He has dispersed, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his strength shall be exalted with honor.
Read Chapter 112
Augustine of Hippo
AD 430
6. But it is a great thing to have the heart established, and not to be moved, while they rejoice who love what they see, and mock at him who hopeth for what he seeth not; "what the Lord hath prepared for them that love Him." How great is the value of this which is not seen, and it is bought for so much as each man is able to give for it. On this account he also "dispersed abroad, and gave to the poor" (ver. 9): he saw not, yet he kept buying; but He was storing up the treasure in heaven, who deigned to hunger and thirst in the poor on earth. It is no wonder then if "his righteousness remaineth for ever:" He who created the ages being his guardian. "His horn," whose humility was scorned by the proud, "shall be exalted with honour."
Poor. We must know whom we ought to relieve. Though we may be allowed to retain what is necessary, (2 Corinthians viii. 13., and ix. 11.) yet the saints have often very laudably stripped themselves, to clothe others, abandoning perishable goods, that they might obtain heaven. (Calmet)
Justice. Works of mercy are so called, because they concur to man's justification. (Worthington)
Horn. Power Cyrus, and the best of his successors, honoured the Jews. (Calmet)
The liberality of the just towards the indigent, is far more glorious than that which prompts the vain to give shows (St. Chrysostom)
The praise of the latter is presently at an end. (Berthier)
