المزامير

مقدمة الأصحاح

PSALM CXXXV. (CONFITEMINI DOMINO.)

God is to be praised for his wonderful works.

المزامير 135:1

Ver. 1. Alleluia, in Heb. is at the end of the last psalm. H. --- It is omitted entirely in S. Aug. &c.

Origen thinks that the captives sung this psalm at their return, as it greatly resembles the 106th, 134th, &c. C. --- We read, (2 Par. vii. 6.) the priests stood in their offices, and the Levites, with the instruments of music of the Lord, which king David made to praise the Lord, "because his mercy endureth for ever," &c. This chorus is found only in this psalm, which seems therefore to have been sung at the dedication of the temple. Bert. --- The first part of the verse was sung by the priests, or cantors, (H.) and the second was repeated perhaps by the people, (C.) or by other musicians, as we now answer at the litanies, and often repeat the Rosary, Glory, &c. (W.) which surely may be done without any superstition, though Leigh, in his Battologeo, and Casaubon (Exer.

14.) be pleased to ridicule the Jesus psalter, on this account. --- Praise. Lit.

"confess" (H.) your sins, and praise God. S. Hil. --- For ever. Or is unbounded.

His heart overflows at this thought. Bert.

المزامير 135:2

Ver. 2. Gods. Angels, kings, (Theod.) or idols. S. Aug. --- God is over all. C.

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Ver. 3. Lord. By these three repetitions the blessed Trinity is insinuated, (W.) as some of the Fathers have remarked, though the argument is not convincing.

Bert.

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Ver. 4. Wonders. If saints or others work miracles, it is only by God's permission. Theod. ---

None can do any thing against his will. H. --- Only He can perform true miracles, above the course of nature. W. --- They prove the divinity. C.

المزامير 135:5

Ver. 5. Understanding. Or Son, who is the uncreated Wisdom, (S. Aug.) or to lead us to the knowledge of him. All has been made by the divine power and wisdom. Cajetan, &c. would assert the heavens to be intelligent, or governed by angels. Gen. i. 14. Orig. Prin. 1. &c. --- But this opinion is generally rejected.

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Ver. 6. Waters. On which it was supposed to rest like a vessel. C.

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Ver. 7. Lights. The stars, (S. Jer.) or the sun and moon. v. 8. Gen. i. 16. C. --- All are great lights, though the moon be comparatively small. Bert.

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Ver. 10. First-born. Justice was exercised on them, and mercy on Israel. C.

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Ver. 13. Parts. Two, not twelve, as the Rabbins pretend, (Bert.) and as Origen,

&c. seem to allow. Ex. xiv. 22.

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Ver. 16. Desert. This was very astonishing, as they were not incommoded by the heat, or destitute of food and clothes for forty years, (C.) except when God tried them for their improvement, or for their sins.

المزامير 135:23

Ver. 23. Affliction. Lit. "humility," (H.) when we entered into ourselves under the judges, or during the captivity. C.

المزامير 135:25

Ver. 25. Food. Heb. "bread," which denotes all sorts of eatables. Bert. --- The particular and general favours of God proceed from his mercy. W.

المزامير 135:27

Ver. 27. Give, &c. This verse is marked as superfluous in the most correct psalters, being a repetition of v. 3. and unknown to the Heb. Sept. &c. though it is found in the Arab. S. Aug. C.