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| David singing. J-J Tissot. Jewish Museum (NYC) |
[7] For behold I was conceived in iniquities; and in sins did my mother conceive me.
Ecce enim in iniquitatibus conceptus sum, et in peccatis concepit me mater mea.
“For behold” Here he sets forth the root of his guilt. The root of all actual guilt is original sin, which is contracted from parents stained by that sin. This stain was in the father of David himself and in his mother. As to his father, he says: “I was conceived in iniquities,” not in actual sins — because not in adultery but in marriage, and he was born to, or sprung from holy Jesse, as it is said in the last chapter of Ruth — but in original sin: for in this sin all are born: “ by one man sin entered into this world, and by sin death.”[1]
Ecce enim. Hic ponit radicem culpae. Radix omnis culpae actualis est peccatum originale, quod a parentibus contrahitur infectis illo peccato. Haec infectio erat in patre ipsius David, et in matre. Qauntum ad patrem dicit: In iniquitatibus conceptus sum, non actualibus, quia non de adulterio, sed de matrimonio, et sancto Iesse natus, sive generatus est, ut dicitur Ruth ultimo; sed in originali: nam in hoc peccato omnes nascuntur. Rom. 5. "Per unum hominem in hunc mundum peccatum intravit."
[1] Wherefore as by one man sin entered into this world, and by sin death; and so death passed upon all men, in whom all have sinned. Propterea sicut per unum hominem peccatum in hunc mundum intravit, et per peccatum mors, et ita in omnes homines mors pertransiit, in quo omnes peccaverunt. [Rom. v. 12.]
But since there is one original sin, why does he say: “I was conceived in iniquities”?
Sed cum originale sit unum, quare dicit: In iniquitatibus conceptus sum?
It must be said that original sin is one in essence, so to speak, yet multifarious in its power; for it provides the cause for all other sins: “The sin which is in my flesh does work.”[2] And this diminisjes guilt,as if he might say: It is no wonder that I sin, for I was conceived in iniquities.”
Dicendum est, quod peccatum originale est unum in essentia, ut sic dicatur, multa tamen in virtute: quia occasionem praebet ad omnia alia peccata. Rom. 7. "Peccatum quod est in carne mea operatur." Et hoc diminuit culpam; quasi dicat: Non est mirum si pecco, quia in eis conceptus sum.
[2] Cf. For when we were in the flesh, the passions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members, to bring forth fruit unto death. Cum enim essemus in carne, passiones peccatorum, quae per legem erant, operabantur in membris nostris, ut fructificarent morti. [Rom. Vii. 5]
As to his mother, he says: “And in sins did my mother conceive me.”
Quantum ad matrem dicit: Et in peccatis concepit me mater mea.
But were not David’s parents cleansed of sin through circumcision?
Sed numquid non erant mundati parentes David per circumcisionem ab originali peccato?
It must be said that baptism and circumcision cleanse the soul from original sin but the potency (for sin) still remains (like kindling); now circumcision is done in the flesh, and a man engenders fleshly sons according to the flesh; and so it was necessary that a son born should again circumcised; in the same way that someone born of baptized parents is baptized.
Dicendum est, quod baptismus, et circumcisio mundat animam a culpa originali, sed adhuc ramanet fomes; et circumcisio fiebat in carne, et homo generat filios carnales secundum carnem: et ideo necesse erat quod iterum filius natus circumcideretur; sicut modo natus ex parentibus baptizatis baptizatur.
Another text has: My mother fed me her milk. And this refers to actual sins, because even among children are found irregular movements, as St Augustine says in his Confessions.[3]
Alia littera habet: Alit me mater mea. Et hoc ad actualia peccata refertur; quia etiam in pueris inordinati motus inveniuntur, ut Augustinus in 6 Confessiones dicit.
[3] Confessiones, VI.
Another text has: my mother delivered me. And thus because certain are sanctified in the womb; but all except Christ are conceived in original sin;[4] and so he says that he was not sanctified in the womb but born in original sin.
Alia littera habet: Peperit me mater mea. Et sic quia quidam sanctificantur in utero; sed omnes praeter Christum concipiuntur in originali; ideo dicit quod non est sanctificatus in utero, sed natus in originali.
[4] Cf. Ineffabilis Deus, The Immaculate Conception. Pope BI. Pius IX – 1854; and Fulgens Corona, Pope Pius XII, 1853.
“For behold thou hast loved truth.” He who wishes to give satisfaction should love those things which God loves. God, however, loves the truth of faith: “ Every one that is of the truth, heareth my voice.”[5] Likewise, justice: “ Mercy and truth shall go before thy face.”[6] And this is needful in a penitent so that he may punish himself because he transgressed.
Ecce enim veritatem dilexisti. Qui vult satisfacere, debet diligere ea quae Deus diligit; Deus autem diligit veritatem fidei. Io. 18. "Omnis qui est ex veritate, audit vocem meam." Item iustitiam. Ps. 88. Misericordia, et veritas praecedent faciem tuam. Et hae necessaria est in poenitente, ut in se puniat quod deliquit.
[5] Pilate therefore said to him: Art thou a king then? Jesus answered: Thou sayest that I am a king. For this was I born, and for this came I into the world; that I should give testimony to the truth. Every one that is of the truth, heareth my voice. Dixit itaque ei Pilatus : Ergo rex es tu? Respondit Jesus : Tu dicis quia rex sum ego. Ego in hoc natus sum, et ad hoc veni in mundum, ut testimonium perhibeam veritati : omnis qui est ex veritate, audit vocem meam. [Ioan. Xviii. 37]
[6] Justice and judgment are the preparation of thy throne. Mercy and truth shall go before thy face: Justitia et judicium praeparatio sedis tuae; misericordia et veritas praecedent faciem tuam. [Ps. Lxxxviii. 15]
Also, confession is necessary so that may confess his sins.
Item est necessaria confessio, ut confiteatur peccata.
Totus tuus ego sum
Et omnia mea tua sunt;
Tecum semper tutus sum:
Ad Jesum per Mariam.
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