Historical chapter commentary
Verse 1. David, in distress. Euseb. and so forth—It has no relation to any historical fact. But it expresses the sentiments of any just man, surrounded with danger. S. Hil.—Yet many apply it to Daniel, in the lion’s den, (Muis.) to the captives, ( Calmet.) or to Jesus Christ and his Church. Saint Augustine and so forth Bible.
Verse 3. Malignant. I am encouraged to hope by past experience. Worthington.
Verse 4. Thing, or discourse. This describes the poisonous insinuations of heretics, (Euseb.) or the calumnies of the Jews against Christ. Bert.
Verse 6. Them. The snares. Bible.—Houbigant prefers “us,” with reason, (Bert.) after the Syr. Arab. Cassiod. and so forth Yet the Hebrew and so forth retain them, which is very easily explained. Bible.—The most wicked desire to preserve the reputation of honesty, ( Calmet.) and flatter themselves that no mortal is conscious of their deceit, and that even Providence does not regard things below. Psalms 10. Bible.
Verse 7. Search. Or, they have made the most diligent investigation, (Bert.) to no purpose. Bible.—Thus David and our Saviour were treated.—Heart. That is, crafty, subtle, deep projects and designs; which nevertheless shall not succeed; for God shall be exalted in bringing them to nought, by his wisdom and power. Challoner.—Hebrew “both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart is deep.” Prot. Bible.—But, without the points, the Septuagint is accurate. Bert.—The Jews, with all their deep machinations to prevent the belief of Christ’s resurrection, bringing even sleeping witnesses, only made themselves ridiculous. Saint Augustine Bible.—Achitophel was forced to give way, (2 Kennicott. 17. Worthington.) though he had been considered as an oracle. Bible.
Verse 8. The arrows of children are their wounds. That is, the wounds, stripes, or blows, they seek to inflict upon the just, are but like weak efforts of children’s arrows, which can do no execution; and their tongues, that is, their speeches against them, come to nothing. Challoner.—Or, children themselves have wounded these crafty politicians, and exposed their folly. Bible.—Hebrew is “very perplexed in the last three verses. Let us adhere to the Vulg. and Septuagint who generally read more correctly than the present Hebrew.” Calmet. Bert.—Yet S. Jerom gives a very good sense. Bible.—Wounds. God hath chosen the weak things of this world to confound the strong, ( Worthington.) and he hath taken the wise in their craftiness. Menochius.
Verse 10. Afraid, at the sight of God’s judgments on the Babylonians, and so forth Calmet.
Verse 11. Praised. All will begin to esteem the chosen race. Calmet.—Hebrew “shall glory.” The Jews and Christians ( Bible.) shall esteem themselves honoured by the title of God’s people. Calmet.—They shall be praised for rightly serving God, ( Worthington.) and shall be rewarded by Him ( Bible.) with universal applause. Menochius.