Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

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Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

Psalm 80 with Augustine – Correcting False Loves How long, LORD God Almighty, will your anger smolder against the prayers of your people? (v. 4). You were angry at the prayer of your enemy, will you still be angry with the prayer of your servant? You have converted us. We know you. Will you still be angry? Evidently, yes, you will be angry, but as a father correcting, not as a judge condemning. Do not think the wrath of God has passed away because you have been converted. The wrath of God has turned away from you, but only so that it does not condemn forever. But he punishes, he does not spare, because he punishes every child he receives (Heb 12:6). If you refuse to be punished, why do you desire to be received? What do you love that prevents you from loving God? Tell me. Is there anything you can love which he has not made? Look around at all creation, see whether in any place you are held with the snare of desire, and hindered from loving the Creator, except by that very thing which he who you neglect has created. But why do you love those things, except because they are beautiful? Can they be as beautiful as their maker? You admire these things, because you do not see him. Instead, through those things which you admire, love him who you do not see. Those who do not worship God are dead. In himself he is good, not because he gives good things, which he gives even to bad people. “You will revive us,” for we were dead. When we clung to earthly things we were dead, when we bore the image of mortals. You will renew us. We will love you. You will be the sweet forgiver of our sins, you will be the entire reward of the justified. Restore us, LORD God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved (v. 19).