7/2/19
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 30”
Psalm 30 exhibits great joy, which Augustine speaks of as “the joy of the Resurrection and the change, the renewing of the body to an immortal state, and not only of the Lord, but also of the whole Church “ (Augustine Psalms, loc. 320898). For this reason, as verse one speaks of being “taken up,” the Lord, though attacked, was not defeated by his enemies. As he cried out to the Father in his weakness, the answer is a resurrection to immortality, rescue from the pit of the underworld (v. 3). This, in verse four, calls all the saints to sing to the Lord (Augustine Psalms, loc. 320905). The weeping of death is replaced by the rejoicing of resurrection, as Augustine sees in verse five.
In Psalm 30:6, Augustine notes that we, in our abundance, think we may have escaped suffering (Augustine Psalms, loc. 320913). God piles blessings upon us. However, in verse seven, we are very likely to realize those blessings are not ours, but God’s. He can turn them away from us. Therefore, in verse eight, we cry out to God, even as Christ cried out from the cross (Augustine Psalms, loc. 320920). Augustine summarizes the cry of Christ, asking what the purpose of his death could be. Then, in verse 10, the Lord hears and has mercy, guarding His Son from corruption (Augustine Psalms, loc. 320927). This turns the mourning of the Christ into joy, and likewise that of the Church. We know that Christ, the firstborn of the dead, lives forever. This clothes us with gladness.