Expositions on the Book of Psalms
THE WORKS: OF ST.' AUGUSTIN.
[Psatm XLII deed it is not ill understood as the cry of those, who being as yet Catechumens,' are hastening to the grace of the holy Font. On which account too this Psalm is ordinarily * chanted on
- For He is the God of Israel, our God, the God of Jacob, the God of the younger son, the God of the younger people. Let none say, Of the Jews said He this, I am not Israel; rather the Jews are not Israel. For the elder son, he is the elder people reprobated ; the younger, the people beloved. "The elder shall serve the younger:''' now is it fulfilled: now, brethren, the Jews serve us, they are as our satchellers,? we studying, they carry our books. Hear wherein the Jews serve us, and not without reason.
those occasions, that they may long for the Fountain of remission of sins, even "as the hart for the water-brooks." Let this be allowed; and this meaning retain its place in the Church; a place both truthful and sanctioned by usage.? Nevertheless, it appears to me, my brethren, that such "a longing" is not fully satisfied even in the faithful in Baptism: but that haply, if they know where they are sojourning, and whither they have to remove from hence, their " longing'' is kindled in even greater intensity.
. . With them are the Law and the Prophets, in which. Law, and in which Prophets, Christ is preached. When we have to do with Pagans, and show this coming to pass in the Church of Christ, which before was predicted of the Name of Christ, of the Head and Body of Christ, lest they think that we have forged these predictions, and from things which have happened, as though they were future, had made them up, we bring forth the books of the Jews. The Jews forsooth are our enemies, from an enemy's books convince we the adversary. . . . If any enemy clamour and say, " Ye for yourselves have forged prophecies ;"' be the books of the Jews brought forth, because the elder shall serve the younger. Therein let them read those predictions, which now we see fulfilled ; and let us all say, " Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting, and all the people shall say, So be it, So be it."
2. The title then of it is, "On the end: a Psalm for understanding for the sons of Korah." We have met with the sons of Korah in other titles of Psalms: '° and remember to have discussed and stated already the meaning of this name. Yet we must even now take notice of this title in such a way, that what we have said already should be no prejudice against our saying it again: for all were not present in every place where we said it. Now Korah may have been, as indeed he was, a certain definite person; and have had sons, who might be called "the sons of Korah;" let us however search for the secret of which this is the sacrament, that this name may bring to light the mystery with which it is pregnant. For there is some great mystery in the matter that the name "sons of Korah" is given to Christians. Why "sons of Korah"? 'They are "sons of the bridegroom, sons of Christ."'" Why then does
PSALM XLII.4
1. We have undertaken the exposition of a Psalm corresponding to your own " longings," on which we propose to speak to you. For the Psalm itself begins with a certain pious " longing ;" and he who sings so, says, " Like as the hart desireth the water-brooks, so longeth my soul after Thee, O God" (ver. 1). Who is it then that saith this? It is ourselves, if we be but willing! And why ask, who it is other than thyself, when it is in thy power to be the thing which thou art asking about? It is not however one individual, but it is "One Body;" but "Christ's Body is the Church." 5 Such " longing" indeed is not found in all who enter the Church : let all however who have " tasted" the sweetness "of the Lord," © and who own in Christ that for which they have a relish, think that they are not the only ones; but that there are such seeds scattered throughout "the field" of the Lord, this whole earth: and that there is a certain Christian unity, whose voice thus speaks, "Like as the hart desireth the water-brooks, so longeth my soul after Thee, O God." And in-
"' Korah " stand for Christ? Because "' Korah" is equivalent to " Calvaria." . Therefore, the "sons of the bridegroom," the sons of His Passion, the sons redeemed by His Blood, the sons of His Cross, who bear on their forehead that which His enemies erected on Calvary, are called "the sons of Korah;" to them is this Psalm sung as a Psalm for "understanding." Let then our " understanding"? be roused: and if the Psalm be sung to us, let us follow it with our "understanding." . . . Run to the brooks; long after the water-brooks. 'With God is the fountain of Life ;" a " fountain "' that shall never be dried up: in His " Light' is a Light that shall never be darkened. Long thou for this light: for a certain fountain, a certain light, such as thy bodily eyes know not; a light to see which the inward eye must be prepared; a fountain, to drink of which the inward thirst is to be kindled. Run to the fountain; long for the fountain; but do it not anyhow, be not satisfied
7 [See Bingham, b. x. cap. 2. Catechised in Lent, to be baptized at Easter. See the treatise on Faith and Works. —C. 8 Solenntter. 9 Et veracem et solennem, to Later Psalms had been treated before. II Matt. ix. 15. 2lzz sponsz, Lat.
I Gen. xxv. 13. 2 Capsarii. 3 [Notably with reference to the book of Daniel. See Pusey on Shei the Prophet, p. vil. preface, and 1-8, ed Oxford, 1864. —C.] 4 Lat. XLI. 5 Col. i. 24. 5. XXxiv. 8