THEOSISAugustine of Hippo
This psalm is referred to as 'The Psalm of David, when his land was restored.' We should surrender everything to Christ to maintain a proper understanding: let's remain steadfast in the foundational truth, as stated in Ephesians 2:20, to prevent our minds from faltering; in Him, what once trembled may find stability. Any uncertainty we held should find rest in Him. When faced with doubts upon hearing the Scriptures, one must not stray from Christ; upon His revelation through Scripture, assurance in understanding must come; yet, until one comprehends Christ, he should refrain from presuming knowledge. For Christ is the culmination of the law, bringing righteousness to all who believe, as affirmed in Romans 10:4. But what is meant by the words, 'When his land was restored'?
The restoration of the earth symbolizes the resurrection of the body; through His resurrection, all that is celebrated in this psalm has been fulfilled. Let us listen to this joyful Psalm that speaks of the earth’s restoration. May our Lord inspire within us a hope and joy worthy of such an extraordinary act; let Him guide our expressions to mirror our hearts, so that the joy we feel may resonate in our words, reach your ears, touch your hearts, and lead to action.
"The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad; let the many coastlands be joyful." Psalm 95:1. Indeed, this is true, for the Word of God has spread beyond the continent to islands nestled within the sea, all filled with Christians and servants of God. The Creator of the sea is not hindered by it. Where ships sail, so too can the Word of God reach. These islands can be likened to every Church, facing the tumult of temptations all around them. An island may be battered by surrounding waves but can withstand destruction and rise above them, just as God’s Churches have been persecuted by the wicked pressing in from all sides; yet they stand firm, and in time the storms subside.
"Clouds and thick darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne." Psalm 95:2. The Lord proclaims, "For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind may see and those who see may become blind." John 9:39. Those who believe they see, who imagine they are wise, can become blind to their need for healing. But those who acknowledge their blindness may receive sight. Thus, clouds and darkness surround Him for those who fail to comprehend Him; to those who confess and humble themselves, righteousness and justice govern His throne. To those who place their faith in Him, He has established His throne within. In them, He resides; the Son of God embodies divine wisdom. Scripture further reinforces this interpretation: "The soul of the righteous is the abode of Wisdom." Those who have faith are justified and made righteous; they become His throne, with Him judging and guiding through them.
"A fire goes before Him, and burns up His adversaries on every side." Psalm 95:3. We recall the Gospel, where it is said, "Depart into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels." Matthew 25:41. I do not think this refers to that fire, as it describes a fire that precedes Him before He comes to judge the world. This fire will consume those opposed to Him across the globe. However, this fire is different; it represents a temporary punishment for the ungodly, while also signifying a type of salvation for the redeemed. The Lord states, "I have come to cast fire upon the earth." Luke 12:49—the fire representing division as He stated, "I did not come to bring peace, but a sword." Matthew 10:34He brings a sword to divide, and fire to purify. His Word’s sword saves us from evils. He has separated believers from unbelievers, from their families who do not know Christ, or from their ancestors in faith. None of us descends from those who were lost to the world. We have been set apart from our former selves; hence the sword that divides yet does not destroy cleaves through us. Fire too has a purifying purpose: believers ignite in love when He sends the Holy Spirit, who appeared to the apostles as "tongues of fire." Acts 2:3. With this holy fire, they preached to ignite and consume His enemies. Who are these enemies? Those who abandoned their Creator to worship crafted idols.
"His lightnings have illuminated the world." Psalm 95:4. This is a source of great joy—cannot we recognize it? Is it not evident? His lightnings have brightened the entire cosmos; His adversaries were consumed in flames. Everything rejected has been incinerated, and His light has shone upon the world. How do they radiate? This is what the world will ultimately embrace. What of the lightnings? They come from the clouds, which represent God’s truth bearers. Yet when clouds appear heavy and dark, what lies within them is unclear. However, should lightning strike from a cloud, its brilliance will emerge: what you may overlook can manifest as awe. Thus, our Lord Jesus Christ sent out His Apostles as His messengers, resembling clouds that were initially scorned for their humble appearance. Yet from them arose wonders. Fisherman Peter prayed and raised the dead. Acts 9:40His earthly form was a cloud, yet the miracle's Glory was lightning. His light bursts forth from their actions and words; when they accomplish astonishing feats, they illuminate the world, alarming the earth to believe. Is this not the case? Will not the entire Christian world eventually proclaim ‘Amen’ and tremble at the light flashing from those clouds?
"The mountains melt like wax before the Lord." Psalm 96:5. Who are the mountains? The arrogant. All that stands against God, as seen in the actions of Christ and His followers, has quaked and melted away in His presence. The strutting pride of authority has been undone before Him; the fire of the Lord has caused them to dissipate. All that is high has been laid low; it cannot blaspheme Christ now. Even those who once disbelieved in Him do not slander Him openly; though not yet made living stones, even the hardened mountains are subdued. Before the Lord of all the earth—Jew and Gentile alike—per Romans 3:29, He is God of all. Thus, Jesus Christ, born in Judea, is Lord of all, for in creating mankind, He also redeems all.
"The heavens proclaim His righteousness, and all people behold His glory." Psalm 96:6. What have the heavens declared? "The heavens declare the glory of God." The heavens consist of those in whom He resides; as He occupies the heights, He also dwells among the apostles and the heralds of the Gospel. If you desire, you too can become heaven. Do you wish to ascend? Cleanse your heart from earthly desires. If your heart is free from worldly lusts, and if you have not merely voiced your desire to lift up your heart, you will indeed be heaven. “If you have been raised with Christ,” the apostle exhorts, “set your mind on the things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:1-2. If you have begun to seek such high things, have you not become heaven? Though clothed in flesh, your heart already resides in heaven, for your citizenship is in heaven. Philippians 3:20. Therefore, as such, you declare Christ; for who among the faithful does not proclaim Christ? Every church declares Christ, and heaven heralds His righteousness. All who strive to bring those unacquainted with God, out of love, are a reflection of heaven. Through them, God displays the power of His judgment; the unbeliever trembles, reflecting on Christ’s dominion in this world, calling them to love Him.
How many today have invited friends to entertainment, simply out of affection? And do you love Christ? The one who has triumphed over the world has created spectacles beyond reproach; every favorite in earthly entertainment often meets defeat. Yet none meet shame in Christ. Gather, lead, draw whom you can: fear not, for you guide them to One who does not disappoint; implore Him to enlighten them, so they may gain a good reputation.
"All who carve images will be ashamed." Psalm 95:7. Has this not been evident? Are there not daily confusions and disruptions? Carved images represent all hand-made idols. Why do idolaters face chaos? Because they have all witnessed His glory. All nations recognize Christ’s majesty; let those who cling to stone idols be ashamed. After all, those statues are lifeless; we have found a living Stone—our Stone lives eternally with the Father, having died for us, resurrected, and conquering death forevermore, as stated in Romans 6:9. His glory has been acknowledged by the nations. They are leaving their old temples, fleeing to churches. Though remnants of idol worship may linger, they are moving away from false gods.
Some who profess neutrality consider themselves intellectuals, claiming, "I do not worship that stone or meaningless image. I venerate the unseen deity supposed to govern these images.” In professing this, they may deceive themselves, for worshipping such images is worship of demons, as the apostle states: “What pagans sacrifice, they offer to demons and not to God; I do not want you to have fellowship with demons.” Therefore, let it be clear that one cannot rationalize their devotion toward false idols; they are instead unknowingly dedicated to malevolent forces, which is far more dangerous. For if they merely worshipped idols, these would be of no consequence, unable to aid or harm. To serve demons, however, makes them your masters.
But behold holy men, akin to angels. If you witness a devout servant of God and attempt to revere him as God, he will object; he will not seize the honor due to God, but serve you under God’s authority. Similar to the holy apostles Paul and Barnabas, who preached God’s message in Lycaonia, performing miracles that led the people to offer sacrifices, mistakenly calling Barnabas Jupiter and Paul Mercury. They turned away, not out of contempt for reverence but out of fear of undue divine honor conferred upon humans. Their very words disclose this; it is not merely conjecture, for the scriptural account records their sentiments.
Even while the righteous disallow worship in their name, they endeavor to lead all to honor the one true God. Holy angels similarly urge all whom they love to focus on Him, directing glory to Him alone—not to themselves, as they understand that to seek their glory is to usurp. Such false idols are the enemy and his demons, who sought worship for their honor, isolating souls to offer sacrifices to their images. Is it not preferable to revere God’s angels rather than demons? To some, they are still called angels, divine messengers serving God.
So, might I suggest worshiping them? In time, you would come to recognize the futility of their own adoration. Study their teachings. An angel revealed truths to a disciple of Christ and performed wonders in the Revelation of John. When awe struck the disciple, he fell at the feet of the angel; yet the angel, seeking only God’s glory, replied, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant and of your brethren, the prophets” Revelation 19:10. So I implore you, brethren: do not fear that the angel will be offended should you refrain from worshipping him as God. Rather, he is angered when you do so, for he is righteous and devoted to God. Just as demons become furious over lack of reverence, so too do angels become indignant when honored instead of God.
Should the fragile heart wonder about the risk of offending demons, I ask you: What harm can their leader, the devil, inflict upon you? If he had any dominion, none of us would endure. Each day resound with condemnation against him from Christian mouths, and the harvest of believers continues to grow. When enraged with your wicked servants, you label them ‘Satan’ or ‘Devil.’ This may mislead, however, for to address them thus bears the danger of directing wrath upon the image of God; and you label him with what you detest. If they had the power, would they not take revenge? But they act only by what is allowed them. For when the adversary sought to tempt Job, he had to request authority to do so, per Job 1:11, achieving nothing without divine permission.