Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series • VOLUME 8
Augustine — Exposition on Psalms
SECTION 241
[5106] Eph. ii. 2.
[5106] Eph. ii. 2. [5107] Mark x. 18. [5108] Dan. xii. 1. [5109] Ps. xxxiv. 8. [5110] Rom. iv. 25. [5111] Ps. viii. 4. [5112] 2 Cor. vi. 10. [5113] Rom. v. 3. [5114] mss. facientes. Edd. impatientes. [5115] Ps. xlii. 4. [5116] Ps. lxxxiv. 4. [5117] Rev. xxii. 15. [5118] Ps. cxx. 5. [5119] Eph. ii. 15, 16. [5120] Ps…
2,321 wordsSECTION 24212. "With my lips have I been telling of all the judgments of Thy mouth" (ver. 13); that is, I have kept silent nothing of Thy judgments, wh
12. "With my lips have I been telling of all the judgments of Thy mouth" (ver. 13); that is, I have kept silent nothing of Thy judgments, which Thou didst will should become known to me through Thy words, but I have been telling of all of them without exception with my lips. This he seemeth to me to signify, since he saith not, …
2,346 wordsSECTION 24329. "Take Thou from me the way of iniquity" (ver. 29). And since the law of works hath entered in, that sin might abound; [5159] he addeth,
29. "Take Thou from me the way of iniquity" (ver. 29). And since the law of works hath entered in, that sin might abound; [5159] he addeth, "And pity me according to Thy law." By what law, save by the law of faith? Hear the Apostle: "Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works. Nay: but by the law of faith." [5…
2,328 wordsSECTION 24443. "And so shall I make answer," he saith, "to them that reproach me with the word" (ver. 42). It is doubtful whether it be "reproach me wi
43. "And so shall I make answer," he saith, "to them that reproach me with the word" (ver. 42). It is doubtful whether it be "reproach me with a word;" or, "I will answer with a word;" but either signifieth Christ. They to whom Christ crucified is a stumbling-block or foolishness, [5182] reproach us with Him; ignorant that "the …
2,207 wordsSECTION 24554. "Weariness hath held me; for the ungodly that forsake Thy law" (ver. 53). "Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage
54. "Weariness hath held me; for the ungodly that forsake Thy law" (ver. 53). "Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage" (ver. 54). This is the low estate, in the house of mortality, of the man who sojourneth away from Paradise and the Jerusalem above, whence one going down to Jericho fell among robbers; but…
2,201 wordsSECTION 24667. "Sweet art Thou, O Lord;" or, as many have it, "Sweet art Thou, even Thou, O Lord" (ver. 68). Some also, "Sweet art Thou," or, "Good art
67. "Sweet art Thou, O Lord;" or, as many have it, "Sweet art Thou, even Thou, O Lord" (ver. 68). Some also, "Sweet art Thou," or, "Good art Thou:" as we have before treated of this word: "and in Thy sweetness teach me Thy statutes." He truly desireth to do the righteousnesses of God, since he desireth to learn them in His sweet…
2,208 wordsSECTION 247[5229] 1 Cor. xii. 11.
[5229] 1 Cor. xii. 11. [5230] Operatoria. [5231] Dan. x. 14. [5232] Dan. viii. 15, 16. [5233] Rom. xii. 2. [5234] Gen. xii. 3 and xxvi. 4. [5235] Job vii. 1. [Here our author reasons against the idea of unconditional election to eternal life.--C.] [5236] Matt. xiii. 43. [5237] Ps. xxv. 10. [5238] Matt. xix. 17. [5239] …
2,254 wordsSECTION 24896. Lastly, he next saith, "I have seen an end of all consummation: but Thy commandment is exceeding broad" (ver. 96). For he had entered in
96. Lastly, he next saith, "I have seen an end of all consummation: but Thy commandment is exceeding broad" (ver. 96). For he had entered into the sanctuary of God, and had understood the end. [5263] Now "all consummation" appeareth to me in this place to signify, the striving even unto death for the truth, [5264] and the endura…
2,204 wordsSECTION 249106. "I have sworn, and am stedfastly purposed to keep Thy righteous judgments" (ver. 106): as one who walked aright in the light of that la
106. "I have sworn, and am stedfastly purposed to keep Thy righteous judgments" (ver. 106): as one who walked aright in the light of that lantern, and kept to straight paths. For he calleth what he hath determined by a sacrament, an oath; because the mind ought to be so fixed in keeping the righteous judgments of God, that its d…
2,583 wordsSECTION 250[5298] Luke xii. 14.
[5298] Luke xii. 14. [5299] 1 Cor. vi. 1-6. [5300] Rom. viii. 23-25. [5301] Rom. v. 5. [5302] Rom. iv. 15. [5303] Rom. ii. 12. [5304] Rom. v. 20. [5305] [A fundamental objection to the doctrine of purgatory.--C.] [5306] [The author adds: "Some copies read always,' some do not. If it be correct, it must be understood to m…
2,343 wordsSECTION 251134. "Show the light of Thy countenance on Thy servant, and teach me thy statutes" (ver. 135): that is, manifest Thy presence, by succouring
134. "Show the light of Thy countenance on Thy servant, and teach me thy statutes" (ver. 135): that is, manifest Thy presence, by succouring and aiding me. "And teach me Thy righteousnesses." Teach me to work them: as it is more plainly expressed elsewhere, "Teach me to do Thy will." [5329] For they who hear, although they retai…
2,350 wordsSECTION 252[5339] Ps. xcv. 2.
[5339] Ps. xcv. 2. [5340] Gal. iv. 4. [5341] Gen. xii. 3 and xxii. 18. [5342] Isa. ix. 2. [5343] Ps. ci. 1. [5344] 1 Cor. xi. 31. [5345] Jas. ii. 13. [5346] Ps. xxii. 11. [5347] Esth. xiv. 6, 7. [5348] Dan. ix. 4, 16. [5349] Song of 3 Chil. 2-10. [5350] Ps. xxv. 10. [5351] [Here the author says: "The Greek word katar…
2,293 wordsSECTION 253165. "My soul hath kept Thy testimonies, and I have loved them exceedingly:" or, as some copies read, "hath loved them," understanding, "my
165. "My soul hath kept Thy testimonies, and I have loved them exceedingly:" or, as some copies read, "hath loved them," understanding, "my soul" (ver. 167). The testimonies of God are kept, while they are not denied. This is the office of Martyrs, for testimonies are called Martyria in Greek. But since it profiteth nothing, eve…
2,391 wordsSECTION 2545. "Alas, that my sojourning is become far off!" (ver. 5). It hath departed far from Thee: my pilgrimage hath become a far one. I have not y
5. "Alas, that my sojourning is become far off!" (ver. 5). It hath departed far from Thee: my pilgrimage hath become a far one. I have not yet reached that country, where I shall live with no wicked person; I have not yet reached that company of Angels, where I shall not fear offences. But why am I not as yet there? Because sojo…
2,271 wordsSECTION 2557. "May the Lord shield thee upon the hand of thy right hand" (ver. 6). I have said, and I believe ye have recognised it. For had ye not rec
7. "May the Lord shield thee upon the hand of thy right hand" (ver. 6). I have said, and I believe ye have recognised it. For had ye not recognised it, and that from the Scriptures, ye would not signify your understanding of it by your voices. [5414] Since then ye have understood, brethren, consider what followeth; wherefore the…
2,342 wordsSECTION 2566. That city "which partaketh in the same," partaketh in its stability: justly therefore, since he is made a sharer in its stability, saith
6. That city "which partaketh in the same," partaketh in its stability: justly therefore, since he is made a sharer in its stability, saith he who runneth thither. For all things there stand where nought passeth by. Dost thou too wish to stand there and not to pass by? Run thither. Nobody hath "the same" from himself... 7. "For…
2,339 wordsSECTION 2573. If, my brethren, we understand by heaven the firmament which we see with our bodily eyes, we shall indeed so err, as to imagine that we c
3. If, my brethren, we understand by heaven the firmament which we see with our bodily eyes, we shall indeed so err, as to imagine that we cannot ascend thither without ladders, or some scaling machines: but if we ascend spiritually, we ought to understand heaven spiritually: if the ascent be in affection, heaven is in righteous…
2,352 wordsSECTION 2582. ...Certain members indeed of that body of which we also are, which can sing in truth, have gone before us. And this the holy Martyrs have
2. ...Certain members indeed of that body of which we also are, which can sing in truth, have gone before us. And this the holy Martyrs have sung: for they have already escaped, and are with Christ in joy about to receive at last incorruptible bodies, the very same which were at first corruptible, wherein they have suffered pain…
2,278 wordsSECTION 2594. What is this Jerusalem? He briefly describes it. "The mountains stand around Jerusalem" (ver. 2). Is it anything great, that we are in a
4. What is this Jerusalem? He briefly describes it. "The mountains stand around Jerusalem" (ver. 2). Is it anything great, that we are in a city surrounded by mountains? Is this the whole of our happiness, that we shall have a city which mountains surround? Do we not know what mountains are? or what are mountains save swellings …
2,328 wordsSECTION 260[5472] Lat. CXXIV. A discourse to the people.
[5472] Lat. CXXIV. A discourse to the people. [5473] John xix. 17, 18. [5474] Ps. cxxi. 1, 2. [5475] [Observe in our author passim this implication that the laity as well as the clergy were filled with the knowledge and comfort of the Scriptures.--C.] [5476] Ps. lxxvi. 4. [5477] [Evidence against saint-worship.--C.] [5478]…
2,387 wordsSECTION 261[5492] Lat. CXXV. A song of degrees. A sermon to the people.
[5492] Lat. CXXV. A song of degrees. A sermon to the people. [5493] Rom. vii. 14. [5494] Or, "made righteous." [5495] Jer. xxv. 11, xxix. 10. [5496] [A bishop seems to have been present.--C.] [5497] Matt. xv. 1, etc. [5498] Matt. xxiii. 26. [5499] Matt. xv. 10, 11. [5500] 1 Tim. iv. 4. [5501] Ecclus. iii. 17. [5502] Ga…
2,278 wordsSECTION 2627. Perhaps the Apostles themselves are styled the sons of those who have been shaken out, the sons of the Prophets. For the Prophets compris
7. Perhaps the Apostles themselves are styled the sons of those who have been shaken out, the sons of the Prophets. For the Prophets comprised closed and covered mysteries: they were shaken, that they might come forth thence manifestly....Except the prophecy involved were sifted with diligence, would the concealed meanings come …
2,316 wordsSECTION 2638. For, "if in this life only," saith the Apostle, "we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable." [5544] For what reason were t
8. For, "if in this life only," saith the Apostle, "we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable." [5544] For what reason were the Martyrs condemned to beasts? What is that good? Can it be declared? by what means, or what tongue can tell it? or what ears can hear it? That indeed, "Neither ear hath heard, nor hath it …
2,340 wordsSECTION 264[5546] Lat. CXXVIII. A sermon to the people.
[5546] Lat. CXXVIII. A sermon to the people. [5547] Luke xix. 2-9. [5548] Mark xii. 42, 44. [5549] Matt. xi. 17. [5550] Gen. iv. 8. [5551] Gen. v. 24. [5552] Gen. vi.-viii. [5553] Gen. xiii.-xx. [5554] Ps. xl. 5. [Heb. iv. 2.--C.] [5555] Oxf. mss. "Heed not through whom It speaketh to thee, but take heed that it is That…
2,229 wordsSECTION 2653. "Lord, my heart was not lifted up, neither were mine eyes raised on high" (ver. 1); "I have not exercised myself in great matters, nor in
3. "Lord, my heart was not lifted up, neither were mine eyes raised on high" (ver. 1); "I have not exercised myself in great matters, nor in wonderful things which are too high for me" (ver. 2). Let this be more plainly spoken and heard. I have not been proud: I have not wished to be known among men as for wondrous powers; nor h…
2,226 wordsSECTION 2664. Let us therefore, brethren, abstain from the possession of private property; or from the love of it, if we may not from its possession; a
4. Let us therefore, brethren, abstain from the possession of private property; or from the love of it, if we may not from its possession; and we make a place for the Lord. It is too much for me, saith some one. But consider who thou art, who art about to make a place for the Lord. If any senator wished to be entertained at your…
2,407 wordsSECTION 26713. Or if thou understand actual men to be meant by children, the words, "If thy children will keep My covenant and My testimonies that I sh
13. Or if thou understand actual men to be meant by children, the words, "If thy children will keep My covenant and My testimonies that I shall teach them," may mean, "If thy children will keep My covenant and testimonies that I shall teach them, and their children also;" that is, if they too keep My covenant; so that here thou …
2,271 wordsSECTION 26821. "Upon Him shall My sanctification flourish" (ver. 18). Upon whom? Upon Mine Anointed. For when He saith, "Mine anointed," it is the voic
21. "Upon Him shall My sanctification flourish" (ver. 18). Upon whom? Upon Mine Anointed. For when He saith, "Mine anointed," it is the voice of the Father, who saith, "I will bless her widow with blessings, and will satisfy her poor with bread. I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints shall rejoice and sing." He…
2,220 wordsSECTION 269[5638] [See A.N.F. vol. vi. p. 279.--C.]
[5638] [See A.N.F. vol. vi. p. 279.--C.] [5639] monos, Gr. [5640] Acts iv. 32. [5641] [The institution has perished even in many parts of unreformed Europe, only because of the intolerable evils of their corrupt and degenerate condition.--C.] [5642] John iii. 30. [5643] Ecclus. xxxiii. 5. [5644] Acts iv. 32. Psalm CXXXIV.…
2,345 wordsSECTION 27012. "The Lord hath judged His people, and will be called upon among His servants" (ver. 14). Already hath He judged the people. Save the fin
12. "The Lord hath judged His people, and will be called upon among His servants" (ver. 14). Already hath He judged the people. Save the final judgment, the people of the Jews is judged. What is "judged"? The just are taken away, the unjust are left. But if I lie, or am thought to lie, because I have said, it is already judged, …
2,360 wordsSECTION 2714. Let us therefore "give thanks to the God of gods, and the Lord of lords, for His mercy," etc. "Who alone did wonderful things" (ver. 4).
4. Let us therefore "give thanks to the God of gods, and the Lord of lords, for His mercy," etc. "Who alone did wonderful things" (ver. 4). As at the last part of every verse, it is written, "For His mercy endureth for ever," so we must understand at the beginning of each, though it be not written, "Give thanks." Which indeed in…
2,293 wordsSECTION 2724. For many weep with the weeping of Babylon, because they rejoice also with the joy of Babylon. When men rejoice at gains and weep at losse
4. For many weep with the weeping of Babylon, because they rejoice also with the joy of Babylon. When men rejoice at gains and weep at losses, both are of Babylon. Thou oughtest to weep, but in the remembrance of Sion. If thou weepest in the remembrance of Sion, thou oughtest to weep even when it is well with thee in Babylon....…
2,428 wordsSECTION 2732. "And before the Angels will I sing unto Thee." Not before men will I sing, but before the Angels. My song is my joy; but my joy in things
2. "And before the Angels will I sing unto Thee." Not before men will I sing, but before the Angels. My song is my joy; but my joy in things below is before men, my joy in things above before the Angels. For the wicked knoweth not the joy of the just: "There is no joy, saith my God, to the wicked." [5704] The wicked rejoiceth in…
2,281 wordsSECTION 274[5700] Lat. CXXXVII.
[5700] Lat. CXXXVII. [5701] Confiteor Tibi. Matt. xi. 25. [5702] [He adds: "A whole burnt offering is a sacrifice where the whole is burnt, for the Greek word holon, (holocaustum, Lat.) meaneth whole.'"--C.] [5703] Acts xvii. 27, 28. [5704] Isa. xlviii. 22, lvii. 21. [5705] Catasta. [5706] 1 Cor. iii. 17. [5707] Matt. iv.…
2,310 wordsSECTION 27510. And considering the length of the way, what said he to himself? "And I said, Peradventure the darkness shall overwhelm me" (ver. 11). Lo
10. And considering the length of the way, what said he to himself? "And I said, Peradventure the darkness shall overwhelm me" (ver. 11). Lo, now I have believed in Christ, now am I wafted aloft on the wings of twofold love....Regarding the length of the way, I said to myself, "And the night was light in my delight." The night w…
2,478 wordsSECTION 27619. Since then the Body of Christ is in the end to be severed in body also from the unholy and wicked, but now meanwhile groaneth among them
19. Since then the Body of Christ is in the end to be severed in body also from the unholy and wicked, but now meanwhile groaneth among them, what doeth the "love of Christ among the daughters, as the lily among thorns"? [5738] What are her words? what her conscience? what is the "appearance of the king's daughter within"? [5739…
2,386 wordsSECTION 2779. And what remaineth? what remedy amid such ills, in such temptations, such dangers? "I said unto the Lord, Thou art my God" (ver. 6). Loud
9. And what remaineth? what remedy amid such ills, in such temptations, such dangers? "I said unto the Lord, Thou art my God" (ver. 6). Loud is the voice of prayer, it exciteth confidence. Is He not the God of the others? Of whom is not He God, who is the true God? Yet is He specially theirs, who enjoy Him, who serve Him, who wi…
2,227 wordsSECTION 2783. "Let my prayer be set forth in Thy sight as incense, and the lifting up of my hands an evening sacrifice" (ver. 2). That this is wont to
3. "Let my prayer be set forth in Thy sight as incense, and the lifting up of my hands an evening sacrifice" (ver. 2). That this is wont to be understood of the Head Himself, every Christian acknowledgeth. For when the day was now sinking towards evening, the Lord upon the Cross "laid down His life to take it again," [5765] did …
2,308 wordsSECTION 27910. What then have all those deaths of the martyrs accomplished? Listen: "As the fatness of the earth is spread over the earth, our bones ha
10. What then have all those deaths of the martyrs accomplished? Listen: "As the fatness of the earth is spread over the earth, our bones have been scattered beside the pit" (ver. 7). "The bones" of the martyrs, that is, the bodies of the witnesses of Christ. The martyrs were slain, and they who slew them seemed to prevail. They…
2,400 wordsSECTION 2804. "In this way, wherein I was walking, they hid a trap for me." This "way wherein I was walking," is Christ; there have they laid a trap fo
4. "In this way, wherein I was walking, they hid a trap for me." This "way wherein I was walking," is Christ; there have they laid a trap for me, who persecute me in Christ, for Christ's Name's sake. There then "have they hid for me a trap." What in me do they hate, what in me do they persecute? That I am a Christian....For the …
2,311 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.