PSALM C. ( &.) The prophet exhorteth all, by his example, to follow mercy and justice. Persecute. Or abhor (Worthington) with a perfect hatred. We must shew our displeasure if we hear detraction, (Haydock) that we may not partake in the crime. (St. Jerome) --- The court is most likely to be infected with this vice, as people are continually endeavouring to supplant their rivals. (Calmet) --- Secret thoughts of resentment must be stifled in their birth. (Eusebius) --- Heart. Hebrew, "wide heart," which is sometimes taken in a good sense, 3 Kings iv. 29. But here it denotes the ambitious and misers, Proverbs xxviii. 25. (Calmet) Faithful. A prince cannot do every thing himself. But he ought to make choice of the most virtuous and skilful ministers. (Calmet) Prosper. Hebrew, "shall not be pleasing," (St. Jerome; Haydock) or "maintain himself." (Calmet) Morning. Without delay, (Worthington; Jeremias xxi. 12.; Haydock) and with a mind composed. (St. Isidore, Pelus i. ep. 321.) --- The Jews explain this of the judgment of zeal, by which a person might kill a notorious criminal, without any trail, (Calmet) in imitation of Phinees and Mattathias, 1 Machabees ii. 24. (Haydock) --- God alone will punish all malefactors at the last day. (St. Augustine) --- The Fathers admonish us to resist temptations at the beginning. (Calmet)Principiis obsta; sero medicina paratur Cum mala per longas convaluere moras. (Ovid) Poor. Hebrew, "afflicted." This may refer to some of the captives, who were returning, (ver. 14.; Calmet) or to Jesus Christ, (St. Augustine) to whom St. Paul applies ver. 26, 28., and whose redemption was prefigured by the former event. (Calmet) --- David might have both in view. (Haydock) --- Yet most believe that the psalm was written by Daniel, or Jeremias, &c. (Calmet) -- It may have two literal senses, like many others. (Berthier) Cry. Fervent petition, though only in the heart, Exodus xiv. 15. Turn not. We first abandon God, but must humbly beg for grace. (Worthington) Fire. Cremium denotes any combustible matter. (Columella xii. 19.) (St. Jerome) (Calmet) --- While in mortal sin, our best actions, alms, &c., avail nothing, 1 Corinthians xiii. (Worthington) Bread. Through excessive sorrow, (Haydock) I am fainting in captivity. (Calmet) --- The human race is relieved by the bread of life, the holy Eucharist. (St. Augustine) (Berthier) --- Sinners have no relish for spiritual food. (Worthington) Flesh, or "skin." (St. Jerome) --- The necessary moisture is consumed. (Eusebius) (Worthington) A pelican, &c. I am become, through grief, like birds that affect solitude and darkness. (Challoner) --- Kaath comes from a root that signifies to vomit (Haydock) as this bird lives chiefly on shell-fish, which it swallows, and when the heat of its stomach has caused the shells to open, it throws them up again, and eats the fish. (Bochart) (Haydock) --- It seems to be the onocratalus, which resembles the heron. What many of the ancients have related concerning its giving life again to its young, by its blood, &c., must be accounted fabulous. The Fathers have not expressed these facts as certain, (Calmet) though they have beautifully accommodated them to the tenderness and grace, which Christ has shewn to lost man. See Eusebius and St. Augustine. (Haydock) --- Raven. Owl, or rather another species of pelican, so called from having a bag under its chap, "to inclose" fish, &c. --- With its prey it retires to solitary places. So the distressed love solitude and silence. (Haydock) PSALM CI. (DOMINE EXAUDI.) A prayer for one in affliction: the fifth penitential psalm. Sparrow. Hebrew Tsippor means any "quick moving" bird, &c., (Idem.[Parkhurst in cose. ?]) and as the sparrow is not a solitary bird, it may here signify the owl. (Bochart) (Calmet) --- But these etymological reasons are not very certain, nor important. (Haydock) --- We may adhere to the Septuagint, as many interpreters do. (Berthier) --- The sparrow having lost its mate, mourns in or near its nest. (Worthington)