_Of the returning, &c. This is in the Greek and Latin, but not in the Hebrew. It signifies, that his psalm was proper to be sung at the time of the return of the people from their captivity: to inculcate to them, how happy they might be, if they would be constant in the service of God. (Challoner) -... [ Continue Reading ]
_Earth. Temporal rewards were proposed to the carnal Jews; but the more enlightened knew what was to be most desired. They sought after the riches, mentioned by the apostle, 1 Corinthians i. 5., and 1 Timothy vi. 18. (Calmet) --- The just and their seed shall prosper, (Worthington) at least in the n... [ Continue Reading ]
_Justice. Or mercy shall be for ever remembered by en, and rewarded by God. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Darkness. Christ appeared when the world was most corrupt. (St. Augustine) --- God rescued his people from captivity. --- He is. St. Augustine and St. Chrysostom add, "The Lord God is," &c., in which sense this is commonly explained, (Calmet) though it may also refer to the just man. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Acceptable. Literally, "joyful." Greek: Chrestos, "beneficent." (Haydock) --- Give, and it shall be given to you. [Luke vi. 38.] (Menochius) --- Judgment. And by liberal alms, prepared for the great accounting day. (St. Chrysostom) --- He will say nothing indiscreetly, nor throw pearls before swine... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hearing. Though detraction may assail him, he shall not fear, (Calmet) since God is the judge. (Haydock) --- He shall have no cause to apprehend being condemned, (St. Jerome) nor be disturbed about "news," because his goods are in a place of safety, (St. Chrysostom, &c.) where thieves cannot steal.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Until. Not that he will be disturbed afterwards, (Psalm cix. 1.; Calmet) when his enemies shall be punished. (Haydock) --- The captives saw the fall of Babylon. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Poor. We must know whom we ought to relieve. Though we may be allowed to retain what is necessary, (2 Corinthians viii. 13., and ix. 11.) yet the saints have often very laudably stripped themselves, to clothe others, abandoning perishable goods, that they might obtain heaven. (Calmet) --- Justice.... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM CXI. (BEATUS VIR.) The good man is happy. _ The wicked. The devil, enraged to see the converts to Christianity, (St. Athanasius) or the Jews, (St. Chrysostom) instigated by him. (Haydock) --- All the damned shall rapine at the happiness of the elect, (St. Augustine) as the Babylonians did, w... [ Continue Reading ]