For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise,
says the LORD;
I will set him in safety from him that sneers at him.
Read Chapter 12
Augustine of Hippo
AD 430
6. "Because of the wretchedness of the needy and the sighing of the poor, now I will arise, saith the Lord" (ver. 5). For so the Lord Himself in the Gospel pitied His people, because they had no ruler, when they could well obey. Whence too it is said in the Gospel, "The harvest is plenteous, but the labourers are few." But this must be taken as spoken in the person of God the Father, who, because of the needy and the poor, that is, who in need and poverty were lacking spiritual good things, vouchsafed to send His own Son. From thence begins His sermon on the mount to Matthew, where He says, "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." "I will place in salvation." He does not say what He would place: but, "in salvation," must be understood as, in Christ; according to that, "For mine eyes have seen Thy salvation." And hence He is understood to have placed in Him what appertains to the taking away the wretchedness of the needy, and the comforting the sighing of t...
Arise, and redeem lost man; (Theodoret) or, protect my servants (Calmet) from such insolent oppressors. (Haydock)
Regard. This may be put in the mouth of the afflicted. (Calmet)
"I will place my confidence in the Saviour, and will act boldly in him. "(Haydock)
His promises give me full assurance, ver. 7. The Hebrew seems to be incorrect, and very different from what the ancients read. (Calmet)
St. Jerome has, "I will place their aid in salvation "(Haydock) which he explains of Jesus Christ. See Isaias xii. 2. (Calmet)
Moderns insert many words. "I will save him, that they may learn to trust in me. "(German.)
"I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him. "(Protestants) Or "would ensnare him. "(Marginal note) We may better translate, "I will put in safety, the Lord will act freely herein "or, "safety which will act freely upon him "the poor. (Berthier)
"I will raise up a Saviour, who with his breath will destroy the wicked. "(Prin. disc.)
