8/24/21
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: "Mem"
At the start of Psalm 119:97, Augustine has us look back to verse 96. There, God's commands were described as "broad." Augustine then points out the breadth of God's law as what makes it easy to love (Augustine Psalms, loc. 339547, par. 97). The zeal for God which expresses itself in study of God's commands gives his people understanding. Augustine is clear that the understanding we may have (v. 98) is superior to the zeal of God's enemies, who have no understanding (Augustine Psalms, loc. 339551, par. 98). Augustine applies this rather extensively to Jesus and his opponents.
Verse 99 says boldly, "I have more understanding than my teachers" (Augustine Psalms, loc. 339545, par. 99). Augustine can think of no person with more understanding than his teachers other than Jesus. Again, in verse 100, where the teachers are recognized as elders, we recall Jesus, still a boy, sitting in the temple with the elders as teachers (Augustine Psalms, loc. 339576, par. 100).
Augustine applies verse 101 to the Body of Christ, not her Head. The verse speaks of avoiding evil ways. Augustine takes such carnal desires not to serve as a serious temptation to Jesus (Augustine Psalms, loc. 339584, par. 101). The law of God does restrain us from evil. For this reason, according to verse 102, we would not shrink away from God's judgment. The law did its protective work (Augustine Psalms, loc. 339589, par. 102). This leaves the Psalmist recognizing the sweetness of God's law (v. 103).
The stanza closes with a return to the gaining of understanding through God's commands (Augustine Psalms, loc. 339597, par. 104). This is the way of gaining wisdom and defining priorities.