Psalm 31:9
Douay-Rheims
Do not become like the horse and the mule, who have no understanding. With bit and bridle bind fast their jaws, who come not near unto thee.
Athanasius of Alexandria
People have special need of [understanding], for when they have lost it, they become like horses and mules. Thus he says: I was turned to misery when thorns were thrust in me—that is, the sin that tormented him. On that account he says to God: I have shown you my sin, and my lawlessness I did not hide from you; and you removed my wickedness. The first duty of repentance is for a person to confess his sin, according to [the saying]: God will have mercy on him who confesses his sins and abandons them.
Source details
A.D. 373 · on Ps 32:9 (EXPOSITION ON PSALM 32)
Imported from an open dataset — not yet checked against the printed edition.