1883 Haydock Douay Rheims Bible

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Psalms 46:1 Unto the end, for the sons of Core.

This psalm appears to be a sequel to the former psalm, and is addressed to the Gentiles who were present at the dedication of the second temple, as Darius had ordered his governors to assist the Jews, 1 Esdras 6:15. See Esther 8:17. --- Many explain it of the translation of the ark: but the Fathers behold the establishment of Christianity, and the ascension of Christ, ver. 6. (Calmet)
Psalms 46:2 O clap your hands, all ye nations: shout unto God with the voice of joy.

Psalms 46:3 For the Lord is high, terrible: a great king over all the earth.

Psalms 46:4 He hath subdued the people under us; and the nations under our feet.

Feet. The Chanaanites were subdued by Josue, and others by David, etc. The army of Cambyses became a prey to the Jews, Ezechiel 39:10. (Calmet) --- All who embrace the true faith, even kings, become subjects, and not heads of the Church. (Worthington)
Psalms 46:5 He hath chosen for us his inheritance, the beauty of Jacob which he hath loved.

Beauty. The temple, Ezechiel 24:21. Both Jews and Gentiles form the Church.
Psalms 46:6 *God is ascended with jubilee, and the Lord with the sound of trumpet.

Trumpet. Christ ascended, accompanied by choirs of angels. His apostles proclaimed his truths. (Calmet) --- They were not left desolate, but joyful; having the Paraclete sent to them.
Psalms 46:7 Sing praises to our God, sing ye: sing praises to our king, sing ye.

King. Christ is God, by his divine nature, and our king, by his humanity. (Worthington)
Psalms 46:8 For God is the king of all the earth: sing ye wisely.

Wisely. Hebrew mascil, which is so often rendered "understanding" in the titles. No one can do well, what he does not understand. (Calmet) --- The union of faith and good works, is singing wisely. (St. Chrysostom) (Calmet) --- Concordent manus et lingua. (St. Augustine) (Du Hamel) --- Let each strive to know the mysteries of faith. (Worthington)
Psalms 46:9 God shall reign over the nations: God sitteth on his holy throne.

Throne. Christ reigns over the heart with all power, Matthew 28:18.
Psalms 46:10 The princes of the people are gathered together, with the God of Abraham: for the strong gods of the earth are exceedingly exalted.

Gods. Judges appointed by the king of Persia over the Jews, etc., (Calmet) or rather the apostles, who were more than men, (St. Jerome) and exercised a greater power than any earthly monarch. (Calmet) --- The richest princes have submitted to the God of Abraham, whose seed was to prove a blessing to all, Genesis 18:18. Hebrew as it is now pointed, "the princes of the people are gathered unto the people of the God of Abraham, for He is far elevated above the gods, the shields of the earth," as kings are often styled. (Calmet) --- Protestants, "for the shields of the earth belong unto God: He is greatly exalted;" or (Septuagint) "the earthly potentates, who are of God, have been," etc. --- We might explain the Vulgate in the same sense, if Dei were substituted for Dii, (Haydock) as it should be. (Calmet) --- Dei sunt optimates terrae, et ipse summe elevatus est. (Houbigant) --- St. Jerome agrees with the Vulgate, (Haydock) which is the clearest, (Berthier) only he renders ham, "the people" of the God, as it may also signify, and retains the word shields, which we explain the strong gods, or the "strong ones of God." (Haydock) --- The blessed Trinity is not divided, but more distinctly professed in baptism than it was under the law. (Worthington)