Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Psalms 40:13

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

"Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me" [Psalm 40:13]. As if he were saying, "'If You will, You can make me clean.' [Matthew 8:2] Be pleased to deliver me. O Lord, look upon me to help me." Look, that is, on the penitent members, members that lie in pain, members that are writhing under the instruments of the surgeon; but still in hope.

Exposition on Psalm 40 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

"May it please you, O Lord." Here the prayer is presented explicitly. And first he makes the prayer explicit with regard to himself. Second, with regard to the wicked, at "Let them be confounded." Third, with regard to the good, at "Let them exult and rejoice." With regard to himself, he asks to be rescued from evils: Sir. 51: "He delivers those who wait for him." And to be helped in obtaining good things; because through your providence, help is given to me. And this not from my merit, but from your good pleasure. …

Exposition on the Psalms of David ↗