THEOSISAugustine of Hippo
This psalm carries the title ‘For the sharpened.’ As you may have observed, dear friends, nothing in its verses refers to presses, wine-baskets, vats, tools, or the crafting of lathes; the text does not cover these topics we have heard discussed previously. Thus, the meaning of this title concerning lathes becomes a significant inquiry. If the text had mentioned these items after the title, the carnal mind might interpret it as merely a song about tangible tools. However, since the title contains no further elaboration on the lathes we know, it is clear that the Holy Spirit intends for us to uncover deeper spiritual truths here. We should consider the operations of physical mills and how they parallel the spiritual workings within the Church. The grapes are suspended from their vines, and the olives from their trees. These two fruits typically yield the juices that are pressed, yet as they hang freely, they do not release wine or oil. This is analogous to those whom God has foreordained to be transformed into the image of His only Son, as noted in Romans 8:29. Christ, the foremost example, experienced extreme strain during His Passion, akin to a substantial mass undergoing transformation.
People who fall into this category enjoy a form of carefree life in the world, much like the grapes and olives before they are pressed for their juice. Yet, as the scripture advises, “My son, when you go to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for temptation” (Sirach 2:1). Thus, anyone who approaches the service of God discovers that they have come to the sharpener; they will experience suffering and oppression—not for their destruction in this world, but to access the treasures of God. As the skins are peeled from grapes, so are the veils of carnal desires removed from them. What happens to them mirrors the Apostle's exhortation: “Put off the old self and put on the new self.” This transformation occurs only through pressure, which is why the churches of today are referred to as sharpeners.
But who are those within these sharpeners? The sons of Korah are mentioned. The term tochilam refers to the sons of Korah, indicating those set apart. They explain their calling by their service to God. Undergoing pressure, we are refined so that through our affection for worldly, temporal, and unstable matters—having endured numerous trials, sorrows, pressures, and temptations—we begin to seek a rest that is not found in this world. As Scripture states, the Lord becomes the refuge of the needy. Who is the needy one? It is one who is deprived of support and has nothing to rely on in this life. Though some may possess abundant wealth, they often find themselves filled more with anxiety than joy. For wealth, which is transient, brings uncertainty. Thus, those who hold material resources without character are still in a state of poverty. Conversely, those who desire wealth but possess none are also among the rejected, for God values intent over strength.
The truly impoverished are stripped of worldly comforts, yet they recognize their fleeting nature. They cry out to God, lacking earthly solace, and in their struggles, akin to being processed in a mill, they are transformed into something pure. What do these transformations represent but holy aspirations? For God is their sole desire; they do not cling to worldly pursuits. They aspire to Him who created heaven and earth; their love is directed towards Him, even if they do not find union with Him yet. Their longing grows, promising fulfillment. God provides abundantly to those who seek Him, fitting them to receive such immense goodness. Therefore, prepare to receive God, the eternal essence you will long for forever.
Let us, then, as we are able, offer our vows to the Lord, doing what each can. Let no one look back at previous engagements or allow former distractions to deter them; let us strive diligently toward our goal. We are not to run physically, but our desires propel us forward. Yet, let no one presume they have achieved perfection. Who among us can claim to be as perfect as Paul? As he stated in Philippians 3:13, “I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it.”
If you experience the passions of this world, even in moments of happiness, recognize your position within the grindstone. When the world seems to smile upon you, envision yourself in that challenging place, and confess: “I have encountered trouble and burdens, and I have called upon the name of the Lord.” This realization does not imply trivial troubles or those veiled from the happy; some may think themselves blessed while being absent from God. For, as it is written, “While we are at home in the body, we are away from the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:6). Would you be miserable if separated from your father? How can one be joyful while estranged from the Lord? Some may deceive themselves into believing they thrive. Yet, those with discernment understand that, despite their wealth and comforts, if they lack the Lord, they are in a dire state. It is these who articulate their struggles and invoke the name of the Lord—these are the voices within this psalm. They embody the body of Christ, which encompasses you and all believers, for the body of Christ is one.
“O Lord of hosts, how lovely are your dwelling places” (Psalm 82:1). He dwelt within one bush, symbolizing the burden endured, yet He yearned for other untroubled shelters, moving as it were to them through the channel of His profound desire.
“My soul longs and yearns for the courts of the Lord” (Psalm 83:2). It is not sufficient for the longing to be present without fulfillment; why does it falter? It yearns for the courts of the Lord. Grapes may fail when pressed, yet their failure serves a purpose—to be transformed into wine and stored in vessels. Here, there is aspiration; there, fulfillment. Here exist groans; there, songs of joy; here, prayer; there, praise; here, anguish; and there, exultation. Do not regret the struggles I mention here; embrace them, knowing that fear of sharpening may prevent fruitfulness.
You have heard the cries of the winepress; “My soul languishes and longs for the courts of the Lord” illustrates this journey towards hope, with “my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God.” They found joy because, as it is stated, the sparrow and the turtledove find homes in the Lord’s presence (Psalm 83:3). He equates the heart with the fleeting sparrow and the flesh with the steadfast dove. The sparrow discovers a home; similarly, the heart finds rest. It seeks to soar through the virtues of this life: faith, hope, and charity, allowing it to ascend to its true dwelling. Once it achieves this, the voice of the earthbound sparrow will cease. From the roof of its earthly existence, it will ascend to its heavenly abode. The sparrow, now free from despair, finds refuge at last, while the dove has a nest to bear her young. In this, we see the heart's contemplation of God and the flesh performing good deeds.
Countless good works are visible even outside the Church. Many Gentiles provide nourishment for the hungry or comfort the vulnerable. However, a dove might give birth without a nest—so too, heretics produce fruit that lacks the security of the Church, destined for suffering without protection.
In this faith lies your hope: find your place in this nest. The nest signifies your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. To grasp your King and God is to recognize the One who governs and created you.
“Blessed are those who dwell in your house” (Psalm 83:4); possessing your own home may signify poverty, yet belonging to God enriches the soul. In personal possession, one may fear intrusion; in God’s house, He stands as the fortification. Thus, those dwelling in His presence are truly blessed. They inhabit the heavenly Jerusalem without strife, experiencing unity without division or limits; everyone has everything in abundance. Such riches overwhelm.
We know that necessity drives all human endeavors. Consider every pursuit and see if the essence of necessity birthed them. The finest arts, such as law or medicine, serve only when there is need: who needs a lawyer without disputes, or a physician without ailments? Many day-to-day efforts arise purely from necessity. Without hunger, thirst, or want, no one seeks provision—who would break bread for the hungry if none were in want? What foreigner could be taken in if all have their own abode? In eternal life, what need exists to reconcile conflicts or pay respects to the deceased? All needful deeds would fall away into obscurity, and the young hatchlings would depart from the nest.
But the blessed, who dwell in the Lord’s house, find purpose not in need but in worship. They will ever sing according to the capacities of heaven. Our duty will be constant, an unending melody of praise. Do not think, dear friends, that fatigue will come; the weariness felt here arises from earthly distractions. If the unseen brings little joy, how much more exultation shall we feel when beholding Him face to face, when death shall be swallowed up in victory, and mortality takes on immortality (1 Corinthians 15:54)? No one then will claim, “I endured too long,” nor will there be debates of fasting or sleeplessness. Those immortal bodies will be generated anew in God’s contemplation.
If the messages we share today sustain your weak flesh for this time, imagine the overwhelming joy when we grasp the eternal ensemble of Heaven. We will become like Him, as we shall see Him just as He is (1 John 3:2). When we achieve such likeness, distractions will vanish. Beloved, we shall never tire of praising and loving God. If love were to fail, then praise could falter; yet since love is eternal and inexhaustible, let not the fear of cease in your praises to Him, whom you can love for eternity.
In this life, we sigh with longing. But how shall we come to that blessed place? Blessed is the man who finds strength in You (Psalm 82:5). He recognizes his limitations, knowing that his flesh cannot rise to such heavenly bliss. He reflects on his burdens as expressed elsewhere: “For a corruptible body weighs down the soul, and this earthly dwelling brings deep thoughts” (Wisdom 9:15). The spirit longs for elevation, while the weight of the flesh pulls it down, creating inner conflict, akin to being caught in the millstone of trials.
As the Apostle illustrates this struggle, he laments, “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? The grace of God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:24-25). I delight in God’s law in my inner being, but what steps can I take towards flight? I observe another law waging war against my mind. This struggle is reflected in the grace revealed through Jesus Christ, renewing hope amid despair. Similarly, when one sighs for God's dwelling, and feels the burden of the flesh, hope returns with the acknowledgment: “Blessed is the man who finds acceptance in You” (Psalm 83:5).
What gifts does God, in His grace, grant to those He leads? The passage continues: “He places stepping stones in his heart.” In the valley of tears, we make our ascent (Psalm 83:6). Here, instead of a furnace, is the valley of lamentation, where the tears of sorrow flow as vintage for loving hearts. They depart, scattered like seeds through their weeping. May God’s grace enable steps forward as we rise in love. Thus, it is deemed a Psalm of Steps.
He establishes the pathway to a designated place (Psalm 82:7). Now broken, our groanings arise from the very source where the ascent's steps are found. Our laments echo the apostle’s cry of distress, lamenting the struggle against sin marked by the law (Romans 7:23). Where does this lament originate? It comes from the consequences of transgression. We once believed we could achieve righteousness by our own deeds until the law illuminated our afflictions. With the command issued, sin reared its head; as the Apostle expressed, “I died” (Romans 7:9). The law was given not to save but to reveal our dire condition.