Fathers

Psalms 11

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In Yahweh, I take refuge. How can you say to my soul, “Flee as a bird to your mountain”? For, behold, the wicked bend their bows. They set their arrows on the strings, that they may shoot in darkness at the upright in heart. If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? Yahweh is in his holy temple. Yahweh is on his throne in heaven. His eyes observe. His eyes examine the children of men. Yahweh examines the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and him who loves violence. On the wicked he will rain blazing coals; fire, sulfur, and scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup. For Yahweh is righteous. He loves righteousness. The upright shall see his face.

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What the Fathers say

Psalms 11:6

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

"He shall rain snares upon the sinners" [Psalm 11:6]. If by clouds are understood prophets generally, whether good or bad, who are also called false prophets: false prophets are so ordered by the Lord God, that by them He may rain snares upon sinners. [Matthew 24:24] For no one, but the sinner, falls into a following of them, whether by way of preparation for the last punishment, if he shall choose to persevere in sin; or to dissuade from pride, if in time he shall come to seek God with a more sincere intent. …

Exposition on Psalm 11 ↗

Jerome

He shall rain snares upon sinners. There is no doubt but that the Lord does this even for the sake of the sinners themselves, so that those who were badly abusing their liberty, being ensnared in the Lord's snares, may walk in the right path as if under his bridle, and may be able to advance through him who says, "I am the way." Whence also fishermen are sent, and hunters, in Jeremiah, that they may hold with their nets the fish that wander and toss about in the depths, and may capture unto salvation the beasts straying about on all …

Homily 60, on Psalm 10 (Alternate Series) ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Second, he sets forth the punishment. And this we can expound of the present or of the future. Of the present thus, maintaining the metaphor. He said that the Lord is in heaven, because there His throne is; but from heaven comes rain. Therefore their punishment is signified when it is said, "He shall rain upon sinners." And what? "Snares." And if this is expounded of the present, note that in sin there are four things. …

Exposition on the Psalms of David ↗