Expositions on the Book of Psalms 132
132.1 Psalm CXXXII PL 36, 1729
1. It was right indeed, most beloved, that we should rather hear our Brother, my colleague, when present before all of us. And just now he refused not, but put us off; for he extorted from me that he might now listen to me, on the condition that I also may listen to him, for in charity itself we are all listening unto Him, who is our One Master in heaven. Attend therefore to the Psalm, entitled A Song of Degrees; considerably longer than the rest under the same title. Let us not therefore linger, save where necessity shall compel us: that we may, if the Lord permit, explain the whole. For ye also ought not to hear everything as men untaught; ye ought in some degree to aid us from your past listenings, so that it may not be needful that everything should be declared to you as though new.
[«vers.» 1.] Psalmus brevis est; sed valde notus et nominatus. «Ecce quam bonum et quam jucundum habitare fratres in unum.» Ita sonus iste dulcis est, ut et qui Psalterium nesciunt, ipsum versum cantent. Tam dulcis est, quam dulcis est charitas quae facit fratres habitare in unum. Et hoc quidem, fratres, non indiget interpretatione, aut expositione, quam bonum et quam jucundum sit habitare in unum; sed ea quae sequuntur, habent aliquid quod pulsantibus aperiatur. Verumtamen ut ab isto versu descendat nobis intellectus universae texturae Psalmi, hoc primum etiam atque etiam consideremus: utrum de omnibus Christianis dictum sit, «Quam bonum et quam jucundum habitare fratres in unum;» an aliqui sint certi atque perfecti qui habitant in unum, nec ad omnes pertineat ista benedictio, sed ad quosdam, a quibus tamen descendat ad caeteros.
132.2 PL 36, 1729
2. “Lord, remember David, and all his meekness” (ver. 1). David according to the truth of history was one man, king of Israel, son of Jesse. He was indeed meek, as the Divine Scriptures themselves mark and command him, and so meek that he did not even render evil for evil to his persecutor Saul. He preserved towards him so great humility, that he acknowledged him a king, and himself a dog: and answered the king not proudly nor rudely, though he was more powerful in God; but he rather endeavoured to appease him by humility, than to provoke him by pride. Saul was even given into his power, and this by the Lord God, that he might do to him what he listed: but since he was not commanded to slay him, but had it only placed in his power (now a man is permitted to use his power), he rather turned towards mercy what God gave him.…The humility of David is therefore commended, the meekness of David is commended; and it is said to God, “Lord, remember David, and all his meekness.” For what purpose? “How he sware unto the Lord, and vowed a vow unto the Almighty God of Jacob” (ver. 2). Therefore remember for this, that he may fulfil what he hath promised. David himself vowed as though he had it in his power, and he prayeth God to fulfil his vow: there is devotion in the vow, but there is humility in the prayer. Let no one presume to think he fulfilled by his own strength what he hath vowed. He who exhorteth thee to vow, Himself aideth thee to fulfil. Let us therefore see what he vowed, and hence we comprehend how David should be understood in a figure. “David” is interpreted, “Strong of hand,” for he was a great warrior. Trusting indeed in the Lord his God, he despatched all wars, he laid low all his enemies, God helping him, according to the dispensation of that kingdom; prefiguring nevertheless some One strong of hand to destroy His enemies, the devil and his angels. These enemies the Church warreth against, and conquereth.…What then doth he mean, “How he sware,” etc.? Let us see what vow is this. We can offer God nothing more pleasing than to swear. Now to swear is to promise firmly. Consider this vow, that is, with what ardour he vowed what he vowed, with what love, with what longing; nevertheless, he prayeth the Lord to fulfil it in these words, “O Lord, remember David, and all his meekness.” In this temper he vowed his vow, and there should be a house of God: “I will not come within the tabernacle of mine house, nor climb up into my bed” (ver. 3). “I will not suffer mine eyes to sleep, nor mine eyelids to slumber” (ver. 4). This seemeth not enough; he adds, “Neither the temples of my head to take any rest, until I find out a place for the Lord; an habitation for the God of Jacob” (ver. 5). Where did he seek a place for the Lord? If he was meek, he sought it in himself. For how is one a place for the Lord? Hear the Prophet: “Upon whom shall My Spirit rest? Even upon him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My words.” Dost thou wish to be a place for the Lord? Be thou poor in spirit, and contrite, and trembling at the word of God, and thou wilt thyself be made what thou seekest. For if what thou seekest be not realized in thyself, what doth it profit thee in another.…
Ista enim verba Psalterii, iste dulcis sonus, ista suavis melodia, tam in cantico quam in intellectu, etiam monasteria peperit. Ad hunc sonum excitati sunt fratres qui habitare in unum concupierunt; iste versus fuit tuba ipsorum. Sonuit per omnem orbem terrarum, et qui divisi erant, congregati sunt. Clamor Dei, clamor Spiritus sancti, clamor propheticus non audiebatur in Judaea; et auditus est in toto orbe terrarum. Adversus istum sonum surdi erant, inter quos cantabatur; et apertis auribus inventi sunt, de quibus dictum est: «Quibus non est nuntiatum de illo, videbunt; et qui non audierunt, intelligent» . Verumtamen, dilectissimi, si consideremus, de illo pariete circumcisionis prius nata est ista benedictio. Num enim omnes Judaei perierunt? Et unde Apostoli, filii Prophetarum, «filii excussorum» ? Sicut jam scientibus loquimur. Unde illi quingenti qui Dominum post resurrectionem viderunt, quos commemorat apostolus Paulus ? Unde illi centum viginti qui simul erant in uno loco post resurrectionem Domini et ascensionem in coelum, quibus in uno loco constitutis supervenit Spiritus sanctus die Pentecostes missus de coelo; sic missus, sicut promissus? Omnes inde erant: et ipsi primi habitaverunt in unum, qui omnia quae habebant vendiderunt, rerumque suarum pretia ad pedes Apostolorum posuerunt, sicut in Actibus Apostolorum legitur; «et distribuebatur unicuique sicut cuique opus erat; et nemo dicebat aliquid proprium, sed erant illis omnia communia.» Et quid est, «in unum? Et erat illis,» inquit, «anima una et cor unum in Deum» . Ergo ipsi prius audierunt, «Ecce quam bonum et quam jucundum habitare fratres in unum.» Primi audierunt, sed non soli audierunt. Non enim usque ad illos ista dilectio et unitas fratrum venit. Venit enim et ad posteros ista charitatis exsultatio, et votum Deo. Vovetur enim aliquid Deo, et dictum est: «Vovete, et reddite Domino Deo vestro» . Melius est autem non vovere, quam vovere et non reddere . Sed debet esse impiger animus, ut et voveat, et reddat; ne cum se minus idoneum putat ad reddendum, piger sit ad vovendum. Plane nunquam reddet, si de suo se putaverit redditurum.
132.3 PL 36, 1730
3. How many thousands believed, my brethren, when they laid down the price of their possessions at the Apostles’ feet! But what saith Scripture of them? Surely they are become a temple of God; not only each respectively a temple of God, but also all a temple of God together. They have therefore become a place for the Lord. And that ye may know that one place is made for the Lord in all, Scripture saith, They were of one heart and one soul toward God. But many, so as not to make a place for the Lord, seek their own things, love their own things, delight in their own power, are greedy for their private interests. Whereas he who wisheth to make a place for the Lord, should rejoice not in his private, but the common good.…
Ex voce hujus psalmi appellati sunt et Monachi, ne quis vobis de isto nomine insultet Catholicis. Quando vos recte haereticis de Circellionibus insultare coeperitis, ut erubescendo salventur; illi vobis insultant de monachis. Primo si comparandi sunt, vos videte; si verbis vestris opus est, jam laboratis. Non opus est, nisi ut admoneatis unumquemque ut attendat; solum attendat, et comparet. Quid opus est verbis vestris? Comparentur ebriosi cum sobriis, praecipites cum consideratis, furentes cum simplicibus, vagantes cum congregatis. Sed tamen dicere consueverunt: Quid sibi vult nomen monachorum? Quanto melius dicimus nos: Quid sibi vult nomen circellionum? Sed non, inquiunt, vocantur circelliones. Forte corrupto sono nominis eos appellamus. Dicturi sumus vobis integrum nomen ipsorum? Forte circumcelliones vocantur, non circelliones. Plane si hoc vocantur, exponant quid sint. Nam circumcelliones dicti sunt, quia circum cellas vagantur: solent enim ire hac, illac, nusquam habentes sedes; et facere quae nostis, et quae illi norunt, velint, nolint.
132.4 PL 36, 1730
4. Let us therefore, brethren, abstain from the possession of private property; or from the love of it, if we may not from its possession; and we make a place for the Lord. It is too much for me, saith some one. But consider who thou art, who art about to make a place for the Lord. If any senator wished to be entertained at your house, I say not senator, the deputy of some great man of this world, and should say, something offends me in thy house; though thou shouldest love it, thou wouldest remove it, nevertheless, lest thou shouldest offend him, whose friendship thou wast courting. And what doth man’s friendship profit thee?…Desire the friendship of Christ without fear: He wishes to be entertained at thy house; make room for Him. What is, make room for Him? Love not thyself, love Him. If thou love thyself, thou shuttest the door against Him; if thou love Him, thou openest unto Him: and if thou open and He enter, thou shalt not be lost by loving thyself, but shalt find thyself with Him who loveth thee.…
Verumtamen, charissimi, sunt et qui monachi falsi sunt; et nos novimus tales: sed non periit fraternitas pia, propter eos qui profitentur quod non sunt. Tam sunt enim monachi falsi, quam et clerici falsi, et fideles falsi. Omnia genera, fratres mei, tria quae aliquando vobis commendavimus, et ut puto, non semel, habent bonos suos, habent malos suos. De tribus enim ipsis generibus dictum est: «Duo in agro; unus assumetur, et unus relinquetur: et duo in lecto; unus assumetur, et unus relinquetur: et duae in molendino; una assumetur, et una relinquetur» . In agro sunt qui gubernant Ecclesiam. Unde dicit Apostolus (videte si non in agro erat): «Ego plantavi, Apollo rigavit; sed Deus incrementum dedit» . In lecto autem eos intelligi voluit, qui amaverunt quietem; per lectum enim quietem voluit intelligi; non se miscentes turbis, non tumultui generis humani, in otio servientes Deo: et inde tamen unus assumetur, et unus relinquetur. Sunt ibi probi, et sunt ibi reprobi. Ne expavescatis quando ibi inveniuntur reprobi; nam et latent quidam, qui non inveniuntur nisi in fine. Duae item in molendino ex nomine generis feminini appellavit; plebes enim intelligi voluit. Quare in molendino? Quia in isto mundo versantur, ubi molendinum intelligitur; quia sic vertitur mundus iste, quomodo mola: vae enim quos conterit. Sic ibi versantur fideles boni, ut una ex eis consumatur, altera assumatur. Quasdam enim actiones mundi faciunt dilectores saeculi, fraudatores, simulatores. Alii autem sic ibi sunt, quomodo ait Apostolus, «Et qui utuntur hoc mundo, tanquam non utentes sint; praeterit enim figura hujus mundi: volo vos sine sollicitudine esse» . Audis quae assumetur de molendino? Certe enim multa peccata videntur ad divites pertinere. Cum enim plus agunt, et plus administrant, et plus ad eos pendet res familiaris ampla, difficile est ut non plura peccata contrahant; et de illis dictum est quia «facilius est intrare camelum per foramen acus, quam divitem in regnum coelorum.» Et cum contristati essent discipuli pro illis, de quibus jam desperabant, consolatus est eos Dominus dicens: «Quae hominibus impossibilia sunt, Deo facilia sunt» . Quomodo autem illud facile facit Deus? Audi Apostolum, si non negligas quod praecepit: «Praecipe,» inquit, «divitibus hujus saeculi non superbe sapere.» Invenis enim pauperem superbientem, divitem humilem; christianum bene considerantem quia illa omnia praetereunt et praeterfluunt, quia nihil attulit in hunc mundum, nihil potest de mundo auferre; cogitantem quemadmodum dives ille qui ardebat in flamma apud inferos, guttam sibi destillari de digito desideravit ejus qui micas de mensa ejus concupierat. Cogitantes ista, faciunt quod ait Apostolus: «Neque sperare in incerto divitiarum, sed in Deo vivo, qui praestat nobis omnia abundanter ad fruendum. Divites sint,» inquit, «in operibus bonis, facile tribuant, communicent, thesaurizent.» Et quid inde illis lucri? «Thesaurizent sibi fundamentum bonum in futurum, ut apprehendant veram vitam» . Ecce quae assumetur de molendino. Qualis autem dives ille erat qui induebatur purpura et bysso, et epulabatur quotidie splendide, et jacentem ad januam suam pauperem contemnebat , relinquetur. Quia de molendino una assumetur, et una relinquetur.
132.5 PL 36, 1731
5. “Lo, we heard of the same at Ephrata” (ver. 6). What? A place for the Lord. “We heard of it at Ephrata: and found it in the plains of the forests.” Did he hear it where he found it? or did he hear it in one place, find it in another? Let us therefore enquire what Ephrata is, where he heard it; let us also enquire what mean the plains of the forests, where he found it. Ephrata, a Hebrew word, is rendered in Latin by Speculum, as the translators of Hebrew words in the Scriptures have handed down to us, that we might understand them. They have translated from Hebrew into Greek, and from Greek we have versions into Latin. For there have been who watched in the Scriptures. If therefore Ephrata meaneth a mirror, that house which was found in the woodland plains, was heard of in a mirror. A mirror hath an image: all prophecy is an image of things future. The future house of God, therefore, was declared in the image of prophecy. “We have found it in the plains of the forests.” What are the “plains of the forests”? Saltus is not here used in its common sense, as a plot of ground of so many hundred acres; saltus properly signifies a spot as yet untilled and woody. For some copies read, in the plains of the wood. What then were the woodland plains, save nations yet untilled? what were they, save regions yet covered with the thorns of idolatry? Thus, though there were thorns of idolatry there, still we find a place for the Lord there, a tabernacle for the God of Jacob. What was declared in the image to the Jews, was manifested in the faith of the Gentiles.
Sic dicit et Ezechiel de tribus personis, in quibus non absurde tria haec genera intelligimus: «Cum miserit Dominus gladium in terram, etsi fuerint in medio eorum Noe, Daniel et Job, non liberabunt filios neque filias; sed ipsi soli salvi erunt» . Jam illi olim liberati sunt, sed in istis tribus nominibus tria genera quaedam significavit. Noe significat rectores Ecclesiae, quia ipse arcam in diluvio gubernavit . Daniel autem vitam quietam elegit, in caelibatu servire Deo, id est, uxorem non quaerens. Erat vir sanctus, in desideriis coelestibus vitam gerens; tentatus in multis, et inventus aurum obrizum. Quam quietus erat, qui et inter leones securus erat ! Ergo in nomine Danielis, qui etiam «vir desideriorum» est appellatus ; sed utique castorum atque sanctorum, significantur servi Dei, de quibus dicitur, «Ecce quam» «bonum et quam jucundum habitare fratres in unum.» In nomine Job significatur una illa de molendino quae assumetur. Habebat enim uxorem, habebat filios, habebat multas divitias; et tam multa habebat in isto saeculo, ut diabolus hoc ei objiceret, quia non gratis, sed propter ea quae acceperat, colebat Deum. Hoc objecit adversarius sancto viro: et in tentationibus suis probatus est quam gratis Job coleret Deum, et non propter illa quae acceperat, sed propter eum qui dederat. Amissis itaque omnibus repentina afflictione et tentatione, amissa haereditate, amissis haeredibus, sola conjuge sibi relicta, non ad consolationem, sed ad tentationem, ait quod nostis, «Dominus dedit, Dominus abstulit; sicut Domino placuit, ita factum est: sit nomen Domini benedictum» . Impletum est in eo quod quotidie cantamus, si et moribus consonemus: «Benedicam Dominum in omni tempore; semper laus ejus in ore meo» . Ergo in istis tribus nominibus significata sunt tria genera hominum, et in illis tribus rursus in Evangelio, quae commemoravi.
132.6 PL 36, 1732
6. “We will go into His tabernacles” (ver. 7). Whose? Those of the Lord God of Jacob. They who enter to dwell therein, are the very same who enter that they may be dwelt in. Thou enterest into thy house, that thou mayest dwell therein; into the house of God, that thou mayest be dwelt in. For the Lord is better, and when He hath begun to dwell in thee, He will make thee happy. For if thou be not dwelt in by Him, thou wilt be miserable. That son who said, “Father, give me the portion of the goods,” etc., wished to be his own master. It was well kept in his father’s hands, that it might not be wasted with harlots. He received it, it was given into his own power; going to a far country, he squandered it all with harlots. At length he suffered hunger, he remembered his father; he returned, that he might be satisfied with bread. Enter therefore, that thou mayest be dwelt in; and mayest be not thine own, so to speak, but His: “We will go into His tabernacles. We will worship on the spot where His feet stood.” Whose feet? The Lord’s, or those of the house of the Lord itself? For that is the Lord’s house, wherein he saith He ought to be worshipped. Beside His house, the Lord heareth not unto eternal life; for he belongeth to God’s house, who hath in charity been built in with living stones. But he who hath not charity, falleth; and while he falls, the house stands.…
Quid ergo dicunt illi qui nobis de nomine monachorum insultant? Fortasse dicturi sunt: Nostri non vocantur circumcelliones: vos illos ita appellatis contumelioso nomine; nam nos eos ita non vocamus. Dicant quid eos vocent, et audietis. Agonisticos eos vocant. Fatemur et nos honesto nomine, si et res conveniret. Sed interim illud videat Sanctitas vestra: qui nobis dicunt, Ostendite ubi scriptum sit nomen monachorum, ostendant ubi scriptum sit nomen agonisticorum. Sic eos, inquiunt, appellamus propter agonem. Certant enim; et dicit Apostolus, «Certamen bonum certavi» . Quia sunt qui certant adversus diabolum, et praevalent, milites Christi agonistici appellantur. Utinam ergo milites Christi essent, et non milites diaboli, a quibus plus timetur, Deo laudes, quam fremitus leonis. Hi etiam insultare nobis audent, quia fratres, cum vident homines, Deo gratias dicunt. Quid est, inquiunt, Deo gratias? Itane surdus es, ut nescias quid sit, Deo gratias? Qui dicit, Deo gratias, gratias agit Deo. Vide si non debet frater Deo gratias agere, quando videt fratrem suum. Num enim non est locus gratulationis, quando se invicem vident qui habitant in Christo? Et tamen vos Deo gratias nostrum ridetis: Deo laudes vestrum plorant homines. Sed certe reddidistis rationem de nomine, quare appelletis agonisticos. Ita fiat, ut appellatis; ita fiat, omnino favemus. Praestet Dominus ut illi contra diabolum certent, et non contra Christum, cujus persequuntur Ecclesiam. Tamen quia certant, dicitis agonisticos: et invenistis unde appelletis, quia dixit Apostolus, «Bonum agonem certavi.» Quare ergo et nos non appellemus monachos, cum dicat Psalmus, «Ecce quam bonum et quam jucundum habitare fratres in unum?» Μόνος enim unus dicitur: et non unus quomodocumque; nam et in turba est unus, sed una cum multis unus dici potest, μόνος non potest, id est, solus: μόνος enim unus solus est. Qui ergo sic vivunt in unum, ut unum hominem faciant, ut sit illis vere quod scriptum est, «una anima et unum cor;» multa corpora, sed non multae animae; multa corpora, sed non multa corda; recte dicitur μόνος, id est unus solus. Unde et ille unus sanabatur in piscina. Respondeant nobis et exponant, qui insultant nomini monachorum, quare ille qui inventus est triginta octo annos habens in infirmitate, hoc respondisset Domino: «Cum mota fuerit aqua, non habeo qui deponat me; alius ante me descendit» . Descenderat unus, jam alius non descendebat. Unus solus sanabatur; unitatem Ecclesiae figurabat. Merito insultant nomini unitatis, qui se ab unitate praeciderunt. Merito illis displicet nomen monachorum, quia illi nolunt habitare in unum cum fratribus; sed sequentes Donatum, Christum dimiserunt. Haec de uno, et uno solo audivit Charitas vestra; jam jucundemur cum Psalmo, ut sequentia videamus. Brevis est; potest a nobis curri, quantum Dominus suggerit. Puto enim ex his quae dicta sunt, patere posse quae sequuntur, quamvis illa videantur obscura.
132.7 PL 36, 1733
7. But if ye incline to understand it of the house itself, where the feet of that house have stood; let thy feet stand in Christ. They will then stand, if thou shalt persevere in Christ. For what is said of the devil? “He was a murderer from the beginning, and stood not in the truth.” The feet of the devil therefore stood not. Also what saith he of the proud? “O let not the foot of pride come against me; and let not the hand of the ungodly cast me down. There are they fallen, all that work wickedness: they are cast down, and were not able to stand.” That then is the house of God, whose feet stand. Whence John rejoicing, saith: what? “He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom standeth and heareth him.” If he stand not, he heareth him not. Justly he standeth, because “he rejoiceth on account of the bridegroom’s voice.” Now therefore ye see why they fell, who rejoice because of their own voice. That friend of the Bridegroom said, “The same is He which baptizeth.” Some say, We baptize: rejoicing in their own voice, they could not stand; and belong not to that house of which it is said, “where His feet stood.”
[«vers. 2.] Ecce quam bonum et quam jucundum habitare fratres in unum.» Ostendebat qui dicebat, «Ecce.» Videmus et nos, fratres, et benedicimus Deum; et oramus, ut dicamus et nos, «Ecce.» Et cui rei similes sunt, dicat Psalmus. «Sicut unguentum in capite, quod descendit in barbam, barbam Aaron; quod descendit in oram vestimenti ejus. Aaron» quid erat? Sacerdos. Quis est sacerdos, nisi unus sacerdos, qui intravit in sancta sanctorum? Quis est iste sacerdos, nisi qui fuit et victima et sacerdos? nisi ille qui cum in mundo non inveniret mundum quod offerret, seipsum obtulit? In capite ipsius unguentum, quia totus Christus cum Ecclesia: sed a capite venit unguentum. Caput nostrum Christus est; crucifixum et sepultum, resuscitatum ascendit in coelum; et venit Spiritus sanctus a capite. Quo? Ad barbam. Barba significat fortes; barba significat juvenes, strenuos, impigros, alacres. Ideo quando tales describimus, Barbatus homo est, dicimus. Ergo illud primum unguentum descendit in Apostolos, descendit in illos qui primos impetus saeculi sustinuerunt: descendit ergo in illos Spiritus sanctus. Nam et illi qui primum in unum habitare coeperunt, persecutionem passi sunt: sed quia descenderat unguentum in barbam, passi sunt, non victi. Etenim et caput jam passum praecesserat, unde descendit unguentum. Praecedente tali exemplo, quis vinceret barbam?
132.8 PL 36, 1733
8. “Arise, O Lord, into Thy resting place” (ver. 8). He saith unto the Lord sleeping, “Arise.” Ye know already who slept, and who rose again.…“Thou, and the ark of Thy sanctification:” that is, Arise, that the ark of Thy sanctification, which Thou hast sanctified, may arise also. He is our Head; His ark is His Church: He arose first, the Church will arise also. The body would not dare to promise itself resurrection, save the Head arose first. The Body of Christ, that was born of Mary, hath been understood by some to be the ark of sanctification; so that the words mean, Arise with Thy Body, that they who believe not may handle.
Ex illa barba erat Stephanus sanctus. Et hoc est non vinci, ut charitas non vincatur ab inimicis. Nam visi sunt sibi vicisse, qui persecuti sunt sanctos. Illi caedebant, illi caedebantur; illi occidebant, illi occidebantur. Quis non putaret illos vincere, illos vinci? Sed quia non victa est charitas, ideo unguentum descendit in barbam. Attende Stephanum. Saeviebat in illo charitas: saeviebat in eos, cum audirent; rogavit pro eis, cum lapidarent. Quid enim ait, cum audirent? «Dura cervice et incircumcisi corde et auribus, vos semper restitistis Spiritui sancto.» Vide barbam. Numquid adulavit? numquid timuit? Illi cum audirent ista, quae in illos dicebantur: quasi saeviebat enim Stephanus; saeviebat ore, corde diligebat; et non est victa charitas ipsa in eo: nam illi abhorrentes a verbo, tanquam tenebrae fugientes a lumine, ad lapides currere coeperunt, Stephanum lapidare. Sicut antea Stephani verba lapidabant illos, sic postea lapides eorum Stephanum. Quando debuit plus irasci Stephanus, quando lapidabatur, an quando audiebatur? Ecce mitis factus est dum lapidaretur, et saeviebat cum audiretur. Quare saeviebat cum audiretur? Quia mutare volebat eos a quibus audiebatur. Venientibus in se lapidibus non victa est charitas: quia unguentum a capite in barbam descenderat, et audierat ab ipso capite, «Diligite inimicos vestros, et orate pro eis qui vos persequuntur» . Audierat ab ipso capite pendente in cruce, et dicente, «Pater, ignosce illis, quia nesciunt quid faciunt» . Eo modo ergo unguentum a capite descenderat in barbam; quia et ille cum lapidaretur, fixo genu ait: «Domine, ne statuas illis hoc peccatum» .
132.9 PL 36, 1734
9. “Let Thy priests be clothed with righteousness, and let Thy saints sing with joyfulness” (ver. 9). When Thou risest from the dead, and goest unto Thy Father, let that royal Priesthood be clothed with faith, since “the righteous liveth by faith;” and, receiving the pledge of the Holy Spirit, let the members rejoice in the hope of resurrection, which went before in the Head: for to them the Apostle saith, “Rejoicing in hope.”
Ergo illi tanquam barba erant. Multi enim fortes erant, et multas persecutiones passi sunt. Sed si neque a barba descendisset unguentum, modo monasteria non haberemus. Sed quia descendit et in oram vestimenti; sic enim ait, «Quod descendit in oram vestimenti ejus:» secuta est Ecclesia, de veste Domini peperit monasteria. Nam vestis sacerdotalis Ecclesiam significat. Ipsa est vestis de qua dicit Apostolus, «Ut exhiberet sibi gloriosam Ecclesiam, non habentem maculam, neque rugam» . Mundatur, ut non habeat maculam; extenditur, ut non habeat rugam. Ubi eam extendit fullo, nisi in ligno? Videmus quotidie a fullonibus tunicas quodammodo crucifigi: crucificuntur, ut rugam non habeant. Quid est ergo ora vestimenti? fratres mei, in ora vestimenti quid accepturi sumus? Ora, finis vestimenti est. Quid accepturi sumus in fine vestimenti? An quia in fine temporum habitura erat Ecclesia fratres habitantes in unum? an in ora perfectionem intelligimus, quia in ora vestimentum perficitur; et illi perfecti, qui norunt habitare in unum? Illi perfecti qui legem implent. Quomodo autem impletur lex Christi ab eis qui habitant fratres in unum? Audi Apostolum: «Invicem onera vestra portate, et sic implebitis legem Christi» . Haec est ora vestimenti. Quomodo, fratres mei, intelligimus, quam oram dicat, quo potuit descendere unguentum? Non puto quod oram vestimenti in lateribus voluit intelligi. Sunt enim orae in lateribus. Sed a barba descendere unguentum ad oram potuit, quae in capite est, ubi aperitur capitium. Tales sunt qui habitant in unum: ut quomodo per oras istas intrat caput hominis, ut vestiat se; sic per concordiam fraternam Christus intrat, qui est caput nostrum, ut vestiatur, ut Ecclesia illi haereat.
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10. “For Thy servant David’s sake, turn not away the face of Thine Anointed” (ver. 10). These words are addressed unto God the Father. “For Thy servant David’s sake, turn not away the face of Thine Anointed.” The Lord was crucified in Judæa; He was crucified by the Jews; harassed by them, He slept. He arose to judge those among whose savage hands He slept: and He saith elsewhere, “Raise Thou Me up again, and I shall reward them.” He both hath rewarded them, and will reward them. The Jews well know themselves how great were their sufferings after the Lord’s death. They were all expelled from the very city, where they slew Him. What then? have all perished even from the root of David and from the tribe of Judah? No: for some of that stock believed, and in fact many thousands of men of that stock believed, and this after the Lord’s resurrection. They raged and crucified Him: and afterwards began to see miracles wrought in the Name of Him Crucified; and they trembled still more that His Name should have so much power, since when in their hands He seemed unable to work any; and pricked at heart, at length believing that there was some hidden divinity in Him whom they had believed like other men, and asking counsel of the Apostles, they were answered, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Since then Christ arose to judge those by whom He had been crucified, and turned away His Presence from the Jews, turning His Presence towards the Gentiles; God is, as it seemeth, besought in behalf of the remnant of Israel; and it is said unto Him, “For Thy servant David’s sake, turn not away the presence of Thine Anointed.” If the chaff be condemned, let the wheat be gathered together. May the remnant be saved, as Isaiah saith, “And the remnant hath” clearly “been saved:” for out of them were the twelve Apostles, out of them more than five hundred brethren, to whom the Lord showed Himself after His Resurrection: out of their number were so many thousands baptized, who laid the price of their possessions at the Apostles’ feet. Thus then was fulfilled the prayer here made to God: “For Thy servant David’s sake, turn not away the presence of Thine Anointed.”
[«vers.» 3.] Quid aliud dicit? «Sicut ros Hermon, qui descendit super montes» «Sion.» Hoc voluit intelligi, fratres mei, gratiam Dei esse quod fratres habitant in unum; non ex suis viribus, non ex suis meritis, sed ex illius dono, sed ex illius gratia, sicut ros de coelo. Non enim terra sibi pluit, aut non quidquid genuerit arescit, nisi pluvia desuper descendat. Dicit quodam loco in psalmo: «Pluviam voluntariam segregabis, Deus, haereditati tuae» . Quare dixit «voluntariam?» Quia non meritis nostris, sed illius voluntate. Quid enim boni meruimus peccatores? quid boni meruimus iniqui? Ex Adam Adam, et super Adam multa peccata nascuntur. Quisquis nascitur, Adam nascitur, damnatus de damnato, et addidit male vivendo super Adam. Quid enim boni meruit Adam? Et tamen misericors amavit, et sponsus dilexit, non pulchram, sed ut faceret pulchram. Ergo gratiam Dei dixit rorem Hermon.
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11. “The Lord hath made a faithful oath unto David, and He shall not repent” (ver. 11). What meaneth, “hath made an oath”? Hath confirmed a promise through Himself. What meaneth, “He shall not repent”? He will not change. For God suffereth not the pain of repentance, nor is He deceived in any matter, so that He would wish to correct that wherein He hath erred. But as when a man repents of anything, he wisheth to change what he hath done; thus where thou hearest that God repenteth, look for an actual change. God doth it differently from thee, although He calleth it by the name of repentance; for thou dost it, because thou hadst erred; while He doth it, because He avengeth, or freeth. He changed Saul’s kingdom, when He repented, as it is said: and in the very passage where the Scripture saith, “It repented Him;” it is said a little after, “for He is not a man that He should repent.” When therefore He changeth His works through His immutable counsel, He is said to repent on account of this very change, not of His counsel, but of His work. But He promised this so as not to change it. Just as this passage also saith: “The Lord sware, and will not repent, Thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchizedec;” so also since this was promised so that it should not be changed, because it must needs happen and be permanent; he saith, “The Lord hath made a faithful oath unto David, and He shall not repent; Of the fruit of thy body shall I set upon thy seat.” He might have said, “of the fruit of thy loins,” wherefore did He choose to say, “Of the fruit of thy body”? Had He said that also, it would have been true; but He chose to say with a further meaning, Ex fructu ventris, because Christ was born of a woman without the man.
Sed Hermon quid sit, nosse debetis. Mons est quidam longe disjunctus ab Jerusalem, id est a Sion. Itaque mirum est quod sic ait, «Sicut ros Hermon, qui descendit super montes Sion;» cum mons Hermon longe sit disjunctus ab Jerusalem: nam trans Jordanem esse dicitur. Ergo aliquid interpretatione Hermon quaeramus. Non enim hebraeum est, et habemus interpretationem ab eis qui illam linguam noverunt. Hermon interpretari dicitur, Lumen exaltatum. A Christo enim ros: nam nullum lumen exaltatum, nisi Christus. Quomodo exaltatum est? Primo in cruce; postea in coelo. Exaltatus in cruce, cum humiliaretur; sed humiliatio illius non potuit nisi alta esse. Hominis dispensatio minus minusque fiebat, quae significabatur in Joanne; Dei dispensatio in Domino nostro Jesu Christo crescebat: quod et natalibus eorum ostenditur. Nam ille natus est, sicut tradit Ecclesia, octavo calendas julias, cum jam incipiunt minui dies: Dominus autem natus octavo calendas junuarias, quando jam dies incipiunt crescere. Audi ipsum Joannem confitentem: «Illum oportet crescere, me autem minui» . Et passiones ipsorum hoc indicant. Dominus in cruce exaltatus est; ille caeso capite deminutus. Ergo lumen exaltatum, Christus: inde est ros Hermon. Sed quicumque vultis habitare in unum, optate rorem istum, compluimini inde. Alioquin non poteritis tenere quod profitemini, nec profiteri audere poteritis, nisi ille intonuerit; nec permanere poteritis, nisi ejus sagina non desit vobis: ipsa enim sagina descendit super montes Sion.
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12. What then? “The Lord hath made a faithful oath unto David, and He shall not shrink from it; Of the fruit of thy body shall I set upon thy seat. If thy children will keep My covenant and My testimonies that I shall learn them, their children also shall sit upon thy seat for evermore” (ver. 12). If thy children keep My covenant, their children also shall sit for evermore. The parents establish a desert on behalf of their children. What if his children should keep the covenant, and their children should not keep it? Why is the happiness of the children promised in relation to their parents’ deservings? For what saith He, “If thy children will keep My covenant, their children also shall sit for evermore”—He saith not, if thy children keep My covenant, they shall sit upon thy seat; and if their children keep My covenant, they also shall sit upon thy seat: but he saith, “If thy children keep My covenant, their children also shall sit upon thy seat for evermore”—except because He here wished their fruit to be understood by their children? “If thy children,” He saith, “will keep My covenant, and if thy children shall keep My testimonies that I shall learn them; their children also shall sit upon thy seat:” that is, this will be their fruit, that they sit upon thy seat. For in this life, brethren, do all of us who labour in Christ, all of us who tremble at His words, who in any way endeavour to execute His will, and groan while we pray His help that we may fulfil what He commandeth; do we already sit in those seats of bliss which are promised us? No: but holding His commandments, we hope this will come to pass. This hope is spoken of under the figure of sons; because sons are the hope of man living in this life, sons are his fruit. For this reason also men, when excusing their avarice, allege that they are reserving for their children what they hoard up; and, unwilling to give to the destitute, excuse themselves under the name of piety, because their children are their hope. For all men who live according to this world, declare it to be their hope, to be fathers of children they may leave behind them. Thus then He describes hope generally under the name of children, and saith, “If thy children will keep My covenant and My testimonies that I shall learn them, their children also shall sit upon thy seat for evermore:” that is, they shall have such fruits, that their hope shall not deceive them, that they may come there where they hope to come. At present therefore they are as fathers, men of hope for the future; but when they have attained what they hope, they are children; because they have brought forth and produced in their works that which they gain. And this is preserved unto them for the future, because futurity itself commonly signifieth children.
Jam «montes Sion,» magni in Sion. Quid est Sion? Ecclesia. Et qui ibi sunt montes? Magni. Quos significant montes, hos significat barba, hos significat ora vestimenti. Barba non intelligitur nisi in perfectis. Non ergo habitant in unum, nisi in quibus perfecta fuerit charitas Christi. Nam in quibus non est perfecta charitas Christi, et cum in uno sint, odiosi sunt, molesti sunt, turbulenti sunt, anxietate sua turbant caeteros, et quaerunt quid de illis dicant; quomodo in junctura inquietum jumentum non solum non trahit, sed et frangit calcibus quod junctum est. Si autem habet rorem Hermon, «qui descendit super montes Sion,» quietus, placatus, humilis, tolerans, pro murmure precem fundit. Nam murmuratores omnes magnifice descripti sunt quodam loco Scripturarum: «Praecordia fatui sicut rota carri» . Quid est, «Praecordia fatui sicut rota carri?» Fenum portat, et murmurat: non enim potest rota carri quiescere a murmure. Sic sunt multi fratres; non habitant in unum nisi corpore. Sed qui sunt qui habitant in unum? Illi de quibus dictum est, «Et erat illis anima una et cor unum in Deum: et nemo dicebat aliquid suum esse, sed erant illis omnia communia» . Designati sunt, descripti sunt, qui pertineant ad barbam, qui pertineant ad oram vestimenti, qui numerentur inter montes Sion. Et si sunt ibi alii murmuratores, meminerint dicti Domini: «Unus assumetur, et unus relinquetur» .
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13. Or if thou understand actual men to be meant by children, the words, “If thy children will keep My covenant and My testimonies that I shall teach them,” may mean, “If thy children will keep My covenant and testimonies that I shall teach them, and their children also;” that is, if they too keep My covenant; so that here thou must make a slight pause, and then infer that “they shall sit upon thy seat for evermore;” that is, both thy children and their children, but all if they keep My covenant. What then, if they keep it not? Hath the promise of God failed? No: but it is said and promised for this reason, that God foresaw: what, save that they would believe? But that no man should as it were threaten God’s promises, and prefer to place in his own power the fulfilment of what God promised: for this reason he saith, “He made an oath:” whereby he showeth that it will without doubt take place. How then hath He said here, “If they will keep My covenant”? Glory not in the promises, and leave out thy failing to keep the covenant. Then wilt thou be the son of David, if thou shalt keep the covenant; but if thou dost not keep it, thou wilt not be David’s son. God promised to the sons of David. Say not, I am David’s son if thou degenerate. If the Jews, who were born of this very stock, say not this (nay, they say it, but they are under a delusion. For the Lord saith openly, “If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.” He thereby denied them to be children, because they did not the works), how do we call ourselves David’s children, who are not of his race according to the flesh? It follows then that we are not children, save by imitating his faith, save by worshipping God, as he worshipped. If therefore what thou hopest not through descent, thou wilt not endeavour to obtain by works; how shall the sitting upon David’s seat be fulfilled in thee? And if it shall not be fulfilled in thee, thinkest thou that it shall not be fulfilled at all? And how hath He found it in the woodland tracts? and how did His feet stand? Whatsoever then thou mayest be, that house will stand.
«Quoniam ibi mandavit Dominus benedictionem.» Ubi mandavit? In fratribus qui habitant in unum. Ibi praecepit benedictionem, ibi benedicunt Dominum qui habitant concorditer. Nam in discordia non benedicis Dominum. Sine causa dicis quia lingua tua sonat benedictionem Domini, si corde non sones: ore benedicis, et corde maledicis. «Ore suo benedicebant, et corde suo maledicebant» . Numquid verba nostra sunt? Significati sunt quidam. Benedicis Dominum, cum oras; et sequeris in prece tua, et maledicis inimico tuo. Hoc est quod audisti ab ipso Domino, «Diligite inimicos vestros?» Si autem facias, et diligas inimicum tuum, et ores pro eo, «ibi mandavit Dominus benedictionem suam;» ibi habebis «vitam in saeculum,» id est in aeternum. Multi enim amantes vitam istam, maledicunt inimicis suis: pro qua re, nisi pro ista vita, nisi pro commodis saecularibus? Ubi te angustavit inimicus tuus, ut cogaris maledicere? In terra angustatus es; migra, habita in coelo. Quomodo, inquies, habito in coelo, homo carne indutus, carni deditus? Corde praecede, quo sequaris corpore. Noli surdus audire, Sursum corda. Sursum cor habe, et nemo te angustabit in coelo. Et ideo bene sequitur alius psalmus:
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14. “For the Lord hath chosen Sion to be an habitation for Himself” (ver. 13). Sion is the Church Herself; She is also that Jerusalem unto whose peace we are running, who is in pilgrimage not in the Angels, but in us, who in her better part waiteth for the part that will return; whence letters have come unto us, which are every day read. This city is that very Sion, whom the Lord hath chosen.
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15. “This shall be My rest for ever” (ver. 14). These are the words of God. “My rest:” I rest there. How greatly doth God love us, brethren, since, because we rest, He saith that He also resteth! For He is not sometimes Himself disturbed, nor doth He rest as we do; but He saith that He resteth there, because we shall have rest in Him. “Here will I dwell: for I have a delight therein.”
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16. “I will bless her widow with blessings, and will satisfy her poor with bread” (ver. 15). Every soul that is aware that it is bereft of all help, save of God alone, is widowed. For how doth the Apostle describe a widow? “She that is a widow indeed and desolate, trusteth in God.” He was speaking of those whom we all call Widows in the Church. He saith, “She that liveth in pleasure, is dead while she liveth;” and he numbereth her not among the widows. But in describing true widows, what saith he? “She that is a widow indeed and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.” Here he addeth, “but she that liveth in pleasure, is dead while she liveth.” What then makes a widow? That she hath no aid from any other source, save from God alone. They that have husbands, take pride in the protection of their husbands: widows seem desolate, and their aid is a stronger one. The whole Church therefore is one widow, whether in men or in women, in married men or married women, in young men or in old, or in virgins: the whole Church is one widow, desolate in this world, if she feel this, if she is aware of her widowhood: for then is help at hand for her. Do ye not recognise this widow in the Gospel, my brethren, when the Lord declared “that men ought always to pray and not to faint”? “There was in a city a judge,” He said, “which feared not God, neither regarded man. And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him day by day, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.” The widow, by daily importunity, prevailed with him: for the judge said within himself, “Though I fear not God; neither regard man, yet because this woman troubleth me, I will avenge her.” If the wicked judge heard the widow, that he might not be molested; heareth not God His Church, whom He exhorteth to pray?
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17. Also, “I will satisfy her poor with bread;” what meaneth this, brethren? Let us be poor, and we shall then be satisfied. Many who trust in the world, and are proud, are Christians; they worship Christ, but are not satisfied; for they have been satisfied, and abound in their pride. Of such it is said, “Our soul is filled with the scornful reproof of the wealthy, and with the despitefulness of the proud:” these have abundance, and therefore eat, but are not satisfied. And what is said of them in the Psalm? “All such as be fat upon the earth have eaten and worshipped.” They worship Christ, they venerate Christ, they pray unto Christ; but they are not satisfied with His wisdom and righteousness. Wherefore? Because they are not poor. For the poor, that is the humble in heart, the more they hunger, the more they eat; and the more empty they are of the world, the more hungry they are. He who is full refuseth whatsoever thou wilt give him, because he is full. Give me one who hungereth; give me one of whom it is said, “Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled:” and these will be the poor of whom he hath just said, “And will satisfy her poor with bread.” For in the very Psalm where it is said, “All such as be fat upon the earth have eaten and worshipped;” this is said of the poor also, and exactly in the same manner as in this Psalm, “The poor shall eat, and be satisfied: they that seek after the Lord shall praise Him.” Where it is said, “All such as be fat upon earth have eaten and worshipped:” it is said, “the poor shall eat, and be satisfied.” Why, when the rich are said to have worshipped, are they not said to be satisfied; yet when the poor are mentioned, they are said to be satisfied? And whence are they satisfied? What is the nature, brethren, of this satisfying? God Himself is their bread. The bread came down upon the earth, that He might become milk unto us; and said to His own, “I am the Living Bread which came down from heaven.” Hence these words in the Psalm, “The poor shall eat, and be satisfied.” From what source shall they be satisfied? Hear what followeth: “And they that seek after the Lord shall praise Him.”
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18. Be ye therefore poor, be ye among the members of that widow, let your help be solely in God alone. Money is nought; not thence will ye have aid. Many have been cast headlong down for money’s sake, many have perished on account of money; many for the sake of their riches have been marked out by plunderers; they would have been safe, had they not had what made men hunt for them. Many have presumed in their more powerful friends: they in whom they presumed have fallen, and have involved in their ruin those who trusted in them. Look back upon the instances to be seen in the human race. Is it anything singular that I am telling you? We speak these things not only from these Scriptures; read them in the whole world. Take heed that ye presume not in money, in a friend, in the honour and the boasting of the world. Take away all these things: but if thou hast them, thank God if thou despisest them. But if thou art puffed up by them; think not when thou wilt be the prey of men; already art thou the Devil’s prey. But if thou hast not trusted in these things, thou wilt be among the members of that widow, who is the Church, of whom it is said, “I will bless her widow with blessings;” thou wilt also be poor, and one of those of whom it is said, “And will satisfy her poor with bread.”
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19. Sometimes, however, and we must not pass over this without mention, thou findest a poor man proud, and a rich man humble: we daily endure such persons. Thou hearest a poor man groaning beneath a rich man, and when the more powerful rich man presseth upon him, then thou seest him humble: sometimes not even then, but even then proud; whence thou seest what he would have been, had he any property. God’s poor one is therefore poor in spirit, not in his purse. Sometimes a man goeth forth having a full house, rich lands, many estates, much gold and silver; he knoweth that he must not trust in these, he humbleth himself before God, he doth good with them; thus his heart is raised unto God, so that he is aware that not only do riches themselves profit him nothing, but that they even impede his feet, save He rule them, and aid them: and he is counted among the poor who are satisfied with bread. Thou findest another a proud beggar, or not proud only because he hath nothing, nevertheless seeking whereby he may be puffed up. God doth not heed the means a man hath, but the wish he hath, and judgeth him according to his wish for temporal blessings, not according to the means which it is not his lot to have. Whence the Apostle saith of the rich, “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.” What therefore should they do with their riches? He goeth on to say: “That they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate.” And see that they are poor in this world: “Laying up in store for themselves,” he addeth, “a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” When they have laid hold of eternal life, then will they be rich; but since they have it not as yet, they should know that they are poor. Thus it is that God counteth among His poor all the humble in heart, who are established in that twofold charity, whatever they may have in this world—among His poor, whom He satisfieth with bread.
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20. “I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints shall rejoice and sing” (ver. 16). We are now at the end of the Psalm; attend for a short space, Beloved. “I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints shall rejoice and sing.” Who is our salvation, save our Christ? What meaneth, therefore, “I will clothe her priests with salvation”? “As many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ.” “And her saints shall rejoice and sing.” Whence shall they rejoice and sing? Because they have been clothed with salvation: not in themselves. For they have become light, but in the Lord; for they were darkness before. Therefore he hath added, “There will I raise up the horn of David” (ver. 17): this will be David’s height, that trust be put in Christ. For horn signifieth height: and what sort of height? Not carnal. Therefore, while all the bones are wrapped up in flesh, the horn goeth beyond the flesh. Spiritual altitude is a horn. But what is spiritual loftiness, save to trust in Christ? not to say, It is my work, I baptize; but, “He it is who baptizeth.” There is the horn of David: and that ye may know that there is the horn of David, heed what followeth: “I have ordained a lantern for mine Anointed.” What is a lantern? Ye already know the Lord’s words concerning John: “He was a burning and a shining light.” And what saith John? “He it is who baptizeth.” Herein therefore shall the saints rejoice, herein the priests shall rejoice: because all that is good in themselves, is not of themselves, but of Him who hath the power of baptizing. Fearlessly therefore doth every one who hath received baptism come unto His temple; because it is not man’s, but His who made the horn of David to flourish.
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21. “Upon Him shall My sanctification flourish” (ver. 18). Upon whom? Upon Mine Anointed. For when He saith, “Mine anointed,” it is the voice of the Father, who saith, “I will bless her widow with blessings, and will satisfy her poor with bread. I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints shall rejoice and sing.” He who saith, “There will I raise up the horn of David,” is God. He Himself saith, “I have ordained a lantern for Mine Anointed,” because Christ is both ours and the Father’s: He is our Christ, when He saveth us and ruleth us, as He is also our Lord: He is the Son of the Father, but both our Christ and the Father’s. For if He were not the Father’s Christ, it would not be said above, “For Thy servant David’s sake, turn not Thou away the presence of Thine Anointed.” “Upon Him shall My sanctification flourish.” It flourisheth upon Christ. Let none of men assume this to himself, that he himself sanctifieth: otherwise it will not be true, “Upon Him shall My sanctification flourish.” The glory of sanctification shall flourish. The sanctification of Christ therefore in Christ Himself, is the power of the sanctification of God in Christ. In that he saith, “shall flourish,” he refers to His glory: for when trees flourish, then are they beautiful. Sanctification therefore is in Baptism: thence it flourisheth, and is brightened. Why hath the world yielded to this beauty? Because it flourisheth in Christ; for, put it in man’s power, and how doth it then flourish? since “all flesh in grass, and all the goodliness thereof as the flower of the grass.”