Psalm 113: Verse 16

The final verse of the middle section of Psalm 113 reads like an imprecation or curse, but the Fathers point out that it can equally be interpreted as a prophesy:

16  Símiles illis fiant qui fáciunt ea: * et omnes qui confídunt in eis.

Let them that make them become like unto them: and all such as trust in them. 

Lectio

Similes (like/similar) illis (to it) fiant (let them be made)

ille, ilia, illud, demon, pron., that; also he, she, it  In the Vulgate ille is frequently used for is or ipse

similis, e, like

qui (who) faciunt (they make) ea (them)

et (and) omnes (all) qui (who) confidunt (they trust) in eis (in them)

confido, fisus sum, ere 3, to trust, to have or place confidence in. 

Meditatio

St John Chrysostom points out that normally, becoming like God is a good thing; here though, because the god is a false one, putting one's trust in idols, and becoming like them is a curse.

St Robert Bellarmine points out the dire nature of the warning it contains:

"This is a prophecy in the shape of an imprecation, as is usual with the prophets; for the makers of, and the worshippers of idols, will actually become similar to the idols after the Resurrection; for, though they will be possessed of feeling and members, the case will be with them as if they had none; they will even desire to have none; for they will see, hear, smell, touch nothing but what will be hateful and disagreeable; and, with their hands and feet tied, they will be cast into exterior darkness, without being able in any way to help themselves. Even in this life they are like idols, because, though they hear and see, it is more in appearance than reality; for they neither see nor hear the things that pertain to salvation, the things that only are worth seeing, so that they may be said more to dream."

Second section of Psalm 113:

9  Non nobis, Dómine, non nobis: * sed nómini tuo da glóriam.	9 Not to us, O Lord, not to us; but to your name give glory.
10  Super misericórdia tua, et veritáte tua: * nequándo dicant gentes: Ubi est Deus eórum?	10 For your mercy, and for your truth's sake: lest the Gentiles should say: Where is their God?
11  Deus autem noster in cælo: * ómnia quæcúmque vóluit, fecit.	11 But our God is in heaven: he has done all things whatsoever he would.
12  Simulácra géntium argéntum, et aurum, * ópera mánuum hóminum.	12 The idols of the Gentiles are silver and gold, the works of the hands of men.
13  Os habent, et non loquéntur: * óculos habent, et non vidébunt.	14 They have ears and hear not: they have noses and smell not.
14  Aures habent, et non áudient: * nares habent, et non odorábunt.	14 They have ears and hear not: they have noses and smell not.
15  Manus habent, et non palpábunt: pedes habent, et non ambulábunt: * non clamábunt in gútture suo.	15 They have hands and feel not: they have feet and walk not: neither shall they cry out through their throat.
16  Símiles illis fiant qui fáciunt ea: * et omnes qui confídunt in eis.	16 Let them that make them become like unto them: and all such as trust in them.

This completes the notes on the second section of Psalm 113.  The next part in the series provides an overview of the third and final section of the psalm, as well as notes on verses 17-19.