Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

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Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

Psalm138 with Augustine – Loving GodMoreThan Life Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life (v. 7). It is true that whatever hardship you are in, you are invited to confess to God, call on him. He frees you, he revives you. Love the other life, and you will see that this life is hardship—whatever prosperity it shines with, whatever delights it abounds and overflows with. We do not yet have that joy most safe and free from all temptation, which God reserves for us in the end. Without a doubt it is hardship. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me (v. 7). Let my enemies rage. What can they do? They can take my money and my clothes and banish me, afflict me with grief and torture, even kill me if they can. Can they do any more? But you have stretched out your hand against everything my enemies can do. For my enemies cannot separate me from you. You avenge me the more, the longer you delay, not to make me despair; for it follows, with your right hand you save me. Your love, LORD, endures forever

Augustine on Psalm 138 “For whatever good works of mine are there, they are from you; and so they are more yours than mine.”

(v. 8). I do not desire to be freed only temporarily. Your enduring love, with which you have freed the martyrs, has quickly taken them from this life. Do not abandon the works

of your hands. I do not praise works of my own hands. I fear that when you look into them, you find more sins in them than righteousness. See in me your work, not mine. For if you see mine, you condemn. If you see yours, you crown. For whatever good works of mine are there, they are from you; and so they are more yours than mine.