Expositions on the Book of Psalms (NPNF I/VIII)

The editor of this volume blesses God for much spiritual help and comfort afforded by the review of these " songs of our pilgrimage," with which his task has enriched the latest years of that period of our mortality beyond which all is but labour and sorrow. A. C. C. May io, 1888. NOTE. It remains to note that I have had the Benedictine edition in the types of Louvain and of Migne constantly at hand, and have referred to them not only in all cases of doubt, but for general refreshment of mind; the epigrammatic beauty and consonance of Augustin's Latin being untranslatable. From the Oxford translations I have rarely departed, and in all important instances have noted the wherefore in the margin. It was not the design of this series to give the reader any other than the masterly work of the scholars to whom we owe its appearance. Other instances have been such inconsiderable adaptations as are demanded in the suture of parts dislocated by abridgment. My brief annotations are always bracketed and marked by an initial of my name. ADVERTISEMENT. 13. " Judge them, O God : let them fall from their own thoughts " (ver. 10). It is a prophecy, not a curse. For he does not wish that it should come to pass ; but he perceives what will come to pass. For this happens to them, 1 P». rii. 14, 15, 16. « Matt. xii. 34. not because he appears to have wished for it, but because they are such as to deserve that it should happen. For so also what he says afterwards, " Let all that hope in Thee rejoice," he says by way of prophecy ; since he perceives that they will rejoice. Likewise is it said prophetically, " Stir up Thy strength, and come : " ' for he saw that He would come. Although the words, " Let them fall from their own thoughts," may be taken thus also, that it may rather be believed to be a wish for their good by the Psalmist, whilst they fall from their evil thoughts, that is, that they may no more think evil.…