Trap And Scandal

Custodi me a laqueo quem statuerunt mihi, et ab scandalis operantibus iniquitatem. Per laqueos et scandala, totius mundi mala breviter propheta complexus est, a quibus se supplicat custodiri, ne per insidias eorum possit intercipi. Laquei sunt diversa carnis desideria, quibus mentes humanae blandis nexibus illigantur. Scandala, quae per fratres proveniunt inquietos, qui lite, superbia sanctam refugiunt charitatem. Quid habituri sunt simile, si eos tam praecipuum munus contigat amittere? Et respice quia post laqueos scandala: quoniam inveterator ille pessimus, quando per laqueos non potuerit decipere, scandalis nititur gratiam nobis Divinitatis auferre. Cassiodorus, Expositio In Psalterium, Psalmus CXL Source: Migne PL 70.1003c-d

Protect me from the trap that they have laid for me, and from the scandals of those who act wickedly. 1 With traps and scandals the prophet briefly encompasses the evils of the whole world, from which he entreats that he might be protected, lest he be seized by their plots. The traps are the various desires of the flesh, by which human minds are embroiled in pleasing servitude. Scandals are brought forth from disconsolate brothers, who with quarrels flee holy charity in pride. In what way shall they live, if so preeminent a gift is lost to them? And observe that scandals are placed after the traps, because that worst one of old, when he is not able to deceive with traps, strives to strip us of Divine grace with scandals. Cassiodorus, Commentary On The Psalms, from Psalm 140 1 Ps 140.9