Bible Commentaries
39

Verse 1

Ancients. The Essenes (Josephus, Jewish Wars i. 7.) and Therapeuts (Philo, Comtemp.) were most famous of all for doing so. In general the Jews despise the learning of foreign nations: but some have applied themselves to it, particularly Philo, Josephus, &c., 1 Machabees i. 11., and 2 Machabees vi. 11.) --- Prophets. These required the utmost study, before the coming of Christ, 1 Peter i. 11., and Daniel ix 9. (Calmet) --- The virtuous must follow both an active and contemplative life. (Worthington)

Verse 2

Sayings, or history of Abraham, &c. --- Parables. This was most in vogue, 3 Kings x. --- But mechanics abstained from this study, chap. xxxviii. 38. (Calmet) --- To meditate well, 1. knowledge; 2. virtue; 3. humility; and 4. hope, are requisite. (Worthington)

Verse 4

Governor or the province or army. The most enlightened were chosen, like Joseph, Daniel i. 4., &c.

Verse 5

Men. Travelling was very requisite, (chap. xxxiv. 11.) and history records the actions of the bad as well as the good, for the instruction of the public.

Verse 6

Pray. Diligence and prayer are the means to acquire wisdom, chap. iv. 13.

Verse 9

Lord, being in a sort of rapture, and enlightened by Him.

Verse 13

Generation. With what care de we not preserve the Scripture? &c.

Verse 15

Thousand. Children or other men. --- Rest, in death. (Calmet)

Verse 16

With. Greek, "as the moon in the first quarter," Greek: dichomenia. The Vulgate has read Greek: Diomenia, "divine transport." The author declares that he was inspired. (Calmet)

Verse 17

By. Greek, "Hear me, ye holy children." --- Offspring. Literally, "fruits." (Haydock) --- He speaks to the children of Israel, the people of God: whom he exhorts to bud forth and flourish with virtue. (Challoner)

Verse 19

Bring. Greek, "praise a canticle."

Verse 20

Voice. Greek, "songs of your lips, (Haydock) and with ancient lyres," &c. (Calmet)

Verse 22

Waters. At the world’s creation, or at the passage of the Israelites. [Exodus xiv. 21., and Josue iii. 13.] (Calmet)

Verse 23

Salvation. None can prevent the salvation of God’s elect. (Haydock)

Verse 25

Wonderful, or new. (Calmet) --- The greatest miracles cost him nothing. (Haydock)

Verse 26

Time. The veil shall be withdrawn, and Providence will appear. Greek, "all things are made for their use."

Verse 28

That. Greek, "as he changed the waters into saltness," (Haydock) at Sodom, (Calmet) "his ways are plain for the saints: so to sinners they are stumbling-blocks," ver. 30. The Red Sea gave a passage to Israel, and overwhelmed the Egyptians. (Haydock) --- Him. God does all with grandeur. He poured his graces upon Israel, and overwhelmed the giants in the deluge. (Calmet)

Verse 30

Good and, is omitted in Greek. Before the fall, all was happiness. Now, the wicked have still some mixture of good, ver. 32. (Bossuet)

Verse 31

Water and fire. These are requisite to prepare bread. The Romans refused them to the enemies of the state. --- Cluster. Greek, "blood," as [in] Deuteronomy xxxii. 14. (Calmet) --- God gives the necessaries of life, which the virtuous use well, for their reward; and the wicked ill, to their ruin. (Worthington)

Verse 32

Evil. The good or bad use of them decides all, Wisdom xiv. 11., Romans viii. 18., and Titus i. 15.

Verse 33

Spirits. Storms (Psalm x. 7., and cxlviii. 8.) good angels, (Genesis xix. 11., and Isaias xxxvii. 36.) or rather devils: who, though created in holiness, fell, and became executioners of the wicked. (Calmet) --- They abused their free-will, and are eternally punished. (Worthington)

Verse 34

Destruction, and final ruin of the impious, or at the least day. (Calmet) --- Appease. God is pleased with the execution of justice. (Menochius) --- Yet the devils cannot obtain a reconciliation; neither do they act to please God, having their wills obstinately bent against his, though they be forced to obey. (Haydock)

Verse 36

Beasts. Wolves, &c., with which the country was infested, Deuteronomy vii. 22., and xxii. 24. --- Sword. War.

Verse 37

Feast. Greek, "rejoice," as at a feast, Ezechiel xxxix. 16. --- Word. They will be ready at the first sign. (Calmet) --- All creatures, but the rebel angels and man, obey God. (Haydock)

Verse 38

Resolved. Literally, "confirmed" in this opinion by a divine light, ver. 16, 21.

Verse 39

CHAPTER XXXIX.

Time. If we receive not at first, we must have patience.

Verse 40

That. Even sin contributes to manifest the justice and mercy of God; and we are not to judge of his works, but to praise him; as every thing is created for wise purposes, and evil proceeds from our abuse of things. (Calmet)