In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:

COMMENTARY ON PSALM 136 Alleluia.l HE CHARISM OF INSPIRATION composed also this psalm for the same [people], showing concern for their benefit through further lessons given them. Confess to the Lord that he is good, because his mercy is forever (v. 1). Offer to God, he is saying, the thanksgiving hymn, mindful of the good things supplied by him, and marveling at his immeasurable mercy. Confess to the God ofgods, because his mercy is forever (v. 2). By gods here he does not mean idols: he would not have called him God of what does not exist; after all, God is God not of the dead but of the living.2 Accordingly, he calls gods those given the status of priesthood, styled sons of God, as it says also in the Law, "You shall not revile gods, nor speak evil of a leader of your people";3 and, "Israel my firstborn son";4 and in Isaiah, [1921] "I had children and reared them";5 and in the Psalms, "I said, 'You are gods, and all children of the Most High."'6 He called them gods in being styled children of God. (2) Confess to the Lord of lords, because his mercy is forever (v. 3). Both kings and rulers, receiving authority from God, rule over their subjects. Thus the Lord also said, 'The kings of the nations lord it over them, and the rulers dominate them."7 There are also certain angels called Dominations. Hence the divine Apostle also said, "I mean, even if there are so-called gods (many so-called but not real, sharing the name, not the reality), whether in heaven or on earth, there being many gods, yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom all things are and 1. Cf. closing note to the previous psalm. Theodoret obviously knows nothing of this psalm's name in judaism, the "Great Halle\." 2. Cf. Matt 22.32. 3. Cf. Exod 22.28. 4. Exod 4.22. 5ยท Isa 1.2. 6. Ps 82.6. 7. Matt 20.25. 319 320 THEODORET OF CYRUS for whom we exist, and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom all things are and through whom we exist."8 The psalm called him Lord of the true lords. (3) Who alone worked great wonders, because his mercy is forever (v. 4). Wonder working belongs also to his well-disposed servants; but we give the name divine also to the miracles of Moses, of Joshua, and of Elijah, as likewise to the signs worked by the sacred apostles. So the inspired author was right to say that he alone is worker of the great wonders. Then he highlights also his great works of creation: Who by understanding made the heavens , because his mercy is forever (v. 5): heaven also, once it is merely seen, proclaims God's wisdom; great is its extent, its beauty, and its long duration. Who secured the earth on the waters, because his mercy is forever (v. 6). This, too, is admirable and surpassing human conception, that the earth is everywhere encircled by waters and yet abides, thanks to its own nature. The recorder of these marvels was right to relate the everlasting mercy to all these verses since the loving Creator made them all not out of any need of his but solely out of loving-kindness.9 (4) Who alone made great lights, because his mercy is forever (v. 7). Sharing in the divine providence, human beings are in the habit of lighting lamps; but all the fire on earth is no match for the brightness of a single star. The sun is the brightest among all stars and the moon itself: once it shines it obscures even [the stars] and dulls the [moon's] rays. The sun to rule over the day, because his mercy is forever; the moon and the stars to rule over the night, because his mercy is [1924] forever (w. 8-g): he apportioned, he said, time to the lights, making the day with the sun's rays while lighting up the night with moon and stars. Through the creation of these things he shows his peculiar goodness. (5) Who struck Egypt with its firstborn ones, because his mercy is forever (v. 10). Perhaps, however, you might be at a loss to ex8 . Cf. 1 Cor 8'5-6, loosely recalled. With the Songs of the Steps behind him, with all their constricting features, Theodoret is becoming more expansive...

Share