“The Lord created man of the earth, and turned him into it again.”
And made. This is transposed in Greek to the end of the third verse. (Haydock) — The creation of other things had been specified before. Man was designed to be immortal, and was made like to God in his soul, which is spiritual, intelligent, &c. But sin caused his days to be shortened. (Calmet) — By original sin, he lost the justice which he had at first received. (Worthington)
“And put the fear of man upon all flesh, and gave him dominion over beasts and fowls.”
Dominion. This is greatly diminished since the fall. (Calmet)
“Counsel, and a tongue, and eyes, ears, and a heart, gave he them to understand.”
Evil. Man has understanding, and may merit, which brutes cannot.
“Withal he filled them with the knowledge of understanding, and shewed them good and evil.”
Hearts. God will bring them to judgment, and has given them a law. (Calmet)
“He gave them to glory in his marvellous acts for ever, that they might declare his works with understanding.”
Life. The observance of which will insure life both now and for ever, Romans x. 5. This was the peculiar privilege of Israel, (Calmet) though the natural law had the same effect, and God had left none without sufficient light. (Haydock) — The law was for a trial of obedience, Genesis ii. (Worthington)
“And the elect shall praise his holy name.”
Everlasting. The gospel has perfected or fulfilled the law, Matthew v. 17.
“Beside this he gave them knowledge, and the law of life for an heritage.”
Saw. When he gave the law on Mount Sinai. (Challoner) (Exodus xx. 18.) — Voice. Thunder, Psalm xxviii. 4. (Calmet)
“He made an everlasting covenant with them, and shewed them his judgments.”
Neighbour. Of whom the second table, or the seven last precepts of the law, speak. (Haydock)
“Their eyes saw the majesty of his glory, and their ears heard his glorious voice.”
Eyes. He conducted them in the pillar, and always watched over them. Roman Greek adds, “their ways are bent on evils from youth, and he could not.” Complutensian, “for every man is bent on evils from youth, and they could not from stony hearts make them fleshy, (Ezechiel xxxvi. 26.; Calmet) for in the division of the nations of all the earth (14.) over,” &c. (Grabe)
“Their ways are ever before him, and shall not be hid from his eyes.”
God. Complutensian adds, “he nourishes him as his first-born with instruction, and dividing the light of love, he does not abandon him.” (Haydock) — But the Roman edition agrees with us. God declared himself king of Israel, (Calmet) and its guardian, while he intrusted other nations to angels. (Origen; St. Augustine; Psalm cxxxviii.; Glossa.; Deuteronomy xxxii. 8.)
“Every man from his youth is given to evil; neither could they make to themselves fleshy hearts for stony.”
Ways. He suffers them not to follow their own inclinations, like the Gentiles; but chastises them if they have done wrong, Acts xiv. 15. (Calmet)
“For in the division of the nations of the whole earth he set a ruler over every people; but Israel is the Lord's portion:”
Covenants. Greek, “injustices were not concealed from him, and all,” &c. (Haydock) — God. Complutensian adds, “but the Lord being good, and knowing his work, neither left nor abandoned them, still sparing them,” Hebrews xiii. 5. (Haydock) — This is a gloss omitted in the Roman edition, Psalm lxxvii. 34.
“Whom, being his firstborn, he nourisheth with discipline, and giving him the light of his love doth not forsake him.”
Alms, and all good works are placed in God’s treasury, and as a ring which a person wears on his finger with the utmost care, Jeremias xxii. 24., and Canticle of Canticles viii. 6. — Eye. Greek Complutensian adds, (Calmet) “dividing to his sons and daughters penance, (19.) And.” (Haydock) — The Roman and Aldus edition agree with the Vulgate. — Head. Giving a crown of glory. — And shall, &c., is not in Greek. It implies that the wicked will be punished like Core. (Calmet)
“The alms of a man is as a signet with him, and he will keep the good deeds of man as the apple of the eye, and give repentance to his sons and daughters.”
Offend less: minue offendicula. That is, remove sins, and the occasions of sins. (Challoner)
“But unto them that repent, he granted them return, and comforted those that failed in patience.”
And. Greek, “return to the Highest, and be converted from injustice, (for he shall lead from darkness to the light of health) and greatly abhor abomination. Who shall praise the most high in hell, instead of the living, and of those who make a return of praise, or confession? Praise perisheth from the dead, as from one who has had no being. The living and sound of heart shall praise the Lord. (28.) How,” &c. (Haydock) (Psalm lxxxvii. 11.) (Calmet) — We cannot merit perseverance, but must pray for it incessantly. (Worthington)
“Return unto the Lord, and forsake thy sins, make thy prayer before his face, and offend less.”
Go to the side, &c. Fly from the side of satan and sin, and join with the holy ones that follow God and godliness. (Challoner) — Christ is styled the father of the age to come, Isaias ix. (Menochius)
“How great is the lovingkindness of the Lord our God, and his compassion unto such as turn unto him in holiness!”
Immortal. We all stand in need of a pardon. (Calmet) — And. Greek, (30.) “what….and it fails. And flesh and blood shall study evil. (31.) He.” (Haydock) — We cannot exact absolute perfection from any mortal. But still a person may be watchful, and trust in God’s mercies, chap. xviii. (Calmet)