Off? God punishes and rewards. (Worthington) --- And wilt; or, "yet thou wilt not," &c. (Haydock) --- Thou wilt not depend on our efforts for victory. (Bellarmine) (Menochius) --- How can we expect to make such conquests, being in so forlorn a condition, when thou dost not lead forth our armies, as formerly? All that man can do is vain, but thou wilt look down upon us, and through God we shall do mightily, ver. 14. (Calmet) PSALM LIX. (DEUS NOS.) After many afflictions, the Church of Christ shall prevail. Hymns. This denotes either the female musicians, or the instruments. (Calmet) --- David, under persecution, (Ferrand) the captains, (Ven. Bede; Calmet) or any one in the Church of Christ, (St. Augustine) may adopt this psalm, (Berthier) to thank God. (Worthington) Earth of Palestine, (Berthier) when David was at Mahanaim. (Ferrand) (2 Kings xvii. 22.) (Haydock) --- The countries beyond the Euphrates may be so styled, Psalm lxiv. 6. --- Rock, by inspiring Cyrus to grant us liberty, (Calmet) or by sending Jesus Christ. (Eusebius) --- The church is firmly established; and, in all places, serves God. (Worthington) Tabernacle. The words for ever seem to confine this to heaven, as the Fathers explain them, though they may also allude to a temporal protection (Berthier) in the temple. (Calmet) --- Wings. Chaldean, "of thy deity." Chaldean, I will continue a member of thy Church here, and be happy for ever. (Menochius) Inheritance. David had both a temporal, and an eternal one in view. (Berthier) --- The captives express their gratitude for their deliverance. (Calmet) King. They wish long life to the king, expecting that the predictions of the prophets insured to them temporal dominion. But when they saw Zorobabel possess no such splendour, they were naturally taught to extend their thoughts to the Messias, of whom the Chaldeans and ancient Jews, as well as the Fathers, explain this passage. (Calmet) --- Chaldean, "the days of the future world thou wilt add to the days of the king, the Messias. His years shall be like the generations of this world, and the generations of the world to come." Eternity is clearly meant. If David speaks of himself, and of his successors on the throne for many ages, he must be considered as a figure of Christ, who is also designated. (Berthier) --- The Church will continue to the end, and be triumphant throughout eternity. (Worthington) Search? Who can comprehend what thou hast prepared for this king? He may allude to the promises made to David's family, (Psalm lxxxviii. 30, 38.; Calmet) which should reign for ever, by means of Christ. (Haydock) --- Who can explain the mercy of God in redeeming us; and his fidelity in granting his promised rewards? (Worthington) Day. A Levite speaks, having dedicated himself by vow to serve God continually in his temple, after his return from Babylon, (Calmet) or David expresses his resolution to testify his gratitude, by sacrifice. (Haydock) --- I will sing psalms, &c., in this life, and for ever. (Worthington) PSALM LX. (EXAUDI DEUS.) A prayer for the coming of the kingdom of Christ, which shall have no end. Idithun, to sing. (Worthington) --- He was one of the chief musicians under David, 1 Paralipomenon xxv. 3. The psalm may be explained of David, persecuted by Absalom, (Calmet) of the Machabees, (Theodoret) &c., or of Christ, and his Church. (Calmet) --- St. Jerome considers it a piece of excellent morality, (Calmet) and this may suffice, without referring it to any historical fact. (Berthier) Subject. The just is resigned, though he feel like other men. David found a sort of resentment against the rebels, arising in his breast, which he presently repressed, by the thought of God's will, 2 Kings xii. 11. (Calmet) --- He fears nothing, because his soul is subject to God. (Worthington) --- Hebrew, "silent." (Haydock) Fence. This may refer to the persecutors, who resembled a leaning wall. (Berthier) (Isaias xxx. 13.) (Calmet) --- Protestants, "ye shall be slain all of you, as a bowing wall shall ye be, " &c. He threatens them with speedy destruction, (Haydock) or represents to them the baseness of attacking a man ready to fall. (Calmet) --- He informs them, that their attempts will be in vain, though they be very numerous, and he himself apparently so weak. (Worthington) Price. Septuagint, St. Hilary, &c., "my honour." They wish to dethrone me, and to represent me as unfit to govern. --- I ran. Septuagint Greek: edramon, "they ran" likewise, as Hebrew implies, and as the Greek Fathers generally explain it. David thought proper to flee, that he might be at a distance from traitors, 2 Kings xv. 14. His enemies sought this destruction. (Calmet) --- They wished to deprive him of the reward of his labours; but he ran more earnestly. --- Blessed. Flattery is very dangerous. (Worthington) God. The multiplicity of titles shews the prophet's love. See Apocalypse v. 12. (St. Augustine, Confessions i. 4.) (Berthier)