Psalms 15:1
The inscription of a title to David himself. Preserve me, O Lord, for I have put my trust in thee.
The verse in its languages
- Vulgate (Clementine)
- Tituli inscriptio, ipsi David. Conserva me, Domine, quoniam speravi in te.
- Septuagint (Swete)
- Στηλογραφία τῷ Δαυείδ. Φύλαξόν με, Κύριε, ὅτι ἐπὶ σοὶ ἤλπισα.
- Hebrew (WLC) shown from Psalms 16:1
- מִכְתָּ֥ם לְדָוִ֑ד שָֽׁמְרֵ֥נִי אֵ֝֗ל כִּֽי חָסִ֥יתִי בָֽךְ
Haydock's commentary
The inscription of a title. That is, a pillar or monument, stelographia: which is as much as to say, that this psalm is most worthy to be engraved on an everlasting monument. (Challoner)
Mictam. Protestants, "Michtam." Marginal note, or "golden psalm of David," or most excellent. St. Jerome, &c., have divided the word into two: "of the humble and upright David." (Haydock)
It may signify "inscribed." (Calmet)
But there seems to be no reason for abandoning the Septuagint, who were well acquainted with the original. The psalm is in the form of a prayer, which David pronounces in the person of Christ, to whom the apostles apply several verses; and, as the rest seem to be of the same nature, we must understand all of the Messias, praying, in his sacred humanity, (Berthier) that his body may remain incorrupt. It may refer to Ezechias, to the captives, or rather to David, persecuted by Saul, and provoked to serve false gods, 1 Kings xxvi. 19. But then many expressions must be explained figuratively, (Calmet) and this would tend to weaken the prediction, (Berthier) which all the Fathers have understood of Christ suffering. (Calmet)
The thing most worthy to be noted, (stilographia) by the prophet David, is our Saviour's crucifixion; (Worthington) the memory of which must be perpetuated. Job (xix. 24.) wished that what he said about the resurrection, might thus be engraven on flint. (Haydock)
Preserve. David acknowledges his infirmity, and that all good comes from God. (Calmet)
Jesus was heard praying with tears, &c., Hebrews v. 7. In his humanity, He might use these expressions, (Haydock) as He was the head of a new people, whom he wished to sanctify and instruct. (Berthier)
Read on
He often prayed, as the gospel informs us. (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 Expositions on the Book of Psalms, Psalm XVI
2. Now He saith as follows; “Preserve me, O Lord, for in Thee have I hoped” ( ver. 1 ): “I have said to the Lord, Thou art my God, for Thou requirest not my goods” ( ver. 2 ): for with my goods Thou dost not look to be made blessed.
St Cyril of Jerusalem On the Words, And Rose Again from the Dead on the Third Day, and Ascended into the Heavens, and Sat on the Right Hand of the Father
Come then to the 15th Psalm, which says distinctly: Preserve Me, O Lord , for in Thee have I put my trust : and after this, their assemblies of blood will I not join, nor make mention of their names between my lips ; since they have refused me, and chosen Cæsar as their king: and also the next words, I foresaw the Lord alway before Me, because He is at My right hand, that I may not be moved : and soon after Yea and even until night my reins chastened me . And after this He says most plainly, For Thou wilt not leave My soul in hell ; neither wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption . He said not, neither wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see death, since then He would not have died; but corruption , saith He, I see not, and shall not abide in death. Thou hast made known to Me the ways of life . Behold here is plainly preached a life after death. …