| Douay RheimsDouay-Rheims Bible -- The New Testament was published at Rheims (1582), the Old Testament at Douay (1609). The Douay Rheims served as the main English bible for the Catholic world for centuries. Bishop Challoner updated it extensively mid-18th century. Biblical scholar Rev. George Haydock compiled a Catholic commentary mid-19th century. This text set is from an approved 1914 U.S. printing. | Haydock CommentaryHaydock Catholic Bible Commentary - based on the Douay-Rheims Bible; originally compiled by Catholic priest and biblical scholar Rev. George Leo Haydock (1774-1849). |
| 1 Unto the end, for her that obtaineth the inheritance. A psalm of David. | For her that obtaineth the inheritance. That is, for the Church of Christ, (Ch.) and every faithful soul, which gains the victory and heaven. W. --- Nechiloth, may also, (H.) signify musical instruments with holes, or "women dancing," on religious and joyful occasions, as they did when the ark was removed, &c. 2 K. vi. 12. C. Ps. lxvii. 26. --- We may (H.) as well follow the Vulg. and S. Jerom. Some have supposed that David alludes to Saul, Absalom, &c. But in most of the psalms, the wicked in general are reprobated, and the sentiments of the faithful expressed. This psalm contains an excellent from of morning prayer, as an armour against all our spiritual enemies. Berthier.
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| 2 Give ear, O Lord, to my words, understand my cry. | Cry. Heb. "meditation." M. --- The cry of the heart, (S. Chrys.) and "the groans," which the spirit forms within us. Rom. viii. 26. God cannot reject such prayers. If he seems inattentive, it is because we ask amiss. Jam. iv. 3. C. --- He attends to the prayers of the Church, and of every faithful soul, (W.) and even exhorts sinners to come to him, that they may emerge from the abyss. H.
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| 3 Hearken to the voice of my prayer, O my King and my God. | |
| 4 For to thee will I pray: O Lord, in the morning thou shalt hear my voice. | Morning. This hour of prayer is also specified, (Ps. lxii. 1. and cxviii. 147.) as that of the evening is. Ps. iv. 9, and liv. 19. We read also of noon being a time for prayer among the Jews. Acts x. 9. Daniel (vi. 10.) diligently observed these holy customs. C.
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| 5 In the morning I will stand before thee, and will see: because thou art not a God that willest iniquity. | Stand. Heb. implies "in order," as those who neglect prayer must be all in confusion. God enables those who are diligent, to see wonderful things. Bert. --- Iniquity. No: he has it in abhorrence; (C.) consequently he cannot be the author of it, but hates those who commit evil, though he loves them as his creatures, and wishes their conversion. W. --- On this subject I will meditate. M.
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| 6 Neither shall the wicked dwell near thee: nor shall the unjust abide before thy eyes. | Eyes. God suffers them to remain for a time. S. Jer.
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| 7 Thou hatest all the workers of iniquity: Thou wilt destroy all that speak a lie. The bloody and the deceitful man the Lord will abhor. | Workers, ( operantur ) "who work," (H.) and die impenitent. --- Lie. All heretics, who kill their own and neighbours' souls, (S. Jer.) and in general all seducers, (C.) who will be treated like those who have committed murder. Euseb. Cæsar.
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| 8 But as for me in the multitude of thy mercy, I will come into thy house; I will worship towards thy holy temple, in thy fear. | Mercy, not trusting in my own merit, (H.) but with the greatest awe. C. --- The just trust in mercy, not in man's power. --- Temple, the Church, and in God's presence. W. --- Some would infer hence that David was not the author of this psalm. But the tabernacle is called by the same name; (1 K. i. 7, 24, and iii. 3.) so that this reason is not sufficient. C.
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| 9 Conduct me, O Lord, in thy justice: because of my enemies, direct my way in thy sight. | Enemies. Heb. "observers." They are always on the watch to discover any fault. Grant me thy preventing grace. Bert. --- Let me not stumble, (H.) but cause me to walk cheerfully in thy paths. C. --- If thou approve, it matters not how much worldlings blame me. S. Aug.
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| 10 For there is no truth in their mouth; their heart is vain. | Their. Heb. "his." But it is incorrect. Houb. --- S. Jer. has "their."
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| 11 Their throat is an open sepulchre: they dealt deceitfully with their tongues: judge them, O God. Let them fall from their devices: according to the multitude of their wickedness cast them out: for they have provoked thee, O Lord. | Sepulchre, which never says there is enough. Prov. xxx. 15. C. --- Dealt, &c. S. Paul authorizes this version, (Rom. iii. 13.) though the Heb. be rendered, "they flatter cunning;" (Bert.) or "they sharpen their tongue," and polish it like a sword, that it may cut more easily. This may be applied to heretics. SS. Athan. Chrys. Jer. C. --- Judge, or "condemn them." Heb. may be explained as a prediction. Bert. --- The Holy Ghost could not dictate an imprecation or desire revenge. But David might beg that God would frustrate the designs of his enemies; and, by treating them with some severity, hinder the execution of their wicked schemes, which would bring on their own ruin. S. Chrys. S. Aug. C. --- Though the just desire the conversion of all, yet if any die impenitent, they approve of God's judgment, manifested at the end of the world. W. --- Provoked. Heb. "rebelled against." I forgive them for what they have done to me. But I grieve at thy offence; make
them return to a sense of their duty. C. --- He might abhor the enemies of salvation, the world, &c. whom Christ has condemned. Bert.
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| 12 But let all them be glad that hope in thee: they shall rejoice for ever, and thou shalt dwell in them. And all they that love thy name shall glory in thee: | |
| 13 For thou wilt bless the just. O Lord, thou hast crowned us, as with a shield of thy good will. |
Us.
Heb. "him." S. Jer. Aquila. C. --- But neglecting the points, the Sept. is as accurate, and more beautiful. Bert. ---
Shield.
Heb.
tsinna,
(H.) which was probably large enough to cover the body. C. --- If God be with us, who is against us? H. --- The just shall receive the sentence of eternal glory. W.
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