Fathers

Psalms 32

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Blessed is he whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom Yahweh doesn’t impute iniquity, in whose spirit there is no deceit. When I kept silence, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me. My strength was sapped in the heat of summer. I acknowledged my sin to you. I didn’t hide my iniquity. I said, I will confess my transgressions to Yahweh, and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. For this, let everyone who is godly pray to you in a time when you may be found. Surely when the great waters overflow, they shall not reach to him. You are my hiding place. You will preserve me from trouble. You will surround me with songs of deliverance. I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go. I will counsel you with my eye on you. Don’t be like the horse, or like the mule, which have no understanding, who are controlled by bit and bridle, or else they will not come near to you. Many sorrows come to the wicked, but loving kindness shall surround him who trusts in Yahweh. Be glad in Yahweh, and rejoice, you righteous! Shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart!

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What the Fathers say

Psalms 32:8

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

Diapsalma. The answer of God: "I will give you understanding, and will set you in the way in which you shall go;" I will give you understanding after confession, that you depart not from the way in which you should go; lest you wish to be in your own power. "I will fix Mine Eyes upon you" [Psalm 32:8]; so will make sure upon you My Love.

Exposition on Psalm 32 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Second, when he says "I will give you understanding," he shows the effect of his prayer. It is God who speaks: "I will give you understanding," etc. As if God were saying: you ask me to rescue you, and I will do three things for you: I will give you the gift of understanding, I will instruct you, and I will guard you. For three things are necessary for a person from God. First, that he may receive the gift of grace, so that through it the person's soul may be perfected for acting promptly. …

Exposition on the Psalms of David ↗

Bonaventure

"I will give you understanding and I will instruct you in this way in which you shall walk; I will fix my eyes upon you." The Lord promises us this understanding and shows us how we ought to receive it. "I will fix my eyes upon you": the divine good pleasure accepts what we do, approving in the present and rewarding in the future. …

Collationes de Septem Donis, Collation 8 ↗