ARGUMENT

ARG. THOMAS. That CHRIST is the searcher out of all consciences. The Prophet speaketh to CHRIST of His enemies the Jews and of the devil. Yet it appeareth to pertain to CHRIST and to the synagogue. For CHRIST is exalted even to the heavens, but the synagogue had fallen into the pit which it digged for Him.

VEN. BEDE.1 The Prophet, therefore, turning his own circumstances into the future mysteries of the LORD the SAVIOUR, in the first division prays to GOD in His person that he may be delivered from all his persecutors. In the second he prays to be assisted by the manifested glory of His Resurrection: Arise, O Lord. In the third he introduces Him speaking, on account of His humility, and demanding to be judged according to His justice and truth: terrifying the evil by the prospect of vengeance, promising to the good gratuitous rewards: Judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness. In the fourth part, the Prophet speaketh again, and admonisheth the Jews that through fear of the coming Judgment, they depart from the evil they have proposed: God is a righteous Judge, &c. This Psalm also may be understood in the Person of the GOD-Man, if only the things which are there spoken humbly are referred to our humility which He bare.

EUSEBIUS OF CÆSAREA. A confession of David, and prophecy of the calling of nations.

SYRIAC PSALTER. The conversion of the Gentiles to the faith, and to the confession of the Trinity.