Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

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Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

Jerusalem, where all are good, all are righteous and holy, all gaze at the face of God. What a country! A great country indeed, and wretched are the wanderers from that country). The psalmist, when ascending to Jerusalem, said, I live among the tents of Kedar! (v. 5). The tents of Ishmael are called those of Kedar. Genesis tells us that Kedar belongs to Ishmael (Gen 25:13). Isaac therefore is with Ishmael. That is, those who belong to Isaac live among those who belong to Ishmael. Too long have I lived among those who hate peace. I am for peace (vv. 6–7). But you will not be able to prove how truly you sing, unless you have begun to do what you sing. However much I say this, in whatever ways I explain it, in whatever words I use, it does not enter into the heart of one who takes no action. Begin to act in peace, and see what we speak. Then tears flow forth at each word, then the psalm is sung, and the heart does what is sung in the psalm. Augustine on Psalm 120 “You will not be able to prove how truly you sing, unless you have begun to do what you sing.”