“Desire not a multitude of unprofitable children, neither delight in ungodly sons.”
Rejoice. Greek, “desire not an useless multitude of children,” &c.
“Though they multiply, rejoice not in them, except the fear of the Lord be with them.”
Labours. All will end in ruin which springs from corruption. (Haydock) — Achab and Gedeon had seventy sons, but all were presently exterminated, while Abraham had a numerous posterity by his son Isaac.
“He was not pacified toward the old giants, who fell away in the strength of their foolishness.”
Out. They shall perish by civil and foreign wars, (Calmet) and by God’s indignation, Deuteronomy xxxii. 23. (Haydock) — They who yield to the fire of concupiscence, will feel God’s wrath for ever. (Worthington)
“He pitied not the people of perdition, who were taken away in their sins:”
Of their word, is not in Greek, but may imply the effrontery of the Sodomites, who were not ashamed of openly professing their brutality, Ezechiel xvi. 49. (Calmet)
“And if there be one stiffnecked among the people, it is marvel if he escape unpunished: for mercy and wrath are with him; he is mighty to forgive, and to pour out displeasure.”
Six hundred thousand footmen, &c. Viz., the children of Israel, whom he sentenced to die in the wilderness, Numbers xiv., (Challoner) and Exodus xii. 37.
“Make way for every work of mercy: for every man shall find according to his works.”
Off. The virtuous shall be rewarded, Romans ii. 6. Greek, “the patience of the impious shall not delay.” He shall soon be punished, (Haydock) while he who gives only a cup of cold water to the poor, shall find a recompense, Matthew x. (Worthington)
“The Lord hardened Pharaoh, that he should not know him, that his powerful works might be known to the world.”
And, &c., is not in Greek, the different editions of which vary. (Calmet) — Instead of this sentence, Grabe inserts from the Complutensian, “the Lord hardened Pharao, that he might not know him, that his surprising works might be manifest under heaven. To every creature his mercy is evident, and he has divided his light from darkness with adamant.[“] (Haydock) — His counsels are unsearchable, and the good are entirely separated from the reprobate, 1 Timothy vi. 16., and Luke xvi. 26.
“His mercy is manifest to every creature; and he hath separated his light from the darkness with an adamant.”
High. God would not be God if he were indifferent about virtue. None of his creatures can be beneath his notice. All the world is but like a drop of water to him, Isaias xl 15, 22. He cannot be distracted. (Calmet)
“No heart can think upon these things worthily: and who is able to conceive his ways?”
And. Greek, “his ways,” ver. 21. (Haydock) — God’s threats and promises touch not the sinner.
“Who can declare the works of his justice? or who can endure them? for his covenant is afar off, and the trial of all things is in the end.”
Testament. The law, or the judgment, which God shall pronounce. (Calmet)
“The works of the Lord are done in judgment from the beginning: and from the time he made them he disposed the parts thereof.”
And their. The heavenly bodies continue their courses, (Grotius; Jansenius) and all things still subsist, (Haydock) being formed and preserved by an intelligent being. He refutes the epicureans. (Calmet)
“After this the Lord looked upon the earth, and filled it with his blessings.”
Be. Greek, “they shall not disobey his order for ever.” (Haydock) — After the sun, &c., had been regulated on the fourth day, God set in order sublunary things, ver. 30. (Calmet)
Forth, the glory and power of God upon the earth. (Challoner) — Before. Greek, “hath covered its (the earth’s) face, and into it,” &c. (Haydock) — All living creatures shall return to dust, Psalm ciii. 29. (Calmet) — Rational and brute creatures praise God by answering the ends designed by him. (Worthington)