Week. This title was found only in the common edition of the Septuagint. (Theodoret) --- The Jews say the psalm was used on Sunday; (Berthier) and the Fathers explain it of the resurrection and ascension of our Lord, whom it regards in the more sublime sense, though it may also be literally explaine... [ Continue Reading ]
_Founded, or created it (Berthier) upon (Hebrew hal. "above, in, near, to, with," &c.; Amama) the seas, like a floating island, Proverbs viii. 29., Jonas ii. 7., Job xxxviii. 11. This was the language of the ancients: Ipsa natat tellus Pelagi lustrata corona. (Manil. Astr. 4.) The earth was at first... [ Continue Reading ]
_Place. The punishment of the Bethsamites, and of Oza, had filled all with alarm, so that David durst not introduce the ark into his palace, 1 Kings vi. 19. (Calmet) --- Though Christ created and redeemed all, yet only the just shall inherit felicity. (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
Heart, whose faith and intentions are pure, as well as their actions. --- Vain, by neglecting good works, (St. Jerome) or seeking after trifles; (St. Augustine) or rather, according to the Hebrew, "who hath not sworn in vain by his soul," 2 Corinthians i. 23., and 1 Kings i. 26. To take the name of... [ Continue Reading ]
_Blessing. David seems to have given the eulogium of Obededom, whose example taught him that the ark was only terrible to the wicked; and that it was a source of blessings to the just, 2 Kings vi. 11. --- Mercy. Hebrew, "justice." But these terms are used synonymously, and denote that God gives a ju... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM XXIII. (DOMINI EST TERRA.) Who they are that shall ascend to heaven: Christ's triumphant ascension thither. _ The face. Hebrew, "Thy face, O Jacob, always." (St. Jerome) --- Protestants (marginal note, God of) Jacob. Selah. (Haydock) --- Thus they intimate that the Hebrew is imperfect. All t... [ Continue Reading ]
Princes; or, "lift up your chief or highest gates:" portas principes. Hebrew, "gates, lift up your heads." Here the gates themselves are addressed, while the Septuagint and Vulgate turn the discourse to the porters or princes. (Berthier) --- The tops of the gates must be raised, to let the triumphal... [ Continue Reading ]
Who. This is the question of the Levites, when the ark approached, or of the angels in heaven, who hold a dialogue with the attendants of Christ. These return a satisfactory answer only at the second demand, having first given four titles to their great king. (Berthier) --- Some of the Fathers suppo... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hosts of all heavenly powers, (Worthington) and the arbiter of war. (Haydock) --- Both Jews and foreigners were convinced that God granted victory to his people, if they had not forfeited his favour by their crimes, as in the case of Achan, and of the sons of Heli, Josue vii., and 1 Kings iv., and... [ Continue Reading ]