THEOSISAugustine of Hippo
My dear brother Severus continues to delay the joy we anticipate from his words, acknowledging his debt to us. Throughout his journey, he has delighted the Lord's churches with his message, and consequently, the church from which he emanated should rejoice even more, as it was the starting point for his evangelism to others. What can we do but submit to his wishes? I remind you, brethren, that his delay is not a deception. Thus, we shall consider him a debtor and not release him until he fulfills this obligation. Beloved, let us take heed; as the Lord allows, let us reflect on this Psalm, which you are already familiar with, since a renewed exploration of the truth is delightful. Perhaps when the title was first mentioned, some were taken aback, for it is inscribed in the Psalm that it relates to the building of the house after the Exile. If you anticipated to hear what stones were taken from the mountains, what materials were gathered, what foundations were laid down, what beams were raised, what columns were erected, you may be surprised. His song speaks not of these matters; for the construction in question is not confined to a single location. He begins with an exhortation to "Sing unto the Lord a new song; sing unto the Lord, all the earth" (Psalm 94:1). If the entirety of creation sings this new hymn, the act of singing itself becomes a means of construction—yet only if it is a new song. The desires of the flesh bring forth the old song, whereas the love of God produces the new.
Listen to what makes it new: the Lord proclaims, "A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another" (John 15:12). Therefore, as the earth sings a new song, the house of God is in the process of being built. This entire earth constitutes the house of God. If the earth is truly the house of God, then he who is detached from it is more akin to ruins than a dwelling; resembling the ancient structures whose shadow symbolized the former temple. Old edifices were dismantled to make way for the new. The apostle connects us to this sacred structure, binding us in unity, saying, "Indulging one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:2-3). Where this unity exists, there lies one stone; yet that stone is hewn from many. How is one formed from many? Through mutual love and humility. Thus, the Lord’s house is under construction; this is what we undertake, for these are the words, these are the teachings, these are the proclamations of the Gospel being shared worldwide during its building phase.
This house has expanded greatly, encompassing many nations; yet it has still not subdued all nationalities. Nonetheless, its growth is monumental, and it will ultimately prevail over all, even as some—who dare to claim they are part of this house—assert that it has already faltered. There will be ongoing expansion, and all of those who have yet to believe are destined to do so; who can claim whether this or that nation will soften its heart? What significance does the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in fiery tongues (Acts 2:3) have, if not to show that no heart is so hardened that it cannot be warmed by this divine fire? Many barbarous nations have already embraced Christ: He reigns in territories untouched by the Roman Empire; what remains inaccessible to those who wield swords is open to those who wield wooden instruments.
Who engages with wood? Christ. By His cross, He overcame kings, marking their foreheads with the very instrument of their defeat; they take pride in it, for therein lies their salvation. This is the work that enlarges the house; therefore, listen to the ensuing verses of the Psalm that illustrate their labor in building: "Sing unto the Lord, all the earth" (Psalm 95:2). How is the structure expanded? Through the ongoing declaration of His salvation. "Proclaim the good news of His salvation day by day." Let the message be echoed continuously; day by day, let the building continue; let God’s house increase. Almost as if the laborers inquire, "Where do you wish this house to be erected? Grant us a spacious site, if it is to be a grand dwelling for You." The command is given: "Proclaim to the nations His glory"—His glory, not yours. Builders, declare His glory to the nations. If you proclaim your own honor, you shall stumble; if you proclaim His, you will be elevated as you elevate.
Those who seek to declare their own accolades have distanced themselves from this dwelling, including them out of the joyous new song sung by all creation. Thus, they do not contribute to the construction of a solid edifice but merely erect self-aggrandizing façades. How severe a warning God gives against false facades (Ezekiel 13:10); the Prophets often denounce such deceptions. A false façade signifies hypocrisy—a pretense that appears pleasant outside but harbors filth within. One individual remarked: If you construct a door in an isolated wall that is not connected to any other structure, anyone who enters will find themselves outside the house, much like those who refuse to join in this new song yet strive to build disjointed structures. But what benefit is there in such a door? If they have not entered through the true entrance, they cannot even find access. The Lord said, "I am the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved" (John 10:9). Therefore, proclaim His glory to the nations.
Who are the nations? Maybe only a few are truly meant by this term, while those erecting their own walls may argue: Why are regions like Getulia, Numidia, Mauritania, and Byzacia not counted as nations? Provinces themselves constitute nations. Let the Word of God strip hypocrisy from the façade of the self-proclaimed wall, building a universal house. It is not sufficient to declare, "Proclaim Him to the nations," without including any nations; He adds, "and His wonders to all mankind."
"For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised" (Psalm 95:4). Who but Jesus Christ embodies this great and worthy praise? You know for certain that He appeared in human form, was conceived by a woman, born as an infant, nurtured, cradled, circumcised, and offered as a sacrifice for His growth. Furthermore, you know He endured beatings, spitting, was crowned with thorns, crucified, died, and pierced with a spear; He faced all these sufferings: He is great and deserving of exaltation. Let us not scorn the small; understand the great. He minimized Himself, so that you might be seen as significant; recognize His greatness, and you shall find yours in Him.
What can a small tongue utter in praise of the Great One? Alas, it was stated, "Above all praise," conveying the unspeakable; as if to advise, "Ponder that which is beyond articulation," and your contemplation will still fall short. What human language can encapsulate the inexpressible? The Lord is indeed great and deserving of exaltation. Let Him be honored and proclaimed: declare His glory and build His house.
For He intended to construct a dwelling amidst the woodlands, and as we mentioned earlier, we noted it is found among the trees. He was in search of that house when He spoke of the woods. Why is this area wooded? Because men once worshiped idols; hence the phrase, "the swine they fed." This alludes to the son who abandoned his father, squandered his wealth on indulgent living, and was reduced to tending swine (Luke 15:12-15), symbolizing worship of false gods. Due to this widespread idolatry among the Gentiles, the entire earth became like a forest.
The one who builds a house uproots trees; thus, it was stated, "While the house was being built after the captivity." For men were enslaved by evil, serving false deities; yet they were ransomed from bondage. They were able to sell, but could not redeem themselves. The Redeemer appeared, determined the price, shed His blood, and redeemed the whole world. You might wonder, what did He purchase? Consider what He offered; let that reveal what He acquired. The price was the blood of Christ. What is comparable to that? Only the entire world, or all nations. It is ungrateful or arrogant for any to assert that the price was trivial, or that only a select few possess it. Let them not boast—He has offered what He did for the whole world, knowing the value of what He redeemed, as He understood what price He paid. Therefore, being redeemed means the house is built anew after the captivity.
Who are these captors? Those to whom it is commanded, "Declare His glory," dismantle the old limbs and roots on account of which the earth was held in bondage, building and establishing while proclaiming the Lord’s magnificence. How can the treacherous tree be removed unless He who is greater than it is preached? All nations once had false gods as their deities; as the Apostle so plainly states, "The things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God" (1 Corinthians 10:20). Thus, they remained captives, offering sacrifices to demons, resulting in the wilderness of the earth. He is declared to be great and above all worldly conceptions.
For when it is written, "He is feared above all gods," it continues, "As for all the gods of the nations, they are demons." All the gods of the Gentiles are demons. And what praise does His greatness receive if it only compares Him as supreme over these demons? Listen to this: "God made the heavens." So He is not only greater than gods but above all the heavens He crafted. If He had merely stated "above all gods," that would not sufficiently express how high our Lord reigns; but rather than just stating "the Lord sits in the heavens," He affirms, "But the Lord made the heavens." If He constructed the heavens, then He is also the creator of angels. The Lord did not only create the universe; He made the angels and the apostles as well. The demonic powers bow before the Apostles, whom the Apostles themselves embody as the heavens that birthed the Lord.
O heavens that He created, declare His glory to the nations! Let His house extend throughout the earth; let all creation sing the new song.
"Confession and beauty before Him" (Psalm 95:6). Do you appreciate beauty? Do you seek to be beautiful? Then confess! It does not say beauty and confession, but rather confession and beauty. If you have acted unjustly, confess in order to be justified; if you have sinned, acknowledge it to be made righteous. You may disfigure yourself, but cannot shape your own beauty. But how does the Bride who loves her husband indeed become beautiful? Perhaps some will argue, "How could He love the unlovely?" He responded, "I came to call not the righteous, but sinners" (Matthew 9:13). Who does He identify as sinners so they may remain sinful? No, He says. How will they stop being sinners? By presenting confession and beauty before Him. They honor Him through acknowledging their sins, repenting of their transgressions without returning to their bad habits like a dog returning to its vomit (2 Peter 2:22), and thus they will find both confession and beauty.
We cherish beauty; choose confession first, and beauty shall follow. Furthermore, should one desire power and majesty, seeking to be elevated like the angels? Indeed, there is certain majesty among angels; such power, if fully exerted, cannot easily be opposed. Every man may seek the authority of the angels, but not every soul loves their righteousness. Above all, prioritize righteousness; power will follow. What follows from this? Holiness and grandeur are enshrined in His sanctification. Once you sought grandeur: prioritize righteousness; attain righteousness, and you will be exalted.
If your focus is on achieving greatness without establishing righteousness first, you will fall before you can rise. For you must elevate yourself; you will elevate better when He who is unshakeable lifts you. The One who has never fallen approaches you in your fallen state: He extends His hand to you; you cannot rise by your own means, so take hold of His hand to be lifted up by the Strong.