Of the sons of Jonadab. The Rechabites, of whom see Jeremias xxxv. By this addition of the seventy-two interpreters [Septuagint], we gather that this psalm was usually sung in the synagogue, in the person of the Rechabites, and of those who were first carried away into captivity. (Challoner) --- Thi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Justice. Or mercy, Psalm xxx. 1. I have not injured Absalom, &c. (Calmet) --- God avengeth the injuries done to his servants. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Refuge. The parallel passage seems more complete (Calmet) in Hebrew, some letters of which may have been altered, since the time of the Septuagint. Yet the sense is nearly the same. (Berthier) --- "Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort. Thou hast given commandment to save... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM LXX. (IN TE DOMINE.) A prayer for perseverance. _ Unjust. Achitophel and Absalom. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Patience. Confiding on thee, I lost not patience; (St. Augustine; Worthington) or rather, (Amama) all my expectations are from thee, Psalm lxi. 6. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Art my. Hebrew, "hast taken me," (Haydock) or "cut the navel string," Ezechiel xv. 4. Thou hast acknowledged me for thy son, by taking me upon thy knee, as soon as I was born, Genesis l. 22., and Psalm xxi. 11._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wonder. My exaltation, (Calmet) and present misery, (Worthington; Menochius) fill all with astonishment. (Haydock) (Isaias viii. 18., and xi. 10.) --- God often made his prophets bear about the signs of his vengeance on others, Isaias xix. 20. (Calmet) --- Christ was a sign of contradiction, which... [ Continue Reading ]
_Old age. Absalom rebelled when his father was grown old. (Calmet) --- Against the dangers of our last conflict, (Haydock) Christ has instituted Extreme Unction. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Watched. My guards, (Ferrand) or rather my enemies. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Him. Thus the world commonly judges of those in distress. It was known that David sinned; but none could tell that God was now punishing him rather than putting his virtue to the trial. "Upbraid not the miserable," said Thales._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Detract. Hebrew, "are satans," or "adversaries," during my trial. The Fathers say these are predictions, Psalm xxxiv. 4. (Calmet) --- David certainly wished to spare the chief of the rebels, and host probably speaks of his spiritual enemies. (Berthier)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Praise. To perform good works, and to praise God, is the best way to advance in virtue. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
Learning. As much as to say, I build not upon human learning, but only upon the power and justice of God. (Challoner) (Worthington) --- I have not leisure to write a canticle at present, as the word known intimates, Psalm xiii. 3., and lxxiii. 9. But I will do it hereafter, and record the praises wh... [ Continue Reading ]
_Till now. Here the stop should be placed. (Berthier) (Calmet) --- The verb may also be explained in the past time, "till now I have declared." (Berthier)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_The great things. Thou hast even punished the rebel angels. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Me. Hebrew, "us." Yet Protestants, &c., retain the singular, as the context requires. (Berthier) --- Earth. To which I seem to be consigned, (Haydock) being in the greatest distress. It may be understood of Christ's return from hell, and from the grave, Psalm lxviii. 17. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thy. Hebrew and Syriac, "my." Thou hast raised me to the highest honours. St. Augustine, &c., read "thy justice." (Calmet) --- Houbigant prefers the Vulgate. (Berthier)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Meditate. Or, utter my most serious reflections. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]