ARGUMENT

ARG. THOMAS. That all the Gentiles reverence and fear the Name and glory of CHRIST. The Voice of CHRIST to the Church. The Voice of CHRIST to the Church when CHRIST ascended to the FATHER, or the voice of any one doing penance. The Voice of CHRIST in the Passion, and a prophecy of the new people. The Voice of CHRIST on the Cross.

VEN. BEDE. Although some hare thought the present Psalm applicable to the LORD our SAVIOUR, it seems more suitable to suppose that the person of an afflicted and groaning poor man, as the title itself contains it, is introduced: for when he saith, before the Lord, he discloses the intention of the suppliant; whereby, dismissing the tumult of thoughts from his mind, he makes mention of nought save himself and Him to Whom he makes his prayer. And note, that while names are constantly set down in the titles, here a POOR MAN without name is introduced as speaking: doubtless that whereas it is given to one, all CHRIST’S poor may know that it is assigned to them.

This poor man, needy in goods, but rich in virtue, in the beginning of the Psalm beseeches the LORD in many ways to give heed to his prayer; because, broken down with constant affliction, he has his bones as it were burnt up. Hear my prayer, O Lord, &c. Then follows a mournful account of his necessities, I am smitten down like grass, §c. And lest he should appear, after so many sufferings, ungrateful for his chastisement, he proceeds in the third part to the praises of the LORD, by Whose Advent he saith that the Church will be built up; and whereas all things are to be changed, He, nevertheless, will abide for evermore. Thou, O Lord, shalt endure for ever. There is introduced also a very prayerful ending, that the seed of the Saints may be directed to that place where the LORD dwells in everlasting glory. Thus the prayer of the poor man, which began with tears, is achieved in joy. The children of Thy servants shall continue.

EUSEBIUS OF CÆSAREA. A lamentation over the former people, and a prophecy of the new people, and the calling of the Gentiles.

S. ATHANASIUS. A Psalm in prayer.