Psalms 101

Verse 1. Poor. Hebrew “afflicted.” This may refer to some of the captives, who were returning, (verse 14. Calmet.) or to Jesus Christ, (Saint Augustine) to whom Saint Paul applies verse 26. 28 and whose redemption was prefigured by the former event. Calmet.—David might have both in view. Bible.—Yet most believe that the psalm was written by Daniel, or Jeremias, and so forth Calmet.—It may have two literal senses, like many others. Bert.

Verse 2. Cry. Fervent petition, though only in the heart. Exodus 14:15.

Verse 3. Turn not. We first abandon God, but must humbly beg for grace. Worthington.

Verse 4. Fire. Cremium denotes any combustible matter. Colum. xii. 19. Saint Jerome Calmet.—While in mortal sin, our best actions, alms, and so forth avail nothing. 1 Corinthians 13. Worthington.

Verse 5. Bread. Through excessive sorrow, ( Bible.) I am fainting in captivity. Calmet.—The human race is relieved by the bread of life, the holy Eucharist. Saint Augustine Bert.—Sinners have no relish for spiritual food. Worthington.

Verse 6. Flesh, or “skin.” Saint Jerome—The necessary moisture is consumed. Euseb. Worthington.

Verse 7. A pelican, and so forth I am become, through grief, like birds that affect solitude and darkness. Challoner.—Kaath comes from a root that signifies to vomit ( Bible.) as this bird lives chiefly on shell-fish, which it swallows, and when the heat of its stomach has caused the shells to open, it throws them up again, and eats the fish. Bochart. Parkhurst in ka. Bible.—It seems to be the onocratalus, which resembles the heron. What many of the ancients have related concerning its giving life again to its young, by its blood, and so forth must be accounted fabulous. The Fathers have not expressed these facts as certain, ( Calmet.) though they have beautifully accommodated them to the tenderness and grace, which Christ has shewn to lost man. See Euseb. and Saint Augustine Bible.—Raven. Owl, or rather another species of pelican, so called from having a bag under its chap, “to inclose” fish, and so forth Parkhurst in cose.—With its prey it retires to solitary places. So the distressed love solitude and silence. Bible.

Verse 8. Sparrow. Hebrew Tsippor means any “quick moving” bird, and so forth (Idem.) and as the sparrow is not a solitary bird, it may here signify the owl. Bochart. Calmet.—But these etymological reasons are not very certain, nor important. Bible.—We may adhere to the Septuagint as many interpreters do. Bert.—The sparrow having lost its mate, mourns in or near its nest. Worthington.