Изъяснение псалма 14-го.

"Psalm to David." since the previous psalm predicted the salvation of those living in Jerusalem, and foreshadowed the return of those already taken into captivity, then in this psalm the Prophet by the way offers an admonition and presents the way of life that those who are obedient to God and who have been granted such help from Him should lead; arranges his speech in the form of a question and answer. Ps.14:1. God! who can dwell in Your habitation? who can dwell on Your holy mountain? “Lord, who dwells in Your habitation? and who will dwell in Your holy mountain?” Who is worthy, O Lord, to always be at Your church? What should he be? and what activities to spend time in? For the Prophet calls the church the dwelling place of God, and Jerusalem the holy mountain; and having proposed this question, he receives the answer: Ps.14:2. He who walks uprightly and does righteousness and speaks the truth in his heart. Ps.14:3. He who does not slander with his tongue, does not do evil to his sincere, and does not accept reproach against his neighbor. “Walk blameless and do righteousness,” that is, one must be far from vice and free from all reproach and diligently practice all virtue; because the Prophet here calls perfect virtue righteousness, and counts its types: “Speak the truth in your heart.” “Do not deceive with your tongue, and do not do evil to your sincere.” It is necessary that not only his tongue, but also his very mind be free from lies, completely far from flattery and double-mindedness, so that from this there can be no harm to his neighbor. Observing strict sequence, the Prophet mentioned first the heart, then the tongue, and then the action itself; because the word precedes the deed, and the thought precedes the word. “And one does not accept reproach from one’s neighbors.” If others fall into any misfortune, one should not laugh or mock them, but rather take part in their sorrow, according to the apostolic law, which commands “weep with those who weep” (Rom. 12:15). Ps.14:4. He in whose eyes the outcast is despised, but who glorifies those who fear the Lord; who swears, even to an evil person, and does not change. Ps.14:5. who does not give his silver at interest and does not accept gifts against the innocent. He who does this will never be shaken. “Every wicked person is humiliated before him.” If anyone has chosen a lawless life, let him be considered the most pitiful, even if he succeeds in everything, enjoying the highest prosperity. And since the Prophet forbade blaming, he very opportunely, showing the difference between good and bad people, added this: “Those who fear glorify the Lord.” It is fair to honor and bestow every respect and honor on all those who themselves respect the divine. “I swear to my sincere and do not reject it”: “You will not give your money for interest, and you will not accept bribes for the innocent.” Let reality itself confirm oaths, and let not covetousness defile wealth; one of its types is the collection of growth. Let the one who judges not be repaid, and let him pronounce a verdict not bought with gifts, because accepting gifts distorts justice. “This work will not move forever.” And the reward for this virtue is that a person constantly uses Divine help, lives in an abundance of many blessings and expects eternal life. This comes to us no less than to the ancients; because, in addition to the ancient law, we accepted a new one, and were honored with greater grace. You might be interested in: