Fathers

Psalms 13

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How long, Yahweh? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart every day? How long shall my enemy triumph over me? Behold, and answer me, Yahweh, my God. Give light to my eyes, lest I sleep in death; lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed against him;” lest my adversaries rejoice when I fall. But I trust in your loving kindness. My heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to Yahweh, because he has been good to me.

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What the Fathers say

Psalms 13:4

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

"Lest at any time mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him" [Psalm 13:4]. The devil's mockery is to be feared. "They that trouble me will exult, if I be moved;" the devil and his angels; who exulted not over that righteous man, Job, when they troubled him; because he was not moved, that is, did not draw back from the steadfastness of his faith. [Job 2:3]

Exposition on Psalm 13 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

The petition against the adversary: "lest my enemy say." And he sets forth two things. First, the petition. Second, its reason, at "those who trouble me." "Enlighten me, lest my enemy say," exultantly: "I have prevailed against him." And the Devil exults when he tempts and draws one into sin. Likewise: "Arise, O Lord, let not man prevail." And the nature of this is that they would rejoice, "because they will exult if I am moved," that is, if I abandon the state of justice and fall into sin. Sir. …

Exposition on the Psalms of David ↗