THEOSISAugustine of Hippo
If the Word has created the eye, since all things came into being through the Word, and if the Word has fashioned the ear, as everything exists through the Word, then we cannot claim that ‘The Word does not see’ or ‘The Word does not hear’ without heeding the admonition of the psalmist: foolish ones! When will you attain understanding? Therefore, if the Word hears and sees, the Son also hears and sees. Should we truly seek His ears and eyes in separate realms? Does He hear with one aspect and see with another, where His ear performs differently than His eye, and vice versa? Does He not fully see and not fully hear? It is indeed true—without doubt; yet His capacity to see and to hear surpasses our own. In the Word, seeing and hearing coalesce into one.
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The faculty of hearing is not restricted to one location while seeing occupies another; rather, in hearing, He sees, and in seeing, He hears. Yet we, perceiving and hearing differently, how do we grasp this? We must turn inward to ourselves, unless we fall away, to whom it is said, ‘Return, you backsliders, to your heart.’ (cf. Isaiah 46:3) Come back to your heart! Why do you stray from yourselves and vanish? Why do you walk in desolation? You, who wander wrongfully, return. But to where? To God. Yet this journey requires patience. First, return to your heart; you have drifted away from your essence, and you no longer recognize who you were meant to be. Come back, return to your heart, and separate yourself from your body: your body is your dwelling. Your heart perceives through your body, but your body is not synonymous with your heart; detach from your body and return to your heart. In your body, you discover eyes in one place and ears in another; do you not find such faculties in your heart? Do you not possess ears in your heart, of which the Lord proclaimed, ‘He who has ears to hear, let him hear’? (Luke 8:8) Do you not have eyes in your heart, as the apostle mentions, ‘They are the eyes of your heart’? (cf. Eph. 1:18) Turn back to your heart and behold what you might sense about God, for there lies the image of God.
As we attentively listen to the Psalm's reading, we shall also earnestly await the Lord's unveiling of the profound truths He has chosen to conceal in this text. Some of Scripture’s enigmas are concealed not to deny them but to uncover them for those who earnestly seek. When you knock with genuine faith and heartfelt devotion, He who discerns your intentions will reveal Himself to you (Matthew 7:7). Many of us are aware (and often wish we weren’t) of those who complain about God’s patience, lamenting the existence and influence of wicked individuals who often exert control over the virtuous. They witness the wicked thriving while the righteous endure suffering; the proud are exalted while the humble are often overlooked. Observing such injustices can lead to impatience and disillusionment among the faithful, prompting thoughts of the irrelevance of their goodness, as it appears that God turns a blind eye to the virtuous while aiding the wicked in their desires. Consequently, those with weak faith may feel compelled to imitate the wrongdoing that seems to prosper, or, paralyzed by fear of societal regulations, they may refrain from wrongdoing, not out of love for righteousness but from fear of men's judgment. The most deceitful of their thoughts is the belief that God is indifferent to human actions and that He equates the good with the wicked or, even more dangerously, that He punishes the righteous while favoring the unjust. Such thinking is damaging not only to oneself but ultimately leads one away from the truth of God's nature.
The Psalm bears the title: A Psalm of David for the fourth day of the week. This Psalm aims to instruct the faithful on enduring patience amidst the tribulations faced by the righteous, encouraging them to withstand the trials posed by the seemingly prosperous wicked. Its purpose is evident from start to finish. But why does it reference the fourth day of the week? The first day is recognized as the Lord's Day; the second is often referred to as lunar day; the third as Martian day. Thus, the fourth day, referred to by Gentiles as Mercury’s day, is a designation we might reconsider, favoring instead terms that align more closely with Christian understanding. These names vary widely across cultures and do not embrace a uniformity that befits the Church. Yet, should any feel compelled by tradition to employ language which their heart denies, they must remember that the celestial bodies existed long before humanity and were wrongly associated with influential figures of this world, who, through the ages claimed divine honors for mere mortal actions, misleading many into superstition. This faulty belief, once fortified by the adversary, was dismantled by Christ. Thus, in our context, the fourth day is understood as the day positioned after the Lord's Day. Consider the mystery behind this title. In Genesis, the first day reveals light; the second day brings the formation of heaven; the third day shows the separation of land and sea. On the fourth day, God created celestial bodies: the sun to govern the day and the moon and stars for the night (Genesis 1:3-19). This creation on the fourth day serves as an apt metaphor for enduring trials and maintaining faith against the apparent success of the wicked. The apostle Paul exhorts us to conduct ourselves without grumbling or conflict, that we might shine as lights in a crooked generation by holding forth the word of life (Philippians 2:14-16).
Now let us turn to the Psalm itself. The Lord is a God of judgment—a God who judges assuredly (Psalm 93:1). Doubt not His punishment of evil. A God of vengeance is also a God of correction. Many express their discontent at perceived injustices; they ponder the fate of a thief who suffers no immediate consequence, while they challenge God for allowing such wrongs to continue. However, if you desire correction for others, begin by correcting your own speech and heart toward both your neighbors and your Creator; lest, when you call out for divine justice, you find yourself the first to receive it. For He will come to judge those who persist in their wickedness, those who remain ungrateful for His mercy and kindness, building up wrath for the day of reckoning, where everyone will be rewarded according to their deeds (Romans 2:4-6). Recognize that our refuge is in our Savior, who harbors hope for all who are in need. He declares, "I will be steadfast in Him." What does this signify? It conveys unshakeable assurance against human lusts and vices. Like a devoted physician wielding a surgical blade, He addresses all our infirmities with precision. He evidenced profound teachings—ways that challenged the proud and hypocritical (e.g., 'Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees!'), actions that revealed His fearless authority. How could He not speak boldly, for His very essence is justice? As He did not hesitate in words towards those He spared, He will similarly not hesitate in judgment. The Lord, who showed no fear in humility, will not tremble at the impending glory. Given His unwavering confidence then, consider how resolute His actions will be when the end of days arrives. Do not complain against God for appearing to withhold judgment from the wicked; instead, nurture kindness, for perhaps His present forbearance serves not only your hope but also your ultimate redemption through adversity.
And what comes after His confident proclamations? “Be exalted, O Judge of the earth” (Psalm 92:2). They imprisoned Him in humility; do you think they can imprison Him now that He is glorified? They judged Him as mortal; will they not be judged by Him who is now immortal? He proclaims exaltation, for He acted with boldness—words the tempestuous could hardly endure; they believed themselves victorious when they seized and crucified Him, not realizing their act was but a momentary triumph. Thus, you who endured amidst evil and held fast to righteousness are called to rise with Him, for He is exalted and returns for judgment against the proud. This prophecy speaks not merely of a command but a divine truth—Christ’s rising was foreshadowed long before by the words of prophets. He witnessed the lowly raised, the unjust brought low. He sees how the proud exalt themselves and assumes judgment is not theirs to bear, oblivious to the very essence of righteousness which proclaims, “He will reward the proud as they deserve.” Yet, God’s mercy extends also to the humble—those who, as in the story of the repentant publican (Luke 18:13), seek mercy rather than honor for their deeds.
"How long, O Lord, shall the wicked exult?" (Psalm 92:3). In response, they utter slander; they stand against the right. They question the value of their righteousness, as if God disregards their deeds. Indeed, the wicked believe their actions evade scrutiny, but nothing escapes the gaze of God—who perceives both secret deeds and the innermost thoughts. Even the wicked know, in dark corners of their hearts, that were they truly unwatched, they would act differently. And yet, because they indulge in iniquity under God’s patience, they falsely conclude that such indulgence pleases Him. When a righteous soul calls them back to integrity, they may respond, “Why shouldn’t I commit evil, yet remain unharmed?” But the truth lies in God’s longsuffering; it beckons sinners to repentance rather than punishment.
God’s forbearance multiplies for the sinner, but every day of indulgence stockpiles wrath for that final day of reckoning—where justice will be rendered and each will receive their due. Consider not disregarding even the smallest lapses in morality; little sins often accumulate to form vast torrents.
“They have oppressed Your people, O Lord; they have afflicted Your inheritance” (Psalm 92:5). They slay the widow, the orphan, and the stranger (Psalm 92:6)—these statements reflect clear truths of human depravity. And they declare, “The Lord does not see” (Psalm 93:7); He is not concerned. They presume that their actions go unnoticed, mistaking His silence for approval. The foolish and the ungodly are thus cautioned—even the one who may feel distant must realize, God cares for Him; His attention to existence entails His desire for righteousness in living.
The foolish are called to awaken their understanding (Psalm 92:8). Though many witness the prosperity of evildoers and sufferings of the righteous, the faithful must hold fast to their virtue and look beyond mere present trials. Patience is required, for unlike the fleeting satisfaction they see in the wicked, their future is filled with hope. The vineyard laborers are urged to work with steadfastness, for payment comes when the task is complete. Should you feel discontented when witnessing others flourish while your righteous heart endures trials, remember that God's justice prevails in His timing—He will reward each among His faithful.
Let us not falter before the many temptations around us—the serpent bids us heed its whispers, seeking to instill doubt about the path of righteousness. The path of integrity feels desolate when surrounded by the throngs of vice; one may think, “Why am I not part of their revelry?” but the faithful must cling to the reality of eternal life, preferring the enduring over transient pleasures.
“If the Lord had not been my help, my soul would have sunk into the depths” (Psalm 93:17). In moments of wavering resolve, when the pressure of surrounding sin seems overwhelming, look to the Lord for refuge. His presence ensures strength when temptations rise; thus, the faithful must directly confront temptations, asking for support against them. Believers, too, must recognize the importance of confession and humility, acknowledging when they falter.