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Psalms · WEB-C

Psalms

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For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A poem by David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave. Be merciful to me, God, be merciful to me, for my soul takes refuge in you. Yes, in the shadow of your wings, I will take refuge, until disaster has passed. See also: Psalms 91:4 Psalms 17:7-8 Psalms 36:7I cry out to God Most High, to God who accomplishes my requests for me. See also: Psalms 138:8 Philippians 1:6 Hebrews 13:21He will send from heaven, and save me, he rebukes the one who is pursuing me. Selah. God will send out his loving kindness and his truth. See also: Psalms 40:11 Psalms 43:3 Psalms 144:5-7My soul is among lions. I lie among those who are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword. See also: Psalms 58:6 Proverbs 30:14 Psalms 35:17Be exalted, God, above the heavens! Let your glory be above all the earth! See also: Habakkuk 2:14 Isaiah 6:3 Psalms 72:19They have prepared a net for my steps. My soul is bowed down. They dig a pit before me. They fall into the middle of it themselves. Selah. See also: Psalms 145:14 Proverbs 28:10 Psalms 7:15-16My heart is steadfast, God. My heart is steadfast. I will sing, yes, I will sing praises. See also: Psalms 112:7 Ephesians 5:20 Psalms 34:4Wake up, my glory! Wake up, lute and harp! I will wake up the dawn. See also: Psalms 16:9 Psalms 30:12 Psalms 108:1-3I will give thanks to you, Lord, among the peoples. I will sing praises to you among the nations. See also: Psalms 22:22-23 Psalms 96:3 Romans 15:9For your great loving kindness reaches to the heavens, and your truth to the skies. See also: Psalms 108:4 Psalms 36:5 Psalms 103:11Be exalted, God, above the heavens. Let your glory be over all the earth. See also: Psalms 57:5 Psalms 8:1 Revelation 15:3-4

See also: Cross references from OpenBible.info (CC BY), derived in part from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (public domain).

Notes · Haydock (1859, public domain)10 notes

Notes in English 19th-century Catholic commentary by Fr. George Leo Haydock, shown as published.
Douay-Rheims numbering: Psalm 56

These notes keep the polemics of their time: some speak harshly of the Jewish people or of other Christians. The Church teaches otherwise today. The Jewish people may not be blamed for the death of Christ (Nostra Aetate 4; Catechism 597–598), and Christians of other communities are our brothers and sisters in the Lord (Unitatis Redintegratio 3). Christian unity

Introduction to the chapter

PSALM LVI. (MISERERE MEI DEUS.)

The prophet prays in his affliction, and praises God for his delivery.

Psalms 56:1

Ver. 1. Destroy not. Suffer me not to be destroyed, (Ch. M.) or I will not allow my men to destroy an implacable foe, (H.) as they entreat me to do. This conduct is worthy of eternal memory. W. --- The words may also be an admonition to the reader, not to alter this piece. Apoc.

xxii. 18. C. --- All tashcheth, (or thosseth. H.) is supposed to be an instrument, or a favourite song, such as that of Moses, (Deut. ix. 26.) which begins thus.

But the point is uncertain. The same words occur, Psalm lviii. lix. (Bert.) and lxxiv. They are put in the mouth of Christ suffering, by S. Hilary, &c. --- Cave of Odollam, or rather of Engaddi. C.

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Psalms 56:2

Ver. 2. In thee. This obliges God to take pity. Ps. xlvi. 11. --- Wings, as a chicken retires to the hen. Ruth ii. 12. Matt. xxiii. 37.

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Psalms 56:4

Ver. 4. Sent his mercy, &c. (C.) above the power of man. W. --- Reproach. Saul was forced to entreat David to preserve his family, as he had just spared his own life; which would, no doubt, mortify his pride, (1 K. xxiv. 18. 22. C.) and seem a reproach to him. W.

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Psalms 56:5

Ver. 5. Lions. Poetry gives life to all things. It represents mercy and truth as God's messengers; and Saul as a young lion. He might have entered the cave with his men, and destroyed David: but Providence caused him to enter alone, so that David had an opportunity to cut off the hem of his garment, and to shew his clemency. --- Sword. Thus were the Jews armed, to demand Christ's death. Euseb. C. --- The persecutors use artificial weapons, and excite one another to fury. 1 K.

xxii. 16. W.

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Psalms 56:7

Ver. 7. Down. Heb. "my soul was bowed down," (Bert.) or "to bow down my soul." S. Jer. H.

--- Saul strove many ways to destroy his rival, sending him to fight the Philistines, who, nevertheless, proved the ruin of Saul. 1 K. xviii. 17. and xxxi.

1. W.

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Psalms 56:8

Ver. 8. My. This and the following verses, from the 107th psalm. C.

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Psalms 56:9

Ver. 9. Glory. Soul, tongue, or rather instruments of music, (C.) and spirit of prophecy. S.

Athan.

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Psalms 56:10

Ver. 10. Nations. the psalms are now recited, (W.) in every language, and the wonders wrought by Christ are proclaimed. C.

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Psalms 56:11

Ver. 11. Clouds. They are exceedingly great. H. --- Christ has mounted to the highest heavens, and his apostles have preached (C.) his saving truths, which, like clouds, render the earth fruitful in good works. H.

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Psalms 56:12

Ver. 12. Earth. It is just thy mercy should be extolled. M. v. 6.

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License: Notes by Fr. George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), from the Douay-Rheims Bible with Haydock's commentary (first ed. Thomas Haydock, Manchester/Dublin, 1811–1814; New York: Edward Dunigan & Brother, 1859); New Testament notes compiled with Fr. Benedict Rayment. Public domain. Digital text: "The Haydock Bible", Internet Archive (archive.org/details/TheHaydockBible), uploaded 2011 under the Public Domain Mark. · Credits and licenses

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