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

Introduction to the 11th octave:

Caph = the palm of the hand.
Ambivalent symbol, as you can both offend and express love with the palm of the hand.
Here, the Prophet, unjustly oppressed, seems to be saying, “I am being beaten, so caress me, O Lord.”
It can be applied to Job and the holy martyrs.

VERSE 81:
My soul fainteth for Thy salvation;
on Thy words have I set my hope.

Fainteth for salvation:
= strongly desires to receive salvation from Thee, and sees its delay.

On Thy words have I set my hope = “on Thy promise” (St Athanasios)

Salvation:
= deliverance from humiliating attacks, from deprivations for the word of God.
Like what Job and martyrs have been experiencing. Or those who suffer innocently.

It’s also a cry of the soul thirsting for salvation from sin and eternal perdition, and for the coming of the Lord.

“The holy and God-fearing person wants nothing but God’s salvation, which is Christ the Lord.
He longs only for Him, wants only Him, turns to Him with all his strength…
and fears only losing communion with Him.”
p. 201

Cf. Ps 62.2: “My soul hath thirsted for Thee”

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Any reflection on these quotes?