Tract of Saint Benedict

Psalm 111:1-3

Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord: he shall delight exceedingly in His commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the righteous shall be blessed. Glory and wealth shall be in his house: and his justice remaineth for ever and ever.

Haydock

Verse 1. Of the returning, &c. This is in the Greek and Latin, but not in the Hebrew. It signifies, that his psalm was proper to be sung at the time of the return of the people from their captivity: to inculcate to them, how happy they might be, if they would be constant in the service of God. Ch. — Yet all Greek copies have not this title, (H.) but only Alleluia, with the Heb. Syr. &c. — It might be composed by Aggæus, &c. as it relates to the captivity, (v. 4.) and to the overthrow of Babylon, (v. 10. C.) or David might thus describe the happiness of the virtuous, (Bert.) and give the captives to understand, that sin was the source of all temporal as well as spiritual miseries. W. — Delight. We must love God for his own sake. S. Chrys. — Those who sincerely fear God, will take great delight in keeping his commandments. W.

Verse 2. Earth. Temporal rewards were proposed to the carnal Jews; but the more enlightened knew what was to be most desired. They sought after the riches, mentioned by the apostle. 1 Cor. i. 5. 1 Tim. vi. 18. C. — The just and their seed shall prosper, (W.) at least in the next world. H.

Verse 3. Justice. Or mercy shall be for ever remembered by en, and rewarded by God. C.

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