Bellarmine on Psalm 127 : Title, theme & Verse 1

Title and subject matter

Titulum et argumentum

A canticle of the steps

Canticum graduum 

This Psalm seems to St. Hilary and St. Augustine, read literally, to treat of temporal goods, the promise of which is particular to the old Testament; so it becomes necessary to find a mystical sense if it is to accommodate the morals of Christians. But it will perhaps not be difficult to explain it in a way that pertains both to the old Testament and the new, to the blessings of the earthly and of the heavenly Jerusalem. The subject matter, therefore of this Psalm, is an exhortation to piety, presented with an immense reward for virtue.

Verse 1

Blessed are all they that fear the Lord: that walk in his ways.

Beati omnes qui timent Dominum, qui ambulant in viis ejus.

The Prophet teaches the exiles returning from their captivity how they ought to conduct themselves if they do not wish to be returned into captivity once more, but to enjoy the blessings of Jerusalem for ever. This teaching is suitable for all those in an alien country, both for those who are exiled from their earthly home country and want to go back, and for those who are exiled from their heavenly home and are in haste to return. He therefore says: “Blessed are all they that fear the Lord,” that is, all those, men or women, great or small, nobles or commoners, masters or servants, learned or unlearned, finally everyone without exception, for then only will they be truly fortunate, (that is, happy, contented, cheerful, enjoying the best of conditions, which all men desire), if they truly fear God, that is, if they dread to offend God, and strengthened by such fear, they never fall from God’s grace, which is the fount of all blessings. A sign of this holy fear is if they walk “in his ways,” that is, in (keeping) His commandments. For this holy fear proceeds from love, and the Lord says in John xiv: “If you love me, keep my commandments;”[1] and again : “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them; he it is that loveth me;”[2] and again : “ He that loveth me not, keepeth not my words.”[3]

[1] If you love me, keep my commandments. Si diligitis me, mandata mea servate : [John xiv 15]

[2] He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them; he it is that loveth me. And he that loveth me, shall be loved of my Father: and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Qui habet mandata mea, et servat ea : ille est qui diligit me. Qui autem diligit me, diligetur a Patre meo : et ego diligam eum, et manifestabo ei meipsum. [John xiv 21]

[3] He that loveth me not, keepeth not my words. And the word which you have heard, is not mine; but the Father's who sent me. qui non diligit me, sermones meos non servat. Et sermonem, quem audistis, non est meus : sed ejus qui misit me, Patris. [John xiv 24]

Totus tuus ego sum

Et omnia mea tua sunt;

Tecum semper tutus sum:

Ad Jesum per Mariam.