Psaumes

Introduction au chapitre

PSALM CXXV. (IN CONVERTENDO.)

The people of God rejoice at their delivery from captivity.

Psaumes 125:1

Ver. 1. Sion. It cannot be doubted but this regards the captives of Babylon: but still David might compose it, as he was a prophet; and herein the redemption of mankind may also be described.

Bert. --- The captives pray for the return of the rest of their brethren. C. ---

Comforted. Heb.

"dreaming." C. --- They could hardly believe their own eyes, like S. Peter. Acts xii. 9. This extraordinary joy is felt by devout souls, when freed from sin. W. ---

The Greek cities which the Romans declared free, could scarcely believe that they had understood the herald. Majus gaudium fuit, &c. Livy xxxiii. --- Thus were the Jews affected. C. Ps. xiii. 2. --- Chal. "we were like convalescents,"

which comes nearer to the sense of the Sept. Bert.

Psaumes 125:2

Ver. 2. Shall. Or "did;" (C.) though the future is here well employed. Bert. ---

The prophet uses both tenses, shewing the certainty of the event. W. --- It would require some time before the Gentiles would become sufficiently acquainted with the concerns of the Jews. Bert. --- As soon as they did, they expressed their admiration, while the former were careful not to imitate the conduct of those who murmured at leaving Egypt. S. Chrys.

Psaumes 125:4

Ver. 4. South. As the Egyptians hope for the overflowing of the Nile; (Hammond) or as the south wind melts the snow, so as to make the Jordan overflow its banks. Theod. --- The return of our brethren will be as agreeable to us as water to a thirsty soil. Chal. Muis. --- make them come quickly, and in great numbers. Is. lx. 3. and lxvi. 12. C. --- Esdras brought back some, and Nehemias others, from Babylon. Bert. --- The ten tribes returned from Assyria later, and by degrees, (C. Diss.) if at all. Those who arrived first at Jerusalem pray for the rest. Bert. --- The prophet foreseeing this event, desireth its perfect and speedy accomplishment, (W.) though it were scarcely to be expected, no more than (H.) a copious torrent in the south. W.

Psaumes 125:5

Ver. 5. Joy. This was the case of the martyrs, &c. (Lu. vi. 21. Jo. xvi. 20.) as well as of the captives. Jer. xxxi. 9. Is. lxvi. 10. Bar. v. 6. C. --- Tribulation commonly attends the virtuous in this life. Their reward is reserved for the next. S. Aug.

W. --- Sowing, we know not whether we shall ever reap. H. --- This is a sort of proverb, which is applied to the captives. Bert.

Psaumes 125:6

Ver. 6. They. Heb. "he," which must be taken distributively for all. Bert.