Tuesdays are for the Old Testament
5/17/22
Augustine. Exposition on the Book of Psalms. Schaff, Philip (editor). New York: Christian Literature Publishing Co, 1886. Nicene and Post-Nicene Church Fathers: Series 1: Volume VIII. Re-published 2014, Catholic Way Publishing. Kindle electronic edition, ISBN-13: 978-1-78379-372-3.
“Psalm 148"
Augustine reflects that our prayer is akin to our endurance of times of tribulation and that it corresponds to Lent, while our praise is akin to our heavenly hope, corresponding with Easter (Augustine Psalms, loc. 343135, par. 1). Our "Hallelujah," then, is to be sung with our entire life, not merely with our voice. Augustine expects it to show in our daily activiites, not only in the church service (Augustine Psalms, loc. 343150, par. 2).
Verse one calls for praise to come even from heaven, the place Augustine confesses is always praising God (Augustine Psalms, loc. 343160, par. 3). He goes on to observe that in one way or another all nature praises God. Verses two through five then go on to list a number of the parts of creation, all of which praise God (Augustine Psalms, loc. 343170, par. 5). This they do simply because God is their creator. Augustine further notes that in verse six the creation praises God because he has made it as a lasting thing. This can bring us hope as well, when we see the orderly nature of creation (Augustine Psalms, loc. 343180, par. 6).
Having previously called for praise from the heavens, Psalm 148:7 turns to call forth the praises of the earth (Augustine Psalms, loc. 343180, par. 7). This is the realm of moisture, clouds, and all that is changeable. Interstingly, Augustine speaks of dragons as a present reality which can be observed flying from caves (Augustine Psalms, loc. 343200, par. 7). In verse eight, all the fire and weather phenomena also obey God's word. From the larges to the smallest, Augustine understands nature's creatures to fulfill God's Word (Augustine Psalms, loc. 343214, par. 8). All works in an orderly manner, as Augustine illustartes at some length.
Verses 9-14 conclude that all things in their turn and their way are to praise the Lord (Augustine Psalms, loc. 343249, par 10). This calls us also to observe the world arouind us and see how it sings the praise of God.
5/17/22
Augustine. Exposition on the Book of Psalms. Schaff, Philip (editor). New York: Christian Literature Publishing Co, 1886. Nicene and Post-Nicene Church Fathers: Series 1: Volume VIII. Re-published 2014, Catholic Way Publishing. Kindle electronic edition, ISBN-13: 978-1-78379-372-3.
“Psalm 148"
Augustine reflects that our prayer is akin to our endurance of times of tribulation and that it corresponds to Lent, while our praise is akin to our heavenly hope, corresponding with Easter (Augustine Psalms, loc. 343135, par. 1). Our "Hallelujah," then, is to be sung with our entire life, not merely with our voice. Augustine expects it to show in our daily activiites, not only in the church service (Augustine Psalms, loc. 343150, par. 2).
Verse one calls for praise to come even from heaven, the place Augustine confesses is always praising God (Augustine Psalms, loc. 343160, par. 3). He goes on to observe that in one way or another all nature praises God. Verses two through five then go on to list a number of the parts of creation, all of which praise God (Augustine Psalms, loc. 343170, par. 5). This they do simply because God is their creator. Augustine further notes that in verse six the creation praises God because he has made it as a lasting thing. This can bring us hope as well, when we see the orderly nature of creation (Augustine Psalms, loc. 343180, par. 6).
Having previously called for praise from the heavens, Psalm 148:7 turns to call forth the praises of the earth (Augustine Psalms, loc. 343180, par. 7). This is the realm of moisture, clouds, and all that is changeable. Interstingly, Augustine speaks of dragons as a present reality which can be observed flying from caves (Augustine Psalms, loc. 343200, par. 7). In verse eight, all the fire and weather phenomena also obey God's word. From the larges to the smallest, Augustine understands nature's creatures to fulfill God's Word (Augustine Psalms, loc. 343214, par. 8). All works in an orderly manner, as Augustine illustartes at some length.
Verses 9-14 conclude that all things in their turn and their way are to praise the Lord (Augustine Psalms, loc. 343249, par 10). This calls us also to observe the world arouind us and see how it sings the praise of God.
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