Psalms 34

Verse 1. David. Some of the Greek copies add, “psalm,” and “unto the end.” It was composed during the persecutions of Saul, and so forth and is applied by the Fathers to Jesus Christ, who quotes verse 19, (John 15:25. Calmet.) and it seems to be in the same state with several others, which speak of his sufferings. Bert.—The expressions are very animated, and though vengeance was not so strictly forbidden under the old law, (Matthew 5:44) yet we may explain them as predictions. Theod.—David always evinces the greatest moderation, (Psalms 7:5) and treated even Saul with the utmost respect. What he says, therefore, was dictated by a sincere desire of their conversion, and that they might prevent eternal torments. Asterius. Calmet.—His name implies one “beloved,” and so forth inasmuch as he is a figure of Christ, the conqueror of death and hell. Saint Augustine Worthington.—Judge. Hebrew “plead.” I do not wish them to be condemned unheard. Calmet.—A vindictive person does not thus commit his cause to God. Jesus Christ was all mildness. But in the spiritual warfare, we may well address these words to God, (Bert.) who is often represented as a mighty warrior. Exodus 15:3. Calmet.

Psalm 34 is an acrostic poem, with each verse starting with a letter of the alphabet (ordered from Alef to Tav).

Verse 2. Arms. Hebrew magen, “buckler,” of a smaller size (1 Kennicott. 17:6, 7.) than the shield, (tsinna) which was used to cover the whole body. S. Jerom renders the latter word by hastam, “the spear.” Calmet.—But this text speaks of defensive weapons.

Verse 3. The way. This may be implied by the word conclude, which Houbigant rejects, observing that S. Jerom has præoccupa, (Bert.) as it is in the Par. ed. 1583. Bible.—But I fiind præcipita. Bert.—“Prevent” the designs, stop the passage, or “hurl my persecutors headlong.” Bible.—Take offensive weapons. He foretells the ruin of those who persecuted the Church. Worthington.—Salvation, though my enemies deny it. Psalms 3:2.

Verse 4. Let them. So most people render the Hebrew though it may be understood in the future, (Bert.) as Montanus translates. Bible.—Me. The wicked shall be confounded in the end, when the just shall triumph. Worthington.

Verse 5. Dust. Hebrew mots, small “chaff.” Psalms 1:4. Vatab.—Angel. The evil spirits are employed to punish the wicked, as good protect the just. Psalms 33:8. Some Fathers have supposed that every man was attended by a good and a bad angel. Hermes ii. Orig. xxxv. in Lu. Saint Gregory Nys. vit. Mos. Cassian viii. 17. and xiii. 12.—But the Church admits the power of the wicked spirits only against those who take part with them, or “as far as God allows them” (Saint Jerome) to tempt. The devil is like a dog chained down, which can bite none but those who come within its reach. Saint Augustine—Both good and bad angels are ministers of God’s justice. Bible.

Verse 6. Slippery. The systems of infidels, who deny a future existence are of this nature. If they were even true, the just would have lost nothing by pursuing a virtuous course. Bert.

Verse 7. Their. Lit. “the destruction of their net.” Bible.—Some would translate shachath, “the pit of,” and so forth But the Septuagint is preferable; and chapheru means the have “covered with shame,” as well as dug for my soul. Bert.—Pit ought to be removed to the latter part of the verse. Saul laid many falsehoods to the charge of David, ( Calmet.) and insidiously sought his ruin. Bible.

Verse 8. Fall. He foretells the destruction of Saul, and his own glory. Calmet.

Verse 9. Salvation. In the midst of troubles he is not devoid of hope, and after his deliverance he looks for eternal happiness. Worthington.

Verse 10. Lord. Some Latin copies repeated this, while others in the original passed over the word entirely. Saint Jerome ad. Sun.—Be thou my life whom I always seek.” Saint Augustine—Poor, in general, or David, who was supplied by Abimelech with food, 1 Kennicott. 21:3. Calmet.

Verse 11. Not. Accusing me of disloyalty, and so forth Flaminius.—We must not imagine that David was cited to the bar. This is admirably explained of Jesus Christ at the tribunal of Pilate, ( Calmet.) and of the high priests. Bible. Matthew 26.—God knows not what cannot be; ( Worthington.) and therefore Christ could not acknowledge what was falsely laid to his charge. Bible.—The martyrs, and so forth have often been exposed to the shafts of calumny. Bert.

Verse 12. Depriving, sterilitatem. Bible.—Hebrew denotes the condition of one who has lost a husband or father.—I had exposed my life for the welfare of the state, and of those who now seek my ruin. Calmet.—Yet David was not slain. This was verified in our Saviour. Worthington.—Septuagint have ατεκνιαν, “loss of children;” as Christ was abandoned by his disciples. Menochius.

Verse 13. To me. Hebrew also signify, “when they were sick,” which manifests a more heroic charity; though yet it is more natural to suppose that David would assume these robes of penance when he was under affliction, as S. Jerom intimates, cum infirmarer ab eis. Bert.—Our Saviour’s life was a continual penance, though he stood in no need of it for himself. Worthington.—David was aware that the best method of avoiding the attacks of his enemies, was to make God his friend, by sentiments of humility, and by penance. Saint Augustine Calmet.—Bosom. I shall reap the advantage from my prayer, if it be of no service to my enemies. Geneb. Lu. 10:6. Menochius.—May what I wish for my enemies fall to my own lot. I have prayed for them in secret and with the utmost fervour. Calmet.—I have repeatedly urged my request, (Houbig.) or I am confident my prayer will be of some service, at least to myself. Bert.

Verse 14. Please, complacebam, “treat lovingly.” Bible.—Vulg. follows the regimen of the Septuagint ευηρεστουν, which may govern an accusative case. Hebrew is plainer, I walked,” (Bert.) or “behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother.” Prot. Bible.—So. Septuagint seem to have explained am, “truly,” instead of mother; as the points would determine the Hebrew “like one who bewails his mother;” (Bert.) or, “like a mother mourning, I bowed down in grief.” Saint Jerome—An ancient Greek interpreter has, “like one mourning for a brother born of the same mother.” I felt the affliction of my enemies and sympathized with them, endeavouring to alleviate their distress as much as possible. Calmet.—Such was the conduct of David, the figure of the Messias; so that the expressions which seem too strong, must not be taken for imprecations. Bert.—Christ was the good Samaritan who relieved the wounded man. Luke 10. Worthington.—Saint Paul admonishes us to weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15. Menochius.

Verse 15. Against me. Hebrew “in my distress,” (Houbig.) or “infirmity.” Saint Jerome—Thus was my kind attention repaid. Bible.—My enemies became only the more insolent, and stood beside me, to shew their contempt. Calmet.—Scourges. Hebrew also, “vile men.” Mont. Bible.—The Rom. psalters have “and they were ignorant,” ignoraverunt. Calmet.—David could not think that he had given any offence: much less had our Saviour. Bible.—He knew no just cause why the Jews persecuted him, as they were actuated by malice. Worthington.—David knew not personally those who afflicted him. Menochius.

Verse 16. Separated, and could not agree in their testimonies. This may be one meaning of charak, as it has several. Bert.—“They did tear me, and ceased not, (16) with hypercritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed,” and so forth Prot. Bible.—Many of their attempts have been frustrated by thy Providence, yet they do not enter into themselves. Theod.

Verse 17. One. Septuagint “daughter.” Aquila, “solitary,” μοναχην. Prot. “darling,” or my soul which is so desolate. Psalms 21:21. Bible.—So Christ said, Why hast thou abandoned me? (Matthew 27) not affording me such consolation as other saints enjoy in their agony. Worthington.

Verse 18. Strong, gravi. Hebrew hatsum, numerous, (1 Maccabees 1:1. Menochius.) and “weighty,” ( Bible.) which is the consequence of great numbers, (Bert.) and of virtue. Saint Augustine understands the Church, which is not carried away like chaff before the wind. Amama dislike this. Bible.—The resurrection is foretold, (verse 17) and here the Catholic Church is signified. Worthington.

Verse 19. Wrongfully. Hebrew “liars,” (Saint Jerome Bible.) alluding to Saul, and so forth Calmet. Christ explains this of himself. John 15. Worthington.—Who. Some supply a negation. Bert.—“Neither let them wink with the eye who.” Prot. This sign might indicate friendship, or evil machinations. Proverbs 6:13 and 10:10. Calmet.—“They pretended by their looks what they did not entertain in their hearts.” Saint Augustine Menochius.

Verse 20. Spoke. Hebrew adds lo, “not.” But it may be better explained as an interrogation. “Have they not spoken?” and so forth as the enemies used deceit. Houbig. Bert.—Earth. This word is omitted in the Septuagint Rom. Saint Augustine and so forth But Theodoret reads it, and it is in all the other Greek interpreters, and in the Arab. and Syriac. Calmet.—Hebrew “they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet (righe, divided, and so forth) in the land.” Prot. or “in the plunder of the earth they devise deceit.” Saint Jerome Bible.—They appear friendly, but when alone they talk to the earth, like people in deep study and full of passion. Calmet.—This terrestrial anger is the source of much evil. Bert.—The Jews and Herodians said, Master, and so forth designing to inveigle our Saviour. Matthew 21. The priests and Pharisees also accused him boldly, and instigated the people to demand his crucifixion. Worthington.—They were split into parties, and invaded those who were the reverse of passionate. Menochius.

Verse 21. Done, euge. Hebrew heach. Bible.—This term occurs ten times in Scripture, and here denotes the joy felt in the destruction of an enemy. Thus the Jews insulted over Christ expiring on the cross. Bert.—Seen. No farther reserve is necessary: he is fallen, or we have accused him of nothing but what we have seen. Calmet.

Verse 22. Silent. I have chosen thee for my judge and protector. Calmet.—Pronounce sentence if they be in the right; and if not, rescue me from their fury. Bible.