{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/108/1080123.htm","path":"chr/ecf/108/1080123.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/108/1080123.htm","text":"Psalm CXII. 5006\n1. I believe, brethren, that ye remarked and committed to memory the title of this Psalm. \u201cThe conversion,\u201d he saith, \u201cof Haggai and Zechariah.\u201d These prophets were not as yet in existence, when these verses were sung. 5007 \u2026p. 547 But both, the one within a year after the other, began to prophesy that which seemeth to pertain to the restoration of the temple, as was foretold so long before. 5008 \u2026\u201cFor the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.\u201d 5009 Whoever therefore converteth himself to the work of this building together, and to the hope of a firm and holy edifice, like a living stone from the miserable ruin of this world, understandeth the title of the Psalm, understandeth \u201cthe conversion of Haggai and Zechariah.\u201d Let him therefore chant the following verses, not so much with the voice of his tongue as of his life. For the completion of the building will be that ineffable peace of wisdom, the \u201cbeginning\u201d of which is the \u201cfear of the Lord:\u201d let him therefore, whom this conversion buildeth together, begin thence.\n2. \u201cBlessed is the man that feareth the Lord: he will have great delight in His commandments\u201d (Psa. 112.1). God, who alone judgeth both truthfully and mercifully, will see how far he obeyeth His commandments: since \u201cthe life of man on earth is a temptation,\u201d 5010 as holy Job saith. But \u201cHe who judgeth us is the Lord.\u201d 5011 \u2026He therefore will see how far each man profiteth in His commandments; yet he who loveth the peace of this building together, shall have great delight in them; nor ought he to despair, since there is \u201cpeace on earth for men of good will.\u201d 5012\n3. Next follows, \u201cHis seed shall be mighty upon earth\u201d (Psa. 112.2). The Apostle witnesseth, that the works of mercy are the seed of the future harvest, when he saith, \u201cLet us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap;\u201d 5013 and again, \u201cBut this I say, He which soweth sparingly, shall reap also sparingly.\u201d 5014 But what, brethren, is more mighty than that not only Zacch\u00e6us should buy the kingdom of Heaven by the half of his goods, 5015 but even the widow for two mites, 5016 and that each should possess an equal share there? What is more mighty, than that the same kingdom should be worth treasures to the rich man, and a cup of cold water to the poor?\u2026\u201cGlory and riches shall be in his house\u201d (Psa. 112.3). For his house is his heart; where, with the praise of God, he liveth in greater riches with the hope of eternal life, than with men flattering, in palaces of marble, with splendidly adorned ceilings, with the fear of everlasting death. \u201cFor his righteousness endureth for ever:\u201d this is his glory, there are his riches. While the other\u2019s purple, and fine linen, and grand banquets, even when present, are passing away; and when they have come to an end, the burning tongue shall cry out, longing for a drop of water from the finger\u2019s end. 5017\n4. \u201cUnto the right-hearted there ariseth up light in the darkness\u201d (Psa. 112.4). Justly do the godly direct their heart unto their God, justly do they walk with their God, preferring His will to themselves; and having no proud presumption in their own. For they remember that they were some time in darkness, but are now light in the Lord. 5018 \u201cMerciful, pitying, and just is the Lord God.\u201d It delighteth us that He is \u201cmerciful and pitying,\u201d but it perhaps terrifieth us that the Lord God is \u201cjust.\u201d Fear not, despair not at all, happy man, who fearest the Lord, and hast great delight in His commandments; be thou sweet, be merciful and lend. For the Lord is just in this manner, that He judgeth without mercy him who hath not shown mercy; 5019 but, \u201cSweet is the man who is merciful and lendeth\u201d (Psa. 112.5): God will not spew him out of His mouth as if he were not sweet. \u201cForgive,\u201d He saith, \u201cand ye shall be forgiven; give, and it shall be given unto you.\u201d 5020 Whilst thou forgivest that thou mayest be forgiven, thou art merciful; whilst thou givest that it may be given unto thee, thou lendest. For though all be called generally mercy where another is assisted in his distress, yet there is a difference where thou spendest neither money, nor the toil of bodily labour, but by forgiving what each man hath sinned against thee, thou gainest free pardon for thine own sins also.\u2026He who is unwilling to give to the poor, seeketh riches; listen to what is written, \u201cThou shalt have treasure in heaven.\u201d 5021 Thou wilt not then lose honour by forgiving: for it is a very laudable triumph to conquer anger: wilt not grow poor by giving; for a heavenly treasure is a more safe possession. The former verse, \u201cRiches and plenteousness shall be in his house,\u201d was pregnant with this verse.\n5. He therefore who doth these things, \u201cshall guide his words with discretion.\u201d His deeds themselves are the words whereby he shall be defended at the Judgment; which shall not be without mercy unto him, since he hath himself shown mercy. \u201cFor he shall never be moved\u201d (Psa. 112.6): he who, called to the right hand, shall hear these words, \u201cCome, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.\u201d For no works of theirs, save works of mercy, are there mentioned. He therefore shall hear, \u201cCome, ye blessed of My Father;\u201d for, \u201cthe generation of the right ones shall be blessed.\u201d Thus, \u201cthe righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance.\u201d \u201cHe will not be afraid of any evil hearing; for his heart standeth fast and believeth p. 548 in the Lord\u201d (Psa. 112.7). Such as the words which he will hear addressed to those on the left hand, \u201cDepart into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.\u201d 5022 He therefore who seeketh here not his own things, but those of Jesus Christ, 5023 most patiently endureth sufferings, waiteth for the promises with faith. Nor is he broken down by any temptations: \u201cHis heart is established, and will not shrink, until he see beyond his enemies\u201d (Psa. 112.8). His enemies wished to see good things here, and when invisible blessings were promised them, used to say, \u201cWho will show us any good?\u201d 5024 Let our heart therefore be established, and shrink not, until we see beyond our enemies. For they wish to see good things of men in the land of the dying; we trust to see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living. 5025\n6. But it is a great thing to have the heart established, and not to be moved, while they rejoice who love what they see, and mock at him who hopeth for what he seeth not; \u201cwhat the Lord hath prepared for them that love Him.\u201d 5026 How great is the value of this which is not seen, and it is bought for so much as each man is able to give for it. On this account he also \u201cdispersed abroad, and gave to the poor\u201d (Psa. 112.9): he saw not, yet he kept buying; but He was storing up the treasure in heaven, who deigned to hunger and thirst in the poor on earth. It is no wonder then if \u201chis righteousness remaineth for ever:\u201d He who created the ages being his guardian. \u201cHis horn,\u201d whose humility was scorned by the proud, \u201cshall be exalted with honour.\u201d\n7. \u201cThe ungodly shall see it, and he shall be angered\u201d (Psa. 112.10): this is that late and fruitless repentance. For with whom rather than himself is he \u201cangered,\u201d when he shall say, \u201cOur pride, what hath it profited us? the boastfulness of our riches, what hath it given us? 5027 \u201d seeing the horn of him exalted with honour, who \u201cdispersed abroad, and gave to the poor.\u201d \u201cHe shall gnash with his teeth, and consume away:\u201d for \u201cthere shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.\u201d For he will no more bring forth leaves and bloom, as would happen if he had repented in season: but he will then repent, when \u201cthe desire of the ungodly shall perish,\u201d no consolation succeeding. \u201cThe desire of the ungodly shall perish,\u201d when \u201call things shall pass away like a shadow,\u201d 5028 when the flower shall fall down on the withering of the grass. \u201cBut the word of the Lord that endureth for ever,\u201d 5029 as it is mocked by the vanity of the falsely happy, so will laugh at the perdition of the same when truly miserable.\nLat. CXI. A discourse to the people.\n546:5007\n[He argues from the relations of these prophets to the building of the second temple.\u2014C.]\n547:5008\nEzr. 1:5, Hag. 1:0, Zech. 1:0.\n547:5009 547:5010 547:5011 547:5012 547:5013 547:5014 547:5015 547:5016 547:5017 547:5018 547:5019 547:5020 547:5021 548:5022 548:5023 548:5024 548:5025 548:5026 548:5027 548:5028 548:5029","title":"Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Vol. VIII: Expositions on...","type":"page"}