“Maschil of David; A Prayer when he was in the cave. I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication. Maschil: or, A Psalm of David, giving instruction”
Absalom is not specified in Roman Septuagint, &c., (Calmet) though it be in other copies. (Haydock) — The latter part of the title has been added by the Greeks. (St. Hilary) — If David composed the psalm, on occasion of his son’s revolt, he considered it as a punishment of his former transgression. The Fathers explain it of Jesus Christ, who suffered for our sins. (Berthier) — It might also relate to the captives, (Ferrand) or to the same event as the preceding psalm, (Bossuet) though there is no reason for abandoning the title. (Calmet) — Justice. Or mercy. (St. Chrysostom) — Absalom had no just cause of complaint, (Haydock) and God had promised to protect David on the throne.
“I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.”
Justified. Compared with thee, (Calmet) and without mercy. God is bound by his promise to hear the penitent. (Worthington) — David and St. Paul had been assured of the remission of their sins, yet never ceased to beg for pardon. (Berthier)
“When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.”
Of old. Literally, “of an age,” (Haydock) who are quite forgotten, Lamentations iii. 6. (Calmet) — The devil had violently tempted me, by means of temporal and spiritual calamities. (Worthington) — The greatest darkness is that of the heart, Ephesians iv. 17. (Haydock)
“I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul. I looked: or, Look on the right hand, and see failed: Heb. perished from me cared: Heb. sought after”
Troubled. David knew not what course to take, 1 Kings xv. 25, 31. Our Saviour was in the greatest agony. (Calmet)
“I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.”
Of old. What God had done formerly for me and others. (Worthington) — The sacred records of 3,000 years tended to raise the hopes of David. (Berthier)
“Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.”
Water. We can add nothing to this idea. (Calmet) — Man can do no good without God’s grace, which David implores with his hands stretched out, both to mortify himself, and to denote fervour. (Worthington)
“Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.”
Pit. Or “lake,” meaning (Haydock) the grave. (Calmet) — If man be left to himself, he will presently yield to sin, from which he will not be delivered without God’s grace.
Morning. At the first assault of temptation, (Worthington) or speedily. David might address this prayer to God during the night, after he left Jerusalem. He was only relieved the next day, when his troops had crossed the Jordan, 2 Kings xvii. 12. — To thee. With the most ardent desire, Jeremias xxii. 27. This might suit the captives, ver. 5, 11. (Calmet)
Fled. Hebrew, “To thee I have hidden myself,” (Montanus) or “am protected.” (St. Jerome) — But the Septuagint seem to have read better, esithi. “I have hoped.” (Chaldean)
Spirit. I look for a favourable wind, like one at sea, in danger of suffering shipwreck, and I apply to God, to the Holy Ghost the Comforter. — Right. Even (Calmet) and not like this country, full of precipices. In Judea the right worship was observed. (Haydock) — The penitent may rest assured, that God will free him from all perils, (Worthington) and bring him (Hebrew) “into the land of rectitude,” which is heaven. The Holy Ghost is here represented as a distinct person. (Berthier)
Mercy. Towards me. Justice required that the rebels should be punished, as they were, even contrary to David’s intention, 1 Kings xviii. 5. (Calmet)