Psalm cxxxv. (Confitemini Domino.)
Notes & Commentary:
Ver. 1. Alleluia, in Hebrew, is at the end of the last psalm. (Haydock) — It is omitted entirely in St. Augustine, &c. Origen thinks that the captives sung this psalm at their return, as it greatly resembles the 106th, 134th, &c. (Calmet) — We read, (2 Paralipomenon vii. 6.) the priests stood in their offices, and the Levites, with the instruments of music of the Lord, which king David made to praise the Lord, “because his mercy endureth for ever,” &c. This chorus is found only in this psalm, which seems therefore to have been sung at the dedication of the temple. (Berthier) — The first part of the verse was sung by the priests, or cantors, (Haydock) and the second was repeated perhaps by the people, (Calmet) or by other musicians, as we now answer at the litanies, and often repeat the Rosary, Glory, &c., (Worthington) which surely may be done without any superstition, though Leigh, in his Battologeo, and Casaubon (Exer. 14.) be pleased to ridicule the Jesus psalter, on this account. — Praise. Literally, “confess” (Haydock) your sins, and praise God. (St. Hilary) — For ever. Or is unbounded. His heart overflows at this thought. (Berthier)
Ver. 2. Gods. Angels, kings, (Theodoret) or idols. (St. Augustine) — God is over all. (Calmet)
Ver. 3. Lord. By these three repetitions the blessed Trinity is insinuated, (Worthington) as some of the Fathers have remarked, though the argument is not convincing. (Berthier)
Ver. 4. Wonders. If saints or others work miracles, it is only by God’s permission. (Theodoret) — None can do any thing against his will. (Haydock) — Only He can perform true miracles, above the course of nature. (Worthington) — They prove the divinity. (Calmet)
Ver. 5. Understanding. Or Son, who is the uncreated Wisdom, (St. Augustine) or to lead us to the knowledge of him. All has been made by the divine power and wisdom. Cajetan, &c., would assert the heavens to be intelligent, or governed by angels, Genesis i. 14. (Orig.[Origen?] Prin. 1., &c.) — But this opinion is generally rejected.
Ver. 6. Waters. On which it was supposed to rest like a vessel. (Calmet)
Ver. 7. Lights. The stars, (St. Jerome) or the sun and moon, ver. 8., and Genesis i. 16. (Calmet) — All are great lights, though the moon be comparatively small. (Berthier)
Ver. 10. First-born. Justice was exercised on them, and mercy on Israel. (Calmet)
Ver. 13. Parts. Two, not twelve, as the Rabbins pretend, (Berthier) and as Origen, &c., seem to allow, Exodus xiv. 22.
Ver. 16. Desert. This was very astonishing, as they were not incommoded by the heat, or destitute of food and clothes for forty years, (Calmet) except when God tried them for their improvement, or for their sins.
Ver. 23. Affliction. Literally, “humility,” (Haydock) when we entered into ourselves under the judges, or during the captivity. (Calmet)
Ver. 25. Food. Hebrew, “bread,” which denotes all sorts of eatables. (Berthier) — The particular and general favours of God proceed from his mercy. (Worthington)
Ver. 27. Give, &c. This verse is marked as superfluous in the most correct psalters, being a repetition of ver. 3., and unknown to the Hebrew, Septuagint, &c., though it is found in the Arabic. (St. Augustine; &c.) (Calmet)
Bible Text & Cross-references:
God is to be praised for his wonderful works.
1 Alleluia.
Praise the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
2 Praise ye the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.
3 Praise ye the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.
4 Who alone doth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.
5 *Who made the heavens in understanding: for his mercy endureth for ever.
6 Who established the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.
7 Who made the great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever.
8 The sun to rule the day: for his mercy endureth for ever.
9 The moon and the stars to rule the night: for his mercy endureth for ever.
10 *Who smote Egypt with their first-born: for his mercy endureth for ever.
11 *Who brought Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever.
12 With a mighty hand and with a stretched-out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever.
13 Who divided the Red Sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever.
14 And brought out Israel through the midst thereof: for his mercy endureth for ever.
15 *And overthrew Pharao and his host in the Red Sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.
16 Who led his people through the desert: for his mercy endureth for ever.
17 Who smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever.
18 *And slew strong kings: for his mercy endureth for ever.
19 Sehon, king of the Amorrhites: for his mercy endureth for ever.
20 *And Og, king of Basan: for his mercy endureth for ever.
21 *And he gave their land for an inheritance: for his mercy endureth for ever.
22 For an inheritance to his servant Israel: for his mercy endureth for ever.
23 For he was mindful of us in our affliction: for his mercy endureth for ever.
24 And he redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.
25 Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.
26 Give glory to the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.
27 Give glory to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.
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5: Genesis i. 1.
10: Exodus xii. 29.
11: Exodus xiii. 17.
15: Exodus xiv. 28.
18: Numbers xxi. 24.
20: Numbers xxi. 33.
21: Josue xiii. 7.