*H Unto the end, for her that obtaineth the inheritance. A psalm for David.
Ver. 1. 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 form of morning prayer, as an armour against all our spiritual enemies. Berthier.
*H Give ear, O Lord, to my words, understand my cry.
Ver. 2. 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.
*H For to thee will I pray: O Lord, in the morning thou shalt hear my voice.
Ver. 4. 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.
*H In the morning I will stand before thee, and I will see: because thou art not a God that willest iniquity.
Ver. 5. 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.
*H Neither shall the wicked dwell near thee: nor shall the unjust abide before thy eyes.
Ver. 6. Eyes. God suffers them to remain for a time. S. Jer.
*H 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.
Ver. 7. 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.
*H 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.
Ver. 8. Mercy, not trusting in my own merit, (H.) but with the greatest awe. C. — The just must 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 names; (1 K. i. 7, 24, and iii. 3.) so that this reason is not sufficient. C.
*H Conduct me, O Lord, in thy justice: because of my enemies, direct my way in thy sight.
Ver. 9. 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.
*H For there is no truth in their mouth: their heart is vain.
Ver. 10. Their. Heb. "his." But it is incorrect. Houb. — S. Jer. has "their." Bert. — Vain. Heb. "wicked or deceitful."
*H 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 wickednesses cast them out: for they have provoked thee, O Lord.
Ver. 11. 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 cunningly;" (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 of 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.
* Footnote * Psalms 13 : 3
They are all gone aside, they are become unprofitable together: there is none that doth good: no not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they acted deceitfully: the poison of asps is under their lips. Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness; their feet are swift to shed blood. Destruction and unhappiness in their ways; and the way of peace they have not known: there is no fear of God before their eyes.* Footnote * Psalms 139 : 4
They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent: the venom of asps is under their lips.* Footnote * Romans 3 : 13
Their throat is an open sepulchre: with their tongues they have dealt deceitfully. The venom of asps is under their lips.*H 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.
Ver. 12. Dwell. Heb. "protect," (S. Jer.) "or shade them." C. — The just will rejoice under thy protection, (H.) and at the conversion of the sinner. S. Chrys.
*H For thou wilt bless the just. O Lord, thou hast crowned us, as with a shield of thy good will.
Ver. 13. 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.