Himself. Complutensian Septuagint adds, "a psalm of the creation,"
(Haydock) as this is the subject; but there is no title in the
original. (Berthier) The psalm contains "a divine and natural
philosophy," (Eusebius) respecting the creation and providence. Plato
has written something similar in his T... [ Continue Reading ]
_Light. In this manner he always appeared, 1 Timothy vi. 16., and
Exodus iii. 2. (Calmet) --- Christ only once assumed such a glorious
form at this transfiguration, because he came to instruct our mind and
heart. (Berthier) --- Stretchest. Hebrew and Septuagint have the verbs
in the third person, ti... [ Continue Reading ]
_Water. The Fathers are not agreed about the nature or situation of
these waters. Some take them to be angels. (St. Jerome; Genesis i. 7.)
--- Others suppose that the waters in the clouds, (Calmet) or the
crystalline substance in the region of the stars are designated.
(Worthington) --- These waters... [ Continue Reading ]
_Fire. The elements execute his will, (Calmet) or rather, as the
apostle, and Chaldean, &c., intimate, the angels do this (Berthier)
with zeal and activity, (Hebrews i. 7.; Haydock) and ease.
(Worthington) --- Some would attribute to the angels some sort of
light bodies, and Grotius attempted to rev... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ever. The established order shall subsist, though the earth may move,
Psalm ci. 27. (Berthier) --- It is fixed by its own gravity in the
centre. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_The deep. Hebrew, "thou hast covered it with the abyss." This proves
that there was no pre-existent matter, otherwise God would not have
begun with the plunging his work in the abyss, and in confusion. But
he chose to bring this beautiful world out of a state of disorder in
the space of six days, a... [ Continue Reading ]
_Fear. Hebrew, "retire precipitately" to their beds, at thy counsel,
(Haydock) on the third day. (Calmet) --- Some think that a storm or
the deluge are here described, (St. Chrysostom) which is less
probable. (Berthier) (Calmet) --- The waters would naturally cover the
earth; but are confined to the... [ Continue Reading ]
_The....descend. This sho8uld be within a parenthesis, (Berthier) as
the sequel speaks of the waters. (Haydock) --- Earth. This seemed
miraculous to those who supposed that the earth was flat. (St.
Ambrose; Hex. iii. 22.) (Job vii. 12., and Amos v. 8.) (Calmet) ---
Providence points out the place fo... [ Continue Reading ]
_Pass, to supply the wants of all creatures. Springs and rain afford
the necessary moisture._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Except, waiting for one another, as all cannot drink at the fountains
at the same time. The Chaldean has the same idea, though the Hebrew is
explained, "shall break" (Houbigant, "shall satisfy") their thirst.
Berthier)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Rooms, with rain, ver. 3. (Calmet) --- Earth, or its inhabitants.
(Tirinus)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Service. Cattle, or beasts of burden, are thus fed for man's service,
though he may also eat legumes, &c. (Calmet) --- Bring. God gives the
increase, 1 Corinthians iii. 7. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Oil. This was an article of food, (Berthier) and deeded almost as
requisite for anointing the body, as bread and wine to support nature.
(Pliny, [Natural History?] xiv. 22.) Hence it was prohibited in days
of fasting. (Calmet) --- These three things are put for all sorts of
food. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Field. Hebrew, "of Jehova." Houbigant would substitute ssodi,
"field," (Haydock) as this name of God is never used to denote "high"
trees, &c. (Berthier) --- God provides for the wants of all the
creation, even of those things which seem less necessary to us.
(Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Sparrows, or "birds" (Psalm ci. 8.; Haydock) in general. (Berthier)
--- Highest; or, literally, "the tribe of the heron is their leader,"
(Haydock) first making their nests. Septuagint seem to have read
better than the present Hebrew, "the stork, the fir-trees are its
house." (Berthier)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Irchins. St. Augustine reads also, "hares." These desert places are
not useless. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Seasons and festivals, which it points out: mohadim. (Haydock) ---
During the night wild beasts seek their prey, as men and cattle may
labour in the day-time. The sun, &c., were made for man's use,
(Calmet) and not to be adored. (Eusebius) --- These bodies move with
the same regularity as if they h... [ Continue Reading ]
_God, like all other creatures, Psalm cxliv. 15., and cxlvi. 9.
(Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM CIII. (BENEDIC ANIMA.)
God is to be praised for his mighty works, and wonderful providence.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Riches. Literally, "possession." (Haydock) --- Hebrew, "The fulness
of the earth is thy possession." Septuagint and ancient psalters,
"creature;" Greek: ktiseos. The other interpreters read Greek:
kteseos, (Calmet) which the Vulgate adopts. (Haydock) --- The world
derided Jesus Christ, the wisdom o... [ Continue Reading ]
_Arms. Man acts thus to denote something very extensive. (Haydock) ---
The sea is frequently put for the same purpose, Job xi. 9., and
Lamentations ii. 13. Arms is omitted in the Septuagint and the ancient
psalters. --- Creeping. Fishes, (Genesis i. 20.; Calmet) and all
animals without feet (Worthin... [ Continue Reading ]
Go. The sea, which seems to be placed as a barrier, tends, by means of
navigation, to the general convenience of nations. (Calmet) ---
Dragon. Leviathan, a huge fish, (Job xl. 20.; Worthington) which
Bochart takes to be the crocodile; though that monster is found rather
in rivers. (Berthier) --- It... [ Continue Reading ]
_All, is not in Hebrew, [or] Septuagint. (Calmet) But the sense is the
same. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thy. Chaldean adds, "holy;" and the Fathers explain it of a spiritual
renovation, or of the resurrection of the body. (Berthier) --- Animals
are still preserved by Providence. (Eusebius) (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Works. Seeing that they are good, Genesis i. 31. May all continue to
answer the end for which they were created. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Smoke. Exodus xix. 18., and xx. 18. God is terrible as well as
clement. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_No more. So St. Paul pronounced sentence on those who did not love
the Lord Jesus, (1 Corinthians xvi. 22.) yet without any animosity.
(Berthier) --- The saints thus pray for the conversion of all, (St.
Athanasius) or express the approbation of God's sentence against the
damned. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]