9/21/21
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: "Pe"
Augustine asks of Psalm 119:129 what God's testimonies are. While many of us might assume the reference is to the stated words of God, Augustine takes the reference to be to all God's works, which we can observe (Augustine Psalms, loc. 339767, par. 128). Though he admits that to consider all God's works may well be terrifying, it is what draws the Psalmist in.
Augustine confesses that the law of God cannot give life, yet is good, particularly to show how we need to depend on God (Augustine Psalms, loc. 339775, par. 129). In turn, a grasp of our dependence on God draws us, with the Psalmist, to a hunger for God's word (v. 131). Though we are unable to work what is good in our own power, we still call on God for his mercy (v. 132) (Augustine Psalms, loc. 339792, par. 131).
Verse 133 then asks the Lord to make his people walk in his ways. Again, Augustine sees this as asking God to make us value his revelations rather than pursuing them in our own strength. Loving God makes us able to have an appropriate regard for our character, as well as enabling us to love our neighbor (Augustine Psalms, loc. 339797, par. 132).
Verse 134 develops a bleaker picture than that Augustine previously described. There is a need to be rescued from human troubles. Augustine notes there have regularly been times of trouble, but that God is able to rescue his people and even make them thrive under opposition.
The final state of the Psalmist in this stanza, having started with God's remarkable testimonies, becomes that of repentance, confession, and a re-dedication to God's word (Augustine Psalms, loc. 339813, par. 135).