Offertory of Vigil of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist

Psalm 8:6-7

Thou hast crowned him with glory and honour, and hast set him over the works of Thy hands, O Lord.

Haydock

Verse 6. Angels. Elohim means also “God,” as S. Jerom, &c. explain it. Thou hast placed man like a deity upon earth. But S. Paul adopts the sense of the Sept. C. — S. Jerom doubted whether the epistle to the Hebrews belonged to him or he would have done the same. Some of the Fathers suppose, (Bert.) that the prophet speaks of man before the fall. Theodoret. — Yet he has Christ principally in view. C. — A little less may be better rendered, ““for a little while:” bracu ti. Acts v. 34. Is. x. 25. modico. Heb. ii. Notwithstanding the prerogatives of Adam, before the fall, what is said by the prophet and S. Paul can be true of none but Christ; who was subject to death only for a short space, and quickly rose from the tomb, Lord of all. 1 Cor. xv. 26. If we do not see it yet, (Heb. ii. 8. Ps. lxix. 2.) our faith must not waver. He is crowned, and will one day assert his dominion. Bert. Matt. xxviii. 18. Eph. i. 19. C. — In his assumed nature, Christ became less than the angels; but he has raised it above them, and is appointed Lord of angels, men, and creatures of every description. The sea and the winds obey him. Matt. viii. W.

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