Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series • VOLUME 8
Augustine — Exposition on Psalms
SECTION 41
"And do good." Do not do that evil which thou beholdest in those men, who are prosperous in wickedness. "Do good, and dwell in the land." Le
"And do good." Do not do that evil which thou beholdest in those men, who are prosperous in wickedness. "Do good, and dwell in the land." Lest haply thou shouldest be doing good without "dwelling in the land." For it is the Church that is the Lord's land. It is her whom He, the Father, the tiller of it, waters and cultivates. Fo…
2,337 wordsSECTION 42[848] Lat. XXXVI. This is a sermon which was delivered at Carthage, as well as the two following. It should be noticed that in the life of S
[848] Lat. XXXVI. This is a sermon which was delivered at Carthage, as well as the two following. It should be noticed that in the life of St. Fulgentius, c. 3, we are told that, "having some time before resolved with himself to renounce the world, he was so roused and moved by St. Augustin's exposition of this Psalm that he det…
2,450 wordsSECTION 4310. "The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again" (ver. 20). He receiveth, and will not repay. What is it he will not repay? Thanksgiving. Fo
10. "The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again" (ver. 20). He receiveth, and will not repay. What is it he will not repay? Thanksgiving. For what is it that God would have of thee, what doth He require of thee, except that He may do thee good? And how great are the benefits which the sinner hath received, and which he will not …
2,299 wordsSECTION 444. But who is "the righteous" man, who "hath never been seen forsaken, nor his seed begging bread"? If you understand what is meant by "brea
4. But who is "the righteous" man, who "hath never been seen forsaken, nor his seed begging bread"? If you understand what is meant by "bread," you understand who is meant by him. For the "bread" is the Word of God, which never departs from the righteous man's mouth....See now if "holy meditation doth keep thee'" in the ruminati…
2,208 wordsSECTION 45"And they shall dwell therein" (it says) "for ever." It must therefore be another land, where "they are to dwell therein for ever." For of t
"And they shall dwell therein" (it says) "for ever." It must therefore be another land, where "they are to dwell therein for ever." For of this land (of this earth) it is said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away." [923] 11. "The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom" (ver. 30). See here is that "bread." Observe with what satisf…
2,331 wordsSECTION 463. Now on what ground does this person pray that he may not be "rebuked in indignation, nor chastened in hot displeasure"? (He speaks) as if
3. Now on what ground does this person pray that he may not be "rebuked in indignation, nor chastened in hot displeasure"? (He speaks) as if he would say unto God, "Since the things which I already suffer are many in number, I pray Thee let them suffice;" and he begins to enumerate them, by way of satisfying God; offering what h…
2,689 wordsSECTION 4711. "I am become feeble, [975] and am bowed down greatly" (ver. 8). He who calls to mind the transcendent height of the Sabbath, sees how "g
11. "I am become feeble, [975] and am bowed down greatly" (ver. 8). He who calls to mind the transcendent height of the Sabbath, sees how "greatly" he is himself "bowed down." For he who cannot conceive what is that height of rest, sees not where he is at present. Therefore another Psalm hath said, "I said in my trance, I am cas…
2,343 wordsSECTION 4818. He goes on: "Those who sought after My faults had spoken vanity." What is, "sought after My faults"? They sought after many things, and
18. He goes on: "Those who sought after My faults had spoken vanity." What is, "sought after My faults"? They sought after many things, and found them not. Perhaps He may have meant this: "They sought for criminal charges against me." For they sought for somewhat to say against Him, and "they found not." [994] For they were seek…
2,252 wordsSECTION 4925. "They also that render evil for good, were speaking evil of me, because I have pursued the thing that is just" (ver. 20). Therefore was
25. "They also that render evil for good, were speaking evil of me, because I have pursued the thing that is just" (ver. 20). Therefore was it that I was requited evil for good. What is meant by "pursued after the thing that is just"? Not forsaken it. That you might not always understand persecutio in a bad sense, He means by pe…
2,406 wordsSECTION 504. "I became deaf, and was humbled, I held my peace from good" (ver. 2). For this person, who is "leaping beyond," suffers some difficulty i
4. "I became deaf, and was humbled, I held my peace from good" (ver. 2). For this person, who is "leaping beyond," suffers some difficulty in a certain stage to which he hath already attained; and he desires to advance beyond, even from thence, to avoid this difficulty. I was afraid of committing a sin; so that I spoke not; that…
2,268 wordsSECTION 5111. "Albeit man walketh in the Image" [1050] (ver. 6). In what "Image," save that of Him who said, "Let Us make man in Our Image, after Our
11. "Albeit man walketh in the Image" [1050] (ver. 6). In what "Image," save that of Him who said, "Let Us make man in Our Image, after Our Likeness." [1051] "Albeit man walks in the Image." For the reason he says "albeit," is, that this is some great thing. And this "albeit" is followed by "nevertheless," that the "albeit" whic…
2,546 wordsSECTION 5219. "But surely every man living disquieteth himself in vain." He returns to what he mentioned a little before. Although he be improving her
19. "But surely every man living disquieteth himself in vain." He returns to what he mentioned a little before. Although he be improving here, yet for all that, "every man living disquieteth himself in vain;" forasmuch as he lives in a state of uncertainty. For who has any assurance even of his own goodness? "He is disquieted in…
2,445 wordsSECTION 533. And what hath He accomplished for thee? What hath He done for thee? "He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, a
3. And what hath He accomplished for thee? What hath He done for thee? "He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings" (ver. 2). He hath given us great blessings already: and still He is our debtor; but let him who hath this part of the debt repaid alrea…
2,688 wordsSECTION 549. We will give him other sights in exchange for such sights as these. And what sights shall we present to the Christian, whom we would fain
9. We will give him other sights in exchange for such sights as these. And what sights shall we present to the Christian, whom we would fain divert from those sights? I thank the Lord our God; He in the following verse of the Psalm hath shown us what sights we ought to present and offer to spectators who would fain have sights t…
2,549 wordsSECTION 5516. "I have not hid my [1146] righteousness within my heart" (ver. 10). What is meant by "my righteousness"? My faith. For, "the just shall
16. "I have not hid my [1146] righteousness within my heart" (ver. 10). What is meant by "my righteousness"? My faith. For, "the just shall live by faith." [1147] As suppose the persecutor under threat of punishment, as they were once allowed to do, puts you to the question, "What art thou? Pagan or Christian?" "A Christian." Th…
2,216 wordsSECTION 56"But I" (ver. 17). I for whom they were seeking evil, I whose "life they were seeking, that they might take it away." But turn thee to anoth
"But I" (ver. 17). I for whom they were seeking evil, I whose "life they were seeking, that they might take it away." But turn thee to another description of persons. But I to whom they said, "Well done! Well done!" "I am poor and needy." There is nothing in me that may be praised as mine own. Let Him rend my sackcloth in sunder…
2,539 wordsSECTION 574. "The Lord help him" (ver. 3). But when? Haply in heaven, haply in the life eternal, that so it remain to worship the devil for earthly ne
4. "The Lord help him" (ver. 3). But when? Haply in heaven, haply in the life eternal, that so it remain to worship the devil for earthly needs, for the necessities of this life. Far be it! Thou hast "promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." [1190] He came unto thee on earth, by Whom were made heaven and e…
2,332 wordsSECTION 58[1176] Lat. XL.
[1176] Lat. XL. [1177] Gen. ii. 24; Eph. v. 31. [1178] [He begins with the "Antiphon;" i.e., a verse selected from the Psalm as expressing the chief thought of the Psalmist or the spirit of the festival. This was interjected, at set places, in response to the reader.--C.] [1179] John xii. 24. [1180] Ps. cxvi. 15. [1181] In …
2,225 wordsSECTION 598. For when I was "pouring out my soul above myself," in order to reach my God, why did I do so? "For I will go into the place of Thy Tabern
8. For when I was "pouring out my soul above myself," in order to reach my God, why did I do so? "For I will go into the place of Thy Tabernacle." For I should be in error were I to seek for my God without "the place of His tabernacle." "For I will go into the place of Thy wonderful tabernacle, even unto the house of God." "I w…
2,229 wordsSECTION 6013. "Deep calleth to deep with the voice of Thy water-spouts." I, who tremble all over, when my soul was disquieted on account of myself, fe
13. "Deep calleth to deep with the voice of Thy water-spouts." I, who tremble all over, when my soul was disquieted on account of myself, feared greatly on account of Thy "judgments."...Are those judgments slight ones? They are great ones, severe, hard to bear; but would they were all. "Deep calls to deep with the voice of Thy w…
2,346 wordsSECTION 613. And since patience is needful in order to endure, until the harvest, a certain distinction without separation, [1279] if we may so speak
3. And since patience is needful in order to endure, until the harvest, a certain distinction without separation, [1279] if we may so speak (for they are together with us, and therefore not yet separated; the tares however being still tares, and the corn still corn, and therefore they are already distinct); since then a kind of …
2,200 wordsSECTION 62[1278] Ps. cxii. 14.
[1278] Ps. cxii. 14. [1279] Quandam indiscretam discretionem. [1280] Fortitudine. [1281] Matt. xxiv. 31. [1282] Isa. lvii. 16, 17. [1283] Ps. cxix. 71. [1284] Eph. iv. 27. [1285] John viii. 12, xiv. 6. [1286] Matt. xiii. 41. [1287] Pignus. [1288] Dan. ii. 35. [1289] Ps. iii. 4. [1290] Sibi plaudant. [1291] Matt. vii…
2,254 wordsSECTION 6311. "Thou hast sold Thy people for no price" (ver. 12). For we see whom Thou hast made over; what Thou hast received, we have not seen. "And
11. "Thou hast sold Thy people for no price" (ver. 12). For we see whom Thou hast made over; what Thou hast received, we have not seen. "And there was no multitude in their jubilees." [1339] For when the Christians were flying before the pursuit of enemies, who were idolaters, were there then held any congregations and "jubilees…
2,306 wordsSECTION 6421. "Arise, O Lord, help us" (ver. 26). And indeed, dearly beloved, He has arisen and helped us. For when he awaked (i.e. when He arose agai
21. "Arise, O Lord, help us" (ver. 26). And indeed, dearly beloved, He has arisen and helped us. For when he awaked (i.e. when He arose again, and became known to the Gentiles) on the cessation of persecutions, even those who had cleaved to the earth were raised up from the earth, and on performing penance, [1361] have been rest…
2,340 wordsSECTION 656. What follows then? "My tongue is the pen of a writer writing rapidly." What likeness, my brethren, what likeness, I ask, has the "tongue"
6. What follows then? "My tongue is the pen of a writer writing rapidly." What likeness, my brethren, what likeness, I ask, has the "tongue" of God with a transcriber's pen? What resemblance has "the rock" to Christ? [1385] What likeness does the "lamb" bear to our Saviour, [1386] or what "the lion" to the strength of the Only-B…
2,222 wordsSECTION 6615. "Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever" (ver. 6). Because God has "blessed Thee' for ever," on account of the "grace poured over Thy l
15. "Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever" (ver. 6). Because God has "blessed Thee' for ever," on account of the "grace poured over Thy lips." Now the throne of the Jewish Kingdom was a temporal one; belonging to those who were under the Law, not to those who were under "grace:" He came to "redeem those who were under the Law…
2,479 wordsSECTION 67"The daughters of kings have made Thee glad in Thine honour." Keep, hold fast this "in Thine honour." This is meant by having "a wedding gar
"The daughters of kings have made Thee glad in Thine honour." Keep, hold fast this "in Thine honour." This is meant by having "a wedding garment;" seeking His honour, His glory. Understand moreover by "kings' daughters" the cities, which were founded by kings, and have received the faith: and out of the ivory palaces (palaces ri…
2,413 wordsSECTION 6830. "They shall be mindful of thy name in every generation and generation; therefore shall the peoples confess unto [1467] Thee" (ver. 17).
30. "They shall be mindful of thy name in every generation and generation; therefore shall the peoples confess unto [1467] Thee" (ver. 17). What does it profit then to "confess" indeed and yet to confess out of "the Temple"? What does it profit to pray, and yet not to pray on the Mount? "I cried," says he, "unto the Lord with my…
2,202 wordsSECTION 695. See what tranquillity: "Therefore will not we fear when the earth shall be confounded, and the mountains shall be carried into the heart
5. See what tranquillity: "Therefore will not we fear when the earth shall be confounded, and the mountains shall be carried into the heart of the sea." Then we shall find not fear. Let us seek mountains carried, and if we can find, it is manifest that this is our security. The Lord truly said to His disciples, "If ye have faith…
2,806 wordsSECTION 7012. "He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth" (ver. 9). This not yet see we fulfilled: yet are there wars, wars among nations for
12. "He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth" (ver. 9). This not yet see we fulfilled: yet are there wars, wars among nations for sovereignty; among sects, among Jews, Pagans, Christians, heretics, are wars, frequent wars, some for the truth, some for falsehood contending. Not yet then is this fulfilled, "He maketh war…
2,221 wordsSECTION 714. "He hath subdued the people under us, and the nations under our feet" (ver. 3). Which subdued, and to whom? Who are they that speak? Hapl
4. "He hath subdued the people under us, and the nations under our feet" (ver. 3). Which subdued, and to whom? Who are they that speak? Haply Jews? Surely, if Apostles; surely, if Saints. For under these God hath subdued the people and the nations, that to-day are they honoured among the nations, who by their own citizens earned…
2,419 wordsSECTION 7211. And what they who belonged to the God of Abraham? "For the mighty gods of the earth are greatly lifted up." They who were gods, the peop
11. And what they who belonged to the God of Abraham? "For the mighty gods of the earth are greatly lifted up." They who were gods, the people of God, the vineyard of God, whereof it is said, "Judge betwixt Me and My vineyard," [1551] shall go into outer darkness, shall not sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, are not ga…
2,416 wordsSECTION 737. "As we have heard, so have we seen" (ver. 7). Blessed Church! at one time thou hast heard, at another time thou hast seen. She heard in p
7. "As we have heard, so have we seen" (ver. 7). Blessed Church! at one time thou hast heard, at another time thou hast seen. She heard in promises, seeth in performance: heard in Prophecy, seeth in the Gospel. For all things which are now fulfilled were before prophesied. Lift up thine eyes then, and stretch them over the world…
2,522 wordsSECTION 74[1554] Lat. XLVII.
[1554] Lat. XLVII. [1555] Gen. i. 6-8. [1556] Rom. xv. 1. [1557] E.V. "ground." [1558] 1 Tim. iii. 15. [1559] Matt. v. 14, 15. [1560] Rom. ix. 32. [1561] Matt. i. 16. [1562] Dan. ii. 35. [1563] Eph. ii. 14. [1564] Ps. cxviii. 22. [1565] Isa. xiv. 13, 14. [1566] Matt. xii. 29. [1567] Job xxxvii. 22. [1568] 1 Cor. ii…
2,232 wordsSECTION 758. There are some who rely on their friends, others rely on their virtue, others on their riches. This is the presumption of mankind which r
8. There are some who rely on their friends, others rely on their virtue, others on their riches. This is the presumption of mankind which relieth not on God. He hath spoken of virtue, he hath spoken of riches, he speaketh of friends. "Brother redeemeth not, [1625] shall man redeem?" (ver. 7). Dost thou expect that man shall red…
2,322 wordsSECTION 7614. But do those same aliens indeed serve them who are called their own? Hear in what they serve them, observe how they are ridiculed: why h
14. But do those same aliens indeed serve them who are called their own? Hear in what they serve them, observe how they are ridiculed: why hath he said, "to strangers"? Because they can do them no good. Nevertheless, wherein do they seem to themselves to do good? "And their tombs shall be their house for ever" (ver. 11). Now bec…
2,207 wordsSECTION 774. "Nevertheless, God shall redeem my soul" (ver. 15). Behold the voice of one hoping in the future: "Nevertheless, God shall redeem my soul
4. "Nevertheless, God shall redeem my soul" (ver. 15). Behold the voice of one hoping in the future: "Nevertheless, God shall redeem my soul." [1656] Perhaps it is the voice of one still wishing to be relieved from oppression. Some one is in prison, he saith, "God shall redeem my soul:" some one is in bond, "God shall redeem my …
2,369 wordsSECTION 78[1648] Oxf. mss. add, "or a separation of the soul from God."
[1648] Oxf. mss. add, "or a separation of the soul from God." [1649] Al. "destroy him with the visible death." [1650] Philip. iii. 20. [1651] Matt. vi. 12. [1652] Or, "a dead person." [1653] Eph. v. 14. [1654] Most mss. omit, "I rule no one." See Ser. 72, ad. Fr. in Erem. [1655] Ps. cxlvi. 4. [1656] [Compare ver. 7, p. 1…
2,507 wordsSECTION 796. What then, brethren? This God of gods, both then hidden, and now hidden, shall He ever be hidden? Evidently not: hear what followeth: "Go
6. What then, brethren? This God of gods, both then hidden, and now hidden, shall He ever be hidden? Evidently not: hear what followeth: "God shall come manifest" (ver. 3). He that came hidden, shall come manifest. Hidden He came to be judged, manifest He shall come to judge: hidden He came that He might stand before a judge, ma…
2,710 wordsSECTION 8012. "Gather to Him His righteous" (ver. 5). The voice divine and prophetic, seeing future things as if present doth exhort the Angels gather
12. "Gather to Him His righteous" (ver. 5). The voice divine and prophetic, seeing future things as if present doth exhort the Angels gathering. For He shall send His Angels, and before Him shall be gathered all nations. [1733] Gather to Him His righteous. What righteous men save those that live of faith and do works of mercy? F…
2,205 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.