| 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 A canticle of a psalm for Asaph. | Asaph. This psalm alludes to the wars of David, (2 K. viii. Bert.) against Ammon, (Bos.) or of the Jews returned from captivity, (2 Esd. iv. Ezec. xxxviii. Theod.) or of the Machabees; (1 Mac. v. and 2 Mac. x. Bell.) or rather of Josaphat. 2 Par. xx. Kimchi. Hammond. C. --- All in danger are taught to have recourse to God. Bert.
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| 2 O God, who shall be like to thee? hold not thy peace, neither be thou still, O God. | To thee? Heb. "be not silent to thyself." Pagn. --- But domi also implies "like;" (Bell.) and there would otherwise be a sort of tautology. Bert. --- Christ on earth was like other men: but when he shall come to judgment, non will be comparable to Him. S. Aug. --- Amama says this exposition is groundless: but others are of a contrary opinion. H. --- The ancient Greek interpreters seem not to have varied from the Sept. though S. Jerom adopts the present Heb. "be not silent. Hold, " &c. which may express the utmost fervour and want of protection. Thy own cause is now at stake: the enemy wishes to destroy religion. C.
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| 3 For lo, thy enemies have made a noise: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head. | |
| 4 They have taken a malicious counsel against thy people, and have consulted against thy saints. | Saints. Heb. "hidden ones;" (Prot. H.) the people under God's protection, (M. Bert.) or the treasures of the temple. C.
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| 5 They have said: Come and let us destroy them, so that they be not a nation: and let the name of Israel be remembered no more. | Nation. That there may be no more of this religion, or Catholics. W. --- Israel delighted most in being styled the chosen nation of God. Bert.
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| 6 For they have contrived with one consent: they have made a covenant together against thee, | |
| 7 The tabernacles of the Edomites, and the Ismahelites: Moab, and the Agarens, | Agarenes descended from Agar, though they took the name of Saracens, as if they had sprung from Sara, (W.) or they dwelt at Agra, otherwise called Petra, in Arabia; or on the east of Galaad, 1 Par. v. 10. C.
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| 8 Gebal, and Ammon and Amalec: the Philistines, with the inhabitants of Tyre. | |
| 9 Yea, and the Assyrian also is joined with them: they are come to the aid of the sons of Lot. | Assyrian, or "Assur," sprung from Dedan, (Gen. xxv. 3.) and dwelt near the Ammonites. C. --- Come. Heb. "an arm to," &c. H. --- All infidels conspire against Catholics, (W.) and are will to forget their private quarrels. H.
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| 10 Do to them as thou didst to Madian and to Sisara: as to Jabin at the brook of Cisson. | Madian: 120,000 of whom were defeated by Gedeon with 300 men, (H. Judg. vii.) as Sisara was routed by Debora, at Cisson, and slain by Jahel. ib. iv. C.
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| 11 Who perished at Endor: and became as dung for the earth. | Endor. Near this place the Madianites fell upon one another. --- All their princes of Madian, (C.) or treat all the princes of the people, who now attack us, like them. M. --- Both senses are good. Bert.
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| 12 Make their princes like Oreb, and Zeb, and Zebee, and Salmana. All their princes, | |
| 13 Who have said: Let us possess the sanctuary of God for an inheritance. | |
| 14 O my God, make them like a wheel; and as stubble before the wind. | |
| 15 As fire which burneth the wood: and as a flame burning mountains: | Mountains. The prayer or prediction was not in vain. The enemies of Josaphat, (2 Par. xx. 11. 24. C.) and of David, &c. were destroyed. H. --- The trees on the mountains, (M.) or the mountain itself, might burn like Etna and Vesuvius. Geneb. --- The destruction of the wicked is thus described. W.
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| 16 So shalt thou pursue them with thy tempest: and shalt trouble them in thy wrath. | Tempest. During the night, a tempest probably arose, which threw the enemy into confusion, who supposing that the Israelites had broken into the camp, fell upon each other in the dark. C. --- S. Paul reminds us of God's indignation, which Christians as well as Jews ought to dread. Heb. xii. 25. 29. Deut. iv. 24. Bert.
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| 17 Fill their faces with shame; and they shall seek thy name, O Lord. | Name. This was the desire of the prophet; (S. Jer. C. Bert.) and for this end, God sends afflictions. The impenitent must perish for ever, v. 18. W.
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| 18 Let them be ashamed and troubled for ever and ever: and let them be confounded and perish. | |
| 19 And let them know that the Lord is thy name: thou alone art the most High over all the earth. |
Lord. He who is.
Ex. iii. 14. and vi. 3. W. --- The
name
of the Lord is Himself. Bert.
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