ARGUMENT

ARG. THOMAS. That CHRIST, the LORD GOD over all the earth, pronounces His judgments. The Voice to the Apostles concerning the Jews. The Voice of CHRIST to the Apostles concerning the Jews, and first, in the Confession of the Saints. The Voice of CHRIST to the Apostles concerning His praise and confession of sins.

VEN. BEDE. Alleluia is a Hebrew word, which is interpreted Praise ye the Lord: and whenever it is placed in the titles, it teaches that the power of the Creator ought always to be praised. We say this once for all, and this is to be noted in all cases. In whatsoever Psalm Alleluia is marked first, it has Alleluia at the close also: which, many persons not knowing, think it to be the beginning of the succeeding Psalm. Further, you will often find two Alleluias prefixed in one Psalm, which means that one belongs to the end of the preceding, the other to the beginning of the following one.

The Prophet, knowing that the people of Israel were accustomed to rest their hope in temporal blessings, warns the faithful in the first part, that they should ever seek it out spiritually. O give thanks unto the Lord, and call upon His Name. Secondly, he encourages them by the examples of the Patriarchs, for they were not forsaken by the LORD, because they obeyed His rule. Remember the marvellous works that He hath done. Thirdly, he details the great things He did for their fathers, and how He preserved Joseph and bestowed honours upon him; and commemorates the entrance of the He brews into Egypt. When there were yet but a few of them. Fourthly, he tells how Israel was avenged of his enemies, by the divers plagues of the Egyptians: Whose heart turned so. Fifthly, he describes what great things He did for them in the wilderness; that they should not rejoice in temporal good things, but softened by His bounties, keep His statutes and law. He brought them forth with silver and gold.

SYRIAC PSALTER. Anonymous. He discourses concerning the history, Fear not, Jacob, to go down into Egypt. At the same time he spiritually teaches us not to be afraid when any one goes forth to contend against evil spirits, for GOD is our help, and fights for us.

EUSEBIUS OF CÆSAREA. An instruction to the Gentiles concerning GOD’S bounties to the former people.

S. ATHANASIUS. A Psalm of thanksgiving, describing a life endowed with excellent virtues.