Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Psalm 112 verses 2-3: the holy names of God



Continuing this series on Psalm 112, today a look at two verses that focus on the never-ending song of praise of the name of God:

2 Sit nomen Domini benedictum ex hoc nunc et usque in sæculum. 
Blessed be the name of the Lord, from henceforth now and for ever. 

3 A solis ortu usque ad occasum laudabile nomen Domini. 
3 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the name of the Lord is worthy of praise.

 Lectio

I've moved these verses around out of order in the discussion below, in order to show more clearly the linkage in ideas between them. 

First the injunctions and instruction given to us concerning the name of the Lord, revealed to us in Jesus Christ:

laudate (praise) nomen (the name) Domini (of the Lord)

Sit (let it be) nomen (the name) Domini (of the Lord) benedictum (blessed)
...laudabile (praiseworthy) nomen (the name) Domini (of the Lord)

nomen, mis, n. name; God himself; the perfections of God, His glory, majesty, wisdom, power, goodness,
laudabilis -e praiseworthy, commendable, estimable, laudable,

ex (from) hoc (this) nunc (now) et (and) usque (henceforward) in sæculum (forever)
...A (from) solis (of the sun) ortu (rising) usque (until) ad (to) occasum (the setting)

The second group of phrases remind us that the duty of worship of God is eternal: it is the work of heaven.  But it is also our task here and now: our daily round of praise has particular high points in the created world, recognised by the Church in the 'hinges' of the Office, namely dawn (Lauds) and the setting of the sun (Vespers), that remind us that all creation resounds with the praise of God, it is our duty to join in it.

ortus, us, m. ,, a rising of the heavenly bodies;  the east. From the rising of the sun unto its setting.
sol, solis, m., the sun.
occasus, us, m. prop., the going down or setting of the sun, stars, etc; the quarter of the heavens in which the sun sets: the west, sunset.

Meditatio

Why do we praise the name of God? 

The catechism instructs: "Among all the words of Revelation, there is one which is unique: the revealed name of God. God confides his name to those who believe in him; he reveals himself to them in his personal mystery. The gift of a name belongs to the order of trust and intimacy. "The Lord's name is holy." For this reason man must not abuse it. He must keep it in mind in silent, loving adoration. He will not introduce it into his own speech except to bless, praise, and glorify it."

Oratio

How wonderful your name in all the earth, O Lord, how great a power to defend us.

To the people of old your name was ever hidden from view, symbol of the separation of man from heaven.

But for us you have opened the door by taking on our flesh, and taking on a human form and name.  You invite us to call you friend and brother; to call God Father.

How wonderful your name in all the universe O Lord, the name that by confessing we are saved.

Contemplatio

How fitting it is that we praise the name of God from the rising of the sun to the setting thereof each Sunday when we celebrate the Resurrection.

The psalm so far

1 Laudate, pueri, Dominum; laudate nomen Domini.
2 Sit nomen Domini benedictum ex hoc nunc et usque in sæculum.
3 A solis ortu usque ad occasum laudabile nomen Domini. 



You can find the next post in this series of notes on Psalm 112 here.

1 comment:

  1. Thank you soe much for this work, putting together what could assist us creatures under God.

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