Psalm xii. (Usquequo Domine.)
Notes & Commentary:
Ver. 1. Me? These expressions are figurative. God seems displeased: but it is often for our greater good. Some explain this of David, Ezechias, the captives, &c. It may be applied to every afflicted soul, which places her whole trust in God. (Calmet)
Ver. 2. Day; frequently. (Worthington) — Septuagint adds, “and night.” (Calmet) — These cares and perplexities arise from persecutions and from man’s weakness. (Worthington)
Ver. 3. Enemy; Saul, &c., or the devil. (St. Augustine) (Calmet)
Ver. 4. Death, by mortal sin, (Worthington) or through excessive sorrow, Jeremias li. 39. Shew me thy favour, (Calmet) and I shall be secure. Sleep is represented as nearly related to death. (Homer, Iliad xiv.)
Tum consanguineus lethi sopor. (Virgil, Æneid vi.) (Haydock)
Ver. 7. Mercy. Man must attribute nothing to himself, otherwise he will be moved by pride. (St. Augustine) (Calmet) — Things; patience and reward. (Worthington) — The prophet feels a secret confidence arising in his breast, in consequence of God’s protection. — Yea, &c., is not in Hebrew but it is in the Septuagint, Arabic, and the ancient Fathers. Hebrew, “My heart shall be transported in thy salvation; I will praise the Lord, because he has rendered me the like,” as I placed my hopes in him: (Calmet) or, “he hath rewarded me.” The blessed Mary adopts the language of this verse, [Luke i. 46-55] and the prophet probably had the same salvation, Christ, in view. (Berthier)
Bible Text & Cross-references:
A prayer in tribulation.
1 Unto the end, a psalm for David.
How long, O Lord, wilt thou forget me unto the end? how long dost thou turn away thy face from me?
2 How long shall I take counsels in my soul, sorrow in my heart all the day?
3 How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? 4 Consider, and hear me, O Lord, my God.
Enlighten my eyes, that I never sleep in death: 5 Lest at any time my enemy say: I have prevailed against him.
They that trouble me, will rejoice when I am moved: 6 But I have trusted in thy mercy.
My heart shall rejoice in thy salvation: I will sing to the Lord, who giveth me good things: yea, I will sing to the name of the Lord, the most high.