The Psalmist earnestly prayeth God to give him leave, and to shew him where, to build a Temple. But more especially prayeth for, and prophesieth the coming of Christ, the promised Son of David, 14. signifying God's promise thereof, and of establishing his Church.The Psalmist earnestly prayeth God to geue him leaue, & to shew him where, to build a Temple. But more especially prayeth for, and prophecieth the coming of Christ, the promised Sonne of Dauid, 14. signifying Gods promise therof, and of establishing his Church.✦

A gradual Canticle. REMEMBER David O Lord, and all his meekness:A gradual Canticle. REMEMBER David O Lord, and all his meekness:A gradual Canticle. REMEMBER ^aDauid ô Lord, and al his meekenes:Canticum graduum. Memento, Domine, David, et omnis mansuetudinis ejus :

2As he sware to our Lord, vowed a vow to the God of Jacob.As he sware to our Lord, vowed a vow to the God of Jacob.As he sware to our Lord, ^bvowed a vowe to the God of Iacob.sicut juravit Domino ; votum vovit Deo Jacob :

3If I shall enter into the tabernacle of my house, if I shall ascend into the bed of my couch.If I shall enter into the tabernacle of my house, if I shall ascend into the bed of my couch.^cIf I shal enter into the tabernacle of my house, if I shal ascend into the bed of my couch.Si introiero in tabernaculum domus meæ ; si ascendero in lectum strati mei ;

4If I shall give sleep to mine eyes, and slumbering to mine eye lids:If I shall give sleep to mine eyes, and slumbering to mine eye lids:If I shal geue sleepe to mine eies, and slumbering to mine eie liddes:si dedero somnum oculis meis, et palpebris meis dormitationem,

5And rest to my : until I find a place for our Lord, a tabernacle for the God of Jacob.And rest to my : until I find a place for our Lord, a tabernacle for the God of Jacob.And rest to my temples: vntil I finde a place for our Lord, a tabernacle for the God of Iacob.et requiem temporibus meis, donec inveniam locum Domino, tabernaculum Deo Jacob.

6Behold we have heard of it in Ephrata: we have found it in the fields of the wood.Behold we have heard of it in Ephrata: we have found it in the fields of the wood.Behold we haue heard of it ^din Ephrata: we haue found it in ^ethe fildes of the wood.Ecce audivimus eam in Ephrata ; invenimus eam in campis silvæ.

1609 margind It was revealed to David, that the Temple should be built, in that part of Jerusalem, which looketh towards Bethleem (otherwise called Ephrata) where our Saviour was born.d It was reueled to Dauid, that the Temple should be built, in that part of Ierusalem, which looketh towards Bethleem (otherwise called Ephrata) where our Sauiour was borne.e Within Jerusalem, which is compassed with woods. In this vision also the whole form of the Temple was revealed unto him, as he testifieth. 1 Par. 28:19. All things, quoth he, came written with the hand of our Lord unto me: that I might understand all the works of the pattern.e Within Ierusalem, which is compassed with woodes. In this vision also the whole forme of the Temple was reueled vnto him, as he testifieth. 1. Par. 28. v. 19. Al thinges, quoth he, came written with the hand of our Lord vnto me: that I might vnderstand al the workes of the paterne.

7We will enter into his tabernacle: we will adore in the place where his feet stood.We will enter into his tabernacle: we will adore in the place where his feet stood.^fWe wil enter into his tabernacle: we wil ^gadore in the place where his feete stood.Introibimus in tabernaculum ejus ; adorabimus in loco ubi steterunt pedes ejus.

1609 marginf Holy David moved with exceeding devotion, repaired to the place, where God's Temple should be built: g and adored God, where the Propitiatory, as a footstool representing God's presence, should stand. What marvel then if devotion move Christians, to visit the holy places, where our Saviour, God and Man was Incarnate, was born, suffered death, was buried, ascended into heaven, or any other place where his feet stood.f Holie Dauid moued with exceding deuotion, repared to the place, where Gods Temple should be built: g & adored God, where the Propitiatorie, as a footstoole representing Gods presence, should stand. What meruel then if deuotion moue Christians, to visite the holie places, where our Sauiour, God and Man was Incarnate, was borne, suffered death, was buried, ascended into heauen, or anie other place where his feete stood.

8Arise Lord into thy rest, thou and the ark of thy sanctification.Arise Lord into thy rest, thou and the ark of thy sanctification.^hArise Lord into thy rest, thou and ⁱthe arke of thy sanctification.Surge, Domine, in requiem tuam, tu et arca sanctificationis tuæ.

1609 marginh O God, leaving Silo, Gabaon, and the like places, come into thy holy Temple. i With the Ark of covenant, where thou sanctifiest thy people. And here again the Prophet illuminated with a higher Mystery, and inflamed with more devotion, prayeth for Christ's coming into the world, and that after his Passion he will rise, not only in glory of soul, but also of body, prefigured by the Ark of testimony, which was in the tabernacle, and after in the Temple.h O God, leauing Silo, Gabaon, and the like places, come into thy holie Temple. i With the Arke of conenant, where thou sanctifiest thy people. And here againe the Prophet illuminated with a higher Mysterie, and inflamed with more deuotion, prayeth for Christes coming into the world, and that after his Passion he wil rise, not only in glorie of soule, but also of bodie, prefigured by the Arke of testimonie, which was in the tabernacle, and after in the Temple.

9Let thy Priests be clothed with justice: and let thy saints rejoice.Let thy Priests be clothed with justice: and let thy saints rejoice.Let thy Priestes be clothed with ^kiustice: & let thy ^lsainctes reioyce.Sacerdotes tui induantur justitiam, et sancti tui exsultent.

10For David thy servant's sake, turn not away the face of thy Christ.For David thy servant's sake, turn not away the face of thy Christ.^mFor Dauid thy seruants sake, ⁿturne not away the face of thy Christ.Propter David servum tuum non avertas faciem christi tui.

11Our Lord sworn truth to David, and he will not disappoint it: Of the fruit of thy womb I will set upon thy .Our Lord hath sworn truth to David, and he will not disappoint it: Of the fruit of thy womb I will set upon thy .Our Lord ^ohath sworne truth to Dauid, and ^phe wil not disapoint it: ^qOf the fruite of thy wombe I wil set vpon thy seate.Juravit Dominus David veritatem, et non frustrabitur eam : De fructu ventris tui ponam super sedem tuam.

1609 margino Henceforth to the end of this Psalm, the Prophet relateth God's revelation to him: That he hath truly promised with an oath, p and will perform, q to set one of David's sons upon his Throne: which was not only fulfilled in Salomon, who reigned in great peace, and builded the Temple, but especially in Christ the Son of David, to whom our Lord God gave the seat of David his father, and he shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Luke 1:32-33. By this promise S. Peter also proveth Christ's Resurrection. Acts 1:30.o Henceforth to the end of this Psalme, the Prophet relateth Gods reuelation to him: That he hath truly promised with an oath, p and wil performe, q to sette one of Dauids sonnes vpon his Throne: which was not only fulfilled in Salomon, who reigned in great peace, and builded the Temple, but especially in Christ the Sonne of Dauid, to whom our Lord God gaue the seate of Dauid his father, & he shal reigne in the house of Iacob for euer, and of his kingdom there shal be no end. Luc. 1. v. 32. 33. By this promise S. Peter also proueth Christs Resurrection. Act. 1. v. 30.

12If thy children shall keep my testament, and these my testimonies which I will teach them: Their children also even for ever, shall sit upon thy seat.If thy children shall keep my testament, and these my testimonies which I will teach them: Their children also even for ever, shall sit upon thy seat.^rIf thy children shal keepe my testament, and these my testimonies which I wil teach them: Their children also euen for euer, shal sit vpon thy seate.Si custodierint filii tui testamentum meum, et testimonia mea hæc quæ docebo eos, et filii eorum usque in sæculum sedebunt super sedem tuam.

13Because our Lord chosen Sion: he chosen it for an habitation to himself.Because our Lord hath chosen Sion: he hath chosen it for an habitation to himself.Because our Lord hath chosen Sion: he hath chosen it for an habitation to himself.Quoniam elegit Dominus Sion : elegit eam in habitationem sibi.

14This is my rest for ever and ever: here will I dwell because I have chosen it.This is my rest for ever and ever: here will I dwell because I have chosen it.This is my ^srest for euer and euer: here wil I dwel because I haue chosen it.Hæc requies mea in sæculum sæculi ; hic habitabo, quoniam elegi eam.

15Blessing I will bless her widow: her poor I will fill with .Blessing I will bless her widow: her poor I will fill with .Blessing I wil blesse her ^twidow: her ^vpoore I wil fil with breades.Viduam ejus benedicens benedicam ; pauperes ejus saturabo panibus.

16Her Priests I will clothe with salvation: and her saints shall rejoice with joyfulness.Her Priests I will clothe with salvation: and her saints shall rejoice with joyfulness.Her ^wPriestes I wil clothe with saluation: and her ^xsainctes shal reioyce with ioyfulnes.Sacerdotes ejus induam salutari, et sancti ejus exsultatione exsultabunt.

17 will I bring forth a horn to David, I have prepared a lamp to my Christ.Thither will I bring forth a horn to David, I have prepared a lamp to my Christ.^yThither wil I bring forth a horne to Dauid, I haue prepared ^za lampe to my Christ.Illuc producam cornu David ; paravi lucernam christo meo.

18His enemies I will clothe with : but upon him shall my sanctification flourish.His enemies I will clothe with : but upon him shall my sanctification flourish.His enemies I wil clothe with confusion: but vpon him shal my sanctification florish.Inimicos ejus induam confusione ; super ipsum autem efflorebit sanctificatio mea.

The reading text follows the 1582 first edition. Also available: Plantin Louvain (Latin).

St. Robert Bellarmine’s commentary on Psalms 131 — verse-by-verse exposition→

Chapter 131 of 150