THEOSISAugustine of Hippo
Beloved, let us grasp the message of this psalm that I will now explain, with the Lord's grace guiding us in our anticipation of Jesus Christ. Take heart, for He who has made promises is faithful to fulfill them all. Our confidence does not arise from our own merits but springs from His grace. In my view, the reference to ‘Ethan the Israelite’ throughout this psalm holds substantial meaning; truly, no one in this life possesses strength except through the hope engendered by the promises of God. In our own abilities, we are frail, but strengthened by His mercy, we find our foundation. Thus, the psalmist begins, "I will sing of Your mercies, O Lord, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim Your truth to all generations" (Psalms 88:1).
He expresses a desire for his body to serve the Lord: the words I speak are not my own, but Yours. I proclaim Your truth—should I fail to follow Your commands, I cease to be Your servant. Speaking either from myself or from You signifies two distinct truths: what belongs to me and what rightfully belongs to You. Let us observe the faithfulness and grace he expresses here. For You have declared, “Grace shall be established forever” (Psalms 87:2). This is the song I sing; this is the truth my mouth proclaims. Thus, You affirm—"I build not to demolish," as some are destroyed yet not rebuilt, while others are destroyed and rebuilt; for if none were demolished, then Jeremiah could not have said, “Behold, I have appointed you this day to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant" (Jeremiah 1:10).
Indeed, those who once worshiped idols could not find their footing in Christ without perishing through their former errors. Had some not faced destruction in order to be rebuilt elsewhere, the scripture would not proclaim, "He will destroy them, and not build them up." The themes of mercy and faithfulness connect powerfully here, for You have proclaimed, "Mercy shall be established forever; Your truth shall be established in the heavens." Where mercy and truth coexist, indeed, the paths of the Lord are marked by both mercy and truth; the truth that fulfills promises could not arise but from the foundation of mercy, which remits sin.
Further, many prophetic promises were given to the people of Israel, who descended from Abraham, and as they multiplied, God’s promises were fulfilled among them. Yet His goodness persisted towards the Gentiles, who were subjected to the authority of angels, preserving Israel as His chosen people. The apostle deliberately invokes the mercy and truth of the Lord addressed to both groups, and he refers to Christ as the minister of the circumcision, confirming the promises made to the fathers (Romans 15:8). This demonstrates how God has remained true to His word and has not cast away His people, whom He foreknew. While discussing the plight of the Jews, the apostle emphasizes that God has not repudiated His people, as he himself is an Israelite (Romans 11:1-2). So, if most of Israel struggles, how much more should we trust that God’s truth could still blossom in those Israelites who do believe, thereby allowing the wall of circumcision to connect to the cornerstone?
This cornerstone, in fact, must also incorporate a wall from the Gentiles, acknowledging that one relates to truth and the other to grace. As the apostle asserts, Jesus Christ serves as the minister of circumcision concerning God's truth, amidst the effort to confirm the promises made to the fathers so that the Gentiles might honor God for His mercy (Romans 15:8-9). It is well stated that "Your truth shall be affirmed in the heavens” because all the apostles came to personify the heavens, declaring the glory of God, as it is written: “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork.”
Though some were taken from the earth prior to the Church's expansion globally, their words have nevertheless reached the furthest ends of the earth as we rightly infer that “You will confirm Your truth in the heavens.” You have declared, “I have made a covenant with My chosen” (Psalms 88:3). What other covenant could this be but the new covenant, reviving us for a new inheritance and filling us with a new song? The psalmist declares, “I have made a covenant with My chosen; I have sworn to David My servant.” He speaks boldly, for he understands; his lips speak truth!
The psalmist continues, “If You make me bold for Your declaration, how much more shall I be fearless when You have sworn!” For God's oath is the assurance of promise fulfillment. While man is justly discouraged from swearing (Matthew 5:34), lest he fall into deceit and perjury, it is God alone, as the infallible one, who can swear securely. Let us witness what God has sworn: “I have sworn to David My servant; I will establish your seed forever” (Psalms 87:4). But who might this seed be, except the same seed of Abraham? Indeed, the apostle clarifies, “And to your seed, which is Christ” (Galatians 3:16).
Thus, it is recognized that Christ—the Head of the Church—is also the seed of Abraham, and consequently, of David. As followers of Christ, we too are part of that lineage. The apostle wrote, “If you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:29). Therefore, let us comprehend the psalmist’s words, “I will establish your seed forever, not just through the flesh of Christ born of the Virgin Mary, but also through all of us who believe in Him.” As His body, we cannot be separated from Him; if the Head is eternally glorified, the body shares in that glory.
“I will establish your seed forever, and I will establish your throne for generation after generation.” He emphasizes “forever,” indicating the continuity of this promise. Indeed, he stated earlier, “With my mouth I will always declare Your truth to generation after generation.” What constitutes “generation after generation”? It speaks of each generation; repetition reflects the transition of various generations. There may be two generations at play, the present generation of flesh and blood, and the future one in the resurrection of the dead. Christ is proclaimed in both and we believe in Him now, while we shall ultimately see Him in glory.
“I will establish your throne from generation to generation.” In us, Christ occupies His throne; He reigns within us. If He did not dwell within us, He could not govern us, and apart from His rulership, we would be lost. He reigns within us and will reign in the generation to come, overseeing His saints for eternity. God has pledged this; He has declared it, and if that is insufficient, He has sworn it. Thus, since the promise rests not on our merits but upon His mercy, no one should hesitate to declare what is undeniably true. May this assurance empower our hearts, akin to Ethan’s name which signifies strong-heartedness, leading us to proclaim God’s truth, express His commitments, and celebrate His oath.
“Lord, even the heavens will proclaim your marvelous deeds” (Psalms 88:5). The heavens do not extol their own merits but Your wondrous works, O Lord. Through every act of mercy toward the lost and the justification of the unworthy, we celebrate the marvellous works of God. Praise Him for resurrecting the dead, and even more for redeeming those who were lost. Such grace and mercy from God! You observe a man who was once engulfed in drunkenness, and today stands as a model of sobriety; from a life of excess to one of temperance; from a blasphemer to a worshipper—those are the transformative works of grace. Let us not look to our merits but embrace our identity in Christ, become vessels of praise, and honor the Creator of our transformation.
“For who is like You, O Lord, among the clouds?” (Psalms 88:6). Will it be the praise from heaven or their rains? Are we certain that none among the clouds can compare to the Lord? This isn’t mere exaltation—can the stars which outshine the clouds be compared to the Lord? What of the sun, moon, angels, and heavens? Why then the query, “Who is He among the clouds?” We recognize that clouds and heavens serve as truth-bearers, as prophets and apostles declaring the Word of God. If the clouds serve as truth-bearers, we must first examine their nature. They embody both heavens—radiant with truth—and clouds, shrouded in the obscurities of flesh, which ultimately remain ephemeral.
It is from these bodily veils that the Apostle states, “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who shall bring to light the hidden things of darkness” (1 Corinthians 4:5). While you see what emerges from the clouds, the deeper truths of the heart remain concealed. Who can penetrate the clouded veil? Thus, these clouds proffer truth in the flesh. The Creator embodied in flesh, appraised ourselves as clouds, conveying truth through our lives. Though we are identified as sons of God, He is the Son of God in a distinct manner; His flesh derived from the Virgin, a Son of eternal nature, consubstantial with the Father.
“Who among the clouds is like the Lord?” Who among God’s sons compares to Him? Let us hear from the Lord Himself if He can find any equal to Him. “What do people say of Me, the Son of Man?” His presence among us, familiar to all, raises the question—who do men say I am? Despite the common regard, responses reveal a spectrum of opinions, many clouds and sons of God named, like Jeremiah, Elijah, and John—men righteous and holy, labeled sons of God and truth-bearers. He extends the inquiry, revealing “Whom do you say that I am?” Peter speaks on behalf of all, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:13-16). Yet, He differs from those who are labeled sons of God, not equal to Him; Christ came in flesh while they exist as mere clouds, lesser in comparison.
“O God, in the council of the righteous, who is like You? You are greatly feared” (Psalms 88:7). God envelops all; where is He who reigns everywhere, and yet appears finite? His boundless greatness and ultimate dominion create a realm, selecting to be born in the flesh, dwelling among a specific people, bearing the cross in one location, rising from another, and later ascending. During these acts, He gathered Gentiles around Him. Had He been confined, His greatness would fade. Instead, through His preaching, He sent forth heralds of His name throughout all nations, performing miracles, manifesting His greatness.
“O Lord of hosts, who can compare to You? Your truth, Almighty God, surrounds us on every side” (Psalms 88:8). Your might is evident in creating heaven and earth, yet Your mercy shines brighter, revealing truth to all around. Had Your message remained localized, it would not fulfill the promises made to the fathers, nor would the Gentiles have the opportunity to glorify God for His mercy (Romans 15:9). From this locale, You thundered, and sending other clouds, You brought rain upon the Gentiles. Truly, through Your power, You have steadfastly fulfilled Your declarations, “From now on, you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the power and coming on the clouds of heaven” (Matthew 26:64).
For you have witnessed the blessings of the clouds upon your life, where Your truth circulates. Yet when persecution arises, for it is foretold that He was born to be a sign “against which they will speak” (Luke 2:34); your chosen people, whom You gifted with Your presence, seemed isolated amid the waves of the world. What then should Your preachers do when faced with the tumult of the raging seas? You possess authority over the waves (Psalms 88:9). Indeed, the tumultuous sea birthed the day we honor; it claimed the martyrs, scattering seeds of sacrifice, yielding the Church’s harvest. Let those clouds emerge unscathed; sharing Your truth outwardly, they need not fear the churning waves. For You govern the chaos of the sea, and though it may stir and roar, You remain faithful, ensuring we won't face trials beyond our capacity (1 Corinthians 10:13), calming its rising tides.