*H Alleluia. Praise the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Ver. 1. Alleluia, in Heb. is at the end of the last psalm. H. — It is omitted entirely in S. Aug. &c. Origen thinks that the captives sung this psalm at their return, as it greatly resembles the 106th, 134th, &c. C. — We read, (2 Par. 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. Bert. — The first part of the verse was sung by the priests, or cantors, (H.) and the second was repeated perhaps by the people, (C.) or by other musicians, as we now answer at the litanies, and often repeat the Rosary, Glory, &c. (W.) which surely may be done without any superstition, though Leigh, in his Βαττολογεω, and Casaubon (Exer. 14.) be pleased to ridicule the Jesus psalter, on this account. — Praise. Lit. "confess" (H.) your sins, and praise God. S. Hil. — For ever. Or is unbounded. His heart overflows at this thought. Bert.
*H Praise ye the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Ver. 2. Gods. Angels, kings, (Theod.) or idols. S. Aug. — God is over all. C.
*H Praise ye the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Ver. 3. Lord. By these three repetitions the blessed Trinity is insinuated, (W.) as some of the Fathers have remarked, though the argument is not convincing. Bert.
*H Who alone doth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Ver. 4. Wonders. If saints or others work miracles, it is only by God's permission. Theod. — None can do any thing against his will. H. — Only He can perform true miracles, above the course of nature. W. — They prove the divinity. C.
*H Who made the heavens in understanding: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Ver. 5. Understanding. Or Son, who is the uncreated Wisdom, (S. Aug.) 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. Gen. i. 14. Orig. Prin. 1. &c. — But this opinion is generally rejected.
* Footnote * Genesis 1 : 1
In the beginning God created heaven, and earth.*H Who established the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Ver. 6. Waters. On which it was supposed to rest like a vessel. C.
*H Who made the great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Ver. 7. Lights. The stars, (S. Jer.) or the sun and moon. v. 8. Gen. i. 16. C. — All are great lights, though the moon be comparatively small. Bert.
*H Who smote Egypt with their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Ver. 10. First-born. Justice was exercised on them, and mercy on Israel. C.
* Footnote * Exodus 12 : 29
And it came to pass at midnight, the Lord slew every firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharao, who sat on his throne, unto the firstborn of the captive woman that was in the prison, and all the firstborn of cattle.* Footnote * Exodus 13 : 17
And when Pharao had sent out the people, the Lord led them not by the way of the land of the Philistines, which is near; thinking lest perhaps they would repent, if they should see wars arise against them, and would return into Egypt.*H Who divided the Red Sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Ver. 13. Parts. Two, not twelve, as the Rabbins pretend, (Bert.) and as Origen, &c. seem to allow. Ex. xiv. 22.
* Footnote * Exodus 14 : 28
And the waters returned, and covered the chariots and the horsemen of all the army of Pharao, who had come into the sea after them, neither did there so much as one of them remain.*H Who led his people through the desert: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Ver. 16. Desert. This was very astonishing, as they were not incommoded by the heat, or destitute of food and clothes for forty years, (C.) except when God tried them for their improvement, or for their sins.
* Footnote * Numbers 21 : 24
And he was slain by them with the edge of the sword, and they possessed his land from the Arnon unto the Jeboc, and to the confines of the children of Ammon: for the borders of the Ammonites, were kept with a strong garrison.* Footnote * Numbers 21 : 33
And they turned themselves, and went up by the way of Basan, and Og the king of Basan came against them with all his people, to fight in Edrai.* Footnote * Josue 13 : 7
And now divide the land in possession to the nine tribes, and to the half tribe of Manasses,*H For he was mindful of us in our affliction: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Ver. 23. Affliction. Lit. "humility," (H.) when we entered into ourselves under the judges, or during the captivity. C.
*H Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Ver. 25. Food. Heb. "bread," which denotes all sorts of eatables. Bert. — The particular and general favours of God proceed from his mercy. W.
*H Give glory to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Ver. 27. Give, &c. This verse is marked as superfluous in the most correct psalters, being a repetition of v. 3. and unknown to the Heb. Sept. &c. though it is found in the Arab. S. Aug. &c. C.