Sacrifice of Victory and the Seeking of the Face

Regarding the dwelling of the Lord, he who desires to behold this rejoices in becoming a dwelling, approaching it closely and genuinely, not only approaching but also surpassing, as if the Lord visits and surrounds his temple, perhaps not even wishing to depart, imitating Samuel. He who simply, having grasped the established dogmas of the church, beholds the delight of the Lord, differs from one who approaches the Lord by surrounding his temple regarding the Trinity (Ps 26:5,6).

Many times the difference between the tabernacle and the dwelling is called 'we have said,' signifying indeed progress, but the latter perfection. Therefore, the day of evils that has come upon someone cannot be in the dwelling of God, but it is hidden in the shadow, the Lord covering him to shield him from evil, for the one now repenting is not yet going to perfection. Perhaps the name of evils signifies circumstances, and here it is possible.

'He covered me in the secrecy of his tabernacle' (Ps 26:5), which is the instruction by which we progress. The manifest things are the former, but the secret and withdrawn things are the mysteries. In progressing, God does not cover in the obvious things, but in the secrecy of his tabernacle. His action is set forth as a representation that not every tabernacle is, that is to say, progress according to God.

'He lifted me up on a rock' (Ps 26:6), having reached progress, me upon the narrowest and most unyielding word of perfection, a rock called allegorically; 'the Lord himself lifted me up.' It is appropriate for progress to be 'He hid me,' and for perfection to be 'He lifted me up.' It is also possible to call the guidance through law and prophets a tabernacle; in the secrecy, that is, in the mystical way, God hides the one being instructed, lifting him up on a spiritual rock, not another, but one that is Christ's.

And now, after having passed through progress and having reached the goal of truth, to lift up the head, to understand my Christ having become the ruler of my mind, over my enemies, so that I may see them under my feet and having been made subject (Ps 27:6). 'I encircled and offered a sacrifice of praise in his tabernacle' (Ps 27:6). It is appropriate to 'He hid me in his tabernacle in the day of my evils' and the following: for then a sacrifice of shouting with...

A victory being completed is offered as a sacrifice, having encircled the enemy in his tent. To shout aloud is to cry out amidst the defeated enemies. He who, being surrounded by the enemies, rightly offers a gracious sacrifice of victory in the tent, that is to say, in progress. I will sing and I will praise the Lord. Not only will I contemplate the things of truth which are clearly manifested through the 'Singing', but also I will act according to virtue which is presented through the 'Praising', doing both in a pleasing manner to God. For this is what it means, 'I will sing and I will praise the Lord' (Ps 26:7–9a).

Knowing these things, he who says these things, hearing God through the prayers of the righteous, from the same disposition, having cried out to the righteous, deems it worthy that he will be heard. If you, Lord, were to consider according to merit, you would not hear a mortal; for no one would send up such a cry as to reach you. Having looked toward your goodness, have mercy on me; for you will also hear me. Both to be shown mercy and to be heard then happen not from the superficiality of lips, but from the heart toward you. Through this, it is presented that God hears not entirely the spoken voice, but above all the voice of the heart. 'Seek my face'; and this, if my heart is toward you, the face of my heart, which is nothing other than the mind, will seek you. And I will find, after the seeking, the face, approaching you face to face, the vision through a mirror and in a riddle having been done away. 'Having understood, I knew the face of your servant, imprinted according to the image and likeness of yours; therefore I seek to see your face.' For having understood it, I shall perceive a greater light. Then I am able to seek, if you appear, your face; for if this does not happen, I will not be able to approach it. Therefore I say: 'Do not turn your face away from me' (Ps 26:11).

Instruct me, Lord, so that having received such a law from you, I may walk in the word spoken (John 14:6). And guide me in the straight and unbending way of yours, escaping the enemies lying in wait, those placing stumbling blocks for me. For what is the virtue of the mean, of not being an excess or a deficiency, but keeping the proportion; you, Master, guide me, bringing me to the end of it, escaping my enemies who are working evil.