Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series • VOLUME 8
Augustine — Exposition on Psalms
SECTION 121
11. In whom? "In Him that reigneth in His virtue for everlasting" (ver. 7). For what virtue have we and is it everlasting? If everlasting we
11. In whom? "In Him that reigneth in His virtue for everlasting" (ver. 7). For what virtue have we and is it everlasting? If everlasting were our virtue, we should not have slipped, should not have fallen into sin, we should not have deserved penal mortality. He, of His good pleasure, took up that whereunto our desert threw us …
2,297 wordsSECTION 12219. Come ye, hear, and I will tell, all ye that fear God" (ver. 16). Let us come, let us hear, what he is going to tell, "Come ye, hear, and
19. Come ye, hear, and I will tell, all ye that fear God" (ver. 16). Let us come, let us hear, what he is going to tell, "Come ye, hear, and I will tell." But to whom, "Come ye, and hear"? "All ye that fear God." If God ye fear not, I will not tell. It is not possible that it be told to any where the fear of God is not. Let the …
2,846 wordsSECTION 1234. ...There is a double interpretation, both must be given: "lighten," he saith, "Thy face upon us," show to us Thy countenance. For God dot
4. ...There is a double interpretation, both must be given: "lighten," he saith, "Thy face upon us," show to us Thy countenance. For God doth not ever light His countenance, as if ever it had been without light: but He lighteth it upon us, so that what was hidden from us, is opened to us, and that which was, but to us was hidden…
2,324 wordsSECTION 1249. The fruit of the earth was first in Jerusalem. For from thence began the Church: there came there the Holy Spirit, and filled full the ho
9. The fruit of the earth was first in Jerusalem. For from thence began the Church: there came there the Holy Spirit, and filled full the holy men gathered together in one place; miracles were done, with the tongues of all men they spake. [2674] They were filled full of the Spirit of God, the people were converted that were in t…
2,372 wordsSECTION 1256. For what is His place he hath disclosed, when he saith, "God that maketh to dwell men of one mood in a house" (ver. 6): men of one mind,
6. For what is His place he hath disclosed, when he saith, "God that maketh to dwell men of one mood in a house" (ver. 6): men of one mind, of one sentiment: this is the holy place of the Lord. For when he had said, "The Lord is in His holy place:" as though we were inquiring in what place, since He is everywhere wholly, and no …
2,764 wordsSECTION 12613. In the next place there followeth, "Of the Beloved, and of the beauty of the House to divide the spoils." The repetition belongeth to eu
13. In the next place there followeth, "Of the Beloved, and of the beauty of the House to divide the spoils." The repetition belongeth to eulogy. [2739] ... But whether it be repeated, or whether it be received as spoken once, the word which hath been set down, namely, "Beloved," [2740] I suppose that thus must be understood tha…
2,565 wordsSECTION 12719. But this mountain he calleth the "mountain of God, a mountain fruitful, a mountain full of curds" (ver. 15), or "a mountain fat." But he
19. But this mountain he calleth the "mountain of God, a mountain fruitful, a mountain full of curds" (ver. 15), or "a mountain fat." But here what else would he call fat but fruitful? For there is also a mountain called by that name, that is to say, Selmon. But what mountain ought we to understand by "the mountain of God, a mou…
2,410 wordsSECTION 12828. "The Lord hath said, Out of Basan I will be turned" (ver. 22): or, as some copies have, "Out of Basan I will turn." For He turneth that
28. "The Lord hath said, Out of Basan I will be turned" (ver. 22): or, as some copies have, "Out of Basan I will turn." For He turneth that we may be safe, of whom above hath been said, "God of our healths, and God of saving men." [2821] For to Him elsewhere also is said, "O God of virtues, turn Thou us, and show Thy face, and s…
2,280 wordsSECTION 12936. Concerning these also is that which followeth, "The congregation of bulls amid the cows of the peoples, in order that there may be exclu
36. Concerning these also is that which followeth, "The congregation of bulls amid the cows of the peoples, in order that there may be excluded they that have been tried with silver." [2857] Calling them bulls because of the pride of a stiff and untamed neck: for he is referring to heretics. But by "the cows of the peoples," I t…
2,203 wordsSECTION 130[2741] Matt. xii. 29.
[2741] Matt. xii. 29. [2742] Eph. ii. 2. [2743] Eph. iv. 11. [2744] 1 Cor. xii. 12. [2745] 1 Cor. xii. 29. [2746] 1 Cor. xii. 11. [2747] Ps. xxvi. 8. [2748] ['Ean koimethete ?nam?son ton kleron, k.t.l., Sept; si dormiatis inter medios cleros, Vulgate; Inter medios terminos, Jerome.--C.] [2749] Hujus pennæ. [2750] Hæ pen…
2,350 wordsSECTION 1315. God is a sort of substance: for that which is no substance, is nothing at all. To be a substance then is to be something. Whence also in
5. God is a sort of substance: for that which is no substance, is nothing at all. To be a substance then is to be something. Whence also in the Catholic Faith against the poisons of certain heretics thus we are builded up, so that we say, Father and Son and Holy Spirit are of one substance. What is, of one substance? For example…
2,525 wordsSECTION 13212. "An alien I have become to My brethren, and a stranger to the sons of My mother" (ver. 8). To the sons of the Synagogue He became a stra
12. "An alien I have become to My brethren, and a stranger to the sons of My mother" (ver. 8). To the sons of the Synagogue He became a stranger...Why so? Why did they not acknowledge? Why did they call Him an alien? Why did they dare to say, we know not whence He is? "Because the zeal of Thine House hath eaten Me up:" that is, …
2,463 wordsSECTION 13322. "Thou knowest my reproach, and my confusion, and my shame" (ver. 19). What is reproach? What is confusion? What shame? Reproach is that
22. "Thou knowest my reproach, and my confusion, and my shame" (ver. 19). What is reproach? What is confusion? What shame? Reproach is that which the enemy casteth in the teeth. Confusion is that which gnaweth the conscience. Shame is that which causeth even a noble brow to blush, because of the upbraiding with a pretended crime…
2,265 wordsSECTION 13426. "Let the habitation of them become forsaken" [2992] (ver. 26). This is now evident. For in the same manner as He hath mentioned not only
26. "Let the habitation of them become forsaken" [2992] (ver. 26). This is now evident. For in the same manner as He hath mentioned not only a secret deliverance of His, saying, "Give heed to My soul, and redeem her;" [2993] but also one open after the body, adding, "because of mine enemies deliver me:" so also to these men He f…
2,346 wordsSECTION 13532. "For the Lord hath hearkened to the poor" (ver. 33). He hath hearkened to the poor, and He would not have hearkened to the poor, unless
32. "For the Lord hath hearkened to the poor" (ver. 33). He hath hearkened to the poor, and He would not have hearkened to the poor, unless they were poor. Wilt thou be hearkened to? Poor be thou: let sorrow cry out from thee, and not fastidiousness. "And His fettered ones He hath not despised." Being offended at His servants, H…
2,794 wordsSECTION 1365. What followeth? "Let them be turned away forthwith blushing, that say to me, Well, well" (ver. 3). Two are the kinds of persecutors, revi
5. What followeth? "Let them be turned away forthwith blushing, that say to me, Well, well" (ver. 3). Two are the kinds of persecutors, revilers and flatterers. The tongue of the flatterer doth more persecute than the hand of the slayer: for this also the Scripture hath called a furnace. Truly when the Scripture was speaking of …
2,334 wordsSECTION 1372. The title then of this Psalm is, as usual, a title intimating on the threshold what is being done in the house: "To David himself for the
2. The title then of this Psalm is, as usual, a title intimating on the threshold what is being done in the house: "To David himself for the sons of Jonadab, and for those that were first led captive." Jonadab (he is commended to us in the prophecy of Jeremiah) was a certain man, who had enjoined his sons not to drink wine, and …
2,560 wordsSECTION 1388. "As it were a monster I have become unto many" (ver. 7). Here in time of hope, in time of groaning, in time of humiliation, in time of so
8. "As it were a monster I have become unto many" (ver. 7). Here in time of hope, in time of groaning, in time of humiliation, in time of sorrow, in time of infirmity, in time of the voice from the fetters--here then what? "As it were a monster I have become unto many." Why, "As it were a monster"? Why do they insult me that thi…
2,266 wordsSECTION 13915. Therefore, he saith, "For I have not known tradings." [3125] What are these tradings? Let traders hear and change their life; and if the
15. Therefore, he saith, "For I have not known tradings." [3125] What are these tradings? Let traders hear and change their life; and if they have been such, be not such; let them not know what they have been, let them forget; lastly, let them not approve, not praise; let them disapprove, condemn, be changed, if trading is a sin…
2,340 wordsSECTION 14020. What next after youth? For, "Thou hast taught me," he saith, "from my youth:" what after youth? For in that same first conversion of thi
20. What next after youth? For, "Thou hast taught me," he saith, "from my youth:" what after youth? For in that same first conversion of thine thou didst learn, how before conversion thou wast not just, but iniquity preceded, in order that iniquity being banished, there might succeed love: and having been renewed into a new man,…
2,268 wordsSECTION 14126. But this was discipline; admonition, not desertion. Lastly, giving thanks, he saith what? "And being turned Thou hast made me alive, and
26. But this was discipline; admonition, not desertion. Lastly, giving thanks, he saith what? "And being turned Thou hast made me alive, and from the bottomless places of the earth again Thou hast brought me back." But when before? What is this "again"? Thou hast fallen from a high place, O man, disobedient slave, O thou proud a…
2,363 wordsSECTION 1423. Next there followeth, "To judge Thy people in justice, and Thy poor in judgment" (ver. 2). For what purpose the royal Father gave to the
3. Next there followeth, "To judge Thy people in justice, and Thy poor in judgment" (ver. 2). For what purpose the royal Father gave to the royal Son His judgment and His justice is sufficiently shown when he saith, "To judge Thy people in justice;" that is, for the purpose of judging Thy people. Such an idiom is found in Salomo…
2,238 wordsSECTION 1439. "And He shall come down like rain into a fleece, and like drops distilling upon the earth" (ver. 6). He hath called to our minds and admo
9. "And He shall come down like rain into a fleece, and like drops distilling upon the earth" (ver. 6). He hath called to our minds and admonished us, that what was done by Gedeon the Judge, in Christ hath its end. For he asked a sign of the Lord, that a fleece laid on the floor should alone be rained upon, and the floor should …
2,240 wordsSECTION 14416. "From usuries and iniquity He shall redeem the souls of them" (ver. 14). What are these usuries but sins, which are also called debts? [
16. "From usuries and iniquity He shall redeem the souls of them" (ver. 14). What are these usuries but sins, which are also called debts? [3220] But I think they have been called usuries, because more of ill is found in the punishments than hath been committed in the sins. For, for example's sake, while a man-slayer killeth onl…
2,202 wordsSECTION 145[3203] Ps. xviii. 43.
[3203] Ps. xviii. 43. [3204] Ecclus. xxxii. 4; Vulgate, xxxii. 6. [3205] Ps. cxxxiv. 2. [3206] 1 Cor. xv. 26. [3207] Mark xvi. 19. [3208] Or, "abiding." [3209] Ps. lxxii. 7. [3210] Matt. iii. 17. [3211] Matt. xxiv. 14. [3212] Ps. cviii. 5. [3213] Gen. iii. 19. [3214] [It must be borne in mind that the Hindoos as well …
2,201 wordsSECTION 1467. But what to thee? "But my feet were almost moved" (ver. 2). When were the feet moved, except when the heart was not right? Whence was the
7. But what to thee? "But my feet were almost moved" (ver. 2). When were the feet moved, except when the heart was not right? Whence was the heart not right? Hear: "My steps were well nigh overthrown." What he hath meant by "almost," the same he hath meant by "well nigh:" and what he hath meant by "my feet were almost moved," th…
2,229 wordsSECTION 14715. "And I said, therefore [3278] without cause I have justified my heart" (ver. 13). In that I serve God, and have not these things; they s
15. "And I said, therefore [3278] without cause I have justified my heart" (ver. 13). In that I serve God, and have not these things; they serve him not, and they abound in these things: "therefore without cause I have justified my heart, and have washed among the innocent my hands." This without cause I have done. Where is the …
2,201 wordsSECTION 14821. What is, "I knew not"? "As it were a beast I became to Thee, and I am alway with Thee" (ver. 23). There is a great difference between th
21. What is, "I knew not"? "As it were a beast I became to Thee, and I am alway with Thee" (ver. 23). There is a great difference between this man and others. He became as it were a beast in longing for earthly things, when being brought to nothing he knew not things eternal: but he departed not from his God, because he did not …
3,024 wordsSECTION 1492. Thou shouldest not therefore hold fast things earthly, although God doth bestow them....See ye how that in fearing to lose things earthly
2. Thou shouldest not therefore hold fast things earthly, although God doth bestow them....See ye how that in fearing to lose things earthly, the Jews slew the King of Heaven. And what was done to them? They lost even those very things earthly: and in the place where they slew Christ, there they were slain: and when, being unwil…
2,213 wordsSECTION 1509. "How long, O God, shall the enemy revile?" (ver. 10). Cry out as if forsaken, as if deserted: cry out like a sick man, who hast chosen ra
9. "How long, O God, shall the enemy revile?" (ver. 10). Cry out as if forsaken, as if deserted: cry out like a sick man, who hast chosen rather to smite the physician than to be made whole: not as yet doth He know thee. See what He hath done, who doth not know thee as yet. For they to whom there hath been no preaching of Him, s…
2,359 wordsSECTION 15117. "Thou hast made all the ends of the earth" (ver. 17)....Behold in what manner He hath made the ends of the earth, that hath wrought Salv
17. "Thou hast made all the ends of the earth" (ver. 17)....Behold in what manner He hath made the ends of the earth, that hath wrought Salvation in the midst of the earth. "Thou hast made all the ends of the earth. Summer and spring Thou hast made them." Men fervent in the Spirit are the summer. Thou, I say, hast made men ferve…
2,202 wordsSECTION 152[3336] John xix. 11.
[3336] John xix. 11. [3337] Numb. xxi. 8. Oxf. mss. "and to be healed." [3338] Oxf. mss. "truly." [3339] Oxf. mss. "He will come, that hath already come." [3340] Luke xx. 18; Isa. xxviii. 16. [3341] Ps. lxxiv. 9. [3342] In finem. [3343] Exod. iv. 6. [3344] Lev. xiii. 25. [3345] Rom. xi. 25. [3346] Oxf. mss. "wast unwil…
2,265 wordsSECTION 1537. We have heard now, brethren, that which day by day is not kept secret: let us hear now what He hath cried through these pillars....He cri
7. We have heard now, brethren, that which day by day is not kept secret: let us hear now what He hath cried through these pillars....He crieth what? "I have said to unjust men, Do not unjustly" (ver. 4)....But already they have done, and they are guilty: already there hath flowed down the earth, and all they that dwell therein.…
2,222 wordsSECTION 15412. "But I," for all drink, but separately I, that is, Christ with His Body, "for ever will rejoice, I will Psalm to the God of Jacob" (ver.
12. "But I," for all drink, but separately I, that is, Christ with His Body, "for ever will rejoice, I will Psalm to the God of Jacob" (ver. 9): in that promise to be at the end, whereof is said, "corrupt not." [3430] "And all the horns of sinners I will break, and there shall be exalted the horns of the Just" (ver. 10). This is…
2,282 wordsSECTION 1554. "There He hath broken the strength of bows, and the shield, and the sword, and the battle" (ver. 3). Where hath He broken? In that eterna
4. "There He hath broken the strength of bows, and the shield, and the sword, and the battle" (ver. 3). Where hath He broken? In that eternal peace, in that perfect peace. And now, my brethren, they that have rightly believed see that they ought not to rely on themselves: and all the might of their own menaces, and whatsoever is…
3,044 wordsSECTION 15612. "All they that are in the circuit of Him shall offer gifts." Who are in the circuit of Him?...Whatever is common to all is in the midst.
12. "All they that are in the circuit of Him shall offer gifts." Who are in the circuit of Him?...Whatever is common to all is in the midst. Why is it said to be in the midst? Because it is at the same distance from all, and at the same proximity to all. That which is not in the middle, is as it were private. That which is publi…
2,216 wordsSECTION 1575. ..."My soul hath refused to be comforted" (ver. 2). So great weariness did here possess me, that my soul did close the door against all c
5. ..."My soul hath refused to be comforted" (ver. 2). So great weariness did here possess me, that my soul did close the door against all comfort. Whence such weariness to him? It may be that his vineyard hath been hailed on, or his olive hath yielded no fruit, or the vintage hath been interrupted by rain. Whence the weariness …
2,295 wordsSECTION 15814. "O God, Thy way is in the Holy One" (ver. 13). He is contemplating now the works of the mercy of God around us, out of these he is babbl
14. "O God, Thy way is in the Holy One" (ver. 13). He is contemplating now the works of the mercy of God around us, out of these he is babbling, and in these affections he is exulting. At first he is beginning from thence, "Thy way is in the Holy One?" What is that way of Thine which is in the Holy One? "I am," He saith, "the Wa…
2,448 wordsSECTION 1592. "Hearken ye," He saith, "My people, to My law" (ver. 1). Whom may we suppose to be here speaking, but God? For it was Himself that gave a
2. "Hearken ye," He saith, "My people, to My law" (ver. 1). Whom may we suppose to be here speaking, but God? For it was Himself that gave a law to His people, whom when delivered out of Egypt He gathered together, the which gathering together is properly named a Synagogue, which the word Asaph is interpreted to signify. Hath it…
2,714 wordsSECTION 1607. "How great things," he saith, "He hath commanded our fathers, to make the same known to their sons?" (ver. 5). "That another generation m
7. "How great things," he saith, "He hath commanded our fathers, to make the same known to their sons?" (ver. 5). "That another generation may know, sons who shall be born and shall rise up, and they may tell to their sons" (ver. 6). "That they may put their hope in God, and may not forget the works of God, and may seek out His …
2,231 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.