Commentary on Psalms
Evagrius Ponticus
If you remember the Judge only when you are in difficulties as one who inspires fear and who is incorruptibly honest, then you have not as yet learned to "serve the Lord in fear and to rejoice in him with trembling." For understand this point well: one is to worship him even in spiritual relaxations and in times of good cheer with even more piety and reverence.
The teeth of sinners are thoughts foreign to reason coming to us on account of our nature by which our enemies approach us, just like using their teeth time after time again to devour our flesh. That is, those [are] things that spring forth from the flesh: "Manifest are the works of the flesh," as the apostle says.
Whenever we realize the reasons why we suffer and are tested, then our minds are greatly opened.
The holy temple of God is Christ, concerning which "God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself." In the fear of God each one turns away from evil; in fear he worships in the temple of the Lord that is Christ.
The ones who are burning are those who have received the flaming arrows of the devil.
[By contrast] the righteous person praises God at all times.
See also
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