The Testament and the Eyes toward the Lord

God himself chose. It is not a random person who fears the Lord. Many of us think this way, and many times we say, 'I simply want to fear God.' But we do not know what we are saying; for 'the fear of God surpassed all things,' as the Scripture says. And further: 'there is no lack for those fearing him.' If the one fearing God has no lack, he is most full. The 'who is' can be both small and spiritual.

He will lay down law for him in the way in which he was chosen. God himself is chosen. But it is possible for the man to be chosen; for virtue is primarily called 'choosable.' Just as that which is worthy of being loved is lovable, even if no one loves it; and likewise that which is worthy of being hated is hateful, even if no one hates it; so the 'choosable' is choosable, even if no one chooses it. For even bad things are chosen, but they are not choosable. Rather, the opinion regarding these things is mistaken. 'He will lay down law for him in the way in which he was chosen.' That is, either the one laying down law or the one receiving law. Both are true.

His soul shall be delighted in good things. This man who fears the Lord has his soul being delighted in good things. And his seed shall inherit the land. 'His seed' is not necessarily the physical—for the bad sons of many holy men were shown to exist—but the seed being generated through instruction and the imitation of virtue.

The Lord is a stronghold to those fearing him. Therefore, he speaks of the magnitude of the one fearing God. Those fearing God have no other stronghold than Him whom they fear. He is their strength, he is their king, he holds them. 'And the name' of Him has become a particular possession of 'those fearing him.' It is not a particular possession of men, but of those fearing; for indeed He gave it to all, but it has become the property of those fearing. And His covenant is to make it manifest to them. Covenants, when they are sealed, are not yet manifest...

It is written to the heirs. Therefore, this testament does not remain forever sealed, but it shall one day be released, so that the inheritance may be given to those written down. Thus he will make it known to them.

And since he often calls the divine word a testament, both the old and the new, the one before the visitation and the one after it, this testament must be made known; it must be released. It is released then when the things foretold are fulfilled by the outcome, according to: 'so that what was said might be fulfilled' (Ps 40:8). For it becomes valid when the one who made the arrangement has died; for the release happens then. Even if it is not released in the sense of a contradiction, it is released by power; for when the things commanded are being handed over to those who have received them, the testament is released.

15 My eyes are toward the Lord always, because he himself will drag my feet out of the snare (Ps 25:15). Observe that, if we do not attend precisely to the words, opposites are found. It is no longer according to the one saying, 'Great is my sin' (Ps 51:5), but rather, 'My eyes are toward the Lord always' (Ps 25:15); for he who always keeps his eyes toward the Lord has no sin at all, he has a pure heart. In this way, he is also able to see God himself.

Therefore, when he does not see at one time, and perhaps not at another, yet having his eyes toward the Lord always, he says, 'But I am with you always' (Ps 73:23). And being with you, he does not sin. Unless someone becomes outside of God, he does not sin. 'Those who prolong' therefore 'will separate themselves from you' (Ps 139:7). And what about 'and his testament'?—the testament of God is made known when someone is proven worthy to receive the things promised.

The testament of God has something paradoxical compared to the other testaments; once, the testaments of men are released. But God is day by day. This, therefore, both makes the testament known to those coming and to those who are worthy. Just as in all other things the things of God deviate, for it was said that this sensible light, when it comes into the middle, illuminates the eye that has it; it does not provide comprehension to the blind. But the thing of...