_David. He might compose this psalm under any affliction, though prayer is always necessary (Berthier) for any person. (Worthington) --- Others apply it to Ezechias, (Theodoret) the captives, or the Church. (Calmet) --- Jesus Christ prays during his passion, and foretells his resurrection, and the v... [ Continue Reading ]
_I am holy. I am by my office and profession dedicated to thy service, (Challoner) as a Levite, (Calmet) or a member of the true Church. (Haydock) --- He may also speak in the person of Christ, who prays for us and in us. (Du Hamel) --- Syriac and Arabic read, "thou art good." (Calmet) --- Our neces... [ Continue Reading ]
_Soul. I ardently desire to serve in thy temple, Jeremias xxii. 27. A holy importunity, (Luke xviii. 2.; Tertullian, Apol. 39.; Calmet) and fervour in prayer, (Haydock) with perseverance, attention, and a sense of God's infinite perfections, are requisite. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Heard me. This gives me confidence that thou wilt do it again. (Haydock) --- Thou art not like senseless idols. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Gods, which have been set up by men; or among angels, &c., (Calmet) capable of working miracles by an independent power. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Name. This was partly verified after the captivity, and fully when the gospel was preached. (Calmet) --- The Gentiles came by faith, and glorified God by good works, Matthew v. 17. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Alone. Vatican Septuagint, Arabic, &c., add, "the great." (Calmet) (Acts xvii. 24._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Truth. Let me see the justice of thy conduct in suffering the wicked to prosper, (Psalm lxxii. 17.) or let me invariably observe thy holy law, which alone can give me true content. --- Rejoice. Hebrew, as we read at present, "likewise fear," (Calmet) "unite," (Montanus) or "let my heart be one," so... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hell of the damned, (Worthington) according to the Fathers: or out of captivity and dangers. (Berthier) --- If it be understood of Christ, it must refer to limbo. (Bellarmine) (Menochius) --- It seems equivalent to the lower pit, Psalm lxxxvii. 7. (Haydock) --- The Jews admit seven regions in hell,... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM LXXXV. (INCLINA DOMINE.) A prayer for God's grace to assist us to the end. _ Eyes. The Babylonians oppress us most unjustly. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_True. This title is also applied to Christ, who, of course, is God:; since every man is liable to mistake, Romans iii. 4., and Apocalypse xix. 1. God authorized Moses and the prophets to address Him, as the psalmist does, Exodus xxxiv. 6., and Joel ii. 13. (Berthier)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Command. Hebrew, "strength," (Haydock) to resist the enemy. (Menochius) --- Order me as thou pleasest: I am entirely devoted to thee from my very birth, Psalm cxv. 16. Restore the throne of David. (Calmet) --- The prophets frequently thus turn to the Church, the kingdom of the Messias, who was born... [ Continue Reading ]
_Good. Mark me for thy slave, (Calmet) which will be the highest honour. (Haydock) --- Give me such a sign as the angel did when he was going to destroy the first-born of Egypt. (St. Athanasius) --- By some prodigy convince our oppressors that there is a God. (Calmet) (Berthier) --- The resurrection... [ Continue Reading ]