Cassiodorus, Explanation of the Psalms - Vol. 3

How salutary and sweet are the words of the most holy mother which we have heard! She has prayed for us that we may be divested of the Satanic trials which she knew were fiercely laid upon us. Once we are freed, she promises us the Lord's countenance, so that once so splendid and so great a gift is pledged to us, we may fear nothing toilsome or sad. Grant, O Lord, that just as Your servants long for You, You may reveal Yourself in the radiance of Your mercy. Let not those sins hinder us which we condemn with our own curses; we confess our faults so that we can appease You. You alone are the Judge who bestow pardon on the person who confesses. Though nothing lies hidden from You, You ask that human persons proclaim what men acknowledge that You know more truly.

I. A psalm of David. As the words of the heading are by now well‐ known through frequent repetition, we must direct our attention to the Lord Saviour. Sometimes what is said once is subject to doubt, but what is proclaimed by frequent repetition is quite definite and beyond doubt. Warnings are given us in advance by heralds, so to say, so that we may prepare our minds' concentration with suitable devotion for what is to follow. Otherwise, because the words fail to be understood, they may perhaps be heeded too negligently. In the view of more careful commentators, the prophet begs to be delivered from different errors in the course of these activities in the world; he asks that he may not fall into the net of sinners, with whom he longs to have no portion.

The prophet is aware of human frailty entangled in the various bonds of sinners, and in the first part he asks the Lord to hear his prayer, additionally mentioning the errors from which he prays chiefly to be delivered. In the second section, he chooses rather to be

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