THEOSISAugustine of Hippo
Beloved, I invite you to understand this psalm, which I will explain through the grace of God, reflecting our expectation in the Lord Jesus Christ. Take heart, for He who has promised is faithful to fulfill His word as He has done many times before. It is not through our own merit but by His grace that we find certainty in Him. The psalmist, identified as Ethan the Israelite, carries deep significance; true strength in this world stems from hope in God's promises. Our own merits reveal our weaknesses, but through His mercy, we are empowered. Thus, the psalmist begins, "I will sing of Your mercies, O Lord, forever; with my mouth I will declare Your truth to all generations" (Psalms 88:1).
He expresses a desire for his very being to serve the Lord, asserting that speaking the truth must come from God's inspiration. To speak from oneself is deceit, whereas to proclaim God’s truth is divine. Let us explore the faithfulness he displays and the graces he articulates. For God has declared, "Grace will be established forever" (Psalm 87:2). This is the essence of my song; it is Your truth that my lips aim to proclaim. You declare, "I do not build to demolish," as some You destroy without rebuilding, while others You restore. Indeed, if there were no instances of destruction leading to restoration, Jeremiah would not have proclaimed, “Behold, I have set you today over nations and kingdoms, to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant” (Jeremiah 1:10).
All those who previously worshipped idols cannot stand firm in Christ without facing the consequence of their former mistakes. If some were not destroyed to avoid being built up, it would not have been stated that “He will destroy them, and not build them up.” The connection between mercy and faithfulness stands strong, as You have affirmed, "Mercy shall be established forever; Your truth will be firm in the heavens," where both grace and truth overlap, as all of God's ways are rooted in mercy and truth. The truth in fulfilling promises cannot be realized without prior mercy, exemplified in the forgiveness of sins. Countless prophecies addressed the Israelites, who descended from Abraham, ensuring that God's promises would be fulfilled among them; yet, God has not closed the channel of His goodness to the Gentiles, placing them under angelic authority while choosing Israel as His own. The Apostle emphasizes both mercy and truth of the Lord as they pertain to these two groups. He refers to Christ as the minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, confirming the promises made to the fathers (Romans 15:8).
Contemplate how God has never deceived nor rejected His foreknown people. The Apostle speaks of the Jews' fall to prevent anyone from thinking they had entirely abandoned God. He asserts that God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew, for “I also am an Israelite” (Romans 11:1-2). If all the Israelites are thorns, what of the wheat? The truth of God operates through believing Israelites, forming a wall of circumcision connected with the cornerstone. This cornerstone requires another wall from the Gentiles; the first pertains to truth, while the second highlights God’s grace. The Apostle declares that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision on behalf of God's truth to ratify the promises made to the fathers, so that the Gentiles may glorify God for His mercy (Romans 15:8-9). It is fitting to add that "Your truth will be established in the heavens" since all the apostles of Israel are like the heavens, proclaiming God's glory, as stated, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork.” Though they departed before the Church spread globally, the reach of their words extends across the earth, leading us to affirm, “You will establish Your truth in the heavens.”
"You have said: ‘I have made a covenant with My chosen’” (Psalm 88:3). What covenant but the new one, by which we are renewed for a new inheritance, filled with longing and love, inspiring our new song? The psalmist declares, “I have made a covenant with My elect; I have sworn to David My servant.” How confidently he speaks, understanding and serving truth with his words! He asserts, “If You give me courage because You have spoken, even more so when You have sworn!” For God's oath ensures the promise's fulfillment. Humans are rightly cautioned against swearing (Matthew 5:34) to avoid deception and perjury, but God swears securely as He is infallible.
Let us consider God's oath, as He declared, “I have sworn to David My servant; I will establish your seed forever” (Psalm 87:4). What is the seed of David but the lineage that also connects to Abraham? And what about Abraham's seed? “To your seed, who is Christ” (Galatians 3:16). Truly, Christ, the Head of the Church and Savior of the body (Ephesians 5:23), is the seed of Abraham and David, and indeed, we are the seed of Abraham. As the Apostle states, “If you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:29). Therefore, let us grasp the meaning of His words: “I will establish your seed forever,” not only through the flesh of Christ born of the Virgin Mary but also through all who believe in Him. We are parts of this Head; if the Head endures in glory, so shall the body. To establish your seed forever denotes the continuation through generations, as He stated, “With my mouth I will always proclaim Your truth to every generation.”
What is generation and generation? It signifies every generation; this phrase emphasizes the continuity of generations, highlighting their multiplication. Perhaps we should understand it concerning two specific generations: our present generation of flesh and blood, and the forthcoming generation in the resurrection. Here, Christ is proclaimed, as He will be welcomed there to be seen. “I will establish Your throne from generation to generation.” Christ reigns within us now, establishing His rulership; if He did not occupy a throne within us, we would be ungoverned. He also reigns in the expected generation of the resurrected. Christ will rule His saints for eternity, as promised by God; He said so, and, if that were not sufficient, He sealed it with an oath. Thus, since the promise is credible, not due to our merit but based on His mercy, none need fear proclaiming that which cannot be doubted. Let this truth inspire our hearts, drawing strength as Ethan did, and let us share the truth of God—the utterance of His promises and oaths—glorifying Him and engaging the world around us with His divine message.
“O Lord, even the heavens will praise Your marvelous works” (Psalm 88:5). The heavens do not praise based on their own merits but celebrate Your marvelous deeds, O Lord. For in every act of mercy to the lost and justification of the unjust, we singularly glorify God’s wondrous works. Magnify Him for raising the dead, and even more for redeeming the lost. Examine the grace and mercy of God, where one felt trapped in vices one day and transformed into an example of virtue the next; where a soul once immersed in luxury finds contentment in moderation; where a blasphemer now extols the Creator. Such conversions from despair showcase the power of God’s mercy. Let them forsake reliance on their merits and instead become vessels of praise for the marvelous works of the One who transforms.
“For who among the clouds can compare to You, O Lord?” (Psalm 88:6). Will Heaven praise, or will they bring rain? Are preachers so assured that none in the clouds can equal the Lord? If taken literally, this doesn't quite fit; can the stars above compare to the Lord? Can the sun, moon, or angels stand beside Him? Thus, when he states, “For who is He among the clouds?” we understand these clouds to symbolize truth preachers: the prophets and apostles disseminating God's word. If the clouds are truth-bearers, we must explore why they are termed clouds. The same individuals embody both heaven and clouds; heaven radiates truth, while clouds embody the obscurity of the flesh, which veils mortality.
From these fleshly obscurities come the words of the Apostle: “Therefore judge nothing before the time until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness” (1 Corinthians 4:5). What one articulates can be seen, but what remains in a heart is not visible; you witness only what emerges from the cloud. Who can discern the depths of a cloud? Thus clouds serve as earthly proclaimers of truth within flesh. The Creator of all came in the flesh. We are designated clouds due to humanity, rain bearers of truth flowing from the divine. Yet, Christ’s incarnation unfolded differently; His came from a Virgin, He is the eternal Son, consubstantial with the Father.
“Who among the clouds is like the Lord? And which of the sons of God is comparable to Him?” Let the Lord Himself declare if He can find anyone like Him. “Who do people say I am, the Son of Man?” They see me wandering among them and, perhaps, I have become commonplace. They provide Him with answers, unsure: “Some say You are John the Baptist; some say Elijah; others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” Many clouds and sons of God are mentioned here; for those prophets, characterized by righteousness and holiness, are rightfully called sons of God, my brothers. Clearly, it was by their role as God's heralds they are termed clouds. When asked, “What clouds do men think I am?” He counters, “But what about you? Who do you say I am?” Peter, speaking on behalf of all, boldly answers, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:13-16). Not like those sons of God who do not equal You; You have come in the flesh, yet not as clouds, for they do not compare.
“God is greatly to be reverenced in the assembly of the righteous, and feared by all who are around Him” (Psalm 88:7). The omnipresent God cannot be constrained; if He were, He would seem limited in every direction. If truly encapsulated within a space, His magnificence would diminish; yet, when it is stated that His greatness knows no bounds, He is present as He chose to enter the flesh in one location, to dwell among a singular people, to face crucifixion here, to rise, and to ascend to heaven. Where He enacted these deeds, He also encountered Gentiles. Had He stayed confined to that place, He would not have shone in greatness; yet, by preaching there and sending His ambassadors throughout every nation, performing miracles amongst His servants, He has gained renown, instilling awe in those around.
“O Lord God of hosts, who is like unto You? Your truth, Almighty God, encompasses all” (Psalm 88:8). Great is Your power, for You have made the heavens and the earth, along with everything in them. However, greater still is Your mercy, which has unveiled Your truth to all. For had You only been proclaimed where You chose to be born, suffer, rise, and ascend, the truth of this promise would have been fulfilled; yet the need for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy (Romans 15:9) would go unmet unless this truth spreads beyond the locality of Your incarnation. From that place, You thundered from Your cloud, sending other clouds to nourish those far and wide. Indeed, through Your might, You have accomplished what You asserted: “From now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of power, coming on the clouds of heaven” (Matthew 26:64).