Expositions of the Psalms 1–32
Overview
As the psalms are a microcosm of the Old Testament, so the Expositions of the Psalms can be seen as a microcosm of Augustinian thought. In the Book of Psalms are to be found the history of the people of Israel, the theology and spirituality of the Old Covenant, and a treasury of human experience expressed in prayer and poetry. So too does the work of expounding the psalms recapitulate and focus the experiences of Augustine’s personal life, his theological reflections and his pastoral concerns as Bishop of Hippo. The full set of 6 Volumes of the Expositions of the Psalms is translated by Maria Boulding.
Top Highlights
“However, the Lord God’s anger and rage should not be thought of as any disturbance in his mind, but as the power by which he most justly punishes, for the whole creation is subjected to him and at his service. Something which is particularly to be remembered and borne in mind is expressed in the Wisdom of Solomon: You judge in tranquillity, O Lord of might, and govern us with great forbearance (Wis 12:18). God’s anger, then, is the emotion which occurs in the mind of someone who knows God’s law, when it sees that same law being transgressed by a sinner. Through this emotion in the souls of the just many things are avenged. God’s anger could also reasonably be interpreted as the very darkening of the mind which befalls those who transgress God’s law.” (Page 72)
“that to be unknown to the Lord is to perish, and to be known by him is to remain. Thus” (Page 70)
“God’s good will precedes our good will, in order that he may call sinners to repentance. And these are the weapons which overcome that enemy against whom scripture demands, Who will bring any accusation against those whom God has chosen? and If God is for us, who can stand against us? He did not spare even his own Son, but delivered him up for us all. If Christ died for us while we were still enemies, how much more, now reconciled, shall we be saved from wrath through him? (Rom 8:33, 31, 32; 5:10) This is the most invincible shield, by which the enemy is driven back, that enemy who all the time is prompting us to despair of salvation because of the overwhelming number of tribulations and temptations.” (Page 102)