| Douay RheimsDouay-Rheims Bible -- The New Testament was published at Rheims (1582), the Old Testament at Douay (1609). The Douay Rheims served as the main English bible for the Catholic world for centuries. Bishop Challoner updated it extensively mid-18th century. Biblical scholar Rev. George Haydock compiled a Catholic commentary mid-19th century. This text set is from an approved 1914 U.S. printing. | Haydock CommentaryHaydock Catholic Bible Commentary - based on the Douay-Rheims Bible; originally compiled by Catholic priest and biblical scholar Rev. George Leo Haydock (1774-1849). |
| 1 I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; in the council of the just: and in the congregation. | Alleluia. This psalm consists of praise, and is alphabetical, (Bert.) the sixteen first letters being found at the head of each hemistic, to v. 8; and in the 9th and 10th, we find the six last Heb. letters, which is also the case in the following psalm. H. --- In some Latin copies, we also find the same title in both, as they may relate to the captives. C. --- The Church thanks God for the institution of the Eucharist, &c. S. Aug. Euseb. --- Praise. Lit. "confess to." H. --- Congregation. Where there are few or many together, (C.) in private for my own sake, and in public for edification. W.
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| 2 Great are the works of the Lord: sought out according to all his wills. | Sought out. Exquisite, or designed for our benefit. He saw that all was good, (Gen. i. 31.) though He could have made them better. C.
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| 3 His work is praise and magnificence: and his justice continueth for ever and ever. | Is praise. Or worthy of praise, and magnificent. W.
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| 4 He hath made a remembrance of his wonderful works, being a merciful and gracious Lord: | Remembrance. He has delivered us from captivity, as he did our ancestors from the Egyptians bondage. Is. lxiii. 11. C.
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| 5 He hath given food to them that fear him. He will be mindful for ever of his covenant: | Food. Manna in the desert, and what is necessary for us who were in distress in Babylon. Ps. cvi. 5. In the spiritual sense, (C.) He has given us Jesus Christ, (S. Aug.) or the holy Eucharist. W. --- S. Chrysostom understands the word of God, (C.) which profits those only who fear the Lord, (Bert.) and serve him with love. H. --- Covenant. God has not acted contrary to the covenant with Abraham, in proposing the gospel, which was all along foretold, as S. Paul shews. Bert. --- He will for ever protect his Church, and shew forth the powerful operation of his death, and all his mysteries. W.
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| 6 He will shew forth to his people the power of his works. | |
| 7 That he may give them the inheritance of the Gentiles: the works of his hands are truth and judgment. | Gentiles. Under Josue, or rather in the days of the gospel. Bert. 1 Pet. i. 3. --- Judgment. He will perform his promises, and chastise the guilty. C.
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| 8 All his commandments are faithful: confirmed for ever and ever, made in truth and equity. | Equity. Here we have the conditions of a just law. Bert. --- Those who keep God's commandments are justified. W.
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| 9 He hath sent redemption to his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever. Holy and terrible is his name: | Redemption. Under Moses, Cyrus, and Jesus Christ, of whose redemption the former were figures. C. --- Christ redeemed man, in order that he might be able to observe the law. W. --- Terrible. Holy to the just, and terrible to sinners. S. Jer. --- Most are lost by too much security. S. Chrys. hom. xix. --- The Hebrews treat the name of God with a respect, which might appear superstitious, (C.) as they will not blot it out, or lean upon the book where it is written, &c. Schikard, Jus. ii. Theor. v. 6. --- The Turks have nearly the same regard for the Koran, which should make Christians ashamed of their irreverence and want of faith.
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| 10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. A good understanding to all that do it: his praise continueth for ever and ever. |
Fear.
Heb. "is the chief part of wisdom." Jan. --- This fear intimates the virtue of religion, to which the Israelites gave the preference over prudence, &c. Joseph. con. App. 2. --- This distinguished them from other nations. Deut. iv. 8. C. --- Fear is the beginning, charity the end of wisdom. Euseb. --- Beginning with fear, we ascend to true wisdom, which are the first and last of the gifts of the Holy Ghost. W. ---
Do it.
Act conformably to this fear. H. --- Speculative wisdom is good, but not sufficient. Rom. xi. 13. S. Chrys. &c. --- Many read
ea,
"those things," with the Heb. while the Sept. have
eam,
this wisdom. But Houbigant adheres to the Vulg. Bert. ---
His.
God's, (S. Chrys.) though some would refer
ejus
to
intellectus. Bert.
--- He shall be praised for ever who has been so well informed as to adopt the fear or wisdom of the Lord for his guide. H.
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