THEOSISAugustine of Hippo
Bless the Lord, O my soul. May the united spirit of all believers in Christ proclaim this truth. O Lord my God, You are most high! Where have You revealed Your greatness? You have enveloped Yourself with splendor and grace. Acknowledge Him so that you may be adorned; let Him clothe you. You are dressed in light like a garment. This refers to His church, which has transformed from darkness into the light of Christ, as the apostle affirms, "You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord." You stretch the heavens as if it were a fabric, just as if you were to unfold a skin; for this signifies mortality and the divine authority that has been entrusted to frail humans, whose legacy continues to shine even beyond death.
You cover the heights of creation with water. What are the heights? Heavenly realms. What is Heaven? We can only speak of it symbolically as the Sacred Scriptures. What are the heights of these Scriptures? The commandment of love, which surpasses all. "Love your neighbor as yourself." But why is love likened to water? Because God's love is poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit bestowed upon us. Where does the Spirit derive this living water? Jesus declared, “Whoever believes in Me, out of his inner being will flow rivers of living water.” And the evangelist clarifies this refers to the Spirit, whom those who have faith in Him will receive. He soars above the winds, contemplating the soul's virtues. What is the virtue of the soul? It is self-love. Yet how will He conquer it? Because God's love for us is infinitely greater than our love for Him.
He transforms spirits into His angels and into a consuming fire for His servants. Those who are spiritual in nature become His messengers, sent forth to proclaim the gospel, while the purifying flame serves Him. If a preacher does not burn with zeal, he cannot ignite passion in those he teaches.
He has established the earth upon its solid foundation. What is this foundation? It is none other than Christ Jesus, as the Apostle states, “No one can lay any other foundation than that which has been laid, which is Christ Jesus.” Therefore, what can withstand such a foundation? It cannot be shaken; just as He established the earth, He similarly built His Church upon Christ. If the foundation falters, the Church may tremble; but when will Christ, who created all things and through whom all persist, be moved? Because Christ remains steadfast, the Church will never be shaken. Where are those who claim the Church has vanished from the earth when it can hardly even be worshipped?
The abyss envelops the earth, akin to a garment. Whose garment is this? It cannot be God's, since He has clothed Himself in light. If God is clothed in light, then whose garment corresponds to the abyss? The vast waters represent the abyss, encompassing all moistness and substance found in seas, rivers, and hidden reservoirs; collectively known as the Abyss. Thus, we comprehend the earth that He founded; indeed, "The Abyss, like a garment, is its garment." The water envelops the earth, covering it completely.
The waters rise above the mountains—this signifies the earth's garment, the abyss, having ascended so greatly, akin to what happened during the flood. The prophet who proclaims this aims to signal a future reality, highlighting that the Church must endure a flood of persecution. There was a time when torrents of oppression engulfed God's Church, rendering even the mightiest mountains invisible. When chaos was widespread, how could they be seen? Perhaps these very waves cry, “Save me, O God, for the waters have reached even to my soul.” Particularly, the waters that make the sea tumultuous and barren. For wherever seawater spreads, it brings barrenness with it, submerging even the mountains, as if they were covered entirely.
Why did the apostles flee? Because the waters rose above the mountains. How great was the power of the waters, yet how brief was their dominion? “At Your rebuke, they shall flee.” And so it was; through God's command, the waters receded, beginning to retreat from the mountains. Now, look at Peter and Paul—how they have been exalted! Those who were once beleaguered by adversaries are now honored as rulers. The waters have withdrawn at God's command; the authority of the Apostles has surged as God's hand has intervened. The waters fled at Your voice. Who will not tremble at God's proclamation through the apostles, through the Scriptures, through His celestial manifestations? The sea stilled, the waters trembled, mountains stood revealed, and the emperor issued commands. But who could issue commands if God had not spoken? Because God willed it, it was done.
The mountains ascend, and the valleys sink to the designated place You established for them. Here, He speaks yet again of the waters. Let us understand not the mountains as simply earth, nor the valleys as mere locations, but as immense waves comparable to mountains. The sea rose once, and its waves were formidable enough to overshadow the Apostles. But how long will these mountains rise, and how long will the plains recede? They surged with chaos and have been calmed; once they were like mountains in their turbulence, but now pacified, they are like plains, for He has set an appointed place for them, like a channel into which all the renewed hearts of mortals have retreated... They were once mountains, now they are plains—but even peace is a form of the sea. Why are they not fierce now? Why do they not rage? Why do they not strive to envelop our land, to cover it? Why not?
Listen. You have established a boundary that they may not cross, nor return to cover the earth. What then, since even the most bitter waves have received a limit, allowing us to declare such truths with freedom? For they possess an appointed boundary; they cannot transgress it, nor will they reclaim the earth. What is occurring on the earth now that the sea has left it barren? Though the rippling waves whisper on the shores and the nations murmur, I heed the sound of the shores, yet I do not fear the flood. What then is happening on the earth? You send forth springs into the valleys. You send forth those little fountains into low places. Hills and mountains oppose valleys both by elevation and by form. Therefore, do not scorn the lowly areas; springs emerge from there. You dispatch springs to the small valleys.
Consider the mountains. The apostle declared, “I labored more abundantly than all,” revealing that greatness is evident, but immediately he humbled himself so that waters might flow: "But not I, but the grace of God with me." There is no contradiction that mountains may also be valleys; for they are called mountains due to their spiritual nobility and valleys because of their humility. "Not I, but the grace of God with me."
What does it signify, "The waters shall flow through the midst of the mountains"? We understand mountains to represent great preachers of truth, exalted messengers of God, yet still encased in mortal flesh; elevated not by their own strength but by His grace. They are also valleys in their humility, allowing springs to flow out. By stating "in the midst," it implies a communal sharing. Whatever is common enriches all equally; it is neither mine nor yours. If it is not their common ground, it becomes private—where one possesses and another lacks, where the message is not one of peace.
Let what we share serve this purpose through love: let the springs of blessings flow from you, as humble valleys. Let them intertwine with the fullness you receive from God. Let the living waters of God be glorified everywhere, rather than the self-serving claims of men.
Thus, all wildlife will drink. We witness this in creation, for beasts of the forest drink from the springs and streams that flow among the mountains. But now God conceals deeper wisdom within these images, not denying it to diligent seekers, but closing it to the indifferent while opening it for those who earnestly seek. It pleases the Lord God to encourage you through us, so that in these visible creations, we may seek something spiritually profound—an insight that, once discovered, brings us joy. The beasts of the forest symbolize the Gentiles, as the Scriptures affirm many times.
These creatures access the waters, yet only momentarily; their engagement does not last, it is fleeting. The teachings spread across time dissolve away... Unless you hold the belief that within the city—seeking the praise of the Lord, Jerusalem—when barred gates prevent entry, neither friends leave, nor foes enter; there we may read a book or listen to a message received as it is now proclaimed. This is why we treasure it now, so that it may endure; it is why we break it into segments, so that we may contemplate it entirely. There will be no scarcity of the Word of God, nor of the sacred texts, nor of sounds, nor of readers, nor of interpreters. As the Word was present from the beginning, engaged with the world, as the world was created through Him. Thus, we must meditate upon this Word. For the Lord of lords will appear in Zion. But when? After our pilgrimage, once our journey is finished; unless we find ourselves before the Judge ready to be cast away. However, if, upon concluding our journey as we hope and endeavor, we arrive at our promised land, we shall behold Him, whose essence we will eternally honor, satisfying both the giver and receiver with abundant joy.
The great beasts will quench their thirst. The term "great beasts" refers to the wild asses, symbolizing untamed individuals. For Gentiles were unrestrained by the Law and lived according to their own customs, wandering as through a wilderness. Thus, these larger beasts indicate a more significant type. They too will drink. The mouse will drink from this, and the wild ass will drink from that; the mouse is small, while the wild ass is large; one is meek, the other bold. Each drinks from the source, yet each according to their own need... The water flows gently, soothingly, quenches the wild donkey yet does not startle the timid mouse. Cicero may hold forth, reading from his tome—be it his own, Plato's, or another's—but not everyone dares venture to such heights. The voice of water, while perhaps muddied, still flows with such force that it intimidates the timid. To whom does the psalm echo, asking, “Is this too much for me?” Surely, these are veiled mysteries, yet they resonate in such a way that even children delight, and the unlearned come forth to drink deeply, being filled and bursting forth in song...
Continuing, the psalm states that the birds of the sky shall dwell on the mountains. We indeed see many birds reside in mountains, yet numerous dwell in valleys, groves, and gardens—not all find their home on the mountaintop. Certainly, there are those that only inhabit the heights. Symbolically, these birds represent spiritual hearts enjoying freedom and clarity within the divine expanse. Though the mountains provide sustenance, they thrive on the higher paths. Mountains symbolize the prophets, the apostles, the preachers of truth...
Yet do not assume that these birds of the air act on their own authority; note that the psalm illustrates: "From the midst of the rocks, they lift their voices." If I were to say, “Believe,” because Cicero or Plato taught it, who among you would take me seriously? I would sound like a bird not lifting my voice from a rock. What must each of you say? If anyone preaches anything contrary to what you have received, let him be anathema. What say you of Plato, or Cicero, or Virgil? The rocks of the mountains speak to you; hear the voices issued from the true foundation. Let those who gain from the very Rock, which is Christ, proclaim His truths. Thus, clarity emerges from the very nature of the faithful, resonating with the Spirit's affirmation, nature’s testimony responding in harmony.