Psalms 55 · The Lantern

Hear my prayer, O God: and hide not thyself from my petition.

Take heed unto me, and hear me: how I mourn in my prayer, and am vexed.

The enemy crieth so, and the ungodly cometh on so fast: for they are minded to do me some mischief; so maliciously are they set against me.

My heart is disquieted within me: and the fear of death is fallen upon me.

Tearfulness and trembling are come upon me: and an horrible dread hath overwhelmed me.

And I said, O that I had wings like a dove: for then would I flee away, and be at rest.

As for the person who wishes to be lifted up by the hand of Christ, let him first fly away himself, let him have his own wings, for one who flees from the world has wings. And if he does not have wings of his own—and perhaps only the individual who is able to fly has them—if then he does not have his own, let him get them from the one who has them.

Typologically, however, the desert where John [the Baptist] remained separated from the allurements of the world designates the lives of the saints, who, whether they live as solitaries or mingled with the crowds, always reject the desires of the present world with the whole intention of their minds.

"And I said: Who will give?" Above, the Psalmist set forth the affliction of heart that he suffered; now he sets forth the remedy he applied. And this remedy is above all the pursuit of contemplation, especially because in the works of the active life he is afflicted again. Gregory says: The evils that press upon us here compel us to go to God.

Lo, then would I get me away far off: and remain in the wilderness.

I would make haste to escape: because of the stormy wind and tempest.

Destroy their tongues, O Lord, and divide them: for I have spied unrighteousness and strife in the city.

Day and night they go about within the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.

Wickedness is therein: deceit and guile go not out of her streets.

For it is not an open enemy, that hath done me this dishonour: for then I could have borne it.

But what especially strengthens us in our desire for union with you is the account of your reverences' zeal for orthodoxy—the fact that neither by a vast number of treatises nor by subtlety of sophisms was your firmness of heart overcome, but that you recognized those who were making innovations contrary to the teachings of the apostles and did not consent to cover over in sile…

"For if an enemy had upbraided me" [Psalm 55:12]. And indeed above he was "troubled in his exercise" by the voice of the enemy and by the tribulation of the sinner, perhaps being placed in that city, that proud city that was building a tower, which was "sunk," that divided might be the tongues: give heed to his inward groaning because of perils from false brethren.

"If my enemy." Here he describes the malice of a certain singular and principal person in the multitude. And perhaps it refers to Saul, or to Doeg the Edomite. And first he sets forth an evil that could be tolerated in some way. Second, he sets forth an evil that is intolerable. It is tolerable in some way that a man should suffer persecution from enemies.

Neither was it mine adversary, that did magnify himself against me: for then peradventure I would have hid myself from him.

But it was even thou, my companion: my guide, and mine own familiar friend.

We took sweet counsel together: and walked in the house of God as friends.

One of old used to say that those only descend alive into Hades who are instructed in the knowledge of things divine; for he who has not tasted of the words of life is dead.

"Let there come death upon them, and let them go down unto Hell living" [Psalm 55:15]. How has he cited and has made us call to mind that first beginning of schism, when in that first people of the Jews certain proud men separated themselves, and would without have sacrificed? A new death upon them came: the earth opened herself, and swallowed them up alive.

"Let death come upon them." Here he asks that a just punishment be applied to them. And first he asks that punishment be inflicted. Second, he shows the guilt, at "Because there are iniquities." Concerning the first, it should be known that here is referred to the history found in Num. 16, when Dathan and Abiram made a sedition.

Let death come hastily upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.

As for me, I will call upon God: and the Lord shall save me.

In the evening, and morning, and at noon-day will I pray, and that instantly: and he shall hear my voice.

It is he that hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.

Yea, even God, that endureth for ever, shall hear me, and bring them down: for they will not turn, nor fear God.

He laid his hands upon such as be at peace with him: and he brake his covenant.

If it does not make you weary, let me point out, as briefly as possible, specific references to prophecy in the Gospels, so that those who are being instructed in the basic elements of the faith may have these testimonies written on their hearts, lest they should be surprised by any doubt they may entertain concerning the things that they believe.

"His discourses have been softened above oil, and themselves are darts" [Psalm 55:21]. For certain things in the Scriptures were seeming hard, while they were obscure; when explained, they have been softened. For even the first heresy in the disciples of Christ, as it were from the hardness of His discourse arose.

Moreover there is this by the great favour of Almighty God; that among those who are divided from the doctrine of Holy Church there is no unity, since every kingdom divided against itself shall not stand.

The words of his mouth were softer than butter, having war in his heart: his words were smoother than oil, and yet be they very swords.

The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to t…

Furthermore, just as Peter, after their having been scandalized by the hardness, as they thought, of the discourse of the Lord, even then said, "to whom shall we go?" so he hath added, "Cast upon the Lord thy care, and He shall Himself nourish thee up." A little one thou art, not yet thou understandest the secret things of words: perchance from thee the bread is hidden, and as…

If you believe that God makes provision for you, why be anxious and concerned about temporal affairs and the needs of your flesh? But if you do not believe that God makes provision for you, and for this reason you take pains to provide for your need separately from Him, then you are the most wretched of all men. Why even be alive or go on living in such a case?

O cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall nourish thee: and shall not suffer the righteous to fall for ever.

And as for them: thou, O God, shalt bring them into the pit of destruction.

The blood-thirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days: nevertheless, my trust shall be in thee, O Lord.

Psalms55