THEOSISAugustine of Hippo
Bless the Lord, O my soul! And let everything within me honor His holy Name. Psalm 101:1. It is important to understand that the psalmist is not referring strictly to our physical bodies when he calls upon our bodies to bless God. Our lungs and other organs produce the sounds of our voices, but this passage transcends mere physicality. It is an appeal to the deeper aspects of human nature. Just as God possesses the ability to hear, our hearts also express a voice. When we turn inward, we should summon every part of ourselves to bless God, proclaiming, "All that is within me, bless His holy Name!" To seek the meaning of what lies within us is to find our very soul. Thus, the command "Bless the Lord, O my soul" reinforces the call for all our being to praise Him. Speak aloud if there are others to hear; be silent when alone, but never neglect the internal call to bless the Lord. Our lips have already offered this blessing as we recited these words. In moments of singing, we express our gratitude until the time comes to pause. Should the heart remain mute in its praises? Let our voices periodically lift up praise, while the voice of our hearts resounds eternally. When we enter a place of worship and lift our song, we add to the chorus of creation praising God. When you step outside the church, continue in spirit to praise Him. While engaged in your daily work, let your soul offer thanks. In your mealtime, remember the words of the apostle: "Whether you eat or drink, do all to the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31. Even in sleep, let your soul sing praises to the Lord. Refrain from allowing sinful thoughts to stir your heart; reject any schemes that corrupt your mind. Even in slumber, your innocence can echo the voice of your soul.
Praise the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget His benefits. Psalm 102:2. However, understanding the rewards of the Lord requires a recognition of our own shortcomings. Focus not on the joy of past sins, but rather on the need for repentance and God’s forgiveness. As you consider how to repay the Lord for His generous gifts, remember the example of the martyrs (whom we honor today) and all saints who willingly laid down their lives for their fellow believers. As stated in 1 John 3:16, the culmination of love is sacrifice. In John 15:13, Jesus reminds us, "There is no greater love than this, than if a man lay down his life for his friends." The holy martyrs, understanding their earthly lives were temporary, sought to find true life in Christ, following His teaching that "He who loves his life shall lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake shall save it to eternal life." Therefore, do not overlook all His benefits—these are not simply rewards but measures of grace for which we should be eternally grateful. Reflect upon the question: How have you repaid the Lord for His goodness towards you? You've often rewarded evil with grace; recall that you are not worthy, but God rewards the humble with the gift of good. You, a former blasphemer, have been granted forgiveness. Your existence itself is a blessing; not to mention that you are created in His likeness. Genesis 1:26-27. Do not seek to repay Him with something that is yours; simply return to God the image He has given you, for that is all He desires.
Contemplate, O soul, the vastness of God’s benefits as you gauge the weight of your sins. For each transgression, there is a promise of His goodness. What offering can you bring to Him? You might ponder and say, "I will accept the cup of salvation." But isn’t this what the Lord Himself offers? How then can you repay Him from what is yours? Rather, remember it is through His grace that we are provided. Offering your own will only be a return to sin—everything you have comes from Him. Your sins are your own, but the good comes wholly from God. When you extend kindness to others, even if it comes from your own means, recognize that you are tapped into the source of goodness, not merely your own. The reward is found in truth, and to honor God is to live in truth. Yes, to accept the cup of salvation is to align with Christ’s suffering; "I will accept the cup of Christ, I will partake in His Passion." You must guard against falling short. The truly faithful are those who call upon the Lord’s Name, while those who stumble do not lean on Him for strength. Remember, you are returning to God what He has graciously given you. Let your soul bless the Lord and be mindful of all His benefits.
Consider His benefits: He forgives all your iniquities; He heals all your diseases. Psalm 101:3. Look closely at His mercies. What else could a sinner expect but punishment? What should a blasphemer anticipate but fiery judgement? He chose not to deal harshly with us so we do not live in terror, stripped of love. You may call yourself a sinner, yet turn back to Him and accept His forgiveness, for He forgives all your transgressions. However, even after sins are forgiven, the soul can still wrestle with desires and temptations; it can oscillate between seeking pleasure and facing drawbacks, which can lead to entrapment. Indeed, it remains vulnerable, yet He is attentive to all your weaknesses. Every infirmity can be healed—do not fear! They may seem immense, but the Healer is greater still. No affliction poses an insurmountable challenge to the Almighty Physician. Trust Him to heal you; do not shy away from His touch. You shall rejoice when He cares for you, and endure even when He enacts discipline, recognizing that the discomfort is for your future well-being. Do not dwell in insecurity, for His promise of health is immutable. Human healers may falter, but the One who created you knows how to restore your spirit and body.
Who rescues your life from destruction, Psalm 101:4? Indeed, a body weighed down by sin can burden the soul with decay. Wisdom 9:15. Life in a body marked by corruption carries with it trials and tensions. It is no small matter to focus on God amidst the distractions of earthly existence; we face incessant interruptions that divert our attention toward worldly concerns. These distractions are like pests feeding on our spiritual lives. Yet, even in acknowledging the severity of our condition, let us also direct our gratitude toward the Physician. Would your Creator, having designed you to be whole, not heal you if you adhere to the divine prescriptions that lead to wellbeing? First, prioritize spiritual health as a core concern. Sometimes, one may find themselves incapacitated even in the comforts of home, struck with afflictions that demand attention. This redirection of focus from mundane matters to self-care echoes the call we hear: if you’re unwell, prioritize your health above all else. Christ embodies that health. Seek the healing presence found in Him, which addresses all infirmities; you choose this reality. He has redeemed your life from decay; trust in His providence; the bond of goodwill with your Redeemer is intact, as none can deceive or overwhelm you. He has paid the cost, shedding His blood for our salvation. The only-begotten Son of God offered Himself for you; arise, for your worth is immeasurable.
Who adorns you with mercy and compassion? You may feel pride at hearing the term “crowned”; yet realize, your effort is significant only in so far as His strength enables you. He crowns you with His blessings, not your achievements. The Apostle himself declared, “I labored more than all of them,” but he quickly acknowledged, “yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” 1 Corinthians 15:10. By that same grace, He grants you the crown, so boast in nothing but praise the Lord continually and remember all His favors. It is a gift—being called from a sinful state to righteousness; it is a gift to be upheld so that you do not stumble; it is a gift to receive strength to persevere. Additionally, it is promised that your flesh, once oppressed, will be resurrected, that not a single hair upon your head will fall—indeed, you will be crowned upon resurrection, and you shall worship God endlessly.
Following the strife, I will receive a crown; after the crown, what is my next step? Who fulfills your longing for goodness? Psalm 102:5. Seek goodness for your soul. Different creatures pursue differing goods specific to their natures, and all created beings possess a unique good essential for their flourishing and fulfillment. There exists a hierarchy of goods determined by their attributes—seek that which is good for yourself. The ultimate goodness is found solely in God. Matthew 19:17. If the highest good is found in God, what does lacking it entail for those who fall short? For lesser beings, the good might encompass basic needs like sustenance, comfort, health, and procreation. All these are indeed good, yet limited by God’s design. Are these your aspirations? God provides these, but seek something greater still. As a co-heir of Christ, elevate your expectations and seek the supreme good that defines existence, which God has established for all creation.
When will my desires be fulfilled? When will joy come to me? Your youth shall be renewed like the eagle’s. Is this when you crave blessings? The promise lies in the Lord’s assurance. “Like an eagle,” holds profound significance. This metaphor of renewal offers hints of resurrection. The eagle indeed goes through transformations, not to attain immortality; rather, it serves as a symbol indicating a greater truth beyond the merely mortal. It is said that when age burdens the eagle, it struggles to obtain sustenance due to an overly long beak; by colliding with a stone, it sheds this impediment, restoring its ability to eat. This act draws parallels to our spiritual lives. The eagle symbolizes a revival after aging, akin to resurrection—while it does not grant immortality, it signifies the restoration of life’s vigor. Thus, as we encounter trials, the stone that buffers our burdens signifies Christ, who is the Rock of our salvation, as described in 1 Corinthians 10:4. In Him, our youth is rejuvenated.
The Lord executes justice and mercy for those beset by unrighteousness. Psalm 102:6. Reflect on the story of the adulterous woman brought before the Law. Our Lord demonstrated compassion when He bowed to write in the dirt, contrasting His actions before the stones of condemnation spoke of human cruelty. He inscribed the forgiveness offered to the penitent. When the accusers sought to punish her, He challenged them, saying, “Whoever is without sin, let him cast the first stone.” John 8:7. As they confronted their own consciences, they retreated. The rock upon which they relied for judgement became their judge.
Extend mercy to the sinner, yet not in their sin. Engage with them not out of affection for their wrongs. We are instructed to be generous, yet the sinner's desires must not guide our hand. If your enemy is hungry, feed him, Romans 12:20. This might seem paradoxical: assist the sinner, yet resist engaging in sin alongside them. When you give to others, may it be from a place of righteousness, not acknowledgment of their transgressions. Those who outwardly serve the wicked often enable sin; instead, see them as vessels capable of redemption. You may give out of duty, yet unless you regard them through the lens of Christ-like love—through recognizing their potential for grace—you haven’t truly given. The Lord compels you to extend kindness without encouraging sinfulness. Rather, embrace the righteous with genuine intent. Reward their righteousness not with superficial acknowledgment but with true compassion.
Therefore, demonstrate mercy boldly, allowing love to guide your actions even towards those you may disagree with. Shepherd individuals wandering from grace, and foster their souls in love, caring for both body and spirit. Aim for their everlasting good, even when challenges arise. While you bear the burdens of others with love, do so with faith. As it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, saith the Lord,” in Deuteronomy 32:35.