_Alleluia. In some editions of the Septuagint (Haydock) and in Syriac, Arabic, &c., the same inscription occurs, as in the former psalms. Many ascribe this to the same authors, and to the same occasion. Hebrew and Chaldean have no title. Yet the psalm seems to be a thanksgiving (Calmet) for the perm... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jerusalem. After the captivity, (Worthington) or at the beginning of David's reign, when he had taken Sion, and Israel acknowledged his dominion, 2 Kings v. It may also allude to the Church, (John xi. 51.) and to heaven, Hebrews xii. 22., and Apocalypse xxi. (Berthier)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Bruises. God delivered the captives, after chastising them, Deuteronomy xxxii. 39. (Calmet) --- He gives life to the penitent, as Christ healed the sick, &c., Isaias lxi. 1. (Berthier)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Stars. Which to man are innumerable. Though some have counted 1022 with Ptolemy, yet the discovery of telescopes has shewn that many more are discernible, (Calmet) and none would dare at present to fix their number. (Berthier) --- Cicero (Of. i.) treats this as a thing impossible. See Genesis xv. 5... [ Continue Reading ]
_Power. God the Son. Earthly monarchs are forced to depend on others for the execution of their orders. But God is infinite. (Calmet) --- Number. He knows innumerable things: (Worthington) or rather, (Haydock) the divine wisdom hath no parts, Jeremias x. 6. (Berthier)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ground. As he has done to the Egyptians, &c. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Praise. Literally, "confession," (Haydock) including both compunction and praise. (Berthier)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Clouds. This is represented as something wonderful, (Job v. 9., and xxxvii. 6.) though conformable to the laws of nature. The preservation of things is like a new creation. (Calmet) --- And the herb, &c. Herbam, (Psalm ciii. 14.; Haydock) is now wanting in Hebrew, as it was in the days of St. Jerom... [ Continue Reading ]
_Young. Literally, "the sons of ravens," which may denote those birds in general, as well as their young. God provides for all. Many fables have been recounted concerning ravens, as if they neglected or forgot their young ones; and the Hebrews seem to have entertained some of these opinions, to whic... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM CXLVI. (LAUDATE DOMINUM.) An exhortation to praise God for his benefits.... [ Continue Reading ]