English · KJV

Evagrius Ponticus

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

Commentary

81–100 of 114
Psalms 33:10

The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.

The plans of the nations and the councils of the leaders and the understanding of the peoples are tested by the Lord as contrary to his will—who desires all people to come to salvation and truth.

NOTES ON THE PSALMS 32[33].10

Psalms 33:15

He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.

The demons do not know our hearts, as some people think, for the Lord alone is “knower of hearts,” “who knows the mind of human beings” and “who alone fashioned their hearts.” Rather, [demons] recognize the many mental representations that are in the heart on the basis of a word that is expressed and movements of the body.

ON THOUGHTS 37

Psalms 33:21

For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.

The heart of the righteous does not delight in food and drink but in justice, knowledge and wisdom.

NOTES ON THE PSALMS 32[33].20

Psalms 34:8

O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

If we taste the Lord, we taste through faith. If he is good, it is through the knowledge of his goodness that we taste.

NOTES ON THE PSALMS 33[34].9

Psalms 35:1

A Psalm of David. Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.

He who conquers in war reduces the enemies to slavery: Christ has overcome the world. Hence, … all become his servants.

NOTES ON THE PSALMS 34[35].2

Psalms 35:8

Let destruction come upon him at unawares; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall.

I think this speaks about the cross on which the devil falls unknowingly. For if he had known never would he have affixed the Lord of glory to the cross.

NOTES ON THE PSALMS 34[35].8

Psalms 35:12

They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul.

Fruitless is the soul that births nothing good and does good for no one.

NOTES ON THE PSALMS 34[35].12

Psalms 35:26

Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me.

Those who are baptized into Christ put on Christ; this is justice and wisdom. Those who are baptized into Satan are clothed in confusion and shame.

NOTES ON THE PSALMS 34[35].26

Psalms 36:9

For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.

Since the fount is life and life is Christ, the fount is Christ.… By meditating on what is made we will see Christ, and in understanding Christ, we will see God.

NOTES ON THE PSALMS 35[36].10

Psalms 36:11

Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me.

Pride is an unsound vehicle, and one who gets into it is quickly thrown. The humble person always stands firm, and the foot of pride will never trip him.

ON THE EIGHT THOUGHTS 8:13

Psalms 37:9

For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.

Nothing else is destroyed but that which is cut off from God.

NOTES ON THE PSALMS 36[37].9

Psalms 37:15

Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.

When one of the enemies approaches to wound you and you want to “turn his own sword back against his heart,” according to the Scripture text, then do as we tell you. Distinguish within yourself the thought he has launched against you, as to what it is, how many elements it consists of and among these what sort of thing it is that most afflicts the mind.… As you engage in this careful examination, the thought will be destroyed and dissipate in its own consideration, and the demon will flee from you when your intellect has been raised to the heights by this knowledge.

ON THOUGHTS 19

Psalms 39:2

I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.

In temptation, good words flee from us and the spirit is silent. The soul speaks about those temptations that it recognizes and is silent about those it does not. In this place “good” indicates the virtues and knowledge that flee in the time of temptation.

NOTES ON THE PSALMS 38[39].3

Psalms 39:4

LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.

The end of the rational nature is the understanding of the holy Trinity.

NOTES ON THE PSALMS 38[39].5

Psalms 40:2

He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

The pit of misery is evil and ignorance.… The rock is faith in Christ. “And he directs my steps” by actions and true teachings.

NOTES ON THE PSALMS 39[40].3

Psalms 40:3

And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

After we are made free from all unbridled emotion, we sing a new song, having been renewed in our home.

NOTES ON THE PSALMS 39[40].4

Psalms 42:3 · 2 passages

My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?

Nothing nourishes like that which nourishes the spirit. Blessed are those who weep, for they will laugh.

NOTES ON THE PSALMS

Seeing that God is Creator, he is in everything made; seeing that he is excellence and wisdom, he is in all holy powers.… God is even in people sometimes in excellence, sometimes in accomplishment: it is of angels to behave always according to God; of demons, never; of people to behave sometimes rightly, sometimes not.

NOTES ON THE PSALMS 41[42].4

Psalms 42:6

O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.

When we come up against the demon of acedia, then with tears let us divide the soul and have one part offer consolation and the other receive consolation. And sowing within ourselves goodly hopes, let us chant with holy David this [verse].

PRAKTIKOS 27

Psalms 42:10

As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?

It is of the greatest ignorance to think that God is in a place. God does not stand in a place. He is free.

NOTES ON THE PSALMS 41[42].11

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