Offertory of The Epiphany of Our Lord

Psalm 71:10,11

The kings of Tharsis and the islands shall offer presents: the kings of the Arabians and of Saba shall bring gifts: and all kings of the earth shall adore Him: all nations shall serve Him.

Haydock

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 K. x. 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, &c. Is. lxvi. 19. C. — 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. &c.) and more under Eleutherius; though the English nation received the faith from S. Aug. and others, sent by Pope Gregory the Great, A.D. 596. W. — Saba. Heb. Seba. The preceding Arabia is sheba, (H.) and refers to some of those who people that country. — Gifts, or tribute, 1 Par. xviii. C. — If the former term, presents, (Heb. mincha, “a sacrifice of flour,” &c. H.) 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. Matt. ii. M.

Verse 11. Earth, is omitted in Heb. Rom. Sept. &c. so that this cannot regard Solomon, (Bert.) though he was reverenced by all the neighbouring kings. 3 K. x. 23. Christ alone is the universal king, (Apoc. xix. 16. and Phil. ii. 10. C.) to whom every knee shall bend, at least when all shall appear in judgment. Many kings shall submit before. Bert.

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