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they became stronger. 80.1941 But the word also prophesies at the same time the change of the world that happened after the incarnation of our God and Savior. For in every city and country, those who attend to the worship of God are superior in number. "I was aroused, and I am still with you." But Symmachus has it thus: I will awaken, and I will always be with you. For always rousing myself, I will push away the sleep of indolence, and I will keep your memory in my mind. For thus I will enjoy your providence. 19. "If you, O God, should kill sinners, you men of blood, turn away from me, because you are contentious in your reasonings." It is characteristic of those who love the good to abhor their opposites. Therefore he says, that as You who love mankind destroy sinners, much more will I turn away from their company, knowing their contentious disposition. For they do not endure good admonitions, but shake them off with difficulty of mind. 20. "They will take your cities in vain." You will kill them, he says, not unjustly, but because they will inhabit the cities in vain, reaping no benefit from your laws. 21, 22. "Did I not hate those who hate you, O Lord, and was I not consumed because of your enemies? I hated them with a perfect hatred; they became enemies to me." I am devoted to your love, O Master. I wish to love and to hate the same things as you. For this very reason, I both love and honor those who hold to your worship; but those who hate you, I not only hate, but I am also continually distressed and consumed over them. For I hate them as lawless, but I pity them as men. And I am compelled to mourn for them through natural sympathy; but again I abhor them because of their great wickedness. 23, 24. "Prove me, O God, and know my heart; examine me, and know my paths. And see if there is any way of iniquity in me, and lead me in the everlasting way." I, for my part, suppose things to be so; but I entreat you, the best physician of souls, to observe my life accurately, and to examine the movements of my heart; and if anything contrary to your laws is found in them, I beseech that it be corrected by your wisdom, and that I be led on the everlasting path. These things were spoken by the blessed David, but were prophesied with reference to the pious Josiah, and are set forth for all who wish it as a starting point for salvation.

INTERPRETATION OF THE 139TH PSALM. 1. "For the end, a Psalm of David." The blessed David, being persecuted by Saul,

David, calls upon the God of all for aid. 80.1944 2. "Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man; from the unjust man rescue me." Saul was unjust, and ungrateful to his benefactor. For he was eager to destroy the divine David, who not only had not wronged him at all, but had also been the cause of many good things for him. 3. "Who have devised injustice in their heart; all the day long they arrayed themselves for wars." For not only did he use wicked reasonings, but he also added deeds to his reasonings. And the phrase, "all the day," Symmachus interpreted as "every day." 4. "They have sharpened their tongue like a serpent's; the venom of asps is under their lips." For using deceit, he often attempted to destroy him; and often having sworn an oath, and using friendly words, he broke the oaths. Therefore, he fittingly compared the treacherous mind, and the hidden deceit, to the venom of creeping beasts. 5. "Keep me, O Lord, from the hand of the sinner; deliver me from unjust men." A prayer befitting a just man. For he asks not for destruction for his enemies, but salvation for himself. "Who have schemed to trip up my steps." Being driven out by Saul, the blessed David fled to the Allophyli (Philistines); and they were impious, and workers of all lawlessness. And for this reason, therefore, he is worthy of admiration, as having become a guardian of piety everywhere, and not enduring to be a slave to necessity. But this one, he says, who is driving me out, almost tripped up the... of my piety.