“To the chief Musician, A Psalm and Song of David. Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Sion: and unto thee shall the vow be performed. waiteth: Heb. is silent”
Psalm. Cassiodorus, &c., add, “of David.” But it is thought, he was not the author of this and the following piece, as his name is not in the original. (Calmet) — This argument is, however, of small weight. — Resurrection. Hebrew, Origen’s Septuagint, &c., omit these words, (Berthier, T. iii.) which seem to have been added by some Greek Christian, who thought he perceived some allusion to the resurrection of Christ, ver. 9. The Fathers have well explained it in this sense, though they also apply it literally to the return of the captives, (Theodoret; Calmet) and to the general resurrection, the end of all the miseries of the elect, (Bellarmine) as well as to the conversion of the Gentiles, (Genebrard) and the resurrection of a soul from the state of sin. (Haydock)
“Iniquities prevail against me: as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away. iniquities: Heb. Words, or, Matters of iniquities”
Lie. Prove faithless to thee, (Psalm xvii. 46., &c.) notwithstanding the evidence of thy wonders, and their deceitful professions. Thus the Samaritans pretended they wished to assist the Jews to build the temple; yet soon after obtained an order from court to hinder it, 1 Esdras iv. 1., and viii. 36. (Calmet) — Pharao frequently promised to let the people go, but as often broke his word. (Worthington) — They had been moved with servile fear. (Menochius) — The sight of God’s judgments upon the world was enough to inspire terror. (Worthington)
“By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation; who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea:”
Men. Choosing some, and rejecting others, (St. Jerome) calling the Gentiles, while he casts off the Jews. (St. Augustine)
“Which by his strength setteth fast the mountains; being girded with power:”
In him. God, (Haydock) Jesus, (Eusebius) or “on it,” the river Euphrates, which we shall pass over with as much ease, as our ancestors did the Red Sea. So the prophets frequently speak in a figurative sense, Isaias xi. 16., and l. 3., and Zacharias x. 10., and 4 Esdras xiii. 41. (Calmet) — As Josue led the Israelites across the river Jordan on dry land, (Haydock) so we shall extol thy wonders. (Worthington) — There, reflecting on these prodigies, both past and present, we shall rejoice. (Menochius)
“Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people.”
Provoke him. The faithless Jews, or Gentiles; particularly those of Babylon; or those among God’s people, who neglected his service, Aggeus iv., and 1 Esdras ix., &c. (Calmet) — These often gave way to murmuring, and are therefore exhorted not to be proud, lest they should be brought low.
“They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens: thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice. rejoice: or, sing”
Gentiles. By this invitation, he predicts their conversion.
“Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it. and: or, after thou hadst made it to desire rain”
Moved. The apostles were most courageous. Only those Jews returned, who had separated themselves from impure idols, 1 Esdras v. 21. The Church never fails. If some apostatize, others embrace the faith. (Worthington)
“Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly: thou settlest the furrows thereof: thou makest it soft with showers: thou blessest the springing thereof. settlest: or, causest rain to descend into makest: Heb. dissolvest it”
Tried. So Daniel was treated, Daniel iii. 21. The Babylonian captivity is compared to a furnace, as well as all severe trials of virtue, Proverbs xvii. 3., and Zacharias xiii. (Calmet)
“Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness. with: Heb. of”
Back. Hebrew, “loins.” The Captives had experienced the greatest miseries, as the martyrs of Christ have done since. (Calmet) — The Church is put to the most severe trials. (Worthington) — Yet God brings no one into the net of sin. This is solely the effect of man’s corruption. (Haydock)
“They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side. rejoice: Heb. are girded with joy”
Fire and water, which the Egyptians considered as the emblems of purity, (Horus. xli.) and which here denote the greatest tribulations. (Calmet) — The just still overcome by God’s grace, (Worthington) notwithstanding all the efforts of tyrants who may be set over them. (Menochius)
Uttered. These were alone deemed obligatory by the Jews, (Leviticus v. 4.; Calmet) yet the more enlightened knew that God discerns the secrets of hearts, whence the force of a vow proceeds. (Haydock)
Marrow. Malachy (Malachias i. 13.) reproaches some for presenting lean victims. (Calmet) — Offer. Hebrew ehese, “will make.” Septuagint use poieso, in the same sense, and are followed by the writers of the New Testament. — Do this, &c. (Berthier) — The best external victims of the old law are here specified. Yet even then the internal sacrifice was most pleasing. (Worthington)
My soul. Every Israelite ought to cherish the same sentiments. (Calmet)
Extolled, by meditation, (Muis) or God has immediately granted my request. (Theodoret) — Some Latin Bibles read, “I have exulted under my tongue,” which my heart directs. (Worthington)
Heart. Being enslaved to any passion. (Haydock) — Iniquity and dissimulation hinder the effect of our prayers; and in some sense, it is true, that God does not hear sinners: (John ix. 31., and 2 Timothy ii. 9.) though He regards favourably such as wish to repent, like the publican, Luke xviii. 14. (Calmet) — Whosoever would be heard, must repent of his sins. (Worthington)