Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Psalms 40:1

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

Let us say then what this Psalm says. "I waited patiently for the Lord" [Psalm 40:1]. I waited patiently for the promise of no mere mortal who can both deceive and be himself deceived: I waited for the consolation of no mere mortal, who may be consumed by sorrow of his own, before he gives me comfort. Should a brother mortal attempt to comfort me, when he himself is in sorrow likewise? Let us mourn in company; let us weep together, let us "wait patiently" together, let us join our prayers together also. …

Exposition on Psalm 40 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

In the preceding Psalms, the Psalmist invoked divine help against the malice of the wicked and showed the purpose of his caution; here, however, he treats of confidence in divine help. And concerning this he does two things. First, he describes this confidence itself. Second, he treats of the mercy that is the cause of confidence, at Ps. 40: "Blessed is he who understands." Concerning the first he does two things. First, he commemorates the confidence he has in God, continuing from past events. …

Exposition on the Psalms of David ↗