THEOSISAugustine of Hippo
Bless the Lord, my soul. Let our united spirits, redeemed in Christ, proclaim this declaration. O Lord my God, You are greatly exalted! Psalm 102:1. Where are You magnified? In Your confession and beauty, which You have adorned us with. Confess so that you may be beautified, allowing Him to wrap you in splendor. Clothed in light as a garment, Psalm 103:2. This light is embraced by His Church, transformed from darkness into radiance, as the Apostle reminds us, You were once darkness, but now are light in the Lord. Ephesians 5:8. You stretch the heavens like a tent: akin to unrolling a skin, as if you grasped it by the letter, embodying the authority of Holy Scripture that blankets the world. The skin signifies mortality, and all divine authority flows through mortal vessels, whose glory persists beyond their earthly demise.
You cover the uppermost parts of creation with water. Psalm 102:3. What do these upper parts represent? They signify the Divine; we speak figuratively of the Scriptures. The uppermost principles of Scripture reflect the commandment of love, the greatest of all. Mark 12:31. Why compare love to water? Because God's love is poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit given to us. Romans 5:5. From where does the Spirit spring forth—like water? As Jesus declared, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to Me and drink. Out of their hearts will flow rivers of living water.’ John 7:37-38. The Evangelist himself affirms this, stating, ‘He was referring to the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive.’ He who rises above the wings of the winds symbolizes the soul’s virtues. What embodies these virtues? Selfless love. How does He overcome self-love? Because the love of God for us far exceeds our love for Him.
He makes His angels spirits, and His ministers a flaming fire. Psalm 102:4. Those who are spiritual and not earthly He sends out as angels to proclaim His Gospel. The consuming fire symbolizes His service. Should the preacher not be filled with fervor, how can he ignite others?
He established the earth upon its firm foundation. Psalm 103:5. The Church is secured by the solidity of this very foundation. What is this foundation? As the Apostle states, No one can lay any other foundation than that which is laid, which is Christ Jesus. 1 Corinthians 3:11. Therefore, what endurance does this foundation merit? It shall not be shaken forever. He positioned the Church undeterred upon Christ. The Church will tremble only if the foundation falters, but when will Christ, the Creator through whom all was made, and without whom nothing exists, John 1:3, who upholds everything by His Majesty, Hebrews 1:3, ever fail? Since Christ endures, she shall stand firm forever. Where are those who claim the Church has vanished from the earth when she remains steadfast in worship?
The abyss serves as the garment of the earth. Psalm 102:6. Whose garment could this be? It cannot be God's, for He is clothed in light. If we wish to bear that light, we must emerge from darkness. If God is clothed in light, then the garment of the abyss must represent the great mass of waters—the water is its garment, enveloping and covering all. Thus, we understand that earth signifies His created foundation. He has proclaimed: the abyss cloaks it as a garment, for the waters envelop the earth itself.
The waters hover over the mountains, illustrating that the abyss severe has ascended to be even above the mountains. We recall this from the time of the flood... The prophet prophesied this not merely to recount the past, but to signify that the Church must endure persecution. At times, torrents of adversaries deluged God's realm, obscuring even the lofty mountains. In that scattering, did not these mountains retain their form? Perhaps it is these very waters that lament, Save me, O God, for the waters have reached even to my soul. Especially the turbulent seas, for wherever the ocean touches land, it renders it desolate. Thus, mountains stand submerged, as the waters prevail above them.
Why did the apostles retreat? Because the waters loomed high over the mountains. Their strength was overwhelming, yet for how long? Hear what follows.
At Your rebuke they will flee. Psalm 102:7. And indeed, dear brethren; at God’s rebuke the waters receded; that is, they retreated from the mountains. Now those mountains, symbolizing Peter and Paul, have been exalted! Those who once suffered from adversaries are now honored as pillars of the faith. For these waters fled at God's command; since the heart of kings lies in God's hands, He directs it wherever He wills. Proverbs 21:1. He has called forth peace for the Christians; the authority of the Apostles flourishes and rises... The waters flinch at God’s word. At the roar of Your thunder they will tremble. Who would not revere God’s voice through the apostles, through the Scriptures, through His clouds? The seas calm, the waters fear, as mountains lay bare, and the emperor issues his decree. But who commands if God does not thunder? It is by His will that they command, and it is done. Thus, let no one glory in their own strength.
The mountains ascend while the valleys descend to the place You established for them. Psalm 102:8. He continues speaking of the waters. Let us not perceive mountains solely as places of earth, nor valleys merely as lowlands, but as turbulent waves likened to mountains. Once the sea roared, and its waves towered like mountains, threatening to envelop the Apostles’ heights. Yet, for how long do mountains rise while valleys seem to vanish? They raged, yet they have been subdued. When they were tempestuous, they became mountains; now calmed, they resemble plains, for He designated their place. A deep channel has opened where these once tumultuous hearts of mortals draw back...
Previously they were mountains, but now they pacify into plains. Brethren, even a calm sea remains a sea. Why are they no longer fierce? Why do they no longer strive to overthrow, if not to cover our land? Why are they silent?
You have prescribed a boundary, which they must not cross, nor return to inundate the earth. Psalm 103:9. Therefore, now that the most tumultuous waves have been measured, we are free to preach with boldness; they possess their set limit, unable to surpass it, nor shall they revert to inundate the earth. What then transpires upon the earth now that the sea has left it uncovered? Even though gentle waves murmur on its borders, even though the Gentiles still murmur nearby; I hear the shores stir, yet fear not the flood. What, then, is unfolding upon the earth? You bring forth springs in the valleys. Psalm 102:10. You declare, ‘You send forth springs to the small valleys.’ Consider the valleys—these lower areas among the highlands. Hills and mountains signify elevation, while valleys represent humility. Do not disregard the low places; springs arise from there.
You send forth springs to the lowly valleys. Listen to the mountains, as the Apostle asserts, I labored more than all… Although this suggests prominence, it immediately becomes apparent that he made a valley for himself so that waters might flow. But not I, the grace of God within me. 1 Corinthians 15:10. There is no contradiction that mountains can also be valleys; for they are deemed mountains due to their spiritual elevation yet valleys due to their humble spirit. Not I, he insists, but by the grace of God with me…
What could be meant by, ‘In the midst of the mountains the waters will flow’? The mountains represent the great preachers of the Word, transcendent angels of God, though still in mortal frame; elevated not by their own power, but by His grace. He states, amidst the mountains, the waters shall flow. It may imply that through the Apostles flows the preaching of the Word of Truth. What exists in the midst between the Apostles? In the center lies the common wealth, which sustains each equally; it does not belong to me alone. If they are not unified, it might as well be private, hoarded by individuals, whereas this is not the expounding of peace... Therefore, let our words inspire your hearts as springs that pour forth from you, humble valleys, and connect with all the gifts from God. May the waters flow among you, devoid of envy; let them fill you and overflow. Let God’s truth be revered everywhere, transcending the mere fables of men.
And so, all the beasts of the forest will drink. Psalm 103:11. We observe this in creation, as the beasts of the forest drink from the springs that flow between mountains; yet, God conceals wisdom within these simple images, not to deprive diligent seekers but to make it opaque to the indifferent and accessible to those who earnestly seek. It pleases the Lord God to encourage you through our voices, that in all these visible elements of creation, we might seek the spiritual truths hidden within, ultimately leading us to joy in discovery. By the beasts of the forest, we signify the Gentiles, which the Scriptures affirm in many passages.
These creatures sip from the waters, yet momentarily; their quenched thirst is not lasting, as all teachings of this world soon pass away... Unless your hearts hold the understanding of that city which is esteemed with the phrase, Praise the Lord, Jerusalem; praise your God, Zion; for He has fortified the bars of your gates; now echo that no friend exits and no enemy enters, since there is neither need for ears to hear the words nor for explanations to read; it is held entire in contemplation. There, the Word shall lack neither letters nor sounds, books, readers, nor interpreters. How can this be? As it is written, In the beginning was the Word… John 1:1. He came to dwell among us, not to be removed, for He was in the world, and the world was made through Him. Such is the Word upon which we ought to meditate. For the God of gods will be manifest in Zion. But when? After our earthly pilgrimage is over; unless we are called to account before the Judge, who may condemn us. Yet if, as we hope and aspire, we reach our ultimate destination, we shall witness that which we shall eternally praise; he who possesses, and we who partake, will find no end to our fulfillment, nor shall he who consumes, tire of what he receives. This contemplation shall be vast and astounding.
Even the wild asses shall drink from the waters. By wild asses, he refers to great and untamed beings, for it is well-known that these creatures are called onagri. Thus, he signifies the Gentiles who lack the yoke of the Law, many of whom lived by their own customs, following their proud boasts, akin to living in the wilderness. Just as the wild asses are larger, so they shall quench their thirst; the hare drinks from one place, the wild ass from another: the hare is small and timid, the wild ass fierce and robust, each drinking from their designated spot... So faithfully and gently does the water flow that it quenches the wild donkey without startling the meek hare. The rhetoric of Cicero or Plato resounds, swirling with learning. Some undertake to instruct the unlearned, the humble, the less wise; but who dares aspire toward this? The waters’ sound, muddy perhaps, flows robustly, yet timid souls hesitate to drink. To whom does the Psalm appeal, and who dares say, ‘It is too ample for me?’ Such is the call of the Psalm; these hidden truths resonate, delighting even children and drawing the uneducated to be filled with joy and uplifted in song.
Thus, the Psalm continues: The birds of the sky will dwell in them. Psalm 103:12. The birds of the sky inhabit the mountains. Though many take refuge in valleys, groves, or gardens, not all find their home exclusively in mountains. Some birds are exclusively mountain dwellers. These avian beings represent spiritual souls that find joy in the open air; their delight lies in the clarity above, feeding upon the spiritual nourishment in the mountains, where they reside.