Psalms 22

Verse 1. David. This psalm most beautifully describes the consolation which the just find in God’s protection. Bible.—It may be applied to the Israelites in the desert, (Chal.) to David persecuted by Saul, or rather Calmet. settled quietly upon the throne, (Muis.) or to the Jews returned from Babylon. Saint Athanasius Calmet.—The Fathers explain it mystically of Jesus Christ, the Shepherd of our souls. Didymus, Saint Augustine and so forth The allegories of a shepherd and of a person giving a feast to his guests, are well supported. Calmet.—Ruleth, in Hebrew Is my shepherd; that is to feed, guide, and govern me. Challoner.—Septuagint ποιμαινει, pascit, as Saint Augustine and Saint Jerome read. Saint Gregory Thaumaturgus understands this of the angel guardian. Paneg. in Orig.—Jesus Christ conducts us into the pastures of his Church, and feeds us Worthington. with his own body, and so forth Calmet.—The saints never complain of want. Bert.

Verse 2. Place. Mont. “in the huts of grass, (or of young trees, germinis) he will make me lie down.” See Song of Songs 1:6. Ezekiel 34:15. Bible.—Shepherds were accustomed to conduct their flocks to shady places, during the heat of the day.—Refreshment. Hebrew “still waters,” like the pond of Siloe, (Isaiah 8:6) in opposition to the great streams of the Euphrates, and so forth The fathers understand it of baptism; (Saint John Chrysostom and so forth) or of the truths of salvation. Euseb. Calmet.—Baptism is the first justification. Worthington.

Verse 3. Converted. Prot. “restoreth my soul” ( Bible.) to her former tranquility, or bringeth me back from my wanderings. Bert.—Justice. Those who have received baptism, must observe the law of Christ, ( Worthington.) as all indeed are bound to do. Bible.—Sake. Not on account of man’s deserving ( Calmet.) by the force of nature. God must begin and carry on the work of our conversion, by his grace; with which we must co-operate. Bible.—The captives had been in the greatest distress among idolaters. They rejoice at the sight of the promised land, where they will fear no dangers. Calmet.

Verse 4. Walk. In the greatest temptations, we may resist by God’s grace. Worthington.—Midst. Hebrew “in the valley.” The greatest darkness, and the most horrible precipices, give no alarm to those who are under God’s protection.—Comforted me, as they have kept all enemies at a distance. The shepherd’s staff or crook is designed for that purpose; and though it may be used to bring back the wandering sheep by beating them, yet it is not under that idea an object of consolation, but rather of terror. Calmet.—The effects of timely correction are, however, comfortable; and it is a great mercy of God to chastise the sinner, lest he should run astray to his eternal ruin. Bible.—Some distinguish the rod from the staff, and say that the former is to punish, and the latter to support. Saint Jerome Muis.—We are generally too backward in having recourse to God in our distresses, though he invites us so pressingly. Isaiah 41:10, and so forth

Verse 5. Thou. Here the allegory of a shepherd seems less discernible, though it may allude to the provisions for winter; (Bert.) or rather it ceases, as feasts are made for men; ( Menochius.) and the second allegory of a guest here commences. Bible.—The enemy had reduced me to the greatest misery. Calmet.—But God has admitted me to his table. Menochius.—This may be explained of the sacred mysteries received in the Church, (Saint Ambrose) or of the Scriptures, which nourish our souls. Saint Jerome—No mention is made of the ancient sacrifices; and as this psalm must be understood in the spiritual sense, the prophet speaks of the blessed Eucharist, which imparts the unction of grace, and so forth The enemy strives to make us keep at a distance from it. Bert.—Christ has himself prepared this table (S. Cyp. ep. 63. Euthym.) against all spiritual adversaries.—Oil. Christians are also strengthened by the sacraments of confirmation, penance, holy orders, matrimony, and extreme unction. Worthington.—Three of these are administered with oil. Bible.—It was customary to anoint the head of guests with perfumes, (Matthew 26:6. Lu. 7:46) both among the Jews and Gentiles. But the Fathers explain this text of chrism, used in confirmation. Saint Athanasius Theod. Calmet.—Chalice. The blessed sacrament and sacrifice of Christ’s body and blood. Worthington.—Inebriateth. Hebrew “overflowing;” being constantly replenished (Song of Songs 7:2. Iliad iv.) with wine; as people are not inebriated with water. This term, however, only means to take as much as is requisite. Genesis 43:34. “Thy chalice inebriating me,” occurs in most copies of the Septuagint in Sixtus V. and so forth But the more correct editions of the Septuagint and all the Greek interpreters, (Saint Jerome ep. ad Sun.) agree with the Hebrew and Vulg.—How, and so forth is added by way of explanation; or rather, the Septuagint have taken two words from the following verse, ac tob, verumtamen bonum. Calmet.—Prot. “surely goodness and mercy,” and so forth Bible.—Theodotion and Sym. were not acquainted with this division, which seems less accurate, though the sense be much the same. Bert.

Verse 6. Follow me, like provisions from the king’s table. 2 Kennicott. 11:8. Calmet.—“The grace of God prevents the unwilling to make him willing; and it follows the person who is in good dispositions, that they may not be in vain.” Saint Augustine Ench. 32.—Prævenit per fidem, subsequitur in custodiendo mandata Dei. Saint Jerome Continual and final perseverance is a special grace of God. Worthington.—And that. Hebrew “and I shall.” The Vulg. expresses the effect of worthy participation of God’s table, which leads to a happy eternity. Bert.—This is particularly applicable to priests, both of the old and of the new law. Calmet.—Only those who remain in the house of God, in his church on earth, can expect felicity. Bible.—Days, in eternal life. Worthington.—David always desired to be near the ark, (Psalms 26 and 83. Menochius.) as the figure of heaven. Bible.

So Dead Sea Scrolls. Masoretic Text reads, “Like a lion, they pin my hands and feet.”