From: Sirach 47:2-11
Nathan and David (Continuation)
[2] As the fat is selected from the peace offering, so David was selected from
the sons of Israel. [3] He played with lions as with young goats, and with bears
as with lambs of the flock. [4] In his youth did he not kill a giant, and take away
reproach from the people, when he lifted his hand with a stone in the sling and
struck down the boasting of Goliath? [5] For he appealed to the Lord, the Most
High, and he gave him strength in his right hand to slay a man mighty in war,
to exalt the power of his people. [6] So they glorified him for his ten thousands,
and praised him for the blessings of the Lord, when the glorious diadem was be-
stowed upon him. [7] For he wiped out his enemies on every side, and annihila-
ted his adversaries the Philistines; he crushed their power even to this day. [8] In
all that he did he gave thanks to the Holy One, the Most High, with ascriptions of
glory; he sang praise with all his heart, and he loved his Maker. [9] He placed sin-
gers before the altar, to make sweet melody with their voices. [10] He gave beau-
ty to the feasts, and arranged their times throughout the year while they praised
God’s holy name, and the sanctuary resounded from early morning. [11] The Lord
took away his sins, and exalted his power for ever; he gave him the covenant of
kings and a throne of glory in Israel.
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Commentary:
47:1-11. The eulogy of David recalls, above all, his love for God, which led him to
give thanks for his victories, acknowledging that it was the Lord who made it pos-
sible for him to achieve them (cf. vv. 6-8). One expression of that love was the
ends he went to to ensure the splendor of the liturgy (cf. vv. 9-10); in this he (as
Aaron before) anticipated the example that would later be set by the high priest
Simon. As a reward for the care he took over the liturgy, the Lord showed him
great kindness and took away his sins (v. 11).
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Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.
Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.