israelite, who lends his name to this psalm. This highlights the depth of Ethan’s meaning, emphasizing that no one is truly strong except through the hope rooted in God’s promises. In our own strength, we are frail, but in His mercy, we find strength. Thus, the psalmist begins by declaring, "I will sing of your mercies, O Lord, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations."

Let my faculties, he says, serve the Lord; when I speak, it is by Your prompting. I will declare Your truth; failing to obey means I am not truly Yours. Speaking from You and from myself signifies two different realities: one is mine, the other is Yours; Your truth flows through my tongue. Let us consider the faithfulness He demonstrates and the grace He celebrates.

For You have declared, "Grace shall be established forever." This truth is what I sing; it is Your declaration my mouth endeavors to proclaim. You affirm, "I build to not destroy," yet some whom You destroy do not receive restoration. If rebuildings followed every destruction, then Jeremiah would not have declared, "Behold, I have appointed you today over nations to uproot and tear down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant." All who once worshiped idols could not find security in Christ without enduring loss due to their past errors. Had there not been those torn down to be rebuilt, it would not be said, "He will destroy them, and not rebuild them."

Yet, mercy and truth are intertwined; You have proclaimed, "Mercy shall be established forever; Your faithfulness shall be secured in the heavens." There, mercy and truth echo, aligned with all of God's paths being marked by mercy and truth, as without mercy in forgiveness, the fulfillment of promises would not shine forth. Prophecy has held many promises for Israel, descended from Abraham. This people grew, designed for the fulfillment of God's promises, yet God's goodness extends also to the Gentiles, whom He has subjected to angels and kept Israel as His treasured possession. The apostle speaks of the Lord’s mercy and truth concerning both groups, declaring Christ as the minister of circumcision to confirm the promises made to our ancestors.

Take note of how God has been faithful; He has not rejected His chosen people, whom He foreknew. Although the apostle mentions Israel's fall, he emphasizes that God has not cast them aside, affirming, "I am an Israelite." Even if the wider community may appear like thorns, what should we say about the wheat? Understanding God's fidelity, He brings truth to the faithful Israelites, and the wall of circumcision intersects with the cornerstone of faith. This cornerstone rests on another wall constructed from the Gentiles, where the first pertains to truth and the second, the grace of God. Thus, the apostle declares that Jesus Christ serves the circumcision for God's truth, confirming God's promises, that the Gentiles might glorify Him for His mercy.

It is rightly confirmed, "Your faithfulness You will establish in the heavens," for all the Israelites called to apostleship radiate the glory of God, as it is written, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands." Though they departed from this world before the Church had reached every corner, their teachings resonated to the ends of the earth, thus affirming that He will uphold His faithfulness in the heavens through them.

Indeed, You have proclaimed, "I have made a covenant with My chosen," which is the new covenant, renewing us for a new inheritance that inspires our song. The psalmist reflects, "I have sworn to David my servant." How confidently he speaks! His lips serve the truth, declaring boldly without fear because You have said it. If Your words empower my boldness, how much more should Your oath instill courage! For God's oath guarantees the promises' execution. Humans are rightly discouraged from swearing, as it can lead to perjury, but God swears securely, for He is infallible.

Let us observe what God has sworn: "I have sworn to David my servant; I will establish your lineage forever." What is David's lineage but that of Abraham? As it is written, "To your offspring, who is Christ." Here, we see that Christ, the Head of the Church and the Savior of the body, connects us to the seed of Abraham; indeed, as the apostle states, "If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, heirs according to the promise."

In this light, we can comprehend the psalmist's words: "I will establish your seed forever," not just through the flesh of Christ born of the Virgin but through all believers in Christ. We are members of this Head, destined to remain whole eternally. If the Head shall reign gloriously forever, so shall the members. Additionally, the declaration of Your throne being established for generations aligns with the psalmist's intent to consistently proclaim Your truth across generations.

What do we mean by "generations"? Each generation signifies every renewal of existence, no mere repetition but a continuous flow through time. We can possibly interpret it as addressing two generations—the current generation of flesh and blood, and the future resurrection of the dead where Christ will be proclaimed in fullness. While He reigns within us, His throne is established in our hearts, controlling our lives; thus, He shall reign over His saints eternally, a promise firmly made by God through His oath. This assurance compels us to proclaim that which we can trust without doubt.

Therefore, let this core strength move us, as Ethan embodies the measure of a person strengthened in heart: let us declare the truth of God, voice His promises, and uphold His oath. May we be emboldened by these truths and glorify God, thus transforming ourselves into a reflection of Heaven.

"O Lord, even the heavens praise Your marvelous works." Here, it is not based on their own merits that they praise, but rather You, O Lord. Every act of mercy towards the lost and the justification of the unjust bears witness to Your marvelous works. We offer our praises because the dead have been raised; we celebrate even more the redemption of the lost. What incredible grace and divine mercy! Witness the transformation of a man yesterday entrenched in drunkenness, now an emblem of sobriety; a man once consumed by excess, now radiant in restraint; a blasphemer turned into a worshiper. Each soul, finding liberation from desperate states, must look to You rather than their own abilities. As they embody Heaven, they exalt the magnificent works of their Creator.

For who among the clouds is comparable to You, O Lord? Will it be the sky that gives praise, or the rain? Are the preachers certain that no one in the celestial realms can compete with their Creator? If we interpret the likeness in a literal sense, the stars above cannot match the Lord; neither can the sun, moon, or angels stand alongside You. So why say, “Who is like the Lord among the clouds”? We understand that these clouds represent the preachers of truth—prophets and apostles proclaiming Your word. If clouds signify the messengers of truth, we should explore why they are termed clouds.

Both heaven and clouds represent the same individuals: heaven from the brilliance of truth, while clouds signify the obscurities of the flesh. All clouds carry the weight of mortality, being transient. The apostle notes, "Therefore, judge nothing before the appointed time, when the Lord shall come, who will expose the hidden things of darkness." You discern a man's spoken word—yet his heart is concealed; what pours forth from the cloud is visible, while what resides within remains unseen. Who is capable of piercing the cloud? So these clouds fulfill the role of emissaries of truth in fleshly form.

The Creator Himself descended in the flesh, and we are called clouds due to our humanity, preaching truth through the outpouring of grace. Our flesh comes forth from one source, while His originates from another. We are indeed children of God, but He is the Son of God in a uniquely divine way. His incarnation arrived through the Virgin; He is the eternal Son, consubstantial with the Father. Who amongst the clouds is like the Lord? Who among the children of God resembles Him? Let the Lord tell us if any can stand beside Him.

People call me the Son of Man because of my visible presence among you—yet the Son of Man embodies a cloud. When questioned on His identity, men responded, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets." Many clouds and sons of God are spoken of here, for righteousness and holiness designate them as sons. Yet, they are called clouds as preachers of God’s truth. You have asked, "Whom do people say I am?" Answer, "Who do you say that I am?" Peter, speaking for all, declares, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Not as those other sons of God who do not equal You; You took on flesh, but are not like clouds, lacking equality with You. God is greatly to be revered in the assembly of the righteous; He is feared by all around Him. For God pervades all space; how can anyone or anything surround Him if He encompasses everything? If He is indeed infinite, who can exist alongside Him? It is true that He chose to be born in flesh, living among people, being crucified, rising, and ascending from one specific place. In His ministry, He engaged with the Gentiles surrounding Him. If He had not done these things, His greatness would not resonate, and He wouldn't be feared. Yet, in preaching, He sent forth heralds of His name across every nation, working wonders through His servants, manifesting His greatness, inspiring awe in all who encounter Him.

"O Lord God of hosts, who is like unto You? Your faithfulness, Almighty God, surrounds us." Great is Your power; You fashioned the heavens and the earth and everything in them. Yet even greater is Your mercy, which has revealed Your truth to all. Had You only been proclaimed where You were born, suffered, resurrected, and ascended, Your promise to confirm the oaths to the fathers would not have reached its fulfillment. The Gentiles would not glorify You for Your mercy if Your truth had not spread from the place of Your dwelling to them.

In that space, You thundered from Your cloud, sending other clouds to rain down mercy upon the nearby Gentiles. Truly, in Your power, You fulfill the declaration: “Hereafter you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

You have instructed us, as those accustomed to receiving blessings from the clouds of God, that Your truth establishes its claim around You. Yet amidst persecution and opposition, it is said that He was born as a sign against whom people would speak. Since that nation, chosen for Your birth and presence, has been separated, appearing dry and thirsting for rain while others seem like ravenous seas, we must ask our preachers what they will do against the tempestuous waves. You hold dominion over the sea; it is within Your power.

What did this tumultuous sea yield but the holy day we now celebrate? It brought forth martyrs and sowed the precious seeds of the Church. So let the clouds arise boldly; may they spread Your truth far and wide without fearing the raging waves. You govern the sea’s might. The sea may roar, but God is faithful, never permitting us to be tempted beyond our capacity; thus, You calm the surging waves.

You have established both the north and the sea: Tabor and Hermon. This represents the four corners of the earth: to the north lies the land of darkness, to the west the sea (as the Scriptures refer to the sea as the west), to the south the region around Mount Hermon, and to the east the area surrounding Mount Tabor.

"You have created the north and the sea" (Ps. 88:13). The north is seen as a symbol of the Antichrist, concerning whom the Lord speaks to Jeremiah, saying, "From the north shall evil spread to all the inhabitants of the earth" (see Jer. 1:14). "Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in Your name." The term "Hermon" is rendered as "anathema," while "Tabor" signifies "the lampstand that comes" or "the light shall come." The lampstand represents the Old Testament. To one designated as anathema, or a harbinger of destruction, the New Testament conveys a message from the Lord, stating, "Except you repent, you shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3).

You have made the north and the sea. However, Theodotion rendered it as "You have made the north and the south," indicating that the winds and all the regions of creation are under Your dominion. The Prophet doesn't merely refer to these two regions; he highlights that the Egyptians inhabit the south of Jerusalem while the Assyrians are to the north. After vanquishing the pride of the Egyptians and granting them freedom, it would be easy for You, the Prophet asserts, to defeat the Assyrians as well. "Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice at Thy name." Through this statement, the Prophet refers to the entirety of the promised land, since these mountains are situated within it. Aquila translated it as "will praise" instead of "rejoice," and Simmah noted that the intent of the Prophet was not to suggest that the mountains themselves would express this joy, but rather the people living in or around them.

You have created both the north and the sea. Isychius points out that the Scriptures of the Old Testament refer to the sea as the west. For instance, in the Book of Numbers, it describes the tribes of Israel as having some positioned on the east side of the tabernacle, others in the direction of Libya, or the south, others toward the sea, which corresponds to the west, and remaining ones on the north side. Judah’s troops occupied the eastern ranks, Reuben’s troops were situated toward Libya, Ephraim’s ranks faced the sea, and Dan’s troops were located on the north side (Num. 2:3).

Different translators interpret the reference to the sea as south or the right hand, connecting the right hand with the south due to its geographical position to the east. The prophet clearly identifies the sea along with the north, as this term often represents the west in the Divine Scriptures. In the book of Numbers, after detailing that certain tribes were located east, south, and north of the tabernacle, it refers to the western tribes as ‘the banner of the camp of Ephraim according to their militia towards the sea.’ Here, the prophet contrasts the west with the north, both associated with darkness and coldness, aiming to challenge the erroneous belief that these regions belong to an evil creator, while affirming that both were made by the one Creator.

Here, he demonstrates God's might through the act of creation and concludes that He exercises authority over all things in heaven and on earth. It would be inappropriate for the heavens, which were fashioned by God, to operate randomly, or for the earth to be subject merely to human desires. It is exclusively God's role to sustain and govern everything He has created, preventing us from adopting the misguided notion of ungodly individuals who believe He passively observes this magnificent scene from heaven. By referencing the north and noon, as well as Mount Tabor and Mount Hermon, he communicates in a manner that resonates with the common person, suggesting that there is no corner of the world that does not honor and revere its Creator. The phrases "Thy hand shall be strengthened, and Thy right hand shall be exalted" are rendered in the Hebrew text as "Thy hand shall be strong, and Thy right hand shall be exalted."