The Homilies of Saint Jerome, Volume 1 (1–59 on the Psalms)

13. Homily 13 On Psalm 80 (81)

HOMILY 13 ON PSALM 80 (81) (INTO THE END, for the wine presses, a psalm of Asaph:l It is written in the law that there are three solemn festivals: the Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. The tenth day [of the month)2 before the feast of Tabernacles, was a fast day, and the fast lasted until evening. On this occasion they blew the trumpet, that is to say, they fasted and during the fast blew the trumpet, and ten days later came the feast of the Booths. Mark this attentively: three solemn festivals are described in the law: first the Passover, second Pentecost, third Tabernacles. Before Tabernacles a fast; during this fast, moreover, trumpets sounded. Consider the full impact of Holy Writ. Remove the veil that was placed over the eyes of Moses,3 and see that we cannot become Tabernacles· unless we have fasted beforehand. Unless that same fast, moreover , is the banner of victory to keep off our adversaries, Amalec is not conquered.4 Because there are three solemn celebrations, Passover, Pentecost, Tabernacles, there are, likewise , three psalms bearing the title 'for the wine presses': the eighth, the eightieth, and the eighty-third. You see, then, why in the psalter three psalms have 'for the wine presses' in their title. Notice that they are the eighth, eightieth, the eightythird . Before we discuss the symbolism of number, let us examine the significance of the phrase 'for the wine presses: 'For the 1 Cf. Ps. 80 (81).1. 2 Day of Atonement? Cf. Num. 9; 10; 28; 29; Lev. 23; 25.9. 3 Cf. Exod. 34.34. 4 Cf. Exod. 17.11-13. 93 94 SAINT JEROME wine presses.' There are no wine presses except where there is a vineyard and a plentiful harvest of grapes. 'For the wine presses.' The Lord and Savior says: 'The wine press I have trodden alone, and of my people there was no one with me.'5 That is why He brought the vine out from Egypt and transplanted it.6 Further, by Jeremia, He says: 'I had planted you a choice vine of fully tested stock; how could you turn out obnoxious to me, a spurious vine?'7 Noe drank wine and became inebriated. Then, too, Solomon says, and it is said with mystery: 'Drink my friends and be inebriated.'8 Again in another place, we read about Joseph, that holy man who was a type of our Lord the Savior9 who was sold by his brothers -by his own brothers-and who ruled in Egypt, just as our Lord and Savior was sold by the Jews and reigned in the Egypt of this world. Joseph, as I was saying, was a holy man, an especially holy man who conquered cruelty with true piety; who was sold into Egypt, not by chance, but that he might supply Egypt with food and his own brothers, too, who had sold him. That Joseph invited his brothers to dine. But just listen to what happened: 'And he drank, and became merr) at noon.'10 Is that true, and is it literally possible that a hoI) man became drunk? Noe also was inebriated, but had been really inebriated. Joseph had been intoxicated; Noe also wa! intoxicated, and he was intoxicated in his own house. See there is a mystery. First, let us review the mystery itself, anc when we have done that, let us fathom its meaning. Aftel the deluge, Noe drank and became drunk in his own house and his thighs were uncovered and he was exposed in hi! nakedness. The elder brother came along and laughed; th( younger, however, covered him Up.11 All this is said in type 0 5 Isa. 63.3. 6 Cf. Ps. 79 (80).9. 7 Jer. 2.21. 8 Cf. Cant. 5.1; d. Against Jovinian 1.30, PL 23.265 (286). 9 Cf. Letter 109.2, PL 22.908 (727). 10 Cf. Gen. 43.25, 34. 11 Cf. Gen. 9.20-24. HOMILY 13 95 the Savior, for on the cross He had drunk of the passion: 'Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me.'12 He drank and was inebriated, and His thighs were laid bare -the dishonor of the cross. The older brothers, the Jews, came along and laughed; the younger, the Gentiles, covered up His ignominy.13 Hence, the imprecation: 'Cursed be Chanaan; meanest of slaves shall he be...