Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Psalms 39:13

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

"Grant me some remission, that I may be refreshed before I go hence" (ver. 13). Consider well, Idithun, consider what knots those are which thou wouldest have "loosed" unto thee, that thou mightest be "refreshed before thou goest hence." For thou hast certain fever-heats from which thou wouldest fain be refreshed, and thou sayest, "that I may be refreshed," and "grant me a remission." What should He remit, or loosen unto thee, save that difficulty under which, and in consequence of which, thou sayest, "Forgive us our debts. …

Exposition on Psalm 39 ↗

Ambrose of Milan

Forgive me, so that I need no longer be a pilgrim and a wayfarer. Forgive me so that I may be called home from exile. If you forgive me, before I go from this place, I shall no longer be an exile and a pilgrim. Once you will have forgiven me, I will no longer be in foreign parts. I shall be a fellow citizen of your saints; I shall be with my ancestors, who were pilgrims before me and are now truly citizens. I shall be a member of God's household. …

Commentaries on the Twelve Davidic Psalms ↗

Thomas Aquinas

"Forgive me." Here he asks for the hastening of his being heard; as if to say: let what I ask be done quickly. And first he sets forth the effect of the petition; second he determines the time. Hence he says, "Forgive me," namely my sins, because (Ps. 32), "Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered." And this so that here I may "be refreshed," namely from sin, or from the punishment that the evil one intends. Wis. …

Exposition on the Psalms of David ↗