THEOSISAugustine of Hippo
For God is compassionate towards Israel, particularly to those who are pure in heart. The psalmist admits that his steps were nearly led astray, expressing his confusion and doubt. Why was this the case? It stemmed from his envy of those who are unrighteous, observing how well they seemed to thrive. Indeed, to whom does God extend His goodness if not to the blameless in heart? In my distorted heart, I found myself discontented with the Lord, troubled by the apparent blessings showered upon the wicked. This caused my feet to waver—was my service to the Lord in vain? The very reason my stability faltered was because I lacked a right heart.
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But what does it mean to be right in heart? It signifies adherence to the divine will. One individual may experience prosperity while another diligently labors; one may live unjustly yet enjoy happiness, while another may strive for righteousness and face sorrow. Let those who lead a righteous life and toil not be disheartened; for within them lies what the joyful person does not possess. Thus, they shouldn't feel distressed, tormented, or discouraged. The joyful person may have material wealth, while the righteous one possesses God within their conscience.
Consider the contrast between gold and God, between material wealth and spiritual integrity. What the one holds is fleeting and will ultimately vanish, while the other harbors the eternal God, who cannot be taken away, provided the individual is pure in heart. For in such a state, they enter into an everlasting communion and do not depart.
This psalm carries the title, "The hymns of David, the son of Jesse, have become scarce," attributed to Asaph. While many psalms bear the name of David, this is the only one that specifically includes the phrase "son of Jesse." This detail cannot be without significance, as God consistently guides us and invites us to engage in a devout exploration of love. What does it imply that the hymns of David, the son of Jesse, are unfulfilled? Hymns are expressions of worship directed toward God, often accompanied by singing; they consist of songs that convey praise. If there is praise that does not honor God, it cannot be considered a hymn; similarly, if praise is offered to God but not sung, it is also not a hymn.
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Thus, a true hymn must encompass three essential elements: the act of praising God, acknowledgment of His glory, and the medium of song. Therefore, what does it mean that hymns have become rare? It suggests that the praises sung unto God have not thrived. The psalmist appears to allude to something sorrowful and even tragic, as one who sings in praise not only voices their admiration but does so with joyous love for the subject of their song. In praise, there is the expression of a believer, and in singing, the heartfelt emotion of one who loves. When he states, "Then the hymns of David were not sung," he adds, "the son of Jesse," highlighting David's role as king of Israel, son of Jesse, during a specific era of the Old Testament when the New Testament was still concealed within him like fruit hidden in a root. If one seeks fruit only in the root, they will not find it, and in the branches, they will discover only what has emerged from the root. Just as Christ was, in His human birth, concealed in the lineage of the Patriarchs and would be revealed in time, so too the New Covenant realized in Christ was veiled in those earlier days, known only to a few righteous prophets and faithful souls. For instance, when Abraham commissions his loyal servant to find a wife for his only son, he makes him swear an oath by placing his hand under Abraham's thigh. What lies in Abraham's thigh that he swears by, if not the promise he received: "In thy seed shall all nations be blessed"? The term "thigh" refers to flesh, through which our Lord Jesus Christ emerged from Abraham, through Isaac and Jacob, and eventually Mary.
How do we confirm that the root lies with the Patriarchs? Let us turn to Paul. The Gentiles believe in Christ now and wish to boast before the Jews who crucified Him; the same people who formed a barrier now encounter Christ, who bridges that divide with the Gentiles coming from the other side. When the nations arose, lifting their spirits, He oppresses them. Paul writes, "If you are cut from the natural wild olive tree and grafted among them, do not boast against the branches, for it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you." Thus, he refers to branches broken off from the Patriarchs due to disbelief and the wild olive tree that has been grafted in to share in the fruitful olive tree, which represents the forthcoming Church of the Gentiles. Who performs this grafting? Typically, wild olive trees are grafted onto cultivated ones, not vice versa. The result will always reflect the nature of what is grafted, as what is incorporated will produce fruit in its true form. The fruit of this new grafting does not come from the original root but from the new integration. The Apostle clarifies that such an act of God’s omnipotence enables the unworthy wild olive to take root in the cultivated olive tree, yielding not wild fruit but a true olive. Paul emphasizes, "If you are cut off from the natural wild olive tree and, contrary to nature, are grafted into a good olive tree, do not boast against the branches."
In the times of the Old Testament, God made promises to a physical people that were earthly and transient. They were promised a tangible kingdom and a land, which they entered after their deliverance from Egypt under Joshua. They received their inheritance in the earthly Jerusalem where David reigned, celebrating their exodus through the Red Sea. These promises were never meant to last indefinitely but instead foreshadowed the eternal promises to come, serving as figures and prophecies of the future. Thus, when the kingdom ruled by David, the son of Jesse, began to decline, remember that he was a man, a prophet, and a saint who foresaw Christ’s arrival from his lineage. Yet, he was merely a man, and not yet Christ, our divine King, the Son of God; King David remained the son of Jesse, for at that time, his realm was destined to fail. Carnal people glorified God for their temporary deliverance from oppressors and rejoiced in their rescue from foes during their journey through the desert, eventually finding their homeland and sovereignty. However, they did not understand the divine plan behind these events and promises. Therefore, when the carnal men under David’s reign sought to glorify God, the hymns of David—the son of Jesse—did not flourish.
As for whose voice resonates in this psalm, it is that of Asaph. The name Asaph, translated from Hebrew to Greek and then Latin, signifies "Synagogue." Thus, it represents the voice of the Synagogue. However, do not instinctively reject this term, viewing the Synagogue as solely responsible for the Lord’s opposition, as many do. The Synagogue indeed played a role in Christ’s crucifixion, but it also produced many of His followers, including us. The psalm suggests, "Bring to the Lord the sons of rams." These rams refer to Peter, John, James, Andrew, Bartholomew, and the other apostles. Asaph's lineage includes Saul, who would later become Paul, signifying a transformation from pride to humility. Therefore, Paul too emerged from the Synagogue, as did Peter and the other apostles. As you hear the voice of the Synagogue, do not dwell on its past failings but acknowledge its offspring. The psalm communicates the sentiments of the Synagogue after the decline of hymns from David the son of Jesse—the loss of earthly accolades for glorifying God. But why did these manifestations fade? So that they might seek deeper truths? These truths were not absent; rather, they were concealed within symbols, not void yet obscured within divine mystery. These mysteries, as the Apostle describes, served as our examples.
Consequently, the Synagogue reflects those who worshipped God in ways aligned with the earthly, often influenced by worldly desires. However, even so, this group sought such blessings from the one true God, the Creator of all things, both seen and unseen. Observing the Synagogue comprised of outwardly righteous men, who followed temporary paths rather than eternal ones, we note that though they understood God's promises of abundant earthly goods—land, peace, happiness—they failed to grasp the deeper meaning hidden within these gifts. They presumed that God had granted these for their temporal fulfillment, oblivious to the more profound blessings awaiting those who genuinely loved and served Him. They noticed unworthy individuals prospering in carnal pursuits and, thus, a troubling thought took root in their hearts, causing them to waver from God's path. This sentiment was prevalent among the Old Covenant believers, a narrative we should strive to avoid, especially in light of the blessings now promised through the New Covenant.