The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing.
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Augustine of Hippo
AD 430
13. "O fear the Lord, all ye His saints, for there is no want to them that fear Him" (ver. 9). For many therefore will not fear God the Lord, lest they suffer hunger. It is said to them, Defraud not; and they say, Whence can I feed myself? No art can be without imposture; no business can be without fraud. But fraud God punisheth: fear God. But if I should fear God, I shall not have whence to live. "O fear the Lord, all ye His saints, for there is no want to them that fear Him." He promiseth plenty to him that trembleth, and doubteth, lest haply if he should fear God, he should lose things superfluous. The Lord fed thee despising Him, and will He desert thee fearing Him? Attend, and say not, Such an one is rich, and I am poor. I fear the Lord, he by not fearing how much has he gained, and I by fearing am bare! See what follows; "The rich do lack and suffer hunger, but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing" (ver. 10). If thoureceive it according to the letter, He seemeth ...
Rich of this world, (1 Timothy vi. 17.; Menochius) are often poor in spiritual gifts. (Worthington)
Those who are poor in both respects, are truly miserable, (Haydock) since they cannot satisfy their craving appetite. But the prophet admires those who are poor in spirit, whether they have many possessions or not. (Berthier)
The fear of the Lord is his treasure, Isaias xxxiii. 6. The saint is content under every dispensation of Providence. (Haydock)
Lazarus was truly rich even here; and in heaven he is covered with glory, Luke xvi. 20. (St. Jerome) (Calmet)
Hebrew, "the lions have wanted. "(St. Jerome)
This may have been the case: yet those who fear God shall be filled; or, the rich may be designated by the name of lion's whelps, on account of their power and avidity. (Calmet)
The same term, cephirim, is often applied to men in power, Ezechiel xix 2., and Job iv. 10. (Berthier)
Good. If the saints be sometimes deprived of provisions, they know that it is better for them; as God d...
