Oration on the Psalms

BLESSED BE GOD: Let us go on, brothers, from wonders to the miracles of the Lord, and, as it were, from strength to strength. For just as, in a golden chain, the links are joined and connected so closely that one holds the next, fits onto it, and so continues the chain, even so the miracles handed down in the holy Gospels, one after another, lead the Church of God onward. That Church delights in festivity, and these miracles refresh it, not with food that perishes, but with that which endures to everlasting life, John 6:27. Come then, beloved, and let us also, with prepared hearts and attentive ears, listen to what the Lord our God will say to us from the prophets and Gospels concerning this most sacred feast. Truly, He will speak peace to His people, and to His saints, and to those who turn their hearts to Him. Today, the trumpet blast of the prophets has awakened the world, and has made glad and filled with joy the churches of God everywhere among the nations. Summoning the faithful from the practice of holy fasting, and from the arena where they struggle against the desires of the flesh, they have taught them to sing a new hymn of victory and a new song of peace to Christ, who gives the victory. Come then, everyone, and let us rejoice in the Lord. Come, all you people, and let us clap our hands, and make a joyful noise to God our Savior with the voice of melody. Let no one be left without a share in this grace. Let no one fall short of this calling, for the seed of the disobedient is appointed for destruction. Let no one neglect to meet the King, lest he be shut out from the Bridegroom's chamber. Let no one among us be found receiving Him with a sad face, lest he be condemned with those wicked citizens—I mean the citizens who refused to receive the Lord as King over them, Luke 19:27. Let us all come together cheerfully. Let us all receive Him gladly, and keep our feast with all honesty. Instead of our garments, let us spread our hearts before Him. In psalms and hymns, let us raise our shouts of thanksgiving to Him, and without ceasing let us cry out, Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. For blessed are those who bless Him, and cursed are those who curse Him, Genesis 27:29. Again I say it, and I will not stop urging you to what is good: Come, beloved, let us bless Him who is blessed, so that we ourselves may be blessed by Him. This message calls every age and condition to praise the Lord: kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all judges of the earth, both young men and maidens. And what is new in this miracle is that the tender and innocent age of babes and nursing infants has gained the first place in lifting up to God, with thankful confession, the hymn that God taught them, in the same strains in which Moses sang before to the people when they came out of Egypt—namely, Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.

TODAY HOLY DAVID REJOICES WITH GREAT JOY: He has been robbed of his lyre by little children, and with them also, in the Spirit, he leads the dance and rejoices together, as he did long ago before the ark of God, 2 Samuel 6:14. He mingles musical harmony with them, and sweetly lisps in a stammering voice, "Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord." About whom shall we ask? Tell us, O prophet, who is this that comes in the name of the Lord? He will say, "It is not my part today to teach you, for He who has out of the mouth of babes and sucklings perfected praise to destroy the enemy and the avenger has consecrated the school to infants, so that by their miracle the hearts of the fathers might be turned to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just," Malachi 4:6; Luke 1:17. Tell us then, O children, from where comes this beautiful and graceful contest of song? Who taught you? Who instructed you? Who brought you together? What were your tablets? Who were your teachers? "Only join us," they say, "as our companions in this song and feast, and you will learn the things spoken through Moses and the prophet, long desired," Luke 10:24. Since the children have invited us and have given us the right hand of fellowship, Galatians 2:9, let us come, beloved, and let us also imitate that holy chorus. And with the apostles, let us make way for Him who ascends over the heaven of heavens toward the East, and who, by His good pleasure, is upon the earth mounted upon an ass's colt. Let us, with the children, raise the branches aloft, and with the olive branches make glad applause, so that the Holy Spirit also may breathe upon us, and that in due order we may raise the strain taught by God: "Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest," Matthew 21:5. Today also the patriarch Jacob keeps feast in spirit, seeing his prophecy brought to fulfillment, and with the faithful adores the Father, seeing Him who bound his foal to the vine, Genesis 49:10, mounted upon an ass's colt. Today the foal is made ready, the irrational example of the Gentiles, who before were irrational, to signify the subjection of the people of the Gentiles. And the little children declare their former state of childhood, in respect to the knowledge of God, and their later perfection by the worship of God and the practice of the true religion. Today, according to the prophet, the King of Glory is glorified upon earth, and makes us, the inhabitants of earth, partakers of the heavenly feast, so that He may show Himself to be the Lord of both, just as He is hymned with the common praises of both. Therefore the heavenly hosts sang, announcing salvation upon earth, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory," Isaiah 6:3. And those below, joining in harmony with the joyful hymns of heaven, cried, "Hosanna in the highest; Hosanna to the Son of David." In heaven the doxology was raised, "Blessed be the glory of the Lord from His place," Ezekiel 3:22, and on earth this was taken up in the words, "Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord."

BUT WHILE THESE THINGS WERE HAPPENING: and the disciples were rejoicing and praising God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, saying, "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord; peace in heaven, and glory in the highest," Luke 19:37-38 the city began to ask, "Who is this?" Matthew 21:10 In this way it stirred up its hardened and long-standing envy against the glory of the Lord. But when you hear me say "the city," understand that I mean the ancient and disorderly multitude of the synagogue. They ungratefully and maliciously ask, "Who is this?" as if they had never yet seen their Benefactor, Him whom divine miracles beyond the power of man had made famous and renowned. For the darkness did not comprehend John 1:5 that never-setting light which shone upon it. Therefore, very fittingly in regard to them, the prophet Isaiah cried out, saying, "Hear, you deaf; and look, you blind, that you may see. And who is blind, but my children? And deaf, but those who have dominion over them?" Isaiah 42:18-20 And the servants of the Lord have become blind; you have often seen, but did not observe; your ears are opened, yet you do not hear. See, beloved, how exact these words are; how the Divine Spirit, who Himself sees the future beforehand, has through His saints foretold future things as if they were present. For these thankless men saw, and by means of His miracles touched the wonder-working God, and yet remained in unbelief. John 9 They saw a man blind from birth proclaiming to them the God who had restored his sight. They saw a paralytic who had, as it were, grown up and become one with his infirmity, set free from his disease at His command. John 5:5 They saw Lazarus, who was made an exile from the region of death. John 11:44 They heard that He had walked on the sea. Matthew 14:26 They heard of the wine that was served without previous cultivation. John 2:7 They heard of the bread that was eaten at that spontaneous banquet. John 6:11 They heard that the demons had been put to flight, and the sick restored to health. Their very streets proclaimed His works of wonder. Their roads declared His healing power to those traveling on them. All Judea was filled with His benefit. Yet now, when they hear the divine praises, they ask, "Who is this?" Oh, the madness of these falsely named teachers! Oh, unbelieving fathers! Oh, foolish elders! Oh, offspring of shameless Canaan, and not of devout Judah! Daniel 3:56 The children acknowledge their Creator, but their unbelieving parents said, "Who is this?" The age that was young and inexperienced sang praises to God, while those who had grown old in wickedness asked, "Who is this?" Infants praise His Divinity, while elders speak blasphemies. Children devoutly offer the sacrifice of praise, while profane priests are wickedly angry. Matthew 21:15

O YOU WHO ARE DISOBEDIENT CONCERNING THE WISDOM OF THE RIGHTEOUS: "turn your hearts to your children," Luke 1:17. Learn the mysteries of God. The very thing that is happening bears witness that it is God who is being praised in this way by untaught tongues. "Search the Scriptures," as you have heard from the Lord in John 5:39, "for they are the ones that testify of Him," and do not be ignorant of this miracle. Hear, you men without grace and without thankfulness, what good news the prophet Zechariah brings to you. He says, "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; behold, your King comes to you: just and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon the foal of an ass," Zechariah 9:9. Why do you push away joy? Why, when the sun is shining, do you love darkness? Why do you plan war against unconquerable peace? If, therefore, you are the sons of Zion, join in the dance together with your children. Let the worship of your children be a reason for joy to you. Learn from them who their Teacher was, who called them together, from where the teaching came, and what this new theology and old prophecy mean. And if no man has taught them this, but they raise the hymn of praise on their own, then recognize the work of God, just as it is written in the law: "Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise." Therefore, increase your joy that you have become the fathers of such children, who, under the teaching of God, have celebrated with their praises things unknown to their elders. "Turn your hearts to your children," Luke 1:17, and do not close your eyes against the truth. But if you remain the same, and though hearing, do not hear, and though seeing, do not understand, Isaiah 6:10, and for no reason oppose your children, then they will be your judges, according to the Savior's word in Matthew 12:27. So then, the prophet Isaiah also spoke beforehand about this concerning you, saying, "Jacob shall not now be ashamed, neither shall his face now grow pale. But when they see their children doing My works, they shall for Me sanctify My name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel. They also that err in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn obedience, and the stammering tongues shall learn to speak peace." Do you see, foolish Jew, how from the beginning of his message the prophet declares shame on you because of your unbelief? Learn even from him how he proclaims the God-inspired hymn of praise raised by your children, just as the blessed David also declared beforehand, saying, "Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise." Either then, as is right, claim the piety of your children as your own, or reverently give your children to us. We with them will lead the dance, and for the new glory will sing together the divinely inspired hymn.

ONCE: the aged Simeon met the Savior, Luke 2:29, and received in his arms, as an infant, the Creator of the world, and declared Him to be Lord and God. But now, instead of foolish elders, children meet the Savior, just as Simeon did. Instead of their arms, they spread tree branches under Him and bless the Lord God seated on a colt, as on the cherubim: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” And together with them, let us also cry out, “Blessed is He who comes, God the King of Glory, who for our sake became poor, though in His own proper state He did not know poverty, so that by His bounty He might make us rich.” Blessed is He who once came in humility and who will later come again in glory. The first time, He was lowly, seated on a donkey’s colt, and praised by infants, so that what was written might be fulfilled: “Your goings have been seen, O God, even the goings of my God, my King, in the sanctuary.” But the second time, He will be seated on the clouds in fearful majesty, attended by angels and powers. Oh, the sweet tongue of the children! Oh, the sincere teaching of those who are pleasing to God! David in prophecy hid the Spirit under the letter. Children, opening their treasures, brought out riches on their tongues, and in grace-filled words clearly invited all people to enjoy them. Therefore let us, with them, draw out the unfading riches. In our never-satisfied hearts, and in treasure houses that cannot be filled, let us store up the divine gifts. Let us cry out without ceasing, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” True God in the name of the True God, the Almighty from the Almighty, the Son in the name of the Father. The true King from the true King, whose kingdom, like the kingdom of Him who begot Him, is with eternity, equal in age to it and existing before it. For this belongs to both alike. Scripture does not give this honor to the Son as though it came from another source, or as though it had a beginning, or could be increased or diminished—away with the thought! Rather, it is His by natural right and by true and proper possession. For the kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit is one, just as their substance is one and their rule is one. Therefore, with one and the same worship, we worship the one Deity in three Persons, existing without beginning, uncreated, without end, and having no successor. For the Father will never cease to be the Father, nor will the Son cease to be the Son and King, nor will the Holy Spirit cease to be what He is in substance and person. For nothing in the Trinity will suffer any lessening, whether in eternity, or communion, or sovereignty. For the Son of God is not called King because for our sake He was made man and in the flesh cast down the tyrant who was against us, and by taking this on Himself gained victory over its cruel enemy. Rather, He is called King because He is always Lord and God. Therefore now, both after taking flesh and forever, He remains a King, just as He who begot Him is. Do not speak against the kingdom of Christ, O heretic, lest you dishonor Him who begot Him. If you are faithful, come to Christ our true God in faith, and not as one using liberty as a covering for maliciousness. If you are a servant, be subject to your Master with trembling. For he who fights against the Word is not a well-disposed servant, but an open enemy, as it is written: “He that honors not the Son, honors not the Father which has sent Him.”

BUT LET US: beloved, return in our discussion to the point from which we digressed, crying out, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord": that good and kind Shepherd, who willingly lays down His life for His sheep. For just as hunters use a sheep to catch the wolves that devour sheep, so also the Chief Shepherd, 1 Peter 5:4, by offering Himself as man to the spiritual wolves and to those who destroy the soul, may make the destroyers His prey by means of that Adam who was once made their prey. "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord": God against the devil, not openly in His power, which cannot be looked upon, but in the weakness of the flesh, to bind the strong man, Matthew 12:29, who is against us. "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord": the King against the tyrant, not with almighty power and wisdom, but with what is regarded as the foolishness, 1 Corinthians 1:21, of the cross, which has torn his spoils from the serpent who is wise in wickedness. "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord": the True One against the liar; the Savior against the destroyer; the Prince of Peace, Isaiah 9:6, against him who stirs up wars; the Lover of mankind against the hater of mankind. "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord": the Lord, to have mercy on the creature of His hands. "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord": the Lord, to save man who had wandered into error; to put away error; to give light to those who are in darkness; to abolish the deceit of idols; to bring in, in its place, the saving knowledge of God; to sanctify the world; to drive away the abomination and misery of the worship of false gods. "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord": the one for the many, to deliver the poor out of the hands of those who are too strong for him, yes, the poor and needy from him who robs him. "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord," to pour wine and oil on him who had fallen among thieves, Luke 10:34, and had been passed by. "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord": to save us by Himself, as the prophet says, "No ambassador, nor angel, but the Lord Himself saved us," Isaiah 63:9. Therefore we also bless You, O Lord. You, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, are blessed before the worlds and forever. Before the world, indeed, and until now, You were without a body; but now and forever from now on You possess that divine humanity which cannot be changed, and from which You are never divided.

LET US ALSO LOOK AT WHAT FOLLOWS: What does the most divine evangelist say? When the Lord had entered the temple, the blind and the lame came to Him, and He healed them. And when the chief priests and Pharisees saw the wonderful things He did, and the children crying out and saying, "Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord," in Matthew 21:14-16, they could not bear this honor paid to Him. So they came to Him and said, "Do You not hear what these are saying?" It was as if they were saying, "Are You not troubled to hear from these innocent children things that are fitting for God, and for God alone? Did not God long ago make it clear through the prophet, 'My glory I will not give to another,' in Isaiah 42:8? So how do You, being a man, make Yourself God?" in John 10:33. But what does the long-suffering One answer to this, He who is rich in mercy, as Joel 2:13 says, and slow to wrath, as James 1:18 says? He bears with these frenzied men. With a gentle reply He holds back their anger. In return, He reminds them of the Scriptures. He brings forward testimony for what was happening, and does not shrink from their question. Therefore He says, "Have you never heard Me saying through the prophet, 'Then you shall know that I am He who speaks,'" in Isaiah 52:6, "and again, 'Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise because of Your enemies, so that You might silence the enemy and the avenger'? Without doubt, that means you, who listen to the law and read the prophets, and yet despise Me, though I was proclaimed beforehand by both the law and the prophets. Under a show of piety, you think you are defending the glory of God, but you do not understand that he who despises Me also despises My Father," in John 15:23. "I came forth from God and have come into the world," in John 16:28, "and My glory is also the glory of My Father." In this way these foolish men, convicted by our Savior-God, stopped answering Him, because the truth shut their mouths. But they adopted a new and foolish scheme and took counsel against Him. But let us sing, "Great is our Lord, and great is His power; and of His understanding there is no number." For all this happened so that the Lamb and Son of God, who takes away the sins of the world, might willingly, and for our sake, come to His saving Passion, and might be recognized, as it were, in the marketplace and place of selling; and so that those who bought Him might make an agreement for thirty pieces of silver concerning Him who, by His life-giving blood, was going to redeem the world; and so that Christ, our Passover, might be sacrificed for us, in order that those who were sprinkled with His precious blood and sealed on their lips, like the doorposts in Exodus 11:7, might escape the darts of the destroyer; and so that Christ, having thus suffered in the flesh and risen again on the third day, might, with equal honor and glory with the Father and the Holy Ghost, be equally adored by all created things. For to Him every knee shall bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth, in Philippians 2:10, giving glory to Him forever and ever. Amen.