THEOSISAugustine of Hippo
Beloved brethren, it should be well known to you, as members of the Church, who have been instructed by the teachings of Christ and the writings of our forefathers, that their intentions were to guide us for our benefit, especially those of us living during this era as believers in Christ. He initially came to us in lowliness and is destined to return in glory. As it is written in the Psalms: "Truth shall spring from the earth, and righteousness shall look down from heaven." Our aim, therefore, is that whenever we encounter a Psalm, Prophet, or Law—each of which was composed before our Lord Jesus Christ became incarnate—we should discern Christ within them, finding understanding in Him.
Thus, dear ones, let us attentively engage with this Psalm and actively seek Christ within it; surely He reveals Himself to all who earnestly seek Him, having first appeared to those who were not in search of Him, and He will not abandon those who yearn for Him, redeeming those who have forgotten Him. Observe how the Psalm begins, declaring: "The Lord is King; let the people be enraged" (Psalm 98:1). Our Lord Jesus Christ commenced His reign and preaching after His resurrection and ascension to heaven, filling His disciples with the promise of the Holy Spirit so that they might not fear the death that He had already vanquished.
The proclamation of our Lord Christ was initiated so that those desiring salvation might place their faith in Him; yet, the nations that idolized their creations were incensed. They were angered because the Creator, by whom they were made, was proclaimed. He communicated through His disciples urging them to turn towards their Creator and abandon their idols. Their fury was directed at their Lord due to their false deities, and those who were enraged with their servants for the sake of their idols faced judgment. For indeed, their servants, who were fashioned by God, surpassed their idols, which were merely crafted by mortal hands.
Although their fury may appear ferocious, it serves as a foretelling rather than a directive since prophecy proclaims, "The Lord is King; let the people rage." Even from angry individuals, some good may arise: let them be outraged so that martyrs may be glorified. You may recall how Jeremiah was read prior to the Apostle's reading; if you were attentive, you observed in him the times we presently inhabit. He declared, "Let the gods that did not create the heavens and the earth perish from the earth and from under these heavens" (Jeremiah 10:11). He did not say, "the gods that did not create heaven and earth must vanish from heaven," as they never had been. Instead, he would affirm their destruction from the earth and beneath heaven, emphasizing the earth twice in this context, as it lies beneath heaven. Let them perish from the earth and their temples. Reflect on whether this is not currently manifest; if it has not yet fully occurred, what remains?
Idols persist more in the hearts of the Gentiles than within the confines of their temples. "He who sits between the cherubim" implies He is the King, so let Him shake the earth. The cherubim represent the throne of God, as Scripture indicates, sitting on a lofty heavenly elevation that remains unseen; yet, the Word of God recognizes it as His throne. The Word and the Spirit of God have revealed to His servants the place of His dwelling. Not that God inhabits a human seat; still, if you wish for God to reside within you, strive to be virtuous, for you shall become God's throne. As written, "The soul of a righteous man is the dwelling place of wisdom" (Proverbs 12:23). The term 'throne' translates to 'seat' in our language, with some who know Hebrew interpreting 'cherubim' to mean 'fullness of knowledge.' Since God transcends all understanding, He is seated above all knowledge.
Therefore, let knowledge abound within you, and you shall be the throne of God. He is aware of all things, even numbering our hairs before Him (Matthew 10:30). However, the fullness of knowledge meant for man differs from His; the knowledge He intends for you pertains to His law. You might question who could perfectly know the law to attain that fullness and become a throne for God. Do not be troubled; simply understand that if you yearn for fullness, the apostle succinctly explains, "Love is the fulfillment of the Law" (Romans 13:10). What's next? Have you lost your justification? Reflect on your heart; does it harbor love? Where love exists, the Law is fulfilled; God already resides within you, and you have become His throne.
Let the angry men rage; what can they do against one who has become the throne of God? Be mindful of the enraged voices around you; do not lose sight of who dwells within you. You have turned into heaven, so why fear the earth? For Scripture also proclaims: "Heaven is My throne" (Isaiah 66:1). Thus, if you possess both knowledge and love, you have become God's throne, embodying heaven. For the heaven we observe with our eyes holds little value before God. Holy souls, angelic minds, and all the intellects of His servants symbolize God's true heaven.
"Great is the Lord in Zion, high above all peoples" (Psalm 98:2). The one referred to as cherubim is esteemed in Zion. What, you may ask, is Zion? We recognize Zion as the city of God, specifically Jerusalem, referred to as Zion due to certain interpretations meaning 'watching,' which encompasses seeing and contemplation. To observe reflects a yearning to perceive more profoundly. Every soul embodies Zion if it seeks to witness the divinity before them, for if it sees its own light, it remains dim; but upon gazing at Him, it will become illuminated.
Now, having established that Zion is indeed God’s city, what constitutes the city of God but the Holy Church? For those who love one another and love the God who resides within them create the city of God. The foundation of this city is established by a singular law, which is Love, and since "God is Love" (1 John 4:8), a person filled with love is filled with God, and many filled with love comprise a city overflowing with God. This city of God is Zion—therein resides God's greatness.
Do you suppose, dear brethren, that those whose instruments produced music yesterday do not resent our fasting? Yet, let us not harbor resentment towards them; rather, let us fast for their sakes. Our Lord God, who indwells us, instructed us to pray for our enemies and those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44). When the Church adopts this practice, the persecutors often fade away. A drunkard does not offend themselves; rather, they offend the sober observer. Witness a person truly awakened by God, earnestly longing for the eternal peace promised by Him. Observe how such a soul, upon encountering a celebrant dancing to instruments, feels more sorrow for their folly than a person suffering from fever.
In recognizing their sins and understanding that we, too, have been redeemed from similar wrongs, we should mourn for them. If that holds true and we grieve, we shall pray for them, and in turn, fast to ensure our pleas are acknowledged. We ourselves do not fast during our celebrations, as our observances in the Holy days leading up to Easter differ. We fast on their joyous occasions, so when they revel, we sorrow for them. Their joy stirs our grief, reminding us of their enduring misery. Yet knowing many have been saved where we were lost, we shall not despair on their behalf. If they remain angry, we ought to pray; and if any part of the earth rises against us, we should continue lamenting for them, desiring that God imparts understanding to them, so they might partake in the gladness we share here.
"All this people, over whom Thou art great in Zion, let them confess to Thy Name, great" (Psalm 98:3). Your Name was diminished while they raged; yet it has become renowned—let them now extol it! In what context do we say that the Name of Christ was once small before spreading so widely? It reflects the significance implied within His Name. His Name, though once insignificant, has grown immeasurably; what nation has not heard of the Name of Christ? Thus, let all confess before Thy majestic Name those who once stood enraged at Thy lesser Name.
Why should they confess? For Thy Name is both marvelous and sacred. He was proclaimed as crucified, humbled, and condemned, that He may ultimately return exalted, alive, and judge in divine authority. Presently, He grants grace to those who blaspheme Him, for God's patience leads to repentance (Romans 2:4). However, He who shows mercy today will not do so unendingly; He whom they now scoff at will indeed come to judge. He will arrive, dear brethren; let us establish a life worthy of being found at His right hand. For He will return to separate the sheep from the goats (Matthew 25:31-33), ensuring no missteps in judgment that might lead to a misplaced soul. If He cannot err, our own failings arise if we disregard fear; yet if we remain fearful in this life, we shall have no cause for alarm.
"The capital has been prepared; Thou hast executed judgment and righteousness in Jacob." We, too, ought to uphold justice and righteousness, for He cultivates what is right within us, having created us for that purpose. How shall we embody justice and righteousness? You possess judgment when you differentiate between good and evil, and righteousness manifests through your actions in alignment with good and avoidance of evil. Identifying these truths bestows judgment; acting this way grants righteousness. Abandon evil and pursue good; seek peace and pursue it. You must first establish sound judgment and then embody righteousness.
And what is the judgment? It is to discern what is evil and what is good. What is righteousness? It involves turning away from evil and embracing good. But this will not arise out of your own strength; note how He articulated, "You have wrought judgment and righteousness in Jacob."
"Magnify the Lord our God!" (Psalm 98:5). Truly glorify Him. Let us extol and honor He who has created the very truth we harbor—who fashioned it within us. For who else but He who justifies the ungodly could create righteousness within us? As it is said regarding Christ, who justifies the unrighteous (Romans 4:5), "And bow down before His footstool; for He is holy." What should we humble ourselves before? His footstool. That which lies beneath our feet is termed a footstool, in Greek ὑ ποπόδιον, and in Latin Scabellum or Suppedaneum. Yet, ponder this, brethren: before what do we condescend in worship? In another passage, it declares, "Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool" (Isaiah 66:1). Does this imply we worship the earth since it is recognized as God's footstool? How can we venerate the earth when it is clearly stated, "You shall worship the Lord your God" (Deuteronomy 6:13)?
The Scripture commands us to prostrate ourselves before His footstool; and it elucidates that "the earth is My footstool." I hesitate; I'm wary of venerating the earth for fear of divine condemnation. Yet, I have no trepidation worshipping the footstool of my Lord, as the Psalm advises me to bow before it. What constitutes a footstool for His feet? The Scripture declares, "The earth is a footstool for My feet." Hesitantly, I turn to Christ, pursuing Him; He elucidates how we may rightly worship the earth without incurring guilt, affirming that the earth may indeed be a sacred footstool. For He embraced the earth from the earth, having taken on flesh born of Mary. He traversed upon this earth in that very flesh and gifted us that same flesh to nourish us for our salvation.