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

VERSE 143:
Tribulations and necessities have found me;
Thy commandments are my meditation.

So that we wouldn’t be carried away by pride, our loyalty to the commandments is accompanied with outer darkness.

In the twilight of faith, you see ahead of you a bright spot; guide your way in that direction, paying no attention to what is around you.
p. 298

VERSE 144:
Thy testimonies are righteousness for ever;
give me understanding and I shall live.

Turning to the Lord Himself, pray, 
Give me understanding and I shall live;
grant me, O Lord, always to keep in mind the conviction
that Thy commandments are immutable, 
and I shall live.
p. 299

Then Theophan concludes this octave by recapitulating all the themes together:

Believe with faith and life will be bright;
be zealous with zeal and you will live,  enlivened by love;
be humbled by humility, not losing hope,
and you will never tell your zeal “enough”.
p. 299

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