PSALM LXXXII. (DEUS QUIS SIMILIS.)
A prayer against the enemies of God's Church.
Assyrian, or "Assur," sprung from Dedan, (Genesis xxv. 3.) and dwelt near the Ammonites. (Calmet) --- Come. Hebrew, "an arm to," &c. (Haydock) --- All infidels conspire against Catholics, (Worthington) and are will to forget their private quarrels. (Haydock)
Madian: 120,000 of whom were defeated by Gedeon with 300 men, (Haydock; Judges vii.) as Sisara was routed by Debora, at Cisson, and slain by Jahel, Judges iv. (Calmet)
Endor. Near this place the Madianites fell upon one another. --- All their princes of Madian, (Calmet) or treat all the princes of the people, who now attack us, like them. (Menochius) --- Both senses are good. (Berthier)
Mountains. The prayer or prediction was not in vain. The enemies of Josaphat, (2 Paralipomenon xx. 11, 24.; Calmet) and of David, &c., were destroyed. (Haydock) --- The trees on the mountains, (Menochius) or the mountain itself, might burn like Etna and Vesuvius. (Genebrard) --- The destruction of the wicked is thus described. (Worthington)
Tempest. During the night, a tempest probably arose, which threw the enemy into confusion, who supposing that the Israelites had broken into the camp, fell upon each other in the dark. (Calmet) --- St. Paul reminds us of God's indignation, which Christians as well as Jews ought to dread, Hebrews xii. 25, 29., and Deuteronomy iv. 24. (Berthier)
Name. This was the desire of the prophet; (St. Jerome; Calmet; Berthier) and for this end, God sends afflictions. The impenitent must perish for ever, ver. 18. (Worthington)