The interpretation timeline

Ps 134:6

How this passage has been read — the sources, oldest to newest.

From the early Church Fathers to now.

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Patristic before A.D. 750
Augustine of Hippo · A.D. 354–430 A.D. 430
“"All whatsoever the Lord willed, He made in the heaven, and in the earth, in the sea, and in all its deep places" [Psalm 135:6]. Who can comprehend these things? Who can enumerate the works of the Lord in the heaven and earth, in the sea, and in all deep places? Yet if we cannot comprehend them all, we should believe and hold them without question, because whatever creature is in heaven, whatever is in earth, whatever is in the sea and in all deep places, has been made by the Lord. ...”
Historical Christian Faith commentaries database, on Ps 135:6 (Exposition on Psalm 135) PD · Historical Christian Faith commentaries database ↗
Augustine of Hippo · A.D. 354–430 A.D. 430
“But since I said that the Omnipotent can only not do what he does not will, lest anyone thinks I rashly said that the Omnipotent cannot do anything, the blessed Apostle also said: If we do not believe, he remains faithful, he cannot deny himself. But because he does not will it, he cannot, for he cannot will it. For justice cannot will to do what is unjust, wisdom cannot will what is foolish, nor can truth will what is false. Hence we are admonished that God is omnipotent, not only in what the Apostle says: He cannot deny himself, but in many things he cannot. Behold, I say, and dare to say in his truth, which I do not dare to deny: God the Omnipotent cannot die, cannot change, cannot be deceived, cannot become miserable, cannot be overcome. These and similar things, far be it from the Omnipotent to be able to do. And therefore, not only does the truth show that he is omnipotent because he cannot do these things, but it also compels the truth to state that he is not omnipotent who can do these things. For God is whatever he wills to be; therefore he is eternal, immutable, truthful, blessed, and invincible as he wills to be. Therefore, if he can be what he does not will, he is not omnipotent; but he is omnipotent, therefore he can do whatever he wills. And thus, what he does not will, he cannot be; for which reason he is called omnipotent, because he can do whatever he wills. Of whom the Psalm also says: In heaven and on earth, he has done all that he willed.”
Historical Christian Faith commentaries database, on Ps 135:6 (SERMON 214:4) PD · Historical Christian Faith commentaries database ↗
Augustine of Hippo · A.D. 354–430 A.D. 430
“It is not, then, to be doubted that men's wills cannot, so as to prevent His doing what he wills, withstand the will of God, "who hath done all things whatsoever He pleased in heaven and in earth," and who also "has done those things that are to come;" since He does even concerning the wills themselves of men what He will, when He will. Unless, perchance (to mention some things among many), when God willed to give the kingdom to Saul, it was so in the power of the Israelites, as it certainly was placed in their will, either to subject themselves or not to the man in question, that they could even prevail to withstand God. God, however, did not do this, save by the will of the men themselves, because he beyond doubt had the most omnipotent power of inclining men's hearts whither it pleased Him. For thus it is written: "And Samuel sent the people away, and every one went away unto his own place. And Saul went away to his house in Gibeah: and there went away with Saul mighty men, whose hearts the Lord touched. And pestilent children said, Who shall save us? This man? And they despised him, and brought him no presents." Will any one say that any of those whose hearts the Lord touched to go with Saul would not have gone with him, or that any of those pestilent fellows, whose hearts He did not touch to do this, would have gone?”
Historical Christian Faith commentaries database, on Ps 135:6 (Treatise on Rebuke and Grace, Chapter 45) PD · Historical Christian Faith commentaries database ↗
319 years pass — nothing from this stretch is hosted yet
John of Damascus · A.D. 676–749 A.D. 749
“Providence, then, is the solicitude that God has for existing things. And again, providence is that will of God by which all existing things receive suitable guidance through to their end. But, if providence is God's will, then, according to right reason, everything that has come about through providence has quite necessarily come about in the best manner and that most befitting God, so that it could not have happened in a better way. Now, the Maker of existing things must be the same as their Provider, for it is neither fitting nor logical that one should be their creator and another their provider, because in such a case they would both be definitely wanting—the one in the matter of creating and the other in that of providing. Hence, God is both Creator and Provider, and his power of creating, sustaining and providing is his good will. For "whatsoever the Lord pleased he has done, in heaven and in earth," and none resisted his will. He willed all things to be made, and they were made; he wills the world to endure, and it does endure; and all things whatsoever he wills are done.”
Historical Christian Faith commentaries database, on Ps 135:6 (ORTHODOX FAITH 2:29) PD · Historical Christian Faith commentaries database ↗

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