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Evagrius Ponticus

Nicene & Post-Nicene · AD 325–500 · 114 passages across 8 books

Commentary

41–60 of 114
Psalms 10:15

Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none.

The sinner is the one who sins out of lust and weakness; the wicked one is he who follows after evil with a deliberated plan.

NOTES ON THE PSALMS 9[10].36

Psalms 11:4

The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.

If the eyes of God look on the poor, let us be numbered among the poor, so that the eyes of the Lord may look down on us. If the rich do not become poor, very little will the eyes of the Lord look on them.

NOTES ON THE PSALMS 10[11].4

Psalms 11:5

The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.

If the one who values iniquity hates his own life, then the one who hates iniquity esteems his own life.

NOTES ON THE PSALMS 10[11].5

Psalms 12:2

They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.

First the righteous fail, then the truth is diminished. Not only is there no truth among the righteous, there is no holiness among honest people. Now, since the righteous have failed, truth is diminished. Perhaps the poverty of righteous people is the reason why so many heresies have shot up.

NOTES ON THE PSALMS 11[12].2

Psalms 16:5

The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.

The inheritance is the contemplation of the present and future ages; the inheritance of Christ is the understanding of God.

NOTES ON THE PSALMS

Psalms 16:6

The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.

If the line is measured, how is it written the Gospel of John: “For God gives the Spirit without measure” and “I will pour out my spirit on you.” Perhaps by chance it is called “measure” not in terms of knowledge itself but on account of him who receives it, because its receptivity cannot be greater. The rain itself also may exceed the measure, yet it is measured in that vessel in which it is received.

NOTES ON THE PSALMS 15[16].6

Psalms 17:5

Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.

Even if now [the way] is full of pain and without joy, later it will bear the fruit of righteousness for those who have been trained in it.

NOTES ON THE PSALMS 16[17].3, 4

Psalms 17:12

Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.

Through impure thoughts our adversary like a lion overcomes our mind.

NOTES ON THE PSALMS 16[17].12

Psalms 18:14

Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them.

When we compare spiritual things with spiritual things, we flash forth lightnings, indicating the knowledge advancing from them.

NOTES ON THE PSALMS 17[18].15, 16

Psalms 18:35

Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.

He who sits on the right of the Father corrects us with discipline, and accordingly he teaches us. For he directs the spirit with a right foundation; true understanding leads one into fullness.

NOTES ON THE PSALMS 17[18].36

Psalms 18:37

I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed.

If you pray against your passions or the demons that assail you recall to mind [this verse].… You are to say this at the appropriate moment, thus arming yourself against your adversary with humility.
Psalms 18:39

For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.

If fighters find themselves being assailed and assailing in return, and if the demons fight against us, then they too when they assail us will be assailed by us in return. Scripture says, “I will assail them, and they will not be able to stand”; and again, “Those who assail me and are my enemies, they have weakened and fallen.”

PRAKTIKOS 72

Psalms 20:5

We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions.

People rejoice in riches, or in glory or in nobility of birth, but the righteous in the salvation of God.

NOTES ON THE PSALMS

Psalms 21:3

For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness: thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head.

Christ is the crown of the rational nature.

NOTES ON THE PSALMS

Psalms 23:4

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

One who cultivates pure prayer will hear noises, crashings, voices and tormenting screams that come from the demons; yet he will not suffer collapse or surrender his thoughts if he says to God, “I shall fear no evil, for you are with me.”
Psalms 24:4

He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.

Truly Judas ascended onto the mountain of the Lord, but he did not stand in his holy place. He was not innocent in hands or pure in heart, but a thief who was taking the money.

NOTES ON THE PSALMS 23[24].4

Psalms 25:6

Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.

When people remember, they stir up within themselves the thoughts of things they had known before. But God, when he is mindful of the rational nature, is in that very nature. It is said that he is mindful of him into whom he comes.

NOTES ON THE PSALMS

Psalms 25:8

Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.

If someone has mastered irascibility, he has mastered the demons, but if someone is a slave to this passion, he is a complete … stranger to the ways of our Savior, since the Lord is said to teach the gentle his ways.

ON THOUGHTS 13

Psalms 25:15

Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.

One who says and does everything so that he may know God always has the eyes of his soul toward the Lord. If one does not receive the spirit of the adoption of the children, he is not made a brother of Christ, nor is the power of the holy made effectual in him; let him say that he is an only child and poor in riches having been deprived of knowledge.

NOTES ON THE PSALMS 24[25].16

Psalms 25:20

O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.

Hope does not shame. She is the daughter of uprightness, and uprightness is the offspring of patience, and patience is birthed really in trials that the virtues receive from the enemy and by which the understanding of God is cut off.

NOTES ON THE PSALMS 24[25].20

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