2/15/22
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 135"
Psalm 135:1 calls God's servants to praise His name. Augustine considers the fact of being a servant of God as motivation to give him praise, since they have received God's loving and caring treatment. Furthermore, Augustine reminds his readers that they are not only servants of God but will "gain the privilege of sons" (Augustine Psalms, loc. 341317, par. 1). Verse two goes so far as to point out that God's people stand inside God's house, not outside. This, to Augustine, is a sign of God's favor, for which all the glory goes to God (Augustine Psalms, loc. 341327, par. 2).
Verse three sums up the whole situation. "The Lord is good." Augustine understands God to be the author and definer of what is good (Augustine Psalms, loc. 341332, par. 4). An example of God's goodness applied appears to Augustine in verse four. God chose Jacob for himself. This was not based on any merit or goodness of Jacob but because of God's grace. The same applies to God's choice to call and graft in the Gentiles, who became partakers of God's promises (Augustine Psalms, loc. 341347, par. 5). This, according to verse five, is a sign of God's greatness
God's greatness is shown further in his abioity to create whatever he wanted to create (Augustine Psalms, loc. 341352, par. 7). His greatness can also be seen by us as we observe his creation. The Psalmist uses clouds as an example in verse seven.
Augustine notes a shift in the Psalm as in verses eight and nine God works among his people, with the miracles displayed in Egypt (Augustine Psalms, loc. 341368, par. 9). In verses ten and following, God's work of defending his people extended outside of Egypt.
Verse 13, then, brings us back to the praises of God and his name. Having seen all the Lord does, we return to praise him (Augustine Psalms, loc. 341377, par. 10). Augustine comments that the Lord does all the same kind of works now, "in the spirit" (Augustine Psalms, loc. 341383, par. 11). From generation to generation God does not change. He stands as the judge of his people (v. 14). In his judgment Augustine sees him as taking away the just and leaving the unjest behind. God's judgment extends to all nations, and is well established in Scripture, as Augustine illustrates (Augustine Psalms, loc. 341393, par. 12).
In the end of the Psalm, God ridicules idols (v. 15). Augustine notes how futile it is to adore things created rather than the God who created all things (Augustine Psalms, loc. 341402, par. 13). Not only are the idols made of created materials, they are formed by human hands, making them less, not greater, than their human makers. Verse 16 reminds us of the utter folly of worship to idols. In verse 18, the makers and worshipers of idols are depicted as becoming like those idols.
Verse 19 again calls us back to praising God. Augustine compares this move to the fact that Christ rescues people from their deadened state and awakens them to praise God (Augustine Psalms, loc. 341423, par. 15). All the different divisions of God's people bless him, the one who dwells in Zion, the eternal city (v. 21) (Augustine Psalms, loc. 341433, par. 16). He is the hope of his people.