The Ascent Of Humility

Juxta est Dominus his qui tribulato sunt corde, et humiles spiritu salvabit. Et iste versus pertinet ad bona justorum. Mos Domini et humana consuetudo diversa est. Nam qui vult altioribus vicinus fieri erigitur; tenditur ut possit fastigia celsa contingere. Dominus enim altissimus attingi non potest, nisi per humilitates videlicet inclinatas; nec ad dulcia ejus gaudia nisi per amaras lacrymas pervenitur. Sive, ut alii dixerunt, juxta, significat non loco, sed auxilio. Inspiciendum est quoque quod dicit, qui tribulatio sunt corde. Multi enim tribulantur, sed non ex corde, ut queruli, fatui, qui peccata non deflent, sed mundana eos damna contristant. Ilii autem corde tribulantur, qui aliena mala suas facunt esse miserias, qui mundum lugentes generalitas cladibus affliguntur. Ipsos namque salvabit, qui se humillimis conversationibus subdiderunt. Et intende quia non dicit verbis humiles, quod habet plerumque nequitia peccatorum, sed spiritu, sicut in Evangelio dicit: Beati pauperes spiritu, quoniam ipsorum est regnum caelorum. Cassiodorus, Expositio In Psalterium, Psalmus XXXIII Source: Migne PG 70.239.a-b

The Lord is near to those who are troubled in their hearts, and He saves the humble in spirit. 1 This verse concerns the good things of the righteous. The way of the Lord and the custom of men are quite different things. For he who wishes to be raised up near to high things, he exerts himself that he might touch things most sublime. But he is not able to touch the Lord, unless he is one who has lowered himself by humility, nor does he come to His sweet joys unless through bitter tears. Or, as others have said, 'near' signifies not place but aid. One must also consider what is said by: 'those who are troubled in their hearts.' For many are troubled, but not in their hearts, as querulous and silly people who do not bewail their sins, but grieve over the loss of worldly things. But they are 'troubled in heart' who feel pity for the evils of others, and who have subjected themselves to a humble way of life. For see that he does not speak of those who are humble in their speech, for the wickedness of sinners often has this, but in spirit. As it says in the Gospel: 'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for they shall inherit the earth.' 2 Cassiodorus, Commentary On The Psalms, Psalm 33 1 Ps 33.18 2 Mt 5.3