They cried to you, and were delivered. They trusted in you, and were not disappointed.
ExplanationCommentary
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.