David in distress crieth to God for help, 6. confidently trusting therein, 8. and promising sacrifice of thanksgiving.Dauid in diſtreſſe crieth to God for helpe, 6. confidently truſting therin, 8. and promiſing ſacrifice of thankeſgeuing.✦

Unto the end, in songs understanding for DavidVnto the end, in ſongs vnderſtanding for DauidIn finem, in carminibus. Intellectus David,

1609 marginThough historically this Psalm was sung by David the author thereof, showing how he prayed in danger, and rendered thanks for his deliverance, when upon notice given that he abode in the mountains, Saul straitly besieged him, with a great army, but the Philistims invading the country, Saul was forced to leave David, and to turn his forces against them, 1. Reg. 23. yet it pertaineth also literally to all just men in distress, especially to the Church of Christ, praying in like dangers, and God by his like providence, delivering his servants in extremities.A praier in diſtreſſe. the 7. key. · Though hiſtorically this Pſalme b was ſong by Dauid the author therof, ſhewing how he prayd in danger, and rendered thankes for his deliuerie, c when vpon notice geuen that he abode in the mountaines, Saul ſtraictly beſeged him, with a great armie, but the Philiſtims inuading the countrie, Saul was forced to leaue Dauid, and to turne his forces againſt them, 1. Reg. 23. yet it perteyneth alſo literally to al iuſt men in diſtreſſe, eſpecially to the Church of Chriſt, praying in like dangers, and God by his like prouidence, deliuering his ſeruantes in extremities.

2when the Ziphites were come, and said to Saul: Is not David hid with us? (1. Reg. 1. 23. & 26.)when the Zipheites were come, and ſaid to Saul: Is not Dauid hid with vs? (1. Reg. 1. 23. & 26.)cum venissent Ziphæi, et dixissent ad Saul : Nonne David absconditus est apud nos ?

3O God save me in thy name: and in thy strength judge me.O GOD ſaue me in thy name: and in thy ſtrength iudge me.Deus, in nomine tuo salvum me fac, et in virtute tua judica me.

4O God hear my prayer with thine ears: receive the words of my mouth.O God heare my prayer with thine eares: receiue the words of my mouth.Deus, exaudi orationem meam ; auribus percipe verba oris mei.

5Because strangers have risen up against me, and the strong have sought my soul: and they have not set God before their eyes.Becauſe ſtrangers haue riſen vp againſt me, & the ſtrong haue ſought my ſoule: and they haue not ſet God before their eies.Quoniam alieni insurrexerunt adversum me, et fortes quæsierunt animam meam, et non proposuerunt Deum ante conspectum suum.

6For behold God helpeth me: and our Lord is the of my soul.For behold God helpeth me: and our Lord is the receiuer of my ſoule.Ecce enim Deus adjuvat me, et Dominus susceptor est animæ meæ.

7Turn away the evils to mine enemies: and in thy truth destroy them.Turne away the euils to mine enimies: and in thy truth deſtroy them.Averte mala inimicis meis ; et in veritate tua disperde illos.

8I will voluntarily sacrifice to thee, and will confess to thy name O Lord, because it is good:I wil voluntarily ſacrifice to thee, and wil confeſſe to thy name ô Lord, becauſe it is good:Voluntarie sacrificabo tibi, et confitebor nomini tuo, Domine, quoniam bonum est.

9Because thou hast delivered me out of all tribulation: and mine eye hath looked upon mine enemies.Becauſe thou haſt deliuered me out of al tribulation: and mine eie hath looked downe vpon mine enimies.Quoniam ex omni tribulatione eripuisti me, et super inimicos meos despexit oculus meus.

The reading text follows the 1582 first edition.

St. Robert Bellarmine’s commentary on Psalms 53 — verse-by-verse exposition→

Chapter 53 of 150