The psalm's verse numbering differs between the modern lectionary and the Douay-Rheims this library hosts, so the text isn't matched verse-for-verse here yet.
Responsorial Psalm — Psalm 17:1b, 2-3, 6-7ab, 8b and 15
Ps 16:1-1
The prayer of David. Hear, O Lord, my justice: attend to my supplication. Give ear unto my prayer, which proceedeth not from deceitful lips.2 Let my judgment come forth from thy countenance: let thy eyes behold the things that are equitable.3 Thou hast proved my heart, and visited it by night, thou hast tried me by fire: and iniquity hath not been found in me.6 I have cried to thee, for thou, O God, hast heard me: O incline thy ear unto me, and hear my words.7 Shew forth thy wonderful mercies; thou who savest them that trust in thee.8 From them that resist thy right hand keep me, as the apple of thy eye. Protect me under the shadow of thy wings.15 But as for me, I will appear before thy sight in justice: I shall be satisfied when thy glory shall appear.
He teaches us that even if we are virtuous, we should trust not in ourselves but in God, and that we should pray to him that like the pupil of the eye he protect the mind—our soul's eye—from evil of the opposing powers.
The soul of each of the righteous—clearly of those who pull sinners from impiety to piety—is as a sharpened sword against the spirits of evil. This sword, O our Lord, which you sharpened against your enemies, save from the enemies of your hand.
And when they were gone out, behold they brought him a dumb man, possessed with a devil.†33 And after the devil was cast out, the dumb man spoke, and the multitudes wondered, saying, Never was the like seen in Israel.34 But the Pharisees said, By the prince of devils he casteth out devils.35 And Jesus went about all the cities, and towns, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease, and every infirmity.36 And seeing the multitudes, he had compassion on them: because they were distressed, and lying like sheep that have no shepherd.†37 Then he saith to his disciples, The harvest indeed is great, but the labourers are few.38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth labourers into his harvest.†
Or; By the dumb and deaf, and dæmoniae, is signified the Gentile world, needing health in every part; for sunk in evil of every kind, they are afflicted with disease of every part of the body.
The natural order of things is here preserved; the dæmon is first cast out, and there the functions of the members proceed. And the multitude marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.
The wonder of the multitude is followed up by the confession, It was never so seen in Israel; because he, for whom there was no help under the Law, is saved by the power of the Word.
Figuratively; When salvation was given to the Gentiles, then all cities and towns were enlightened by the power and entrance of Christ, and escaped every former sickness and infirmity. The Lord pities the people troubled with the violence of the unclean Spirit, and sick under the burden of the Law, and having no shepherd at hand to bestow on them the guardianship of the Holy Spirit. But of that gift there was a most abundant fruit, whose plenty far exceeded the multitude of those that drank thereof; how many soever take of it, yet an inexhaustible supply remains; and because it is profitable that there should be many to minister it, He bids us ask the Lord of the harvest, that God would provide a supply of reapers for the ministration of that gift of the Holy Spirit which was made ready; for by prayer this gift is poured out upon us from God.
About CSB. A personal translation of the New Testament, rendered directly from the public-domain Greek in a literary style — not a scholarly critical edition, and not for liturgical or doctrinal authority. It is one reader's work, offered for enjoyment; where it matters, weigh it against an established translation. (Placeholder text — final wording to come.)