Psalms 143:2
My mercy, and my refuge: my support, and my deliverer: My protector, and I have hoped in him: who subdueth my people under me.
Open Psalms 143:2 in the Motif Searcher, word by word across all five texts →Show on the spiral →The verse in its languages
- Vulgate (Clementine)
- Misericordia mea et refugium meum ; susceptor meus et liberator meus ; protector meus, et in ipso speravi, qui subdit populum meum sub me.
- Septuagint (Swete)
- ἔλεός μου καὶ καταφυγή μου, ἀντιλήμπτωρ μου καὶ ῥύστης μου, ὑπερασπιστής μου καὶ ἐπ᾽ αὐτῷ ἤλπισα. ὁ ὑποτάσσων τὸν λαόν μου ὑπ᾽ ἐμέ.
- Hebrew (WLC) shown from Psalms 144:2
- חַסְדִּ֥י וּמְצוּדָתִי֮ מִשְׂגַּבִּ֪י וּֽמְפַלְטִ֫י לִ֥י מָ֭גִנִּי וּב֣וֹ חָסִ֑יתִי הָרוֹדֵ֖ד עַמִּ֣י תַחְתָּֽי
Haydock's commentary
Mercy. "All the titles of God remind us of his benefits." (St. Jerome)
My people. After the defeat of the rebels, (Calmet) and the death of Isboseth. (Berthier)
Hebrew may also be "peoples," as Psalm xvii, (Syriac, &c.) including them, and the various nations that were subdued by David. (Calmet)
Conquerors are generally in confusion, while those who keep their passions under are free, 2 Corinthians iii. 17. (Berthier)
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 Expositions on the Book of Psalms, Psalm CXLIV
3. My Mercy and my Refuge, my Upholder and my Deliverer” ( ver. 2 ). Much toileth this combatant, having his flesh lusting against his spirit. Keep what thou hast. Then shalt thou have in full what thou wishest, when “death shall have been swallowed up in victory;” when this mortal body has been raised, and is changed into the condition of the angels, and rises aloft to a heavenly quality.…There is life, there are good days, where nought lusteth against the spirit, where it is not said, “Fight,” but “Rejoice.” But who is he that lusteth for these days? Every man certainly saith, “I do.” Hear what followeth. I see that thou art toiling, I see that thou art engaged in battle, and in danger; hear what followeth:…“Depart from evil, and do good:” let not the poor first weep under thee, that the poor may rejoice through thee. …
St Gregory Nazianzen Miscellaneous Letters, Letter CXXI
We rejoice in the tokens of love, and especially at such a season, and from one at once so young a man, and so perfect; and, to greet you with the words of Scripture, stablished in your youth, for so it calls him who is more advanced in wisdom than his years lead us to expect. The old Fathers prayed for the dew of heaven and fatness of the earth and other such things for their children, though perhaps some may understand these things in a higher sense; but we will give you back all in a spiritual sense. The Lord fulfil all thy requests, and mayest thou be the father of such children (if I may pray for you concisely and intimately) as you yourself have shewn yourself to your own parents, so that we, as well as every one else, may be glorified concerning you.