"In the Sun He Pitched His Covert". The Oldest Christian Commentaries on Psalm 18 LXX, with a Special Focus on Verse 5c

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to present ancient commentaries on Psalm 18 (LXX), with a special focus on verse 5c, in the works of Christian authors up to Origen. The paper initially draws attention to relevant passages in the works of the Apostolic Fathers as well as to the christological understanding of Psalm 18 in the work of Justin the Martyr. The main part consequently follows which is dedicated to the commentary of Psalm 18 in Eclogae Propheticae 51-63 written by Clement of Alexandria. This text in which Clement refers to Hermogenes and Pantainos, two less known figures of Early Christianity, represents the first systematic commentary on Psalm 18. Clement interprets the verse "In the sun he pitched his covert" not only from the christological, but also from the ecclesiological and eschatological point of view. The final part of the paper treats Origen's commentary preserved in Pamphilus' Apologia pro Origene. Origen supposedly interpreted Psalm 18 from the christological and ecclesiological point of view, however, unlike Clement he strongly disagrees with the interpretation of Hermogenes' followers and, additionally, his interpretation lacks the eschatological level, so typical for Clement's interpretation.

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