Psalms 21:26

Great Church; the Catholic Church, dispersed throughout the world, in which many adore God in spirit and truth. (St. Jerome) --- Here Jesus Christ praises his Father by the mouth of his priests and faithful, in whom the spirit works. Hebrew, "From thee shall proceed my praise," in the great Church. (Calmet) --- Protestants, "congregation." (Haydock) --- The Vulgate may have the same meaning, as the desire to praise comes from God. The Church which Jesus founded immediately after his resurrection, to pay his vows, must last unto the end; otherwise this service would be interrupted. This can only be verified in the Catholic Church, as she alone can prove her uninterrupted existence. She alone is spread throughout the earth, united under the same pastors, and partaking of the same sacraments. If the Church failed after three or four centuries, the vows of Christ must have ceased. Yet he assures us, that he will pay them as long as his kingdom shall continue, ver. 29. --- Fear him. Houbigant would substitute "thee." This change of persons is however very proper and remarkable, as Christ no longer addresses his Father, but gives a description of the worship which should be exhibited in his Church. (Berthier) --- The eucharistic sacrifice is the vow here specified, which Christ offers by his priests daily. It is the only sacrifice of the new law, and the most perfect means of acknowledging God's supreme dominion, &c. (St. Augustine; St. Jerome, &c.) (Calmet)