Psalm 108 [MT 109]
- Imprecatory
Commentary from 3 fathers
[For the end, a Psalm of David.] O God, pass not over my praise in silence;
Εἰς τὸ τέλος· ψαλμὸς τῷ Δαυΐδ. - Ο Θεός, τὴν αἴνεσίν μου μὴ παρασιωπήσῃς,
Бж҃е, хвалы̀ моеѧ̀ не премолчѝ:
for the mouth of the sinner and the mouth of the crafty [man] have been opened against me: they have spoken against me with a crafty tongue.
ὅτι στόμα ἁμαρτωλοῦ καὶ στόμα δολίου ἐπ᾿ ἐμὲ ἠνοίχθη, ἐλάλησαν κατ᾿ ἐμοῦ γλώσσῃ δολίᾳ
ꙗ҆́кѡ ᲂу҆ста̀ грѣ̑шнича и҆ ᲂу҆ста̀ льсти́вагѡ на мѧ̀ ѿверзо́шасѧ, глаго́лаша на мѧ̀ ѧ҆зы́комъ льсти́вымъ,
And they have compassed me with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause.
καὶ λόγοις μίσους ἐκύκλωσάν με καὶ ἐπολέμησάν με δωρεάν.
и҆ словесы̀ ненави́стными ѡ҆быдо́ша мѧ̀, и҆ бра́шасѧ со мно́ю тꙋ́не.
And they rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.
καὶ ἔθεντο κατ᾿ ἐμοῦ κακὰ ἀντὶ ἀγαθῶν καὶ μῖσος ἀντὶ τῆς ἀγαπήσεώς μου.
и҆ положи́ша на мѧ̀ ѕла̑ѧ за бл҃га̑ѧ, и҆ не́нависть за возлюбле́нїе моѐ.
But, when once they had become submissive after reflecting on that thought, they would find the church promised to all nations, not in slanders and in human fables but in the sacred Books, and they would see it set before their eyes. Then they would not doubt that Christ, as promised in those Books, though unseen, is now above the heavens. Why in the world, then, should I begrudge them salvation, by recalling my colleagues from this sort of fatherly duty, when it is through this that we see many renouncing their former blindness? Yet some who believed, without seeing, that Christ is raised above the heavens, still denied his glory over all the earth, which they did see, although the prophet, with strong significance, included both in one sentence when he said, “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and your glory over all the earth.”
Letter 93
Therefore, nothing needs to be said in this place about those who censure and blaspheme Christ (since we are speaking about his glory, by which he was glorified in the world), since the Holy Spirit glorified him with true glory only in the holy catholic church. For elsewhere, that is, either among the heretics or among certain pagans, he cannot be truly glorified on earth, even when he seems to be repeatedly praised. His true glory, therefore, in the catholic church, is sung by the prophet in this way: “Be exalted above the heavens, O God, and above all the earth your glory.” And so, because after his exaltation the Holy Spirit will come and will glorify him, this the sacred psalm, this the Only-Begotten himself promised would happen, which we see fulfilled.
Tractates on the Gospel of John 100:3.4
Set thou a sinner against him; and let the devil stand at his right hand.
κατάστησον ἐπ᾿ αὐτὸν ἁμαρτωλόν, καὶ διάβολος στήτω ἐκ δεξιῶν αὐτοῦ·
Поста́ви на него̀ грѣ́шника, и҆ дїа́волъ да ста́нетъ ѡ҆деснꙋ́ю є҆гѡ̀:
When he is judged, let him go forth condemned: and let his prayer become sin.
ἐν τῷ κρίνεσθαι αὐτὸν ἐξέλθοι καταδεδικασμένος, καὶ ἡ προσευχὴ αὐτοῦ γενέσθω εἰς ἁμαρτίαν.
внегда̀ сꙋди́тисѧ є҆мꙋ̀, да и҆зы́детъ ѡ҆сꙋжде́нъ, и҆ моли́тва є҆гѡ̀ да бꙋ́детъ въ грѣ́хъ.
Let his days be few: and let another take his office of overseer.
γενηθήτωσαν αἱ ἡμέραι αὐτοῦ ὀλίγαι, καὶ τὴν ἐπισκοπὴν αὐτοῦ λάβοι ἕτερος.
Да бꙋ́дꙋтъ дні́е є҆гѡ̀ ма́ли, и҆ є҆пі́скопство є҆гѡ̀ да прїи́метъ и҆́нъ:
Let his children be orphans, and his wife a widow.
γενηθήτωσαν οἱ υἱοὶ αὐτοῦ ὀρφανοὶ καὶ ἡ γυνὴ αὐτοῦ χήρα·
да бꙋ́дꙋтъ сы́нове є҆гѡ̀ си́ри, и҆ жена̀ є҆гѡ̀ вдова̀:
For who does not know that sandals are made from dead animals? But the Lord coming incarnate appeared as if shod, because in his divinity he assumed the dead flesh of our corruption. Hence also through the Prophet he says: "Over Edom I will extend my sandal." For by Edom the Gentile world is signified, and by the sandal the assumed mortality is designated. Therefore the Lord asserts that he extends his sandal over Edom, because when he became known to the Gentiles through flesh, divinity came to us as if shod.
Forty Gospel Homilies, Homily 7
Let his children wander without a dwelling-place, and beg: let them be cast out of their habitations.
σαλευόμενοι μεταναστήτωσαν οἱ υἱοὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐπαιτησάτωσαν, ἐκβληθήτωσαν ἐκ τῶν οἰκοπέδων αὐτῶν.
дви́жꙋщесѧ да преселѧ́тсѧ сы́нове є҆гѡ̀ и҆ воспро́сѧтъ, да и҆згна́ни бꙋ́дꙋтъ и҆з̾ домѡ́въ свои́хъ.
Let [his] creditor exact all that belongs to him: and let strangers spoil his labours.
ἐξερευνησάτω δανειστὴς πάντα, ὅσα ὑπάρχει αὐτῷ, καὶ διαρπασάτωσαν ἀλλότριοι τοὺς πόνους αὐτοῦ·
Да взы́щетъ заимода́вецъ всѧ̑, є҆ли̑ка сꙋ́ть є҆гѡ̀: и҆ да восхи́тѧтъ чꙋжді́и трꙋды̀ є҆гѡ̀.
Let him have no helper; neither let there be any one to have compassion on his fatherless children.
μὴ ὑπαρξάτω αὐτῷ ἀντιλήπτωρ, μηδὲ γενηθήτω οἰκτίρμων τοῖς ὀρφανοῖς αὐτοῦ·
Да не бꙋ́детъ є҆мꙋ̀ застꙋ́пника, нижѐ да бꙋ́детъ ᲂу҆щедрѧ́ѧй сирѡты̀ є҆гѡ̀:
Let his children be [given up] to utter destruction: in one generation let his name be blotted out.
γενηθήτω τὰ τέκνα αὐτοῦ εἰς ἐξολόθρευσιν, ἐν γενεᾷ μιᾷ ἐξαλειφθείη τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ.
да бꙋ́дꙋтъ ча̑да є҆гѡ̀ въ погꙋбле́нїе, въ ро́дѣ є҆ди́нѣмъ да потреби́тсѧ и҆́мѧ є҆гѡ̀.
Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered before the Lord; and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out.
ἀναμνησθείη ἡ ἀνομία τῶν πατέρων αὐτοῦ ἔναντι Κυρίου, καὶ ἡ ἁμαρτία τῆς μητρὸς αὐτοῦ μὴ ἐξαλειφθείη·
Да воспомѧне́тсѧ беззако́нїе ѻ҆тє́цъ є҆гѡ̀ пред̾ гдⷭ҇емъ, и҆ грѣ́хъ ма́тере є҆гѡ̀ да не ѡ҆чи́ститсѧ:
Let them be before the Lord continually; and let their memorial be blotted out from the earth.
γενηθήτωσαν ἐναντίον Κυρίου διαπαντός, καὶ ἐξολοθρευθείη ἐκ γῆς τὸ μνημόσυνον αὐτῶν,
да бꙋ́дꙋтъ пред̾ гдⷭ҇емъ вы́нꙋ, и҆ да потреби́тсѧ ѿ землѝ па́мѧть и҆́хъ:
Because he remembered not to shew mercy, but persecuted the needy and poor man, and [that] to slay him that was pricked in the heart.
ἀνθ᾿ ὧν οὐκ ἐμνήσθη ποιῆσαι ἔλεος καὶ κατεδίωξεν ἄνθρωπον πένητα καὶ πτωχὸν καὶ κατανενυγμένον τῇ καρδίᾳ τοῦ θανατῶσαι.
зане́же не помѧнꙋ̀ сотвори́ти ми́лость, и҆ погна̀ человѣ́ка ни́ща и҆ ᲂу҆бо́га, и҆ ᲂу҆миле́на се́рдцемъ ᲂу҆мертви́ти.
He loved cursing also, and it shall come upon him; and he took not pleasure in blessing, so it shall be removed far from him.
καὶ ἠγάπησε κατάραν, καὶ ἥξει αὐτῷ· καὶ οὐκ ἠθέλησεν εὐλογίαν, καὶ μακρυνθήσεται ἀπ᾿ αὐτοῦ.
И҆ возлюбѝ клѧ́твꙋ, и҆ прїи́детъ є҆мꙋ̀: и҆ не восхотѣ̀ блгⷭ҇ве́нїѧ, и҆ ᲂу҆дали́тсѧ ѿ негѡ̀.
Yea, he put on cursing as a garment, and it is come as water into his bowels, and as oil into his bones.
καὶ ἐνεδύσατο κατάραν ὡς ἱμάτιον, καὶ εἰσῆλθεν ὡσεὶ ὕδωρ εἰς τὰ ἔγκατα αὐτοῦ καὶ ὡσεὶ ἔλαιον ἐν τοῖς ὀστέοις αὐτοῦ.
И҆ ѡ҆блече́сѧ въ клѧ́твꙋ ꙗ҆́кѡ въ ри́зꙋ, и҆ вни́де ꙗ҆́кѡ вода̀ во ᲂу҆тро́бꙋ є҆гѡ̀ и҆ ꙗ҆́кѡ є҆ле́й въ кѡ́сти є҆гѡ̀:
Let it be to him as a garment which he puts on, and as a girdle with which he girds himself continually.
γενηθήτω αὐτῷ ὡς ἱμάτιον, ὃ περιβάλλεται, καὶ ὡσεὶ ζώνη, ἣν διαπαντὸς περιζώννυται.
да бꙋ́детъ є҆мꙋ̀ ꙗ҆́кѡ ри́за, въ ню́же ѡ҆блачи́тсѧ, и҆ ꙗ҆́кѡ по́ѧсъ, и҆́мже вы́нꙋ ѡ҆поѧсꙋ́етсѧ.
This is the dealing of the Lord with those who falsely accuse me, and of them that speak evil against my soul.
τοῦτο τὸ ἔργον τῶν ἐνδιαβαλλόντων με παρὰ Κυρίου καὶ τῶν λαλούντων πονηρὰ κατὰ τῆς ψυχῆς μου.
Сїѐ дѣ́ло ѡ҆болга́ющихъ мѧ̀ ᲂу҆ гдⷭ҇а и҆ глаго́лющихъ лꙋка̑ваѧ на дꙋ́шꙋ мою̀.
But thou, O Lord, Lord, deal [mercifully] with me, for thy name’s sake: for thy mercy is good.
καὶ σύ, Κύριε Κύριε, ποίησον μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ ἕνεκεν τοῦ ὀνόματός σου, ὅτι χρηστὸν τὸ ἔλεός σου. ῥῦσαί με,
И҆ ты̀, гдⷭ҇и, гдⷭ҇и, сотворѝ со мно́ю и҆́мене ра́ди твоегѡ̀, ꙗ҆́кѡ бл҃га млⷭ҇ть твоѧ̀:
Deliver me, for I am poor and needy; and my heart is troubled within me.
ὅτι πτωχὸς καὶ πένης εἰμὶ ἐγώ, καὶ ἡ καρδία μου τετάρακται ἐντός μου.
и҆зба́ви мѧ̀, ꙗ҆́кѡ ни́щь и҆ ᲂу҆бо́гъ є҆́смь а҆́зъ, и҆ се́рдце моѐ смѧте́сѧ внꙋ́трь менє̀.
I am removed as a shadow in its going down: I am tossed up and down like locusts.
ὡσεὶ σκιὰ ἐν τῷ ἐκκλῖναι αὐτὴν ἀντανῃρέθην, ἐξετινάχθην ὡσεὶ ἀκρίδες.
Ꙗ҆́кѡ сѣ́нь, внегда̀ ᲂу҆клони́тисѧ є҆́й, ѿѧ́хсѧ: стрѧсо́хсѧ ꙗ҆́кѡ прꙋ́зи.
My knees are weakened through fasting, and my flesh is changed by reason of [the want of] oil.
τὰ γόνατά μου ἠσθένησαν ἀπὸ νηστείας, καὶ ἡ σάρξ μου ἠλλοιώθη δι᾿ ἔλαιον.
Кѡлѣ́на моѧ̑ и҆знемого́ста ѿ поста̀, и҆ пло́ть моѧ̀ и҆змѣни́сѧ є҆ле́а ра́ди.
I became also a reproach to them: [when] they saw me they shook their heads.
κἀγὼ ἐγενήθην ὄνειδος αὐτοῖς· εἴδοσάν με, ἐσάλευσαν κεφαλὰς αὐτῶν.
И҆ а҆́зъ бы́хъ поноше́нїе и҆̀мъ: ви́дѣша мѧ̀, покива́ша глава́ми свои́ми.
Help me, O Lord my God; and save me according to thy mercy.
βοήθησόν μοι, Κύριε ὁ Θεός μου, καὶ σῶσόν με κατὰ τὸ ἔλεός σου.
Помози́ ми, гдⷭ҇и бж҃е мо́й, и҆ сп҃си́ мѧ по млⷭ҇ти твое́й:
And let them know that this is thy hand; and [that] thou, Lord, hast wrought it.
καὶ γνώτωσαν ὅτι ἡ χείρ σου αὕτη καὶ σύ, Κύριε, ἐποίησας αὐτήν.
и҆ да разꙋмѣ́ютъ, ꙗ҆́кѡ рꙋка̀ твоѧ̀ сїѧ̀, и҆ ты̀, гдⷭ҇и, сотвори́лъ є҆сѝ ю҆̀.
Let them curse, but thou shalt bless: let them that rise up against me be ashamed, but let thy servant rejoice.
καταράσονται αὐτοί, καὶ σὺ εὐλογήσεις· οἱ ἐπανιστάμενοί μοι αἰσχυνθήτωσαν, ὁ δὲ δοῦλός σου εὐφρανθήσεται.
Прокленꙋ́тъ ті́и, и҆ ты̀ блгⷭ҇ви́ши: востаю́щїи на мѧ̀ да постыдѧ́тсѧ, ра́бъ же тво́й возвесели́тсѧ.
Let those that falsely accuse me be clothed with shame, and let them cover themselves with their shame as with a mantle.
ἐνδυσάσθωσαν οἱ ἐνδιαβάλλοντές με ἐντροπὴν καὶ περιβαλέσθωσαν ὡς διπλοΐδα αἰσχύνην αὐτῶν.
Да ѡ҆блекꙋ́тсѧ ѡ҆болга́ющїи мѧ̀ въ срамотꙋ̀ и҆ ѡ҆де́ждꙋтсѧ ꙗ҆́кѡ ѻ҆де́ждою стꙋдо́мъ свои́мъ.
I will give thanks to the Lord abundantly with my mouth; and in the midst of many I will praise him.
ἐξομολογήσομαι τῷ Κυρίῳ σφόδρα ἐν τῷ στόματί μου καὶ ἐν μέσῳ πολλῶν αἰνέσω αὐτόν,
И҆сповѣ́мсѧ гдⷭ҇еви ѕѣлѡ̀ ᲂу҆сты̑ мои́ми и҆ посредѣ̀ мно́гихъ восхвалю̀ є҆го̀:
For he stood on the right hand of the poor, to save [me] from them that persecute my soul.
ὅτι παρέστη ἐκ δεξιῶν πένητος τοῦ σῶσαι ἐκ τῶν καταδιωκόντων τὴν ψυχήν μου.
ꙗ҆́кѡ предста̀ ѡ҆деснꙋ́ю ᲂу҆бо́гагѡ, є҆́же спⷭ҇тѝ ѿ гонѧ́щихъ дꙋ́шꙋ мою̀.
Instead of loving me, they falsely accused me: but I continued to pray.
ἀντὶ τοῦ ἀγαπᾶν με ἐνδιέβαλλόν με, ἐγὼ δὲ προσηυχόμην·
Вмѣ́стѡ є҆́же люби́ти мѧ̀, ѡ҆болга́хꙋ мѧ̀, а҆́зъ же молѧ́хсѧ: