GENERAL AUDIENCE: COMMENTARY ON PSALM 134

VATICAN CITY, APR 9, 2003 (VIS) - Continuing with the catechesis on the psalms in today's general audience celebrated in St. Peter's Square, the Pope spoke about the first part of Psalm 134, "Praise the Lord Who works wonders."

John Paul II told the 15,000 pilgrims present that Psalm 134 begins with an invitation to praise God. "The call to sing the alleluia is directed to the 'servants of the Lord'," who are joined by all faithful, and God is recognized as "good and loving."

The Holy Father continued, saying the psalmist "proceeds with a profession of solemn faith," in which "God's work in the entire universe is especially exalted" as well as the history of salvation. "God the creator is recognized as the Lord Redeemer, recalling the fundamental events of Israel's liberation from slavery in Egypt. The psalmist cites the 'plague' of the first-born children which summarizes all the signs and marvels performed by God, liberator during the epic of Exodus. ... At the end, the promised land, which Israel inherits from the Lord, appears on the horizon ."

"Following this profession of faith, we also raise up our praise to God," affirmed the Pope. "The Creator and Lord of the universe - writes St. Clement I in his letter to the Corinthians - arranged it so that all things were in peace and harmony, beneficial to everything and especially to us who seek His mercy through Our Lord Jesus Christ."

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