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 remnants of  idolatry  and  advanced  the  worship  of  God  by  his  regulations concerning  it,  by  his  example  and  his  ever-beautiful  Psalms. His prophecies concerning  the  Messias  had  quickened  the  spiritual  life  of the  people,  and  turned  their  thoughts  to  the  source  of  grace. He was a chosen instrument  of  God  and,  with  the  exception  of  his  fall,  of  which he deeply  repented,  he  lived  a life  well-pleasing  to  Him. God therefore gave him  the  grace  of  perseverance  and  of  a happy  death.



A retrospect of  David's  virtues: humility,  confidence  in  God,  piety, zeal for  God’s  glory,  patience,  love  of  his  enemies,  justice,  generosity and fatherly  care  of  his  subjects. The Holy  Ghost  says  about  him (Ecclus. 47,  10):  “With  his  whole  heart  he  praised  the  Lord  and  loved the God  who  made  him.”  He  is  rightly  counted  among  the  Saints  of the  Old  Testament  and  is  still  venerated  by  the  Church.

David, the twelfth  type  of  Jesus  Christ.  David  not  only  foretold the sufferings  and  glory  of  the  Redeemer,  but  was  himself  a type  of Him. He was  born  at  Bethlehem;  he  led  a hidden  life  during  his youth, and  conquered  Goliath  with  a contemptible  weapon  (Jesus  overcame Satan  by  means  of  the  despised  Cross). He^was persecuted  by Saul,  to  whom  he  had  done  nothing  but  good; he  was  patient  and  full of love  towards  his  enemies. He was  both  prophet  and  king;  he ascended  the  Mount  of  Olives,  crossing  the  brook  Cedron,  bowed  down with grief;  and  returned  triumphantly  to  Jerusalem  (the  type  of  the