Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

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Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

Psalm 47 with Augustine – Imitating Abraham’s Faith He chose our inheritance for us, the pride of Jacob, whom He loved (v. 4). Esau was born first, and Jacob last; but Jacob was preferred to the firstborn, who through gluttony lost his birthright. So it is written, He longed for the stew, and his brother said to him, “First sell me your birthright” (Gen 25:31). Esau loved what his appetite desired more than what he had earned by being born first, so he laid aside his birthright. The nobles of the nations assemble as the people of the God of Abraham (v. 9). The God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Accordingly the Jews proudly said, “Abraham is our father” (John 8:39), priding themselves in their father’s name, carrying his flesh, but not holding to his faith. But the Lord said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, then you would do what Abraham did” (John 8:39). Again, the nobles of the nations: not the nobles of one people, but the nobles of all people have assembled. Belonging to these nobles was that Centurion too, who you heard about when the Gospel was read. For he was a Centurion with honor and power among men. Admiring his faith, Jesus denounces the Jews’ unbelief. “I say to you that many will come from the east and the west,” not belonging to the nation of Israel, “and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 8:11). They are not Abraham’s descendants; yet they will come and sit down with him in the kingdom of heaven, and be his children. How? By following his faith. “But the subjects of the kingdom,” that is, the Jews, “will be thrown outside, into the darkness,