Poor. Hebrew, "afflicted." This may refer to some of the captives, who were returning, (ver. 14.; Calmet) or to Jesus Christ, (St. Augustine) to whom St. Paul applies ver. 26, 28., and whose redemption was prefigured by the former event. (Calmet) --- David might have both in view. (Haydock) --- Yet most believe that the psalm was written by Daniel, or Jeremias, &c. (Calmet) -- It may have two literal senses, like many others. (Berthier)

Cry. Fervent petition, though only in the heart, Exodus xiv. 15.

Turn not. We first abandon God, but must humbly beg for grace. (Worthington)

Fire. Cremium denotes any combustible matter. (Columella xii. 19.) (St. Jerome) (Calmet) --- While in mortal sin, our best actions, alms, &c., avail nothing, 1 Corinthians xiii. (Worthington)

Bread. Through excessive sorrow, (Haydock) I am fainting in captivity. (Calmet) --- The human race is relieved by the bread of life, the holy Eucharist. (St. Augustine) (Berthier) --- Sinners have no relish for spiritual food. (Worthington)

Flesh, or "skin." (St. Jerome) --- The necessary moisture is consumed. (Eusebius) (Worthington)

A pelican, &c. I am become, through grief, like birds that affect solitude and darkness. (Challoner) --- Kaath comes from a root that signifies to vomit (Haydock) as this bird lives chiefly on shell-fish, which it swallows, and when the heat of its stomach has caused the shells to open, it throws them up again, and eats the fish. (Bochart) (Parkhurst in ka.) (Haydock) --- It seems to be the onocratalus, which resembles the heron. What many of the ancients have related concerning its giving life again to its young, by its blood, &c., must be accounted fabulous. The Fathers have not expressed these facts as certain, (Calmet) though they have beautifully accommodated them to the tenderness and grace, which Christ has shewn to lost man. See Eusebius and St. Augustine. (Haydock) --- Raven. Owl, or rather another species of pelican, so called from having a bag under its chap, "to inclose" fish, &c. (Parkhurst in cose.) --- With its prey it retires to solitary places. So the distressed love solitude and silence. (Haydock)

PSALM CI. (DOMINE EXAUDI.)

A prayer for one in affliction: the fifth penitential psalm.

Sparrow. Hebrew Tsippor means any "quick moving" bird, &c., (Idem.[Parkhurst in cose.?]) and as the sparrow is not a solitary bird, it may here signify the owl. (Bochart) (Calmet) --- But these etymological reasons are not very certain, nor important. (Haydock) --- We may adhere to the Septuagint, as many interpreters do. (Berthier) --- The sparrow having lost its mate, mourns in or near its nest. (Worthington)