Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

Chapter 3: Psalms 39–59

81

What fuels the sinner but the admiration of a flatterer? If anyone sharply rebukes another, they seem to rave at their sin and freely to tell them what evil they have done. If the other person, perhaps, imitates the one who is chiding him, they will also get angry at their sin. Now, if we are true spiritual physicians and attend carefully to the remedy of your souls, we should not flatter anyone, nor should you do so to us. Let us confess our sins, not excuse them. You have done wrong and are guilty; confess it, and you will be forgiven.