For this shall every one that is godly pray unto you in a time when you may be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come near unto him.
Read Chapter 32
Augustine of Hippo
AD 430
6. "For this shall every one that is holy pray unto Thee in an acceptable time:" for this wickedness of heart shall every one that is righteous pray unto Thee. For not by their own merits will they be holy, but by that acceptable time, that is, at His coming, who redeemed us from sin. "Nevertheless in the flood of great waters they shall not come nigh him" (ver. 6): nevertheless, let none think, when the end has come suddenly, as in the days of Noah, that there remaineth a place of confession, whereby he may draw nigh unto God.
Holy. Even the angels rejoice at the sinner's conversion, Luke xv. 7. The saints take part in the welfare of their fellow creatures, and praise God for his mercies shown unto them. (Calmet)
Time. During this life, (Isaias lv. 6., Ecclesiastes ix. 10.; Chaldean; Muis) or when they shall be treated in like manner. (Piscator)
As I now repent, so must those who are afflicted, pray that they may obtain pardon; then they will not be oppressed, though their miseries may appear very great, like a deluge. (Worthington)
Yet. Hebrew rak, "surely. "(Berthier)
"Therefore shall every merciful one pray unto Thee, finding time; that when many waters shall inundate, they may not approach unto him. "(St. Jerome) (Haydock)
A deluge denotes great calamities, Isaias xliii. 2. Even the terrors of the last day will not disturb the just, (Calmet) nor will they inspire the wicked with true repentance. (Haydock)
