Commentary on Psalms

Tertullian (155–240)

"A people," he says.… But what is the "people" that was ignorant of God, but ours, who in days bygone knew not God? And who, in the hearing of the ear, gave heed to him, but we, who forsaking idols, have been converted to God?

God spared not his own Son for you, letting him become a curse for us; for "cursed is he who hangs on a tree"; … that he might redeem us from our sins. The sun was darkened on the day of our redemption; hell lost its right to us, and we were enrolled for heaven. The eternal gates were lifted up that the King of glory, the Lord of might, might enter in, and humankind, born of the earth, destined for hell, was purchased for heaven.

Christ must be understood to be an exterminator of spiritual foes, who wields spiritual arms and fights in spiritual strife.… It is of such a war as this that the psalm may evidently have spoken: "The Lord is strong, the Lord is mighty in battle." For with the last enemy death did he fight, and through the trophy of the cross he triumphed.

See also

• More works by Tertullian

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