Seek him that makes the seven stars and Orion, and turns the shadow of death into the morning, and makes the day dark with night: that calls for the waters of the sea, and pours them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name:
Read Chapter 5
George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
Arcturus and Orion. Arcturus is a bright star in the north, Orion a beautiful constellation in the south. (Challoner)
Shepherds in Arabia and Spain are well acquainted with the stars. (Calmet)
We have examined the meaning of cima and cesil, Job ix. 9., and xxxviii. 31. St. Jerome's master asserts that the latter means "efflugence. "Cima is rendered the Pleiades by Aquila and Theodotion; "the seven stars "by Protestants. (Haydock)
When such allusions to the heathen mythology occur, they give no sanction to it, but serve to explain what is meant. (St. Jerome)
Morning, affording comfort, chap. iv. 13.
Earth, by floods (Calmet) or rain. (St. Jerome)
When I think of the past tempest and of the present calm, I do not cease to say, “Blessed be God, who makes all things and changes them; who has brought light out of darkness; who leads to the gates of hell and brings back; who chastises but does not kill.” And this I desire you too to repeat constantly, and never to desist. For if he has benefited us by deeds, what pardon shall we be prepared for, if we do not requite him even by words? Therefore I exhort that we never cease to give him thanks. For if we are grateful for the former benefits, it is plain that we shall enjoy others also which are greater. Let us say, then, continually, “Blessed be God, who has permitted us to spread before you in quietness the accustomed table, while he has also granted you to hear our word with assurance of safety! Blessed be God, that we no longer run here or there flying from the danger, but that we only have a desire to hear. Grant that we no longer meet one another with agony or trembling and anxio...
I made heaven and earth, he says, and to you I give the power of creation. Make your earth heaven. For it is in your power. “I am he who makes and transforms all things,” says God of himself. And he has given to people a similar power, as a painter, being an affectionate father, teaches his own art to his son. I formed your body beautiful, he says, but I give you the power of forming something better. Make your soul beautiful. I said, “Let the earth bring forth grass, and every fruitful tree.”
What, then, is your opinion about that section of the statement that follows, “He brings about rain upon the just and the unjust”? Surely he who gives, gives when he wishes and gives where he wishes, either by arranging the well ordered nature or by lavishly bestowing his own munificence. And in case you contemplate also casting aside this statement, in keeping with the madness of your impiety, listen to the prophet testifying about this truth: “He who calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out upon the face of the earth. The Lord is his name.”
