ARGUMENT

ARG. THOMAS. That CHRIST, sent as salvation by the FATHER, hath visited us by His Advent. The Voice of the Church to the Apostles and to the people. This Psalm is to be read with Exodus. The Voice of CHRIST to the Apostles or of the Apostles to the people, or the Voice of the confession of sins.

VEN. BEDE. There is a brief prefatory counsel in the title, that the whole Psalm should be sung with rejoicing unto the LORD. The Hebrew people is introduced as giving thanks; because having abandoned the unfaithfulness of its fathers, it hath been led to the loving-kindness of the LORD by His mercy; so that we are to understand that, when they were converted, they fitly sang Alleluia for their redemption.

Therefore, in the beginning of his narrative, he prays that he may be joined to that well-pleasing people which was to be gathered out of the Gentiles at the coming of the LORD. O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is gracious. Secondly, he details the sins which his fathers had committed, by no means beholding with a right heart the LORD’S wonders in Egypt, but that nevertheless the gracious LORD had delivered them from their enemies. We have sinned with our fathers. Thirdly, he relates that they returned to their love of sinning, but that the LORD was appeased by the prayers of Moses. But within a while they forgat His works. Fourthly, he declares that their iniquities were repeated; and that the impending wrath of the LORD was pacified by the supplication of Phinehas. They thought scorn of that pleasant land. Fifthly, he mentions that they provoked Moses at the waters of strife, and that after this they sacrificed their sons unto idols; wherefore the LORD, being very wroth, delivered them over to the bondage of their enemies. They angered Him also at the waters of strife. Sixthly, he prays for what he knew to be coming: that the Catholic Church may be gathered from all nations, and celebrate together the praises of the LORD with everlasting gladness. Deliver us, O Lord, our God.

SYRIAC PSALTER. Anonymous. He urges them to keep the Commandments of the Lord: and teaches them that the more the Jews erred the more ought we to fear, lest we should talk together in church, or dispute with our brethren in any wise, and especially when we are present at the time of the mysteries and prayer. When we sin, that we should repent.

EUSEBIUS OF CÆSAREA. An instruction concerning the impiety of the Jewish nation.

S. ATHANASIUS. A Psalm with confession.