3/12/19
Augustine. Exposition on the Book of Psalms. Schaff, Philip (editor). New York: Christian Literature Publishing Col, 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 14”
At the outset of his comments on Psalm 14, Augustine again notes the subscription “to the end” and points to Jesus as the true end (Augustine Psalms, loc. 320068). This is in contrast to verse one and the attitude of the fool. He thinks there is no God, though Augustine says nobody would actually say that, even if he thought it. Augustine compares this attitude with that of the ungodly in Romans 1, whom God gave over to an unbelieving mind (Augustine Psalms, loc. 320077). Verse two, quoted in Romans 3, describes the Lord looking for those who seek Him, but finding that all are bound by sin. The ungodly show a voracious desire for ungodliness, as illustrated in verse four, even devouring God’s people. Augustine finds the prime characteristic of the ungodly to be adevouring mouth that speaks in a corrupt manner (Augustine Psalms, loc. 320085). In contrast, God is the one who calls his people to come, find rest, and live in peace (Augustine Psalms, loc. 320093). In verse five we read that God is with the righteous. He is not far away. The fool, however, deprives not only himself but the poor and needy of hope in the Lord (Augustine Psalms, loc. 320109). God will, one day, rescue his people, as Augustine says, coming “in glory to the judgment of the quick and the dead, and the kingdom of the just” as he makes all right by rescuing his people (Augustine Psalms, loc. 320109).