_Title. This psalm is a sequel to the former, (Worthington) and refers to the malevolent speeches of Saul's courtiers, (1 Kings xxiv. 10., and xxvi. 7.; Calmet) and to the proceedings of the Jews against Christ. (St. Jerome) --- It is an invective against hypocrites, (Calmet) and detractors. (Berthi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Men. If you be consulted by Saul, and act as judges, do what is right. Condemn not a man unheard. (Calmet) --- Frew refuse to speak well. (Worthington) --- Hebrew also, "O assembly," act not hypocritically._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Heart. Hence proceed evil thoughts, &c. (Haydock) --- Quicquid vis & non potes, factum Deus computat. (St. Augustine) --- Forge, as you endeavour to preserve the appearance of rectitude. Hebrew, "weigh" in scales. (Calmet) --- This double-dealing aggravates the fault. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Womb. Born in sin. (Haydock) --- They have followed the same course through life, being always bent on wickedness. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Madness; or "poison," chamath. (Menochius) --- Deaf asp. This is the most dangerous species. The ancients attempted to charm serpents. But these courtiers were deaf to every proof of David's innocence, (Calmet, Diss.) and would receive no admonition, stopping their ears, like asps. (Worthington) --... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wisely. "Cunningly." Many read, qui incantatur a sapiente. (Calmet) --- He does not approve of the magical art. (Menochius) --- Serpents may naturally be effected with music. The torpid snake by incantation bursts. (Virgil, Eclogues viii.; Bochart v. 3. 385.) Parkhurst, chober. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wax. Hebrew shabbelul, occurs no where else, and this signification is surely preferable to that of the Rabbins, "a snail." (Protestants) (Haydock) --- Fire. Hebrew, "like the untimely birth of a woman, which has not seen the sun." (Houbigant after St. Jerome) --- Septuagint may not have read th at... [ Continue Reading ]
_Before your thorns, &c. That is, before your thorns grow up, so as to become strong briers, they shall be overtaken and consumed by divine justice, swallowing them up, as it were, alive in his wrath. (Challoner) --- You shall be cut off when you least think of it. (Menochius) (Psalm liv. 24.) (Hayd... [ Continue Reading ]
_Shall wash his hands, &c. Shall applaud the justice of God, and take occasion, from the consideration of the punishment of the wicked, to wash and cleanse his hands from sin. (Challoner) --- Hands. Hebrew, "feet," (though this is not certain. Psalm lxxiii. 4.; Berthier) and all his body; the carnag... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM LVII. (SI VERE UTIQUE.) David reproveth the wicked, and foretelleth their punishment. _ A God. Hebrew Elohim shophetim. Both are in the plural, which has induced many to suppose that angels, &c., are meant; yet the plural is sometimes used, when speaking of the true God, Genesis xx. 13., and... [ Continue Reading ]