Psalms 85

Verse 1. David. He might compose this psalm under any affliction, though prayer is always necessary (Bert.) for any person. Worthington.—Others apply it to Ezechias, (Theodoret) the captives, or the Church. Calmet.—Jesus Christ prays during his passion, and foretells his resurrection, and the vocation of the Gentiles. Saint Augustine—Needy. Hebrew “mild or afflicted.” Humility is requisite to pray well, as those who think themselves rich, ask not with fervour. Calmet.—God “inclines his ear if thou dost not lift up thy neck.” Saint Augustine

Verse 2. I am holy. I am by my office and profession dedicated to thy service, ( Challoner.) as a Levite, ( Calmet.) or a member of the true Church. Bible.—He may also speak in the person of Christ, who prays for us and in us. D.—Syr. and Arab. read, “thou art good.” Calmet.—Our necessities, firm purposes of leading a virtuous life, and confidence in God, move him to shew mercy. Worthington.

Verse 4. Soul. I ardently desire to serve in thy temple. Jeremiah 22:27. A holy importunity, (Lu. 18:2. Tert. Apol. 39. Calmet.) and fervour in prayer, ( Bible.) with perseverance, attention, and a sense of God’s infinite perfections, are requisite. Worthington.

Verse 7. Heard me. This gives me confidence that thou wilt do it again. Bible.—Thou art not like senseless idols. Calmet.

Verse 8. Gods, which have been set up by men; or among angels, and so forth ( Calmet.) capable of working miracles by an independent power. Bible.

Verse 9. Name. This was partly verified after the captivity, and fully when the gospel was preached. Calmet.—The Gentiles came by faith, and glorified God by good works. Matthew 5:17. Worthington.

Verse 10. Alone. Septuagint Vat. Arab. and so forth add, “the great.” Calmet. Acts 17:24.

Verse 11. Truth. Let me see the justice of thy conduct in suffering the wicked to prosper, (Psalms 72:17) or let me invariably observe thy holy law, which alone can give me true content.—Rejoice. Hebrew, as we read at present, “likewise fear,” ( Calmet.) “unite,” (Mont.) or “let my heart be one,” solitary, disengaged from all, unicum, (Saint Jerome) “to fear,” and so forth Calmet.—This sense is very good. But yached, means also rejoice. Bert.—Our joy must be mixed with fear. D.

Verse 13. Hell of the damned, ( Worthington.) according to the Fathers: or out of captivity and dangers. Bert.—If it be understood of Christ, it must refer to limbo. Bell. Menochius.—It seems equivalent to the lower pit. Psalms 87:7. Bible.—The Jews admit seven regions in hell, (Geneb.) and our theologians four: 1. Of the damned; 2. of unbaptized infants; 3. of purgatory; and 4. of the saints in Abraham’s bosom. Saint Augustine mentions the first and last here: but he speaks clearly of purgatory in other places. De Gen. con. Manch. ii. 17. in Ps. vi. Calmet.—David was rescued from the most imminent dangers, and Christ came out of limbo, (Psalms 15:10. D.) by his own power. Bible.