THE BOOK OF PSALMS
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
The prophet teacheth us to flee to God 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 title, 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 hell, 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 God 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 God 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 God.
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 God 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 bloody and the deceitful man the Lord will abhor.
5:8. But as for me in the multitude 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 God. Let them fall from their devices: according to the multitude 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 God. 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.
6:4. And my soul is troubled exceedingly: but thou, O Lord, how long?
6:5. Turn to me, O Lord, and deliver my soul: O save me for thy mercy's sake.
5:5. For there is no one indeath, that is mindful of thee: and who shall confess to thee in hell?
6:7. I have laboured in my groanings, every night I will wash my bed: I will water my couch with my tears.