THEOSISAugustine of Hippo
Bless the Lord, my soul! And all that is within me, bless His holy Name (Psalm 103:1). The psalmist is not simply referring to our physical bodies; he doesn’t mean that our lungs or organs should vocalize the Lord's praises. While our lungs sit in our chests, acting mechanically to create the breaths that transform into sound when we speak, that is not the intention here. This speaks to the inner ear of our soul. God possesses ears; likewise, our hearts have a voice. A person turns their focus inward, beseeching all that is inside them to bless God, saying, "All that is within me, bless His holy Name!" What does this encompassed inward essence refer to? It is none other than your very soul. Hence, when we declare, "All that is within me, bless His holy Name," we echo the earlier idea, "Bless the Lord, my soul," as the verb "bless" is clearly implied. You may shout to reach those who can hear, yet remain quiet when there’s no one to listen. Do not neglect the inner praise within you. Thus, we have already blessed the Lord with our spoken words. We sang as long as there was time, and then we observed silence — should our hearts remain silent in their adoration of the Lord? Let the sound of our voices rise to bless Him, alternating with the continuous voice of our hearts. When you attend church and recite a hymn, your voice resounds in praise of Him: you have sung to your utmost; as you depart, let your soul continue glorifying Him. In your daily endeavors, let your soul glorify Him. When you eat and drink, remember what the Apostle has written: "Whether you eat or drink, do all to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31). Indeed, even while you sleep, allow your soul to extol the Lord. Do not let thoughts of wrongdoing disturb you; do not entertain schemes of theft or corrupt dealings. Your purity, even as you slumber, reflects the voice of your soul.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits (Psalm 103:2). Yet, you cannot recall the Lord's benefits unless you are aware of your sins. Do not celebrate your past transgressions; instead, let the awareness of sin's condemnation fill your heart — your own condemnation, matched by the forgiveness extended by God. He recompenses in such a manner that you should ponder, "How can I repay the Lord for all His benefits to me?" This reflection is shared by the martyrs (whose memory we honor today) and by all saints who valued spiritual over physical life. As you heard in St. John's epistle, they willingly laid down their lives for their brethren, demonstrating the ultimate love (1 John 3:16). Our Lord also states, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends" (John 15:13). These holy martyrs, thus emboldened, held this life in contempt so they might discover true life, following the Lord’s teaching, "He who loves his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it unto eternal life." Hence, do not forget all His benefits: they are truly rewards. For there are dues owed for sin, and the blessings bestowed upon us are undeserved. One may ask, "What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits bestowed upon me?" You have repaid goodness with evil; He, in grace, returns evil with goodness. Consider how you have repaid your God with evil for the good He has done. Once a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an aggressor (1 Timothy 1:13), you have repaid Him for your offenses. For what good? First, merely by your existence, and secondly, by your life, for even animals share this. What reward can you give the Lord since He created you in His image and likeness (Genesis 1:26-27)? Seek not to compensate Him; merely reflect His image back to Him. That is all He seeks; He requests His own likeness.
Contemplate, O soul, the multitude of God's benefits while considering your wrongdoings: for the magnitude of your sins is mirrored by the greatness of His rewards. What could you possibly offer Him as a present or sacrifice? What shall you give to the Lord as recompense? When you ponder this, you find no offering worthwhile — save that you accept the cup of salvation. But did not the Lord Himself extend that cup of salvation? Would you offer Him from your own abundance? I would advise against it; do not seek to reward Him from your own resources, as that would only lay sin before Him. For all you possess comes from Him; only your sins are your own. God does not wish to receive what comes from you; He fulfills His purposes from Himself. Just as if you were to bring a wheat stalk to a farmer from the seed he has sown, you would be rewarding him with his own produce; whereas thorns signify only a sacrifice of worthless endeavors. Therefore, reward the truth: in truth, praise the Lord. If you wish to reward Him with your own, you bring forth falsehood. He who speaks a lie speaks from his own perspective (John 8:44); however, he who speaks the truth speaks the Lord’s words. Accepting the cup of salvation is akin to sharing in the Lord’s Passion. “I will accept the cup of Christ; I shall partake in the Lord's Passion.” However, be cautious not to waver. I shall call upon the name of the Lord! Those who falter do not call on the Lord; they rely on their own strength. Remember that you are returning what you have already received. Therefore, let your soul bless the Lord, lest you forget all His benefits.
Consider His benefits: "He forgives all your sins; He heals all your diseases" (Psalm 103:3). Look upon His gifts. What more could a sinner expect than punishment? What does a blasphemer deserve but the everlasting flames of hell? He withholds such rewards lest fear overwhelm you and you lose love for Him. Yet you are a sinner. Turn back and accept His gifts. He forgives all your sins. Even following forgiveness, the soul may still be shaken by various passions; it may face trials, be drawn to certain temptations, resent others, and at times yield to desires it finds appealing. This is a weakness, yet He heals all your infirmities. Fear not, for while they appear significant, the Physician is greater still. No ailment seems incurable to the Almighty Physician; simply allow yourself to be healed, and do not resist His touch. You will not only rejoice when He nurtures you, but you must also endure when He applies the knife, all while contemplating your future well-being. Do not linger in doubt; He who promises healing cannot be deceived. Human doctors may be mistaken regarding their patients’ needs, promising recovery of the body. Why? Because they do not treat their own essence. God crafted both your body and soul. He understands how to mend what He has created; He knows how to bring revival.
Who redeems your life from destruction (Psalm 103:4). Observe that a corrupt body weighs down the soul (Wisdom 9:15). Yet the soul sustains itself, albeit burdened. What kind of life is this? It trudges along, laden with heaviness. Think how challenging it is for one to contemplate God amid human frailty. Is it right for men to ponder God when they are constantly ensnared in the chains of earthly mortality? The distractions abound; how many interruptions steer our thoughts away from the divine? So many temptations swarm within our hearts, muddied by the decay of human sinfulness. We have acknowledged the magnitude of our affliction; let us also applaud the Physician’s greatness. Would not the One who created you in health also heal you, should you adhere to the guidance given regarding well-being? First, seek your own health. Sometimes a person lies afflicted in their own home, bedridden by an invisible affliction; although overlooked, it is apparent, yet not everyone realizes they might be suffering from a more severe condition. Such a person may wish to arrange their household affairs, yet is overshadowed by the urgency of friends urging them to prioritize their health. This directive applies universally: if you are well, consider others; if you suffer, acknowledge that your very pain indicates sickness—tend to it before all else.
Christ embodies your health; therefore, focus upon Christ. Accept the cup of His redemptive healing, which restores your infirmities; if you desire, this health can be yours. For your life has been freed from ruin; now be at peace: a covenant of goodwill is established; no one can deceive or oppress you; your Redeemer stands firm. He has made the exchange; He has paid the price with His own life’s blood. The only-begotten Son of God shed His blood for us: so, soul, awaken, for your worth is immeasurable. He will redeem your life from decay.
He crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies (Psalm 103:4). If pride stirs in your heart upon hearing, "He crowns you," consider this: by whose strength have you achieved anything? Yours, yet through Him. He crowns you not due to your merits, but because of His own gifts. "I labored more abundantly than they all," states the Apostle; "yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me" (1 Corinthians 15:10). Therefore, let His grace be your crowning glory; take pride in none but the Lord; continuously exalt Him, and do not neglect His gifts. It is indeed a gift when a sinful person is called to justification. It is a gift when He uplifts and guides you, enabling you to stand firm. It is a gift that even your flesh, which once afflicted you, shall be resurrected, and not one hair on your head shall be lost. It is a gift that post-resurrection you shall receive a crown and shall eternally praise God without end.
After the battle, I shall wear a crown; what follows after the crown? "He satisfies your mouth with good things" (Psalm 103:5). Seek good for yourself, O soul. Different creations crave different goods; all creatures have their innate good, certain to fulfill their nature. There exists disparity between the essentials of each imperfect being, that they may find perfection; thus, pursue the good for yourselves. There is but one good, which is God (Matthew 19:17). If the highest good serves as your guide, what need would you have for lesser goods? What, brethren, is good for cattle? Their sustenance, to quell hunger, to find rest, to procreate — all these are good for them, and within bounds, God provides measures of goodness according to His creative will. If you seek for this good, know that God grants it, yet do not pursue it alone. Can you, heir of Christ, rejoice alongside animals? Elevate your hopes to the pinnacle of goodness found in Him who fashioned you into His image and who has made all things perfectly good.
When, you might ask, will my desires be fulfilled with good things? When will my soul find satisfaction? Your youth will be revitalized like that of an eagle. Do you inquire when your spirit will be replenished with blessings? When it is renewed like the eagle. There is a lesson entwined in this metaphor. Allow not the hidden truths to escape our consideration. The mention of the eagle holds significance, hinting at a kind of resurrection. The eagle's youth rejuvenates, but not to immortality. The metaphor compares a mortal phase with an immortal reality without illustrating it. It is said that, as the eagle ages, its beak grows excessively long, rendering it incapable of feeding itself. Its beak, curved and elongated by time, closes and prevents it from reopening to grasp food. Therefore, while this noble bird, burdened by age, grows weak and unable to nourish itself, it strikes its beak against a stone to cut away the elongated portion that obstructs its feeding. Renewed in this manner, the eagle returns to its youth: its vigor, brilliant plumage, and the strength of its wings are restored; it once again soars high, symbolizing its resurrection.