Expositions on the Book of Psalms
Psat VIL] ON THE PSALMS. 23 derstand Thee. Now sinners are the enemies of the just man, and the ungodly of the godly man. 'And the congregation of the people shall surround Thee: " that is, by this very circuimstance, that those who crucify Thee understand Thee not, the Gentiles shall believe on Thee, and so "shall the congregation of the people surround Thee." But what follows, if this be the true meaning, has in it more pain, that it begins already to be perceived, than joy that it is understood. For it follows, '(and for their sakes return Thou on high," that is, and for the sake of this congregation of the human race, wherewith the Churches are crowded, return Thou on high, that is, again cease to be understood. What then is, " and for their sakes," but that this congregation too will offend Thee, so that Thou mayest most truly foretell and say, "Thinkest Thou when the Son of man shall come, He will find faith on the earth?''! Again, of the false prophets, who are understood to be heretics, He says, '" Because of their iniquity the love of many shall wax cold."? Since then even in the Churches, that is, in that congregation of peoples and nations, where the Christian name has most widely spread, there shall be so great abundance of sinners, which is already, in great measure, perceived ; is not that famine of the word3 here predicted, which has been threatened by another prophet also? Is it not too for this congregation's sake, who, by their sins, are estranging from themselves the light of truth, that God returns on high, that is, so that faith, pure and cleansed from the corruption of all perverse opinions, is held and received, either not at all, or by the very few of whom it was said, '' Blessed is he that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved''?+ Not without cause then is it said, "and for the sake of this'? congregation " return Thou on high:" that is, again withdraw into the depth of Thy secrecy, even for the sake of this congregation of the peoples, that hath Thy name, and doeth not Thy deeds. people." What Lord, but Jesus Christ? " For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son."5 Wherefore this soul which prayeth perfectly, see how she fears not the day of judgment, and with a truly secure longing says in her prayer, "Thy kingdom come: judge me," she says, " O Lord, according to my righteousness." In the former Psalm a weak one was entreating, imploring rather the mercy of God, than mentioning any desert of his own: since the Son of God came " to ca!l sinners to repentance."® Therefore he had there said, "Save me, O Lord, for Thy mercy's sake ;"'7 that is, not for my desert's sake. But now, since being called he hath held and kept the commandments which he received, he is bold to say, "Judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, and according to my harmlessness, that is upon me." This is true harmlessness, which harms not even an enemy. Accordingly, well does he require to be judged according to his harmlessness, who could say with truth, "If I have repaid them that recompense me evil." As for what he added, "that is upon me," it can refer not only to harmlessness, but can be understood also with reference to righteousness ; that the sense should be this, Judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, and according to my harmlessness, which righteousness and harmlessness is uponme. By which addition he shows that this very thing, that the soul is righteous and harmless, she has not by herself, but by God who giveth brightness and light. For of this he says in another Psalm, "Thou, O Lord, wilt light my candle." § And of John it is said, that "he was not the light, but bore witness of the light."9 "He was a burning and shining candle." '° That light then, whence souls, as candles, are kindled, shines forth not with borrowed, but with original, brightness, which light is truth itself. It is then so said, "According to my righteousness, and according to my harmlessness, that is upon me," as if a burning and shining candle should say, Judge me according to the flame which is upon me, that is, not that wherewith"! I am myself, but that whereby I shine enkindled of thee.
8. But whether the former exposition of this place, or this last be the more suitable, without prejudice to any one better, or equal, or as good, it follows very consistently, "the Lord judgeth the people." For whether He returned on high, when, after the resurrection, He ascended into heaven, well does it follow, "The Lord judgeth the people :" for that He will come from thence to judge the quick and the dead. Or whether He return on high, when the understanding of the truth leaves sinful Christians, for that of His coming it has been said, " Thinkest thou the Son of Man on His coming will find faith on the earth?" "The Lord" then "judgeth the g. " But let the wickedness of sinners be consummated" (ver. 9g). He says, "be consummated," be completed, according to that in the Apocalypse, "Let the righteous become more righteous, and let the filthy be filthy still." ' For the wickedness of those men appears consummate, who crucified the Son of God; but greater is theirs who will not live uprightly, and hate the precepts of truth, for whom the Son of God was crucified. "Let the wickedness of 7 Ps. vi. 4. 6 Matt. ix. 13. 10 Joh
5 John v. 22. 8 Ps, xviii. 28, i 47, that which, ohn v. 35. 9 John i. 8, 12 Rev, xxi, rz.
1 Luke xviii. 8. 2 Matt. xxiv. 12, 3 Amos viii. 11. 4 Mark xiii. 13.