Chapter 24

In the proposed psalm, the person of each of those called is introduced, that is, of all those who are collected to guide them to spiritual life. And this same psalm is pronounced on behalf of an entire people who ask for deliverance from captivity. It is proper to recite the words of this psalm during martyrdom. Ps.24:1. To You, Lord, I have lifted up my soul. They say this as if they had already turned from idolatry. Below, let my enemies laugh at me,” and precisely the enemies are mental. Ps.24:2. For all those who endure You will not be ashamed, that is, all who have already placed their trust in God and have become glorious. since he had hope, he boldly affirms that he will receive what he asks for in prayer. Ps.24:3. “Let the wicked be ashamed in vain.” This speaks of those still in idolatry. Ps.24:4. Tell me Your ways, Lord. Understands the Gospel dogmas. Ps.24:5. Guide me to the truth. He says this as if he has not yet achieved the truth. And teach me that You are the God of my Savior. If the prophet prays this way, it is as if he has not yet known the ways of the Lord, has not learned to walk in the paths of the Lord, has not been instructed in the truth of God and has not been taught what he should know about God as the Savior; then who will not be frightened by what is said: “Woe, who are wise in themselves and understanding before themselves” (Is. 5:21)? Ps.24:7. The sin of my youth, and do not remember my ignorance. Madness is called youth; and the time of their idolatry was sheer madness. In a different sense he understands the sins of the people in Egypt; because they served idols there too. So, do not remember those sins now, but show love for mankind, just as You were loving and merciful then to the ignorant. For the sake of Your goodness, Lord. I beg you to grant me this, not because of my dignity, but because of Your love for mankind. Ps.24:8. For this reason he will give a law to those who sin along the way. He will enlighten sinners and show those who sin the way. Ps.24:10. All the ways of the Lord are mercy and truth. For those who constantly feed on divine words know from them exactly that the entire economy of the Savior Christ our God is fused with mercy and truth. He grants mercy and forgiveness to those who repent of their sins, and He glorifies and crowns the invincible champions of virtue, pronouncing judgment on them with the truth; and on those who lived lawlessly and did not repent according to the rules of truth, he imposes punishment. Ps.24:13. And his seed shall inherit the earth; understands the deeds that served him to inherit the mental earth. They will become the seed of good men, by which he means those born according to God. Ps.24:14. The Lord is the power of those who fear Him, and He will show His covenant to them, i.e., the gospel covenant. What will it reveal if not the way of salvation? For the entire law of God is aimed at giving the good pleasure in what is desired for them. This, he says, “will show them,” that is, he will lead them into the enjoyment of what they desire. Ps.24:17. The sorrows of my heart have multiplied. I am surrounded by many sorrows everywhere. Therefore, having balanced this humiliation and misfortune with my iniquities, grant me remission and forgiveness of sins. Deliver me from my needs that oppress me. Ps.24:18. See my humility and my work. For we must not be careless and inactive, relying on the mercy of God, but we must also bring in the labors of our own deeds. Ps.24:19. See my enemies as they have multiplied. Bends God to the mercy of enemies through untruths. Ps.24:21. I cling to kindness and justice. And this is characteristic of virtue - to abhor communication with bad people, but to have accomplices and friends who respect the truth and maintain integrity. This is what the prophet did (as he speaks of himself), in the thought that he was honoring the Lord. You might be interested in: