“O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth.”
Same. Huic. The title is the same as usual in the Septuagint. (Menochius) — It occurs not in Hebrew. The psalm may refer to David’s establishment on the throne, after the death of Saul, or Absalom, or to the return from captivity, and to the first and second coming of Christ. (Calmet) — This last seems to be the most literal sense. (Berthier) — To him. Christ’s body on the third day, and many souls were restored to life. [Matthew xxvii. 52.] — Islands. We have great reason to rejoice in being educated in the true faith, and we may hope that the Catholic religion will once more flourish in these isles. (Worthington) — The Son of man shall have dominion over all, Daniel vii. 14. His Church is persecuted, as the waves beat against an island. (Eusebius) (Calmet)
“Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.”
Clouds. We could not bear the blaze of the divine majesty, Psalm xvii. 12. Christ veiled himself in our human nature, (Theodoret) in the womb of the blessed Virgin Mary. (St. Jerome) (Calmet) — God gave the law with terror; and so he will come to judge with integrity. (Worthington)
“Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.”
A fire. Preceding the last judgment, 2 Peter iii. 12., Daniel vii. 10., and Wisdom v. 22. (Menochius)
“For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.”
All. Which is conformable to the Hebrew, &c., though the Vulgate terra, means, “all the earth” melted. (Haydock)
“Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.”
Heavens. Apostles, Psalm xviii. The judge appears publicly. (Calmet)
“Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.”
Idols. Hebrew Elilim, Psalm xcv. 5. (Haydock) — Angels. Hebrew Elohim, means also, all who have power. Chaldean, “idols.” St. Paul, (Hebrews i. 6.) quotes this in the third person; Let all the angels, (Calmet) or rather he alludes to the Septuagint, (Deuteronomy xxxii. 43.) which clearly speaks of the Messias, and may therefore have been altered in the Hebrew text, which St. Jerome translated. The psalmist expresses the same idea as Moses had done. (Berthier) — Both those who adore idols of their own imagination, and their graven things, are condemned. (Worthington)
“O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth. in the: or, in the glorious sanctuary”
Gods. Princes or angels, elohim, ver. 7. (Haydock)
“Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof. the fulness: or, all it containeth”
Light. Prosperity. The Babylonians are punished. (Calmet)
“Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice”
Holiness. Or sanctuary. Praise for ever his adorable name, (Calmet) since he is holiness itself, and sanctifies others. (Worthington)