Gradual of Saint Edward

Psalm 91:13-14, 3

The just shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow up like the cedar of Libanus in the house of the Lord. To show forth Thy mercy in the morning, and Thy truth in the night.

Haydock

Verse 13. Palm-tree. Sept. foinix, means also a “Phœnician, or the Phœnix” bird, of which the ancients have said so much, Job xxix. 18. (C.) and of which Tertullian, (de Res. xiii.) and S. Ambrose, (de fid. Res.) seem to understand this passage. Amama. — But it must be explained in the sense of the Vulg. as the Heb. Tamar evinceth. This tree, and the cedar, were the most famous in those countries; the former for its fruit, and the latter for buildings and duration. The palm-tree will shoot forth again, after it has been cut down or burnt, (Pliny xiii. 14.) so the just will rise up from oppression. C.

Verse 14. Courts. In the Church triumphant, as well as in the militant. W. — The piety of the faithful induces strangers to embrace the truth. Bert.

Verse 3. Night. Of adversity, and at all times, (Bert.) as well as in prosperity. W. — Morning and evening prayer must not be neglected. H. — These times were particularly pointed out. Ps. liv. 18.

⇦ Back to Saint Edward