THEOSISAugustine of Hippo
Dearly beloved, take heed of this psalm that I am about to explain through the grace of God, which embodies our hope in the Lord Jesus Christ. Take heart, for He who has made promises will surely bring them to fruition as He has done in the past. Our confidence in Him does not stem from our merits, but from His grace. The author of this psalm is thought to be Ethan the Israelite, who lends his name to this text. It is essential to grasp the significance of the name Ethan, for true strength in this world comes only through the hope of God's promises; in our own abilities, we are frail, but in His mercy, we find our strength. Hence, the psalmist begins with, "I will sing of thy mercies, O Lord, for ever; with my mouth, I will declare thy faithfulness to all generations,” (Psalms 88:1).
The psalmist desires that his very being serve the Lord; he speaks of the truth that originates from Him. As he declares God’s truth, he recognizes that disobedience disconnects one from service. Speaking from one's own authority leads to falsehood, whereas proclaiming God’s truth is relayed through our tongues. Observe how earnest he is in his faithfulness and the graces he extols.
For You have asserted, "Grace is established forever," (Psalm 87:2). This is the message I carry; it is Your truth I proclaim with my voice. Thus, You declare that Your intent is not for destruction but for restoration. Certain individuals are indeed destroyed without being rebuilt; yet others, once brought low, are restored. If it were not necessary for some to perish in their error to be brought back to life, Jeremiah would not have stated, “Behold, I have set you today over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant” (Jeremiah 1:10). All who once worshipped false images couldn't find a foundation in Christ without facing the consequences of their prior mistakes. If some had not perished so they could be renewed, it would not be written, "He will destroy them and not build them up."
The psalmist unites mercy and truth: “For Thou hast declared, 'Mercy is established forever; Thy faithfulness is confirmed in heaven.'" In heaven, mercy and truth harmonize; the ways of the Lord are indeed full of mercy and truth, for the fulfillment of promises relies upon mercy that precedes them by forgiving sins. Many prophetic promises were made to the people of Israel, descending from Abraham, as God’s goodness wasn't restricted solely to the Jews but reached out to the Gentiles, whom He entrusted to angels while choosing Israel as His own.
The apostle highlights the mercy and truth of the Lord, mentioning Christ as the minister to the circumcision for the truth of God in order to affirm the promises extended to the forefathers (Romans 15:8). Herein lies the evidence of God’s fidelity and lack of rejection towards His people. The apostle acknowledges the fall of the Jews to avert the notion that they have been abandoned by God; “For I too am an Israelite,” (Romans 11:1). Even if the collective whole of Israel were unworthy, there exists wheat among the thorns—a remnant who believe, establishing a connection to the cornerstone of faith. This cornerstone is not complete without embracing the Gentiles.
Thus, the apostle insists that Jesus Christ was sent as a servant for the Jews, affirming God's truth to fulfill promises while also inviting the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy (Romans 15:8-9). It is rightly stated that “Thy faithfulness shall be established in the heavens," where the Israelite apostles resemble the heavens, proclaiming the glory of God, reflecting the words, "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork." Their declaration reaches the ends of the earth, affirming the establishment of God's truth in the heavens through them.
“I have made a covenant with My chosen,” (Psalm 88:3). This covenant signifies a new agreement by which we are renewed for a fresh inheritance. The psalmist proclaims confidently, “I have sworn to David my servant.” His understanding reveals a commitment to truth; there is no fear in his declarations because he is assured by what God has spoken and sworn. For God's oath guarantees the fulfillment of His promises—human swearing is cautioned against (Matthew 5:34) to avoid the risk of perjury due to human frailty; God, being infallible, swears without uncertainty.
Let us consider God's sworn promise: “I have sworn to David my servant; I will establish your offspring forever,” (Psalm 87:4). The seed of David is, in essence, the seed of Abraham, and Paul elucidates that “to your seed, which is Christ,” (Galatians 3:16) emphasizing that Christ, the head of the Church and Savior, is indeed the seed of Abraham, and, therefore, of David. We, too, are counted among the seed of Abraham, for as the apostle states, “If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise,” (Galatians 3:29). Thus, the message is clear: “I will establish your lineage forever,” not solely through the flesh of Christ born of the Virgin but through all who profess belief in Him. We are united as part of His body, and this body is inseparable from the Head; should the Head remain in eternal glory, so too shall its members endure eternally.
“I will maintain your throne from generation to generation.” It is likely implied that “for eternity” bridges generations. With the psalmist’s earlier proclamation, “I will declare Your truth to all generations,” he signifies that every generation is addressed. The repetition indicates the perpetual nature of truth transcending ages. Perhaps we interpret this as two generations: the present lineage of flesh and blood and a future resurrection generation. Christ’s message is active here and will be fulfilled there; He is both believed in here and there welcomed to be seen. “I will establish your throne for all generations.” Christ reigns within us now, having established His rule; if He were not sovereign within, we would be lost. Simultaneously, waiting for His return, He reigns over His Saints eternally.
God has promised this, and with His oath assures it; if His promise is credible through His mercy, we should not shy away from declaring these truths. May this realization strengthen our spirits, embracing the name Ethan—a symbol of strength. Let us boldly preach God’s truth, proclaim His promises, and live out His glory, aspiring to become vessels reflecting Heaven.
“O Lord, even the heavens will celebrate Your marvelous deeds,” (Psalm 88:5). It is not the merits of the heavens that bring praise but Your wondrous works, O Lord. In every act of mercy towards the lost and the justification of the unrighteous, what we commend are the marvelous works of God. Praise Him for raising the dead; even more so, for redeeming the lost. Such grace and mercy! Observe the transformation: once a drunken wretch, now a paragon of sobriety; once engulfed in luxury, now adorned with temperance; once a blasphemer transformed into a worshiper of God. Lives are changed from despairing states; let none focus on their own merits, but let them aspire to exalt Heaven, praising the marvelous works of their Creator.
“Who among the clouds is comparable to You, O Lord?” (Psalm 88:6). Is the praise of the heavens not a comparison to Your might? Do preachers firmly believe that none among the clouds can match the Lord? This may seem literal in one sense, yet we must ask: can even the stars that shine above the clouds be compared to the Lord? How can the sun, the moon, or the angels contend with God? When he states, “Who is He among the clouds?” we delve deeper into understanding—these clouds symbolize the truth-tellers: prophets, apostles, heralds of God’s word.
If these clouds serve as emissaries of truth, we should examine their essence. The same entities—heavens and clouds—emanate from the brilliance of truth and the obscured nature of the flesh; all clouds reflect temporal darkness, ever-shifting. The apostle indicates, "Therefore, judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will shine light into the hidden things of darkness” (1 Corinthians 4:5). You witness the surface of a man’s words, but his heart remains unseen; you perceive what escapes the cloud, yet that which is concealed in the cloud is hidden.
Who, then, can penetrate this cloud? Thus, clouds, while embodying flesh, are vessels for the truth. The Creator took flesh to dwell among us; we are termed clouds due to our mortality and bearers of truth through the ‘rain’ of knowledge. Our flesh comes through one origin; His through another. We are called sons of God, yet He is the Son of God in a unique manner. His coming from the Virgin manifests His eternal status as consubstantial with the Father. Who among the clouds may rival the Lord? When asked who people regard Him as, He inquires, "Whom do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" This title reflects His earthly presence among us, where some answer, "You are John the Baptist; some say Elijah; others Jeremiah, or one of the prophets."
These references include many clouds and sons of God, as they were righteous and known as the sons of God through their obedience. You have heard what clouds depict Him as: now, for whom do you say that I am? Simon Peter responded, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” (Matthew 16:13-16)—not like those sons who are unworthy to be compared to Him; He appeared in flesh, but not as the clouds that are unequal to Him.
“God is to be greatly revered in the assembly of the righteous, and feared by all those around Him.” (Psalm 88:7). God’s omnipresence ensures that He is everywhere; if there is anything surrounding Him, He appears limited. His greatness knows no bounds; who can be around Him, being nature itself? If He limited Himself by coming into the flesh in one locality to reside among one people, to be crucified, risen, and later ascend, thereby gaining recognition from many nations, the result is that He grows in renown among all around Him.
“O Lord of hosts, who is like You? Your truth, Almighty God, encompasses all” (Psalm 88:8). Your power is tremendous; You have created the heavens, the earth, and everything therein. Yet greater than it all is Your mercy, which discloses Your truth to all. If You had confined Your reach solely to the place of Your birth, suffering, resurrection, and ascension, then the promise made to the ancients would have been realized. But the promise that the Gentiles would glorify You for Your mercy (Romans 15:9) could not be fulfilled unless Your truth was proclaimed beyond the locale of Your appearance.
In that place, You thundered from the clouds; from there, You sent out other messengers to shower upon the Gentiles. You have indeed fulfilled what You declared: “From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power and coming in the clouds of heaven” (Matthew 26:64).
For you, accustomed to receiving the favorable rain from the clouds of God, have heard that Your truth surrounds you. When unstinted by persecution, as He was born to be a sign, against whom would they speak (Luke 2:34)? That nation, chosen for His birth and residence, has become a beacon as it lies apart from the raging waves of the heathen, parched and awaiting rain, while other nations are like a tumultuous sea abounding in barrenness.
What will Your messengers proclaim in this turbulent sea? “You possess control over it,” (Psalm 88:9). What birthed such turbulence but the day we now commemorate? The trials of martyrs seeded the Church’s growth. Thus, let the clouds emerge with confidence, spreading Your truth fearlessly even amidst raging waters. You exercise power over the sea; it may roar and churn, but faithful is God, who ensures we are not overwhelmed beyond our endurance (1 Corinthians 10:13)—calming its tumultuous waves.