Alleluia. This word is placed at the end of the preceding psalm in Hebrew, though it seems to have been there originally, (Haydock) as [in] ver. 2., we find his, with reference to "the Lord," who has not been otherwise mentioned before. (Houbigant) --- The psalm may be joined with the former to ver.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Judea. Hebrew, "Juda," though the sense of the Vulgate is very good, (Berthier) as that country which had been so abandoned, became holy, when God's people dwelt there. (St. Chrysostom) --- After the departure from Egypt, the Israelites were more known as God's inheritance, over whom he reigned. (W... [ Continue Reading ]
_Saw. He speaks in a poetical manner. All creatures obey God's will. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Skipped. Through joy, exultaverunt, (Haydock) or rather through fear, ver. 7. (Calmet) --- There was an earthquake, not specified by Moses; or the psalmist speaks of what took place at Ar, (Numbers xxi. 15.; Worthington) unless he alludes to the waters of the Jordan, rising up like mountains. (Meno... [ Continue Reading ]
_Waters. They are mentioned twice, as referring to different miracles, Exodus xvii. 6., and Numbers xx. 8. Inanimate things are introduced, giving this reply; or the psalmist gives it himself. (Berthier) --- He uses the figure prosopopeia, as if senseless things could understand. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM CXIII. (IN EXITU ISRAEL.) God hath shewn his power in delivering his people: idols are vain. (The Hebrews divide this into two psalms.) or Hebrew Psalm cxv. Ver. 1. Not. Some Jews here commence the 115th psalm. (Haydock) --- But St. Augustine shews, that this part is well connected with the p... [ Continue Reading ]
or Hebrew Psalm cxv. Ver. 3. _Heaven. Septuagint add, "and on earth," which St. Augustine joins with the following words, he, &c. We cannot indeed point God out, as we might do idols. But then what sore of gods are they? (Calmet) --- Viler than insects. (Theodoret)_... [ Continue Reading ]
or Hebrew Psalm cxv. Ver. 4. Men. All Catholics agree, that idolatry is the "giving of divine honour to any creature." St. Justin Martyr, ( contra Gent.) St. Augustine in the ten first books of the City of God, and other Fathers, refute al the species of idolatry. The Platonists adored the angels, o... [ Continue Reading ]
or Hebrew Psalm cxv. Ver. 7. _Throat. Roman and Milan Psalters add, neither is there any breath in their mouths, which occurs, (Psalm cxxxiv. 17.) instead of this sentence. (Haydock) --- Juvenal (Sat. 13.) laughs at the silence of Jupiter's statue. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
or Hebrew Psalm cxv. Ver. 8. _Let. Zeal prompts him to make this imprecation, (Calmet) or prophecy. Hebrew, they "are or shall be." The pagans (Haydock) could not well find fault with this wish, (Menochius) as it would be a great honour to resemble real gods. Yet none of their statuaries would be wi... [ Continue Reading ]
or Hebrew Psalm cxv. Ver. 9. _The house, is not now in Hebrew. But it occurs in the parallel passage, (Psalm cxxxiv.) where the imperative is used, as the Hebrew is here pointed. (Calmet) --- "Israel trusts....house of Aaron, trust ye in the Lord," (Montanus) which is much in favour of this text, th... [ Continue Reading ]
or Hebrew Psalm cxv. Ver. 12. _Hath. Hebrew, "will be," which seems better. Let him bless us. (Calmet) --- Both versions are true. (Berthier) (Ephesians i. 3.)_... [ Continue Reading ]
or Hebrew Psalm cxv. Ver. 16. _Of heaven. Or the highest heaven, in which God displays his glory, though he fill every place. (Haydock) --- His benefits to man claim a return of gratitude, and we are not dispensed from shewing our adoration, as deists would hence unreasonably infer. (Berthier) -- Wo... [ Continue Reading ]
or Hebrew Psalm cxv. Ver. 17. _The dead. People who are thus affected, give no praise to God, when they die, but descend into hell. (Worthington) --- Criminals are therefore said to be dead, while the saints only sleep. (St. Chrysostom) --- Hell. Hebrew, "silence," or the tomb, (Berthier) where none... [ Continue Reading ]
or Hebrew Psalm cxv. Ver. 18. _Live. In the state of justice, and aspiring to God's kingdom. While we use this world only as the means to ascend thither, we shall praise him for evermore. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]