THEOSISAugustine of Hippo
As we attentively listen to the Psalm, we will also engage closely as the Lord unfolds the mysteries He has chosen to conceal in this text. Some aspects of Scripture are intentionally veiled not to be rejected but to be disclosed to those who earnestly seek. Therefore, if you knock with genuine piety and heartfelt love, the Lord, who understands the intentions behind your plea, will reveal Himself to you. **Matthew 7:7** It is known to all (and we lament being included) that some may grumble against the patience of God, feeling distressed by the existence or dominance of wicked individuals. Furthermore, it often appears that the unrighteous wield considerable influence over the righteous, with the wicked exulting while the good endure suffering. The arrogant find pride in their deeds, while the humble maintain their modesty. Faced with such evident disparities in humanity (which are numerous), those who are impatient and weak may mistakenly believe that their goodness is for naught, perceiving God as either withdrawing His gaze from their righteous actions or providing aid to the unrighteous in their sinful pursuits. Consequently, the weak, convinced their virtuous efforts are in vain, may feel compelled to emulate the evil of those they see thriving, or, if hindered by fear of the world's punitive laws, may ascribe to merely human opinions rather than divine justice, refraining from overt wrongdoing while allowing wicked thoughts to flourish. Among these wrongful thoughts is the belief that God disregards human deeds or that He treats the righteous and the unrighteous with equal indifference, or, even worse, that He persecutes the upright while favoring the wicked. Such thoughts damage the thinker more than anyone else, harming their spiritual well-being, without causing any detriment to God.
The Psalm is inscribed as follows: “A Psalm of David himself, on the fourth day of the week.” This psalm serves to instruct patience amidst the trials of the righteous, encouraging perseverance in face of the prosperity of the unrighteous. Its message echoes consistently from beginning to end. But why is this psalm associated with the fourth day of the week? The first day is known as the Lord's day; the second day, named after the Moon, is represented as the second weekday; the third, labeled the Martian day. Hence, the fourth, often referred to as Mercury’s day by many Gentiles and Christians, is not how I would designate it; I wish for them to adopt a better term that reflects their faith. Such classifications lack universal applicability; many cultures assign various names, making the Church's expression more fitting for Christians. However, if societal customs lead someone to utter things they do not truly believe, they ought to remember that those after whom the stars are named were merely mortal men who served humankind during their lives; the stars themselves existed long before their arrival on earth. Those ancient people, deceived and seeking to deceive, identified stars to flatter their benefactors, leading to a misguided belief in divine favor for those who had none. The devil has reinforced this erroneous belief, but Christ has dispelled it. Therefore, in our discourse, the concept of the fourth week entails the fourth day following the Lord's day. Beloved, pay attention to the significance of this title. A profound mystery indeed lies here, veiled from plain sight.
Let us therefore recall the creation account in Genesis: on the first day, light was created; on the second day, God made a firmament that He called heaven; on the third day, the earth and seas were formed, with the gathering of waters deemed the sea, and the dry land called earth. On the fourth day, God created the celestial bodies: **Genesis 1:3-19** the sun to govern the day and the moon and stars to oversee the night—this was the work of the fourth day. Why then does the psalm draw its name from this fourth day, which speaks of patience against the prosperity of the wicked and the trials of the good? The Apostle Paul admonishes us, stating, “Do all things without murmuring and disputing, that ye may be blameless and harmless, ye sons of God, without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life.” **Philippians 2:14-16**
Now we shall reflect upon the Psalm: “The Lord is a God of vengeance; God of vengeance doth express His majesty.” **Psalm 93:1** Do you think He overlooks wrongdoing? The God of vengeance indeed enforces justice. What does it mean that God is a God of vengeance? It signifies a God who disciplines. You may grumble if the wicked are not punished; however, refrain from such murmuring lest you become one of those subjected to chastisement. Observe that one who steals lives without consequence, leading you to complain against God for not exacting punishment on his behalf. If you wish another to correct his wrongdoing, first amend your own words; correct your heart toward others, and in turn, correct your heart towards God. Lest it happen that when you seek God's retribution, it might come upon you first. For He will indeed come, and He will judge those who persist in their wickedness, who are ungrateful for His mercy and long-suffering, accumulating wrath for the day of wrath and the revelation of righteous judgment. For God will recompense each according to their deeds—**Romans 2:4-6**—because the Lord is a God of vengeance, He acts with certainty. Our safety resides in our Saviour, in whom all the needy and impoverished place their hope. What is His assurance? “I shall work with confidence in Him.” What does this convey? He will not bond with the vices and follies of humankind. Indeed, like a diligent physician, equipped with the surgical tools of preaching, He will excise all that afflicts us. Thus, as foretold and conveyed, so became He... What great teachings did He, of whom it was said, “He taught them as one having authority,” impart? “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!” What remarkable assertions did He address to them openly? He feared no one. Why? Because He is a God of vengeance. For this reason, He spared none in His admonitions, that they might persist in His guidance even as they faced judgment; for if they were unwilling to accept the remedy of His words, they would surely incur the sentence of their Judge. Why? Because He proclaimed: “The Lord is a God of vengeance;” the God of vengeance assuredly acts; none are spared by His admonitions. He who delivered messages without hesitation before His suffering will surely not exercise mercy during His judgments. He who, in humility, feared none, will not fear anyone in His glory. Reflect on how He will act at the end of days, rooted in His assured deeds. Do not complain about God delaying punishment for the unrighteous; instead, be compassionate, for He may still discipline you for a time, but ultimately lead you to mercy in judgment.
And what followed that God acted with confidence? “Be exalted, O Judge of the world.” **Psalm 92:2** Since He was imprisoned in His humility, do you think they will restrain Him in His exaltation? Once judged in mortality, will they not be judged eternally by Him? What does He declare? “Be exalted, Thou who didst act with confidence;” they who could not bear the conviction of His word thought they accomplished a notable feat while seizing and crucifying Him, when it was they who should have caught Him in faith but took Him instead in persecution. Therefore, He who, amidst the wicked, acted unflinchingly—having suffered—be exalted, meaning He rose again, and ascended into heaven. The Church also ought to bear with patience the trials that befall her Head. “Be exalted, O Judge of the world, and reward the proud according to their deeds.” He will indeed recompense them, brethren.
What is meant by “exalt thyself, O Judge of the world, and repay the proud according to their deeds?” It is a prophecy declaring what is to come, not a bold command given. It is not matter of Christ obeying the Prophet by rising; rather, the Prophet declared it because the Crucified One was destined to rise. He sees Christ humbled, sees His humility, fears no one, withholds no words, and states: “He acted with assurance.” He watches His confident actions, observes Him arrested, crucified, humbled, risen from the dead, ascending into heaven, and then issuing judgment against those who caused His suffering: “Be exalted,” he proclaims, “Thou art the Judge of the world, and reward the proud according to their deeds.” Thus, He will repay the proud while sparing the humble. Who are the proud? Those who commit little evil yet defend their transgressions. Miracles occurred later among some of those responsible for Christ's crucifixion, when believers arose even from within the ranks of Jews; the blood of Christ sanctified them. Their wicked, bloodied hands were cleansed by the very life they had taken. Those who persecuted His mortal body became part of His body, the Church, finding redemption in His blood, despite their sins.
“Lord, how long shall the wicked triumph? How long shall the wicked triumph?” **Psalm 92:3** They answer, and in their arrogance declare unrighteousness. **Psalm 93:4** What do they proclaim but against God, questioning, “What advantage is it for us to live in such a manner?” What can they expect? Does God truly regard our actions? They live obliviously as if God does not witness their deeds. This transgression befalls them! In a worldly context, if the authorities were aware of their deeds, they would promptly be apprehended. They evade the gaze of those in power to avoid swift justice; but no one can elude the all-seeing eye of God, who observes not only external actions but the truths of the heart. Even they perceive that nothing escapes the divine scrutiny; and because they conduct themselves wrongly while conscious of their actions, they think, “It pleases God.” Indeed, if they truly believe it does not please Him, just as kings, judges, and leaders cannot escape justice, how can they elude the gaze of the Almighty? Consequently, such behavior becomes acceptable to Him...
Righteous individuals may come forth and say, “Do not act wickedly. Why? So that you do not face death. See, I have done iniquity; why do I not perish? That man performed righteousness, and he died; why did he perish? I have acted wickedly; why has God not taken me away? That man did righteousness; why has his end come?” Why is God delaying His responses? They claim the need to answer, finding rationalizations in their minds because they believe God spares them due to His patience. They maintain their arguments because of their continued existence. However, the Apostle provides clarity on the reason for divine patience: “And thinkest thou this, O man, who judges them that do such things and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Or despise the riches of His goodness and forbearance and long-suffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” What the one arguing fails to recognize is that after hardness of heart and unrepentance, he consciously retains disobedience, building up wrath for the day of wrath and the revelation of the righteous judgment of God, which will convict everyone based on their deeds. **Romans 2:5-6** Thus, as He displays boundless patience, they continue in their wickedness. His treasure will yield everlasting mercy toward those who do not scorn His compassion, while their own treasure will manifest as wrath—what they accumulate daily will culminate into a monumental heap. Do not overlook even the smallest daily sins; rivers are formed by the tiniest drops.
“They have humbled Thy people, O Lord; they have afflicted Thy heritage.” **Psalm 92:5** They have slain both widow and orphan, destroying the proselytes. **Psalm 92:6** That is to say, the traveler or pilgrim—the one far from home, whom the psalmist likens to himself. Each phrase used is too apparent in meaning to require further elaboration.