10/27/20
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 88”
After a few brief comments about the cryptic nature of the Psalm's title, Augustine moves into a series of brief comments about the first several verses. In verses one and two, our desire is to hear Christ singing so we can imitate him and depend on him, while he prays for us (Augustine Psalms, loc. 333938, par. 2). This is necessary, since we confess in verse three that we contend with evil. Jesu scertainly did contend with evil, though Augustine recognizes it was not due to his condition, but due to his mercy (Augustine Psalms, loc. 333952, par. 3). Due to the mercy of God in Christ, he is treated as one who descends to hell, in bondage, and without help.
In contrast to our expectations, the Lord is as a free person among the dead (v. 5). Augustine observes that Jesus was able to lay down his life and take it up again (Augustine Psalms, loc. 333965, par.4 ). Even though he was placed "in the lowest pit" (v. 6), Augustine sees Christ as triumphant. Verse seven even speaks of being subject to the anger of God (Augustine Psalms, loc. 333991, par. 6). Augustine does not that verse eight is slightly cryptic. Who is a person who is not an acquaintance of Jesus? He suggests this refers to teh separation of Jesus and his discioples at his trial (Augustine Psalms, loc. 334012, par. 7). Likewise, the weakness of Jesus' body prior to his death is a likely subject of verse nine. Yet, Jesus calls out to God even from the cross (Augustine Psalms, loc. 334025, par. 8).
Verse 10 wonders at the works shown "among the dead." Augustine takes this as a reference "to men so dead in hurt, that such great works of Christ could not rouse them to the life of faith" (Augustine Psalms, loc. 334004, par. 9). The rejection of God in Christ deprives people of God's promises. The result, in verse 11, is destruction in the grave, where none will show God's faithfulness. It condemns forever (Augustine Psalms, loc. 334071, par. 10). Verse 12 depicts a load of forgetfulness. Augustine sees this as a dark place, so intense that the light of Christ can never be seen. Again, the idea of reaching the hands out to the Lord is repeated in verse 13 (Augustine Psalms, loc. 334084, par. 11). The troubled nature of Christ's body giving himself into God's wrath is reprised near the end of the Psalm (Augustine Psalms, loc. 334097, par. 13).