Asking The Way

Notam fac mihi viam in qua ambulem; quia ad te levavi animam meam. Apostolus per speculum et in aenigmate videt, et pro parte scit, et pro parte prophetat. Propheta quoque tamquam per naturam humanae fragilitatis ignorans, notas sibi fieri, in quibus ambulet, vias orat. Non enim hae saeculi viae utiles sunt: spiritales et coelestes ille nosse desiderat. Id enim ait: Quia ad te levavi animam meam. Non in humilibus est anima iliius, sed in excelsis; et idcirco excelsarum viarum postulat notionem. Scit enim esse inimicos sibi, qui se in alias vias avocent, qui in voluntatem alteram deducant. De inimicis istis spiritalibus Apostolus multa et frequenter ingessit. Ab his ergo se eripi orat, et viam illam tribulatam, quae ad coelum  agit, cognoscere rogat, et de voluntate Domini doceri et per Spiritum ejus in terram rectam deduci: id est, ut constituatur in hominem non vitiis perversam. Nam in rectam terram se dirigi quomodo optat, si de elementi hujus creatura dixisse existimabitur: nisi quod secundum primi hominis naturam, cui post peccatum dictum est, Terra es, et in terram ibis, constitui se hominem rectum indeflexumque desiderat? Id enim sub his dictis continetur: Notam fac mihi viam in qua ambulem: quia ad te levavi animam meam. Eripe me de inimicis meis, Domine, ad te confugi: doce me facere voluntatem tuam, quia Deus meus es tu. Spiritus tuus bonus deducet me in terram rectam propter nomen tuum, Domine. Sanctus Hilarius Pictaviensis,Tractatus super Psalmos, Tractatus in Psalmum CXLII Source: Migne PL 9 841

Make known to me the way in which I should walk, because to you I have lifted up my soul. 1 The Apostle sees though a mirror and mystery, and in part he knows, and in part he makes prophecy. 2 The Psalmist also being ignorant on account of the nature of human fragility, prays that the way in which he should walk be made known to him. For there being no profit in the ways of this world, he desires to know the spiritual and heavenly. For He says, 'Because to you I have lifted up my soul.' Not in base things is his soul but in high things and therefore he asks for the knowledge of heavenly ways. For he knows they are his enemies who call him to other ways, who would lead to another will. And concerning these spiritual enemies the Apostle frequently has spoken at length. From these, then, he prays to be saved, and he asks to know that way of tribulation that leads to heaven, and to be taught the will of the Lord, and to be led by his Spirit into the good land; that is, that he be established in a humanity not perverted by vices. For how does he desire to be led into that good land if the creature to its elements, it is said, shall be judged, unless in that nature of the first man, he who after he sinned was told, 'Earth you are, and into earth you shall go.' 3 he desires to be established unimpaired and immoveable? So below these words: Make known to me the way in which I should walk, because to you I have lifted up my soul,' it continues: 'Seize me from my enemies, Lord, to you I have flown; teach me to do your will, because you are my God. May your good spirit lead me into the right land on account of your name, O Lord.' 4 Saint Hilary of Poitiers, Homilies on the Psalms, from Psalm 142 1 Ps 142.8 2 1 Cor 23. 12,9 3 Gen 3.19 4 Ps 142.9-10