“To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork .”
David. This psalm was to be sung when he or his successors went to battle. In a higher sense, it may allude to the victories of Christ, and of his Church. (Berthier) — Christian must offer up this prayer for their governors. (Worthington) — It was probably composed when the Ammonites and Syrians made such great preparations for war, ver. 8., and 2 Kings x. 6, 18. (Calmet)
“Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.”
Hear thee, the Ruler; or Jesus Christ praying for his people. (Worthington) — Tribulation. War is always such. The victors themselves suffer, and many souls perish. (Calmet) — Name. The Messias, as the Jews often explain the expression, (Hooke, Prin.) or God himself, as others have it. Nomen ejus ipse. (Calmet) — The blessed Trinity is all one God. The name of the Lord is a strong tower, &c., Proverbs xviii. 10. It was made known to Moses, to give him confidence, Exodus iii. 13. (Haydock) — Great was the honour conferred on the patriarchs, that God should be styled the God of Abraham, &c.! But ours is not less, since we are authorized to call Him Our Father. [Matthew vi. 9.] (Berthier)
“There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. where: or, without these their voice is heard: Heb. without their voice heard”
Sion, where God was supposed to reside, in the tabernacle; though he was also in heaven, ver. 7. (Calmet)
“Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, line: or, rule, or, direction”
Sacrifices. Hebrew mincha, a sacrifice of flour, or unbloody; a figure of the Mass. (Worthington) — Minchothec, “thy presents” (Mont.; Haydock) of fruits, &c. — Fat. Hebrew also, “ashes,” by miraculous fire, (Berthier) to testify God’s acceptance; as at the sacrifices of Abel, (Haydock) Elias, &c., Leviticus ix. 24., and 3 Kings xviii. 31., and 1 Paralipomenon xxi. 26. God forbade lean victims to be offered, as they might shew a want of respect; (Malachias i. 8.) though he always regarded the heart (Calmet) and faith of the offerer more than the victim, Hebrews xi. 4. (Haydock) — Sacrifices were offered before every important enterprize, 1 Kings xiii. 12. (Calmet) — Fat here intimates what would be acceptable. (Worthington) (Daniel iii. 40.) (Menochius)
“Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.”
Counsels. We must suppose that those of a pious prince are right. (Calmet) — This condition is always understood. (Haydock)
“His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.”
Salvation. Jesus Christ, who gives us the victory over all our spiritual enemies, (Calmet) or in thy prosperity; (Worthington) which we shall attribute to God. The first words may also be addressed to Him. We shall rejoice if thou grant us the victory, and we will return thanks. Hebrew, “we shall praise, or be praised, for thy salvation; and in thy name we shall lift up the standard.” (Calmet) — But there is no proof that nodgol, (Haydock) which occurs no where else, has this signification. It is probable that the Septuagint read nogdol; and Houbigant adopts their version. St. Jerome has, “we shall dance.” All the versions denote joy. (Berthier)
“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. law: or, doctrine converting: or, restoring”
Hath saved. The prophets speak of future events as past. (Berthier) — The people were convinced of God’s protection, (Calmet) and anticipated what they would say at their triumphant return. — Anointed (Christus) the king, (Calmet) priest, (Worthington) or our Saviour, at his resurrection, (St. Athanasius) after he had subdued his enemies. (Worthington) — Powers. That is, in strength. His right hand is strong and mighty to save them that trust in him. (Challoner) — The plural is often used to denote something most excellent, (Haydock) great strength, or heavenly forces. (Worthington)
“The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.”
Call upon. Septuagint Roman, Syriac, &c., read, “we shall be exalted,” megalunthesometha, (Calmet) as [in] ver. 6. Some call upon or trust in chariots, &c. (Haydock) — Hebrew, “remember,” which often implies to confide, (Calmet) and such we call upon as we hope will be able and willing (Haydock) to protect us. (Berthier) — Let our enemies assemble all their forces and auxiliaries, we shall not fear as long as God is for us. (Calmet) — The Jewish kings were forbidden to multiply horses, that they might not be tempted to confide in them. (Haydock)
“The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. true: Heb. truth”
Bound. Their chariot wheels are entangled, Exodus xiv. 25. (Calmet) — Those who trust in the power of man, fall into captivity. (Worthington) — Their feet are ensnared. (Berthier) — The king. Hebrew, “Let the king hear us when we call.” Protestants, (Haydock) “our king shall hear,” &c. Syriac, “Word of the Lord, redeem us; Potent king, hear,” &c. But the Septuagint is preferable, and the best critics often deviate from the Jews; (Muis; Calmet) though here the sense is very good, and adopted by St. Jerome. God is styled king in Hebrew. (Haydock) — This title is commonly given to the Messias. (Berthier) — The Chaldean seems to have had the second person of the blessed Trinity in view, as many of the Jews were acquainted with this mystery, particularly after the propagation of the gospel, when the paraphrase on the psalms was probably composed. (Haydock) — When the head is safe, the body is also preserved. (Worthington) — We must pray for our superiors, that we also may lead a quiet life, 1 Timothy ii. 2. Their welfare is for the public good. (Haydock)