Psalms — Chapter 38

CALUIT COR MEUM INTRA ME. Lapide: Psalm 38 — "My heart grew hot within me: and in my meditation a fire shall flame out." Lapide: the prophet's burning interior compels him to speak. Silence before the wicked (vv.1-3) becomes impossible when God's fire burns within. Lapide applies this to the prophet, the preacher, the spiritual director: sometimes prudent silence before those who cannot hear; but the interior fire of God's word eventually compels speech.