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

VERSE 132:
Look upon me and have mercy on me,
according to the judgment of them that love Thy name.

What else does he desire now? 
The continuity of God’s protection and divine favor, because enemies always try to sneak up on us.
He wants to receive the mercy God bestows on those who love His Name (cf. Prov 8:17: I love those who love me). To be granted their same determination.

May my soul always be clothed in the veil of light emanating from Thy love so that, warmed by it, it may live joyfully in itself and, illuminated by its light, it may repel enemies, as if abiding in an invincible fortress.
p. 285

VERSE 133:
My steps do Thou direct according to Thy saying, 
and let no iniquity have dominion over me.

He is still afraid of making the wrong steps, because of the nets prepared by the enemy.
For instance “thoughts, temptations, distractions”, compared here to “a flight of mosquitoes,
whirling around the head of the one on the path, buzzing and trying to sting him”. 
But if you are faithful, they just circle around your head.

VERSE 134:
Deliver me from the false accusation of men,
and I will keep Thy commandments.

V.133 was about inner temptations, v.134 about temptations from the outside, like slander,
which cools down our ardor towards doing good.
Slander “acts upon the works of virtue as frost upon plants in springtime.” (p. 287)

To turn away the evil influence of slander, Christ has said a beatitude (Matthew 5:11-12).
Against it, we can only turn to Heaven.

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