Psalms 87

Verse 1. Maheleth. A musical instrument, or chorus of musicians, to answer one another, ( Challoner.) in doleful music. Worthington.—See Psalms 41 and 52. Menochius.—Hebrew may imply, “on infirmity, (Mont.) or sorrow,” from ele. Bert.—The subject is very mournful, and relates to the captives, and to Christ’s suffering. Calmet.—Understanding. Or a psalm of instruction, composed by Eman, the Ezrahite, or by David, in his name. Challoner.—We read of Eman, a descendant of Juda by Zara, (1 Chronicles 2:6. Calmet.) and if he composed this piece, as the Jews and Lightfoot improbably suppose, it must be the most ancient ( Calmet.) writing extant. Bible.—There was a son of Joel, and a seer of king David, of the same name. 1 Chronicles 6:33 and 25:1. But they are not styled Ezrahites. This person was probably the brother of Ethan, the Ezrahite, who might be young under David, and a man of consummate wisdom under his successor. 3 Kennicott. 4:31. The psalm may express the sentiments of David, or of any other under tribulation, as well as those of Jesus Christ, (Bert.) who speaks herein, (Houbigant) and who expects that we should answer him by an imitation of his virtues. Saint Augustine Worthington.—The Ezrahite. Hebrew haezrachi. Bible.—Septuagint and so forth read incorrectly, “Israelite,” ( Calmet.) and some copies have “Aitham,” or Ethan, as in the following psalm, instead of Eman. Bible.

Verse 2. Thee. The psalm 21st is nearly similar to this. My prayer is continual. Calmet.

Verse 3. Prayer. It represented as a person prostrated before God. Homer (Iliad ix.) says, that “supplications are the daughters of Jupiter, lame … with the eyes downcast, and following after injuries,” which admirably shews the conditions requisite for prayer. Calmet.

Verse 4. Hell. The grave, or captivity. Calmet.—Our Saviour said, My soul is sorrowful unto death. David, Jeremias, or the captives, were not reduced to this extremity. Bert.

Rahab is a reference to Egypt.

Verse 5. Pit. Like a slave confined every night in prison. Exodus 12:29.

Verse 6. Free. Hebrew also “separated” from society. 4 Kennicott. 15:5 and 2 Chronicles 26:21. Calmet.—Christ, after enduring the greatest miseries was still free. He could resign his life, and take it up again. John 10:18. Bible.—The Fathers adopt this explanation, which is very striking. Calmet.—Hand. Thou actest as if thou hadst forgotten the corpse in the dust, till the time of the resurrection. Saint Augustine Bert.—In the mean while, those who formerly made such a noise in the world, are effaced from the book of life, or from God’s register. He is often represented as a great monarch, keeping an account of his troops. Calmet.—He cannot forget any of his creatures, (Bert.) though he may not restore them to life as yet. Menochius.—Christ possessed infinite power among the dead, ( Worthington.) who are free from the cares of this world. Menochius.

Verse 7. They. Hebrew “thou hast.”—Shadow. Hebrew “in the depths,” seem to have read a, v, and m, in those two places, which are now wanting. Houbig.—The Chal. has, the shadow of death, as well as the Vulg. All this regards Jesus Christ, though it may be applied to any in distress. Bert.—The wicked endeavour to kill the soul by sin, as well as the body. Worthington.—Great difficulties entangle the psalmist: Christ descends into hell. Menochius.