Cornelius a Lapide
Great is the Lord, and exceedingly to be praised: in the city of our God, in His holy mountain.
How beautiful are your tabernacles, O Jacob, and your tents, O Israel! Like wooded valleys, like gardens beside flowing rivers, like tabernacles which the Lord has pitched, like cedars near the waters.
These are the camps of God: these are the multitudes of Judah, these the thousands of Israel and Levi.
God led them out of Egypt: whose strength is like that of the rhinoceros.
Through them He will scatter the nations, even to the ends of the earth: and He will crush their bones.
He lay down and slept like a lion, and like a lioness: who shall rouse Him?
The Lord was his leader: and the shout of a king's victory was in him.
How beloved are Your tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs and faints for the courts of the Lord.
Where twelve thousand were numbered and sealed, from each tribe of Israel, who were clothed in white robes, and palms were in their hands.
Who washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple: and the Lamb will lead them to the fountains of the waters of life.
How beautiful are His Nazirites! Whiter than snow, more radiant than milk, more ruddy than ancient ivory, more beautiful than sapphire.
You led forth, O Lord, Your people: like sheep, by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
You were for him a covering of cloud by day: and a light of stars by night.
Let them confess to the Lord His mercies: and His wonders to the children of men.
Who led His people through the desert for forty years: for His mercy endures forever.
Their garments were not worn out: there was none feeble among their tribes.
They set out from Sinai in battle array, with trumpets sounding, through their encampments.
Arise, O Lord, and let Your enemies be scattered: and let those who hate You flee before Your face.
You gave them bread from heaven: containing in itself every delight, and the sweetness of every flavor.
They desired with desire in the desert: quails came up to them from the sea.
The food was still in their mouths: and the wrath of God descended upon them.
Fire devoured part of the camp: they were buried in the graves of lust.
The Lord filled seventy elders with His spirit: so that they might govern the people together with Moses.
The scouts stirred the people to murmuring: the Lord swore that He would strike down all the murmurers in the desert.
Joshua and Caleb followed behind the Mighty One: to restrain the nation from sins, and to break through the wall of malice.
Therefore they alone entered the land flowing with milk and honey: and the Lord gave Caleb himself strength; so that all the children of Israel might see that it is good to serve the holy God.
He added glory to Aaron, and gave him His victims and first fruits: for He Himself is his portion and inheritance.
O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance, and of my cup: You are the one who will restore my inheritance to me.
For what have I in heaven: and what have I desired upon earth besides You?
God of my heart: and God my portion forever.
Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, envying, provoked Moses in the camp and Aaron the holy one of the Lord.
The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan: and covered over the congregation of Abiram.
And fire blazed up in their assembly: the flame consumed the sinners.
The rod of Aaron blossomed, and brought forth almonds: so that Aaron, chosen by God, might be shown forth as an eternal priest.
The Lord commanded the camp to be holy, and the unclean to be cast out and purified.