Homilies on Psalm 36, Homilia I
The whole psalm is moral medicine§1
1God spoke to the fathers by the prophets in many portions and many ways. Sometimes the word unveils mysteries, sometimes the Savior’s coming, sometimes it heals conduct. Psalm 36 is wholly moral medicine. Its opening: Do not fret because of evildoers, nor envy those who work iniquity; for they will soon wither like grass.
Latin · §1
Multifarie multisque modis Deus locutus est patribus in prophetis. Aliquando ineffabilia sacramenta docet; aliquando de Salvatore instruit; interdum mores corrigit. Totus psalmus trigesimus sextus moralis est — cura et medicina humanae animae. Principium: Noli aemulari inter malignantes, neque aemulatus fueris facientes iniquitatem; quoniam sicut fenum cito arescent, et sicut olera herbarum cito decident.
Aemulari means to provoke to jealousy§2
2Here aemulari means to provoke jealousy. Deuteronomy: They made me jealous with what is no god; I will make them jealous. Paul asks Are we provoking the Lord to jealousy?. The Lord your God is a jealous God — sin stokes that zeal.
Latin · §2
Aemulari aliquem irritare etiam est et provocare. In Deuteronomio: Ipsi in zelum adduxerunt me in non Deo; et ego in zelum adducam eos. Apostolus: An aemulamur Dominum? Deus noster Deus zelans. Qui peccat Deum zelantem in zelum incitat.
Dwell in the land; delight in the Lord§3
3Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and feed on its faithfulness. The “land” is the hearer’s heart — till the soul’s field. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; he will bring forth your righteousness as the light. Glory to Christ. Amen.
Latin · §3
Spera in Domino et fac bonitatem; inhabita terram et pasceris in divitiis eius. Terra haec — cor auditoris, agri animae. Delectare in Domino, et dabit tibi petitiones cordis tui. Revela Domino viam tuam et spera in eum. Educet sicut lumen iustitiam tuam. Gloria Christo. Amen.