Expositions on the Book of Psalms 111
111.1 Psalm CXI PL 36, 1467
1. The days have come for us to sing Allelujah.…Now these days come only to pass away, and pass away to come, again, and typify the day which does not come and pass away, because it is neither preceded by yesterday to cause it to come, nor pressed upon by the morrow to cause it to pass.…For as these days succeed in regular season, with a joyful cheerfulness, the past days of Lent, whereby the misery of this life before the Resurrection of the Lord’s body is signified; so that day which after the Resurrection shall be given to the full body of the Lord, that is, to the holy Church, when all the troubles and sorrows of this life have been shut out, shall succeed with perpetual bliss. But this life demandeth from us self-restraint, that although groaning and weighed down with our toil and struggles, and desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven, we may refrain from secular pleasures: and this is signified by the number of forty, which was the period of the fasts of Moses, and Elias, and our Lord Himself.…But by the number fifty after our Lord’s resurrection, during which season we sing Allelujah, not the term and passing away of a certain season is signified, but that blessed eternity; because the denary added to forty signifieth the reward paid to the faithful who toil in this life, which our Father hath prepared an equal share of for the first and for the last. Let us therefore hear the heart of the people of God full of divine praises. He representeth in this Psalm some one exulting in happy joyfulness, he prefigureth the people whose hearts are overflowing with the love of God, that is, the body of Christ, freed from all evil.
Credo quod attendistis, fratres, hujus titulum psalmi, memoriaeque mandastis. «Conversio,» inquit, «Aggaei et Zachariae.» Nondum erant hi prophetae, cum ista cantata sunt. Namque inter tempus David, et transmigrationem populi Israel in Babyloniam, quatuordecim generationes numerantur, sicut divina Scriptura, maximeque Matthaeus evangelista testatur : eversi autem templi renovatio secundum sancti Jeremiae prophetiam, ex illa transmigratione post septuaginta annos sperabatur : qui cum complerentur, sub Dario rege Babylonis impleti sunt Spiritu sancto hi duo prophetae, Aggaeus et Zacharias; et ambo post invicem intra unum annum prophetare coeperunt, quod ad renovationem templi, sicut tanto ante praedictum est, pertinere videtur . Sed quisquis corporaliter gestis oculum cordis infigit, neque inde in gratiam spiritualis intellectus extenditur, habitat cogitatione in lapidibus templi, quibus visibilis fabrica manibus hominum instructa consurgit; nec ipse lapis vivus efficitur, templo illi accommodatus atque aptus, quod in suo corpore primum Dominus figuravit, cum ait: «Solvite templum hoc, et triduo suscitabo illud» . Est enim corpus Domini plenius ipsa sancta Ecclesia, cujus caput ascendit in coelum, qui est maxime lapis vivus, lapis angularis, de quo beatus Petrus dicit: «Ad quem accedentes lapidem vivum, ab hominibus reprobatum, a Deo autem electum et honorificatum; et vos ergo tanquam lapides vivi aedificamini in domum spiritualem, in sacerdotium sanctum, offerentes spirituales victimas acceptas Deo per Jesum Christum: quia continet Scriptura, Ecce pono in Sion lapidem angularem, electum, pretiosum, et qui crediderit in illum, non confundetur» . Ergo ut fiat quisque lapis vivus ad talem fabricam idoneus, spiritualiter intelligat templi renovationem ex ruina vetere quae in Adam facta est, reparationem novi populi secundum novum hominem atque coelestem: ut sicut portavimus imaginem terreni, portemus et imaginem ejus qui de coelo est , quo possimus post omnes saeculi hujus aetates tanquam post septuaginta annos, qui mystico perfectionis numero praesignantur, et tanquam post captivitatem longinquae peregrinationis, non ruitura mole construi, sed aeterna immortalitate solidari. Spiritualem quippe Jerusalem, non magis Judaeorum, quam vestram esse deputetis. Sicut enim dicit Apostolus, «Jam non estis peregrini et inquilini; sed estis cives sanctorum et domestici Dei, superaedificati super fundamentum Apostolorum et Prophetarum, ipso summo angulari lapide existente Christo Jesu, in quo omnis aedificatio compacta crescit in templum sanctum in Domino, in quo et vos coaedificamini in habitaculum Domini in spiritu» . Hoc est templum Dei, ad quod pertinet sacramentum prophetationis Aggaei et Zachariae: cui rursus idem apostolus dicit, «Templum enim Dei sanctum est, quod estis vos» . Quisquis igitur se ad opus hujus coaedificationis, et ad spem sanctae firmaeque compaginis, tanquam lapidem vivum ab hujus mundi ruinosa labe convertit; intelligit titulum Psalmi, intelligit conversionem Aggaei et Zachariae. Cantet ergo quae sequuntur, non tam linguae voce, quam vitae. Erit enim aedificii perfectio, ineffabilis pax illa sapientiae, cujus initium est timor Domini : inde ergo incipiat, quem coaedificat ista conversio.
111.2 PL 36, 1468
2. “I will make confession unto Thee, O Lord,” he saith, “with my whole heart” (ver. 1). Confession is not always confession of sins, but the praise of God is poured forth in the devotion of confession. The former mourneth, the latter rejoiceth: the former showeth the wound to the physician, the latter giveth thanks for health. The latter confession signifieth some one, not merely freed from every evil, but even separate from all the ill-disposed. And for this reason let us consider the place where he confesseth unto the Lord with all his heart. “In the counsel,” he saith, “of the upright, and in the congregation:” I suppose, of those who shall “sit upon the twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” For there will be no longer an unjust man among them, the thefts of no Judas are allowed, no Simon Magus is baptized, wishing to buy the Spirit, whilst he designeth to sell it; no coppersmith like Alexander doth many evil deeds, no man covered with sheep’s clothing creepeth in with feigned fraternity; such as those among whom the Church must now groan, and such as she must then shut out, when all the righteous shall be gathered together.
“These are the great works of the Lord, sought out unto all His wills” (ver. 2): through which mercy forsaketh none who confesseth, no man’s wickedness is unpunished.…Let man choose for himself what he listeth: the works of the Lord are not so constituted, that the creature, having free discretion allowed him, should transcend the will of the Creator, even though he act contrary to His will. God willeth not that thou shouldest sin; for He forbiddeth it: yet if thou hast sinned, imagine not that the man hath done what he willed, and that hath happened to God which He willed not. For as He would that man would not sin, so would He spare the sinner, that he may return and live; He so willeth finally to punish him who persisteth in his sin, that the rebellious cannot escape the power of justice. Thus whatever choice thou hast made, the Almighty will not be at a loss to fulfil His will concerning thee.
[«vers. 1.] Beatus» enim «vir qui timet Dominum, in mandatis ejus volet nimis.» Viderit Deus, qui solus et veraciter et misericorditer judicat, quantum iste proficiat in mandatis ejus: quoniam «tentatio est vita humana super terram,» sicut sanctus Job dicit . Et iterum scriptum est: «Quoniam corpus quod corrumpitur, aggravat animam, et deprimit terrena inhabitatio sensum multa cogitantem» . Qui autem dijudicat nos, Dominus est: nec ante tempus judicare debemus, donec veniat Dominus, et illuminet abscondita tenebrarum, et manifestabit cogitationes cordis; et tunc laus erit unicuique a Deo . Viderit ergo ille quantum quisque proficiat in mandatis ejus: tamen volet nimis qui pacem illius coaedificationis adamaverit; nec jam desperare debet, quoniam «in mandatis ejus volet nimis,» et pax in terra hominibus bonae voluntatis .
111.3 PL 36, 1468
3. “Confession and glorious deeds are His work” (ver. 3). What is a more glorious deed than to justify the ungodly? But perhaps the work of man preventeth that glorious work of God, so that when he hath confessed his sins, he deserveth to be justified.…This is the glorious work of the Lord: for he loveth most, to whom most is forgiven. This is the glorious work of the Lord: for “where sin abounded, there did grace much more abound.” But perhaps a man would deserve justification from works. “Not,” saith he, “of works, lest any man boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.” For a man worketh not righteousness save he be justified: but by “believing on Him that justifieth the ungodly,” he beginneth with faith; that good may not by preceding show what he hath deserved, but by following what he hath received.…
[«vers.» 2, 3.] Inde, «Potens in terra erit semen ejus.» Semen futurae messis, opera esse misericordiae Apostolus testis est, qui dicit, «Bonum autem facientes non deficiamus; tempore enim proprio metemus» : et iterum, «Hoc autem,» inquit, «qui parce seminat, parce et metet» . Quid autem, fratres, potentius, quam ut regnum coelorum, non solum Zacchaeus emat dimidio rerum suarum , sed et vidua duobus minutis , et tantumdem ibi uterque possideat? quid potentius, quam ut idem regnum et thesauris diviti, et calice aquae frigidae pauperi valeat? Sunt autem qui ista faciant, dum terrena conquirunt, aut hic mercedem sperantes a Domino, aut hominibus placere cupientes: sed, «Generatio rectorum benedicetur,» id est opera eorum, quorum bonus Deus Israel, qui recto sunt corde; rectum autem cor est, non resistere Patri emendanti, et credere pollicenti: non eorum quibus commoventur pedes, et effunduntur gressus atque labuntur, sicut in alio psalmo canitur, dum zelant in peccatoribus pacem peccatorum videntes, et putant perire opera sua, quia non eis merces redditur peritura . At iste vir qui timet Dominum, et in templum sanctum Dei conversione recti cordis aptatur, nec gloriam hominum quaerit, nec terrenas divitias concupiscit; et tamen, «Gloria et divitiae in domo ejus.» Domus enim ejus, cor ejus est; ubi, Deo laudante, opulentius habitat cum spe vitae aeternae, quam, hominibus adulantibus, in marmoratis laqueatisque tectis cum timore mortis aeternae. Hujus enim «justitia manet in saeculum saeculi:» ipsa ejus gloria, ipsae divitiae. Illius autem purpura et byssus et epulae splendidae, et cum praesto sunt, transeunt; et cum ad finem venerint, aquae guttam ex digito stillante desiderans, ardens lingua clamabit .
111.4 PL 36, 1469
4. “He hath made His wonderful works to be remembered” (ver. 4): by abasing this man, exalting that. Reserving unusual miracles for a fit season, that thus human weakness, intent upon novelty, may remember them, although His daily miracles be greater. He created so many trees throughout the whole earth, and no one wondereth: He dried up one with a word, and the hearts of mortals were thunderstruck. For that miracle, which hath not through its frequency become common, will cling most firmly to the heart. But of what use were the miracles, save that He might be feared? What too would fear profit, unless “the gracious and merciful Lord” gave “meat unto them that fear Him”? (ver. 5); meat that doth not spoil, “bread that cometh down from heaven,” which He gave to no deservings of ours. For “Christ died for the ungodly.” No one then would give such food, save a gracious and merciful Lord. But if He gave so much to this life, if the sinner who was to be justified received the Word made flesh; what shall he receive when glorified in a future world? For, “He shall ever be mindful of His covenant.” Nor hath He who hath given a pledge, given the whole.
[«vers. 4-9.] Exortum est in tenebris lumen rectis corde.» Merito dirigunt cor in Deum suum, merito ambulant recti cum Deo suo, praeponentes ejus voluntatem sibi; neque de sua quidquam superbe praesumentes. Meminerunt enim fuisse se aliquando tenebras, nunc autem lucem in Domino . «Misericors et miserator et justus Dominus Deus.» Delectat quod «misericors et miserator,» sed terret fortasse quod «justus Dominus Deus.» Nulla desperatione formides, beate vir qui times Dominum et in mandatis ejus voles nimis: esto suavis, miserere et commoda. Ita enim justus est Dominus Deus, ut judicium illi sine misericordia faciat, qui non fecit misericordiam (Jacobi II, 13): «Suavis» autem «vir qui miseretur et commodat;» non eum emovet Deus ex ore suo, tanquam insuavem. «Dimittite,» inquit, «et dimittetur vobis; date, et dabitur vobis» . In eo quod dimittis, ut dimittatur tibi, misereris; in eo quod das, ut detur tibi, commodas. Quamvis enim generali nomine omnis misericordia dicatur qua misero subvenitur, interest tamen ubi non impendis nec sumptum pecuniae, nec corporalis laboris industriam, sed ignoscendo quod in te quisque peccavit, et tuorum gratis comparas veniam peccatorum. Haec duo benignitatis officia, ignoscendorum peccatorum et beneficiorum erogandorum, sicut in Evangelio quod commemoravimus, «Dimittite, et dimittetur vobis; date, et dabitur vobis;» sic in isto versu arbitror esse distincta, «Suavis vir qui miseretur et commodat.» Ne pigri ad haec simus, fratres. Gloriam quaerit qui desiderat vindicari se; sed attende quod scriptum est: «Melior est qui vincit iram, quam qui capit civitatem» . Divitias quaerit qui non vult dare pauperibus; attende quod scriptum est: «Habebis thesaurum in coelo» . Non ergo eris inglorius ignoscendo; quia de ira victa laudabilius triumphatur: non egenus tribuendo; quia thesaurus coelestis certius possidetur. Hunc versum parturiebat ille superior, «Gloria et divitiae in domo ejus.»
111.5 PL 36, 1469
5. “He shall show His people the power of His works” (ver. 6). Let not the holy Israelites, who have left all their possessions and have followed Him, be saddened; let them not be sorrowful and say, “Who then can be saved?” For “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” For “with men these things are impossible, but with God all things are possible.” “That He may give them the heritage of the heathen.” For they went to the heathen, and enjoined the rich of this world “not to be high-minded, nor to trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God,” to whom that is easy which is difficult for men. For thus many were called, thus the heritage of the heathen has been occupied, thus it hath happened, that even many who have not abandoned all their possessions in this life in order to follow Him, have despised even life itself for the sake of confessing His Name; and like camels humbling themselves to bear the burden of troubles, have entered as it were through a needle’s eye, through the piercing straits of suffering. He hath wrought these effects, unto whom all things are possible.
Qui haec itaque facit, «Disponet sermones suos in judicio.» Facta ipsa sermones sunt quibus in judicio defendetur; quod ei non erit sine misericordia, quia et ipse fecit misericordiam. «Quoniam in aeternum non commovebitur:» qui ad dexteram segregatus audiet, «Venite, benedicti Patris mei, percipite regnum quod vobis paratum est ab origine mundi.» Neque enim aliqua illic eorum, nisi opera misericordiae commemorantur. Audiet ergo, «Venite, benedicti Patris mei;» quia «generatio rectorum benedicetur.» Sic, «In memoria aeterna erit justus: et ab auditu malo non timebit;» quod dici audiet iis qui a sinistris erunt, «Ite in ignem aeternum, qui praeparatus est diabolo et angelis ejus» .
111.6 PL 36, 1470
6. “The works of His hands are verity and judgment” (ver. 7). Let verity be held by those who are judged here. Martyrs are here sentenced, and brought to the judgment-seat, that they may judge not only those by whom they have been judged, but even give judgment on angels, against whom was their struggle here, even when they seemed to be judged by men. Let not tribulation, distress, famine, nakedness, the sword, separate from Christ. For “all His commandments are true;” He deceiveth not, He giveth us what He promised. Yet we should not expect here what He promised; we should not hope for it: but “they stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and equity” (ver. 8). It is equitable and just that we should labour here and repose there; since “He sent redemption unto His people” (ver. 9). But from what are they redeemed, save from the captivity of this pilgrimage? Let not therefore rest be sought, save in the heavenly country. God indeed gave the carnal Israelites an earthly Jerusalem, “which is in bondage with her children:” but this is the Old Covenant, pertaining unto the old man. But they who there understood the figure, even then were heirs of the New Covenant; for “Jerusalem which is above is free, which is our everlasting mother in heaven.” But that transitory promises were given in that Old Testament is proved by the fact itself: however, “He hath commended His covenant for ever.” But what, but the New? Whosoever dost wish to be heir of this, deceive not thyself, and think not of a land flowing with milk and honey, nor of pleasant farms, nor of gardens abounding in fruits and shade: desire not how to gain anything of this sort, such as the eye of covetousness is wont to lust for. For since “covetousness is the root of all evils,” it must be cut off, that it may be consumed here; not be put off, that it may be satisfied there. First escape punishments, avoid hell; before thou longest for a God who promiseth, beware of one who threateneth. For “holy and reverend is His Name.”
Itaque qui hic non sua quaerit, sed quae Jesu Christi; labores patientissime sustinet, promissa fidenter exspectat: «Paratum» est «cor ejus sperare in Domino.» Neque ullis tentationibus frangitur: «Confirmatum est cor ejus, non commovebitur, donec videat super inimicos suos.» Inimici ejus hic videre bona voluerunt, et cum eis invisibilia promitterentur, dicebant: «Quis ostendet nobis bona» . Confirmetur ergo cor nostrum, nec commoveamur, donec videamus super inimicos nostros. Illi enim volunt videre bona hominum in terra morientium; nos credimus videre bona Domini in terra viventium .
111.7 PL 36, 1470
7. …“The fear of the Lord,” therefore, “is the beginning of wisdom.” “Understanding is good” (ver. 10). Who gainsayeth? But to understand, and not to do, is dangerous. It is “good,” therefore, “to those that do thereafter.” Nor let it lift up the mind unto pride; for, “the praise of Him,” the fear of whom is the beginning of wisdom, “endureth for ever:” and this will be the reward, this the end, this the everlasting station and abode. There are found the true commandments, made fast for ever and ever; here is the very heritage of the New Covenant commanded for ever. “One thing,” he saith, “I have desired of the Lord, which I will require: even that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.” For, “blessed are they that dwell in the house” of the Lord: “they will be alway praising” Him; for “His praise endureth for ever.”
Sed magnum est, confirmatum habere cor et non commoveri, cum illi gaudent qui amant quod vident, et insultant ei qui quod non videt sperat: et «non commovebitur donec videat» et ipse, non deorsum quod inimici ejus, sed sursum «super inimicos suos,» quod oculus non vidit, nec auris audivit, nec in cor hominis ascendit, quod praeparavit Deus diligentibus eum . Quanti valet hoc quod non videtur, et emitur tanti quantum quisque habere potuerit! Propter hoc et ille «sparsit, dedit pauperibus:» non videbat, et emebat; sed ille thesaurum servabat in coelo, qui esurire et sitire in pauperibus dignabatur in terra. Non mirum est igitur si «Justitia ejus manet in saeculum saeculi:» custode illo qui condidit saecula. «Cornu ejus exaltabitur in gloria:» cujus humilitas a superbis contemnebatur.