Verse 1. Idithun was one of the four chief masters of music, called Ethan, 1 Chronicles 6:44 and Idithun ib. 16:41. Some think that he was the author of this psalm; but it was rather given to him by David to sing. Calmet.—The title shews that the psalms were designed for the public service of the Church, and not for David alone. Bert.—This refers to the Christian Church, though some explain it of the Jews in captivity, ( Worthington.) with R. Salomon, while others think that it was composed during some of David’s persecutions. It is connected with the preceding, and with the two next psalms. Calmet.
Psalms
Verse 2. Tongue. The matter is very delicate and important. James 3:2. Proverbs 18:21. Isaiah 32:17. Sirach 22:33 and 28:28.—Me, and was treating me with injustice and calumny. Bible.—Chilo, the sage, said: “I know how to bear ill treatment,” (Laert. 1.) and this is a proof of “the greatest wisdom and virtue.” Bible.—Ουτος κρατιστος. Menand. Calmet.—Weak men seek revenge; but the wise resolve to govern their tongues, and do not stand up in their own just defence, though they be, therefore, more persecuted. Worthington.
Psalms
Verse 3. Renewed. I was conscious of no offence against my enemies, ( Bible.) but I reflected that I had forfeited my virtue, (Euseb.) and therefore gave vent to my grief. Bible.—Being afraid of saying anything amiss, I refrained from saying what was good. But I perceived that this was wrong. Saint Augustine—I deprived myself of all pleasure. Calmet.—The seven first verses detail the arguments used by philosophers to comfort men, which all prove of little service. We must have recourse to God, verse 8. Bert.
Psalms
Verse 4. Out. This alludes to his sorrow for his sins, (Orig.) or to the fire of charity, which is enkindled by meditation on the last end, and so forth (verse 5) or rather it means, that while he repressed his tongue, he could not but feel an inward zeal and indignation, ( Calmet.) in consequence of grief suppressed. Worthington.—See Jeremiah 20:9. Menochius.
Psalms
Verse 5. End, as I desire to die, like Elias, 3 Kennicott. 19. Worthington.—The just have frequently expressed such sentiments, to move God to pity, (Job 7:1. Psalms 101:4) though they wished to live, that they might praise God on earth, ( Calmet.) if it were his will. Bible.—This text may indicate the impatience (Bert.) of the mere philosopher, ( Bible.) or David desires to know to what a decree of perfection he must arrive. Orig. Saint Ambrose
Psalms
Verse 6. Measurable. Hebrew “of a hand’s breadth.” Bible.—Sym. “a spithame, or twelve fingers’ breadth,” perhaps in allusion to the Greek proverb, a “spithame of life;” which denotes one very short. Drus.—The Greek copies vary: some read, ( Calmet.) with the Vat. παλαιας, “ancient;” and others of the palestra with the Alex. παλαιστας, or “contentious.” I am obliged always to wrestle with my adversaries. Grot.—My days are short, and spent in conflicts. Bible.—Saint John Chrysostom Saint Ambrose and so forth mention both. The former word is adopted by the Arab. Ethiop, and so forth; but the Hebrew has tephachoth, “of a palm,” or four fingers’ breadth; ( Calmet.) and Saint Jerome breves, “short.” Bible.—Substance. Saint Jerome “life.” Hebrew “age.”—Living. Hebrew “standing,” how well soever he may seem to be established. Prot. “at his best estate, is altogether vanity. Selah.” Bible.—The wisest of men confirms this at large, Sirach 1:1. Calmet. Jam. 4:14.—“What is this long while which has an end?” Cic. pro. Marcel. Menochius.
Psalms
Verse 7. Image, “of God.” Saint Gregory and so forth Hebrew “in a shadow or darkness,” where the fall of a leaf affrights him. Life is so short and miserable, why should we strive to heap up riches? Calmet.—For whom. Hebrew “who shall gather,” and so forth Bible.—The term is used respecting harvest rather than money. Calmet.—Hebrew has disquieted in the plural, and the rest of the words in the singular; but S. Jerom agrees with us, conturbatur … & ignorat cui dimittat ea. Bible.—The prophet still utters complaints. One step farther is necessary to ensure peace. Bert.—He acknowledges that his life is but a shadow, and what we ought not to grieve for temporal losses. Worthington.
Psalms
Verse 8. Substance. Septuagint hypostasis. Hebrew “hope.” Bible.—I can depend only on thee. Calmet.
Psalms
Verse 9. Thou hast. Hebrew lo, “do not;” ne, or nonne; or “hast thou not made?” and so forth as the following verse intimates. Bert.—Thou hast suffered me to be reproached by the foolish, who prosper in this world. Worthington.—The fool may denote the devil, (Saint Jerome Orig.) and all the lovers of iniquity. Flam. Calmet.
Psalms
Verse 10. It. Saint Augustine reads “me,” conformably to some copies of the Septuagint Arab, and so forth Calmet.—He is at a loss to explain the reason of the prophet, and suggests that this perhaps ought to be referred to the following sentence, “Because thou hast made me, remove,” and so forth Bible.—Such is the inconvenience of having incorrect copies. Amama.—The Alex. and Vat. Septuagint both have me, ( Bible.) which his omitted in Complut. Calmet.—David knew that he was scourged by divine Providence. Worthington.
Psalms
Verse 11. In (thy) rebukes, belongs to the next verse in Hebrew and Septuagint referring to man in general, unless the prophet mean himself. Bert.
Psalms
Verse 12. Spider. Saint Jerome “moth.” Sym. “thou dissolvest like corruption his desirable thing;” ( Bible.) which means the soul, (Bert.) or “beauty.” Prot. Remorse of conscience and God’s judgments make a man pine away.—Disquieted is obelized in the Septuagint Saint Jerome ad Sun. Calmet.—It is not found in the Alex. and Comp. edit. ( Bible.) and seems to be taken from verse 7. It does not alter the sense. Bert.—“Man is vanity always.” Saint Jerome—As a spider which has consumed its moisture, so he decays. Worthington.
Psalms
Verse 13. Were. 1 Chronicles 29:15. I can expect aid from no other but thee. Calmet.—Heaven is our home. Worthington.—“Life is a travelling from home.” Plato in Axiocho.
Psalms
Verse 14. More. In a state to do good. Worthington.—Grant me relief. Eccle. 9:10. Job 7:8. Calmet.