ARGUMENT

ARG. THOMAS. That CHRIST opens the kingdom of the heavenly house. Concerning them who have attained the Faith. To them who shall attain a dwelling in the house of the LORD. The Voice of CHRIST to the FATHER on behalf of the Church. A Psalm to be read along with the Gospel of S. Matthew. Unto them who have attained the Faith. The Advent of CHRIST in Manhood, and concerning the Churches. A prayer over the field.

VEN. BEDE. Three Psalms, 8, 80 (81) and 83 (84) are entitled for the presses, that is, for the sufferings of the Holy Church. And therein the numbers eight and eighty denote the hope of future resurrection, with the number ten, signifying the penny (denarius) of everlasting life, which the Church shall receive after her afflictions, like a wine-cellar after the press. And this is that most blessed end, which is included in all the titles which are worded for the presses. And in that 83. is the last Psalm which is named for the presses, this shows that the resurrection of the Church is hallowed in the vision of the Holy Trinity, when the God of gods shall be seen in Sion. The sons of Korah are the sons of the Cross, as has been already said; or as Arnobius expounds it. Whereas in the previous psalm they who desired to seize on the sanctuary of GOD were confounded and perished, and excited loathing and produced hindrances to charity and other virtues, now, on the other hand, that the LORD reigns in us, who once were sons of Korah the rebel, we became sons of GOD, our evil fathers having been swallowed up by the earth; and we, who aforetime thought to bear the fire of lust and avarice, strange to GOD, now kindled with the fire of divine love, say, O how amiable are Thy dwellings, Thou Lord of Hosts. This explanation of Arnobius is supported by the fact, that in the first, second, and third places wherein the sons of Korah are named in the title, Understanding is added at the same time; but in the third place, as though these sons of Korah had been rebuked on stricter inquiry, it is thus written: For them who shall be changed, the sons of Korah, for understanding. These sons of Korah, in the first part of the psalm, declare their unutterable longing for the Church. O how amiable are Thy dwellings, O Lord! In the second clause, they confess that he is happy, to whom the LORD gives help, and whom He causes to attain to the grace of Confession. Blessed is the man whose strength is in Thee. In the third place, they say that it is far better to dwell obscure in the House of the LORD than to enter the tabernacle of sinners with any worldly honours. For one day in Thy courts, &c.

SYRIAC PSALTER. Of the sons of Korah, which David composed when he was going forth of Sion to worship in the House of the LORD. It is said also to be a prophecy of CHRIST and of His Church.

EUSEBIUS OF CÆSAREA. A prophecy of CHRIST and of His Church.

S. ATHANASIUS. A Psalm of glorifying in the LORD.