Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Psalms 34:4

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

"I sought the Lord, and He heard me" (ver. 4). Where heard the Lord? Within. Where giveth He? Within. There thou prayest, there thou art heard, there thou art blessed. Thou hast prayed, thou art heard, thou art blessed; and he knoweth not who standeth by thee: it is all carried on in secret, as the Lord saith in the Gospel, "Enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly." When therefore thou enterest into thy chamber, thou …

Exposition on Psalm 34 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Next, when he says, "I sought," the matter of praise is presented, which is divine clemency in hearing prayer. Concerning the first he does two things. First, he presents the clemency of his hearing. Second, the merit of being heard, at "This poor man cried out." Concerning the first he does two things. First, he presents the benefit granted to himself. Second, he invites others to obtain this benefit, at "Come to him," etc. Concerning the first he does three things. First, he presents the petition. …

Exposition on the Psalms of David ↗