“A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; thirsty: Heb. weary where: without water”
David, in distress. (Eusebius, &c.) — It has no relation to any historical fact. But it expresses the sentiments of any just man, surrounded with danger. (St. Hilary) — Yet many apply it to Daniel, in the lion’s den, (Muis) to the captives, (Calmet) or to Jesus Christ and his Church. (St. Augustine, &c.) (Haydock)
“Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.”
Malignant. I am encouraged to hope by past experience. (Worthington)
“Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.”
Thing, or discourse. This describes the poisonous insinuations of heretics, (Eusebius) or the calumnies of the Jews against Christ. (Berthier)
“When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.”
Them. The snares. (Haydock) — Houbigant prefers “us,” with reason, (Berthier) after the Syriac, Arabic, Cassiodorus, &c. Yet the Hebrew, &c., retain them, which is very easily explained. (Haydock) — The most wicked desire to preserve the reputation of honesty, (Calmet) and flatter themselves that no mortal is conscious of their deceit, and that even Providence does not regard things below, Psalm x. (Haydock)
“Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.”
Search. Or, they have made the most diligent investigation, (Berthier) to no purpose. (Haydock) — Thus David and our Saviour were treated. — Heart. That is, crafty, subtle, deep projects and designs; which nevertheless shall not succeed; for God shall be exalted in bringing them to nought, by his wisdom and power. (Challoner) — Hebrew, “both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart is deep.” (Protestants) (Haydock) — But, without the points, the Septuagint is accurate. (Berthier) — The Jews, with all their deep machinations to prevent the belief of Christ’s resurrection, bringing even sleeping witnesses, only made themselves ridiculous. (St. Augustine) (Haydock) — Achitophel was forced to give way, (2 Kings xvii.; Worthington) though he had been considered as an oracle. (Haydock)
“My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.”
The arrows of children are their wounds. That is, the wounds, stripes, or blows, they seek to inflict upon the just, are but like the weak efforts of children’s arrows, which can do no execution; and their tongues, that is, their speeches against them, come to nothing. (Challoner) — Or, children themselves have wounded these crafty politicians, and exposed their folly. (Haydock) — Hebrew is “very perplexed in the last three verses. Let us adhere to the Vulgate and Septuagint, who generally read more correctly than the present Hebrew.” (Calmet) (Berthier) — Yet St. Jerome gives a very good sense. (Haydock) — Wounds. God hath chosen the weak things of this world to confound the strong, (Worthington) and he hath taken the wise in their craftiness. (Menochius)
“They shall fall by the sword : they shall be a portion for foxes. They shall fall: Heb. They shall make him run out like water by the hands of”
Afraid, at the sight of God’s judgments on the Babylonians, &c. (Calmet)
“But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.”
Praised. All will begin to esteem the chosen race. (Calmet) — Hebrew, “shall glory.” The Jews and Christians (Haydock) shall esteem themselves honoured by the title of God’s people. (Calmet) — They shall be praised for rightly serving God, (Worthington) and shall be rewarded by Him (Haydock) with universal applause. (Menochius)