Psalms 23:4

Verse 4. Heart, whose faith and intentions are pure, as well as their actions.—Vain, by neglecting good works, (Saint Jerome) or seeking after trifles; (Saint Augustine) or rather, according to the Hebrew “who hath not sworn in vain by his soul.” 2 Corinthians 1:23 and 1 Kennicott. 1:26. To take the name of God in vain, means to swear falsely. Calmet.—Prot. “who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity;” to swell with pride, ( Bible.) or to swear by idols. Pr. in disc.—To his, and so forth This is not in Hebrew but must be understood, ( Calmet.) as a person can only intend to deceive men. So Duport, who follows the Hebrew so exactly in his Greek psalms in verse, (Bert.) reads, “Nor sworn an oath, that men he might deceive.” Bible.—These two verses contain an abridgment of the gospel, and shew that something better than Mount Sion is understood. Hebrews 12:22. When we approach to the tabernacle, and to the sacred mysteries, we ought to put these terrible questions to ourselves. Bert.—We must carefully employ ourselves in good works, ( Worthington.) by which alone we can make our calling and election sure. 1 Peter 1:10. Bible.