Drop down, you heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it.
Read Chapter 45
Ephrem The Syrian
AD 373
“Rejoice, O heavens, from above,” that is, rejoice over the salvation of the nations. The angels are delighted at the repentance of a single sinner. “And the clouds will rain down righteousness.” The clouds, which rain down righteousness, are the apostles and the priests who justify through the absolution, which they give by means of baptism. “Let the earth open, that salvation may be multiplied.” Justice, symbolized through the earth, is poured on the mind of the nations, and salvation shall multiply in every region. “And let it cause righteousness to spring up also.” In the salvation of the nations also their justice is multiplied, and salvation and justice spring up and grow at the same time. - "Commentary on Isaiah 45.8"
Saviour. Thus the ancient saints thirsted for the coming of Christ. His figure is styled the just, chap. xli. 2, 25.
Him. Christ, born of the virgin, in time, and of God from all eternity. I have appointed Cyrus to be his precursor, to set the captives free. (Calmet)
He has been spoken of before. But now the prophet turns to Christ alone, who built his Church on a rock. (Worthington)
Cyrus had not a right faith in God, and Zorobabel was himself set free, and was not king. (St. Jerome)
