Expositions on the Book of Psalms (continued)
654 THE WORKS OF ST. AUGUSTIN. [Psatm CXLIV.
ries. "To David himself against Goliath." This battle was fought in the time of our fathers, and ye, beloved, remember it with me from Holy Scripture. David put five stones in his scrip, he hurled but one. 'The five Books were chosen, but unity conquered. Then, having smitten and overthrown him, he took the enemy's sword, and with it cut off his head. This our David also did, He overthrew the devil with his-own weapons: and when his great ones, whom he had in his power, by means of whom he slew other souls, believe, they turn their tongues against the devil, and so Goliath's head is cut off with his own sword.
this world, of this darkness, the rulers of the wicked ; against these ye wrestle. Great is your conflict, not to see your enemies, and yet to conquer. Against the rulers of this world, of this darkness, the devil, that is, and his angels ; not the rulers of that world, whereof is said, "the world was made by Him," but that world whereof is said, "the world knew Him not.''? " For unto Thee have I fled for refuges Whither should I flee? 'Whither shall I go from Thy Spirit?" ?
12. "Teach me to do Thy will, for Thou art my God" (ver. 10). Glorious confession ! glorious rule! "For Thou," saith he, "art my God." To another will I hasten to be re-made, if by another I was made. Thou art my all, " for Thou art my God." Shall I seek a father to get an inheritance? "Thou art my God," not only the Giver of mine inheritance, but mine Inheritance itself. "The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance." 3 Shall I seek a patron, to obtain redemption? "Thou art my God." Lastly, having been created, do I desire to be re-created? "Thou art my God," my Creator, who hast created me by Thy Word, and re-created me by Thy Word. "Teach Thou me :" for it cannot be that Thou art my God, and yet Iam tobe mine own master. See how grace is commended to us. This hold fast, this drink in, this let none drive out of your hearts, lest ye have "a zeal, of God, but not according to knowledge.''4 Say then | this: " Thy good Spirit,' not my bad one, " Thy good Spirit shall lead me into the right land."
2. " Blessed be the Lord my God, who teacheth my hands for battle, my fingers for war"
(ver. 1). These are our words, if we be the Body of Christ. . It seems a repetition of sentiment; " our hands for battle," and " our fingers for war," are the same. Or is there some difference between " hands" and " fingers"'? Certainly both hands and fingers work. Not then without reason do we take "fingers" as put for "hands." But still in the " fingers " we recognise the division of operation, yet still a sort of unity. Behold that grace! the Apostle saith, To one, this ; to another, that ; "there are diversities of operations ; all these worketh one and the selfsame Spirit ;" there is the root of unity. With these "fingers" then the Body of Christ fighteth, going forth to " war," going forth to " battle."... By works of Mercy our enemy is conquered, and we could not have works of mercy unless we had charity, and charity we could have none unless we received it by the Holy Ghost ; He then "teacheth our hands for battle, and our fingers for war:"' to Him rightfully do we say, "My Mercy," from whom we have also that we are merciful: " fgr he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath showed no mercy." 7
For my bad spirit hath led me into a crooked land. And what have I deserved? What can be reckoned as my good works without Thy aid, through which I might obtain and be worthy to be led by Thy Spirit into the right land?
13. Listen, then, with all your power, to the commendation of Grace, whereby ye are saved without price. '' For Thy Name's sake, O Lord, Thou shalt quicken me in Thy righteousness "
3. My Mercy and my Refuge, my Upholder and my Deliverer"' (ver. 2). Much toileth this combatant, having his flesh lusting against his spirit. Keep what thou hast. Then shalt thou have in full what thou wishest, when "death shall have been swallowed up in victory ;"* when this mortal body has been raised, and is changed into the condition of the angels, and rises aloft to a heavenly quality. . . . There is life, there are good days, where nought lusteth against the spirit, where it is not said, ' Fight," but " Rejoice." But who is he that lusteth for these days? Every man certainly saith, "I do." Hear what followeth. I see that thou art toiling, I see that thou art engaged in battle, and in danger; hear what followeth: . . . " Depart from evil, and do good: " let not the poor first weep under thee, that the poor may rejoice
(ver. 11); not in mine own: not because I have deserved, but because Thou hast mercy. For were I to show mine own desert, nought should I deserve of Thee, save punishment. Thou hast pruned off from me mine own merits; Thou hast grafted in Thine own gifts. "Thou shalt bring forth my soul out of tribulation." "And in thy mercy shalt bring mine enemies to destruction: and thou shalt destroy all them that afflict my soul; for I am Thy servant'' (ver. 12).
PSALM CXLIV.s
1. The title of this Psalm is brief in number of words, but heavy in the weight of its myste-
2 Ps. cxxxix. C 3° Ps, -xvi..5; 5 Lat. CXLIII. Sermon 1 es i. 10. to the people. 4 Rom. x. 2.
© 1 Cor. xii. 8, etc. Taser ae 8 x Cor. xv. 54.