Click *H for Haydock Commentary. *Footnote for footnote etc.
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*H A gradual canticle. If it had not been that the Lord was with us, let Israel now say:
Ver. 1. Canticle. Heb. &c. with some Lat. copies add, "of David," (C.) who might write it after being delivered from some danger. It may also be applicable to the martyrs, and to all who have been freed from temptation. Bert. — The captives might compose it in thanksgiving for the leave to return, (C.) or when they had been delivered from the assaults of the neighbouring nations. Orig. C.
*H Perhaps they had swallowed us up alive. When their fury was enkindled against us,
Ver. 3. Perhaps. This word is here affirmative. Heb. "Then." Sept. "Surely." C. — He modestly leaves it to others to judge what would have been the event if God had not sent help. The weak would have been destroyed, as soon as if they had become a prey to wild beasts, as Jonas was swallowed up. W. — See Prov. i. 12. M.
*H Our soul hath passed through a torrent: perhaps our soul had passed through a water insupportable.
Ver. 5. Insupportable. Without bottom, or beyond our strength, ανυποστατον. C. — Heb. "Then the swelling waters it had passed over our soul." Mont. C. — S. Jerom has, "perhaps they," &c. which is more correct. See Ps. lxviii. 3. H. — A torrent implies sudden great troubles. W.
*H Our soul hath been delivered as a sparrow out of the snare of the fowlers. The snare is broken, and we are delivered.
Ver. 7. Sparrow. Heb. "bird." This comparison shews at once the dangers to which the Jews had been exposed, and their miraculous deliverance. C. — Men may deceive others: but they cannot impose on God. W. — Grace preserves the soul from the most imminent dangers of temptation, sin, &c. Bert. — We must therefore fly; but who will give us wings except God? S. Amb.