ARGUMENT

ARG. THOMAS. That CHRIST is the distributor of heavenly prizes to the poor, and their rewarder. Also the Voice of the Church concerning CHRIST with praise, and of the fruit of the fear of the LORD. The Voice of them that fear GOD.

VEN. BEDE. Haggai and Zechariah were Prophets, who, after the carrying away to Babylon, returned to Jerusalem in the time of King Darius, long after those words (Ps. 111) were sung; and when they saw the Temple restored, poured forth praises to GOD with great joy. In likeness whereof this Psalm also is constructed with all the letters of the alphabet; and a Christian ought to sing it with perfect readiness after the absolution of his sins.

The Prophet speaks throughout the Psalm. In the first exhortation he shows what a blessed man will do, and what good things he shall attain: Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord. Secondly; he declares the LORD’S coming, by Whom men will attain to everlasting blessedness, from having been sinners and ungodly: There ariseth up light in the darkness. Thirdly; he witnesseth that the reverse will come upon the wicked: The ungodly shall see it. The first division contains six letters; the second, thirteen; the third, three. Two verselets herein fill up the measure of the verse which forms the construction of Psalm 118 (119) so that what one letter does there, here two different ones, following each other in order, do.1

SYRIAC PSALTER. Anonymous. Wherein David giveth instruction to Solomon his Son, Keep the commandments of the LORD, and serve Him. Also the calling of the Gentiles and the righteousness of CHRIST.

EUSEBIUS OF CÆSAREA. The teaching of CHRIST.

S. ATHANASIUS. A Psalm proclaiming blessedness; Also, describing a life endued with holy virtue.