Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

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Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

Psalm 90 with Basil the Great – Flee Sin and Run to God Those who acknowledge God often err in the judgment of their affairs, making demands for useful things foolishly, asking for some things as good, which frequently are not for their advantage, and fleeing others as evil, though at times they bring great assistance to them. For example, is someone sick? Because they are fleeing the pain from the sickness, they pray for health. Did they lose their money? They are exceedingly pained by the loss. Yet, frequently the disease is useful when it will restrain the sinner, and health is harmful when it becomes the means for sin to one who possesses it. In the same manner, money also has already enabled some to live wildly, while poverty has taught self-control to many who had begun badly. Do not flee, then, what you do not need to flee. Sin is the one thing you must flee, and God is the one refuge from evil you must seek. Do not trust in princes. Do not be exalted in the uncertainty of wealth. Do not be proud of bodily strength. Do not pursue the splendor of human glory. None of these things saves you. All are transient, all are deceptive. There is one refuge, God. “Cursed is the one who trusts in man” (Jer 17:5) or in any human thing. Now, it is the privilege of many to say: “God is our refuge and strength” (Ps 46:1) and Lord, you have been our dwelling place (v. 1). But there are few people who do not admire human interests but depend wholly on God and place all hope and trust in him. And our actions convict us whenever in our afflictions we run to everything else rather than to God. Is a child sick? You look around for an enchanter, or finally, you go to a doctor and to medicine, having neglected him who is able to save. If a dream troubles you, you run to the interpreter of