“To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil, A Song of loves. My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer. Maschil: or, of instruction is inditing: Heb. boileth, or, bubbleth up”
It may allude to the defeat of Sennacherib, (Houbigant) or might be sung by the Corites at the dedication of the second temple, when peace was restored to the world, after the death of Cambyses, Ezechiel xxxviii. The Fathers explain it of the Christian Church, delivered from persecution. (St. Chrysostom, &c.) (Calmet)
“Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.”
Troubles. Those of English Catholics have been very great; yet they increase. (Worthington)
“And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things. ride: Heb. prosper thou, ride thou”
Their. Hebrew, St. Ambrose, &c., read, “its.” (Calmet) — Both sea and land may be in confusion; we shall fear nothing, having God for our protector. (Haydock) — Though many and noble personages have revolted from the faith in England, yet the Catholic Church will never fail, (Worthington) even if it should in these [British] islands. (Haydock)
“Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; whereby the people fall under thee.”
Steam. Jerusalem was surrounded by placid streams, which are here opposed to the great waters, as in Isaias viii. 6. The Church, after persecution, is restored to peace, and adorned with all graces. (Calmet) — Tabernacle. This is the source of our joy, Apocalypse xxi., (Menochius) and xxii. 1., and Ezechiel xlvii. 1. — The advantages of the virtuous, both here and in heaven, are great. (Berthier)
“Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.”
Trembled. We have witnessed the commotions in the East, under Cyrus, and his son; the latter of whom seems to be styled Gog, (Ezechiel xxxviii. 19.) and perished in Judea, which he intended to plunder. (Calmet)
“Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house;”
Shields. Hebrew, “the round things,” which some explain, “chariots,” without need. (Berthier) — Fire. The Fathers apply this to the peace which reigned at the birth of Christ, or to that which Constantine gave to the Church. (Calmet)
“So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.”
Still. We have only to admire the work of God. (Berthier) — He will bring all to a happy issue for his elect, though the wicked may rage. (Haydock)