Title and subject matter
Titulum et argumentum
Unto the end, In verses, understanding for David. When the men of Ziph had come and said to Saul: Is not David hidden with us?
In finem, in carminibus. Intellectus David, cum venissent Ziphaei, et dixissent ad Saul : Nonne David absconditus est apud nos?
The subject matter may be gathered from the title. It is written in I Kings xxiii that the men of Ziph betrayed David, who was staying with them, as among friends, while avoiding the persecution of Saul. But these men revealed to Saul that David was hiding among them, and it came to pass that Saul drew near to them with a great army, and he surrounded the place entirely, so that David was almost despairing for his life. On the occasion of such great danger, David sought refuge through praying to God, and he composed this Psalm, inspired by the Lord. Theodoretus and Euthymius, whom later writers followed, were of the opinion that this Psalm was composed after his deliverance, and is a hymn of thanksgiving. Sts. Jerome and Augustine, although interpreting the Psalm in a mystical sense only, yet indicate that the Psalm was composed at the moment of persecution; St. Hilary teaches this more clearly, interpreting (the Psalm) both literally and mystically. The title and the whole context of the Psalm show this to be the truer judgement. The words intellectus David / understanding for David, refer to the holy prudence of David, that he should understand that, in such great danger, he was to have recourse to God and place his hope in Him. In this prayer, he understood he would be delivered from all danger.
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