Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series • VOLUME 8
Augustine — Exposition on Psalms
SECTION 201
19. Attend, brethren; it is for sale. [4384] What I have is for sale, saith God unto thee, buy it. What hath He for sale? I have rest for sa
19. Attend, brethren; it is for sale. [4384] What I have is for sale, saith God unto thee, buy it. What hath He for sale? I have rest for sale; buy it by thy toil. Attend, that we may be in Christ's name brave Christians: the remainder of the Psalm is but a little, let us not be weary. For how can he be strong in doing, who fail…
2,385 wordsSECTION 2025. "And make a joyful [4395] noise unto Him with Psalms." We have already said what it is "to make a joyful noise:" the word is repeated, th
5. "And make a joyful [4395] noise unto Him with Psalms." We have already said what it is "to make a joyful noise:" the word is repeated, that it may be confirmed by the act: the very repetition is an exhortation. For we have not forgotten, so as to wish to be again admonished what was said above, that we should make a joyful no…
2,326 wordsSECTION 2032. "O sing unto the Lord a new song; sing unto the Lord, all the earth" [4415] (ver. 1). If all the earth singeth a new song, it is thus bui
2. "O sing unto the Lord a new song; sing unto the Lord, all the earth" [4415] (ver. 1). If all the earth singeth a new song, it is thus building while it singeth: the very act of singing is building: but only, if it singeth not the old song. The lust of the flesh singeth the old song: the love of God singeth the new....Hear why…
2,243 wordsSECTION 2048. What then? If "confession and beauty are before Him: holiness and greatness in His sanctification" (ver. 7). This we declare, when we are
8. What then? If "confession and beauty are before Him: holiness and greatness in His sanctification" (ver. 7). This we declare, when we are building the house; behold, it is already declared unto the heathen; what ought the heathen to do, to whom those who have cleared away the wood have declared the Lord's honour? He now saith…
2,201 wordsSECTION 205[4429] 1 Cor. x. 20.
[4429] 1 Cor. x. 20. [4430] Matt. ix. 13. [4431] 2 Pet. ii. 22. [4432] Ps. cxv. 1. [4433] John i. 33, iii. 29. See his commentary on the passage, and on John i. 31. [4434] Ps. li. 17. [4435] Matt. xxiv. 23, 24. [4436] Donatists. [4437] See p. 471, note 21, supra. [4438] [i.e. so say the Donatists.--C.] [4439] Circumcel…
2,456 wordsSECTION 20610. But observe holy men, who are like the Angels. When thou hast found some holy man who serveth God, if thou wish to worship him instead o
10. But observe holy men, who are like the Angels. When thou hast found some holy man who serveth God, if thou wish to worship him instead of God, he forbiddeth thee: he will not arrogate to himself the honour due to God, he will not be unto thee as God, but be with thee under God. Thus did the holy Apostles Paul and Barnabas. T…
2,463 wordsSECTION 20716. "Be glad, ye righteous" (ver. 12). Perhaps already the faithful hearing the word, "Be glad," are thinking of banquets, preparing cups, w
16. "Be glad, ye righteous" (ver. 12). Perhaps already the faithful hearing the word, "Be glad," are thinking of banquets, preparing cups, waiting for the season of roses; because it is said, "Be glad, ye righteous!" See what followeth, "Be glad in the Lord." Thou art waiting for the season of spring, that thou mayest be glad: t…
2,472 wordsSECTION 2087. While ye are rejoicing, and delighted with the ductile trumpets, and the voice of the horn, what followeth? "Let the sea be stirred up, a
7. While ye are rejoicing, and delighted with the ductile trumpets, and the voice of the horn, what followeth? "Let the sea be stirred up, and the fulness thereof" (ver. 7). Brethren, when the Apostles, like ductile trumpets and horns, were preaching the truth, the sea was stirred up, its waves arose, tempests increased, persecu…
2,358 wordsSECTION 2096. All these very people, over whom Thou art great in Sion, "Let them confess unto Thy Name, which is great" (ver. 3). Thy Name was little w
6. All these very people, over whom Thou art great in Sion, "Let them confess unto Thy Name, which is great" (ver. 3). Thy Name was little when they were enraged: it hath become great; let them now confess. In what sense do we say, that the Name of Christ was little, before it was spread abroad to so great an extent? Because His…
2,309 wordsSECTION 21011. "O magnify the Lord our God!" (ver. 9). Again we magnify Him. He who is merciful even when He striketh, how is He to be praised, how is
11. "O magnify the Lord our God!" (ver. 9). Again we magnify Him. He who is merciful even when He striketh, how is He to be praised, how is He to be magnified? Canst thou show this unto thy son, and cannot God? For thou art not good when thou dost caress thy son, and evil when thou strikest him. Both when thou dost caress him th…
2,582 wordsSECTION 2119. By this means men are deceived, so that they either do not undertake, or rashly attempt, a better life; because, when they choose to prai
9. By this means men are deceived, so that they either do not undertake, or rashly attempt, a better life; because, when they choose to praise, they praise without mention of the evil that is mixed with the good: and those who choose to blame, do so with so envious and perverse a mind, as to shut their eyes to the good, and exag…
2,570 wordsSECTION 2123. "I will sing to the harp, and will have understanding, in the spotless way. When Thou shalt come unto me" (ver. 2). Except in the spotles
3. "I will sing to the harp, and will have understanding, in the spotless way. When Thou shalt come unto me" (ver. 2). Except in the spotless way, thou canst neither sing to the harp, nor understand. If thou dost wish to understand, sing in the spotless way, that is, work with cheerfulness before thy God. What is the spotless wa…
2,430 wordsSECTION 213[4559] Lat. C. A discourse to the people.
[4559] Lat. C. A discourse to the people. [4560] Rom. ii. 4. [4561] Rom. ii. 5, 6. [4562] 1 Tim. i. 13, 16. [4563] 2 Tim. iv. 8. [4564] Ps. xi. 5. [4565] Matt. vii. 23. [4566] 2 Thess. iii. 14. [4567] Gal. v. 15. [4568] Matt. v. 6. [4569] Mecum sederent. There was an ambiguity in considerent, as written. [4570] Matt. …
2,212 wordsSECTION 2148. ...Let us not pass over what is said, or even read, of this bird, that is, the pelican; not rashly asserting anything, but yet not passin
8. ...Let us not pass over what is said, or even read, of this bird, that is, the pelican; not rashly asserting anything, but yet not passing over what has been left to be read and uttered by those who have written it. Do ye so hear, that if it be true, it may agree; if false, it may not hold. These birds are said to slay their …
2,293 wordsSECTION 21517. "For the Lord shall build up Sion" (ver. 16). This work is going on now. O ye living stones, run to the work of building, not to ruin. S
17. "For the Lord shall build up Sion" (ver. 16). This work is going on now. O ye living stones, run to the work of building, not to ruin. Sion is in building, beware of the ruined walls: the tower is building, the ark is in building; remember the deluge. This work is in progress now; but when Sion is built, what will happen? "A…
2,685 wordsSECTION 21628. ...From so many generations thou wilt gather together all the holy offspring of all generations, and wilt form one generation thence: "I
28. ...From so many generations thou wilt gather together all the holy offspring of all generations, and wilt form one generation thence: "In" this "generation of generations are Thy years," that is, that eternity will be in that generation, which is collected from all generations, and reduced into one; this shall share in Thy e…
2,367 wordsSECTION 2173. Think thou, soul, of all the rewards of God, in thinking over all thy wicked deeds: for as many as are thy sins, so many are His rewards
3. Think thou, soul, of all the rewards of God, in thinking over all thy wicked deeds: for as many as are thy sins, so many are His rewards of good. And what present, what offering, what sacrifice, canst thou ever tender unto Him?...What wilt thou reward the Lord with? For thou wast reflecting, and couldest not find: "I will rec…
2,265 wordsSECTION 21810. Execute mercy to [4665] the wicked, not as being wicked. Do not receive the wicked, in so far forth as he is wicked: that is, do not rec
10. Execute mercy to [4665] the wicked, not as being wicked. Do not receive the wicked, in so far forth as he is wicked: that is, do not receive him as if from inclination towards and love for his iniquity. For it is forbidden to give unto a sinner, and to receive sinners. Yet how is this, "Give unto every man that asketh of the…
2,409 wordsSECTION 21920. "The wind shall go over on it, it shall not be; and the place thereof shall know it no more" (ver. 16). For he is not speaking of grass,
20. "The wind shall go over on it, it shall not be; and the place thereof shall know it no more" (ver. 16). For he is not speaking of grass, but of that for whose sake even the Word became grass. For thou art man, and on thy account the Word became man. "All flesh is grass:" "and the Word was made flesh." [4688] How great then i…
2,350 wordsSECTION 2208. "The mountains ascend, and the plains go down, into the place which Thou hast founded for them" (ver. 8). He is still speaking of waters.
8. "The mountains ascend, and the plains go down, into the place which Thou hast founded for them" (ver. 8). He is still speaking of waters. Let us not here understand mountains as of earth; nor plains, as of earth: but waves so great that they may be compared to mountains. The sea did sometime toss, and its waves were as mounta…
2,371 wordsSECTION 22119. "That it may bring forth bread out of the earth." What bread? Christ. Out of what earth? From Peter, from Paul, from the other stewards
19. "That it may bring forth bread out of the earth." What bread? Christ. Out of what earth? From Peter, from Paul, from the other stewards of the truth. Hear that it is from the earth: "We have," saith St. Paul, "this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us." [4727] He is the b…
2,254 wordsSECTION 22229. "The Sun hath arisen, and they get them away together, and lay them down in their dens" (ver. 22). More and more as the Sun riseth, so t
29. "The Sun hath arisen, and they get them away together, and lay them down in their dens" (ver. 22). More and more as the Sun riseth, so that Christ is recognised by the round world, and glorified therein, do the lion's whelps get them away together; those devils recede from the persecution of the Church, who instigated men to…
2,400 wordsSECTION 22341. But wherefore dost Thou do this? wherefore dost Thou hide Thy face, that they may be troubled? "Thou shalt take away their breath, and t
41. But wherefore dost Thou do this? wherefore dost Thou hide Thy face, that they may be troubled? "Thou shalt take away their breath, and they shall fail." Their breath was their pride; they boast, they attribute things to themselves, they justify themselves. Hide, therefore, Thy face, that they may be troubled: take away their…
2,201 wordsSECTION 224[4769] Matt. x. 20.
[4769] Matt. x. 20. [4770] Eph. ii. 10. [4771] Rom. iv. 5. [4772] Ps. ii. 11. [4773] Isa. lxvi. 2. [4774] Isa. i. 16. [4775] Rom. xii. 14. [4776] Prov. xxi. 20. Psalm CV. [4777] 1. This Psalm is the first of those to which is prefixed the word Allelujah; the meaning of which word, or rather two words, is, Praise the Lor…
2,360 wordsSECTION 22511. "But He had sent a man before them" (ver. 17). What man? "Even Joseph." How did He send him? "Joseph was sold to be a bond-servant." Whe
11. "But He had sent a man before them" (ver. 17). What man? "Even Joseph." How did He send him? "Joseph was sold to be a bond-servant." When this happened, it was the sin of his brethren, and, nevertheless, God sent Joseph into Egypt. We should therefore meditate on this important and necessary subject, how God useth well the e…
2,262 wordsSECTION 22629. He now proceedeth to the divine blessings which were conferred upon them as they wandered in the desert. "He spread out a cloud to be th
29. He now proceedeth to the divine blessings which were conferred upon them as they wandered in the desert. "He spread out a cloud to be their covering: and fire to give them light in the night season" (ver. 39). This is as clear as it is well known. 30. "They asked, and the quail came" (ver. 40). They did not desire quails, b…
2,605 wordsSECTION 2276. But let us hear what they next confess: "we have sinned with our fathers: we have done amiss, and dealt wickedly" (ver. 6). What meaneth
6. But let us hear what they next confess: "we have sinned with our fathers: we have done amiss, and dealt wickedly" (ver. 6). What meaneth "with our fathers"?..."Our fathers," he saith, "regarded not Thy wonders in Egypt" (ver. 7); and many other things also, he doth relate of their sins. Or is, "we have sinned with our fathers…
2,244 wordsSECTION 22825. "And that was counted unto him for righteousness among all posterities for evermore" (ver. 31). God counted this unto His Priest for rig
25. "And that was counted unto him for righteousness among all posterities for evermore" (ver. 31). God counted this unto His Priest for righteousness, not only as long as posterity shall exist, but "for evermore;" for He who knoweth the heart, knoweth how to weigh with how much love for the people that deed was done. 26. "And …
2,255 wordsSECTION 229[4814] Lat. CV.
[4814] Lat. CV. [4815] 1 Cor. x. 5. [4816] "Some copies read, for He is gracious,' others, for He is sweet:' one Greek word, chrestos, having been differently translated. Also in the words, for His mercy endureth to the end of the world;' the Greek hath eis ton aiona, which may be interpreted for ever.'" [4817] [Luke xii. 47,…
2,471 wordsSECTION 230"And they were glad, because they were still, and He brought them into the haven of their desire" (ver. 30). "Let His mercies confess unto t
"And they were glad, because they were still, and He brought them into the haven of their desire" (ver. 30). "Let His mercies confess unto the Lord, and His wonders towards the sons of men" (ver. 31). Everywhere, without exception, let not our merits, not our strength, not our wisdom, "confess unto the Lord," but, "His mercies."…
2,202 wordsSECTION 2312. The Psalm, then, beginneth thus: "O God, be not silent as to my praise; for the mouth of the ungodly, yea, the mouth of the deceitful is
2. The Psalm, then, beginneth thus: "O God, be not silent as to my praise; for the mouth of the ungodly, yea, the mouth of the deceitful is opened upon me" (ver. 1). Whence it appeareth, both that the blame, which the ungodly and the deceitful is not silent of, is false, and that the praise, which God is not silent of, is true. …
2,424 wordsSECTION 23218. "Let it be unto him as the cloak which covereth him" (ver. 18). Since he hath before spoken of the cloak, why doth he repeat it? When he
18. "Let it be unto him as the cloak which covereth him" (ver. 18). Since he hath before spoken of the cloak, why doth he repeat it? When he said, "He clothed himself with cursing as with a raiment;" doth the raiment with which he is "covered" differ from that with which he is "clothed"? For every man is clothed with his tunic, …
2,201 wordsSECTION 233Psalm CX. [4955]
Psalm CX. [4955] 1. ...This Psalm is one of those promises, surely and openly prophesying our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; so that we are utterly unable to doubt that Christ is announced in this Psalm, since we are now Christians, and believe the Gospel. For when our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ asked of the Jews, whose Son …
2,476 wordsSECTION 23412. "The Lord on Thy right hand" (ver. 5). The Lord had said, "Sit Thou on My right hand;" now the Lord is on His right hand, as if they cha
12. "The Lord on Thy right hand" (ver. 5). The Lord had said, "Sit Thou on My right hand;" now the Lord is on His right hand, as if they changed seats....That very Christ, the "Lord on Thy right hand," unto whom Thou hast sworn, and it will not repent Thee: what doth He, Priest for evermore? What doth He, who is at the right han…
2,393 wordsSECTION 2356. "The works of His hands are verity and judgment" (ver. 7). Let verity be held by those who are judged here. Martyrs are here sentenced, a
6. "The works of His hands are verity and judgment" (ver. 7). Let verity be held by those who are judged here. Martyrs are here sentenced, and brought to the judgment-seat, that they may judge not only those by whom they have been judged, but even give judgment on angels, [5000] against whom was their struggle here, even when th…
2,202 wordsSECTION 236[5023] Philip. ii. 21.
[5023] Philip. ii. 21. [5024] Ps. iv. 6. [5025] Ps. xxvii. 13. [5026] 1 Cor. ii. 9. [5027] Wisd. v. 8. [5028] Wisd. v. 8, 9. [5029] Isa. xl. 8. Psalm CXIII. [5030] 1. ...When ye hear sung in the Psalms, "Praise the Lord, ye children" (ver. 1); imagine not that that exhortation pertaineth not unto you, because having alre…
2,316 wordsSECTION 2375. Hear what is even more wonderful, that the hidden and veiled mysteries of the ancient books are in some degree revealed by the ancient bo
5. Hear what is even more wonderful, that the hidden and veiled mysteries of the ancient books are in some degree revealed by the ancient books. For Micah the prophet speaketh thus. "According to the days of thy coming out of Egypt will I show unto him marvellous things, etc. [5046] ...In this Psalm, therefore, although the wond…
2,264 wordsSECTION 2387. But, it will be said, we also have very many instruments and vessels made of materials or metal of this description for the purpose of ce
7. But, it will be said, we also have very many instruments and vessels made of materials or metal of this description for the purpose of celebrating the Sacraments, which being consecrated by these ministrations are called holy, in honour of Him who is thus worshipped for our salvation: and what indeed are these very instrument…
2,618 wordsSECTION 2397. ..."I believed," saith he, "and therefore did I speak. But I was sorely brought down" (ver. 10). For he suffered many tribulations, for t
7. ..."I believed," saith he, "and therefore did I speak. But I was sorely brought down" (ver. 10). For he suffered many tribulations, for the sake of the word which he faithfully held, faithfully preached; and he was sorely brought down; as they feared who loved the praise of men better than that of God. But what meaneth, "But …
2,218 wordsSECTION 2405. "All nations compassed me round about, but in the Name of the Lord have I taken vengeance on them" (ver. 10). "They kept me in on every s
5. "All nations compassed me round about, but in the Name of the Lord have I taken vengeance on them" (ver. 10). "They kept me in on every side, they kept me in, I say, on every side; but in the Name of the Lord have I taken vengeance on them" (ver. 11). He signifieth the toils and the victory of the Church; but, as if the quest…
2,203 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.