THEOSISAugustine of Hippo
This psalm celebrates the mercies of God that have been personally experienced, making it particularly meaningful to those who have undergone similar trials. It would indeed be surprising if anyone could appreciate the words of this psalm without having their own journey of learning. Written not for a select few but for the entire people of God, it serves as a reflection for them to see themselves as if in a mirror. The title requires no further explanation, simply proclaiming Hallelujah. It has become customary to sing this psalm during specific occasions in our worship, following the longstanding traditions of the Church; its performance on particular days carries profound significance. Although we sing Alleluia on certain occasions, we hold it in our hearts each day. If this word signifies the praise of God, it may not always be vocalized in human speech but undoubtedly resonates within the heart's utterance. His praise will forever be on my lips. Notably, the title Hallelujah appears twice, which is not unique to this psalm, as seen in the first. As described in its text, it was sung by the people of Israel and continues to be our song as the universal Church scattered across the globe. The repetition of Alleluia may reflect our cries of Abba, Father, for Abba signifies the Father, referenced by the Apostle in Romans 8:15, showing that as we approach the Cornerstone of our faith, one side cries ‘Abba’ while the other responds with ‘Father,’ united in the essence of our Savior.
Let the redeemed of the Lord declare His goodness, for He has saved them from the hand of their foes, according to Psalm 105:2. It seems that the Israelite people were liberated from slavery in Egypt and freed from laborious tasks and sinful conduct. However, we must consider whether the ones declaring this redemption truly participated in it. They are those whom He has set free. We may understand them as being redeemed from their enemies, namely, the Egyptians. The psalm should be explicitly conveyed to those who are the intended audience. He has gathered them from various lands; indeed, Egypt itself contains many regions. Let the message be clear. From the east and the west, from the north and the sea, as noted in Psalm 105:3. We grasp the scope of redemption encompassing the entire earth. This people of God, liberated from the vastness of Egypt, traverse as though through the Red Sea, Exodus 14:22, where in Baptism they conquer their foes. For through the analogy of the Red Sea—Baptism, sanctified by Christ's blood—the sins of their persecutors are washed away.
All these events serve as symbols, written for our edification, as stated in 1 Corinthians 10:11, for we are those upon whom the end of the ages has come. They wandered in the wilderness, through arid lands, searching for a city to inhabit. As Psalms 105:4 indicates, they encountered hardship and felt the pangs of hunger and thirst, leading to weariness in their souls, as described in Psalm 106:5. Yet, we ponder why their spirits grew faint. It is because God is not cruel; rather, He reveals His goodness to show us how to plead for aid in our weariness, so that in our relief, we may come to love Him. Following their struggles—hunger and thirst—they cried to the Lord in their distress, and He saved them from their troubles, according to Psalm 105:6. Throughout their wandering, He led them on a straight path, as noted in Psalm 106:7. Though they could find no city to dwell in, they were weary and battered, yet He directed them toward their place of rest. His provision for their hunger and thirst may remain unfathomed, but surely it is expected that His mercies and wonders shall be acknowledged by all. Psalm 105:8 encourages those experienced in faith to teach the inexperienced; those already seeking the city are freed from hunger and thirst. He has nourished the longing soul and filled the hungry heart with goodness, as stated in Psalm 105:9.
Those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, bound by poverty and chains—Psalm 105:10 asks why this is so. Is it not because they attribute their afflictions to themselves? They lack the grace of God and reject His guidance for their lives, as noted in Luke 7:30. The text further declares: Because they resisted God’s words in their arrogance, Psalm 105:11, failing to recognize His righteousness while striving to establish their own, Romans 10:3. They were hardened against divine counsel, and their hearts labored in vain, as cited in Psalm 105:12. Struggle against temptations; if God turns away from aiding you, you may contend but inevitably fail. When weighed down by wickedness, your heart will be burdened such that you cry out in humility, "O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?" Romans 7:24. Upon deliverance, you will testify of the Lord’s mercy. In their trouble, they cried out to Him, and He rescued them from their misery, as Psalm 105:13 confirms. They were saved from their second trial and left with fatigue and discontent. Yet first, recall what He accomplished for them in their salvation. He lifted them from darkness and the shadow of death and shattered their chains, confirming Psalm 105:14. Let them proclaim to the Lord His mercies and marvelous deeds to humanity, as Psalm 105:15 instructs. Why? Because He has dismantled gates of bronze and broken iron bars, as seen in Psalm 105:16. He redirected them from their paths of sin, humbling them because of their unrighteousness, Psalm 105:17. For they valued their inflated view of themselves instead of seeking God, claiming righteousness without knowing His. Romans 10:3 illustrates their need for humility, for they realized they were powerless without Him, reliant solely on their strength.
Their souls loathed all food, according to Psalm 105:18. Thus, they fell into the dangers of excess, feelings of fullness turning to suffering. Lest you suppose they could perish from hunger but not from overindulgence, consider the metaphor of death's gates they faced. What remains is for each of us, even when God's Word is gratifying, to remain humble and avoid pride that scorns others facing the contrast of abundance. In distress, they cried unto the Lord, and He delivered them from trouble, as noted in Psalm 105:19. Recognizing that dissatisfaction can be a malady, He sent His Word and healed them, according to Psalm 106:20. Observe the perils of excess; witness from where He rescues those in despair who detest their abundance. He sent His Word, healed them, and liberates them not just from wandering, hunger, or sin's challenges but from spiritual decay. Disdain for the goodness of God signals a troubled heart. Likewise, of all goods, they should celebrate the Lord's mercies and wonders to mankind, Psalm 105:21. And let them offer a sacrifice of praise, Psalm 105:22, joyfully exalting the sweetness of the Lord while recounting His works.
Let those who traverse the seas in ships and work amidst turbulent waters enjoy the praises in Psalm 105:23, reflecting the many nations. The metaphor of waters often signifies nations, as noted in Revelation, where it is declared, "They are the nations." Thus, those who labor upon chaotic waters have witnessed the Lord’s works and wonders in depths uncharted, Psalm 105:24. What depth exceeds the hearts of men? From such depths come tempests of rebellion that agitate the vessel. God desires that both rulers and the governed call upon Him; He spoke, and the tempest stilled, as mentioned in Psalm 106:25. What does this mean? It means that the winds of the storm calmed and lapsed, bringing an end to the tumult. The sailors, both at helm and in their resolve, can surely relate. When they speak, interpret, and share insights, they seem wise, yet they cry out in despair when confronted with the storm. All human wisdom falters; no matter the direction, the waves roar, and the tempest whips the ship—no guidance is visible in the chaos. Finally, they cried to the Lord when trouble beset them, and He rescued them from their calamities, as Psalm 105:28 reveals. He commanded the storm, and the skies cleared, as Psalm 105:29 states, and the waves settled. He brought them to the harbor of their desires, according to Psalm 105:30. Let the marvels and mercies of the Lord be acknowledged by all people, Psalm 105:31. Let us all recognize that it is not our own merit, strength, or insight, but God's mercy we celebrate in every deliverance.
Let them exalt Him in the assembly of His people and praise Him among the elders, Psalm 106:32. All nations and leaders, merchants and sailors, should lift their voices. What wonders has He performed in this gathering? What has He built? From what has He saved? What blessings has He poured out? He opposes the proud and grants grace to the humble, as stated in James 4:6. The proud, including Judah, exalted due to their lineage from Abraham and their stewardship of God’s revelations, Romans 3:2, gained not wisdom but arrogance from this status. Thus, God actively complied with the proud while extending grace to the humble; cutting off natural branches due to their conceit and grafting in the wild olive due to its humility. He turned flowing rivers into desert, Psalm 105:33, having the waters dry up, leaving a thirst unquenched. Seek a prophet among the Jews, yet find none; He sent them into parched regions. ‘Now we have no prophet, and we are forsaken,’ they lament. Yet fertile ground arises from barren shores, Psalm 105:34; for there, the faith of Christ may not be found: among them, no sacrifice, no temple exists. This is consequence of the iniquity within, showing the truth: how He resists the proud and extends grace to the humble. He transformed the wilderness into standing water and dry land into flowing springs, Psalm 105:35. He caused the hungry to dwell there, Psalm 105:36, for it was declared unto Him, "You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek." Among the Jews, you seek sacrifice, but find none in the order of Aaron; instead, look to the Melchizedekian priesthood, celebrated across the world. From dawn to dusk, let the Lord’s name be exalted.
And they cultivated fields, planted vineyards, and reaped bountiful harvests, as conveyed in Psalm 106:37. Rejoice in the labor, proclaiming, "Not for the gift, but for the fruit," as expressed in Philippians 4:17. He blessed them, and they immensely multiplied while their livestock flourished, as noted in Psalm 105:38. This reality is upheld. For the foundation of God stands secure; the Lord knows those who belong to Him, as stated in 2 Timothy 2:19. The beasts of burden, whether spiritual or earthly, signify those who traverse the Church with utility; though they may possess little knowledge, yet they overflow with faith. Thus, He blesses all, whether physical or spiritual.