Chapter III.
It is not surprising that David, troubled by the hardships of this life and lacking in consolation, was disturbed; considering that Christ himself, who willingly underwent death, desired to be disturbed, and in what sense is this to be understood? Likewise, why does the Prophet say 'I do not confess' in one place, but 'I will confess' in another?
10. Finally, even in the latter words he says: Alas for me, because my sojourn has been prolonged (Psalm 116:5)! And therefore he was entreating the Lord, because he was hastening to better things. Yet in the midst of the afflictions of the world there would be great consolation in the present, hope for the future. For who would not raise his spirit, who could hope that in the heavenly tabernacle those blessed associations would be reserved for him. But because future things are often wearisome to a weak condition, present things are a vexation; therefore the soul of the holy Prophets was disturbed by the rising waves of the body.
For you should not be surprised if the Prophet says that his soul is disturbed, since the Lord Jesus himself said: Now my soul is troubled (John 12:27). For he who took on our weaknesses also took on our emotions, in which he was sad even unto death, not because of death; for voluntary death could not have sorrow, in which the joy and refreshment of all was to come. Of this he also said elsewhere: And I arose, and saw, and a sweet sleep came to me (Jeremiah 31:26). Blessed sleep that made the hungry not hunger, the thirsty not thirst, for whom he prepared the sweetness of the sacraments. So how then was his soul troubled by fear, who made the souls of others not fear? Sorrowful even unto death, until grace was perfected: which is proven by his own testimony saying of his death: With the baptism I am to be baptized, and how am I distressed until it is accomplished (Luke 12:50)?
12. Therefore, David, troubled by the slippery bends of this world, said: Why are you sad, my soul? Why do you trouble me? Hope in God, for I will confess to Him: He is the salvation of my countenance and my God (Psalm 41:6-7). Therefore, when we are helped and troubled, let hope strengthen us with the expectation of future things. Consider each thing: Hope, he says, for I will confess. Not, I will confess, but I will confess; that is, I will confess better then, when having beheld the glory of the Lord with His face revealed, I will be transformed into the same image.
13. Immediately when he consoled himself, he said within himself: To me myself, my troubled soul (Psalms 41:7); that is, who should be comforting others, I myself am troubled. And because I do not have strength from myself, let us seek it from the source.