Psalms – Chapter 13

Old Testament7 Verses

1Unto the end, a psalm for David. The fool hath said in his heart: There is no God. They are corrupt, and are become abominable in their ways: there is none that doth good, no not one.

2The Lord hath looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there be any that understand and seek God.

3They are all gone aside, they are become unprofitable together: there is none that doth good: no not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they acted deceitfully: the poison of asps is under their lips. Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness; their feet are swift to shed blood. Destruction and unhappiness in their ways; and the way of peace they have not known: there is no fear of God before their eyes.

4Shall not all they know that work iniquity, who devour my people as they eat bread?

5They have not called upon the Lord: there have they trembled for fear, where there was no fear.

6For the Lord is in the just generation: you have confounded the counsel of the poor man; but the Lord is his hope.

7Who shall give out of Sion the salvation of Israel? when the Lord shall have turned away the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

Reflection for Today

Sacred Scripture presents Psalms Chapter 13 as a unique stage in salvation history, not merely as background to other books.

St. Thomas Aquinas and other Fathers of the Church meditated on texts like this one, seeing in them instruction for the spiritual life. the Psalms are the prayer book of the Church, prayed daily in the Liturgy of the Hours (CIC 2585-2589). The passage calls believers to grasp that God invites us to bring all our emotions to Him.

Let Psalms Chapter 13 deepen your love for the Eucharist, where the Word made flesh continues to feed His people. The same Christ who speaks in Scripture offers Himself sacramentally on the altar.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

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