Fathers

Psalms 4

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Answer me when I call, God of my righteousness. Give me relief from my distress. Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer. You sons of men, how long shall my glory be turned into dishonor? Will you love vanity and seek after falsehood? But know that Yahweh has set apart for himself him who is godly: Yahweh will hear when I call to him. Stand in awe, and don’t sin. Search your own heart on your bed, and be still. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness. Put your trust in Yahweh. Many say, “Who will show us any good?” Yahweh, let the light of your face shine on us. You have put gladness in my heart, more than when their grain and their new wine are increased. In peace I will both lay myself down and sleep, for you, Yahweh alone, make me live in safety.

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What the Fathers say

Psalms 4:5

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

"Offer the sacrifice of righteousness, and hope in the Lord" [Psalm 4:5]. He says the same in another Psalm, "the sacrifice for God is a troubled spirit." Wherefore that this is the sacrifice of righteousness which is offered through repentance it is not unreasonably here understood. For what more righteous, than that each one should be angry with his own sins, rather than those of others, and that in self-punishment he should sacrifice himself unto God? Or are righteous works after repentance the sacrifice of righteousness? …

Exposition on Psalm 4 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Consequently, he exhorts them to do good. And first he directs them concerning the principle of good, because "offer the sacrifice of justice"; as if to say, namely be contrite. In Lev. 4, it is commanded that they offer a sacrifice for sins. But the Lord does not care much about such things. Ps. 39: "Sacrifice and oblation you did not desire, but you have perfected ears for me"; hence you also "offer the sacrifice of justice and hope in the Lord": "many say, who shows us," etc., that is, of satisfaction and penance. Rom. …

Exposition on the Psalms of David ↗