Expositions on the Psalms — Psalm 56

St. Augustine of Hippo

1. Chapter 1
2. Chapter 2
3. Chapter 3
4. Chapter 4
5. Chapter 5
6. Chapter 6
7. Chapter 7
8. Chapter 8
9. Chapter 9
10. Chapter 10
11. Chapter 11
12. Chapter 12
13. Chapter 13
14. Chapter 14
15. Chapter 15
16. Chapter 16
17. Chapter 17
18. Chapter 18

Just as when we are going to enter into any house, we look on the title to see whose it is and to whom it belongs, lest perchance inopportunely we burst into a place whereunto we ought not; and again, in order that we may not through timidity withdraw from that which we ought to enter: as if in a word we were to read, These estates belong to such an one or to such an one: so on the lintel of this Psalm we have inscribed, At the end, for the people that from holy men were put afar off, to David himself, at the inscription of the Title, when the Allophyli held him in Gath. [[1 Samuel 21.10]] Let us therefore take knowledge of the people that from holy men were put afar off at the inscription of the Title. For this does belong to that David whom now ye know how to understand spiritually. For there is here commended to our notice no other than He of whom has been said, The end of the Law is Christ for righteousness to every man believing. [[Romans 10.4]] Therefore when you hear, at the end, unto Christ give heed, lest tarrying in the way thou arrive not at the end....