The Discipline of Correction and the Escape from Punishment

They are being disturbed. When he signifies the life of man, he says, 'every man lives' (Ps 39:1), and 'yet a man wanders in an image'—not in the same one, but because the images are diverse, and especially because many are false and deceptive, many are being disturbed. And now, what is my stability? Is it not the Lord? Regarding others, the things spoken have been said. But as for myself, I say: 'What is my stability? Is it not the Lord?' (Ps 39:17) I do not wait for another. And just as 'wisdom, righteousness, and sanctification become' those who participate, so also stability becomes to the one waiting, the Lord himself. And my subsistence is with you. Concerning the Lord, he says that his stability is. But toward the Lord, who is, he says his subsistence is: 'and my subsistence is with you' (Ps 39:18). It is possible to call subsistence here the strength by which one is able to stand, because, with you cooperating and being my stability, I stand against all things. And the 'subsistence from you' is a praise to me. And it is possible to call subsistence instead of essence. And my subsistence of the rational soul, of the rational animal, is with you; for you have given me a soul; from you I have the soul, not beginning from seeds, not being composed according to an opinion like the Stoic school, but 'my subsistence is from you' (Ps 39:18).

Save me from all my lawlessness (Ps 39:19). Not from some, but 'from all,' so that I may become outside of every false image. A reproach of foolishness you have given me (Ps 39:20). From the beginning we said that the whole psalm bears the face of one repenting and progressing. It is a trivial thing to be reproached by a righteous man, but to be praised by a fool. For the fool indeed reproaches regarding good works and with zeal. For this reason, even in proverbs, as if there were no difference, reproaches are mentioned: 'Do not acquire the reproach of evil men' (Prov 22:8); for he did not say at all, 'Do not acquire reproach,' but 'of evil men.' Do not reproach regarding triviality; for there are those being reproached regarding good things. To the well-known, Jesus says: 'Rejoice and be glad when they reproach you' (Matt 5:11). This kind of reproach is not to be rejected; for it is good and will lead into the kingdom of heaven. But the reproaches of evil men are to be fled from. I was made mute and I did not open my mouth (Ps 39:21). Who is the foolish reproacher, or he is the sinner who stands against him, as...

"He became mute and did not open his mouth"? And here again the same thing is signified: "I became mute and did not open my mouth." He did not answer him regarding what he reproaches. This is often said by another power, as the apostle teaches this, saying: "Reprove not a contentious man for one exhortation" (Prov 9:8). Do not open the mouth to him at all. But so that you may have a defense and a word to say about yourself, "I have done this by myself," exhort him. If he does not submit to the exhortation, or "and a second"—for some manuscripts have "and a second"—overthrow him, "knowing that he sins." One who is "self-condemning" should not be set against.

10–11 For you are the one who made me, turn away your whips from me. Do not lash me; for I am your handiwork. "But he lashes every son whom he receives" (Heb 12:6), having it clear through which he is lashed. Therefore, leave these things to me; grant me a remission, for in this way I shall no longer be lashed. Now I am still liable for the lashings. 278 Therefore, he who has placed the Most High as his refuge (Ps 91:2) has no approaching evils nor a whip approaching his tent. Make me therefore such that I am no longer liable for the lashings; turn away the thing that punishes me. Since therefore I say, "Deliver me from all my iniquities" (Ps 51:2), when you deliver me, I am no longer liable for punishment.

He was lashing him in a certain way even through the thoughtless man, and says that the reproaches of the thoughtless are the lashes. Unless God delivers, one is not able even by opposing that which has not been delivered. 11 From the strength of your hand I have failed (Ps 31:9). The strength of your hand, the educational one, the striking one, the one subjecting to pains, presses upon me. Since therefore it has become strong against me, I have failed. I cast away my former life, I left my former state; for I did not fail so as to no longer exist, or to become weak, but so as to fail the state preparing to punish me. "I have failed." I, saying these things, confessing, saying, "You have given me reproach through thoughtlessness," have failed, having become outside of my former state. It is possible to fail praiseworthily, and it is possible to fail shamefully. "And Esau came from the field, leaving behind" (Gen 25:29), when he desired to eat a meal. The "leaving behind" here is instead of "having grown weak" and "longing for food." It is said often...