“Then Tobit wrote a prayer of rejoicing, and said, Blessed be God that liveth for ever, and blessed be his kingdom.”
Tobias. Greek, “Tobit wrote a prayer for exultation, and said.” (Haydock)
“For he doth scourge, and hath mercy: he leadeth down to hell, and bringeth up again: neither is there any that can avoid his hand.”
Hell; death. (Menochius) — Out of hell there is no redemption or return. (Haydock) (1 Kings ii. 6.)
“There declare his greatness, and extol him before all the living: for he is our Lord, and he is the God our Father for ever.”
Therefore, is not in Greek. (Haydock) — But God had the good of the Gentiles in view, that they might become acquainted with his law, and behold the conduct of his saints, Tobias, Esther, Daniel, &c., (Calmet) as well as to punish his people. (Haydock) — Temporal afflictions are sometimes for the spiritual good of others. (Worthington) — Greek, “because he has scattered you among them. There shew forth his grandeur, and extol him before every one living: for he is our Lord and God, our Father for ever. Yea, he hath chastised us in our iniquities, again he will have mercy, and will gather us from all nations where he has scattered us, if ye be converted to him with all your heart, and with all your soul, to act sincerely. Then he will turn towards you, and will not hide his face from you; and ye shall behold what he will do with you, and ye shall confess to him with all your mouth, and bless the Lord of power, and extol the king of ages. I,” &c., ver. 7. (Haydock)
“And he will scourge us for our iniquities, and will have mercy again, and will gather us out of all nations, among whom he hath scattered us.”
Mercy. He can discover nothing in the sinner. (Calmet)
“I will extol my God, and my soul shall praise the King of heaven, and shall rejoice in his greatness.”
Nation; the Israelites, (Menochius) whom he has chastised. (Haydock) — Ninive was still flourishing. Yet the Greek seems to refer to the Assyrian idolaters, (Calmet) or to both. Greek, “and I shew his power and magnificence to a sinful nation. Who knows if he will love and shew his mercy to you? I exalt my God, and my soul magnifies the King of heaven, and shall gladly proclaim his greatness: let all speak and confess to him in justice.”
“Many nations shall come from far to the name of the Lord God with gifts in their hands, even gifts to the King of heaven; all generations shall praise thee with great joy.”
Jerusalem. What is prophetically delivered here, and in the following chapter, with relation to Jerusalem, is partly to be understood of the rebuilding the city after the captivity, and partly of the spiritual Jerusalem, which is the Church of Christ, and the eternal Jerusalem in heaven. (Challoner) — It would seem that Jerusalem and the temple were now destroyed, which is contrary to chronology, as Manasses had not yet began to reign, (Calmet) and Tobias died when he had been on the throne fifty-two years. (Houbigant) — But the Greek shews that (Calmet) he speaks prophetically: (Worthington) “Jerusalem, holy city, He will chastise thee for the works of thy children, and again he will shew mercy on the children of the just. Confess to the Lord, for he is good; and bless the king of ages, that his tabernacle may be again rebuilt in thee, with joy.” (Haydock) — The Hebrew of Munster had only a few verses of this and the following chapter. (Calmet)
“Cursed are all they which hate thee, and blessed shall all be which love thee for ever.”
Call. Greek, “cause thy captives to rejoice in thee, and love in thee all the distressed unto eternity.”
“Rejoice and be glad for the children of the just: for they shall be gathered together, and shall bless the Lord of the just.”
Thou. Greek, “Many nations from afar shall come to the name of the Lord God, with presents in their hands, presents for the king of heaven; race after race shall praise thee, and give exultation. They,” &c., ver. 16. (Haydock) — How many potent monarchs of Persia, Egypt, Rome, &c., honoured the temple of Jerusalem! How many wars have been carried on by Christian potentates, to rescue that favourite spot out of the hands of infidels! all out of respect for Christ. These priests are still better verified in his Church, to which the powers of the earth have submitted, (Calmet) esteeming it an honour and happiness to be members of this holy society. (Haydock)
“O blessed are they which love thee, for they shall rejoice in thy peace: blessed are they which have been sorrowful for all thy scourges; for they shall rejoice for thee, when they have seen all thy glory, and shall be glad for ever.”
Holy. This soil has been carried into distant countries, out of reverence, (4 Kings v. 17.; St. Augustine, City of God xxii.8.) and has been honoured with miracles. (St. Gregory Turon. i. 7.)
“For Jerusalem shall be built up with sapphires and emeralds, and precious stone: thy walls and towers and battlements with pure gold.”
Despise. Greek, “hate thee, and blessed shall be those who love thee for ever.” (Haydock)
“And the streets of Jerusalem shall be paved with beryl and carbuncle and stones of Ophir.”
But. Greek, “rejoice, and exult for the children of the just, because they shall be gathered together, and shall bless the Lord of the just.” (Haydock) — The people of God, in the old law, have often this title, as those of the new are styled saints. Both have a claim to this prediction. The Jews became more faithful after the captivity, so that the most cruel persecution of Epiphanes could not overcome their resolution; and the world was astonished at the courage of the martyrs, and the exemplary conduct of the primitive Christians. (Calmet)
“And all her streets shall say, Alleluia; and they shall praise him, saying, Blessed be God, which hath extolled it for ever.”
Peace. Greek adds, “blessed are those who have mourned on account of thy chastisements, because they shall rejoice, beholding all thy glory, and their joy shall endure for ever.” (Haydock)
Thou. Greek, “God, the great king: For Jerusalem,” &c., ver. 21. (Haydock) — Troubles. This regards only the heavenly Jerusalem. (Worthington)
Seed. Hence it appears that Tobias did not speak of an approaching event, (Calmet) or at least he wished that his posterity might be set free.
Emerald. Greek adds, “and precious stone: thy walls, and towers, and battlements, of pure gold. And the streets of Jerusalem shall be strewed with beryl and carbuncle, and stone from Soupheir.” (Haydock) — This description resembles that of Isaias, (liv. 11.) who lived a little before. St. John (Apocalypse xxi.10.) represents the church in the same ornaments, denoting the merits of Christ and the virtues of his saints. All are convinced that such expressions are not to be taken in the literal sense. (Calmet)
Alleluia. A sound of praise. St. Augustine (ep. 86.) means, “Praise ye the Lord (Haydock) with joy.” (Worthington) — It is disused in times of penance. (Calmet) — Greek adds, ” and they shall praise, saying, Blessed be God, who has exalted it for ever.”