Irenaeus of Lyons (b. 130)

Summary

Irenaeus did not write a commentary on the Psalms, but he did make reference to the Psalms often in his Against Heresies and in the Proof of Apostolic Preaching. The following tables note each reference and give a quick summary of the reference. This was tabulated as I was writing my dissertation on the Psalms, and I was looking for examples of how Christian interpreters understood voicing and the person of David in the Psalms. The notes are skewed in that direction, and when I found a good quote I included it.

Psalm Contributions

Against Heresies

Book 1
14.8	Ps 8:2; Ps 19:1	Two psalms used by heretics to support their notions of the soul; doctrinal concerns; no persona
19.1	Ps 14:3	Psalm used by heretics in order to support their notion that the Supreme Father was unknown before the coming of Christ
22.1	Ps 33:6	Quoted to support Irenaeus’ notion of the “rule of truth”, that “there is one God Almighty, who made all things by His Word, and fashioned and formed, out of that which had no existence, all things which exist.”
Book 2
2.5	Ps 33:9; Ps 148:5	The chapter sets out to prove that the world was formed by the Father through the Word; a combination of Ps 33:9 and 148:5 is quoted in support of this, introduced by “David also expresses the same truth” as John 1:3
20.2	Ps 109:8	Used to argue against the idea that Judas was to be identified with a heretical notion
20.3	Ps 68:18	Through suffering, Jesus brought about this verse.
28.7	Ps 110:1	Quoted in regards to establishing the point that certain knowledge in unknowable for human beings; it is only the Word who has access to this information;  in 110:1, Irenaeus does understand that God is speaking to his Word in this passage.  No mention of David.
30.1	Ps 104:2, 4	Alluded to in saying that God created his angels spirits
34.3	Ps 148:5-6; 21:4	Irenaeus is making the argument that all created things continue to exist as long as God wills them to exist; he quotes both passages as “the prophetic Spirit bears testimony to these opinions”; no mention is made of David
Book 3
5.1	Ps 85:11	This verse is quoted as “David says”, prophesying Jesus Christ’s birth from a virgin and the resurrection from the dead; in support of the idea that Jesus Christ is the truth
6.1	Ps 110:1; 45:6; 82:1; 50:1, 3; 82:6	Concerning Ps 110:1, “nor would they have named any one in his own person Lord, except God the Father ruling over all, and His Son who has received dominion from His Father over all creation, as this passage has it: “The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit Thou at my right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool.”681 Here the [Scripture] represents to us the Father addressing the Son; He who gave Him the inheritance of the heathen, and subjected to Him all His enemies. Since, therefore, the Father is truly Lord, and the Son truly Lord, the Holy Spirit has fitly designated them by the title of Lord.”   Concerning Ps 45:6, “And this [text following] does declare the same truth: “Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever; the sceptre of Thy kingdom is a right sceptre. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity: therefore God, Thy God, hath anointed Thee.”683 For the Spirit designates both [of them] by the name, of God—both Him who is anointed as Son, and Him who does anoint, that is, the Father.”   Psalms 82 and 50 are then called upon to talk about how there is only one God in the OT; these psalms on the surface seem to mention that there are other gods besides God, and Irenaeus is out to disprove that.  Throughout, the Spirit is understood to be the speaker in the psalm.  He takes Ps 82:1 to be referring to the Father, Son, and the Church, whom the Son has gathered by himself.  The ‘gods’ of the verse are the same ‘gods’ in 82:6, whom he identifies with those who have received the grace of adoption in Rom 8:15 = the church.  In Ps 50:1, 3, the ‘gods’ again are the church, and the God mentioned in identified as the Son, since ‘God shall come openly’ (50:3).  In the section, he goes to argue that those who believe in the name of Jesus Christ are ‘sons of God’
6.3	Ps 96:5; 81:9	Irenaeus then argues that references to the gods of other nations are not really gods at all.  The two psalms are called upon, both “as with David” = by David.
8.3	Ps 33:6; 115:3	Irenaeus wants to again show that the Word was in the Father at the creation of everything.  Ps 33:6 is introduced with, “David also, when he had enumerated [His] praises, subjoins by name all things whatsoever I have mentioned, both the heavens and all the powers therein.”  Ps 115 is also introduced with “again David says”
9.2	Ps 132:11; 76:1	Irenaeus is arguing for the foretelling of the Son.  Ps 132:11 is introduced regarding Emmanuel, “David likewise speaks of Him who, from the virgin, is Emmanuel”; Ps 76:1 is also called upon for this same reason, and is introduced “and again”; is David still the author? I think that is what Irenaeus envisions.
10.1	Ps 58:3	Ps 58 is quoted as “David says,” and is used to speak about the nature of people as sinners from the womb.
10.2	Ps 98:2	Psalm quoted without concern for author or speaker, in support of the Son having the name ‘His salvation”
10.3	Ps 124:8; 95:4	Psalms are quoted apparently to again support the notion that there is no other God but the creator of the universe. The psalms are introduced as God making “promise to David, as David himself declares” for Ps 124:8.  He explains 95:4 as “The Holy Spirit evidently thus declares by David to those hearing him…”
10.5	Ps 110:1	Refers to Mark 16:19 as confirming “what had been spoken by the prophet” in 110:1 about Jesus sitting at God’s right hand
11.8	Ps 80:1	Quoted as “David says” in support of the notion that four, and only four, Gospels could exist
12.1-2	Ps 69:25; 109:8	Both psalms are referred to in Peter’s desire to fill up Judas’ missing spot among the apostles, “this leading to the completion of the apostles, according to the words spoken by David.”
16.2	Ps 132:11	Refers back to early argument in sec. 9.2
16.3	Ps 78:5; 110:1	Ps 78:5 is quoted as “David says when discoursing on the causes of His birth” Ps 110:1 is introduced with, “And David, knowing by the Spirit the dispensation of the advent of this Person, by which He is supreme over all the living and the dead, confessed Him as Lord, sitting on the right hand of the Most High Father.”
17.2	Ps 51:12	Speaking of the Spirit, who dwells within man renewing them from their old habits into the newness of Christ, “this Spirit did David ask for the human race” saying in Ps 51:12; this is the same Spirit who descended at Pentecost
18.5	Ps 9:12	Alluded to in support of the idea the justice will be made for the blood of the martyrs
19.1	Ps 82:6, 7	Quoted somewhat obscurely about the not receiving Christ and life, Irenaeus puts the words of these verses in the mouth of the Word himself, “He speaks undoubtedly these words to those who have not received the gift of adoption, but who despise the incarnation of the pure generation of the Word of God”
19.2	Ps 69:21	Referenced in support of the true nature of the Word as a human being
22.2	Ps 69:27	Referred to as “nor would David have proclaimed of him beforehand” concerning the need for Jesus’ body to have that nourishment natural to human nature
22.4	Ps 45:17	Quoting as from ‘the prophet’ = David? In support of an argument for the regeneration of mankind coming after Jesus
23.7	Ps 91:13	Quoted as the prophet speaks” in regard to the Seed finally treading down the head of the serpent; sin will be deprived of its power along with death
Book 4
2.1	Ps 124:8	Quoted as part of a sequence of passages supporting the idea that there is only Father in the OT, the maker of heaven and earth.  “David saying that his help came from the Lord, asserts”
3.1	Ps 102:25-28	“David explains their question, for he says that when the fashion of this world passes away, not only shall God remain, but His servants also, expressing himself thus in the [102]nd psalm”
4.3	Ps 49:12	‘As says the prophet’ in reference to the loss of rationality in mankind and the servant to all lusts
5.2	Ps 45:16	‘It is said by the prophet” in reference to the fathers being the children of Christ the resurrection
9.1	Ps 96:1	“As David says” concerning “that manner of life required by the Gospel”
11.3	Ps 35:9; 8:3	Ps 35:9 as “also David says” about the exultation given after the Advent of Christ, “and for this cause, upon His entrance into Jerusalem, all those who were in the way of David recognized their king in His sorrow of soul…crying out with great joy and gladness” Ps 118 (Mt 21:8). Ps 8:3 is quoted as part of Jesus’ response in Mt 21:16, “thus pointing out that what had been declared by David concerning the Son of God, was accomplished in His own person; and indicating that they were indeed ignorant of the meaning of the Scripture and the dispensation of God; but declaring that it was Himself who was announced by the prophets as Christ, whose name is praised in all the earth, and who perfects praise to His father from the mouth of babes and sucklings; wherefore also His glory has been raised above the heavens.”
17.1	Ps 40:6; 51:17; 50:9; 50:14-15	Using these psalms Irenaeus makes a case that God did not really desire the sacrifices of the Israelites.  For 40:6, “[David] thus teaches them that God desires obedience, which renders them secure, rather than sacrifices and holocausts, which avail them nothing towards righteousness; and he prophecies the new covenant at the same time.” For 51:17, “Still clearer, too, does he speak of these things.” For 50:9ff., “Because, therefore, God stands in need of nothing, he [God?] declares in the preceding psalm” For 50:14-15, “Then, lest it might be supposed that He refused these things in His anger, He continues, giving him (man) counsel…rejecting, indeed, those things by which sinners imagined they could propitiate God, and showing that He does Himself stand in need of nothing; but He exhorts and advises them to those things by which man is justified and draws nigh to God.”
17.3	Ps 34:13-14	Quoted as “David also says”, in support of the idea that God did not seek sacrifices and holocausts from them, but faith and obedience and righteousness
20.8	Ps 22:15	This verse is alluded to in Irenaeus’ description of the nature of prophecy in the OT, “In this manner [in word and in vision], therefore, did they also see the Son of God as a man conversant with men, while they prophesied what was to happen, saying that He who was not come as yet was present proclaiming also the impassible as subject to suffering, and declaring that He who was then in heaven had descended into the dust of death.”
21.3	Ps 2:8	Quoted as part of a symbolical understanding of the life of Jacob, “Various colored sheep were allotted to this Jacob as his wages; and the wages of Christ are human beings, who from various and diverse nations come together into one cohort of faith, as the Father promised Him, saying” Ps 2:8
28.1	Ps 34:16	“David also says” this psalm, which is used to speak about the wrath of God
31.2	Ps 3:6	The psalm is quoted “as He does Himself [Word of God] say in David,” in reference to Jesus’ earthly life, when he poured out on the human race the Spirit of the remission of sins
33.1	Ps 118:22	Alluded to by Irenaeus in his argument that two Advents were announced by the prophets; the one in which the Christ would suffer, which 118:22 is quoted as supporting
33.11	Ps 110:1; 45:2-7; 76:1	For 110:1, some of the prophets “beholding him in glory, saw His glorious life (conversationem) at the Father’s right hand” For 45:2-7 as examples of the kinds of faith which will be found on the earth at Christ’s second Advent; no indication of author or speaker For 76:1, as words from a prophet indicating the Word’s advent which took place in Judea.
33.12	Ps 69:21; 88:11; 22:7, 15, 18	69:21 as a prophetic word predicting that the Word should have vinegar and gall given Him to drink 88:11 as a prophetic word predicting that His friends and those nearest Him would forsake him 22:7 as a prophetic word predicting that He would be mocked and maligned by those who saw him 22:18 as a prophetic word predicting that His garments would be parted and lots cast for them 22:15 as a prophetic word predicting that He would be brought down to the dust of death
33.13	Ps 3:5; 24:7; 19:6; 99:1	3:5 and 24:7 are used as examples of prophetic words which “proclaimed beforehand His resurrection from the dead through the Father’s power, and His reception into heaven.” 19:6 is quoted as a prophetic word announcing “that very truth of His being take up again to the place from which He came down, and that there is no one who can escape His righteous judgment” 99:1 is quoted as a prophetic word “predicting partly that wrath from all nations which after His ascension came upon those who believed in Him, with the movement of the whole earth against the Church; and partly the fact that, when He comes from heaven with His mighty angels, the whole earth will be shaken.”
36.2	Ps 34:13-14	Quoted as from the prophets, in how they sought to breed righteousness amongst God’s people
36.6	Ps 24:1	Quoted in order to help say that all men are the property of God
36.8	Ps 96:2	Quoted in order to help explain the parable of the two sons
38.4	Ps 82:6, 7	Quoted in order to set forth the truth of human nature; the kindness of God’s free gift, but also our weakeness
39.2	Ps 45:11	Quoted to help make the case to wait for God’s own adornment of human nature, and to not be frustrated by what it yet beyond our grasp
41.1	Ps 149:5	Quoted as “also David says with regard to all things of the kind”; that all things were created by God, even the devil
41.2	Ps 18:45	Quoted in support of the idea that even though all human beings are by nature children of God, that in regards to obedience and doctrine, some are not God’s children
41.3	Ps 58:3-4; 49:21	Ps 58 is quoted as “David says,” in order to help make a case that some of God’s natural children have been disinherited because of their disobedience and rebellion. Ps 49 is quoted as “the prophet David says”, regarding those who do not act as God’s children
Book 5
7.1	Ps 32:31	Quotes as “David says”, supporting the idea that the soul is immortal, unlike the mortal body
8.3	Ps 49:20	Quoted as from ‘the prophets’ about the irrationality of carnal man’s conduct
8.4	Ps 1:2	Quoted as a mark of those people who are ‘clean’
17.3	Ps 32:1-2	Quoted as “David said beforehand”, pointing out that remission of sins follows upon the advent of Christ; by means of the cross (tree) comes the remission of the debt which we incurred by means of the tree in the garden
18.3	Ps 50:3-4	Quoted as “David also…says” in reference to the Incarnation of Christ
21.2	Ps 89:11	Quoted as a recollection of Jesus’ temptation
31.1	Ps 86:23	Quotes as “David says when prophesying of Him,” regarding Jesus’ descent into the place where the dead are
31.2	Ps 23:4	Quoted in reference to the Lord going “where the souls of the dead were”
33.1	Ps 104:30	Quoted “as David says” concerning how Christ will himself renew the inheritance of the earth, and will reorganize the mystery of the glory of his sons; in reflection on giving his disciples the Cup in Matthew 26; his promise to drink the fruit of the wine renewed means: (1) the renewal of the earth; and (2) the resurrection of his disciples in the flesh

Proof of Apostolic Preaching

CH	PSALM (LXX)	USE
2	1.1	“Therefore the Holy Spirit says through David” ·         Counsel of the ungodly = counsel of the nations that know not God ·         Way of sinners = sinners are those who have the knowledge of God but do not keep his commandments; the distainful ·         Chair of pestilential = they are those who pervert not only themselves, but also others, by evil and twisted teaching; chair is a symbol for school; these are the heretics, corrupting those who receive the poison of their teacshing
5	32.6 [33:6]	Quoted “as the prophet also says”; concerning the creation of all things and the adornment of the Spirit ·         The Word establishes = works bodily and confers existence ·         The Spirit = arranged and forms the various powers
8	7.18; 23.10 [24:10]	For 7:18 – the Father is called ‘by the Spirit’ the Most High For 23:10 – the Father is called ‘by the Spirit’ the Lord of Hosts
21	18.5 [19:5]	Quoted in reference to the blessing of Japheth in Gen 9:27, understood to refer to the calling of the Gentiles by the Lord; the Gentiles dwelling in the house of the patriarchs (Shem), in Christ receiving the rights of the firstborn
43	109.3 [110:3]; 71.17 [72:17]	This is a combined quote of Ps 109:3c and Ps 71:17b, attributed to Jeremiah, not David.  Behr notes in his comments that Justin Martyr makes similar combinations: Dialogue 45:4 combines 109:3c and 71:5b, and Dialogue 76:7 combines 71:17b, 5b, and 109:3c; he avers there might be a common ‘testimonia’ utilized by both Justin and Irenaeus; however, Justin ascribes to David and Irenaeus to Jeremiah. Note, however, that following this quote is an apocryphal quote attributed to Jeremiah as well; the issue is extremely complicated and there are no easy answers; Behr hypothesizes that perhaps Irenaeus derived the two quotes from a ‘testimonia’ or even, since both have faint echoes of Jer 1:5, a lost apocryphal work presenting itself as the psalms of Jeremiah.  NOTE: below in section 48 Irenaeus quotes directly from Ps 110 as a psalm of David
46	2.1	Alluded to in Irenaeus’ typological reading of the Exodus; the Word saves us from the Red Sea, from the deadly turbulence of the heathen and from the bitter current of their blasphemy
47	44.7-8 [45:7-8]	“David speaks about the Father and the Son in this way” ·         The Son receives from the Father the throne of the everlasting kingdom ·         The Spirit is the oil of anointing by which he is the Anointed ·         His fellows are the prophets and righteous and apostles and all who are received in the kingdom
48	109 [110]	“David says again” and 110 is quoted as a whole psalm; explained as follows: ·         The Word is “before [all]” and “rules over the nations, and judges all men and the king<s> who now hate Him and persecute His name, for these are His enemies;” ·         “Eternal priest of God” = His immortality. ·         “He will drink……lift up His head” = the exaltation with glory according to His humanity after His humiliation and abasement
49	2.7-8; 109.1 [110:1]	“David himself confessions [the Son of God] as his Lord” in Ps 110:1   “David says” concerning “how the Christ is called the Son of God and the King of the nations, which is, of all men, and the He both is called and indeed is the Son of God and King of the nations” ·         These were not said to David, for he did not rule over…the nations or the ends of the earth, but only over the Jews ·         The promise is made to the Anointed, to the Son of God ·         The Father speaks with the Son (as in Isaiah 45:1) ·         Concerning ‘the Lord says to me’ = “It is not David nor any other one of the prophets, who speaks from himself—for it is not man who utters prophecies—but [that] the Spirit of God, conforming Himself to the person concerned, spoke in the prophets, producing words sometimes from Christ and at other times from the Father”  Section 50 ·         “So, in a very fitting manner Christ says, by David, that the Father Himself speaks with Him, and most properly does He say still other things concerning Himself through the prophets.”
57	75.4 [76:4]; 103.15 [104:15]	Allusions to the vocab of these verses; nothing much here.
64	131.10-12 [132]	“And again David says that the Christ is to be born from His seed, in this manner” ·         But none of the sons of David reigned forever, nor was their reign forever; except Christ ·         “All these testimonies concerning his Seed according to the flesh expressly make known both the race and the place where He was going to be born, so that men might not seek among the nations or somewhere else the begotten Son of God, except in Bethlehem of Judaea, of the seed of Abraham and David.”
68	72.14 [73:14]	Quoted alongside Isa 53 and Isa 50, here “David also says”; but David was never scourged, Christ was when the order was given to crucify him
72	20.5 [21:5]	“The prophet says in this way” about Christ’s dying and rising and remaining immortal ·         He asked life = the announcement of his resurrection from the dead ·         Length of days = that he might be incorruptible
73	3.6	“David speaks in this way about the death and resurrection of Christ” ·         “David did not say this concerning himself, for he is not raised after dying, but the Spirit of Christ, who [was] also in the other prophets, now says by David concerning Him” ·         He calls death ‘sleep’ because He arose
74	2.1-2	“And again David, concerning the Passion of Christ, [speaks] in this way” ·         Herod and Pontius Pilate came together to condemn him to be crucified ·         Herod afraid that Jesus was going to be an earthly king and oust him ·         Pilate was compelled by Herod and the Jews reluctantly
75	88.39-46 [89:39-46]	“And concerning the Passion of Christ, moreover, the same prophet [=David] says” ·         Both that He would suffer these things and that it was the will of the Father, is clearly shown for by the Father’s will he would undergo the Passion
79	21.15, 17, 21 [22]; 118.120 [119]; 85.14 [86]	“David says” in Ps 22:17 about the cross of Christ, and in 22:15 “And again he says” a combination of 22:21; 119:120; 22:18; and 86:14 (a combination of verses is also found in the Letter of Barnabus 5:13, via Behr)
80	21.18-19[22]	“And again David says” in reference to how the soldiers divided his garments, but cast lots for his tunic
82	68.22 [69]	“This very thing was related by David” when Jesus was crucified and asked for a drink
83	67.18-19 [68]	“And that, rising from the dead, He was going to be taken up into heaven, David says in this way” ·         Captivity = the destruction of the dominion of the apostate angels ·         He makes known the place whence He was going to ascend, from earth to heaven = from Zion/Olives opposite Jerusalem, after His resurrection from the dead
84	23.7-10 [24]	“David again says the same thing” in this psalm ·         Everlasting gates = the heavens ·         At Christ’s ascension, the principalities/lower angels cried to those in the firmament to lift up the gates! ·         Those in the firmament were astonished, saying ‘Who is he” ·         Responding back, they said “The Lord strong and mighty, He is the king of glory”!
85	109.1 [110]; 18.7 [19]	“The prophet David himself thus says” concerning Jesus being at the right hand of the father and putting all enemies under his subjection “And that He ascended to the place whence He descended, David says” Ps 19:7a “Then He signifies His judgment, saying” Ps 19:7b
86	18.5 [19]	“That they [the apostles] were going to preach to all the earth, David says” in Ps 19:5