The Divine Light and the Armor of Truth

"my feet"; for straightness is like an uncracked and continuous rock. My foot is therefore firm in my straightness. Standing in straightness is the same as standing in faith; for it says, "for indeed you have stood in faith" (Ps 118:137). Such a standing does not happen without Jesus. Those having this standing stand by him, as he says, "there are some standing here," meaning, here by me.

"I will bless you in the churches, Lord" (Ps 22:4). In the church I will offer thanksgiving hymns, not outside anywhere. He who promises to give thanks to God outside, contrary to the ecclesiastical opinion, does not bless in the churches.

Of David; before being anointed. The psalms before this were "to David"; this one is written "of David." He himself brought it forth by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. He sent it forth "before being anointed." Thirdly, David appears anointed; first, when he went to Samuel and was anointed, and Samuel to Jesse. Second, after Saul had finished; the beginning was preserved; for some were seeking David as king, while others sought Mephibosheth the son of Saul. After the son of Saul was betrayed by Abner because of the appearance of a woman, David was anointed over all the people in Hebron. Therefore, he was anointed a third time. Previously, the peak clearly belongs to a private person. Second, in order that he might rule a part of the people. After the death of the son of Saul, in order that he might also rule the rest of the people, he has been anointed again and again by all. We seek, therefore, regarding what kind of anointing he speaks here. One says that it is generally regarding every anointing; he says the psalm was spoken before being wholly anointed, and quite so; if before the first anointing, it is clearly also before the second and the third. If before the second, not necessarily before the first. If before the third, not necessarily before the first and second. But the psalm seems to have been spoken especially before the first anointing, which is before every anointing. Therefore, the psalm is "before being anointed."

"The Lord is my light and my savior" (Ps 22:1); whom shall I fear? If God enlightens me and saves me, whom do I fear? Neither man, nor an evil power, nor even the devil himself. And the "who" here is instead of "no one"; for this usage lies here continuously.

In the Scriptures: 'What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?' (Romans 8:31) stands instead of 'no one.' 'Who shall bring a charge against the elect of God?' (Romans 8:33) stands instead of 'no one,' and furthermore: 'Behold, the Lord helps me; who can harm me?' (Psalm 27:7) because of many things signified by the word, as it has been said elsewhere, now the 'who' lies instead of 'no one.' Therefore, the word is not about sensible life and some sensible illumination; for by the divine light the mind and the soul are illumined. And life is always joined to salvation. This is the same: eternal life and eternal salvation; for 'Israel' is indeed 'saved by the Lord with an eternal salvation' (Psalm 116:8).

That life is always joined to the illumination, it is seen from many things: 'the life was the light of men' (John 1:4), and again this saint prays: 'enlighten my eyes, lest I sleep into death' (Psalm 139:24), signifying that he who is deprived of the illumination sleeps into death; not the common death, but the one opposed to the blessed life. Therefore, 'the Lord' is 'my light and my salvation' (Psalm 27:1). He himself guides me, speaks to me according to the hidden, enlightens me through which he speaks, and his word prepares to have salvation immediately. Since I said that the one having been illumined has life in every way—the Savior himself also says: 'I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life' (John 8:12).

He who has the light of life is not defeated by anything, especially since the truth of God itself becomes a shield fighting for him; for 'his truth shall surround you as a weapon' (Psalm 5:12). Therefore, it immediately reaches: 'The Lord is the defender of my life; from whom shall I dread?' (Psalm 27:1). The Lord is the defender of my life; from whom shall I dread? Who is able to make me afraid? I am clothed in 'the armor of God' (Ephesians 6:13), I 'have the shield' (Ephesians 6:16) of faith, extinguishing 'all the flaming arrows of the evil one' (Ephesians 6:16). If the shield of faith extinguishes the arrows of the evil one, it does much more for those of inferior archers; for there are also other worthless archers. For indeed, 'behold, the sinners have bent a bow, they have prepared arrows in a quiver to shoot at those upright in heart' (Psalm 7:12). I am not defeated by anything. The armor of God is unhurt and unstriking. His shield is truth. And no one is able against the truth.