Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Psalms 19:7

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

"The law of the Lord is undefiled, converting souls" (ver. 7). The law of the Lord, therefore, is Himself who came to fulfil the law, not to destroy it; an undefiled law, "Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth," not oppressing souls with the yoke of bondage, but converting them to imitate Him in liberty. …

Exposition on Psalm 19 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

"The law." Above, the Psalmist treated of God's general instruction, which takes place through creatures; now he treats of the special instruction which takes place through legislation. And concerning this he does two things. First, he sets forth the commendation of the law. Second, he treats of the offenses committed against the law, at "Who can understand sins?" And fittingly, after the mysteries of the incarnation of Christ, he treats of the old law, which was fulfilled by Christ and the new law handed on. …

Exposition on the Psalms of David ↗

Bonaventure

Scripture enlightens a posteriori through strict judgments. For God always imposes strict judgments upon transgressions of the precepts, as in the cases of Lucifer, Adam and his wife, the depraved upon whom came the flood, the prideful who built the tower of Babel, the Chananeans and Israel. Likewise, the New Testament is full of judgments. Now, the judgment follows the act, while the command precedes it. The judgment is related to the command: if you transgress it, you shall be punished. …

Collations on the Hexaemeron, Collation 17 ↗