Verse 1. David. There is no title in Heb.; and the Greek copies vary. This psalm may be considered as a continuation of the former, with the last verse of which it may be well connected. Calmet.—Some suppose that David composed it after he had been rescued from the giant Jesbibenob. verse 16. 1 Chronicles 20:4. Ferrand.—It is not certain that he is the author; but as other psalms without a title are ascribed to him, we have no reason to deny that he wrote this. Bert.—Many explain it as a thanksgiving of Ezechias. Theod. and so forth—But we need not refer it to any particular event. Calmet.—Upright. But it is not seemly in the mouth of a sinner. Sirach 15:9. Worthington. Psalms 68:16. Calmet.
Psalms
Verse 2. Psaltery. Hebrew nebel, ( Bible.) which does not resemble the modern psaltery. Calmet.—We must carefully observe mortification, and the decalogue. Worthington.
Psalms
Verse 3. New. Interesting, like the canticle of the lamb, or of redemption, Apoc. Public worship and music are very useful, when performed with attention. Bert.—The prophet invites all to praise God for the blessings granted by Christ in the new law. Worthington.—Noise, proceeding from the heart, the cry of which alone penetrates heaven. Bible.
Psalms
Verse 4. Faithfulness. He always fulfils his promises, and his laws are just; ( Worthington.) therefore he deserves our praise. Calmet. Psalms 144:13.)
Psalms
Verse 5. Judgment. God joins these virtues together, ( Worthington.) as we ought to do. Bible. Lu. 6:36. Matthew 5:48.—He punishes the wicked, and rewards the good. But his mercy displays itself on the earth, as there is no misery in heaven. Saint Augustine—Its effects appear more since the coming of our Saviour. Calmet.
Psalms
Verse 6. Mouth, by his command. Euthym. Genesis 1:6.—The Fathers here find the blessed Trinity expressed; ( Calmet. Menochius.) and the Council of Trent admonishes us to follow their unanimous interpretation, which is here adopted by Baumbgarte, a Prot. 1719. Saint John informs us that all was made by the Word, from whom the Father and the Holy Spirit cannot be separated. Bert.—Seneca (consol. 8.) seems to have had some idea of this mystery. Quisquis formator universi fuit, sive ille Deus est potens omnium; sive incorporalis Ratio, ingentium operum artifex; sive divinus Spiritus, per omnia maxima et minima æquali intentione diffusus. The power of them may designate the stars and angels, which the Hebrew styles “the army” of heaven. Isaiah 24:21. Matthew 26:53. Calmet.—The word of God is omnipotent, ( Worthington.) “the Creator … both of visible and invisible things.” Nic. Creed. Bible.—Calvin rejects this proof of the Trinity as weak, (Amama) as he did not like the word Trinity, nor perhaps the mystery itself. Bible.
Psalms
Verse 7. As in. This is agreeable to Saint Augustine and some ancient psalters; though the Septuagint have “like a bottle” made of leather, ωσει ασκον Moderns would translate, “like a heap.” But Sym. and Saint Jerome agree with us, (see Psalms 77:13. Calmet.) as well as the Chal. and Houbigant. God has made the bed of the sea capable of containing such quantities of water, some of which evaporate and descend again from the clouds, to make the earth fruitful. Yet many take no notice of this admirable economy. Bert.—Theodoret and S. Athanasius understand the clouds to be meant by this vessel; but the former sentiment seems better. These waters, as well as hail, and so forth are instruments of God’s vengeance. Deuteronomy 32:34. The depths have the same import. God calls them forth at pleasure, (Amos 5:8. Genesis 7:11) and confines them within bounds. Job 38:11.
Psalms
Verse 9. Created. Hebrew “on foot,” to express God’s absolute dominion. Calmet.—This passage shews that bra means properly created out of nothing. Genesis 1. Matter did not exist before God spoke. Bert.
Psalms
Verse 10. And … princes. This seems to be lost in Hebrew as all the Greeks have recognised it. Bert.—God prepares the causes and means when he forms his decrees, which are wholly independent. He is not forced to wait for a favourable opportunity. Calmet.—He confounded the tongues at Babel, and his absolute decrees are always executed. Worthington.
Psalms
Verse 12. Inheritance, in opposition to the Gentiles. 1 Peter 2:9. Bert.—God made choice particularly of the Jews, as he does now of Christians. Worthington.
Psalms
Verse 14. Prepared. Saint Jerome “from his most established throne;” whence he beholds all the conduct of men, ( Calmet.) though he fill all places, and work in all. Bert.—His power and wisdom (verse 15) are infinite. Worthington.
Psalms
Verse 15. Every one, sigillatim. Hebrew yachad, means also “together;” whence the Origenists inferred ( Bible.) that all souls were made at first with Adam. Saint Jerome—Thus they explained how they came to be all infected. Bert.—But God rather creates them when he infuses them into the body. Carthus. Bible.—Saint Augustine could never decide this important question. This text only proves that God is equally Creator of all; (Sirach 18:1. Calmet.) and He alone made the hearts and souls of all men, as καταμονας implies. Psalms 4:10 and Geneb. Amama.
Psalms
Verse 16. Giant. Or Hebrew “strong man.” Monarchs and the stoutest men have been overthrown by Providence, like Pharao and Sennacherib, and the giant Og. Calmet.—History proves that great armies have not always gained the victory. Psalms 65:13 and 146:10. Bert.
Psalms
Verse 17. Safety. Either of himself or his master. Worthington. Proverbs 21:31.—This can only be attributed to God’s protection. verse 18.
Psalms
Verse 20. Waiteth. Hebrew “longeth.” Bible.—Protector. Hebrew “shield.” Infidels deride the confidence of the just, as an effect of pride, supposing it is beneath the dignity of God to take notice of so small a creature, which he governs so many worlds. But if there be other worlds besides this, God is sufficient for all; (Bert.) and he will not neglect the work which his hands have deigned to form. Bible.
Psalms
Verse 22. Thee. All-perfect Being, shew thy protection to all who trust in thee. Worthington.—He who wishes to receive much, ought to increase his hopes. Calmet.—“Who is so full of hope as boldly to say, by my hope measure thy mercy?” Theod,