βThere is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.β
Feet. The Chanaanites were subdued by Josue, and others by David, &c. The army of Cambyses became a prey to the Jews, Ezechiel xxxix. 10. (Calmet) β All who embrace the true faith, even kings, become subjects, and not heads of the Church. (Worthington)
βGod is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. and: Heb. when the morning appearethβ
Beauty. The temple, Ezechiel xxiv. 21. Both Jews and Gentiles form the Church.
βThe heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.β
Trumpet. Christ ascended, accompanied by choirs of angels. His apostles proclaimed his truths. (Calmet) β They were not left desolate, but joyful; having the Paraclete sent to them.
βThe LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. our: Heb. an high place for usβ
King. Christ is God, by his divine nature, and our king, by his humanity. (Worthington)
βCome, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.β
Wisely. Hebrew mascil, which is so often rendered βunderstandingβ in the titles. No one can do well, what he does not understand. (Calmet) β The union of faith and good works, is singing wisely. (St. Chrysostom) (Calmet) β Concordent manus & lingua. (St. Augustine) (Du Hamel) β Let each strive to know the mysteries of faith. (Worthington)
βHe maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.β
Throne. Christ reigns over the heart with all power, Matthew xxviii. 18.
βBe still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.β
Gods. Judges appointed by the king of Persia over the Jews, &c., (Calmet) or rather the apostles, who were more than men, (St. Jerome) and exercised a greater power than any earthly monarch. (Calmet) β The richest princes have submitted to the God of Abraham, whose seed was to prove a blessing to all, Genesis xviii. 18. Hebrew as it is now pointed, βthe princes of the people are gathered unto the people of the God of Abraham, for He is far elevated above the gods, the shields of the earth,β as kings are often styled. (Calmet) β Protestants, βfor the shields of the earth belong unto God: He is greatly exalted;β or (Septuagint) βthe earthly potentates, who are of God, have been,β &c. β We might explain the Vulgate in the same sense, if Dei were substituted for Dii, (Haydock) as it should be. (Calmet) β Dei sunt optimates terrΔ, & ipse summe elevatus est. (Houbigant) β St. Jerome agrees with the Vulgate, (Haydock) which is the clearest, (Berthier) only he renders ham, βthe peopleβ of the God, as it may also signify, and retains the word shields, which we explain the strong gods, or the βstrong ones of God.β (Haydock) β The blessed Trinity is not divided, but more distinctly professed in baptism than it was under the law. (Worthington)