Original Douay–Rheims AnnotationsPsalms 144

will exalt thee.

As this Psalm is the first of the seven, which contain more particular instruction of perpetually praising God: ^◦ so it is the seventh of those, which are composed in order of the Alphabet, to wit, the 24. 33. 36. 110. 111. 118. and this 144, Of which the three former want some letters: signifying (as Cassiodorus interpreteth) such in God's Church, as sing his praises, but with some imperfections: the other four have the perfect Alphabet, signifying those, that sing God's praises with perfect devotion. Which only four S. Jerom calleth Alphabetical Psalms. Epist. ad Paulam Urbicam, & Prooem. in Lament. Jerem.

• ◦ The seven last Psalms pertain more specially to praises. This Psalm and other six are composed in order of the Alphabet. It is probable that the Hebrew text now wanteth a verse in this Psalm. And therefore is not more certain than the Greek or Latin.

Our Lord is faithful.

This verse is not now in the ordinary Hebrew text, and therefore either the same is defective, or else this Psalm should seem not to be composed with a perfect Alphabet in the fountain tongue. For here it wanteth the letter Nun. But seeing S. Jerome counteth this one of the four Alphabetical Psalms, omitting the other three, which consist of unperfect Alphabets, it is very probable that this verse was once in the Hebrew text, as it is both in Greek & Latin. Whereby amongst other places appeareth, that there is no certainty to correct the Greek or Latin Bible by the Hebrew, which is now extant; but rather by them, that may be supplied, which the Hebrew wanteth.