Psalms 71:10

Verse 10. Tharsis. Bordering on “the sea,” (Bert.) or in Cilicia, though we find not that Solomon ever claimed any authority there, or that the Mediterranean was under his control. He sent his fleet indeed to Tharsis; (3 Kennicott. 10:22) but Arabia and Saba brought presents, or tribute to him. Under the name of islands, the Hebrews comprise all places, to which they had to go by water, as Asia Minor, and so forth Isaiah 66:19. Calmet.—The three kings were the first who verified this prediction concerning our Saviour; and afterwards Constantine and other potentates embraced his religion. Among the islands, Britain, which is the greatest in Europe, was partly converted in the days of the apostles, (Theod. in Tim. and so forth) and more under Eleutherius; though the English nation received the faith from Saint Augustine and others, sent by Pope Gregory the Great, A.D. 596. Worthington.—Saba. Hebrew Seba. The preceding Arabia is sheba, ( Bible.) and refers to some of those who people that country.—Gifts, or tribute, 1 Chronicles 18. Calmet.—If the former term, presents, (Hebrew mincha, “a sacrifice of flour,” and so forth Bible.) be taken in the strict sense, the text cannot be applicable to any but the true God, the Messias. Bert.—The wise men, who came from this country, adored and offered presents to Christ. Matthew 2. Menochius.