“But he that giveth his mind to the law of the most High, and is occupied in the meditation thereof, will seek out the wisdom of all the ancient, and be occupied in prophecies.”
Ancients. The Essenes (Josephus, Jewish Wars i. 7.) and Therapeuts (Philo, Comtemp.) were most famous for doing so. In general the Jews despise the learning of foreign nations: but some have applied themselves to it, particularly Philo, Josephus, &c., 1 Machabees i. 11., and 2 Machabees vi. 11.) — Prophets. These required the utmost study, before the coming of Christ, 1 Peter i. 11., and Daniel ix. 9. (Calmet) — The virtuous must follow both an active and contemplative life. (Worthington)
“He will keep the sayings of the renowned men: and where subtil parables are, he will be there also.”
Sayings, or history of Abraham, &c. — Parables. This was most in vogue, 3 Kings x. — But mechanics abstained from this study, chap. xxxviii. 38. (Calmet) — To meditate well, 1. knowledge; 2. virtue; 3. humility; and 4. hope, are requisite. (Worthington)
“He shall serve among great men, and appear before princes: he will travel through strange countries; for he hath tried the good and the evil among men.”
Governor of the province or army. The most enlightened were chosen, like Joseph, Daniel i. 4., &c.
“He will give his heart to resort early to the Lord that made him, and will pray before the most High, and will open his mouth in prayer, and make supplication for his sins.”
Men. Travelling was very requisite, (chap. xxxiv. 11.) and history records the actions of the bad as well as of the good, for the instruction of the public.
“When the great Lord will, he shall be filled with the spirit of understanding: he shall pour out wise sentences, and give thanks unto the Lord in his prayer.”
Pray. Diligence and prayer are the means to acquire wisdom, chap. iv. 13.
“Many shall commend his understanding; and so long as the world endureth, it shall not be blotted out; his memorial shall not depart away, and his name shall live from generation to generation.”
Lord, being in a sort of rapture, and enlightened by Him.
“Hearken unto me, ye holy children, and bud forth as a rose growing by the brook of the field:”
Generation. With what care do we not preserve the Scriptures? &c.
“Magnify his name, and shew forth his praise with the songs of your lips, and with harps, and in praising him ye shall say after this manner:”
Thousand. Children or other men. — Rest, in death. (Calmet)
“All the works of the Lord are exceeding good, and whatsoever he commandeth shall be accomplished in due season.”
With. Greek, “as the moon in the first quarter,” dichomenia. The Vulgate has read Diomenia, “divine transport.” The author declares that he was inspired. (Calmet)
“And none may say, What is this? wherefore is that? for at time convenient they shall all be sought out: at his commandment the waters stood as an heap, and at the words of his mouth the receptacles of waters.”
By. Greek, “Hear me, ye holy children.” — Offspring. Literally, “fruits.” (Haydock) — He speaks to the children of Israel, the people of God: whom he exhorts to bud forth and flourish with virtue. (Challoner)
“The works of all flesh are before him, and nothing can be hid from his eyes.”
Bring. Greek, “praise a canticle.”
“He seeth from everlasting to everlasting; and there is nothing wonderful before him.”
Voice. Greek, “songs of your lips, (Haydock) and with ancient lyres,” &c. (Calmet)
“His blessing covered the dry land as a river, and watered it as a flood.”
Waters. At the world’s creation, or at the passage of the Israelites. [Exodus xiv. 21., and Josue iii. 13.] (Calmet)
“As he hath turned the waters into saltness: so shall the heathen inherit his wrath.”
Salvation. None can prevent the salvation of God’s elect. (Haydock)
“For the good are good things created from the beginning: so evil things for sinners.”
Wonderful, or new. (Calmet) — The greatest miracles cost him nothing. (Haydock)
“The principal things for the whole use of man's life are water, fire, iron, and salt, flour of wheat, honey, milk, and the blood of the grape, and oil, and clothing.”
Time. The veil shall be withdrawn, and Providence will appear. Greek, “all things are made for their proper use.”
“There be spirits that are created for vengeance, which in their fury lay on sore strokes; in the time of destruction they pour out their force, and appease the wrath of him that made them.”
That. Greek, “as he changed the waters into saltness,” (Haydock) at Sodom, (Calmet) “his ways are plain for the saints: so to sinners they are stumbling-blocks,” ver. 30. The Red Sea gave a passage to Israel, and overwhelmed the Egyptians. (Haydock) — Him. God does all with grandeur. He poured his graces upon Israel, and overwhelmed the giants in the deluge. (Calmet)
“Teeth of wild beasts, and scorpions, serpents, and the sword punishing the wicked to destruction.”
Good and, is omitted in Greek. Before the fall, all was happiness. Now, the wicked have still some mixture of good, ver. 32. (Bossuet)
“They shall rejoice in his commandment, and they shall be ready upon earth, when need is; and when their time is come, they shall not transgress his word.”
Water and fire. These are requisite to prepare bread. The Romans refused them to the enemies of the state. — Cluster. Greek, “blood,” as [in] Deuteronomy xxxii. 14. (Calmet) — God gives the necessaries of life, which the virtuous use well, for their reward; and the wicked ill, to their ruin. (Worthington)
“Therefore from the beginning I was resolved, and thought upon these things, and have left them in writing.”
Evil. The good or bad use of them decides all, Wisdom xiv. 11., Romans viii. 18., and Titus i. 15.
“All the works of the Lord are good: and he will give every needful thing in due season.”
Spirits. Storms (Psalm x. 7., and cxlviii. 8.) good angels, (Genesis xix. 11., and Isaias xxxvii. 36.) or rather devils: who, though created in holiness, fell, and became executioners of the wicked. (Calmet) — They abused their free-will, and are eternally punished. (Worthington)
“So that a man cannot say, This is worse than that: for in time they shall all be well approved.”
Destruction, and final ruin of the impious, or at the last day. (Calmet) — Appease. God is pleased with the execution of justice. (Menochius) — Yet the devils cannot obtain a reconciliation; neither do they act to please God, having their wills obstinately bent against his, though they be forced to obey. (Haydock)
Beasts. Wolves, &c., with which the country was infested, Deuteronomy vii. 22., and xxii. 24. — Sword. War.
Feast. Greek, “rejoice,” as at a feast, Ezechiel xxxix. 16. — Word. They will be ready at the first sign. (Calmet) — All creatures, but the rebel angels and man, obey God. (Haydock)
Resolved. Literally, “confirmed” in this opinion by a divine light, ver. 16, 21.
Time. If we receive not at first, we must have patience.
That. Even sin contributes to manifest the justice and mercy of God; and we are not to judge of his works, but to praise him; as every thing is created for wise purposes, and evil proceeds from our abuse of things. (Calmet)