Desengaño y denuncia en los Comentarios a los XXXI primeros salmos de Benito Arias Montano

Abstract

Each of the commentaries on the psalms in In XXXI Dauidis psalmos priores commentaria (Antwerp, 1605) is preceded by a letter from the author dedicated to a friend or respected person. These letters were originally meant to accompany the corresponding commentary while, at the same time, intended for publication. This article argues that the volume has two objectives: in the commentaries themselves, Arias Montano offers a reading of each of the psalms, and in the letters applies the teachings of a psalm in question to his environment. Secondly, his views on what he sees around him are tainted by disillusionment. He criticizes a world ruled by princes prepared to declare unjust wars and by corrupt judges who rob the poor; a merciless world in which the weak are oppressed by the powerful and virtue is constantly assailed by envy. Against this background he praises the doctrines of stoicism and retreating within. This epistolary, the only one intended for publication by his author, contains some of the most sincere reflections of all his work.