PSALM 1__

[e1-11; SC 272-8]

[1.] 1(1). BLESSED the man who has not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, 

1(1) μακάριος ἀνὴρ ὃς οὐκ ἐπορεύθη ἐν βουλῇ ἀσεβῶν

1. THE counsel of the ungodly is the [tempting-] thought that chains the intellect to sensual concerns.  [It does not say “human being” but man, for it summons to struggle and fighting and battle for virtue; and it counsels that both men and women be more virile [in this]].[bracketed.txt. doubtful but possible; probably by Origen.

 1. βουλὴ ἀσεβῶν ἐστι λογισμὸς ἐμπαθὴς τοἷς αἰσθητοῖς πράγμασι τὸν νοῦν προσδεσμῶν. [Οὐκ εἶπε δὲ, « ἄνθρωπος », ἀλλ' « ἀνὴρ », ὅτι πρὸς ἀγῶνας καὶ πάλας καὶ μάχας τὰς ὑπὲρ ἀρετῆς καλεῖ καὶ βούλεται καὶ τὰς γυναῖκας ἀρρενώποὺς καὶ ἀνδρείας εἶναι.]  [SC (v.614) 272-273. cf PG 12.1085.] [e1; SC 271]

2. But blessedness is apatheia of the soul together with true knowledge of things that exist.

 2. μακαριότης δὲ ψυχῆς ἀπάθεια μετὰ γνώσεως τῶν ὄντων ἀληθοῦς. [SC 274; cf. PG 12.1085.]

[1.] 1(3). and in the way of sinners he has not stood,

1(3)  καὶ ἐν ὁδῷ ἁμαρτωλῶν οὐκ ἔστη

3. The seat of the pestilential is the worst habit of the reasoning soul by which it also teaches others to disobey the law.

 3. καθέδρα λοιμῶν ἐστι λογικῆς ψυχῆς ἕξις χειρίστη, καθ' ἣν καὶ τοὺς ἄλλους διδάσκει παρανομεῖν. [SC 274; = PG 12.1085.]

[1.] 2(2). and on his law he will meditate day and night.

2(2)  καὶ ἐν τῷ νόμῳ αὐτοῦ μελετήσει ἡμέρας καὶ νυκτός.

4. [He meditates constantly on the law of God who is accomplishing good works.] [probably by Origen.]

 4. [οὗτος διὰ παντὸς μελετήσει τῷ νόμῳ τοῦ θεοῦ ὁ τὰ καλὰ ἔργα διαπραττόμενος.] [SC 274.]

[1.] 3. And he will be like the tree that is planted near the running waters, which will bring forth its fruit in its season and its leaf shall not drop.

3 καὶ ἔσται ὡς τὸ ξύλον τὸ πεφυτευμένον παρὰ τὰς διεξόδους τῶν ὑδάτων, ὃ τὸν καρπὸν αὐτοῦ δώσει ἐν καιρῷ αὐτοῦ καὶ τὸ φύλλον αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἀπορρυήσεται

5.  ‘The fruit of the Spirit is love joy peace,’ (Gal 5:22) and so on. See how vividly it offers the reading, will bring forth; but not, will bear.  For the just one, in the season of indignation and desire, can bring forth patient endurance, courage, and temperance: in abuse and slander - blessing, silence, and praise;

 5. . ὁ̔ καρπὸς τοῦ πνεύματός ἐστιν ἀγάπη, χάρα, εἰρήνη καὶ τὰ ἑξῆς. ὅρα πῶς ἐμψύχως εἴρηται δώσει, ἀλλ' οὐκ οἰσει. δίδωσι δὲ ὁ δίκαιος ἐν καιρῷ θυμοῦ καὶ ἐπιθυμίας μακροθυμίαν, ἀνδρείαν, σωφροσύνην, ἐν λοιδορίᾳ καὶ καταλαλιᾷ τὴν εὐλογίαν, τὴν σιωπήν, τοὺς ἐπαινούς,

these being the harvest-revenue he will receive back as his future reward. And he blooms exceedingly in hope; as if decked with leaves, [hope thus] accompanying the heaviest toil: or else he humbles himself, [thus] guarding and sheltering the unfailing fruit.

ὧν τὰς ἐπικαρπίας κομίσεται ἐν τῷ μέλλοντι. θάλλει δὲ καὶ ὧδε κομῶν ὡς φύλλοις τῇ ἐλπίδι ψυχαγωγούσῃ τὴν τῶν κόπων βαρύτητα ἢ τῇ ταπεινώσει τηρούσῃ καὶ σκεπούσῃ τοὺς καρποὺς ἀδιαπτώτους. [SC 276.]

6.  The trees brings forth leaves, and the just one his daily tasks.  [And the leaves are tokens of a good soul achieved by means of the body, like the appearance of clothes,  a foot’s stride (Deut 2:5; Acts 7:5), a smiling face.] [prob. Origen.]

6. τὰ φύλλα δεικνύουσι τὰ δένδρα καὶ τὸν δίκαιον τὰ καθήκοντα.  [ἔστι δὲ φύλλα γνωρίσματα ψυχῆς ἀγαθῆς διὰ σώματος ἐκτελούμενα, οἷον εἶδος ἐσθῆτος, βῆμα ποδός, προσώπου μειδίαμα.] [brk.txt. poss.Origen; SC 278-9]

[1.] 4 (1)  Not so are the impious, not so

4(1) οὐχ οὕτως οἱ ἀσεβεῖς, οὐχ οὕ τως,

[7. [The unbelievers make a great show of having acquired virtue] [Doubtful. Perhaps Origen?]

 7. [ἐσχηματισμένην οἱ ἄπιστοι κέκτηνται τὴν ἀρετήν.] [brk.txt. doubtful; SC 278-9]

8.[Οὔτε δὲ ἐν τῷ Ἑβραϊκῷ κεῖται ὁ διπλασιασμὸς οὔτε τις τῶν ἐρμηνευτῶν ἐχρήσατο αὐτῷ.] doubtful perhaps Origen?; SC 278-9]

9.[[Τὸ εἰς κρίσιν, οὐκ εἰς ἐρώτησιν.]

[1.] 5(1). Therefore the ungodly shall not rise in judgment, nor sinners in the counsel of the just. [formerly sch 8]

5(1) διὰ τοῦτο οὐκ ἀναστήσονται ἀσεβεῖς ἐν κρίσει  [οὐδὲ ἁμαρτωλοὶ ἐν βουλῇ δικαίων·]

10. Judgement is for the just the passage from a body for asceticism to an angelic one: but for the ungodly it is the change from a body for asceticism to a darkened and gloomy one.  For the ungodly will not be raised in the first judgment, but rather in the second. [Sch. 275 on Prov. 24.22; KG 2.48;  3.48;  3.50;  3.51. also cf KG 1.11]

10.Κρίσις ἐστὶ δικαίων μὲν ἡ ἀπὸ πρακτικοῦ σώματος ἐπὶ ἀγγελικὰ μετάβασις, ἀσεβῶν δὲ ἀπὸ πρακτικοῦ σώματος ἐπὶ σκοτεινὰ καὶ ζοφερὰ μετάθεσις σώματα. Ἐγερθήσονται γὰρ οἱ ^[12.1100] ἀσεβεῖς οὐκ ἐν τῇ προτέρᾳ κρίσει, ἀλλ' ἐν τῇ δευτέρᾳ. [SC 280; cf. PG 12.1097-1100.] Cf. KG 3.48^. 2.1097-1100.^]

[1.] 6(1). For the Lord knows the way of the just

6(1) οτι γινώσκει κύριος οδὸν δικαίων,

 [11. [God looks only on the good, never on the wicked: for they are unworthy of his knowledge.] [doubtful; perhaps Origen?; SC 278-9]

   11. [μόνον τὸ καλὸν οἶδεν ὁ θεὸς, φαῦλον δὲ οὐδέν· ἀνάξια γὰρ τῆς γνώσεως αὐτοῦ.] [brk.txt. poss.Origen; SC 280-1]

PSALM 2__

[e12-15; SC 282-4 ]

 [2.] 5(1). THIS he said to them in his anger

1. Anger is God’s painful punishment for the benefit of the one who has sinned.

5(1).  τότε λαλήσει πρὸς αὐτοὺς ἐν ὀργῇ αὐτοῦ

  1. .Ὀργή ἐστι Θεοῦ κόλασις ἐπίπονος ἐπὶ τῷ συμφέροντι τοῦ ἡμαρτηκότος γινομένη. [SC 282; P 2.5(1)]

[2.]  7 The Lord said to me you are my son,
today I have begotten you.

2. Unto today he addresses [him thus] (Heb 3.13).

7. κύριος εἶπεν πρός με υἱός μου εἶ σύ,
     ἐγὼ σήμερον γεγέννηκά σε·

  2. ἄχρις οὗ τὸ σήμερον καλεῖται (Heb 3.13). [SC 282;  cf Pitra 2.7.2]

[2.]  8(1).  Ask of me and I will give you the nations for your inheritance

3.  Here inheritance means the reasoning nature inheriting him as knowledge and truth and justice.  But inheritance of reasoning nature is contemplation of corporeal and incorporeal [beings] and the origin of these [beings] in God.

8(1)  αἴτησαι παρ' ἐμοῦ, καὶ δώσω σοι ἔθνη τὴν κληρονομίαν σου

  3. κληρονομίαν ἐνταῦθα ὠνόμασεν τὴν φύσιν τὴν λογικὴν κληρονομοῦσαν αὐτὸν ὡς σοφίαν καὶ γνῶσιν καὶ ἀλήθειαν καὶ δικαιοσύνην· κληρονομία δὲ ἐστι φύσεως λογικῆς θεωρία σωματῶν καὶ ἀσωμάτων καὶ τοῦ αἰτίου τούτων Θεοῦ. [SC 282; cf PG 12.1108.38]

[2.]  12.  Lay hold of instruction so the Lord is not angered

4. Instruction is moderation of the passions, which tends naturally to result from the praktike.  For the praktike is spiritual teaching purifying the portion of the soul subject to passion.

12(1).  δράξασθε παιδείας μήποτε ὀργισθῇ κύριος

  4. παιδεία ἐστὶ μετριοπαθεία παθῶν, ὅπερ συμβαίνειν πέφυκεν ἐκ τῆς πρακτικῆς, εἴγε πρακτική ἐστι διδασκαλία πνευματικὴ τὸ παθητικὸν μέρος τῆς ψυχῆς ἐκκαθαίρουσα. [SC 282; cf Pitra 2.12.1 ]

PSALM 3__

[e16-19; SC 284-8 ]

 [3.] 2(1). LORD, why are they multiplied who afflict me?

1. Those making progress have many who afflict them.

2(1)  Κύριε, τί ἐπληθύνθησαν οἱ θλίβοντές με;

  1. οἱ προκόπτοντες πολλοὺς τοὺς θλίβοντας ἔχουσιν.  [SC 284; VG 754 f.39 v. Α; = Pitra 3.2.3 ]

[3.]  4. But you, Lord, are my helper; my glory, the one who raises up my head

2. In this instance the raised-up nous  is that which has begun to apply itself to the “richly-varied wisdom of God” (Eph. 3:10).

4. σὺ δέ, κύριε, ἀντιλήμπτωρ μου εἶ, δόξα μου καὶ ὑψῶν τὴν κεφαλήν μου.

  2. τὸ τηνικαῦτα ὑψοῦται νοῦς ὁπηνικα ἂν ἐπιβάλῃ τῇ πολυποικίλῳ σοφίᾳ τῇ τοῦ θεοῦ (Eph 3.10). [SC 286]

[3.]  5. I cried to the Lord with my voice, and He heard me from His holy mountain.

3. Holy Mountain is the Christ.

5 φωνῇ μου πρὸς κύριον ἐκέκραξα, καὶ ἐπήκουσέν μου ἐξ ὄρους ἁγίου αὐτοῦ.

  3. ὄρος ἅγιόν ἐστιν ὁ Χριστός. [SC 286; VG 754 f.40 r. γ]

[3.]  7.  Arise, O Lord, deliver me, my God; for you have struck all who were in vain my enemies; you have broken the teeth of sinners.

4. The teeth of sinners are irrational [tempting-] thoughts occurring to us contrary to nature; making use of these many teeth the enemies draw near to us in order to eat our flesh (Ps 26:2) that is, those [things] that sprout forth from the flesh: “For the works of the flesh are manifest,” (Gal. 5:19) as the divine apostle says.

8(3). [Ἀνάστα, Κύριε, σῶσόν με, ὁ Θεός μου,ὅτι σὺ ἐπάταξας πάντας τοὺς ἐχθραίνοντάς μοι ματαίως, ]ὀδόντας ἁμαρτωλῶν συνέτριψας,

  4. ὀδόντες ἁμαρτωλῶν εἰσι λογισμοὶ ἄλογοι, παρὰ φύσιν ἡμῖν ἐπισυμβαίνοντες· τοἷς γὰρ λογισμοίς ὡς ὀδοῦσι χρώμενοι πολλάκις οἱ ἀντικείμενοι προσεγγίζουσιν ἡμῖν τοῦ φαγεῖν τὰς σάρκας ἡμῶν, τουτέστι τὰ ἐκ τῆς σαρκὸς φυόμενα· « φανερὰ δέ ἐστι τὰ ἔργα τῆς σαρκὸς,» φησὶν ὁ θεῖος ἀπόστολος.(Ps 26.2; Ga 5.19)  [SC 286-8; VG 754 f.41 v. Δ; cf PG 12.1132 ]

PSALM 4__

[e20-26; SC 288-94 ]

[4.]  2(1) When I called the lord of my justice answered me

1. HE did not hear me after I called, but rather when I called.

2(1) ἐν τῷ ἐπικαλεῖσθαί με εἰσήκουσέν μου ὁ θεὸς τῆς δικαιοσύνης μου

  1.  οὐ μετὰ τὸ ἐπικαλεῖσθαι εἰσήκουσέν με, ἀλλ' ἐν τῷ ἐπικαλεῖσθαι. [SC 288; VG 754 f.41 r. Α; = Pitra 4.2.4 ]

[4.]  v.2(2). In distress you widened me

2.  The more we understand of distress and temptation, the more we are widened.

2(2) ἐν θλίψει ἐπλάτυνας μοι

  2.  ὁταν τῶν θλίψεων καὶ τῶν πειρασμῶν τοὺς λόγους ἐπιγινώσκωμεν, τότε μάλιστα πλατυνόμεθα.  [SC 288-290; VG 754 f.41 r. β; cf PG 27.72 ]

[4.] 3(1) O sons of men, how long will you be heavy-hearted?

3.  Thus we know that vice is naturally heavy: from the fact that the Lord coming into Egypt is said to be [lightly] seated upon a cloud. (Is 19:1)  So a light cloud is the reasoning nature “filled with all” virtue “and knowledge”. (Rom 15:14)

3(1) υἱοὶ ἀνθρώπων, ἕως πότε βαρυκάρδιοι

  3.  ἐντεῦθεν γινώσκομεν ὅτι βαρείας φύσεώς ἐστιν ἡ κακία, διόπερ ὁ ἐρχόμενος εἰς τὴν Αἴγυπτον κύριος, ἐπὶ νεφέλης λέγεται καθέζεσθαι κούφης. νεφέλη δὲ κούφη ἐστὶ φύσις λογικὴ, πάσης ἀρετῆς πεπληρωμένη καὶ γνώσεως. [SC 290; VG 754 f.41 r. Γ; =P 4.3.1 ]

[4.] 5. Be angry and do not sin.

4. It urges: do not battle [your enemy] in your imagination, nor bring about the deed that causes anger.

5[1] ὀργίζεσθε, καὶ μὴ ἁμαρτάνετε

  4.  Παραινεῖ μὴ συγκατατίθεσθαι τῇ φαντασίᾳ μηδὲ τὸ ἔργον ἐπάγειν κυροῦντα τὴν ὀργήν. (Cl.Alex Str. 5.28.2) [SC 292; VG 754 f.42 v. δ; = P 4.5.1]

[4.] 6 Sacrifice the sacrifice of justice and hope in the Lord

5. The sacrifice of justice is the reasoning soul’s apatheia, which it offers up to God; while hope is eager expectation of true knowledge.

6. θύσατε θυσίαν δικαιοσύνης, καὶ ἐλπίσατε ἐπὶ κύριον.

  5.  θυσία δικαιοσύνης ἐστὶν ἀπάθεια ψυχῆς λογικῆς, προσφερομένη θεῷ. ἐλπὶς δέ ἐστιν ἀγαθὴ προσδοκία γνώσεως ἀληθοῦς:- [SC 292; VG 754 f.42 v. ε] [= P 4.6.1 ]

[4.] 7 The light of your face has been manifested to us.

6. Now the angels continually see the face of God (Mt 18.10), while human beings [see] the light of his face.  For the face of the Lord  is spiritual contemplation of everything that has come to be on the earth, while the light of His face is partial knowledge of these things; since according to the wise Teqoah David was like an angel of God, seeing everything upon the earth (2Sam 14:20). [cf  KG 1.23; 5.7; Gnost 16;  Schol 10 On Ps 30.16]

7(2) ἐσημειώθη ἐφ' ἡμᾶς τὸ φῶς τοῦ προσώπου σου, κύριε

  6.  οἱ μὲν ἄγγελοι διαπαντὸς  βλέπουσι τὸ πρόσωπον τοῦ θεοῦ, οἱ δὲ ἄνθρωποι τὸ φῶς τοῦ προσώπου αὐτοῦ· πρόσωπον γὰρ κυρίου ἐστὶν θεωρία πνευματικὴ πάντων τῶν ἐπὶ γῆς γεγονότων. φῶς δὲ προσώπου ἐστὶν ἡ μερικὴ γνῶσις τούτων αὐτῶν, εἴπερ κατὰ τὴν σοφὴν Θεκωϊτίδα·  ὤσπερ ἄγγελος θεοῦ ἦν ὁ Δαυὶδ, πάντα εἰδὼς τὰ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς:- [SC 292-4; VG 754 f.42 v. ς] [= P 4.7.1 ]

[4.] 8 You have put joy into my heart; with the fruit of their grain and wine and oil [they have been satisfied].

 7.  Grain and wine and oil satisfy sinners; but the joy of God rejoices the just.

8.  Ἔδωκας εὐφροσύνην εἰς τὴν καρδίαν μου, ἀπὸ καρποῦ σίτου καὶ οἴνου καὶ ἐλαίου αὐτῶν ἐπληθύνθησαν.

  7. σῖτος καὶ οἶνος καὶ ἔλαιον πληθύνει ἁμαρτωλούς· εὐφροσύνη δὲ θεοῦ εὐφραίνει δικαίους:- [SC 294; VG 754 f.42 r. ζ] [= P 4.8.2, 18 ]

PSALM 5__

[e27-38; SC 294-304 ]

[5.]  1  FOR the end, concerning she who inherits.

1. The inheritance is the reasoning nature.

1.  εἰς τὸ τέλος ὑπὲρ τῆς κληρονομούσης.

  1.   ἡ κληρονομοῦσά  ἐστιν ἡ φύσις ἡ λογική. :- [SC 294; VG 754 f.42 r. α] [= P 5.1.3 ]

[5.]  4 In the morning you will hear my voice.

2. The one putting off the works of darkness and clothing himself in the armor of light (Rom 13.12) is to say these words.

4. τὸ πρωῒ εἰσακούσῃ τῆς φωνῆς μου, τὸ πρωὶ παραστήσομαί σοι καὶ ἐπόψομαι

  2.  ὁ ἀποθέμενος τὰ ἔργα τοῦ σκότους καὶ ἐνδυσάμενος τὰ ὅπλα τοῦ φωτὸς, ταῦτα λεγέτω τὰ ῥήματα:- [SC 296; VG 754 f.43 v. β] [= PG 12.1168 ]

[5.]  7 You will destroy all who speak lies

3. It does not say “those who spoke”, but “those who speak.” If the Lord destroys those who speak lies, and if, according to David, every man lies (Ps 115.2), then it is all men, according to this word, whom the Lord destroys; so that after leaving their human condition they become gods, since, once they have become gods, all men are also sons of the Most High (Ps 81.6).

7.1.. ἀπολεῖς πάντας τοὺς λαλοῦντας τὸ ψεῦδος

  3. οὐκ εἶπεν̓ τοὺς λαλήσαντας, ἀλλὰ τοὺς λαλοῦντας. εἰ δὲ ἀπόλλυσι κύριος τοὺς λαλοῦντας τὸ ψεῦδος, πᾶς δὲ ἄνθρωπος ψεύστης κατὰ τὸν Δαυίδ, πάντας ἄρα τοὺς ἀνθρώπους κατὰ τὸν λόγον τοῦτον ἀπόλλυσι κύριος, ἵν’ ἀποθέμενοι τὸ εἶναι ἄνθρωποι γένωνται θεοί, ἐπειδὴ καὶ θεοὶ γεγονότες καὶ υἱοὶ ὑψίστου γεγόνασιν πάντες γεγόνασιν ἄνθρωποι:- [SC 296; VG 754 f.43 r. γ] [cf PG 12.1169 ]

[5.]   8  I will worship toward your holy temple in your fear.

4.  Holy temple is the Christ of God, for “God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself.” (2Cor 5:19).

8(2) προσκυνήσω πρὸς ναὸν ἅγιόν σου ἐν φόβῳ σου

  4. ναὸς ἅγιός ἐστιν τοῦ θεοῦ ὁ Χριστὸς, διότι ὁ Θεὸς ἦν ἐν Χριστῷ κόσμον καταλλάσσων ἑαυτῷ,- [SC 298; VG 754 f.43 r. δ] [= P 8.1]

5. If “the fear of the Lord turns all away from vice” (Prv 15:27), then, in the fear of the Lord [all] worship the temple which is Christ; for he says, “destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” (Mt 26:61, Jn 2:19)

  5. εἰ τῷ φόβῳ κυρίου ἐκκλίνει πᾶς ἀπὸ κακοῦ· ἐν φόβῳ δὲ κυρίου προσκυνεῖ τὸν ναὸν, ἐκκλίνας ἄρα ἀπὸ παντὸς κακοῦ προσκυνεῖ τὸν ναόν, ὅς ἐστι Χριστός· λύσατε γὰρ, φησὶν, τὸν ναὸν τοῦτον, καὶ ἐν τρισὶν ἡμέραις ἐγερῶ αὐτόν.- [SC 298; VG 754 f.43 r. ε] [cf. P 8.1 ]

[5.]  9 Lead me, O Lord in your justice because of my enemies.

6. In the justice which accords with [ascetical] practice, or in the Christ.

9.1. κύριε, ὁδήγησόν με ἐν τῇ δικαιοσύνῃ σου ἕνεκα τῶν ἐχθρῶν μου.

  6. ἐν τῇ κατὰ πρακτικὴν δικαιοσύνῃ ἢ ἐν τῷ Χριστῷ. [SC 300; cf. P 9.1]

[5.]  10(1) For there is no truth in their mouths.

7. No truth whatever or the Christ? And perhaps the second.

10.1. ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν τῷ στόματι αὐτῶν ἀλήθεια, ἡ καρδία αὐτῶν ματαία.

  7. πότερον, οὐδεμία ἀλήθεια, ἢ ὁ Χριστός; καὶ τάχα τὸ δεύτερον. [SC 300; = P 10.1]

[5.]  10(3) Their throat is an open tomb.

8. Filled with dead works.

10(3) τάφος ἀνεῳγμένος ὁ λάρυγξ αὐτῶν

  8. νεκρῶν ἔργων πεπληρωμένος.  [SC 300; = P 10.3]

[5.]  11. may they fail in their counsels

9.   It is blessedness to fail in evil counsels.

11(2) ἀποπεσάτωσαν ἀπὸ τῶν διαβουλιῶν αὐτῶν

  9. μακαριότης ἐστὶν, βουλῆς κακῆς ἐκπεσεῖν. [SC 300; = P 11.3]

[5.]  11(3). according to the multitude of their impieties cast them out, for they have provoked you, O Lord.

10.  Cast them away from impieties, let pieties be performed.

11(3) κατὰ τὸ πλῆθος τῶν ἀσεβειῶν αὐτῶν ἔξωσον αὐτοὺς

  10. ἐξωσον αὐτοὺς ἀπὸ τῆς ἀσεβείας εὐσεβεῖς αὐτοὺς ἀπεργασάμενος. [SC 302; = P 11.2]

 [5.]  12. Unto the ages shall they rejoice; and you shall dwell among them.

11. An age is a natural system [made up] of differing bodies, encompassing different logikoi on account of the knowledge of God, [=KG 3.36]

12(2) εἰς αἰῶνα ἀγαλλιάσονται, καὶ κατασκηνώσεις ἐν αὐτοῖς, 

  11. αἰών ἐστι σύστημα φυσικὸν, ἐκ σωμάτων ποικίλων λογικὰ διάφορὰ περιέχον τῆς τοῦ θεοῦ γνώσεως ἕνεκεν. [SC 302; cf PG 12.1172 ]  [KG 3.36]

 [5.]  13 Lord, as with a shield of favor you have crowned us.

12. It is thus with the knowledge of God: if it wards off enemies, it is a shield of favor; if it achieves ruling over some of the passions, it is called a crown. And the knowledge of God is divided into two [parts], practice and contemplation. To practice belongs the shield of favor (KG 5.31), while of contemplation is the crown (KG 1.75). This ordering has been preserved: for before the crown [comes] the shield, and also before contemplation [comes] practice.

13(2). κύριε ὡς ὅπλῳ εὐδοκίας ἐστεφάνωσας ἡμᾶς,

  12.  ἡ γνῶσις ἡ τοῦ θεοῦ, ᾗ μὲν ἀμύνεται τοὺς πολεμίους, ὅπλον ἐστὶ εὐδοκίας· εἰ δὲ βασιλεύειν τινὰ ποιεῖ τινα τῶν παθῶν, στέφανος ὀνομάζεται. τέμνεται δὲ ἡ γνῶσις ἡ τοῦ Θεοῦ εἰς δύο, εἰς πρᾶξιν καὶ θεωρίαν· καὶ τῆς μὲν πράξεως τὸ ὅπλον τῆς εὐδοκίας ἐστὶν, τῆς δὲ θεωρίας ὁ στέφανος. τετήρηται δὲ καὶ ἡ τάξις πρὸ γὰρ τοῦ στεφάνου τὸ ὅπλον, ἐπειδὴ καὶ πρὸ τῆς θεωρίας ἡ πρᾶξις. [SC 304; cf PG 12.1173 ]

PSALM 6__

[e39-44; SC 304-8 ]

[6.]  2(1) O LORD, do not rebuke me in your indignation, nor chasten me in your wrath.  Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak: heal me, for my bones are troubled.

1. Indignation is an impulse of the civilized soul prominently warding off desires.

[Stromata. 5.5.27-28̓. θυμὸς γὰρ εὑρίσκεται ὁρμὴ ἐπιθυμίας ἡμέρου ψυχῆς κατ' ἐξοχὴν ἀμύνης ἐφετικὸς ἀλόγως.]

 2(1). Κύριε, μὴ τῷ θυμῷ σου ἐλέγξῃς με, μηδὲ τῇ ὀργῇ σου παιδεύσῃς με· ἐλέησόν με, Κύριε· ὅτι ἀσθενής εἰμι, ἴασαί με, ὅτι ἐταράχθη τὰ ὀστᾶ μου.

   1. Θυμός ἐστιν ὁρμὴ ἐπιθυμίας ἡμέρου ψυχῆς, κατ' ἐξοχὴν ἀμύνης. [SC 304; = P 2-3(1)] 

[cf

[6.]  6(1) For there is none in death remembering you, and who in Hades will give you thanks?

2. Everyone kept in memory by the Life who says I am the life (Jn 14.6) - is not in death.

 6(1).  ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν τῷ θανάτῳ ὁ μνημονεύων σου

  2.  πᾶς ὁ μνημονεύων τῆς ζωῆς τῆς εἰπούσης «̓Εγώ εἰμι ἡ ζωὴ,» οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν τῷ θανάτῳ. [SC 306; cf PG 12.1176 ]

[6.]  7(2-3). I will drench my bed every night; with my tears I will water my bed.

3. An instruction concerning tears for one who prays at night.

7. λούσω καθ' ἑκάστην νύκτα τὴν κλίνην μου, ἐν δάκρυσίν μου τὴν στρωμνήν μου βρέξω.

  3. Προτρεπτικὸν πρὸς τὸ δακρύειν ἐν νυκτὶ προσευχομένον. [SC 306; = P 7] 

[6.]  8(1) My eye is disturbed from indignation; I have grown old among all my enemies.

4. Nothing can blind the nous as much as disturbing indignation. [cf KG 5.27; PeriLog 32]

8(1) ἐταράχθη ἀπὸ θυμοῦ ὁ ὀφθαλμός μου

  4. Οὐδὲν οὕτω τυφλοῖ νοῦν ὡς θυμὸς ταρασσόμενος. [SC 306; = PG 12.1176 ]

[6.]  9. Depart from me, all you who work lawlessness.

5. By means of demons lawlessness is always brought about; not always by men; and by angels, neither at all times nor occasionally - that is, never.

9(1) ἀπόστητε ἀπ' ἐμοῦ, πάντες οἱ ἐργαζόμενοι τὴν ἀνομίαν,

  5. δαιμόνων μὲν τὸ διὰπαντὸς ἐργάζεσθαι τὴν ἀνομίαν,  τὴν ἀνομίαν ἐργάζεσθαι· ἀνθρώπων δὲ τὸ μὴ διὰπαντός, ἀγγέλων τὸ μήτε διὰπαντός μήτε μὴ διὰπαντός, ὅπερ ἐστὶ οὐδέποτε. [SC 308; cf. PG 12.1176 ]

[6.]  11(1) Let all my enemies be ashamed and very much troubled.

6. Shame brings the sinner to his senses.

11(1) . αἰσχυνθείησαν καὶ ταραχθείησαν σφόδρα πάντες οἱ ἐχθροί μου

  6. Ἡ αἰσχύνη εἰς συναίσθησιν ἄγει τὸν ἁμαρτάνοντα. [SC 308= PG 12.1176 ]

PSALM 7__

[7.]  5 If I have given evil to those who gave to me, then let me perish empty through my enemies.

1. This phrase is useful for forgetfulness of injury.

5(1). εἰ ἀνταπέδωκα τοῖς ἀνταποδιδοῦσί μοι κακὰ

  1. Πρὸς ἀμνησικακίαν ἀναγκαῖον τὸ ῥητόν τοῦτο. [SC 308; cf PG 12, 1177-1180]

[7.]  5 If I have given evil to those who gave to me, then let me perish empty through my enemies.

2. Empty is one who is not able to say, “and from his fullness we have all received and grace upon grace.” (Jn 1:16)  For this sort are also said to be “reeds nourishing within themselves the wild beasts,” for it says: “Rebuke the beasts that dwell among the reeds and the devil;” (Ps 67:31) Job says: “he reposes beneath all kinds of trees, among the papyrus and [in] the marsh and the reeds.  For he is king of those in the waters.” (Job 40:16-21)

5(2). ἀποπέσοιμι ἄρα ἀπὸ τῶν ἐχθρῶν μου κενὸς.

  2. κενός ἐστιν ὁ μὴ δυνάμενος εἰπεῖν τὸ « ἐκ τοῦ πληρώματος αὐτοῦ ἡμεῖς πάντες ἐλάβομεν καὶ χάριν ἀντὶ χάριτος.» διόπερ καὶ οἱ τοιοῦτοι « κάλαμοι » λέγονται τρέφοντες ἐν ἑαυτοῖς τὰ θηρία· « ἐπιτίμησον » γάρ, φησί τοῖς θηρίοις τοῦ καλάμου. » καὶ, « ὁ διάβολος » φησὶν ὁἸὼβ` « παρὰ παντοδαπὰ δένδρα κοιμᾶται, παρὰ πάπυρον καὶ βούτομον, καὶ κάλαμον·» αὐτὸς γάρ βασιλεὺς ἐστι πάντων τῶν ἐν τοῖς ὕδασιν. [SC 310; cf PG 12.1180]

6(3) and make my glory dwell in the dust.

[7.]  3. Let me be [as] dust before the heavenly [ones].

6(3) καὶ τὴν δόξαν μου εἰς χοῦν κατασκηνώσαι

  3. χοϊκὸς ἀντὶ ἐπουρανίου γενοίμην [SC 310; = P 6]

7(2) Be exalted in the uttermost boundaries of my enemies.

[7.]  4. “When I am lifted up I will draw all to myself,” says the Savior (Jn 12:32).

6(3) ὑψώθητι ἐν τοῖς πέρασι τῶν ἐχθρῶν μου

  4. « ἐὰν ὑψωθῶ πάντας ἑλκύσω πρὸς ἐμαυτόν,» φησὶν ὁ σωτήρ. [SC 312; cf PG 12.1180-1131]

10 May the wickedness of sinners be brought to an end, and you will direct the just..

[7.]  5. If the wickedness of sinners were brought to an end the just would direct his way, no longer attacked by them.

10   συντελεσθήτω δὴ πονηρία ἁμαρτωλῶν, καὶ κατευθυνεῖς δίκαιον

  5.  ἐὰν συντελεσθῇ ἡ πονηρία τῶν ἁμαρτωλῶν, ὁ δίκαιος κατευθύνει τὴν ὁδὸν αὑτοῦ, μηκέτι πολεμούμενος ὑπ' αὐτῶν. SC 312; [= P 10]

13(1) If you will not be converted he will brandish his sword.

[7.]  6. The noetic sword is the logos (or “inner meaning”) separating soul from body, or from vice or ignorance. (KG 5.28)

13(1) ἐὰν μὴ ἐπιστραφῆτε, τὴν ῥομφαίαν αὐτοῦ στιλβώσει

  6. ῥομφαία ἐστὶ νοητὴ λόγος πνευματικὸς χωρίζων ψυχὴν ἀπὸ σώματος ἢ κακίας ἢ ἀγνωσίας. [SC 312; = P 13]

14(1) And in it he has prepared the instruments (or “vessels”) of death.

[7.]  7. Vessels of death are impure reasoning beings.

14(1)  καὶ ἐν αὐτῷ ἡτοίμασε σκεύη θανάτου

  7. σκεύη θανάτου εἰσὶν ἀκάθαρτα λογικά. [SC 314; cf PG 12.1181]

[7.]  7b. If Vessels of death are the souls that bear death, vessels of life are he souls that bear life: thus the Lord names Paul a chosen vessel (Ac 9.15).

7.² εἰ σκευή θανάτου εἰσὶν αἱ τὸν θάνατον ἔχουσαι ψυχαί, σκεύη ζωῆς εἰσιν αἱ τὴν ζωὴν ἔχουσαι ψυχαί· οὔτε γὰρ καὶ Παῦλος σκεῦος ἐκλογῆς ὠνόμασεν ὁ κύριος. [SC 314]

14-15 And in it he has prepared the instruments (or “vessels”) of death [and] his arrows for the burning ones.

[7.]  8. Burning ones are those who received the burning arrows of the devil.

14(2) τὰ βέλη αὐτοῦ τοῖς καιομένοις ἐξειργάσατο

  8. καιόμενοί εἰσιν οἱ τὰ πεπυρωμένα βέλη τοῦ διαβόλου δεχόμενοι. [SC 314; = P 14]

15. Behold, he has been in labor with injustice, has conceived trouble, and gave birth to iniquity.

[7.]  9. Therefore He gave birth to iniquity who has conceived trouble and has labored with injustice.  For this is the consequence of nature.

15. ἰδοὺ ὠδίνησεν ἀδικίαν, συνέλαβε πόνον, καὶ ἔτεκεν ἀνομίαν

  9. διὰ τοῦτο ἔτεκεν ἀνομίαν, ἐπειδὴ συνέλαβεν πόνον, καὶ ὠδίνησεν ἀδικίαν. αὕτη γάρ ἡ ἀκολουθία τῆς φύσεως. [SC 316; cf PG 12.1181]

17 His trouble shall return on his own head, and upon the crown of his own [head] his iniquity shall descend.

[7.]  10. The crown [of the head] signifies the nous, since the diadem of graces, which according to Solomon is wisdom, is placed on the crown [of the head] (Pr 1.9).

17   ἐπιστρέφει ὁ πόνος αὐτοῦ εἰς κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐπὶ κορυφὴν αὐτοῦ ἡ ἀδικία αὐτοῦ καταβήσεται.

  10. ἡ κορυφὴ νῦν τὸν νοῦν σημαίνει, εἴπερ ὁ στέφανος τῶν χαρίτων κατὰ τὸν Σωλομῶντα, ἥτις ἐστὶν ἡ σοφία, δίδοται τῇ κορυφῇ. [SC 316]

PSALM 8__

1 Unto the end, for the [wine] vat.

[8.] +1. Wine vats are reasoning natures which receive fruit from the spiritual vine.

1. Εἰς τὸ τέλος ὑπὲρ τῶν ληνῶν ψαλμὸς τῷ  Δαυΐδ

  + 1. Ληνοί εἰσιν φύσεις λογικαὶ, τοὺς ἐκ τῆς πνευματικῆς ἀμπέλου καρποὺς ὑποδεξάμεναι. [SC 318]

3 Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants you have perfected praise, because of your enemy that you might put down enemy and avenger.

[8.]  1. Punishing and vengeful.

1  Ἐκ στόματος νηπίων καὶ θηλαζόντων κατηρτίσω αἶνον. ἕνεκα τῶν ἐχθρῶν σου τοῦ καταλῦσαι ἐχθρὸν καὶ ἐκδικητήν

  1. Κολαστικὸν καὶ τιμωρητικόν. [SC 318]

[8.]  1b. For like an enemy Satan overpowers through sinning, while like an avenger he hands over to punishment. The wedding hymn and the defenders he blasphemes as idle, and again scourging through blasphemies against God.

  1b. Ὡς ἐχθρὸς μὲν ἡμᾶς ὁ σατανᾶς ἁμαρτάνειν καταναγκάζει, ὡς δὲ ἐκδικητὴς παραδιδομένους κολάζει. Ὑμέναιον γοῦν καὶ Ἀλέξανδρον αὐτὸς βλασφήμους ἀπεργασάμενος πάλιν ἐπαίδευσεν διὰ πάλιν ἐπαίδευσεν διὰ τὰς εἰς  θεὸν βλασφημίας .  [SC 318]

2. [missing] [SC 320]

4. For I will regard the heavens, the work of your fingers, and the moon and stars which you have established.

[8.]  3. The one who has not yet beheld the heavens and the sun and the moon is the one who says, for I will regard the heavens: we have comprehended this matter wisely when we understand both its logos (“meaning”) and its origin.

4. Ὅτι ὄψομαι τοὺς οὐρανοὺς ἔργα τῶν δακτύλων σου, σελήνην καὶ ἀστέρας, ἃ σὺ ἐθεμελίωσας.

   3. Τῷ μηδέπω θεασαμένῳ τοὺς οὐρανοὺς καὶ τὸν ἥλιον καὶ τὴν σελήνην ἔστι τὸ λέγειν  ὅτι ὄψομαι τοὺς οὐρανούς·ἢ τότε  τὸ πρᾶγμα σαφῶς ἐπιστάμεθα ὅταν  καὶ τὸν λόγον καὶ τὴν αἰτίαν αὐτοῦ γινώσκωμεν . [SC 320]

PSALM 9__

[9.] 1 UNTO the end, concerning the hidden things of the son, a psalm for David.

 1. Hidden is the ineffable knowledge of the mysteries  concerning Christ, (cf. Col 2:2-3 )..

1.  Εἰς τὸ τέλος ὑπὲρ τῶν κρυφίων τοῦ υἱοῦ ψαλμὸς τῷ Δαυῒδ

  1.  Κρύφιά ἐστι γνῶσις ἀπόῤῥητος τῶν περὶ Χριστοῦ μυστηρίων. [SC 320]

[9.] 5(2) You have sat on the throne, who judge justice.

 2. The throne of God is Christ; but the throne of Christ is the incorporeal nature.

5.   Ἐκάθισας ἐπὶ θρόνου, ὁ κρίνων δικαιοσύνην

  2. Θρόνος Θεοῦ ὁ Χριστὸς θρόνος δὲ Χριστοῦ ἡ ἀσώματος φύσις. [SC 322]

[9.] 6(2) You rebuked the gentile and the wicked one has perished: you obliterated their name unto the ages.

 3. If the name mentioned here signifies the state of vice, and if he obliterated the sinner’s name, the Lord thus obliterated [the sinner’s] worst state.

6.  Ἐπετίμησας ἔθνεσι, καὶ ἀπώλετο ὁ ἀσεβής· τὸ ὄνομα αὐτῶν ἐξήλειψας

  3. Εἰ τὸ ὄνομα ἐνταῦθα τὴν κακὴν σημαίνει κατάστασιν, ἐξήλειψε δὲ τὸ ὄνομα τῶν ἁμαρτωλῶν ὁ κύριος , ἐξήλειψεν ἄρα τὴν χειρίστην αὐτῶν κατάστασιν. [SC 322]

[9.] 12(1) Sing to the Lord, all you who dwell in Zion.

 4. He sings psalms - the one who has the Christ within himself.

12.  Ψάλατε τῷ Κυρίῳ τῷ κατοικοῦντι ἐν Σιὼν

  4. Ἐκεῖνος ψάλλει ὁ ἔχων ἐν ἑαυτῷ τὸν Χριστόν. [SC 322]

[9.] 14(2) Who raises me from the gates of death

 5. So that “the gates of Hades shall not prevail against him: these are the vices that draw [one] down to the bottom of hell.

14  Ὁ ὑψῶν με ἐκ τῶν πυλῶν τοῦ θανάτου.

  5.Ἵνα μὴ αἱ πύλαι τοῦ ᾅδου κατισχύσωσιν αὐτοῦ, αἵτινές εἰσιν αἱ κακίαι κατάγουσαι εἰς πυθμένα ᾅδου. [SC 324]

[9.] 17(1) The Lord is known as executing judgments

 6. This is because it is from the judgments that a person is lead to recognize God.

17  Γινώσκεται Κύριος κρίματα ποιῶν.

  6.  Ἔστι ὅτε καὶ ἐκ τῶν κριμάτων ποδηγούμενος ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἐπιγινώσκει τὸν Κύριον. [SC 324]

[9.] 18 Let sinners be turned back into Hades.

 7. Just as Paradise is the school (training-institute) of the  just, so also hell is the house of correction (/torment) for sinners. [KG 6.08]

18(1)  ἀποστραφήτωσαν οἱ ἁμαρτωλοὶ εἰς τὸν ᾅδην

  7.  Ὥσπερ  ὁ παράδεισος τῶν δικαίων ἐστὶ παιδευτήριον, οὕτως ὁ ᾅδης τῶν ἁμαρτωλῶν ἐστι κολαστήριον.. [SC 324; cf. PG 12.1189)

[9.] 18(2) Let sinners be turned back into Hades, all the nations that are forgetful of God.

 8. If the nations forget God, it is because the nations formerly knew God.  For forgetting is secondary to knowing.  This clearly interprets  the following: “I planted a fruitful vine, entirely of the right sort: How can you have changed into a bitter, foreign vine?” (Jer. 2:21)

18(2)  Ἀποστραφήτωσαν οἱ ἁμαρτωλοὶ εἰς τὸν ᾅδην, πάντα τὰ ἔθνη τὰ ἐπιλανθανόμενα τοῦ Θεοῦ.

  8.  Εἰ ἐπελάθετο τὰ ἔθνη τοῦ θεοῦ, ᾔδει ποτὲ  τὰ ἔθνη τὸν κύριον· ἡ γὰρ λήθη δευτέρα γνώσεως· οὐκοῦν ἐντεῦθεν σαφὲς καὶ τό  ἐγὼ ἐφύτευσα  ἄμπελον καρποφόρον πᾶσαν ἀληθινήν, πῶς ἐστράφη  εἰς πικρίαν ἡ ἄμπελος ἡ ἀλλοτρία; [SC 326]

[9.] 19(2) The patience of the poor will not perish unto the ages.

 9. Just as the spirit is not extinguished, so patience is not destroyed.  For the “Lord is the Spirit” (2Cor 3:17)  and “you are my patience, Lord” (Ps.70:5).  And likewise in Galatians Christ is formed (cf Ga 4.19), though being [Himself] without form, and in some [texts] said to be asleep: “Arise, why do you sleep, Lord?” (Eph. 5:14)

19(2). Ἡ ὑπομονὴ τῶν πενήτων οὐκ ἀπολεῖται εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα

  9. . Ὥσπερ τὸ πνεῦμα οὐ σβέννυται, οὕτω καὶ  ἡ ὑπομονὴ ἀπόλλυται·  Ὁ  γὰρ κύριος τὸ πνεῦμά ἐστιν  καὶ τὸ  σὺ εἶ  ὑπομονή μου, κύριε . Οὕτω καὶ ἐν Γαλάταις μορφοῦται Χριστὸς ἄμορφος ὤν, ἔν τισι δὲ  λέγεται καὶ κοιμᾶσθαι· Ἐξεγέρθητι γὰρ, φησίν,  ἵνα τί ὑπνοῖς, κύριε ; [SC 326]

10. I am a God near at hand, it says in the prophet (Jer 23.23).

  10. θεὸς ἐγγίζων ἐγώ, φησὶν ἐν τῇ προφήτῃ. [SC 328]

   [9.] 26(1).  his ways are profaned at all times.

11.  While the just praises the Lord at all times (Ps 33.2), the sinner profanes his paths at all times.

26¹. Βεβηλοῦνται αἱ ὁδοὶ αὐτοῦ ἐν παντὶ καιρῷ

  11. Ὁ μὲν δίκαιος εὐλογεῖ τὸν Κύριον ἐν παντὶ καιρῷ· ὁ δὲ ἁμαρτωλὸς βεβηλοῖ τὰς ὁδοὺς αὐτοῦ ἐν παντὶ καιρῷ. [SC 328]

   [9.] 26(3).  he shall rule over all his enemies.

12. If  Satan will rule over all all his enemies and if all the righteous are his enemies, then Satan will rule over all the righteous. But obviously it is not in all matters that he will rule, but rather in some. For only Christ committed no sin, and in His mouth there is found no guile. (Ps 31.2; 1Pe 2.22)

26(3) Πάντων τῶν ἐχθρῶν αὐτοῦ κατακυριεύσει

  12. Εἰ πάντων τῶν ἐχθρῶν αὐτοῦ κατακυριεύσει ὁ σατανᾶς, πάντες δὲ οἱ δίκαιοι ἐχθροὶ αὐτοῦ εἰσι, πάντων ἄρα τῶν δικαίων κατακυριεύσει ὁ σατανᾶς. Οὐκ ἐν παντὶ δὲ δηλονότι κατακυριεύσει πράγματι, ἀλλ' ἔν τινι. Μόνος γὰρ ὁ Χριστὸς ἁμαρτίαν οὐκ ἐποίησεν, καὶ οὐχ εὑρέθη δόλος ἐν τῷ στόματι αὐτοῦ. [SC 328]

12b. Or perhaps the Sacred Scripture presents [Satan's] wish: which is, namely to carry off to the furthest shore those whom he cannot lead, if he imagines plots that cannot stand.  For in Job he subtly prevaricates, saying, I am come from compassing the earth, and walking up and down in what is beneath the heavens,  (Job 1:7 ) never persuading Job whom he strangely walked past.

  12.2[b]. Ἢ τάχα τὸ βούλημα αὐτοῦ τίθησιν ἡ θεία γραφὴ, ὅπερ ἐπὶ  πέρας ἀγαγεῖν τῶν  οὐκ ἐνδεχομένων ἐστίν, εἴγε διελογίσαντο βουλὰς ἃς  οὐ μὴ δύνωνται στῆναι. Καὶ γὰρ ἐν τῷ Ἰὼβ  ψευδόμενος ὁ διάβολός φησι·Περιελθὼν τὴν γῆν καὶ ἐμπεριπατήσας τὴν ὑπ' οὐρανὸν πάρειμι ,μηδὲν  πείσας τὸν Ἰὼβ  ἄτοπον πεπραχέναι. [SC 330]

12c. Concerning temptations: one kind entices the soul; another the body; and yet another what surrounds the body. And those that entice the soul are called unclean [tempting-]thoughts that beget sins and false doctrines; those of the body become the cause of blows, torture, persecution, imprisonment, and deaths; while those surrounding the body encompass loss of necessities and possessions, the wasting of skills, and the carrying off of women. (Job 13.1-19) These things certainly signify that Satan [legally] exercises lordship over all the just by these recounted temptations

  12.3[c]. Τῶν πειρασμῶν οἱ μὲν προσάγονται τῇ ψυχῇ, οἱ δὲ τῷ σώματι, οἱ δὲ τοῖς πέριξ τοῦ σώματος. Καὶ οἱ μὲν τῇ ψυχῇ προσαγόμενοι λογισμοὶ ἀκάθαρτοι λέγονται ἁμαρτίας γεννῶντες καὶ δόγματα ψευδῆ· οἱ δὲ τῷ σώματι προσφερόμενοι πληγῶν καὶ στρεβλώσεων καὶ διωγμῶν καὶ φυλακῶν καὶ θανάτων αἴτιοι γίνονται· οἱ δὲ τῶν πέριξ τοῦ σώματος πειρασμοὶ περιέχουσι ζημίας χρημάτων καὶ κτημάτων καὶ ἀποβολὰς τέκνων καὶ γυναικῶν ἀφαιρέσεις. Δῆλον οὖν ἔστιν ἐκ τούτων ὅτι πάντως διά τινος τῶν κατειλεγμένων πειρασμῶν ἐκυρίευσε παντὸς δικαίου ὁ σατανᾶς. [SC 330-332]

  12.4[d]. Εἰ οἱ προκόπτοντες κατὰ μείωσιν τῆς κακίας προκόπτουσι, δίκαιοι δὲ λέγονται καὶ οἱ τελείαν ἕξιν τῆς δικαιοσύνης κτησάμενοι καὶ οἱ ἀνεμποδίστως προκόπτοντες —  δίκαιος  γάρ, φησίν,  ἑαυτοῦ κατήγορος ἐν πρωτολογίᾳ · καὶ εἰ δίκαιος, πῶς κατήγορος; Εἰ δὲ κατήγορος, πάντως οὐ τέλειος δίκαιος καὶ  γνώριζε δικαίῳ καὶ προσθήσει τοῦ δέχεσθαι  —, καλῶς οὖν λέγεται ὁ διάβολος  πάντων τῶν ἐχθρῶν αὐτοῦ κατακυριεύειν,  οὐ τῶν τελείων  δηλονότι ἐχθρῶν, ἀλλὰ τῶν σπευδόντων ἐπὶ τὴν τελειότητα. Εἰ  γὰρ μὴ ἦν μῖσος πρὸς τὸν σατανᾶν ἀτελὲς καὶ τέλειον,  οὐκ ἂν ἔλεγεν ὁ Δαυίδ·  Τέλειον μῖσος ἐμίσουν αὐτούς, εἰς ἐχθροὺς ἐγένοντό μοι . [SC 332-334]

   [9.] 29.1.  He sits in obstruction with the rich

29.1  Εγκάθηται ἐνέδρα μετὰ πλουσίων ἐν ἀποκρύφοις

  13 Ἐν μὲν τοῖς ἔχουσι πλοῦτον κακίας  καὶ ἀγνωσίας  ὁ διάβολος ἐγκαθέζεται· ἐν δὲ τοῖς κεκτημένοις τὴν ἀρετὴν καὶ τὴν γνῶσιν  αἱ ἅγιαι δυνάμεις ἐπαναπαύονται, ὧν σύμβολά ἐστι τὰ πετεινὰ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ τὰ  κατασκηνοῦντα ἐν τοῖς κλάδοις τοῦ νάπυος,  ὃ σημαίνει τὴν ἐνυπάρχουσαν ἐν  ἡμῖν κατὰ δύναμιν βασιλείαν  τῶν  οὐρανῶν.  [SC 334]

[9.] 30 He lies in wait in secret like a lion in his den.
He lays in ambush to seize the poor:
 to seize the poor, by drawing him to himself.

14.  This saying can usefully be directed to the wealthy.

{9}:30. ἐνεδρεύει ἐν ἀποκρύφῳ ὡς λέων ἐν τῇ μάνδρᾳ αὐτοῦ, ἐνεδρεύει τοῦ ἁρπάσαι πτωχόν, ἁρπάσαι πτωχὸν ἐν τῷ ἑλκύσαι αὐτόν·

  14. χρηστέον τούτῳ τῷ ῥητῷ πρὸς τοὺς πλουσίους. [SC 336; cf PG 12.1196]

  14b. Ἕλκει μὲν διὰ τοῦ λογισμοῦ, ἁρπάζει δὲ διὰ τῆς κατ' ἐνέργειαν ἁμαρτίας. [SC 336]

   [9.] 33(2).  Do not forget the poor

12  Μὴ ἐπιλάθῃ τῶν πενήτων.

  15. Εἰ ἐπελάθετο τῶν πενήτων ὁ Κύριος, ᾔδει τοὺς πένητας ὁ Κύριος. [SC 336]

   [9.] 35(1).  You see it, for you observe trouble and indignation

35.1. Βλέπεις, ὅτι σὺ πόνον καὶ θυμὸν κατανοεῖς, τοῦ παραδοῦναι αὐτοὺς εἰς χεῖράς σου, κ. τ. ἑ.

  16. Πόνους καὶ θυμοὺς ὁ Σατανᾶς ἐργαζόμενος, παραδίδωσι τὰς ψυχὰς εἰς κόλασιν τῷ κριτῇ. [SC 336]

   [9.] 35(4).  You were the helper of the orphan

35 4 ὀρφανῷ σὺ ἦσθα βοηθῶν

  17. Ορφανός ἐστιν ὁ ἀποβαλὼν τὸν πονηρὸν πατέρα. «̔Υμεῖς» γὰρ, φησὶν ὁ Σωτὴρ, «ἐκ τοῦ πατρὸς ἡμῶν τοῦ διαβόλου ἐστέ.» [SC 338]

   [9.] 36(1).  Break the arm of the sinner and the wicked

36.1. Σύντριψον τὸν βραχίονα τοῦ ἁμαρτωλοῦ καὶ πονηροῦ

  18. Εἰ ἡ συντριβὴ τοῦ βραχίονος ἀφανίζει τὰς ἁμαρτίας, τὸ δὲ ἀπαλλαγῆναι τῶν  ἁμαρτιῶν εὐεργεσία ἐστιν, τὸ συντριβῆναί τινος τὸν βραχίονα εὐεργεσία ἐστίν· οὕτω γὰρ  ἐγὼ πείθομαι κολάζειν θεόν. Βραχίονα δὲ εἶπεν  τὴν πονηρὰ κατεργασαμένην ψυχήν.. [SC 338]

  19. Ἁμαρτωλός ἐστιν ὁ ἐξ ἡδυπαθείας καὶ ἀκολασίας ἁμαρτάνων· πονηρὸς δὲ ὁ ἑκουσίως κακοποιητικός. [SC 340]

   [9.] 37(1). The Lord shall reign to eternity, yea, for ever and ever

20. It is necessary that the Lord reigns through the ages until He has put all his enemies under His feet (1Cor 15.25).  For His kingdom is the contemplation of all the ages that have come into being or will come to be, through which contemplations even the enemies come to be friends

{16.}  Βασιλεύσει Κύριος εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα, καὶ εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τοῦ αἰῶνος, κ. τ. ἑ.

   20. Δεῖ γὰρ τὸν κύριον βασιλεύειν  διὰ τῶν αἰώνων, ἄχρις οὗ  θῇ πάντας τοὺς ἐχθροὺς ὑπὸ τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ . Ἡ  γὰρ βασιλεία αὐτοῦ ἐστιν ἡ θεωρία πάντων τῶν γεγονότων καὶ γενησομένων αἰώνων, δι' ἧς θεωρίας καὶ οἱ ἐχθροὶ φίλοι γίνονται.  [SC 340]

   [9.] 37(2).  the Gentiles shall perish from his earth.

21.  The Lord’s earth is the contemplation of everything that has come into being or shall be, which is also called the Kingdom of the Lord.

  21. Γῆ κυρίου ἡ θεωρία τῶν γεγονότων αἰώνων ἢ γενησομένων ἐστίν , ἣν καὶ βασιλείαν κυρίου εἶναι φαμέν . [SC 342; =PG 16]

   [9.] 38(1).  The Lord has heard the desire of the poor.

22. It is then that the Lord hears the desires of the poor, when the one desiring is pricked by the desiring soul.

38.1Τὴν ἐπιθυμίαν τῶν πενήτων εἰσήκουσε Κύριος.

  22´. Τηνικαῦτα εἰσακούει τῆς ἐπιθυμίας ὁ Κύριος, ὁπηνίκα ἂν τὸ ἐπιθυμητὸν παράσχῃ τῇ ἐπιθυμούσῃ ψυχῇ. [SC 342]

PSALM 10   

[e86-92; SC 342-347]

[10].2(1).  FOR behold the sinners have bent the bow

1. Bow is the impure nous.

2(1). Οτι ἰδοὺ οἱ ἁμαρτωλοὶ ἐνέτειναν τόξον

  1. τόξον ἐστὶν ἀκάθαρτος νοῦς  [SC 342; PG 12.1197]

[10.] 2(2).  they have prepared their arrows for the quiver

2. Arrow is the impassioned [tempting-] thought; quiver [is] the worst habit, filled with impure [tempting-] thoughts  [=KG 6.53]

2(2). ἡτοίμασαν βέλη εἰς φαρέτραν, τοῦ κατατοξεῦσαι

  2. βέλος ἐστὶ λογισμὸς ἐμπαθής , φαρέτρα δὲ ἕξις χειρίστη λογισμῶν ἀκαθάρτων πεπληρωμένη. [SC 344; PG 12.1197]

   [10].2(3).  to shoot in the moonless night the upright of heart.

3. Moonless night is the soul’s ignorance.

2(3). τοῦ κατατοξεῦσαι ἐν σκοτομήνῃ τοὺς εὐθεῖς τῇ καρδίᾳ

  3. σκοτομήνη ἐστὶν ἄγνοια ψυχῆς λογικῆς. [SC 344; PG 12.1197

   [10.] 4(3). His eyes are looking at the poor.

4. If the eyes of the Lord are looking at the poor, let us become poor so that they eyes of the Lord look upon us.  But if the rich are not poor, the eyes of the Lord do not look upon the rich

4   Οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸν πένητα ἀποβλέπουσιν

  4. Εἰ οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ κυρίου εἰς τὸν πένητα ἐπιβλέπουσιν , γενώμεθα πένητες ἵνα οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ κυρίου εἰς ἡμᾶς ἐπιβλέπωσιν. Εἰ δὲ οἱ πλούσιοι οὐκ εἰσὶ πένητες, οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ κυρίου εἰς τοὺς πλουσίους οὐκ ἀποβλέπουσιν . [SC 344]

   [10.] 5(2). He who loves injustice hates his own soul.

5. If the lover of justice hates his own soul, he who hates injustice loves his own soul.

5 Ὁ δὲ ἀγαπῶν ἀδικίαν, μισεῖ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ψυχήν.

  5. Εἰ ὁ ἀγαπῶν τὴν ἀδικίαν, μισεῖ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ψυχὴν, ὁ μισῶν δηλονότι τὴν ἀδικίαν, ἀγαπᾷ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ψυχήν. [SC 346]

   [10.] 6(2). Fire, and brimstone, and a stormy blast shall be the portion of their cup.

6. Cup here means the chastisement in which the draft of vices and ignorance is mixed.

6  Πῦρ καὶ θεῖον καὶ πνεῦμα καταιγίδος, ἡ μέρις τοῦ ποτηρίου αὐτῶν.

  6. Ποτήριον νῦν τὴν κόλασιν ὀνομάζει, ἐν ᾧ κακίας καὶ ἀγνοίας ἐγκέκραται πόμα. [SC 346]

   [10.] 7(1).  For the Lord is just and loves justices

7. Justices hear means those who are just, designated according to their state.  This is analogous to love is not boastful (1Cor 13.4) as opposed to “the one who has love.” (cf. 1Jn 14.6)

8.  Ὅτι δίκαιος Κύριος καὶ δικαιοσύνας ἠγάπησεν

  7. Δικαιοσύνας νῦν λέγει  τοὺς δικαίους ἀπὸ τῆς ἕξεως  αὐτοὺς ὀνομάζων. Τοιοῦτόν ἐστι καὶ τὸ ἡ ἀγάπη οὐ πεπερεύεται , ἀντὶ τοῦ ὁ ἔχων τὴν ἀγάπην. [SC 346]

PSALM 11__

[SC 348]

   [11] 2. Save me, O Lord; for the godly man has failed; for truth is diminished from among the children of men.

1. If on the one hand the holy ones have disappeared, and if on the other the truths have become scarce, [then] truths are not only with the holy ones, nor is holiness [only] with the truthful. Or: it is because the holy ones have disappeared that the truths have become scarce, and perhaps the scarcity of holy ones is the cause of the many heresies that have appeared.

2. Σῶσόν με, Κύριε, ὅτι ἐκλέλοιπεν ὅσιος, ὅτι ὠλιγώθησαν αἱ ἀλήθειαι ἀπὸ τῶν υἱῶν τῶν ἀνθρώπων

  1  Εἰ οἱ μὲν ὅσιοι ἐκλελοίπασιν, αἱ δὲ ἀλήθειαι ὠλιγώθησαν, οὐκ ἐν τοῖς ὁσίοις μόνοις αἱ ἀλήθειαι καὶ οὐκ ἐν τοῖς ἀληθέσιν ὁσιότης· ἢ ἐπειδὴ οἱ ὅσιοι ἐκλελοίπασι, διὰ τοῦτο ὠλιγώθησαν αἱ ἀλήθειαι· καὶ τάχα ἡ σπάνις τῶν ὁσίων αἰτία γέγονε τῶν πολλῶν τούτων αἱρέσεων.

   [11] 4(1).  Let the Lord destroy all deceitful lips.

2. Since they reflected on deceit, that is why they also spoke deceitful [things]

4(1). ἐξολεθρεύσαι κύριος πάντα τὰ χείλη τὰ δόλια

  2.Ἐπειδὴ δόλια ἐνενόησαν, διὰ τοῦτο ἐλάλησαν ματαιότητας

   [11] 9(1).  The impious walk around in a circle

3. Since the circle is the opposite of the straight, according to crookedness and straightness; while the impious walk in a circle the pious thus walk in a straight [line]

8,9    Κύκλῳ οἱ ἀσεβεῖς περιπατοῦσιν.

  3. Ἐπειδὴ ὁ κύκλος τῇ εὐθείᾳ ἐναντίος ἐστὶ κατὰ τὴν σκολιότητα καὶ εὐθύτητα, οἱ δὲ ἀσεβεῖς κύκλῳ περιπατοῦσιν, οἱ εὐσεβεῖς ἄρα εὐθείαν περιπατοῦσιν.

   [11] 9(2).  According to your greatness you have carefully exalted the sons of men.

4. Carefully: very thoughtfully esteem (cf. Dt 30.9; Ps 137.3)

11:9(2) κατὰ τὸ ὕψος σου ἐπολυώρησας τοὺς υἱοὺς τῶν ἀνθρώπων

  4. Ἐπολυώρησας· «πολλῆς φροντίδος» ἠξίωσας.

PSALM 12__

[SC 350]

[12.] 2(2) How long will you turn away your face from me?

 1. THIS face the angels behold continuously.

2.2. ἕως πότε ἀποστρέψεις τὸ πρόσωπόν σου ἀπ' ἐμοῦ;

  1. Τοῦτο τὸ πρόσωπον οἱ ἄγγελοι βλέπουσι διαπαντός ..

  [12.] 4(2) Enlighten my eyes that I never sleep in death:

 2. Kindle for yourselves the light of knowledge.  (Hos 10:12)

4.2 Φώτισον τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς μου, μή ποτε ὑπνώσω εἰς θάνατον

  2. «Φωτίσατε ἑαυτοῖς φῶς γνώσεως.»

[12.] They that trouble me will rejoice when I am moved: 

 3. Just as the angels rejoice over those who repent, so the demons exult at those who sin.  For the former are lovers of virtue, the latter of vice.

5.2 οἱ θλίβοντές με ἀγαλλιάσονται ἐὰν σαλευθῶ

  3. Ὥσπερ χαίρουσιν οἱ ἄγγελοι ἐπὶ τοῖς μετανοοῦσιν, οὕτω καὶ οἱ δαίμονες ἀγαλλιῶνται ἐπὶ τοῖς ἁμαρτάνουσιν· οἱ μὲν γὰρ ἀρετῆς, οἱ δὲ κακίας εἰσὶν ἐρασταί.

[12.] 6(3-4)   I will sing to the Lord, who giveth me good things: yea I will sing to the name of the Lord the most high.

 4. Let him to whom good has been done sing; let him who is of good cheer sing psalms (James 5:13) for be of good cheer in yourself - sing psalms.

6.3 Ἄσω τῷ Κυρίῳ τῷ εὐεργετήσαντί με, καὶ ψαλῶ τῷ ὀνόματι Κυρίου τοῦ ὑψίστου, 

  4. Ὁ εὐεργετηθεὶς ᾀδέτω καὶ ὁ εὐθυμῶν ψαλλέτω· Εὐθυμεῖ γάρ τις ἐν ὑμῖν, ψαλλέτω ..

 4+. [And I will sing a psalm for the name of the Lord the Most High is not found in any in the tetraselidon nor in Eusebius of Pamphile nor in the Hebrew.]

  4.[+].2  [Τὸ καὶ ψαλῷ τῷ ὀνόματι κυρίου τοῦ ὑψίστου οὐκ ἔκειτο παρ' οὐδενὶ ἐν τῷ τετρασελίδῳ οὔτε ἐν τῷ Εὐσεβίου τοῦ Παμφίλου οὔτε ἐν τῷ Ἑβραϊκῷ . ]