THEOSISAugustine of Hippo
Let us consider the implications of the statement: Take away their spirit, and they will fade away, returning to dust. After your spirit is bestowed, they will be created anew, renewing the face of the earth. This phrase seems to support the perspective that both souls and bodies are derived from their parents, understood in such a way that the spirit is referred to as "their spirit" because it is imparted by humans; yet upon death, this spirit is no longer returned by men for resurrection, since it is not drawn from parents again as it is at birth, but is given back by God, who brings the dead to life (2 Mac. 7:23). Hence, the same spirit is deemed their spirit in death and God's spirit in resurrection.
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For those who believe that souls originate not from parents but directly from God can also interpret this saying within their understanding: as their spirit when they die, because it dwells within them and exits at death, and as God’s spirit upon resurrection, in that it comes from God and ultimately returns to Him. Accordingly, this testimony accommodates both interpretations. Personally, I hold that it is more fitting to understand this statement as illustrating the grace through which we are inwardly transformed. In truth, the spirit of all those who are arrogant, living according to worldly desires and exalting their emptiness, is, in a sense, removed when they shed their old selves and, casting off pride, strive towards spiritual maturity, uttering to the Lord, ‘I will remember that we are like grass’ (Psalm 102:14), for it has been said to them, ‘Why are the lofty among earth and ashes?’ (Sir 10:9). With eyes of faith focused on God’s truth, forsaking their own misguided truths (Romans 10:3), they, as Job says, turn their gaze inward, humbling themselves and acknowledging their corporeal nature as dust, signifying their eventual return to it. Yet when they receive the Spirit of God, they declare, ‘I live not, but Christ lives in me’ (Galatians 2:20). Thus, the face of the earth is renewed through the grace of the new covenant, manifesting through the multitude of saints.
Bless the Lord, O my soul. May the unified soul of all who are one in Christ proclaim this together. O Lord my God, You are lifted high! Psalm 102:1. Where do You reveal Your greatness? In confession and the beauty that You adorn us with. Confess in order to be beautified, that He may envelop you. Clothed in radiance as one dons a robe. Psalm 103:2. Clothed within His Church, which has become light in Him, transforming from darkness, as the apostle states, You were once darkness, but now are light in the Lord. Ephesians 5:8. You spread the heavens like a canopy, as easily as one might unfold a simple fabric; or comprehend the authority of Holy Scriptures, which envelop the world, akin to fabric, since mortality is represented by the material, and the dominion of the Divine Word has passed through mortal vessels, whose glory persists even beyond death.
He Who covers with water the heights of the earth. Psalm 102:3. What are the heights? The celestial realm. What is Heaven? It is figuratively identified as the Divine Scriptures. What are the heights of the Divine Scriptures? The commandment of love, for none surpasses this. 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 resemble water? Because Jesus proclaimed, ‘Whoever believes in Me, from his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’ John 7:37-38. How do we confirm this is said about the Spirit? Let the evangelist clarify when he continues, 'But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive.' He rides upon the winds; that is, He transcends the virtues of the soul. What is the virtue of the soul? Self-love. But how will He conquer it? For God’s love for us far exceeds our love for Him.
He transforms spirits into His angels and makes a flaming fire His ministers. Psalm 102:4. This refers to those who have already become spiritual, not carnal; He makes them His angels, sending them forth to proclaim His Gospel. The flaming fire serves Him, for if a preacher does not burn with zeal, he cannot ignite the hearts of those to whom he preaches.
He firmly established the earth. Psalm 103:5. He set the Church upon the unwavering foundation. What is this foundation? It is that which the Apostle declares: No other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Christ Jesus. 1 Corinthians 3:11. Therefore, what ought to be its consequence? It shall not be shaken for all eternity. He has established the earth, signifying He has laid the foundation of the Church on Christ. The Church will tremble if the foundation falters; yet when will Christ, through whom all things were created and by whom all things hold together, ever be shaken? John 1:3; Hebrews 1:3. Since Christ remains steadfast, she shall not falter forever. Where are those who claim the Church has vanished from the world when she cannot even be forsaken...
The abyss covers her like a garment. Psalm 102:6. Whose abyss? It cannot be God's, for He has stated, 'Clothed with light as a garment.' I hear of God clad in light, and that light is meant for us if we desire it. What occurs when we yearn for it? We are no longer darkness. If God is adorned in light, whose garment is the abyss? The vast waters are referred to as the abyss. All waters, all moist elements flowing through seas, rivers, and hidden springs, are collectively labeled the Abyss. Thus, we comprehend the earth of which He said, ‘He founded the earth.’ It seems He meant, ‘The Abyss, like a garment, is its clothing.’ For water symbolizes the garment of the earth, enveloping and covering it...
The waters will surge over the mountains, reflecting that the earth’s garment—the abyss—has increased to the point where the waters rise above the mountains. We recall this from the time of the flood... The prophet, aiming to prophesy the future rather than recount the past, declared this to imply that the Church must endure the deluge of persecution. There was a time when torrents of persecutors swept over God’s earth, covering His Church entirely so that even the mightiest—those who are mountains—were obscured. For when they scattered everywhere, how could they fail to be noticed? Perhaps these very waters cry out, ‘Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my soul.’ Particularly the waters that render the sea tumultuous and desolate; for wherever the sea touches land, it is rendered barren rather than fertile. There were also mountains submerged, for the waters reached above the mountains... Why did the apostles flee? Because the waters covered the mountains. The force of the waters was tremendous, but for how long? Listen to what unfolds next.
At Your rebuke they will take flight. Psalm 102:7. And it came to pass, brethren; by God's rebuke, the waters receded; that is to say, they turned back from overtaking the mountains. Now the mountains themselves, Peter and Paul: how they are exalted! Those who were once oppressed by their persecutors now stand honored as emperors. For the waters have fled at the command of God; the heart of kings is in the hand of God, turning it wherever He wishes. Proverbs 21:1. He commanded peace for Christians; the authority of the Apostles has grown and been magnified... The waters have withdrawn at the voice of God’s rebuke. At the sound of Your thunder, they will be struck with fear. Who will not tremble at the voice of God through the apostles, the voice of God through the Scriptures, through His clouds? The sea was calmed, the waters trembled, the mountains became visible, and the emperor issued the command. But who would issue the command if God had not thundered? What God wills, they commanded, and it was accomplished. Therefore, let no man claim anything for himself.
The mountains rise, and the plains lower to the place You have founded for them. Psalm 102:8. He is still referring to the waters. Here, we ought not to interpret mountains as merely earth; nor plains as exclusively terrestrial, but rather as waves so immense they rival mountains. The sea once surged, its waves like mountains, capable of engulfing the Apostolic mountains. But how long do the mountains rise and the plains sink? They raged, and now they have calmed down. When they were tumultuous, they were mountains; now, having been pacified, they are plains, for He has established a place for them. There is indeed a specific channel, a deep expanse where all these once raging hearts of mortals have retreated... Previously mountains, now they are plains: yet, my brethren, even in tranquility the sea remains. Why are they not cruel now? Why do they not grow angry? Why do they not strive, if they cannot overturn our land, to cover it? Why is this so?
Listen. You have set a boundary they cannot surpass, nor return to cover the earth. Psalm 103:9. What, then, now that the fiercest waves have been allocated their measure, should we preach such things freely; since they have their appointed limit, unable to cross the determined boundary, and will not return to shroud the earth; what is transpiring within the earth itself? What activity occurs now that the sea has left it bare? Although the gentle waves murmur on the shore, although the Gentiles still stir around it; I can hear the sounds of the shores, but I do not fear the flood. What, therefore, unfolds on earth? Who sends springs into the valleys? Psalm 102:10. You send springs into the valleys, he states. You know what valleys are—low-lying areas among the lands. For mountains and hills exist in stark contrast with valleys and lowlands. The hills and mountains are the elevated sections of the earth, while valleys and low grounds are the lower portions. Do not disdain the lowly places; springs flow from there. You send springs to the little valleys. Listen to the mountain. The apostle declares, I labored more than all. Before us appears some grandeur, yet immediately, he made himself a valley so that the waters might flow: But not I, but the grace of God with me. 1 Corinthians 15:10. There is no inconsistency in that mountains can also be valleys; for as they are named mountains due to their spiritual height, so they are valleys due to the humility of their spirits. Not I, he asserts, but the grace of God with me...
What does it signify, ‘In the midst of the mountains the waters will flow through’? We have discerned who the mountains are—great preachers of the Word, exalted angels of God, albeit still in mortal flesh; exalted not by their might but by His grace; yet amongst themselves, they are valleys, pouring out springs in their humility. In the midst, he states, between the mountains, the waters shall flow. If it is said thus, ‘In the midst of the Apostles shall be the proclamation of the Word of Truth.’ What lies in the middle among the apostles? That which is common to all resides centrally. The common property, through which all live equally, dwells here, thus belonging neither to me nor to you or to anyone in particular... For if they are not at the center, they become as private elements, and do not flow for common use; each has his own, and it is unsuitable for me to possess mine and he to have his; such is not the preaching of peace... Therefore, brethren, let what we have communicated for your affection serve this purpose regarding the springs: that they may flow from you, who embody valleys, and unite with all that you have received from God. Let the waters flow amidst you, harbor no envy, drink deeply, be filled, and let your fullness overflow. Let the communal waters of God be exalted everywhere, not the private musings of men...