Psalms 118:42
So shall I answer them that reproach me in any thing; that I have trusted in thy words.
Open Psalms 118:42 in the Motif Searcher, word by word across all five texts →Show on the spiral →The verse in its languages
- Vulgate (Clementine)
- Et respondebo exprobrantibus mihi verbum, quia speravi in sermonibus tuis.
- Septuagint (Swete)
- καὶ ἀποκριθήσομαι τοῖς ὀνειδίζουσί με λόγον, ὅτι ἤλπισα ἐπὶ τοὺς λόγους σου.
- Hebrew (WLC) shown from Psalms 119:42
- וְאֶֽעֱנֶ֣ה חֹרְפִ֣י דָבָ֑ר כִּֽי בָ֝טַחְתִּי בִּדְבָרֶֽךָ
Haydock's commentary
In any thing. Literally, "the word" that I, &c. Thus he stops their mouths, by professing his confidence in God. (Haydock)
The Babylonians insultingly ask, Where is their God? If thou free me from captivity, I may reply that my hopes were not vain. (Calmet)
This answer I will give boldly, if I obtain thy grace, which will strengthen my weakness. (Worthington)
From Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary, 1859, in the transcription made by Todd Easton and kept online by John Paul Wohlschied at johnblood.gitlab.io/haydock.
The Fathers on this verse
St Augustine Answer to the Letters of Petilian, the Donatist, Chapter 43
102. Augustin answered: Judas did not die for us, but Christ, to whom the Church dispersed throughout the world says, "So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in Thy word." When, therefore, I hear the words of the Lord, saying, "Ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and even in the whole earth," and through the voice of His prophet, "Their sound is gone out through all the earth, and their words into the ends of the world," no bodily admixture of evil ever is able to disturb me, if I know how to say, "Be surety for Thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me." I do not, therefore, concern myself about a vain calumniation when I have a substantial promise. …
St Augustine Expositions on the Book of Psalms, Vav
43. “And so shall I make answer,” he saith, “to them that reproach me with the word” ( ver. 42 ). It is doubtful whether it be “reproach me with a word;” or, “I will answer with a word;” but either signifieth Christ. They to whom Christ crucified is a stumbling-block or foolishness, reproach us with Him; ignorant that “the Word was made flesh, and dwelt in us;” the Word which “was in the beginning,” and “was with God, and was God.” But although they may not reproach us with the Word which is unknown unto them, because His Divinity is not known unto those by whom His weakness on the Cross is despised; let us nevertheless make answer of the Word, and let us not be terrified or confounded by their reproaches. …