Expositions on the Psalms · Part 74

5. "Praise Him in the sound of the trumpet" (ver. 3): on account of the surpassing clearness of note of their praise. "Praise Him in the psaltery and harp." The psaltery praiseth God from things above, the harp praiseth God from things below; I mean, from things in heaven, and things in earth, as He who made heaven and earth. We have already in another Psalm, explained that the psaltery hath that board, whereon the series of strings rests that it may give a better sound, above, whereas the harp has it below. "Praise Him in the timbrel and choir" (ver. 4). The "timbrel" praiseth God when the flesh is now changed, so that there is in it no weakness of earthly corruption. For the timbrel is made of leather dried and strengthened. The "choir" praiseth God when society made peaceful praiseth Him. "Praise Him on the strings and organ." Both psaltery and harp, which have been mentioned above, have strings. But "organ" is a general name for all instruments of music, although usage has now obtained that those are specially called organ which are inflated with bellows: but I do not think that this kind is meant here. For since organ is a Greek word, applied generally, as I have said, to all musical instruments, this instrument, to which bellows are applied, is called by the Greeks by another name: but it being called organ is rather a Latin and conversational usage. When then he saith, "on the strings and organ," he seemeth to me to have intended to signify some instrument which hath strings. For it is not psalteries and harps only that have strings: but, because in the psaltery, and harp, on account of the sound from things below and things above, somewhat has been found which can be understood after this distinction, he hath suggested to us to seek some other meaning in the strings themselves: for they too are flesh, but flesh now set free from corruption. And to those, it may be, he added the organ, to signify that they sound not each separately, but sound together in most harmonious diversity, just as they are arranged in a musical instrument. For even then the saints of God will have their differences, accordant, not discordant, that is, agreeing, not disagreeing, just as sweetest harmony arises from sounds differing indeed, but not opposed to one another.

6. "Praise Him on the well-sounding cymbals, praise Him on cymbals of jubilation" (ver. 5). Cymbals touch one another in order to sound, and therefore are by some compared to our lips. But I think it better to understand that God is in a manner praised on the cymbal, when each is honoured by his neighbour, not by himself, and then honouring one another, they give praise to God. But lest any should understand such cymbals as sound without life, therefore I think he added, "on cymbals of jubilation." For "jubilation" that is, unspeakable praise, proceedeth not, save from life. Nor do I think that I should pass over what musicians say, that there are three kinds of sounds, by voice, by breath, by striking: by voice, uttered by throat and windpipe, when man singeth without any instrument; by breath, as by pipe, or anything of that sort: by striking, as by harp, or anything of that kind. None then of these kinds is omitted here: for there is voice in the choir, breath in the trumpet, striking in the harp, representing mind, spirit, body, but by similitudes, not in the proper sense of the words. When then he proposed, "Praise God in His saints," to whom said he this, save to themselves? And in whom are they to praise God, save in themselves? For ye, saith he, are "His saints;" ye are "His strength," but that which He wrought in you; ye are "His mighty works, and the multitude of His greatness," which He hath wrought and set forth in you. Ye are "trumpet, psaltery, harp, timbrel, choir, strings, and organ, cymbals of jubilation sounding well," because sounding in harmony. All these are ye: let nought that is vile, nought that is transitory, nought that is ludicrous, be here thought of. And since to savour of the flesh is death, "let every spirit praise the Lord" (ver. 6).

Prayer of St. Augustin.

Which he was wont to use after his Sermons and Lectures.

Turn we to the Lord God, the Father Almighty, and with pure hearts offer to Him, so far as our meanness can, great and true thanks, with all our hearts praying His exceeding kindness, that of His good pleasure He would deign to hear our prayers, that by His Power He would drive out the enemy from our deeds and thoughts, that He would increase our faith, guide our understandings, give us spiritual thoughts, and lead us to His bliss, through Jesus Christ His Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Him, in the Unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

INDEX OF SUBJECTS.

Aaron, brother of Moses, 486, 487.

Abba, same as Father, 381; St. Paul uses both words, 532.

Abel, 31, 252, 268, 450.

Abimelech, 72, 197.

Abraham, seed of, faithful Christians also, 148, 149, 627; servant's hand under his thigh, 149, 334; poor in midst of riches, 410.

Absalom, David's son, 4, 5; type of Judas the traitor, 4, 20.

Absolution granted by the Church, 500.

Abyss, or deep, of God's judgments, 88; of man's heart, 136.

Accuser, the devil the great, false, 328; false accusers entangled, 221, See Devil.

Achish, 75, 197.

Adam, transgression of, 16; type of Christ, 131; meaning of name, 474.

Advent, day of second, not known, 15. See Christ and Judgment.

Adversity. See Tribulation.

Æman, i.e. Heman, the Israelite, 424.

Æthan, 429.

Ahithophel, 20.

Allophyli, 218, 219.

Almsgiving, one of the wings of prayer, 140; the Lord requires it, 171; poor can give alms, 605; a fixed sum to be set aside, 668.

Altar of God, who only can approach it, 139.

Amalek, 398.

Ammon, 398.

Amorites, 625.

Angels, ministered to Christ, 227; the redeemed equal to, 259; abode of, 415; bodies of, 416; greatness of, 472; food of, 625; office or function, 627.

Angels, rebel, fell through pride, 591.

Anger, definition of, 16; anger of God, 382, 399; terribleness of His anger, 443.

Anointed, 151, 622. See Christ.

Ant as an example, 137.

Antichrist, "that Wicked," 532; Jews deceived by, 532.

Apollinarians, 411.

Apollos, 281.

Apostles, the twelve, wrought miracles, 272; designated as rams, 335; number of a mystery, 421; words of, reached unto end of the world, 430; anointed by the Holy Spirit, 623.

Arians and Arian heresy, 217, 297, 592, 615.

Aristotle the philosopher, 640.

Ark of Noah, type of the Church, 421.