Gradual of Ash Wednesday
The text of the Gradual
Psalm 56:2, 4
Have pity on me, O God; have pity on me, for in You I take refuge. ℣. He has sent from heaven and saved me; He has made those a reproach who trample upon me.
Haydock
Verse 2. In thee. This obliges God to take pity. Ps. xlvi. 11. --- Wings, as a chicken retires to the hen. Ruth ii. 12. Matt. xxiii. 37.
Verse 4. Sent his mercy, &c. (C.) above the power of man. W. --- Reproach. Saul was forced to entreat David to preserve his family, as he had just spared his own life; which would, no doubt, mortify his pride, (1 K. xxiv. 18. 22. C.) and seem a reproach to him. W.