Psalms 106

Psalms 106:1

Alleluia. St. Augustine repeats this word. But it occurs in the Hebrew, &c., at the end of the preceding psalm, of which this is a continuation, shewing how God pardoned his people, and delivered them from captivity, (Calmet) and mankind from sin. (Haydock) (Fathers) (Berthier) — Glory. Literally, “confess” your sins, thay you may praise God, (Psalm cv.; Haydock) and adore his mercy and providence. (Worthington)

Psalms 106:2

Countries. The Jews from Babylon, and all who were redeemed by Christ. (Calmet) — He was promised immediately after the fall. [Genesis iii. 15. (Worthington)

Psalms 106:3

Sea. Hebrew miyam, for which we should read imim “the right,” denoting the south. (Calmet) — But the sea, or ocean, is properly used in the same sense. (Berthier) — The Ammonites, Philistines, Syrians, and Idumeans, from these four quarters, often reduced the Israelites to servitude, under the judges. (Houbigant) — From all parts, the Jews of the ten tribes returned in the reigns of Darius and Alexander. (Calmet, Diss.) — But the texts which are applied to this event speak rather of the conversion of the Gentiles, which the prophet has here in view. (Berthier) — None are excluded from the benefits of this redemption, but by their own fault. (Worthington)

Psalms 106:4

Habitation. So were the Jews distressed at Babylon, (Calmet) as many are forced to wander in the world, and all are involved in sin. (Worthington)

Psalms 106:5

Hungry. As both Jews and Gentiles were for the word of God, (Amos viii. 11.) when Christ appeared. (Haydock) — Their wants cried aloud, (St. Augustine) though they sought him not, Isaias lxv. 1. (Berthier) — Those who call upon God are relieved by him, in the manner which is most for their welfare. (Worthington)

Psalms 106:8

Mercies. We are unworthy to open our mouths. This chorus is repeated, (ver. 15, 21, 31.) by the people, after the Levites had sung the intermediate sentences. (Calmet) — The ver. 6, 9, 13, 19., are of the same nature, and refer to different sorts of calamities. (Berthier) — All the benefits of God, proceeding from his mercy, and not from man’s deserts, praise him. (Worthington)

Psalms 106:10

Darkness. This second allegory represents the condition of the captives, and of mankind, before Christ’s coming. (Calmet) — The former enjoyed some liberty, Jeremias xxix. 5. — But the latter were most miserable, (Matthew ix. 15., and Luke iv. 18.) and of these the words are most naturally explained. (Berthier)

Psalms 106:11

Exasperated. Hebrew, “changed, or frustrated.” This is the source of all misery, (Calmet) as calamities are commonly inflicted on account of sin. (Worthington)

Psalms 106:12

Labours. There were slaves of various descriptions: some were confined to hard labour, and chained down at night. (Calmet)

Psalms 106:14

Bonds. Of their passions. See St. Augustine, Confessions viii. 11. (Haydock)

Psalms 106:17

Iniquity. Making them alter their conduct. Hebrew seems less correct: “they are foolish on account of their way, and they,” &c. Illness is sent to punish sin, Job xxxiii. 19., Matthew ix. 2., and John v. 14. (Calmet)

Psalms 106:20

Word. Jesus Christ, according to the prophetical sense, adopted by the Fathers, (St. Athanasius, or. 3., &c.) though it literally implies, that at God’s command the sick were healed, Matthew viii. 7. — This allegory again represents the state of captivity. (Calmet)

Psalms 106:22

Praise. Instead of victims, Psalm xxvi., &c.

Psalms 106:23

Down to the sea, &c. Captivity is here compared to a tempest. (Calmet) — The apostles carry the tidings of salvation to all places. Persecutions are raised; but God grants peace to his Church under Constantine. (Eusebius)

Psalms 106:24

Deep. The fury of tempests. Various nations, and the treasures of the deep. (Menochius)

Psalms 106:26

Heavens. So Virgil says:Tollimur in c'e6lum curvato gurgite & iidem Subducta ad Manes imos descendimus unda. ('c6neid iii.)

Psalms 106:27

Up. They knew not how to proceed. Ambiguis ars stupet ipsa malis. (Calmet)

Psalms 106:29

Breeze. Hebrew, “silence, or calm.”

Psalms 106:30

For. Even to Jerusalem. (Calmet)

Psalms 106:31

Men. We must thank God for having enabled us to repent, ver. 8. (Worthington)

Psalms 106:33

Wilderness. God caused his people to pass through the Red Sea, and the Jordan, to possess the fruitful country of Chanaan, part of which had been cursed for the crimes of the Sodomites. (Haydock) — He has punished Babylon, (Jeremias xxv. 12.) made a straight road from his people, (Isaias xxxv. 8.) and enabled them to cultivate their country again, ver. 41. (Calmet) — The synagogue has been abandoned, and the Church chosen. (Berthier) — The power of God is displayed, who caused the land of promise to be more fertile for his people, which is now very barren. (Worthington)

Psalms 106:34

Barrenness. Or “saltness.” (Haydock) — He alludes to the environs of Sodom, Genesis xiii. 10., and xix. 24. (Worthington)

Psalms 106:37

Of birth. A plentiful crop, facient fruges germina. (St. Jerome) (Calmet) — Abundance of fruit shall grow in some places, while others are punished on account of sin. (Worthington)

Psalms 106:40

Princes. Jochonias was humbled, (Haydock) and exalted, with Daniel, &c., 4 Kings xxv. 27. Others explain it of Nabuchodonosor and Baltasar, who were reduced to the state of ignominy and death. (Calmet) — The Jews experienced the greatest miseries at the last siege of Jerusalem. (Berthier)

Psalms 106:41

Sheep. The Gentiles took the place of the obstinate Jews. (St. Augustine)

Psalms 106:42

Mouth. The psalmist saw Babylon before its ruin, (Calmet) at least in spirit. God’s judgment strengthen virtue, and repress the wicked. (Haydock) The propagation of the gospel put to silence the oracles of the pagans. (Berthier)

Psalms 106:43

Lord. This is the part of wisdom, and deserves our serious consideration, (Haydock) as Osee (xiv. 10.) and our Saviour admonish, Matthew xi. 15., and xiii. 9., and Mark iv. 9., &c.

Psalms 106:48

PSALM CVI. ( DOMINO.) All are invited to give thanks to God for his perpetual providence over men.