Psalm 54:17-23
When I cried to the Lord He heard my voice, from them that draw near to me; and He humbled them, who is before all ages, and remains for ever: cast thy care upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee. Ps. Hear, O God, my prayer, and despise not my supplication; be attentive to me and hear me. V. Glory be to the Father.
Haydock
Verse 18. Evening. The Hebrew then began the day. C. Gen. i. 5. H. — They had three times allotted for prayer, (Dan. vi. 10.) as the Church had afterwards. Const. Ap. vii. 25. C. — Evening song, matins, and the sacrifice of the mass, are the principal times for divine service. W. — David comprises all times, because his prayer was continual. Bert. C.
Verse 19. Among many, &c. That is, they that drew near to attack me, were many in company, all combining to fight against me. Ch. — Or, many also joined themselves to me with Joab, and the holy angels, (4 K. vi. 16.) though almost all Israel followed Absalom. 2 K. xv. 13. C. — In many things, schismatics agree with the Church; but their crime is the breaking of unity. S. Aug.
Verse 20. Change, or redemption for them, (Ps. xliii. 13. Euseb.) or they will not amend, (W.) nor cease to blaspheme God, and to calumniate me. C. — Eternal. Lit. “He who is before ages.” H.
Verse 21. Repay. Heb. bishlomaiv, “in his tribulations,” or “against his peaceable ones.” Houbigant too arbitrarily translates, “they have sent forth their hand against, " &c. Bert.
Verse 22. They are divided, &c. Dispersed, scattered, and brought to nothing, by the wrath of God, who looks with indignation on their wicked and deceitful ways. Ch. — They are separated from the good, (S. Jer.) slain by a look. 2 Thess. ii. 8. — Near, or fought, v. 19. C. — Some translate, “they have divided the butter, like words of his mouth.” But this is less accurate, and the same idea is conveyed in the next words. Bert. — Prot. “The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart. His words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.” H. — My enemy has violated every law, under his appearance of friendship. C. — Darts. Absalom kissed the men of Israel to delude them, (2 K. xv. 2.) and the traitor gave this sign to those who came to seize our Saviour. Matt. xxvi. 48. C. — The words of God are most excellent in themselves, but they seem hard to the incredulous. Thus the Capharnaites gave rise to the first heresy against the words of Christ, which S. Peter piously believed, though, as yet, he did not comprehend their meaning. Jo. vi. S. Aug. W. — His heart and words may thus be understood of God: but they more probably relate to any one of David’s numerous enemies, who is thus singled out. H.
Verse 23. Cast. The prophet had experienced the happy effect of this conduct. C. — In all troubles and doubts, we must have recourse to God. W. 1 Pet. v. 7.