Introit of Fourth Sunday After Pentecost

Psalm 26:1,2

The Lord is my light and my salvation: whom shall I fear? The Lord is the protector of my life: of whom shall I be afraid? My enemies that trouble me have themselves been weakened and have fallen. Ps. If armies in camp should stand together against me, my heart shall not fear. V. Glory be to the Father.

Haydock

Verse 1. Anointed. Heb. has only, David. The rest of the title occurs only in some copies of the Sept. (Euseb. C.) and is not of divine authority. Yet if any attention be paid to it, we must suppose that David composed this psalm before his second anointing, as he speaks of great dangers. But this is all uncertain. Bert. — For dangers threatened David even after he had been declared king. H. — Before Samuel anointed him, he was not endued with the spirit of prophecy. See 1 K. xvi. 13. 2 K. ii. 4. and v. 3. C. — Some suppose that he alludes to the entertainment given him by Abimelech, (v. 5 and 12. Theod.) or to that night when, fearless of danger, he took away Saul’s cup; (Ferrand) while Abenezra and De Muis rather believe, that he composed this psalm when his people dissuaded him from going out to battle. 2 K. xxi 17. It expresses the sentiments of the Levites in captivity, (C.) and most beautifully consoles the just in distress. David did not write this for himself alone, but for all future generations. Hence it is not necessary to discover the particular circumstances of his life, to which this and many other psalms allude; nor is there any difficulty in explaining away the various imprecations, as they are not directed against any individual, but relate to all the enemies of the soul; while they foretell what the wicked shall suffer. Bert. — Afraid. “Find one more powerful, and then fear.” S. Aug. — God both giveth light and strength, so that no enemy can hurt his servants. Lu. xxi. 15. W.

Verse 2. Flesh. This expression marks the fury of his enemies. See Job xix. 22. and xxxi. 31. C. — That. Heb. and Sept. “and my foes.” This may denote domestic, and the former word public, enemies. H. — Weakened. Hebrew also, “have stumbled.” Those who came to take Jesus Christ, verified this prediction. Jo. xviii. 6. C.

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