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Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

Psalms 52

3 parts

Rev. George Leo Haydock

Read this chapter in the Bible

Ver. 1

Maeleth, or Machalath. A musical instrument, or a chorus of musicians: for St. Jerome renders it, per chorum; (Challoner) and Aquila, “for dancing.” Sixtus V, &c., read incorrectly, “for Amalec.”

The psalm is nearly the same with the 13th, (Calmet) except ver. 6. (Menochius)

We know not the reason why David gave this second copy, omitting the name of Jehovah. (Berthier)

St. Augustine explains it of the dangers of the latter times. (Worthington)

It seems to speak of the return from captivity, ver. 7. (Calmet)

Ver. 6

God hath scattered the bones, &c. That is, God hath brought to nothing the strength of all those that seek to please men, to the prejudice of their duty to their Maker. (Challoner)

That. Hebrew, “who besiege thee. Thou hast confounded them, because,” &c. Septuagint seem to have read more correctly, as no one has been addressed before. (Berthier)

Ver. 7

Glad. The Fathers explain this of Christ’s redemption. The captives doubted not but that they should be speedily set at liberty, as the prophets had assured them. (Calmet)

Trans. None. Written in English; Haydock annotates the Douay-Rheims text and gathers the Fathers and later commentators., Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary (the Douay-Rheims Bible with Bishop Challoner's notes, enlarged by Rev. George Leo Haydock), 1859. Public domain.

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