Chapter 139

Ps.139:1. Deliver me, Lord, from the wicked man. Because of the insult inflicted by demons on human nature, he cries out to God to take revenge, and to direct this insult to the head of those who offended. But it can be understood that this is also said about sensual enemies. Ps.139:2. Those who think[v] lies in their hearts, the militia[v] fights all day. For they not only indulged in evil thoughts, but also added deeds to their thoughts. And instead of: “all day,” Symmachus translates “every day.” Ps.139:6. Along the path, put temptations aside. All this was done to stop in the procession of God; they entangled his feet in nets to overthrow the one who was established in God. Ps.139:9. Lord, do not betray me from my desire to a sinner. I desire, Lord, to desire salvation: therefore, do not leave me and do not allow me to deviate from this desire and be handed over to a sinner, that is, to the devil. Having thought [v] on me, do not forsake me, lest they be lifted up. He prays to God to shelter him under the roof of His wings and under His sovereign hand, from which no one can snatch him, and prays for this so that his enemies do not think highly of themselves, as they do in other cases. Ps.139:10. The head of their entourage. Let it come to them what they intended. For this means the expression: “the head of their entourage.” The head of sinners is thought and feeling. Therefore, may their intentions against me, with which they surrounded me, both the beginning and the head, as well as the whole weight of the labors that they exerted, acting against me, come upon them - worthy of consigning them to fire. Ps.139:11. Coals of fire will fall on them. As if by some fire you would destroy them with wrath. I bring you down in passions: and they will not stand. They will fall into disaster and will not survive it. This is what is done to Saul in the war with the foreigners. For, pierced there by a sword, he suffers the end of his life. Ps.139:12. A pagan man will not reform on earth. Eternal fire awaits the wicked; but even in this life “the man is a pagan” will not “correct” until the end of his life; because one grumpy and slanderous person, even in his earthly undertakings, cannot control himself, and spoils everything with his grumpiness. How can such sin-loving people correct themselves on the path of virtue? The unrighteous and evil husband will be caught in destruction, because, like some old disease, the vice that has taken root in him devours him, which constitutes for him a punishment commensurate with his deeds. For when vice corrupts a soul devoted to it, it is no easier than any other punishment. You might be interested in: