O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.
Read Chapter 105
Augustine of Hippo
AD 430
1. This Psalm is the first of those to which is prefixed the word Allelujah; the meaning of which word, or rather two words, is, Praise the Lord. For this reason he beginneth with praises: "O confess unto the Lord, and call upon His Name" (ver. 1); for this confession is to be understood as praise, just as these words of our Lord, "I confess to Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth." For after commencing with praise, calling upon God is wont to follow, whereunto he that prayeth doth next add his longings: whence the Lord's Prayer itself hath at the commencement a very brief praise, in these words, "Our Father which art in Heaven." The things prayed for, then follow. ...This also followeth, "Tell the people what things He hath done;" or rather, to translate literally from the Greek, as other Latin copies too have it, "Preach the Gospel of His works among the Gentiles." Unto whom is this addressed, save unto the Evangelists in prophecy?
Alleluia. This word occurs at the end of the preceding psalm in Hebrew, and means, "Praise ye the Lord "though it is also used as an exclamation of joy; for which reason it is left untranslated. See Apocalypse xx. (St. Augustine, ep. ad Casulan.) (Calmet)
It implies that we must praise God with all our power; and Catholic writers retain this (Worthington) and similar words in the original. (Haydock)
The first 15 verses of this psalm nearly agree with that which was composed by David, when the ark was to be removed from the house of Obededon, 1 Paralipomenon xvi. 8, 22. (Haydock)
But the last part seems to have been added by him, or by another afterwards, with some small alterations. (Berthier)
It was perhaps adapted to the dedication of the second temple, with the two following psalms. (Calmet)
Gentiles. Their conversion is thus insinuated. (Calmet)
The apostles preached to all. (Eusebius)
How much more ought we not to celebrate the mysteries of Christ? (Worthington)
