Chap. II
That truth speaks within us
without noise of words.
1. Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth. 1 Samuel iii.—I am thy servant, give me understanding that I may know thy testimonies. Psalms cxviii.
[USCCB: Psalms cxix. 27.]
Incline my heart to the words of thy mouth: let thy speech distil as the dew.
Heretofore the Children of Israel said to Moses, Speak thou to us, and we will hear: let not the Lord speak to us, lest we die. Exodus xx.
It is not thus, O Lord, it is not thus I pray; but rather with the prophet Samuel, I humbly and earnestly entreat thee, Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth.
Let not Moses, nor any of the prophets speak to me; but speak thou rather, O Lord God, the inspirer and enlightener of all the prophets; for thou alone without them canst perfectly instruct me; but they without thee will avail me nothing.
2. They may indeed sound forth words, but they give not the spirit.
They speak well; but if thou be silent, they do not set the heart on fire.