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

VERSE 149:
Hear my voice, O Lord, according to Thy mercy;
according to Thy judgment, quicken me.

Having expressed all his longings (v. 145-148), he insists, quicken, “that is, send down Thy life-giving strength, or grant my life to blossom” (p. 305), as he knows everything is from God and he needs His help and mercy.

according to Thy judgment  = as He alone knows what is best for us.
“Shape my life as Thou shalt ordain” (p.305).

VERSE 150:
They have drawn nigh that lawlessly persecute me,
but from Thy law are they far removed. 

The prophet tries to get closer to God’s law, but the enemies get closer to lawlessness.
He recalls this here to excite his own zeal.

VERSE 151:
Near art Thou, O Lord,
and all Thy ways are truth.

The Lord is omnipresent, near all and everywhere, but not all realize it or pay attention to it.
But those who follow His commandments feel God’s presence and warmth,
through the internal likeness they have acquired through virtues.
If we come close to God through thought, reflection, and searching,
we become more aware of the Lord’s living nearness.
“To be present to His presence”, said an abbess of mine.

Always contemplating the Lord with the mind, and looking upon His face in his heart,
he tries to imitate Him in everything, to be like Him and pleasing to Him.
p. 307

VERSE 152:
From the beginning I have known from Thy testimonies
that Thou hast founded them forever.

God’s commandments are eternal, so there is no other way than to follow them in order to find life.

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