The Kingly Joy and Reward

"When the kingdom is handed over to God and Father," he no longer reigns in the same way; not that he ceases to reign entirely, but he no longer reigns thus. There, he is called both king and kingdom; for "Lord, the king shall rejoice in your power" (Ps 21:13). If we take this word regarding the Word of God, he himself is found to be both king and power; for "Christ is the power of God" (1 Cor 1:24), and "the power of the Most High"—who is this?—"overshadowed" (Luke 1:35) Mary, so that she might conceive and become the mother of the temple. Therefore, if we wish to receive power from the Word of God, we look for the king, the Lordly man. He rejoices in the power of God.

Has the success not occurred in those things in which it is necessary to rejoice and be glad? These successes have not happened by the power of the man, but from the power to the man. Likewise, Paul says the resurrection of the Savior happens in this way: "He was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God" (2 Cor 4:10). We do not say the life is living by the power of God, nor the power is living by the power of God. "Having been put to death in the flesh, he was made alive in the spirit." He is put to death in the flesh, not put to death in divinity. We understand these things said about the man because: "the king shall rejoice in your power" (Ps 21:13); for even if he has prevailed over wars and subjected them and "given authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions" (Luke 10:19), this has happened by power; for this power strengthened the existing temple and the king himself to become the "author of salvation" (Acts 3:15).

"You put to death the author of life" (Acts 3:15). He is first in all things; for he says, "so that he might become himself first in all things." He is second to no one, nor is anyone equal to him in common things. I say, then, that the affairs of the Lordly man and the holy men are common. But no one is equal to him, nor is he second to anyone; therefore he is called the leader. "Lord, the king shall rejoice in your power" (Ps 21:13). And this could be said of each individual queen according to God. Abraham was a private person regarding his immediate life, yet it is said he was a "king by God." Thus, he had another kingdom: to save the divine laws and the spiritual things.

For he who reigns thus, even if he does not rule others, rules himself; first himself, then others. Again: 'You have reigned without us; and it would have been better if you had also reigned, so that we too might reign with you.' Do not think, O Corinthians—for they were self-willed in this and thought greatly of themselves—he says: do not think that we envy you if you reign. We do not reign for your sake. God does not wish to complete us without you; for this reason we do not reign because you are not yet reigning. If, therefore, you reign, we are ready to reign.

Just as if certain people, being great men, were called to a banquet by the king. The philanthropy of the king called also those inferior to those present. He says: 'Let us not eat without them, so that they might not be left out, those coming later, to be feasted.' They also have those who arrived beforehand and were feasting previously. This also is said in Psalm 1: 'The righteous shall wait for me, until I repay them in kind' (Psalm 1:5). No one is said to wait by chance among those expecting to wait, but rather the one who has received the call, having a purpose to enjoy these things.

Every one of the saints, therefore, is a king. And they were saying that what is fitting for the Savior also fits the righteous, even if in a diminished and lesser way. He says therefore also concerning each saint: 'Lord, in your power the king shall be made glad.' And he did not say 'he rejoices,' but 'he shall be made glad.' When the time of gladness is, then he shall be made glad.

4 Therefore, this can also be said specifically concerning David and concerning his human and sensible kingship, that having ruled the kingdom well, he shall receive a reward upon it; for each one, when he has been entrusted with what, if he endures well, has a reward upon them. Becoming faithful over a little, he enters 'into the joy' (Matthew 25:21) of the neighbor and of God. 2 Lord, in your power the king shall be made glad. He speaks of the saving power that makes the king rejoice, according to how God is the Word. Previously it was said that the words must be taken just as the underlying things are, and not to force the things toward the meaning. With us, the name of power is being worn down. It signifies many things; I say power as equal to strength. I do not say thus the Savior of God...