THEOSISAugustine of Hippo
Beloved, it is important to comprehend this psalm which I am about to explain, through the grace of God, centered on our hope in the Lord Jesus Christ. Take heart, for He who has made promises is faithful to fulfill them, as He has done in the past. Our confidence comes not from our own worth but from His grace. Here, "By Himself" refers to Ethan the Israelite, the one attributed with the authorship of this psalm. The strength of this name is profound; apart from God’s promises, no one truly possesses strength. In our own capabilities, we are frail, but strengthened through His mercy. Thus, the psalmist begins, "I will sing of Thy mercies, O Lord, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim Thy truth to all generations," Psalms 88:1.
He expresses a desire for his faculties to serve the Lord, acknowledging that when he speaks, it must be in alignment with God's will. If I disobey, I do not serve Thee; if I speak from myself alone, I stray into falsehood. Speaking as God commands versus speaking from oneself represents two distinct actions: one belongs to God, while the other, to man. Let us consider the faithfulness demonstrated and the graces celebrated.
For Thou hast declared, "Grace shall be established forever," Psalm 87:2. This declaration forms the foundation of my song, the truth that my mouth proclaims. You say, "I build not to destroy," for while some are indeed destroyed without rebuilding, others may be destroyed only to be given new life again. Had there not been those who were destroyed before their restoration, Jeremiah would not have proclaimed, "Behold, I have commissioned you today to uproot and to rebuild," Jeremiah 1:10. Many who previously worshiped idols could not find their establishment in Christ without perishing due to their old ways. Without such destruction preceding renewal, it would not be stated: "He will destroy them, but not rebuild them."
He connects mercy and faithfulness: "For Thou hast said, Mercy shall be established forever; Thy truth shall be confirmed in the heavens," highlighting that all of God’s paths are comprised of mercy and truth. It is only through mercy—the forgiveness of sins—that the promises can find their realization. God made numerous prophecies to the people of Israel, who descend from Abraham, a lineage through which the divine promises were to be accomplished. Yet, even the Gentiles were not deprived of God's goodness as He appointed angels to guide them, while Israel remained His chosen people. The apostle explicitly articulated the conjunction of mercy and truth in service to both groups, declaring Christ as the minister to the circumcision for God’s truth, fulfilling the promises given to the ancestors, Romans 15:8. Behold how God has not deceived or abandoned His people, whom He foreknew.
Even in discussing the fall of the Jews, to prevent anyone from believing they have entirely forsaken God, he emphasizes that God has not abandoned His people whom He foreknew; "For I too am an Israelite," Romans 11:1-2. If all of Israel were thorns, what should we infer of the wheat? This reflects the fulfillment of God’s truth through those Israelites who embraced faith, forging a link between the wall of the circumcision and the chief cornerstone. However, the cornerstone would remain incomplete without a wall from the Gentiles, thus connecting truth with the grace of God.
The apostle states, "Christ was a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promise made to the fathers, and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy," Romans 15:8-9. Consequently, it follows that "Thy truth is confirmed in the heavens." All the Israelites who were called to apostolic ministry mirrored the heavens, declaring God's glory, as evidenced by "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament reveals His handiwork." Though they left this earth before the Church embraced the world, their words reached the world's farthest corners. Thus we can rightfully posit that "Thou wilt establish Thy truth in the heavens where it is manifest."
You have stated, "I have made a covenant with My chosen," Psalm 88:3. What covenant but the new covenant, which renews us for our eternal inheritance, leading us to sing a new song? The psalmist affirms, "I have sworn to David, My servant." How confidently he speaks, understanding truth with lips that proclaim it! There’s no fear in his voice because of God's assurance. If such confidence is granted through His word, how much greater should it be when God has sworn! The oath of God assures the fulfillment of His promises. While humans are justly cautioned against swearing, lest they deceive themselves and fall into falsehood, God alone swears safely, being infallible.
Let us consider what God has sworn: "I have sworn to David my servant; I will establish thy seed forever," Psalm 87:4. The "seed of David" refers to the lineage of Abraham. The apostle further clarifies, "To thy seed, which is Christ," Galatians 3:16. Truly, Christ is the Head of the Church, the Savior of His body, thus the seed of Abraham and David. However, do we not, too, belong to Abraham's lineage? Surely, as the apostle reminds us, "If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise," Galatians 3:29.
In this light, let us understand the apostolic declaration: "I will establish your seed forever," not solely through the earthly body of Christ born of the Virgin but also through all who believe in Him. For we are part of this Body, and should the Head remain in glory forever, so too shall the members, ensuring Christ remains whole for all eternity. "I will establish thy seed forever and your throne from generation to generation." This indeed speaks to both continuity and the familial connection; for the psalmist previously noted, "With my mouth I will declare Thy truth for every generation."
What does "generation to generation" mean? It signifies every generation across time. Repetition here draws attention to the multitude of generations, perhaps implying two in particular: our present generation of flesh and blood, and the future generation in the resurrection. Christ is proclaimed here, believed now, and will be received there to behold. Christ’s throne is established within us, reigning in our hearts, and He shall continue to rule following the resurrection. God has decreed this, He has proclaimed it; if that is insufficient, know that He has sworn it. Thus, since this promise stands firm, reliant not on our merit but on His mercy, we should not hesitate to declare what cannot be doubted.
Let this conviction inspire our hearts, much like Ethan, whose name signifies strength; let us proclaim the truth of God, His promises, and His oaths, bolstered by these truths as we glorify God and carry Him within us, becoming vessels of His presence.
"Lord, even the heavens will proclaim Your marvelous works," Psalm 88:5. It is not from their merits that the heavens praise but from Thy wondrous deeds, O Lord. In each act of mercy towards the lost and justification of the unjust, what do we celebrate if not the might of God's works? Let us praise Him for raising the dead and redeeming the lost. What grace, what mercy! Observe a man who was once enslaved to excess, transformed today into a beacon of moderation; once a mere shell of luxury, now exemplifying sobriety; once a blasphemer, now a worshipper. The transformation of individuals from desperate conditions attests to God's power; they must not focus on their own achievements but instead recognize their new identity in praise of the God who renewed them.
For who among the clouds could rival You, O Lord! Psalm 88:6. Would the heavens undertake their own praise or would it be their rainfall? Should preachers presume that none among the clouds could compare with the Almighty? It is absurd to think that stars above the clouds can overmatch the Lord, nor do the sun, moon, or angels hold comparison. Thus, why claim, "Who is He among the clouds?" We must grasp that these clouds are akin to the heavens, truth-bearers, prophets, apostles calling forth the Word of God.
As such, if the clouds proclaim truth, we must investigate their nature. The same beings represent both heaven and clouds: heaven shining with truth while clouds signify the murkiness of flesh, with all clouds dimmed by mortality. The apostle notes, "Therefore, judge nothing before the time until the Lord comes, who shall reveal hidden things of darkness," 1 Corinthians 4:5. You observe the outward words, yet the heart remains concealed.
Who can penetrate the shroud of a cloud? Clouds embody fleshly preachers of truth. The Creator came forth in the flesh; we are called clouds due to our humanity and preachers of truth because of our shared outpouring. Yet, our flesh comes through one pathway while His comes through another. We too are designated as sons of God, but He is the Son of God in an entirely unique sense. His human form emerged from the Virgin; He is eternally the Son, consubstantial with the Father.
Who among the clouds compares to the Lord? Who among the sons of God can stand equal beside Him? Let the Lord indicate whether He finds any comparison. The Son of Man is known for His visibility among you, eliciting the question of whom men identify Him as. When men articulate, "Some say You are John the Baptist; others declare Elijah or Jeremiah or one of the prophets," they imply a multitude of clouds and sons of God, as even the righteous are called sons of God. This designation arises from their roles as truth preachers, the clouds illustrating this notion.
He has asked what image men have of Him; conversely, what do you say of Me? In response, Peter spoke for all: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God," Matthew 16:13-16. He stands above these other sons of God, not equaling them; He became flesh not in their likeness.
We revere God in counsel among the righteous and fear Him who surrounds. Psalm 88:7. God is omnipresent; therefore, He dwells everywhere. Were He limited in any aspect, it would imply His finitude. His greatness knows no confines; even where He was incarnated—born, crucified, and resurrected—His dominion permeated beyond one place, striking fear into all who encountered His presence. Because He preached so effectively, He commissioned bearers of His name throughout the lands, performing miracles among His followers, thereby becoming revered everywhere.
"O Lord God of hosts, who is comparable to You? Thy truth, Almighty God, is all-encompassing," Psalm 88:8. Great is Thy power; You have created the heavens and the earth, including everything in them. Yet, even more immense is Thy mercy, which has disseminated Thy truth everywhere. If Your gospel were preached exclusively where You chose to be born and to suffer, rise, and ascend, God’s assurance to fulfill promises made would seem incomplete. Thus, regard the gentiles glorifying God for His mercy, Romans 15:9—this promise necessitated the expansion of truth brought to the world.
From that place, You emanated thunder from Your cloud and dispatched further clouds to nourish the Gentiles. Truly, through Thy might, You accomplished what is foretold: "From now on you shall see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of power and coming on the clouds of Heaven," Matthew 26:64.
For you are accustomed to the sprinkling of clouds—Your truth encircles you. When without means or opposition, as it is noted that He serves as a sign against who they might proclaim, Luke 2:34; thus, the nation, favored by His birth and residence, appeared akin to land separated from the turbulent waves of the ungodly, primed for rain, while others remained akin to a seething sea in barrenness. What should Your preachers enact amidst such turbulence? You possess dominion over the sea, Psalm 88:9. What resulted from that troubled sea is the holy day we presently observe. It consumed martyrs, scattered seeds of blood, and bore the church’s fruitful harvest.