Psalms 88

Verse 1. Ezrahite. Septuagint and so forth “Israelite,” as in the former psalm. The Jews think that Ethan or Eman lived during the Egyptian bondage. But this psalm was rather composed by one of the captives at Babylon who bewails the destruction of the kingdom of Juda, under Sedecias. After he had detailed the promises of God, (verse 39. Calmet.) David might write it in the person ( Bible.) of Ethan, or Idithun. 1 Chronicles 25 and 3 Kings. 4:31. Worthington.—Most of the Fathers explain it of Christ’s kingdom. See Psalms 131:11. Jeremiah 33:17. Calmet.—The sceptre or administration of affairs was to continue in the tribe of Juda till his coming, as it really did, though kings were not always at the head of the people. Bert.

Verse 2. The. Septuagint and Houbig. “Thy mercies, Lord.”—Truth. Notwithstanding our distress, I know thou wilt perform thy promises. Calmet.

Verse 3. For thou. Hebrew “I.” Yet S. Jerom agrees with the Septuagint (Bert.) though he is quoted by Calmet as conformable with Aquila, and so forth Dixi.—Heaven and earth shall pass away sooner than God’s word. Bible.—If we do not see how his promises are accompanied we must confess our ignorance, or throw the blame on the sins of the nation: but never call in question the divine mercy. Calmet.—Truth. I will perform what I have promised to thee. Menochius.—The apostles, represented by the heavens, have, by their preaching, established by the Church for ever. Worthington.—In them, is not in the Septuagint Saint Augustine and so forth Calmet.—Houbigant would remove Dixisti, “for thou,” and so forth to verse 4. Bible.

Sheol is the place of the dead.

Verse 4. Elect. Abraham, and the whole body of the people to whom the Messias had been promised. David was assured that he should spring from his family, verse 52. Calmet.

Verse 5. Generation. David’s posterity occupied the throne for a long time, ( Bible.) and subsisted till the coming of Christ; so that if any conqueror of that family had then appeared, the Jews would not have hesitated to admit, that this prediction was fulfilled. It is there misfortune to understand the text in this sense, whereas God spoke of the spiritual kingdom of his Son, which is to be perpetual. They can never answer the argument which the Fathers urged in the 4th century, and which has attained fresh strength from the longer duration of misery under which the royal family of David has been depressed. It is plain, that it has enjoyed no power from many ages, and as God’s word is invariable, He could not have promised an everlasting earthly dominion. Bert.—The temporal kingdom of David decayed at the captivity, and is now wholly destroyed. But Christ was of this family, and established the Church, his spiritual kingdom, which shall continue unto the end. Worthington.—His ministers exercise a power, which is founded on truth and justice. See 2 Kennicott. 7:9. Calmet.

Verse 6. Saints. These alone, ( Bible.) the heavens or angels, worthily proclaim thy praises. Bible.—Preachers announce the same in the Church, (Saint Augustine) “the communion of saints,” as none are found out of her society. Bible.

Verse 7. Sons. Angels ( Calmet.) to God the Son. None is like him. Saint Jerome—Lucifer fell by aiming at it. I will be like to the Most High. Isaiah 14:14.

Verse 8. About. God eclipses every created beauty. Bible.—The angels themselves tremble before him. Calmet.

Verse 9. Truth. He often praises this attribute, as if to excuse himself for asking, why God had debased the throne of David? Calmet.—God cannot be divested of this perfection. D.

Verse 10. Power. Hebrew “pride.” Thou canst raise a storm, or restore a calm. Calmet.

Verse 11. Proud one. Hebrew Rahab, Egypt or Pharao, Psalms 86:4. Isaiah 51:9. Calmet. He alludes to the plagues inflicted on the Egyptians, and so forth Worthington.

Verse 13. Sea. Hebrew “the right,” ( C). which here denotes the south, (Psalms 106:3. Menochius.) as Hermon may do the east, ( D.) with reference to Thabor, which lies to the west, though this seems unusual. Calmet. Bert.—The north, and so forth more probably refers to the limits of the promised land, from Libanus to the Indian or Mediterranean sea; and from Hermon, on the north-eastern part, to Thabor, on the west. Bible.—These two mountains were particularly fertile, and seemed to rejoice. Bert.—They “shall praise thy name,” ευφησουσι. Sym. Bible.

Verse 14. Might. Others can make no resistance with all their armies.

Verse 15. Preparation. Hebrew “basis.”—Face. Like guards. Menochius.—He extols the mercy, and still more the fidelity of God. Calmet.—Whether he punished, or reward, all tends to promote his glory, and is perfectly just. Worthington.

Verse 16. Jubilation. Hebrew “how to sound the trumpet,” which was the office of priests. They marched near the ark, as it were under the eyes of God. Calmet.—Those who consider, and adore the ways of Providence, are blessed, ( Worthington.) and secure. Menochius.

Verse 18. Horn. Power and kingdom. Worthington.—He speaks like a virtuous Levite, who acknowledges that all good came from the Lord. Bible.—He cannot speak of temporal blessings alone. Bert.