_Idithun was one of the four chief masters of music, called Ethan, 1 Paralipomenon vi. 44., and Idithun, 1 Paralipomenon xvi. 41. Some think that he was the author of this psalm; but it was rather given to him by David to sing. (Calmet) --- The title shews that the psalms were designed for the publi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Tongue. The matter is very delicate and important, James iii. 2., Proverbs xviii. 21., Isaias xxxii. 17., and Ecclesiasticus xxii. 33., and xxviii. 28. --- Me, and was treating me with injustice and calumny. (Haydock) --- Chilo, the sage, said: "I know how to bear ill treatment," (Laertius 1.) and... [ Continue Reading ]
_Renewed. I was conscious of no offence against my enemies, (Haydock) but I reflected that I had forfeited my virtue, (Eusebius) and therefore gave vent to my grief. (Haydock) --- Being afraid of saying anything amiss, I refrained from saying what was good. But I perceived that this was wrong. (St.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Out. This alludes to his sorrow for his sins, (Origen) or to the fire of charity, which is enkindled by meditation on the last end, &c., (ver. 5.) or rather it means, that while he repressed his tongue, he could not but feel an inward zeal and indignation, (Calmet) in consequence of grief suppresse... [ Continue Reading ]
_End, as I desire to die, like Elias, 3 Kings xix. (Worthington) --- The just have frequently expressed such sentiments, to move God to pity, (Job vii. 1., and Psalm ci. 4.) though they wished to live, that they might praise God on earth, (Calmet) if it were his will. (Haydock) --- This text may ind... [ Continue Reading ]
Measurable. Hebrew, "of a hand's breadth." (Haydock) --- Symmachus, "a spithame, or twelve fingers' breadth," perhaps in allusion to the Greek proverb, a "spithame of life;" which denotes one very short. (Drusius) --- The Greek copies vary: some read, (Calmet) with the Vatican Greek: palaias, "ancie... [ Continue Reading ]
_Image, "of God." (St. Gregory, &c.) Hebrew, "in a shadow or darkness," where the fall of a leaf affrights him. Life is so short and miserable, why should we strive to heap up riches? (Calmet) --- For whom. Hebrew, "who shall gather," &c. (Haydock) --- The term is used respecting harvest rather than... [ Continue Reading ]
_Substance. Septuagint hypostasis. Hebrew, "hope." (Haydock) --- I can depend only on thee. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou hast. Hebrew lo, "do not;" ne, or nonne; or "hast thou not made?" &c., as the following verse intimates. (Berthier) --- Thou hast suffered me to be reproached by the foolish, who prosper in this world. (Worthington) --- The fool may denote the devil, (St. Jerome; Origen) and all the lovers of... [ Continue Reading ]
_It. St. Augustine reads "me," conformably to some copies of the Septuagint, Arabic, &c. (Calmet) --- He is at a loss to explain the reason of the prophet, and suggests that this perhaps ought to be referred to the following sentence, " Because thou hast made me, remove, " &c. (Haydock) --- Such is... [ Continue Reading ]
_In (thy) rebukes, belongs to the next verse in Hebrew and Septuagint, referring to man in general, unless the prophet mean himself. (Berthier)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Spider. St. Jerome, "moth." Symmachus, "thou dissolvest like corruption his desirable thing;" (Haydock) which means the soul, (Berthier) or "beauty." (Protestants) Remorse of conscience and God's judgments make a man pine away. --- Disquieted is obelized in the Septuagint. (St. Jerome, ad Sun.) (Ca... [ Continue Reading ]
_Were. 1 Paralipomenon xxix. 15. I can expect aid from no other but thee. (Calmet) --- Heaven is our home. (Worthington) --- "Life is a travelling from home." (Plato in Axiocho.)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_More. In a state to do good. (Worthington) --- Grant me relief, Ecclesiastes ix. 10., and Job vii. 8. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM XXXVIII. (DIXI CUSTODIAM.) A just man's peace and patience in his sufferings; considering the vanity of the world, and the providence of God.... [ Continue Reading ]