_Testimony, or instruction, (Calmet) and proof of the psalmist's
faith. (Haydock) --- Psalm. Vatican Septuagint, St. Augustine, &c.,
add, "for (or against) the Assyrian:" whence some have inferred that
it relates to the captivity of Israel. But as Benjamin is also
mentioned, it seems rather to speak... [ Continue Reading ]
_Joseph. He mentions these two as persons dear to God. All the tribes
were equally led away captives, and the distinction of kingdoms was
not regarded. (Calmet) --- All Israel is denoted by Joseph, who
composed two tribes, having a double portion; (Worthington; Menochius)
and ruling in Egypt. (Bella... [ Continue Reading ]
_Manasses. These three tribes followed the ark in the desert, (Numbers
ii. 18.) and might better see the majesty shining over it.
(Worthington) (Calmet) --- Let all be united once more in the divine
service. (Muis) --- Samaria, and Jerusalem in part, were in the tribes
of Ephraim and Benjamin, (Meno... [ Continue Reading ]
_Saved. This chorus occurs three (Worthington) or four times. (Calmet)
--- With God's grace, we shall be able to act virtuously. (St. Jerome)
--- Thou canst easily rescue us from our misery. Be pleased to send us
the Messias, thy substantial image, 2 Corinthians iv. 4., and
Colossians i. 15. If thou... [ Continue Reading ]
_Measure. Hebrew shalish, "three-fold." (St. Jerome) --- The capacity
of this measure is not determined. It might be the seah, or the third
part of an epha, which would be very abundant, speaking of tears;
though small to contain the earth, Isaias xl 12. (Calmet) ---
Penitents must eat little. (St.... [ Continue Reading ]
_At us. See Psalm lxxviii. 4. (Haydock) --- Such was the condition of
Jeremias, xv. 10. (Calmet) --- Hebrew, "have scoffed among
themselves." Chaldean and St. Jerome agree with us. Scorn is more
difficult to bear than poverty. Hence to comfort himself, the psalmist
repeats, O God, &c. (Berthier)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Vineyard. Thy Church and people. (Worthington) (Isaias v. 1., Osee x.
1., and Matthew xx. 2.)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Sight. Hebrew, "Thou didst dig before it," (Montanus) making the
ground ready. (Calmet) --- The cloud went before the Israelites.
(Worthington) --- Land of promise. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_God. The highest cedars were surpassed by the branches, or even by
the smallest shoots ( arbusta) of this vine. (Haydock) --- Most
powerful nations were forced to submit to David. (Theodoret) --- The
Israelites were exceedingly multiplied, (Worthington) and enjoyed the
fruits of the country, Michea... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM LXXIX. (QUI REGIS ISRAEL.)
A prayer for the Church in tribulation, commemorating God's former
favours.
_ River Euphrates, from the Mediterranean, Red, and Indian seas.
(Haydock) (Deuteronomy xi. 24.)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_It? Thou hast withdrawn thy protection. The temple is destroyed, and
all plunder with impunity, because thy vineyard has not rendered good
fruit, Jeremias ii. 21._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Singular. The wild boar, which does not go with other beasts.
Nabuchodonosor is here designated, (Calmet) or Salmanasar, and all
persecutors, (Berthier) particularly the devil, who goes about like a
roaring lion, [1 Peter v. 8.] and stirs up his agents to disturb the
world. Hence the enemy becomes... [ Continue Reading ]
_And look down upon "the Messias," (Chaldean) the true vine, John xv.
1., and Matthew xxi. 33. (Calmet) --- Of man, is not in Hebrew, only,
ver. 18. (Haydock) --- Some perfection was wanting in the Church of
the Old Testament._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Things set on fire, &c. So this vineyard of thine, almost consumed
already, must perish if thou continue thy rebukes. (Challoner) ---
Things, would imply that incensa is in the neuter plural. But this is
not the case in Septuagint or Hebrew. (Berthier) --- St. Jerome has
succensam, "Look down upon... [ Continue Reading ]
_The man of thy right hand. Christ, (Challoner) where he sits,
(Calmet) being as man in the highest place of heaven, Matthew xxvi.
64., and xii. 32. (Haydock) --- Who else could redeem Israel? (Calmet)
--- Zorobabel was only a figure of Him. (Haydock) --- Christ's birth
was miraculous, (Menochius) a... [ Continue Reading ]
_From thee. This is our fixed determination for the future. (Haydock)
--- Will call. Hebrew, "Shall be called by thy name," (St. Jerome;
Haydock) thy people. (Symmachus) (Calmet) --- But the Vulgate is
equally correct, invocabimus. (Montanus) (Protestants) (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]