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Continuing this series on Psalm 112, today a look at two verses that focus on
the never-ending song of praise of the name of God:
2 Sit nomen Domini benedictum ex hoc nunc et usque in sæculum.
Blessed be the name of the Lord, from henceforth now and for ever.
3 A solis ortu usque ad occasum laudabile nomen Domini.
3 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the name of the Lord is worthy of praise.
Lectio
I've moved these verses around out of order
in the discussion below, in order to show more clearly the linkage in ideas
between them.
First the injunctions and instruction given
to us concerning the name of the Lord, revealed to us in Jesus Christ:
laudate (praise) nomen (the name) Domini
(of the Lord)
Sit (let it be) nomen (the name) Domini (of
the Lord) benedictum (blessed)
...laudabile (praiseworthy) nomen (the
name) Domini (of the Lord)
nomen, mis, n. name; God himself; the perfections
of God, His glory, majesty, wisdom, power, goodness,
laudabilis -e praiseworthy, commendable, estimable, laudable,
ex (from) hoc (this) nunc (now) et (and)
usque (henceforward) in sæculum (forever)
...A (from) solis (of the sun) ortu
(rising) usque (until) ad (to) occasum (the setting)
The second group of phrases remind us that
the duty of worship of God is eternal: it is the work of heaven. But it is also our task here and now: our
daily round of praise has particular high points in the created world,
recognised by the Church in the 'hinges' of the Office, namely dawn (Lauds) and
the setting of the sun (Vespers), that remind us that all creation resounds
with the praise of God, it is our duty to join in it.
ortus, us, m. ,, a rising of the heavenly bodies; the east. From the rising of the sun
unto its setting.
sol, solis, m., the sun.
occasus, us, m. prop., the going down or
setting of the sun, stars, etc; the quarter of the heavens in which the sun
sets: the west, sunset.
Meditatio
Why do we praise the name of God?
The catechism instructs: "Among all
the words of Revelation, there is one which is unique: the revealed name of
God. God confides his name to those who believe in him; he reveals himself to
them in his personal mystery. The gift of a name belongs to the order of trust
and intimacy. "The Lord's name is holy." For this reason man must not
abuse it. He must keep it in mind in silent, loving adoration. He will not
introduce it into his own speech except to bless, praise, and glorify it."
Oratio
How wonderful your name in all the earth, O
Lord, how great a power to defend us.
To the people of old your name was ever
hidden from view, symbol of the separation of man from heaven.
But for us you have opened the door by
taking on our flesh, and taking on a human form and name. You invite us to call you friend and brother;
to call God Father.
How wonderful your name in all the universe
O Lord, the name that by confessing we are saved.
Contemplatio
How fitting it is that we praise the name
of God from the rising of the sun to the setting thereof each Sunday when we
celebrate the Resurrection.
The psalm so far
1 Laudate, pueri, Dominum; laudate nomen Domini.
2 Sit nomen Domini benedictum ex hoc nunc et usque in sæculum.
3 A solis ortu usque ad occasum laudabile nomen Domini.
Thank you soe much for this work, putting together what could assist us creatures under God.
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