_Himself. The Hebrew and Septuagint (Roman and Alexandrian) have simply "of David." --- Ledavid. (Haydock) --- The psalm appears to be a sequel of the preceding, and we may adopt the rule of the Jews, who refer the psalms which have no title, to the same author and events as those which go before. I... [ Continue Reading ]
_Pray. Hebrew, "cry....to the recess of thy sanctuary, (Haydock) or to thy oracle." Septuagint place the whole for a part. The tabernacle was often styled temple, 1 Kings i. 9. To lift up the hands was customary in prayer, (1 Timothy ii. 8., and Lamentations iii. 41.; Berthier) to testify whence our... [ Continue Reading ]
_Draw. Sextus V reads tradas, "deliver," &c. But the present trahas, is more conformable to the original. (Calmet) --- Septuagint add, destroy me not, as the Hebrew might also signify. Suffer me not to follow bad example. They often paraphrase, to render the text clearer. A similar petition occurs,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Reward. He speaks prophetically, (ver. 5.) or of spiritual enemies. (Berthier) --- "If they do not understand by kindness, make them understand by torments." (St. Jerome) --- He alludes to the calamities of the Babylonians, who had made such havoc, (Calmet) as well as to that of all who persecuted... [ Continue Reading ]
_The works, ( in opera.) The preposition seems redundant, though (Haydock) it was probably in both places, to insinuate that attention is requisite. The Jews perished, because they would not know the things that were for their peace, Luke xix 42. Their city in ruins, is an emblem of the sinner's utt... [ Continue Reading ]
_Blessed. This energetic epithet is generally applied to the Lord, and as it is also given to Christ, he must be true God, Romans ix. 5., &c._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Protector. Hebrew, "buckler," to defend me from external enemies, as his grace enables me to do good. --- Flesh. Hebrew, "heart." But joy would manifest itself over the whole body: (Proverbs xvii. 22.; Berthier) and the Syriac agrees with the Septuagint, "My flesh shall bud forth, and I shall sing... [ Continue Reading ]
_People; ( hoz lamu) instead of which the Hebrew has lamo, " their strength;" though the people of God had not been mentioned. St. Jerome translates, "the Lord is my strength." Houbigant shews that the Vulgate is most accurate. (Berthier) --- Protestants' marginal note, "his strength." --- Salvation... [ Continue Reading ]
_Exalt, or carry on thy shoulders, like the good shepherd, Luke xv. 5. Restore thy people to prosperity. This was the wish of the carnal Jews. The Christian must raise his thoughts higher. (Calmet) --- St. Jerome and Protestants, "feed....and lift them up for ever." Here the progress of justificatio... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM XXVII. (AD TE DOMINE CLAMABO.) David's prayer that his enemies may not prevail over him.... [ Continue Reading ]