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  EXPOSITION ON PSALM 108
  by St. Augustine
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Summary: The CVIIIth Psalm is a prophetic song that reveals God's
communication with humanity through the Prophets and Jesus, fulfilling
the promises of God.

Topics: "Psalm Exposition", "Christology"
Scripture References: Psalm 57:7, Psalm 60:5, Psalm 108:1, 2 Corinthians 1:20, Hebrews 1:1

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DESCRIPTION
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St. Augustine delves into the intricate connections between various
Psalms, highlighting the prophetic nature of the titles and the depth of
meaning beyond historical references. He explains how Psalm 108 is a
combination of parts from other Psalms, emphasizing the unity in
prophecy and the significance of titles like 'A Song of Solomon or
Psalms of David.' Augustine draws parallels between the Psalms and the
fulfillment of God's promises through Christ, as mentioned in Hebrews
and Corinthians, underscoring the divine orchestration of Scripture.

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CONTENT
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1. I have not thought that the CVIIIth Psalm required an exposition;
since I have already expounded it in the LVIIth Psalm, and in the LXth,
of the last divisions of which this Psalm consists. For the last part of
the LVIIth is the first of this, as far as the verse, Your glory is
above all the earth. Henceforth to the end, is the last part of the
LXth: as the last part of the CXXXVth is the same as that of the CXVth,
from the verse, The images of the heathen are but gold and silver: as
the XIV and LIIId, with a few alterations in the middle, have everything
the same from the beginning to the end.

Whatever slight differences therefore occur in this CVIIIth Psalm,
compared with those two, of parts of which it is composed, are easy to
understand; just as we find in the LVIIth, I will sing and give praise;
awake, O my glory: here, I will sing and give praise, with my glory.
Awake, is said there, that he may sing and give praise therewith. Also,
there, Your mercy is great (or, as some translate, is lifted up) unto
the heavens; but here, Your mercy is great above the heavens.

For it is great unto the heavens, that it may be great in the heavens;
and this is what he wished to express by above the heavens. Also in the
LXth, I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem: here I will be exalted, and
will divide Shechem. Where is shown what is signified in the division of
Shechem, which it was prophesied should happen after the Lord's
exaltation, and that this joy does refer to that exaltation; so that He
rejoices, because He is exalted. Whence he elsewhere says, You have
turned my heaviness into joy; You have put off my sackcloth and girded
me with gladness.

Also there Ephraim, the strength of my head: but here, Ephraim the
taking up of my head. But strength comes from taking up, that is, He
makes men strong by taking up, causing fruit in us; for the
interpretation of Ephraim is, bearing fruit. But taking up may be
understood of us, when we take up Christ; or of Christ, when He, who is
Head of the Church, takes us up. And the words, them that trouble us, in
the former Psalm, are the same with our enemies, in this.

2. We are taught by this Psalm, that those titles which seem to refer to
history are most rightly understood prophetically, according to the
object of the composition of the Psalms....And yet this Psalm is
composed of the latter portions of two, whose titles are different.

Where it is signified that each concur in a common object, not in the
surface of the history, but in the depth of prophecy, the objects of
both being united in this one, the title of which is, A Song or Psalm of
David: resembling neither of the former titles, otherwise than in the
word David. Since, in many places, and in diverse manners, as the
Epistle to the Hebrews says, God spoke in former times to the fathers
through the Prophets; Hebrews 1:1 yet He spoke of Him whom He sent
afterwards, that the words of the Prophets might be fulfilled: for all
the promises of God in Him are yea. 2 Corinthians 1:20

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/st-augustine/exposition-on-psalm-108/
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