| 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 Blessed is the man who hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stood in the way of sinners, nor sat in the chair of pestilence. | |
| 2 But his will is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he shall meditate day and night. | Will. He is wholly occupied and delighted in keeping God's commandments. W. --- This distinguishes the saint from him who only refrains from sin through fear. C. --- Qui timet invitus observat. S. Amb. --- Yet even servile fear is of some service, as it restrains exterior conduct, and may, in time, give place to filial reverence. H. --- Meditate, and put in practice. M. --- Night. The Jews studied the books of the law so earnestly from their childhood, that they could recite them as easily as they could tell their own names; (Josep. c. Ap. 2. Deut. vi. 6.) and is it not a shame that many Christians should be so negligent, that they have never so much as read the gospels! (C.) though they be eager enough after idle books. The sacred writings are the records of our inheritance. They shew us our true destination, and deserve to be most seriously considered from the beginning to the end. H.
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| 3 And he shall be like a tree which is planted near the running waters, which shall bring forth its fruit, in due season. And his leaf shall not fall off: and all whatsoever he shall do shall prosper. | Tree. Probably the palm-tree, the emblem of a long life. Job xxviii. 18. The tree of life is watered by the river of living waters, proceeding from the throne of God, who is the source of all grace. Apoc. xxii. 1. Lu. xxi. 33. Jo. iv. 14. C. --- Those who make good use of favours received, are continually supplied with fresh graces. W. --- And. In the office-book a new verse begins here, though not in Heb. which the Vulg. follows. They were not marked by the sacred penman. --- Prosper, and be rewarded hereafter, though the just man even among the Jews might be here afflicted. Prosperity was only promised to the nation, as long as it continued faithful. Individuals were in the same condition as Christians. They were to trust in the promises of futurity, though some have very erroneously asserted, that there is no mention of eternal felicity in thee holy canticles; (Berthier) Ferrand says, hardly in the Old Testament. C. --- All this verse might perhaps be
better understood of the tree. "And its leaf...and whatever it shall produce," faciet ( fructum ). H. --- Some trees are always covered with leaves, like the palm-tree, &c. M.
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| 4 Not so the wicked, not so: but like the dust, which the wind driveth from the face of the earth. | Not so. Heb. "but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away." H. --- They are inconstant (S. Jer.) in the good resolutions which they sometimes form. H. Job xxi. 18. --- The good corn remains, but they are tossed about by every wind, and their memory perishes with all their children and effects. C. --- They yield to the slightest temptation. W.
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| 5 Therefore the wicked shall not rise again in judgment: nor sinners in the council of the just. | Again. So as to gain their cause, (Amama) or to make opposition; as the Heb. yakumu, "stand up," with defiance, intimates. H. --- They are already judged, (Jo. iii. 18.) and can make no defence; they being separated from the just, like goats, Kimchi (though he is defended by Amama. H.) and some other Jews, falsely assert that the souls of the wicked will be annihilated, and that only the just Israelites will rise again. Buxtorf. Syn. 1. --- But this is very different from the belief of the ancient Jews, who clearly assert the truth respecting future rewards and punishments. 2 Mac. vii. 9. 14. 23. and 36. Wisd. v. 1. Josephus. or 4 Mac. x. See Job, &c. --- The Fathers have adduced many such proofs from the other parts of Scripture, which they had read with as much attention as modern critics. C. --- Council, (M.) or rather "counsel," as the same word, Βουλη, is used by the Sept. as v. 1. (C.) though the Heb. hadath, here be
different, and mean a council, or assembly. M. --- Sept. and Vulg. may be understood in the same sense. H. --- Sinners shall be destitute of all hope at the resurrection, and shall be driven from the society of the blessed. W. --- They will not even be able to complain, since they had been so often admonished of their impending fate, (Bert.) and would not judge themselves in time. S. Aug. 1 Cor. xi. Acts xxiv. 15. Prot. "They shall not stand," &c. H.
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| 6 For the Lord knoweth the way of the just: and the way of the wicked shall perish. |
Knoweth,
with approbation. There is only one road which leads to heaven: but these men, having sown in the flesh, must
reap corruption.
Gal. vi. 8. Berthier. --- God will reward or punish (W.) all according to their deserts. H. --- To some he will thunder out,
I never knew you;
while others shall hear,
Come,
&c. Mat. xxv. 34. &c. C. --- In this world, things seem to be in a sort of confusion, as the wicked prosper. But, at the hour of death, each will receive a final retribution. Temporal advantages have been dealt out to the wicked for the small and transitory acts of virtue, the afflictions of this world have served to purify the elect from venial faults. H.
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