Beginning

Footnotes

1. Psalm 32:1 This is the second of the seven Penitential Psalms (6; 32; 38; 51; 102; 130; 143), a joyous testimony of gratitude for God’s gift of forgiveness for those who confess their sins and follow the law of God. Instead of constantly pondering their sins, believers acknowledge their wretchedness before God and accept forgiveness and reconciliation. Their torment ceases, and a new person is born, overwhelmed by grace, confidence, and a sense of obedience.
   In praying this psalm, we can focus not only on the happiness resulting from the forgiveness of particular sin but also on the more profound happiness obtained by the complete victory given us by God in Christ over sin under all its forms.
2. Psalm 32:1 Maskil: this term cannot be given a precise translation; perhaps it means “teaching” or “training.”
3. Psalm 32:1 Joyous declaration of the happiness of having one’s sins forgiven by God (see Pss 65:5; 85:2; Job 31:33). This text is cited by Paul in Rom 4:7-8. Blessed: see note on Ps 1:1.
4. Psalm 32:3 I remained silent: did not confess the sin before God. Body: literally, “bones.”
5. Psalm 32:4 According to St. Augustine, even before penitents acknowledge their sin, God hears the cry of their heart and pardons it because of their true contrition (see 2 Sam 12:13).
6. Psalm 32:5 Sin . . . guilt . . . offenses: these are the three most common Hebrew words for evil thoughts and actions (see Ps 51:3-4; Isa 59:12).
7. Psalm 32:6 The psalmist encourages the godly to draw near to God; even in the greatest adversities, the Lord will protect them. Where . . . found: another version is: “in time of distress.” Great floods: symbol of grave danger (see note on Ps 18:17).
8. Psalm 32:7 After receiving God’s help, the psalmist will be surrounded by people celebrating this latest act of deliverance while he brings thank offerings.
9. Psalm 32:10 Kindness: see note on Ps 6:5.
10. Psalm 32:11 Heart: see note on Ps 4:8.
11. Psalm 33:1 This psalm follows a classical pattern. First, the psalmist calls for praise to God. Then he proclaims praise for his great deeds: his word that created the three-tiered universe (vv. 4-9), his intervention in history when he chose his people from among the nations (vv. 10-12), and finally his powerful help for those who fear him (vv. 13-19). Thus, he contemplates God’s work in creation, in the history of Israel, and in the lives of the righteous. The people acclaim Providence, whose wise plan is universal in its scope.
    In Ephesians (Eph 1:9; 3:4f), Paul will explain this hidden plan of God that is carried to fulfillment in Christ’s Passover in order that humankind may have life and the world may attain its goal.
12. Psalm 33:3 Sing to him a new song: celebrate God’s saving deed with a new song to make known his greatness to others and to give him praise (see Pss 7:18, and note; 40:4; 96:1; 98:1; 144:9; 149:1; Isa 42:10; Rev 5:9; 14:3).
13. Psalm 33:4 The psalmist celebrates especially the perfections of the Lord. His nature and his self-revelation are in complete harmony; he is faithful (true) in everything that he does. He also loves righteousness and justice, i.e., he carries out his plans by his verdicts, rule, and covenant relationship with his people. Furthermore, his kindness is evident in his works on earth; he shows the same loyalty, constancy, and love toward the rest of creation that he shows to his people (v. 22). Kindness: see note on Ps 6:5.
14. Psalm 33:6 The Fathers of the Church applied this verse to the Blessed Trinity: Lord = Father; word = Son; breath = Spirit. All their host: the stars of the sky were viewed as an army (see Neh 9:6; Isa 40:26; 45:12; Jer 33:22). See also note on Ps 24:10.
15. Psalm 33:7 He gathers the waters . . . as in a bowl: God rules the dangerous waters so easily that it is like a person putting water into a bowl (see Ps 104:9; Gen 1:9f; Job 38:8-11; Prov 8:29; Jer 5:22).
16. Psalm 33:8 The nations of the world feared many gods, each of whom reigned over the various heavenly bodies and over the land, sea, and sky. But the psalmist stresses that the Lord is the Creator-Ruler of the world and everything in it. Hence, he calls upon all nations and all peoples to fear the Lord because of his greatness and his goodness.
17. Psalm 33:9 Whatever God spoke came into existence (see Heb 11:3). Everything reflects his wise rule. The nations are completely under his control (see Prov 19:21; 21:30; Isa 8:10; 19:17; 46:10f; Jer 29:11; Mic 4:12). God’s providence works out his purposes. Heart: see note on Ps 4:8.
18. Psalm 33:12 The psalmist now meditates on the election of God’s people, after he has stressed the Lord’s power and steadfast carrying out of his plans.
19. Psalm 33:12 The Lord freely chose his people as his heritage (see Pss 28:9; 74:2; 78:62, 71; 94:5, 14; 106:5, 40; Ex 19:5; Deut 4:20; 9:26, 29).
20. Psalm 33:13 The Lord sees everything that happens on earth (vv. 13-15) and controls human destinies. Hearts: see note on Ps 4:8.
21. Psalm 33:18 Success in any venture does not depend on earthly means but on God alone, who watches over his faithful and delivers them from death and every danger. Eyes of the Lord: a metaphor for the Lord’s loving care. Kindness: see note on Ps 6:5.
22. Psalm 33:20 The people respond by expressing a renewal of their covenant commitment. The Lord is their help and shield (see Pss 3:4; 28:7), and they trust in his holy name, with which they associate past acts of deliverance (see Ps 30:5). They promise to be submissive and abandon themselves to him as he works out his plans for the establishment of his kingdom and the renewal of the earth. Soul: see note on Ps 6:4. Hearts: see note on Ps 4:8. Name: see note on Ps 5:12. Kindness: see note on Ps 6:5.
23. Psalm 34:1 This alphabetical psalm has two parts. The first voices thanksgiving for the solicitude with which God surrounds the righteous and the poor to deliver them from their anguish. Doubtless the psalmist has experienced this in life and gives his disciples the fruit of his experience. The second part takes the tone of an instruction (vv. 13-23): a sage invites the listeners to discover the path to happiness in the fear of the Lord.
    The poorest of the poor and the wisest of the sages is Christ, and it is upon his lips that we can place this psalm after the example of John (Jn 19:36), numbering ourselves—in accord with the express indication of Peter (see 1 Pet 3:10-12)—among the children to whom he teaches the way of life and happiness. From the early days of Christianity this psalm served to teach those who were preparing for the Christian life and for Baptism (1 Pet 2:3).
24. Psalm 34:1 The superscription refers to 1 Sam 21:11-15, but (probably as the result of a scribal error) erroneously substitutes Abimelech for Achish, King of Gath.
25. Psalm 34:2 The praise of the Lord is continual, God-centered, and the response of a grateful heart—an offering that the Lord will never reject (see Ps 50:14-23; Hos 14:2; Heb 13:15). Its purpose is to acknowledge the Lord’s greatness (see Pss 30:2; 69:31; 99:5; 107:32; 145:1). Name: see note on Ps 5:12.
26. Psalm 34:3 Soul: see note on Ps 6:4.
27. Psalm 34:7 In my anguish: literally, “this poor man.” The word “poor” is usually applied to one who depends completely on God for his deliverance and his very life. See also note on Ps 22:27.
28. Psalm 34:8 Angel of the Lord: i.e., the Lord’s protection or the presence of God. However, such protection, although promised by the Lord (see Ps 91:11; Gen 32:2; 2 Ki 6:17; Mt 4:5f), is not automatic; it depends on one’s allegiance to the covenant—the “fear of the Lord”—entailing the practices mentioned in verses 12-15.
29. Psalm 34:9 This verse is applied to the Holy Eucharist by the Fathers of the Church and the Liturgy (see 1 Pet 2:3). Blessed: see note on Ps 1:1.
30. Psalm 34:10 Fear the Lord: see note on Ps 15:2-5. Saints: that is, those consecrated to God and sharing in his holiness (see Ex 19:6; Lev 19:2; Num 16:3; Isa 4:3; Dan 8:24). See also notes on Pss 4:4; 16:3.
31. Psalm 34:11 Powerful: literally, “lions”—fierce animals were symbols of people with power.
32. Psalm 34:12 To gain wisdom entails two things: fearing the Lord and doing his will. The latter calls for integrity of language rather than deception (v. 14; see Jer 4:2), practicing good rather than evil (v. 15; see Ps 37:3, 27), and working for rather than against peace (vv. 15-16; see Ps 37:37; Mt 5:9; Rom 12:18; 14:19; Heb 12:14).
33. Psalm 34:12 Children: a term (also translated as “simple” or “sons”) for students in Wisdom literature (see Prov 1:22; 4:1; 8:32; Sir 3:1; 23:7).
34. Psalm 34:13 This verse is found word for word in an Egyptian text of the 18th dynasty (tomb of Ai) (see 1 Pet 3:10f).
35. Psalm 34:14 Tongue: see note on Ps 5:10.
36. Psalm 34:16 The eyes and ears of the Lord are attuned to the righteous (see Ps 33:18), but the face of the Lord (see note on Ps 13:2) is against evildoers (see Lev 17:10; Jer 23:30; 1 Pet 3:10-12).
37. Psalm 34:18 Compunction and humility are requirements for benefiting from the grace of salvation (see Ps 51:19; Mt 11:29f). The Lord hears the cry of the righteous (see Ps 145:19) and the brokenhearted (see Ps 147:3) and saves them from their afflictions.
38. Psalm 34:20 No matter how many are the troubles of the righteous man, the Lord will deliver him (see Job 5:19; 2 Tim 3:11), protecting all his bones, a phrase representative of his whole being. Not a single one will be broken: John applies this text to Jesus on the cross as the righteous man par excellence. Hence, this text is regarded as a prophecy about Christ when he was crucified. Although it was the custom of the Romans to break the legs of a person they had crucified so that death would come more quickly, it was not carried out in this case and not one of Christ’s bones was broken.
39. Psalm 34:20 Delivers him: God promises to be our source of power, courage, and wisdom to help us through our troubles; at times he even chooses to take them away from us.
40. Psalm 34:22 The wicked will perish in their own evil and be condemned (see Ps 9:16), but the righteous will be saved by the Lord (see Ex 6:6; Lk 1:68; Rev 14:3).
41. Psalm 35:1 This is one of the so-called imprecatory (or cursing) psalms that call upon God to mete out justice to enemies (see vv. 24-26; Pss 3:8; 5:11; 6:10; 18:14-16; 28:4f; 31:18f; 37:2, 9-10, 15, 20, 35f; 40:15f; 54:7; 55:10, 16, 24; 58:8-12; 63:10-12; 64:8-10; 69:23-29; 71:13; 79:6, 12; 83:10-19; 129:5-8; 137:8-9; 139:19-22; 140:10-12; 141:10; 143:12). In their thirst for justice, the authors of these psalms use hyperbole (or overstatement) in order to move others to oppose sin and evil (see also note on Ps 5:11). In three successive waves, the frantic and indignant cry of the persecuted righteous man rises toward God; and three successive times the suppliant rediscovers hope. He is a man overwhelmed by the underhanded wickedness, betrayal, and calumnies of friends as well as the dark designs of adversaries. It reminds us once again of the evils suffered by the prophet Jeremiah (Jer 20:10-13), and we cannot refrain from thinking of the trial of Jesus before a tribunal bent on sending him to his death (Mt 26:57ff).
    Christians are aware that the world continues to pursue Christ in the person of his disciples (see Mt 5:11; 10:17f; Jn 15:18-25), unjustly directing accusations and persecutions against them. Hence, the prayer formulated in this psalm must spring forth from the lips and hearts of the disciples united with their Master.
42. Psalm 35:3 Soul: see note on Ps 6:4.
43. Psalm 35:5 Like chaff flying in the wind: i.e., easily carried away. Angel of the Lord: see note on Ps 34:8.
44. Psalm 35:9 Soul: see note on Ps 6:4.
45. Psalm 35:10 My whole being: literally, “all my bones.” Poor and needy: see notes on Pss 22:27; 34:7.
46. Psalm 35:13 Sackcloth: a symbol of mourning. Fasting: an act of mourning (see Ps 69:10). Heart: see note on Ps 4:8.
47. Psalm 35:17 How long . . . ?: see note on Ps 6:4. Lions: a metaphor for enemies.
48. Psalm 35:19 Treacherous enemies . . . those who hate me without reason: cited in Jn 15:25, since this psalm as well as Ps 69 was regarded by the New Testament authors as foreshadowing the Passion of Christ.
49. Psalm 35:20 The enemies of the psalmist assail him and wrongly accuse him of some crime (see v. 11). These verses and verse 25 recall Ps 40:16; Lam 2:16; Ezek 25:3; 26:2; Hab 1:13.
50. Psalm 35:24 See introduction above and note on Ps 5:11.