Basil of Caesarea, on Ps 90:13

“Thou shalt walk upon the asp and the basilisk: and thou shalt trample under foot the lion and the dragon.”

“Wild animals are a proof of our faith. Have you trusted in the Lord? "You shall walk on the asp and the basilisk; and you shall trample under foot the lion and the dragon." You have the power through faith to walk on serpents and scorpions. Or, do you not observe that the viper that fastened onto Paul when he was gathering sticks inflicted no harm because the holy man was found to be full of faith? Yet, if you are incredulous, do not fear the wild beast more than your own lack of faith, through which you have made yourself an easy prey to every form of corruption.”

Imported from an open dataset — not yet checked against the printed edition.