Offertory of Saint Boniface

Psalm 15:7-8

I will bless the Lord Who hath given me understanding: I set the Lord always in my sight; for He is at my right hand, that I be not moved.

Haydock

Verse 7. Understanding. Heb. “counsel.” In the night of tribulation God directs the reins, or affections of the soul. Christ might speak thus concerning his human nature. Bert. Lu. ii. 40. Heb. v. 7. David also gives thanks to God for enabling him to make so happy a choice, and to avoid being seduced. C. — He derives instructions from pain. W.

Verse 8. That I. Heb. “I shall not,” &c. The sense is the same, but S. Peter agrees with us and the Sept. Acts ii. 25, &c. It is not of faith that the seven preceding verse regard Jesus Christ as the following do; but as the same person speaks, we may rationally infer that all should be explained of him. Though he always enjoyed the beatific vision, his soul had the affections of other men, and always tended to keep in God’s presence. So the angels who see God, desire more and more to contemplate him. 1 Pet. i. 12. How earnestly ought we to strive always to keep in the divine presence! (Bert.) then we should constantly advance in virtue, and fear no dangers. The patriarchs thus walked with God, and arrived at such perfection. H. — The father was always at the right hand of his Son, to support and glorify him; and the Son, having continually performed what was pleasing to God, (Jo. viii. 29.) was placed at his right hand at his ascension, though his divinity had never been separated from him. C. — He had always God in view, and has left us a pattern how to behave. W.

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