10/26/21
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: "Tau"
With this stanza we reach the end of Psalm 119. When in verse 169, the Psalmist asks that his prayer should come before the Lord, Augustine suggests we should be able to see ourselves in the character of the Psalmist (Augustine Psalms, loc. 339993, par. 166). The promises of God are for those who care about God's word. So when in verse 170 the Psalmist's prayer is repeated, Augustine continues to trust that God hears and keeps his promises. The righteousness of God, taught to us by God's mercy, draws praises out of our lives (Augustine Psalms, loc. 340002, par. 168).
The glory of God may also motivate us to want to teach, as versse 172 expresses the desire to speak all God's words (Augustine Psalms, loc. 340006, par. 169). In this proclamation of God's words we are able to lose our fear. Augustine takes this to be more evidence that holding firmly to God's Word builds our faith. Even if we are opposed by our world, we can depend on the word of God. As described in verse 175, we can hold to God's Word and realize he has taken care of all our needs.
In the end, the Psalmist compares himself to a wandering sheep. This reminds Augustine of the magnitude of our need and the mercy of God's salvation in Christ.