Psalms 78:8
Remember not our former iniquities: let thy mercies speedily prevent us, for we are become exceeding poor.
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- Vulgate (Clementine)
- Ne memineris iniquitatum nostrarum antiquarum ; cito anticipent nos misericordiæ tuæ, quia pauperes facti sumus nimis.
- Septuagint (Swete)
- μὴ μνησθῇς ἡμῶν ἀνομιῶν ἀρχαίων· ταχὺ προκαταλαβέτωσαν ἡμᾶς οἱ οἰκτειρμοί σου, ὅτι ἐπτωχεύσαμεν σφόδρα.
- Hebrew (WLC) shown from Psalms 79:8
- אַֽל תִּזְכָּר לָנוּ֮ עֲוֺנֹ֪ת רִאשֹׁ֫נִ֥ים מַ֭הֵר יְקַדְּמ֣וּנוּ רַחֲמֶ֑יךָ כִּ֖י דַלּ֣וֹנוּ מְאֹֽד
Haydock's commentary
Former iniquities, which we and our fathers have committed. The Hebrews generally pray for the remission of their parent's faults, Lamentations v. 7., Baruch iii. 5., and Daniel ix. 5. (Calmet)
But here the penitents' own transgressions may be meant. (Berthier)
God is ready to pardon such. (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 Book VIII, Chapter XII
28. But when a profound reflection had, from the secret depths of my soul, drawn together and heaped up all my misery before the sight of my heart, there arose a mighty storm, accompanied by as mighty a shower of tears. Which, that I might pour forth fully, with its natural expressions, I stole away from Alypius; for it suggested itself to me that solitude was fitter for the business of weeping. So I retired to such a distance that even his presence could not be oppressive to me. Thus was it with me at that time, and he perceived it; for something, I believe, I had spoken, wherein the sound of my voice appeared choked with weeping, and in that state had I risen up. He then remained where we had been sitting, most completely astonished. …
St Augustine Expositions on the Book of Psalms, Psalm LXXIX
11. …He subjoineth, “Remember not our iniquities of old” ( ver. 8 ). He saith not by gone, which might have even been recent; but “of old,” that is, coming from parents. For to such iniquities judgment, not correction, is owing. “Speedily let Thy mercies anticipate us.” Anticipate, that is, at Thy judgment. For “mercy exalteth above in judgment.” Now there is “judgment without mercy,” but to him that hath not showed mercy. But whereas he addeth, “for we have become exceeding poor:” unto this end he willeth that the mercies of God should be understood to anticipate us; that our own poverty, that is, weakness, by Him having mercy, should be aided to do His commandments, that we may not come to His judgment to be condemned.