Alleluia. Theodoret repeats this word here and in the following psalm. The author of this psalm is unknown. It was sung after the captivity, to thank God for the favours and peace granted to his people, and to foretell the conquests gained under the Machabees, and more fully under the Messias. (Orig... [ Continue Reading ]
_In him. Hebrew, "them." The plural is used out of respect, (Rabbins; Calmet) or rather to insinuate the blessed Trinity, as in Genesis i., Job xxxv. 10., and Isaias liv. 5. (Berthier) --- King David, or the Lord, who was the true king of Israel, 1 Kings viii. 7._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Choir. A musical instrument, though it imply also a dance, &c._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Unto. Hebrew, "in Jesus," (St. Jerome) or "he will adorn the neck with salvation," as with a precious robe, Psalm cxxxi. 9, 16. --- The captives shall be restored to glory. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Beds. In eternal rest. (Worthington) --- The prosperity of the Israelites but feebly represents the happiness of the elect. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hands. He seems to allude to the regulation of Nehemias, (2 Esdras iv. 17.; Haydock) or to the Machabees, who were priests and soldiers. They shall proclaim God's praises, and defend the nation. In the spiritual sense, Catholics employ the two-edged sword of the Old and New Testament against hereti... [ Continue Reading ]
_Iron. These poetical expressions denote victory. The Machabees made great conquests, and the Jews expect greater under the Messias. But this has been verified in the conversion of nations to Christ, Isaias xlix. 23., and lx. 14. (Calmet) --- The victories of the Machabees were of short duration. (B... [ Continue Reading ]
_Written. In God's decrees. (Worthington) (Job xxxi. 35., and Daniel vii. 10.) (Calmet) --- This judicial power is part of the glory of the saints. (Worthington) (1 Corinthians vi. 2., and Wisdom iii. 7.) (Haydock) --- All shall judge the wicked who have imitated the disinterestedness of the apostle... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM CXLIX. (CANTATE DOMINO.) The Church is particularly bound to praise God.... [ Continue Reading ]