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HOMILY 8 ON PSALM 74 (75) (INTO THE END.l (Do not destroyl) A psalm of Asaph; a song.' The Hebrew text does not have 'unto the end,' but has instead, 'for the victor.' The translators of the Septuagint have not erred very seriously, however, inasmuch as victory certainly implies the end. Well said: 'Unto the end,' ('ne corrumpas' Do not destroy!). The word destroy- 'corrumpas'-has many shades of meaning. David uses it in speaking to someone about his friends: 'Ne corrumpas eum'- 'Kill him not,'2 that is, Saul. The sense here is obvious. In another place,s we learn that David blessed the Lord because his hands were held back from killing Saul. With us, too, when we do not commit murder, it is because our hands are held in check. Some say that this psalm was composed by David and sung by Asaph; others, however, that Asaph both composed and sang it. As I was saying, however, according to the Septuagint it means this: 0 Lord, who has stayed my hand from Your anointed Saul, restrain me unto the end.4 'We give you thanks, 0 God.' Here, the expression 'confitebimur '-we will confess-does not signify repentance, but rather, give praise or thanks. 'And we invoke your name.' The name of God is Father.5 This name was not known in times 1 Cf. Ps. 74 (75).1. 2 1 Kings 26.9. 3 Cf. 1 Kings 26.11, 23, 24; 25.32-34; 24.11, 13. 4 1 Kings 26.11; 24.11. 5 Cf. Commentary on Jeremia 32.16-20, PL 24.893 (1084). 60 HOMILY 8 61 past, for the Lord says: 'Father, I have manifested thy name to the men.'6 Every son in truth bears the name of his father.7 'We declare your wondrous deeds.' The Church is speaking, the hosts of the faithful. 'We declare your wondrous deeds.' This verse is joined to the preceding verses, but the next verse speaks in the person of the Lord, for so the ancients have interpreted it. 'When I seize the appointed time, I will judge with equity.' The Lord is not judge now, but will be later. If He were judge now, sinners would not be arrogant and gain the wealth of the world. Is it a scandal to you that the just are in exile and sinners persecute them? Does it scandalize you that wickedness reigns in the world? Hear the Lord saying: 'When I seize the appointed time, I will judge with equity.' The time for judgment has been set aside. The present world is not the time of judgment, but of contest. 'For neither does the Father judge any man, but all judgment he has given to the Son.'8 As you listen to this, do not be scandalized and say that it is the inferior who receives from the giver. See what the Gospel says: 'For neither does the Father judge any man, but all judgment he has given to the Son, because he is the Son of Man.'9 He renders judgment for the simple reason that He received judgment, for He is the Son of Man. Do you hear the Son of Man, and do you doubt wherefore He received the power of judgment? 6 John 17.5, 6; cf. Commentary on Habacuc 3, PL 25.1310 (635). 7 Cf. Commentary on Matthew 24.36, PL 26.181 (200); 26.29, PL 26.196 (217). 8 John ».22. 9 John 5.22, 27; cf. Commentary on Ecclesiastes, PL 23.1111 (432); on lsaia 2.7, PL 24.47 (35); 21.6-10, PL 24.191 (215); 26.10, PL 24.297 (349). ...

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