Turn away my eyes from beholding vanity; and revive me in your way.
Read Chapter 119
Augustine of Hippo
AD 430
37. The next words in the Psalm which we have undertaken to expound are, "O turn away mine eyes, lest they behold vanity: and quicken Thou me in Thy way" (ver. 37). Vanity and truth are directly contrary to one another. The desires of this world are vanity: but Christ, who freeth us from the world, is truth. He is the way, too, wherein this man wisheth to be quickened, for He is also the life: "I am the way, the truth, and the life," are His own words.
38. ...He prayeth that those eyes wherewith we consider on what account we do what we do, may be turned away that they behold not vanity; that is, that he may not look to vanity, as his motive, when he doeth anything good. In this vanity the first place is held by the love of men's praise, on account of which many great deeds have been wrought by those who are styled great in this world, and who have been much praised in heathen states, seeking glory not with God, but among men, and on account of this living in appearance prudently, c...
Vanity. Idols, worldly prosperity, (Psalm xxxvi. 1, 7.; (Calmet) shews, (St. Ambrose) and all dangerous objects. (Haydock)
We must pray that God will take away the occasions of sin, and help us to advance in virtue. (Worthington)
