{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/108/1080119.htm","path":"chr/ecf/108/1080119.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/108/1080119.htm","text":"Psalm CVIII. 4896\n1. I have not thought that the CVIIIth Psalm required an exposition; since I have already expounded it in the LVIIth Psalm, 4897 and in the LXth, of the last divisions of which this Psalm consisteth. For the last part of the LVIIth is the first of this, as far as the verse, \u201cThy glory is above all the earth.\u201d 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, 4898 from the verse, \u201cThe images of the heathen are but gold and silver:\u201d as the XIVth[4899] and LIIId, 4899 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, 4900 \u201cI will sing and give praise; awake, O my glory:\u201d here,\u201c I will sing and give praise, with my glory.\u201d 4901 Awake, is said there, that he may sing and give praise therewith. Also, there, \u201cThy mercy is great\u201d (or, as some translate, \u201cis lifted up\u201d) \u201cunto the heavens;\u201d 4902 but here, \u201cThy mercy is great above the heavens.\u201d 4903 For it is great unto the heavens, that it may be great in the heavens; and this is what he wished to express by \u201cabove the heavens.\u201d Also in the LXth, \u201cI will rejoice, I will divide Shechem:\u201d 4904 here \u201cI will be exalted, and will divide Shechem.\u201d 4905 Where is shown what is signified in the division of Shechem, which it was prophesied should happen after the Lord\u2019s exaltation, and that this joy doth refer to that exaltation; so that He rejoiceth, because He is exalted. Whence he elsewhere saith, \u201cThou hast turned my heaviness into joy; Thou hast put off my sackcloth and girded me with gladness.\u201d 4906 Also there \u201cEphraim, the strength of my head:\u201d 4907 but here, \u201cEphraim the taking up of my head.\u201d 4908 But strength cometh from taking up, that is, He maketh men strong by taking up, causing fruit in us; for the interpretation of Ephraim is, bearing fruit. But \u201ctaking up\u201d may be understood of us, when we take up Christ; or of Christ, when He, who is Head of the Church, taketh us up. And the words, \u201cthem that trouble us,\u201d in the former Psalm, 4909 are the same with \u201cour enemies,\u201d in this. 4910\n2. 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.\u2026And yet this Psalm is composed of the latter portions of two, 4911 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, \u201cA Song or Psalm of David:\u201d 4912 resembling neither of the former titles, otherwise than in the word David. Since, \u201cin many places, and in diverse manners,\u201d as the Epistle to the Hebrews saith, \u201cGod spoke in former times to the fathers through the Prophets;\u201d 4913 yet He spoke of Him whom He sent afterwards, that the words of the Prophets might be fulfilled: for \u201call the promises of God in Him are yea.\u201d 4914\nLat. CVII. Why no exposition is here given.\n536:4897 536:4898 536:4899 536:4900 536:4901 536:4902 536:4903 536:4904 536:4905 536:4906 536:4907 536:4908 536:4909 536:4910 536:4911 536:4912\nPs. cviii. Tit.\n536:4913 536:4914","title":"Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Vol. VIII: Expositions on...","type":"page"}