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

Introduction to the 9th octave:

Teth= mud, dirt => humiliating or healing, or creating (potter)
= the Lord fashions our souls.

• v.65-66: spiritually, through grace and His Word
• v.67-68: exteriorly, through sorrowful or happy life
• v.69-70: through attacks from people
• v.71-72: shows how successful was God’s action

= shows the Lord’s response to a sinner breaking loose from the bonds of sin (see previous octave).

VERSE 65:
Thou Hast dealt graciously with Thy servant,
O Lord, according to Thy Word.

Remembering God’s grace, praising Him for it (cf promise in Ez 33:11).
Sometimes the Lord enters the soul through conscience or His word, or Providence, or examples of God-fearing people, or life events.

VERSE 66:
Goodness and discipline and knowledge teach Thou me,
for in Thy commandments have I believed.

Goodness = love of my brothers
Discipline = art of active virtue
Knowledge = understanding of things divine

Cf Zigabenos

Teach me how to walk that way.
p.174

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