Verse 1. Edom, (Idumææ.) Bible.—Several copies read Judææ; which agrees with the Hebrew and so forth The Idumeans, after the captivity, occupied those deserts ( Calmet.) or Ziph, Haret, and so forth ( Worthington.) where David had screened himself from the fury of Saul. This psalm may express his sentiments, (Theod. Muis.) or those of the captives, returning home, ( Calmet.) or it may agree with all those, who thirst after their heavenly country. Bert.—S. Jerom explains it of the coming of Christ, and it was used in the morning service. Saint John Chrysostom Psalms 140. Calmet.—Catholics, who are imprisoned for their faith, and cannot approach the tabernacle, may here find comfort. Worthington.
Psalms
Verse 2. Day. The manna dissolved with the sun beams, and God will be served with diligence.—Flesh. The sensations of my soul affect all my body. Worthington.—Thirst is more insupportable than hunger; and the psalmist could not express his ardour better. Calmet.—He loves God with all his strength, and so forth Bible.—“The soul desires, but the end can be attained only by good works.” Carnis laboribus pervenitur. Saint Jerome—O how! Prot. “longeth for thee in a dry,” and so forth But come is no Hebrew verb, and occurring no where else, is little understood by the Jews. It seems that comu, “as,” should be here, to correspond with the following so. “As my flesh thirsts in this, and so forth so in the,” and so forth I shall find no less pleasure in attending thy worship, than a thirsty traveller does in finding water. Calmet.—Theodotion agrees with the Septuagint in considering this as a compound word ποσαπλως, ( Calmet.) and we had best stick to the most ancient version. Bert.
Psalms
Verse 3. Land. “O solitude,” cries out S. Ephrem, “ladder of heaven, mother of compunction, … and piety, thou art the guardian of the eyes,” and so forth—Glory. The ark, ( Calmet.) or Jesus Christ, the desired of all nations. Saint Jerome Bible.—I have attended thy worship in spirit, not being able to be present at Jerusalem. Calmet. Menochius. Worthington.—Thus people, who cannot hear mass, ought to act. Bible.
Psalms
Verse 4. Lives. For these must perish, while heaven remains for ever. S. Hil.—This consolation is preferable to any worldly prosperity. Worthington.
Psalms
Verse 5. Hands. Doing good works, as the Fathers explain it. This is the posture of people who pray, or take an oath. Tert. 1 Timothy 2:8. Calmet.—I will, and so forth Comfort is proportioned to suffering for Christ. 2 Corinthians 1. Worthington.
Psalms
Verse 6. Fatness. With the most exquisite delights of the temple. Jeremiah 31:14. Calmet.—Thy grace will enable me to give thee due praise ( Worthington.) with joy. Menochius.
Psalms
Verse 7. Bed. I will think on thee both when I retire to rest, and when I get up. Bert.—Thou art my first beginning, and last end. Bible.—At all times I will meditate on thy mercies ( Calmet.) in bed, and much more, when I arise, ( Worthington.) as I shall not then be so much oppressed with drowsiness. Menochius.
Psalms
Verse 10. Earth. To seek me out, (Houbig.) or they shall perish. The Babylonians were exposed to many miseries under Cyrus, as the prophets assert, (Isaiah 13:1. Jeremiah 25:12) though profane history be silent. Calmet.—David foretells the destruction of his persecutors, either temporal or spiritual. Worthington.—The devils may be styled foxes. Bert. S. Hil.—This may also be verified in the Jews, who persecuted Christ, and fell a prey to the Roman arms, and so forth Euseb. Calmet.—Saul perished in battle, and his body was exposed on a gibbet to wild beasts. 1 Kennicott. 31. Worthington.
Psalms
Verse 12. The king. David, (Bert. and so forth) or Zorobabel, for whom the Jews had the highest regard, though he was not an independent monarch, nor wore a crown. Agg. 2:24. Zechariah 3:8. It was customary to swear by the life of the king. 1 Kennicott. 1:26 and 20:3. The Fathers understand Jesus Christ to be meant, and this is the true and primary sense; as Zorobabel was only a figure of Him, and never really possessed the throne, that the Jews might not think that the prophecies were fulfilled in his person.—By him. The king, (Du Pin. Calmet.) or God. Menochius. Boss. Tirinus.—Those who follow the true religion, (Deuteronomy 6:13. Isaiah 45:23. Calmet.) and act accordingly ( Bible.) shall be kings for ever. Apoc. Bert. 1 Peter 2:9. Bible.—As David came to the throne, on the death of his rival, so was Christ’s name exalted, after the Romans had destroyed the Jews. Worthington.