Bellarmine on Psalm 99 : Verse 2

Verse 2

Come in before his presence with exceeding great joy.

Introite in conspectu ejus in exsultatione.

Indeed, we ought to praise God everywhere, but especially when we enter into His house, which is a house of prayer, where we see God Himself in sacred things, and where he, by a special providence, sees and hears us, as is written in II Paral. vii: “My eyes also shall be open, and my ears attentive to the prayer of him that shall pray in this place.”[1] And for that reason the propher accordingly admonishes them: “Come in before his presence,” into the house of God, where you shall see God in a special way, and God shall see you; but enter in with exceeding great joy of heart, with a sould upright and on fire with love, so that God may see you rejoicing on account of your desire for Him.

[1] My eyes also shall be open, and my ears attentive to the prayer of him that shall pray in this place. Oculi quoque mei erunt aperti, et aures meae erectae ad orationem ejus, qui in loco isto oraverit. [II Paralip. Vii. 15]

Totus tuus ego sum

Et omnia mea tua sunt;

Tecum semper tutus sum:

Ad Jesum per Mariam.