Chapter 28

Psalm to David, the departure of the tabernacle. The present psalm is sung after the rejection of the Israelites and the bringing in of the Gentiles in their place. This is also shown by the inscription: “the exodus of the tabernacle,” which clearly indicates to us the exodus of the Israelites. Ps.28:1. Bring to the Lord sons of God. He calls the holy Apostles the Sons of God, because he taught them to say: “Our Father, who art in heaven” (Matthew 6:9). Bring to the Lord, sons of rams. By the name “son of rams” he means those who were called by the Apostles from the Jewish people to faith in the Lord, or those who believed from among the pagans, since they were born of foolish fathers. Bring glory and honor to the Lord. He who does good brings glory to the Lord, according to what is said: “For they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father” (Matthew 5:16); and also to bring honor to those who practice good deeds, according to what has been said: “honor the Lord with your righteous labors” (Prov. 3:9). Ps.28:2. Worship the Lord in His holy courtyard. This gives us a clear command that we should not worship outside the Church; This was said because of heterogeneous gatherings. So, worship should not be outside the Church, but in the very court of God. Don’t invent for yourself, he says, special courts and meetings. One is God's holy courtyard. By the name “courtyard” one can also mean those who have ascended to heavenly residence. Ps.28:3. The Voice of the Lord on the Waters. “Waters” refers to the multitude of those saved by the waters. “Waters” are holy, because rivers will flow out of their bellies (John 7:38), that is, the spiritual teaching with which they give drink to those who listen. On such and such waters is the Lord. But, according to the story, Elijah, after a lack of rain, heard the voice of many waters. He also understands the voice of God and the Father on the Jordan saying: “This is My beloved Son” (Matthew 3:17), and this voice is likened to thunder. Ps.28:5. The voice of the Lord breaking the cedars. “Cedar ami” in these words denotes resistive forces. And the Lord destroys the cedars of Lebanon. He calls the cedars of “Lebanon” those of eminence among the Jewish people; because in divine Scripture Lebanon is often called Jerusalem. Ps.28:6. And I will grow up like the calf of Lebanon. Taurus means altar. And the beloved is like a unicorn son. The beloved host of the Apostles became the son of unicorns. Unicorns are holy prophets and patriarchs, and their sons are holy Apostles: because in one God they had horn and strength. Ps.28:7. The voice of the Lord cutting off the flames of fire. He understands the promise that he gave to the saints, saying: “If you pass through fire... the flame will not burn you” (Is. 43:2). Ps.28:8. The voice of the Lord shaking the desert. “Shaking” is also called here what is heard everywhere, as in the words: “When Jesus came in... the whole city was shaken” (Matthew 21:10). “Desert” refers to the Church of the pagans, which in ancient times did not have knowledge of God. And the Lord will shake the Qaddian desert. Cadiz is interpreted: “holy”; of course, the holy Church of Christ. Ps.28:9. The voice of the Lord brings forth the tree and opens the oak groves. "Eleni" are saints; and “performing” means preparing; because He prepared and sent the holy Apostles, according to what was said: “Going and learning all languages” (Matthew 28:19). The Church calls it “oak forests” because in ancient times it was the mother of barren trees. And in His church everyone speaks glory. The Lord prepared and sent the holy Apostles to put the demons to flight and bring the pagans to the knowledge of God. Ps.28:10. The Lord inhabits the flood. “Flood” refers to the multitude of believers, according to what was said: “the whole earth of the knowledge of the Lord will be filled, just as the waters of the sea cover many seas” (Hab. 2:14). And the Lord will sit as King forever. This is similar to what was said: “every knee will bow” (Is. 45:23). Ps.28:11. The Lord will give strength to his people. And this is similar to what was said: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13). The Lord will bless His people with peace. And this is similar to what was said: “My peace I give to you, My peace I leave with you” (John 14:27). You might be interested in: