Psalms 125

Verse 1. Sion. It cannot be doubted but this regards the captives of Babylon: but still David might compose it, as he was a prophet; and herein the redemption of mankind may also be described. Bert.—The captives pray for the return of the rest of their brethren. Calmet.—Comforted. Hebrew “dreaming.” Calmet.—They could hardly believe their own eyes, like Saint Peter. Acts 12:9. This extraordinary joy is felt by devout souls, when freed from sin. Worthington.—The Greek cities which the Romans declared free, could scarcely believe that they had understood the herald. Majus gaudium fuit, and so forth Livy xxxiii.—Thus were the Jews affected. Calmet. Psalms 13:2.—Chal. “we were like convalescents,” which comes nearer to the sense of the Septuagint Bert.

Verse 2. Shall. Or “did;” ( Calmet.) though the future is here well employed. Bert.—The prophet uses both tenses, shewing the certainty of the event. Worthington.—It would require some time before the Gentiles would become sufficiently acquainted with the concerns of the Jews. Bert.—As soon as they did, they expressed their admiration, while the former were careful not to imitate the conduct of those who murmured at leaving Egypt. Saint John Chrysostom

Verse 4. South. As the Egyptians hope for the overflowing of the Nile; (Hammond) or as the south wind melts the snow, so as to make the Jordan overflow its banks. Theod.—The return of our brethren will be as agreeable to us as water to a thirsty soil. Chal. Muis.—make them come quickly, and in great numbers. Isaiah 60:3 and 66:12. Calmet.—Esdras brought back some, and Nehemias others, from Babylon. Bert.—The ten tribes returned from Assyria later, and by degrees, ( Calmet. Diss.) if at all. Those who arrived first at Jerusalem pray for the rest. Bert.—The prophet foreseeing this event, desireth its perfect and speedy accomplishment, ( Worthington.) though it were scarcely to be expected, no more than ( Bible.) a copious torrent in the south. Worthington.

Verse 5. Joy. This was the case of the martyrs, and so forth (Lu. 6:21. John 16:20) as well as of the captives. Jeremiah 31:9. Isaiah 66:10. Baruch 5:6. Calmet.—Tribulation commonly attends the virtuous in this life. Their reward is reserved for the next. Saint Augustine Worthington.—Sowing, we know not whether we shall ever reap. Bible.—This is a sort of proverb, which is applied to the captives. Bert.