The Second Decade

In the first decade, holy David, having himself tasted the joyful repose in God the all-good Provider, directed his words toward leading others into the same state—drawing for them the ladder of dispositions by which, as by steps, they too may ascend to the hope of always having God as their Helper, Deliverer from tribulations, and Giver of every good. Among these dispositions the root one is the fear of God. Without it, hope has nothing to take hold of, and without it the very words of seeking the Lord and of crying to Him will die away on the lips. Having grasped the significance of the fear of God, one who has been attentive to the psalm’s song is ready to ask: what then is the fear of God, and in what acts is it expressed? The holy Prophet anticipates this desire and—in the second decade—teaches the fear of God, verses 12–15, with an indication of its fruits as well, verses 16–22.