Shows / St. Augustine of Hippo: Expositions of the Psalms
St. Augustine of Hippo: Expositions of the Psalms
This podcast presents themes from Expositions of the Psalms, the last work of Augustine that is what Michael Fiedrowicz says is his “mature theology.” This set of six volumes is not well known because of its tremendous length and its strange literary form. Augustine went line by line to explicate poetry, and he parked these explanations into homilies. Nonetheless, fragments of this warm, witty, and profound text were found in monasteries all over Europe at the fall of Rome, influencing clergy…
Episodes
- St. Augustine of Hippo: Expositions of the Psalms
"his true, genuine happiness was God"
In verse 5 of Psalm 121, the poet writes that God will defend him "better than the hand of your right hand." St. Augustine uses the left and right hands as a…
- St. Augustine of Hippo: Expositions of the Psalms
"we are, through the same charity, with him in heaven"
The "whole Christ" or totus Christus, is the subject of this exposition of the introduction of Psalm 123. St. Augustine uses the psalms of ascent (120-134) to…
- St. Augustine of Hippo: Expositions of the Psalms
"in his humanity God is his Lord"
Can you hear Christ speaking in the psalms? Many of us see the psalms as an interlude at Mass, or we have a favorite psalm, like Psalm 23, or we encounter the…
- St. Augustine of Hippo: Expositions of the Psalms
"God's word is a sword sharpened on both sides"
What do you think St. Augustine says about the Hebrew and Christian scriptures when he speaks about the "double-edged sword"? He expounds on it in verse 6 of…
- St. Augustine of Hippo: Expositions of the Psalms
"Does he even know whether I am alive?"
Did you ever look at the world and wonder whether God cares about you? Augustine reflects on verse 6 in Psalm 146 to answer this question.
- St. Augustine of Hippo: Expositions of the Psalms
"to God will my soul be subject"
Take a low-level experience of being put down by someone or a situation where you feel attacked, and in neither case can you change anything--what do you think…
- St. Augustine of Hippo: Expositions of the Psalms
"the most to fear from pride"
Do you ever think there are any dangers from doing the right thing? St. Augustine ponders this question in his exposition of verse 13 in Psalm 59.
- St. Augustine of Hippo: Expositions of the Psalms
"an inner firmness of soul"
When you think of bones, you know they are strong; when you think of your soul, what do you think--is it strong too? St. Augustine explores this thought in his…
- St. Augustine of Hippo: Expositions of the Psalms
"a peace that is always awake"
If we have so much to do in our daily lives, and we are called to peace, how then do we act? St. Augustine ponders this question in his exposition of verses…
- St. Augustine of Hippo: Expositions of the Psalms
"akin to the substance of God himself"
What is it like for the soul to get close to God? St. Augustine ponders this experience in his exposition of verse 1 of Psalm 146.
- St. Augustine of Hippo: Expositions of the Psalms
"lost your coat"
If someone stole a coat you love, how would you respond? St. Augustine ponders verse 7 of Psalm 57 that says enemies dug a pit in front of me, but fell into it…
- St. Augustine of Hippo: Expositions of the Psalms
"What is the work of peace?"
When you think of peace, do you think of doing anything or of work? St. Augustine expounds on peace when he discusses verse 14 of Psalm 147.
- St. Augustine of Hippo: Expositions of the Psalms
"keep your saltiness"
How can we experience humility for the greatest value to God? St. Augustine ponders being brought low in the valley of salt in his exposition of the title of…
- St. Augustine of Hippo: Expositions of the Psalms
"[chaste fear] springs from love"
Psalm 128 verse 1 says, Blessed are you who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways." St. Augustine ponders several types of fear of the Lord in his exposition of…
- St. Augustine of Hippo: Expositions of the Psalms
"if you want to belch forth grace, drink grace"
If we want to praise God fully, how do we do that, according to St. Augustine? In his exposition of line 7 of Psalm 145, he tells us to "drink grace".
- St. Augustine of Hippo: Expositions of the Psalms
"all clouds of sadness clear away"
How does Augustine tell us to handle sadness? He has two ideas when he gives an exposition of the title and verse 6 of Psalm 92.
- St. Augustine of Hippo: Expositions of the Psalms
"mercy made perfect"
St. Augustine expounds on verse 6 in Psalm 103 that says, The Lord it is who exercises mercy, and gives judgment for those who are injured. What do you think…
- St. Augustine of Hippo: Expositions of the Psalms
"clean the bedroom of your heart"
After a difficult day, where do you go to find rest? Where do you think Augustine will point you? This podcast concerns the exposition of verses 1-5 of Psalm…
- St. Augustine of Hippo: Expositions of the Psalms
"if love itself is not loved"
The commandment, love God and love your neighbor as you love yourself, is what Augustine ponders in this exposition of two verses of Psalm 119; what do you…
- St. Augustine of Hippo: Expositions of the Psalms
"Out of Tune with Yourself"
What kind of praise displeases God? Augustine ponders it in his exposition of Psalm 147.
- St. Augustine of Hippo: Expositions of the Psalms
"What is the inner face of beauty?"
Today is St. Augustine's feast day (August 28), so let's look at a gorgeous sentence from him. What do you think is the inner face of beauty?
- St. Augustine of Hippo: Expositions of the Psalms
"Which of them is on fire?"
How do you respond when someone yells at you? In his exposition of Psalm 97 verse 3, St. Augustine vividly portrays this encounter and gives his thoughts.
- St. Augustine of Hippo: Expositions of the Psalms
Introduction and Background
Here are 10 reasons why we need to know the last work of St. Augustine, The Expositions of the Psalms.
- St. Augustine of Hippo: Expositions of the Psalms
Background Podcast 1
Welcome to Expositions of the Psalms by Saint Augustine! This first podcast explains the background of this six-volume set: why you haven't heard of it, why…