Salmos 24
Augustine of Hippo · Comentário Patrístico (catena)
Salmos 24:1
"The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof, the compass of the world, and all they that dwell therein" [Psalm 24:1]; when the Lord, being glorified, is announced for the believing of all nations; and the whole compass of the world becomes His Church. — Exposition on Psalm 24
Salmos 24:2
"He has founded it above the seas." He has most firmly established it above all the waves of this world, that they should be subdued by it, and should not hurt it. "And has prepared it above the rivers" [Psalm 24:2]. The rivers flow into the sea, and men of lust lapse into the world: these also the Church, which, when worldly lusts have been conquered by the grace of God, has been prepared by love for the reception of immortality, subdues. — Exposition on Psalm 24
Salmos 24:3
"Who shall ascend into the mount of the Lord?" Who shall ascend to the height of the righteousness of the Lord? "Or who shall stand in His holy place?" [Psalm 24:3]. Or who shall abide in that place, whither He shall ascend, founded above the seas, and prepared above the rivers? — Exposition on Psalm 24
Salmos 24:4
"The innocent of hand, and the pure in heart" [Psalm 24:4]. Who then shall ascend there, and abide there, but the guiltless in deed, and pure in thought? "Who has not received his soul in vain." Who has not reckoned his soul among things that pass away, but feeling it to be immortal, has longed for an eternity steadfast and unchangeable. "And has not sworn in deceit to his neighbour." And therefore without deceit, as things eternal are simple and undeceiving, has so behaved himself to his neighbour. — Exposition on Psalm 24
Salmos 24:5
"This man shall receive blessing from the Lord, and mercy from the God of his salvation" [Psalm 24:5]. — Exposition on Psalm 24
Salmos 24:6
"This is the generation of them that seek the Lord" [Psalm 24:6]. For thus are they born that seek Him. "Of them that seek the face of the God of Jacob. Diapsalma." Now they seek the face of God, who gave the pre-eminence to the younger born. [Romans 9:12] — Exposition on Psalm 24
Salmos 24:7
"Take away your gates, ye princes" (ver. 7). All ye, that seek rule among men, remove, that they hinder not, the entrances which ye have made, of desire and fear. "And be ye lift up, ye everlasting gates." And be ye lift up, ye entrances of eternal life, of renunciation of the world, and conversion to God. "And the King of glory shall come in." And the King, in whom we may glory without pride, shall come in: who having overcome the gates of death, and having opened for Himself the heavenly places, fulfilled that which He said, "Be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world." — Exposition on Psalm 24
Salmos 24:8
"Who is this King of glory?" Mortal nature is awe-struck in wonder, and asks, "Who is this King of glory?" "The Lord strong and mighty." He whom you deemed weak and overwhelmed. "The Lord mighty in battle" [Psalm 24:8]. Handle the scars, and you will find them made whole, and human weakness restored to immortality. The glorifying of the Lord, which was owing to earth, where It warred with death, has been paid. — Exposition on Psalm 24
Salmos 24:9
"Take away your gates, you princes." Let us go hence straightway into heaven. Again, let the Prophet's trumpet cry aloud, "Take away too, you princes of the air, the gates, which you have in the minds of men who 'worship the host of heaven.'" [2 Kings 17:16] "And be lifted up, you everlasting gates." And be lifted up, you doors of everlasting righteousness, of love, and chastity, through which the soul loves the One True God, and goes not a-whoring with the many that are called gods. "And the King of glory shall come in" [Psalm 24:9]. "And the King of glory shall come in," that He may at the right hand of the Father intercede for us. — Exposition on Psalm 24
Salmos 24:10
But this is said twice in one and the same psalm: Lift up your gates, O princes; and be lifted up, O eternal gates, and the king of glory will enter in. And this very thing is repeated after the same words, as if it is thought superfluous and unnecessary. But in the repetition of the same words, observe the ends, and notice why it was said twice. For as if to the one who rises once, and to the one who ascends once, both the gates of hell and of heaven are opened twice. For it is a new thing, God present in the underworld: it is a new thing, man taken up to the heavens. At both times, in both places, the princes are frightened. Who is this king of glory? How do we discern this? Hear what is answered to both. To those asking it is said: The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. What battle? To undergo death for mortals, to suffer alone for all, to not resist omnipotence, and yet to conquer by dying. Therefore, this king of glory is great, even in the underworld. This is also repeated to the heavenly powers: Lift up your gates, O princes; and be lifted up, O eternal gates. Are not the eternal gates those of which Peter received the keys? But because he lifts up man with himself, there he is said as if not recognized: Who is this king of glory? But there, because he is no longer as a fighter, but as a victor, because he does not battle, but triumphs; there it is not answered: The Lord mighty in battle; but, The Lord of hosts, he is the king of glory. — SERMON 377:1
Salmos 24:10
"Who is this King of glory?" What! dost thou too, prince of the power of this air, marvel and ask, "Who is this King of glory?" "The Lord of powers, He is the King of glory" (ver. 10). Yea, His Body now quickened, He who was tempted marches above thee; He who was tempted by the angel, the deceiver, goes above all angels. Let none of you put himself before us and stop our way, that he may be worshipped as a god by us: neither principality, nor angel, nor power, separateth us from the love of Christ. It is good to trust in the Lord, rather than to trust in a prince; that he who glorieth, should glory in the Lord. These indeed are powers in the administration of this world, but "the Lord of powers, He is the King of glory." — Exposition on Psalm 24