Father Noel Alexandre's Literal Commentary on 1 Peter 1:3-9

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 Translated by Qwen. 1 Pet 1:3–4: The Blessing of Regeneration "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has regenerated us unto a living hope, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, unto an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you." We ought to give immortal thanks to God, to offer Him continually the sacrifice of praise, on account of His infinite goodness toward His elect. It belongs to the Eternal Father to choose the members of His Son, the adopted children who are co-heirs with the Only-Begotten. Let us seek no other reason for this election than mercy, whose greatness cannot be worthily expressed in human words. He who spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all. Us, unworthy sinners, His enemies, deserving of eternal punishments, He has regenerated through Baptism; and, the oldness which we had contracted from Adam in our first birth being abolished, He ...
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Denis the Carthusian's Commentary on Psalm 112

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Commentary on Psalm 112

The Title and Theme

The Psalm bears the title Alleluia. Although some versions add "of the return of Haggai and Zechariah," this is not found in the Hebrew or in Jerome’s translation from the Hebrew. It should not be understood as if these Prophets wrote the Psalm; rather, it is added because just as Haggai and Zechariah prophesied the building of the material Temple in Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity, this Psalm treats the virtues by which the faithful build an immaterial temple for Christ in their hearts after returning from the misery of sin and the captivity of the devil. Specifically, it speaks of works of mercy, for which Christ will hold judgment on the Last Day.

Ps 112:1: The Fear of the Lord

Blessed is the man: Happy now in hope, and later happy in reality. Who fears the Lord: This refers to "chaste and filial fear" (the fear of a son for a father), or at least "initial fear." "Servile fear" (fear of punishment) is not meritorious because it does not proceed from charity, without which nothing merits eternal life. As Ecclesiasticus says: It shall be well with him that feareth the Lord in his last days. He shall delight exceedingly in His commandments: He who fears God desires greatly to fulfill His mandates. Filial fear avoids offending the Beloved; thus, "exceedingly" does not imply a vice of excess, but a fervent affection.

Ps 112:2: The Fruit of Virtue

His seed shall be mighty on the earth: The fruits of a God-fearing man’s good life will be strong and stable in the Church, both Militant (on earth) and Triumphant (in heaven). This fruit is sustained by an eternal reward. The generation of the upright shall be blessed: The just people shall be blessed by God through His grace and by men who pray for their well-being.

Ps 112:3: Spiritual Riches

Glory and riches are in his house: "Glory" means spiritual joy and a good reputation; "riches" means an abundance of spiritual goods. These dwell in his "house," which is the heart of the man who fears God. His justice remains forever and ever: The God-fearing man perseveres until the end and is then crowned eternally.

Ps 112:4: The Light in Darkness

A light has risen in the darkness for the upright: Divine light rises among sinners or in this world filled with the darkness of ignorance. This light is God, who is merciful in nature, compassionate in work, and just in retribution. Christological Interpretation: This can also refer to the coming of Christ. The invisible light became visible through the Incarnation for the salvation of the just, as Isaiah said: The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light.

Ps 112:5: The Generous Man

Acceptable [Jucundus] is the man who shows mercy: He rejoices spiritually in the Lord and gives cause for joy to others. This includes corporal alms and spiritual works (instructing the ignorant, forgiving the sinner). He lends: He gives temporal things to others so that he may receive eternal things from God. He orders his words with judgment: He speaks with the "salt of discretion," ensuring he does not exceed in speech. As James says, If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man.

Ps 112:6-8: Stability and Security

He shall not be moved forever: He is stable in the state of salvation and grace. The just shall be in everlasting remembrance: God will remember him eternally by the effect of His piety; he is written in the Book of Life. He shall not fear the evil hearing: He will not fear the harsh words of the Last Judgment ("Depart from me, ye cursed") because he currently lives in holy fear. The Day of Judgment is a cause of dread for the wicked but a reason for exultation for the elect. His heart is ready... his heart is strengthened: His heart is prepared by hope to trust in God, not in fleeting created goods. He will not be moved until he "looks down upon his enemies"—meaning he reaches the safety of beatitude and regards all adversaries (visible and invisible) as nothing.

Ps 112:9: Liberal Almsgiving

He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor: He distributes his temporal goods or spiritual gifts widely. His horn shall be exalted in glory: The dignity and loftiness of the grace he held in this life will be perfected and consumed in the glory of the Blessed.

Ps 112:10: The Fate of the Sinner

The sinner shall see and be angry: The wicked will see the happiness of the just and be filled with impatience and envy. He shall gnash with his teeth and pine away: He will manifest his rage through the gnashing of teeth (as in the "weeping and gnashing of teeth" in Hell) and will waste away in envy. The desire of the wicked shall perish: The wicked desire to enjoy temporal things forever, but after death, they are deprived of these and compelled to feel eternal torments. Conversely, the desire of the just is fulfilled after this life.

CONTINUE 

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