“A Psalm or Song for the sabbath day. It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:”
Founded. Septuagint, “inhabited.” This title occurs not in Hebrew (Theodoret) nor are the copies of the Septuagint uniform, which shews that it is a later insertion, intimating perhaps, that it was sung on Friday, when the works of creation were completed, (Berthier) and the world redeemed. (Worthington) — It seems to refer to the translation of the ark, (Muis; 1 Paralipomenon xvi. 30.) and the establishment of the Church, the house of God, though the universe may be so styled, (Berthier) or it speaks of the return from captivity, (Ven. Bede) as well as the preceding and following psalms. — Himself. As if to perform some great work, the liberation of his people from the captivity of Babylon, and of the devil, (Calmet) or to create the world. (Berthier) — Established. “Weighed.” (Houbigant) — Moved, or disturbed in the order established by him. (Haydock) — This does not prove that the earth moves not on its own axis daily, and round the sun every year. (Berthier) — The Church shall not fail, (Menochius) which Christ has redeemed by his own blood, and with great power. In it He reigns, and will draw all to himself, John xii. 31. (Worthington)
“To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night, every: Heb. in the nights”
Of old. Literally, “that time,” ex tunc, (Worthington) alluding to some distant period, Isaias xvi. 13. (Calmet) — God’s throne is established over creatures, as soon as they exist. (Haydock) — Yet he is eternal, (Menochius) as Christ is likewise. At his ascension, He placed his sacred humanity on the throne. (Calmet) — His kingdom, the Church, continues for ever. (Worthington)
“Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound. the harp: or, the solemn sound with the harp a solemn: Heb. Higgaion”
Floods. The apostles, (Eusebius; St. Augustine) or persecutors. (Worthington) — Waves. This sentence is not in the Roman Septuagint, &c. (Calmet) — But it is in the Alexandrian and Aldine editions. Storms and tides fill all with awe and astonishment. (Calmet) — The motion of waters, when they were first confined to their channels, and the persecutions of the Church, and rebellions against God, are described. (Menochius)
“For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.”
On high. In heaven, more to be admired than all the phenomena of nature, and more powerful than all the vast armies of the Babylonians, Isaias xl. 15. (Calmet) — The conversion of many nations, (Apocalypse xvii. 5.) is the work and glory of God, (Haydock) and his preserving the Church in the midst of the most violent attacks, shews his power. (Worthington)
“O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep.”
Credible. St. Jerome, “faithful.” — Protestants, “very sure.” (Haydock) — A person must shut his eyes not to see the prophecies fulfilled concerning Christ, and his Church. (Eusebius) — The majesty of God should strike us with a holy fear, and teach us to observe his commandments, and to behave with the utmost respect in his house, (Calmet) which is the whole world, or the society of the faithful. (Berthier) — Articles of faith are perfectly credible to those whose hearts are moved by grace, (Worthington) though they cannot be understood. (Haydock) — All the members of the Church should carefully approve themselves to God, who is her spouse, (Worthington) and protector, (Menochius) to the end of the world. (Worthington) — Days. Since thy power and fidelity are so great, suffer not thy temple to be any longer in ruins, or profaned. (Calmet)