THEOSISAugustine of Hippo
I wish, dear friends, that we had followed our Father’s guidance more closely; however, it is still good to adhere to His will. Since the one who humbly prays for us has given us a directive, I will share with you, beloved, what Jesus Christ graciously imparts from this Psalm, as it belongs to our Lord. The title of the Psalm is 'David's Song of Praise.' A song of praise encapsulates both joy, signifying its joyful nature, and devotion, as it speaks to our reverence. For what could a person hold in higher regard than something they cherish so dearly that it becomes impossible for them to see it negatively? Consequently, in praising God, we express our confidence. In such praise, we find safety, for there is no fear of shame in what we honor. Let us therefore both praise and sing, engaging in worship with happiness and joy. This Psalm reveals to us what we are to extol in its subsequent verses.
"Come, let us sing unto the Lord" (Psalm 94:1). He invites us to partake in a magnificent celebration of joy—not one rooted in worldly things, but one that is found in Him. Were there only wrongful joys in this life, which differ from righteous joy, simply saying, "Come, let us rejoice" might have sufficed; yet He underscores this call. What does it truly mean to celebrate? To rejoice in the Lord. If you desire to rise above worldly troubles, you must genuinely rejoice in Him. But what does it mean to "come"? Who does He summon to draw near, if not those who are distanced from Him? They may approach and draw closer, ultimately finding joy in that proximity. Yet, from what are they distant? Can one be spatially separated from the One who is omnipresent? It is not distance of place, but rather a lack of resemblance to Him that causes separation from God. What does it mean to be dissimilar to Him? It entails a life led poorly, defined by negative habits; for we draw nearer through virtuous practices and away through vices. Hence, dissimilarity distances us from the Lord, while likeness brings us closer. What likeness is this? It refers to the image after which we were originally created—an image that, after we fell into sin, became marred within us but was restored through repentance, being renewed within our hearts so that the likeness of our Creator can again be reflected in our souls, leading us back to His riches.
"Let us make a joyful noise to God, our Salvation." Consider, beloved, those who express exultation in everyday songs, perhaps in a contest of earthly delight. You observe how, upon reading the lyrics, they are overtaken by an elation that words fail to capture, expressing through their cries that which their minds feel yet cannot articulate fully. Thus, if they can make a joyful noise out of earthly joy, is it not fitting for us to do so from our heavenly joy, which indeed transcends verbal expression?
"Let us approach Him with confession" (Psalm 94:2). In Scripture, confession conveys a dual meaning: one of praise, and the other of penitence. The confession of praise pertains to honoring the one being praised, whereas the confession of lamentation pertains to the sorrow of the confessor for their sins. People confess while exalting God and also as they acknowledge their own failings, and there is no higher purpose for the tongue. Truly, I believe these are the very vows referenced in another Psalm: "I will repay Thee my vows, which I have spoken with my mouth." There is nothing more noble than discernment, and it is essential both to comprehend and to act. How then can you discern the vows you make to God? By praising Him while also condemning yourselves, for it is in His mercy that He forgives our transgressions. Had He chosen to judge us based solely on our actions, we would have been condemned. "Oh, come," He said, "let us finally turn from our sins so that He may not hold us accountable for the past; rather, let us begin anew as all the debts we owed have been cleared..." Therefore, the more you feel despair over your sinful nature, the more you should confess, for the greater the scandal of the Forgiver, the richer the confession of the penitent becomes. Let us not think we stray from the song of praise when we consider confession, for acknowledging our faults is indeed an aspect of glorifying God.
“Shout joyfully to Him with psalms.” We have discussed the meaning of making a joyful noise previously; the repetition serves to reinforce the call to action: this repetition encourages us. We mustn't forget the significance of our joyful proclamation; instead, we reiterate so that the feelings expressed resonate deeper with us. "Hear now, for the Lord is a great God and a great King above all gods" (Psalm 94:3). "For the Lord will not cast off His people." Who then will He not reject? We ought not to interpret this on our own, for the Apostle has provided clarity. It refers to the nation of Israel, chosen and called—a lineage of prophets, descended from Abraham, endowed with divine revelations regarding our Savior. This was indeed God’s chosen people, through whom He sent the prophets and entrusted the revelations of His will. Are all of them damned? Far from it. The Apostle refers to them as the good olive tree, rooted in the patriarchs... Thus it stands that while some branches were severed, not all were destroyed. If they had all been cut off, how could Peter, John, Thomas, Matthew, and Andrew emerge from them? Where, then, are the other apostles? Where did the five hundred brothers originate who witnessed the Lord after His Resurrection? (1 Corinthians 15:6). How did thousands turn to God fervently after the apostles, filled with the Holy Spirit, spoke in tongues during Pentecost? (Acts 2:4). Many who had previously been guilty of shedding the blood of the Lord became believers so earnestly that they sold their possessions, placing the proceeds at the feet of the apostles. Whereas one wealthy man departed sorrowfully after hearing the words of the Lord (Matthew 19:21-22), countless souls repented and followed Him, driven by their wounds so deeply that they sought the physician. Therefore, as the Psalm expresses: "For the Lord will not cast away His people."
What further does the Psalm say? "All the corners of the earth are in His hand" (Psalm 94:4). Here, we see the foundation stone—Christ Himself. A cornerstone forms when two walls converge, each coming from distinct sides but harmonizing rather than opposing one another. Circumcision arises from one side, while uncircumcision comes from another; within Christ, these opposites unite, as it is written: "The stone which the builders rejected was made the head of the corner."
“For the sea is His, and He made it" (Psalm 94:5). The sea represents this world, yet God is also its Creator, imposing limits upon the waves. No trial occurs without divine measure. "And His hands have prepared the dry land." Let us become dry land; yearn for God's grace as it descends upon you like refreshing rain and yields fruit in you. He does not allow the waves to cover what He has sown. "And His hands have prepared the dry land"—thus, let us call upon the Lord.
"Come, let us worship and bow down; let us weep before the Lord, our Maker" (Psalm 94:6). If you are aflame with the awareness of your transgressions, quench that fire with the tears of repentance before the Lord, your Creator—He does not disregard the work of His hands in you. Do not presume you can mend yourself; you may fall, but only He who created you can truly restore you. Weep earnestly before the Lord, confess to Him, and allow His gaze to guide your confession. For who are you that weeps and confesses before Him but a creation of His own hands? A created being possesses immense trust in the Creator, and that trust is defined by being made in His image and likeness.
"For He is the Lord our God" (Psalm 94:7). In bending our knees and submitting ourselves without fear, we recognize who we are: His flock, the sheep of His pasture. Observe how gracefully He intertwines the terms, giving each its rightful characteristic; the sheep are also addressed as the people. He does not say, "The sheep of His pasture, and the people of His hand," which might imply that sheep belong solely to the pasture. Instead, He refers to them as "the people of His pasture," indicating the people themselves are sheep. He speaks of these sheep in the Song of Songs as perfect, saying, “Thy teeth are like a flock of sheep shorn, coming out of the washing; every one bears twins, and there is none barren.” What are these "teeth"? They represent those through whom we communicate; the church’s "teeth" signify her voice. What are they like? They resemble freshly shorn sheep. Why shorn? Because they have shed the burdens of the world. Those sheep, who He commands to "Go, sell what you have and give to the poor; then you will have treasure in heaven; come and follow me" (Matthew 19:21), are those who obediently responded and emerged shorn from worldly trivialities. What does it signify that believers in Christ are baptized? It means they emerge from the cleansing waters, allowing each to bring forth twins—these twins being the two great commandments encompassing the entire law and the prophets (Matthew 22:40).
"Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts" (Psalm 94:8). O my people, the people of God! He addresses His people—not just that remnant He will not forsake but all who call upon His name. For He speaks through the foundation stone, Christ, to the entire congregation, encompassing both Jews and Gentiles. At one time, you heeded His voice through Moses yet hardened your hearts; now, having received that warning, let your hearts be softened as He speaks directly. The One who sent messengers now comes to speak for Himself, as He who once spoke through the prophets now uses His own voice.
"As in the provocation and day of temptation in the wilderness, when your ancestors tested Me" (Psalm 94:9). Do not let your fathers serve as a model for you: they were your fathers, but if you do not emulate them, they will no longer be so; you were born of them, yet you have the power to choose your path. If, as Jeremiah foretold, "The Gentiles shall come to you from the ends of the earth and declare, ‘Surely our fathers inherited lies, worthless things’" (Jeremiah 16:19), then shall Israel, whom God led out of Egypt and through the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21-22), having seen the enemies heaped upon them, forsake their God when the Gentiles turn to Him? This same God, who provided for them with manna during their wilderness sojourn (Exodus 16:13-35), continued to exercise His rod of correction while benefiting them with His grace—shall they abandon their Creator when others come to Him? Indeed, as your forefathers challenged me, tested me, and witnessed my works...
"For forty years I was grieved with that generation and said, ‘These are a people whose hearts are always wandering; they did not know My ways’" (Psalm 94:10). The span of forty years indicates a continual turning away; it signifies a fullness—as if forty years encompass the totality of time. Our Lord fasted for forty days and was tempted in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11), and for forty days, He was with His disciples following His resurrection (Acts 1:3). The first forty revealed the weight of temptation, while the latter forty demonstrated comfort; for assuredly, in times of trial, we are beckoned towards comfort. The Body of Christ, which is the Church, must endure trials in this world; yet the Comforter reassures us, "Behold, I am with you always, even unto the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20). I have remained with them for forty years to signify this unyielding adversity from humanity until the end of time, as these forty years encapsulate the full duration of worldly existence.