THE WORKS OF OUR HOLY FATHER JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, ARCHBISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPLE

Volume V

Book 2

COMMENTARY ON THE PSALMS*

* In the discourses, the Russian translation of the Psalms of Prof. Yungerov is used, made directly from the Greek text of the Septuagint, which is used by Chrysostom, and therefore is much more suitable for this book, in contrast to the translation of the Synodal, made from the Hebrew original.

DISCOURSE on Psalm 131. The meekness of Moses and the explanation of what is true meekness and what is cruelty. Remembering David's meekness, why does the psalmist speak of his vow to build a temple to the Lord? "We have heard that it is in the Euphrates... Let us enter into His dwellings..." Prayer for the rest of the Ark of the Covenant and the people, and for the splendor of the temple for the sake of David's virtues and the divine promises that were made to him, which, however, were given on condition. "If this condition is fulfilled, the Jews will enjoy spiritual and material goods. – "My holiness shall flourish upon it..."

DISCOURSE on Psalm 132. The high dignity of love, as uniting with pleasantness and benefit, and comparing it with the sacred myrrh that poured on the head of the high priest, and with the dew. – "For there the Lord commanded a blessing." "Where is 'there'?" Love is the queen of virtues.

DISCOURSE on Psalm 133. General content of the final psalm of degrees. – A Christian is required to be more holy, than from those who lived under the law. – "Lift up your hands at night..." – The one who does this will receive a blessing from the Lord. – Why is it added: "from Zion" and "He who created heaven and earth"?

DISCOURSE on Psalm 134. The importance of psalmody or praise to the Lord in the spiritual life of a person. – What does it mean: "for His inheritance"? – Other motives for glorifying the Lord: the wisdom of God in the arrangement of clouds, the union of rains with lightning, and the movement of winds. – "From his treasures." – The special divine care for Israel and the supreme goal of the signs that took place in Egypt and, after leaving it, victories over enemies. – Praise to the Lord for His extraordinary mercies. – "The idols of the Gentiles are silver and gold..." – The difference is in blessings.

DISCOURSE on Psalm 135. The boundless greatness of God's mercy, dominion and omnipotence. – Miracles are the actions not only of power, but also of goodness. – Manifestations of divine omnipotence in the events at the Red Sea, in the desert and in the land of Canaan. – The power of human humility and the universality of divine providence.

DISCOURSE on Psalm 136. The Babylonian captivity awakened in the Jews a burning love for Jerusalem and greatly contributed to their correction. "If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand be forgotten." – An exhortation to live in such a way as not to lose the heavenly Jerusalem. – The thirst for revenge on the part of the captive Jews, the thought of the prophet himself and the New Testament teaching about it.

DISCOURSE on Psalm 137. What does it mean: "And before the angels I will sing to Thee"? – It depends on us that we are heard by God. – "Thou hast magnified Thy holy name over all..., increase thy care for me, for my soul." – The call of all the rulers of the earth to gratitude to the Lord. – "And let them sing the ways of the Lord." – The Lord foresees the future far away and saves the needy, as a merciful Creator.

DISCOURSE on Psalm 138. How should we understand the words: "Lord, Thou hast tried me and recognized me"? – If God knows man's thoughts before they arise, then why does He use testing by works? – "Thou hast searched my path and my way." – Divine foreknowledge, creative power and providence. – The incomprehensibility for man of the divine being, the way of omnipresence and help in disasters. – What does it mean: "As its darkness is, so is its light (will be)." – A change in the action of the elements according to the will of God. "Man does not have complete knowledge; Divine knowledge is not like that. "Within days they form, but none of them." It is no small virtue to have God's friends in great honor and to avoid the company of impious people. – "Tempt me, O God, and know my heart."