THEOSISAugustine of Hippo
Bless the Lord, my soul. Let all our souls, united in Christ, declare this. O Lord my God, You are greatly exalted! Psalm 102:1. Where do You reveal Your greatness? You have dressed Yourself in confession and beauty. Confess, so you may be adorned, that He may robe you. Clothed in light as a garment, Psalm 103:2. Garbed in His Church, which has become light in Him, previously shrouded in darkness, as the apostle states, You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Ephesians 5:8. You extend heaven like a veil, effortlessly, akin to how one might lift a garment; or recognize the authority of Holy Scripture spread across the earth, taking it as a metaphor for skin, as skin symbolizes mortality, and all the wisdom of Divine Scriptures has been imparted to us through mortal beings, whose glory reaches beyond their earthly end.
You cover the higher places with water, Psalm 102:3. The higher places of what? The heavenly. What embodies Heaven? Figuratively speaking, we refer to the Divine Scriptures. What does it mean to speak of the higher aspects of Divine Scriptures? The commandment of love, above which none exists. Mark 12:31. But why is love likened to water? Because the love of God is poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit bestowed upon us. Romans 5:5. Where does the Spirit derive this resemblance to water? Because Jesus declared, "Whoever believes in Me, out of his bosom will flow rivers of living water." John 7:37-38. How do we confirm that this refers to the Spirit? Let the evangelist clarify, as he follows and states, "But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, which those who believed in Him were to receive." Who rises above the wings of the winds, that is, above the virtues of the soul. What is the virtue of the soul? Love of self. Yet how will He conquer it? Because God's love for us is greater than our love for Him.
He makes spirits His angels, and flames of fire His ministers, Psalm 102:4. This refers to those who are already spirits—spiritual beings rather than carnal—whom He sends forth as His angels to proclaim His gospel. The blazing fire serves Him, as one who preaches must burn with zeal; otherwise, he cannot inflame those to whom he preaches.
He established the earth on its foundations, Psalm 103:5. He established the Church on the steadiness of that foundation. What is the firmness of the Church other than the foundation laid by the Apostle, who declares that no man can lay any other foundation than that which is laid, which is Christ Jesus? 1 Corinthians 3:11. Therefore, what deserves to be heard on such a foundation? It shall not be moved forever. He founded the earth upon its stability; in the same manner, He founded the Church upon the foundation of Christ. The Church will shake if the foundation is shaken; but when will Christ, by whom all things were created before He took on flesh and without whom nothing was created, John 1:3, who holds all things by His Majesty, Hebrews 1:3, and us by His goodness, be shaken? Because Christ remains steadfast, the Church will not falter eternally. Where are those who assert that the Church has vanished from the world when it cannot even fail to be worshipped?
The abyss is like a garment over her, Psalm 102:6. Whose garment is this? Could it belong to God? Yet, it has already been said of Him, "Clothed in light as a garment." I hear of God clothed in light, which, if we seek it, is us. What occurs if we desire it? We cease to be darkness. Now, if God is enveloped in light, whose garment is the abyss? The vast body of waters is referred to as the abyss. All water, all moist nature and substance, flowing through seas, rivers, and hidden caverns, are collectively known as the Abyss. Thus, we understand the earth of which He spoke: "He founded the earth." Regarding it, I believe He declared: "The Abyss is like a garment; it serves as its covering." For water seemingly acts as the earth's garment, surrounding and shrouding it.
The waters will rise above the mountains, indicating that the earth's clothing, which is the abyss, has increased to such an extent that the waters stand even over the mountains. We recall this happening during the flood. The prophet, intending to foretell the future and not merely recount the past, proclaimed this to signify that the Church must endure the flooding of persecution. There was a time when torrents of oppressors covered God's earth and His Church, obscuring even those lofty mountains. When they were scattered everywhere, how did they cease to be visible? Perhaps these very waters cry out, "Save me, O God, for the waters have reached even to my soul." Particularly the waters that make the sea tempestuous and barren. For wherever the salty sea covers the land, it produces barrenness instead of fertility. Indeed, mountains also lay submerged, as the waters were above them.
Why did the apostles flee? Because the waters were over the mountains. The power of those waters was great, but for how long? Listen to the next occurrence. At Your rebuke they shall flee, Psalm 102:7. And it was done, dear friends; by the command of God, the waters receded, meaning they draw back from advancing against the mountains. Now the mountains themselves, Peter and Paul, how they have been exalted! Those who were once marginalized by persecutors now stand honored as emperors. For the waters have retreated at God's rebuke; since the hearts of kings lie in God’s hand, He directs them as He wishes; Proverbs 21:1. He has commanded peace for the Christians; the authority of the Apostles has flourished and risen.
The waters fled before God's rebuke. At the sound of Your thunder, they are struck with fear. Who would not tremble at God's voice through the apostles, through His Scriptures, through His clouds? The sea calmed down, the waters trembled, the mountains stood exposed, and the ruler issued orders. But who would have commanded if God had not thunderingly willed it? When God willed, commands were given, and it came to pass. Therefore, let no one claim anything for themselves.
The mountains rise, and the plains sink to the place You have appointed for them, Psalm 102:8. He continues to speak of the waters. Let us not interpret mountains merely as earth; nor plains as on earth, but as waves that can be likened to mountains. The sea once surged, and its waves resembled mountains, potentially concealing those mountains of the Apostles. But how long do the mountains rise and the plains sink? They once raged, and now they are calmed. When they were agitated, they were mountains; now they have become plains due to His provision, for He has appointed a location for them. There is a channel, a deep recess, where all these newly stirred hearts of mortals have receded.
Initially, they were mountains; now they are plains. But, dear brothers and sisters, even the stillness is of the sea. Why are they not harsh now? Why are they not in upheaval? Why have they not made efforts, and if they cannot overturn our land, at least cover it? Why are they not acting?
Listen. You have set a boundary that they shall not cross, nor return to cover the earth, Psalm 103:9. Hence, since now the fiercest waves have been measured, we are permitted to proclaim such things with liberty, as they have their appointed limits; they cannot breach the confines set and will not return to engulf the earth. What then happens on earth now that the sea has left it barren? Though the gentle waves murmur along its shore, though the Gentiles still grumble nearby, I hear the whisper of the shores but do not fear the flood. What then unfolds on the earth? Who sends springs into the valleys? Psalm 102:10. You send, as he states, springs to the valleys. You understand what little valleys are—lower places among the lands. For hills and mountains contrast in form with valleys and low areas. The heights of the earth are hills and mountains, while the low areas are valleys of varied depth. Do not despise these low places; from them, springs flow. You send forth springs into the small valleys.
Hear the high ground. The apostle says, I labored more than them all. Some greatness presents itself before us, yet immediately, to facilitate the flow of waters, he created a valley for himself, stating, But not I, but the grace of God with me. 1 Corinthians 15:10. There is no contradiction in mountains being valleys; as they are regarded as mountains due to their spiritual greatness, so they are valleys in the humility of their spirit. Not I, he claims, but the grace of God with me.
What does it signify, 'In the midst of the mountains, the waters shall flow'? We have identified who the mountains are—great preachers of the Word, exalted angels of God, though still in mortal form; lifted, not by their strength but by His grace; yet, they are valleys, pouring forth springs in their humility. "In the midst," he indicates, signifying that the preaching of the Word of Truth shall flow among the apostles. What lies in the midst? That which is considered in the center is the common good shared equally by all; it belongs neither to you nor to me nor to anyone in particular. If something is not shared publicly, it appears private; but that does not reflect the preaching of peace.
Thus, dear friends, let what we have said of your love serve to encourage this endeavor regarding the springs: may they flow from you as valleys, and share with all you have from God. Let the living waters of God be exalted everywhere; reject the private doctrines of men.
Therefore, all the beasts of the forest shall drink, Psalm 103:11. We indeed see this in creation—the beasts of the forest drink from the springs and streams flowing among the mountains; yet now, since it pleased God to conceal His wisdom in the imagery of such things, not to withhold it from the diligent searchers, but to obscure it from the indifferent, and unveil it to those who seek, the Lord God Himself delighted in urging you through us that in all these things, speaking of the tangible and observable creation, we primarily look for the spiritually veiled truth, which, once uncovered, brings us joy. The beasts of the forest represents the Gentiles, confirmed by Scripture in multiple instances.
These creatures drink from these waters, but briefly; not sustainably, but transitory; for all teachings that have been disseminated throughout the ages are fleeting. Unless, dear ones, your love contemplates that city to which it is declared, "Praise the Lord, Jerusalem, praise your God, Zion," for He has strengthened the bars of your gates; and when the gates are fortified and the city secured, from where, as we discussed previously, will no friend exit, nor enemy enter; that there we shall possess a book to read or speech to be conveyed as it is now interpreted to you? This is the purpose of our current discussion so it may be retained there; it is why it is divided into syllables, so it may be contemplated in totality. There will be no scarcity of the Word of God there, nor of letters, nor of sounds, nor of books, nor of readers, nor of interpreters. How then? As John states, "In the beginning was the Word," etc., John 1:1. For He did not come to us to be removed from there; for He was in the world, and the world was made by Him. Such is the Word we should ponder. For the God of gods will manifest in Zion. But when will this be? After the completion of our pilgrimage; unless, however, after our journey is complete, we are brought before the Judge, to be dispatched into confinement. Yet, if, upon finishing our journey, as we hope, yearn, and strive, we reach our homeland, there we shall behold what we shall continually praise; and he who possesses, and we who enjoy, shall never exhaust our satisfaction; neither shall those who partake be filled, nor shall they who partake be filled with what they receive. Great and marvelous will be this vision.