Psalms — Chapter 17

DILIGAM TE DOMINE FORTITUDO MEA. Lapide: Psalm 17 — the great thanksgiving psalm of David (parallel 2 Sam. 22). "I will love Thee, O Lord, my strength." Lapide notes the future tense "diligam" — not merely "I love Thee" but "I WILL love Thee," expressing a firm resolution and commitment of the will, not merely a passing sentiment. Love of God is an act of the will (dilectio), not merely of the emotions. Lapide: the six divine titles that follow ("my strength, my rock, my deliverer, my God, my refuge, my shield, the horn of my salvation, my support") are a theology of divine Providence in miniature.