Psalm 16:5,6-7
PERFECT Thou my goings in Thy paths, that my footsteps be not moved: incline Thy ear, and hear my words: show forth Thy wonderful mercies, Thou who savest them that trust in Thee, O Lord.
Haydock
Verse 5 Perfect. Hebrew, “support” me in these hard ways, where I am in continual danger of falling. (Calmet) — A Deo est incipere, a Deo est finire. (St. Jerome) — God’s grace enables us to begin and to perfect every good work. (Haydock) — None can walk right of themselves. (Worthington)
Verse 6 Heard me, of former occasions. This encourages me to pray with more confidence (Berthier) and fervour. Bona vota quoties effectum percipiunt, multiplicantur. (St. Gregory, Mor. xxxv. 3.) — Hebrew also, “thou wilt hear me favourably.” (St. Jerome) (Haydock)
Verse 7 Mercies. We become accustomed to the ordinary effects of grace, which are always admirable; and we are astonished only at miraculous conversions and occurrences. (Origen) — Some such manifestation of the divine power seemed now requisite, to deliver David from such a powerful rival as Saul. (Calmet) — Syriac, “Lord, make thy holy one appear as a prodigy, as the Saviour of those who hope in thee.” (St. Jerome) — “O thou Saviour of those who hope.” (Haydock)