Psalm 99 (98):8Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Dearly loved brethren, as members of the Church and students of Christ's teachings derived from the writings of our revered ancestors, it should already be clear to you that their intent was to guide us for our benefit, particularly we who live in this age and hold faith in Christ. He came to us initially in a state of humility and is destined to return in glory. As it is declared in the Psalms: "Truth shall spring forth from the earth, and righteousness shall look down from heaven." Our ultimate goal is to perceive Christ when we hear the Psalms, the Prophets, or the Law, all of which were written prior to our Lord Jesus Christ's incarnation, and to recognize Him in them. Therefore, beloved, engage with me in this Psalm and seek Christ within it; assuredly, He will reveal Himself to those who truly search for Him, just as He first manifested to those who were not seeking Him, and He will nourish those who yearn for Him, redeeming even those who have turned away. Consider, as the Psalm begins, "The Lord reigns; let the earth rejoice" (Psalm 98:1). Indeed, our Lord Jesus Christ commenced His reign and His preaching after His resurrection and ascension into heaven, filling His disciples with the hope of the Holy Spirit so that they might not dread the death that He had already overcome within Himself. Our Lord Christ was then proclaimed as the means to salvation for those wishing to believe in Him; yet, the idolaters were filled with rage. Those who worshipped their own creations were incensed at the announcement of the One by whom they had been created. He made Himself known through His disciples, urging them to turn to their Creator and forsake their man-made idols. They were furious with their Lord, driven by their devotion to inanimate objects, even though their servant was of greater worth than their idols, crafted by God's hand while the idols themselves were the product of human artisanship. Their anger towards their Lord, which was misplaced, became instead a vessel for prophecy: "The Lord reigns; let the people rage."

Even amidst anger, there can be unexpected outcomes; let them rage, and in their fury, let us see martyrs honored. You may recall the reading from Jeremiah that predated the Apostle's reading; if you were attentive, you recognized that he spoke to our current times. "Those gods that did not create the heavens and the earth, let them perish from the earth and from under the heavens" (Jeremiah 10:11). He did not assert that these gods should vanish from heaven and earth since they never belonged in heaven; his repetition of "earth" emphasizes its prominence, as it lies beneath heaven. Consider if this is not occurring now; if it has not fully transpired, what remains? The idols exist more in the hearts of the Gentiles than in the confines of their temples.

"He who sits between the cherubim" denotes that He is the King; let Him awaken the earth. The cherubim signify the throne of God, as indicated in the Scriptures, where we discern an exalted throne in heaven beyond our sight. The Word of God knows it as His throne, and the Word of God, along with the Spirit, has revealed to God's servants where God resides. God does not dwell as man does; rather, if one allows God to dwell within, they shall become His throne, as it is written, "The soul of a righteous man is the dwelling place of wisdom" (Proverbs 12:23). A throne is a seat, and those versed in Hebrew interpret cherubim in terms of fullness of knowledge. Since God transcends all knowledge, He is depicted as seated above such fullness. Thus, let that fullness dwell in you, and you shall be the throne of God.

He holds all knowledge, as even our hairs are counted before Him (Matthew 10:30). The fullness of knowledge intended for humanity differs from this; it pertains to the law of God. You might inquire who can perfectly grasp the law and embody the fullness of this knowledge to become God's throne. But take comfort; it is simply stated: if you seek the fullness of knowledge and to be God's throne, "Love is the fulfillment of the Law" (Romans 13:10). If you feel devoid of justification, examine your heart and see if love resides within it. Where there is love, the law is fulfilled; God abides in you, and you have become His throne. In the face of anger, what harm can come to one who has become God's throne? Pay no heed to the rage of men; instead, recognize who dwells within you. You have become heaven itself—why then fear the earth? For it is declared in the Scriptures, "Heaven is My throne" (Isaiah 66:1). Therefore, if you, filled with love and knowledge, have become God's throne, you have transformed into heaven. This earthly realm, which we observe with our eyes, holds little value to God; His heaven consists of holy souls, the minds of angels, and all who serve Him.

"Great is the Lord in Zion, and high above all people" (Psalm 98:2). The one described among the cherubim is indeed great in Zion. But what do we discern about Zion? We understand that it designates the city of God. Jerusalem is termed Zion, reflecting a meaning of observation and contemplation; to watch is to gaze intently. Every soul that strives to perceive the light to be seen is Zion, for if it sees its own light, it becomes dim, yet if it gazes upon Him, it shines brightly. Thus, Zion embodies the city of God—what is the city of God if not the Holy Church? The bonds of mutual love among its members and their devotion to the God who dwells in them form the essence of this city. A city is governed by law; its law is Love, and Love is God, as it is stated, "God is Love" (1 John 4:8). Therefore, one who is filled with love possesses God; many filled with love constitute a city overflowing with God. This city of God is called Zion; hence, the Church embodies Zion. In this, God is magnified.

Consider, brethren, do you believe that those whose instruments were resonating yesterday are not incensed by our fasts? Let us not harbor anger towards them; rather, let us fast on their behalf. For it is He who abides within us, our Lord God, who has commanded us to pray for our adversaries, to intercede for those who pursue us (Matthew 5:44). When the Church accomplishes this, those who persecute us begin to wane. A drunken individual does not harm himself but rather the sober. Show me a person elated in God, living earnestly and yearning for that eternal peace promised by Him, and observe that upon witnessing another dancing to music, he feels deeper sorrow for their folly than a person suffering from fever. Thus, knowing their transgressions and recalling that we too have been liberated from similar evils, we can empathize with them; if we grieve for them, we will pray for them, and to be heard, we will fast for them. Indeed, we do not abstain from food during our celebrations. The fasts we observe during the days leading to Easter differ from the other sacred times appointed for us in Christ; we fast during their feasts so that we may mourn for them in their moments of joy. Their revelry incites our sorrow, reminding us of their continued misery. Yet, given that we see many who have been redeemed from where we once were, we shall not despair for them. And if they remain in rage, we shall pray; if any other factions rise against us, we shall continue to weep for them, that God might grant them understanding, and that they may join us in hearing the words of joy proclaimed at this moment.

"Let all this people, over whom You are great in Zion, confess to Your Name, great" (Psalm 98:3). Your Name, once small during their anger, is now lifted high—let them now proclaim it. What do we mean by saying that Christ's Name was small before it spread so widely? His report is implied within His Name; it began small, yet has grown immense. What nation has not heard of Christ? Therefore, let mankind confess Your Name, which was once a source of rage, but is now marvelous and holy. His Name is wondrous and sacred, having been preached as humble, as crucified, and as condemned, in anticipation of His exaltation, His return, and His powerful judgment. He currently overlooks the blasphemies, as God's forbearance leads to repentance (Romans 2:4). He who extends mercy today will not always do so, and He whom they now fear will undeniably come to judge. He shall come, brethren, let us revere Him and live righteously so that we may stand at His right hand. For He will judge, placing some on His right and others on His left (Matthew 25:31-33). His judgment is without error; He does not mistakenly assign good to evil or vice versa. If He cannot err, we must not allow ourselves to stray into fear, for those who fear in this life will find no cause for fear thereafter. For the honor of the Sovereign delights in justice.

"You have established equity; You have executed judgment and righteousness in Jacob." We too must embody justice and righteousness, but He who created us is the one who performs justice and righteousness within us. How then shall we embody justice and righteousness? Justice arises when we discern good from evil; righteousness encompasses the pursuit of good and the avoidance of evil. By understanding this distinction, we attain justice; by acting righteously, we achieve righteousness. "Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it." Judgment should precede righteousness. Judgment entails discerning what is evil from the good, while righteousness demands the rejection of evil in favor of good. However, this will not be accomplished through our own efforts; remember, "You have performed judgment and righteousness in Jacob."

"Exalt the Lord our God" (Psalm 98:5). Truly exalt Him. Let us praise and magnify Him, for He has created the truth we possess; He Himself instilled it within us. Who, if not He who justifies the ungodly, can be credited with our righteousness (Romans 4:5)? "And bow down before His footstool, for He is holy." What does it mean to bow? That which lies under our feet is referred to as a footstool. Yet, consider before whom we are commanded to bend the knee. The Scripture states, "Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool" (Isaiah 66:1). So, are we to worship the earth because it is designated as God's footstool? How can we worship the earth when the Word of God clearly states, "You shall worship the Lord your God" (Deuteronomy 6:13)? Here, we are instructed to bow before His footstool, which the Scripture elucidates to be the earth itself. While I hesitate to idolize the earth, for I dread being condemned by the Creator of both heaven and earth, I am undeterred to honor His footstool, since the Psalm exhorts us to kneel before it. What constitutes the footstool for His feet? The Scripture confirms, "The earth is a footstool for My feet." In my indecision, I turn to Christ, seeking Him; He reveals how one might reverence this earthly footstool without transgression, indeed, that to neglect its worship is sinful.

O Lord our God, You have heard them. Even though it may seem that they have erred in various matters, as human beings, You did not look down upon them. Therefore, Aaron was admonished for his wrongdoing concerning the offering of the bull, and Moses was corrected regarding the waters of dispute (Num. 20:24).

O Lord our God, You have heard their cries; indeed, O God, You have shown them Your grace. You, our proclaiming Lord, as the prophet states, have endowed them with remarkable courage and granted them immense favor. You have avenged all their efforts. Symmachus interprets it in this manner: He was a deliverer of their wrongdoings. For He rescued those who sought to overpower the great Moses and cast them into the fire; those who survived the flames He brought down alive into a sepulcher, commanding the earth to open wide, creating for them a tomb by accident at the very place they sought to seize power for themselves. Those who traversed the sea, walking through its depths, were overwhelmed by the earth in miraculous waves; and those who rebelled against the Prophet Samuel were surrendered to the reign of Saul, burdening them with various afflictions.

O Lord, our God, You heard their cries; O God, You showed them mercy. The Lord proclaimed that You listened to Moses, Aaron, and Samuel, and You were compassionate towards them as they interceded for the people of Israel who had provoked Your anger. You demonstrated Your mercy even in their moments of transgression; for Moses also challenged You at the waters of strife, and Aaron, by creating a golden calf for the Israelites. Yet, You avenged all their wrongdoings. The Lord has provided protection and assistance in all the significant endeavors undertaken by Moses, Aaron, and Samuel for the benefit of the people. You also corrected the Jews for their wickedness against You. As Theodoret noted, Simmachus conveyed it this way: and avenged their sinful actions.

Our God. Whose is He? He belongs to those who, through faith, have become His servants and, through the sacrament of baptism, have been adopted as His own. They have claimed the God who is above all as their own. Indeed, this God, recognized as the Lord of those who have placed their trust in Him, is illustrated by Thomas, who, when referring to the Creator of everything, declared: My Lord and my God (John 20:28). The God in whom we have faith was not unfamiliar to the ancients who were righteous, for He heard their supplications, as affirmed by the following words: O God, You have shown mercy to them and have taken vengeance on all their endeavors.

Through these statements, it is evident that the ancient Israelites exhibited obedience due to a reciprocal relationship with God. Thus, it would be fitting for their offspring to emulate their faithfulness. However, since most of their descendants have strayed from the devotion and righteousness of their forebearers, it is not surprising that God remains unresponsive to their petitions and does not extend the same compassion He bestowed upon their ancestors. O God, You have shown mercy to them. It becomes clearer from these words that the references made to Moses, Aaron, and Samuel apply to all the people collectively; these men were not appointed as priests for their own sake, but for the collective benefit of the community.

A Psalm, divinely inspired for David to compose, during the founding of the kingdom in his lineage. It declares the supreme authority, strength, and humanity of the Almighty God, serving as King and Judge, positioned on the Ark of the Covenant amid the Cherubim and Seraphim, invisibly enthroned so that all may glorify and worship Him, following the example set by Moses, Aaron, and Samuel. This scripture also pertains to the Kingdom of Christ and to the Holy Church, which is His Body (Eph. 1:23). Upon Christ’s birth, the sovereign of both heaven and earth, Herod and all of Jerusalem were filled with fear, and in his rage, he ordered the slaying of all the young children (Mt. 2:3, 16). Earth - mankind, may he be liberated from the bondage of demons into the freedom found in Christ.