1 To thee have I lifted up my eyes, who dwellest in heaven.
Canticle. Heb. adds, "of David." H. --- Syriac also attributes to him, though Zorobabel, &c. might recite it at their return. It may also refer to the captives groaning under oppression, (C.) and to every Christian, who must live in expectation of a better country. S. Aug. Berthier. T. viii.
2 Behold as the eyes of the servants are on the hands of their masters, As the eyes of the handmaid are on the hands of her mistress: so are our eyes unto the Lord our God, until he have mercy on us.
Masters. Expecting liberty, or rather food; though it may also imply that they are ready to run at the first sign, which they observe with attention. Thus Menelaus had his eyes on Agamemnon. Homer. C. --- As servants, and particularly handmaids, are very attentive, and hope to receive sustenance, so we ought to pray with all earnestness to God for what is necessary. W. --- All must come from Him. --- Until. Or "waiting for his having mercy on us." We shall not cease to look up to Him afterwards. Bert. --- "Take care not to turn thine eyes away from mine." Terent. Adelph. ii. 1.
3 Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us: for we are greatly filled with contempt.
4 For our soul is greatly filled: we are a reproach to the rich, and contempt to the proud.
A reproach.
Heb. "with the reproach of those at ease," &c. (H.) or "let reproach fall upon," &c. We are treated with too much scorn. Lam. iii. 30. C. --- Yet God will not permit his friends to be overcome, but encourages them to hope for speedy redress, when their sufferings are great. W.
