will of God. Wherefore the Lord blessed him and not only favoured all his undertakings, but promised him that one of his descendants should rule the whole world and sit upon a throne more lasting than the heavens.
He furthermore endowed him with the gift of prophecy. David expresses in lofty and sublime language the eternal relationship existing between the Father and the Son: “Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten Thee.” He foreshadows the boundless dominion which was to be the inheritance of the Redeemer, and the peaceful character of his reign. “I will give Thee the Gentiles for Thyinheritance, and the utmost parts of the earth for Thy possession. In His days shall justice spring up, and the abundance of peace.” [1]
He sees in his prophetic visions the Ethiopians falling down before the great Ruler, the Prince of Peace, and beholds His enemies prostrate at His feet. He sees the kings of Tharsis and of the Islands offering Him presents; the kings of the Arabians and of Saba bringing Him gifts. (Ps. 71.)
He foretells the future crucifixion with all its sorrowful scenes and circumstances. “They have pierced my hands[2] and my feet, they have numbered all my bones.” The gall and vinegar that were presented to the Divine Victim suffering and dying on the Cross; the lance that pierced His most Sacred Heart; the nails that held Him fast to the Cross; all these are mentioned by David in his Psalms. (Ps. 21; 68.)
Death overcome, the grave robbed of its prey, the earthquake that rent the rocks of Calvary, and the glory of the
- ↑ Abundance of peace . i. e. virtue and holiness will flourish and, in consequence, men will live in perfect peace both with God and with their neighbours. The Psalmist goes on to say: “And He shall rule from sea to sea. And all the kings of the earth shall adore Him , ail nations shall serve Him.” (Ps. 2 and 109.)
- ↑ My hands. It is as if the Psalmist heard the Divine Redeemer utter these and the other words : “I am a worm and no man (i. e. down-trodden and despised like a worm), the reproach of men and the outcast of the people. All they that saw me have laughed me to scorn, they have spoken with the lips and wagged their heads (in token of their scorn). They have pierced my hands and my feet. They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture they cast lots."
