Psalm cxx. (Levavi oculos.)
Notes & Commentary:
Ver. 1.
Canticle. David wrote this during his flight from Absalom; (Grotius) and de Muis judges from the martial air, that
it was composed in the midst of danger. It relates to the captives, (Origen; Calmet) and to all in the pilgrimage of this
world. (Berthier) --- Mountains. Jerusalem, and heaven, whence all our help must come. God most readily hears the prayers
which are poured forth in places appointed by him. (Worthington) --- Jerusalem was situated among mountains, and the Jews
turned towards it in prayer, Daniel vi. 10. They did not depend on human aid, Jeremias iii. 22.
Ver. 3.
May. Hebrew, "he will not." Many have read in the second person, both in the Hebrew and Septuagint, "Suffer not thy,"
&c. (Aquila; St. Augustine, &c.) (Calmet)
Ver. 4.
Israel. The Church militant. (Worthington) --- These figurative expressions shew that God will never cease to protect
his people. (Berthier)
Ver. 5.
Hand. Always ready, Psalm xc. 4., and xv. 8. (Haydock)
Ver. 6.
Night. Neither prosperity nor adversity shall hurt thee, (St. Jerome) or the Church. (Worthington) --- Cold is said
to burn or parch up, Genesis xxxi. 40. Justin (2) writes of the Scythians, Quanquam continuis frigoribus urantur, as
the effects of extreme heat and cold are similar. The Jews were protected from both at their return; (Isaias iv. 6., and xlix.
10.; Calmet) though we may doubt of this explanation, as the text is applied to those in heaven, Apocalypse vii. 16. (Berthier)
Ver. 7.
Keepeth. Hebrew also, "shall or may." The words of a prophet are always true, and the tenses are varied at pleasure
by St. Jerome, &c. (Berthier) --- Soul, or spiritual life. (Worthington) (1 Peter i. 4.)
Ver. 8.
Coming in. Hebrew has, "going out," first. (Berthier) --- Yet Pagnin agrees with us. (Haydock) --- This expression
denotes all the occurrences of life, Deuteronomy xxviii. 6. (Calmet) --- We may discover a beautiful progression in this psalm;
God protects us from each and from every danger. (Berthier) --- He is not like earthly friends, who have not always the will
or the power to do it. (St. Chrysostom)