Psalm 99 (98):3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Beloved brethren, you should already be aware, as children of the Church and well-versed in the teachings of Christ from the writings of our ancient fathers, who articulated the divine truths and remarkable deeds of God. Their intention was for our benefit as believers in Christ living in this time. He first came to us in meekness, and is destined to return in glory... For it is written in the Psalms: Truth shall blossom from the earth, and truth shall look down from heaven. Thus, our aim is to recognize Christ in Psalms, Prophets, or Laws composed before the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, dear ones, join me in this Psalm as we search for Christ within it; surely, He will reveal Himself to seekers and will not abandon those who yearn for Him, redeeming even those who have overlooked Him. Behold, the Psalm begins speaking of Him: The Lord is King; the people are wrathful (Psalm 98:1). Our Lord Jesus Christ commenced His reign and proclamation after His resurrection and ascension, having infused His disciples with the hope of the Holy Spirit so they would not fear death, which He has vanquished within Himself. The message of Christ was then declared so that those yearning for salvation might believe in Him, and the idolatrous nations were provoked. Those fuming over their creations grew angry because the One who brought them into being was being proclaimed. He revealed Himself through His disciples, urging them to turn to Him, their Creator, and away from their own idolatries. They were offended by their Lord, warriors of their idols, yet this was a misguided rage, for even a slave fashioned by God is superior to their lifeless images. They were so incensed over their idols that they had no reservations about opposing their Lord. Nevertheless, the anger expressed is merely a prediction, not an edict; as prophecy states, The Lord is King; let the nations be enraged. Some positive outcomes can arise from angry souls: let their anger serve to crown martyrs.

Recall what you heard in the reading of Jeremiah before the Apostle's message; if you were attentive, you noticed the state of our current times. He declared, The gods that did not create the heavens and the earth shall vanish from the earth and from beneath the heavens (Jeremiah 10:11). He did not say, “The gods that did not create heaven and earth shall vanish from heaven and earth,” for they have never dwelled in heaven. He emphasizes the earth twice because it lies beneath heaven. Let them be removed from the earth and from their temples. Consider if this is not unfolding now; if it has not yet occurred on a wider scale, what remains? The idols are far more embedded in the hearts of the Gentiles than within their sanctuaries. He who sits between the cherubim is understood as the King; let Him stir up the earth. The cherubim embody God's throne, as scripture informs us, a high celestial seat obscured from our view; the Word of God understands it as His throne, and the Word and the Spirit of God have revealed to His servants where He resides. God does not sit as a man; rather, if you allow God to reside within you, if you strive to be righteous, you will become His throne; as it is written, The soul of a righteous person is the vessel of wisdom (Proverbs 12:23). In our language, a throne corresponds with a seat. Some knowledgeable in Hebrew translate "cherubim" to mean fullness of knowledge. Since God surpasses all understanding, He is said to dwell above the completeness of knowledge. Therefore, if fullness of knowledge dwells in you, you will become God's throne. He knows all, for indeed, even the hairs on our heads are numbered before Him (Matthew 10:30). However, the fullness of knowledge that He desires for man differs from this; the knowledge He wishes you to possess is bound to the law of God. And you may wonder, who can fully grasp the law to claim the fullness of knowledge and be a throne for God? But do not fret; you are guided thus: Love is the fulfillment of the Law (Romans 13:10). So what lies next? Have you lost your justification? Examine your heart to see if it harbors love. Where love exists, the Law is fulfilled, and God abides within you, making you His throne. Let the rage of men be perceived; what can angry men do against one who has become a throne for God? Be attentive to those who might ire against you; consider who resides within you; do not fear. You have become heaven, so how can you fear the earth? For Scripture states, Heaven is My throne (Isaiah 66:1). Therefore, if you possess the fullness of knowledge and love and have become a throne for God, you have become heaven. This heaven we observe is not esteemed much before God. It is the holy souls and the minds of angels and all His servants that constitute His heaven.

Great is the Lord in Zion and exalted above all people (Psalm 98:2). The one identified previously as the cherubim is indeed great in Zion. Ask, what is Zion? We recognize Zion as God’s dwelling. The city of Jerusalem is referred to as Zion, interpreted as the act of watching, signifying observation and contemplation; for to watch implies intention. Every soul is Zion if it seeks the light to be seen. For when one focuses on their own light, it grows dim; but when fixed on Him, it is enlightened. Now that it is clear that Zion symbolizes the city of God, what is the city of God if not the Holy Church? For the community of those who love one another and love their God dwelling within signifies the city of God. This city is governed by a law; their law is Love, for God is Love (1 John 4:8). Hence, he who lives fully in love lives fully in God, and those entwined in love together constitute a city full of God. This city of God is called Zion; thus, the Church embodies Zion. In this, God is great.

Do you suppose, dear brethren, that those whose instruments delighted yesterday are not irate over our fasts? Yet let us not fuel their anger; rather, let us fast for their sakes. For the Lord our God, residing within, commanded us to pray for our enemies and to intercede for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44). When the Church fulfills this, persecutors often diminish... A drunken individual does not offend himself; he offends the sober. Show me a man joyful in God, who sincerely longs for the eternal peace He promises; when he witnesses another engaging in frivolity, he feels more sorrowful for their foolishness than one caught in a feverish frenzy. Thus, if we recognize their wrongs, knowing that we too have been liberated from similar vices, we will grieve for them; and if we are grieved, we will be moved to pray; and to ensure our prayers are received, we will fast for them. We do not observe fasts on our feast days. The fasts of the approaching Easter differ from those on set days of celebration in Christ; yet during their celebrations, we fast to lament their revelry. Their joy incites our sorrow and reminds us of their ongoing misery. However, since we have seen many liberated from what once ensnared us, we must not despair for them either. And if they remain petulant, let us pray; and should another segment of the world rise against us, let us continue to grieve for them, that God may grant them understanding and allow them, alongside us, to hear the joyous words we share in this moment.

All this people, over whom Thou art great in Zion, may they confess to Thy Name, great (Psalm 98:3). Thy Name was deemed small when they were angry; now let it be acknowledged as great. In what manner do we regard the Name of Christ as previously small before its widespread acknowledgment? Because the report given corresponds with His Name. His Name, once small, has grown immensely. What nation remains unaware of Christ’s Name? Thus, may men now confess before Thy great Name, who were once enraged at Thy lesser Name. Why confess? Because it is marvelous and sacred. His Name itself is marvelous and holy. He is preached as crucified, preached as humble, preached as condemned so that He may come exalted, come alive, come to judge with power. He generously extends mercy to those who currently blaspheme, for God's patience leads to repentance (Romans 2:4). He who today exhibits mercy will not forever do so; the One whom they currently fear will ultimately return to judge. He will come, beloved, He will come: let us live with reverence and strive to be found on His right side. For He will come to judge, separating whom He chooses to the left and to the right (Matthew 25:31-33). He judges with certainty; He does not err in the placements of souls, whimsically deciding who deserves what. If He cannot stumble, we err if we remain unafraid; but if we have feared rightly throughout this life, we have nothing to dread. For the honor of the king seeks justice.

You have prepared righteousness; You have executed justice and truth in Jacob. We too must bear justice and righteousness; it is He who instills judgment and righteousness in us, who created us for this purpose. How do we embody justice and righteousness? You gain judgment by discerning good from evil and righteousness when you pursue good and avoid evil. By discerning, you attain judgment; through action, you achieve righteousness. Shun evil, He instructs, and do good; seek peace and pursue it. You must first have judgment and then righteousness. What is judgment? It is the discernment of what is evil and what is good. What is righteousness? It is turning from evil and doing good. But this you cannot attain by your own means; observe His words: You have wrought judgment and righteousness in Jacob.

Let them proclaim Your magnificent name. This name, Jesus, is truly remarkable; it signifies the Deliverance of humanity. Additionally, it is a name 'that is above every name,' to which 'every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord' (Philippians 2:9-11). It inspires both awe and reverence. It evokes fear in nations filled with wrath that reject His dominion, yet it is sacred to those who place their faith in Him.

Thus, everyone ought to offer their praises to You and declare Your blessings, not to delve into Your ineffable essence, but to revere Your name that is both awe-inspiring and sacred; for it brings sanctification to the faithful and instills fear in the unfaithful.

Let all nations offer gratitude to Your magnificent name, O Lord. By invoking Your name, He refers to the divine identity: He has bestowed upon humanity, whom He perceives, a name that surpasses all others. It is a name elevated above every name, and He urges that thanks be given solely to Your name, without delving into the mysteries of Your divinity or the specifics of Your Incarnation, as noted by Theodoritus. Your name strikes fear into Your adversaries, enforcing their expulsion and punishment, while it brings sanctity and purification to those who acknowledge it. This may also refer to the name of Jesus, which is esteemed as both awe-inspiring and, as we've stated, holy and redemptive.

The names of God are magnificent, as they must reflect His majesty. For instance, when referred to as Lord, it holds a different meaning than our common use of the term; when identified as King, His royal splendor must be understood in a unique context. Nonetheless, the name by which God identifies Himself is extraordinarily significant. When responding to Moses's inquiry about His name, He said, "I AM WHO I AM" (Ex. 3:14), instructing Moses to tell the Israelites that "I AM has sent me to you" (Ex. 3:14). This awe-inspiring and sacred name is the one the prophet urges us to acknowledge. A deity bound by time, though formidable, does not invoke profound fear, as His power can wane over time.

He affirms the previously mentioned statements, illustrating that God, who reigns in Zion, possesses the continual ability to render the foes of His church powerless. The subsequent phrases, which are exalted above all humanity, should not be interpreted to imply that God is seated on His throne to spare the adversaries, but rather to thwart their schemes and designs. The expression, let them confess to Thy name, is not directed towards tongues, but rather toward the faithful, from whom the Prophet seeks acknowledgment and thankfulness. While God may withhold acknowledgment or confession from the defeated foes, they persist in opposing His glory and hurling blasphemies against His name, making these words inappropriate for them. Instead, He addresses the faithful, urging them to glorify His holy name.

A Psalm, inspired by the Holy Spirit, was composed by David during the time of the establishment of his kingdom. This Psalm declares the supreme sovereignty, might, and humanity of God Almighty, who reigns as King and Judge upon the Ark of the Covenant, surrounded by the Cherubim and Seraphim, seated invisibly so that all may exult and worship Him, akin to Moses, Aaron, and Samuel. This also pertains to the Kingdom of Christ and the Holy Church, which is His Body (Eph. 1:23). When Christ, the King of heaven and earth, was born, Herod and all of Jerusalem were filled with fear and rage, leading him to harm all the young children (Mt. 2:3, 16). Humanity must be released from demonic captivity into the freedom offered by Christ.