THEOSISAugustine of Hippo
Bless the Lord, my soul. Let us all, united in Christ, proclaim this. O Lord my God, You are greatly exalted! Where do You show Your majesty? You have adorned Yourself with confession and beauty. Acknowledge Him so that you may be dressed, that He may wrap you in His glory. Clothed in light like a garment, as it is written. Clothed in His church, which has been transformed into light by Him, previously shrouded in darkness, as the Apostle states: “You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.” You stretch the heavens like a canopy, or as easily as fabric can be spread, extending across the globe, akin to skin symbolizing mortality; the entirety of divine authority conveyed through mortal vessels, whose glory transcends even death.
Who covers the upper expanse with water. What does this refer to? The heavenly realms. What is Heaven? Figuratively, it’s the Holy Scriptures. What constitutes the upper part of these divine texts? The commandment of love, above which there is none. But why is love likened to water? Because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit bestowed upon us. Where does the Spirit derive this water? Jesus declared: “Whoever believes in Me, out of his belly will flow rivers of living water.” How do we know this was about the Spirit? The evangelist clarifies that “This He spoke of the Spirit, which those who believed in Him were to receive.” He rises above the wings of the winds, above the virtues of the soul. What is the soul’s virtue? Self-love. But how will He conquer it? Because God’s affection for us surpasses our love for Him.
He makes spirits His messengers, and flames of fire His servants: that is, those who are spiritual rather than carnal, He appoints as His angels, sending them to proclaim His Gospel. The blazing fire serves Him; if the minister lacks fervor, he cannot ignite passion in those to whom he preaches.
He has established the earth on its solid foundation. He has set the Church upon the strength of that foundation. What is this foundation? As the Apostle affirms: “No one can lay any other foundation but that which is laid, which is Christ Jesus.” What is promised to endure upon such a foundation? It will not be moved forever. He has founded the earth firmly—indeed, He has anchored the Church upon Christ’s foundation. The Church could tremble if the foundation were shaken; but when will Christ, through whom all creation came into being, and without whom nothing exists, and by whom all things are sustained, ever be shaken? Since Christ remains steadfast, the Church will not falter. Where are those who assert that the Church has vanished from the world when it is even unable to be crowned with worship?
The abyss is like a garment for her. Whose garment? Could it belong to God? Yet it has been stated: “Clothed with light as a garment.” I conceive of God in light — and that light is available to us, should we desire it, for we will cease to be darkness. If God is clothed with light, whose garment can the abyss be? The vast waters are called the abyss. All water and moist substances, flowing through seas, rivers, and hidden caverns, are collectively termed the Abyss. Thus we interpret the earth concerning His declaration: “He founded the earth.” It seems accurate to state: “The abyss is like a garment for her.” Water symbolizes the garment of the earth, enveloping and shielding it.
The waters rise even above the mountains; that is, the earth’s clothing, the abyss, has swelled to the point that the waters rise over the heights. We recall this happening during the flood. The prophet, intending to prophesy the future rather than recount the past, expressed this to indicate that the Church must endure in times of persecution. For there were moments when streams of oppressors deluged God’s earth and His Church, drowning it so that even the mightiest mountains were obscured. How could they not be hidden when they were scattered everywhere? Perhaps these very waters echo the cry: “Save me, O God, for the waters have risen to my soul.” Especially the turbulent waters that render the sea rough and barren. Wherever the sea engulfs the land, it does so, not to enrich but to impoverish. The mountains too, submerged beneath the waves, found themselves under water—why did the apostles flee? Because the waters loomed over the mountains. The force of the waters was formidable, but for how long? Listen to what occurs next.
“From Your rebuke they will scatter.” And it happened, dear friends; by God's rebuke, the waters receded, returning from their advance upon the mountains. The mountains themselves, Peter and Paul: how they have been exalted! Those who were once oppressed by their foes are now honored like emperors. The waters withdrew at God’s command; since the hearts of kings rest in God’s hands, He directs them according to His will. He has decreed peace for Christians; the authority of the Apostles has grown and ascended. The waters scattered at God’s rebuke. At the sound of Your thunder, they shall tremble. Who would not be awed at the voice of God through the apostles, conveyed through Scriptures and His cloud? The sea was calmed, the waters fearful, the mountains revealed, and the emperor issued decrees. But who would command if God had not thundered? What God purposefully commands comes into fruition. Therefore, let no man claim any honor for himself.
The mountains rise and the valleys sink to the place You established for them. He speaks still of the waters. Let us not interpret mountains as earthly formations, nor valleys as earthly lowlands, but rather as tumultuous waves akin to mountains. The sea once surged, its waves resembling mountains, threatening to engulf the mountains of the Apostles. But how long do the mountains rise and valleys fall? They roared and now rest. In their fury, they were mountains; now, calmed, they have become valleys, for He has designated a place for them. There exists a channel, a deep basin where all these once-raging hearts of men have drawn back. They were mountains, now they are plains: yet, dear friends, even an untroubled sea remains turbulent. Why are the fierce not relentless now? Why aren't they raging? Why aren’t their efforts directed to overthrow our territory, to cover it? Why not?
Listen closely. You have set a boundary they shall not surpass, nor return to cover the earth. What then, since the fiercest waves have received their measure, permitting us to boldly declare such truths? The waters have their limits, unable to breach the confines established, nor will they revert to envelop the earth. What is happening on the earth now that the sea has left it exposed? Though gentle waves lap the shore, and the Gentiles continue to murmur all around, I hear the noise of the borders, yet I hold no fear of the flood. What is occurring in the earth? “You send springs into the valleys.” You provide springs in the lowlands. You know that valleys are low-lying areas among lands. Because hills and mountains rise in stature, while valleys descend, do not disdain the low spots; springs flow from there. You dispatch springs to the small valleys. Take heed of the mountain. The Apostle proclaimed: “I labored more than all.” Some greatness is evident; yet, to allow the waters to flow, he must create a valley for himself. “Not I,” he says, “but the grace of God with me.”
There is no contradiction that mountains can also serve as valleys: in their spiritual greatness, they are called mountains; by their humility of spirit, they are valleys. “Not I,” he affirms, “but the grace of God with me.”
What does it mean, “In the midst of the mountains the waters shall flow”? We have come to recognize who the mountains represent—the great preachers of the Word, exalted messengers of God, though still in mortal flesh; esteemed, not by their own strength, but through His grace; yet in their humility, they are the valleys, pouring out their springs. In the midst, it is declared, between the mountains, the waters shall flow. Let it be understood thus: “In the midst of the Apostles shall the proclamation of the Word of Truth occur.” What is situated among the Apostles? The common good, that which sustains all men equally, is in the center; it does not belong solely to me, nor you, nor him.
If it diverges from the middle, it remains private; thus, each possesses his own, and there is no space for joint access. This isn’t the proclamation of peace. Therefore, brethren, let what we have shared with your charity aim toward the springs: allow them to flow from you, being valleys, and share with all that is God's. Let the waters flow amid you, holding no envy, drinking deeply, overflowing when filled. Let the universal waters of God be exalted everywhere, not the personal fabrications of men.
Hence, all the creatures of the forest will drink. We indeed recognize this in creation: the beasts of the forest consume from the springs and streams flowing amid the mountains. Yet, since it pleased God to conceal His wisdom in such imagery, not to deprive diligent seekers but to reserve it for those who strive for it; the Lord God Himself desires to exhort you through us, that amid those aspects speaking of corporeal and visible creation, we might seek the spiritually hidden truths, for which, upon discovery, we might rejoice. By “beasts of the forest,” we understand the Gentiles, as the Scriptures affirm in various respects.
These creatures drink of such waters, but momentarily; they do not endure but merely pass by, for all the teachings disseminated during this time are transient. Unless you think your love rests in that city to which it is proclaimed, “Praise the Lord, Jerusalem. Praise your God, Zion; for He has fortified the bars of your gates,” now that the gates are secured and the city is closed, from where, we previously remarked, no friend departs, nor enemy penetrates; will we have a book to read, or explanations like the ones presently provided? That is why we currently discuss it, so it may be held; that is why it is segmented into syllables, so it can be contemplated in its entirety. There will be no shortage of the Word of God there, nor of letters, sounds, books, readers, or interpreters. How then, as it states: “In the beginning was the Word.” For He did not come to leave us; He was in the world, and the world was made through Him. Such is the Word we ought to meditate upon. For the God of gods will manifest in Zion. But when will this happen? After our journey, when our pilgrimage concludes; unless, of course, after our journey ends, we find ourselves before the Judge, who may send us to captivity. But if, once our journey is complete, as we hope, long for, and strive, we reach our homeland, there we shall behold that which will eternally inspire our praise; and he who possesses, and we who partake, will not be filled; neither shall he who consumes be satiated with what he consumes. This contemplation will be wonderful and magnificent.
The great beasts will quench their thirst. By “great beasts,” he references large creatures. Who does not recognize that wild donkeys are termed onagras? This speaks of untamed spirits. The Gentiles had no dominion of the Law; numerous nations adhered to their own traditions, striding with pride as if in the wilderness. All creatures behaved similarly, yet wild donkeys signify a grander class. They will drink to quench their thirst, for the waters also flow for them. The hare drinks from one source, the wild ass from another: the hare is small, while the ass is larger; one is timid, the other fierce; each consumes from there, yet for their own thirst. So faithfully and gently does it flow that it readily quenches the wild donkey without alarming the hare.