Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

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Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

was terrified and frightened lest there befall him what was said of the proud: “God opposes the proud” (James 4:6). How great the evil of pride is, that it deserves to have God himself as its adversary! For it is never said of those who are caught up in the other vices that the Lord resists them, or that the Lord is set against the gluttonous, or fornicators, or the angry, or the greedy; this is true of the proud alone. For those vices only turn back upon wrongdoers or seem to be committed against other human beings. This one, however, touches God, and therefore it is especially worthy of having God opposed to it. ——— Now listen briefly while I explain how the virtue of humility may be obtained. First of all, if you intend to start a good work, begin it not with the intention of acquiring praise, but for the love and desire of doing good. Then, when this good task has been completed, guard your heart most cautiously, lest you fall under the influence of human favors and overestimate yourself, trying to please yourself or to look for some fame from any deed. For glory is like a human shadow: if you follow it, it runs away; if you run away, it follows. Always value yourself least of all and remember, whenever any good befalls you throughout your life, ascribe it all to God who gave it, not to yourself who received it. And when you have built in your heart a temple to the Holy Spirit, using these most precious stones of holy humility, then pray in it, using the song of the prophet David. Not in words only, but in deeds shall you sing: My heart is not proud, LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me (v. 1).