Thomas Aquinas, on Ps 19:4

“May he be mindful of all thy sacrifices: and may thy whole burnt offering be made fat.”

“"May he grant." Above, the Psalmist asked in prayer for promotion to good, which is the outwardly desired good; here he asks for that good which is inwardly sought: and concerning this he does two things. First he asks that what he requests be fulfilled. Second he sets forth the reason, at "We shall rejoice." Concerning the first he does two things. First he asks for that which is in the interior movement of the soul, according to the will of the end. Second he asks that the counsel concerning the things which are directed to the end be fulfilled: "And may he confirm all your counsel," etc. He says, therefore, "May he grant you according to your heart," that is, according to the will which is directed to the end; as if to say, may he lead you to the end you intend, which ought to be God: Prov. 10: "The desire of the just shall be granted." "And may he confirm all your counsel"; this concerns the things that are directed to the end (...) for our counsels are weak, because we cannot foresee all things: Wis. 9: "The thoughts of mortals are timid, and our foresight is uncertain." But God is the one who confirms by directing our counsel, which ought to be about seeking eternal things: Jn. 16: "Ask, that your joy may be full": and by giving efficacy to carry out our counsels. But he scatters the counsel of the wicked, as it is said in Job 5.”

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