Psalms 140:5

In mercy. Proverbs xxvii. 16., and Ezechiel xix. 8. (Haydock) --- Let not the oil of the sinner, &c. That is, the flattery, or deceitful praise. (Challoner) --- This is pernicious; while the reprehension of the just may do us good. (Worthington) --- Sinner. Hebrew, "of poison, or of the head, ( vass) break, or fatten, (St. Jerome) or be broken upon my head." The vessel was usually broken, Mark xiv. 3. (Berthier) --- Protestants, "Let the righteous smite me, it shall be a kindness, and let him reprove me, it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break," &c. (Haydock) --- Or "he shall not," &c., as his only aim tends to my advantage. Many other senses may be given. (Calmet) --- For my prayer, &c. So far from coveting their praises, who are never well pleased but with things that are evil; I shall continually pray to be preserved from such things as they are delighted with. (Challoner) --- Against. Literally, "in or concerning their desirable things." (Haydock) --- I pray to God that I may be preserved from their malice, in which they take delight, (Menochius) and that they may cease to run on to their ruin. (Haydock) --- The Church still prays for sinners, though as yet they delight in their criminal pursuits, (Worthington) in order that a wholesome bitterness may wean them from such things. (St. Chrysostom) --- My prayer shall subsist amid their pleasures. (Berthier)