Original Douay–Rheims AnnotationsPsalms 4
English College of Douai–Rheims
Read Psalms 4 in the BiblePsalms 4:6
Sacrifice of Justice.
Not only external Sacrifice of diverse kinds were necessary in the law of nature [1], and of Moyses, and one most excellent and complement of all, in the new Testament, but also spiritual sacrifice was ever, and is required, and that of three sorts. First [2], Sacrifice of sorrow, and contrition for sins (Psal. 50.) An afflicted spirit is a sacrifice to God. The second is sacrifice of Justice, here mentioned. The third is Sacrifice of praise (Psal. 49.) Immolate to God the sacrifice of praise. Concerning the second proposed in this place: He offereth sacrifice of Justice, that rendereth to every one that is due. First [3], to God as our Creator, a resignation of ourselves, even our lives, at his divine pleasure; as to our Master, we must render faith and belief, in all that he proposeth; as to our Father, hope, confidence, & reverential fear; as to our Lord and King, payment of tribute, that is observation of his law and commandments; as to our Captain, the travail of warfare in this life; as to our Physician, patience and toleration, when he cureth our wounds, by chastisement for sins; as to our Spouse, chastity of body and mind, flying all carnal and spiritual fornication; as to our Friend, frequent conversation in all acts of devotion. We owe to ourselves [4], that seeing we consist of soul and body, we keep due subordination, that the soul and reason command, & the body, and inferior appetite obey: as the servant must obey his master, and the handmaid her mistress. We owe to our neighbour [5], love from the heart, instruction also from the mouth, and assistance by our help, according to his necessary, and our ability; yea though our neighbour be our enemy. But to other enemies [6] contrary things are due. To the world [7], contempt: because the goods of this world are small, few, short, uncertain, deceitful, not satisfying the mind, and mixed with many evils and dangers. To the flesh [8] we owe chastisement, and daily care, so to feed it, that it serve the soul, & rebel not. To the devil [9] we must render the shame, that cometh by sin, acknowledging our faults, and all truths, and so return upon him all vanity and lying, wherewith he allureth & seduceth. Finally, to sin [10] itself, we owe hate, and revenge, because it is the only evil, that hurteth us; and due punishment with zeal of justice, because it dishonoureth God. He that thus offereth sacrifice of justice, may justly (as it followeth in the Psalm) hope (yet not in himself but) in our Lord. And lest any should pretend ignorance, saying: who sheweth (or teacheth) us good things? [11] as though they lacked instruction, the Prophet preventeth this vain excuse, saying: The light of thy countenance, o Lord (the light of reason, which is the image of God, whereto we are created like) is signed upon us, fixed in our understanding, that we may see there is a God, that ought to be served, and that he will reward his servants. Heb. 11.
- 1 Three spiritual sacrifices necessary.
- 2 Of penance, Justice. Praise.
- 3 What is due to God.
- 4 To ourselves.
- 5 To our neighbour.
- 6 To our enemies.
- 7 The world.
- 8 The flesh.
- 9 The devil.
- 10 To sin.
- 11 Light of reason sheweth there is a God that rewardeth.
Original Douay–Rheims Annotations — English College of Douai–Rheims. CC0 1.0
Psalms 4:1
Unto the end.
The Hebrew word Lamnatsea, signifieth to him that overcometh. And so the Hebrews interpret, that the Psalms [1], which have this word in their titles, were directed either to him that excelled others in skill of music [2]; or had authority over other musicians: or to him, whose office was to sing victories and triumphs. But the Latin, according to the Greek, hath In finem, Unto the end which (most commonly signifying perpetuity, or continuance unto the end of any thing) in the titles of the Psalms rather signifieth, that the matter contained in the Psalm, pertaineth to future times, or persons; especially to the new Testament. And so S. Augustine expoundeth it here of Christ, who is the end (or perfection) of the law [3]. Not that the principal contents belong to Christ, in his own Person, but to his mystical body the Church, and faithful people, whom the prophet here teacheth to have confidence in God, moderation in their affections, & patience in tribulation, which is the seventh key, proposing his own example, & prophetically Christ's. The same whereto Christ exhorteth, saying: Ioan. 16. v. ult. Have confidence, I have overcome the world. Signifying that his servants, through his grace, may also overcome it.