Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series • VOLUME 8
Augustine — Exposition on Psalms
SECTION 1
[1] See Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. vii. p. 530 et seq.
[1] See Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. vii. p. 530 et seq. [2] Compare 2 Chron. vi. 42, Isa. lv. 3, and Acts xiii. 34. Advertisement. It seems necessary to give the following outline of the history of this Oxford translation. It was undertaken as part of the great series of original translations which appeared "under the patronage…
2,293 wordsSECTION 24. "The ungodly are not so," they are not so, "but are like the dust which the wind casteth forth from the face of the earth" (ver. 4). "The
4. "The ungodly are not so," they are not so, "but are like the dust which the wind casteth forth from the face of the earth" (ver. 4). "The earth" is here to be taken as that stedfastness in God, with a view to which it is said, "The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance, yea, I have a goodly heritage." [19] With a view to th…
2,421 wordsSECTION 311. "When His anger shall be shortly kindled, blessed are all they who put their trust in Him;" that is, when the vengeance shall come which
11. "When His anger shall be shortly kindled, blessed are all they who put their trust in Him;" that is, when the vengeance shall come which is prepared for the ungodly and for sinners, not only will it not light on those "who put their trust in" the Lord, but it will even avail for the foundation and exaltation of a kingdom for…
2,463 wordsSECTION 48. "Salvation is of the Lord; and upon Thy people be Thy blessing" (ver. 8). In one sentence the Psalmist has enjoined men what to believe,
8. "Salvation is of the Lord; and upon Thy people be Thy blessing" (ver. 8). In one sentence the Psalmist has enjoined men what to believe, and has prayed for believers. For when it is said, "Salvation is of the Lord," the words are addressed to men. Nor does it follow, "And upon Thy people" be "Thy blessing," in such wise as th…
2,241 wordsSECTION 53. "O ye sons of men, how long heavy in heart" (ver. 2). Let your [93] error, says he, have lasted at least up to the coming of the Son of G
3. "O ye sons of men, how long heavy in heart" (ver. 2). Let your [93] error, says he, have lasted at least up to the coming of the Son of God; why then any longer are ye heavy in heart? When will ye make an end of crafty wiles, if now when the truth is present ye make it not? "Why do ye love vanity, and seek a lie?" Why would y…
2,284 wordsSECTION 6[84] eis to t?los, en psalmois hode to Dauid, Sept.
[84] eis to t?los, en psalmois hode to Dauid, Sept. [85] Rom. x. 4. [86] 1 Chron. xiii. 8 and xvi. 5. [87] [Here again, and in all cases (verba Dominici hominis), this phrase must be regarded as retracted. "Ubicunque hoc dixi, dixisse me nollem," says the great bishop, ed. Migne, vol. i. p. 617. But, as here rendered, it is c…
2,285 wordsSECTION 78. "The man of blood, and the crafty man, the Lord will abominate." What he said above, "Thou hast hated all that work iniquity, Thou wilt d
8. "The man of blood, and the crafty man, the Lord will abominate." What he said above, "Thou hast hated all that work iniquity, Thou wilt destroy all that speak a lie," may well seem to be repeated here: so that one may refer "the man of blood" to "the worker of iniquity," and "the crafty man" to the "lie." For it is craft, whe…
2,249 wordsSECTION 8[127] Exod. i. 19.
[127] Exod. i. 19. [128] See his treatises on lying and against lying. [129] Matt. v. 37. [130] Wisd. i. 11. [131] [Lax language, which has greatly hindered strict conscientiousness in moral teachers. See Meyrick's Moral and Devotional Theology of Rome, pp. 68-71, London, 1857. Compare our author, De Mendacio, and Retractati…
2,541 wordsSECTION 97. Wherefore he goes on to say, "I have laboured in my groaning." And as if this availed but little, he adds, "I will wash each night my cou
7. Wherefore he goes on to say, "I have laboured in my groaning." And as if this availed but little, he adds, "I will wash each night my couch" (ver. 6). That is here called a couch, where the sick and weak soul rests, that is, in bodily gratification and in every worldly pleasure. Which pleasure, whoso endeavours to withdraw hi…
2,209 wordsSECTION 10[164] Rom. vi. 6; Eph. iv. 22.
[164] Rom. vi. 6; Eph. iv. 22. [165] Rom. v. 14. [166] Col. iii. 10. [167] [On the tripartite nature of man, see Tertull. A.N.F. vol. iii. pp. 463, 474.--C.] [168] Deut. vi. 5; Matt. xxii. 37. [169] Rom. ii. 5. [170] [Compare Trench on Synonyms of the New Testament, p. 178, ed. New York, 1854.--C.] [171] Furor. [172] Wis…
2,247 wordsSECTION 115. "Arise, O Lord, in Thine anger" (ver. 6). Why yet does he, who we say is perfect, incite God to anger? Must we not see, whether he rather
5. "Arise, O Lord, in Thine anger" (ver. 6). Why yet does he, who we say is perfect, incite God to anger? Must we not see, whether he rather be not perfect, who, when he was being stoned, said, "O Lord, lay not this sin to their charge"? [221] Or does the Psalmist pray thus not against men, but against the devil and his angels, …
2,522 wordsSECTION 1211. "My righteous help is from the Lord, who maketh whole the upright in heart." God, who searcheth the hearts and reins, directeth the righ
11. "My righteous help is from the Lord, who maketh whole the upright in heart." God, who searcheth the hearts and reins, directeth the righteous; but with righteous help maketh He whole the upright in heart. He doth not as He searcheth the hearts and reins, so make whole the upright in heart and reins; for the thoughts are both…
2,851 wordsSECTION 1320. This Psalm can also be taken in the person of the Lord Man: if only that which is there spoken in humiliation be referred to our weaknes
20. This Psalm can also be taken in the person of the Lord Man: if only that which is there spoken in humiliation be referred to our weakness, which He bore. [276] [200] [See Neale's note on this title. Commentary on the Psalms, vol. i. p. 131.--C.] [201] 2 Sam. xv. 34-37. [202] 2 Cor. iii. 16. [203] Matt. ix. 15. [204] Joh…
2,495 wordsSECTION 149. "For I shall see the heavens, the works of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained." The moon and stars are ordaine
9. "For I shall see the heavens, the works of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained." The moon and stars are ordained in the heavens; since both the Church universal, to signify which the moon is often put, and Churches in the several places particularly, which I imagine to be intimated by the name of sta…
2,407 wordsSECTION 15[277] See on Ps. lxxxiv. [The octave of Ps. i., and understood by the Fathers of the ascension of Christ. It was probably sung at the Jewish
[277] See on Ps. lxxxiv. [The octave of Ps. i., and understood by the Fathers of the ascension of Christ. It was probably sung at the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles.--C.] [278] Luke iii. 17. [279] Numb. xiii. 23. [280] John xix. 29. [281] Matt. xxvi. 29. [282] 1 Cor. iii. 1, 2. [283] Matt. xxi. 16. [284] 1 Cor. ii. 6. [285]…
2,557 wordsSECTION 168. "The swords of the enemy have failed at the end" (ver. 6). Not enemies in the plural, but this enemy in the singular. Now what enemy's sw
8. "The swords of the enemy have failed at the end" (ver. 6). Not enemies in the plural, but this enemy in the singular. Now what enemy's swords have failed but the devil's? Now these are understood to be divers erroneous opinions, whereby as with swords he destroys souls. In overcoming these swords, and in bringing them to fail…
2,344 wordsSECTION 1716. "The Lord is known executing judgments" (ver. 16). These are God's judgments. Not from that tranquillity of His blessedness, nor from th
16. "The Lord is known executing judgments" (ver. 16). These are God's judgments. Not from that tranquillity of His blessedness, nor from the secret places of wisdom, wherein blessed souls are received, is the sword, or fire, or wild beast, or any such thing brought forth, whereby sinners may be tormented: but how are they torme…
2,268 wordsSECTION 188. Again, the two which follow are the same. "In his snare he will humble him," is craft (ver. 10). "He shall decline and fall, whilst he sh
8. Again, the two which follow are the same. "In his snare he will humble him," is craft (ver. 10). "He shall decline and fall, whilst he shall have domination over the poor," is violence. For a "snare" naturally points to "lying in wait:" but domination most openly conveys the idea of terror. And well does he say, "He will humb…
2,240 wordsSECTION 192. "For, lo, sinners have bent the bow, they have prepared their arrows in the quiver, that they may in the obscure moon shoot at the uprigh
2. "For, lo, sinners have bent the bow, they have prepared their arrows in the quiver, that they may in the obscure moon shoot at the upright in heart" (ver. 2). These be the terrors of those who threaten us as touching sinners, that we may pass over to them as the righteous. "Lo," they say, "the sinners have bent the bow:" the …
2,442 wordsSECTION 2011. "Fire and brimstone and the blast of the tempest is the portion of their cup." This is their punishment and end, by whom the name of God
11. "Fire and brimstone and the blast of the tempest is the portion of their cup." This is their punishment and end, by whom the name of God is blasphemed; that first they should be wasted by the fire of their own lusts, then by the ill savour of their evil deeds cast off from the company of the blessed, at last carried away and…
2,201 wordsSECTION 21Unto the end, a psalm of David.
Unto the end, a psalm of David. 1. "For Christ is the end of the law to every one that believeth." [479] "How long, O Lord, wilt Thou forget me unto the end?" (ver. 1) that is, put me off as to spiritually understanding Christ, who is the Wisdom of God, and the true end of all the aim of the soul. "How long dost Thou turn away …
2,216 wordsSECTION 223. "Who speaketh the truth in his heart." For some have truth on their lips, and not in their heart. As if one should deceitfully point out
3. "Who speaketh the truth in his heart." For some have truth on their lips, and not in their heart. As if one should deceitfully point out a road, knowing that there were robbers there, and should say, If you go this way, you will be safe from robbers; and it should turn out that in fact there were no robbers found there: he ha…
2,227 wordsSECTION 2311. "As a lion ready for prey, have they taken Me" (ver. 12). They have taken Me, like that adversary who "walketh about, seeking whom he ma
11. "As a lion ready for prey, have they taken Me" (ver. 12). They have taken Me, like that adversary who "walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." [517] "And as a lion's whelp dwelling in secret places." And as his whelp, the people to whom it was said, "Ye are of your father the devil:" [518] meditating on the snares, where…
2,226 wordsSECTION 2422. "Because I have kept the ways of the Lord" (ver. 21). That the breadth of good works, that are by faith, and the long-suffering of perse
22. "Because I have kept the ways of the Lord" (ver. 21). That the breadth of good works, that are by faith, and the long-suffering of perseverance should follow after. 23. "Nor have I walked impiously apart from My God." "For all His judgments are [537] in My sight" (ver. 22). "For" with persevering contemplation I weigh "all …
2,227 wordsSECTION 254. "There is no speech nor language, in which their voices are not heard" (ver. 3). In which the voices of the Evangelists have not been hea
4. "There is no speech nor language, in which their voices are not heard" (ver. 3). In which the voices of the Evangelists have not been heard, seeing that the Gospel was preached in every tongue. 5. "Their sound is gone out into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world" [552] (ver. 4). 6. "In the sun hath He se…
2,257 wordsSECTION 26[567] Lat. XIX.
[567] Lat. XIX. [568] [This and the next Psalm are a prelude to the great Psalm of the expiation which is to follow.--C.] [569] John xvii. 5 and xii. 28. [570] Gen. xxv. 23; Rom. ix. 12. [571] "Sion," "beholding," p. 13, ver. 6. [572] John xii. 32. [573] John xv. 13. [574] John xii. 24. [575] Rom. xi. 25, 26. [576] John…
2,249 wordsSECTION 2718. "They numbered distinctly all My bones" (ver. 17). They numbered distinctly all My bones, while extended on the wood of the Cross. "Yea,
18. "They numbered distinctly all My bones" (ver. 17). They numbered distinctly all My bones, while extended on the wood of the Cross. "Yea, these same regarded, and beheld Me." Yea, these same, that is, unchanged, regarded and beheld Me. 19. "They divided My garments for themselves, and cast the lot upon My vesture" [608] (ver…
2,309 wordsSECTION 2810. "Who is this King of glory?" What! dost thou too, prince of the power of this air, [629] marvel and ask, "Who is this King of glory?" "T
10. "Who is this King of glory?" What! dost thou too, prince of the power of this air, [629] marvel and ask, "Who is this King of glory?" "The Lord of powers, He is the King of glory" (ver. 10). Yea, His Body now quickened, He who was tempted marches above thee; He who was tempted by the angel, the deceiver, goes above all angel…
2,221 wordsSECTION 297. "That I may hear the voice of Thy praise." That I may learn how to praise Thee. "And that I may declare all Thy wondrous works" (ver. 7).
7. "That I may hear the voice of Thy praise." That I may learn how to praise Thee. "And that I may declare all Thy wondrous works" (ver. 7). And after I have learnt, I may set forth all Thy wondrous works. 8. "O Lord, I have loved the beauty of Thy house:" of Thy Church. "And the place of the habitation of Thy glory" (ver. 8): …
2,212 wordsSECTION 306. "Blessed be the Lord, for He hath heard the voice of My prayer" (ver. 6).
6. "Blessed be the Lord, for He hath heard the voice of My prayer" (ver. 6). 7. "The Lord My Helper and My Protector" (ver. 7). The Lord helping Me in so great sufferings, and protecting Me with immortality in My resurrection. "In Him hath My Heart trusted, and I have been helped." "And My Flesh hath flourished again:" that is,…
2,200 wordsSECTION 31[678] [A shir, or "song." So Psalm xviii.=shirah, the only two instances in the first division of the Psalter, forty-one Psalms.--C.]
[678] [A shir, or "song." So Psalm xviii.=shirah, the only two instances in the first division of the Psalter, forty-one Psalms.--C.] [679] Ps. xvi. 10. [680] Rev. i. 5. [681] 1 Cor. xv. 28. [This Psalm was used at Easter and Pentecost. Compare Cyprian, vol. v. p. 525, A.N.F.--C.] Psalm XXXI. [682] To the end, a psalm of Da…
2,211 wordsSECTION 324. "Because day and night Thy Hand was heavy upon me:" because, through the continual punishment of Thy scourges, "I was turned in misery, w
4. "Because day and night Thy Hand was heavy upon me:" because, through the continual punishment of Thy scourges, "I was turned in misery, while a thorn was fixed through me" (ver. 4): I was made miserable by knowing my misery, being pricked with an evil conscience. 5. "I acknowledged my sin, and my unrighteousness have I not h…
2,385 wordsSECTION 333. But who is it that blesseth the Lord at all times, except the humble in heart. For very humility taught our Lord in His Own Body and Bloo
3. But who is it that blesseth the Lord at all times, except the humble in heart. For very humility taught our Lord in His Own Body and Blood: because when He commendeth His Own Body and Blood, He commendeth His Humility, in that which is written in this history, in that seeming madness of David, which we have passed by, "And hi…
2,499 wordsSECTION 3414. Therefore understand it not so....When thou art filled with spiritual riches, canst thou be poor? And was he therefore rich, because he
14. Therefore understand it not so....When thou art filled with spiritual riches, canst thou be poor? And was he therefore rich, because he had a bed of ivory; and art thou poor who hast the chamber of thy heart filled with such jewelry of virtues, justice, truth, charity, faith, endurance? Unfold thy riches, if thou hast them, …
2,305 wordsSECTION 3524. "The death of sinners is the worst" (ver. 21). Attend, Brethren, for the sake of those things which I said. Truly Great is the Lord, and
24. "The death of sinners is the worst" (ver. 21). Attend, Brethren, for the sake of those things which I said. Truly Great is the Lord, and His Mercy, truly Great is He who gave to us to eat His Body, wherein He suffered such great things, and His Blood to drink. How regardeth He them that think evil and say, "Such an one died …
2,447 wordsSECTION 367. But wherefore these so great evils? By what desert? Hear by what desert. "For without cause have they hid for me the corruption of their
7. But wherefore these so great evils? By what desert? Hear by what desert. "For without cause have they hid for me the corruption of their trap" (ver. 7). For Him that is our Head, observe, the Jews did this: they hid the corruption of their trap. For whom hid they their trap? For Him who saw the hearts of those that hid. But y…
2,548 wordsSECTION 3715. Again, if we have understood the sackcloth, how understand we the fasting? Wished Christ to eat, when He sought fruit on the tree, [777]
15. Again, if we have understood the sackcloth, how understand we the fasting? Wished Christ to eat, when He sought fruit on the tree, [777] and if He had found, would He have eaten? Wished Christ to drink, when He said to the woman of Samaria, "Give Me to drink"? [778] when He said on the Cross, "I thirst"? [779] For what hunge…
2,426 wordsSECTION 3825. "Judge me, O Lord, according to My righteousness" (ver. 24); that is, attend to My cause. Not according to My punishment, but "according
25. "Judge me, O Lord, according to My righteousness" (ver. 24); that is, attend to My cause. Not according to My punishment, but "according to My righteousness, O Lord, My God," that is, according to this judge Thou Me. "And let them not rejoice over Me;" that is, Mine enemies. 26. "Let them not say in their heart, Aha, aha, s…
2,272 wordsSECTION 396. "Thy mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens, and Thy truth reacheth even unto the clouds" (ver. 5). I know not what Mercy of Him he meaneth, wh
6. "Thy mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens, and Thy truth reacheth even unto the clouds" (ver. 5). I know not what Mercy of Him he meaneth, which is in the heavens. For the Mercy of the Lord is also in the earth. Thou hast it written, "The earth is full of the Mercy of the Lord." [820] Of what Mercy then speaketh He, when He saith…
2,238 wordsSECTION 4014. "Show forth Thy Mercy unto them that know Thee; Thy Righteousness to them that are of a right heart" (ver. 10). As I have said, Those ar
14. "Show forth Thy Mercy unto them that know Thee; Thy Righteousness to them that are of a right heart" (ver. 10). As I have said, Those are of a right heart who follow in this life the Will of God. The will of God is sometimes that thou shouldest be whole, sometimes that thou shouldest be sick. If when thou art whole God's Wil…
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Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.