This verse from the book of Psalms is used in the prayer of the third hour, Psalm 33 in the book of Agpeya starting with “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth…” When we meditate up on this verse, we can extract many important meanings to our spiritual life:

1 – God always calls upon us to advance, grow, and not to settle at a particular spiritual level. This fits and fulfils the ambitious nature of man to grow. The spiritual life is a journey which we have begun with faith and the covenant of baptism, and through which we advance by the help of the Holy Spirit to grow in loving God, knowing Him, and in every good deed that witnesses to Him as a fruition of the work of His Sprit within us.

2 – The calling to come to Him is a calling to seize the opportunity available to us today because the bosom of God is opened to us, and He is inviting us to repent saying: “the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.” (John 6:37). If we waste the opportunity and the door is closed, we would lose our share in eternity, and we would regret that at a time when regret are of no use.

3 – Advancing needs strife and perseverance as well. In our spiritual life, we respond to God's calling to us, not only by our thoughts and willpower, but by being diligent in every effort we make, “giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue…” (2 Peter 1:5), “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble.” (2 Peter 1:10).  Without diligent spiritual strife through being early to prayer, self control during fasting, pouring oneself in liturgies, and dedicating a fixed time to study the word of God and spiritual readings every day, one cannot progress in his/her spiritual journey and therefore would not reach the state of enlightenment.

4 – Now, the relationship between advancement and enlightenment becomes clear.  The more we advance and grow, the more our minds, senses, and souls become enlightened.  Therefore, we begin to realize and understand the provisions of God in our universe. We would also grow and increase in wisdom and discernment, accept all events around us, the good and the bad, with resolve and without being troubled.  Also, we would more accurately adjust the course of our journey so it would be more fruitful and more successful. We would also become the cause of blessings to many by example, guidance and good counsel.

5 - The scriptures also teach us that a correct path and a clear purpose are very important elements in the spiritual journey because advancement is only meaningful if we advance toward God and not in any other direction… Come to Him.

 6 - When we draw near to God, His light shines upon us… The light of His face which is fairer than all the sons of men… The light of His love that manifested itself with more radiance on the cross, the light of His word that gives wisdom to the foolish, guides the lost, gladdens the heart, and inwardly enriches the soul.

When Moses drew near to God, his heart was enlightened with love and his face shined with light to the extent that his people were unable to look at his face from the radiance of the light. Likewise, whoever continually comes to God in prayer of the chamber and liturgies, draws near to the divine word in reverence and attention on daily basis, and is keen on regularly partaking of the divine sacraments; his light would shine and illuminates many others. They would draw near to him to be enlightened by the light of Christ radiating from him, trying to light their quenched candles from him. Thereby fulfilling the longing of Christ in him: “You are the light of the world…” (Matthew 5:14).

7 – Lastly, the more we advance in our spiritual journey and draw near to the True Light, the more we pay attention to the shortcomings, impurities, and imperfections in our lives.  Then, we offer repentance and reveal them to our father of confession to be purified. We were unable to see these impurities while we were far from the light, but when we draw near and become enlightened, we can see them clearly. And the more we draw near, the more we can see other imperfections, so we can offer repentance for them, and so on.  As we advance and become enlightened, repentance becomes our life companion to the last breath and with it, enlightenment increases forever. Therefore, the words of our Lord Jesus are fulfilled in us: “Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.”  (Matthew 13:43). .