David. Jesus Christ, (St. Hilary, &c.) or the pious king David, when
he intended to build the temple. Solomon adopts some of the verses at
his dedication, (ver. 8., and 2 Paralipomenon vi. 41.; Haydock) and
some have attributed the psalm to him, to the captives, or to some
prophet in the time of the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jacob. Probably after he had removed the ark to Sion. (Berthier) ---
What is omitted in one place, is thus explained elsewhere. (Calmet)
--- David had a most earnest desire to build the temple; and though
the honour was reserved for his son, he prepared the materials.
(Worthington) --- He acknowled... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM CXXXI. (MEMENTO DOMINE.)
A prayer for the fulfilling of the promise made to David.
_ If. He expresses his vow in the form of an imprecation, without
expressing the penalty, as he submits to the rigour of God's justice,
if he proves faithless. (Calmet) --- He vows to take no rest, till he
mig... [ Continue Reading ]
_Temples. This seems to have been in the copies of the Septuagint and
Theodotion. It is not correct to say that the former added it by
inspiration, as they were only interpreters. (Berthier) --- It was
marked as an addition in the Hexapla. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
Heard of it in Ephrata. When I was young, and lived in Bethlehem,
otherwise called Ephrata, I heard of God's tabernacle and ark, and had
a devout desire of seeking it; and accordingly I found it, at
Cariathiarim, the city of the woods: where it was, till it was removed
to Jerusalem. See 1 Paralipome... [ Continue Reading ]
_Stood. If David did this out of devotion, why may not Christians
visit the places sanctified by the presence of our Saviour?
(Worthington) --- God had not chosen to have a temple before the time
of Solomon, 2 Kings vii. 6. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Sanctified. Hebrew, "ark of thy strength," which title proceeds from
the sanctity of God, who resides there, 1 Kings vi. 20. Our heart
ought to be his resting place, Isaias lxvi. 2. (Berthier) --- Leaving
Silo, &c., come into thy temple, with the ark where thou sanctifiest
thy people. He contemplat... [ Continue Reading ]
_Justice. And all virtues, (Berthier) of which their robes were
emblematical. --- Saints. Levites. (Chaldean) (Calmet) --- Let both
priests and Levites perform well their sacred functions, (Worthington)
and may all the faithful act up to their vocation. (Berthier) ---
Rejoice. Hebrew, "sing," which... [ Continue Reading ]
_Sake. What confidence are we not taught to place in the merits of the
saints! The captives remind God of the virtues of David and Solomon,
and use their expressions to move him to shew mercy, and to restore
the temple to its ancient splendour; (Calmet) or rather, (Haydock) the
consideration of Davi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Make. Literally, "deceive him." Hebrew, "will not turn from it," the
truth. (Berthier) --- Thy. St. Cyprian and St. Hilary read, "my
throne," which belonged to the Lord, 1 Paralipomenon xxix. 23.
(Calmet) --- But it might also be styled David's, as the promises were
made to him. (Haydock) --- Chris... [ Continue Reading ]
_If. The promises made to the carnal posterity of David were
conditional, and seem to imply, that they would forfeit them. (St.
Hilary) --- But those regarding the Messias are absolute. (Calmet) ---
Yet heaven is only promised to his children in the Church, if they
observe God's commandments, Romans... [ Continue Reading ]
_This. God is introduced speaking to the end. (Haydock) --- Chosen.
Hebrew, "desired." This relates to his spouse, the Church. (Calmet)
--- He dwelleth in this Sion for ever. (Worthington) --- It was the
figure of the Christian Church, as this is of heaven, Hebrews xii. 22.
(Berthier)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Widow. Whose name is often joined with orphans, and the poor, as the
Hebrew Tsedah may imply one "desolate," 1 Timothy v. 5. (Berthier) ---
The Greek copies vary: some have widow, and others, "prey," which is
most commonly given as the sense of the Hebrew. (Haydock) --- The poor
priests and Levites... [ Continue Reading ]
_Salvation. To instruct others. (Berthier) --- The Church hath always
had some virtuous priests and laics. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_There. Literally, "thither," (Haydock) Illuc, as Christ came from
heaven. (Berthier) --- Horn. Power and glory. This regards Solomon,
and the Messias. Hebrew, "I will make to bud," &c., alluding to
Christ's miraculous birth, Isaias iv. 2. (Calmet) --- Lamp. St. John
the Baptist, (John v. 35.; St. A... [ Continue Reading ]
_My. Hebrew, "his diadem," (S. Ser.[St. Jerome?]) or "consecration."
The glory of David was great, as a figure of Christ, to whom this more
properly belongs. He is the king of ages, without sin, &c. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]