Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

Chapter 3: Psalms 39–59

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Psalm 58 with Augustine – Truth Overcomes The truth cries, Do you rulers indeed speak justly? Do you judge people with equity? (v. 1). Is not speaking about justice easy for everyone? Who cannot easily answer what is just? Everyone knew the golden rule even before the Law was given, in order that there might be some rule even for those to whom Law had not been given (Matt 7:12). Let it not be a justice of lips, but also of deeds. For if you act differently than you speak, you speak good things, but are judged evil. Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns—whether they be green or dry—the wicked will be swept away (v. 9). The bramble, a prickly plant which has many thorns, is at first an herb, and while it is an herb, it is soft and beautiful, but thorns are coming. New sins are pleasant, and they do not prick at first. After miserable delights and pleasures the evident tortures come forth. Let those who love any object question themselves. If they cannot get it, let them see if they are racked with longing, and when they have obtained that which they long for unlawfully, let them notice if they are afraid. But even now the bramble of sin produces thorns of judgment. Fire has fallen upon them, and they are unable to see the sun. That is, the wrath of God consumes the wicked while still living: fire of evil lusts, of empty honors, of pride, of their covetousness. Whatever is weighing them down prevents them from knowing the truth, so that they seem to be unconquered. They are not brought into subjection even by truth herself. For what is more glorious than to be brought in subjection and to be overcome by truth? Let truth overcome the willing, for it shall even overcome the unwilling.