Psalm 118:
A Commentary
by Saint Theophan the Recluse
(1815-1894)
by Saint John of Kronstadt Press, 2014
Goodreads

VERSE 18:
O unveil mine eyes,
and I shall perceive wondrous things out of Thy law.

Blindness because of the fall, yet there’s an indelible certitude of God’s existence.
It strikes me like in previous verses, Theophan’s outlook on humanity is very positive. Orthodoxy has an optimistic view of mankind, we didn’t inherit Adam’s guilt. There may be dirty leaves covering the spring, but the spring is still alive below (this is actually an image used by Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, a 12th century Western Father).
And when we draw near to God, the veil of our blindness is removed.

Let me see the truth about myself, about the others and all that surrounds me.
page 52

Forgetfulness is a type of spiritual blindness.

He whose spiritual eyes are open sees God and the divine order of things.
page 52

VERSE 19:
I am a sojourner on the earth,
hide not from me Thy commandments.

I am  sojourner on earth… My homeland is not here… I should have only one thing in thought and desire – to walk unceasingly upon the right path to my homeland.
page 53

I particularly like the following quotation. How do I act as a sojourner?

Let it be known by word and deed that we are wanderers and sojourners…
Do not conceal from me how to act best.
page 54

PLEASE SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THESE NOTES
Any reflection on these quotes?