THEOSISAugustine of Hippo
Understand, dear ones, the psalm I am about to discuss, granted to us by God's grace. Take heart, for He who has made promises will accomplish them, just as He has done in the past; our assurance rests not on our merits but on His grace. It seems to me that "by Himself" refers to Ethan the Israelite, the one attributed with this psalm. The weight of his name is significant—no individual possesses strength in this world except through hope in God's promises. In our own merit, we are weak; yet in His compassion, we find our strength. The psalmist begins with a proclamation: "I will sing of Your mercies, O Lord, forever; with my mouth, I will declare Your faithfulness throughout all generations" (Psalms 88:1).
He continues, expressing a wish for his very being to serve the Lord, affirming that the words he proclaims are not his own but stem from the truth God has revealed. Should he speak independently of God, he disqualifies himself as a servant; indeed, to draw from God's truth as one speaks is a divine partnership.
The psalmist emphasizes, "For You have declared: 'Your grace is established forever'” (Psalms 87:2). This is what I sing: this is the truth my mouth proclaims about You. You have made it clear that Your work is constructive; for You have the power to both destroy and rebuild. If no one was ever destroyed to be rebuilt, then Jeremiah would not have proclaimed, "Behold, I have appointed you today over nations and kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant" (Jeremiah 1:10). Those who worshiped idols could not find their place in Christ without the perishing of their previous errors. Had not some been destroyed so that the possibility of being built anew existed, it would not have been declared, "He will destroy them, and not rebuild them." The psalmist connects "mercy" and "faithfulness," noting, "For You have said, 'Mercy will be established forever; Your truth will be confirmed in the heavens'" (Psalms 87:2). In heaven, these attributes resonate profoundly; God's ways are self-revealed in mercy and truth. The fulfillment of God's promises is contingent upon His grace, granted in the forgiveness of sins, which must precede the display of His faithfulness amid Israel’s prophecies.
Despite the promises made to Israel—a people descended from Abraham—God did not restrict His mercy exclusively to them. He extended His goodness to the Gentiles, allowing them the privilege of grace while setting apart the Israelites as His beloved portion. The apostle discusses God's mercy and faithfulness towards both parties. He identifies Christ as the minister of the circumcision, ensuring that the promises to the patriarchs are upheld (Romans 15:8). Consider how God has remained true to His word, not forsaking those whom He foreknew. The apostle emphasizes that despite the Jews' transgressions, God did not reject His chosen people; after all, he himself is an Israelite (Romans 11:1-2).
What can we discern about the remnants of faith among the Israelites? God's truth is fulfilled in those who believe. Thus, the wall of circumcision connects to Christ as the cornerstone, enhanced by Gentiles. The apostle stresses that Jesus Christ serves as the minister of circumcision for God's faithfulness, affirming the promises made to the patriarchs and enabling the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy (Romans 15:8-9). From here, we understand, "Your truth, O Lord, You will confirm in the heavens," as all those who were called to apostleship embody the very heavens, declaring God's glory. "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork" (Psalms 19:1). Though that original group was taken from this earth before the Church expanded globally, their words nonetheless resounded across boundless lands, affirming the promise that "You will establish Your truth in the heavens filled within them."
Moreover, "You have said: 'I have made a covenant with My chosen'" (Psalms 88:3). What kind of covenant is this but a new covenant, renewing us for an eternal inheritance? The psalmist declares confidently, "I have sworn to David my servant." He speaks boldly because he understands—his lips testify to the truth. He has no fear in articulating this; God’s words embolden him. If God’s assurances grant me courage, how much more should His oaths strengthen me, for the oath of God is the bedrock for the fulfillment of His promises. While earthly beings are cautioned against oaths (Matthew 5:34)—to avoid the pitfalls of falsehood—God alone can swear securely, as He is infallible.
Now let us delve deeper into what God has declared. "I have sworn to David my servant; I will establish your offspring forever" (Psalm 87:4). The lineage of David hence ties back to Abraham, implicating that when God speaks of David's seed, He is alluding to Christ (Galatians 3:16). Christ, the head of the Church, the Savior of the body (Ephesians 5:23), represents the fulfillment of this promise. But do we not share in this inheritance as well? As articulated by the apostle, "If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to the promise" (Galatians 3:29). Thus, when we contemplate God's statement, "I will establish your offspring forever," it encapsulates not only the physical lineage from Mary but also extends to all who believe in Him. We are members of this body—the Church—and cannot be severed from its head. If the Head is exalted eternally, so too are the members, ensuring that Christ remains complete forever.
This promise emphasizes, "I will establish your lineage for generations to come." The repeated phrase "for generations" implies not merely continuity but an acknowledgment of every generation—inviting reflection on the past and anticipation for the future. It suggests the duality of our existence; one relates to our earthly existence and the other to the promised resurrection. Here Christ is heralded; here, He is believed in, and in the resurrection, He shall be seen. His authority extends into eternity; God has sworn this. Therefore, resting our faith on His mercy rather than our merit, we proclaim without fear the truths we hold dear. May our hearts, inspired by these realities, echo Ethan's own—the strength of God’s promises invigorating us to preach His truth and glorify Him, embodying the very essence of heaven.
"Lord, the heavens will proclaim Your marvelous works" (Psalms 88:5). Not by their own merits do they offer praise but by the wondrous acts of God. In every expression of mercy towards the lost and in justifying the unjust, what is praised other than the astonishing works of God? He deserves our highest calling, not just for raising the dead but even more for redeeming the lost. What grace and mercy we witness! Consider the man once engulfed in the depths of drunkenness, now transformed into a paragon of sobriety; the one who was once consumed by vice now manifests temperance; the blasphemer is now a worshiper; the slave to earthly desires is made a servant of the Creator. These profound changes illustrate how many, once destitute of hope, are renewed. Let them forsake their self-righteousness and instead become vessels of heaven, glorifying the marvelous works of their Creator.
"For who among the clouds can be compared to You, O Lord?" (Psalms 88:6). Will this be the praise of the heavens, or is their rain in question? Do preachers truly believe that anything in the midst of clouds can rival the Lord? Are the stars, which surpass the clouds, truly comparable to the Lord in their brilliance? What of the sun, moon, and angels—can they claim the same stature? Why, then, does the psalmist express, as if to extol His majesty, "Who is He among the clouds?" Observe, dear brethren, that these clouds and heavens signify truth's preachers—prophets, apostles, and bearers of the divine word. If clouds preach truth, let us first determine why they are called clouds.
Heaven and clouds reflect the same truth. Heaven symbolizes the purity of truth, whereas clouds encapsulate the transient nature of our mortality. Clouds may appear dark due to our human limitations, reflecting the obscurities of fleshly existence. The apostle noted, "Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will bring to light the hidden things of darkness" (1 Corinthians 4:5). We perceive only the surface of people’s words, but what lies within their hearts remains concealed; thus, the flesh is akin to clouds. The Creator of all chose to veil Himself in flesh...
We are referred to as clouds due to our humanity and serve as advocates of truth raining down from above; yet our flesh is given through one lineage while His through another divine means. Though we are called children of God, Christ stands as the unique Son of God. His cloud arises from the Virgin, encompassing eternal divinity in essence. Who among the clouds bears comparison to the Lord? Who among the children of God can be likened to Him? Let Him answer whether anyone stands equal to Him. Consider, "What do people say I am, the Son of Man?" This question stems from His visible presence, as He walks among them, taking on a common guise. When they see Him, do they see merely a cloud? Yet, they perceive various opinions: "Some say You are John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets." So many clouds and sons of God are mentioned; Jeremiah, Elijah, and John, being righteous and holy, are labeled as sons of God, serving as truth's instruments.
“Who do people think I am?” You must also ask, "But who do you say I am?" Peter, voicing the sentiments of all, responds, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:13-16). Unlike those sons of God who do not share the same stature, You came in the flesh, distinct from mere clouds that cannot equate to You.
"God is to be feared in the council of the righteous, and revered by all who surround Him" (Psalms 88:7). God pervades all places; so who can surround Him? If anything should encircle Him, it indicates a finitude on all sides. Yet, since His greatness knows no bounds, who can encircle Him except the one who chose to be born in flesh, dwell among a particular people, be crucified in one place, rise from yet the same location, and ascend to heaven? He willingly chose to descend to a land filled with His Gentile creation, surrounding Himself with their throngs. Had He chosen to remain in that locality where He fulfilled such deeds, He would not be seen as great or feared universally. It was through His preaching and the commissioning of apostles that He became renowned, sowing awe among all nations.
"O Lord God of hosts, who is like You? Your truth, Almighty God, encompasses all" (Psalms 88:8). Your might is revealed in creation—You crafted heaven and earth and everything within them; but even more astounding is Your mercy, unveiled to those around You. Had You been proclaimed solely in the confines of Your earthly mission—Your birth, suffering, resurrection, and ascension—the affirmation of Your divine promise made to the patriarchs would appear fulfilled without extending to those beyond. Yet, for the Gentiles to indeed glorify You for Your mercy (Romans 15:9), Your truth must be disseminated beyond the region of Your advent. In that geographical location, You thundered from the clouds and sent other clouds to bring rain upon distant Gentiles. Truly, You fulfilled your word: "Hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power and coming on the clouds of heaven" (Matthew 26:64).