Psalms 74:3
When I shall take a time, I will judge justices.
The verse in its languages
- Vulgate (Clementine)
- Cum accepero tempus, ego justitias judicabo.
- Septuagint (Swete)
- ὅταν λάβω καιρόν· ἐγὼ εὐθύτητας κρινῶ.
- Hebrew (WLC) shown from Psalms 75:3
- כִּ֭י אֶקַּ֣ח מוֹעֵ֑ד אֲ֝נִ֗י מֵישָׁרִ֥ים אֶשְׁפֹּֽט
Haydock's commentary
When I shall take a time. In proper times: particularly at the last day, when the earth shall melt away at the presence of the great judge: the same who originally laid the foundations of it, and, as it were, established its pillars. (Challoner) (Worthington)
This is God's answer to the longer prayer of Asaph, in the preceding psalm, which is here concluded. (Calmet)
A time. Hebrew Mohed, "congregation." (Symmachus)
When I shall have delivered my people. (Theodoret)
Justices. With the utmost rigour I will punish Babylon. (Calmet)
No mere creature knows the time of the general judgment, as Christ, the sovereign judge, does. (Worthington)
Then the just themselves will tremble. (Haydock)
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 Lectures or Tractates on the Gospel According to St. John, Chapter VII. 1-13
6. Therefore also here: “My time is not yet come; but your time,” that is the glory of the world, “is always ready.” This is the time of which Christ, that is the body of Christ, speaks in prophecy: “When I shall have received the fit time, I will judge righteously.” For at present it is not the time of judging, but of tolerating the wicked. Therefore, let the body of Christ bear at present, and tolerate the wickedness of evil livers. Let it, however, have righteousness now, for by righteousness it shall come to judgment. And what saith the Holy Scripture in the psalm to the members, namely, that tolerate the wickedness of this world? “The Lord will not cast off His people.” For, in fact, His people labors among the unworthy, among the unrighteous, among blasphemers, among murmurers, detractors, persecutors, and, if they are allowed, destroyers. …
St Augustine Expositions on the Book of Psalms, Psalm LXXV
5. And he saith what? “When I shall have received,” he saith, “the time, I will judge justices” ( ver. 2 ). When shall He judge justices? When He shall have received the time. Not yet is the precise time. Thanks to His mercy: He first preacheth justices, and then He judgeth justices. For if He willed to judge before He willed to preach, who would be found that should be delivered: who would meet Him that should be absolved? Now therefore is the time of preaching: “I will tell,” he saith, “all Thy marvellous works.” Hear Him telling, hear Him preaching: for if thou shalt have despised Him, “when I shall have received the time,” He saith, “I will judge justices.” I forgive, He saith, now sins to one confessing, I will not spare hereafter one despising.…He hath received a time as Son of Man; He doth govern times as Son of God. Hear how as Son of Man He hath received the time of judging. …