Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Psalms 24:4

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

"The innocent of hand, and the pure in heart" [Psalm 24:4]. Who then shall ascend there, and abide there, but the guiltless in deed, and pure in thought? "Who has not received his soul in vain." Who has not reckoned his soul among things that pass away, but feeling it to be immortal, has longed for an eternity steadfast and unchangeable. "And has not sworn in deceit to his neighbour." And therefore without deceit, as things eternal are simple and undeceiving, has so behaved himself to his neighbour.

Exposition on Psalm 24 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

"The innocent." And first he shows this in general. Second, in particular: "This is the generation." Concerning the first he does two things. First he proposes the merit. Second, the reward, at "He shall receive." In the merit there is one thing that pertains to innocence of action; hence he says, "The innocent in hands": Job 22: "The innocent shall be saved; and he shall be saved by the cleanness of his hands": Ps. …

Exposition on the Psalms of David ↗