English · KJV

Pseudo-Athanasius

Date uncertain · 28 passages across 4 books

Commentary

21–28 of 28
Psalms 32:9

Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.

People have special need of [understanding], for when they have lost it, they become like horses and mules. Thus he says: I was turned to misery when thorns were thrust in me—that is, the sin that tormented him. On that account he says to God: I have shown you my sin, and my lawlessness I did not hide from you; and you removed my wickedness. The first duty of repentance is for a person to confess his sin, according to [the saying]: God will have mercy on him who confesses his sins and abandons them.

EXPOSITION ON PSALM 32

Psalms 32:10

Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.

Even if there are many scourges of the sinner, yet mercy will surround one who trusts in the Lord, and the just will rejoice because their boast is in the Lord.

EXPOSITION ON PSALM 32

Psalms 33:19

To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.

Those who fear him, those who hope for his mercy, he saves from spiritual death and nourishes in a spiritual way, that they may also say, “Let your mercy be on us, Lord, as we have hoped in you.”

EXPOSITION ON PSALM 33

Psalms 35:2

Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help.

He indicates through the arms and shield and sword the chastising powers sent by God to help those who fear him.

EXPOSITION ON PSALM 35

Psalms 35:11

False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not.

The person of Christ is introduced here, denounced and falsely accused at the tribunal of the chief priests when there rose up evil witnesses against him, and they repaid evil things for good and bereavement for his soul. They were called sons of God but acted wickedly against him.

EXPOSITION ON PSALM 35

Psalms 36:7

How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.

But people will hope in the shadow of your wings; that is, they have you as helper and protector, and they will be illuminated and spiritually refreshed by Christ—the true light and spring of life [who is] with you.

EXPOSITION ON PSALM 36

Psalms 40:7

Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,

Here the psalmist introduces the person of Christ, who says, By the will of the Father he came and completed the things that are written concerning him in the law and the prophets. And he declared his righteousness in a great church, which is in all peoples and is more excellent than that of the law.

EXPOSITION ON PSALM 40

Psalms 40:10

I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.

[At this point in the psalm] he introduces the persons of those who believed from Israel; for he confesses to God that he did not remove his mercy from it but then and now saved and supported them.

EXPOSITION ON PSALM 40

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