Unveiling Eternal Joy: Reflections on Psalm 5:12

​Psalm 5 is included in my daily prayers. I have read it weekly for many years now. Recently, verse 12 jumped out at me. It does seem that bible verses that I have read many, many times before can suddenly become like new words.

The Orthodox Study Bible commentary states that the 5th Psalm was written by David and emphasizes the End and our inheritance given to us through Jesus Christ. This inheritance, as noted in the Nicene Creed, is the Church and the world to come. It is one of the fixed Psalms in the First Hour and clergy often pray verses 8 & 9 upon entering the church just prior to services.

Here are some of my thoughts about Psalm 5:12.

But let all who hope in You be glad

Even without reading the commentary about Psalm 5, my thoughts went to how we should be glad and thankful for the redemption and eternal life offered to all people of the world through the resurrection of Jesus. This gift of mercy and love brings us joy and hope as we remember the Paschal Troparion: “Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life!”

They will greatly rejoice forever

What more is there to say—rejoicing forever! Rejoicing yesterday, today, tomorrow and into eternity. Praising God in thankfulness as we remember His awesomeness, His power, His mercy and His total love for each one of us. Knowing that His everlasting love is with us as we travel through life looking forward to the glorious afterlife.

For You will dwell in them

The Holy Spirit dwells in us now. This gift from God is indescribable and can be difficult for us to comprehend. God has granted us His presence in the form of the Holy Spirit. It is up to us to call upon God, sit in silence in His presence and communicate with Him through prayer. He is always there for us.

And all who love Your name will boast in You.

Through the Holy Spirit indwelling in us and the joy and hope we have, our love for the Lord will manifest itself in ways we may not even see. The peace we acquire from Him can flow out into those we interact with and meet in the world. Whether we shout our praises to the Lord in the town square or we quietly live our lives in a Christ-like manner, His love is shared with others.

I realized as I put my thoughts down about Psalm 5:12 that it does fit the bill for preparing for Lent—especially when the Paschal Troparion came to mind. What a lovely remembrance of why we go through Lent. We know the end story and the culmination of Holy Week as Jesus conquers death by death through His resurrection. It may seem odd to humanity to be joyful over death! But the tears that come to me when I remember His loving act for us are indescribable.

May we all enter the Lenten period with joy! May our days of fasting, giving and introspection bring us closer to the Lord, Jesus Christ. We are not alone. As Jesus says:

"And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen." —Matthew 28:20b

In His Love,

Paisia

Originally published in the Holy Apostles E-bulletin. Subscribe here.