PSALM 26__

 26.12. Do not hand me over to the souls of those who afflict me

 26.12̔1̓ μὴ παραδῷς με εἰς ψυχὰς θλιβόντων με

  8.  In the circumstance of false accusation these [words] are to be said.

 8.  ἐν καιρῷ συκοφαντίας ταῦτα λεκτέον῟ Pitra 26.12̓.

PSALM 32__

v. 1. Rejoice, you just,  in the Lord

  1. If the Lord is our wisdom, then it follows that “the just rejoicing in the Lord” are the just rejoicing in wisdom.

1. Ἀγαλλιᾶσθε, δίκαιοι, ἐν τῷ Κυρίῳ

 α.´. Εἰ  Κύριος ἡμῶν σοφία ἐστὶν, οἱ δὲ δίκαιοι ἐν Κυρίῳ ἀγαλλιῶσιν, οἱ δίκαιοι ἄρα ἐν σοφίᾳ ἀγαλλιῶσιν.

v. 2(1)  Praise the Lord on the harp

 2. The cithara is the praktike  soul moved by the commandments of Christ

2̔1̓. Ἐξομολογεῖσθε τῷ Κυρίῳ ἐν κιθάρᾳ,

 2. κιθάρα ἐστὶ ψυχὴ πρακτικὴ ὑπὸ τῶν ἐντολῶν τοῦ Χριστοῦ κινουμένη. [cf PG  12.1304]

v.2(2) on the ten-stringed psaltery sing Him [psalms].

  3.  the psalterion is the purified nous, moved by spiritual knowledge.

2̔2̓. ἐν ψαλτηρίῳ δεκαχόρδῳ ψάλατε αὐτῷ

 3. ψαλτήριον ἐστὶ νοῦς καθαρὸς ὑπὸ πνευματικῆς κινούμενος γνώσεως. [͂ PG  12.1304]

v. 5 [The Lord] loves mercy and judgment

  4. That is, the merciful and the discerning.

51. Ἀγαπᾷ ἐλεημοσύνην καὶ κρίσιν,.

 δ.´  Ἀντὶ τοῦ, ἐλεήμονα καὶ διακριτικόν.

  5.*

 ε.´ *

v. 7. ..who lays up the deeps in treasuries

 6. The logoi of the abyss are in the treasury of God.

7.  Τιθεὶς ἐν θησαυροῖς ἀβύσσους̔.

 ς.´ Οἱ λόγοι τῆς ἀβύσσου ἐν τοῖς θησαυροῖς εἰσι τοῦ Θεοῦ.

v. 8 (2)  Let all the earth fear the Lord; and all that dwell in the world be moved because of him.

 7. [This] praiseworthy “motion” is the reasoning soul’s change from evil and ignorance to virtue and knowledge.

82. Φοβηθήτω τὸν Κύριον πᾶσα ἡ γῆ, ἀπ' αὐτοῦ δὲ σαλευθήτωσαν πάντες οἱ κατοικοῦντες τὴν οἰκουμένην, κ. τ. ἑ.

 ζ.´ Σάλος ἐστὶν ἐπαινετὸς ψυχῆς λογικῆς ἀπὸ κακίας καὶ ἀγνωσίας ἐπ' ἀρετὴν καὶ γνῶσιν μετάθεσις.

v. 9  For He spoke and they were engendered; he commanded and they were created.

 8. The “engendering” refers to that of reasoning beings; “creation” to the change from better to worse: for  “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation”; he is being renewed.

9. Ὅτι αὐτὸς εἶπε, καὶ ἐγενήθησαν· αὐτὸς ἐνετείλατο, καὶ ἐκτίσθησαν, κ. τ. ἑ.

 η.´ Ἡ μὲν ̧ γένεσις ςτὴν τῶν λογικῶν οὐσίωσιν δηλοῖ· ἡ δὲ ̧ κτίσις ςτὴν ἀπὸ τοῦ κρείττονος ἐπὶ τὸ χεῖρον μεταβολήν· ̧ Εἴ τις ς γὰρ ̧ ἐν Χριστῷ καινὴ κτίσις, ς ἀνακαινίζεται.

v. 10.  The Lord frustrates the counsels of the nations; he brings to naught also the thoughts of the peoples, and brings to nought the counsels of princes.

 9. The “councils of the nations, the (tempting-) thoughts of the peoples, and the councils of princes” are all rejected by the Lord, for they are contrary to the things He wills, He Who “wills that all men be saved and come to knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim 2:4).

10.  Κύριος διασκεδάζει βουλὰς ἐθνῶν, ἀθετεῖ δὲ λογισμοὺς λαῶν, καὶ ἀθετεῖ βουλὰς ἀρχόντων, κ. τ. ἑ.

 θ.´  Αἱ βουλαὶ τῶν ἐθνῶν, καὶ οἱ λογισμοὶ τῶν λαῶν, καὶ αἱ βουλαὶ τῶν ἀρχόντων ἀθετοῦνται ὑπὸ Κυρίου, ὡς ἐναντιούμεναι τῷ θελήματι αὐτοῦ, τοῦ ̧ πάντας ἀνθρώπους θέλοντος σωθῆναι καὶ εἰς ἐπίγνωσιν ἀληθείας ἐλθεῖν. ς

v. 15. [The Lord] Who alone fashions their hearts, understands all their deeds.

 10. He who “alone fashions” alone knows: thus God is beautifully said to be the Sole Knower of Hearts.

15. Ὁ πλάσας κατὰ μόνας τὰς καρδίας αὐτῶν, ὁ συνιεὶς πάντα τὰ ἔργα αὐτῶν, κ. τ. ἑ.

 ι.´ Ὁ μόνος πλάσας μόνος καὶ γινώσκει· διὸ καλῶς λέγεται ὁ Θεὸς μόνος καρδιογνώστης.

v. 19 ..  to deliver their souls from death, and to keep them alive in famine.

 11. It is right to first of all rescue someone from death, and then to feed him.  Thus through praktike the Lord rescues one from death; then through knowledge he nourishes him.

 19.  Ῥύσασθαι ἐκ θανάτου τὰς ψυχὰς αὐτῶν, καὶ διαθρέψαι αὐτοὺς ἐν λιμῷ, κ. τ. ἑ.

ια.´  Πρότερον δεῖ τινα ῥύσασθαι ἀπὸ θανάτου, εἶθ' οὕτως διατραφῆναι. Καὶ διὰ μὲν πρακτικῆς ῥύεταί τινα ἀπὸ θανάτου ὁ Κύριος, διὰ δὲ γνώσεως τρέφει.

v. 20-21. Our soul waits upon the Lord; for He is our help and defender.  For our heart shall rejoice in Him, and we have hoped in His holy name.

 12. The “heart” of the just does not “rejoice” in food or drink, but in justice, and knowledge, and wisdom.

20-21. Ἡ δὲ ψυχὴ ἡμῶν ὑπομενεῖ τῷ Κυρίῳ, ὅτι βοηθὸς καὶ ὑπερασπιστὴς ἡμῶν ἐστιν, ὅτι ἐν αὐτῷ εὐφρανθήσεται ἡ καρδία ἡμῶν, καὶ ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι τῷ ἁγίῳ αὐτοῦ ἠλπίσαμεν.

 ιβ.´  Ἡ τοῦ δικαίου καρδία οὐκ εὐφραίνεται ἐν βρώμασιν ἢ ἐν πόμασιν, ἀλλ' ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ, καὶ γνώσει, καὶ σοφίᾳ.

PSALM 33__

1(1) A psalm of David when he changed his face

 1. One who displays, not the face of flight, but rather that of one who is sent - he it is who changes  [his] face. For face means the condition of the soul, but as affecting to flee or otherwise to be sent.  But ‘the face of a man’ in the Scriptures oftentimes means the logos .  And thus the angel said to Lot: ‘

1̔1̓ Τῷ  Δαυιδ, ὁπότε ἠλλοίωσεν τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ

 1. ὁ τὸ φεῦγον πρόσωπον μὴ ἐπιδείξας ὡς φεῦγον, ἀλλ' ὡς ἀποσταλμένον, οὗτος ἠλλοίωσε το`πρόσωπον. Πρόσωπον δὲ νῦν τὸ ψυχῆς λέγει κατάστημα, ἀλλ' ὡς γὰρ προσποιεῖται φεύγουσα καὶ ἄλλως ἀποσταλεῖσα· πρόσωπον δὲ ἀνθρώπου ἡ γραφὴ πολλάκις τὸν λόγον λέγει· οὕτως καὶ ὁ ἄγγελος πρὸς τὸν Λώτ φησιν· Ἰδου ἐθαύμασα σου τὸ πρόσωπου καὶ ἐπὶ τῷ ῥήματι τούτῳ μὴ καταστρέψαι τὴν πόλιν περὶ ἧς ἐλάλησας.

v. 3. In the Lord my soul will [herself] boast;

 2. We do not boast in anything other than wisdom; for Our Lord is wisdom.

3. Ἐν τῷ Κυρίῳ ἐπαινεθήσεται ἡ ψυχή μου, κ. τ. ἑ.

 β´. Οὐκ ἐν ἄλλῳ τινὶ ἐπαινεθήσομαι, ἀλλ' ἐν σοφίᾳ· ὁ γὰρ Κύριος ἡμῶν σοφία ἐστίν.

5 I sought the Lord, and he heard me; and he delivered me from all my troubles.

 3. ‘All who seek shall find’ (Mt. 7:8); but those who seek wickedly shall not find.

5. Ἐξεζήτησα τὸν Κύριον, καὶ ἐπήκουσέ μου, κ. τ. ἑ.

 γ´.̧Πᾶς γὰρ ὁ ζητῶν εὑρίσκει· ς ὁ δὲ κακῶς ζητῶν οὐχ εὑρίσκει.

6 Approach him and be enlightened

 4. It is by means of proper conduct that we approach; while it is by means of knowledge that we are enlightened.

6.  Προσέλθετε πρὸς αὐτὸν, καὶ φωτίσθητε, κ. τ. ἑ.

 δ´. Διὰ μὲν πολιτείας ὀρθῆς προσερχόμεθα, διὰ δὲ γνώσεως φωτιζόμεθα. ̧ Φωτίσατε γὰρ, φησὶν, ἑαυτοῖς φῶς γνώσεως. ς

7 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him: and saved him from all his troubles.

 5. It is not all who cry whom the Lord hears, but those [who cry] by means of the knowledge of God.

7.  Οὗτος ὁ πτωχὸς ἐκέκραξε, καὶ ὁ Κύριος εἰσ ήκουσεν αὐτοῦ, κ. τ. ἑ.

 ε´. Οὐ πάντων ἐπακούει τῶν κραζόντων ὁ Κύριος, ἀλλὰ τῶν διὰ τὴν γνῶσιν τὴν τοῦ Θεοῦ.

8 The angel of the Lord shall encamp round about them that fear him: and shall deliver them.

 6. The angel of the Lord has the meaning of [bringing] the entire encampment into union.

8.  Παρεμβαλεῖ ἄγγελος Κυρίου κύκλῳ τῶν φοβου μένων αὐτὸν, κ. τ. ἑ.

 ς´. Ὁ ἄγγελος τοῦ Κυρίου ὅλης παρεμβολῆς λόγον ἐπέχει εἷς ὤν.

9 Taste, and see that the Lord is kind:

 7. If the Lord is tasted¸it is throughfaith that he is tasted; and if he is kind, it is through knowledge that he is kind..

33·9̔1̓  γεύσασθε, καὶ ἴδετε, ὅτι χρηστὸς ὁ κύριος.

 7. εἰ γευστός ἐστιν ὁ κύριος, διὰ τῆς πίστεώς ἐστι γευστός· καὶ εἰ χρηστὸς, διὰ τῆς γνώσεώς ἐστι Χριστός. [cf PG 12.1308; Pitra 33·9]

10 for nothing is lacking for that fear him.

 8. If nothing is lacking for those who fear Him, hos is it that the saints “they wer destitute, afflicted, treated injuriously of whom the world was not worthy :”.  (Heb 11:37-38) Indeed, if they are lacking in food or drink, they are not [lacking] in knowledge

10.  Ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν ὑστέρημα τοῖς φοβουμένοις αὐτὸν, κ. τ. ἑ.

 η´. Εἰ οὐκ ἔστιν ὑστέρημα τοῖς φοβουμένοις αὐτὸν, πῶς οἱ ἅγιοι ἦσαν ̧ ὑστερούμενοι, θλιβόμενοι, κακουχούμενοι, ὧν οὐκ ἦν ἄξιος ὁ κόσμος; ςἈλλ' εἰ καὶ ὑστεροῦντο ἐν βρώμασι καὶ πόμασιν, οὐ μὴν καὶ ἐν γνώσει.

12 Come, children, listen to me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

 9. We are taught by holy David how it is fitting to act and to speak [as] one who hears the Lord

12.  Δεῦτε, τέκνα, ἀκούσατέ μου, φόβον Κυρίου διδάξω ὑμᾶς, κ. τ. ἑ.

 θ´. Παρὰ τοῦ ἁγίου Δαυῒδ διδασκόμεθα τίνα δεῖ ποιεῖν τε καὶ λέγειν τὸν φοβούμενον τὸν Θεόν.

15 Turn away from evil and do good: seek after peace and pursue it.

 10. Fear teaches one to turn away from evil; while love [teaches one] to do good.  Therefore the one who loves is greater than one who fears.

15.  Ἔκκλινον ἀπὸ κακοῦ, καὶ ποίησον ἀγαθὸν, κ. τ. ἑ.

 ι´. Τὸ ἐκκλῖναι ἀπὸ κακοῦ ὁ φόβος διδάσκει, τὸ δὲ ποιῆσαι τὸ ἀγαθὸν ἡ ἀγάπη. Διὸ μείζων ὁ ἀγαπῶν τοῦ φοβουμένου.

19 The Lord is near to those who are of a contrite heart: and he will save the humble of spirit.

 11. If “ the sacrifice of God is a contrite Spirit” Ps 50:19) , then the Lord draws near to the contrite of heart  and it is to this sacrifice and no other that the Lord draws near

19. Ἐγγὺς Κύριος τοῖς συντετριμμένοις τὴν καρδίαν, καὶ τοὺς ταπεινοὺς τῷ πνεύματι σώσει, κ. τ. ἑ.

 ια´.  Εἰ ̧ θυσία τῷ Θεῷ πνεῦμα συντετριμμένον, τοῖς δὲ συντετριμμένοις τὴν καρδίαν ἐγγίζει ὁ Κύριος, ς ταύτῃ ἄρα τῇ θυσίᾳ καὶ οὐκ ἄλλῃ ἐγγίζει ὁ  Κύριος.

21 The Lord keepeth all their bones, not one of them shall be broken.

 12. Bones’ here signify the powers of the soul or the true teachings which are holding together the life of the soul

21.  Φυλάσσει Κύριος πάντα τὰ ὀστᾶ αὐτῶν· ἓν ἐξ αὐτῶν οὐ συντριβήσεται, κ. τ. ἑ.

 ιβ´.  Ὀστᾶ νῦν λέγει τὰς δυνάμεις τῆς ψυχῆς, ἢ τὰ δόγματα τὰ ἀληθῆ, τὰ συνέχοντα τὴν ζωὴν τῆς ψυχῆς.

22 The death of the wicked is very evil: and they that hate the just shall be guilty.

 15.evil, laborious, bitter It seems likely that this means the penalty of death which separates the soul from vices.

22.  Θάνατος ἁμαρτωλῶν πονηρὸς, κ. τ. ἑ.

 ιε´. Πονηρὸς, ἐπίπονος, πικρός.Ἔοικε δὲ λέγειν θάνατον τὴν κόλασιν χωρίζουσαν ψυχὴν ἀπὸ κακίας.

v. 23 The Lord will ransom the souls of his servants: and none of those who hope in him will go wrong.

 16. ransom is the main hall

23.  Λυτρώσεται Κύριος ψυχὰς δούλων αὐτοῦ, [κ.τ.ἑ.] καὶ οὐ μὴ πλημμελήσωσιν πάντες οἱ ἐλπίζοντες ἐπ' αὐτόν.

 ις´. Λύτρον ἐστὶ δόμα τι τοῖς πολεμίοις διδόμε νον πρὸς τῶν ἡττηθέντων, ἢ πρὸς τοῦ τῶν ἡττηθέν των προνοουμένου ἐπὶ σωτηρίᾳ καὶ ἀφέσει τῶν αἰχμαλωτισθέντων.

PSALM 34__

v.1  Judge, O Lord, those that wrong me; fight against those who fight against me

 1. Nothing resists the demons like justice and knowledge.

1. Δίκασον, Κύριε, τοὺς ἀδικοῦντάς με, πολέμησον τοὺς πολεμοῦντάς με.

 α.´ Οὐδὲν οὕτως ἀνθίσταται τοῖς δαίμοσιν ὡς δικαιοσύνη καὶ γνῶσις.

v. 2(b)  Take hold of shield and buckler and arise for my help.

 2. If the one who has overcome in war reduces the warriors to servitude, and [if] Christ has overcome the world as he said: “Take courage; I have overcome the world,” (Jn 16:33) then Christ reduced the world to servitude, so that all may become servants of Christ.

22.Ἐπιλαβοῦ ὅπλου καὶ θυρεοῦ, καὶ ἀνάστηθι εἰς βοήθειάν μοι,

 β.´ Εἰ ὁ νικήσας ἐν πολέμῳ καταδουλοῦται τοὺς πολεμίους, Χριστὸς δὲ νενίκηκε τὸν κόσμον· ̧ Θαρσεῖτε γὰρ,ς φησὶν, ̧ ἐγὼ νενίκηκα τὸν κόσμον·ς Χριστὸς ἄρα τὸν κόσμον κατεδουλώσατο, ἵνα γένωνται πάντες δοῦλοι Χριστου

v. 3(b) Say to my soul, ‘I am your salvation’.

 3.  This is the soul’s salvation: the Lord saying to it “I am your salvation;” and this would not have been acknowledged of any other thing.

3̔2̓ εἶπον τῇ ψυχῇ μου· σωτηρία σου ἐγώ εἰμι.

 4. αὐτὸ τοῦτο σωτηρία ἐστὶ ψυχῆς τὸ εἰπεῖν αὐτῇ τὸν Κύριον· ̧ Σωτηρία σου ἐγώ εἰμι·ς καὶ ἐπ' ἄλλου τινὸς οὐκ ἂν οὕτω νοηθείη.῟PG 12.1312̓

v. 4(b)  let them be turned back

 4.  It would be a good thing for those moving from virtue to vice to “be turned back.”

42.Ἀποστραφήτωσαν εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω.

 δ.´´ Εὐεργετοῦνται οἱ ἀπὸ τῆς ἀρετῆς ἐπὶ τὴν κακίαν ὁδεύοντες, ἐὰν εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω ἀποστραφῶσιν.

v. 42 and [let them be] put to shame, who ponder evil against me.

 5. this “shame” is a praiseworthy passion, leading the sinner to conscience.

42.  Καὶ καταισχυνθήτωσαν οἱ λογιζόμενοί μοι κακά.

 ε´. Ἡ  αἰσχύνη αὕτη πάθος ἐστὶν ἐπαινετὸν, εἰς συναίσθησιν ἄγον τὸν ἁμαρτάνοντα.

v. 8(2) And [let] the trap they have set catch them; and [let them] fall into the snare they have laid.

 6. I consider that this is said of the cross, [the snare] into which the devil unknowingly fell. For “if [he] had known [he] would not have crucified the Lord of Glory.” (cf. 1 Cor 2:8)

82. Καὶ ἡ θήρα ἣν ἔκρυψε συλλαβέτω αὐτὸν, καὶ ἐν τῇ παγίδι πεσεῖται ἐν αὐτῃ.

 ς.´ Νομίζω περὶ τοῦ σταυροῦ λέγειν αὐτὸν, εἰς ὃν ἐμπέπτωκεν ὁ διάβολος ἀγνοῶν. ̧ Εἰ γὰρ ς ἔγνω,  ̧ οὐκ ἂν ς αὐτὸν ̧ Κύριον τῆς δόξης ἐσταύρωσςε.

v.10 (2).  ... delivering the poor out of the hand of those stronger than he.

 7.   From this we know that without the Lord we are not strong enough to fight against the enemies.  For they are stronger than we are.

102. Ῥυόμενος πτωχὸν ἐκ χειρὸς στερεωτέρων αὐτου.

 ζ.´Ἐντεῦθεν γινώσκομεν, ὅτι χωρὶς  Κυρίου πολεμεῖν τοῖς ἐχθροῖς οὐκ ἰσχύομεν. Στερεώτεροι γὰρ ἡμῶν εἰσιν.

v. 11 Unjust witnesses, arising, asked me about things I did not understand.

 8. The “unjust witnesses arising” speak against the Savior. He says, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” (Jn 2:19)  But  this [phrase], “they did not understand” (above & Lk 1:34) - what did it mean? This phrase, or perhaps the whole psalm, can be taken to refer to the Savior.

11  Ἀναστάντες μάρτυρες ἄδικοι, ἃ οὐκ ἐγίνωσκον, ἐπηρώτων με.

 η.´ Οἱ ̧ ἀναστάντες μάρτυρες ἄδικοι ς κατὰ τοῦ  Σωτῆρος ἔλεγον· Οὗτος εἶπεν· ̧ Λύσατε τὸν ναὸν τοῦτον, καὶ ἐν τρισὶν ἡμέραις ἐγερῶ αὐτόν.ς  Τοῦτο δὲ αὐτό· ̧ οὐκ ἐγίνωσκον ς, πῶς ἔλεγεν; δύναται γὰρ τὸ ῥητὸν τοῦτο καὶ ἐπὶ τοῦ Σωτῆρος λαμβάνεσθαι, ἢ τάχα καὶ ὅλος ὁ ψαλμός.

v.12.  They reward me with evil for good, and my soul is barren.

 9. Barren is the soul that does not bring forth a good thing, and that does no good to anyone.

12.Ἀνταπεδίδοσάν μοι πονηρὰ ἀντὶ ἀγαθῶν καὶ ἀτεκνίαν τῇ ψυχῇ μου.

 θ.´ Ἄτεκνός ἐστι ψυχὴ ἡ μηδὲν γεννήσασα ἀγαθὸν, ἢ μηδενὶ ἀνθρώπῳ ποιήσασα ἀγαθόν.

v.13  ... and I humbled my soul with fasting.

 10. Nothing “humbles the soul” like fasting.

131. Καὶ ἐταπείνουν ἐν νηστείᾳ τὴν ψυχήν μου.

 ι.´ Οὐδὲν οὕτω ταπεινοῖ τὴν ψυχὴν ὡς νηστεία. ̧

“and my prayer shall return to my bosom”

 11. The intellect is here called the “bosom.”

132 Καὶ ἡ προσευχή μου εἰς κόλπον μου ἀποστραφήσεται.

 ια.´ Κόλπον νῦν τὸν νοῦν ὀνομάζει.

v. 19  Do not let my adversaries rejoice against me without cause.

 12. Those who, for  justice’s sake are “adversaries” against the just are “adversaries” of injustice.

19.  Μὴ ἐπιχαρείησάν μοι οἱ ἐχθραίνοντές μοι ματαίως.

 ιβ.´ Τῷ δικαίῳ διὰ τὴν δικαιοσύνην ̧ἐχθραίνοντεςς, ἀδίκως ̧ ἐχθραίνουσι.ς

v. 20  Because To me they spoke peaceably; and in their anger plotted treachery.

 13. “You shall become” it says “like Gods, knowing good from evil” (Gen 3:5): for “peaceable”is this phrase

20.Ὅτι ἐμοὶ μὲν εἰρηνικὰ ἐλάλουν, καὶ ἐπ' ὀργῇ δόλους διελογίζοντο.

 ιγ.´ ̧῎εσεσθε ς γὰρ, φησὶν, ̧ ὡς θεοὶ, γινώσκοντες καλὸν καὶ πονηρόν·ς ̧εἰρηνικὸςς γὰρ οὗτος ὁ λόγος.

v. 25(2)  ... neither let them say, We have devoured him.

 14. And Paul speaks concerning the sexually immoral in Corinth: “...lest such a man be devoured by excessive sorrow” (2 Cor 2:7)

252. Μηδὲ εἴποισαν· Κατεπίομεν αὐτὸν.

 ιδ.´ Καὶ ὁ Παῦλός φησι περὶ τοῦ ἐν Κορίνθῳ πεπορνευκότος· ̧ Μήποτε τῇ περισσοτέρᾳ λύπῃ καταποθῇ ὁ τοιοῦτος.ς

v.26(b)  Let them be clothed with shame and confusion who speak boastfully against me.

 15. Those who are baptized in Christ are “clothed” with Christ (cf. Rom 3:14), that is with justice and wisdom: those who are baptized in Satan are “clothed with shame and humiliation.”

262. Ενδυσάσθωσαν αἰσχύνην καὶ ἐντροπὴν οἱ μεγαλοῤῥημονοῦντες ἐπ' ἐμὲ.

 ιε.´ Οἱ μὲν εἰς τὸν Χριστὸν βαπτιζόμενοι τὸν Χριστὸν ̧ ἐνδύονται,ς τουτέστι δικαιοσύνην καὶ σοφίαν· οἱ δὲ εἰς τὸν Σατανᾶν βαπτιζόμενοι ̧ αἰσχύνην ἐνδύονται καὶ ἐντροπήν.ς

v. 27 (b)  ... and let them say continually ‘The Lord be magnified’ who desire the peace of his servant

 16.  The angels “continually magnify the Lord;” human beings do not do so continually; demons do so neither continually nor to any degree.

272. Καὶ εἰπάτωσαν διὰ παντός· Μεγαλυνθήτω ὁ Κύριος, οἱ θέλοντες τὴν εἰρήνην τοῦ δούλου αὐτοῦ.

 ις.´Ἀγγέλων μὲν τὸ ̧ διὰ παντὸς μεγαλύνειν τὸν Κύριον·ς ἀνθρώπων δὲ τὸ μὴ διὰ παντός· δαιμόνων δὲ τὸ μήτε διὰ παντὸς, μήτε ποσοῦν.

PSALM 36__

v. 25 and I have not seen the just who had been forsaken.

 20. It does not say ‘who was forsaken’ (aor pass part) but rather ‘who had been forsaken’, (plprf part)  that is until I shall come: for the just are indeed abandoned unto a favorable time of testing, as the Lord [says] to Job: do not think I have dealt otherwise with you, that you might appear to be just.(cf. Job 40:8).

25̔2̓   καὶ οὐκ εἶδον δίκαιον ἐγκαταλελειμμένον

 20. οὐκ εἶπεν· ἐγκαταλειφθέντα, ἀλλ' ἐγκαταλελειμμένον, τουτέστιν ἕως ἥξω, ὅτι γὰρ ἐγκαταλίμπάνονται οἱ δίκαιοι πρὸς καιρὸν δοκιμῆς χάριν, ὁ Κύριος πρὸς Ἰώβ·  μή με οἴου ἄλλως σοι κεχρηματικέναι ἢ ἵνα ἀποφανῇς δίκαιος. [cf Pitra 25·1]

25 nor his seed seeking bread.

 21. If justice is a virtue, and the seeds of the virtues are themselves also virtues, then it is rightly said that the seed of the virtues which is virtue does not seek bread.  For bread means knowledge, as if not lacking in the seeds of the just.  For seed of the just symbolically means the word which is sown in the souls of the hearers.

25̔3̓. οὐδὲ σπέρμα αὐτοῦ ζητοῦν ἄρτους.

 21. εἰ ἡ δικαιοσύνη ἀρετή ἐστι, τὰ σπέρματα τῶν ἀρετῶν καὶ αὐταὶ ἀρεται, καλῶς τὸ σπέρμα τῶν ἀρετῶν, ὅπερ ἐστὶν ἡ ἀρετὴ, οὐ ζητεῖ ἄρτους. ἄρτον δὲ λέγει τὴν γνῶσιν, εἴ τις οὐχ ὑστερεῖ ἐν τῷ σπέρματι τοῦ δικαίου· σπέρμα δὲ δικαίου τροπικῶς ὁ λόγος εἴρηται, ὁ καταβαλλόμενος ἐν ταῖς ψυχαῖς τῶν ἀκουόντων. [cf Pitra 25·2]

PSALM 37__

v.1-2. A Psalm of David leading us to remembrance of the Sabbath: Lord niether rebuke me in your indignation nor chasten me in your anger.

 1. The Lord “chastens” us leading [us] to  “remembrance” the carrying off of virtue; but the saint asks to escape neither “rebuke” nor “chastisement;” but rather that which is accompanied by “anger” and “indignation.”

1,2  Ψαλμὸς τῷ Δαυὶδ εἰς ἀνάμνησιν περὶ σαββάτου. –Κύριε, μὴ τῷ θυμῷ σου ἐλέγξῃς με, μηδὲ τῇ ὀργῇ σου παιδεύσῃς με.

 α.´ ̧ Παιδεύει ςἡμᾶς ὁ Κύριος, εἰς ̧ ἀνάμνησιν ςἄγων τῆς ἀρετῆς· ὁ δὲ ἅγιος οὐ τὸν ̧ ἔλεγχον ς ἢ τὴν ̧ παιδείαν ς παραιτεῖται, ἀλλὰ τὴν μετ '̧ ὀργῆς ς καὶ ̧ θυμοῦ.ς

v.5(b). they have pressed heavily, like a heavy burden upon me.

 2. “Come all of you” says the Christ, “who are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”  (Mat 11:28)

52.Ὡσεὶ φορτίον βαρὺ ἐβαρύνθησαν ἐπ' ἐμὲ

 β.´ ̧ Δεῦτε, πάντες, φησὶν ὁ Χριστὸς, οἱ κοπιῶντες καὶ πεφορτισμένοι, κἀγὼ ἀναπαύσω ὑμᾶς. ς

v.6-7.My bruises have become noisesome and corrupt because of my foolishness.

 3. Hence [from this] we know the nature of sin, of what sort it is, except that from our “foolishness” sins afterwards come into existence

6-7. προσώζεσαν καὶ ἐσάπησαν οἱ μώλωπές μου ἀπὸ προσώπου τῆς ἀφροσύνης μου.

 γ.´Ἐντεῦθεν τὴν φύσιν τῆς ἁμαρτίας γινώσκομεν, ὁποία τίς ἐστιν· πλὴν ὅτι ἀπὸ ̧ ἀφροσύνης ς ἡμῖν ἐπισυμβαίνουσιν αἱ ἁμαρτίαι.

 4*

 37·4

 4. εἰ ἡ φρόνησις ἐστιν ἐπιστήμη ἀγαθῶν καὶ κακῶν καὶ οὐθετέρων, ἡ ἀφροσύνη ἐστὶν ἄγνοια ἀγαθῶν καὶ κακῶν καὶ οὐδετέρων.

37.7  for my loins are filled with ridicule.

 5. This is to be said to those who laugh (over)much and take pleasure in laughable things.

37·8̔1̓ ὅτι αἱ ψύαι μου ἐπλήσθησαν ἐμπαιγμῶν

 5. λεκτέον τοῦτο πρὸς τοὺς γελῶντας πολλὰ, ἢ̀ τερπομένους ἐπὶ γελῴοις. [cf PG 12.1368]

v. 37.  Lord, before you is all my desire.

 6. This is the natural movement of the desiring part of the sou of one who longs for God.

37·10̔1̓ κύριε, ἐναντίον σου πᾶσα ἡ ἐπιθυμία μου

 6. αὕτη ἐστὶ ἡ φυσικὴ κίνησις τοῦ ἐπιθυμητικοῦ μέρους τῆς ψυχῆς τὸ ἐφίεσθαι τοῦ θεοῦ.

v. 11  My heart is troubled; my strength has failed me and the light of my eyes is not with me.

 7. The “light of the eyes” is contemplation, that in the time of temptation vanishes from the intellect.

11. Ἡ καρδία μου ἐταράχθη, ἐγκατέλιπέ με ἡ ἰσχύς μου, καὶ τὸ φῶς τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν μου οὐκ ἔστι μετ' ἐμοῦ.

 ζ.´ Τὸ φῶς τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν, ἡ θεωρία, ἥτις ἐν καιρῷ πειρασμοῦ διαφεύγει τὸν νοῦν.

v. 12 and my nearest [relatives] stood afar off.

 8.  Perhaps this refers to the holy powers that withdraw in the time of temptation so that the one tempted may be proven or punished. { cf Ant 6.17}

12̔2̓ καὶ οἱ ἔγγιστά μου μακρόθεν ἔστησαν

 8. τάχα δυνάμεις τινὰς λέγει ἁγίας ὑποχωρούσας ἐν καιρῷ πειρασμοῦ πρὸς δοκιμὴν τοῦ πειραζομένου, ἢ πρὸς κόλασιν. [PG 12.1368] {Αντ 6.17}

v. 14. But I [was] ,like the deaf who did not hear; and like the dumb who does not open his mouth.

 9. He received the (tempting-) thoughts of the tempter “without hearing” them: [i.e.] without acting upon them.  “Dumbness” is the apatheia on account of which I do not hear them.

14.Ἐγὼ δὲ ὡσεὶ κωφὸς οὐκ ἤκουον, καὶ ὡσεὶ ἄλαλος οὐκ ἀνοίγων τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ, κ. τ. ἑ.

 θ.´Ἐδέχετο μὲν τοὺς λογισμοὺς τοῦ πειράζοντος, οὐκ ἤκουε δὲ αὐτῶν, μὴ ἐνεργῶν κατ' αὐτούς. Κωφότης δέ ἐστιν ἡ ἀπάθεια, δι' ἣν οὐκ ἤκουεν αὐτῶν.

v.17  For I said let not my enemies rejoice over me ; for when my feet were unsteady they spoke boastfully against me

 10. Over those who repent the angels “rejoice;” over the “unsteady” the demons [rejoice].

17 ὅτι εἶπα Μήποτε ἐπιχαρῶσίν μοι οἱ ἐχθροί μου· καὶ ἐν τῷ σαλευθῆναι πόδας μου ἐπ' ἐμὲ ἐμεγαλορρημόνησαν.

 ι.´Ἐπὶ μὲν τοῖς μετανοοῦσιν οἱ ἄγγελοι ̧ χαίρουσιν, ς ἐπὶ δὲ τοῖς ̧σαλευομένοιςς οἱ δαίμονες.

v. 20  But my enemies live and are stronger than I am;

 11. Not with regard to the “life” which said, “I am the life.” (Jn 14:6)

20. οἱ δὲ ἐχθροί μου ζῶσιν καὶ κεκραταίωνται ὑπὲρ ἐμε.

 ια.´ Οὐ ταύτην τὴν ̧ ζωὴν ς τὴν εἰποῦσαν· ̧̓Εγώ εἰμι ἡ ζωή.ς

v. 21  Those who return evil for good slandered me because I followed righteousness.

 22.  “Returned evil for good” -  not of the things that happened to them, but rather of the things that, in a word,  happened through the Lord.

21. Οἱ ἀνταποδιδόντες κακὰ ἀντὶ ἀγαθῶν ἐνδιέβαλόν με, ἐπεὶ κατεδίωκον δικαιοσύνην.

 ιβ.´̧Ἀνταπεδίδοσαν κακὰ ἀντὶ ἀγαθῶν,ς οὐ τῶν εἰς ἐκείνους γενομένων, ἀλλὰ τῶν ἁπλῶς γινομένων διὰ τὸν Κύριον.

v. 22  Forget me not, O Lord, my God; do not depart from me. Come near to help me, O God, my salvation.

  13. A beautiful prelude to prayer is this: “Forget me not, O Lord, my God; do not depart from me. Come near to help me, O God, my salvation;” for it contains within it the Holy Trinity.

22. Μὴ ἐγκαταλίπῃς με, Κύριε, ὁ  Θεός μου, μὴ ἀποστῇς ἀπ' ἐμοῦ. Πρόσχες εἰς τὴν βοήθειάν μου, Κύριε τῆς σωτηρίας μου.

 ιγ.´ Καλὸν προοίμιον προσευχῆς τὸ, ̧ Μὴ ἐγκαταλίπῃς με, Κύριε ὁ Θεός μου, μὴ ἀποστῇς ἀπ' ἐμοῦ· πρόσεχε εἰς τὴν βοήθειάν μου,  Κύριε τῆς σωτηρίας μου·ς ἔχει γὰρ ἐν ἑαυτῷ καὶ τὴν ἁγίαν Τριάδα.

PSALM 38__

38.7. He stores up treasure, and does not know for whom he gathers it.

   8. This is to be said to those greedy for barren riches, [but] who give no alms whatever to the poor.

38·7̔3̓. θησαυρίζει, καὶ οὐ γινώσκει τίνι συνάξει αὐτά

 η´. τοῦτο λεκτέον πρὸς ἄπαιδας πλουσίους πλεονεκτοῦντας μηδένα τῶν πτωχῶν ἐλεοῦντας. [͂Pitra 38·7[3]]

PSALM 41__

v.3. My soul has thirsted for the living God; when shall I appear before the face of God?

 1. If the angels continually behold the face of God, (Mt 18:10) did not David yearn to become an angel and see the face of God?

3  ἐδίψησεν ἡ ψυχή μου πρὸς τὸν θεὸν τὸν ζῶντα· πότε ἥξω καὶ ὀφθήσομαι τῷ προσώπῳ τοῦ θεοῦ;

 α´. Εἰ τὸ πρόσωπον τοῦ Θεοῦ οἱ ἄγγελοι βλέπουσι διὰ παντὸς, ἄγγελος ἄρα ἐπιθυμεῖ γενέσθαι ὁ Δαυῒδ καὶ βλέπειν τὸ πρόσωπον τοῦ Θεοῦ.

4. My tears have become my bread by day and night

 2. Bitter lamenting is the most nourishing nourishment of the soul.  Blessed are those who weep, for they shall laugh. (Luk 6:21)

4α.  ἐγενήθη μοι τὰ δάκρυά μου ἄρτος ἡμέρας καὶ νυκτὸς

 β´.  Τροφιμώτατός ἐστι κλαυθμὸς ὁ τρέφων τὴν ψυχήν. Μακάριοι οἱ κλαίοντες νῦν, ὅτι γελάσονται.

̈

v. 12 Why, then, are you sad, my soul? And why do you trouble me?

 6. These [words] are necessary in the circumstance of a soul given over to grief.

41·12.  ἵνα τί περίλυπος εἶ, ψυχή, καὶ ἵνα τί συνταράσσεις με; 

 6. ᾿ἀναγκαῖα ταῦτα ἐν καιρῷ λύπης ἐπαγόμενα ψυχῇ. [͂ Pitra 41·8]

PSALM 42__

v. 3. Send forth your light and your truth: they have led me and brought me to your holy mountain, to your tabernacles.

 1. “I am the light of the world,” (Jn 8:12) says the Lord; and again, “I am the truth.” (Jn 14:6).

31 Ἐξαπόστειλον τὸ φῶς σου καὶ τὴν ἀλήθειάν σου· αὐτά με ὡδήγησαν καὶ ἤγαγόν με εἰς ὄρος ἅγιόν σου, καὶ εἰς τὰ σκηνώματά σου, κ. τ. ἑ.

 α´. ̧ Ἐγώ εἰμι τὸ φῶς τοῦ κόσμου, ς φησὶν ὁ Σωτήρ· καὶ πάλιν· ̧ Ἐγώ εἰμι ἡ ἀλήθεια.ς

 2.  The holy mountain is the Christ of God: his tabernacles are the holy powers in which he dwells.

 β´. Ὄρος ἅγιόν ἐστι Θεοῦ ὁ Χριστός· σκηνώματα δὲ αὐτοῦ, αἱ ἅγιαι δυνάμεις ἐν αἷς κατοικεῖ.