Shiggaion (Haydock) is a word which has greatly puzzled interpreters. See Robertson in shage. Protestants have, "Shiggaion of David." The Rabbins confess that they know not its meaning, and it is of no service for the explanation of the psalm. (Berthier) --- St. Jerome follows the Septuagint, (Haydo... [ Continue Reading ]
_My God. This title is prompted by love and confidence. (Haydock) --- All. David had only few followers, while he was pursued by Saul (Calmet) and Absalom. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Lion. In a spiritual sense this is the devil, 1 Peter v. 8. (St. Augustine) --- "Let him only see the sign of the cross, or the lamp continually burning before the altar, he will flee away. Should we wonder at this? the garments alone of Paul drove him from possessed person." [Acts xix. 12.] (St. C... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thing, alluding to some calumny, (Haydock) with which he was assailed (Worthington) by Saul, Absalom, and Semei. (Berthier) --- He disclaims all such ambitious or unjust sentiments, though he allows that he is not innocent before God. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_That repaid. This seems better than "my peaceable one," as some translate the Hebrew, for it would be but a small commendation not to injure a friend: the pagans do as much. Duport therefore agrees with the Vulgate, and St. Jerome has, "If I have rendered evil to those who did me any, and sent my e... [ Continue Reading ]
_Dust. Hebrew adds, "to dwell," (Haydock) as if the ignominy was not to be effaced. This would be very sensible for a king. (Berthier) --- Glory is here synonymous with life, or soul, Genesis xlix. 6. Let my life and (Calmet) reputation be lost. (Worthington) --- Summum crede nefas animam præferre p... [ Continue Reading ]
Borders. Hebrew is rendered, "fury of my enemies." --- My is found in some copies of the Septuagint, though the edition of Complutensian and Aldus agree with the Vulgate, and Bos observes, that an ancient interpreter rendered the first word as we do. (Berg.) --- Habar means, "to pass;" and, of cours... [ Continue Reading ]
_High, on thy tribunal, to decide this dispute. The Fathers apply this to the ascension of Jesus Christ, who will judge the world. (St. Augustine; Theodoret) (Calmet) (2 Corinthians x. 11.) --- The interference of Providence (Haydock) will induce many to come to thy tabernacle, (Menochius) to embrac... [ Continue Reading ]
_Innocence. Hebrew, "simplicity," which has the same meaning. (Haydock) He speaks of the justice of his cause (Muis) against his particular enemies. (Worthington) --- St. Paul thus commends himself, 2 Timothy iv. 7. The justice of the saints is not merely imputed, as the first Protestants foolishly... [ Continue Reading ]
_Reins; affections, (Jeremias xii. 2.; Calmet) and inmost recesses, which are open to God. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM VII. (DOMINE DEUS MEUS.) David, trusting in the justice of his cause, prayeth for God's help against his enemies. _ Just. This epithet refers to God, in Hebrew. Septuagint might easily explain it of help, before the words and verse were divided: (Haydock) yet it is still taken in the former... [ Continue Reading ]
_Strong. Hebrew el, means also " God threatening every day;" (Haydock) which must be a proof of his patience, as the Septuagint have intimated, since he could destroy at once. Thus numquid, must be rendered "is he not?" (Isaias xxvii. 7.) (Berthier) --- God cannot but be displeased at every sin. He... [ Continue Reading ]
_Except you. Hebrew, "if he be not." Houbigant would read, "God will not be turned aside." (Berthier) --- "For him who does not change, he will sharpen his sword." (St. Jerome) (Haydock) --- God threatens before he strikes, (Calmet) expecting amendment. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_For them that burn. That is, against the persecutors of his saints. (G.[Calmet?]) --- Hebrew also, "he has made his arrows to turn." (Houbigant after Symmachus.) (Haydock) --- The ancients used fiery darts or arrows, Psalm cix., and Ephesians vi. 16. Sed magnum stridens contorta phalarica venit,_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Iniquity. Hebrew, "a lie." All the labour of the wicked ends in smoke. See Micheas ii. 1., and Isaias lix. 4. (Haydock) --- The psalmist sometimes speaks of many enemies, and sometimes of one, who was the chief. Yet what he says of him must, according to the genius of the Hebrew language, be applie... [ Continue Reading ]
_Sorrow. The evil which he designed for me (Menochius) will fall on him, like an arrow shot upwards. (Calmet) --- Crown. Protestants, "pate." (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Justice. "Truly thou art just, O Lord," cries out St. Augustine, "since thou protectest the just, so as to enlighten them by thyself; and so disposest of sinners, that they are punished, not by thine, but by their own malice."_... [ Continue Reading ]