Psalms

Introduction to the chapter

PSALM CXIV. (DILEXI.)

The prayer of a just man in affliction, with a lively confidence in God.

Psalms 114:1

Ver. 1. Alleluia occurs in Heb. at the end of the foregoing psalm, (H.) with which this and the following have an intimate connexion, alluding to the liberation of the captives. Hammond discovers some Chaldeisms, which confirms the supposition that it was composed about that time. C. --- Yet this does not deter Muis, &c. from ascribing the psalm to David, reigning in peace, (H.) though others think he alludes to some of his persecutions, and it certainly appears to be of the same nature with the 55th, which was written after his escape from Achis. C. --- The sentiments of our Saviour, or of his Church under persecution, (S. Aug.) or those of a saint entering into glory, are here expressed. S. Jerom. --- The faithful sigh after their heavenly country. Bert. ---

Christ speaks here as in the 21st psalm. Houbigant. --- Prayer. He always hears me, which prompts me to love. W. --- Because. Heb. ci maybe rendered

"therefore," as in the next psalm, v. 1. Lu. vii. 47. C.

Psalms 114:2

Ver. 2. Days. All my life. W. --- Faith, hope, and charity, (S. Aug.) as well as gratitude, are here commended. Bert. --- Love and confidence are necessary conditions of prayer; and increase the more it is employed. C.

Psalms 114:3

Ver. 3. Sorrows. Heb. "bands." --- Perils. Heb. "the straitness of the grave, (C.) the fortifications of hell." S. Jer. H. --- I am like one buried after the manner of the Egyptians, who bound up the dead, and laid them in small holes cut out of a rock. David uses similar expressions to denote the dangers to which he had been exposed, 1 K. xxi. 12. Ps. xvii. 6. C. --- They may be applicable to all the just. Bert. --- When I offended, death and hell, which are due to sin, threatened me unawares; affliction opened my eyes, and I thereupon prayed to thee. W.

Psalms 114:6

Ver. 6. Little ones. In their mother's womb, and infancy. S. Chrys. --- Heb. "the simple." Bert.

--- He delights to protect those who have no dependence on any other. C. ---

Humbled. Or afflicted, (W.) and "brought low." S. Jer.

Psalms 114:7

Ver. 7. Rest. The peace of the soul, which must precede eternal happiness. ---

Bountiful to. Heb.

"rewarded." The Chaldee termination i, occurs twice in this verse, whence some would prove that it was written after the captivity. This argument is weak, as such things have been observed in the books which were certainly written before. It would only follow, that Esdras might make such alterations, (Bert.) or they may be attributed to some negligent transcriber. H.

Psalms 114:8

Ver. 8. He. Heb. "thou hast." Yet S. Jerom and the Chal. read like the Vulg. Bert.

Psalms 114:9

Ver. 9. Living. In Judea, which is opposed to Babylon, the region of tears and of death, v. 8. Ps.

lv. 13. In a spiritual sense, the Fathers understand heaven, where the blessed cannot forfeit their felicity. C. --- I will strive to please God among the faithful, who live in grace and glory. W. ---

Christ here promises the propagation of the gospel. Houbig. 2 Cor. v. 8. Bert.

Introduction to the chapter

PSALM CXV. (CREDIDI.)

This, in the Hebrew, is joined with the foregoing psalm, and continues to express the faith and gratitude of the psalmist.

Psalms 115:1

Ver. 1. or Hebrew Psalm cxvi. Ver. 10. Alleluia is not in Heb. There seems no necessity to join this psalm with the preceding, as the subject is not so much alike as that of many others, which are distinct pieces. S. Paul quotes two passages in their literal sense, (Bert.) as applicable to all who thirst after a future life. It may relate also (H.) to the captives returning, (S. Chrys. C.) to Ezechias, (Ven. Bede) or to the Machabees. Theodoret. --- Exceedingly. We must not be deterred from professing our faith by any danger. S. Aug. 2 Cor. iv.

13. --- I never ceased to publish that I trusted entirely in thy promises, that we should be delivered (C.) in due time. H. --- I believed that God woud help me, and, as I ought to do, make profession of my faith, under the greatest tribulations. W. --- With the mouth confession is made unto salvation. H. --- I confess that there is a future world, (v. 9.) though I do not see it, but remain in distress. M.

Psalms 115:2

Ver. 2. or Hebrew Psalm cxvi. Ver. 11. Excess. Sept. "ecstacy." Enlightened from above. If he had spoken thus by his own spirit, any one might have replied, that no dependance could be placed in what he said. We are all liable to mistake. S. Jer. --- Many explain it of David's "flight"

before Absalom. Heb. "in my precipitation," (C.) or "astonishment." S. Jer. ---

Liar. Weak and inconstant of his own corrupt nature, (H.) though not always guilty of lying. C. --- S. Paul contrasts this natural weakness with the veracity of God, (Bert.) and the preaching of his apostles.

Rom. iii. 4. and 2 Cor. i. 17. H. --- In the midst of my afflictions, I professed that all man's help is vain, and I had recourse to God. W.

Psalms 115:3

Ver. 3. or Hebrew Psalm cxvi. Ver. 12. To me. I have deserved chastisement; how, therefore, shall I express my gratitude for God's innumerable benefits?

W.

Psalms 115:4

Ver. 4. or Hebrew Psalm cxvi. Ver. 13. Chalice. I will submit to any afflictions, (S. Aug.) seeing they procure such an ample reward. I will unite my sufferings with those of Jesus Christ, (H.) and accept the great benefit of his blood, shed for mankind. W. --- Chaldee seems to have had this in view, calicem redemptionis levabo mundo venturo, and Houbigant explains it of Christ, who prayed that the chalice might be taken from him, (Bert.) but presently resigned himself to God's will. It may also H. imply, the cup of thanksgiving, which was used in pacific sacrifices. Ps. xxi. 27. Our Saviour followed this custom, when he instituted the blessed Eucharist, as (C.) the Jews do on solemn occasions.

Leo. iii. 7. and ix. 2. The pagans had something very similar. Homer speaks of the "free bowl, or cup of liberty," (Iliad 2.) and Athenæus (i. 23. and ii. 2. and xv.

5.) of "the cup of Jupiter, the Saviour," in which, after tasting a little wine, water was mingled, with invocations of Jupiter, and all drank what they pleased. C.

--- The custom of drinking healths might originate in the same jovial humour.

H.

Psalms 115:5

Ver. 5. or Hebrew Psalm cxvi. Ver. 14. Pay. Heb. adds, "now or surely." Bert. ---

Vows.

Voluntarily, (W.) which I could not do at Babylon. Ps. lxv. 13. S. Aug. and the ancient psalters omit this, perhaps supposing it to be taken from v. 18.

Psalms 115:6

Ver. 6. or Hebrew Psalm cxvi. Ver. 15. Precious. I am ready even to make a sacrifice of my life, if God's glory should require it; for he esteems the death of the saints. W. Bert. --- He will not easily abandon them to destruction in this world, as the Heb. implies, (T. C.) though this meaning is not certain, nor verified by facts; the just being often slain by the wicked. Bert. ---

God rewards the sufferings of his servants; (C.) the psalmist will not therefore be deterred from paying his vows by the fear of death. M.

Psalms 115:7

Ver. 7. or Hebrew Psalm cxvi. Ver. 16. Handmaid. To be blessed, we must be in a state of grace, and children of the Church. W. --- Out of it, death itself endured for Christ would profit nothing, (S. Aug.) but only be "a punishment of perfidy." S. Cyp. --- No worship can please God, unless we be joined in communion with her, as the Fathers observe. Bert. --- The psalmist glories in being a servant of God for ever. C. --- Bonds. Of slavery, (C.) and sin. W. 1 Cor.

vii. 22.

Psalms 115:8

Ver. 8. or Hebrew Psalm cxvi. Ver. 17. Praise. Or thanksgiving. Ps. xxvi. 6. Lev.

vii. 12. C.

--- Lord. There is but one, as there is but one faith. Without the latter, it is in vain to call upon God. Eph. iv. 4. Bert. --- "Whosoever eats the lamb out of this house, (the Church) is profane."

S. Jer. ep. 57. ad Dam.