Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

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Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

Psalm 123 with Augustine – True Riches Have mercy on us, for we have endured no end of contempt (v. 3). All you who live faithfully with Christ must suffer rebuke, and must be despised by those who do not choose to live faithfully, all whose happiness is earthly. You are ridiculed because you hope for what you do not see; and those who seem to hold what they see, scorn you. Yet since we hope for those things which are to come, and sigh for future happiness, we have endured no end of contempt by those who seek or enjoy happiness in this world. We have endured no end of ridicule from the arrogant, of contempt from the proud (v. 4). Perhaps they mock when they are happy, when they boast in their great wealth! When they boast of their false honors, then they mock us. To this we must add that sometimes those who are unhappy mock us. Did not the robber mock, who was crucified with our crucified Lord (Luke 23:39)? He wishes to deprive God of governing this world, and steer creation himself, to distribute pains and pleasures, punishments and rewards. Miserable soul! Christians should not be wealthy, but should acknowledge themselves poor. If they have riches, they ought to know that they are not true riches. And what is the wealth of our righteousness? However much righteousness there may be in us, it is a sort of dew compared to that fountain. Compared to that abundance it is only a few drops. Let us only desire to be filled with the full fountain of righteousness; let us long to be filled with that abundant richness: “They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights” (Ps 36:8). But while we are here, let us understand ourselves to be destitute and in need. Let our whole hunger, our whole