圣咏集

本章导言

PSALM C. (MISERICORDIAM & JUDICIUM.)

The prophet exhorteth all, by his example, to follow mercy and justice.

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Ver. 1. Himself. He describes the conduct which he was resolved to follow in ruling, (C.) or alluding to the pious king Josias. Theod. 4 K. xx. ii. The sentiments are not confined to rulers alone, (Bert.) though this psalm might be styled, "the mirror of princes." Muis. --- Mercy and judgment. The chief qualifications of a king. C. --- Whether I am treated with clemency or with rigour, I will praise thee. Chal. --- No one should presume, since there is judgment, nor despair, since mercy goes before. S. Jer. S. Aug. --- I will sing, and I will understand. Piety is one of the best means to acquire the intelligence of these heavenly hymns, and of the whole scripture. H. ---

We might translate the Heb. (C.) and Vulg. Mercy and judgment I will sing, to thee, Lord, will I sing psalms. H.

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Ver. 2. I will understand, &c. That is, I will apply my mind, I will do my endeavour, to know and to follow the perfect way of thy commandments: not trusting in my own strength, but relying on thy coming to me by thy grace. Ch.

--- I will watch over my conduct. --- When thou. So S.

Jer. and Houbigant read, though Sept. have "when wilt thou come to me?"

Bert. --- He is impatient of having the ark: but is well apprized that God will not dwell in a polluted soul, or in a wicked city: therefore he promises to remove such obstacles. --- I walked. Or "will walk." All the other verbs should be in the future; (C.) though that is of no consequence. Bert. --- David had studied to regulate his interior and his family before, as much as he did afterwards. H. ---

His fall was most likely (Bert.) subsequent to this event. 1 K. vi. 11. H. --- He acknowledges that he had done what he here mentions, by God's assistance.

W.

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Ver. 3. Thing. Or Heb. "word of Belial." I will neither suffer an evil word or action to pass without reproof. C.

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Ver. 4. Know. I looked upon them with such contempt, (Euseb.) or I highly disapproved of their conduct, (S. Aug.) and would have no society with them.

C. --- David was, in a manner, forced to tolerate Joab; but he shewed sufficiently his displeasure, and ordered his successor to punish him, as soon as it could be done with safety to the state. M.

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Ver. 5. Persecute. Or abhor (W.) with a perfect hatred. We must shew our displeasure if we hear detraction, (H.) that we may not partake in the crime. S.

Jer. --- The court is most likely to be infected with this vice, as people are continually endeavouring to supplant their rivals. C. ---

Secret thoughts of resentment must be stifled in their birth. Euseb. --- Heart.

Heb. "wide heart,"

which is sometimes taken in a good sense. 3 K. iv. 29. But here it denotes the ambitious and misers. Prov. xxviii. 25. C.

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Ver. 6. Faithful. A prince cannot do every thing himself. But he ought to make choice of the most virtuous and skilful ministers. C.

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Ver. 7. Prosper. Heb. "shall not be pleasing," (S. Jer. H.) or "maintain himself."

C.

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Ver. 8. Morning. Without delay, (W. Jer. xxi. 12. H.) and with a mind composed.

S. Isid. Pelus i. ep. 321. --- The Jews explain this of the judgment of zeal, by which a person might kill a notorious criminal, without any trail, (C.) in imitation of Phinees and Mattathias. 1 Mac. ii. 24.

H. --- God alone will punish all malefactors at the last day. S. Aug. --- The Fathers admonish us to resist temptations at the beginning. C.

Principiis obsta; sero medicina paratur

Cum mala per longas convaluere moras. Ovid.