Psalm 96 (95):3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

My honored brother Severus continues to defer the joy we anticipate from his discussions, which he is obliged to share with us, acknowledging his indebtedness. Across every Church he has visited, the Lord has been celebrated in word; thus, the community from which he has distributed his teachings should rejoice all the more. Our only course is to submit to his wishes. Yet, dear friends, I clarify that he has not misled us but simply delayed. Therefore, let us view him as a debtor and not release him until he has fulfilled his obligation. Let us be cautious, cherished ones: as the Lord allows, let us reflect on this Psalm, which you are already familiar with, as revisiting the truth is a joy. Upon hearing its title, some may have been taken aback. For it states, "When the house was built after the Captivity." Given that this title precedes the text, one might expect to hear about the stones quarried from mountains, the materials gathered, the foundations laid, the timbers raised, and the columns constructed. Yet, the song does not discuss these matters… It is not a particular structure being built; the foundation lies not in one singular location, but is universal. Thus, the Psalm begins: "Sing unto the Lord a new song; sing unto the Lord, all the earth" (Psalm 94:1). If all the earth is joining in a new song, it is a form of building as it sings: the act of singing is itself a kind of construction, but only if it refrains from singing an old tune. The desires of the flesh sing the old song; the love of God sings the new... Pay attention to why it is a new song: the Lord declares, "A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another" (John 15:12). Thus, the whole earth participates in this new song, as the house of God is being established within it. If the entirety of creation is God's dwelling, then anyone detached from it stands as ruins and not a home, akin to the old remnants that represented the former temple. There, the old was dismantled to make way for the new...

The Apostle intricately binds us together in this very structure, urging us to maintain that unity, as he states, "Indulging one another with love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:2-3). Where the unity of the Spirit exists, there is one stone, though it is composed of many. How is this oneness achieved? By humbly relating to one another through love. Thus, the house of our Lord is being constructed; this ongoing endeavor reflects the words we proclaim, the readings we share, and the preaching of the Gospel that reverberates across the globe as it is being built. This house has expanded beyond measure, enveloping numerous nations; nonetheless, it has yet to conquer all. Its growth encompasses many even as it will ultimately triumph; yet, this truth is dismissed by those who arrogantly claim to belong to its confines, asserting that it has relinquished its strength. The house is still growing, and the nations yet to believe are destined to do so; who can declare whether this language will ultimately believe? What about the barbarians? What does the fiery presence of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:3) signify, if not that no tongue is so hardened that it cannot be softened by this divine flame? We recognize that many barbarian tribes have come to faith in Christ; regions where the Roman Empire never tread have already acknowledged Him; what remains closed to those who seek to conquer with swords is open to those who wield the Word. For the Lord reigned from the Cross. Who wields the sword of the Word? It is Christ. Through His Cross, He triumphed over rulers, and even imposed that very Cross upon their foreheads, declaring it to be their salvation. This marvel is actively underway; the house expands and is constructed. To make this evident, heed the subsequent verses of the Psalm: "Sing unto the Lord, all the earth" (Psalm 94:1).

"Sing unto the Lord, bless His name: proclaim the good news of His salvation day by day" (Psalm 95:2). How is the house enlarged? The Psalmist instructs us to proclaim the good news of His salvation regularly. Let His Gospel be preached daily, for as it is proclaimed daily, the construction of His house shall increase. It is akin to the laborers querying, "Where do You wish us to build? Select a spacious, flat area if You desire a grand house erected for You." The Lord shows the way: "Proclaim to the Gentiles His honor: His honor, not yours." O builders, declare His glory to the nations. If you choose to proclaim your honor, you will falter; if you declare His, you will find yourselves uplifted as you build. Thus, those who prefer to assert their own glory have rejected the true house and therefore do not sing a new song alongside the earth. They do not share in this universal chorus, and consequently, their efforts yield only a feeble façade. How harshly does God admonish such hollow constructs (Ezekiel 13:10), as countless prophets highlight the folly of such pretense. What is a whitewashed wall but a symbol of hypocrisy, a facade that appears bright externally yet harbors filth within...

A certain individual, reflecting on this whitewashed structure, remarked that if a door were placed within a solitary wall, whoever enters would be outside the house. Similarly, those who refuse to sing a new song with the community but erect their own frail wall, what worth is a door to them? If they enter, they remain outside. Since they have not accessed the true entrance, they will find no entry through a false one. For the Lord states, "I am the door: by me if any man enter in" (John 10:9)... Proclaim His glory to the Gentiles. What are the Gentiles? Perhaps some may argue that not all nations are represented, but what of Getulia, Numidia, Mauritania, and Byzacia? Provinces are nations as well. Let the Word of God dismantle hypocrisy found in that whitewashed facade, constructing a dwelling that spans the globe. It is insufficient to utter, "Proclaim Him to the Gentiles"; to prevent any misconception, the Psalmist adds, "and His miracles to all men."

"For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised" (Psalm 95:4). Who other than Jesus Christ can be deemed great and deserving of adoration? You know with certainty that He appeared in human form; you are aware that He was conceived by a woman, born of her, nourished, carried, circumcised, and that a sacrifice was made for His growth; ultimately, you comprehend that He was scourged, spat upon, crowned with thorns, crucified, died, and pierced with a spear. You are aware of His endurance through all these trials: He is indeed great and worthy of worship. Do not overlook the small; grasp the greatness. He became small because of your humanity: recognize Him as great, and through Him, you shall find greatness...

What can a mere tongue express in praise of the Almighty? By saying "Surpassing all praise," He invites us into contemplation: as if to say, "Meditate on that which cannot be articulated," and even after meditation, the effort is insufficient. Can any human utterances capture what transcends human thought? The Lord is great and worthy of praise. Let Him be exalted and proclaimed: honor His name, and construct His dwelling.

…For the very place where He desired to establish a house is overgrown, as we mentioned yesterday, for He sought that home amidst the forests. Why is this place covered in wood? Because men worshipped idols; thus, it is unsurprising they fed swine. For the son who rejected his father squandered his fortune on indulgences, living as a prodigal and tending swine (Luke 15:12-15)—essentially, engaging in devil worship. It is because of the Gentiles' superstitions that all creation became a thicket. In order to build a house, one must uproot a tree, so it was said, "While the house was being built after the captivity." For humanity was once captive to the devil and served evil spirits, but was redeemed from bondage. They may sell, yet cannot ransom themselves. The Redeemer arrived and established the price; He poured out His blood and purchased the entire world. What did He obtain? Witness what He gave; understand what He purchased. The price was the blood of Christ. What is worthy of such a cost? None other than the whole world, none other than every nation. It is deeply ungrateful or shockingly arrogant for anyone to claim the burden was slight, belonging only to a specific group; for He granted His gift to all humanity. Let them not gloat, let them not boast: what He provided, He provided for the entire world. He understood what He bought because He comprehended the price He paid. Hence, since we are redeemed, the house arises out of captivity. And who were our captors? Those who are called to "Declare His glory" are the very ones who must clear away the trees to liberate the earth from bondage and build in His name. How will that demonic tree be eradicated unless He who surpasses them all is proclaimed? Every nation once worshipped false gods; the so-called deities of the Gentiles are demons, as the Apostle expressly stated, "That which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God" (1 Corinthians 10:20). Thus, they remained in bondage as they offered sacrifices to these spirits, rendering the earth but wood; yet He has been declared great, above all earthly praise.

…For when it was said, "He is to be feared above all gods," it was added, "For all the gods of the heathen are devils." What relevance does this praise have for Him who is not deemed worthy of worship, that He is superior to the idols of pagans, who are but demons? Wait and consider this: "God created the heavens." Not merely above all gods, but above all heavens He crafted, in which the Lord reigns. If it had simply stated, "above all gods," it might have implied that even the spirits of the Gentiles possess some elevation, and if our Lord's honor had concluded with that notion, it would have painted a lesser picture of Christ than we ought to recognize; yet when it proclaims, "But the Lord made the heavens," note the significant distinction between heaven and demons, indeed between heaven and Him who created the heavens. Furthermore, He did not claim, "But the Lord sits in the heavens"; that could hint that someone else might have created them as He sits enthroned within. He crafted the heavens. If He formed the heavens, He also formed the angels: He Himself created the angels and Himself appointed the apostles. The spirits submitted to the Apostles: meanwhile, the Apostles were the very heavens that gave birth to the Lord... O heavens created by Him, proclaim His honor to the Gentiles! Let His dwelling be constructed throughout the world; let the entire earth rejoice in a new song.

The prophet indicates the audience to whom these matters should be directed. Declare His glory among the nations and His marvelous deeds to all people. May all of humanity embrace this message and recognize the wonders of God.

Proclaim to the nations, He urges, the splendor of God the Word's Incarnation and His suffering on our behalf, for enduring suffering for the redemption of His followers brings glory to the Lord. Likewise, make known the wondrous deeds He has performed among humanity. Eusebius articulates: The Holy Spirit desires that they diligently and continuously perform the work of the Gospel; for the expression, “Day by day,” signifies that they are to announce salvation perpetually, of which it is declared, “He is truly the Savior of the world” (John 4:42). Apollinarius notes that it is possible—day by day—to reflect upon the two covenants of the Savior, who is the sun of righteousness.

The prophetic Spirit, through David, once again foretold that Christ would reign following His crucifixion, declaring, “Sing unto the Lord all the earth, and proclaim day by day his salvation; for the Lord is great and very honorable. He is terrible above all gods, for the gods of the nations are idols of demons, but God made the heavens. Glory and praise before His face, strength and glory in His place of sanctuary. Give glory to the Lord, the Father of the ages. Receive grace, enter in before His face, and worship in His holy courts. Let all the earth fear before His face, and let it be reformed, and let it not be moved.

Can the Jewish people see this as applicable to themselves? How can they declare God's majesty to the Gentiles, who are not permitted to study the law beyond their own territories? This is precisely why the prophet Amos admonished the Jews: “And they read the law outside, and made confession. Proclaim it! For this the children of Israel have loved, saith the Lord God” (Amos 4:5). And what consequence follows from this? “And I will send you sharpening of the teeth in all your cities” (Amos 4:6). Thus, it is evident that David referred to the new covenant of the gospel, initially urging: “proclaim,” and subsequently affirming: “in the nations His glory, in all tribes His wonders.” What do these wonders entail?

In this passage, he emphasizes the greatness of salvation through various descriptors, referring to it as glory and miracles, which signify splendid and astonishing acts. Through these terms, he sets this salvation apart from all previous deeds, for indeed, God has manifested His grace and might in even more splendid ways now than in times past, especially in revealing the Savior to humanity. The salvation spoken of by the Prophet could not have been proclaimed to the Gentiles unless they were included in it. Therefore, we understand that our gratitude to Christ for the salvation we have received can only be genuinely expressed by focusing our hearts and minds on that magnificent miracle evident in our salvation.

This Psalm to David, inspired by the Holy Spirit, serves as a hymn of praise to God, celebrating the establishment of the Lord’s covenant on Mount Zion and the founding of His House in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. This event symbolizes the transition of the Church from mere words to the faith in Christ, which was rooted in that very Jerusalem. It lays the groundwork for the faithful of Christ after the bondage of sinful Babylon, built upon the apostles, saints, and prophets, with Jesus Christ as the cornerstone. In Him, all creation is nurtured into the holy Church of the Lord, anticipating His second coming.