THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
“Show me mercy, O Lord! Look upon my humiliation caused by my foes, for You raise me from the gates of death so that I may declare all Your praises in the gates of the daughter of Zion. Let us rejoice in Your salvation.” Another interpreter refers to this as Your hymns, while another translates it as Your praises. Observe how the prophet persistently devotes himself to prayer. Even after being rescued from troubles and secure in safety, he continues to petition, saying, “Show me mercy,” appealing to God for what lies ahead. Indeed, we are always in need of divine guidance, especially after experiencing deliverance, as there arises a new challenge that can be even more daunting—the battle against laziness and pride; during such times, the enemy intensifies his assaults.
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Therefore, following deliverance, we particularly require heavenly assistance to truly enjoy the blessings we receive. Likewise, when the Israelites were freed from the Egyptians, they faced a significant battle against arrogance and negligence, yet they struggled poorly, making them more vulnerable to death. They could not resist gluttony or cowardice and instead mirrored the vices of the Egyptians, which led to their downfall. Similarly, after David found respite from the persecutions of Saul and other adversaries, he faced an even graver trial—the challenge of self-control, which led him to severe consequences. Thus, it is during these moments of relief that we ought to exercise caution after our trials. Just as we fear not the restrained beast but the one set free, we can perceive vice as less threatening amidst tribulation when it is held back by pain and hardship, but we need to be particularly wary of it in times of ease. Prosperity can often yield more harm than adversity. For instance, after his victory, Hezekiah faced dire peril. In a different Psalm, the Psalmist declares, “It is good for me that Thou hast humbled me” (Psalms 118:71). Here, after being rescued from distress, he seeks mercy and references his suffering as a reason for his request. “Look upon my humiliation from my enemies” and “You lift me up from the gates of death.” He turns to the Protector and Provider, who consistently extends His aid. Do you see how, by asking for future mercy, he acknowledges past blessings, reflecting a dual act of grace? He does not merely say, “who rescues me from the gates of death,” but rather, “You lift me up”—indicating that God’s goodness extends beyond mere rescue from troubles, as He transforms those He saves into something marvelous, glorious, renowned, and exalted. Furthermore, he specifies not “from the door” but “from the gate,” highlighting the multitude of perils he has faced.