Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

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Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

Psalm 87 with Augustine – Dwelling in God’s Presence for Eternity

As they make music they will sing, “All my fountains are in you” (v. 7). As if all the joyous and rejoicing ones shall dwell in that city. On our journeys here we suffer bruises; our last home will be the home of joy alone. Labor and groans will perish, prayers pass away, hymns of praise succeed. That will be the dwelling of those who are happy. No longer will there be the groans of those who ache, but the gladness of those who enjoy. The one we long for will be present. “We shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). There our whole task will be to praise and enjoy the presence of God. And what more could we ask for, when he alone satisfies us who made all things? We will dwell and be dwelt in; and shall be subject to him, that God may be all in all. Let this then be the only object of our desire, when we have reached this pass. Let us prepare ourselves to rejoice in God—to praise him. In that day, works of charity will be unnecessary; there will be no misery; you will find no one in need, no one naked; no one will meet you tormented with thirst; there will be no stranger, no sick to visit, no dead to bury, no rivals to set at peace. What will you find to do? Shall we plant new vines, plough, and make voyages—all to support the necessities of the body? No, deep quiet shall be there. All toilsome work that necessity demands will cease. Since the necessity will be dead, its works will perish too. What then will life be like? Many pleasures do I behold here, and many rejoice in this world—some in one thing, others in another—but there is nothing to compare with that delight. Let us prepare for other delights, for a kind