Psalms — Chapter 29

AD VESPERUM DEMORABITUR FLETUS. Lapide: Psalm 29 — "In the evening weeping shall have place, and in the morning gladness." The theology of spiritual rhythm: alternation of consolation and desolation is the normal pattern of the spiritual life. Lapide: "weeping endures for a night but joy comes in the morning" — the Passion (night/evening) and the Resurrection (morning). Tropologically: every dark night of the soul, every spiritual desolation, is followed by the dawn of renewed consolation. Lapide: the mystics (John of the Cross especially) elaborate this rhythm as the "dark night" leading to "divine union."