May the high praises of God be in their mouths, and a two-edged sword in their hand,
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 6. Hands. He seems to allude to the regulation of Nehemias, (2 Ezra 4:17. Bible.) or to the Machabees, who were priests and soldiers. They shall proclaim God’s praises, and defend the nation. In the spiritual sense, Catholics employ the two-edged sword of the Old and New Testament against heretics, and exercise the power of Christ in excommunicating the wicked. Saint Jerome—Our Saviour enables the saints to judge at the last day. Matthew 19:28. Calmet.—This chiefly regards such as have left all things, like the apostles, and those who embrace a monastic life. Matthew 4:20 and 19:27. Acts 4:34 and 1 Corinthians 6:3.—They shall judge whether people have made good or bad use of their possessions. Saint Augustine Ven. Bede.—All the blessed will approve of God’s sentence; and their example in overcoming difficulties, will evince the baseness of the wicked, who have yielded to less temptations. Worthington.