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it fulfilled, so from the ruler to the subjects the benefit from harmony proceeds. 3. "As the dew of Hermon that comes down upon the mountains of Zion." Again he moved to another image, teaching the usefulness of harmony; and he said this is like the dew, brought from Hermon to Zion. And this is so much, as to send out drops from the roof-tiles. And Hermon: it is a mountain, also of Palestine, differing in land from that of Israel. "For there the Lord commanded the blessing, life forever." Not in Hermon, but in Zion, where also the life-giving dew of the all-holy Spirit was sent down upon the holy apostles, through which all who believe reap the eternal blessing.

INTERPRETATION OF THE 133RD PSALM. 1. "A song of ascents." And this one is also fitting for those who returned from Babylon. It also offers an exhortation to all the pious, so that not only by day, but also by night they may praise God. "Behold, bless the Lord, all you servants 80.1913 of the Lord." To praise is not for all, but for those who embrace the divine lordship, and who hold the service of the Master in high regard. For it is proper for those who have received the wounds of sin to weep, and to lament, and to ask for divine philanthropy. "You who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God." Having commanded to praise, he also taught the manner of the hymnody. For everywhere the divine Paul legislated to lift up holy hands; but not least is it fitting in the consecrated places to offer the worship owed to God. 2. "In the nights lift up your hands to the holy places, and bless the Lord." Having taught the place, he also teaches the time. For the night is suitable for hymnody, providing much quiet, and free from many disturbances. And to lift the hands, he exhorts also the prevailing custom. 3. "May the Lord bless you from Zion, he who made heaven and earth." For lest anyone suppose that the God of all is circumscribed by Zion, he fittingly showed him to be the creator of all; for through heaven and earth he encompassed all creation; for in heaven are angels, and on earth are men, and the things that came to be on account of them. INTERPRETATION OF THE 134TH PSALM. 1. "Alleluia. A song of ascents." This is another praise, and the same one offered to God by those who have obtained freedom. And we have already stated the interpretation of Alleluia. "Praise the name of the Lord; praise, you servants, the Lord." Since the divine nature is invisible, and he exhorts to praise it, he fittingly said, "Praise the name of the Lord." Be content, he says, with the name of God, and do not seek to see what is not lawful to see. 2. "You who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God." Having been delivered from the slavery of the Babylonians, he says, and enjoying the beauty of the divine courts, praise the giver of these good things. 3. "Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good." Make the goodness of him who is praised the occasion for the hymnody. "Sing to his name, for it is beautiful." And from this also much profit comes to you. Then he makes mention of the benefactions that have come to them. 4. "For the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself, Israel for his own possession." But Symmachus has it thus: And Israel for his special possession. He deemed him worthy of greater care, he says, and called him his own people, and while caring for all men, 80.1916 he has had a special concern for this one. And these things the blessed Moses also said: "When the Most High divided the nations, when he scattered the sons of Adam, he set the boundaries of the nations according to the number of the angels of God; and the Lord's portion became his people Jacob, the line of his inheritance, Israel." 5. "For I know that the Lord is great, and our Lord is above all gods." Through these things, he says, we have learned from the deeds of our God the