Commentary on Psalms

Valerian of Cimiez

We shall take care to have nothing base spring from our hearts, nothing blasphemous fly from our lips, nothing harmful harbored in our thought. The prophet condemns not only what offends the ears but also the attitude that some people cherish in their minds. "With deceitful lips and with a double heart they have spoken evil things." Deliberations, too, then should be listed among the faults of an insolent tongue. Whatever you speak in your heart you are confessing to the Lord, because God is the Searcher of hearts. Since you cannot hide even your thought from him, can that which you shout aloud remain hidden from him or excused? Reflect on this.

We find many who occasionally mix poison with sweet words in one and the same conversation and enter into conflicts by feigned persuasions to peace. What can be more unfortunate or dangerous than the case of those people who with all the ardor of their deceitful tongues plot against someone's life? Why do they fail to consider the prophet's psalm, which states, "May the Lord destroy sinful lips." Do you perceive under what a curse one lives who is contriving one plan in his heart and placing another on his tongue

See also

• More works by Valerian of Cimiez

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