|
Psalm cxv. (Credidi.)
Notes & Commentary:
Ver. 10. [or 1.] Alleluia
is not in Hebrew. There seems no necessity to join this psalm with the preceding, as the subject is not so much alike as that
of many others, which are distinct pieces. St. Paul quotes two passages in their literal sense, (Berthier) as applicable to
all who thirst after a future life. It may relate also (Haydock) to the captives returning, (St. Chrysostom; Calmet) to Ezechias,
(Ven. Bede) or to the Machabees. (Theodoret) --- Exceedingly. We must not be deterred from professing our faith by
any danger. (St. Augustine) (2 Corinthians iv. 13.) --- I never ceased to publish that I trusted entirely in thy promises,
that we should be delivered (Calmet) in due time. (Haydock) --- I believed that God woud help me, and, as I ought to do, make
profession of my faith, under the greatest tribulations. (Worthington) --- With the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
(Haydock) --- I confess that there is a future world, (ver. 9.[Psalm cxiv. 9.?]) though I do not see it, but remain in distress.
(Menochius)
Ver. 11. [or 2.] Excess.
Septuagint, "ecstacy." Enlightened from above. If he had spoken thus by his own spirit, any one might have replied, that no
dependance could be placed in what he said. We are all liable to mistake. (St. Jerome) --- Many explain it of David's "flight"
before Absalom. Hebrew, "in my precipitation," (Calmet) or "astonishment." (St. Jerome) --- Liar. Weak and inconstant
of his own corrupt nature, (Haydock) though not always guilty of lying. (Calmet) --- St. Paul contrasts this natural weakness
with the veracity of God, (Berthier) and the preaching of his apostles, Romans iii. 4., and 2 Corinthians i. 17. (Haydock)
--- In the midst of my afflictions, I professed that all man's help is vain, and I had recourse to God. (Worthington)
Ver. 12. [or 3.] To
me. I have deserved chastisement; how, therefore, shall I express my gratitude for God's innumerable benefits? (Worthington)
Ver. 13. [or 4.] Chalice.
I will submit to any afflictions, (St. Augustine) seeing they procure such an ample reward. I will unite my sufferings with
those of Jesus Christ, (Haydock) and accept the great benefit of his blood, shed for mankind. (Worthington) --- Chaldean seems
to have had this in view, calicem redemptionis levabo mundo venturo, and Houbigant explains it of Christ, who prayed
that the chalice might be taken from him, (Berthier) but presently resigned himself to God's will. It may also (Haydock)
imply, the cup of thanksgiving, which was used in pacific sacrifices, Psalm xxi. 27. Our Saviour followed this custom, when
he instituted the blessed Eucharist, as (Calmet) the Jews do on solemn occasions, (Leo. iii. 7., and ix. 2.) The pagans had
something very similar. Homer speaks of the "free bowl, or cup of liberty," (Iliad 2.) and Athenĉus (i. 23., and ii. 2., and
xv. 5.) of "the cup of Jupiter, the Saviour," in which, after tasting a little wine, water was mingled, with invocations of
Jupiter, and all drank what they pleased. (Calmet) --- The custom of drinking healths might originate in the same jovial
humour. (Haydock)
Ver. 14. [or 5.] Pay.
Hebrew adds, "now or surely." (Berthier) --- Vows. Voluntarily, (Worthington) which I could not do at Babylon, Psalm
lxv. 13. St. Augustine and the ancient psalters omit this, perhaps supposing it to be taken from ver. 18.
Ver. 15. [or 6.] Precious.
I am ready even to make a sacrifice of my life, if God's glory should require it; for he esteems the death of the saints.
(Worthington) (Berthier) --- He will not easily abandon them to destruction in this world, as the Hebrew implies, (Tirinus;
Calmet) though this meaning is not certain, nor verified by facts; the just being often slain by the wicked. (Berthier) ---
God rewards the sufferings of his servants; (Calmet) the psalmist will not therefore be deterred from paying his vows by the
fear of death. (Menochius)
Ver. 16. [or 7.] Handmaid.
To be blessed, we must be in a state of grace, and children of the Church. (Worthington) --- Out of it, death itself endured
for Christ would profit nothing, (St. Augustine) but only be "a punishment of perfidy." (St. Cyprian) --- No worship can please
God, unless we be joined in communion with her [the Church], as the Fathers observe. (Berthier) --- The psalmist glories in
being a servant of God for ever. (Calmet) --- Bonds. Of slavery, (Calmet) and sin. (Worthington) (1 Corinthians vii.
22.)
Ver. 17. [or 8.] Praise.
Or thanksgiving, Psalm xxvi. 6., and Leviticus vii. 12. (Calmet) --- Lord. There is but one, as there is but one
faith. Without the latter, it is in vain to call upon God, Ephesians iv. 4. (Berthier) --- "Whosoever eats the
lamb out of this house, (the Church) is profane." (St. Jerome, ep. 57. ad Dam.)
 |
|
|
Bible Text & Cross-references:
This, in the Hebrew, is joined with the foregoing psalm,
and continues to express the faith and gratitude of the psalmist.
Alleluia.
10(1) I have *believed, therefore have I spoken: but I have been humbled
exceedingly.
11(2) I said in my excess: *Every man is a liar.
12(3) What shall I render to the Lord, for all the things he hath rendered
to me?
13(4) I will take the chalice of salvation; and I will call upon the
name of the Lord.
14(5) I will pay my vows to the Lord, before all his people: 15(6) precious
in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
16(7) O Lord, for I am thy servant: I am thy servant, and the son of
thy handmaid.
Thou hast broken my bonds: 17(8) I will sacrifice to thee the sacrifice
of praise, and I will call upon the name of the Lord.
18(9) I will pay my vows to the Lord in the sight of all his people:
19(10) in the courts of the house of the Lord, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem.
____________________
*
10(1): 2 Cor. iv. 13.
11(2): Rom. iii. 4.
|
|
|