ARGUMENT

ARG. THOMAS. That CHRIST is the Founder of the Church. David, in the Person of CHRIST, speaketh to the FATHER concerning His Passion, and concerning hell, and concerning His fixed faith in GOD. For at the Baptism of CHRIST, when He entered into the Jordan, the Voice of the FATHER thundered from heaven, and the springs of waters were seen, and thence they that rose up against Him, and would have overthrown Him, were cast out as the mire in the streets. Read with John. Concerning hope in GOD.

VEN. BEDE. Title: “To the end. To David, the child of the LORD, who spake to the LORD the words of this song in the day when the LORD delivered him from the hands of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul, and he said:” The Child of the LORD signifies CHRIST the SAVIOUR; and He is so named, because Unto us a Child is born. The history relates how David was freed from the snares of all his enemies; by which type the resurrection of the LORD, and the deliverance of His members from the power of the devil, are set forth. This Psalm cannot apply to a single person only. For in the first place the Prophet speaketh, and returns thanks that the Divine Goodness vouchsafed to free him from so many dangers. Secondly, the Church speaketh, which before the Advent of the LORD had endured so many calamities; until, having mercy on her, He gave the medicine of the Holy Incarnation, and by the blessing of Baptism, collected a Christian people from the whole world: The sorrows of death compassed me, &c. After that, the Voice of CHRIST the SAVIOUR gently descends, like the dew of mercy, and its virtue and power is described by most beautiful types. Fourthly, the Catholic Church again speaks, and praises with great exultation the gifts which GOD hath bestowed on her: The Lord liveth, &c.—Thus far Bede.

It would seem that David published, so to speak, two editions of this Psalm; that which we have in the Psalter, and which may therefore be considered more authentic; the other, that in the 22nd chapter of the second of Samuel, where also we have the date, which serves as a title to the Psalm. The differences, however, are very inconsiderable; and indeed, in the last seven verses of each, where the discrepancies are greatest, they are scarcely more than verbal.

EUSEBIUS OF CÆSAREA. A thanksgiving of David, and a prophecy of the Advent and Ascension of CHRIST.

SYRIAC PSALTER. A thanksgiving of David, and concerning the Ascension of CHRIST.