Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

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Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

Psalm 71 with Augustine – My Righteous Rock In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me (v. 2). Not in my righteousness, but in yours. For what is mine? Sin has gone before. And when I am righteous, it will be your righteousness, for I will be righteous by righteousness given to me by you. It is a small thing that you acknowledge the good thing which is in you to be from God. Therefore say to God what you hear in the psalm, In you, LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. In your righteousness, not in mine, rescue me and deliver me; turn your ear to me and save me (vv. 1–2). This is also a confession of humility. He who says, turn your ear to me , is confessing that he is lying like a sick person laid at the feet of the Physician. Be my rock of refuge (v. 3). Do not let the darts of the enemy reach me, for I am not able to protect myself. I will not be safe except in you. Unless you are my rest, my sickness will never be made whole. Lift me from the earth; upon you I will lie, in order that I may ascend to a fortified place. What can be better fortified? When you have fled for refuge to that place, tell me which enemies you will dread? Who will lie in wait, and come against you? For you are my rock and my fortress . In order that I may be made firm by you, however I shall have been unstable in myself, I will flee to you for refuge. For the grace of Christ makes me firm and immovable against all temptations of the enemy.