_David. It alludes to some of his persecutions, particularly to that of Absalom, as well as to that of the Church, and of Jesus Christ. Bede explains it of Onias: who, being excluded from the high priesthood, retired into Egypt, and built the temple of Onion, 2 Machabees xiii. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hear me. He repeats the same petition four times, (Haydock) to testify his fervour, and humility, Ecclesiasticus xxxv. 21. --- Exercise, among the wicked, (St. Augustine) or while I consider the sufferings of Christ. (Eusebius) --- David was perplexed what course to take, when he first heard of his... [ Continue Reading ]
_Upon me. When a person has fallen into distress, the world is ever ready to attribute it it some fault. Absalom accused his father of neglecting to judge, &c., 2 Kings xv. 2. The Jews calumniated and sought the death of Christ, whose agony in the garden is well described, (ver. 5.) as well as the c... [ Continue Reading ]
_Troubled, like a woman in labour, (Menochius) as yachil implies, (Calmet) in Hiphel. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Dove, which flies swiftly. He now adored the judgments of God, which chastised him, as he had threatened; (2 Kings xii. 11.) though, while innocent, he had rejected a similar proposal, Psalm x. 1. The event shewed, that he acted wisely in retiring beyond the Jordan. (Calmet) --- O that I could fly,... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM LIV. (EXAUDI DEUS.) A prayer of a just man under persecution from the wicked. It agrees to Christ persecuted by the Jews, and betrayed by Judas. _ Storm. The first fury of the rebels, which is most dangerous, is thus specified. David was convinced, that his son's party would dwindle away, wh... [ Continue Reading ]
_Cast down. Hebrew, "swallow up," as the earth did Dathan. (Calmet) --- Septuagint, "drown." (Haydock) --- Tongues, as at Babel, that they may not know how to proceed. (Calmet) --- Hebrew, "swallow up....the torrent of their tongue." (Bate.) --- Pallag, means also to "divide." Absalom was accordingl... [ Continue Reading ]
_From him. But how shall we guard against a traitor? (Calmet) --- The injury received from a friend is most cutting. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Guide, the prime minister, (Berthier) and chief of the council. (Menochius) --- Such was Achitophel, who had nevertheless been long (Calmet) secretly disaffected. See 2 Kings xv. 12., and xvi. 23. He professed the same religion, and was trusted with the most important affairs, as Judas carried the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Consent, or with expedition, as the Rabbins order people to go to the temple, though they must return slowly. All this designates Judas. (Calmet) --- Dreadful lesson for all sacred ministers, who prove faithless! (Berthier) participating of the holy sacraments of the Catholic Church, (Worthington)... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let death, &c. This, and such like imprecations, which occur in the psalms, are delivered prophetically; that is, by way of foretelling the punishments which shall fall upon the wicked from divine justice, and approving the righteous ways of God: but not by way of ill-will, or uncharitable curses,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Evening. The Hebrew then began the day. (Calmet) (Genesis i. 5.) (Haydock) --- They had three times allotted for prayer, (Daniel vi. 10.) as the Church had afterwards. (Const. Ap.[Apostolic Constitutions?] vii. 25.) (Calmet) --- Evening song, matins, and the sacrifice of the mass, are the principal... [ Continue Reading ]
_Among many, &c. That is, they that drew near to attack me, were many in company, all combining to fight against me. (Challoner) --- Or, many also joined themselves to me with Joab, and the holy angels, (4 Kings vi. 16.) though almost all Israel followed Absalom, 2 Kings xv. 13. (Calmet) --- In many... [ Continue Reading ]
_Change, or redemption for them, (Psalm xliii. 13.; Eusebius) or they will not amend, (Worthington) nor cease to blaspheme God, and to calumniate me. (Calmet) --- Eternal. Literally, "He who is before ages." (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Repay. Hebrew bishlomaiv, "in his tribulations," or "against his peaceable ones." Houbigant too arbitrarily translates, "they have sent forth their hand against, " &c. (Berthier)_... [ Continue Reading ]
They are divided, &c. Dispersed, scattered, and brought to nothing, by the wrath of God, who looks with indignation on their wicked and deceitful ways. (Challoner) --- They are separated from the good, (St. Jerome) slain by a look, 2 Thessalonians ii. 8. --- Near, or fought, ver. 19. (Calmet) --- So... [ Continue Reading ]
_Cast. The prophet had experienced the happy effect of this conduct. (Calmet) --- In all troubles and doubts, we must have recourse to God. (Worthington) (1 Peter v. 7.)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Destruction; "into gehenna," (Chaldean) or "hell," (St. Jerome) to which the judge sentences the reprobate, without promoting their crimes. (St. Augustine) (Calmet) --- Days. It is rare that murderers and notorious malefactors escape punishment in this world; but in the next, they will surely be re... [ Continue Reading ]