Psalms Chapter 3
Domine, quid multiplicati.
The prophet"s danger and delivery from his son Absalom: mystically, the pa.s.sion and resurrection of Christ.
3:1. The psalm of David when he fled from the face of his son Absalom.
3:2. Many say to my soul: There is no salavation for him in his G.o.d.
3:4. But thou, O Lord, art my protector, my glory, and the lifter up of my head.
3:5. I have cried to the Lord with my voice: and he hath heard me from his holy hill.
3:6. I have slept and have taken my rest: and I have risen up, because the Lord hath protected me.
3:7. I will not fear thousands of the people surrounding me: arise, O Lord; save me, O my G.o.d.
3:8. For thou hast struck all them who are my adversaries without cause: thou hast broken the teeth of sinners.
3:9. Salvation is of the Lord: and thy blessing is upon thy people.
Psalms Chapter 4
c.u.m invocarem.
The prophet teacheth us to flee to G.o.d in tribulation, with confidence in him.
4:1. Unto the end, in verses. A psalm for David.
Unto the end... Or, as St. Jerome renders it, victori, to him that overcometh: which some understand of the chief musician; to whom they suppose the psalms, which bear that t.i.tle, were given to be sung: we rather understand the psalms thus inscribed to refer to Christ, who is the end of the law, and the great conqueror of death and h.e.l.l, and to the New Testament.-Ibid. In verses, in carminibus... In the Hebrew, it is neghinoth, supposed by some to be a musical instrument, with which this psalm was to be sung.-Ibid. For David, or to David... That is, inspired to David himself, or to be sung.
4:2. When I called upon him, the G.o.d of my justice heard me: when I was in distress, thou hast enlarged me. Have mercy on me: and hear my prayer.
4:3. O ye sons of men, how long will you be dull of heart? why do you love vanity, and seek after lying?
4:4. Know ye also that the Lord hath made his holy one wonderful: the Lord will hear me when I shall cry unto him.
4:5. Be ye angry, and sin not: the things you say in your hearts, be sorry for them upon your beds.
4:6. Offer up the sacrifice of justice, and trust in the Lord: many say, Who sheweth us good things?
4:7. The light of thy countenance, O Lord, is signed upon us: thou hast given gladness in my heart.
4:8. By the fruit of their corn, their wine, and oil, they rest:
4:9. In peace in the self same I will sleep, and I will rest:
4:10. For thou, O Lord, singularly hast settled me in hope.
Psalms Chapter 5
Verba mea auribul.
A prayer to G.o.d against the iniquities of men.
5:1. Unto the end, for her that obtaineth the inheritance. A psalm for David.
For her that obtaineth the inheritance... That is, for the church of Christ.
5:2. Give ear, O Lord, to my words, understand my cry.
5:3. Hearken to the voice of my prayer, O my King and my G.o.d.
5:4. For to thee will I pray: O Lord, in the morning thou shalt hear my voice.
5:5. In the morning I will stand before thee, and I will see: because thou art not a G.o.d that willest iniquity.
5:6. Neither shall the wicked dwell near thee: nor shall the unjust abide before thy eyes.
5:7. Thou hatest all the workers of iniquity: thou wilt destroy all that speak a lie. The b.l.o.o.d.y and the deceitful man the Lord will abhor.
5:8. But as for me in the mult.i.tude of thy mercy, I will come into thy house; I will worship towards thy holy temple, in thy fear.
5:9. Conduct me, O Lord, in thy justice: because of my enemies, direct my way in thy sight.
5:10. For there is no truth in their mouth: their heart is vain.
5:11. Their throat is an open sepulchre: they dealt deceitfully with their tongues: judge them, O G.o.d. Let them fall from their devices: according to the mult.i.tude of their wickednesses cast them out: for they have provoked thee, O Lord.
5:12. But let all them be glad that hope in thee: they shall rejoice for ever, and thou shalt dwell in them. And all they that love thy name shall glory in thee.
5:13. For thou wilt bless the just. O Lord, thou hast crowned us, as with a shield of thy good will.
Psalms Chapter 6
Domine, ne in furore.
A prayer of a penitent sinner, under the scourge of G.o.d. The first penitential psalm.
6:1. Unto the end, in verses, a psalm for David, for the octave.
For the octave... That is, to be sung on an instrument of eight strings.
St. Augustine understands it mystically, of the last resurrection, and the world to come; which is, as it were, the octave, or eighth day, after the seven days of this mortal life: and for this octave, sinners must dispose themselves, like David, by bewailing their sins, whilst they are here upon earth.
6:2. O Lord, rebuke me not in thy indignation, nor chastise me in thy wrath.
6:3. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak: heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled.