Psalms 142

Verse 1. Absalom is not specified in Rom. Septuagint and so forth ( Calmet.) though it be in other copies. Bible.—The latter part of the title has been added by the Greeks. S. Hil.—If David composed the psalm, on occasion of his son’s revolt, he considered it as a punishment of his former transgression. The Fathers explain it of Jesus Christ, who suffered for our sins. Bert.—It might also relate to the captives, (Ferrand) or to the same event as the preceding psalm, (Bossuet) though there is no reason for abandoning the title. Calmet.—Justice. Or mercy. Saint John Chrysostom—Absalom had no just cause of complaint, ( Bible.) and God had promised to protect David on the throne.

Verse 2. Justified. Compared with thee, ( Calmet.) and without mercy. God is bound by his promise to hear the penitent. Worthington.—David and Saint Paul had been assured of the remission of their sins, yet never ceased to beg for pardon. Bert.

Verse 3. Of old. Lit. “of an age,” ( Bible.) who are quite forgotten. Lamentations 3:6. Calmet.—The devil had violently tempted me, by means of temporal and spiritual calamities. Worthington.—The greatest darkness is that of the heart. Ephes. 4:17. Bible.

Verse 4. Troubled. David knew not what course to take. 1 Kennicott. 15:25. 31. Our Saviour was in the greatest agony. Calmet.

Verse 5. Of old. What God had done formerly for me and others. Worthington.—The sacred records of 3,000 years tended to raise the hopes of David. Bert.

Verse 6. Water. We can add nothing to this idea. Calmet.—Man can do no good without God’s grace, which David implores with his hands stretched out, both to mortify himself, and to denote fervour. Worthington.

Verse 7. Pit. Or “lake,” meaning ( Bible.) the grave. Calmet.—If man be left to himself, he will presently yield to sin, from which he will not be delivered without God’s grace.