De Profundis (1)
Since considerable interest has been shown on the medieval-religion
list in the psalm "De Profundis" (129 Vulgate, 130 Hebrew) it may be
appropriate to discuss this psalm at rather more depth, looking in
particular at the work of patristic and medieval commentators. I take
the liberty of copying these comments to our sister-list, that of the
S.S.B.M.A., whose members may also find them of interest.
It is helpful to use the four-volume commentary by J.M. Neale, which
provides a wealth of patristic and medieval material. Neale bases his
commentary on the Book of Common Prayer version, which uses the Hebrew
numbering. He therefore begins,
PSALM CXXX.
TITLE. A psalm of degrees.
[Respondet Oriens: If you consult the ODCC under the title "Gradual
Psalms" you will find the following entry: "The group of Psalms, Pss.
120-34, each of which bears a title in Hebrew rendered by St Jerome
'canticum graduum', and in the AV 'A song of degrees' (RV, 'Ascents').
Various explanations of the title have been offered, referring it: (1)
to the supposed literary character of the Psalms, as containing
instances of a step-like progression; (2) to the 'lifting-up' of the
heart in praise; (3) to the 'going up' of the Jews from Babylon to
Jerusalem after the Exile; (4) to the 15 'ascents' or steps which led
from the Women's Court to that of the men in the Temple area; or, most
probably (5) to the 'going up' of pilgrims to Jerusalem for annual
festivals." Note that this has nothing to do with the 'Gradual' or
portion of a psalm sung between the readings at Mass, so called because
it was originally sung 'from the step' leading up to the ambo, or
lectern.]
Neale then prints a number of 'Arguments' or brief introductions to the
psalm, beginning with something called: ARG. THOMAS.
[He explains in his first volume (p. 87): "In the Arguments, Arg.
Thomas. means the collection of arguments published by Thomasius, tom.
ii. p. xlvi., gathered from different MSS by himself. Many of them are
of extreme antiquity and value; and I have preferred to give them
entire, though some few of the allusions I do not understand."]
ARG. THOMAS. That CHRIST may grant us propitiation for our sins,
without marking our iniquities. The voice of CHRIST and the Church.
This Psalm is to be read with the lesson to the Prophet Jonah.
Wherefore this eleventh step denotes the voice of blessed Peter weeping
bitterly after his third denial, and of all who imitate him here. The
Voice of the Church. The Voice of the Apostle Peter.
VEN. BEDE. The Prophet, placed on the eleventh step, prostrates
himself to fulfil his penance, because not even any Saint, so long as
he is in the flesh, can be entirely free from sin. And this too is to
be said, that every sin belongs as it were to the number eleven,
because it overpasses the perfection of the Ten Commandments.
The Prophet cries to the LORD, that by the goodness of the righteous
Judge he may be delivered out of the deep of sin, and from the trouble
he experiences. Without delay, he comes to the joys of thanksgiving
that penitents may understand with what favour they will be received,
and how swift is the remedy bestowed on them. Out of the deep have I
called, and Before the morning watch.
SYRIAC PSALTER. One of the Songs of Degrees. It is spoken of Nehemiah
the Priest. And it implies in him the prayer of the Martyrs.
EUSEBIUS OF CÆSAREA. The prayer of the Martyrs.
S. ATHANASIUS. A Psalm of solitary address.
More anon, Oriens.
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