*H A canticle of a psalm for Asaph.
Ver. 1. Asaph. This psalm alludes to the wars of David, (2 K. viii. Bert.) against Ammon, (Bos.) or of the Jews returned from captivity, (2 Esd. iv. Ezec. xxxviii. Theod.) or of the Machabees; (1 Mac. v. and 2 Mac. x. Bell.) or rather of Josaphat. 2 Par. xx. Kimchi. Hammond. C. — All in danger are taught to have recourse to God. Bert.
*H O God, who shall be like to thee? hold not thy peace, neither be thou still, O God.
Ver. 2. To thee? Heb. "be not silent to thyself." Pagn. — But domi also implies "like;" (Bell.) and there would otherwise be a sort of tautology. Bert. — Christ on earth was like other men: but when he shall come to judgment, none will be comparable to Him. S. Aug. — Amama says this exposition is groundless: but others are of a contrary opinion. H. — The ancient Greek interpreters seem not to have varied from the Sept. though S. Jerom adopts the present Heb. "be not silent. Hold," &c. which may express the utmost fervour and want of protection. Thy own cause is now at stake: the enemy wishes to destroy religion. C.
*H For lo, thy enemies have made a noise: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head.
Ver. 3. Noise. Like the boisterous ocean. H. — Head. To revolt, 4 K. iii. 9. and 2 Par. xx.
*H They have taken a malicious counsel against thy people, and have consulted against thy saints.
Ver. 4. Saints. Heb. "hidden ones;" (Prot. H.) the people under God's protection, (M. Bert.) or the treasures of the temple. C.
*H They have said: Come and let us destroy them, so that they be not a nation: and let the name of Israel be remembered no more.
Ver. 5. Nation. That there may be no more of this religion, or Catholics. W. — Israel delighted most in being styled the chosen nation of God. Bert.
*H The tabernacle of the Edomites, and the Ishmahelites: Moab, and the Agarens,
Ver. 7. Agarenes descended from Agar, though they took the name of Saracens, as if they had sprung from Sara, (W.) or they dwelt at Agra, otherwise called Petra, in Arabia; or on the east of Galaad, 1 Par. v. 10. C.
*H Yea, and the Assyrian also is joined with them: they are come to the aid of the sons of Lot.
Ver. 9. Assyrian, or "Assur," sprung from Dedan, (Gen. xxv. 3.) and dwelt near the Ammonites. C. — Come. Heb. "an arm to," &c. H. — All infidels conspire against Catholics, (W.) and are willing to forget their private quarrels. H.
*H Do to them as thou didst to Madian and to Sisara: as to Jabin at the brook of Cisson.
Ver. 10. Madian: 120,000 of whom were defeated by Gedeon with 300 men, (H. Judg. vii.) as Sisara was routed by Debora, at Cisson, and slain by Jahel. ib. iv. C.
* Footnote * Judges 7 : 22
And the three hundred men nevertheless persisted sounding the trumpets. And the Lord sent the sword into all the camp, and they killed one another,* Footnote ** Judges 4 : 15
And the Lord struck a terror into Sisara, and all his chariots, and all his multitude, with the edge of the sword, at the sight of Barac; insomuch, that Sisara leaping down from off his chariot, fled away on foot,*H Who perished at Endor: and became as dung for the earth.
Ver. 11. Endor. Near this place the Madianites fell upon one another. — All their princes of Madian, (C.) or treat all the princes of the people, who now attack us, like them. M. — Both senses are good. Bert.
* Footnote * Judges 7 : 25
And having taken two men of Madian, Oreb and Zeb: Oreb they slew in the rock of Oreb, and Zeb in the winepress of Zeb. And they pursued Madian, carrying the heads of Oreb and Zeb to Gedeon, beyond the waters of the Jordan.* Footnote ** Judges 8 : 21
And Zebee and Salmana said: Do thou rise and run upon us: because the strength of a man is according to his age: Gedeon rose up, and slew Zebee and Salmana: and he took the ornaments and bosses, with which the necks of the camels of kings are wont to be adorned.*H As fire which burneth the wood: and as a flame burning mountains:
Ver. 15. Mountains. The prayer or prediction was not in vain. The enemies of Josaphat, (2 Par. xx. 11. 24. C.) and of David, &c. were destroyed. H. — The trees on the mountains, (M.) or the mountain itself, might burn like Etna and Vesuvius. Geneb. — The destruction of the wicked is thus described. W.
*H So shalt thou pursue them with thy tempest: and shalt trouble them in thy wrath.
Ver. 16. 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. C. — S. Paul reminds us of God's indignation, which Christians as well as Jews ought to dread. Heb. xii. 25. 29. Deut. iv. 24. Bert.
*H Fill their faces with shame; and they shall seek thy name, O Lord.
Ver. 17. Name. This was the desire of the prophet; (S. Jer. C. Bert.) and for this end, God sends afflictions. The impenitent must perish for ever, v. 18. W.
*H And let them know that the Lord is thy name: thou alone art the most High over all the earth.
Ver. 19. Lord. He who is. Ex. iii. 14. and vi. 3. W. — The name of the Lord is Himself. Bert.