ARGUMENT

ARG. THOMAS. That CHRIST, when crucified, commended His Spirit into His FATHER’s hands, speedily to receive it again. The Voice of CHRIST, hanging on the Cross, and praying for Himself and for His faithful people. Here is the Confession of Faith of them that believe in GOD. The Voice of CHRIST in His Passion concerning the Jews.

VEN. BEDE. This title is a well-known one, pertaining to the LORD CHRIST, concerning Whose Passion and Resurrection this whole Psalm is sung.

Through the whole Psalm they are the words of the LORD the SAVIOUR. At the beginning He prayeth to the FATHER, that He may be freed from imminent ills, and then exults, without doubting that He hath been heard. Next, He returns to His Passion, and by diverse allusions, marvellously describeth how it was ordered. Have mercy upon Me, O Lord, for I am in trouble. Thirdly, He returneth thanks for Himself and His faithful people, since He hath given His gifts of mercy to the universal Church: admonishing also the Saints that they persevere in the love of the LORD, since they have heard of the rewards of the good, and the retribution of the evil. This Psalm may, historically, be understood of David himself.

SYRIAC PSALTER. A thanksgiving, and a perpetual supplication to GOD.

S. JEROME. The Psalm, at the opening, contains the voice of the Mediator Himself; then of the people redeemed by His Blood, in the person of the Prophet. The Redeemer therefore saith to the FATHER, In Thee, O Lord, &c.