Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

Chapter 2: Psalms 18–38

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Psalm 19 with Augustine – Proper Fear of the LORD The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever (v. 9). The fear of the LORD , not that distressing fear under the law, dreading the withdrawal of temporal things, by the love of which the soul commits unfaithfulness; but that holy fear with which the Church, the more passionately she loves her Spouse, the more carefully does she take care not to offend him. Therefore, perfect love does not cast out this fear (1 John 4:18), but it endures forever. The decrees of the LORD are firm, and all of them are righteous . His judgments are justified in truth unchangeably. For neither in his threats nor his promises does God deceive anyone, nor can any take his punishment from the ungodly, or from the godly his reward. They are more precious than gold (v. 10). The judgments of God are more desirable than the empty glitz of this world, as the latter leads to fear and hatred of God and his truth. But if anybody is gold or precious stone, they may not be consumed by fire, but received into God’s treasury. They desire the judgments and will of God more than their own. They are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. To the godly, the judgments of God are sweetest of all. Keep your servant also from willful sins (v. 13). From the lusts which hide in me, cleanse me, Lord. Let me not be led astray by others. For one who is cleansed from their own faults is not prey to the faults of others. Preserve your servant rather than the proud person from the lusts of others and one who seeks to master them. May they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless (v. 13). If neither my own secret sins, nor those of others, gain dominion over me, then I will be undefiled.