9/15/20
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 82”
First, a quick academic note. A researcher friend recently pointed out to me that the scholarly standard for citation in an electronic edition such as this is to count paragraphs and refer to the paragraph, rather than the Kindle or other edition location. Since I have friends of various persuasions on this matter, I will try to remember to refer to paragraph numbers as well as locations. This edition does, conveniently, number the paragraphs.
Verse one has a rather cryptic statement, “God stood in the synagogue of gods” (Augustine Psalms, loc. 332882, par. 1). Rather than understanding this as a gathering of false gods, Augustine sees it as the gathering of Israel, the people who have been adopted by God. In paragraph two, he asks whether this is a reference to one person of the Trinity or to the entire Trinity. Augustine affirms here that the Trinity cannot be separated.
In verse two, then, the question arises. How long will God’s people be ungodly? (Augustine Psalms, loc. 332903, par. 3). The people are then called, in verses three and four, to show mercy to those in need. Verse five, then, saying these people don’t understand, “is most fitly suited” to them (Augustine Psalms, loc. 332918, par. 4). Augustine sees this as the very same situation and deserving of the same judgment through the time of the death of Christ. The Christ, who was not understood, remains the foundation of all (Augustine Psalms, loc. 332928, par. 4). Because of the darkness of their understanding, even those people adopted by God will fall and perish like earthly princes (v. 7).
In the end, the Psalmist asks that God would arise as the judge (v. 8). This is the cure for all our sin and folly (Augustine Psalms, loc. 332948, par. 5).