Psalms 120

Verse 1. Canticle. David wrote this during his flight from Absalom; (Grot.) and de Muis judges from the martial air, that it was composed in the midst of danger. It relates to the captives, (Orig. Calmet.) and to all in the pilgrimage of this world. Bert.—Mountains. Jerusalem, and heaven, whence all our help must come. God most readily hears the prayers which are poured forth in places appointed by him. Worthington.—Jerusalem was situated among mountains, and the Jews turned towards it in prayer. Daniel 6:10. They did not depend on human aid. Jeremiah 3:22.

Verse 3. May. Hebrew “he will not.” Many have read in the second person, both in the Hebrew and Septuagint “Suffer not thy,” and so forth Aquila, Saint Augustine and so forth Calmet.

Verse 4. Israel. The Church militant. Worthington.—These figurative expressions shew that God will never cease to protect his people. Bert.

Verse 5. Hand. Always ready. Psalms 90:4 and 15:8. Bible.

Verse 6. Night. Neither prosperity nor adversity shall hurt thee, (Saint Jerome) or the Church. Worthington.—Cold is said to burn or parch up. Genesis 31:40. Justin (2) writes of the Scythians, Quanquam continuis frigoribut urantur, as the effects of extreme heat and cold are similar. The Jews were protected from both at their return; (Isaiah 4:6 and 49:10. Calmet.) though we may doubt of this explanation, as the text is applied to those in heaven. Revelation 7:16. Bert.

Verse 7. Keepeth. Hebrew also, “shall or may.” The words of a prophet are always true, and the tenses are varied at pleasure by S. Jerom, and so forth Bert.—Soul, or spiritual life. Worthington. 1 Peter 1:4.