_Ps. 29:1, 2_—“_Ascribe unto Jehovah, O ye sons of the mighty, Ascribe unto Jehovah glory and strength. Ascribe unto Jehovah the glory due unto his name. Worship Jehovah in holy array_”—Perowne: “Heaven being thought of as one great temple, and all the worshipers therein as clothed in priestly vestments.” _Ps. 89:7_—“_a God very terrible in the council of the holy ones,_” _i. e._, angels—Perowne: “Angels are called an assembly or congregation, as the church above, which like the church below worships and praises God.” _Mat. 18:10_—“_in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven._” In apparent allusion to this text, Dante represents the saints as dwelling in the presence of God yet at the same time rendering humble service to their fellow men here upon the earth. Just in proportion to their nearness to God and the light they receive from him, is the influence they are able to exert over others. (_b_) They rejoice in God’s works. _Job 38:7_—“_all the sons of God shouted for joy_”; _Luke 15:10_—“_there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth_”; _cf._ _2 Tim. 2:25_—“_if peradventure God may give them repentance._” Dante represents the angels that are nearest to God, the infinite source of life, as ever advancing toward the spring-time of youth, so that the oldest angels are the youngest. (_c_) They execute God’s will,—by working in nature; _Ps. 103:20_—“_Ye his angels ... that fulfil his word, Hearkening unto the voice of his word_”; _104:4_ marg.—“_Who maketh his angels winds_; _His ministers a flaming fire_,” _i. e._, lightnings. See Alford on _Heb. 1:7_—“The order of the Hebrew words here [in _Ps. 104:4_] is not the same as in the former verses (see especially _v. 3_), where we have: ‘_Who maketh the clouds his chariot_.’ For this transposition, those who insist that the passage means ‘he maketh winds his messengers’ can give no reason.”