Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

Chapter 3 Psalms 39–59

Psalm 39 with Ambrose – Keeping Silent I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin. I will put a muzzle on my mouth while in the presence of the wicked (v. 1). Have no doubt about it, when people annoy and torment you for doing the right thing, those people are the servants of the most wicked sinner of all. They are slaves of the author of every evil deed. David saw this with prophetic eyes and recognized the face of the evil one. So he kept quiet. He had no wish whatever to do the will of him who ruins one’s peace of mind. He simply said nothing. He closed his doors in silence; patience lay before him, and silence kept a sleepless vigil. No enemy could creep in, and from his closed lips came no ambivalent speech, no careless talk. Far mightier is the patient person who can govern himself than the valiant one who captures fortresses. The righteous person is his own eternal guard.

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