THEOSISAugustine of Hippo
Its title reads “A Psalm for the sons of Korah.” We must recognize the singular intent expressed by the apostle: for Christ is the culmination of the law. Romans 10:4 By placing these words at the forefront of the psalm's title, he directs our hearts toward Christ. If we focus our gaze upon Him, we will not stray, for He embodies the Truth we strive to attain, and He is the Way (John 14:6) by which we journey.
The prophet speaks to Him about the future, articulating it as though it has already occurred; he recounts future events as if they were past, for with God, what lies ahead is already realized. “Lord, You have shown favor to Your land” (Psalm 83:1), as though the act had already been completed. “You have turned away the captivity of Jacob.” The ancient nation of Jacob, the people of Israel—born from the seed of Abraham—was promised to one day become God’s heir. This was indeed a true nation, recipients of the Old Testament; yet within the Old Testament, the New Testament was foreshadowed, serving as an image and expression of truth. In this prophetic vision, a promised land was bestowed upon this people, situated where the Jewish nation thrived; there lies the city of Jerusalem, a name known to all. Once this people attained possession of this land, they endured considerable suffering from surrounding foes: when they sinned against their God, they were handed over into captivity—not for annihilation, but for correction; their Father did not condemn them, but chastened them. Following their captivity, they were liberated, enduring cycles of both bondage and release. Presently, they remain captives, due to a grave sin—the crucifixion of their Lord. What, then, is to be understood by the phrase, “You have rejected the captivity of Jacob”? This psalm sings prophetic words: “You have rejected the captivity of Jacob.” To whom does it speak? To Christ; for it proclaims “the end of the children of Korah,” since He has set free the captivity of Jacob. Consider Paul’s declaration: “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” He inquired as to who that might be and instantly realized: the grace of God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 7:24-25 Regarding this grace, the prophet addresses our Lord Jesus Christ: “You have turned away the captivity of Jacob.” Examine closely the captivity of Jacob and recognize that it is this: “You have set us free from captivity,” not by rescuing us from unknown barbarians but by liberating us from our sinful actions, by which Satan held dominion over us. For when a person is freed from sin, the prince of iniquity has no foothold over him.
How then did He release Jacob from captivity? Observe how transcendent this deliverance is; it occurs within the heart. He proclaims, “You have forgiven the iniquities of Your people; You have covered all their sins.” Psalm 83:2 Thus, He turned away their captivity by removing iniquity. It was sin that bound them; now that your iniquities are forgiven, you are liberated. Acknowledge therefore your captivity, that you may be fit for deliverance: for he who is unaware of his enemy cannot call upon the Deliverer. “You have covered all their sins.” What does it mean that “You have covered Yourself”? So as not to see them. How is it possible that You would not see them? So as not to bring retribution upon them. You chose not to see our sins; thus, You did not see them willingly: You have enveloped all their sins. “You have calmed all Your fury; You have turned away Your wrath.” Psalm 84:3
And as it speaks of the future, despite the fading sound of the words, it continues: “Restore us, O God of our salvation.” Psalm 83:4 How does he entreat for what he just portrayed as if it had already come to pass, except to illustrate his prophetic speech in a past context? He demonstrates what he says remains unfulfilled by praying for it to be realized: “Restore us, O God of our salvation, and turn away Your anger from us.” Had You not previously declared, “You have quelled all Your anger; You have turned away Your wrath”? Then how do You now say, “Turn Your wrath away from us”? The prophet elucidates: I speak of these matters as consummated because I perceive they are imminent; however, since they are yet unfulfilled, I implore that they may indeed occur.
“Do not remain angry with us forever.” Psalm 84:5 For through God’s anger, we are condemned to death, and through His anger we toil for our sustenance in this world amidst struggle and labor. Genesis 3:19 This was the ruling upon Adam upon his transgression; Adam is representative of us all, for “in Adam all die.” 1 Corinthians 15:22 The decree against him took effect upon us thereafter. We, though not yet existent, were within Adam; thus, all that befell him also befalls us, undeniably leading to death, for we were all encapsulated in him. How greatly the sin of your ancestor will not impact you if you have been transformed, just as it would not harm your forebear if they were changed. Yet the condition imposed upon our lineage before being subject to death came from Adam. What precipitated this? The frailty of the flesh, the anguish of existence, the chains of mortality, the lures of temptation; all of these we endure in this humanity, as they serve as God's wrath, equivalent to His vengeance. However, because this was to transpire, we were destined to be reborn and renewed through faith, with all this mortality to be removed in our resurrection, restoring humanity to its original state; “for as in Adam all die, so in Christ shall all be made alive.” 1 Corinthians 15:22 Recognizing this, the prophet implores, “Do not remain angry with us forever, nor extend Your wrath to future generations.” The first generation faced mortality due to Your wrath; may the second generation be granted immortality through Your grace.
“O God, You will revive us.” Psalm 84:6 Not as if we turn to You autonomously without Your grace and then You renew us, but that both our revival and conversion come solely from You, enabling us to regain life. Your people will rejoice in You. In their evil, they shall find joy in themselves; in their goodness, they shall rejoice in You. For when they sought joy within themselves, they discovered sorrow; yet now, since all our joy comes from God, who ever remains, let them rejoice in that which cannot be taken away. Why, dear brethren, do you desire to find joy in silver? Either your silver will fade away, or you will, and it is uncertain which will succumb first to loss; surely, both will come to an end. For neither man nor silver can forever endure, nor gold, nor garments, nor homes, nor wealth, nor vast territories, nor even this light itself. Hence, do not seek joy in these fleeting things; instead, rejoice in the eternal light that knows no dusk. Rejoice in the dawn that has no predecessor and no successor. What is this light? “I am the Light of the world,” He declares. John 8:12 He who proclaims, “I am the light of the world,” invites you to Himself. When He beckons you, He will transform you; upon transforming you, He will heal you; and in your healing, you will behold your Redeemer, concerning whom it is said, “Show us Your mercy, O Lord, and grant us Your salvation.” Psalm 84:7 That salvation being Christ Himself. Blessed is the individual whom God reveals His mercy to. He who is free from pride is the one to whom God extends His mercy. In revealing His salvation, He persuades the individual that all the good within them is solely from Him, who is the source of all goodness. When one acknowledges that every good they possess comes from God, they will perceive that the commendation attributed to them is by God’s grace and not through their merit, leading them to humility; devoid of pride, they will not be exalted; remaining humble, they will not fall; not falling, they shall stand; standing firm, they will remain steadfast; and in steadfastness, they will flourish and rejoice in the Lord their God. He will be their delight, and this joy no one can spoil or disturb or remove.
What then does John assert in his epistle? “Beloved, we are now the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we will be.” 1 John 3:2 Who would not rejoice if it were suddenly revealed to him while he wandered, uncertain of his lineage, impoverished and toiling, “You are the son of a senator: your father enjoys ample wealth in your family estate; return to your father”? How joyous would he become were this message preached by someone trustworthy? The Apostle of Christ came and proclaimed: “You have a father, you have a homeland, you have an inheritance.” Who is this father? “Beloved, we are the sons of God.” 1 John 3:2 Therefore, He promises to reveal Himself to us. Consider, brethren, how beautiful He is. The splendid aspects you admire and cherish are of His creation. If those are beautiful, how glorious is He Himself? If those are great, how magnificent must He be? Hence, let us aspire for Him above all things we hold dear, dismissing worldly desires, loving Him that our hearts may be purified in faith; when the vision of Him is granted, may our hearts be found pure. The light to be revealed to us must discover us prepared: this hinges on our faith. This is the essence of our discourse: “Grant us Your salvation; grant us Your Christ, that we may know Your Christ, perceive Your Christ—not as the Jews saw Him and crucified Him, but as the angels behold Him and rejoice.”
“I will hear.” Psalm 84:8 The prophet asserted that God spoke within him while the tumult surrounding him persisted. Therefore, withdrawing for a moment from the discord of the world and redirecting back to himself and subsequently to the one whose voice he discerned within; he shut out, as it were, the clamor of life and the burdens of bodily existence, as well as imaginings influenced by a terrestrial existence, and he proclaims, “I will hear what the Lord God speaks within me.” What does he hear? “For He will speak peace to His people.” Thus, the voice of Christ, the voice of God, conveys peace; it calls for harmony. “Ho!” It is declared: He who is not yet at peace, love peace, for what can you find in me superior to peace? What is peace? It is the absence of conflict. What constitutes the absence of conflict? It is the absence of contradiction, an absence of opposition, a state devoid of struggle. Reflect on whether we dwell there: ponder whether we are free from contention with the adversary now when all the saints and faithful are contending against the prince of the demons. How do they contend against one unseen? They wrestle against their own desires; through these desires, he instills sin; rejecting his prompts, they strive despite not being vanquished. Hence, where there is conflict, peace remains elusive.