THEOSISAugustine of Hippo
The one who bestows and those who accept When we proclaim: Salvation comes from the Lord - meaning from Him who confers it - we imply that it is our salvation as well, referring to those who have embraced it.
And God Himself is our protector. In moments of distress and uncertainty, I question why you waver in faith. Will the Almighty who chose to create turn away from saving? Salvation comes from the Lord for angels, humanity, and all creatures. Just as no one can exist independently, no one can attain salvation on their own. This is why the psalm resonates with truth: You uphold both humanity and livestock, O Lord. Why is this so? “How manifold is Thy mercy, O God!” (Psalm 35:7-8). For You are God; You are the Creator, and You are also the Sustainer; You grant existence and provide for our well-being.
Salvation belongs to the Lord, and Your blessing is upon Your people (Psalm 3:8). In this verse, the psalmist instructs the people on what to believe while also interceding for the faithful. When it is proclaimed, "Salvation is of the Lord," it is a message directed to humanity. It does not conclude with "And upon Thy people, Thy blessing be upon them," since the latter shifts to a supplication made to God on behalf of those to whom it was declared that salvation comes from the Lord. What else is being conveyed? Let no one be arrogant, understanding that salvation from sin’s death is the Lord's work; for as the Apostle states, "wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? The grace of God through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 7:24-25).
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Therefore, we ask, O Lord, bless Your people who seek salvation from You. This psalm can be interpreted in relation to Christ's identity and also in another sense; it embodies what Christ has to share. By His entire body, of which He is the Head, as noted by the Apostle, "Ye are the body of Christ, and members" (1 Cor. 12:27). Consequently, He is indeed the Head of this body, which is why the Apostle also writes, "But, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the Head, Christ, from whom the whole body is joined together and compacted" (Eph. 4:15-16). Thus, the Church, embodying Christ amidst the trials of persecution that have already come to pass, declares: "Lord, how they have multiplied, which troubles me! Many rise up against me; those who seek to wipe out the Christian name." Many challenge my very soul, claiming, "There is no salvation for him in his God." They would not dare to attempt to dismantle the Church, which extends so broadly, unless they believed God showed no concern for it. Yet, "But You, O Lord, art a shield about me," as I find shelter in Christ. For it was into this flesh that the Church was taken by the Word that became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14); He has raised us up with Him in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6). When the Head leads the way, the rest of the body follows for "who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" (Rom. 8:35). The Church rightly proclaims, "Thou hast taken me." My glory! She does not claim superiority for herself, recognizing the grace and favor from which she draws her identity. And He who lifted my head is the Firstborn from the dead (Col. 1:18), who ascended into heaven. With my voice I called out to the Lord, and He answered me from His holy mountain. This epitomizes the prayer of all the saints, a sweet fragrance rising before the Lord. Now the Church is echoed from this mountain, its Head, and through the righteousness of God, both His chosen ones shall be liberated, and their oppressors held accountable. Let the people of God assert: "I slept and rested; I arose, for the Lord will sustain me," so they may be united and remain steadfast with their Head. For to this people it is said: "Awake, you who sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine upon you" (Eph. 5:14). They are drawn from those who are sinners, of whom it is often said: "For those who sleep, sleep at night" (1 Thess. 5:7). Furthermore, let them say: "I will not be afraid of the thousands of men surrounding me," for though the nations gather around to try and destroy the Christian name, how can I fear? The blood of the martyrs in Christ ignites a fervor of love. "Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God." The body can voice this to its Head since at His resurrection, the body found salvation; He who ascended on high has taken captive those who were held captive and has bestowed gifts upon men. This is what the Prophet indicates in the divine mystery of God, referring to the abundant harvest, as mentioned in Matthew 9:37, which the Gospel proclaims; through His resurrection, He who died for us will pour His spirit upon the earth. "For You have struck all my adversaries on the jaw; You have broken the teeth of the wicked." Now that the Church reigns, the enemies of the Christian name are bewildered, whether by their threats or their leaders, they find themselves diminished. Yet, believe, O man, that salvation is of the Lord, and may Your blessing rest upon Your people. Each of us can declare, faced with a multitude of vices and passions that oppose the mind under the law of sin: "Lord, how numerous are those who afflict me! Many rise up against me." As despair often encroaches through the presence of these vices, as if mocking the soul, and even as the devil and his minions work through their poisonous whispers to instill despair, it rings true that many insist to my soul, "There is no salvation for him in his God." Yet, "But Thou, O Lord, hast taken me." This is our hope, as He became man in Christ. My glory! Following this principle, no one may boast of their own. And "the lift of my head," either from Him, the Head of us all, or from the spirit within us, which governs both soul and body. For as the Apostle states, "the head of the woman is the man, and the head of the man is Christ" (1 Cor. 11:3). The mind is indeed exalted when it can affirm: "With my mind I serve the law of God" (Rom. 7:25), so that the remainder of man can be brought into serene submission, where in the resurrection of the flesh, death will be swallowed up in victory (1 Cor. 15:54). With my voice I cried out to the Lord, with this most profound inner voice. And He has answered me from His holy mountain—the One through whom we have been rescued, through whom He listens to us. "I slept and rested; I arose, for the Lord will lift me up." What believer cannot say this, reflecting on the death of their sin and the gift of rebirth? "I will not fear the thousands surrounding me." Aside from the numerous challenges faced by the Church universally, each individual has their own trials that, when faced, allow one to cry out, "Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God," which means, "bring me to life." For You have struck down all who unjustly oppose me—this aligns perfectly with God’s intended purpose, directed at the devil and his followers, who harbor anger not only against Christ’s Body as a whole but also against each individual. "You have broken the teeth of the wicked." Each person encounters detractors, be they the chief architects of vice aiming to sever them from the Body of Christ. Yet salvation is of the Lord. Let us guard against pride and proclaim: "My soul clings to You," and upon Your people, may Your blessing rest upon each one of us.