THEOSISAugustine of Hippo
What exists that was not formed in Him? He embodies the Wisdom of God, as stated in the Psalm: ‘Thou hast created all things in Wisdom’ (cf. Psalm 103:24).
Bless the Lord, O my soul. Let all of us, united in Christ, proclaim this. O Lord my God, You are exceedingly exalted! Psalm 102:1. Where do You manifest Your greatness? You have clothed Yourself with beauty and majesty. Declare your gratitude that you may be adorned, that He may envelop you. Clothed in light as if it were a robe, Psalm 103:2. Clad in His Church, which has become radiant in Him, formerly shrouded in darkness as the Apostle states, “You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.” Ephesians 5:8. You stretch out the heavens like a canopy; or even as effortlessly as if stretching a skin, if it were that simple, grasped by the letter; or understood through the authority of Holy Scripture, broadcasted across the globe, named a skin because mortality is represented in the skin; all the authority of Divine Scriptures granted to us through mortal vessels, whose glory persists even beyond death.
Who covers the upper parts with water, Psalm 102:3. Upper parts of what? Of Heaven. What is Heaven? Only figuratively, we speak of: the Divine Scriptures. What are the lofty aspects of the Divine Scriptures? The commandment of love, nothing surpasses it. Mark 12:31. Why is love likened to water? Because the love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit given to us. Romans 5:5. From where does the Spirit, characterized as water, arise? Jesus proclaimed, "Whoever believes in Me, out of his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water." John 7:37-38. How can we confirm this was spoken about the Spirit? Let the evangelist clarify, as he continues, “But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him would receive.” Who traverses above the wings of the winds; that is, above the virtues of the soul. What is the virtue of the soul? The love of self. Yet how will He surmount this? Because God's love for us exceeds our love for God.
Who transforms spirits into His angels, and a flaming fire into His servants, Psalm 102:4: that is, those who are already spirits, who are spiritual rather than corporeal, He designates as His angels, sending them forth to proclaim His Gospel. And the blazing fire serves Him. For if the preacher does not burn with passion, he will not ignite those to whom he preaches.
He established the earth upon its foundation, Psalm 103:5. He has set up the Church upon the steadfastness of this foundation. What is the firmness of the Church but its foundation? What foundation is this but what the Apostle states: “No one can lay another foundation besides that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 3:11. What, therefore, can be expected from such a foundation? It shall not falter for eternity. He founded the earth upon its steadfastness, meaning He established the Church on Christ’s foundation. The Church would tremble if the foundation were to shake; but when will Christ, through whom all was created before His incarnation, and without whom nothing came into being; John 1:3, who upholds all through His Majesty, Hebrews 1:3, and us through His grace, be shaken? Because Christ never fails, she will not falter forever. Where then are those who claim the Church has vanished from the world when she is still unshakeable?
The abyss, like a garment, is its covering, Psalm 102:6. Whose? Could it belong to God? However, it has been said of Him, “Clothed with light as a garment.” I hear of God robed in light and that light can be us, if we desire it. But what occurs if we want it? We are no longer darkness. Now if God is clothed in light, what then does the abyss wear? For the vast depths of water is termed the abyss. All water, all moist nature and substance, flowing through seas, rivers, and hidden depths, are collectively referred to as the Abyss. Thus, the earth of which He spoke when He said, “He established the earth,” is interpreted as, “The abyss, like a garment, is its garment.” Water thus signifies the garment of the earth, surrounding and enveloping it.
The waters will rise over the mountains, meaning the earth's covering, which is the abyss, has increased so greatly that the waters stand even over the peaks. We read of this during the flood occurrence. The prophet, while intending to prophesy the future rather than recount the past, articulates this to convey that the Church must endure the flood of persecution. For there was a time when waves of persecutors overwhelmed God’s Church, obscuring even those lofty figures which appeared as mountains. When these adversaries were widespread, how did they not cease to exist? Perhaps it is these very waters that plead, “Save me, O God, for the waters have reached to my very soul.” Especially the waters that agitate and desolate the sea. For any land covered by the saltwater will become barren rather than fertile. There were mountains under the waves, for above the mountains was water. Why did the apostles flee? Because the waters surged over the mountains. The force of the waters was tremendous, but for how long? Listen to what transpires next.
At Your rebuke, they shall disperse, Psalm 102:7. And it happened, dear friends; by God’s rebuke, the waters receded; that is, they withdrew from overtaking the mountains. Now the mountains themselves, Peter and Paul, how they are exalted! Those who once faced oppression from persecutors are now revered as sovereigns. For the waters have fled due to God’s rebuke; since the hearts of kings are in God’s hand, He directs them as He wills; Proverbs 21:1. He has commanded peace for the Christians; the authority of the Apostles has ascended and risen. The waters fled at God’s rebuke. At the sound of Your thunder, they shall be terrified. Who would not tremble at God’s voice through the apostles, through Scripture, through His clouds? The sea calmed, the waters feared, and the mountains stood revealed; the emperor issued the decree. But who would have issued the order if God had not thundered? Because it was God’s will, they commanded, and it was fulfilled. Therefore, let no man claim anything for himself.
The mountains ascend, and the plains descend to the place which You have founded for them, Psalm 102:8. He continues referencing the waters. Let us not understand mountains merely as earth; and plains not only as land, but rather as waves immense enough to compare to mountains. The sea once surged, and its waves resembled mountains, capable of concealing the Apostolic peaks. But how long do the mountains rise and the plains sink? They raged, and then were calmed. They raged as mountains; now pacified, they have transformed into plains, for He has provided a place for them. There exists a certain channel, a deep dwelling where all these newly raging mortal hearts have retreated.
Once they were peaks, now they are plains: but, dear friends, even stillness is part of the sea. Why are they no longer harsh? Why do they not ignite with rage? Why do they not strive to cover our land, if not to overthrow it? Why not?
Listen. You have set a boundary, which they shall not transgress, nor turn back to cover the earth, Psalm 103:9. What then, since now the most bitter waves have been allotted their measure, that we might freely proclaim such truths; because they have their appointed limit, they cannot breach it or return to engulf the earth; what now occurs on the earth itself? What work is advancing now that the sea has deserted it? While gentle waves lap at its shores, although the Gentiles still murmur around us; I hear the sound of the shore but fear not the flood. What is now unfolding on the earth? Who brings forth springs in the valleys, Psalm 102:10. You send forth springs into the low places, those little valleys among the lands. For hills and mountains stand as the high points of the earth, while valleys are the low regions. Do not scorn the lowly; springs flow from there. You send rivers to the small valleys. Consider the mountain. The apostle says, "I labored more abundantly than they all." Some greatness is before us, but immediately, that the waters might flow, he made a valley for himself: "Yet not I, but the grace of God with me." 1 Corinthians 15:10. There is no contradiction in mountains also being valleys: for in their spiritual elevation, they are called mountains, while in their humble spirit, they are valleys. Not I, he states, but the grace of God with me.
What does it mean, “In the midst of the mountains, the waters will flow”? We recognize who the mountains are: great heralds of the word, exalted angels of God, albeit remaining in mortal flesh; exalted not by their own might, but by His grace; yet in their humility, they pour forth springs. In the center, he states, the flow of the Word of Truth shall traverse among the mountains. What resides in the center between the apostles? That which is identified as “in the midst” signifies common possessions. The shared good, by which all thrive equally, is in the center and does not belong exclusively to me, nor to you... If kept private, they are not for public benefit; and I have mine while he has his; and this is not how it ought to be; thus, this is not the proclamation of peace.
Therefore, dear brethren, may what we have articulated serve your Love through these springs: that they may flow from you, as humble valleys, and share all that you possess of God. Let the waters flow in the midst, harbor no envy, drink in fullness, let them overflow when filled. Let the communal waters of God receive glory everywhere, not the private falsehoods of men.
As a result, all the beasts of the forest shall drink, Psalm 103:11. We witness this in the visible creation, where the forest animals drink from the springs and streams gushing between the mountains; but now, as it pleases God to conceal divine wisdom in these images, not withdrawing it from the diligent seekers, yet also making it inaccessible to the indifferent, and revealing it to those who earnestly seek; it has pleased the Lord God to inspire you through us, that amid all these phenomena of the physical and visible world, we may seek hidden spiritual truths, which, when discovered, shall bring us joy. By beasts of the forest, we interpret the Gentiles, and many Scriptural accounts affirm this.
These creatures consume these waters, but they do so only sparingly; momentarily, not abiding; for all the teachings disseminated throughout this era are transient. Unless your love recognizes this concerning the city of Jerusalem to which it is said, “Praise the Lord, Jerusalem! Praise your God, Zion!” for He has fortified the bars of your gates; when the bars remain fortified, and the city is secure, from which, as we previously discussed, no friend can exit nor enemy enter; will there be a book to read or speech to decode as currently explained to you? This is why it is being treated now: that it may be retained there; this is why it is systematically divided, that it may be contemplated as a whole. The Word of God will be plentiful there, neither letters, nor sounds, nor books, nor interpreters will be in short supply. How then? “In the beginning was the Word,” John 1:1. For He did not come to leave; for He was in the world, and the world was made by Him. This is the Word we must meditate upon. For the Lord of lords will manifest in Zion. But when shall this be? After our pilgrimage, when our journey concludes; however, let us not forget, upon completing our journey, to stand before the Judge, that the Judge may send us to prison. But, if at journey’s end, as we hope, crave, and strive, we arrive home, there shall we witness that which we shall eternally praise; and he who possesses, and we who partake, will not be satisfied; neither shall the eater be satiated, nor shall the one consuming have enough of what he consumes. Thus shall this contemplation be great and marvelous.