Expositions on the Book of Psalms
Psatm XCVII.} ON THE
PSALMS. 475 gathered together the fragments from every side, and forged' them by the fire of love, and made one what was broken. That Artist. knew how to do this; let no one despair: it is indeed a great thing, but reflect who that Artist was. He who made, restored : He who formed, re-formed. What are righteousness and truth? He will gather together His elect with Him to the judgment, but the rest He will separate one from another ; for He will place some on the right, others on the left hand. But what is more just, what more true, than that they shall not expect mercy from their Judge, who have refused to act mercifully, before their Judge come? But those who chose to act with mercy, with mercy shall be judged. .
But figuratively the isles may be taken for all the Churches. Why isles? Because the waves of all temptations roar around them. But as an isle may be beaten by the waves which on every side dash around it, yet cannot be broken, and rather itself doth break the advancing waves, than by them is broken: so also the Churches of God, springing up throughout the world, have suffered the persecutions of the ungodly, who roar around them on every side ; and behold the isles stand fixed, and at last the sea is calmed.
4. "Clouds and darkness are round about Him: righteousness and judgment are the direction of His seat" (ver. 2)... . The Lord Himself saith: " For judgment I am come into this world ; that they which see not might see, and that they which see might be made blind." 5 They who seem unto themselves to see, who think themselves wise, who think healing not needful for them, that they may be made blind, may not understand. And that 'they which see not may see ;" that they who confess their blindness may obtain to be enlightened. Let there be therefore "clouds and darkness round about Him," for those who have not understood Him: for those who confess and humble themselves, "righteousness and judgment are the direction of His seat." He called those who believe in Him His seat: for from them hath He made Himself a seat, since in them Wisdom sitteth ; for the Son of God is the Wisdom of God. But we have heard from another passage of Scripture a strong confirmation of this interpretation. "The soul of the righteous is the seat of Wisdom." ® Because then they who have believed in Him have been made righteous: justified by faith, they have become His own seat: He sitteth in them, judging from them, and guiding them... . 5. "There shall go a fire before Him, and burn up His enemies on every side" (ver. 3). We remember having read in the Gospel, He shall say, "' Depart into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels." 7 Ido not think it is said of that fire. Why doI not? Because he speaketh of some fire, which shall go before
PSALM XCVII
1... . This Psalm is entitled, " A Psalm of David's, when his land was restored." Let us refer the whole to Christ, if we wish to keep the road of a right understanding: let us not depart from the corner stone,3 lest our understanding suffer a fall: in Him let that become fixed, which wavered with unstable motion ; let that rest upon Him, which before was waving to and fro in uncertainty. Whatever doubt a man hath in his mind when he heareth the Scriptures of God, let him not depart from Christ ; when Christ hath been revealed to him in the words, let him then be assured that he hath understood ; but before he arriveth at the understanding of Christ, let him not presume that he hath understood. "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth."'*+ What doth this mean, and how are these words understood in Christ, " When his land was restored"? ...
2. The earth restored is the resurrection of the flesh ; for after His resurrection, all those things which are sung of in the Psalm were done. Let us then hear a Psalm full of joy on the restoration of the Earth. Let the Lord our God excite in us a hope and a pleasure worthy of so great a thing; may He rule our discourse, that it be fit for your hearts, that whatever joy our heart doth feel in such sights, He may bring on to our tongue, and thence conduct it into your ears, then to your heart, thence to your actions.
Him, before He cometh to judgment. For it is said, that the fire goeth before Him, and burneth up His enemies on every side, that is, throughout the whole world. That fire will burn after His advent: this, on the contrary, will go before Him. What fire then is this? ... Behold, we have understood the fire that goeth before Him, that is to be understood of a kind of temporal punishment of the unbelieving and ungodly: let us understand the fire, if possible, of the salvation of the redeemed also ; for thus we had proposed. The Lord Himself saith:. "The Lord is King, let the earth be glad : "yea, let the multitude of the isles be joyous" (ver.1). It isso indeed, because the word of God hath been preached not in the continent alone, but also in those isles which lie in mid sea: even these are full of Christians, full of the servants of God. For the sea doth not retard Him who made it. Where ships can approach, cannot the words of God? The isles are filled.
'2 Lat. XCVI. Conflavit.
5 John ix. 39. 6 Proy. xii. 23; 1 Cor. i. 24. 7 Matt. xxv. 41.
4 Rom. x. 4. A discourse to the people. 3 Eph. ii. 20,
THE WORKS OF ST. AUGUSTIN. [Psatm XCVII.
"T am come to send fire on the earth: ""' "fire" in the same way as a "sword ;"' as in another passage He saith, that He was not come to send peace, but a sword, upon earth.2The sword to divide, the fire to burn: but each salutary: for the sword of His own word hath in salutary wise separated us from evil habits. For He brought a sword, and separated every believer either from his father who believed not in Christ, or from his mother in like manner unbelieving: or at least, if we were born of Christian parents, from his ancestors. For no man among us had not either a grandsire, or great grandsire, or some ancestry among the heathen, and in that unbelief which is accursed before God. We are separated from that which we were before ; but the sword which separateth, but slayeth not, hath cut between us. In the same way the fire also: ""T am come to send fire upon the earth." Believers in Him were set on fire, they received the flame of love: and for this reason when the Holy Spirit itself had been sent to the Apostles, It thus appeared: "cloven tongues, like as of fire." 3 Burning with this fire they set out on their march through the world, to burn and set on fire His enemies on every side. What enemies of His? 'They who forsaking the God who made them, adored the idols they had made: '3. 7. 6. " His lightnings gave shine unto the world" (ver. 4). This is great joy. Do we not see? is it not clear? His lightnings have shined unto the whole world: His enemies have been set on fire, and burnt. All that gainsaid hath been burnt, and "His lightnings have given shine unto the world." How have they shone? That the world might at length believe. Whence were the lightnings? From the clouds. What are the clouds of God? The preachers of the truth. But thou seest a cloud, misty and dark in the sky, and it hath I know not what hidden within it. If there be lightning from the cloud, a brightness shineth forth: from that which thou didst despise, hath burst forth that which thou mayest dread. Our Lord Jesus Christ therefore sent His Apostles, as His preachers, like clouds: they were seen as men, and were despised ; as clouds appear, and are despised, until what thou wonderest at gleameth from them. For they were in the first place men encumbered with flesh, weak ; then, men of low station, unlearned, ignoble: but there was within what could lighten forth; there was in them what could flash abroad. Peter a fishermaa approached, prayed, and the dead arose.+ His human form was a cloud, the splendour of the miracle was the lightning. So in their words, so in their deeds, when they do things to be wondered at, and utter words to be wondered at, " His lightnings gave shine unto the world ; the earth saw it, and was afraid." Is it not true? Doth not the whole Christian world at length exclaim, Amen, afraid at the lightnings which burst forth from those clouds ?
7. "The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord" (ver. 5). Who are the hills? The proud. Every high thing raising itself against God, at the deeds of Christ and of the Christians, trembled, yielded, and when I say, what hath been already said, "melted," a better word cannot be found. "The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord." Where is the elevation of powers? where the hardness of the unbelieving? The Lord was a fire unto them, they melted at His presence like wax ; so long hard, until that fire was applied. Every height hath been levelled ; it dareth not now blaspheme Christ: and though the Pagan believeth not in Him, he blasphemeth Him not; though not as yet become a living stone, yet the hard hill hath been subdued. "At the presence of the Lord of the whole earth: " not of the Jews only, but of the Gentiles also, as the Apostle saith; for
He is not the God of the Jews alone, but of the Gentiles also.s He is therefore the Lord of the whole earth, the Lord Jesus Christ born in Judzea, but not born for Judzea alone, because before He was born He created all men; and He who created, also new created, all men.
8. "The heavens have declared His righteousness: and all the people have seen His glory" (ver. 6). What heavens have declared? "The heavens declare the glory of God.'"'® Who are the heavens? 'Those who have become His seat ; for as God sitteth in the heavens, so doth He sit in the Apostles, so doth He sit in the preachers of the Gospel. Even thou, if thou wilt, shalt be a heaven. Dost thou wish to be so? Purge from thy heart the earth. If thou hast not earthly lusts, and hast not in vain uttered the response, that thou hast "lifted up thy heart," thou shalt be a heaven.?, "If ye be risen with Christ," saith the Apostle to believers, "set your affection on things above, not on things of the earth."® Thou hast begun to set thine affection upon things above, not on things upon earth; hast thou not become a heaven? Thou carriest flesh, and in thy heart thou art already a heaven; for thy conversation will be in heaven. Being such, thou also declarest Christ ; for who of the faithful declareth not Christ ? Therefore the whole Church
| preacheth Christ, and the heavens declare His
righteousness ; for all the faithful, whose care it is to gain unto God those who have not yet
5 Rom. iii. 29. a1stsy oth gee See on this, Dignum, etc., p. 332, note 1, supra.—C,.] 7 8 Col. iii. 1, 2. 9 Philip. ii. 20,
T Luke xii. 49. 2 Matt. x. 34. 3 Acts li. 3. 4 Acts ix. 40.
Psatm XCVII] ON THE PSALMS, 477 believed, and who do this from love, are heavens. From them God thundereth forth the terror of 'His judgment; and he who was unbelieving themselves on this ground, that they are not devoted to insensate idols ; they are rather devoted to devils, which is more dangerous. For if they were only worshipping idols, as they would not help them, so they would not hurt them ; but if thou worship and serve devils, they themselves will be thy masters. . . . 10. But observe holy men, who are like the Angels. When thou hast found some holy man who serveth God, if thou wish to worship him instead of God, he forbiddeth thee: he will not arrogate to himself the honour due to God, he will not be unto thee as God, but be with thee under God. Thus did the holy Apostles Paul and Barnabas. They preached the word of God in Lycaonia. When they had performed wonderful works in Lycaonia, the people of that country brought victims, and wished to sacrifice to them, calling Barnabas Jupiter, and Paul Mercury: they were not pleased. Did they perchance refuse to be sacrificed to, because they abhorred to be compared to devils? No, but because they shuddered at divine honour being paid to men. 'Their own words show this: it is no guess of ours; for the text of the book goeth on to say how they were moved.*. . . Just then, as good men forbade those who had wished to worship them as gods, and wish rather that God alone be worshipped, God alone be adored, to God alone sacrifice be offered, not to themselves ; so also all the holy Angels seek His glory whom they love ; endeavour to impél and to excite to the contemplation of Him all whom they love: Him they declare to them, not themselves, since they are angels; and because they are soldiers, they study only how to seek the glory of their Captain ; but if they have sought their own glory, they are condemned as usurpers.5 Such were the devil and his angels ; he claimed for himself divine honour, and for all his demons; he filled the Pagan temples, and _ persuaded them to offer images and sacrifices to himself. Was it not better to worship holy Angels than devils? They answer: we do not worship devils; we worship angels, as ye call them, the powers and the ministers of the great God. I wish ye would worship them: ye would easily learn from themselves not to worship them. Hear an Angel teaching. He was teaching a disciple of Christ, and showing him many wonders in the Revelation of John: and when some wonderful vision had been shown him, he trembled, and fell down at the Angel's feet; but that Angel, who sought not but the glory of God, said, "See thou do it not; for I am a fellow-servant of thee, and of thy brethren the prophets." 7 What then, my brethren? Let no man say, I fear lest the Angel may be angry trembleth, and is alarmed, and believeth. He shows unto men what power Christ had throughout the world, by pleading with them, and leading them to love Christ. For how many this day have led their friends either to some pantomimist, or flute-player? Why, except from their liking him? And do ye love Christ. For He who conquered the world hath exhibited such spectacles, as that no man can say that he findeth in them cause for blame. For each person's favourite in the theatre is often vanquished there. But no man is vanquished in Christ: there is no reason for shame. Seize, lead, draw, whom ye may: be without fear, ye are leading unto Him, who displeaseth not those who see Him; and ask ye Him to enlighten them, that they may behold to good account.
g. "Confounded be all they that worship carved images" (ver. 7). Hath not this come to pass? Have they not been confounded? Are they not daily confounded? For carved images are images wrought by the hand. Why are all who worship carved images confounded ? Because all people have seen His glory. All nations now confess the glory of Christ: let those who worship stones be ashamed. Because those stones were dead, we have found a living Stone ; indeed those stones never lived, so that they cannot be called even dead ; but our Stone is living, and hath ever lived with the Father, and though He died for us, He revived, and liveth now, and death shall no more have dominion over Him.' This glory of His the nations have acknowledged ; they leave the temples, they run to the Churches. Do they still seek to worship carved images? Have they not chosen to forsake their idols? They have been forsaken by their idols. 'Who glory in their idols." But there is a certain disputer who seemeth unto himself learned, and saith, I do not worship that stone, nor that image which is without sense; . . . I worship not this image ; but I adore 2 what I see, and serve him whom I see not. Who is that? Some invisible deity, he replieth, who presideth over that image. By giving this account of their images, they seem to themselves able disputants, because they do not worship idols, and yet do worship devils. "The things," brethren, saith the Apostle, "which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice unto devils, and not to God; we know that an idol is nothing: and that what the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God; and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils." 3 Let them not therefore excuse
1 Rom. vi. 9. 2 z.e. fall down before. 3 1 Cor. viil. 4, x. 20, 21. 5 Tyrannt. 4 Acts xiv. 14, 15. ie s eV. XIX. 10, 6 [See Origen, vol. iv. p. 544.—C.]
478 THE WORKS OF
ST. AUGUSTIN. [PsaLm XCVIL.
with me, if I worship him not as my God. He is then angry with thee, when thou hast chosen to worship him: for he is righteous, and loveth God. As devils are angry if they are not worshipped, so are Angels angry if they are worshipped instead of God. But lest the weak and trembling heart perchance say unto itself: If then the demons are incensed because they are not worshipped, I fear to offend them ; what can even their chief the devil do unto thee? If he had any power over us, no one of us would remain. Are not daily so many things said against him by the mouth of Christians, and yet the harvest of Christians increaseth. When thou art angry with the most depraved of thy slaves, thou givest him the name, "Satan," Devil. Perhaps in this thou dost err, since thou sayest it to a man, and thy immoderate anger hurrieth thee to revile the image of God: and yet thou choosest a term thou deeply hatest, to apply to him. If he could, would he not revenge himself? But it is not allowed: and he doth so much only as is allowed him. For when he wished to tempt Job, he had to ask power to do so:' and he could do nothing had he not received power. Why then dost thou not fearlessly worship God, without whose will no one hurteth thee, and by whose permission thou art chastened, not overcome? For if it shall have pleased the Lord thy God to permit some man to hurt thee, or some spirit: He will chasten thee, that thou mayest cry unto Him :? "Confounded," therefore, "be all they that delight in vain gods: worship Him, all ye His angels."
to Peter ; Peter came to Cornelius. And because Cornelius and his household were Gentiles, and uncircumcised : lest they might hesitate to give the Gospel to the uncircumcised : before Cornelius and his household were baptized, the Holy Spirit came, and filled them, and they began to speak with tongues. Now the Holy Spirit had not fallen upon any one who had not been baptized: but upon these It fell before baptism. For Peter might hesitate whether he might baptize the uncircumcised: the Holy Spirit came, they began to speak with tongues ; the invisible gift was given, and took away all doubt about the visible Sacrament; they were all baptized.
. . . What did Sion hear, and rejoice at? That the Gentiles also had received the word of God. One wall had come, but the corner existed not as yet. The name Sion is here peculiarly given to the Church which was in Judza. 'Sion heard of it, and rejoiced: and the daughters of Judah were glad." Thus it is written, "The apostles and brethren that were in Judzea heard." See if the daughters of Judza rejoiced not. What did they hear? "That the Gentiles had also received the word of God." ... Therefore, " The daughters of Judah rejoiced because of Thy judgments, O Lord." What is, because of Thy judgments? Because in any nation, and in any people, he that serveth Him is accepted of Him :¢ for He is not the God of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles.5
12. See if this be not the reason for the joy of the daughters of Judah. " For Thou, Lord, art most high over all the earth" (ver. 9). Not in Judzea alone, but over Jerusalem; not over Sion only, but over all the earth. To this whole earth the judgments of God prevailed, so that it assembled its nations from every quarter: judgments with which they who have cut themselves off have no communion: they neither hear the prophecy, nor see its completion; " For Thou, Lord, art most high over all the earth: Thou art exalted far above all gods." What is "far" ?® For it is said of Christ. What then meaneth " far,' except that Thou mayest be acknowledged coequal with the Father? What meaneth, "above all gods"? Who are they? Idols have not life, have not sense: devils have life and sense; but they are evil. What great thing is it that Christ is exalted above devils? He is exalted above devils: but neither is this very great ; the heathen gods indeed are devils,? but " He is far above all gods."' Even men are styled gods: "I have said, Ye are gods: and ye are all the children of the Most Highest :" again it is written, "God standeth in the congregation of princes: He is a Judge among gods."* Jesus Christ our Lord is exalted above all: not only
Let Pagans learn to worship God: they wish to worship Angels: let them imitate Angels, and worship Him who is worshipped by Angels.
"Worship Him, all ye His angels." Let that Angel worship who was sent to Cornelius (for worshipping Him he sent Cornelius to Peter), himself Peter's fellow-servant ; let him worship Christ, Peter's Lord. Worship Him, all ye gods!"
11. "Sion heard of it, and rejoiced " (ver. 8). What did Sion hear? That all His Angels worship Him. . . . For the Church was not as yet among the Gentiles; in Judza the Jews had some of them believed, and the very Jews who believed thought that they only belonged to Christ: the Apostles were sent to the Gentiles, Cornelius was preached to ; Cornelius believed, was baptized, and they who were with Cornelius were also baptized.3 But ye know what happened, that they might be baptized: the reader indeed hath not reached this point, but, nevertheless, some recollect; and let those who do not recollect, hear briefly from me. The Angel was sent to Cornelius: the Angel sent Cornelius
5 Rom. iii. 29. 6 Nims. 4 Ps. xcvii. 35. ee ee s. Ixxxii 6, £ 7 Ps. xcvi. 5.
I Job i. 11. 2 Ps. cxviii. 18. 3 Acts x. 47.