Psalms 80

Verse 1. For the wine-presses, and so forth torcularibus. It either signifies a musical instrument, or that this psalm was to be sung at the feast of the tabernacles after the gathering in of the vintage, ( Challoner.) or on the feast of trumpets, on the 1st of Tisri. Leviticus 23:24. Euseb. Pin. Calmet. See Psalms 8.—From the grape some good wine is extracted, and the rest is thrown away: so in this psalm we find the just rejoice, while the wicked complain, during the persecutions of the Church. Saint Augustine—Some Latin copies add, “on the 5th day of the week;” and Genebrard supposes that these additions are owing to the Jewish traditions, ( Calmet.) as they might sing this psalm on Thursday. Bible.—We need not attempt to ascribe this piece to any particular time, though some have thought that it regards the captives, the translation of the ark, or the vocation of the Gentiles, and so forth Calmet.—It is very beautiful. Bert.

Verse 4. New moon of Tisri. Leviticus 23:24.—Noted. Hebrew “in the obscure, in the day of our solemnity.” Calmet.—Prot. “in the time appointed, on our solemn feast-day.” Cose may denote “obscure or appointed;” (Saint Jerome) “in the middle of the month;” ( Bible.) which alludes to the feast of tabernacles, when the Jews dwelt under the shade of tents, made of branches. This was esteemed “the most holy and greatest” of their festivals. Joseph. viii. 2. Numbers 29:12. Proverbs 7:20. Calmet.—It may also be explained of the new moon of Tisri, ( Menochius.) when the people were admonished of the beginning of the civil year, or of the three great festivals to be then celebrated, perhaps Bible. in memory of the world’s creation, at that season. Bert.—How carefully ought we not, therefore, to celebrate the Christian holidays, which are instituted to excite our gratitude for greater benefits! Bible.—The days of the new moons (Numbers 28:11) were consecrated, to acknowledge God’s constant providence; and that of Tisri in particular, (ib. Calmet. 29:1) to thank him for the preservation of Isaac. Genesis 22:18. Worthington.—But the Lord’s day reminds us not only of the world’s creation, but also of its redemption, and so forth Romans 4:25. Bert.

Verse 5. Jacob. It is a duty which we owe to God, in obedience to his command. Hebrew may be, ( Bible.) “a decree for the princes (gods) of Jacob.” Calmet.—Prot. “a law of,” and so forth

Verse 6. Joseph. Who represents all the family of Israel, as he took care of it. Calmet. Psalms 79:2. Worthington.—Not. The Israelites heard the voice of God at Sinai, (Saint Jerome and so forth Calmet.) and for the last time, where forced to hear the insults of the Egyptians at their heels; ( Bible.) whose language was barbarous to them, (Psalms 113:1. Menochius.) and not well understood by all, as they had very little society together. Joseph spoke to his brethren by an interpreter. Bible.—Some explain this of Joseph himself, when he first came into Egypt, (Chal. Bos.) or of the Israelites, at their arrival there. Vat.—But this agrees not with the Vulg. or Hebrew ( Bible.) the latter of which is very confused and incorrect, though it be adopted ( Calmet.) by S. Jerom: “I heard a tongue which I knew not, I withdrew,” and so forth ( Bible.) or, making a small alteration, “God hast established this festival in Joseph, when He appeared in the land of Egypt to rescue his people: then said the Lord, I made him hear a language which he knew not, that I was the protector of my people, I will remove,” and so forth Calmet.—The authors of the Pin. disc. take this liberty, which would make the sense pretty clear. But the Hebrew means, “I heard,” and so forth Some not being able to understand this, have substituted, “He heard,” with the German version. Bert.—The ancient Greek interpreters seem to have read the same, as no variation is noticed. Calmet.—If, however, we must explain the Hebrew of S. Jerom, we must suppose that, “I knew not, means I condemned, as it often does; and God certainly reprobated the harsh language of the Egyptian task-masters, and came to deliver his people from oppression. Exodus 2:25 and 3:8 and 5:14. Bible.

Verse 7. Baskets. Hebrew “brazen.” Mont.—“His hands shall pass from the pots.” Prot.—Dud, means also, “basket.” Bible.—The Hebrews were thus forced to carry mortar, ( Menochius.) straw, and so forth Worthington.

Verse 8. In the secret place of tempest. Hebrew of thunder. When thou soughtest to hide thyself from the tempest: or, when I came down to Mount Sinai, hidden from the eyes in a storm of thunder; ( Challoner. Exodus 19:16) or when I afflicted Egypt, (ib. 9:23) and Pharao’s army. Psalms 76:19.—Contradiction, at Mara, or rather at Cades, where Moses betrayed some distrust. Exodus 25:24. and Numbers 20:12. Calmet.—After so many benefits, they still contradicted God, and would not serve him. Worthington.

Verse 9. Testify. Instruct, or call heaven to witness our covenant. Calmet.—Man has free will, and may choose whether he will obey or not. Worthington.

Verse 10. New God. Who must of course be false. Bible.—Hebrew “strange.” Exodus 20:2. Jeremiah 23:23. Calmet.—An express law on this head was a great benefit, ( Worthington.) as most people had gone astray. Bible.

Verse 11. Fill it. I will grant all thy just requests, if thou be faithful. Euseb. Calmet. Worthington.—God uses the title of Jehovah, “the Eternal self-existent Being.” Bert.

Verse 13. Inventions. Ancient psalters read, “wills.” This is the greatest ( Calmet.) of God’s judgments. Romans 1:24. Menochius.—He sometimes permits a person to go on, that he may be disgusted with sin. Ut saturati vitiis vel sic agant pœnitentiam. Saint Jerome—We ought all to dread this root of bitterness, (Hebrews 12:15) which may cause us to resist God’s grace, and to be abandoned by him, as the Israelites seemed to be, before their ruin came on. Bert.

Verse 15. Soon. Forsitan, “perhaps,” ( Bible.) does not here imply a doubt, ( Menochius.) but rather the ease and liberty ( Worthington.) with which God could have rescued his people (Heb.) “in a moment.” Calmet. Bert.

Verse 16. Enemies. The faithless Israelites, ( Calmet.) or infidel nations. Bos. and so forth—Ever. Impenitent sinners shall suffer for ever. Challoner.—The Jews will scarcely be converted at last. Menochius.—For a long time God bore with their infidelities, and heaped favours upon them. Bible.

Verse 17. And. Or “though.” This increases their ingratitude.—Filled. Hebrew “I will fill thee;” which reading few admit. S. Jerom agrees with us. Bert.—Prot. (16.) “the haters of the Lord should have submitted (marginal note, lied) to him; but their time should have endured for ever. (17) He should have fed them, (v rather signifies “him,” Bible.) also with the finest of wheat, and with honey out of the rock, should I have satisfied thee.” This sudden change seems rather abrupt, though God may have spoken either in the first or third person, from verse 6 Bible.—Rock. He fed them in the desert with manna, and the water seemed most delicious, as they were thirsty; unless he speaks of real honey. Menochius.—The promised land was very fruitful; but all this prefigured the favours which God bestows upon his servants, in the blessed Eucharist, 1 Corinthians 10:4. Calmet.—How many, like Judas, partake of them, and prove faithless! Saint Augustine