The Enarrationes in Psalmos is an important source on the Augustinian theology of desire. The Enarrationes present some ideas familiar from books like the Confessions, such as the importance of loving God above the things of this world. They also clearly link Augustine’s theology of desire to his systematic theology, particularly to his Christology, and to his pastoral practice.
In this paper I illustrate by overviewing the expositions on Psalms 1 and 36 (37). The Exposition on Psalm 1 contrasts Christ’s love of God with sinful pride. The Expositions on Psalm 36 respond to one form of the problem of evil—Why do the wicked prosper while the righteous do not? Augustine’s response is based on an analysis of desire and its proper object. The wicked, desiring worldly pleasures rather than God, are not destined for happiness. Meanwhile, the good tend to ask this question out of their own somewhat sinful desires; they should not envy the worldly pleasures of the wicked, but seek the pleasure of knowing God’s infinite goodness.
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