Psalms 1

Verse 2. Will. He is wholly occupied and delighted in keeping God’s commandments. Worthington.—This distinguishes the saint from him who only refrains from sin through fear. Calmet.—Qui timet invitus observat. Saint Ambrose—Yet even servile fear is of some service, as it restrains exterior conduct, and may, in time, give place to filial reverence. Bible.—Meditate, and put in practice. Menochius.—Night. The Jews studied the books of the law so earnestly from their childhood, that they could recite them as easily as they could tell their own names; (Josep. c. Ap. 2. Deuteronomy 6:6) and is it not a shame that many Christians should be so negligent, that they have never so much as read the gospels! ( Calmet.) though they be eager enough after idle books. The sacred writings are the records of our inheritance. They shew us our true destination, and deserve to be most seriously considered from the beginning to the end. Bible.

When rendered in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, “LORD” or “GOD” is the translation of God’s Proper Name (Hebrew “יהוה”, usually pronounced Yahweh).

Verse 3. Tree. Probably the palm-tree, the emblem of a long life. Job 28:18. The tree of life is watered by the river of living waters, proceeding from the throne of God, who is the source of all grace. Revelation 22:1. Lu. 21:33. John 4:14. Calmet.—Those who make good use of favours received, are continually supplied with fresh graces. Worthington.—And. In the office-book a new verse begins here, though not in Hebrew which the Vulg. follows. They were not marked by the sacred penman.—Prosper, and be rewarded hereafter, though the just man even among the Jews might be here afflicted. Prosperity was only promised to the nation, as long as it continued faithful. Individuals were in the same condition as Christians. They were to trust in the promises of futurity, though some have very erroneously asserted, that there is no mention of eternal felicity in thee holy canticles; (Berthier) Ferrand says, hardly in the Old Testament. Calmet.—All this verse might perhaps be better understood of the tree. “And its leaf … and whatever it shall produce,” faciet (fructum). Bible.—Some trees are always covered with leaves, like the palm-tree, and so forth Menochius.

Verse 4. Not so. Hebrew “but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.” Bible.—They are inconstant (Saint Jerome) in the good resolutions which they sometimes form. Bible. Job 21:18.—The good corn remains, but they are tossed about by every wind, and their memory perishes with all their children and effects. Calmet.—They yield to the slightest temptation. Worthington.

Verse 5. Again. So as to gain their cause, (Amama) or to make opposition; as the Hebrew yakumu, “stand up,” with defiance, intimates. Bible.—They are already judged, (John 3:18) and can make no defence; they being separated from the just, like goats, Kimchi (though he is defended by Amama. Bible.) and some other Jews, falsely assert that the souls of the wicked will be annihilated, and that only the just Israelites will rise again. Buxtorf. Syn. 1.—But this is very different from the belief of the ancient Jews, who clearly assert the truth respecting future rewards and punishments. 2 Maccabees 7:9. 14. 23 and 36. Wisd. 5:1. Josephus. or 4 Maccabees 10. See Job, and so forth—The Fathers have adduced many such proofs from the other parts of Scripture, which they had read with as much attention as modern critics. Calmet.—Council, ( Menochius.) or rather “counsel,” as the same word, βουλη, is used by the Septuagint as verse 1. ( Calmet.) though the Hebrew hadath, here be different, and mean a council, or assembly. Menochius.—Septuagint and Vulg. may be understood in the same sense. Bible.—Sinners shall be destitute of all hope at the resurrection, and shall be driven from the society of the blessed. Worthington.—They will not even be able to complain, since they had been so often admonished of their impending fate, (Bert.) and would not judge themselves in time. Saint Augustine 1 Corinthians 11. Acts 24:15. Prot. “They shall not stand,” and so forth Bible.

Verse 6. Knoweth, with approbation. There is only one road which leads to heaven: but these men, having sown in the flesh, must reap corruption. Galatians 6:8. Berthier.—God will reward or punish ( Worthington.) all according to their deserts. Bible.—To some he will thunder out, I never knew you; while others shall hear, Come, and so forth Matthew 25:34. and so forth Calmet.—In this world, things seem to be in a sort of confusion, as the wicked prosper. But, at the hour of death, each will receive a final retribution. Temporal advantages have been dealt out to the wicked for the small and transitory acts of virtue, the afflictions of this world have served to purify the elect from venial faults. Bible.