Days, or "ways," according to some copies of Septuagint. (St. Augustine, &c.) God approves the conduct of the just. He takes notice of the time of their sufferings, and comforts them during life, (Calmet) yea, for ever. read more
Because. Only this verse begins with c, as the seventh does with d. (Haydock) --- Smoke. All their riches shall vanish, and their works be disregarded by God. But they will not be annihilated, as they would desire; otherwise the justice of God would not be executed on them. (Berthier) --- There is a continual antithesis between the good and bad. The latter shall shortly lose all their splendour. "I fear, lest offending the gods, I may receive glory among men," said the poet Ibicus, (Calmet)... read more
Give. Having both the will and the power to be liberal. (Haydock) --- "He shall lend without expecting any advantage, while the wicked falls into such misery as not to be able to pay his debts. This is not always the order of Providence. (Calmet) --- But the just is often enabled by economy to relieve his brethren, at the same time that the libertine wastes his estate, (Berthier) or at least unjustly defers to pay his debts. (Menochius) read more
Bless him. The just, (ver. 21.; Prin. disc.) or rather the Lord, ver. 20. (Berthier) --- "Are blessed of him," &c. (St. Jerome) (Chaldean) (Haydock) read more
With. Or by the decrees of the Lord. The Hebrew and Septuagint have, "By," Greek: para. (Berthier) --- God gives grace to do all good, (Proverbs xvi. 9.; Calmet) and likes the way which He points out. The just also find the greatest consolation in virtue. (Haydock) read more
Him. To break the fall. Hebrew, "the Lord upholdeth him with his hand." (Protestants) (Haydock) --- The just man is like a courageous wrestler, who may slip, but yields not. (Origen; Eusebius) --- His fall is not mortal, (Calmet) though he may be guilty of venial sin, Proverbs xxiv. (Worthington) read more
Seeking, in vain. (Haydock) --- Roman and Gothic Ps.[Psalters?] read, "wanting." This does not condemn the mendicant orders. (Menochius) --- Nothing was more unusual under the old law than the extreme distress of the just: yet Job and Lazarus were reduced to it. They were not, however, discontent. (Calmet) --- They found the bread of life in conformity to God's will, John iv. 34. (Haydock) --- Their souls were enriched with grace, which was never wanting, as the Fathers explain this passage.... read more
Lendeth. "To receive interest," Greek: daneizei, from God, Proverbs xix. 17. (St. Augustine, &c.) (Calmet) --- He maketh know the divine word. (Origen) read more
Dwell in the land of the living, rather than in that of promise, from which many just people were banished during the captivity. (Berthier) --- He who complies with these two conditions, will inherit heaven. (Worthington) read more
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George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Psalms 36:17
Arms of the body, brachia. All that they have admired perishes in death, (Calmet) while the just then possess true riches. read more