“Prophetatio est, non optatio”: Augustine’s exegesis of the imprecations in the Psalms.

Last February 27, 2025, the Pontifical Patristic Institute Augustinianum in Rome was the scene of the doctoral thesis defense of the Augustinian Recollect Fr. Lounal Jarumay, entitled “Prophetatio est, non optatio”: Augustine of Hippo’s exegesis on the imprecations in the Enarrationes in Psalmos..

The academic tribunal was composed of his thesis director, Prof. Giuseppe Caruso, OSA, and the rapporteurs Prof. Kolawole Chabi, OSA, and Prof. Pasquale Cormio, OSA, who evaluated the depth, methodology and contribution of the research. Among those present were the Prior General, Fr. Miguel Angel Hernandez, as well as religious from the Augustinian Recollect communities of Rome.

A theological analysis of the imprecations in the Psalms

Lounal’s thesis deals with a theologically complex topic: the imprecatory verses in the Psalms, that is, those petitions in which the psalmist cries out to God for justice against his enemies. At first glance, these invocations seem to clash with the Gospel message of divine love and mercy. However, St. Augustine, in his Enarrationes in Psalmos, offers a reading in which these expressions are not desires for vengeance, but prophetic announcements of divine judgment, conversion and purification of the faithful.

Lounal’s research follows an analytical-expository methodology, focusing on the exegetical and theological principles employed by Augustine to interpret the imprecatory verses. In its analysis, the thesis highlights the paucity of previous studies on this topic and draws on key authors such as Hugo Weber, Michael Fiedrowicz and Mark Sheridan.

The study is structured in three main chapters and a general conclusion. The first chapter examines Augustine’s previous exegetical tradition and methodology, identifying the hermeneutical resources he uses in his Enarrationes in Psalmos, such as prosopology, typology, and regula fidei. The second chapter analyzes individually and contextually each of the imprecations in the Psalms, organizing them into three categories according to Augustine’s Enarrationes: the brief exegetical notes, the preached sermons, and the dictated sermons. The third chapter focuses on the theological and practical elements of Augustinian exegesis, highlighting how Augustine transforms the meaning of the imprecations into a message of conversion and spiritual purification.

Theological Keys to Augustinian Exegesis

Fr. Lounal elaborates on Augustine’s interpretation, highlighting the key theological principles in his reading of the imprecations. First, the imprecations are understood as prophecy, not as desires for vengeance. Augustine distinguishes between those that announce the final judgment, those that refer to events already fulfilled in salvation history, and those that reflect the believer’s struggle in the present time. The regula fidei is another fundamental principle in the interpretation of the Psalms, ensuring that these invocations are always understood in harmony with the goodness and justice of God.

The identity of God in Augustinian exegesis is presented in a balanced way between his justice and his mercy. His wrath is not a disordered passion, but the perfect expression of his love and justice. Moreover, the identity of the Totus Christus, that is, the unity between Christ and the Church, is key in the reading of the Psalms. When the psalmist cries out for justice, he does so on behalf of the whole Church, not as an individual seeking vengeance. Thus, Augustine transforms the curse into a prayer of conversion, interpreting these imprecations as a plea for pride and sin to be eradicated and for sinners to find the way of grace.

Another central aspect of the thesis is the identification of enemies in the Psalms. Augustine distinguishes between internal and external enemies. Within the Church, he considers heretics and schismatics, such as the Donatists, Pelagians and Manichaeans, whose deviant doctrines represented a danger to the unity and purity of the faith. Outside the Church, he identifies pagans and Jews as enemies, although he insists that the true adversary is the devil and sin. In this sense, the struggle of the faithful is not against persons, but against the spiritual forces that alienate them from God.

Augustine employs an exegetical method based on typology, prosopology and the interpretation of the names and places mentioned in the Psalms. His reading of the imprecatory verses reflects a transformative spirit, in which the literal sense of the texts is elevated to a deeper spiritual meaning. The flexibility of his method allows for different valid interpretations, always within the limits of the regula fidei, ensuring that the final message does not contradict the loving nature of God.

A milestone in the academic and religious journey

Lounal’s doctoral thesis defense represents the culmination of an arduous work of study and theological reflection. His research not only enriches the field of patristic theology, but also offers a renewed reading of Augustinian exegesis, highlighting the stability of its hermeneutical method and its applicability in the understanding of biblical texts today.

During the defense, the tribunal praised the methodological precision and depth of the analysis, highlighting the importance of this study for a better understanding of the patristic interpretation of the Psalms. Lounal’s research demonstrates how Augustine’s exegesis can illuminate today’s understanding of biblical texts and their application in the life of the Church.

Lounal’s effort and dedication in this research was recognized during the academic ceremony. At the conclusion of the event, the attendees congratulated the new doctor, celebrating with him this important achievement in his intellectual and spiritual journey. With the completion of his doctorate, Fr. Lounal joins the tradition of Augustinian Recollect scholars who, with their work, continue to deepen the richness of patristic thought and its impact on contemporary theology.