Fathers

Psalms 34

Tap a verse to read the Fathers. Press and hold, then drag, to make a card.

I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing. Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD. What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken. Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate. The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.

About · Privacy · Credits · Support VRSZ

What the Fathers say

Psalms 34:14

Eastern Fathers

Cyprian

The person of peace ought to seek and follow peace; he who knows and loves the bond of charity ought to restrain his tongue from the evil of dissension. Among his divine commands and salutary instructions the Lord now very near his passion added the following: "Peace I leave you, my peace I give you." This inheritance he gave us, all the gifts and rewards of his promise he assured us in the conservation of peace. If we are heirs of Christ, let us remain in the peace of Christ; if we are children of God, we ought to be peacemakers. …

Treatise I. On the Unity of the Church 24 ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

But what is, "Depart from evil"? (ver. 14). It is little that thou injure none, murder none, steal not, commit not adultery, do no wrong, speak no false witness; "Depart from evil." When thou hast departed, thou sayest, Now I am safe, I have done all, I shall have life, I shall see good days. Not only saith he, "Depart from evil," but also, "and do good." It is nothing that thou spoil not: clothe the naked. …

Exposition on Psalm 34 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Likewise, in deed he shows two things to be done. For a person ought to order his life, first with regard to himself; and with regard to this he says, "Turn away." Second, with regard to neighbor; and with regard to this he says, "Seek," etc. Concerning the first he does two things, according to the diverse parts of justice, which are namely turning away from evil and doing good. The second is at "And do good." He says therefore, "Turn away from evil": Sir. 7: "Do not do evil things," etc. …

Exposition on the Psalms of David ↗

Bonaventure

In the same manner, there are four acts of justice: to do good, to flee evil, to beware of prosperity, and to withstand misfortune. Of the first two, the Psalm says: "Turn from evil, and do good. The Lord has eyes for the just. The Lord confronts the evildoers."

Collations on the Hexaemeron, Collation 18 ↗