All this, from the
beginning
of the Psalm up to this
verse, we have heard of the oil of the press.
verse, we have heard of the oil of the press.
Augustine - Exposition on the Psalms - v4
Behold yourselves, 0 Asaph, congregation of the
(ver. 1. ) Exult ye unto God our helper. Ye who are gathered together to-day, ye are this day the congregation of the Lord, if indeed unto you the Psalm is sung, Exult ye unto God our helper. Others exult unto the Circus, ye unto God : others exult unto their deceiver, do ye exult unto your
helper : others exult unto their god their belly, do ye exult
unto your God your helper. Jubilate unto the God of Jacob. cun. 26, Because Je also belong to Jacob: yea, ye are Jacob, the younger people to which the elder is servant. Jubilate unto the God of Jacob. Whatsoever ye cannot explain in words,
yet do not therefore forbear exulting: what ye shall be^able to explain, cry out; what ye cannot, jubilate. For from the abundance of joys, he that cannot find words suflicient, useth to break out into jubilating; Jubilate unto the God of Jacob.
4. Ver. 2. Take the Pialm, and give the tabret. Both
take, and give. What is, take ? what, give ? Take the
Phil. 4, Psalm, and give the tabret. The Apostle Paul saith in a
l Cor. 9, which he hath openly set forth in another place. Ifwe have sowed unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we reap your carnal things. And it is true that a tabret, which is made of hide, belongs to the flesh. The Psalm, therefore, is spiritual, the tabret, carnal. Therefore, people of God, con gregation of God, take ye the Psalm, and give the tabret :
take ye spiritual things, and give carnal. This also is what at that blessed Martyr's table b we exhorted you, that re ceiving spiritual things ye should give carnal. For these
b St. Cyprian'*, who is Darned in there he was offered up, and because by 6. 23. namely, at Carthage, on the spot that very offering of his he prepared iif his martyrdom. "In that same that table, not to feed or be fed on, but j,lace," says St. Aug. Ser. 1)3, "a whereon sacrifice might be offered to ti. i,le was constructed to God, which is God, to Whom himself also was offered. " (ailed Cyprian's table, not because
Cyprian ever ate there, but because
(Ben. )
The Psaltery, heavenly thoughts, New Moon, new life. 1 17
which are built for the time, are needful for receiving the Ver. bodies either of the living or of the dead, but in time that is ------ passing by. Shall we after God's judgment take up these buildings to Heaven ? Yet without these we shall not be
able to do at this time the things which belong to the pos sessing of Heaven. If therefore ye are eager in getting spiritual things, be ye devout in expending carnal things.
Take the psalm, and give the tabret: take our voice, return your hands.
5. The pleasant psaltery1, with the harp. I remember ' or, The
that we once intimated to your charity the difference
psaltery and harp : let the thoughtful who remember recol- ><*>>(- lect, let those who either have not heard, or do not remember, learn. Of those two musical instruments, psaltery and harp, this
is the difference, that the psaltery hath that hollow wood, by which the strings are made to ring, in the upper part : the chords are struck below, that they may sound above. But in
the harp this same hollow of the wood holdeth the lower place : as though the other should be of heaven, this of earth. For heavenly is the preachiBg of the word of God.
But if we wait for heavenly things, let us not be sluggish in working at earthly things; because, the psaltery is pleasant,
but, with the harp. The same is expressed in another way
as above, Take the psalm, and give the tabret : here for
psalm, is put psaltery, for tabret, harp. Of this, however, we are admonished, that to the preaching of God's word we make answer by bodily works.
6. Ver. 3. Sound the trumpet. This Loudly and boldly preach, be not affrighted as the Prophet says in certain place, "Cry out, and lift up as with a trumpet thy voice. " Is. 68, Sound the trumpet in the beginning the month of the trumpet. It was ordered, that in the beginning of the month
there should be sounding of the trumpet: and this even
now the Jews do in bodily sort, after the spirit they under
stand not. For the beginning of the month, the new
moon the new moon, the new life. What the new moon? If any, then, in Christ, he is a new creature. Cor. What is, sound the trumpet in the beginning the month
the trumpet With all confidence preach ye the new life,
fear not the noise of the old life.
of&TM? *rf
it ?
of
is is
a
of 2 6,
\.
:
a is is
!
oj
is,
118 Joseph sold into Egypt, Christ given over to Gentiles.
Psalm 7. Ver. 4. Because it is a commandment for Israel, and
l**xI- a judgment for the God of Jacob. Where a commandment,
Rom. 2, there judgment. For, They that have sinned in the Law, by
12, the Law shall be judged. And the very giver of the com-
M'
John 9, mandment, the Lord Christ, the Word made flesh, saith, For
judgment I
am come into the world, that they that see not may see, and they that see may be made blind. What is, That they that see not may see, they that see be made blind, but that the lowly be exalted, the proud thrown down? For not they that see are to be made blind, but those who to themselves seem to see are to be convicted of blindness. This is brought about in the mystery of the press, that they
who see not may see, and they that see be made blind.
8. Ver. 5. A testimony in Joseph He made that. Look
you, brethren, what is it ? Joseph is interpreted augment
ation. Ye remember, ye know of Joseph sold into Egypt: 1 Oxf. Joseph sold into Egypt 1 is Christ passing over to the Gen-
t^es- There Joseph after tribulations was exalted, and here the Christ, after the suffering of the Martyrs, was glorified, word*, thenceforth to Joseph the Gentiles rather belong, and thence- Is. 64,1. forth augmentation; because, " Many are the children of her
that was desolate, rather than of her that hath the husband. " A testimony in Joseph He made it, till he should go out of the land of Egypt. Observe that also here the fifth of the sabbath is signified : when Joseph went out from the
land of Egypt, that is, the people multiplied through Joseph,
he was caused to pass through the Red sea. Therefore Gen. l, then also the waters brought forth creeping things of living
repeat
20,
souls. No other thing was it that there in figure the passage of that people through the sea foreshewed, than the passing ofIthe Faithful through Baptism; the apostle is wit-
would not have you ignorant, brethren, he said,
1 Cor. ness: for
10? 1- 2' that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed
through the sea, andwere all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea. Nothing else then the passing through the sea did signify, but the Sacrament of the baptized ; nothing else the pursuing Egyptians, but the multitude of past sins. Ye see most evident mysteries. The Egyptians press, they urge ; so then sins follow close, but no farther than to the water. Why then dost thou fear, who hast not yet come, to
Joseph, freedfrom bondage, hears a ' new language. ' 119
come to the Baptism of Christ, to pass through the Red sea? Ver. What is Red? Consecrated with the Blood of the Lord. ----- Why fearest thou to come ? The consciousness, perhaps, of
some huge offences goads and tortures in thee thy mind, and
says to thee that it is so great a thing thou hast committed,
that thou mayest despair to have it remitted thee. Fear lest
there remain any thing of thy sins, if there lived any one ofEx. 14, the Egyptians ! "''
But when thou shalt have passed the Red sea, when
thou shalt have been led forth out of thine offences
with a mighty hand and with a strong arm, thou wiltExod. perceive mysteries that thou knowest not: since Joseph rjJut! 6, himself too, wfien he came out of the land of Egypt, heard31'
a language which he knew not. Thou shalt hear a language
which thou knowest not : which they that know now hear
and recognise, bearing witness and knowing. Thou shalt
hear where thou oughtest to have thy heart : which just now Matt. 6, when I said many understood and answered by acclamation, off. 01"1 the rest stood mute, because they have not heard the language Euch. which they knew not. Let them hasten, then, let them pass
over, let them learn. A language which he had not known
he heard.
9. Ver. 6. He turned away from burdens his back. Who turned away from burdens his back, but He that cried, Come Mat. ll, unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden ? In another no manner this same thing is signified. What the pursuit of
the Egyptians did, the same thing do the burdens of sins.
He turned away from burdens his back. As if thou should-
est say, From what burdens? His hands in the basket did
serve. By the basket are signified servile works; to cleanse,
to manure, to carry earth, is done with a basket", such works
are servile : because every one that doeth sin, is the slave John 8, of sin ; and if the Son shall have made you free, then will
ye be free indeed. Justly also are the rejected things of
the world counted as baskets, but even baskets did God
fill with morsels: Twelve baskets did He fill with morsels : Mat. U, because He chose the rejected things this world 20
of
confound the things that were mighty. But also when27-
c To this day it is common in many usually do with a barrow, countries to do with a basket what we
/<>iCor. l,
}4Cor! 10, 2-
l 20 Deliverance in Baptism. Trial of contradiction.
Psalm with the basket Joseph did serve, he then carried earth, because he did make bricks. His hands in the basket did serve.
10. Ver. 8. In tribulation thou didst call on Me, and I delivered thee. Let each Christian conscience recognise
Exod. itself, if it have devoutly passed the Red sea, if with faith
m believing and observing it hath heard a strange language which it knew not, let it recognise itself as having been heard in its tribulation. For that was a great tribulation, to be weighed down with loads of sins. How does the con science, lifted from the earth, rejoice. Lo, thou art baptized, thy conscience which was yesterday overladen, to-day re-
joiceth thee. Thou hast been heard in tribulation, remember thy tribulation. Before thou eamest to the water, what anxiety didst thou bear on thee ! what fastings didst thou practise ! what tribulations didst thou carry in thy heart ! what inward, pious, devout prayers! Slain are thine enemies; all thy sins are blotted out. In tribulation thou didst call upon me, and I delivered thee.
11. / heard thee in the hidden part of the tempest. Not iIn a tempest of the sea, but in a tempest of thIe heart.
heard thee in the hidden part the of
proved thee in the water of contradiction. Truly, brethren, truly, he that was heard in the hidden part of the tempest ought to be proved in the water of contradiction. For when he hath
believed, when he hath been baptized, when he hath begun to go in the way of God, when he hath striven to be strained into the vat, and hath drawn himself out from the lees that run in the street, he will have many disturbers, many insulters, many detractors, many discouragers, many that even threaten where they can, that deter, that depress. This is all the ' water of contradiction. ' I suppose there are some here to day, for instance, I think it likely there are some here whom their friends wished to hurry away to the circus, and to I know not what triflings of this day's festivity : perchance they have brought those persons with them to church. whether they have brought those with them, or whether they have by them not permitted themselves to be led away to the circus, in the ' water of contradiction' have they been tried. Do not then be ashamed to proclaim what thou
tempest:
But
The ' waters' of open contradiction nearly dried up. 1 2 1
knowest, to defend even among blasphemers what thou hast Ver. believed. For if thou art heard in the hidden part of the ------
tempest, with the heart doth one believe unto righteousness : Rom. io, if thou art proved in the water of contradiction, with the10' mouth is confession made unto salvation. For how much is
that water of contradiction ? even now it is nearly dried up.
Our ancestors felt it : when to the word of God, when to the mysteries of Christ, the Gentiles offered fierce resistance,
the water was disturbed. For that waters are sometimes to
be understood for peoples, the Scripture of the Apocalypse evidently sheweth, where when many waters were seen, and Rev. 17, it was asked what they were, it was answered, Tliey are15' peoples. They therefore endured the water of contradiction,
when the heathen raged, and the people imagined vain P&. 2, things ; when the kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers 2- took counsel together, against the Lord, and against His Christ. When the heathen raged, then did that lion roaring Jud. 14, come to meet the strong man Samson, as he went to take a6'
wife from the foreigners ; that is Christ going down to take a Church from the Gentiles. But what did he ? He seized, held, crushed, tore the lion ; he became in His hands like a kid of the goats. For what could the raging people become, but a sick sinner ? But now that fierceness has been slain, no longer docs the royal power so roar, no more does the people of the Gentiles rage as it meets Christ: yea, truly, in the very kingdom of the Gentiles we find laws for the Church, like as it were a honeycomb in the mouth of the lion. Why then should I now fear the water of contra diction, which is now nearly all dried up ? That is now almost silent, if the lees do not contradict. However much the bad that are aliens may rage, O that our own bad peo/ple would not help them !
heard thee in the hidden part
thee in the water of contradiction. Ye recollect what was
said of Christ, that He was thus born for the fall of many, Lute 2, and the rising again of many, and for a sign to be spoken 34, against. We know, we see : the sign of the Cross has been
set up, and it has been spoken against. There has been speaking against the glory of the Cross: but there was a
title over the Cross which was not to be corrupted. For
of
the tempest,
I
proved
122 Caution to those in the Church. Vanity of ' new gads?
Psalm there is a titie in the Psalm, For the inscription of the title,
corruPl thou not. It was sign to be spoken against for Tit. the Jews said, Make not, King of the Jews, but make it, }2? fnl9'that He said am the King of the Jews. Conquered was
P*
the contradiction was answered, " What have written,
have written. "
heard thee in the hidden part of the tempest, proved
thee in the water ofcontradiction.
12.
All this, from the beginning of the Psalm up to this
verse, we have heard of the oil of the press. What remains rather for grief and warning for belongs to the lees of
the press, even to the end perchance also not without
But even this too profitable to hear, that he who sees himself
meaning in the interposition of the Diapsalma.
John lb. 14.
4. 6-
nations are silver and gold. Great are they, because they are of gold and silver; costly they arc, shining they are; but yet, Eyes they have, and see not! New are these gods.
" Recens forte Homo, sed sempi- bard, Sentences, book iii. dist. 12. ternus Deus. " Quoted by Peter Lorn- Ben.
already of the oil may rejoice; he that in danger of running among the lees may beware. To both give heed, choose the one, fear the other.
Ver. 8. Hear, My people, and will speak, and will bear witness unto thee. For not to a strange people, Iss. 6,3. not to people that belongs not to the press " Judge ye"
He saith, " between Me and My vineyard. "
Hear, my people, and will speak, and will bear
witness unto thee.
13. Ver. Israel, thou shall have heard Me, there
shall not be in thee any new god. A new god one made for the time but our God not new, but from eternity to eternity. And our Christ new, perchance, as Man but eternal God. For what before the beginning? And truly, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with
God, and the Word was God. And our Christ Himself the Word made flesh, that He might dwell in us. Far be then, that there should be in any one new god. A new
either a stone or a phantom. He not, saith one, stone have a silver and gold one. Justly did he choose
Ps. 116, to name the very costly things, who said, The idols of the
god
l, I i isI
' eo'
;I is
a
a
isis I ; it
is a
I
a
it, is
a
d,
:
:
O 9.
is I
if
it
a
is
I
it
0
; it
is
is I
:
:
Heretics, as well as Pagans, make new gods. 123
What newer than a god out of a w orkshop ? Yea, though Vrr. those now old ones spiders' webs have covered over, they --^-- that are not eternal are new.
So much for the Pagans. One beside, taking in vain the Exod. name of the Lord his God, hath made for himself a Christ Arfui. that is a creature, a Christ unequal and not coeval with Him
that begetteth, speaking of a Son of God, and denying the
Son of God. For if He is the only Son, What the Father
is He is, and That He is from eternity. But thou hast imagined some other thing in thy heart, thou hast set up
a new god.
Another hath made to himself a god fighting against a Mam- race of darkness, fearing lest he be invaded, busy lest he be0*"60a' corrupted ; yet in part corrupted, in order that he might, as
a whole, be safe ; but not whole, because in part corrupt.
The Manichees say these things, these too make to them
selves in their heart a new god. Not such is our God, not
such is thy portion, O Jacob ! But He that made heaven
and earth, Himself is thy God, Who needeth not the good,
and feareth not from the evil.
14. Many, therefore, Heretics together with Pagans, have
made themselves gods, these and those ; these gods and
those have they feigned for themselves, and have placed
them, although not in temples, yet, what is worse, in their
hearts, and have themselves become temples of false and ridiculous images. It is a great work to break these idols
within, and to cleanse a place for the living God, not for a
new god. For all these, thinking one thing and another, framing to themselves first some then other gods, and varying
their very faith through falsehood, seem to disagree with
each other; but they all from earthly thoughts depart not,
in earthly thoughts they agree among themselves. Their opinion is diverse, the vanity of it is one. Of them in another Psalm is said, They from vanity in one. Although Ps. 62,9. by variety of opinions they disagree, yet by like vanity they
are bound together. And ye know that vanity is backward,
it is behind ; therefore he who had forgotten the things behind, that is, had forgotten vanity, reaching forward to
those things that are before, that is, unto the Truth, follows Phil. 3, after the palm of the heavenly calling of God in Christ Jesus. 13' 14,
124 Well put alternatives, double nets for faxes.
Psalm Therefore for the worse do they agree among themselves, lxxxr- although they seem to differ from one another. Therefore Jud. 16, Samson tied together the tails of foxes. Foxes signify the
insidious, and chiefly heretics, deceitful, given to fraud, hiding themselves and taking men in by the winding ways of their holes, and withal stinking with a nasty savour.
2 Cor. 2, Against which savour saith the Apostle, We are a sweet
15'
takest one whom thou convictest of falsehood. Then when Mat. 21, the little foxes gainsay the Lord, and say, In what authority Lukf2o doegt Thou these things? Do ye loo ansutr Me, He says, 2. &c one word: Tfie baptism of John, whence is it? from heaven,
savour of Christ in every place. These foxes are signified Song of in the Song of Songs, where it is said, Take ye for us the 16! '2' little foxes that spoil the vineyards, that hide in winding
holes. Take them for us, convict them for us : for thou
or of men ? Now foxes use to have such holes as that on one side they do enter, and on another side go out; at either entrance the taker of foxes hath placed his nets. Tell Me, is it from heaven, or of men? They perceive that He had spread a net on either side, whereby He might take them ; and they say with themselves, If, say they, we shall say from heaven, He will say to us, Wherefore then did ye not believe? For he bore witness of Christ. If we shall say, Of men, the people stoneth us, because they hold him far a prophet. Perceiving therefore that on this side and that there were means to take them withal, they aInswered, We
know not. And
tell on you
what authority
I the Lord said, Neither do do these things. Ye say that
know not what ye know. I do not tell you what ye ask. Because
on no side ye would venture to come out, in your own dark
ness ye have remained. Let us too therefore obey if we can Song of the Word of God when He speaketh. Take ye for us the 15. ' ' little foxes that spoil the vineyards. Let us see whether we
too cannot take some little foxes. Let us set at either entrance that by which, what way soever a fox may have chosen to go out, he may be taken. For example, to a Manichaean, making himself a new god, and in his heart setting up that which is not, let us say, and put the question to him, Is the substance of God corruptible or incorruptible ? Choose which thou wilt, and go out which way thou wilt, but thou
ye
What 4 SujC Christians worship. Foxes with firfbrands. 125
shalt not escape. If thou shalt have said corruptible, not Ver.
by the people, but by thy very self thou wilt be stoned : -- but if thou shalt have said that God is incorruptible, how then hath the Incorruptible stood in fear of the race of darkness ? What is the race of darkness to do to Him Who
'---
is incorruptible ? What remains but that it be said, We know not ? But yet, if this is said not in craftiness but in ignorance, let him not remain in darkness, of a fox let him become a sheep, let him believe the invisible, sole incor ruptible God, not a new god ; sole by His soleness, not solarity? , lest we ourselves should seem to have opened another hole for the fox to escape. Although we shall not be afraid even of the name " Sol. " For there is in our
Scriptures the Sun of Righteousness, and health in HisMal. 4, wings. From the heat of this sun shade is desired: but2' under the wings of this other Sun is a refuge from the heat ;
for health is in His wings. This is the Sun of which the ungodly shall say, Therefore we have erred from the way q/-Wisd. 6, truth, and the light of righteousness hath not shone upon us,e'
and the sun is not arisen upon us. The worshippers of the
sun shall say, Hie Sun is not arisen upon us; because whilst
they adore the sun which He maketh to rise upon the good Mat. 6, and the evil, to them the Sun is not arisen, Who enlighteneth
the good alone. Each sort, then, make to themselves new
gods, such as they will. For what hindereth the workshop of
the deceived heart to frame to itself a phantom such as it may have chosen ? But all these agree in the things behind, that is, are held in a similar vanity. Whence our Samson, which name is also interpreted ' their sun,' that of those to whom He shines not of all, as that which riseth upon the good
and the evil, but the Sun of certain ones, the Sun of Righ teousness (for he bore figure of Christ bound together, Judge* as had begun to say, the tails of foxes, and then bound on l6' fire; fire to set burning, but that the harvest of aliens. Such accordingly connected in things behind, as tied together
by their tails, draw along fire that destroyeth but they
do not set burning the crops of our people. For the Lord2 Tim. knoweth them that are His; and let every one that calleth
l. Soli ab eo quod est solus, non ab the sun to be God. Soli would be the eo quod est sol. " The Manichees held dative case of either word.
?
I
:
\
;
nj1
-
a
a
is
:) if
is,
;
126 Fake gods toithin. Our deliverance from Egypt.
Psalm on the name of the Lord depart from iniquity. But in a LxI"' great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and of clay: and some one indeed unto honour, and others unto dishonour. But if any one shall have cleansed himself from such, he shall be a vessel unto honour, useful for the Lord, prepared for every good work; and therefore neither the tails of foxes, nor the faces of foxes,
1 <1l>>>> Ms 'to thee. '
shall he fear.
But let us see concerning this people: If
thou shalt have heard Me, He saith, there shall not be in thee any new god. It moveth me that He hath said in thee, for He hath not
said ' from thee',' as if it were an image taken to one from .
without, but in thee, in thy heart, in the image of thy fancy, in the deception of thine error thou shalt carry with thee thy new god, if thou remain old. If, then, thou wilt hear Me.
Bxod. 3, " Me," He says, because "lam I 14'
that Am. " There shall not be in thee any new god: nor shall thou worship a strange jjod. For if there be error in thee, Thou wilt not worship a strange god. If thou think not of a false god, thou wilt not worship a manufactured god : for there will not be in
thee any strange god.
15. Ver. 10. For I am. Why wouldest thou
adore Iwhat
/
Am He saith, I that Am, over every creature:
am the Lord thy God. Because is not ? For II
am
that
Am, and indeed "
yet to thee what good have I afforded in time ?
brought thee out of the land of Etjypt. " Not to that people alone is it said. For we all were brought out of the land of Egypt, we have all passed through the Red sea; our enemies pursuing us have perished in the water. Let us not be un grateful to our God ; let us not forget God that abideth, and
in ourselves a new god. I, Who led thee out of the
I will fill it. Thou BUfferest straitness in thyself because of the new god set up in thy heart ; break the vain image, cast
fabricate
land of Egypt, saith God. Open wide thy mouth, and
down from thy conscience the feigned idol : open wide thy
mouth, in confessing, in loving : and with me is the fountain of life.
16. This indeed saith the Lord, but what followeth ? (Ver. 11. ) And My people obeyed not My voice. For He would not speak these things except to His own people.
I will fill it, because
Who
The disobedient left to themselves -- their own fault. 127
For, "we know that whatsoever things the Law saith, it Ver. saith to them that are in the Law. Bora. 3.
And My people obeyed not My voice : and Israel did not 10.
listen to Me. Who? To whom?
soul ! Through Me the soul, by Me the soul called, by Me brought back to hope, by Me washed from sins! And Israel did not listen to Me ! For they are baptized and pass through the Red sea : but on the way they murmur, gainsay, com
plain, are stirred with seditions, ungrateful to Him Who delivered them from pursuing enemies, Who leads through the dry land, through the desert, yet with food and drink, with light by night and shade by day : And Israel did not listen to Me. I
17. Ver. 12. And
of their heart. Behold the press : the orifices are open,
let them
go according to the affections
Israel to Me. O ungrateful
the lees run. And I
fulness of My commands ; but, according to the affections of
their heart: I gave them up to themselves. The Apostle
also saith, I" God gave them up io the desires of their own Rom. l,
let them to the
hearts. " go according affections of their'2'*'
heart, they shall go in their own affections. There is what ye shudder at, if at least ye are straining out into the hidden vats of the Lord, if at least ye have conceived a hearty love for His storehouses, there is what ye shudder at. Some stand up for the circus, some for the amphitheatre, some for the booths in the streets, some for the theatres, some for this, some for that, some finally for their " new
gods;" they shall go in their oion affections.
18. Ver. 13. If My people would have heard Me, if Israel
let them not go,
according to the hcalth-
uould have walked in My ways. For perchance that Israel saith, Behold I sin, it is manifest, I go after the affections of my own heait : but what can I do ' ? The devil doth this. Demons do this. What is the devil? Who are the demons? Certainly thine enemies. If Israel uould have walked in My ways: unto nothing all their enemies 1 would have brought down. Therefore, If My people would have heard Me. For wherefore is it Mine, if it doth not hear Me ?
If Aly people would have heard Me. What My people?
Israel. What is, Would hate heard Me? Ifhe had walked Quid facio Perhaps, What do do e. What of my doing
?
J
? i.
it is
is,
?
(ver. 1. ) Exult ye unto God our helper. Ye who are gathered together to-day, ye are this day the congregation of the Lord, if indeed unto you the Psalm is sung, Exult ye unto God our helper. Others exult unto the Circus, ye unto God : others exult unto their deceiver, do ye exult unto your
helper : others exult unto their god their belly, do ye exult
unto your God your helper. Jubilate unto the God of Jacob. cun. 26, Because Je also belong to Jacob: yea, ye are Jacob, the younger people to which the elder is servant. Jubilate unto the God of Jacob. Whatsoever ye cannot explain in words,
yet do not therefore forbear exulting: what ye shall be^able to explain, cry out; what ye cannot, jubilate. For from the abundance of joys, he that cannot find words suflicient, useth to break out into jubilating; Jubilate unto the God of Jacob.
4. Ver. 2. Take the Pialm, and give the tabret. Both
take, and give. What is, take ? what, give ? Take the
Phil. 4, Psalm, and give the tabret. The Apostle Paul saith in a
l Cor. 9, which he hath openly set forth in another place. Ifwe have sowed unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we reap your carnal things. And it is true that a tabret, which is made of hide, belongs to the flesh. The Psalm, therefore, is spiritual, the tabret, carnal. Therefore, people of God, con gregation of God, take ye the Psalm, and give the tabret :
take ye spiritual things, and give carnal. This also is what at that blessed Martyr's table b we exhorted you, that re ceiving spiritual things ye should give carnal. For these
b St. Cyprian'*, who is Darned in there he was offered up, and because by 6. 23. namely, at Carthage, on the spot that very offering of his he prepared iif his martyrdom. "In that same that table, not to feed or be fed on, but j,lace," says St. Aug. Ser. 1)3, "a whereon sacrifice might be offered to ti. i,le was constructed to God, which is God, to Whom himself also was offered. " (ailed Cyprian's table, not because
Cyprian ever ate there, but because
(Ben. )
The Psaltery, heavenly thoughts, New Moon, new life. 1 17
which are built for the time, are needful for receiving the Ver. bodies either of the living or of the dead, but in time that is ------ passing by. Shall we after God's judgment take up these buildings to Heaven ? Yet without these we shall not be
able to do at this time the things which belong to the pos sessing of Heaven. If therefore ye are eager in getting spiritual things, be ye devout in expending carnal things.
Take the psalm, and give the tabret: take our voice, return your hands.
5. The pleasant psaltery1, with the harp. I remember ' or, The
that we once intimated to your charity the difference
psaltery and harp : let the thoughtful who remember recol- ><*>>(- lect, let those who either have not heard, or do not remember, learn. Of those two musical instruments, psaltery and harp, this
is the difference, that the psaltery hath that hollow wood, by which the strings are made to ring, in the upper part : the chords are struck below, that they may sound above. But in
the harp this same hollow of the wood holdeth the lower place : as though the other should be of heaven, this of earth. For heavenly is the preachiBg of the word of God.
But if we wait for heavenly things, let us not be sluggish in working at earthly things; because, the psaltery is pleasant,
but, with the harp. The same is expressed in another way
as above, Take the psalm, and give the tabret : here for
psalm, is put psaltery, for tabret, harp. Of this, however, we are admonished, that to the preaching of God's word we make answer by bodily works.
6. Ver. 3. Sound the trumpet. This Loudly and boldly preach, be not affrighted as the Prophet says in certain place, "Cry out, and lift up as with a trumpet thy voice. " Is. 68, Sound the trumpet in the beginning the month of the trumpet. It was ordered, that in the beginning of the month
there should be sounding of the trumpet: and this even
now the Jews do in bodily sort, after the spirit they under
stand not. For the beginning of the month, the new
moon the new moon, the new life. What the new moon? If any, then, in Christ, he is a new creature. Cor. What is, sound the trumpet in the beginning the month
the trumpet With all confidence preach ye the new life,
fear not the noise of the old life.
of&TM? *rf
it ?
of
is is
a
of 2 6,
\.
:
a is is
!
oj
is,
118 Joseph sold into Egypt, Christ given over to Gentiles.
Psalm 7. Ver. 4. Because it is a commandment for Israel, and
l**xI- a judgment for the God of Jacob. Where a commandment,
Rom. 2, there judgment. For, They that have sinned in the Law, by
12, the Law shall be judged. And the very giver of the com-
M'
John 9, mandment, the Lord Christ, the Word made flesh, saith, For
judgment I
am come into the world, that they that see not may see, and they that see may be made blind. What is, That they that see not may see, they that see be made blind, but that the lowly be exalted, the proud thrown down? For not they that see are to be made blind, but those who to themselves seem to see are to be convicted of blindness. This is brought about in the mystery of the press, that they
who see not may see, and they that see be made blind.
8. Ver. 5. A testimony in Joseph He made that. Look
you, brethren, what is it ? Joseph is interpreted augment
ation. Ye remember, ye know of Joseph sold into Egypt: 1 Oxf. Joseph sold into Egypt 1 is Christ passing over to the Gen-
t^es- There Joseph after tribulations was exalted, and here the Christ, after the suffering of the Martyrs, was glorified, word*, thenceforth to Joseph the Gentiles rather belong, and thence- Is. 64,1. forth augmentation; because, " Many are the children of her
that was desolate, rather than of her that hath the husband. " A testimony in Joseph He made it, till he should go out of the land of Egypt. Observe that also here the fifth of the sabbath is signified : when Joseph went out from the
land of Egypt, that is, the people multiplied through Joseph,
he was caused to pass through the Red sea. Therefore Gen. l, then also the waters brought forth creeping things of living
repeat
20,
souls. No other thing was it that there in figure the passage of that people through the sea foreshewed, than the passing ofIthe Faithful through Baptism; the apostle is wit-
would not have you ignorant, brethren, he said,
1 Cor. ness: for
10? 1- 2' that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed
through the sea, andwere all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea. Nothing else then the passing through the sea did signify, but the Sacrament of the baptized ; nothing else the pursuing Egyptians, but the multitude of past sins. Ye see most evident mysteries. The Egyptians press, they urge ; so then sins follow close, but no farther than to the water. Why then dost thou fear, who hast not yet come, to
Joseph, freedfrom bondage, hears a ' new language. ' 119
come to the Baptism of Christ, to pass through the Red sea? Ver. What is Red? Consecrated with the Blood of the Lord. ----- Why fearest thou to come ? The consciousness, perhaps, of
some huge offences goads and tortures in thee thy mind, and
says to thee that it is so great a thing thou hast committed,
that thou mayest despair to have it remitted thee. Fear lest
there remain any thing of thy sins, if there lived any one ofEx. 14, the Egyptians ! "''
But when thou shalt have passed the Red sea, when
thou shalt have been led forth out of thine offences
with a mighty hand and with a strong arm, thou wiltExod. perceive mysteries that thou knowest not: since Joseph rjJut! 6, himself too, wfien he came out of the land of Egypt, heard31'
a language which he knew not. Thou shalt hear a language
which thou knowest not : which they that know now hear
and recognise, bearing witness and knowing. Thou shalt
hear where thou oughtest to have thy heart : which just now Matt. 6, when I said many understood and answered by acclamation, off. 01"1 the rest stood mute, because they have not heard the language Euch. which they knew not. Let them hasten, then, let them pass
over, let them learn. A language which he had not known
he heard.
9. Ver. 6. He turned away from burdens his back. Who turned away from burdens his back, but He that cried, Come Mat. ll, unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden ? In another no manner this same thing is signified. What the pursuit of
the Egyptians did, the same thing do the burdens of sins.
He turned away from burdens his back. As if thou should-
est say, From what burdens? His hands in the basket did
serve. By the basket are signified servile works; to cleanse,
to manure, to carry earth, is done with a basket", such works
are servile : because every one that doeth sin, is the slave John 8, of sin ; and if the Son shall have made you free, then will
ye be free indeed. Justly also are the rejected things of
the world counted as baskets, but even baskets did God
fill with morsels: Twelve baskets did He fill with morsels : Mat. U, because He chose the rejected things this world 20
of
confound the things that were mighty. But also when27-
c To this day it is common in many usually do with a barrow, countries to do with a basket what we
/<>iCor. l,
}4Cor! 10, 2-
l 20 Deliverance in Baptism. Trial of contradiction.
Psalm with the basket Joseph did serve, he then carried earth, because he did make bricks. His hands in the basket did serve.
10. Ver. 8. In tribulation thou didst call on Me, and I delivered thee. Let each Christian conscience recognise
Exod. itself, if it have devoutly passed the Red sea, if with faith
m believing and observing it hath heard a strange language which it knew not, let it recognise itself as having been heard in its tribulation. For that was a great tribulation, to be weighed down with loads of sins. How does the con science, lifted from the earth, rejoice. Lo, thou art baptized, thy conscience which was yesterday overladen, to-day re-
joiceth thee. Thou hast been heard in tribulation, remember thy tribulation. Before thou eamest to the water, what anxiety didst thou bear on thee ! what fastings didst thou practise ! what tribulations didst thou carry in thy heart ! what inward, pious, devout prayers! Slain are thine enemies; all thy sins are blotted out. In tribulation thou didst call upon me, and I delivered thee.
11. / heard thee in the hidden part of the tempest. Not iIn a tempest of the sea, but in a tempest of thIe heart.
heard thee in the hidden part the of
proved thee in the water of contradiction. Truly, brethren, truly, he that was heard in the hidden part of the tempest ought to be proved in the water of contradiction. For when he hath
believed, when he hath been baptized, when he hath begun to go in the way of God, when he hath striven to be strained into the vat, and hath drawn himself out from the lees that run in the street, he will have many disturbers, many insulters, many detractors, many discouragers, many that even threaten where they can, that deter, that depress. This is all the ' water of contradiction. ' I suppose there are some here to day, for instance, I think it likely there are some here whom their friends wished to hurry away to the circus, and to I know not what triflings of this day's festivity : perchance they have brought those persons with them to church. whether they have brought those with them, or whether they have by them not permitted themselves to be led away to the circus, in the ' water of contradiction' have they been tried. Do not then be ashamed to proclaim what thou
tempest:
But
The ' waters' of open contradiction nearly dried up. 1 2 1
knowest, to defend even among blasphemers what thou hast Ver. believed. For if thou art heard in the hidden part of the ------
tempest, with the heart doth one believe unto righteousness : Rom. io, if thou art proved in the water of contradiction, with the10' mouth is confession made unto salvation. For how much is
that water of contradiction ? even now it is nearly dried up.
Our ancestors felt it : when to the word of God, when to the mysteries of Christ, the Gentiles offered fierce resistance,
the water was disturbed. For that waters are sometimes to
be understood for peoples, the Scripture of the Apocalypse evidently sheweth, where when many waters were seen, and Rev. 17, it was asked what they were, it was answered, Tliey are15' peoples. They therefore endured the water of contradiction,
when the heathen raged, and the people imagined vain P&. 2, things ; when the kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers 2- took counsel together, against the Lord, and against His Christ. When the heathen raged, then did that lion roaring Jud. 14, come to meet the strong man Samson, as he went to take a6'
wife from the foreigners ; that is Christ going down to take a Church from the Gentiles. But what did he ? He seized, held, crushed, tore the lion ; he became in His hands like a kid of the goats. For what could the raging people become, but a sick sinner ? But now that fierceness has been slain, no longer docs the royal power so roar, no more does the people of the Gentiles rage as it meets Christ: yea, truly, in the very kingdom of the Gentiles we find laws for the Church, like as it were a honeycomb in the mouth of the lion. Why then should I now fear the water of contra diction, which is now nearly all dried up ? That is now almost silent, if the lees do not contradict. However much the bad that are aliens may rage, O that our own bad peo/ple would not help them !
heard thee in the hidden part
thee in the water of contradiction. Ye recollect what was
said of Christ, that He was thus born for the fall of many, Lute 2, and the rising again of many, and for a sign to be spoken 34, against. We know, we see : the sign of the Cross has been
set up, and it has been spoken against. There has been speaking against the glory of the Cross: but there was a
title over the Cross which was not to be corrupted. For
of
the tempest,
I
proved
122 Caution to those in the Church. Vanity of ' new gads?
Psalm there is a titie in the Psalm, For the inscription of the title,
corruPl thou not. It was sign to be spoken against for Tit. the Jews said, Make not, King of the Jews, but make it, }2? fnl9'that He said am the King of the Jews. Conquered was
P*
the contradiction was answered, " What have written,
have written. "
heard thee in the hidden part of the tempest, proved
thee in the water ofcontradiction.
12.
All this, from the beginning of the Psalm up to this
verse, we have heard of the oil of the press. What remains rather for grief and warning for belongs to the lees of
the press, even to the end perchance also not without
But even this too profitable to hear, that he who sees himself
meaning in the interposition of the Diapsalma.
John lb. 14.
4. 6-
nations are silver and gold. Great are they, because they are of gold and silver; costly they arc, shining they are; but yet, Eyes they have, and see not! New are these gods.
" Recens forte Homo, sed sempi- bard, Sentences, book iii. dist. 12. ternus Deus. " Quoted by Peter Lorn- Ben.
already of the oil may rejoice; he that in danger of running among the lees may beware. To both give heed, choose the one, fear the other.
Ver. 8. Hear, My people, and will speak, and will bear witness unto thee. For not to a strange people, Iss. 6,3. not to people that belongs not to the press " Judge ye"
He saith, " between Me and My vineyard. "
Hear, my people, and will speak, and will bear
witness unto thee.
13. Ver. Israel, thou shall have heard Me, there
shall not be in thee any new god. A new god one made for the time but our God not new, but from eternity to eternity. And our Christ new, perchance, as Man but eternal God. For what before the beginning? And truly, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with
God, and the Word was God. And our Christ Himself the Word made flesh, that He might dwell in us. Far be then, that there should be in any one new god. A new
either a stone or a phantom. He not, saith one, stone have a silver and gold one. Justly did he choose
Ps. 116, to name the very costly things, who said, The idols of the
god
l, I i isI
' eo'
;I is
a
a
isis I ; it
is a
I
a
it, is
a
d,
:
:
O 9.
is I
if
it
a
is
I
it
0
; it
is
is I
:
:
Heretics, as well as Pagans, make new gods. 123
What newer than a god out of a w orkshop ? Yea, though Vrr. those now old ones spiders' webs have covered over, they --^-- that are not eternal are new.
So much for the Pagans. One beside, taking in vain the Exod. name of the Lord his God, hath made for himself a Christ Arfui. that is a creature, a Christ unequal and not coeval with Him
that begetteth, speaking of a Son of God, and denying the
Son of God. For if He is the only Son, What the Father
is He is, and That He is from eternity. But thou hast imagined some other thing in thy heart, thou hast set up
a new god.
Another hath made to himself a god fighting against a Mam- race of darkness, fearing lest he be invaded, busy lest he be0*"60a' corrupted ; yet in part corrupted, in order that he might, as
a whole, be safe ; but not whole, because in part corrupt.
The Manichees say these things, these too make to them
selves in their heart a new god. Not such is our God, not
such is thy portion, O Jacob ! But He that made heaven
and earth, Himself is thy God, Who needeth not the good,
and feareth not from the evil.
14. Many, therefore, Heretics together with Pagans, have
made themselves gods, these and those ; these gods and
those have they feigned for themselves, and have placed
them, although not in temples, yet, what is worse, in their
hearts, and have themselves become temples of false and ridiculous images. It is a great work to break these idols
within, and to cleanse a place for the living God, not for a
new god. For all these, thinking one thing and another, framing to themselves first some then other gods, and varying
their very faith through falsehood, seem to disagree with
each other; but they all from earthly thoughts depart not,
in earthly thoughts they agree among themselves. Their opinion is diverse, the vanity of it is one. Of them in another Psalm is said, They from vanity in one. Although Ps. 62,9. by variety of opinions they disagree, yet by like vanity they
are bound together. And ye know that vanity is backward,
it is behind ; therefore he who had forgotten the things behind, that is, had forgotten vanity, reaching forward to
those things that are before, that is, unto the Truth, follows Phil. 3, after the palm of the heavenly calling of God in Christ Jesus. 13' 14,
124 Well put alternatives, double nets for faxes.
Psalm Therefore for the worse do they agree among themselves, lxxxr- although they seem to differ from one another. Therefore Jud. 16, Samson tied together the tails of foxes. Foxes signify the
insidious, and chiefly heretics, deceitful, given to fraud, hiding themselves and taking men in by the winding ways of their holes, and withal stinking with a nasty savour.
2 Cor. 2, Against which savour saith the Apostle, We are a sweet
15'
takest one whom thou convictest of falsehood. Then when Mat. 21, the little foxes gainsay the Lord, and say, In what authority Lukf2o doegt Thou these things? Do ye loo ansutr Me, He says, 2. &c one word: Tfie baptism of John, whence is it? from heaven,
savour of Christ in every place. These foxes are signified Song of in the Song of Songs, where it is said, Take ye for us the 16! '2' little foxes that spoil the vineyards, that hide in winding
holes. Take them for us, convict them for us : for thou
or of men ? Now foxes use to have such holes as that on one side they do enter, and on another side go out; at either entrance the taker of foxes hath placed his nets. Tell Me, is it from heaven, or of men? They perceive that He had spread a net on either side, whereby He might take them ; and they say with themselves, If, say they, we shall say from heaven, He will say to us, Wherefore then did ye not believe? For he bore witness of Christ. If we shall say, Of men, the people stoneth us, because they hold him far a prophet. Perceiving therefore that on this side and that there were means to take them withal, they aInswered, We
know not. And
tell on you
what authority
I the Lord said, Neither do do these things. Ye say that
know not what ye know. I do not tell you what ye ask. Because
on no side ye would venture to come out, in your own dark
ness ye have remained. Let us too therefore obey if we can Song of the Word of God when He speaketh. Take ye for us the 15. ' ' little foxes that spoil the vineyards. Let us see whether we
too cannot take some little foxes. Let us set at either entrance that by which, what way soever a fox may have chosen to go out, he may be taken. For example, to a Manichaean, making himself a new god, and in his heart setting up that which is not, let us say, and put the question to him, Is the substance of God corruptible or incorruptible ? Choose which thou wilt, and go out which way thou wilt, but thou
ye
What 4 SujC Christians worship. Foxes with firfbrands. 125
shalt not escape. If thou shalt have said corruptible, not Ver.
by the people, but by thy very self thou wilt be stoned : -- but if thou shalt have said that God is incorruptible, how then hath the Incorruptible stood in fear of the race of darkness ? What is the race of darkness to do to Him Who
'---
is incorruptible ? What remains but that it be said, We know not ? But yet, if this is said not in craftiness but in ignorance, let him not remain in darkness, of a fox let him become a sheep, let him believe the invisible, sole incor ruptible God, not a new god ; sole by His soleness, not solarity? , lest we ourselves should seem to have opened another hole for the fox to escape. Although we shall not be afraid even of the name " Sol. " For there is in our
Scriptures the Sun of Righteousness, and health in HisMal. 4, wings. From the heat of this sun shade is desired: but2' under the wings of this other Sun is a refuge from the heat ;
for health is in His wings. This is the Sun of which the ungodly shall say, Therefore we have erred from the way q/-Wisd. 6, truth, and the light of righteousness hath not shone upon us,e'
and the sun is not arisen upon us. The worshippers of the
sun shall say, Hie Sun is not arisen upon us; because whilst
they adore the sun which He maketh to rise upon the good Mat. 6, and the evil, to them the Sun is not arisen, Who enlighteneth
the good alone. Each sort, then, make to themselves new
gods, such as they will. For what hindereth the workshop of
the deceived heart to frame to itself a phantom such as it may have chosen ? But all these agree in the things behind, that is, are held in a similar vanity. Whence our Samson, which name is also interpreted ' their sun,' that of those to whom He shines not of all, as that which riseth upon the good
and the evil, but the Sun of certain ones, the Sun of Righ teousness (for he bore figure of Christ bound together, Judge* as had begun to say, the tails of foxes, and then bound on l6' fire; fire to set burning, but that the harvest of aliens. Such accordingly connected in things behind, as tied together
by their tails, draw along fire that destroyeth but they
do not set burning the crops of our people. For the Lord2 Tim. knoweth them that are His; and let every one that calleth
l. Soli ab eo quod est solus, non ab the sun to be God. Soli would be the eo quod est sol. " The Manichees held dative case of either word.
?
I
:
\
;
nj1
-
a
a
is
:) if
is,
;
126 Fake gods toithin. Our deliverance from Egypt.
Psalm on the name of the Lord depart from iniquity. But in a LxI"' great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and of clay: and some one indeed unto honour, and others unto dishonour. But if any one shall have cleansed himself from such, he shall be a vessel unto honour, useful for the Lord, prepared for every good work; and therefore neither the tails of foxes, nor the faces of foxes,
1 <1l>>>> Ms 'to thee. '
shall he fear.
But let us see concerning this people: If
thou shalt have heard Me, He saith, there shall not be in thee any new god. It moveth me that He hath said in thee, for He hath not
said ' from thee',' as if it were an image taken to one from .
without, but in thee, in thy heart, in the image of thy fancy, in the deception of thine error thou shalt carry with thee thy new god, if thou remain old. If, then, thou wilt hear Me.
Bxod. 3, " Me," He says, because "lam I 14'
that Am. " There shall not be in thee any new god: nor shall thou worship a strange jjod. For if there be error in thee, Thou wilt not worship a strange god. If thou think not of a false god, thou wilt not worship a manufactured god : for there will not be in
thee any strange god.
15. Ver. 10. For I am. Why wouldest thou
adore Iwhat
/
Am He saith, I that Am, over every creature:
am the Lord thy God. Because is not ? For II
am
that
Am, and indeed "
yet to thee what good have I afforded in time ?
brought thee out of the land of Etjypt. " Not to that people alone is it said. For we all were brought out of the land of Egypt, we have all passed through the Red sea; our enemies pursuing us have perished in the water. Let us not be un grateful to our God ; let us not forget God that abideth, and
in ourselves a new god. I, Who led thee out of the
I will fill it. Thou BUfferest straitness in thyself because of the new god set up in thy heart ; break the vain image, cast
fabricate
land of Egypt, saith God. Open wide thy mouth, and
down from thy conscience the feigned idol : open wide thy
mouth, in confessing, in loving : and with me is the fountain of life.
16. This indeed saith the Lord, but what followeth ? (Ver. 11. ) And My people obeyed not My voice. For He would not speak these things except to His own people.
I will fill it, because
Who
The disobedient left to themselves -- their own fault. 127
For, "we know that whatsoever things the Law saith, it Ver. saith to them that are in the Law. Bora. 3.
And My people obeyed not My voice : and Israel did not 10.
listen to Me. Who? To whom?
soul ! Through Me the soul, by Me the soul called, by Me brought back to hope, by Me washed from sins! And Israel did not listen to Me ! For they are baptized and pass through the Red sea : but on the way they murmur, gainsay, com
plain, are stirred with seditions, ungrateful to Him Who delivered them from pursuing enemies, Who leads through the dry land, through the desert, yet with food and drink, with light by night and shade by day : And Israel did not listen to Me. I
17. Ver. 12. And
of their heart. Behold the press : the orifices are open,
let them
go according to the affections
Israel to Me. O ungrateful
the lees run. And I
fulness of My commands ; but, according to the affections of
their heart: I gave them up to themselves. The Apostle
also saith, I" God gave them up io the desires of their own Rom. l,
let them to the
hearts. " go according affections of their'2'*'
heart, they shall go in their own affections. There is what ye shudder at, if at least ye are straining out into the hidden vats of the Lord, if at least ye have conceived a hearty love for His storehouses, there is what ye shudder at. Some stand up for the circus, some for the amphitheatre, some for the booths in the streets, some for the theatres, some for this, some for that, some finally for their " new
gods;" they shall go in their oion affections.
18. Ver. 13. If My people would have heard Me, if Israel
let them not go,
according to the hcalth-
uould have walked in My ways. For perchance that Israel saith, Behold I sin, it is manifest, I go after the affections of my own heait : but what can I do ' ? The devil doth this. Demons do this. What is the devil? Who are the demons? Certainly thine enemies. If Israel uould have walked in My ways: unto nothing all their enemies 1 would have brought down. Therefore, If My people would have heard Me. For wherefore is it Mine, if it doth not hear Me ?
If Aly people would have heard Me. What My people?
Israel. What is, Would hate heard Me? Ifhe had walked Quid facio Perhaps, What do do e. What of my doing
?
J
? i.
it is
is,
?
