Commentary on Harmony of the Law Volume 1 Complete John Calvin
HARMONY OF THE LAW · VOLUME 1
His grace. And that all the saints were guided by this rule appears from Psalm 20:7, — "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God:" and again, "There is no king saved by the multitude of an host; a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy." (Psalm 33:16-18)
10. Also in the day of your gladness. This was as if God should make it manifest that He approved of no festivals, and that no sacrifices pleased Him, except His command should go before them; for it was not lawful for the people to choose this or that day, but the authority for prescribing them was in the hands of the ministers of sacred things. And, indeed, God Himself had appointed the New-moons (Neomenias, vel novilunia) and the other solemnities; but, lest any change should occur, since men are ever daring in their innovations, He would have their lawful observation sanctioned by the sound of the trumpets; as if, by the mouth of the priests, He Himself published the holy assemblies. The sacrifices, which others have translated "of your peace-offerings," 420 I translate, and not without reason, "of your prosperities." For this is what,שלמיכםshalmecem, properly means; and it was the name they gave to their supplications and testimonies of thanksgiving, when they had been delivered from some great danger, or were visited by some extraordinary blessing from God. But Moses says that the trumpets were to be "for a memorial before their God;" because when they should have assembled at His command, He would look upon them, and honor them with His paternal favor.
So A.V,שלמיכםPacificorum vestrorum, is the rendering of SM. To justify rendering this form of the word your prosperities, the vowel-points should be different. Your sacrifices of thanksgiving, is the ordinary interpretation of the lexicographers. — W
THE LAW: THE SECOND COMMANDMENT
The Law: The Second Commandment
The Second Commandment