Part 381 (1/2)

Of the excellence of virtue consisting in the love and observance of the commandments of G.o.d.

Alleluia.

ALEPH.

Aleph... The first eight verses of this psalm in the original begin with Aleph, which is the name of the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The second eight verses begin with Beth, the name of the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet; and so to the end of the whole alphabet, in all twenty-two letters, each letter having eight verses. This order is variously expounded by the holy fathers; which shews the difficulty of understanding the holy scriptures, and consequently with what humility, and submission to the Church they are to be read.

118:1. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.

118:2. Blessed are they that search his testimonies: that seek him with their whole heart.

His testimonies... The commandments of G.o.d are called his testimonies, because they testify his holy will unto us. Note here, that in almost every verse of this psalm (which in number are 176) the word and law of G.o.d, and the love and observance of it, is perpetually inculcated, under a variety of denominations, all signifying the same thing.

118:3. For they that work iniquity, have not walked in his ways.

118:4. Thou hast commanded thy commandments to be kept most diligently.

118:5. O! that my ways may be directed to keep thy justifications.

118:6. Then shall I not be confounded, when I shall look into all thy commandments.

118:7. I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned the judgments of thy justice.

118:8. I will keep thy justifications: O! do not thou utterly forsake me.

BETH.

118:9. By what doth a young man correct his way? by observing thy words.

118:10. With my whole heart have I sought after thee: let me not stray from thy commandments.

118:11. Thy words have I hidden in my heart, that I may not sin against thee.

118:12. Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy justifications.

118:13. With my lips I have p.r.o.nounced all the judgments of thy mouth.

118:14. I have been delighted in the way of thy testimonies, as in all riches.

118:15. I will meditate on thy commandments: and I will consider thy ways.

118:16. I will think of thy justifications: I will not forget thy words.

GIMEL.

118:17. Give bountifully to thy servant, enliven me: and I shall keep thy words.

118:18. Open thou my eyes: and I will consider the wondrous things of thy law.