6/25/19
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 29”
Augustine takes Psalm 29 to be the voice “of the Mediator Himself, strong of hand, of the perfection of the Church in this world, where she wars in time against the devil” (Augustine Psalms, loc. 320857). The text Augustine has takes verse 1 possibly more literally, to speak of “the young of rams,” certainly a sign of strength. Verses 1-2 point clearly to God’s glory. Verse three, with the concept of the Lord’s voice, points Augustine to the idea of Jesus, the Word of God, His voice as a voice of power. He breaks the glory of the world, signified by cedars, through His word which works repentance (Augustine Psalms, loc. 320872). Either the nations will be broken by repentance or they will be broken down in their lack of repentance. This is the work he does with his flaming judgment in verses 7-8 (Augustine Psalms, loc. 320880). Augustine sees God’s Word as accomplishing all things, even in the wilderness, the woods, and the great waters. He shows himself as the king who blesses his people in all their need (Augustine Psalms, loc. 320895).