THEOSISAugustine of Hippo
Beloved, it is essential to comprehend the psalm I am about to explain through God's grace, rooted in our hope in the Lord Jesus Christ. Take heart, for He who makes promises will fulfill all that He has declared. Our confidence lies not in our merits but in His grace. The psalm is attributed to Ethan, the Israelite, which lends it significance. Understand that true strength in this world arises solely from the hope found in God's promises; in our own righteousness, we are frail, but through His mercy, we are empowered. The psalmist begins by proclaiming, "I will sing of Thy mercies, O Lord, forever; with my mouth, I will declare Thy truth to all generations" (Psalms 88:1).
He expresses that his being serves the Lord; he speaks of what is Thine alone. With his lips, he will reveal God’s truth, affirming that if he fails to heed God, he is not a servant. To speak from God is different from speaking from oneself: the former is true; the latter is false. Thus, we must listen closely to the faithfulness he demonstrates and the grace he extols.
For You have declared, "Grace shall be established forever" (Psalm 87:2). This is the essence of my song: it is Your truth that my mouth proclaims. You say, "I do not tear down but build up," as there are some whom You destroy without rebuilding, yet others whom You destroy are reformed. Indeed, if there were not those who are destroyed to be restored, Jeremiah would not have declared, "Behold, I have put you in charge today to uproot and to plant" (Jeremiah 1:10). All those who worshiped idols were lost and could not find their foundation in Christ without perishing because of their past.
Moreover, if there had not been a breaking down to make way for rebuilding, it would not have been written that "He will destroy them and not build them up." The connection between mercy and truth is made clear in the affirmation that "Mercy shall be established forever, and Thy truth in heaven" echoes throughout Scripture. The Lord's ways embody mercy and truth; truth fulfills God's promises only following mercy, which grants forgiveness for sins.
Many prophecies were made for Israel, the descendants of Abraham, to ensure the fulfillment of God's promises through them. Still, God did not withhold His graciousness from the Gentiles under the authority of angels, keeping Israel as His special people. The apostle highlights the Lord's mercy and truth, referencing the ministry of Christ to confirm the promises made to the forefathers (Romans 15:8).
Look, then, at God's fidelity; He has not forsaken His people, reflecting on the Jewish peoples's situation and underscoring His foreknowledge. Even when discussing the Jewish descent, the apostle reassures us that God has not rejected those He foreknew, for he also claims his identity as an Israelite (Romans 11:1-2).
If this community represents thorns, how do we assess the wheat? The truth of God is evident in the believing Israelites, serving as one wall of covenant, while another wall formed by Gentiles connects to the cornerstone, emphasizing the importance of truth and grace. As stated by the apostle, "Jesus Christ was the minister to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers, so that the Gentiles may glorify God for His mercy" (Romans 15:8-9).
Consequently, it is rightly said, "Thy truth Thou shalt confirm in the heavens," for all Israelites who became apostles also glorify God, echoing "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse shows His handiwork." Although they departed before the Church filled the world, their testimony reached the corners of the earth, affirming that God establishes His truth in the heavens.
"You have said, 'I have made a covenant with My chosen'" (Psalm 88:3). What covenant if not the new covenant, renewing us for a fresh inheritance, igniting in us a desire and love, prompting us to sing a new song? The psalmist boldly asserts, "I have made a covenant with my elect; I have sworn to David my servant." How confidently he speaks, for he understands the truth! He mentions an oath. If God has spoken thus, resulting in courage, how much more courage stems from His sworn word! God's oath is the dependable assurance of His promises.
Men are wisely advised against swearing (Matthew 5:34) due to the unreliable human nature, which could lead to false oaths. Only God can swear in certainty, being infallible. Let us reflect on what God has sworn: "I have sworn to David my servant that I will establish your seed forever" (Psalm 87:4).
What is David's seed if not the seed of Abraham? "And to your seed," Scripture says, "which is Christ" (Galatians 3:16). Here we recognize that Christ, the Head of the Church, is both the seed of Abraham and David, and indeed, we, too, are part of this lineage, as affirmed by the apostle: "If you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise" (Galatians 3:29).
Thus, in this sense, we must understand the words, "I will establish your seed forever," not only regarding the flesh of Christ born of the Virgin Mary but also in all believers of Christ, who constitute the body of the Church. This body is inseparable from the Head; if the Head endures eternally in glory, so will the members. Christ assures us of His enduring presence and governance, promising to establish David's seed and throne for generations.
The term "forever" signifies the perpetual lineage, as previously referenced: "With my mouth, I will always declare Thy truth to every generation." To what generations does this refer? Not merely an echo but the full emergence and evolution of several generations; the repetition underlines the progression of generations, particularly pointing toward two significant times: the present generation of flesh and blood, and the future resurrection.
Christ unfolds in both realms: He is believed in here and will be perceived in fullness there. "I will establish your throne from generation to generation." Christ reigns within us, His throne firmly rooted in us; if His throne were absent, His dominion would not exist. Therefore, He reigns in us while also being present in the future resurrection, where He will rule over His saints eternally. God's promise secures this truth; He has declared it and even sworn it.
In light of this dependable promise—rooted not in our merits but in His grace—no one should hesitate to proclaim a truth beyond doubt. May our hearts reflect the invigorating essence of faith, embodying strength as Ethan illustrates; let us proclaim God's truth, the essence of His promises and His oath, and through these means uplift God, manifesting His presence in our lives.
“Lord, even the heavens will praise Thy marvelous works” (Psalm 88:5). The heavens do not glorify themselves but declare Your wondrous deeds. Each act of divine mercy — justified and restoring — highlights the marvelous works of God. We honor Him for raising the dead, but let us glorify Him even more for redeeming the lost. Look upon someone transformed from a life of excess to one of sobriety, or from blasphemy to praise. Such conversions arise not from merit but in becoming true reflections of Heaven, praising the wondrous works of their Maker.
“Who is like You amidst the clouds, O Lord?” (Psalm 88:6). Will it signify the praise of the heavens, or perhaps the rain they bring? Is it not a remarkable elevation that none among the clouds can match the Lord? Consider whether either the stars or the sun, the moon, or angels could ever rival Him. Thus, we understand that these clouds symbolize preachers of truth—prophets and apostles conveying God's Word.
If we regard these clouds as preachers, let us inquire as to why they are likened unto clouds. Heaven represents the brilliance of truth, while clouds symbolize the flesh's obscurities. Because of mortality, all clouds appear dark and transient. The apostle reminds us, “Judge nothing before the time until the Lord comes, who will illuminate the hidden things of darkness” (1 Corinthians 4:5).
Humans see only the surface of what one says; we cannot discern the heart’s truths. Just as clouds obscure their inner contents, the flesh limits the visibility of the divine truth. The Creator took on flesh as well. We are referred to as clouds based on our corporeal nature, while the rains from these clouds nourish the truth. His incarnation stems from a different origin: His earthly presence from the Virgin, but He is eternally consubstantial with the Father.
Who among the clouds can be compared to the Lord? Who among God’s children can claim equality with Him? The Lord Himself can reveal if He finds someone like Himself. When they inquired, “Who do men say I, the Son of Man, am?” (Matthew 16:13-16), they described Him according to human understanding—some as John the Baptist, others as one of the prophets. Various figures among humble or righteous beings are mentioned, yet even these, known as sons of God, do not equate to Him. He stands unique in His incarnation, separate from any common clouds.
“O God, greatly to be revered in the council of the righteous, and feared by all who surround You” (Psalm 88:7). God is omnipresent; thus, surrounding Him does not imply constraint. His greatness has no equal. Ultimately, He chose to be born in flesh in a single location, to dwell amongst a particular people, be crucified in a designated place, rise again, and ascend into Heaven.
Wherever these events unfolded, He had those who would later become disciples. His preaching extended beyond the boundaries of His life there, inspiring transformations and miracles that fortified His renown. Thus God has become great, instilling awe in all nations.
“O Lord God of hosts, who is like You? Your truth surrounds all” (Psalm 88:8). Your power is evident; You created heaven and earth along with their contents. Yet, even more profound, is Your mercy, which has revealed truth to all. Had He only been proclaimed where He was born, where He suffered, rose, and ascended, the truth of His promise to the forefathers would have been fulfilled, but God’s plan included the Gentiles’ praise of God for His mercy (Romans 15:9).
In that very place, He spoke from the clouds and, to quench the spiritual thirst of neighboring nations, sent forth other clouds. Truly, with His might, He has realized His word: "From now on, you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power and coming on the clouds of Heaven" (Matthew 26:64).
You have acknowledged, as those accustomed to the spiritual showers of God, that Your truth encompasses You. But without opposition and persecution, how is it fair to designate this birth as a sign against those who oppose Him? Since that particular nation, which You favored by Your incarnation, has remained like a dry land amidst the tumult of heathen tides, what do Your messengers achieve in spreading Your truth while the waves swirl around?
“You possess authority over the sea” (Psalm 88:9). The raging sea yielded the very day we now honor; it served as a catalyst for the martyrs, sowing seeds of blood that would yield the Church’s harvest. Let the clouds emerge unscathed, disseminating Your truth, unafraid of the tumultuous waves. You hold dominion over the seas; they may rage and roar, but faithful is God, who ensures that His people are not tempted beyond their limits (1 Corinthians 10:13).
In culmination, what have You done to tame the sea's tempestuous nature? "You have humbled the proud as one who is wounded" (Psalm 88:10). A proud serpent plagues the seas; of whom Scripture states, "I will command the serpent, and it shall bite him" (Amos 9:3). Behold, that Leviathan whom You mock, thriving above the waters.
You have displayed humility before the proud, who pierce their own pride. The Almighty humbled Himself, enabling the humble to believe in Him. When the lowly observe the divine humility displayed, they learn to renounce their pride. The enemy lost grip over those he once held, not through punishment, but through being cast down. You humbled the proud as if they were wounded.