ARGUMENT

ARG. THOMAS. That CHRIST may give us spiritual food in due season. The Voice of the Church to CHRIST, asking that He may vouchsafe to be her King without end, and that she may evermore give thanks for His bounties.

VEN. BEDE. It may be asked why this title alone contains Praise for David himself, whereas in all the Psalms the glory of David himself, that is, of the LORD CHRIST, is proclaimed. But it is set down here more precisely and clearly for this reason, that having come to the end of all things intended for the instruction of man’s ignorance, now he is enjoined to give his time to the LORD’S praises only, which Lauds are included in a septenary of psalms, because (as I think) of the Sabbath of the world to come; for, saith he, Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house, they will be alway praising Thee. And this Psalm, moreover, observes the order of the Hebrew alphabet in the beginning of the verses. Wherein, however, it is to be noted that the letter Nun is not extant in the Hebrew manuscripts, but, added by the Seventy Interpreters, contains this verse, The Lord is faithful in all His ways, and holy in all His works.

The Praise of CHRIST, which the Prophet utters, is detailed in three statements. First; is the boundless promise of His praise, I will magnify Thee, O God my King. Secondly; he saith that the LORD’S praise ought to be celebrated in nine ways. One generation, &c. In the third part he explains somewhat more fully and clearly what he had briefly set forth in the second concerning CHRIST’S praise, teaching at the end that the LORD ought to be praised by all flesh. The Lord is gracious and merciful, &c. So then the first division contains three letters of the aforesaid alphabet; the second, four; the third, fourteen.

SYRIAC PSALTER. Of David. Praise with the doctrine of GOD.

EUSEBIUS OF CÆSAREA. A hymn with doctrine of GOD.