Psalm 49:2-3,5
Out of Sion the loveliness of His beauty: God shall come manifestly. V. Gather ye together His saints to Him, who have set His covenant before sacrifices.
Haydock
Verse 2. Beauty. This may refer to God, or to Sion, (C.) where the Church of Christ began. W.
Verse 3. Silence. Christ displayed the light of truth from Sion, at his first coming. But he would not judge any till the second. Jo. iii. 17. and viii. 15. S. Jer. C. — Before him, at the last day, (H.) or in hell. S. Athan. — Our Saviour appeared formerly with great mildness: but he will come with majesty and terror, after fire shall have destroyed all transitory things. W.
Verse 5. His saints. Heb. “my merciful ones,” (H.) the chosen people, (C.) particularly priests, (Theod.) who might have too high an opinion of the legal sacrifices, (S. Chrys.) or all the elect are meant. Matt. xxiv. 30. Euseb. — The Hebrews were the only nation which then offered sacrifices to the true God, though some individuals might do it among the Gentiles. C. — Before, super, or, “who make a covenant with him respecting sacrifices.” — Prot. “those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.” Mal. i. 12. H. — The Sept. seem to have read v for i, more accurately, as the prophet speaks till v. 7. Bert. — Judgment should begin at the house of God. And if first at us, what shall be the end of them that believe not the gospel of God? 1 Pet. iv. 17. Rom. ii. 9. H. — Those who believe not, are already judged. Jo. iii. — Sacrifice generally precedes a covenant. Gen. xv. 17. M.