THEOSISAugustine of Hippo
This psalm carries the title, “The hymns of David the son of Jesse have become scarce,” and it is attributed to Asaph. Although many psalms reference David, this is the only instance where he is specifically identified as the son of Jesse. It is reasonable to conclude that this distinction is significant and not arbitrary, as God consistently guides us and invites us to engage in a righteous exploration of His love. What does it signify when we say that the hymns of David the son of Jesse are unfulfilled? Hymns serve as expressions of worship offered in song, containing adoration for God. Praise that is not directed toward God cannot truly be called a hymn, nor can it be considered a hymn if it is merely spoken and not sung.
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Thus, a hymn must encompass three elements: it must include singing, praise to God, and worshipful expression. The scarcity of hymns indicates a failure of praise offered to God—there seems to be an element of sorrow or misfortune in this statement.
For one who praises does so with joy; when a person sings in worship, it reveals a love for the one being celebrated. Praise articulates the confessor's voice, while singing conveys the affection of those who adore. The psalm states, “then the hymns of David were not sung,” and emphasizes “the son of Jesse.” David, as the king of Israel, was indeed the son of Jesse (1 Sam. 16:19), and during his reign, the New Testament’s promise resided within him, like fruit hidden in a root. If one looks solely for fruit in a root, it may not be discovered; similarly, the branches bear only what stems from the root. Just as Christ, born in the flesh, was concealed in the lineage of the Patriarchs, there came a time when He must be revealed, much like the sprout emerges from Jesse’s root (Isa. 11:1). The New Covenant in Christ was likewise veiled in those earlier times, known only by select prophets and a few devoted individuals, revealed not through present appearances but through future prophecies. For instance, in the story of Abraham, when he tasked his trusted servant with finding a wife for his only son, he made the servant swear an oath, placing his hand under his thigh. What lay beneath Abraham's thigh, where he placed his hand, if not the promise, “In your seed, all nations shall be blessed” (Gen. 22:18)? The thigh symbolizes flesh. From Abraham's lineage through Isaac and Jacob, leading to Mary, our Lord Jesus Christ emerged.
To illustrate that the root was among the Patriarchs, we can reference Paul’s teachings. Gentiles now embrace faith in Christ and, in a sense, wish to boast over the Jews who crucified Him. However, from the same lineage arises a meeting point in Christ, representing both the Jews and the Gentiles. Paul explains that if one is taken from the natural wild olive tree and grafted into the good olive tree, they should not boast over the branches; for, if they are boasting, they are not the ones supporting the root, but rather, the root supports them (Rom. 11:17-18). Consequently, he refers to branches that were broken off due to unbelief, alongside the wild olive tree being grafted in—signifying those who join the Church of the Gentiles. Who performs this grafting? Typically, it is done in the reverse—wild olives are grafted onto cultivated olives. However, God’s power enables the wild olive to unite with the root of the olive tree, producing not wild fruit, but olives. Therefore, Paul states, “If you are cut off from the natural wild olive tree, and grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree, do not boast before the branches…”
During the Old Testament era, God's promises to a physical people were earthly and transient. They were assured an earthly kingdom and a land, which they received upon their exodus from Egypt. With Joshua’s leadership, they entered the promised land where the earthly Jerusalem was established, and where David ruled. Following their exodus through the Red Sea, they obtained their land. These promises were not meant to last but served as foreshadowings of what was to come. Thus, when David son of Jesse’s kingdom began to deteriorate, it marked a transition. Although David was a prophet and a righteous man who foresaw the coming of Christ, he remained a human ruler, our King, and the Son of God, but still an earthly king: for that kingdom was destined to fade, despite earthly men glorifying God for momentary deliverance from oppressors through the Red Sea journey and their wilderness wanderings. They glorified God for what they considered a great achievement without realizing the deeper significance of God's larger plan.
In the absence of the glorifications offered by those whom David ruled, the hymns of David—the son of Jesse—failed. Whose voice is expressed in the psalm? It belongs to Asaph. What does Asaph denote? As is indicated by translations from Hebrew to Greek and then into Latin, Asaph means Synagogue, denoting the voice of the Synagogue. However, one should not disdain the Synagogue outright, as it is recognized that from it emerged the flock, of which we are descendants. As the psalm mentions, “Bring to the Lord the sons of rams…” who are the rams? They are Peter, John, James, Andrew, Bartholomew, and the other apostles. Asaph signifies this progression from Saul to Paul, demonstrating transformation from pride to humility.
Thus, Paul and the Apostles emerged from the Synagogue. Therefore, upon hearing the voice of the Synagogue, focus not solely on its flaws, but observe the fruits it produced. This psalm reflects the Synagogue’s lament after the cessation of the hymns of David, the son of Jesse, representing the end of earthly accolades that had been offered by earthly men to glorify God. Yet, why did these accolades cease if not to redirect their focus? What should they seek? They were prompted to look not for absent things, but for truths veiled in imagery—existences that were already present yet hidden in mystery. These, as the Apostle indicates, were our examples (1 Cor. 10:6).
Thus, the Synagogue, characterized by those who worshipped God in a divine sense yet were preoccupied with earthly matters, found itself better than the Gentiles. Though they sought temporary satisfaction, they directed their aspirations to the Creator of all things, both spiritual and physical. Observing the Synagogue, which included temporarily righteous men, they grasped the promises of God for earthly abundance, peace, and prosperity. Yet, they failed to perceive the deeper significance behind these images, mistakenly believing God had provided them merely as gifts without understanding there were greater treasures to be revealed to those who love and serve Him. When they observed the wickedness and pride of sinners thriving in earthly pursuits, a troubling thought emerged in their hearts, causing them to stumble and almost stray from God's path. It is essential to reflect on this, especially as the blessings of the New Covenant are now openly proclaimed.