Salmos 139
Basil of Caesarea · Comentário Patrístico (catena)
Salmos 139:6
And so, when you have gone over all these points with suitable reflections on each, when you have, in addition, studied the process of breathing, the manner in which the heart conserves its warmth, the organs of digestion and the veins, you will discern in all of these wonders the inscrutable wisdom of the Creator; so that you will be able to say with the prophet: "Your knowledge is become wonderful" from the study of myself. "Give heed, therefore, to yourself," that you may give heed to God, to whom be glory and power forever and ever. Amen. — HOMILY ON THE WORDS 'GIVE HEED TO THYSELF.'
Salmos 139:6
In truth, to know oneself seems to be the hardest of all things. Not only our eye, which observes external objects, does not use the sense of sight on itself, but even our mind, which contemplates intently another's sin, is slow in the recognition of its own defects. Therefore, even at present our speech, after eagerly investigating matters pertaining to others, is slow and hesitant in the examination of our own nature. Yet, it is not possible for one, intelligently examining himself, to learn to know God better from the heavens and earth than from our own constitution, as the prophet says, "Your knowledge is become wonderful from myself"; that is, having carefully observed myself, I have understood the superabundance of wisdom in you. — HOMILIES ON THE HEXAEMERON 9:6
Salmos 139:8
If they really conceive of a kind of subordination of the Son in relation to the Father, as though he were in a lower place, so that the Father sits above and the Son is thrust off to the next seat below, let them confess what they mean. We shall have no more to say. A plain statement of the view will at once expose its absurdity. They who refuse to allow that the Father pervades all things do not so much as maintain the logical sequence of thought in their argument. The faith of the orthodox is that God fills all things; but they who divide their up and down between the Father and the Son do not remember even the word of the prophet: "If I climb up into heaven, you are there; if I go down to hell, you are there also." Now, to omit all proof of the ignorance of those who predicate place of incorporeal things, what excuse can be found for their attack upon Scripture, shameless as their antagonism is, in the passages "Sit on my right hand" and "Sat down on the right hand of the majesty of God"? The expression "right hand" does not, as they contend, indicate the lower place, but equality of relation; it is not understood physically, in which case there might be something sinister about God, but Scripture puts before us the magnificence of the dignity of the Son by the use of dignified language indicating the seat of honor. It is left then for our opponents to allege that this expression signifies inferiority of rank. Let them learn that "Christ is the power of God and wisdom of God," and that "he is the image of the invisible God" and "brightness of his glory" and that "him has God the Father sealed," by engraving himself on him. — ON THE SPIRIT 6:15
Salmos 139:21-22
Yet, it is not hard for us, if we wish it, to take up a love for justice and a hatred for iniquity. God has advantageously given all power to the rational soul, as that of loving, so also that of hating, in order that, guided by reason, we may love virtue but hate vice. It is possible at times to use hatred even praiseworthily. "Have I not hated them, O Lord, that hated you and pined away because of your enemies? I have hated them with a perfect hatred." — HOMILIES ON THE PSALMS 17:8