Psalms 60 · The Lantern

O God, thou hast cast us out, and scattered us abroad: thou hast also been displeased; O turn thee unto us again.

Thou hast moved the land, and divided it: heal the sores thereof, for it shaketh.

Thou hast shewed thy people heavy things: thou hast given us a drink of deadly wine.

Thou hast given a token for such as fear thee: that they may triumph because of the truth.

Therefore were thy beloved delivered: help me with thy right hand, and hear me.

God hath spoken in his holiness, I will rejoice, and divide Sichem: and mete out the valley of Succoth.

Gilead is mine, and Manasses is mine: Ephraim also is the strength of my head; Judah is my law-giver;

Moab is my wash-pot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe: Philistia, be thou glad of me.

"Into Idumæa I will stretch out my shoe" [Psalm 60:8]. The Church speaks, "I will come through even unto Idumæa." Let tribulations rage, let the world boil with offenses, even unto those very persons that lead an earthly life (for Idumæa is interpreted earthly), even unto those same, "even unto Idumæa, I will stretch out my shoe." Of what thing the shoe except of the Gospel?

All strangers have stooped and been put under the yoke of Christ, wherefore also "over Edom" does he "cast out" his "shoe." Now the shoe of the Godhead is the flesh that bore God whereby he came among humankind.

For who does not know that sandals are made from dead animals? But the Lord coming incarnate appeared as if shod, because in his divinity he assumed the dead flesh of our corruption. Hence also through the Prophet he says: "Over Edom I will extend my sandal." For by Edom the Gentile world is signified, and by the sandal the assumed mortality is designated.

Who will lead me into the strong city: who will bring me into Edom?

Hast not thou cast us out, O God: wilt not thou, O God, go out with our hosts?

O be thou our help in trouble: for vain is the help of man.

Would a man who was only a man say this of himself? For if a person says this, he blasphemes, and "God does not hear sinners." But indeed Christ says that God hears him. He is therefore neither sinner nor mere man.

So, as I said, the creature baptized the Creator, the lamp the sun, and by doing so John the Baptist did not push himself forward but submitted himself. I mean, he said to the one who came to him, "Are you coming to me to be baptized? It is I who ought to be baptized by you." A great confession, and a sound profession of humility by the lamp.

For the Spirit of the Lord did not say, he who does the truth, that his works be clearly seen as done in the Holy Spirit but "as done in God," which we say are done not in the Father alone, or in the Son alone or in the Holy Spirit alone.

Through God will we do great acts: for it is he that shall tread down our enemies.

Psalms60