Gradual of Saint Joseph the Worker

Psalm 127:1-2

Blessed are all they that fear the Lord: that walk in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labours of thy hands: blessed art thou, and it shall be well with thee.

Haydock

Verse 1. Canticle. Being a sequel to the former, (C.) and similar to the 111th, as both promise felicity to the captives at their return, if they prove faithful, 2 Esd. ix. 38. Ferrand. — It is a sort of epithalamium. Moller. — Both temporal and spiritual blessings are set before us. Bert. — Ways. Many saints have not received temporal rewards; and this confirms our faith that there is a world to come. C. — In effect, no temporal advantages are here specified, as they are below. Bert.

Verse 2. Hands. The idle are not entitled to blessings, which God will bestow on the industrious who fear him, preserving them from evils. Lev. xxvi. 16. and Deut. xxviii. 30. C. 2 Cor. iii. 10. — Some have explained karpwn, “fruits:” though it here means hands. Bert.

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