Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary, 1859 edition.

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Psalm 51

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Psalm li. (Quid gloriaris.)

Notes & Commentary:

Ver. 2-3. Achimelech. Sixtus V, Septuagint, &c., read Abimelech. But the former is the true name. See 1 Kings xxii. 9, 20. (Calmet) --- The word understanding implies, that we ought to reflect on the misery of detraction, and bear our crosses with submission. (Berthier) --- Doeg was but half a Jew, and persecuted the faithful. (Worthington) --- Iniquity. Hebrew chesed, means also mercy, and some translate, "the mercy of God! or, the great mercy." Noble exploit! (Calmet) --- But our version seems more natural. El may be a preposition, as Symmachus has Kath. (Berthier) --- If Doeg, who was the most powerful of the shepherds of Saul, (1 Kings xxi. 7.) thought it his duty to give his master information of what had passed, he ought to have stated the matter fairly, instead of insinuating, that the high-priest was ill-affected. (Haydock) --- Nothing could be more false, as he supposed he was acting agreeably to the interests of Saul, and of the state. (Calmet)

Ver. 6. Ruin. Septuagint katapontismou, "drowning," or to make the innocent suffer "shipwreck."

Ver. 7. Thy, is not found in Hebrew. Doeg would not dare to enter the tabernacle, after he had slain the priests. (Calmet) --- Houbigant properly supplies thy. (Berthier) --- Living. The Jews inform us, that Doeg slew himself with his master at Gelboe, and that David punished his offspring with death. (Calmet)

Ver. 8. Laugh, at the last day, when they will have nothing to fear, nor the wicked to hope. In this life, the just are full of compassion; but they cannot but approve of God's judgments. (Calmet)

Ver. 9. The man. Hebrew hageber, "the hero."

Ver. 10. Fruitful. David foretells his own prosperity on the throne, (Worthington) when this wretch shall be no more. (Haydock) --- He was at this time in great perplexity, (Calmet) in banishment from the house of God. (Menochius)

Ver. 11. It punished the wicked, and asserted thy just providence. (Haydock) --- Good. Thy saints find the greatest comfort in thee. (Calmet)


Bible Text & Cross-references:

David condemneth the wicked of Doeg, and foretelleth his destruction.

1 Unto the end, understanding for David, 2 when Doeg, the Edomite, came and told Saul: David went to the house of Achimelech. [1 Kings xxii. 9.]

3 Why dost thou glory in malice, thou that art mighty in iniquity?

4 All the day long thy tongue hath devised injustice: as a sharp razor, thou hast wrought deceit.

5 Thou hast loved malice more than goodness; and iniquity rather than to speak righteousness.

6 Thou hast loved all the words of ruin, O deceitful tongue.

7 Therefore will God destroy thee for ever: he will pluck thee out, and remove thee from thy dwelling-place: and thy root out of the land of the living.

8 The just shall see and fear, and shall laugh at him, and say: 9 Behold the man that made not God his helper:

But trusted in the abundance of his riches: and prevailed in his vanity.

10 But I, as a fruitful olive-tree in the house of God, have hoped in the mercy of God for ever; yea, for ever and ever.

11 I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name, for it is good in the sight of thy saints.