Original Douay–Rheims AnnotationsPsalms 2
English College of Douai–Rheims
Read Psalms 2 in the BiblePsalms 2:8
The gentiles thine inheritance.
By this promise of God to Christ [1], S. Augustine convinced the Donatists [2], & in them the Protestants, that say, the Church of Christ failed, and became small, or invisible; as though Christ the Son of God could sometimes lose his inheritance, which is the Catholic Church, gathered of the Gentiles, and his possession extended to the ends of the earth.
- 1 The Church never faileth.
- 2 in hunc Psal.
Psalms 2:9
As a potter's vessel.
If a potter's vessel (saith S. Jerome in hunc Psal. tom. 8. ) be broken whiles it is soft, it may easily be repaired, but after it is hard ◦, it cannot be made whole again. So sinners are more easily restored to grace, shortly repenting, than long obdurate: yet that which is unpossible to man, is possible to God. Mat. 10. For as clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, saith our Lord, Jere. 18
- ◦ Custom in sin more hardly cured.
Psalms 2:10
Ye Kings understand.
Not only innumerable other people of all nations, but also after a while, Kings and Emperors believed in Christ ◦. And such as at first persecuted, became most Christian, Catholic, Defenders of the faith.
- ◦ Kings converted to Christianity.
Take instruction you that judge the earth.
Petilianus, Gaudentius, & other Donatists inveighing against Christian Kings [1], for punishing heretics, most falsely avouched, that Christianity never found Kings but envious, enemies, and persecuters. To whom S. Augustine answereth in several books [2], that Christian Kings and Princes are not enemies to Christianity: but are enemies to heretics, the rebels of Christ and his Church [3]. For according to his prophecy of King David, Christian Kings are instructed [4], and know it is their duty, in the service of God, to defend the Church against Heretics, and other Infidels. And it is the property of Apostates to favour heretics: So good Constantine the Great maintained Catholic unity; and Iulian the Apostata to make greater division, took Churches from Catholics and gave them to Donatists, to nourish dissension, and so to overthrow all Christians. But God still protecteth the true Church, against all such subtle, and malicious devices: because it is Christ's inheritance.
- 1 Defend Catholics and punish heretics.
- 2 Ad Petil. li. 2. c. 92.
- 3 Apostates favour heretics and schismatics, because they hate all Christians.
- 4 Ad Gaud. li. 2. c. 26.
Psalms 2:11
Rejoice with trembling.
God's service is tempered with two affections: with joy ◦, in consideration of his goodness, mercy, & meekness; and with fear, in respect of his justice, and severe judgement. The one is a remedy against desperation: the other against presumption.
- ◦ Joy and fear.
Original Douay–Rheims Annotations — English College of Douai–Rheims. CC0 1.0
Psalms 2:2
Kings and Princes against Christ.
When Christ, and his Apostles preached the Gospel ◦, both Jews and Gentiles, with their Princes, Kings, and Emperors most furiously resisted, but all in vain. For they could not hinder the will and power of God. But the more they persecuted, the more was increased the zeal and number of Christians.