Expositions on the Book of Psalms (continued)
THE WORKS) OF ST. AUGUSTIN. [Psam LX XVIII.
"Thy way is in the sea," that is, Thy Christ is preached among the Gentiles. . . . "Thy way is in the sea, and Thy paths in many waters," that is, in many peoples. "And Thy footsteps will not be known." He hath touched certain, and wonder were it if it be not those same Jews. Behold now the mercy of Christ hath been so published to the Gentiles, that "Thy way is in the sea. Thy footsteps will not be known." How so, by whom will they not be known, save by those who still say, Christ hath not yet come? Why do they say, Christ hath not yet come? Because they do not yet recognise Him walking on the sea.
more than an expounder: "I will open," he saith, "in parables my mouth, I will declare propositions from the beginning." 5 Who would not herein be awakened out of sleep? Who would dare to hurry over the parables and propositions, reading them as if self-evident, while by their very names they signify that they ought to be sought out with deeper view? For a parable hath on the surface thereof the similitude of something: and though it be a Greek word, it is now used as a Latin word. And it is observable, that in parables, those which are called the similitudes of things are compared with things with which we have to do. But propositions, which in Greek are called zpoBAjnmara, are questions having something therein which is to be solved by disputation. What man then would read parables and propositions cursorily ? What man would not attend while hearing these words with watchful mind, in order that by understanding he may come by the fruit thereof ?
20. "Thou hast led home Thy people like sheep in the hand of Moses and of Aaron" (ver.
20). Why He hath added this is somewhat difficult to discover. . . . They banished Christ ; sick as they were, they would not have Him for their Saviour; but He began to be among the Gentiles, and among all nations, among many peoples. Nevertheless, a remnant of that people hath been saved. The ungrateful multitude hath remained without, even the halting breadth of Jacob's thigh.'' For the breadth of the thigh is understood of the multitude of lineage, and among the greater part of the Israelites a certain multitude became vain and foolish, so as not to know the steps of Christ on the waters. "Thou hast led home Thy people like sheep," and they have not known Thee. Though Thou hast done such great benefits unto them, hast divided sea, hast made them pass over dry land between waters, hast drowned in the waves pursuing enemies, in the desert hast rained manna for their hunger, leading them home " by the hand of Moses and Aaron:" still they thrust Thee from them, so that in the sea was Thy Way, and Thy steps they knew not.
2. "Hearken ye," He saith, " My people, to My law" (ver. 1). Whom may we suppose to be here speaking, but God? For it was Himself that gave a law to His people, whom when delivered out of Egypt He gathered together, the which gathering together is properly named a Synagogue, which the word Asaph is interpreted to signify. Hath it then been said, '" Understanding of Asaph," in the sense that Asaph himself hath understood ; or must it be figuratively understood, in the sense that the same Synagogue, that is, the same people, hath understood, unto whom is said, " Hearken, My people, unto My law'? Why is it then that He is rebuking the same people by the mouth of the Prophet, saying, '"' But Israel hath not known Me, and My people hath not understood ''?® But, in fact, there were even in that people they that understood, having the faith which was afterwards revealed, not pertaining to the letter of the law, but the grace of the Spirit. For they cannot have been without the same faith, who were able to foresee and foretell the revelation thereof that should be in Christ, inasmuch as even those old Sacraments were significants of those that should be. Had the prophets alone this faith, and not the people too? Nay indeed, but even they that faithfully heard the Prophets, were aided by the same grace in order that they might understand what they heard. But without doubt the mystery? of the Kingdom of Heaven was veiled in the Old Testament, which in the fulness of time should be unveiled in the New.' "For," saith the Apostle, "they did drink of the Spiritual Rock following them, but the Rock was
PSALM LXXVIII.?
1. This Psalm doth contain the things which are said to have been done among the old people: but the new and latter people is being admonished, to beware that it be not ungrateful regarding the blessings of God, and provoke His anger against it, whereas it ought to receive His grace. ... The Title thereof doth first move and engage our attention. For it is not without reason inscribed, " Understanding + of Asaph :" but it is perchance because these words require a reader who doth perceive not the voice which the surface uttereth, but some inward sense. Secondly, when about to narrate and mention all these things, which seem to need a hearer
T Gen. xxxii. 32. 2 Lat. LXXVIL. 3 Dictated a.D 415. See Ep. 169, to Evodius. — Ben. 4 | Intellectus,Vulg.; Eruditionzs, Jerome; 2vvécews TO Acad, Sept.—C.]
7 Sacramentum, 5 P: © Isa | . [ve tlabatnr in Veteri, quod revelaretur in Novo. —C.]
Ss. are 2.