Psalm 18:5, 2
Their sound went forth into all the earth; and their words to the ends of the world. The heavens show forth the glory of God; and the firmament declareth the work of His hands.
Haydock
Verse 5. Sound. So, S. Paul reads this text, though the Heb. have, “line.” Yet there is no reason why we should suppose that the Sept. read differently, or that the Jews have corrupted their copies, as they could derive no advantage from so doing (Bert.) here, unless it were to discredit the apostle; as infidels assert the truth of the Old Testament, to vilify the new. Kum (H.) may signify a “line,” (Bert.) or “writing.” Abenezra. — The greatest exactitude has been observed in forming the world, as if all had been measured by an architect. But the sense of the Vulg. is preferable, and is adopted by Sym. S. Jer. and the Syr. C. — Prot. “their line.” Marg. “their rule or direction.” Kolam, “their voice,” occurs in the preceding verse. The l might easily be lost, (H.) or omitted by a poetical licence. Genebrard. M. — Their, refers to the heavens representing the apostles, as S. Paul explains this text, to prove that all were inexcusable who would not believe the gospel. Bert.
Verse 2. Firmament. Heb. “expansion,” or region of the stars, far above our atmosphere. Bert. — These two sentences express the same idea, unless the former may denote what we behold, and the firmament be explained of the higher heavens, (H.) where we imagine the throne of God to be placed. Some have taken these expressions in a gross sense, and asserted that the heavens are animated. Job xxxviii. 7. But we must allow that they are figurative expressions, which seem to give a soul to plants, stars, &c. C. — The beautiful works of God extort our admiration. H. — The silence of heaven speaks louder than any trumpet. S. Chrys. — “Who can behold the heavens, and yet be so foolish as not to acknowledge that a God exists? said Cicero, (H.) a learned pagan; (Arusp. and Nat. Deo. 2. C.) though they cannot determine of what nature the Deity may be. Leg. i. M. — Hands. Chal. “Those who look up at the heavens, publish the glory of the Lord; and those who raise their eyes towards the air, announce his works.” C. — The silent works declare God’s Majesty to those who consider them, and his preachers make the same known to their hearers by word of mouth. W. — S. Paul reproaches the philosophers of paganism for not understanding the language of the creation. Rom. i. 20. Job xii. 7. H. — The Church, which is so often styled the kingdom of heaven, makes God known, not only as a Creator, but also as a Redeemer. The figure is here most beautifully preserved. Heaven denotes the Church, as the stars represent apostolic men, who cease not to perform their duties day or night, in happier days as well as under persecution. Jesus Christ is the true sun of justice, enlightening every man that cometh into the world. S. Jo. i. — The Fathers have made these remarks. Bert. — What a consolation must it be for Catholics to think that the true doctrine will never cease, no more than the succession of day and night! We have received our creed, our orders and mission, from the apostles. The chain of succession has never been broken. Unhappy those who make a religion of their own to damn souls! who run, though God send them not! H.
Denzinger
149: The Primacy of the Roman Pontiff
From the epistles of the Synod "Repletum est gaudio" to Leo the Pope, at the beginning of November, 451
For if where two or three are gathered together in His name, there He says He is in the midst of them, how great an intimacy did He show with regard to the five hundred and twenty consecrated men, who preferred to both native land and to labor the knowledge of confession for Him. Over these you ruled as a head over the members, among those holding office, displaying your good will.
149 [The more ancient version]: The Primacy of the Roman Pontiff
From the epistles of the Synod "Repletum est gaudio" to Leo the Pope, at the beginning of November, 451
For if where two or three are gathered together in his name, there he says he is in the midst of them [cf. Matt. 18:20], how great an intimacy will He show in regard to the five hundred and twenty priests, who have preferred to both native land and to labor the knowledge of confession for Him. Over these you ruled as a head over the members, among those holding office, displaying your good will.