Psalms 96

Verse 1. Same. Huic. The title is the same as usual in the Septuagint Menochius.—It occurs not in Hebrew The psalm may refer to David’s establishment on the throne, after the death of Saul, or Absalom, or to the return from captivity, and to the first and second coming of Christ. Calmet.—This last seems to be the most literal sense. Bert.—To him. Christ’s body on the third day, and many souls were restored to life.—Islands. We have great reason to rejoice in being educated in the true faith, and we may hope that the Catholic religion will once more flourish in these isles. Worthington.—The Son of man shall have dominion over all. Daniel 7:14. His Church is persecuted, as the waves beat against an island. Euseb.

Verse 2. Clouds. We could not bear the blaze of the divine majesty. Psalms 17:12. Christ veiled himself in our human nature, (Theod.) in the womb of the blessed Virgin. Saint Jerome Calmet.—God gave the law with terror; and so he will come to judge with integrity. Worthington.

Verse 3. A fire. Preceding the last judgment. 2 Peter 3:12. Daniel 7:10. Wisd. 5:22. Menochius.

Verse 5. All. Which is conformable to the Hebrew and so forth though the Vulg. terra, means, “all the earth” melted. Bible.

Verse 6. Heavens. Apostles. Psalms 18. The judge appears publicly. Calmet.

Verse 7. Idols. Hebrew Elilim. Psalms 95:5. Bible.—Angels. Hebrew Elohim, means also, all who have power. Chal. “idols.” Saint Paul, (Hebrews 1:6) quotes this in the third person; Let all the angels, ( Calmet.) or rather he alludes to the Septuagint (Deuteronomy 32:43) which clearly speaks of the Messias, and may therefore have been altered in the Hebrew text, which S. Jerom translated. The psalmist expresses the same idea as Moses had done. Bert.—Both those who adore idols of their own imagination, and their graven things, are condemned. Worthington.

Verse 9. Gods. Princes or angels, elohim, verse 7. Bible.

Verse 11. Light. Prosperity. The Babylonians are punished. Calmet.

Verse 12. Holiness. Or sanctuary. Praise for ever his adorable name, ( Calmet.) since he is holiness itself, and sanctifies others. Worthington.