ARGUMENT

ARG. THOMAS. That CHRIST is the Wisdom of the FATHER, by Whom the Prophets speak. He blameth the rich who, when they are dead, go down into the pit. He blameth the rich, both for their possessions and for their vices, who, when they have once gone down into the pit, have no more power. The voice of the Church concerning Lazarus, and the rich man that was clothed in purple. The voice of CHRIST regarding the merits of the righteous and the punishment of the wicked.

VEN. BEDE. All the words of this title draw us to the LORD, and all who have been redeemed by His Blood. Through the whole Psalm they are the words of the Omnipotent SON. In the first part He tells what He shall say or shall give to the faithful during the period of His Incarnation: “O hear ye this,” &c. In the second He prophesieth that which will happen to the fools, “for He saith,” &c. In the third He foretelleth those things which will be alike common to the righteous and to the unrighteous: “Be not thou afraid when one is made rich,” &c.

SYRIAC. A prophecy concerning the might of the nations, and a document of divine judgment.

S. JEROME. The HOLY GHOST spake this Psalm through the Prophet in the person of preachers: or, that it might teach the rich men of this world to despise their wealth and to beware the guile of the serpent, and that it might call earnestly on the whole earth to hear the Word of GOD.