Psalms 118
Old Testament · Brenton Septuagint with Greek parallel
Psalms chapter 118 is given here in full, verse by verse, in Sir Lancelot Brenton's classic English translation of the Septuagint (LXX), with the Greek text of the Septuagint set beneath each verse. The text follows the Septuagint tradition received throughout the Orthodox Church.
158 patristic excerpts are attached to this chapter, from Saint Augustine of Hippo. The translator's notes for this chapter (9) follow the text.
Psalms 118
1(119) Alleluia. Blessed are the blameless in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.Ἀλληλούϊα. Μακάριοι ἄμωμοι ἐν ὁδῷ, οἱ πορευόμενοι ἐν νόμῳ Κυρίου.
2Blessed are they that search out his testimonies: they will diligently seek him with the whole heart.Μακάριοι οἱ ἐξερευνῶντες τὰ μαρτύρια αὐτοῦ, ἐν ὅλῃ καρδίᾳ ἐκζητήσουσιν αὐτόν.
3For they that work iniquity have not walked in his ways.Οὐ γὰρ οἱ ἐργαζόμενοι τὴν ἀνομίαν ἐν ταῖς ὁδοῖς αὐτοῦ ἐπορεύθησαν.
4You have commanded us diligently to keep your precepts.Σὺ ἐνετείλω τὰς ἐντολάς σου, τοῦ φυλάξασθαι σφόδρα.
5O that my ways were directed to keep your ordinances.Ὄφελον κατευθυνθείησαν αἱ ὁδοί μου, τοῦ φυλάξασθαι τὰ δικαιώματά σου.
6Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect to all your commandments.Τότε οὐ μὴ αἰσχυνθῶ, ἐν τῷ με ἐπιβλέπειν ἐπὶ πάσας τὰς ἐντολάς σου.
7I will give you thanks with uprightness of heart, when I have learned the judgments of your righteousness.Ἐξομολογήσομαί σοι ἐν εὐθύτητι καρδίας, ἐν τῷ μεμαθηκέναι με τὰ κρίματα τῆς δικαιοσύνης σου.
8I will keep your ordinances: O forsake me not greatly.Τὰ δικαιώματά σου φυλάξω, μή με ἐγκαταλίπῃς ἕως σφόδρα.
9Wherewith shall a young man direct his way? by keeping your words.Ἐν τίνι κατορθώσει νεώτερος τὴν ὁδὸν αὐτοῦ; ἐν τῷ φυλάξασθαι τοὺς λόγους σου.
10With my whole heart have I diligently sought you: cast me not away from your commandments.Ἐν ὅλῃ καρδίᾳ μου ἐξεζήτησά σε, μὴ ἀπώσῃ με ἀπὸ τῶν ἐντολῶν σου.
11I have hidden your oracles in my heart, that I might not sin against you.Ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ μου ἔκρυψα τὰ λόγιά σου, ὅπως ἂν μὴ ἁμάρτω σοι.
12Blessed are you, O Lord: teach me your ordinances.Εὐλογητὸς εἶ Κύριε, δίδαξόν με τὰ δικαιώματά σου.
13With my lips have I declared all the judgments of your mouth.Ἐν τοῖς χείλεσί μου ἐξήγγειλα πάντα τὰ κρίματα τοῦ στόματός σου.
14I have delighted in the way of your testimonies, as much as in all riches.Ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ τῶν μαρτυρίων σου ἐτέρφθην, ὡς ἐπὶ παντὶ πλούτῳ.
15I will meditate on your commandments, and consider your ways.Ἐν ταῖς ἐντολαῖς σου ἀδολεσχήσω, καὶ κατανοήσω τὰς ὁδούς σου.
16I will meditate on your ordinances: I will not forget your words.Ἐν τοῖς δικαιώμασί σου μελετήσω, οὐκ ἐπιλήσομαι τῶν λόγων σου.
17Render a recompense to your servant: so shall I live, and keep your words.Ἀνταπόδος τῷ δούλῳ σου, ζήσομαι καὶ φυλάξω τοὺς λόγους σου.
18Unveil you my eyes, and I shall perceive wondrous things of your law.Ἀποκάλυψον τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς μου, καὶ κατανοήσω τὰ θαυμάσια ἐκ τοῦ νόμου σου.
19I am a stranger in the earth: hide not your commandments from me.Πάροικος ἐγώ εἰμι ἐν τῇ γῇ, μὴ ἀποκρύψῃς ἀπʼ ἐμοῦ τὰς ἐντολάς σου.
20My soul has longed exceedingly for your judgments at all times.Ἐπεπόθησεν ἡ ψυχή μου τοῦ ἐπιθυμῆσαι τὰ κρίματά σου ἐν παντὶ καιρῷ.
21You have rebuked the proud: cursed are they that turn aside from your commandments.Ἐπετίμησας ὑπερηφάνοις, ἐπικατάρατοι οἱ ἐκκλίνοντες ἀπὸ τῶν ἐντολῶν σου.
22Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have sought out your testimonies.Περίελε ἀπʼ ἐμοῦ ὄνειδος καὶ ἐξουδένωσιν, ὅτι τὰ μαρτύριά σου ἐξεζήτησα.
23For princes sat and spoke against me: but your servant was meditating on your ordinances.Καὶ γὰρ ἐκάθισαν ἄρχοντες, καὶ κατʼ ἐμοῦ κατελάλουν, ὁ δὲ δοῦλός σου ἠδολέσχει ἐν τοῖς δικαιώμασί σου.
24For your testimonies are my meditation, and your ordinances are my counselors.Καὶ γὰρ τὰ μαρτύριά σου μελέτη μου ἐστὶ, καὶ αἱ συμβουλίαι μου τὰ δικαιώματά σου.
25My soul has cleaved to the ground; quicken you me according to your word.Ἐκολλήθη τῷ ἐδάφει ἡ ψυχή μου, ζῆσόν με κατὰ τὸ λόγον σου.
26I declared my ways, and you did hear me: teach me your ordinances.Τὰς ὁδούς σου ἐξήγγειλα καὶ ἐπήκουσάς μου, δίδαξόν με τὰ δικαιώματά σου.
27Instruct me in the way of your ordinances; and I will meditate on your wondrous works.Ὁδὸν δικαιωμάτων σου συνέτισόν με, καὶ ἀδολεσχήσω ἐν τοῖς θαυμασίοις σου.
28My soul has slumbered for sorrow; strengthen you me with your words.Ἐνύσταξεν ἡ ψυχή μου ἀπὸ ἀκηδίας, βεβαίωσόν με ἐν τοῖς λόγοις σου.
29Remove from me the way of iniquity; and be merciful to me * by your law.Ὁδὸν ἀδικίας ἀπόστησον ἀπʼ ἐμοῦ, καὶ τῷ νόμῳ σου ἐλέησόν με.
30I have chosen the way of truth; and have not forgotten your judgments.Ὁδὸν ἀληθείας ᾑρετισάμην, καὶ τὰ κρίματά σου οὐκ ἐπελαθόμην.
31I have cleaved to your testimonies, O Lord; put me not to shame.Ἐκολλήθην τοῖς μαρτυρίοις σου Κύριε, μή με καταισχύνῃς.
32I ran the way of your commandments, when you did enlarge my heart.Ὁδὸν ἐντολῶν σου ἔδραμον, ὅταν ἐπλάτυνας τὴν καρδίαν μου.
33† Teach me, O Lord, the way of your ordinances, and I will seek it out continually.Νομοθέτησόν με Κύριε τὴν ὁδὸν τῶν δικαιωμάτων σου, καὶ ἐκζητήσω αὐτὴν διαπαντός.
34Instruct me, and I will search out your law, and will keep it with my whole heart.Συνέτισόν με, καὶ ἐξερευνήσω τὸν νόμον σου, καὶ φυλάξω αὐτὸν ἐν ὅλῃ καρδίᾳ μου.
35Guide me in the path of your commandments; for I have delighted in it.Ὁδήγησόν με ἐν τῇ τρίβῳ τῶν ἐντολῶν σου, ὅτι αὐτὴν ἠθέλησα.
36Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to covetousness.Κλῖνον τὴν καρδίαν μου εἰς τὰ μαρτύριά σου, καὶ μὴ εἰς πλεονεξίαν.
37Turn away my eyes that I may not behold vanity: quicken you me in your way.Ἀπόστρεψον τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς μου τοῦ μὴ ἰδεῖν ματαιότητα, ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ σου ζῆσόν με.
38Confirm your oracle to your servant, that he may fear you.Στῆσον τῷ δούλῳ σου τὸ λόγιόν σου εἰς τὸν φόβον σου.
39Take away my reproach which I have feared: for your judgments are good.Περίελε τὸν ὄνειδισμόν μου ὃν ὑπώπτευσα, ὅτι τὰ κρίματά σου χρηστά.
40Behold, I have desired your commandments: quicken me in your righteousness.Ἰδοὺ ἐπεθύμησα τὰς ἐντολάς σου, ἐν τῇ δικαιοσύνῃ σου ζῆσόν με.
41And let your mercy come upon me, O Lord; even your salvation, according to your word.Καὶ ἔλθοι ἐπʼ ἐμὲ τὸ ἔλεός σου Κύριε, τὸ σωτήριόν σου κατὰ τὸν λόγον σου.
42And so I shall render an answer to them that reproach me: for I have trusted in your words.Καὶ ἀποκριθήσομαι τοῖς ὀνειδίζουσί μοι λόγον, ὅτι ἤλπισα ἐπὶ τοῖς λόγοις σου.
43And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in your judgments.Καὶ μὴ περιέλῃς ἐκ τοῦ στόματός μου λόγον ἀληθείας ἕως σφόδρα, ὅτι ἐπὶ τοῖς κρίμασί σου ἐπήλπισα.
44So shall I keep your law continually, for ever and ever.Καὶ φυλάξω τὸν νόμον σου διαπαντὸς, εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα καὶ εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τοῦ αἰῶνος.
45I walked also at large: for I sought out your commandments.Καὶ ἐπορευόμην ἐν πλατυσμῷ, ὅτι τὰς ἐντολάς σου ἐξεζήτησα.
46And I spoke of your testimonies before kings, and was not ashamed.Καὶ ἐλάλουν ἐν τοῖς μαρτυρίοις σου ἐναντίον βασιλέων, καὶ οὐκ ᾐσχυνόμην.
47And I ‡ meditated on your commandments, which I loved exceedingly.Καὶ ἐμελέτων ἐν ταῖς ἐντολαῖς σου, αἷς ἠγάπησα σφόδρα.
48And I lifted up my hands to your commandments which I loved; and I meditated in your ordinances.Καὶ ᾖρα τὰς χεῖράς μου πρὸς τὰς ἐντολάς σου ἃς ἠγάπησα, καὶ ἠδολέσχουν ἐν τοῖς δικαιώμασί σου.
49Remember your words to your servant, wherein you have made me hope.Μνήσθητι τῶν λόγων σου τῷ δούλῳ σου ὧν ἐπήλπισάς με.
50This has comforted me in my affliction: for your oracle has quickened me.Αὕτη με παρεκάλεσεν ἐν τῇ ταπεινώσει μου, ὅτι τὸ λόγιόν σου ἔζησέ με.
51The proud have transgressed exceedingly; but I swerved not from your law.Ὑπερήφανοι παρηνόμουν ἕως σφόδρα, ἀπὸ δὲ τοῦ νόμου σου οὐκ ἐξέκλινα.
52I remembered your judgments of old, O Lord; and was comforted.Ἐμνήσθην τῶν κριμάτων σου ἀπʼ αἰῶνος Κύριε, καὶ παρεκλήθην.
53Despair took hold upon me, because of the sinners who forsake your law.Ἀθυμία κατέσχε με ἀπὸ ἁμαρτωλῶν τῶν ἐγκαταλιμπανόντων τὸν νόμον σου.
54Your ordinances were my songs in the place of my sojourning.Ψαλτὰ ἦσάν μοι τὰ δικαιώματά σου, ἐν τόπῳ παροικίας μου·
55I remembered your name, O Lord, in the night, and kept your law.Ἐμνήσθην ἐν νυκτὶ τοῦ ὀνόματός σου Κύριε, καὶ ἐφύλαξα τὸν νόμον σου.
56This I had, because I diligently sought your ordinances.Αὕτη ἐγενήθη μοι, ὅτι τὰ δικαιώματά σου ἐξεζήτησα.
57You are my portion, O Lord: I said that I would keep your law.Μερίς μου εἶ Κύριε, εἶπα τοῦ φυλάξασθαι τὸν νόμον σου.
58I implored your § favor with my whole heart: have mercy upon me according to your word.Ἐδεήθην τοῦ προσώπου σου ἐν ὅλῃ καρδίᾳ μου, ἐλέησόν με κατὰ τὸ λόγιόν σου.
59I thought on your ways, and turned my feet to your testimonies.Διελογισάμην τὰς ὁδούς σου, καὶ ἐπέστρεψα τοὺς πόδας μου εἰς τὰ μαρτύριά σου.
60I prepared myself, (and was not terrified,) to keep your commandments.Ἡτοιμάσθην καὶ οὐκ ἐταράχθην, τοῦ φυλάξασθαι τὰς ἐντολάς σου.
61The snares of sinners entangled me: but I forgot not your law.Σχοινία ἁμαρτωλῶν περιεπλάκησάν μοι, καὶ τοῦ νόμου σου οὐκ ἐπελαθόμην.
62At midnight I arose, to give thanks to you for the judgments of your righteousness.Μεσονύκτιον ἐξεγειρόμην, τοῦ ἐξομολογεῖσθαί σοι ἐπὶ τὰ κρίματα τῆς δικαιοσύνης σου.
63I am a companion of all them that fear you, and of them that keep your commandments.Μέτοχος ἐγώ εἰμι πάντων τῶν φοβουμένων σε, καὶ τῶν φυλασσόντων τὰς ἐντολάς σου.
64O Lord, the earth is full of your mercy: teach me your ordinances.Τοῦ ἐλέους σου Κύριε πλήρης ἡ γῆ, τὰ δικαιώματά σου δίδαξόν με.
65You have wrought kindly with your servant, o Lord, according to your word.Χρηστότητα ἐποίησας μετὰ τοῦ δούλου σου Κύριε κατὰ τὸν λόγον σου.
66Teach me kindness, and instruction, and knowledge: for I have believed your commandments.Χρηστότητα καὶ παιδείαν καὶ γνῶσιν δίδαξόν με, ὅτι ταῖς ἐντολαῖς σου ἐπίστευσα.
67Before I was afflicted, I transgressed; therefore have I kept your word.Πρὸ τοῦ με ταπεινωθῆναι, ἐγὼ ἐπλημμέλησα, διὰ τοῦτο τὸ λόγιόν σου ἐφύλαξα.
68Good are you, O Lord; therefore in your goodness teach me your ordinances.Χρηστὸς εἶ σὺ Κύριε· καὶ ἐν τῇ χρηστότητί σου δίδαξόν με τὰ δικαιωματά σου.
69The injustice of the proud has been multiplied against me: but I will search out your commandments with all my heart.Ἐπληθύνθη ἐπʼ ἐμὲ ἀδικία ὑπερηφάνων, ἐγὼ δὲ ἐν ὅλῃ καρδίᾳ μου ἐξερευνήσω τὰς ἐντολάς σου.
70Their heart has been curdled like milk; but I have meditated on your law.Ἐτυρώθη ὡς γάλα ἡ καρδία αὐτῶν, ἐγὼ δὲ τὸν νόμον σου ἐμελέτησα.
71It is good for me that you have afflicted me; that I might learn your ordinances.Ἀγαθόν μοι ὅτι ἐταπείνωσάς με, ὅπως ἂν μάθω τὰ δικαιώματά σου.
72The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver.Ἀγαθόν μοι ὁ νόμος τοῦ στόματός σου, ὑπὲρ χιλιάδας χρυσίου καὶ ἀργυρίου.
73Your hands have made me, and fashioned me: instruct me, that I may learn your commandments.Αἱ χεῖρές σου ἔποίησάν με καὶ ἐπλασάν με, συνέτισόν με καὶ μαθήσομαι τὰς ἐντολάς σου.
74They that fear you will see me and rejoice: for I have hoped in your words.Οἱ φοβούμενοί σε ὄψονταί με καὶ εὐφρανθήσονται, ὅτι εἰς τοὺς λόγους σου ἐπήλπισα.
75I know, O Lord, that your judgments are righteousness, and that you in truthfulness have afflicted me.Ἔγνων Κύριε ὅτι δικαιοσύνη τὰ κρίματά σου, καὶ ἀληθείᾳ ἐταπείνωσάς με.
76Let, I pray you, your mercy be to comfort me, according to your word to your servant.Γενηθήτω δὴ τὸ ἔλεός σου τοῦ παρακαλέσαι με, κατὰ τὸ λόγιόν σου τῷ δούλῳ σου.
77Let your compassions come to me, that I may live: for your law is my meditation.Ἐλθέτωσάν μοι οἱ οἰκτιρμοί σου, καὶ ζήσομαι, ὅτι ὁ νόμος σου μελέτη μου ἐστίν.
78Let the proud be ashamed; for they transgressed against me unjustly: but I will meditate in your commandments.Αἰσχυνθήτωσαν ὑπερήφανοι, ὅτι ἀδίκως ἠνόμησαν εἰς ἐμὲ, ἐγὼ δὲ ἀδολεσχήσω ἐν ταῖς ἐντολαῖς σου.
79Let those that fear you, and those that know your testimonies, turn to me.Ἐπιστρεψάτωσάν με οἱ φοβούμενοί σε, καὶ οἱ γινώσκοντες τὰ μαρτύριά σου.
80Let my heart be blameless in your ordinances, that I may not be ashamed.Γενηθήτω ἡ καρδία μου ἄμωμος ἐν τοῖς δικαιώμασί σου, ὅπως ἂν μὴ αἰσχυνθῶ.
81My soul faints for your salvation: I have hoped in your words.Ἐκλείπει εἰς τὸ σωτήριόν σου ἡ ψυχή μου, εἰς τοὺς λόγους σου ἐπήλπισα.
82My eyes failed in waiting for your word, saying, When will you comfort me?Ἐξέλιπον οἱ ὀφθαλμοί μου εἰς τὸ λόγιόν σου, λέγοντες, πότε παρακαλέσεις με;
83For I am become as a bottle in the frost: yet I have not forgotten your ordinances.Ὅτι ἐγενήθην ὡς ἀσκὸς ἐν πάχνῃ· τὰ δικαιώματά σου οὐκ ἐπελαθόμην.
84How many are the days of your servant? when will you execute judgment for me on them that persecute me?Πόσαι εἰσὶν αἱ ἡμέραι τοῦ δούλου σου; πότε ποιήσεις μοι ἐκ τῶν καταδιωκόντων με κρίσιν;
85Transgressors told me idle tales; but not according to your law, O Lord.Διηγήσαντό μοι παράνομοι ἀδολεσχίας, ἀλλʼ οὐχ ὡς ὁ νόμος σου Κύριε.
86All your commandments are truth; they persecuted me unjustly; help you me.Πᾶσαι αἱ ἐντολαί σου ἀλήθεια· ἀδίκως κατεδίωξάν με, βοήθησόν μοι.
87They nearly made an end of me in the earth; but I forsook not your commandments.Παρὰ βραχὺ συνετέλεσάν με ἐν τῇ γῇ, ἐγὼ δὲ οὐκ ἐγκατέλιπον τὰς ἐντολάς σου.
88Quicken me according to your mercy; so shall I keep the testimonies of your mouth.Κατὰ τὸ ἔλεός σου ζῆσόν με, καὶ φυλάξω τὰ μαρτύρια τοῦ στόματός σου.
89Your word, O Lord, abides in heaven for ever.Εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα, Κύριε, ὁ λόγος σου διαμένει ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ,
90Your truth endures to all generations; you have founded the earth, and it abides.εἰς γενεὰν καὶ γενεὰν ἡ ἀλήθειά σου· ἐθεμελίωσας τὴν γῆν καὶ διαμένει.
91The day continues by your arrangement; for all things are your servants.Τῇ διατάξει σου διαμένει ἡμέρα, ὅτι τὰ σύμπαντα δοῦλα σά.
92Were it not that your law is my meditation, then I should have perished in my affliction.Εἰ μὴ ὅτι ὁ νόμος σου μελέτη μου ἐστὶ, τότε ἂν ἀπωλόμην ἐν τῇ ταπεινώσει μου.
93I will never forget your ordinances; for with them you have quickened me.Εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα οὐ μὴ ἐπιλάθωμαι τῶν δικαιωμάτων σου, ὅτι ἐν αὐτοῖς ἔζησάς με.
94I am your, save me; for I have sought out your ordinances.Σός εἰμι ἐγὼ, σῶσόν με, ὅτι τὰ δικαιώματά σου ἐξεζήτησα.
95Sinners laid wait for me to destroy me; but I understood your testimonies.Ἐμὲ ὑπέμειναν ἁμαρτωλοὶ τοῦ ἀπολέσαι με, τὰ μαρτύριά σου συνῆκα.
96have seen an end of all perfection; but your commandment is very broad.Πάσης συντελείας εἶδον πέρας, πλατεία ἡ ἐντολή σου σφόδρα.
97How I have loved your law, O Lord! it is my meditation all the day.Ὡς ἠγάπησα τὸν νόμον σου Κύριε; ὅλην τὴν ἡμέραν μελέτη μου ἐστίν.
98You have made me wiser than my enemies in your commandment; for it is mine for ever.Ὑπὲρ τοὺς ἐχθρούς μου ἐσόφισάς με τὴν ἐντολήν σου, ὅτι εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα ἐμή ἐστιν.
99I have more understanding than all my teachers; for your testimonies are my medication.Ὑπὲρ πάντας τοὺς διδάσκοντάς με συνῆκα, ὅτι τὰ μαρτύριά σου μελέτη μου ἐστίν.
100I understand more that the aged; because I have sought out your commandments.Ὑπὲρ πρεσβυτέρους συνῆκα, ὅτι τὰς ἐντολάς σου ἐξεζήτησα.
101I have kept back my feet from every evil way, that I might keep your words.Ἐκ πάσης ὁδοῦ πονηρᾶς ἐκώλυσα τοὺς πόδας μου, ὅπως ἂν φυλάξω τοὺς λόγους σου.
102I have not declined from your judgments; for you have ** instructed me.Ἀπὸ τῶν κριμάτων σου οὐκ ἐξέκλινα, ὅτι σὺ ἐνομοθέτησάς με.
103How sweet are your oracles to my throat! more so than honey to my mouth!Ὡς γλυκέα τῷ λάρυγγί μου τὰ λόγιά σου, ὑπὲρ μέλι τῷ στόματί μου.
104I gain understanding by your commandments: therefore I have hated every way of unrighteousness.Ἀπὸ τῶν ἐντολῶν σου συνῆκα, διὰ τοῦτο ἐμίσησα πᾶσαν ὁδὸν ἀδικίας.
105Your law is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my paths.Λύχνος τοῖς ποσί μου ὁ νόμος σου, καὶ φῶς ταῖς τρίβοις μου.
106I have sworn and determined to keep the judgments of your righteousness.Ὤμοσα καὶ ἔστησα τοῦ φυλάξασθαι τὰ κρίματα τῆς δικαιοσύνης σου.
107I have been very greatly afflicted, O Lord: quicken me, according to your word.Ἐταπεινώθην ἕως σφόδρα Κύριε, ζῆσόν με κατὰ τὸν λόγον σου.
108Accept, I pray you, O Lord, the free will offerings of my mouth, and teach me your judgments.Τὰ ἑκούσια τοῦ στόματός μου εὐλόκησον δὴ Κύριε, καὶ τὰ κρίματά σου δίδαξόν με.
109My soul is continually in †† your hands; and I have not forgotten your law.Ἡ ψυχή μου ἐν ταῖς χερσὶ σου διαπαντὸς, καὶ τὸν νόμον σου οὐκ ἐπελαθόμην.
110Sinners spread a snare for me; but I erred not from your commandments.Ἔθεντο ἁμαρτωλοὶ παγίδα μοι, καὶ ἐκ τῶν ἐντολῶν σου οὐκ ἐπλανήθην.
111I have inherited your testimonies for ever; for they are the joy of my heart.Ἐκληρονόμησα τὰ μαρτύριά σου εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα, ὅτι ἀγαλλιάμα τῆς καρδίας μού εἰσιν.
112I have inclined my heart to perform your ordinances for ever, ‡‡ in return for your mercies.Ἔκλινα τὴν καρδίαν μου τοῦ ποιῆσαι τὰ δικαιώματά σου εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα διʼ ἀντάμειψιν.
113I have hated transgressors; but I have loved your law.Παρανόμους ἐμίσησα, τὸν δὲ νόμον σου ἠγάπησα.
114You are my helper and my supporter; I have hoped in your words.Βοηθός μου, καὶ ἀντιλήπτωρ μου εἶ σὺ, εἰς τοὺς λόγους σου ἐπήλπισα.
115Depart from me, you evil-doers; for I will search out the commandments of my God.Ἐκκλίνατε ἀπʼ ἐμοῦ οἱ πονηρευόμενοι, καὶ ἐξεραυνήσω τὰς ἐντολὰς τοῦ Θεοῦ μου.
116Uphold me according to your word, and quicken me; and make me not ashamed of my expectation.Ἀντιλαβοῦ μου κατὰ τὸ λόγιόν σου, καὶ ζῆσόν με, καὶ μὴ καταισχύνῃς με ἀπὸ τῆς προσδοκίας μου.
117Help me, and I shall be saved; and I will meditate in your ordinances continually.Βοήθησόν μοι, καὶ σωθήσομαι, καὶ μελετήσω ἐν τοῖς δικαιώμασί σου διαπαντός.
118You have brought to nothing all that depart from your ordinances; for their inward thought is unrighteous.Ἐξουδένωσας πάντας τοὺς ἀποστατοῦντας ἀπὸ τῶν δικαιωμάτων σου, ὅτι ἄδικον τὸ ἐνθύμημα αὐτῶν.
119I have reckoned all the sinners of the earth as transgressors; therefore have I loved your testimonies.Παραβαίνοντας ἐλογισάμην πάντας τοὺς ἁμαρτωλοὺς τῆς γῆς, διὰ τοῦτο ἠγάπησα τὰ μαρτύριά σου.
120Penetrate my flesh with your fear; for I am afraid of your judgments.Καθήλωσον ἐκ τοῦ φόβου σου τὰς σάρκας μου, ἀπὸ γὰρ τῶν κριμάτων σου ἐφοβήθην.
121I have done judgment and justice; deliver me not up to them that injure me.Ἐποίησα κρίμα καὶ δικαιοσύνην, μὴ παραδῷς με τοῖς ἀδικοῦσί με.
122Receive your servant for good: let not the proud accuse me falsely.Ἔνδεξαι τὸν δοῦλόν σου εἰς ἀγαθὸν, μὴ συκοφαντησάτωσάν με ὑπερήφανοι.
123My eyes have failed for your salvation, and for the word of your righteousness.Οἱ ὀφθαλμοί μου ἐξέλιπον εἰς τὸ σωτήριόν σου, καὶ εἰς τὸ λόγιον τῆς δικαιοσύνης σου.
124Deal with your servant according to your mercy, and teach me your ordinances.Ποίησον μετὰ τοῦ δούλου σου κατὰ τὸ ἔλεός σου, καὶ τὰ δικαιώματά σου δίδαξόν με.
125I am your servant; instruct me, and I shall know your testimonies.Δοῦλός σου εἰμὶ ἐγὼ, συνέτισόν με καὶ γνώσομαι τὰ μαρτύριά σου.
126It is time for the Lord to work: they have utterly broken your law.Καιρὸς τοῦ ποιῆσαι τῷ Κυρίῳ, διεσκέδασαν τὸν νόμον σου.
127Therefore have I loved your commandments more than gold, or the topaz.Διὰ τοῦτο ἠγάπησα τὰς ἐντολάς σου ὑπὲρ χρυσίον καὶ τοπάζιον.
128Therefore I directed myself according to all your commandments: I have hated every unjust way.Διὰ τοῦτο πρὸς πάσας τὰς ἐντολάς σου κατωρθούμην, πᾶσαν ὁδὸν ἄδικον ἐμίσησα.
129Your testimonies are wonderful: therefore my soul has sought them out.Θαυμαστὰ τὰ μαρτύριά σου, διὰ τοῦτο ἐξηρεύνησεν αὐτὰ ἡ ψυχή μου.
130The manifestation of your words will enlighten, and instruct the simple.Ἡ δήλωσις τῶν λόγων σου φωτιεῖ καὶ συνετιεῖ νηπίους.
131I opened my mouth, and drew breath: for I earnestly longed after your commandments.Τὸ στόμα μου ἤνοιξα, καὶ εἵλκυσα πνεῦμα, ὅτι τὰς ἐντολάς σου ἐπεπόθουν.
132Look upon me and have mercy upon me, after the manner of them that love your name.Ἐπίβλεψον ἐπʼ ἐμὲ καὶ ἐλέησόν με, κατὰ τὸ κρίμα τῶν ἀγαπώντων τὸ ὄνομά σου.
133Order my steps according to your word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.Τὰ διαβήματά μου κατεύθυνον κατὰ τὸ λόγιόν σου, καὶ μὴ κατακυριευσάτω μου πᾶσα ἀνομία.
134Deliver me from the false accusation of men: so will I keep your commandments.Λύτρωσαί με ἀπὸ συκοφαντίας ἀνθρώπων, καὶ φυλάξω τὰς ἐντολάς σου.
135Cause your face to shine upon your servant: and teach me your ordinances.Τὸ πρόσωπόν σου ἐπίφανον ἐπὶ τὸν δοῦλόν σου, καὶ δίδαξόν με τὰ δικαιώματά σου.
136My eyes have been bathed in streams of water, because I kept not your law.Διεξόδους ὑδάτων κατέβησαν οἱ ὀφθαλμοί μου, ἐπεὶ οὐκ ἐφύλαξα τὸν νόμον σου.
137Righteous are you, O Lord, and upright are your judgments.Δίκαιος εἶ Κύριε, καὶ εὐθεῖς αἱ κρίσεις σου.
138You have commanded righteousness and perfect truth, as your testimonies.Ἐνετείλω δικαιοσύνην τὰ μαρτύριά σου, καὶ ἀλήθειαν σφόδρα.
139Your zeal has quite wasted me: because my enemies have forgotten your words.Ἐξέτηξέ με ὁ ζῆλός σου, ὅτι ἐπελάθοντο τῶν λόγων σου οἱ ἐχθροί μου.
140Your word has been very fully tried; and your servant loves it.Πεπυρωμένον τὸ λόγιόν σου σφόδρα, καὶ ὁ δοῦλός σου ἠγάπησεν αὐτό.
141I am young and despised: yet I have not forgotten your ordinances.Νεώτερος ἐγὼ εἰμι καὶ ἐξουδενωμένος, τὰ δικαιώματά σου οὐκ ἐπελαθόμην.
142Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and your law is truth.Ἡ δικαιοσύνη σου δικαιοσύνη εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα, καὶ ὁ νόυος σου ἀλήθεια.
143Afflictions and distresses found me: but your commandments were my meditation.Θλίψεις καὶ ἀνάγκαι εὕροσάν με, ἐντολαί σου μελέτη μου.
144Your testimonies are an everlasting righteousness: instruct me, and I shall live.Δικαιοσύνη τὰ μαρτύριά σου εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα· συνέτισόν με, καὶ ζήσομαι.
145I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O Lord: I will search out your ordinances.Ἐκέκραξα ἐν ὅλῃ καρδίᾳ μου, ἐπάκουσόν μου Κύριε, τὰ δικαιώματά σου ἐκζητήσω.
146I cried to you; save me, and I will keep your testimonies.Ἐκέκραξά σοι, σῶσόν με, καὶ φυλάξω τὰ μαρτύριά σου.
147I arose before the dawn, and cried: I hoped in your words.Προέφθασα ἐν ἀωρίᾳ καὶ ἐκέκραξα, εἰς τοὺς λόγους σου ἐπήλπισα.
148My eyes prevented the dawn, that I might meditate on your oracles.Προέφθασαν οἱ ὀφθαλμοί μου πρὸς ὄρθρον, τοῦ μελετᾷν τὰ λόγιά σου.
149Hear my voice, O Lord, according to your mercy; quicken me according to your judgment.Τῆς φωνῆς μου ἄκουσον Κύριε κατὰ τὸ ἔλεός σου, κατὰ τὸ κρίμα σου ζῆσόν με.
150They have drawn near who persecuted me unlawfully; and they are far removed from your law.Προσήγγισαν οἱ καταδιώκοντές με ἀνομίᾳ, ἀπὸ δὲ τοῦ νόμου σου ἐμακρύνθησαν.
151You are near, O Lord; and all your §§ ways are truth.Ἐγγὺς εἶ Κύριε, καὶ πᾶσαι αἱ ὁδοί σου ἀλήθεια.
152I have known of old *** concerning your testimonies, that you have founded them for ever.Κατʼ ἀρχὰς ἔγνων ἐκ τῶν μαρτυρίων σου, ὅτι εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα ἐθεμελίωσας αὐτά.
153Look upon my affliction, and rescue me; for I have not forgotten your law.Ἴδε τὴν ταπείνωσίν μου καὶ ἐξελοῦ με, ὅτι τοῦ νόμου σου οὐκ ἐπελαθόμην.
154Plead my cause, and ransom me: quicken me because of your word.Κρῖνον τὴν κρίσιν μου καὶ λύτρωσαί με, διὰ τὸν λόγον σου ζῆσόν με.
155Salvation is far from sinners: for they have not searched out your ordinances.Μακρὰν ἀπὸ ἁμαρτωλῶν σωτηρία, ὅτι τὰ δικαιώματά σου οὐκ ἐξεζήτησαν.
156Your mercies, O Lord, are many: quicken me according to your judgment.Οἱ οἰκτιρμοί σου πολλοὶ Κύριε, κατὰ τὸ κρίμα σου ζῆσόν με.
157Many are they that persecute me and oppress me: but I have not declined from your testimonies.Πολλοὶ οἱ ἐκδιώκοντές με καὶ θλίβοντές με· ἐκ τῶν μαρτυρίων σου οὐκ ἐξέκλινα.
158I saw men acting foolishly, and I pined away; for they kept not your oracles.Εἶδον ἀσυνετοῦντας καὶ ἐξετηκόμην, ὅτι τὰ λόγιά σου οὐκ ἐφυλάξαντο.
159Behold, I have loved your commandments, O Lord: quicken me in your mercy.Ἴδε ὅτι τὰς ἐντολάς σου ἠγάπησα Κύριε, ἐν τῷ ἐλέει σου ζῆσόν με.
160The beginning of your words is truth; and all the judgments of your righteousness endure for ever.Ἀρχὴ τῶν λόγων σου ἀλήθεια, καὶ εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα πάντα τὰ κρίματα τῆς δικαιοσύνης σου.
161Princes persecuted me without a cause, but my heart feared because of your words.Ἄρχοντες κατεδίωξάν με δωρεὰν, καὶ ἀπὸ τῶν λόγων σου ἐδειλίασεν ἡ καρδία μου.
162I will exult because of your oracles, as one that finds much spoil.Ἀγαλλιάσομαι ἐγὼ ἐπὶ τὰ λόγιά σου, ὡς ὁ εὑρίσκων σκῦλα πολλά.
163I hate and abhor unrighteousness; but I love your law.Ἀδικίαν ἐμίσησα καὶ ἐβδελυξάμην, τὸν δὲ νόμον σου ἠγάπησα.
164Seven times in a day have I praised you because of the judgments of your righteousness.Ἑπτάκις τῆς ἡμέρας ᾔνεσά σε ἐπὶ τὰ κρίματα τῆς δικαιοσύνης σου.
165Great peace have they that love your law: and there is no stumbling block to them.Εἰρήνη πολλὴ τοῖς ἀγαπῶσι τὸν νόμον σου, καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν αὐτοῖς σκάνδαλον.
166I waited for your salvation, O Lord, and have loved your commandments.Προσεδόκων τὸ σωτήριόν σου Κύριε, καὶ τὰς ἐντολάς σου ἠγάπησα.
167My soul has kept your testimonies, and loved them exceedingly.Ἐφύλαξεν ἡ ψυχή μου τὰ μαρτύριά σου, καὶ ἠγάπησεν αὐτὰ σφόδρα.
168I have kept your commandments and your testimonies; for all my ways are before you, O Lord.Ἐφύλαξα τὰς ἐντολάς σου καὶ τὰ μαρτύριά σου, ὅτι πᾶσαι αἱ ὁδοί μου ἐναντίον σου Κύριε.
169Let my supplication come near before you, o Lord; instruct me according to your oracle.Ἐγγυσάτω ἡ δέησίς μου ἐνώπιόν σου Κύριε, κατὰ τὸ λόγιόν σου συνέτισόν με.
170Let my petition come in before you, O Lord; deliver me according to your oracle.Εἰσέλθοι τὸ ἀξίωμά μου ἐνώπιόν σου Κύριε, κατὰ τὸ λόγιόν σου ῥῦσαί με.
171Let my lips utter a hymn, when you shall have taught me your ordinances.Ἐξερεύξαιντο τὰ χείλη μου ὕμνον, ὅταν διδάξῃς με τὰ δικαιώματά σου.
172Let my tongue utter your oracles; for all your commandments are righteous.Φθέγξαιτο ἡ γλῶσσά μου τὰ λόγιά σου, ὅτι πᾶσαι αἱ ἐντολαί σου δικαιοσύνη.
173Let your hand be prompt to save me; for I have chosen your commandments.Γενέσθω ἡ χείρ σου τοῦ σῶσαί με, ὅτι τὰς ἐντολάς σου ᾑρετισάμην.
174I have longed after your salvation, O Lord; and your law is my meditation.Ἐπεπόθησα τὸ σωτήριόν σου Κύριε, καὶ ὁ νόμος σου μελέτη μου ἐστί.
175My soul shall live, and shall praise you; and your judgments shall help me.Ζήσεται ἡ ψυχή μου καὶ αἰνέσει σε, καὶ τὰ κρίματά σου βοηθήσει μοι.
176I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant; for I have not forgotten your commandments.Ἐπλανήθην ὡς πρόβατον ἀπολωλὸς, ζήτησον τὸν δοῦλόν σου, ὅτι τὰς ἐντολάς σου οὐκ ἐπελαθόμην.
Translator's Notes
These notes come from the printed edition of Sir Lancelot Brenton's classic English translation of the Septuagint (LXX), and record where the Greek differs from the English rendering or admits more than one reading.
- v. 29*q.d. in teaching me your law.
- v. 33†sc. as a lawgiver.
- v. 47‡Or, exercised myself in.
- v. 58§Gr. presence, or, countenance.
- v. 102**That is, as a lawgiver.
- v. 109††Heb. and Alex. my.
- v. 112‡‡See Heb.
- v. 151§§Alex. ἐντολαί, commands.
- v. 152***Gr. of.
The Fathers on Psalms 118
Saint Augustine of Hippo comments on this chapter. Each excerpt below is drawn from the full text held in the Fathers Library; follow the link on any entry to read the whole work.
On Psalms 118:1Saint Augustine of Hippo1. From its commencement, dearly beloved, doth this great Psalm exhort us unto bliss, which there is no one who desireth not.…And therefore this is the lesson which he teacheth, who saith, “Blessed are those that are undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord” (ver. 1). As much as to say, I know what thou wishest, thou art seeking bliss: if then thou wouldest be blessed, be undefiled. For the former…
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On Psalms 118:2–3Saint Augustine of Hippo2. Listen now to what he addeth: “Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and seek Him with their whole heart” (ver. 2). No other class of the blessed seemeth to me to be mentioned in these words, than that which has been already spoken of. For to examine into the testimonies of the Lord, and to seek Him with all the heart, this is to be undefiled in the way, this is to walk in the law of the Lord. He then…
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On Psalms 118:3Saint Augustine of Hippo3. It is written, and is read, and is true, in this Psalm, that “They who do wickedness, walk not in His ways” (ver. 3). But we must endeavour, with the help of God, “in” whose “hand are both we and our words,” that what is rightly said, by not being rightly understood, may not confuse the reader or hearer. For we must beware, lest all the Saints, whose words these are, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive…
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On Psalms 118:4Saint Augustine of Hippo4. What meaneth, “Thou hast charged that we shall keep Thy commandments too much”? (ver. 4). Is it, “Thou hast charged too much”? or, “to keep too much”? Whichever of these we understand, the sense seems contrary to that memorable and noble sentiment which the Greeks praise in their wise men, and which the Latins agree in praising. “Do nothing too much.”…But the Latin language sometimes uses the word nimis in…
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On Psalms 118:5Saint Augustine of Hippo5. “O that,” he saith, “my ways were made so direct, that I might keep Thy statutes” (ver. 5). Thou indeed hast charged: O that I could realize what thou hast charged. When thou hearest, “O that,” recognise the words of one wishing; and having recognised the expression of a wish, lay aside the pride of presumption. For who saith that he desireth what he hath in such a manner in his power, that without need of any…
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On Psalms 118:6Saint Augustine of Hippo6. “So shall I not be confounded, while I have respect unto all Thy commandments” (ver. 6). We ought to look upon the commandments of God, whether when they are read, or when they are recalled to memory, as a looking-glass, as the Apostle James saith. This man wisheth himself to be such, that he may regard as in a mirror the commandments of God, and may not be confounded; because he chooses not merely to be a…
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On Psalms 118:7Saint Augustine of Hippo7. “I will confess unto Thee,” he saith, “O Lord, in the directing of my heart; in that I shall have learned the judgments of Thy righteousness” (ver. 7). This is not the confession of sins, but of praise; as He also saith in whom there was no sin, “I will confess unto Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth;” and as it is written in the Book of Ecclesiasticus, “Thus shalt thou say in confession, of all the…
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On Psalms 118:8Saint Augustine of Hippo8. Next he addeth: “I will keep Thy ordinances” (ver. 8).…But what is it that followeth? “O forsake me not even exceedingly!” or, as some copies have it, “even too much,” instead of, “even exceedingly.” But since God had left the world to the desert of sins, He would have forsaken it “even exceedingly,” if so powerful a cure had not supported it, that is, the grace of God through our Lord Jesus Christ; but now,…
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On Psalms 118:9Saint Augustine of Hippo9. “Wherewithal shall a young man correct his way? even by keeping Thy words” (ver. 9). He questioneth himself, and answereth himself. “Wherewithal?” So far it is a question: next cometh the answer, “even by keeping Thy words.” But in this place the keeping of the words of God, must be understood as the obeying His commandments in deed: for they are kept in memory in vain, if they are not kept in life also. But…
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On Psalms 118:10Saint Augustine of Hippo10. “With my whole heart,” he saith, “have I sought thee; O repel me not from Thy commandments” (ver. 10). Behold, he prayeth that he may be aided to keep the words of God, wherewith he had said that the young man corrected his way. For this is the meaning of the words, “O repel me not from Thy commandments:” for what is it to be repelled of God, save not to be aided? For human infirmity is not equal to obeying…
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On Psalms 118:11–12Saint Augustine of Hippo11. “Thy words have I hid within my heart, that I may not sin against Thee” (ver. 11). He at once sought the Divine aid, lest the words of God might be hidden without fruit in his heart, unless works of righteousness followed. For after saying this, he added, “Blessed art Thou, O Lord, teach me Thy righteousnesses” (ver. 12). “Teach me,” he saith, as they learn who do them; not as they who merely remember them,…
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On Psalms 118:13Saint Augustine of Hippo12. “With my lips have I been telling of all the judgments of Thy mouth” (ver. 13); that is, I have kept silent nothing of Thy judgments, which Thou didst will should become known to me through Thy words, but I have been telling of all of them without exception with my lips. This he seemeth to me to signify, since he saith not, all Thy judgments, but, “all the judgments of Thy mouth;” that is, which Thou hast…
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On Psalms 118:14Saint Augustine of Hippo13. “I have had as great delight in the way Thy testimonies, as in all manner of riches” (ver. 14). We understand that there is no more speedy, no more sure, no shorter, no higher way of the testimonies of God than Christ, “in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Thence he saith that he hath had as great delight in this way, as in all riches. Those are the testimonies, by which He deigneth to…
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On Psalms 118:15–16Saint Augustine of Hippo14. “I will talk of Thy commandments, and have respect unto Thy ways” (ver. 15). And thus the Church doth exercise herself in the commandments of God, by speaking in the copious disputations of the learned against all the enemies of the Christian and Catholic faith; which are fruitful to those who compose them, if nothing but the ways of the Lord is regarded in them; but “All the ways of the Lord are,” as it is…
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On Psalms 118:17Saint Augustine of Hippo15. He had said, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? Even by keeping Thy words.” Behold he now more openly asketh aid that he may do this: “Reward,” he saith, “Thy servant: let me live, and keep Thy word” (ver. 17)…It this reward that he asketh, who saith, “Reward Thy servant.” For there are four modes of reward: either evil for evil, as God will reward everlasting fire to the unrighteous; or good for…
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On Psalms 118:18–19Saint Augustine of Hippo17. “Open Thou mine eyes, and I will consider wondrous things of Thy law” (ver. 18). What he addeth, “I am a lodger upon earth” (ver. 19): or, as some copies read, “I am a sojourner upon earth, O hide not Thy commandments from me,” hath the same meaning.…
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On Psalms 118:20Saint Augustine of Hippo20. But what is loved by loving, if love itself be not loved? Whence by consequence that stranger upon earth, after praying that the commandments of God might not be hidden from him, wherein love is enjoined either solely or principally; declareth that he desireth to have a love for love itself, saying, “My soul hath coveted to have a desire alway after Thy judgments” (ver. 20). This coveting is worthy of praise,…
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On Psalms 118:21Saint Augustine of Hippo22. “Thou hast rebuked the proud: and cursed are they that do err from Thy commandments” (ver. 21). For the proud err from the commandments of God. For it is one thing not to fulfil the commandments of God through infirmity or ignorance; another to err from them through pride; as they have done, who have begotten us in our mortal state unto these evils.…But consider now, after saying, “Thou hast rebuked the…
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On Psalms 118:22Saint Augustine of Hippo23. “O turn from me shame and rebuke; for I have sought out Thy testimonies” (ver. 22). Testimonies are called in Greek μαρτύρια, which word we now use for the Latin word: whence those who on account of their testimony to Christ have been brought low by various sufferings, and have contended unto death for the truth, are not called testes, but by the Greek term Martyrs. Since then ye hear in this term one more…
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On Psalms 118:23–24Saint Augustine of Hippo24. “Princes also did sit and speak against me: but Thy servant is exercised in Thy statutes” (ver. 23). Thou who desirest to know what sort of exercise this was, understand what he hath added, “For Thy testimonies are my meditation, and Thy statutes are my counsellors” (ver. 24). Remember what I have above instructed you, that testimonies are acts of martyrdom. Remember that among the statutes of the Lord there…
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On Psalms 118:25Saint Augustine of Hippo25. “My soul cleaveth to the pavement: O quicken Thou me according to Thy word” (ver. 25). What meaneth, “My soul cleaveth to the pavement, O quicken Thou me according to Thy word”?…If we look upon the whole world as one great house, we see that the heavens represent its vaulting, the earth therefore will be its pavement. He wisheth therefore to be rescued from earthly things, and to say with the Apostle, “Our…
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On Psalms 118:26Saint Augustine of Hippo27. For what he was by himself, he confesseth in the following words: “I have acknowledged my ways, and Thou heardest me” (ver. 26). Some copies indeed read, “Thy ways:” but more, and the best Greek, read “my ways,” that is, evil ways. For he seemeth to me to say this; I have confessed my sins, and Thou hast heard me; that is, so that Thou wouldest remit them. “O teach me Thy statutes.” I have acknowledged my…
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On Psalms 118:27–28Saint Augustine of Hippo28. Finally he addeth, “Intimate to me the way of Thy righteousness” (ver. 27); or, as some copies have it, “instruct me;” which is expressed more closely from the Greek, “Make me to understand the way of Thy righteousnesses; so shall I be exercised in Thy wondrous things.” These higher commandments, which he desireth to understand by edification, he calleth the wondrous things of God. There are then some…
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On Psalms 118:29Saint Augustine of Hippo29. “Take Thou from me the way of iniquity” (ver. 29). And since the law of works hath entered in, that sin might abound; he addeth, “And pity me according to Thy law.” By what law, save by the law of faith? Hear the Apostle: “Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works. Nay: but by the law of faith.” This is the law of faith, whereby we believe and pray that it may be granted us through grace;…
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On Psalms 118:30–32Saint Augustine of Hippo30. But after he had said, “And pity me according to Thy law;” he mentioneth some of those blessings which he hath already obtained, that he may ask others that he hath not yet gained. For he saith, “I have chosen the way of truth: and Thy judgments I have not forgotten” (ver. 30). “I have stuck unto Thy testimonies: O Lord, confound me not” (ver. 31): may I persevere in striving toward the point whereunto I am…
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On Psalms 118:33Saint Augustine of Hippo31. In this great Psalm there cometh next in order that which, with the Lord’s help, we must consider and treat of. “Set a law for me, O Lord, the way of Thy statutes, and I shall seek it alway” (ver. 33).…
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On Psalms 118:34Saint Augustine of Hippo34. “Give me understanding, and I shall search Thy law, yea, I shall keep it with my whole heart” (ver. 34). For when each man hath searched the law, and searched its deep things, in which its whole meaning doth consist; he ought indeed to love God with all his heart, with all his soul, with all his mind; and his neighbour as himself. “For on these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” This he…
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On Psalms 118:35Saint Augustine of Hippo35. But since he hath no power to do even this, save he be aided by Him who commandeth him to do what He commandeth, “Make me,” he addeth, “to go in the path of Thy commandments, for therein is my desire” (ver. 35). My desire is powerless, unless Thou Thyself makest me to go where I desire. And this is surely the very path, that is, the path of God’s commandments, which he had already said that he had run, when…
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On Psalms 118:36Saint Augustine of Hippo36. He next saith, “Incline mine heart unto Thy testimonies, and not to covetousness” (ver. 36). This then he prayeth, that he may profit in the will itself.…But the Apostle saith, “Avarice is a root of all evils.” But in the Greek, whence these words have been rendered into our tongue, the word used by the Apostle is not πλεονεξία, which occurs in this passage of the Psalms; but φιλαργυρία, by which is signified…
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On Psalms 118:37Saint Augustine of Hippo37. The next words in the Psalm which we have undertaken to expound are, “O turn away mine eyes, lest they behold vanity: and quicken Thou me in Thy way” (ver. 37). Vanity and truth are directly contrary to one another. The desires of this world are vanity: but Christ, who freeth us from the world, is truth. He is the way, too, wherein this man wisheth to be quickened, for He is also the life: “I am the way, the…
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On Psalms 118:38Saint Augustine of Hippo39. “O stablish Thy word in Thy servant, that I may fear Thee” (ver. 38). And what else is this than, Grant unto me that I may do according to what Thou sayest? For the word of God is not stablished in those who remove it in themselves by acting contrary to it; but it is stablished in those in whom it is immoveable. God therefore stablisheth His word, that they may fear Him, in those unto whom He giveth the…
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On Psalms 118:39Saint Augustine of Hippo40. “Take away my reproach which I have suspected, for Thy judgments are sweet” (ver. 39). Who is he who suspected his own reproach, and who doth not know his own reproach better than that of his neighbour? For a man may rather suspect another’s than his own; since he knoweth not that which he suspecteth; but in each one’s own reproach there is not suspicion for him, but knowledge, wherein conscience speaketh.…
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On Psalms 118:40Saint Augustine of Hippo41. “Behold, I have coveted Thy commandments: O quicken Thou me in Thy righteousness” (ver. 40). Behold, I have coveted to love Thee with all my heart, and with all my soul, and with all my mind, and my neighbour as myself, but, “O quicken Thou me” not in my own, but “in Thy righteousness,” that is, fill me with that love which I have longed for. Aid me that I may do that which Thou chargest me: Thyself give what…
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On Psalms 118:41Saint Augustine of Hippo42. “And let Thy loving mercy come also unto us, O Lord” (ver. 41). This sentence seems annexed to the foregoing: for he doth not say, Let it come unto me, but, “And let it come unto me.”…What then doth he here pray for, save that through His loving mercy who commanded, he may perform the commandments which he hath coveted? For he explaineth in some degree what he meant by adding, “even Thy salvation, according…
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On Psalms 118:42Saint Augustine of Hippo43. “And so shall I make answer,” he saith, “to them that reproach me with the word” (ver. 42). It is doubtful whether it be “reproach me with a word;” or, “I will answer with a word;” but either signifieth Christ. They to whom Christ crucified is a stumbling-block or foolishness, reproach us with Him; ignorant that “the Word was made flesh, and dwelt in us;” the Word which “was in the beginning,” and “was with…
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On Psalms 118:43Saint Augustine of Hippo44. “O take not the word of Thy truth away out of my mouth even exceedingly” (ver. 43). He saith, out of my mouth, because the unity of the body is speaking, among whose members those also are counted who failed at the hour by denying, but by penitence afterwards came again to life, or even, by renewing their confession, received the palm of martyrdom, which they had lost. The word of truth, therefore, was not…
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On Psalms 118:44Saint Augustine of Hippo45. “So shall I alway keep Thy law” (ver. 44): that is, if Thou wilt not take the word of Thy truth out of my mouth. “Yea, unto age, and age of age:” he showeth what he meant by “alway.” For sometimes by “alway” is meant, as long as we live here; but this is not, “unto age, and age of age.” For it is better thus translated than as some copies have, “to eternity, and to age of age,” since they could not say, and…
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On Psalms 118:45Saint Augustine of Hippo46. “And I walked at liberty: for I sought Thy precepts” (ver. 45).…“And I walked at liberty.” Here the copulative conjunction, “and,” is not used as a connecting particle; for he doth not say, and I will walk, as he had said, “and I will keep Thy commandments for ever and ever:” or if this latter verse be in the optative mood, and may I keep Thy law; he doth not add, And may I walk at liberty, as if he had…
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On Psalms 118:46Saint Augustine of Hippo48. “I spoke of Thy testimonies also,” he saith, “before kings, and I was not ashamed” (ver. 46): as one who had sought and had received grace to answer those who reproached him with the word, and the promise that the word of truth should not be taken from his mouth. Struggling for this truth even unto death, not even before kings was he ashamed to speak of it. For testimonies, whereof he doth avow that he was…
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On Psalms 118:47–48Saint Augustine of Hippo49. “And I meditated,” he saith, “on Thy commandments, which I have loved” (ver. 47). “My hands also have I lifted up unto Thy commandments, which I have loved” (ver. 48); or, as some copies read, “which I have loved exceedingly,” or “too much,” or “vehemently,” as they have chosen to render the Greek word σφόδρα. He then loved the commandments of God because he walked at liberty; that is, through the Holy…
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On Psalms 118:49Saint Augustine of Hippo50. “O remember Thy word unto Thy servant, wherein Thou hast given me hope” (ver. 49). Is forgetfulness incident to God, as it is to man? Why then is it said unto Him, “O remember”? Although in other passages of holy Scripture this very word is used, as, “Why hast Thou forgotten me?” and, “Wherefore forgettest Thou our misery?”…These expressions are borrowed from moral discourses on human affections; although God…
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On Psalms 118:50Saint Augustine of Hippo51. “The same is my comfort in my humiliation” (ver. 50). Namely, that hope which is given to the humble, as the Scripture saith: “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” Whence also our Lord Himself saith with His own lips, “For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” We well understand here that humiliation also, not whereby each man…
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On Psalms 118:51Saint Augustine of Hippo52. The next verse is, “The proud dealt exceeding wickedly: yet have I not shrinked from Thy law” (ver. 51). By the proud he wished to be understood the persecutors of the pious; and he therefore added, “yet have I not shrinked from Thy laws,” because the persecution of the proud attempted to force him to do this. He saith that they dealt “exceeding wickedly,” because they were not only wicked themselves, but…
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On Psalms 118:52Saint Augustine of Hippo53. “For I was mindful of Thy judgments from the beginning of the world, O Lord, and received comfort” (ver. 52); or, as other copies have it, “and I was exhorted,” that is, received exhortation. For either might be rendered for the Greek pareklhqhn. “From the beginning of the world,” that is, from the birth of the human race, “I was mindful of Thy judgments” upon the vessels of wrath, which are fitted unto…
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On Psalms 118:53–54Saint Augustine of Hippo54. “Weariness hath held me; for the ungodly that forsake Thy law” (ver. 53). “Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage” (ver. 54). This is the low estate, in the house of mortality, of the man who sojourneth away from Paradise and the Jerusalem above, whence one going down to Jericho fell among robbers; but, in consequence of the deed of mercy which was done him by that Samaritan, the…
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On Psalms 118:55Saint Augustine of Hippo55. “I have thought upon Thy Name, O Lord, in the night-season, and have kept Thy law” (ver. 55). Night is that low estate wherein is the trouble of mortality; night is in the proud who deal exceeding wickedly; night is the fear for the ungodly who forsake the law of the Lord; night is, lastly, the house of this pilgrimage, “until the Lord come, and bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make…
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On Psalms 118:56Saint Augustine of Hippo56. Considering this, he addeth, “This was made unto me, because I sought out Thy righteousnesses” (ver. 56). “Thy” righteousnesses, whereby Thou dost justify the ungodly; not mine, which never make me godly, but proud. For this man was not one of those who, “ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.” Others…
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On Psalms 118:57–59Saint Augustine of Hippo57. Let us hear what followeth: “I have promised to keep Thy law.” What meaneth, “My portion, O Lord: I have promised to keep Thy law” (ver. 57); save because the Lord will be each man’s portion then, when he hath kept His law? Consider therefore what he subjoineth: “I entreated Thy face, with my whole heart:” and saying in what manner he prayed: “O be merciful,” he saith, “unto me, according to Thy word” (ver.…
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On Psalms 118:60Saint Augustine of Hippo58. Lastly, when he had received this blessing of grace, he saith, “I was ready, and was not disturbed, that I may keep Thy commandments” (ver. 60). Which some have rendered, “to keeping Thy commandments,” some “that I should keep,” others “to keep,” the Greek being τοῦ φυλ€ξασθαι.
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On Psalms 118:61Saint Augustine of Hippo59. But in what manner he was ready to keep the divine commandments, he hath added, in these words: “The bands of the ungodly have surrounded me: but I have not forgotten Thy law” (ver. 61). “The bands of the ungodly” are the hindrances of our enemies, whether spiritual, as the devil and his angels, or carnal, the children of disobedience, in whom the devil worketh. For this word peccatorum is not from peccata,…
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On Psalms 118:62Saint Augustine of Hippo60. “At midnight,” he saith, “I rise to give thanks unto Thee: because of Thy righteous judgments” (ver. 62). This very fact, that the bands of the ungodly surround the righteous, is one of the righteous judgments of God. On which account the Apostle Peter saith, “The time is come when judgment must begin at the house of the Lord.” For he saith this of the persecutions which the Church suffered, when the bands of…
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On Psalms 118:63–64Saint Augustine of Hippo61. For I imagine that what followeth, “I am a companion of all them that fear Thee, and keep Thy commandments” (ver. 63), doth relate to the Head Himself, as it is in the Epistle which is inscribed to the Hebrews: “Both He that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren.”…Therefore Jesus Himself speaketh in this prophecy: some things in His…
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On Psalms 118:65Saint Augustine of Hippo62. “Thou hast dealt in sweetness with Thy servant: according unto Thy word;” or rather, “according unto Thine utterance” (ver. 65). The Greek word χρηστότης hath been variously rendered by our translators by the words “sweetness” and “goodness.” But since sweetness may exist also in evil, since all unlawful and unclean things afford pleasure, and it may also exist in that carnal pleasure which is permitted; we…
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On Psalms 118:66Saint Augustine of Hippo63. “O learn me sweetness, and understanding, and knowledge,” he saith, “for I have believed Thy commandments” (ver. 66). He prayeth these things may be increased and perfected. For they who said, “Lord, increase our faith,” had faith. And as long as we live in this world, these are the words of those who are making progress. But he addeth, “understanding,” or, as most copies read, “discipline.” Now the word…
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On Psalms 118:67Saint Augustine of Hippo66. “Before I was humbled, I went wrong; wherefore I have kept Thy word” (ver. 67); or, as some have it more closely, “Thy utterance,” that is, lest I should be humbled again. This is better referred to that humiliation which took place in Adam, in whom the whole human creature, as it were, being corrupted at the root, as it refused to be subject to truth, “was made subject to vanity.” Which it was profitable to…
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On Psalms 118:68Saint Augustine of Hippo67. “Sweet art Thou, O Lord;” or, as many have it, “Sweet art Thou, even Thou, O Lord” (ver. 68). Some also, “Sweet art Thou,” or, “Good art Thou:” as we have before treated of this word: “and in Thy sweetness teach me Thy statutes.” He truly desireth to do the righteousnesses of God, since he desireth to learn them in His sweetness from Him unto whom he hath said, “Sweet art Thou, O Lord.”
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On Psalms 118:69Saint Augustine of Hippo68. Next he saith, “The iniquity of the proud hath been multiplied upon me” (ver. 69): of those, that is, whom it profited not that human nature was humbled after it went wrong. “But I will search Thy commandments with my whole heart.” Howsoever, he saith, iniquity shall abound, love shall not grow cold in me. He, as it were, saith this, who in His sweetness learneth the righteousnesses of God. For in proportion…
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On Psalms 118:70Saint Augustine of Hippo69. “Their heart is curdled as milk” (ver. 70). Whose, save the proud, whose iniquity he hath said hath been multiplied upon him? But he wisheth it to be understood by this word, and in this passage, that their heart hath become hard. It is used also in a good sense, and is understood to mean, full of grace: for this word, some have also interpreted “curdled.”…
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On Psalms 118:71Saint Augustine of Hippo70. “It is good for me that Thou hast humbled me: that I might learn Thy righteousnesses” (ver. 71). He hath said something kindred to this above. For by the fruit itself he showeth that it was a good thing for him to be humbled; but in the former passage he hath stated the cause also, in that he had felt beforehand that humiliation which resulted from his punishment, when he went wrong. But in these words,…
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On Psalms 118:72Saint Augustine of Hippo71. But that this is not gained, save through love, wherein he who doeth them hath delight, on which account it is said, “In Thy sweetness teach me Thy righteousnesses:” the following verse showeth, wherein he saith, “The law of Thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver” (ver. 72): so that love loveth the law of God more than avarice loveth thousands of gold and silver.
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On Psalms 118:73Saint Augustine of Hippo72. …“Thy hands have made me, and fashioned me” (ver. 73). The hands of God are the power of God. Or if the plural number moveth them, since it is not said, Thy hand, but, “Thy hands;” let them understand by the hands of God the power and wisdom of God, both of which titles are given to one Christ, who is also understood under the figure, Arm of the Lord. Or let them understand by the hands of God, the Son and…
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On Psalms 118:74Saint Augustine of Hippo75. “They that fear Thee,” he saith, “will see me, and be glad” (ver. 74): or, as other copies have it, “will be joyful: because I have hoped in Thy word:” that is, in the things which Thou hast promised, that they may be the sons of promise, the seed of Abraham, in whom all nations are blessed. Who are they who fear God, and whom will they see and be glad, because he hath put his trust in the word of God?…
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On Psalms 118:75–76Saint Augustine of Hippo76. “I know,” she saith, “O Lord, that Thy judgments are righteous, and that in Thy truth Thou hast humbled me” (ver. 75). “O let Thy merciful kindness be my comfort, according to Thy word unto Thy servant” (ver. 76). Mercy and truth are so spoken of in the Divine Word, that, while they are found in many passages, especially in the Psalms, it is also so read in one place, “All the paths of the Lord are mercy and…
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On Psalms 118:77Saint Augustine of Hippo77. But since those things are destined to happen after and through these, he next saith, “O let Thy loving mercies come upon me, and I shall live” (ver. 77). For then indeed I shall truly live, when I shall not be able to fear lest I die. This is styled life absolutely and without any addition; nor is any life save that which is everlasting and blessed understood, as though it alone were to be called life,…
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On Psalms 118:78Saint Augustine of Hippo78. He then goeth on as follows: “Let the proud be confounded, for they have unrighteously practised iniquity against me: but I will be occupied in Thy commandments” (ver. 78). Behold, what he saith, the meditation of the law of God, or rather, his meditation the law of God.
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On Psalms 118:79Saint Augustine of Hippo79. “Let such as fear Thee,” he saith, “and have known Thy testimonies, be turned unto me” (ver. 79). But who is he who saith this? For no mortal will venture to say this, or if he say it, should be listened to. Indeed, it is He who above also hath interposed His own words, saying, “I am a partaker with all them that fear Thee.” Because He was made sharer in our mortal state, that we might also become partakers…
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On Psalms 118:80Saint Augustine of Hippo80. “O let my heart,” he saith, “be unspotted in Thy righteousnesses, that I be not ashamed” (ver. 80). He returneth to the words of His body, that is, His holy people, and now prayeth that his heart may be made unspotted, that is, the heart of His members; “in the righteousnesses of God,” not in their own strength: for He hath prayed for this, not presumed upon it. In the words he hath added, “that I be not…
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On Psalms 118:81Saint Augustine of Hippo81. “My soul hath failed for Thy salvation: and I have hoped because of Thy word” (ver. 81). It is not every failing that should be supposed to be blameable or deserving punishment: there is also a failing that is laudable or desirable.…For it is said of a good failing: “My soul hath a desire and failing to enter into the courts of the Lord.” So also here he saith not, faileth away from Thy salvation, but…
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On Psalms 118:82Saint Augustine of Hippo82. “Mine eyes,” he saith, “have failed for Thy word, saying, O when wilt Thou comfort me?” (ver. 82). Behold that praiseworthy and blessed failing, in the eyes again, but his inner eyes, not arising from infirmity of mind, but from the strength of his longing for the promise of God: for this he saith, “for Thy word.” But in what sense can such eyes say, “When wilt Thou comfort me?” save when we pray and groan…
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On Psalms 118:83Saint Augustine of Hippo83. But when spiritual desires burn, carnal desires without doubt cool: on this account followeth, “Since I am become like a bottle in the frost, I do not forget Thy righteousnesses” (ver. 83). Truly he desireth this mortal flesh to be understood by the bottle, the heavenly blessing by the frost, whereby the lusts of the flesh as it were by the binding of the frost become sluggish; and hence it ariseth that the…
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On Psalms 118:84Saint Augustine of Hippo84. “How many are the days of Thy servant? when wilt Thou be avenged of them that persecute me?” (ver. 84). In the Apocalypse, these are the words of the Martyrs, and long-suffering is enjoined them until the number of their brethren be fulfilled. The body of Christ then is asking concerning its days, what they are to be in this world, and that no man might suppose that the Church would cease to exist here before…
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On Psalms 118:85Saint Augustine of Hippo85. In what followeth: “The wicked have told me pleasant tales: but not like Thy law, O Lord” (ver. 85): the Latin translators have endeavoured to render the Greek ‡δολεσχίας, which cannot be expressed in one Latin word, so that some have rendered it “delights,” and others “fablings,” so that we must understand to be meant some kind of compositions, but in discourse of a nature to give pleasure. Both secular…
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On Psalms 118:86Saint Augustine of Hippo86. Lastly, he addeth, “All Thy commandments are truth: they have persecuted me unjustly; O be Thou my help” (ver. 86). And the whole sense dependeth upon the foregoing: “How many are the days of Thy servant: when wilt Thou be avenged of them that persecute me?” For that they may persecute me, they have related to me these pleasant tales; but I have preferred Thy law to them, which on that account hath pleased me…
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On Psalms 118:87Saint Augustine of Hippo87. When the Church acted thus, She suffered what he hath added, “They had almost made an end of me upon earth” (ver. 87): a great slaughter of martyrs having been made, while they confess and preach the truth. But since it is not in vain said, “O help Thou me;” he addeth, “But I forsook not Thy commandments.”
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On Psalms 118:87Saint Augustine of Hippo89. The man who speaketh in this Psalm, as if he were tired of human mutability, whence this life is full of temptations, among his tribulations, on account of which he had above said, “The wicked have persecuted me;” and, “They have almost made an end of me upon earth” (ver. 89); burning with longings for the heavenly Jerusalem; looked up to the realms above, and said, “O Lord, Thy word endureth for ever in…
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On Psalms 118:88Saint Augustine of Hippo88. And that She might persevere unto the end, “O quicken me,” he saith, “after Thy loving mercy: and so shall I keep the testimonies of Thy mouth” (ver. 88); where the Greek hath Μαρτύρια. This was not to be passed over in silence, on account of that sweetest name of Martyrs, who beyond doubt when so great cruelty of the persecutors was raging, that the Church was almost made an end of upon earth, would never…
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On Psalms 118:90Saint Augustine of Hippo90. But the next verse, after heaven, pertaineth consequently to earth. For this is one verse of the eight which relate to this letter. For eight verses are appended to each of these Hebrew letters, until this long Psalm be ended. “Thy truth also remaineth from one generation to the other: Thou hast laid the foundation of the earth, and it abideth” (ver. 90). Beholding therefore the earth next after heaven with…
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On Psalms 118:91Saint Augustine of Hippo91. “Day continueth according to Thy ordinance” (ver. 91). For all these things are day: “and this is the day which the Lord hath made: let us rejoice and be glad in it:” and “let us walk honestly as in the day.” “For all things serve Thee.” He said all things of some: “all” which belong to this day “serve Thee.” For the ungodly of whom it is said, “I have compared thy mother unto the night,” do not serve Thee.
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On Psalms 118:92Saint Augustine of Hippo92. He then looketh back towards the source of this earth’s deliverance, which caused it to abide when founded; and addeth, “If my delight had not been in Thy law, I should perchance have perished in my humiliation” (ver. 92). This is the law of faith, not a vain faith, but that which worketh through love. Through this grace is gained, which maketh men courageous in temporal tribulation, that they may not perish…
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On Psalms 118:93Saint Augustine of Hippo93. “I will never forget,” he saith, “Thy righteousnesses, for with them Thou hast quickened me” (ver. 93). Behold how it was that he did not perish in his humiliation. For, save God quickeneth, what is man, Who can indeed kill, but cannot quicken himself?
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On Psalms 118:94Saint Augustine of Hippo94. He next addeth: “I am Thine: O save me, for I have sought Thy righteousnesses” (ver. 94). We must not understand lightly the words, “I am Thine.” For what is not His? Why then is it that the Psalmist hath commended himself unto God somewhat in a more familiar sense, in these words, “I am Thine: O save me;” save because he wished it to be understood that he had desired to be his own only to his harm, which is…
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On Psalms 118:95Saint Augustine of Hippo95. “The ungodly,” he saith, “have awaited me that they might destroy me; but I have understood Thy testimonies” (ver. 95). What meaneth, “that they might destroy me”? Did he then fear that he should perish altogether at the death of his body? God forbid! and what meaneth, “have awaited me,” save that he should consent with them unto iniquity? For then they would destroy him. And he hath said why he hath not…
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On Psalms 118:96Saint Augustine of Hippo96. Lastly, he next saith, “I have seen an end of all consummation: but Thy commandment is exceeding broad” (ver. 96). For he had entered into the sanctuary of God, and had understood the end. Now “all consummation” appeareth to me in this place to signify, the striving even unto death for the truth, and the endurance of every evil for the true and chief good: the end of which consummation is to excel in the…
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On Psalms 118:97Saint Augustine of Hippo97. We have frequently admonished you, that love was to be understood by that praiseworthy breadth, by means of which, while we do the commandments of God, we feel no straitness. On this account also after saying above in this great Psalm, “Thy commandment is exceeding broad:” in the following verse he showeth wherefore it is broad: “what love have I unto Thy law, O Lord!” (ver. 97). Love is therefore the breadth…
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On Psalms 118:98Saint Augustine of Hippo98. And he then addeth: “Thou hast made me to understand Thy commandment above mine enemies; for it is ever with me” (ver. 98). For “they have indeed a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge,” etc. But the Psalmist, who understandeth the commandment of God above these his enemies, wishes to be found with the Apostle, “not having” his “own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is of the faith of…
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On Psalms 118:98Saint Augustine of Hippo100. But these teachers may be understood very reasonably to be those aged men, of whom he presently saith, “I am wiser than mine elders” (ver. 100). And this seemeth to me to be repeated here thus, that that age of His which is well known to us in the Gospel might be called to our remembrance; the age of boyhood, during which He was sitting among the aged, understanding more than all His teachers. For the…
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On Psalms 118:99Saint Augustine of Hippo99. But what meaneth the following verse, “I have more understanding than my teachers”? (ver. 99). Who is he who had more understanding than all his teachers? Who, I ask, is he, who dareth to prefer himself in understanding above all the Prophets, who not only by speaking taught with so excellent authority those who lived with them, but also their posterity by writing?…What is here said, could not have been…
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On Psalms 118:101Saint Augustine of Hippo101. But what cometh next, doth not seem to apply to the Head, but to the Body: “I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I may keep Thy words” (ver. 101). For that Head of ours, the Saviour of the Body Himself, could not be borne by carnal lust into any evil way, so that it should be needful for Him to refrain His feet, as though they would go thither of their own accord; which we do, when we refrain…
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On Psalms 118:102Saint Augustine of Hippo102. “I have not shrunk,” he saith, “from Thy judgments: for Thou hast laid down a law for me” (ver. 102). He hath stated what made him fear, so that he refrained his feet from every evil way.…Thou, more inward than my inmost self, Thou hast laid down a law within my heart by Thy Spirit, as it were by Thy fingers, that I might not fear it as a slave without love, but might love it with a chaste fear as a son, and…
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On Psalms 118:103Saint Augustine of Hippo103. Consider then what followeth: “O how sweet are Thy words unto my throat!” (ver. 103). Or, as it is more literally rendered from the Greek, “Thy utterances, above honey and the honeycomb unto my mouth.” This is that sweetness which the Lord giveth, “So that the earth yield her increase:” that we do good truly in a good spirit, that is, not from the dread of carnal evil, but from the gladness of spiritual…
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On Psalms 118:104Saint Augustine of Hippo104. But what mean the words, “Through Thy commandments I get understanding”? (ver. 104). For the expressions, I have understood Thy commandments: and, “I get understanding through Thy commandments;” are different. Something else then he signifieth that he hath understood from the commandments of God: that is, as far as I can see, he saith, that by obeying God’s commandments he hath arrived at the comprehension…
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On Psalms 118:105Saint Augustine of Hippo105. “Thy word is a lantern unto my feet, and a light unto my paths” (ver. 105). The word “lantern” appears in the word “light;” “my feet” are also repeated in “my paths.” What then meaneth “Thy Word”? Is it He who was in the beginning God with God, that is, the Word by whom all things were made? It is not thus. For that Word is a light, but is not a lantern. For a lantern is a creature, not a creator; and it is…
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On Psalms 118:106Saint Augustine of Hippo106. “I have sworn, and am stedfastly purposed to keep Thy righteous judgments” (ver. 106): as one who walked aright in the light of that lantern, and kept to straight paths. For he calleth what he hath determined by a sacrament, an oath; because the mind ought to be so fixed in keeping the righteous judgments of God, that its determination should be in the place of an oath. Now the righteous judgments of God are…
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On Psalms 118:108Saint Augustine of Hippo107. “Make the freewill offerings of my mouth well pleasing, O Lord” (ver. 108): that is, let them please Thee; do not reject, but approve them. By the freewill offerings of the mouth are well understood the sacrifices of praise, offered up in the confession of love, not from the fear of necessity; whence it is said, “a freewill offering will I offer Thee.” But what doth he add? “and teach me Thy judgments”? Had…
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On Psalms 118:109Saint Augustine of Hippo108. “My soul is alway in Thy hand” (ver. 109). Some copies read, “in my hand:” but most, “in Thy hand;” and this latter is indeed easy. For “the souls of the righteous are in God’s hand: in whose hand are both we and our words.” “And I do not forget Thy law:” as if his memory were aided to remember God’s law by the hands of Him in whose hands is his soul. But how the words, “My soul is in my hands,” can be…
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On Psalms 118:110Saint Augustine of Hippo109. “The ungodly,” he saith, “have laid a snare for me: but yet I swerved not from Thy commandments” (ver. 110). Whence this, unless because his soul is in the hands of God, or in his own hands is offered to God to be quickened?
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On Psalms 118:111Saint Augustine of Hippo110. “Thy testimonies have I gained in heritage for ever” (ver. 111). Some wishing to express in one word what is put in one word in the Greek, have translated it hereditavi. Which although it might be Latin, yet would rather signify one who gave an inheritance than one who received it, hereditavi being like ditavi. Better, therefore, the whole sense is conveyed in two words, whether we say, “I have possessed in…
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On Psalms 118:112Saint Augustine of Hippo111. He then addeth: “I have applied my heart to fulfil Thy righteousness for ever, for my reward” (ver. 112). He who saith, “I have applied my heart,” had before said, “Incline my heart unto Thy testimonies:” so that we may understand that it is at once a divine gift, and an act of free will. But are we to fulfil the righteousnesses of God for ever? Those works which we perform in regard to the need of our…
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On Psalms 118:113Saint Augustine of Hippo112. “I have hated the unrighteous; and Thy law have I loved” (ver. 113). He saith not, I hate the wicked, and love the righteous; or, I hate iniquity, and love Thy law; but, after saying, “I have hated the unrighteous,” he explains why, by adding, “and Thy law have I loved;” to show, that he did not hate human nature in unrighteous men, but their unrighteousness whereby they are foes to the law, which he loveth.
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On Psalms 118:114Saint Augustine of Hippo113. He next addeth: “Thou art my helper and my taker up” (ver. 114): “my helper,” to do good works: “my taker up,” to escape evil ones. In the next words, “I have hoped more on Thy word,” he speaketh as a son of promise.
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On Psalms 118:115Saint Augustine of Hippo114. But what is the meaning of the following verse: “Away from me, ye wicked, and I will search the commandments of my God”? (ver. 115). For he saith not, I will perform; but, “I will search.” In order, therefore, that he may diligently and perfectly learn that law, he bids the wicked depart from him, and even forcibly driveth them away from his company. For the wicked exercise us in the fulfilment of the…
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On Psalms 118:116–117Saint Augustine of Hippo115. “O stablish me according to Thy word and I shall live: and let me not be disappointed of my hope” (ver. 116). He who had before said, “Thou art my taker up,” prayeth that he may be more and more borne up, and be led unto that, for the sake of which he endureth so many troubles; trusting that he may there live in a truer sense, than in these dreams of human affairs. For it is said of the future, “and I shall…
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On Psalms 118:118Saint Augustine of Hippo116. “Thou hast scorned all,” or, as it seems more closely translated from the Greek, “Thou hast brought to nought all them that depart from Thy righteousnesses: for their thought is unrighteous” (ver. 118). For this reason he exclaimed, “Help Thou me, and I shall be safe; yea, I will meditate in Thy righteousnesses always:” because God bringeth to nought all those who depart from His righteousnesses. But why do…
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On Psalms 118:119Saint Augustine of Hippo117. The next words in the Psalm are, “I have counted,” or “thought,” or “esteemed, all the ungodly of the earth as transgressors” (ver. 119). In the Latin version many different renderings are given of the Greek ἐλογισ€μην; but this passage hath a deep meaning. For the following words, “Therefore have I ever loved Thy testimonies:” make it far more profound. For the Apostle saith, “The law worketh wrath;” and,…
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On Psalms 118:120Saint Augustine of Hippo118. The grace of God, then, being known, which alone freeth from transgression, which is committed through knowledge of the law, he saith, in prayer, “Fix with nails my flesh in Thy fear” (ver. 120). For this some Latin interpreters have literally rendered the Greek καθήλωσον, which that language has expressed in one word. Some have preferred to render by the word confige, without adding clavis; and while they…
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On Psalms 118:121Saint Augustine of Hippo119. “I have dealt judgment and righteousness; O give me not over unto mine oppressors” (ver. 121). It is not wonderful that he should have dealt judgment and righteousness, since he had above prayed for a chaste fear from God, whereby to fix with nails his flesh, that is, his carnal lusts, which are wont to hinder our judgment from being right. But although in our customary speech judgment is either right or…
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On Psalms 118:122Saint Augustine of Hippo121. He next saith, “Take off Thy servant to that which is good, that the proud calumniate me not” (ver. 122). They drive me on, that I may fall into evil; do Thou take me off to that which is good. They who rendered these words by the Latin, calumnientur, have followed a Greek expression, not commonly used in Latin. Have the words, Let not the proud calumniate me, the same force, as, Let them “not succeed in…
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On Psalms 118:123Saint Augustine of Hippo122. …To prefigure His Cross, Moses by the merciful command of God raised aloft on a pole the image of a serpent in the desert, that the likeness of sinful flesh which must be crucified in Christ might be prefigured. By gazing upon this healing Cross, we cast out all the poison of the scandals of the proud: the Cross, which the Psalmist intently looking upon, saith, “My eyes have failed for Thy salvation, and for…
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On Psalms 118:124Saint Augustine of Hippo123. In connection with this he goes on to say, “O deal with Thy servant according to Thy loving mercy” (ver. 124); not according to my righteousness. “And teach me,” he saith, “Thy righteousnesses;” those beyond doubt, whereby God rendereth men righteous, not they themselves.
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On Psalms 118:125Saint Augustine of Hippo124. “I am Thy servant. O grant me understanding, that I may know Thy testimonies” (ver. 125). This petition must never be intermitted. For it sufficeth not to have received understanding, and to have learnt the testimonies of God, unless it be evermore received, and evermore in a manner quaffed from the fountain of eternal light. For the testimonies of God are the better and the better known, the more…
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On Psalms 118:126Saint Augustine of Hippo125. “It is time,” he saith, “for the Lord to lay to His hand” (ver. 126). For this is the reading of most copies: not as some have, “O Lord.” Now what is this, save the grace which was revealed in Christ at its own time? Of which season the Apostle saith, “But when the fullness of time was come, God sent His Son.”…But wherefore is it that, seemingly anxious to show the Lord that it was time to lay to His hand,…
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On Psalms 118:127Saint Augustine of Hippo126. “Therefore,” he saith, “I love Thy commandments above gold and topaz” (ver. 127). Grace hath this object, that the commandments, which could not be fulfilled by fear, may be fulfilled by love…Therefore, they are above gold and topaz stones. For this is read in another Psalm also, “Above gold and exceeding precious stones.” For topaz is a stone considered very precious. But they not understanding the hidden…
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On Psalms 118:128Saint Augustine of Hippo127. “Therefore,” he saith, “was I made straight unto all Thy commandments” (ver. 128). I was made straight, doubtless, because I loved them; and I clung by love to them, which were straight, that I might also myself become straight. Then what he addeth, naturally follows: “and every unrighteous way I utterly abhor.” For how could it be that he who loved the straight could do aught save abhor an unrighteous way?…
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On Psalms 118:129Saint Augustine of Hippo128. “Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore hath my soul searched them” (ver. 129). Who counteth, even by their kinds, the testimonies of God? Heaven and earth, His visible and invisible works, declare in some manner the testimony of His goodness and greatness; and the very ordinary and accustomed course of nature, whereby the seasons are rapidly revolved, in all things after their kinds, however temporal and…
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On Psalms 118:131Saint Augustine of Hippo129. “When thy word goeth forth,” he saith, “it giveth light, and maketh His little ones to understand” (ver. 130). What is the little one save the humble and weak? Be not proud therefore, presume not in thine own strength, which is nought; and thou wilt understand why a good law was given by a good God, though it cannot give life. For it was given for this end, that it might make thee a little one instead of…
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On Psalms 118:131Saint Augustine of Hippo130. This is confessed by this little one; “I opened my mouth,” he saith, “and drew in the spirit: for I longed for Thy commandments” (ver. 131). What did he long for, save to obey the divine commandments? But there was no possibility of the weak doing hard things, the little one great things: he opened his mouth, confessing that he could not do them of himself: and drew in power to do them: he opened his mouth,…
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On Psalms 118:132Saint Augustine of Hippo131. He still prayeth. He hath opened his mouth, and drawn in the Spirit; but he still knocketh in prayer unto the Father, and seeketh: he drinketh, but the more sweet he findeth it, the more eagerly doth he thirst. Hear the words of him in his thirst. “O look Thou upon me,” he saith, “and be merciful unto me: according to the judgment of those that love Thy Name” (ver. 132): that is, according to the judgment…
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On Psalms 118:133Saint Augustine of Hippo132. See what the Psalmist next most openly saith: “Order my steps after Thy word: and so shall no wickedness have dominion over me” (ver. 133). Where what else doth he say than this, Make me upright and free according to Thy promise. But so much the more as the love of God reigneth in every man, so much the less hath wickedness dominion over him. What else then doth he seek than that by the gift of God he may…
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On Psalms 118:134Saint Augustine of Hippo133. But what meaneth this that he saith, “O deliver me from the calumnies of men: so shall I keep Thy commandments”? (ver. 134)…Did not the holy people of God much the more gloriously keep the commandments among these very calumnies, when they were at their hottest in the midst of tribulations, when they yielded not to their persecutors to commit impieties? But, in truth, the meaning of these words is this: Do…
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On Psalms 118:135Saint Augustine of Hippo134. “Show the light of Thy countenance on Thy servant, and teach me thy statutes” (ver. 135): that is, manifest Thy presence, by succouring and aiding me. “And teach me Thy righteousnesses.” Teach me to work them: as it is more plainly expressed elsewhere, “Teach me to do Thy will.” For they who hear, although they retain in their memories what they hear, are by no means to be considered to have learnt, unless…
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On Psalms 118:136Saint Augustine of Hippo135. “My eyes have descended streams of waters, because they have not kept Thy law” (ver. 136): that is, my eyes. For in some copies there is this reading, “Because I have not kept Thy law, streams of waters” therefore “descended,” that is, floods of tears.…
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On Psalms 118:137–138Saint Augustine of Hippo136. Thus, then, as if giving a reason why he had cause to weep much, and to mourn deeply for his sin, he saith, “Righteous art Thou, O Lord, and true is Thy judgment” (ver. 137). “Thou hast commanded Thy testimonies, righteousness, and Thy truth exceedingly” (ver. 138). This righteousness of God and righteous judgment and truth, is to be feared by every sinner: for thereby all who are condemned are condemned of…
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On Psalms 118:139Saint Augustine of Hippo137. But what is it that followeth: “My zeal hath caused me to pine” (ver. 139); or, as other copies read, Thy zeal? Others have also, “The zeal of Thy house:” and, “hath eaten me up,” instead of, “hath caused me to pine.” This, as it seems to me, has been considered as an emendation to be introduced from another Psalm, where it is written, “The zeal of Thy house hath eaten me up:” a text quoted also, as we know,…
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On Psalms 118:139Saint Augustine of Hippo139. “I am young, and of no reputation; yet do I not forget Thy righteousnesses:” not as my enemies, who “have forgotten Thy words” (ver. 141). The younger seems to grieve for those older than himself who had forgotten the righteousnesses of God, while he himself had not forgotten. For what meaneth, “I am young, yet do I not forget”? save this, Those older than me have forgotten. For the Greek word is νεώτερος,…
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On Psalms 118:140Saint Augustine of Hippo138. Then considering with himself with what a flame of love he burned for the commandments of God: “Fiery,” saith he, “is Thy word exceedingly, and Thy servant hath loved it” (ver. 140). Justly jealous was he of the impenitent heart in His enemies, who had forgotten God’s word; for he endeavoured to bring them unto that which he himself most ardently loved.
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On Psalms 118:142Saint Augustine of Hippo140. It is no wonder that they have forgotten the words of God, who have chosen to set up their own righteousness, ignorant of the righteousness of God; but he, the younger, hath not forgotten, for he hath not wished to have a righteousness of his own, but that of God, of which he now also saith, “Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Thy law is the truth” (ver. 142). For how is not the law…
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On Psalms 118:143Saint Augustine of Hippo141. On account of this law the younger suffered persecution from the elder, so that the younger saith what followeth: “Trouble and hardship have taken hold upon me: yet is my meditation in Thy commandments” (ver. 143). Let them rage, let them persecute; as long as the commandments of God be not abandoned, and, after those commandments, let even those who rage be loved.
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On Psalms 118:144Saint Augustine of Hippo142. “Thy testimonies are righteousness unto everlasting: O grant me understanding, and I shall live” (ver. 144). This younger one prayeth for understanding; which if he had not, he would not be “wiser than the aged;” but he prayeth for it in trouble and hardships, that he may thereby understand how contemptible is all that his persecuting enemies can take from him, by whom he saith he hath been despised.…
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On Psalms 118:145Saint Augustine of Hippo143. …He who singeth this Psalm, mentioneth such a prayer of his own: “I have called with my whole heart; hear me, O Lord!” (ver. 145). For to what end his cry profiteth, he addeth: “I will search out Thy righteousnesses.” For this purpose then he hath called with his whole heart, and hath longed that this might be given him by the Lord listening unto him, that he may search out His righteousnesses…
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On Psalms 118:146Saint Augustine of Hippo144. “I have called, save me” (ver. 146) or as some copies, both Greek and Latin, have it, “I have called to Thee.” But what is, “I have called to Thee,” save that by calling I have invoked Thee? But when he had said, “save me;” what did he add? “And I will keep Thy testimonies:” that is, that I may not, through infirmity, deny Thee. For the health of the soul causeth that to be done which it is known to be our…
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On Psalms 118:147Saint Augustine of Hippo145. “I have prevented in midnight,” he saith, “and have cried: In Thy words have I trusted” (ver. 147). If we refer this to each of the faithful, and to the literal character of the act; it oft happeneth that the love of God is awake in that hour of the night, and, the love of prayer strongly urging us, the time of prayer, which is wont to be after the crowing of the cock, is not awaited, but prevented. But if…
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On Psalms 118:148Saint Augustine of Hippo146. The Church saith also what followeth, “Mine eyes have prevented the morning watch, that I might meditate on Thy words” (ver. 148). Let us suppose the morning to mean the season when “a light arose for them that sat in the shadow of death;” did not the eyes of the Church prevent this morning watch, in those Saints who before were on earth, because they foresaw beforehand that this would come to pass, so that…
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On Psalms 118:149Saint Augustine of Hippo147. “Hear my voice, O Lord, according to Thy loving-mercy; and quicken Thou me according to Thy judgment” (ver. 149). For first God according to His loving-mercy taketh away punishment from sinners, and will give them life afterwards, when righteous, according to His judgment; for it is not without a meaning that it is said unto Him, “My song shall be of mercy and judgment: unto Thee, O Lord;” in this order of…
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On Psalms 118:150Saint Augustine of Hippo148. “They draw nigh, that of malice persecute me:” or, as some copies read, “maliciously” (ver. 150). Then they that persecute draw nigh, when they go the length of torturing and destroying the flesh: whence the twenty-first Psalm, wherein the Lord’s Passion is prophesied, saith, “O go not from me, for trouble is hard at hand;” where those things are spoken of which He suffered when His Passion was not imminent…
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On Psalms 118:151Saint Augustine of Hippo149. Lastly, it followeth, “Thou art nigh at hand, O Lord, and all Thy ways are truth” (ver. 151). Even in their troubles, it hath been a wonted confession of the saints, to ascribe truth unto God, because they suffer them not undeservedly. So did Queen Esther, so did holy Daniel, so did the three men in the furnace, so do other associates in their sanctity confess. But it may be asked, in what sense it is here…
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On Psalms 118:152Saint Augustine of Hippo150. “From the beginning I have known,” he saith, “as concerning Thy testimonies, that Thou hast grounded them for ever” (ver. 152)…What are these testimonies, save those wherein God hath declared that He will give an everlasting kingdom unto His sons? And since He hath declared that He will give this in His only-begotten Son, he said that the testimonies themselves were grounded for ever. For that which God hath…
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On Psalms 118:153Saint Augustine of Hippo151. Let no man, set in Christ’s body, imagine these words to be alien from himself, since in truth it is the whole body of Christ placed in this humble state that speaketh: “O consider my humiliation, and deliver me: for I forget not Thy law” (ver. 153). In this place we cannot understand any law of God so suitably, as that whereby it is immutably determined that “every one that exalteth himself, shall be…
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On Psalms 118:154Saint Augustine of Hippo152. “Avenge Thou,” he saith, “my cause, and deliver me” (ver. 154). The former sentence is here almost repeated. And what is there said, “For I do not forget Thy law,” agreeth with what we read here, “Quicken me, according to Thy word.” For these words are the law of God, which he hath not forgot, so that he hath abased himself, and will therefore be exalted. But the words, “Quicken me,” pertain to this very…
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On Psalms 118:155Saint Augustine of Hippo153. “Health,” he saith, “is far from the ungodly: for they regard not Thy righteousnesses” (ver. 155). This separateth thee, that what they have not done, thou hast done, that is, thou hast regarded the righteousnesses of God. But “what hast thou that thou hast not received?” Art thou not he who a little before didst say, “I will keep Thy righteousnesses”? Thou therefore hast received from Him, unto whom thou…
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On Psalms 118:156Saint Augustine of Hippo154. This he saw himself also. For I should not see it, save I saw it in Him, save I were in Him. For these are the words of the Body of Christ, whose members we are. He saw this, I say, and at once added, “Great are Thy mercies, O Lord” (ver. 156). Even our seeking out Thy righteousnesses, then, cometh of Thy mercies. “Quicken me according to Thy judgment.” For I know that Thy judgments will not be upon me…
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On Psalms 118:157Saint Augustine of Hippo155. “Many there are that trouble me, and persecute me; yet do I not swerve from Thy testimonies” (ver. 157). This hath been realized: we know it, we recollect it, we acknowledge it. The whole earth has been crimsoned by the blood of Martyrs; heaven is flowery with the crowns of Martyrs, the Churches are adorned with the memorials of Martyrs, seasons distinguished by the birthdays of Martyrs, cures more frequent…
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On Psalms 118:158Saint Augustine of Hippo156. “I have seen,” he saith, “the foolish, and I pined” (ver. 158): or, as other copies read, “I have seen them that keep not covenant:” this is the reading of most. But who are they who have not kept covenant, save they who have swerved from the testimonies of God, not bearing the tribulation of their many persecutors? Now this is the covenant, that he who shall have conquered shall be crowned. They who, not…
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On Psalms 118:159Saint Augustine of Hippo157. And he commendeth himself as differing from them, and saith, “Behold, how I have loved Thy commandments” (ver. 159). He saith not, I have not denied Thy words or testimonies, as the Martyrs were urged to do, and, when they refused, suffered intolerable torments: but he said this wherein is the fruit of all sufferings; for, “if I give up my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.”…
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On Psalms 118:160Saint Augustine of Hippo158. “The beginning,” he saith, “of Thy words is truth; all the judgments of Thy righteousness endure for evermore” (ver. 160). From truth, he saith, Thy words do proceed, and they are therefore truthful, and deceive no man, for in them life is announced to the righteous, punishment to the ungodly. These are the everlasting judgments of God’s righteousness.
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On Psalms 118:161Saint Augustine of Hippo159. We know what persecutions the body of Christ, that is, the holy Church, suffered from the kings of the earth. Let us therefore here also recognise the words of the Church: “Princes have persecuted me without a cause: and my heart hath stood in awe of Thee” (ver. 161). For how had the Christians injured the kingdoms of the earth, although their King promised them the kingdom of heaven? How, I ask, had they…
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On Psalms 118:162Saint Augustine of Hippo160. Then follows, “I am as glad of Thy word as one that findeth great spoils” (ver. 162). By the same words he conquered, of which he stood in awe. For spoils are stripped from the conquered; as he was overcome and despoiled of whom it is said in the Gospel, “except he first bind the strong man.” But many spoils were found, when, admiring the endurance of the Martyrs, even the persecutors believed; and they who…
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On Psalms 118:163Saint Augustine of Hippo161. “As for iniquity, I hate and abhor it; but Thy law have I loved” (ver. 163). That awe, therefore, of His word did not create hatred of those words, but maintained his love unimpaired. For the words of God are no other than the law of God. Far be it therefore that love perish through fear, where fear is chaste. Thus fathers are at once feared and loved by affectionate sons; thus doth the chaste wife at once…
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On Psalms 118:164Saint Augustine of Hippo162. Such was, assuredly, the conduct of the Psalmist, who saith, “Seven times a day do I praise Thee, because of Thy righteous judgments” (ver. 164). The words “seven times a day,” signify “evermore.” For this number is wont to be a symbol of universality; because after six days of the divine work of creation, a seventh of rest was added; and all times roll on through a revolving cycle of seven days. For no…
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On Psalms 118:165Saint Augustine of Hippo163. “Great is the peace,” he saith, “that they have who love Thy law: and there is no offence to them” (ver. 165). Doth this mean that the law itself is not an offence to them that love it, or that there is no offence from any source unto them that love the law? But both senses are rightly understood. For he who loveth the law of God, honoureth in it even what he doth not understand; and what seemeth to him to…
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On Psalms 118:166Saint Augustine of Hippo164. “I have waited,” he saith, “for Thy saving health, O Lord, and have loved Thy commandments” (ver. 166). For what would it have profited the righteous of old to have loved the commandments of God, save Christ, who is the saving health of God, had freed them; by the gift of whose Spirit also they were able to love the commandments of God? If therefore they who loved God’s commandments, waited for His saving…
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On Psalms 118:167–168Saint Augustine of Hippo165. “My soul hath kept Thy testimonies, and I have loved them exceedingly:” or, as some copies read, “hath loved them,” understanding, “my soul” (ver. 167). The testimonies of God are kept, while they are not denied. This is the office of Martyrs, for testimonies are called Martyria in Greek. But since it profiteth nothing, even to be burnt with flames without charity, he addeth, “and I have loved them…
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On Psalms 118:169Saint Augustine of Hippo166. Let us now hear the words of one praying: since we know who is praying, and we recognise ourselves, if we be not reprobate, among the members of this one praying. “Let my prayer come near in Thy sight, O Lord” (ver. 169): for, “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a contrite heart.” “Give me understanding, according to Thy word.” He claimeth a promise. For he saith, “according to Thy word,” which is to…
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On Psalms 118:170Saint Augustine of Hippo167. “Let my request come before Thy presence, O Lord: deliver me, according to Thy word” (ver. 170). He repeateth what he hath asked. For his former words, “Let my prayer come near in Thy presence, O Lord:” are like unto what he saith, “Let my request come before Thy presence, O Lord:” and the words, “Give me understanding according to Thy word,” agree with these, “Deliver me according to Thy word.” For by…
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On Psalms 118:171Saint Augustine of Hippo168. “My lips shall burst forth praise: when Thou hast taught me Thy righteousnesses” (ver. 171). We know how God teacheth those who are docile unto God. For every one who hath heard from the Father and hath learned, comes unto Him “who justifieth the ungodly:” so that he may keep the righteousnesses of God not only by retaining them in his memory, but also by doing them. Thus doth he who glorieth, glory not in…
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On Psalms 118:172Saint Augustine of Hippo169. But as he hath now learned, and praised God his Teacher, he next wisheth to teach. “Yea, my tongue shall declare Thy word: for all Thy commandments are righteousness” (ver. 172). When he saith that he will declare these things, he becometh a minister of the word. For though God teach within, nevertheless “faith cometh from hearing: and how do they hear without a preacher?” For, because “God giveth the…
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On Psalms 118:173–174Saint Augustine of Hippo170. “Let Thy hand be stretched forth (fiat, be made) to save me, for I have chosen Thy commandments” (ver. 173). That I might not fear, and that not only might my heart hold fast, but my tongue also utter Thy words: “I have chosen Thy commandments,” and have stifled fear with love. Let Thy hand therefore be stretched forth, to save me from another’s hand. Thus God saved the Martyrs, when He permitted them not to…
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On Psalms 118:175Saint Augustine of Hippo171. But in this faith, though the heathen rage furiously, and the people imagine a vain thing: though the flesh be slain while it preacheth Thee: “My soul shall live, and shall praise Thee: and Thy judgments shall help me” (ver. 175). These are those judgments, which it was time should begin at the house of the Lord. But “they will help me,” he saith. And who cannot see how much the blood of the Church hath…
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On Psalms 118:176Open Psalms 118 in the interactive reader Switch translations, hear the chapter read aloud, tap any verse for its patristic commentary, and study the Greek word by word.Saint Augustine of Hippo172. At last he openeth himself completely, and showeth what person was speaking throughout the whole Psalm. “I have gone astray,” he saith, “like a sheep that is lost: O seek Thy servant, for I do not forget Thy commandments” (ver. 176). Let the lost sheep be sought, let the lost sheep be quickened, for whose sake its Shepherd left the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and while seeking it, was torn by Jewish…
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