I have inclined my heart to perform your statutes always, even unto the end.
Read Chapter 119
Augustine of Hippo
AD 430
111. He then addeth: "I have applied my heart to fulfil Thy righteousness for ever, for my reward" (ver. 112). He who saith, "I have applied my heart," had before said, "Incline my heart unto Thy testimonies:" so that we may understand that it is at once a divine gift, and an act of free will. But are we to fulfil the righteousnesses of God for ever? Those works which we perform in regard to the need of our neighbours, cannot be everlasting, any more than their need; but if we do not do them from love, there is no righteousness; if we do them from love, that love is everlasting, and an everlasting reward is in store for it.
Samech.
Inclined. He had said, (ver. 36.) incline, as the work proceeds from grace and free-will. (St. Augustine)
Reward. St. Jerome, "for the eternal reward. "All agree, that the Hebrew may have this sense. He is influenced by hope, though the motive of charity is placed first. Whether both motives can produce the same act, is an useless inquiry. The Scriptures frequently propose reward, the second, though less excellent motive, Matthew v. 12., Genesis xv. 1., and Romans viii. 18. (Berthier)
This text evidently shews, that the keeping of the commandments merits a reward, for which we may labour. (Worthington)
Protestants evade this, by reading, "always, even unto the end "because hekeb is ambiguous, and means also, the end. (Haydock)
"As if the Septuagint were not sufficient to determine the same.But.they are resolved to take their liberty, though contrary to St. Jerome, and the ancient Fathers. "(Ward's Errat. p. 75.)
God authorizes us to aim at the reward, though he would not have this...
