Bible Commentaries
Psalms 46

Verse 4

Feet. The Chanaanites were subdued by Josue, and others by David, &c. The army of Cambyses became a prey to the Jews, Ezechiel xxxix. 10. (Calmet) --- All who embrace the true faith, even kings, become subjects, and not heads of the Church. (Worthington)

Verse 5

Beauty. The temple, Ezechiel xxiv. 21. Both Jews and Gentiles form the Church.

Verse 6

Trumpet. Christ ascended, accompanied by choirs of angels. His apostles proclaimed his truths. (Calmet) --- They were not left desolate, but joyful; having the Paraclete sent the them.

Verse 7

King. Christ is God, by his divine nature, and our king, by his humanity. (Worthington)

Verse 8

Wisely. Hebrew mascil, which is so often rendered "understanding" in the titles. No one can do well, what he does not understand. (Calmet) --- The union of faith and good works, is singing wisely. (St. Chrysostom) (Calmet) --- Concordent manus & lingua. (St. Augustine) (Du Hamel) --- Let each strive to know the mysteries of faith. (Worthington)

Verse 9

Throne. Christ reigns over the heart with all power, Matthew xxviii. 18.

Verse 10

Gods. Judges appointed by the king of Persia over the Jews, &c., (Calmet) or rather the apostles, who were more than men, (St. Jerome) and exercised a greater power than any earthly monarch. (Calmet) --- The richest princes have submitted to the God of Abraham, whose seed was to prove a blessing to all, Genesis xviii. 18. Hebrew as it is now pointed, "the princes of the people are gathered unto the people of the God of Abraham, for He is far elevated above the gods the shields of the earth," as kings are often styled. (Calmet) --- Protestants, "for the shields of the earth belong unto God: He is greatly exalted;" or (Septuagint) "the earthly potentates, who are of God, have been," &c. --- We might explain the Vulgate in the same sense, if Dei were substituted for Dii, (Haydock) as it should be. (Calmet) --- Dei sunt optimates terræ, & ipse summe elevatus est. (Houbigant) --- St. Jerome agrees with the Vulgate, (Haydock) which is the clearest, (Berthier) only he renders ham, "the people" of the God, as it may also signify, and retains the word shields, which we explain the strong gods, or the "strong ones of God." (Haydock) --- The blessed Trinity is not divided, but more distinctly professed in baptism than it was under the law. (Worthington)

Verse 11

PSALM XLVI. (OMNES GENTES PLAUDITE.)

The Gentiles are invited to praise God for the establishment of the kingdom of Christ.

This psalm appears to be a sequel to the former psalm, and is addressed to the Gentiles who were present at the dedication of the second temple, as Darius had ordered his governors to assist the Jews, 1 Esdras vi. 15. See Esther viii. 17. --- Many explain it of the translation of the ark: but the Fathers behold the establishment of Christianity, and the ascension of Christ, ver. 6. (Calmet)