_Himself. All agree that David wrote this psalm as a model of
resignation. The occasion is not known. (Berthier) --- It may express
the sentiments of the captives, (Calmet) or of converts to
Christianity, (Eusebius) and is written with inimitable sweetness._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Diseases. He had described captivity as an illness, Psalm ci.
(Calmet) --- God graciously forgives sin, and removes bad habits. He
preserves us from falling, and grants us the victory, with all our
reasonable requests. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Eagle's. Which get fresh feathers every year, like other birds,
Isaias xl. 31. (Calmet) --- The eagle retains its vigour for a long
time, (Haydock) though many fabulous accounts have been given of its
renovation. (Berthier) --- The new birth in baptism, (Theodoret) or by
faith, (Eusebius) or the re... [ Continue Reading ]
_Mercies. Hebrew, "Justice" in protecting the innocent._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ever. He executes his threats, but soon pardons us. (Calmet) ---
Hebrew, "he will not plead always, nor watch to surprise us for ever;"
(Calmet) or "retain" his anger. (Berthier) --- He is inclined to pity
us, and only inflicts a temporal punishment on the penitent, as Christ
has paid their ransom.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Iniquities. Which deserved eternal reprobation._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Earth. There is no proportion between God's mercy and our crimes.
(Calmet) --- Sins are perfectly washed away, (Worthington) and not
barely covered, as the east cannot be the west. (Berthier) --- Sin
remitted "sets for ever." (St. Augustine)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_He remembereth. Roman Septuagint and psalter, &c., "Remember." Other
copies agree with us. (Calmet) --- God compassionates the frailty of
those who fear him. Origen falsely inferred from ver. 9., that the
devils and the damned would one day be saved. But this is contrary to
Scripture, ver. 17., Mat... [ Continue Reading ]
_In him. Or "over it;" the flower. Or the spirit of God's indignation
will overwhelm him. The soul of man departs, and cannot naturally be
reunited with the body, though it greatly desire that union. (Calmet)
--- The longest life is but like the duration of a flower, (Isaias xl.
6.; Haydock) and the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Justice. In protecting the oppressed, (Calmet) and rendering to every
one according to his deserts abundantly. (Haydock) --- God never
punishes more than a person's crimes have merited, Exodus xx. 5., and
xxxiv. 6. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_All. When Christ shall sit in judgment, (Berthier) and the wicked be
suffered no longer to disturb the order of things, and the joy of the
elect. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_His angels. You who have executed the orders of God for our delivery,
help us to return him thanks. (Calmet) --- Hearkening. Literally, "to
hear," (Haydock) or that all may learn to obey God's mandates when
they perceive how carefully the angels put them in execution.
(Berthier)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hosts. Sun, &c., which never deviate from their regular course._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Soul. In vain should we behold all nature praising God, if we
neglected that duty. (Berthier) --- All the works of the Most High
praise him, being under his dominion. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM CII. (BENEDIC ANIMA.)
Thanksgiving to God for his mercies.... [ Continue Reading ]