Himself. Complutensian Septuagint adds, "a psalm of the creation," (Haydock) as this is the subject; but there is no title in the original. (Berthier) The psalm contains "a divine and natural philosophy," (Eusebius) respecting the creation and providence. Plato has written something similar in his T... [ Continue Reading ]
_Light. In this manner he always appeared, 1 Timothy vi. 16., and Exodus iii. 2. (Calmet) --- Christ only once assumed such a glorious form at this transfiguration, because he came to instruct our mind and heart. (Berthier) --- Stretchest. Hebrew and Septuagint have the verbs in the third person, ti... [ Continue Reading ]
_Water. The Fathers are not agreed about the nature or situation of these waters. Some take them to be angels. (St. Jerome; Genesis i. 7.) --- Others suppose that the waters in the clouds, (Calmet) or the crystalline substance in the region of the stars are designated. (Worthington) --- These waters... [ Continue Reading ]
_Fire. The elements execute his will, (Calmet) or rather, as the apostle, and Chaldean, &c., intimate, the angels do this (Berthier) with zeal and activity, (Hebrews i. 7.; Haydock) and ease. (Worthington) --- Some would attribute to the angels some sort of light bodies, and Grotius attempted to rev... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ever. The established order shall subsist, though the earth may move, Psalm ci. 27. (Berthier) --- It is fixed by its own gravity in the centre. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_The deep. Hebrew, "thou hast covered it with the abyss." This proves that there was no pre-existent matter, otherwise God would not have begun with the plunging his work in the abyss, and in confusion. But he chose to bring this beautiful world out of a state of disorder in the space of six days, a... [ Continue Reading ]
_Fear. Hebrew, "retire precipitately" to their beds, at thy counsel, (Haydock) on the third day. (Calmet) --- Some think that a storm or the deluge are here described, (St. Chrysostom) which is less probable. (Berthier) (Calmet) --- The waters would naturally cover the earth; but are confined to the... [ Continue Reading ]
_The....descend. This sho8uld be within a parenthesis, (Berthier) as the sequel speaks of the waters. (Haydock) --- Earth. This seemed miraculous to those who supposed that the earth was flat. (St. Ambrose; Hex. iii. 22.) (Job vii. 12., and Amos v. 8.) (Calmet) --- Providence points out the place fo... [ Continue Reading ]
_Pass, to supply the wants of all creatures. Springs and rain afford the necessary moisture._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Except, waiting for one another, as all cannot drink at the fountains at the same time. The Chaldean has the same idea, though the Hebrew is explained, "shall break" (Houbigant, "shall satisfy") their thirst. Berthier)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Rooms, with rain, ver. 3. (Calmet) --- Earth, or its inhabitants. (Tirinus)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Service. Cattle, or beasts of burden, are thus fed for man's service, though he may also eat legumes, &c. (Calmet) --- Bring. God gives the increase, 1 Corinthians iii. 7. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Oil. This was an article of food, (Berthier) and deeded almost as requisite for anointing the body, as bread and wine to support nature. (Pliny, [Natural History?] xiv. 22.) Hence it was prohibited in days of fasting. (Calmet) --- These three things are put for all sorts of food. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Field. Hebrew, "of Jehova." Houbigant would substitute ssodi, "field," (Haydock) as this name of God is never used to denote "high" trees, &c. (Berthier) --- God provides for the wants of all the creation, even of those things which seem less necessary to us. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Sparrows, or "birds" (Psalm ci. 8.; Haydock) in general. (Berthier) --- Highest; or, literally, "the tribe of the heron is their leader," (Haydock) first making their nests. Septuagint seem to have read better than the present Hebrew, "the stork, the fir-trees are its house." (Berthier)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Irchins. St. Augustine reads also, "hares." These desert places are not useless. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Seasons and festivals, which it points out: mohadim. (Haydock) --- During the night wild beasts seek their prey, as men and cattle may labour in the day-time. The sun, &c., were made for man's use, (Calmet) and not to be adored. (Eusebius) --- These bodies move with the same regularity as if they h... [ Continue Reading ]
_God, like all other creatures, Psalm cxliv. 15., and cxlvi. 9. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM CIII. (BENEDIC ANIMA.) God is to be praised for his mighty works, and wonderful providence.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Riches. Literally, "possession." (Haydock) --- Hebrew, "The fulness of the earth is thy possession." Septuagint and ancient psalters, "creature;" Greek: ktiseos. The other interpreters read Greek: kteseos, (Calmet) which the Vulgate adopts. (Haydock) --- The world derided Jesus Christ, the wisdom o... [ Continue Reading ]
_Arms. Man acts thus to denote something very extensive. (Haydock) --- The sea is frequently put for the same purpose, Job xi. 9., and Lamentations ii. 13. Arms is omitted in the Septuagint and the ancient psalters. --- Creeping. Fishes, (Genesis i. 20.; Calmet) and all animals without feet (Worthin... [ Continue Reading ]
Go. The sea, which seems to be placed as a barrier, tends, by means of navigation, to the general convenience of nations. (Calmet) --- Dragon. Leviathan, a huge fish, (Job xl. 20.; Worthington) which Bochart takes to be the crocodile; though that monster is found rather in rivers. (Berthier) --- It... [ Continue Reading ]
_All, is not in Hebrew, [or] Septuagint. (Calmet) But the sense is the same. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thy. Chaldean adds, "holy;" and the Fathers explain it of a spiritual renovation, or of the resurrection of the body. (Berthier) --- Animals are still preserved by Providence. (Eusebius) (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Works. Seeing that they are good, Genesis i. 31. May all continue to answer the end for which they were created. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Smoke. Exodus xix. 18., and xx. 18. God is terrible as well as clement. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_No more. So St. Paul pronounced sentence on those who did not love the Lord Jesus, (1 Corinthians xvi. 22.) yet without any animosity. (Berthier) --- The saints thus pray for the conversion of all, (St. Athanasius) or express the approbation of God's sentence against the damned. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]