Letter 30: Some account of the so-called alphabetical psalms (XXXVII., CXI., CXII., CXIX., CXLV.). After explaining the mystical meaning of the alphabet, Jerome goes on thus: What honey is sweeter than to know the wisdom of God? Others, if they will, may possess riches, drink from a jewelled cup, shine in silks, and try in vain to exhaust their wealth in t...
Jerome→Paula|c. 380 AD|jerome
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Letter 30: To Paula (384 AD)
[Jerome explains the so-called "alphabetical psalms" — Psalms 37, 111, 112, 119, and 145 — in which each section or verse begins with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. After laying out the mystical significance of the alphabet itself, Jerome rises to an eloquent passage: "What honey is sweeter than to know the wisdom of God? Let others possess riches if they wish, drink from jeweled cups, gleam in silks, and try in vain to exhaust their wealth in every variety of pleasure. Our riches are to meditate on the law of the Lord day and night, to knock at the closed door [Matthew 7:7], to receive the three loaves of the Trinity [Luke 11:5-8], and — when the Lord goes before us — to walk upon the waters of this world" [Matthew 14:25-33]. Written at Rome.]
To Paula
Some account of the so-called alphabetical psalms (XXXVII., CXI., CXII., CXIX., CXLV.). After explaining the mystical meaning of the alphabet, Jerome goes on thus: What honey is sweeter than to know the wisdom of God? Others, if they will, may possess riches, drink from a jewelled cup, shine in silks, and try in vain to exhaust their wealth in the most varied pleasures. Our riches are to meditate in the law of the Lord day and night, to knock at the closed door, Matthew 7:7 to receive the 'three loaves' of the Trinity, Luke 11:5-8 and, when the Lord goes before us, to walk upon the water of the world. Matthew 14:25-33 Written at Rome A.D. 384.
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Source. Translated by W.H. Fremantle, G. Lewis and W.G. Martley. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Vol. 6. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1893.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3001030.htm>.
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Letter 30: To Paula (384 AD)
[Jerome explains the so-called "alphabetical psalms" — Psalms 37, 111, 112, 119, and 145 — in which each section or verse begins with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. After laying out the mystical significance of the alphabet itself, Jerome rises to an eloquent passage: "What honey is sweeter than to know the wisdom of God? Let others possess riches if they wish, drink from jeweled cups, gleam in silks, and try in vain to exhaust their wealth in every variety of pleasure. Our riches are to meditate on the law of the Lord day and night, to knock at the closed door [Matthew 7:7], to receive the three loaves of the Trinity [Luke 11:5-8], and — when the Lord goes before us — to walk upon the waters of this world" [Matthew 14:25-33]. Written at Rome.]
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.