Psalms 9:101
Why, O Lord, hast thou retired afar off? why dost thou slight us in our wants, in the time of trouble?
Open Psalms 9:101 in the Motif Searcher, word by word across all five texts →Show on the spiral →The verse in its languages
- Vulgate (Clementine) shown from Psalms 9:22
- Ut quid, Domine, recessisti longe ; despicis in opportunitatibus, in tribulatione ?
- Septuagint (Swete) shown from Psalms 9:22
- ἵνα τί, Κύριε, ἀφέστηκας μακρόθεν; ὑπερορᾷς ἐν εὐκαιρίαις ἐν θλίψει;
- Hebrew (WLC) shown from Psalms 10:1
- לָמָ֣ה יְ֭הוָה תַּעֲמֹ֣ד בְּרָח֑וֹק תַּ֝עְלִ֗ים לְעִתּ֥וֹת בַּצָּרָֽה
Haydock's commentary
In modern times, the Jews have done it. (Worthington)
The Church allows this title, though the Septuagint found none in their copies, and therefore looked upon all to be one psalm. The change of subject is no proof of the contrary, as such compositions mingle joy and fear together. David has shewn how the just had got the victory. He now proceeds to declare what persecutions they had to endure. (Berthier)
After peace war succeeds. There is no settled state here below. (Haydock)
The same sentiments occur, Psalm xi., and xiii., &c. (Calmet)
Trouble. God assists his servants in distress; (ver. 10,) yet sometimes he delays, in order "to inflame their souls with a desire of his coming." (St. Augustine)
He is present, (Acts xvii. 28.) but only the men of prayer are truly sensible either of it, or of his absence. (Berthier)
The weak think he defers his aid a long time when they suffer any great persecution.
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 X
“Why, O Lord,” saith he, “hast Thou withdrawn afar off?” ( ver. 1 ). Then he who thus inquired, as if all on a sudden he understood, or as if he asked, though he knew, that he might teach, adds, “Thou despisest in due seasons, in tribulations:” that is, Thou despisest seasonably, and causest tribulations to inflame men’s minds with longing for Thy coming. For that fountain of life is sweeter to them that have much thirst. Therefore he hints the reason of the delay, saying, “Whilst the ungodly vaunteth himself, the poor man is inflamed” ( ver. 2 ). Wondrous it is and true with what earnestness of good hope the little ones are inflamed unto an upright living by comparison with sinners. …