Salmos 7
John Chrysostom · Comentário Patrístico (catena)
Salmos 7:1
David wrote the psalm, offering songs of thanksgiving to God.… Not in Hushai, nor in human wisdom, nor in that man's shrewdness nor in my advice but "in you have I hoped." Let us therefore act likewise: even if some achievement comes to us through human beings, let us give thanks for them to God, both for the benefits that fall to us through our own means as well as through others.… See the wonderful frame of mind with which he speaks, which was customary with him. He did not say, note, "O Lord God," but "O Lord my God"; and elsewhere, "O God, my God, I look for you at break of day." … This is the way God acts with righteous people, and being God of everyone equally he says he belongs to righteous people individually. "I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob." — COMMENTARY ON THE PSALMS 7:3
Salmos 7:2
For proof that the devil is called a lion in Scripture, listen to it saying, "Your enemy the devil prowls around like a lion roaring and looking for someone to devour." And this inspired author himself says elsewhere, "You will tread on the lion and the serpent." This beast is wily, you see; but if we are on the alert, this lion and serpent will be less than dirt in importance, neither will it mount an assault against us directly, but if it does mount an assault, it will be trodden on. "Walk on snakes and scorpions," Scripture says, remember. He goes around in an awful rage, in fact, like a lion; but if he attacks those who have Christ, and his cross on their forehead, and the fire of the Spirit and the lamp that is never spent, he will not succeed even in looking them in the eye but will turn tail, not daring even to face about. And for you to learn that the words are not from and bubble, consider, pray, the example of Paul. I mean, he too was human, but this lion had a such a healthy respect for him as to shun his garments and his shadow. Rightly so: he could not bear the fragrance of Christ emanating and ascending from him and had not the strength to raise his eyes to the lamp of his virtue. — COMMENTARY ON THE PSALMS 7:3
Salmos 7:2
To be sure, he had assembled an army and had a large number with him; so why does he say, "with no one to ransom or save me"? Because he considers not even the whole world as help should he not enjoy influence from on high, nor does he think of it as solitude if he is alone, as long as he shares in help from God. — COMMENTARY ON THE PSALMS 7:3
Salmos 7:3
This must everywhere be our concern, not simply to pray but to pray in such a way as to be heard. It is not sufficient that prayer effects what is intended, unless we so direct it as to appeal to God. For the Pharisee too prayed and achieved nothing, and again the Jews prayed but God turned away from them in their prayer. They did not pray, you see, as they should have prayed. Hence we were bidden to pray the prayer most likely to be heard.… Being heard happens in this fashion: first, of course, worthiness to receive something; then, praying in accordance with God's laws; third, persistence; fourth, asking nothing earthly; fifth, seeking things to our real benefit; sixth, contributing everything of our own. — COMMENTARY ON THE PSALMS 7:3