Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

126

Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

Psalm 68 with Cassiodorus – TheWicked Consumed and the Righteous Rejoice May God arise, may his enemies be scattered . . . May you blow them away like smoke—as wax melts before the fire, may the wicked perish before God (vv. 1–2). In these two verses the punishment of sinners is foretold by two images. Smoke is a dark, thick mass which rises from the flames of this world that perish; the further it rises, the thinner it becomes through the empty air. Sinners are appropriately compared to smoke, for they bring forth from the fire of their wickedness smoke-bearing activities. Through the action of pride this “smoke” rises to higher levels but inevitably vanishes through their own self-exaltation. The second comparison which describes them follows. Wax is a soft, pliant substance gathered from honeycombs which melts under the fire’s heat so that its substance is utterly dissipated. This image is appropriate for the wicked, for at God’s judgment sinners disappear before his presence as the frail wax is consumed by the nearness of fire. They will perish before the presence of God, because they will never attain his grace and benefits. But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful (v. 3). Just as earlier the punishment of sinners was pronounced, so now the future reward of the just is recounted. By feasts we mean choice and abundant supplies of food with which the body is refreshed and the appetite satisfied. This is the image used for nourishment of the faithful and fattening the righteous, who are filled but still long for more, and are stuffed with the delights of heaven. These delights are found before God , where happiness is always desirable and genuine. What exaltation we experience under the