God says through the prophet: “I will tame your mouth with my praise so that you do not perish” (Isa 48:9); this means: Do not be too sad when looking at your wicked deeds and do not throw yourself headlong into despair like a horse without a bridle, so that you do not perish; I put a bridle on you, I will tame you with my forgiveness and lift you up to my praises, you who are confused by your wrongdoings, when you realize that I am more gracious than you are sinful.
(Bernard of Clairvaux, O.Cist. /1090–1153/, sermon on the Song of Songs)
