Tuesdays are for the Old Testament
8/3/21
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 119: "Jod"
Augustine takes Psalm 119:73, referring to God's "hands" to refer to his power and his wisdom, both of which serve as metaphorical references to Christ (Augustine Psalms, loc. 339390, par. 72). It is interesting to Augustine that when God works with His hands he is also working through his word. Verse 74 directs the reader to the purpose of God's work, which will bring people to fear God and believe in him (Augustine Psalms, loc. 339411, par. 75).
Verses 75-76 tie the concepts of God's righteous judgment, his truth, mercy, and comfort. Augustine finds that mercy and truth are normally found together in Scripture (Augustine Psalms, loc. 339419, par. 76). Here it is truth first, leading to mercy. Augustine sees truth as that which humbles us before God, bringing death, and then mercy, which gives us life according to God's promise (Augustine Psalms, loc. 339423, par. 76).
Verse 78 then moves to the overall general principle. The righteous, meditating on God's law (v. 78), turn together (v. 79) as partakers in God's divine nature. Augustine sees this as our portion because of Christ, who shared "our mortal state" (Augustine Psalms, loc. 339437, par. 79). So in verse 80 the Psalmist's prayer is to be unashamed.
8/3/21
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 119: "Jod"
Augustine takes Psalm 119:73, referring to God's "hands" to refer to his power and his wisdom, both of which serve as metaphorical references to Christ (Augustine Psalms, loc. 339390, par. 72). It is interesting to Augustine that when God works with His hands he is also working through his word. Verse 74 directs the reader to the purpose of God's work, which will bring people to fear God and believe in him (Augustine Psalms, loc. 339411, par. 75).
Verses 75-76 tie the concepts of God's righteous judgment, his truth, mercy, and comfort. Augustine finds that mercy and truth are normally found together in Scripture (Augustine Psalms, loc. 339419, par. 76). Here it is truth first, leading to mercy. Augustine sees truth as that which humbles us before God, bringing death, and then mercy, which gives us life according to God's promise (Augustine Psalms, loc. 339423, par. 76).
Verse 78 then moves to the overall general principle. The righteous, meditating on God's law (v. 78), turn together (v. 79) as partakers in God's divine nature. Augustine sees this as our portion because of Christ, who shared "our mortal state" (Augustine Psalms, loc. 339437, par. 79). So in verse 80 the Psalmist's prayer is to be unashamed.
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