_Ecstacy. This word is not in Hebrew nor in some of the best Greek copies. (Theodoret) --- It seems to be taken from ver. 23., (Calmet) and intimates that the just may recite this psalm in the latter times, (Worthington) when they shall be in the greatest perplexity. (Haydock) --- David composed it... [ Continue Reading ]
_Justice. Symmachus, "mercy." Thou art the judge between us. (Calmet) --- How grievous soever I may be afflicted, yet I trust in thee. (Worthington) --- "I fear that confusion which lasts for ever." (St. Augustine) (Du Hamel)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_A God. Hebrew, "a rock of strength." Septuagint, "a God who holdeth his shield over me," Greek: uperaspisten. (Haydock) --- Refuge. Hebrew, "fortress." (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Nourish. Hebrew, guide. (Haydock) --- Symmachus, "take care of me." (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Snare. The order to appear at court, after Saul had manifested his ill-will, could be considered in no other light. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
Spirit. Hebrew, ruach. Our Saviour determines the signification of this word, and shews that the saints of the Old Testament believed that the soul survived after its separation from the body, which some commentators have unguardedly said could not be clearly proved. This text may be applicable both... [ Continue Reading ]
_Vanities. Idols, (Calmet) superstitious practices, (Hammond) and lies. It may refer to Saul, who performed his promises so ill, and neglected the laws which he had made against witches. (Calmet) --- Protestants, "I have hated them that regard lying vanities." (Haydock) --- The ancient interpreters,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Humility. Hebrew, "affliction, thou hast known the tribulations of my soul." (St. Jerome) (Haydock) --- Thou hast often rescued me from my enemies; and canst thou behold my present distress without pity? (Calmet) --- when God knows his friend to be in misery, he does not fail to relieve him. (Berth... [ Continue Reading ]
_Place. The psalms were commonly composed after the danger was over. David had escaped the lance and the servants of Saul. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Belly, or entrails. (Menochius) (Lamentations i. 20., and Ecclesiasticus li. 29.) (Haydock) --- David was filled with indignation at the conduct of his enemies. (Calmet) --- Both soul and body felt the effects of his great sorrow, (Haydock) which pervaded every part. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Poverty. Septuagint have read ani instead of haoni, "my iniquity," which seems less accurate, as David had not offended Saul. Symmachus has "malice," (Calmet) or "ill-treatment," Greek: kakosin. (Haydock) --- We may form some judgment of David's distress, from his being obliged to eat the consecrat... [ Continue Reading ]
_Among. Literally, "above;" super. (Haydock) --- Houbigant would exchange l for m, in Hebrew "to all," &c., which seems more agreeable to the sequel, and does not contradict the Vulgate. (Berthier) --- David complains that none of his enemies were treated so severely as himself, (Haydock) though the... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM XXX. (IN TE DOMINE SPERAVI.) A prayer of a just man under affliction. _ Heart, past recovery. Protestants, "dead man out of mind." (Haydock) --- Vessel means, "any thing." (Calmet) --- A broken pot is thrown away. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_About. They blame me to my face. Hebrew, "fear on every side." (Haydock) --- But magor signifies also "dwelling," as well as "fear;" and this dread arose only from the multitude of enemies. (Berthier) --- Life. I was proscribed by Saul, (1 Kings xix. 1.; Haydock) and they were only solicitous how t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Lots. Roman Septuagint, Greek: kleroi, as the same word, hittothai is rendered [in] Judges xxi. 22. Others explain "times," with the Roman Psalter, &c., in the same sense, to denote (Berthier) that all the vicissitudes of life, both prosperity and adversity, are at God's disposal. (Theodoret) --- I... [ Continue Reading ]
_Shine propitiously, so as to free me from this storm. (Calmet) --- Make me acquainted with the right path, and deliver me. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Brought. Protestants, "be silent in the grave," (Haydock) or "in hell." This is a prediction. When I shall ascend the throne, they will be covered with shame. (Calmet) --- Let them enter into themselves before they die. (Haydock) --- Houbigant thinks that the Hebrew had formerly, "let them be silen... [ Continue Reading ]
_Iniquity. Hebrew, "harsh things;" calumnies. (Calmet) --- Abuse. Septuagint, Greek: exoudenosei, as if they "made nothing" of the just. (Haydock) --- They seem to acknowledge no superior, and abuse their power. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Men. Thou comfortest thy servants internally, and often manifestest thy protection. (Haydock) --- This thou wilt do when it is expedient, though the reward of the just in this life is generally hidden. They are, nevertheless, in great esteem with thee. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Face. The malice of the wicked has its limits; while God defends his servants, admitting them as it were into his own presence and tabernacle, where none dare assault them. The Eastern princes did not allow any, but their great favourites to come into their presence. (Calmet) (Esther v. and xv.) (H... [ Continue Reading ]
_In a. Symmachus, "as in a city shut up" with fortifications. (Calmet) --- As seems to be understood, though some explain this of Ceila, (Berthier) or of Siceleg, which had been given to David for a retreat. He here apologizes for having recourse to an infidel. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
Excess. Septuagint, "in my ecstacy." Hebrew, "haste." Protestants, "consternation." (Symmachus) (Haydock) --- In sudden danger I exclaimed that all was lost; but God presently relieved me. Thus He prepared David for his exalted station; having taught him by affliction, to have pity on others. (Calme... [ Continue Reading ]
_Saints. Hebrew, "merciful ones;" Assideans, priests, &c. --- Truth. Hebrew, "will preserve the true;" (Calmet) or, "will observe the faithful." (Berthier) --- Abundantly. Septuagint, "that act with great pride," as St. Augustine reads, and as Hebrew and Vulgate may be rendered. (Haydock) --- The pr... [ Continue Reading ]