Expositions on the Book of Psalms
292 THE WORKS. OF oT) AUGUSTIN, [Psatm LVXIII.
17. Nevertheless, to me here another yense ahall overshadow thee,' that is, shall make a also occurreth, if I mistake not, to be preferred ; understanding by céevz the inheritances themselves: so that, whereas the inheritance of the Old Testament, although in a shadow significant of the future, is earthly felicity ; but the inheritance of the New Testament is everlasting immortality ; to "sleep in the midst of the lots"' is not too earnestly now to seek the former, and still patiently to look for the latter... . And because so well they have slept, on them, as it were on wings now flieth, and with praises is exalted, the Church : to wit, the Dove silvered, in order that by this fame of theirs, posterity having been invited to imitate them, while in like manner the rest also sleep, there may be added wings whereby even unto the end of the world sublimely she may be preached.
shadow for thee, " wherefore that Holy Thing which shall be born of thee, shall be called the Son of God."7 That " shadow" again is understood of a defence against the heat of carnal lusts: whence not in carnal concupiscence, but in spiritual belief, the Virgin conceived Christ. But the shadow consisteth of light and body: and further, The " Word " that " was in the beginning," ® that true Light,9 in order that a noonday shadow might be made for us; "the Word," I say, "was made Flesh, and dwelled in CSR err he tg. But this mountain he calleth the " mountain of God, a mountain fruitful, a mountain full of curds" (ver. 15), or "a mountain fat." But here what else would he call fat but fruitful? For there is also a mountain called by that name, that is to say, Selmon. But what mountain ought we to understand by "the mountain of God, a mountain fruitful, a mountain full of curds,"' but the same Lord Christ? Of whom also another Prophet saith, "There shall be manifest in the last times the mountain of the Lord prepared on the top of the mountains"? '! He is Himself the " Mountain full of curds," '? because of the babes to be fed with grace as though it were with milk ; 3 a mountain rich to strengthen and enrich them by the excellence of the gifts; for even the milk itself whence curd is made, in a wonderful manner signifieth grace ; for it floweth out of the overflowing of
18. "While He that is above the heavens' distinguisheth kings over Her, with snow they shall be made white in Selmon" (ver. 14). While He "above the heavens," He that ascended over all heavens that He might fulfil all things, "while He distinguisheth kings over Her," that is, over that same ' Dove silvered." For the Apostle continueth and saith, and "He hath Himself given some for Apostles, and some Prophets, and some Evangelists, and some Pastors and Teachers."? For what other reason is there to distinguish kings over Her, save for the work of the Ministry, for the edification of the Body of Christ: when she is indeed Herself the Body of Christ? But they are called kings from ruling: and what more than the lusts of the flesh, that sin may not reign in their mortal body to obey the desires thereof, that they yield not their members instruments of iniquity unto sin, but yield themselves to God, as though from the dead living, and their members instruments of righteousness to God?3 For thus shall the kings be distinguished from foreigners, because they draw not the yoke with unbelievers : secondly, in a peaceful manner being distinguished from one another by their proper gifts.
the mother's bowels, and of a sweet compassion unto babes freely it is poured forth. But in the Greek the case is doubtful, whether it be the nominative or the accusative: for in that language mountain is of the neuter gender, not of the masculine: therefore some Latin translators have not translated it, "unto the Mountain of God," but, "the Mountain of God." But I think, " unto Selmon the Mountain of God," is better, that is, "unto"? the Mountain of God which is called Selmon: according to the interpretation which, as we best could, we have explained above.
For not all are Apostles, or all Prophets, or all Teachers, or all have gifts of healings, or all with tongues do speak, or all interpret.4 " But all these things worketh one and the same Spirit, dividing proper gifts to each one as He willeth."5 In giving which Spirit He that is above the Heavens distinguisheth kings over the
20. Secondly, in the expression, " Mountain of God, Mountain full of curds,'' Mountain " fruitful," let no one dare from this to compare the Lord Jesus Christ with the rest of the Saints, who are themselves also called mountains of God. ... For there were not wanting men to call Him, some John Baptist, some Elias, some Jeremias, or one of the Prophets ;'4 He turneth to them and saith, '' Why do ye imagine '5 mountains full of curds, a mountain," he saith, "' wherein it hath pleased God to dwell therein"? (ver. 16).
Dove silvered. Of which Holy Spirit, when, sent to His Mother full of grace, the Angel was speaking, to her enquiring in what manner it could come to pass that she was announced as going to bear, seeing she knew not a man:°®. . . he saith, " The Holy Spirit shall come over upon thee, and the virtue of the Most Highest
7 Luke i. 35. 8 John i. x. 9 John i. 9. 10 John i. 14. IT Isa, ii. 2. 12 [ncaseatus. 13 Cor. iii. r. 14 Matt. xvi. 14. 1s Suspicamint.
2 Eph. iv. rr. a 3 Rom, vi. 12, 13. 5 1 Cor, xii, 11. l Supercelestis. cio uke i. 34. 4 1 Cor, xii. 29, 30.