Expositions on the Book of Psalms 128
128.1 Psalm CXXVIII PL 36, 1688
1. Felix the Martyr, truly Felix, i.e. “Happy” both in his name and his crown, whose birthday this is, despised the world. Was he, because he feared the Lord, thence happy, thence blessed, because his wife was as a fruitful vine upon the earth, and his children stood around his table? All these blessings he hath perfectly, but in the Body of Him who is here described; and, because he understood them in this sense, he scorned things present, that he might receive things future. Ye are aware, brethren, that he suffered not the death that other martyrs suffered. For he confessed, and was set aside for torments; on another day his body was discovered lifeless. They had closed the prison to his body, not to his spirit. The executioners found him gone; when they were preparing to torture, they spent their rage for nought. He was lying dead, without sense to them, that he might not be tortured; with sense with God, that he might be crowned. Whence was he also happy, brethren, not only in name, but in the reward of everlasting life, if he loved these things.
Psalmus quem cantavimus, brevis est: sed sicut scriptum est in Evangelio de Zacchaeo, statura brevis, et magnus in opere ; sicut scriptum est de illa vidua quae duo minuta misit in gazophylacium, brevis pecunia, sed magna charitas : sic et iste psalmus, si verba numeres, brevis est; si sententias appendas, magnus est. Non ergo nos poterit diutius usque ad fastidium detinere. Quare? Advertat prudentia vestra, et adsit intentio christiana: sonet verbum Dei volentibus, nolentibus, opportune, importune. Invenit sibi locum, invenit corda ubi requiescat, invenit terram ubi germinet et fructum ferat. Nam quia multi mali sunt et iniqui quos portat Ecclesia usque in finem, manifestum est: et hi sunt quibus verbum Dei superfluum est; et aut sic in illos cadit, quomodo semen in via conculcatur, et a volatilibus colligitur; aut sic in eos cadit, quomodo semen in petrosa loca, ubi non habet terram multam, statim exit, et calefacto sole arescit, quia non habet radicem; aut sicut inter spinas, quod etsi germinet et conetur in auras surgere, offocatur tamen multitudine spinarum. Tales autem sunt qui verbum Dei contemnunt sicut via, aut qui ad horam gaudent, et facta tribulatione, sicut aestu solis, arescunt; aut qui cogitationibus et curis et sollicitudine hujus mundi, tanquam spinis avaritiae offocant quod in illis coeperat germinare. Est autem etiam terra bona, quo semen cum ceciderit, affert fructum, aliud tricenum, aliud sexagenum, aliud centenum : sive parum, sive multum, omnes in horreo erunt. Sunt ergo tales, et propter hos loquimur. Propter hos loquitur Scriptura, propter hos non tacet Evangelium. Sed et illi audiant, ne forte aliud sint hodie, aliud cras; ne forte mutentur audiendo, aut arent viam, aut lapides purgent, aut spinas evellant. Dicat Spiritus Dei, dicat nobis, cantet nobis; sive velimus saltare, sive nolimus, cantet ipse. Sicut enim qui saltat, membra movet ad cantum; sic qui saltant ad praeceptum Dei, operibus obtemperant sono. Ideo qui noluerunt hoc facere, quid illis Dominus dicit in Evangelio? «Cantavimus vobis, et non saltastis; planximus, et non lamentastis» . Cantet ergo; credimus in Dei misericordiam, quia erunt de quibus nos consoletur. Nam qui pertinaces sunt, perseverantes in malitia, quamvis audiant verbum Dei, scandalis quotidie perturbant Ecclesiam. De talibus dicit iste psalmus; sic enim coepit:
128.2 PL 36, 1689
2. “Blessed are all they that fear the Lord, and walk in His ways” (ver. 1). He speaketh to many; but since these many are one in Christ, in the next words he speaketh in the singular: “For thou shalt eat the labours of thy fruits.”…When I speak of Christians in the plural, I understand one in the One Christ. Ye are therefore many, and ye are one; we are many, and we are one. How are we many, and yet one? Because we cling unto Him whose members we are; and since our Head is in heaven, that His members may follow.…Let us therefore so hear this Psalm, as considering it to be spoken of Christ: and all of us who cling unto the Body of Christ, and have been made members of Christ, walk in the ways of the Lord; and let us fear the Lord with a chaste fear, with a fear that abideth for ever.…
[«vers.» 1-3.] «Saepe expugnaverunt me a juventute mea.» Ecclesia loquitur de his quos tolerat, et tanquam diceretur, Numquid modo? Olim est Ecclesia; ex quo vocantur sancti, est Ecclesia in terra. Aliquando in solo Abel Ecclesia erat, et expugnatus est a fratre malo et perdito Cain . Aliquando in solo Enoch Ecclesia erat, et translatus est ab iniquis . Aliquando in sola domo Noe Ecclesia erat, et pertulit omnes qui diluvio perierunt, et sola arca natavit in fluctibus, et evasit ad siccum . Aliquando in solo Abraham Ecclesia erat, et quanta pertulit ab iniquis, novimus. In solo filio fratris ejus Lot, et in domo ejus in Sodomis Ecclesia erat, et pertulit Sodomorum iniquitates et perversitates, quousque Deus eum de medio ipsorum liberavit . Coepit esse et in populo Israel Ecclesia; pertulit Pharaonem et Aegyptios. Coepit et in ipsa Ecclesia, id est in populo Israel, numerus esse sanctorum: Moyses et caeteri sancti pertulerunt iniquos Judaeos populum Israel. Ventum est et ad Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum, praedicatum est Evangelium, dixit in Psalmis, «Annuntiavi et locutus sum, multipliplicati sunt super numerum» . Quid est, «super numerum?» Non solum illi crediderunt qui pertinent ad numerum sanctorum; sed et «super numerum» intrarunt: multi justi, sed et plures iniqui; et pertulerunt justi iniquos. Quando? In Ecclesia. Numquid modo solum, ex quo enumerat, ex quo commemorat? Ideo ne miraretur modo Ecclesia, vel ne quisquam miraretur in Ecclesia, volens esse membrum bonum Ecclesiae, audiat et ipsam Ecclesiam matrem suam dicentem sibi: Noli mirari ad ista, fili; «Saepe expugnaverunt me a juventute mea.»
128.3 PL 36, 1690
3. “Thou shalt eat the labours of thy fruits” (ver. 2). And ye, O thou, ye many who are One, “Thou shalt eat of the labours of thy fruits.” He seemeth to speak perversely to those who understand not: for he should have said, thou shalt eat the fruit of thy labours. For many eat the fruit of their labours. They labour in the vineyard; they eat not the toil itself; but what ariseth from their labour they eat. They labour about trees that bear fruit: who would eat labours? But the fruit of these labours, the produce of these trees; it is this that delighteth the husbandman. What meaneth, “Thou shalt eat the labours of thy fruits”? At present we have toils: the fruits will come afterwards. But since their labours themselves are not without joy, on account of the hope whereof we have a little before spoken, “Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation;” at present those very labours delight us, and make us joyful in hope. If therefore our toil has been what could be eaten, and could also delight us; what will be the fruit of our labour when eaten? “They who went weeping on their way, scattering their seed,” did eat their labours; with how much greater pleasure will they eat the fruits of their labours, who “shall come again with joy, bearing their sheaves with them”?…“Blessed art thou, and well shall it be with thee.” “Blessed art thou,” is of the present: “well shall it be with thee,” is of the future. When thou eatest the labours of thy fruits, “blessed art thou;” when thou hast reached the fruit of thy labours, “well shall it be with thee.” What hath he said? For if it be well with thee, thou wilt be happy: and if thou wilt be happy, thou wilt also have all well with thee. But there is a difference between hope and attainment. If hope be so sweet, how much sweeter will reality be?
Magnus affectus sic coepisse Psalmum: «Saepe expugnaverunt me a juventute mea.» Quasi aliquid jam loquebatur: videtur enim non coepisse, sed respondisse. Respondit autem, quibus? Cogitantibus et dicentibus: Quanta mala perferimus, quanta scandala crebrescunt quotidie, quando iniqui intrant in Ecclesiam et portamus eos? Respondeat autem Ecclesia de quibusdam, id est, de fortiorum voce respondeat querelis infirmorum, et confirment firmi infirmos, et grandes parvulos, et dicat Ecclesia, «Saepe expugnaverunt me a juventute mea. Dicat vero» «Israel, Saepe expugnaverunt me a juventute mea.» Dicat illud, non illud timeat. Quo enim valet, quod cum dixisset, «Saepe expugnaverunt me,» addidit, «a juventute mea?» Jam modo Ecclesiae senectus expugnatur, sed non timeat: dicat, «Saepe expugnaverunt me a juventute mea.» Numquid ideo non pervenit ad senectutem, quia non cessaverunt illi expugnando? numquid delere potuerunt? «Dicat vero Israel;» et consoletur se Israel, consoletur se ipsa Ecclesia de praeteritis exemplis, et dicat, «Saepe expugnaverunt me a juventute mea.»
128.4 PL 36, 1690
4. Let us now come to the words, “Thy wife” (ver. 3): it is said unto Christ. His wife, therefore, is the Church: His Church, His wife, we ourselves are. “As a fruitful vineyard.” But in whom is the vineyard fruitful? For we see many barren ones entering those walls; we see that many intemperate, usurious persons, slave dealers, enter these walls, and such as resort to fortune-tellers, go to enchanters and enchantresses when they have a headache. Is this the fruitfulness of the vine? Is this the fecundity of the wife? It is not. These are thorns, but the vineyard is not everywhere thorny. It hath a certain fruitfulness, and is a fruitful vine; but in whom? “Upon the sides of thy house.” Not all are called the sides of the house. For I ask what are the sides. What shall I say? Are they walls, strong stones, as it were? If he were speaking of this bodily tenement, we should perhaps understand this by sides. We mean by the sides of the house, those who cling unto Christ.…
Quare expugnaverunt? «Etenim non potuerunt mihi. Supra dorsum meum fabricaverunt peccatores; longe fecerunt injustitiam suam.» Quare expugnaverunt? «Quia non potuerunt mihi.» Quid est, «non potuerunt mihi?» Fabricare. Quid est, «non potuerunt mihi?» Non illis consensi ad malum. Omnis enim malus ideo persequitur bonum, quia non illi consentit bonus ad malum. Faciat aliquid mali, non objurget episcopus, bonus est episcopus: objurget episcopus, malus est episcopus. Rapiat aliquid, taceat cui rapit, bonus est: saltem loquatur et reprehendat, etsi non repetat, malus est. Malus est qui reprehendit raptorem, et bonus est qui rapit! Ambulet, «Manducemus et bibamus; cras enim moriemur.» Contra Apostolus: «Corrumpunt bonos mores colloquia mala. Sobrii estote justi,» , «et nolite peccare» . Sonat verbum, sonat sermo contradictor libidinis: at ille amicus libidinis suae, et inimicus sermoni contradicenti amicae suae infestus est, et odit sermonem Dei. Facta est amica avaritia, inimicus Deus. Contradicit enim Deus avaritiae, et vult nihil possideri ab avaritia. Ego possidear, clamat. Quid vis ab avaritia possideri? Dura jubet, levia jubeo: onus ejus grave, sarcina mea levis est; jugum ejus asperum est, jugum meum lene est . Noli velle ab avaritia possideri. Jubet avaritia ut mare transeas, et obtemperas: jubet ut te ventis procellisque committas; jubeo ego ut ante ostium tuum ex eo quod habes des pauperi: piger es ad faciendum ante te opus bonum, et strenuus es ad transeundum mare. Quia avaritia imperat, servis; quia Deus jubet, odisti. Et quid? Cum odisse coeperit, incipit velle criminari eos a quibus audit bona praecepta, et velle per suspiciones suas crimina quaerere servorum Dei. Qui nobis ista dicunt, ista non faciunt ipsi? Et ista sive quae fiunt, sive quae non fiunt, dicuntur fieri; et quae fiunt bene, dicuntur male fieri: et quae toleramus, ad culpam nostram applicantur. Nos quid respondemus? Noli me attendere; sermonem istum attende: ipse tibi loquitur per quemlibet; huic tu inimicus es. Concorda cum adversario tuo, cum es cum eo in via : adversarium tuum sermonem Dei fecisti. Noli attendere quia ille tibi loquitur: malus est per quem tibi loquitur; sed non est malus, qui tibi loquitur, sermo Dei. Accusa Deum, accusa, si potes.
128.5 PL 36, 1691
5. “Thy children.” The wife and the children are the same. In these carnal marriages and wedlocks, the wife is one, the children other: in the Church, she who is the wife, is the children also. For the Apostles belonged to the Church, and were among the members of the Church. They were therefore in His wife, and were His wife according to their own portion which they held in His members. Why then is it said concerning them, “When the Bridegroom shall be taken from them, then shall the children of the Bridegroom fast”? She who is the wife, then, is the children also. I speak a wonderful thing, my brethren. In the words of the Lord, we find the Church to be both His brethren, and His sisters, and His mother.…For Mary was among the sides of His House, and His relatives coming of the kindred of the Virgin Mary, who believed on Him, were among the sides of His House; not in respect of their carnal consanguinity, but inasmuch as they heard the Word of God, and obeyed it.…He added; “For whosoever shall do the will of My Father which is in heaven, the same is My brother, and sister, and mother.” “Brother,” perhaps, on account of the male sex whom the Church hath: “sister,” on account of the women whom Christ hath here in His members. How “mother,” save that Christ Himself is in those Christians, whom the Church daily bringeth forth Christians through baptism? In those therefore in whom thou understandest the wife, in them thou understandest the mother, in them the children.
Creditis, fratres, huc usque pervenisse eos de quibus dicitur, «Saepe expugnaverunt me a juventute mea,» ut etiam ipsum Deum accusare non dubitent? Accusas avarum, et ille accusat Deum quia fecit aurum. Noli avarus esse. Et non faceret Deus aurum. Jam hoc restat, quia mala tua opera cohibere non potes, accusas opera bona Dei: displicet tibi creator et fabricator mundi. Non faceret et solem; quia multi in fenestris contendunt de luminaribus, et ad judicia se trahunt. O si vitia nostra cohibeamus! quia bona sunt omnia, quia bonus Deus qui fecit omnia; et laudant illum opera sua, considerata quia bona sunt, ab eo qui habet spiritum considerandi, spiritum pietatis et sapientiae. Undique laudatur Deus ab operibus suis. Quomodo illum laudant opera sua per os trium puerorum? quid praetermissum est? Laudant coeli, laudant Angeli, laudant sidera, laudant sol et luna, laudant dies ac noctes, laudat quidquid germinat de terra, laudat quidquid natat in mari, laudat quidquid volitat in aere, laudant omnes montes et colles, laudant frigora et aestus; et caetera omnia quae Deus fecit, audistis quia laudant Deum : numquid audistis ibi quia laudat Deum avaritia, quia laudat Deum luxuria? Non laudant ista, quia non ipse illa fecit. Laudant ibi homines Deum; hominis creator est Deus. Avaritia opus est mali hominis; homo ipse opus est Dei. Et quid vult Deus? Occidere in te quod ipse fecisti, et salvare quod ipse fecit.
128.6 PL 36, 1692
6. …Such children ought therefore to be “around” the Lord’s “table, like olive-branches.” A complete Vine it is, a great bliss: who would now refuse to be there? When thou seest any blasphemer have a wife, children, grandchildren, and thyself perchance without them, envy them not; discern that the promise hath been fulfilled in thee also, but spiritually. If therefore we have, why have we? Because we fear the Lord. “Lo, thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord” (ver. 4). He is the man, who is also the men; and the men are one man; because many are one, because Christ is One.
Noli fenerare. Tu accusas Scripturam dicentem, «Qui pecuniam suam non dedit ad usuram» . Non ego illud scripsi, non de ore meo primo exiit: Deum audi. Et ille: Clerici non fenerent. Et forte qui tibi loquitur, non fenerat: sed si fenerat, fac quia et ipse fenerat; numquid fenerat qui per ipsum loquitur? Si facit quod tibi dicit, et non tu facis; tu in ignem, ille in regnum. Si non facit quod tibi dicit, et pariter facit mala quae facis, et dicit bona quae non facit; pariter in ignem. Fenum ardebit, verbum autem Domini manet in aeternum . Numquid ardet sermo qui tibi per illum locutus est? Aut Moyses est qui tibi loquitur, id est, bonus et justus famulus Dei; aut pharisaeus est cathedram Moysi sedens. Audisti et de ipsis: «Quae dicunt, facite; quae autem faciunt, facere nolite» . Non habes tu unde te excuses, quando sermo Dei tibi loquitur. Quia non potes interficere sermonem Dei, criminari quaeris eos per quos loquitur tibi sermo Dei. Quaere quantum vis, dic quantum vis, blasphema quantum vis: «Saepe expugnaverunt me a juventute mea, dicat vero Israel, Saepe expugnaverunt me a juventute mea.» Audent etiam feneratores dicere: Non habeo aliud unde vivam. Hoc mihi et latro diceret, deprehensus in fauce; hoc et effractor diceret, deprehensus circa parietem alienum; hoc mihi et leno diceret, emens puellas ad prostitutionem; hoc et maleficus incantans mala, et vendens nequitiam suam; quidquid tale prohibere conaremur, responderent omnes quia non haberent unde viverent, quia inde se pascerent; quasi non hoc ipsum in illis maxime puniendum est, quia artem nequitiae delegerunt, unde vitam transigant, et inde se volunt pascere, unde offendant eum a quo omnes pascuntur.
128.7 PL 36, 1692
7. “The Lord from out of Sion bless thee: and mayest thou see thee good things that are of Jerusalem” (ver. 5). Even to the birds was it said, “Be fruitful and multiply.” Dost thou wish to hold as a great blessing what was given unto birds? Who can be ignorant, that it was given indeed by the voice of God? But use these goods, if thou receive them; and rather think how thou mayest nourish those who have been born, than that others may be born. For it is not happiness to have children, but to have good ones. Labour in the task of nourishing them, if they be born; but if they be not born, give thanks unto God.…Thy children are infants: thou dost caress the infants: the infants caress thee: do they abide thus? But thou wishest they may grow, thou wishest that their age may increase. But consider that when one age cometh, another dieth. When boyhood cometh, infancy dieth; when youth cometh, boyhood dieth: when manhood cometh, youth dieth; when old age cometh, manhood dieth: when death cometh, all age dieth. As many successions of ages as thou wishest for, so many deaths of ages dost thou wish for. These things therefore “are” not. Finally, are children born unto thee to share life with thee on earth, or rather to shut thee out and to succeed thee? Rejoicest thou in those born to exclude thee? Boys when born speak somewhat like this to their parents: “Now then, begin to think of removing hence, let us too play our parts on the stage.” For the whole life of temptation in the human race is a stage play; for it is said, “Every man living is altogether vanity.” Nevertheless, if we rejoice in children who will succeed us; how much must we rejoice in children with whom we shall remain, and in that Father for whom we are born, who will not die, but that we may evermore live with Him? These are the good things of Jerusalem: for they “are.” And how long shall I see the good things of Jerusalem? “All thy life long.” If thy life be for ever, thou wilt see the good things of Jerusalem for evermore.…
Sed cum clamaveris hoc et dixeris, illi respondent: Si sic, non huc accedimus; si sic, non intramus in ipsam Ecclesiam. Veniant, intrent, audiant: «Saepe expugnaverunt me a juventute mea. Etenim non potuerunt mihi: supra dorsum meum fabricaverunt peccatores:» hoc est, non potuerunt agere ut consentiam; fecerunt quod portem. Quam praeclare dictum est, quam optime significavit, «Etenim non potuerunt mihi: supra dorsum meum fabricaverunt peccatores.» Agunt nobiscum, primo ut consentiamus illis ad facta mala: si non consenserimus, Tolerate nos, dicunt. Ergo quia non potuisti mihi, ascende in dorsum meum; portare te habeo quousque veniat finis: sic enim mihi praeceptum est, ut fructum afferam cum tolerantia . Non te corrigo, tolero te: aut forte, cum tolero te, corrigis te. Si non te corrigis usque in finem, tolero te usque in finem; et usque in finem super dorsum meum eris, usque ad tempus. Numquid semper super dorsum meum eris? Veniet enim qui inde te excutiat: veniet tempus messis, veniet finis saeculi; immittet Deus messores. Messores autem Angeli sunt: separant malos de medio justorum, sicut zizania a tritico; frumentum recondent in horreo, paleam autem comburent igni inexstinguibili. Portavi quousque potui, jam gaudens transeo in horreum Dei, et securus canto, «Saepe expugnaverunt me a juventute mea.»
128.8 PL 36, 1693
8. For, “if in this life only,” saith the Apostle, “we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” For what reason were the Martyrs condemned to beasts? What is that good? Can it be declared? by what means, or what tongue can tell it? or what ears can hear it? That indeed, “Neither ear hath heard, nor hath it entered into man’s heart:” only let us love, only let us grow in grace: ye see, then, that battles are not wanting, and that we fight with our lusts. We fight outwardly with unbelieving and disobedient men; we fight inwardly with carnal suggestions and perturbations: we everywhere as yet fight.…What sort of peace then is this? One from Jerusalem, for Jerusalem is interpreted, A vision of Peace. Thus then “mayest thou see the good things that are of Jerusalem,” and that, “all thy life long—and mayest thou see,” not only thy children, but, “thy children’s children.” What meaneth, Thy children? Thy works which thou here dost. Who are thy children’s children? The fruits of thy works. Thou givest alms: these are thy children: for the sake of thine alms thou receivest everlasting life, these are thy children’s children. “Mayest thou see thy children’s children;” and there shall be “peace upon Israel” (ver. 6), the last words of the Psalm.…
Quid enim mihi facere potuerunt, quia «expugnaverunt me a juventute mea?» Exercuerunt me, non oppresserunt. Valuerunt mihi sicut ignis ad aurum, non sicut ignis ad fenum. Ignis enim accedens ad aurum, sordem tollit; accedens ad fenum, in cinerem vertit. «Etenim non potuerunt mihi,» quia non consensi, quia non me fecerunt quales sunt ipsi. «Supra dorsum meum fabricaverunt peccatores, longe fecerunt injustitiam suam.» Fecerunt quod tolerem, et non fecerunt cui consentirem. Jam ergo injustitia ipsorum longe est a me. Mali mixti sunt bonis, non solum in saeculo, sed et in ipsa intus Ecclesia mali mixti sunt bonis. Nostis, et probastis; et magis probabitis, si boni fueritis. «Cum» enim «crevisset herba et fructum fecisset, tunc apparuerunt zizania» . Nulli apparent mali in Ecclesia, nisi ei qui fuerit bonus. Nostis ergo quia mixti sunt, et semper et ubique dicit Scriptura quia non separabuntur, nisi in fine. Sic, quomodo mixti sunt, longe sunt a se. Ne quis ergo ex eo quod mixti sunt mali inter bonos, putaret iniquitatem esse juxta justitiam, «Non potuerunt,» inquit, «mihi;» id est, dixerunt, et male dixerunt, «Manducemus et bibamus; cras enim moriemur.» Non corruperunt sermones mali mores bonos: in eo quod audivi a Deo, non cessi sermonibus hominum. Fecerunt mihi peccatores quod portarem. non cui commiscerer, et facta est iniquitas eorum longe a me. Quid enim tam prope, quam duo homines in una Ecclesia? quid tam longe, quam iniquitas a justitia? Ubi enim consensio, ibi propinquitas. Ligantur duo, et mittuntur ad judicem; latro, et colligatus: ille sceleratus, ille innocens, una catena ligantur, et longe sunt a se. Quantum longe sunt a se? Quantum longe est scelus ab innocentia. Ecce isti longe sunt ab invicem. Alius latro in Hispania facit scelera, proximus ei est qui facit in Africa. Quantum proximus? Quantum sibi junguntur scelus et scelus, quantum sibi junguntur latrocinium et latrocinium. Nemo ergo timeat mixtos sibi corpore malos. Longe ab illis sit corde, et securus portat quod non timet: «Longe fecerunt injustitiam suam.»