THEOSISAugustine of Hippo
Beloved, let us delve into the psalm I am about to explain, by God's grace, which expresses our hope in the Lord Jesus Christ. Take courage, for He who has made promises will bring them to pass, as He has done many times before. Our assurance does not rest on our own deeds but on His grace. It is my understanding that the title of this psalm is attributed to Ethan the Israelite. Consider how much strength the name Ethan conveys: no one is truly strong in this world except through the hope of God's promises, for when we rely on our own efforts, we find ourselves weak; but in His mercy, we find our strength. Thus begins the psalmist: "I will sing of your mercies, O Lord, forever; with my mouth I will declare your truth to all generations" (Psalms 88:1).
He states, "Let my members serve the Lord: I speak of Thine," emphasizing that to truly declare Your truth means being obedient to You; speaking from my own perspective makes me a liar. However, there is a distinction: to speak from You is one thing, while to speak from myself is another—Your truth must flow through my tongue. Let us observe the faithfulness and grace he sings of.
For You have declared, "Grace shall be established forever" (Psalm 87:2). This is the melody I sing: Your truth is what my lips proclaim. Your words declare that You build to create anew, for there are some You destroy and do not rebuild, while others whom You destroy are restored. If there weren’t those meant to be destroyed in order to be rebuilt, Jeremiah would not have said, “Behold, I have appointed you this day to uproot and to tear down, to destroy and to build” (Jeremiah 1:10). Indeed, those who once worshipped idols could not find a foundation in Christ without perishing in their past errors. If not for some who needed destruction to achieve restoration, Scripture would not say, "He will destroy them and not rebuild them."
Here, he links mercy and faithfulness: "For You have said, mercy shall be established forever; Your truth shall be firmly set in Heaven," where mercy and truth are intertwined, as all of the Lord’s ways are characterized by mercy and truth. The fulfillment of promises rooted in truth could not be revealed without first being preceded by mercy in the forgiveness of sins.
Many promises were made through prophecy even to the people of Israel, who traced their lineage to Abraham, and this lineage was enlarged to ensure the fulfillment of God’s promises; yet God did not close the fountain of His goodness to the Gentiles, whom He placed under the care of angels, maintaining Israel as His own. The apostle highlights the mercy and truth of God, addressing both parties. He calls Christ the minister of the circumcision to affirm the promises made to the patriarchs (Romans 15:8). Observe how God remains steadfast and has not rejected His foreknown people. While discussing the fall of the Jews, lest anyone think they denied God, He emphasizes that God has not forsaken His people, whom He foreknew, reiterating, "For I am also an Israelite" (Romans 11:1-2).
If the entire people were thorns, what can be said about the wheat? The truth of God is fulfilled in those Israelites who believe; thus, one wall of circumcision connects to the cornerstone. However, this cornerstone would not stand without another wall from the Gentiles, where the first wall pertains to truth, and the second to God’s grace. The Apostle conveys that Jesus Christ was made a minister of circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises given to the ancestors, and that the Gentiles might praise God for His mercy (Romans 15:8-9).
It is also rightly declared, "Your truth, O Lord, shall be established in the heavens," for all Israelite apostles became as the heavens, declaring the glory of God, as written, "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims the work of His hands." Even though they were taken before the Church filled the earth, their words have reached the ends of the earth, affirming what we just read, "Thou wilt establish Thy truth in the heavens filled in them."
"You have said: 'I have made a covenant with My chosen'" (Psalm 88:3). What covenant is this, if not a new covenant by which we are renewed for a new inheritance, in yearning and love, of which we sing a new song? The psalmist states: "I have sworn to David my servant." How boldly he speaks, understanding and proclaiming the truth! I speak without trepidation; because You have spoken, I am fearless. If You grant me courage through Your words, how much more through Your oath! The oath of God guarantees the fulfillment of His promise.
Humankind is rightly admonished against swearing (Matthew 5:34), lest one becomes ensnared in perjury due to frequent swearing. God alone can swear securely because He is infallible. Let us learn what God has sworn: "I have sworn to David my servant; I will establish your descendants forever" (Psalm 87:4). But who are David's descendants but those of Abraham? And what of Abraham's descendants? "To your seed," it is said, "which is Christ" (Galatians 3:16). Therefore, Christ, the Head of the Church, the Savior of the body (Ephesians 5:23), is indeed the seed of Abraham and thus of David; but we too are his seed, as the Apostle states, "If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, heirs according to the promise" (Galatians 3:29).
In this light, we ought to interpret the psalmist's words: "I will establish your descendants forever." This is not only by the flesh of Christ born of the Virgin Mary but also by all of us who believe in Christ, for we are members of this Head. This body cannot be separated from its Head; if the Head is eternal in glory, so too are the members, ensuring that Christ remains complete eternally. "I will establish your throne for generation to generation." This indicates a perpetual continuity because He had spoken previously about proclaiming His truth throughout generations. What does "generation to generation" mean? It refers to every generation. The phrase emphasizes the continual unfolding of successive generations.
Perhaps we should consider two epochs as indicated by the beloved Apostle, for there exists a current generation of flesh and blood, and there will be a future resurrection of the dead. Christ is proclaimed here for belief; He will be welcomed there for sight. "I will establish your throne from generation to generation," signifies that Christ currently has His throne within us; if He were not seated upon His throne within us, He would not govern us. If we were not governed by Him, we would be destined for downfall. Thus, He reigns within us, and He will also reign in the coming generation of resurrected saints forever. God has promised it; He has declared it. If that were not enough, God has sworn it. Therefore, with the promise resting on His mercy rather than our merit, let no one fear to declare what is undeniable.
Let this power inspire our hearts, fittingly named after Ethan — strong in heart. Let us proclaim the truth of God, His utterances, His promises, and His oaths; let us, fortified by these truths, glorify God and, carrying Him within us, become Heaven.
"O Lord, even the heavens will praise Your marvelous works" (Psalm 88:5). The heavens do not praise their own merits, but rather Your marvelous deeds, O Lord. In every act of mercy towards the lost and in bringing justification to the unjust, to whom do we give praise but to God’s remarkable works? We praise Him for raising the dead; we praise Him even more for redeeming the lost. What grace and mercy from God! Observe a man who yesterday was a victim of drunkenness and is today a model of sobriety; a man who was once characterized by indulgence now displays temperance; a blasphemer of God is transformed into a worshipper of Him; a once-slave to creation is now a devotee of the Creator. Through these profound transformations, many find conversion—let them not look to their own merits but become Heaven, praising the wonders of Him who has made them Heaven.
"Who among the clouds compares to You, O Lord?" (Psalm 88:6). Will it be the heavens and their rain that praise You? Surely those who proclaim should recognize that no one among the clouds can compare to the Lord. Does it strike you as a significant praise that clouds could not rival their Creator? Consider: could the stars, which are beyond the clouds, match the Lord? What about the sun, the moon, the angels, the heavens? Why then does the psalmist state, "For who is He among the clouds?" It is essential to understand that these clouds, akin to the heavens, serve as heralds of truth; they represent prophets and apostles who proclaim God’s word.
If clouds are indeed proclaims of truth, let us explore why they are referred to as clouds. The same entities are referred to as both heaven and clouds: heaven signifies the illumination of truth, while clouds represent the vagueness of the flesh. All clouds bear the obscurity of mortality, appearing and disappearing. The Apostle points out, "Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will bring to light what is hidden in darkness" (1 Corinthians 4:5).
You may perceive what a person communicates at the moment, yet the heart's intentions remain veiled. What emerges from the cloud is visible; what remains within is concealed. Can anyone pierce through the clouds? Thus, these clouds are indeed preachers of truth in the realm of flesh. The Creator appeared in flesh and has imparted knowledge through clouds. We too are designated as clouds due to our flesh, serving as bearers of truth because of the rain we receive; however, our flesh comes through one pathway, and His through another. We are called sons of God, but He is the Son of God in a unique sense. His cloud originates from the Virgin; He is the Son from eternity, consubstantial with the Father.
Who among the clouds can be compared to the Lord? What son of God is His equal? Let the Lord speak of whether He can find one like Himself. “Who do people say I am, the Son of Man?” He asked. Because I am seen, because I walk among you, perhaps I am perceived as common. When inquiring about Me, men respond; "Some say You are John the Baptist; some Elijah; others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." Many "clouds" and "sons of God" are cited here; Jeremiah, Elijah, and John are referred to as sons of God for their righteousness and holiness—they, like clouds, serve as proclaimers of God's word.
You asked, "What do men consider Me to be?" Then also question, "For whom do you say I am?" In answering for all, Peter declared, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:13-16). Not in the same vein as those sons of God who do not equal You: You came in the flesh, but not merely as clouds, for they do not match Your glory.
"O God of hosts, who is like You? Your truth, O Mighty One, surrounds us" (Psalm 88:7). God is omnipresent; thus, any claim of being around Him must align with His infinite presence. If He were indeed confined, He would appear limited. If we ascribe any veracity to His presence, His greatness knows no bounds. He who is ever-present chose to be born of the flesh in one location, to dwell among a specific people, to be crucified in one place, to resurrect from another, and to ascend into Heaven.
In these actions, He brought together Gentiles around Him. Had He remained in any singular location, His greatness and fear would diminish; however, His ministry was such that He appointed heralds to disseminate His name through all nations, performing miracles through His servants, thereby magnifying His greatness and instilling reverence all around Him.