THEOSISAugustine of Hippo
This psalm served as the basis for the devil's temptation of our Lord Jesus Christ; thus, we should remain vigilant, armed with its teachings, allowing us to withstand the tempter by relying not on our own strength, but on Him who faced temptation prior to us, so we don't succumb when faced with our own trials. Christ did not require temptation for His own sake; rather, His temptation serves as our guidance. If we heed His responses to the devil, we can reply similarly when we encounter temptation ourselves, entering by the gate referred to in the Gospel. What does it mean to enter by the gate? It signifies entering through Christ, who declared, “I am the door” (John 10:7). To enter through Him involves imitating His example. He invites us to mirror Him in ways that are only possible because He became human. How could He have embraced suffering without taking on human form? How else could He have endured death, crucifixion, and humiliation? Therefore, when you endure the tribulations of this world—whether inflicted openly by the devil through people or secretly, as in Job’s case—be steadfast and patient; you will reside under the shelter of the Most High, as this Psalm articulates. If you turn away from the refuge of the Most High, lacking the strength to support yourself, you are destined to fall.
Many exhibit courage in the face of human persecution, appearing openly agitated, believing they reflect Christ’s sufferings when faced with such trials. Conversely, when they are subjected to the evil whispers of the devil, they doubt their victory alongside Christ. Never be disheartened when you emulate Him. Remember that when the devil tempted our Lord, there was no one around in the wilderness; his assault was covert, yet he was defeated both then and when he attacked Him publicly. When the enemy strikes secretly, as when he urges a person to inflict harm through physical ailments, remember Job's experience: while Job did not see the devil, he recognized God's sovereignty and realized that the devil could exert power over him only because it was permitted by the Almighty. Job gave God all the glory, refusing to grant the devil any authority.
Therefore, whoever imitates Christ by enduring life's afflictions while relying on God—so they may not fall into any traps—is not overwhelmed by despair; this individual dwells in the shadow of the Most High, as Psalm 90:1 indicates, setting the stage for the words that introduce the Psalm you have heard and sung. The psalmist expresses, "Thou art my refuge and my fortress: my God" (Psalm 90:2). Who declares this to the Lord? It is the one who abides under the Most High's protection, not relying on his own strength. Who is that individual? He resides under the Most High's shelter, who avoids pride, unlike those who sought to become like gods and forfeited their original immortality. They chose to depend on their own protection instead of the High's, and what the devil promised did not come to fruition for them.
So you too shall declare, "In Him I trust, for He will deliver me" (Psalm 90:3), emphasizing our dependence on God rather than on human strength. From what will He deliver you? From the snares of the hunter and from harsh words. While liberation from the hunter’s snare is indeed a great good, what of liberation from harsh speech? Many have fallen prey to the hunter because of disparaging remarks. What do I mean? The devil and his minions lay traps much like hunters do; those who walk in Christ are safely removed from those traps, as he would not dare ensnare them in Christ's path. Maintain your path in Christ, and you shall avoid the devil's snares.
What of harsh words? The devil has ensnared many through derogatory remarks; for instance, Christians among the Gentiles face scorn and shame when they hear reproaches, causing them to stray from their rightful paths and into traps laid by hunters. Yet what power do harsh words hold over you? Can the nets with which the enemy seeks to ensnare you through reproach cause you any real harm? It is common for hunters to place their nets at the edge of a thicket, throwing stones into the brambles—stones that do not injure birds. When has a bird ever been struck merely by a stone thrown into foliage? However, frightened by the harmless clamor, birds are caught in traps; similarly, men who fear empty taunts and blush at unjust insults fall into traps laid by hunters and are ensnared by the devil.
Just as amongst the Gentiles, a Christian who fears their scorn will inevitably fall into the trap laid by the hunter; likewise, those Christians who strive to outshine others often suffer discredit from their fellow Christians. What good is it, dear brother, if you stumble upon a town devoid of Gentiles? There, no one insults a man for being a Christian, simply because there are no heathens: yet many Christians within that town lead unrighteous lives, and among them are those who aspire to live righteous and sober lives amidst the inebriated, pure among the impure, authentically worshiping God amidst astrologers, or choosing only to attend church among spectators of trivial entertainments, for which they endure the harshest reproaches from fellow Christians, hearing accusations like, “You are strong; you are righteous; you come from heaven.” They endure insults, left and right, disheartened by harsh words, which causes them to abandon the way of Christ and fall into the nets set by the fishers. But when confronted with such words, what is it that keeps you steadfast in your path? Let him respond with this thought: “What do harsh words have to say about me, a slave and sinner?” Our Lord Jesus faced accusations such as, “You have a demon” (John 8:48). You have just heard cruel words directed at our Lord; He was under no obligation to endure it, yet in doing so, He serves as a warning against harsh words, informing you so you may escape the hunter's nets.
He shall shield you with His wings, and you will find refuge under His protection (Psalm 90:4). This is said so that you do not believe defense arises from yourself; He will guard you, rescuing you from the hunter's snares and from harsh complaints. The phrase “between His shoulders” indicates shelter from both front and rear; His shoulders surround the head; the mention of “hope under His wings” clarifies that God’s expansive protection places you securely between His shoulders, where you need not fear harm from any enemy. Always remain within this sacred space where no foe dares approach. If a hen protects her chicks under her wings, how much more will you find safety under the wings of God, even against the devil and his angels, who, like hawks, sweep down to seize the weak. The analogy of the hen reflects the divine Wisdom; Christ our Lord and Savior compared Himself to a hen, expressing, “How often would I gather your children...” (Matthew 23:37). Regrettably, Jerusalem did not heed. While observing other birds, brethren, we see many who incubate their eggs and keep their chicks warm, yet none show the same devotion as the hen. Swallows, sparrows, and storks can be seen away from their nests, leaving us uncertain if they have young at home; but the hen’s maternal instinct is clear, expressed in her soft calls and spread feathers. Her very essence transforms with love for her chicks; she willingly becomes vulnerable because they are weak. In similar fashion, since we are weak, the Wisdom of God took on weakness in the incarnation when the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14), so that we may find hope under His wings.
His truth will serve as your shield (Psalm 90:5). The terms “wings” and “shield” here imply protective metaphors. If they were to be interpreted literally, how could the two be equated? Could wings serve as a shield, or vice versa? These expressions are indeed figurative, drawing from similitudes. If Christ were merely a Stone (Acts 4:10-11), He couldn’t also be portrayed as a Lion; if a Lion (Revelation 5:5), He could not be a Lamb. He is both a Lion and a Lamb, as well as a Stone, and many other representations metaphorically, because He is neither of those alone: He is Jesus Christ, our Savior. His truth is your shield, assuring us that those who trust in themselves are distinct from those who rely on God. Both are sinners, indeed; however, consider one who presumes with pride, denying his sinfulness, claiming, “If my transgressions displeased God, He wouldn’t allow me to live.” Conversely, another does not dare raise his eyes but beats his chest, imploring, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner" (Luke 18:13). Both are sinners, yet one laughs while the other weeps; one scorns while the other confesses his transgressions. The truth of God, which knows no favoritism, distinguishes the penitent from the unrepentant, the humble from the arrogant, the self-seeking from those who lean on God.
You will not fear any terror at night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor for the plague that stalks in darkness, nor for destruction that lays waste at noon (Psalm 90:6). These phrases parallel one another: do not fear night terrors, nor the daytime’s deadly arrow, nor the night’s fears, nor the evil that walks in darkness, nor the peril of the noon-day pestilence. What should we fear at night, and what during the day? An individual sins in ignorance at night; yet when sin occurs with full knowledge, it occurs in daylight. Thus, the two first sins are lighter; the second carries a more severe weight, though its distinction may not seem clear. When innocence succumbs to easily swayed temptation, one experiences the fear of the night; when those with discernment yield to temptation, they engage more severe knowledge, illustrated by the arrow that flies by day. What constitutes easier temptations? These are the ones that do not press heavily upon us but may quickly pass if we resist them. Conversely, if a persecutor threatens and terrifies the uninformed, those whose faith remains unstable, they may believe that Christ has abandoned them, becoming disillusioned with the essence of their Christianity—as if it were all in vain; they lack the understanding that this life and these earthly matters must be endured to attain the promises of God for eternity—the ambush in darkness has ensnared them.
Yet others recognize their calling to a hope beyond the present; they understand that God’s promises do not belong to this life. Such individuals endure trials, knowing that the temptations must be faced to receive God’s eternal gifts. However, under intensified persecution, when faced with threats and punishment, they may falter, even if they acknowledge their transgressions, succumbing as though it were daylight.
What is the significance of "at noon"? The persecution is intense, with noon representing excessive heat; thus, the devil that operates at this hour personifies fierce opposition. Our Lord said, “The sun rose, and because they had no root, they withered” referring to those who succumb to pressure without depth of faith. Therefore, the demon symbolizing destruction at midday signifies violent persecution. Take heed, dear friends, as I illustrate the threat against the Church when the earthly rulers believed they could eradicate the Christian name through oppression, declaring that anyone professing faith should endure torture. Those who yielded to fear and denied Christ embraced the arrow that flies by day. Conversely, those who were steadfast in their faith in the eternal, despite suffering physical afflictions, were liberated spiritually. Awaiting their eternal reward, freed from temporal bonds, they defied the temptations from the daytime arrows.