Hear us, Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock, you who sit above the cherubim, shine out.
ExplanationCommentary
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.