or Hebrew Psalm cxvi. Ver. 10. Alleluia is not in Hebrew. There seems no necessity to join this psalm with the preceding, as the subject is not so much alike as that of many others, which are distinct pieces. St. Paul quotes two passages in their literal sense, (Berthier) as applicable to all who th... [ Continue Reading ]
or Hebrew Psalm cxvi. Ver. 11. _Excess. Septuagint, "ecstacy." Enlightened from above. If he had spoken thus by his own spirit, any one might have replied, that no dependance could be placed in what he said. We are all liable to mistake. (St. Jerome) --- Many explain it of David's "flight" before Ab... [ Continue Reading ]
or Hebrew Psalm cxvi. Ver. 12. _To me. I have deserved chastisement; how, therefore, shall I express my gratitude for God's innumerable benefits? (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
or Hebrew Psalm cxvi. Ver. 13. Chalice. I will submit to any afflictions, (St. Augustine) seeing they procure such an ample reward. I will unite my sufferings with those of Jesus Christ, (Haydock) and accept the great benefit of his blood, shed for mankind. (Worthington) --- Chaldean seems to have h... [ Continue Reading ]
or Hebrew Psalm cxvi. Ver. 14. _Pay. Hebrew adds, "now or surely." (Berthier) --- Vows. Voluntarily, (Worthington) which I could not do at Babylon, Psalm lxv. 13. St. Augustine and the ancient psalters omit this, perhaps supposing it to be taken from ver. 18._... [ Continue Reading ]
or Hebrew Psalm cxvi. Ver. 15. _Precious. I am ready even to make a sacrifice of my life, if God's glory should require it; for he esteems the death of the saints. (Worthington) (Berthier) --- He will not easily abandon them to destruction in this world, as the Hebrew implies, (Tirinus; Calmet) thou... [ Continue Reading ]
or Hebrew Psalm cxvi. Ver. 16. _Handmaid. To be blessed, we must be in a state of grace, and children of the Church. (Worthington) --- Out of it, death itself endured for Christ would profit nothing, (St. Augustine) but only be "a punishment of perfidy." (St. Cyprian) --- No worship can please God,... [ Continue Reading ]
or Hebrew Psalm cxvi. Ver. 17. _Praise. Or thanksgiving, Psalm xxvi. 6., and Leviticus vii. 12. (Calmet) --- Lord. There is but one, as there is but one faith. Without the latter, it is in vain to call upon God, Ephesians iv. 4. (Berthier) --- "Whosoever eats the lamb out of this house, (the Church)... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM CXV. (CREDIDI.) This, in the Hebrew, is joined with the foregoing psalm, and continues to express the faith and gratitude of the psalmist.... [ Continue Reading ]