David. Some of the Greek copies add, "psalm," and "unto the end." It was composed during the persecutions of Saul, &c., and is applied by the Fathers to Jesus Christ, who quotes ver. 19, (John xv. 25.; Calmet) and it seems to be in the same state with several others, which speak of his sufferings. ... [ Continue Reading ]
_Arms. Hebrew magen, "buckler," of a smaller size (1 Kings xvii. 6, 7.) than the shield, ( tsinna) which was used to cover the whole body. St. Jerome renders the latter word by hastam, "the spear." (Calmet) --- But this text speaks of defensive weapons. _... [ Continue Reading ]
_The way. This may be implied by the word conclude, which Houbigant rejects, observing that St. Jerome has præoccupa, (Berthier) as it is in the Par. ed. 1583. (Haydock) --- But I fiind præcipita. (Berthier) --- "Prevent" the designs, stop the passage, or "hurl my persecutors headlong." (Haydock) --... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let them. So most people render the Hebrew, though it may be understood in the future, (Berthier) as Montanus translates. (Haydock) --- Me. The wicked shall be confounded in the end, when the just shall triumph. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Dust. Hebrew mots, small "chaff," Psalm i. 4. (Vatable) --- Angel. The evil spirits are employed to punish the wicked, as good protect the just, Psalm xxxiii. 8. Some Fathers have supposed that every man was attended by a good and a bad angel. (Hermes ii.; Origen xxxv. in Luke; St. Gregory of Nyssa... [ Continue Reading ]
_Slippery. The systems of infidels, who deny a future existence are of this nature. If they were even true, the just would have lost nothing by pursuing a virtuous course. (Berthier)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Their. Literally, "the destruction of their net." (Haydock) --- Some would translate shachath, "the pit of," &c. But the Septuagint is preferable; and chapheru means the have "covered with shame," as well as dug for my soul. (Berthier) --- Pit ought to be removed to the latter part of the verse. Sa... [ Continue Reading ]
_Fall. He foretells the destruction of Saul, and his own glory. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Salvation. In the midst of troubles he is not devoid of hope, and after his deliverance he looks for eternal happiness. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Lord. Some Latin copies repeated this, while others in the original passed over the word entirely. (St. Jerome ad. Sun.) --- Be thou my life whom I always seek." (St. Augustine) --- Poor, in general, or David, who was supplied by Abimelech with food, 1 Kings xxi. 3. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Not. Accusing me of disloyalty, &c. (Flaminius) --- We must not imagine that David was cited to the bar. This is admirably explained of Jesus Christ at the tribunal of Pilate, (Calmet) and of the high priests. (Haydock) (Matthew xxvi.) --- God knows not what cannot be; (Worthington) and therefore C... [ Continue Reading ]
_Depriving, sterilitatem. (Haydock) --- Hebrew denotes the condition of one who has lost a husband or father. --- I had exposed my life for the welfare of the state, and of those who now seek my ruin. (Calmet) --- Yet David was not slain. This was verified in our Saviour. (Worthington) --- Septuagin... [ Continue Reading ]
_To me. Hebrew also signify, "when they were sick," which manifests a more heroic charity; though yet it is more natural to suppose that David would assume these robes of penance when he was under affliction, as St. Jerome intimates, cum infirmarer ab eis. (Berthier) --- Our Saviour's life was a con... [ Continue Reading ]
Please, complacebam, "treat lovingly." (Haydock) --- Vulgate follows the regimen of the Septuagint Greek: euerestoun, which may govern an accusative case. Hebrew is plainer, I walked," (Berthier) or "behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother." (Protestants) (Haydock) --- So. Septuagi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Against me. Hebrew, "in my distress," (Houbigant) or "infirmity." (St. Jerome) --- Thus was my kind attention repaid. (Haydock) --- My enemies became only the more insolent, and stood beside me, to shew their contempt. (Calmet) --- Scourges. Hebrew also, "vile men." (Montanus) (Haydock) --- The Rom... [ Continue Reading ]
_Separated, and could not agree in their testimonies. This may be one meaning of charak, as it has several. (Berthier) -- "They did tear me, and ceased not, (16) with hypercritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed," &c. (Protestants) (Haydock) --- Many of their attempts have been frustrated by thy Pr... [ Continue Reading ]
_One. Septuagint, "daughter." Aquila, "solitary," Greek: monachen. Protestants, "darling," or my soul which is so desolate, Psalm xxi. 21. (Haydock) --- So Christ said, Why hast thou abandoned me? (Matthew xxvii.) not affording me such consolation as other saints enjoy in their agony. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Strong, gravi. Hebrew hatsum, numerous, (1 Machabees i. 1.; Menochius) and "weighty," (Haydock) which is the consequence of great numbers, (Berthier) and of virtue. St. Augustine understands the Church, which is not carried away like chaff before the wind. Amama dislike this. (Haydock) --- The resu... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wrongfully. Hebrew, "liars," (St. Jerome; Haydock) alluding to Saul, &c. (Calmet) Christ explains this of himself, John xv. (Worthington) --- Who. Some supply a negation. (Berthier) --- " Neither let them wink with the eye who." (Protestants) This sign might indicate friendship, or evil machination... [ Continue Reading ]
Spoke. Hebrew adds lo, "not." But it may be better explained as an interrogation. "Have they not spoken?" &c., as the enemies used deceit. (Houbigant) (Berthier) --- Earth. This word is omitted in the Roman Septuagint, St. Augustine, &c. But Theodoret reads it, and it is in all the other Greek inter... [ Continue Reading ]
_Done, euge. Hebrew heach. (Haydock) --- This term occurs ten times in Scripture, and here denotes the joy felt in the destruction of an enemy. Thus the Jews insulted over Christ expiring on the cross. (Berthier) --- Seen. No farther reserve is necessary: he is fallen, or we have accused him of noth... [ Continue Reading ]
_Silent. I have chosen thee for my judge and protector. (Calmet) --- Pronounce sentence if they be in the right; and if not, rescue me from their fury. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM XXXIV. (JUDICA DOMINE NOCENTES ME.) David, in the person of Christ, prayeth against his persecutors: prophetically foreshewing the punishments that shall fall upon them. _ Attentive. Hebrew, "watch over." He implores present assistance. (Berthier)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thy. Many copies read "my," with St. Augustine, Euthymius, &c. But thy agrees with the Roman (Calmet) and Alexandrian Septuagint and Hebrew. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_It is well, occurs only once in Hebrew, which may be imperfect, as many versions supply the second. (Berthier) --- Mind, as we could have desired. Protestants, "Oh, (marginal note adds ah) so would we have it." (Haydock) --- Things go on well according to our mind. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Great. St. Augustine reads, "malicious." (Calmet) --- At the day of judgment the wicked will be condemned. (Worthington) --- If this judgment were not to take place, religion would be a fable: as impiety is not always punished in this world. (Berthier)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Them. The blessed in eternal glory. (Worthington) --- Justice. Or wish that sentence may be pronounced in my favour. (Calmet) --- Delight. Hebrew, "who delights." (St. Jerome) (Haydock) --- But the Greek interpreters read as we do. (Berthier)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Meditate. Hebrew word is used to signify speaking with refection. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]