But unto the wicked God says,
What have you to do to declare my statutes, or that you should take my covenant in your mouth?
Read Chapter 50
Augustine of Hippo
AD 430
23. But see what followeth, my brethren. For now some one or other, because God had said to him, "Immolate to God the sacrifice of praise," and had enjoined in a manner this tribute, did meditate to himself and said, I will rise daily, I will proceed to Church, I will say one hymn at matins, another at vespers, a third or fourth in my house, daily I do sacrifice the sacrifice of praise, and immolate to my God. Well thou doest indeed, if thou doest this: but take heed, lest now thou be careless, because now thou doest this: and perchance thy tongue bless God, and thy life curse God. O my people, saith to thee the God of gods, the Lord that spake, "calling the earth from the rising of the sun unto the setting," though yet thou art placed amid the tares, "Immolate the sacrifice of praise to thy God, and render to Him thy prayers:" but take heed lest thou live ill, and chant well. Wherefore this? For, "Unto the sinner, saith God, why dost thou tell out My judgments, and takest My Covenant ...
Sinner. He is not blamed for praying: but his hypocrisy is condemned. (Berthier)
The world is full of such hypocrites, who have God in their mouths, but not in their hearts, and whose voice alone is the voice of Jacob, Genesis xxvii. 22., Isaias xxix. 13., and Titus i. 16.
The wicked judges, who condemned Susanna, (Daniel xiii.) should have attended to these lessons. (Calmet)
Thou that teachest another, teachest not thyself, Romans ii. 21.
It is surely to be expected, (Haydock) that those who undertake to teach others, should show good example, and serve God with sincerity, (Worthington) and not content themselves with the glory of their vocation. (Menochius)
