Ps 49:3

“For the Creator of the world is truly the Word of God: and this is our Lord, who in the last times was made man, existing in this world, and who in an invisible manner contains all things created, and is inherent in the entire creation, since the Word of God governs and arranges all things; and therefore He came to His own in a visible manner, and was made flesh, and hung upon the tree, that He might sum up all things in Himself. ... For it is He who has power from the Father over all things, since He is the Word of God, and very man, communicating with invisible beings after the manner of the intellect, and appointing a law observable to the outward senses, that all things should continue each in its own order; and He reigns manifestly over things visible and pertaining to men; and brings in just judgment and worthy upon all; as David also, clearly pointing to this, says, "Our God shall openly come, and will not keep silence." Then he shows also the judgment which is brought in by Him, saying, "A fire shall burn in His sight, and a strong tempest shall rage round about Him. He shall call upon the heaven from above, and the earth, to judge His people."”

“He presents his whole discourse as if God personally were present and judging, thus his addition of "he will not keep silence," that is, he will choose to judge the judges in no other way than by personal inspection and as though by his very presence. Then, to bring out that he arrives in retribution and as a cause of deep fear, attended by sanctions like bodyguards, he goes on, "A fire will burn in his presence, with a severe storm around him": just as the rulers of the earth have heralds going ahead to inspire submission with their shouting, so too God comes in person with fire going ahead and a severe storm to inspire fear in those due to be judged. By "storm" he refers to a power capable of drawing down to hades.”

“"And a mighty tempest round about Him" (ver. 3). "A mighty tempest," in order to winnow so great a floor. In this tempest shall be that winnowing whereby from the saints shall be put away everything impure, from the faithful every unreality; from godly men and them that fear the Word of God, every scorner and every proud man. For now a sort of mixture doth lie there, from the rising of the sun unto the going down. Let us see then how He will do that is to come, what He will do with that tempest which "shall be a mighty tempest round about Him." Doubtless this tempest is to make a sort of separation. It is that separation which they waited not for, who brake the nets, before they came to land. But in this separation there is made a sort of distinction between good men and bad men. There be some that now follow Christ with lightened shoulders without the load of the world's cares, who have not heard in vain, "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell all that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shall have treasure in heaven: and come, follow Me;" to which sort is said, "Ye shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." Some then shall be judging with the Lord: but others to be judged, but to be placed on the right hand. For that there will be certain judging with the Lord, we have most evident testimony, which I have but now quoted: "Ye shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." ...”

“He will surely come openly to judge the age through fire. Fire will burn in his countenance, and around him will be strong storms. Then apostles, martyrs and teachers will be gathered, those who have ordained his covenant over sacrifices. These will become the apostles, teachers and advisors in the present. These are the "heavens" who proclaim the glory of God. Then when God begins to judge they announce his righteousness and his mercy.”

“Do not think the second coming will be like his first: at that time he concealed his characteristic magnificence in lowliness and poverty, whereas in this case he will reveal plainly to everyone his lordship and kingship, no longer employing long-suffering but judging justly. As he said, "he will not keep silence. A fire will burn in his presence, with a severe storm around him." Blessed Daniel had a vision of this: "A river of fire," he says, "was flowing in front of him, his throne a fiery flame, its wheels flaming fire."”

“"God shall come manifestly." Here he treats of the coming; and he says two things about the second coming, against two things that were present in the first. In the first coming, God came hidden in the weakness of humanity. Ezek. 32: "I will cover the sun with a cloud." And Is. 45: "Truly you are a hidden God." But then he will be manifest. Rev. 1: "Behold, he comes, and every eye shall see him." 2 Thess. 2: "Whom the Lord Jesus shall kill with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming." Likewise, in the first coming he showed meekness. Is. 53: "As a lamb before its shearer, he was led." Hence he said nothing before the princes and priests, nor before Pilate; but then he will not be silent, but will speak. Is. 42: "I have been silent, I have always been quiet, and I have been patient" -- in judgment, when I was being judged, when I was tolerating the wicked -- "but I will cry out like a woman in labor." And he says "our"; as if to say: this God who comes is none other than ours, outside of whom there is no salvation. Jerome begins the verse: "Out of Zion, perfect in beauty, God shall appear"; as if to say: God shall appear out of Zion, which is perfect in the beauty of the Holy Spirit. With respect to the first he adds, "God shall come manifestly." With respect to the second, "A fire shall burn before his sight." Here he sets forth the preparation of the one who comes. Princes have their insignia and swords carried before them. Rom. 13: "He does not bear the sword without cause"; as if to say, because they have the power of judging. So before Christ shall precede signs of vengeance and ministers of the judge. First, therefore, he sets forth the signs and instruments of vengeance. Second, he shows the power with respect to the ministers, at "He has called." The instrument of divine judgment is twofold. One is principal, on the part of the punishing fire; and the other on the part of the whole creation fighting against the senseless. Wis. 5. With respect to the first he says, "A fire shall burn before his sight." Literally, fire shall precede before him, as is found in Heb. 10, because a consuming fire shall burn and purge the surface of the earth, and shall purge whatever needs purging in the good, and finally shall cast the wicked into Hell. Or the fire of a remorseful conscience. Is. 50: "Walk in the light of your fire." With respect to the second he says, "And round about him a mighty tempest," which shall arise from the agitation of all the elements before the judgment. Lk. 21: "There shall be signs in the sun," etc., and the agitation shall be so great that even the powers of heaven shall be moved. The tempest, that is, the indignation, shall be round about him, that is, in the saints who shall be around him. Is. 3: "To punish sinners." Job 27: "Want shall seize upon him like water." Prov. 1: "When sudden calamity comes."”

“Silence. Christ displayed the light of truth from Sion, at his first coming. But he would not judge any till the second, John iii. 17., and viii. 15. (St. Jerome) (Calmet) — Before him, at the last day, (Haydock) or in hell. (St. Athanasius) — Our Saviour appeared formerly with great mildness: but he will come with majesty and terror, after fire shall have destroyed all transitory things. (Worthington)”