ARGUMENT

ARG. THOMAS. That CHRIST, for us made poor and needy, enricheth us that understand1 Him with eternal riches. This Psalm is to be read with the lection of Isaiah2 the Prophet. The voice of CHRIST concerning His Passion and Resurrection, and of Judas, the traitor; and concerning the conversion of all, and chiefly of the poor. Every Christian may take this Psalm into his own mouth. Against the unclean spirit; i. e., the man of his filth.

[Notice the singular reading, homo fæcis suæ, instead of pacis suæ; and which Vezzozi does not mention.]

The Prophet speaketh concerning them that give alms. Of communion with all men, or with the poor.

VEN. BEDE. These words are already familiar to us [he is speaking of the title]; but, to handle them briefly, all has to do with CHRIST. This Psalm is honoured by its position as standing in the 40th place; a number which is frequently adapted to holiness and purification.

[He would refer to the forty days in which Moses and Elijah fasted, as well as to the Lent of our LORD; to the forty years during which the congregation of Israel were purified, so to speak, from the unbelievers who had rebelled at the instigation of the spies; and to the like instances.]

At the outset the Prophet saith, that he who giveth alms is blessed, and that with a manifold benediction: Blessed is he that understandeth. Next, the LORD commemorateth His glorious Passion: Mine enemies speak evil of Me. Thirdly, to the end that He may confirm the hope of the faithful, He predicteth His Resurrection: Raise Thou Me up again.

EUSEBIUS OF CÆSAREA. A prophecy of CHRIST and the traitor Judas.

S. ATHANASIUS. A Psalm proclaiming beatitude.

SYRIAC PSALTER. A Psalm of David when he appointed overseers to take care of the poor; a prophecy concerning CHRIST and Iscariot.

ARABIC PSALTER. A prophecy of the Incarnation, and the salutation of Judas.