“A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the LORD. Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee. of: or, for”
Himself. All agree that David wrote this psalm as a model of resignation. The occasion is not known. (Berthier) — It may express the sentiments of the captives, (Calmet) or of converts to Christianity, (Eusebius) and is written with inimitable sweetness.
“For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth. like: or, (as some read) into smoke”
Diseases. He had described captivity as an illness, Psalm ci. (Calmet) — God graciously forgives sin, and removes bad habits. He preserves us from falling, and grants us the victory, with all our reasonable requests. (Worthington)
“By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin. skin: or, flesh”
Eagle’s. Which get fresh feathers every year, like other birds, Isaias xl. 31. (Calmet) — The eagle retains its vigour for a long time, (Haydock) though many fabulous accounts have been given of its renovation. (Berthier) — The new birth in baptism, (Theodoret) or by faith, (Eusebius) or the resurrection of Christ are thus insinuated, (St. Leo, ser. i.) as well as (Haydock) our resurrection and state of grace. The one is necessarily connected with the other, and both senses are good. (Worthington)
“I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert.”
Mercies. Hebrew, “Justice” in protecting the innocent.
“For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,”
Ever. He executes his threats, but soon pardons us. (Calmet) — Hebrew, “he will not plead always, nor watch to surprise us for ever;” (Calmet) or “retain” his anger. (Berthier) — He is inclined to pity us, and only inflicts a temporal punishment on the penitent, as Christ has paid their ransom. (Worthington)
“Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down.”
Iniquities. Which deserved eternal reprobation.
“My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass.”
Earth. There is no proportion between God’s mercy and our crimes. (Calmet) — Sins are perfectly washed away, (Worthington) and not barely covered, as the east cannot be the west. (Berthier) — Sin remitted “sets for ever.” (St. Augustine)
“For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof.”
He remembereth. Roman Septuagint and psalter, &c., “Remember.” Other copies agree with us. (Calmet) — God compassionates the frailty of those who fear him. Origen falsely inferred from ver. 9., that the devils and the damned would one day be saved. But this is contrary to Scripture, ver. 17., Matthew xxv., and Apocalypse xx., &c. (Worthington)
“When the LORD shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.”
In him. Or “over it;” the flower. Or the spirit of God’s indignation will overwhelm him. The soul of man departs, and cannot naturally be reunited with the body, though it greatly desire that union. (Calmet) — The longest life is but like the duration of a flower, (Isaias xl. 6.; Haydock) and the splendour of the noblest families is no better in the sight of God. (St. Augustine)
“He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.”
Justice. In protecting the oppressed, (Calmet) and rendering to every one according to his deserts abundantly. (Haydock) — God never punishes more than a person’s crimes have merited, Exodus xx. 5., and xxxiv. 6. (Calmet)
“For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the LORD behold the earth;”
All. When Christ shall sit in judgment, (Berthier) and the wicked be suffered no longer to disturb the order of things, and the joy of the elect. (Haydock)
“To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death; those: Heb. the children of death”
His angels. You who have executed the orders of God for our delivery, help us to return him thanks. (Calmet) — Hearkening. Literally, “to hear,” (Haydock) or that all may learn to obey God’s mandates when they perceive how carefully the angels put them in execution. (Berthier)
“To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem;”
Hosts. Sun, &c., which never deviate from their regular course.
“When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.”
Soul. In vain should we behold all nature praising God, if we neglected that duty. (Berthier) — All the works of the Most High praise him, being under his dominion. (Worthington)