2/23/21
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 105"
Augustine notes that Psalm 105 is the first of the collection which begins with "Alleluia" (Augustine Psalms, loc. 337464, par. 1). The first verse continues by calling for confession to the Lord, which Augustine interprets to be a kind of praise. Verses two and three explain that praise to God happens in word and music as well (Augustine Psalms, loc. 337474, par. 2).
Psalm 105:4 shows the strengthening work of God. Seeking God brings comfort and strength (Augustine Psalms, loc. 337485, par. 3). Augustine points out the connection between verses four and vie, in that seeking God is done as we recall God's works of the past. The essence is that God is the living God who continues to work in every generation (Augustine Psalms, loc. 337495, par. 4). Verses six through eleven continue with the same idea. Augustine provides little commentary on those verses. God's blessing extends to everlasting generations, a concept which moves Augustine to wonder (Augustine Psalms, loc. 337510, par. 6).
Verse 12 begins a review of Israel's history, a feature which occurs frequently in Scripture (Augustine Psalms, loc. 337525, par. 7). Augustine notes that the words quoted in verse 15, where God warns the nations not to harm His people, do not appear earlier in Scripture (Augustine Psalms, loc. 337536, par. 8). God's protection of and intervention for the safety of his people is certainly a common event. Augustine does ask in what way Israel was considered "God's anointed" since only priests and sometimes prophets were anointed. Augustine ties the idea to the anointing which gives us the title "Christ" (Augustine Psalms, loc. 337540, par. 9). Augustine's consideration is inconclusive, but he does think the faithful are, in fact, Christian.
Verse 16 speaks of God moving his people from one place to another through famine. Augustine sees this as a purposeful move on the part of God (Augustine Psalms, loc. 337551, par. 10). Gos'd purpose continued in history as, in verse 17, he had sent Joseph to Egypt to guard his people through the time of famine. Verse 18 points out that Joseph suffered while accomplishing God's purpose. Augustine describes others, particularly Mary, who suffered themselves to see God's greater work of grace (Augustine Psalms, loc. 337566, par. 12).
Verses 19-22 describe the exaltation of Joseph after his humiliation in prison. Despite Joseph's exaltation, he and his family were still strangers in Egypt. By verse 24 we see Israel increasing in Egypt. Augustine sees them as less powerful than the Egyptians yet objects of fear to them (Augustine Psalms, loc. 337592, par. 15).
Verse 25 speaks of God turning the hearts of the Egyptians to hate Israel. Augustine questions this, as it does not seem appropriate that God would move people to sin. He concludes that they were already in sin and God made that sin more obvious (Augustine Psalms, loc. 337597, par. 16).
Verses 26 and following skip beyond the captivity in Egypt to the Exodus (Augustine Psalms, loc. 337608, par. 18). Here God is the one showing his presence through the plagues upon Egypt. In the end, God brought his people out of Egypt, loaded with treasures given to them by the Egyptians (Augustine Psalms, loc. 337640, par. 27).
The Psalm's review of Israel's history continues with their trip through the desert, where God's presence in protection and provision of food could be seen (vv. 39-41) (Augustine Psalms, loc. 337650, par. 29). The work of God in the wilderness, according to verse 42, is because God remembered his promise to Abraham. He had promised to rescue his people and give them joy and great possessions (vv. 43-44). The Goal of all this, in verse 45, is so the people will keep God's statutes. Augustine sees this as the goal of our redemption as well (Augustine Psalms, loc. 337661, par. 33).