Goodness And Hope

Bonus Dominus et confortans in die tribulationis, sciens sperantes in se. LXX: Suavis Domnis exspectanibus eum in die tribulationis, et cognoscens timentes se. Cum irasci coeperit gentibus, et quondam potentissima regna vastare, sciet eos qui sui sunt, et non una tempestate opprimet navigantes. Diem autem tribulationis secundum ἀναγωγὴν, diem intelligamus judicii, de quo scripsit Isaias: Ecce dies Domini insanabilis venit furoris et irae, ponere orbem terrae desertum, et peccatores perdere ex eo. Speremus in Domine, et per patientiam ejus exspectemus adventum, ut cum venerit, bonum eum, non judicem sentiamus, et cognoscat vel sperantes in se, vel timentes se. Scit enim Dominus eos qui ejus sunt. Sanctus Hieronymus, Commentariorum In Naum Prophetam Source: Migne PL 25.1237

'The Lord is good and a comforter on the day of tribulation, knowing those who hope in Him.' The Septuagint has: 'Sweet the Lord to those who hope in him on the day of tribulation, and He knows those who fear Him.' 1 When He has begun to be angry against the nations and when His great power lays waste kingdoms, He knows those who are His, and not one blast will overturn their ships. For according to the Greek ἀναγωγὴν, that is, 'bringing up', of tribulation we understand the day of judgement, concerning which Isaiah says, 'Behold the irremediable day of the Lord comes with fury and anger to make on earth a desert and to exterminate sinners from it.' 2 Let us hope in the Lord and with patience expect His advent, and when He comes we will know His goodness, not His condemnation, for He knows those who hope in Him and those who fear Him. The Lord knows those who are His. Saint Jerome, Commentary on Nahum 1 Nahum 1.7 2 Is 13.9