I deliuer from al perils and make him partaker of euerlasting felicitie PSALME LI. The Argument This Psalme was then written of Dauid as the Hebrue title doth declare when he was most sharpelie rebuked of the Prophet Nathan for that his most horrible adulterie ioined wi h manslaughter as is witnessed 2. Sam. 12. Jt is one of the principal Psalmes of Dauid conteining a notable example of repentance which must go before remission of sinnes I saie it is notable whether thou respect the person it selfe of Dauid or else his sinne or lastlie the verie matter that is euerie part of repentance For first here is set foorth vnto vs an example of a most mightie King and of a most holie Prophet such a one who as much as anie man could had wel deserued of the Church euen to this end that we should learne that kings haue none other God than poore men haue and the higher that one is in authoritie among men the more euident and infamous is his sin for that cause he must labour the more carefullie to giue vnto other an example of repentance But now concerning him of whom here we haue to speake I knowe not whether hâ—uing consideration of the circumstances of Dauids person any monument be extant of so many heinous crimes proceeding out of one fact whereof we perceiue how great weaknes there is euen in the best most excellent men and againe we learne what exceeding mercie the most gratious and most mightie God doth shew to euerie one that do repent But if we carefullie ponder that which is the principal point I can not tel whether euer there were anie example heretofore of such a repentance For as concerning the inward acknowledging and abhorring of the sinne which they cal contrition J see not what can be required as wanting in it sith Dauid confesseth that he was guiltie of eternal damnation euen from the first moment of his conception and most exquisitelie searcheth forth al the circumstances of his offence so farre is he from seeking anie excuses to couer it and from dreaming of anie recompence for his deserts But if we consider the outward confession of the sinne which is another part of true repentance the which commonlie they confound with satisfaction what a rare example is this of so great a king and so worthie a Prophet that laieng aside al humane respect either of his roial maiestie or priuate reputation did not onlie suffer the storie of that his crime to be put in writing but euen he himselfe wrote a perpetual testimonie of his acknowledging of the fact thereby to satisfie the whole Church For the holie man knew that we must be ashamed of sinne not of repentance or turning from sinne and that a skarre that is seared or a blot that is printed in vs by sinne is not increased by such a publike confession as is made before the Church but rather is cured vp and taken awaie Dauid so farre differeth from the deintie men of our age that had rather beare anie thing than the yoke of this discipline and gouernement that though he were a king of great power yet he willinglie submitteth himselfe vnto it Finallie the commoditie of true repentance doth here also most euidentlie appeare in that God doth neuer forsake those that are truelie penitent but contrariwise turneth euen their verie sinnes both to his glorie and their amendement and comforts And there are ioined in this Psalme also two principal pointes of true religion the one of original sinne the other of the abuse of sacrifices as though the purgation of sinne consisted in that outward ceremonie whereas on the contrarie part the sacrifices that proceeded from vnpure men did not please God and therefore forgiuenes of sinnes must go before which afterwards should be sealed in the hearts of the beleeuers by the sacrifices which are made and offered by faith THE PARAPHRASIS 1 WHat excuse shal I bring ô God what pretence shal I make None at al. I onelie beseech thee most merciful GOD to haue mercie vpon me most miserable sinner And whereas this one wickednes of mine conteineth manie sinnes that thou wouldest grant vnto me not one mercie but thy whole mercies whatsoeuer that my sinnes may be done awaie at once 2 Certeinlie this fault is so fowle and this blot sticketh so sore vnto me that I can not persuade my selfe that it can be washed awaie of thee but by great difficultie wash me therefore ô my God againe and againe and oftentimes whilest the filth of so great wickednes be vtterlie washed awaie 3 For I do not denie or lessen my fault but I detest and abhorre my most greeuous sinnes dailie set before mine eies 4 For though I haue greeuouslie offended men yet haue I chieflie to do with thee For vnto thee vnto thee haue I peculiarlie offended and though I went about to deceiue men yet could I not deceiue thee a most euident eie-witnesse and my iudge Therefore I neither desire to be iustified neither can I desire it seeing thou hast decreed most iustlie those things that thou hast pronounced against me and I confesse plainelie that nothing is faultie in thy iudgements toward me 5. Yea and though I had not committed these horrible factes who am I but a mortal man most worthie death and destruction being euen then corrupt and guiltie when my mother conceiued me and polluted with sinne euen then when she nourished me in her wombe 6 And why should I alledge the sacrifices offered vnto thee by me and such other things for thou doest onlie alow that righteousnes that resteth in the secret of the heart the which this same thing yet declareth that I wanted notwithstanding I confesse that thou hast taught me that thy wisedome not as thou hast done euerie one but as one of thy houshold priuatelie and most familiarlie 7 Wherefore I stand heere before thee the greatest of al sinners but doe that which thou onlie canst do purge me ô God with that thy true hysop al my filth shal straightwaies vanish awaie wash thou me I shal suddenlie be whiter than snowe 8 Comfort me with the testimonie of thy holie spirit which may bring vnto me that most comfortable and most ioiful message of the forgiuenes of sinnes so shalt thou suddenlie refresh the bones which thou hast worthilie broken 9 Doe not I beseech thee doe not behold my sinnes but rather rase out of thy tables at once al the wickednes that I haue committed 10 Begin againe ô God that thy verie worke which thou hadst begun in me and is left off because I haue letted it namelie the purenes of my heart of the which thou art the onelie author and creator and renew those holie motions of my heart within me 11 Ah! do not cast me awaie out of thy sight though I be worthie to perish neither spoile me at once of the gift of thy holie spirit 12 Restore vnto me rather that vnspeakable
to stirre vp our dul hearts to the sense of our sinnes to feare Gods iudgements and to seeke for mercie betimes And if it please God to giue vs this grace thus to do vnfeignedlie and without al hypocrisie of this are we sure that though we can not turne awaie the general plagues that are threatned and seene to hang ouer England yet that al we that can be stirred vp with like affections with these saints of God our fathers and brethren of old to vtter our misliking and loathing of our owne sinnes and of the sinnes of the people and so seeke for Gods mercies shal be marked to saluation when the plague commeth as God himselfe hath promised Ezekiel 9. Yea though the perusing of these Psalmes can worke no more in vs but to cause vs to consider how far we are from that zeale of Gods glorie that desire of building his house that comfort of his word and sacraments that vprightnes of life that faith hope and patience in afflictions that was in Dauid and the other seruants of God that made these Psalmes and so bring vs to some more earnest desire and longing for the same vertues yet wil they be verie profitable vnto vs to be diligentlie read and wel weighed in our mindes And these Arguments and Paraphrasis giuing the true sense of the psalmes in so plaine words as no man hath done before wil greatlie further vs to such godlie meditations Now as the latine Psalmes of Beza belong to my most honorable Lord by right as dedicate and sent vnto him from farre so these english Psalmes translated at home by one of your seruants who is wholie my Lords and yours in the seruice of the great Lord do by as good right pertaine to your honour who but by some such meanes of translation can haue smal commoditie of the others although you haue some propertie therein because it is my Lords your husbands to whom if mine old forworne rude simplicitie vnfit for this fine world could haue brought forth anie thing worthie his honour I would not haue bin so long silent But I humblie beseech both your honours to take thus in good part this poore mite as that of the widowe which did testifie hir great good wil in a right smal matter And as I am most bound I wil praie for you both that God our merciful father for his Christes sake would vouchsafe to graunt you to reade the Psalmes of Dauid and to meditate them by the same spirit with Dauid whereby ye may feele true comfort in al troubles of mind and bodie as did Dauid and so in the end be crowned in the heauens with Dauid and reigne for euer with Christ our spiritual Dauid in euerlasting glorie Amen Ashbie 7. of March 1579. Your Honours most bound alwaies to commaund in the Lord Anthonie Gilbie THE EPISTLE TO the Reader SEEING among humane affaires those men which haue good causes and sound reasons for their enterprises are of greater authoritie and more able to persuade a reasonable man than they that can render no other account but either their owne affectionate opinion for a cause sufficient or their selfe wil how vnreasonable soeuer for an inuincible argument or in a word their headie rashnes for a lawe that may be in no wise gainesaied Therfore the Translator thinketh meete to shew some reason of his doings that that thing which was most forceable to drawe him to this translation who otherwise for his age is verie vnfit to take such paines might somewhat preuaile both to moue other that are more apt for such matters to do the like and thee also the Christian Reader to a more attentiue consideration of those things that are most diuinelie set foorth in this Booke Wherfore these two causes especiallie brought him to take this worke in hand First loue to his vnlearned countriemen Secondlie the excellencie of the worke it selfe For considering that the Psalmes in English are in manie places read rather for taske as it were and for fashion sake than for good deuotion and with vnderstanding which the spirit of God commandeth in al partes of diuine seruice and because that to reade that which a man neither yet vnderstandeth nor seeketh ordinarie meanes whereby hee may vnderstand is a plaine contempt of the thing that is read in that it noteth want of care and therefore defect of loue and consequentlie the hypocrisie of him that serueth God careleslie Againe such is the miserable state of our nation seeing that euerie congregation hath not a sufficient pastor to explane and interprete these Psalmes as also other places of scripture with liuelie voice of man the principal and chiefe way that ought to be in the Church to edifie the conscience and to build the faith therefore the Translator receiuing this Booke which was come from farre euen from a strange Countrie and in a language vnknowne to the multitude he was moued none otherwise than as a louing friend is wont to impart to his louers that thing which he knoweth may be profitable to manie and so set forth in our vulgar speach that thing wherof otherwaies they that haue greatest neede should haue reaped the least commoditie in so much as now euen the simplest poore man for a smal peece of monie may by diligent reading in this Booke of that rare man THEODORE BEZA atteine to a better vnderstanding of these holie Psalmes of Dauid than in old time by the report of the ancient the great learned men were able by the perusing of manie of the great Doctors of the Church Further sith we see this also by dailie experience that what so euer we knowe whether it be in flieng newes touching this or that matter whereof mans mind is so desirous or else euen in the Artes and Sciences which are gotten by great exercise and long practise a man taketh a little or no pleasure in them so long as he keepeth them to himselfe and maketh no man priuie to them but so soone as he vttereth them to others whome he loueth then his ioy and pleasure increaseth and he accounteth his owne knowledge so much the greater the more that he hath participated it vnto other Euen so this Translator hauing viewed this Booke through out could not be silent but receiuing so great comforts himselfe thereby tooke in hand God giuing thereto good successe to make it manifest also to the common sort that they might al reioice together in the Lord hauing found so precious a iewel which hath afore time bene hid from our forefathers and is in our daies reuealed vnto vs by the goodnes of God And he thinketh his labour wel bestowed and his knowledge and comfort greatlie augmented and aboundance of fruite redounding to himselfe if his godlie purpose be wel accepted that is if it be generalie receiued and reuerentlie embraced as by right it ought of them of whome chiefelie in his trauel he had respect Now as concerning the matter that is translated we
in our dangers 2 Therefore we wil not feare at al though the earth be shaken from her foundations and the mountaines be carried into the middest of the sea 3 Though al the stormes of waters sound about vs with most horrible noise and mounting vp doe shake the verie mountaines 4 Yet the citie of God which the most high hath consecrated vnto himselfe for his habitation doth rest in the meane time safe and comforted with his most gentle and pleasant riuers 5 For seeing that God himselfe doth dwel in it how can it be subuerted nay as oft as neede is he wil wake earlie in the twi-light and wil helpe it 6 Behold the nations did rage on euerie side and the kingdomes had prepared battel euerie-where against vs but as soone as he thundered out his voice al their fiercenes although they filled the land with their multitude did fal downe their hearts melting for feare 7 For the Lord hauing farre other armies is on our side that God I saie of Iacob is our defence 8 Come hither I praie you if anie doubt of this matter or negligentlie regard these thinges and consider with me the workes of the Lord namelie what destruction and desolation is now come vpon those countries which did rage so mightilie against vs. 9 Behold how sudden these battels and tumults are ceased on euerie side behold how he hath broken the bowes and hath cut in sunder the speares and burnt al their chariots with fire 10 Heare the Lord himselfe finalie setting forth this example and thus calling vpon your enimies O ye mad men leaue off these things and learne at the least by these your miseries that I am GOD whom ye haue wounded by the sides of my people and whose name ye labour in vaine to abolish But it is so farre from your power to doe this that contrariwise I wil once dilate my glorie wide broad throughout the whole world 11 Finalie let vs conclude this fullie that the Lord being furnished with innumerable and most mightie armies standeth on our side and that that God of Iacob is a most sure defence vnto vs. PSALME XLVII The Argument The verie order of this Psalme chieflie the fift verse seemeth vnto me manifestlie to declare that this song was written by Dauid ful of most feruent zeale and sung of the sonnes of Corah in that pompe most ful of maiestie wherein he brought the Arke of the Lord at the length into the citie which was called after his owne name the which excellent storie is set downe 2. Sam. 6 1. Chro. 15. And this song of praise doth teach foure principal things 1 With how feruent zeale we are bound to seeke the glorie of God 2 How careful the princes chieflie ought to be to establish the publike holie ministerie and to amplifie it 3 What great difference there is betwixt the people chosen of God and other nations proceeding only of the mercie of God Last of al that other nations also in the end shal be partakers of this so great mercie Of these foure there is no part which doth not much more appertaine vnto vs than to the old people now when this prophesie is fulfilled at length and Christ him selfe is come vnto vs. THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Al ye people being gathered together clap your hands and praise God with most ioiful voices 2 For this is that Iehouah not closed vp in this Arke for he is higher than the verie heauens notwithstanding he setteth before our eies this testimonie of his presence and mercie this I saie is the King shewing himself terrible against his enimies this is the Lord of the whole earth 3 This is hee that wil bring into subiection the people that lie neare vnto vs ouer whome we shal haue authoritie 4 This is he that hath giuen vs that most excellent heritage by whose power we may worthilie glorie of our dignitie and honour and that by his singular benefite for none other cause but that it hath pleased him to receiue vs into his fauour 5 Behold God commeth vp to his holie mountaine with triumph the Lord commeth with sound of trumpets 6 Sing vnto God sing I saie sing praises to our King sing praises 7 For this is the greatest King by farre euen the Monarch of the whole world sing al you that can sing 8 Praise God I saie who is not onelie our King but the King of al people sitting vpon his holie throne 9 For the verie gouernours of the people shal submit themselues to the people of the God of Abraham for he is onelie the Lord of the whole world and the preseruer of the same farre higher than al powers beside PSALME XLVIII The Argument There is the same argument of this Psalme and of the 46. although it seeme to haue bene written long after in the daies of Josaphat as may appeare and is to be referred to the storie which is written 1. Chron. 20. there is added therfore the praise of the citie of Ierusalem which was a figure of the Church by the beautiful situation and by the strength of the wals and forts whereby yet the Prophet doth not saie that the safetie thereof doth stand but by God alone the Lord of the citie that we may vnderstand that the Church is preserued by the same onlie defence although so oft as it so pleaseth God it is not destitute of mans armour and defence THE PARAPHRASIS 1 DOubtles the Lord doth shew himselfe great and most worthie of al praise euery-where but this is seene chieflie in that his owne citie which knowledgeth him for their God and worshippeth him in his holie mountaine 2 For this is that mount Sion of most pleasant situation looking towards the north the ornament and ioie of the whole earth the citie of the great King 3 For there verelie God dwelleth as in his palace and there is he knowledged againe to be the onlie defence thereof 4 Neither neede we to fetch anie farre proofe of this most plaine thing for behold the kings associate together were about to set vpon it 5 The which so soone as they did behold being striken with the admiration of it fled awaie speedilie 6 For so wonderful terrour and so sudden came vpon them as the pangs of a woman that trauelleth with child 7 And as the most raging violence of the wind vseth to shake the ships sailing in the deepe seas 8 Therefore we our selues haue seene the woonders which we heard of our elders of old that were done by God to deliuer them done also in the citie of the most mightie Iehouah the citie I saie of our God the which being now defended of him he wil from hencefoorth also preserue for euer 9 Surelie ô God thou hast not disappointed vs calling for thy mercie in thy palace with ful confidence 10 And the fame of this thing whither soeuer it shal come shal stir vp al men euen to the vttermost coastes of the earth to set
his diuine worship 8 And thou ô Lord our God giuing eare vnto them hast suffered thy selfe oftentimes to be pacified by their praiers although thou diddest not leaue the sinnes of some of them vnpunished that were wicked 9 Wherefore take courage and extol the Lord our God with praises and worship at his holie hil for the Lord our God is holie PSALME C. The Argument The Hebrue title doth declare that this Psalme most short in deede but verie excellent both for the pleasantnesse of words and the grauitie of the matter was written for this cause that it should be sung in the sacrifices of thankesgiuing And it doth rehearse two most great benefites the one of the creation which is common vnto al men the other of the free adoption annexed with the perpetual protection the which vnspeakeable benefite is peculiar vnto the Church which for this cause is called the worke of God THE PARAPHRASIS 1 SOund out the trumpets vnto the Lord al ye inhabitants of the earth 2 Come hither with ioie to giue due worship vnto the Lord present your selues in his sight and offer praiers vnto him 3 Knowledge at the length this Iehouah to be the God This is he that hath euen made vs when we had no being of our selues and which is another peculiar benefite of him toward vs euen the far greatest of al This is he by whose mercie we are a people consecrate vnto him and the sheepe of his pastures 4 Come therfore I saie to the gates of his house to praise him enter into his courts to sing forth his praises praise ye him and publish his name 5 For the Lord is good of infinite mercie and mindful of his promises through al ages for euer PSALME CI. The Argument Dauid when he had receiued the promise of the kingdome not thinking so much of the great honour that was giuen him as of the greeuous burthen that should be laide vpon him and as it is probable beholding the faults of Saul and the disordered state of the whole kingdome he would bind both himselfe and his posteritie as it were with a solemne vow before God in this Psalme wherin al the office of a king with a maruelous breuitie is explaned though generallie yet verie exactlie First of al then he bindeth the whole office of a king to two principal vertues euen mercie and iudgement whereof the one causeth that kings be rather loued than feared and this other by the vse of scripture declareth the seueritie whereby the obstinate are brideled and kept in order and it is contrarie to that softnes which doth not onelie giue some release from the bonds of the lawe but doth vtterlie dissolue them Neither doth he treate of these vertues after the maner of the Philosophers but he wil haue them both consecrate vnto God and therefore to be applied vnto the lawes appointed by God himselfe Then comming to the vse of these vertues he doth testifie that he wil not arrogate vnto himselfe the gouernement of this kingdome promised but onelie receiue it of the hand of GOD himselfe deliuering it vnto him the which thing hee did most religiouslie afterward obserue Hee treateth first of the preparing of himselfe to performe this office secondlie of the right ordering of his owne priuate familie and thirdlie of the verie office charge and duetie of a king Wherefore in the second verse beginning the right order of gouernement at himselfe far vnlike vnto those which do nothing lesse than that they command to others he maketh a vowe that he wil giue great care to vnderstand which is the right waie beeing mindful doubtles of the words of the Lord vnto Joshua Ioshua 1. 7. and 8. and that he neuer declining from that waie declared by God he wil learne by the right gouernement of his owne familie to execute the office of a king as is conuenient Afterward treating of the verie publike charge and beginning againe at himselfe he promiseth that he wil neither take euil counsel willinglie of himselfe neither that he wil followe euil examples And whereas the Princes that haue power in their hands to satisfie their lustes do vse to inuent infinite such things either of themselues or take hold of the same most greedilie which they learne of others that are about them Dauid addeth that he wil most carefullie eschue men of corrupt manners Finallie whereas Princes are compelled of necessitie to vse the seruice of manie others by whose eies both they must see manie things and heare by their eares and stand in neede of their counsels he promiseth that he wil receiue no man whome he shal knowe to be of an euil conscience and that he wil punish euen with death the false accusers which are the poison of mankinde and that he wil by no meanes suffer the proude and the ambitious and that he wil vse the counsel and endeuour of men of fidelitie and vprightnes and wil diligentlie search for them and either neuer cal to counsel or chase far awaie the craftie and deceitful Finallie he promising that he wil be no lesse a seueare iudge against wicked men than a merciful dâ—fender and foster-father of his owne he declareth the last and chiefe end of the ciuil gouernement which was vnknowne of the Philosophers to wit that the Lord should be worshipped purelie and sincerelie in his Citie that is in his Church THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Lord I being appointed king by thee after such a manner of bountifulnes as neuer was heard do consecrate this song vnto thee both of mercie and iudgement wherevnto I do bind my selfe before thee to performe them in the gouernement of the kingdome 2 First of al then vnto that time that I be set ouer the kingdome by thee whome I determined neuer to preuent I wil giue al diligence that both I may throughlie knowe the right waie appointed by thee and may obserue the same purelie in my house 3 I wil neuer set before me to do anie wicked thing I wil forsake them that are of corrupt manners neither wil I take anie such to me 4 I wil put far from me the authours of euil counsels neither wil I embrace at anie time the thing that I knowe to be euil 5 I wil destroie the slanderers and false accusers I wil not suffer the proud and the ambitious 6 I searching out on euerie side men that loue the truth wil take them to be my familiar companions and I wil not vse in doing mine affaires anie but such as are trustie and faithful 7 The subtil man wil I thrust foorth of my house neither wil I suffer those that speake deceiptfullie 8 To conclude I wil painefullie and without anie delaie worthilie punish whomesoeuer I shal vnderstand to be wicked and I wil purge the holie citie of the Lord from al wicked persons PSALME CII The Argument The Hebrew title doth insinuate and the text it selfe especiallie verse 14. and 15. doth much more euidentlie declare that this
greeuous lamentation with great consolation in the end 90 An excellent praier of Moses 91 An assurance vnto him that putteth his trust in God 92 An exhortation to praise God with a comparison betwixt the wicked and the iust 93 The power of God and his promises 94 Against tyrants with a comfort to the afflicted 95 The praise of God and a terror to the vnthankeful 96 An exhortation to praise God chieflie for Christs comming 97 Christ dreadful to the rebels but ioiful to the iust 98 An exhortation to praise God for his power mercie and truth and for saluation in Christ 99 To the same purpose 100 To praise the Lord for his creation redemption and perpetual protection 101 How a king should gouerne 102 A lamentation a consolation a prophesie of the dignitie of the Church a song of triumph 103 An excellent thankesgiuing both for corporal and spiritual blessings 104 105 To the same purpose 106 A thankesgiuing for Gods mercies with a declaration of the stubbornesse of the people and a praier for ful deliuerance 107 To praise God for his maruelous and woonderful prouidence in al maner of things 108 Dauid praiseth God with great confidence 109 A most terrible imprecation against the enimies 110 An epitome of the Gospel 111 A thankesgiuing and declaration what is true wisedome 112 They that feare God are blessed al other shal perish 113 God worketh aboue nature in his Church 114 Of the deliuerance from Aegypt a figure of our spiritual deliuerance 115 A praier for deliuerance for the onlie honor of the true God who is compared with their fained Gods 116 Dauid protesteth that he wil giue thankes and acknowledgeth that he can render nothing else for Gods great benefites 117 118 To praise the Lord for his mercies in Christ 119 A long and most feruent praier for the true meditation and exercise in Gods holie word 120 A praier against slanders and a lamentation for his long abode amongst the wicked 121 The Lord must onlie be looked to in troubles 122 Dauid reioiceth and praieth for the prosperitie of the Church 123 Like the 121. 124 The power of God onelie deliuereth from dangers 125 The assurance of the godlie in their afflictions 126 The people that were so wonderfullie deliuered praie for them that remained in captiuitie so should we doe 127 The whole state of the world both in publike and priuate dependeth vpon Gods onlie prouidence 128 They are onelie blessed that feare the Lord. 129 The Church oft afflicted but by the Lord deliuered 130 The faithful crie vnto the Lord in their miseries they confesse their sins and are deliuered 131 Man may not exalt himselfe but wait vpon the Lord. 132 The people praie for the posteritie of Dauid and for the building of the temple that is both for their spiritual King the Messiah and for religion 133 A commendation of brotherlie loue and concord 134 135 136 A thankesgiuing to the Lord for the benefites bestowed vpon his Church 137 There is a time of silence vnder the crosse so that neither faith nor zeale decaie 138 Dauid praiseth God for things past and assureth himselfe against troubles to come 139 A most excellent Psalme dailie to be meditated 140 The state of the godlie in this world and the staie of their faith 141 Dauid praieth for the brideling of his tongue and that he ioine not with the wicked but that iust men may admonish him 142 An earnest praier with great confidence 143 An earnest praier for remission of sinnes the cause of miserie 144 He praiseth God with great humilitie 145 He praiseth God for his wisedome mercie power and iustice and for his benefites toward his Church The other foure Psalms are exhortations also to praise God chieflie for his mercies toward his Church And whereas musical instruments are named they were agreeable to that ceremonial time but now al ceremonies being ceased we must worship in spirit and truth and so sing Psalmes with the voice as our heart may be most stirred vp to praise and magnifie the Lord our GOD. FINIS 1581 SVBLIME DEDIT OS HOMINI Imprinted at London by Henrie Denham dwelling in Pater Noster Rowe at the signe of the Starre Cum priuilegio Regiae Maiestatis
that man that trusteth in the Lordes protection 9 Feare ye the Lord therfore so manie as he hath separate and consecrate to himselfe for nothing shal be wanting to them that feare the Lord. 10 Behold I praie you the lions and al such beasts as liue by rauening crueltie how oft they die being destitute of their praie this is the resemblance of the wicked which seeke riches and power by the oppression spoile of the poore alwaies greedie whilest they perish miserablie But of the contrarie part vnto them that feare God there wanteth nothing that is for their commoditie 11 Come hither my children heare you me and I wil teach you the right rule of godlie life 12 Is there anie that desireth that most blessed life heaped vp with al true felicitie 13 First of al regard that thou abuse not thy tong to hurt anie man or to deceiue anie 14 So abstaine from euil that thou doe that thing which is good Be thou careful to keepe true peace and concord so that though it seeme to flee from thee thou stil doe pursue it And though whilest thou followest this waie thou must sustaine manie battels yet be not discouraged 15 For the Lord with open eies watcheth ouer them that loue iustice and hath attentiue eares vnto their cries 16 Contrariwise he beholdeth them with a terrible countenance whosoeuer reioice in wickednes that he may roote them out and the remembrance of them altogether 17 Wherefore the iust doe crie I grant and not without cause but the Lord heareth them and deliuereth them forth of al miseries 18 For euen then when they seeme to be brought to the greatest extremities he is most neare vnto them to comfort their heauie hearts 19 Finallie they that would liue iustlie are subiect to manie miseries but the Lord deliuereth them out of al. 20 And though the enimies do seeme to be readie to breake their verie bones in pieces yet the Lord wil not suffer the least of them to be broken 21 But their owne wickednes shal destroie the wicked and al they shal perish that hate the iust 22 For the Lord doth redeeme the soules of his seruants neither shal anie of them that flee vnto him be condemned or perish PSALME XXXV The Argument This Psalme doth minister a goodlie example of praiers both for the whole Church and for euerie member of the same against such as flatter good men and counterfet friendship when they are in prosperitie but when there commeth anie change of their state they doe kindle the vniust wrath of Kings and Princes with their slanderous accusations and so do inflame their rage whereof they are readie to be the executioners Wherefore the Prophet teacheth the godlie to flee vnto God in these difficulties who both hath sufficient power to destroie these wicked flattering courtiers and also a readie mind to preserue his Howbeit least we abuse these praiers first of al we must take heede that we maintaine a iust cause secondlie that we carrie a mind not willing to aduenge our owne priuate iniurie but desirous to restore and set forth Gods glorie finallie that we lash not foorth anie word by the motion of the flâ—sh but by the guiding of Gods holie spirit THE PARAPHRASIS 1 DEfend mine innocencie ô Lord against theÌ„ that oppresse me with slanders and set thy power against them that fight against me 2 Arise ô Lord to helpe me bring foorth al that aromur whereby I may sustaine their rage 3 Set vpon them ô Lord both by casting thy darts a farre off and also encounter with them hand to hand that persecute me Graunt that this poore soule may heare thee bearing it witnes that thou art the sauiour thereof 4 Cause them I saie that seeke my death to be destitute of their purpose and to be ashamed euen those that imagine so much mischiefe against mee to be put to shame and not bring their matters to passe 5 Send thine Angel downe from heauen that may driue them to and fro euen as we see the chaffe driuen with the whirle-wind 6 Cause that whither soeuer they go they may be doubtful as men wandering in darkenes and stumbling in slipperie places feareful careful whiles thine Angels doe pursue them 7 For without anie cause haue they laid wait for me and haue digged as it were a pit in the which they would catch me and kil me 8 Let him rather fal at vnawares and let him be cast downe and snared in the same net that he hath laid for me 9 But I ô Lord being preserued by thee reioicing with an holie ioie wil praise thee my deliuerer 10 And my verie bones ô Lord wil crie that there is none like vnto thee who doest deliuer the afflicted from them that oppresse them by violence and settest at libertie the poore and miserable from the rage of the tyrants 11 The same doe stand vp as witnesses against me which offer me this violence and they laie such things vnto my charge as neuer came into my mind 12 And whereas I haue deserued wel at their hands they do me euil for good and are readie to take my life from me vnles thou do stop them 13 Yet when I did see them in distresse I changed my garment I pined my selfe with fasting and bowed me downe and praied for them 14 Finallie I went so heauilie and with sorowful countenance testified I my griefe none otherwaies than if they had bin my neare kinsfolke or if I should haue mourned for mine owne mother 15 But they contrariwise when they did see me stagger they tooke counsel together against me they conspired I say against me suspecting no such thing euen the most vile men make none end of railing against me with open mouth 16 They haue ioined themselues to iesters and parasites and they haue al whet their teeth against me 17 O Lord how long wilt thou behold this when wilt thou correct them deliuer me from them that rage so fearcelie against me and deliuer this soule wanting al succor from these most cruel lions 18 Deliuer me I saie that I may set foorth thy praise in the assemblie of al thy people and in the audience of them al. 19 Suffer not I beseech thee that these faithles and vngrate persons reioice that they haue ouercome me either that they which hate me without cause with glieng eies deride me 20 For they are inflamed with a deadlie hatred and though the earth open vnderneath and threaten ruine yet thinke they of nothing but how with most craftie words they may hurt euerie one 21 Wherefore they gape and laugh saieng Ah! ah We see now at the length that we haue so long desired 22 Thou seest both me and them also ô Lord do not I praie thee passe these things ouer in silence ô Lord neither depart thou far from me 23 But rather awake and come foorth to deliuer me ô Lord my God and defend my iust cause 24 O Lord my
God seeing thou art iust defend mine innocencie against them and cause that they do not reioice ouer me 25 Neither let them saie vnto themselues Oh! now at length we haue whereof to reioice and triumph together saieng Lo now at length we haue deuoured him 26 But rather let them be ashamed and confounded together who take the occasion to reioice by my miseries and let them be couered with shame and confusion which lift themselues vp against me so despitefullie 27 Of the contrarie part cause them comfortablie to reioice that fauour my iust cause and when they see me preserued by thine assistance that they may iudge in their hearts and testifie openlie that thou art worthie of most great praise who hast declared in deede that thou hast a great care for the preseruation of thine 28 And I wil sing foorth both daie and night this thy mercie in sauing thine and thy iustice in the aduenging of thy selfe vpon the enimies of thy name PSALME XXXVI The Argument There is nothing that greeueth good men and them that feare God so much and that worthilie as the life of prophane and wicked men who do openlie testifie that they neither feare God nor man But the Prophet doth admonish vs when we behold these things that we may not gather hereby that God careth not for such matters but rather to rise vp into a more high consideration of the infinite goodnes of the most merciful and mightie God thereby cum towards them to whome he is not bound anie waie for neither may we measure Gods iustice nor his counsels by our smal capacitie Afterward he teacheth that the prouidence of God doth most manifestlie shine foorth in these so great confusions both because he doth preserue notwithstanding this vniuersal world which would perish in a moment if the wicked had their whole swinge and also doth defend his Church continualie the which though it be maruelouslie oppressed yet doth it neuer want abundance of present comforts so much as is necessarie and is furthermore refreshed with a sure hope of a better thing euen the euerlasting felicitie Wherefore this one thing remaineth that we flie to Gods protection who continueth to defend vs assured that they al shal fal in the end which delight in wickednes THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THE whole life of the wicked doth tel me in my heart that they haue cast awaie al feare of God 2 For they are so farre from being touched in their conscience with anie griefe of sinne that contrariwise they flatter themselues inuenting new and new sinnes that at the length they make themselues abhominable vnto al. 3 For al their words tend to this end that they may hurt either with fraud or force neither can they be brought once to receiue into their hearts to leade their life so that they may profite others 4 They consume the whole nightes in inuenting wickednes they continue obstinatelie in euil doing no wickednes is so great that they abhorre 5 Wherefore seeing thou ô Lord doest suffer these things so patientlie we must confesse that thy goodnes is higher than the verie heauens and that thou art most true of thy word which doest not suffer the vnworthie yea euen the breakers of thy couenant to be without the experience of thy goodnes 6 Neither is there anie cause yet why thou shouldest be counted vniust therefore because thou doest also shew thy goodnes to such maner of men for the height of thy iustice is incomprehensible and thy iudgements are more profound than the deepest gulfes of the sea that no man is able throughlie to search them and to consider them and this thy vnsearchable moderation doth shine forth not onlie in the preseruing of mankind in such a troblesome state but also in other liuing creatures 7 Howbeit there is an other thing wherein chieflie thou declarest how great and pretious thy goodnes is to wit in the saluation of those men whome thou receiuest to thy special fauour and couerest as with the shadowe of thy wings being separate from the number of other men 8 For besides those transitorie good things which thou doest not hold backe from thy verie enimies thou doest feede them with the euerlasting deinties of thy house and giuest them of thy most sweete waters to drinke abundantlie 9 For with thee alone is the spring of true life and we do attribute it to the benefite of thine onlie light that we haue anie light 10 Continue therefore to shew thy goodnes vnto the true worshippers of thy Maiestie and graunt that those which loue righteousnes may perceiue thee their reuenger and deliuerer more and more 11 Suffer not the proud to treade mee vnder their feete neither let the wicked laie hand of me to cast me downe 12 Doubtles in the due time and place that thou hast appointed they that reioice in wickednes shal fal and me thinke euen now I see euerie one of them to be throwne downe by such violence that they can neuer rise vp againe PSALME XXXVII The Argument This Psalme conteineth the same Argument with the former but more largelie treated For there be two circumstances added to wit that prophane and wicked men do not onlie rage and oppresse others without punishment but also do abound with plentie of al things and contrariwise that good men seeme most miserable And it is euident both by other Psalmes and by other Prophets and by experience that this temptation is most greeuous wherevnto we are taught thus to answere in this Psalme first to thinke as it is most true that we are deceiued when we do account the prosperitie of the wicked to be good and the afflictions of the godlie to be euil seeing that not onlie the end of these things but also the course of this present life doth declare that they are most miserable euen then when they seeme most happie and of the contrarie that these are most blessed in their greatest miserie neither wil the verie nature of God suffer the matter to go anie otherwaies Wherefore this one thing remaineth that euerie one resting in that most iust prouidence of God in that state that God hath appointed him euer calling vpon God that neuer forsaketh his wait patientlie and constantlie whiles he verelie reach foorth his hand vnto his seruants and cal the wicked to account who haue abused his goodes the which thing he wil surelie do in due time though not at our pleasure or appointment THE PARAPHRASIS 1 WHen thou beholdest the prosperous state of the wicked be not offended with their prosperitie neither enuie them for it 2 For al their felicitie vanisheth away as suddenlie as the grasse cut downe by loosing his moisture doth streight waie wither 3 Rather hold thou fast thy confidence fixed vpon God alone and continue in the exercise of virtue so shalt thou passe ouer this life and safelie enioie the commodities thereof 4 Let thy pleasure be onelie in the Lord who wil neuer faile thee calling vpon
confirme our faith and to continue vs in patience First that our sinnes are the verie cause although neither onlie nor alwaies of the miseries wherewith we are vexed so that there is no cause why we should murmur against Gods iudgements Secondlie that their sinnes vndoubtedlie are freelie forgiuen to al them that beleeue in Christ both concerning the fault and also the punishment but yet that this forgiuenes is not streightwaies felt no not alwaies in the hearts of the Saints and therefore that there remaineth euen in them for a time a most greeuous temptation of distrust the which yet in the end is ouercome by an earnest acknowledging and loathing of sinne and by constant and continual praier for Gods mercie Furthermore that there do remaine great and grieuous temporal punishments euen after the sinnes be forgiuen howbeit not for that by them anie satisfaction can be made to Gods iudgement but by the which we being chastised and tamed may learne to waxe more wise and more and more diligentlie than before in feare and trembling to accomplish our saluation Finalie that the Saintes of God praieng for deliuerance doe not so much regard themselues as the glorie of God to this purpose that his mercie may therâ—in appeare and least the wicked if they should see the godlie forsaken and altogither oppressed should be confirmed in their impietie THE PARAPHRASIS 1 AH Lord I do not refuse to be reproued and chastened but I do require this one thing of thee that thou do not correct me in that thy terrible and hot burning furie 2 Neither do I thus praie without cause for I do see that I haue not to do with man but with thee especialie with whose arrowes I am striken thorough and by whose hand laied heauie vpon me I do lie prostrate 3 Therefore the sense and feeling of thine indignation worthilie kindled against me doth so throughlie strike me that I seeme wholie deuoured my verie bones consuming for the multitude of my sinnes â— For mine iniquities as also the iust punishments wherewith thou chastisest me do rise vp from the soales of my feete aboue the crowne of my head and ouerwhelme me being vnable to beare so great a burthen 5 My blacke and bloudie woundes which thou hast worthilie giuen me being mad and senseles do powre forth filthie woore and madder 6 I go crouching and altogither stooping with sowre and heauie countenance scarse trailing my bodie 7 My reines do burne with intollerable paine neither is there any part of my body void of griefe 8 I do wholie languish and faint broken with so manie strokes the which do compel me to roare from the bottome of my heart 9 Thou ô Lord vpon whome wholie I do depend doest knowe what I desire and it is euident vnto thee what al my sighes do seeke 10 My miserable heart tossed to and fro faileth me al my strength is gone I am bereft not onlie of my sight but of my verie eies also 11 And also they whome I accounted my most friendlie companions al do behold me thus wounded a far off neither wil anie of my neighbors once come at me 12 And for al this as though so manie miseries were not ynough to kil me there wanteth not such as lie in wait for my life and that haue such a bitter hatred against me that they cease not to inuent most wicked waies to destroie me and mutter their subtiltie amongst themselues secretlie 13 But I behaue my selfe as though I were deafe and keepe silence as though I were dombe 14 I refraine my selfe I saie as though I heard none of these things and as though I had nothing to answere their slanders 15 For Lord I wait with silence for thy succour nothing doubting but that thou wilt answere me in due time which cal for thy helpe 16 For as I may not dissemble with thee I do thinke that I am in great danger least they triumph ouer me for they desire nothing more than to see me ouerthrowne vtterlie 17 And I do now wauer in deede like one that should streightwaies fal neither do I feele my selfe free from griefe one moment 18 And I graunt verelie that these things are worthilie laied vpon me for my sinnes the which how great they be both thy chastisements and the anguish wherewith I am tormented do declare 19 But mine enimies in the meane time do flourish and increasing in power waxe more cruel they waxe mightie I saie that hate me without anie cause 20 Yea for my benefites they requite mee with iniurie and onelie hurt me for this cause that I would liue wel and godlie 21 Forsake me not ô Lord ô my God be not far awaie from me 22 Thou Lord my saluation hasten to helpe me PSALME XXXIX The Argument The drift and end of this Psalm is the same that the 36. 37. is but here that is spoken particularlie which in the other places is set forth more generallie that is to wit by what reasons we ought to be erected and confirmed when as in a good cause we are vexed of wicked men God after a sort winking at our miserable afflictions Therefore the Prophet doth teach vs chieflie by his owne example that in such like cases our affections are to be bridled euen for this cause for that otherwise the furious rage of the wicked is wont for the most part rather to be increased than diminished of the which thing Paule doth admonish vs Rom. 12 19. and 1. Pet. 3 13. But if our enimies do not cease to abuse our meekenes and some danger there is least our patience should be ouercome then must we turne our mind vnto God oppose or set these arguments against our wicked thoughts That this life is transitoâ—â—e and therefore this strife cannot be long neither can anie thing be taken from vs by our enimies but that which of it selfe is fraile and readie to fade awaie furthermore though we be afflicted with aduersitie yet we are not hated of God who fauoring and defending vs there is no cause of doubting but that al things wil turne to our coÌ„moditie at the length and also euen that the sinnes which we haue committed do deserue greater punishments fourthlie sith nothing commeth to passe vnaduisedlie neither anie thing done of God but iustlie it is most meete that we settle and rest our selues in his wil that doth thus righteously punish the disorder or confusion of mankind Lastlie we must set before our eies the example of other most holie men whome the Lord hath thus also exercised and yet hath not neglected or despised them And the Prophet doth throughout this Psalme mixe praiers ful of affections that he might teach vs that these things are not to be disputed coldlie of vs as though we were in Philosophers schooles but we must vse most vehement and earnest praiers whereby we should aske of God both to haue our afflictions eased and our faith continued THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THe wicked
both inwardlie and outwardlie There was also another chiefe end of the ceremonies that is of the outward worship that they might behold in them as in a certaine table both the guiltines of their owne sinne and also the promises of taking away sinne which should be perfourmed in Christ and so being admonished should continuallie remember their dutie againe what they did owe vnto God and what vnto their neighbours None therefore did more abuse the outward worship of the lawe than they that dreamed that they had wel done their dutie if they had diligentlie obserued those outward ceremonies neglecting their chiefe end Therefore doth the Prophet Asaph reprooue this most wicked errour which the Pharisies afterward did most stubbernlie defend in this most diuine and godlie Psalme the which thing also afterward the other Prophets did not cease to inculcate and he bringeth in God vsing most strong arguments both from his owne nature and from the condition of those things which were offered vnto him And this doctrine is to be reteined in the Church of God alwais because men commonlie stumble at this stone But chieflie it is necessarie for this our time in the which not onlie that old errour is restored whereby the sacraments are transfourmed into so manie idols by taking awaie the difference of the signes and the thing signified and the doctrine of the worthines of the worke brought into the Church but also men are come to this point that the Pharisies of our time do applie to their inuentions that thing which the holie Ghost damneth of manifest impietie in the abuse of the outward worship appointed by God himselfe THE PARAPHRASIS 1 HOW long ô ye hypocrites wil ye abuse the patience and long suffering of God how long wil ye despise vs that speake vnto you of the true worship of God Go to let God himselfe come forth and speake vnto you And lo behold I saie euen God that same Iehouah that is aboue al the powers and potentates of the world doth come foorth not onlie calling you but also al the inhabitants of the world from the sunne rising to the setting of the same that the whole world may be a witnes of your madnes 2 And least you should thinke that any thing here should be spoken against the ceremonies appointed by God he being about to treate of this matter setteth his glorious throne of iudgement in verie Sion the most beautiful place of the whole earth and best beloued of him it is so farre from him that he wil forsake it 3 Behold I saie that same our God commeth and wil be no longer dumbe with flames of fire going before his face which shal consume al that stand against him and with thundering tempests on euerie side that he may shew himselfe such one now in declaring the meaning of the lawe and in bringing it to the right vse as he declared himselfe of old when he gaue the lawe 4 Yea and also he citeth the heauens aboue and the verie earth beneath to be present at this his iudgement that he hath determined against you being his rebellious and stubborne people 5 Heare you therefore him that citeth you in these words by his apparitours Cal vnto me saith he these people vpon whome I haue bestowed my singular fauour and mercie aboue others and with whome I haue made this couenant of sacrifices 6 The verie heauens shal be witnesses against you of the iust deciding of this controuersie For God himselfe wil sit as iudge least you imagine that ye haue to doe with anie mortal man 7 Then said he Art not thou that people whome I haue chosen to my selfe that Israël whom I haue imbraced Wilt not thou heare me being God euen thy God I saie reasoning with thee by this authoritie 8 And I doe giue the definitiue sentence of this controuersie by these plaine wordes I haue commanded in deed lawes of sacrifices which I would haue to be offered vnto me dailie but these as they are offered of you I doe nothing at al regard neither is this the cause wherefore I expostulate with you For I behold those things dailie more than I would 9 For I praie you whome doe you thinke that I am Am I such a one as must aske bullocks out of your heards or goates out of your foldes if perhaps I neede them 10 Doe you forget that I am the Lord of al the beasts which feede in the woods and mountaines 11 And that I which haue created them do knowe al the foules and al the wild beastes which liue in the field anie-where 12 Therefore if I were hungrie why should I aske them at thy hand seeing it is plaine and euident that the whole earth and whatsoeuer is conteined therein is vnder my power alone 13 Againe what madnes is this of you doe you thinke that I doe eate the flesh of buls or drinke their bloud 14 Do you not knowe what sacrifices I require euen praises due vnto me and the paiment or your vowes 15 The calling vpon my name chieflie in aduersities from the which thou being deliuered maist giue thanks vnto me for the benefits receiued and maist testifie thy selfe in thy whole life to be desirous of my glorie 16 But ô ye wicked and vnpure men how much soeuer ye dissemble holines with the multitude of sacrifices heare with what wordes the Lord himselfe doth rebuke you Darest thou be bold to talke of mine ordinances either to make mention of my couenant 17 Which wilt not suffer thy selfe to be corrected despising al my threatnings and casting awaie my commandements behind thy backe 18 If thou see a man that stealeth that is he whose companie thou most desirest if thou knowe an adulterer thou giuest thy selfe streightwaies to be partaker of his wickednes 19 Thou speakest nothing but that which is naught thou sharpenest thy tong to forge al kind of deceit 20 Thou slanderest backbitest euen thine owne brethren the brethren I saie borne of the same mother much lesse wilt thou abstaine from hurting strangers 21 These are thine exercises these are thy maners the which wickednesses because I haue dissembled a little while through my long sufferance doest thou therefore account me to be like thee and to alow these things Nay I wil deale with thee more seuerelie and set euerie one of thy faultes before thine eies and I wil cause thee to perceiue by experience that I haue not forgotten nor put out of my memorie anie one of them 22 Knowe ye this therefore and weigh this diligentlie and earnestlie with your selues so manie of you as forget God that if I once in mine anger take you awaie there is none able to deliuer you Finallie heare ye what I at the last conclude of this matter he that offereth his heart vnto me studious and careful of my glorie it is he onlie that offereth vnto me an acceptable sacrifice he that directeth his maners after the rule of my commandements him verelie wil
godlie to giue thankes and to celebrate the praise of God THE PARAPHRASIS 1 GOD from whose mercie so manie benefites do proceede vnto vs continue to blesse vs and chiefelie do cause his pleasant countenance to shine vpon vs. 2 That his waie which he hath declared vnto his people may be knowne as far as the borders of the earth are extended and that al nations may embrace the saluation promised by him 3 Let al people praise thee ô God let al the people praise thee 4 Let the people be glad and reioice For the time wil be when thou shalt gouerne the whole world with most iust and righteous iudgement 5 Let the people praise thee ô God let al the people praise thee 6 Command the earth also to bring foorth her fruites and continue ô God our God to heape thy benefites vpon vs. 7 Continue I saie ô God to blesse vs and let al the world againe acknowledge and worship thee PSALME LXVIII The Argument Dauid being about to carrie the Arke of the couenant which was the visible testimonie of the presence of God and of his mercie into the tower of Sion when he had ordeined a solemnitie whereof he himselfe was the ringleader than the which there was neuer anie in this nation more famous which is written plainlie 1. Chron. 15. he made certaine Psalmes vndoubtedlie by diuine inspiration wherewith he inflamed both himselfe and others doubtles to praise God maruelouslie And amongst other he did write this Psalme also than the which nothing could be written more diuinelie more ful of maiestie or more eloquentlie by anie man and he repeateth and calleth to memorie the former benefites of God and addeth maruellous artificial colours rather painting it forth than writing it But we must diligentlie marke this thing further that the Prophet stood not fixed onlie in that matter which was then in hand but by diuine inspiration did insinuate mysticallie as the times did then suffer the most excellent secrets of the kingdome of heauen and therfore by that Arke is mysticallie vnderstood that the sonne of God in whome the fulnesse of the Godhead remaineth hath put vpon him our flesh by Sion is meant the tabernacle not made with mans hand by bringing in of the Arke the ascension of Christ into heauen by leading awaie of the captiues that Sathan sinne death are ouercome lastlie by the temporal blessings continuallie powred vpon Jsraël the spiritual euerlasting giftes of Christ dailie bestowed vpon the Church by the holie ministerie worke of the Gospel is here figuratiuelie described as Paule witnesseth Ephes 4 8. and almost throughout the Epistle to the Hebrues THE PARAPHRASIS 1 GO to let God onlie arise and in a moment al his enimies shal flee awaie wandring and scattered abroade 2 For al the vngodlie must none otherwise vanish awaie at his sight and countenance than the smoake which being driuen with the winde is dispersed and the waxe that is laied before the fire is melted 3 But on the contrarie the righteous being maruelouslie refreshed by his countenance shal reioice and shal leape for gladnes 4 Go to then celebrate the Lord with songs sing vnto his name prepare the waie to him that hath long wandered in the wildernesse and comming now vnto vs praise him I saie who is eternal both in name and in deede and reioice before him 5 For he that is the father of the fatherles and the defender of the widowes hath now chosen amongst vs holie and stable habitations vnto himselfe 6 This is he that hath made fruiteful those barren persons of whome we had our beginning who hath losed vs from bonds being oppressed with most cruel bondage who hath cast out the rebels into drie and desert countries and regions 7 For thou ô God when thou wentest before the people leddest them by the horrible wildernes 8 The earth it selfe did tremble and the heauens being afraid by feeling of thy maiestie were dissolued as it were in a sweate and dropped downe when thou ô God the God of Israël didest sit presentlie vpon the top of mount Sinai 9 Furthermore thou hast not failed to water the countrie in the which thou hast placed thy people with the raine of thy large liberalitie and to refresh it when it was barren 10 Euen that thou mightest feede therein thy flocks to whome thou hast giuen it and mightest strengthen thine which else should haue perished through hunger 11 And also thou hast giuen the cause to the great multitudes of our virgins to reioice and sing of thy victories which should otherwaies haue bin vnthankeful vnlesse they had praised thee with hymnes 12 Behold the mightie euen the kings compassed about with their armies haue fled awaie they haue fled I saie and the women that vsed not to come out of the house haue diuided the spoile 13 O ye damsels ye haue liued hitherto amongst the soote of the pots euen sitting at home but now ye may come foorth shining and glittering no otherwise than the doues as white as snowe do cast foorth a certaine golden glistering as they flee in the aire 14 For when the strength of the enimies was scattered by the power of GOD a most cleare brightnes did shine vnto the earth euen like the snowe that lieth vpon the top of Salmon which dazeleth the eies of them that looke vpon it with the brightnes thereof 15 O mount Basan thou verelie art verie fat and art seene to haue manie tops of thy hilles but what canst thou do God hath not chosen thee but the mount Sion vnto himselfe 16 Why then should ye be proud why should ye lift vp the tops of your hilles for God hath chosen vnto himselfe this hil far lower than you in the which he wil dwel the Lord hath consecrated vnto himselfe this seate for euer 17 Here verelie he is caried in his chariots the which two millians both on this side and that side doe drawe and being inuironed with these armies as he did sit vpon the top of Sina of old so now he entreth the possession of this his holie place 18 Now therefore ô God thou doest verelie exalt thy selfe carrieng awaie thine enimies captiue taking the spoiles that thou maist giue to thine euen thus taming thine enimies how rebellious so euer and going vp to the tower of Sion that thou maist settle thine euerlasting habitation there 19 Wherefore euerlasting praise be vnto thee ô Lord ô God I saie our sauiour which doest heape vpon vs thy continual benefites 20 For this is that God who hath declared himselfe vnto vs to be the God our sauiour after a thousand sorts and the Lord hath approued in verie deede that deliuerance from death is set in him alone 21 Therefore so oft as neede is that same God wil breake the verie head of his enimies and wil cast downe the wicked which arrogantlie hold vp their long shagged haire 22 For he hath promised to do the same thing againe
awaie al the cause of their deadlie disease and restored them to health 21 Let these men therefore praise this his so great mercie before the Lord also and publish his maruelous workes before other mortal men 22 Let them offer the sacrifices of praise vnto the Lord I saie and let them rehearse with great ioie what he hath done for them 23 But they which go vnto the seas by ship and there continue and are occupied in the waters 24 They surelie behold the great workes of the Lord and they may see with their eies how maruelous he doth shew himselfe in the mightie surges of the sea 25 For so sonne as he speaketh the windes do rise and streightwaies stir vp horrible tempests and the seas do swel with the raging stormes 26 The mariners with their ships are now lifted vp to heauen and now rolled downe to the lowe bottomes their minds fainting for feare 27 The whirlewindes do tosse them round about they stagger here and there like dronken men so that neither their cunning nor their strength hath anie place 28 Whome yet calling vnto him in this distresse the Lord deliuereth from these miseries wherwith they were vexed 29 For he which had raised the stormes doth calme them and the raging of the flouds doth suddenlie cease 30 But they when the flouds are asswaged being ioiful are at the length brought by him into the desired hauens 31 Go to then ye also set forth so great mercie of the Lord before him and declare vnto other mortal men his maruelous workes 32 Let these men I saie praise the Lord in the mid multitude of the people standing about them yea let them praise him in the assemblie of their chiefe men 33 For he the same so oft as he pleaseth turneth the wildernes into flouds and the wel warred places into a drie wildernes 34 And he turneth the most fruiteful countries into extreame barrennesse prouoked by the sinnes of the inhabitants 35 Contrariwise he bringeth in againe springs of waters flowing abundantlie vpon the deserts and countries not inhabited for their drinesse 36 And he placeth there men that liue most miserablie before who do also build most populous cities 37 Do sowe the fields do plant vines do reape corne in abundance 38 Euen because he of his singular mercie doth both multiplie them and doth increase their cattel maruelouslie 39 And they againe so doth he change the course of things are diminished and oppressed with anguish and are broken with al kinde of calamitie and miserie 40 He also maketh the princes which were terrible to others before by taking aware al their authoritie most contemptible and despised that they knowe not whither to turne them 41 He also raiseth vp the poore and oppressed and spreadeth their families like a flocke 42 Let al them therefore which are of vpright iudgement behold marke these things and take great pleasure thereof but contrariwise let al the wicked which raile against Gods prouidence being conuicted hold their peace 43 Lo then therefore whosoeuer is desirous of true wisedome let him giue himselfe wholie to consider these things that he may atteine vnto the knowledge of the infinite mercie of the Lord. PSALME CVIII The Argument This Psalme is gathered partlie of the 7 8 9 10 11 verses of the 57. Psalme partlie of the 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 verses of the 60. Psalme where ye may seeke the argument THE PARAPHRASIS 1 I Being prepared with my whole heart ô God to praise thee desire to do it both with voice and instruments go to therefore my tongue 2 Go to viol and harpe awake with me in the morning 3 The nations most far off shal heare me publishing thy praises the people shal heare me singing vnto thee 4 For thy goodnes surelie hath extended it selfe vnto the verie heauens and thy truth euen vnto the clouds 5 Declare thy selfe ô God to sit aboue the heauens and shew thy glorie to the whole compas of the earth 6 That they may be deliuered whome thou louest saue them therefore by thy power and heare me 7 And doubtles it wil so come to passe God speaking vnto vs out of his sanctuarie Wherefore I wholie reioice now of the victorie for GOD wil graunt vnto mee that I shal set my kingdome in order and ouercome mine enimies Therefore I wil diuide the fieldes of the Sichemites and wil measure out the vallie of Succoth 8 I wil haue in possession my Gilead and Manasseh beyond Iordan driuing awaie the Gentiles that are about them Ephraim shal be the greatest part of mine armie I wil place the throne of iudgement in Iudah 9 But the strangers how stout soeuer shal do my seruile workes the Moabites shal hold vnder the basen to wash my feete I wil command the Idumëans to take vp my shooes being put off and cast vpon their heads I wil triumph ouer proud Palestina with ioiful acclamations as she hath triumphed ouer vs before 10 But by whose conduct shal I win so manie strong cities and what power shal I rest vpon to come into Idumëa 11 Verelie thou being our captaine and trusting vnto thy power ô my God though thou haue forsaken vs before and hast refused a long space to go before our armies 12 Therfore helpe thou vs ô Lord after the calamities of so manie yeares for the help is vaine that is hoped for of men 13 We trusting onlie vnto God shal do valiantlie he alone wil treade downe our enimies PSALME CIX The Argument This Psalme is written by Dauid with such a terrible and feareful stile as thou canst scarselie finde anie example in the whole scripture like vnto it wherefore it must be vsed in praier and also read with greate iudgement yet is there some vse thereof so that we adde these cautions Namelie first of al that we be not drawne with the spirit of vâ—ngeance or false zeale but that wee seeke rather the glorie of God onlie and that earnestlâ—e and as he himselfe commandeth then least we vse these and such like praiers vnaduisâ—dlie against certaine persons seeing that we can not easilie knowe who do sinne vnto death and we are bound to praie for the repentance and saluation of al. For otherwise that wee may make praiers indefinitelie and with the exception of the sâ—cret iudgements of God being led with the true zeale of God against the enimies who of desperate malice yeeld their seruice vnto Sathan and persecute Christ and his members cruellie with an euil conscience that he wil destroie those euil men as they deserue it is plaine hereby that Christ himselfe commandeth vs dulie to praie that his kingdome may come the which thing verelie can not come to passe but by the ouerthrowing of the kingdome of Antichrist and by destroieng al the desperate enimies of the Gospel and of the true Church Yea of such imprecations conceiued against certaine persons we haue not onelie this example and others also in the Psalmes but
as thou art accustomed to doe to those that loue thy name 133 Direct me that I set not one step out of the waie of thy words and that no affection striuing against thy wil doe rule ouer me 134 Defend and deliuer me from the crafts and false accusations of the wicked that I being deliuered from them may applie my selfe to keepe thy commandements 135 Command the light of that thy countenance to shine vnto thy seruant and teach mee thy statutes 136 Mine eies verelie did swim with teares when I beheld the contempt of thy doctrine THE PARAPHRASIS Octo. XVIII 137 THou art iust ô Lord doubtles and whatsoeuer thou decreest is right 138 And thou hast commanded worthilie that those thinges which thou hast testified vnto vs should be knowen and obserued as most iust and as the most perfect rule of truth 139 Wherefore I am wholie consumed being inflamed with the loue of thee because I see thy words despised of mine aduersaries 140 For verelie there is nothing more pure than thy words wherefore I euen thy seruant doe embrace them with an incredible loue and desire 141 So that though I see my selfe to be counted vile and abiect of these men therefore yet wil I not cast awaie the studie of thy commandements 142 For that onlie rule of iustice taught by thee is euerlasting and the same is most true and most stable wheras other both decrees and lawes which mans wisedome doth set downe are subiect vnto change and at length euen do come to naught 143 And I haue tried this by experience getting not onelie great comfort but also delectation thereby when I was in most great miseries and anguish 144 That is the fountaine of euerlasting goodnes that it hath pleased thee to testifie vnto vs by thy voice but grant thou that I may vnderstand it more and more that I may so liue the true life THE PARAPHRASIS Octo. XIX 145 O Lord heare me crieng vpon thee with my whole heart and that am bent to keepe thy statutes 146 Preserue me I saie calling for thy helpe and thinking on nothing more than of those things which thou hast testified vnto vs to be kept 147 Thou knowest that I am accustomed to preuent the verie twilight in the morning with my lowd praiers euen because I trusted to thy word 148 Neither do anie watchmen doubtles so carefullie keepe their watch as I am diligent in meditating thy words 149 Heare my words therefore ô Lord of thy singular mercie and as thou hast promised to do in thy lawes restore me that am without life 150 Thou seest how neere they assault me which are continuallie giuen to wickednes and are departed most far from thy doctrine 151 But I knowe wel that thou cleauest more nere vnto me for it must needes be that the verie truth remaine stable which thou hast ioined both to thy threatenings and to the promises in thy precepts 152 And I haue alreadie tried in deede that they are so ordeined by thee that they can neuer be ouerthrowne THE PARAPHRASIS Octo. XX. 153 REgard I beseech thee how sore I am oppressed and deliuer me which doe not forget the doctrine that thou hast taught vs 154 Euen thou vnto whome I appeale from the most wicked iudgements of other men pleade my cause and be my iudge and as thou shalt determine of my right by the prescript rule of thy word deliuer me and preserue me 155 For they are in greater danger than I for saluation is further remooued from none more than from these wicked men which refuse thy statutes 156 Yet do not I trust in anie righteousnes of mine to desire thy helpe but whereas it is most euident that thou art most merciful ô Lord keepe thou me I beseech thee after thy woonted manner 157 For although they be verie manie and mightie of whom I am oppressed and driuen to extreme necessities yet haue not I declined frō those things which thou hast testified vnto vs. 158 Naie I neuer conceiued more griefe of anie thing than when I did perceiue these men to despise thy words so stubbornelie and impudentlie 159 Haue regard of me therefore vnto whom thy commandements haue alwaie bene most deere and of thy singular goodnes saue me that doe perish 160 This is the chiefe thing in thy word that it is infallible and it is the vnchangeable rule of thy iustice for euer THE PARAPHRASIS Octo. XXI 161 AL the most mightie do persecute me though I haue deserued no such thing but I had rather to tremble at thy words than at their threatenings and to feare to offend thee rather than them 162 And though I might seeme to get great gaine by the denieng of thee yet the ioie that I receiue of thy words is better vnto me than anie praie how rich soeuer 163 I hate and abhorre deceits and I embrace thy doctrine 164 Yea I am so far off from folowing their example that contrariwise I beholding the excellent iudgements of thy iustice seuen times a daie do celebrate thy praises 165 Certainlie most great tranquillitie and true securitie safe from al casualtie do come vnto those men onelie which are occupied in the studie of thy doctrine 166 Therefore ô Lord I cherish within my selfe the hope of deliuerance which wil come vnto me from thee being in the meane season bent to keepe thy commandements 167 For I am determined to embrace with most great loue those things which thou hast testified vnto vs and to keepe them most diligentlie 168 And how sincerelie I doe this that is how without al hypocrisie I applie my selfe to thy commandements and to al things that thou hast testified vnto vs it is best knowne vnto thee who being my witnes and priuie to my doings I doe whatsoeuer I doe THE PARAPHRASIS Octo. XXII 169 LET my cries come vnto thee ô Lord and graunt vnto me the vnderstanding of thy word 170 Let my praiers I saie come vnto thee and deliuer me as thou hast promised to doe by thy word 171 Then I being deliuered and being taught thy statutes wil powre foorth thy praises out of my mouth flowing as it were from a most abundant spring 172 And I sounding foorth thy words with my tongue wil publish far and neere that there is nothing more iust than thy precepts 173 But go to helpe thou me with thy hand who haue preferred thy commandements before al other things 174 For of thee alone ô Lord I wholie depend and I seeke comfort at thine onelie doctrine 175 Commaund therefore my life to be prolonged that I being receiued into thy defence that art a most iust deliuerer may sing euerlasting praises vnto thee 176 Ah alas as thou seest I doe run wandering to and fro like a sheepe going far astraie from the flocke lieng open to al dangers but thou ô most merciful pastor seeke vp thy poore seruant which doth not forget thy precepts and when thou hast found him restore him againe PSALME
slumber much lesse wil he be so deepe in sleepe that he wil suffer you to be oppressed 5 Therefore let this be as a thing certainelie determined vnto thee and be thou confirmed with this onelie hope in al distresse that the Lord is thy keeper that the Lord is a shadowe for thee against al stormes and that he is present by thee and wil neuer faile thee 6 And as he was present of old when thou returnedst out of Aegypt so now also that he wil be present with thee against the heate of the sunne in the daie time and against the noisome humours which the moone vseth to raise in the night time 7 Finallie the Lord wil preserue thee safe against al discommodities he I saie wil defend thy life 8 And to conclude which waie so euer thou shalt go he wil be with thee when thou goest forth into one place and wil be with thee when thou goest into another place neither in this iournie onlie but for euer he wil guide and gouerne thee PSALME CXXII The Argument The people of God are brought in in this Psalme reioising one with another for the reedifieng of the citie which either was streightwaies to be begunne or else alreadie begun and therevnto drawing this Psalme written by Dauid aforetimes when as that citie which should be both the sanctuarie of God and also the head of the kingdome was first builded And verelie this was the double dignitie of that citie so yet that the sanctuarie was manifestlie preferred before the ciuil policie seeing this was a benefite generallie common vnto the Church of God euen with manie prophane people but the other was a proper and peculiar blessing vnto the Church Onelie would to God that the cities and states to whome that is giuen from God aboue in our memorie would acknowledge and carefullie keepe both these giftes THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Happie and ioiful tidings the house of the Lord shal be sanctified into the which we shal go 2 We wil go to visit thee and wil stand in thy porches ô Ierusalem 3 Neither shalt thou now seeme like a village dispearsed thy houses being scattered here and there but built vp with houses ioined one to another like a citie 4 But especiallie that that people which is holie vnto God might assemble together by tribes after the manner appointed of God to celebrate the name of the God of Israël 5 Furthermore because that the tribunal seates I meane the tribunal seates are there placed of God for Dauid and his posteritie to minister iustice to euerie one 6 Wherefore seeing the safetie of the whole people seemeth to consist in the preseruation of this citie go to let vs praie for Ierusalem and for the safetie and welfare of al them that loue and fauour it 7 Be thou at peace within and without and filled with al maner of good things on euerie side round about thy towers 8 Neither do I powre foorth these praiers for thy safetie without cause seeing the preseruation of al the families of our nation is set in thee 9 Finallie seeing the Lord our God hath set his house in thee that his pure worship might be exercised there I wil labour to preserue and to amplifie thee with as great care as is possible PSALME CXXIII The Argument The weake people of God is brought in in this Psalme praieng most earnestlie vnto the most mightie and merciful God against the infinite iniuries of the mightie gouernours of the countries about them the which historie is abundantlie written in Ezra Nehemiah and would God that the Church would vse the same counsel and remedie in these our times most like vnto theirs THE PARAPHRASIS 1 ALthough al things are contrarie vnto me in the earth yet wil I not despaire but I do lift vp the eies both of my minde and bodie vnto thee that sittest in the heauens 2 For vnto whome should the seruants rather flee than vnto the helpe of their maisters and to whome should the handmaidens rather turne to desire aide than at the hand of their mistresse euen so do we cast our eies and looke vnto the Lord our God and wil not cease before he haue compassion vpon vs. 3 Go to yet ô Lord haue mercie I saie haue mercie vpon vs for trulie nothing can be imagined more contemptible than we 4 And wee are filled inough and more than inough with the scoffes and reproches of these mightie men that are most proud PSALME CXXIIII The Argument Like as in the former Psalme the people as it were fainting vnder the burthen did lament sigh euen so now they are brought in reioising giuing God thankes being erected in faith both for that they had receiued a more comfortable message from the kings of the Persians and also that they had escaped the conspiracies of their enimies by the praiâ—rs wisedome and fortitude of Ezra Nehemiah we haue sâ—ne manie such like examples of the goodnes of God in this our age how miserable soeuer our posteritie doubtles in their time shal see the same THE PARAPHRASIS 1 LEt Israël now confesse and franklie publish that without the Lord who was present with vs that were destitute of al mans aide 2 Without the Lord who was present with vs that else were vtterlie lost when men rose vp so speedilie against vs 3 Doubtles they had swalowed vs vp quicke their rage was so furiouslie kindled against vs 4 I saie they had alreadie ouerthrowne vs like most violent waters and would as it were haue caried vs quite awaie beeing ouerwhelmed with the vehement force of a swift streame 5 The most tempestuous stormes would euen then haue couered vs that were cast downe 6 Praised be the Lord that hath forbidden letted that these sauage and cruel beastes taking vs in their pawes and tearing vs with their most fierce teeth do not deuoure vs. 7 Verelie our life is saued like a bird that is deliuered from the net of these foulers trulie their snares are broken and we are deliuered 8 And we must attribute this whole benefit to the bountie of the Lord alone who is the maker both of heauen and earth PSALME CXXV The Argument The citie being now at the length repaired and the policie againe established the people againe is taught vpon what foundation they ought to rest hereafter by an argument drawne of the situation of the citie which was a figure both of the power of God and of his fauour alreadie declared which would moue him that he should mitigate euen his seueritie with most moderate correction But this is added that this thing belongeth to them onlie which testifie their religion in deede whereas al other shal suffer iust punishment none other waies than the heathen Gentiles although they did dwel in the middest of the citie of God THE PARAPHRASIS 1 AS vnmoueable as we behold the verie hil of Sion to stand through his great and heauie masse so certaine do assure
them to be who so euer do trust in the Lord that they shal neuer fal downe 2 For like as we see the verie citie of Ierusalem compassed round about with mountaines so the Lord standeth round about his people on euerie side and wil neuer forsake them 3 And if at anie time that iron scepter of cruel tyrants do lie vpon the shoulders of the godlie yet certainelie it shal not remaine vpon them for euer as we haue oftentimes found by experience least peraduenture those that before gaue themselues to liue iustlie at the length being driuen thereto by despaire be caried awaie also to liue in sinne licentiouslie 4 But thou ô Lord as thou hast done hitherto continue to defend the good and them that loue vertue to bind them vnto thee by new benefits 5 And surelie he wil do so but if anie of those whom the Lord doth account amongst his people shal turne from the right waie vnto wickednes let them knowe that it wil come to passe that he wil carrie them awaie to iust punishment howsoeuer they wrestle against it none otherwise than he vseth to do to the prophane and other most wicked men but the true Israël shal enioie a stable and sure tranquillitie PSALME CXXVI The Argument The people of God being restored at the length from Babylon doth thankefullie acknowledge such a notable newe birth and praieth for the residue of the exiles which were more slacke and in the end were punished for their slacknes and he setteth forth that there is now and shal be hereafter a ioiful issue of those miseries wherewith the Lord doth chastise and trie his So it becommeth them at this daie which haue escaped out of the bondage of Antichrist and are come to that place where the puâ—e worship of God is exercised to praie for them continualie which sticke stil in that mire and to prepare themselues vnto new battels cheerefullie when it shal please God THE PARAPHRASIS 1 WE must needes graunt in deede that this benefite of God is so great that when the Lord did bring vs out of this miserie and so long captiuitie after such a maruelous maner and so aboue al expectation in such a strange time we thought in our selues that we were in a dreame 2 Then began the mouth to be filled with laughter then began the tongue to testifie gladnes then began al the people with admiration to saie Doubtles the benefite of the Lord is maruelous toward these men 3 And surelie so it is for if euer at anie time before this worke of God is maruelous towards vs neither do we reioice without cause 4 But thou ô Lord that our ioie may be ful and stable which thou grauntest vnto vs bring againe the others also and refresh them being burnt vp with the heate of that most miserable captiuitie euen as though thou shouldest send vpon the drie countries of the South riuers of waters 5 Howsoeuer it is the thing it selfe declareth vnto vs that it is by thy singular benefite that they which do sowe with teares should reape with ioie 6 So see we it come to passe sometimes amongst the husbandmen who when in scarsitie they go to and fro in the field sowing their seed taken out of their barnes not without teares yet contrariwise in the time of haruest they go out and returne reioising euen laden with heauie sheaues PSALME CXXVII The Argument Seeing that the Hebrue title giueth this Psalme vnto Salomon it appeareth that it was written and deliuered vnto the people after the temple was builded and religion established that the people might acknowledge such a benefite of God by the establishing whereof the whole safetie of the nation did stand not in the stonie temple nor in the outward rites onelie but that euerie one should consecrate himselfe and his familie vnto God Therefore was it vsed againe after the returne from captiuitie and after al things were restored for iust cause that the people of God being new borne againe might be taught which is the true foundation both of the gouernement domestical and political and by what meanes that happie state might be preserued wherevnto they were come after so great miserie by Gods singular mercie And this is the flowne thereof that families and cities do stand by religion and the true worship of God neither that anie handicraftes do profit aright without religion either yet anie labours wherewith the citizens do exercise themselues and that the godlie families are the true ornaments of the cities of the which matter though both the Philosophers and lawmakers haue taught certaine things yet dare J affirme that this onlie Psalme is to be preferred before al the bookes of them al euen to be considered by mans reason both for the weight of the sentences and the eloquence of the words and oh happie citie which doest set forth this example vnto thee But where shalt thou once be seene in the whole world THE PARAPHRASIS 1 BY the singular benefit of God verelie is the citie restored and the walles thereof are repaired together with the priuate houses and we see the fields tilled and the villages and townes euerie-where erected finallie we see the families increased with children but wherto serue al these things without the true worship of God wherefore it is necessarie that you turne the eies of your minds vnto this thing both publikelie and priuatelie for it is God that must build both the families which else shal fal to naught and it is he that must keepe and defend the cities also which else shal stand for a time to their great dammage or streightwaies be destroied 2 For although the maisters haue wise skilful and diligent seruants and the citie be ful of such men which casting off al idlenes do al arise vp to their labours as soone as it is light and in the euening after most great labours take a niggardlie and slender repast which is the iust punishment of couetous men yet is al this labour spent in vaine vnlesse that God do fauour those labours and the commodities which are taken thereby But verelie the Lord doth graunt most mercifullie as with pleasure al things necessarie vnto his not yet being idle but so laboring that they neither torment themselues with distrust nor with couetousnes nor with anie other affections which are the tormenters of mans life 3 Hereof is that ofspring of children the seed of cities not by chaunce not onelie by force of nature not by labour or industrie but as the matter is plaine to them that are not altogether blinde they are giuen to the fathers by the goodnes of the Lord. 4 This is another benefit of GOD when the children being giuen by God are of good health and so strong in the floure of youth that thou maiest account them like dartes cast out of the hand of some mightie man 5 Happie is that man that hath his quiuer ful of such arrowes who shal not want defence if anie
should set foorth thy holie name to be derided of them and vnlesse so long as we shal be banished awaie from thee we do mourne so long and againe that then we begin our ioie when we shal be restored vnto thee 7 But thou ô Lord do not forget these our vnkinde kinsmen and with what exhortations they haue kindled the crueltie of the Chaldees when they cried in the day of the cruel destruction of the citie Rase it rase it euen to the verie foundations 8 But the time shal be also when euen thou ô Babylon shalt be destroied and this thy prosperitie shal be giuen vnto him which shal deale with thee againe as thou hast dealt with vs. 9 And blessed shal he be that shal take thy yong infants also and dash them against the stones PSALME CXXXVIII The Argument When Dauid had atteined to the kingdome and brought the Arke into the citie thinking also of the building of the temple euen prophesieng that it would come to passe that al the kings of the world should acknowledge and celebrate this so great a benefite which was fulfilled in the end in Christ the eternal sonne of Dauid But because the instruments of Sathan vse commonlie to lie in waite for none more than for them that are the chiefe in the Church of God he adioineth also praiers as it becommeth vs to do in prosperitie to consider the battel against Sathan and the world neuer more carefullie than in the time of truce And he doth praie resting vpon that certaine foundation of our hope which is threefold euen that God beholdeth al things that he cherisheth the oppressed that he is the enimie of the proud howsoeuer he seeme to winke for a time that we are the worke of God without repentance and therefore of necessitie to be made perfect in due time THE PARAPHRASIS 1 I Wil praise thee with my whole heart neither wil I be ashamed to sing foorth thy praises also in songs before the assemblie of the mightie and before the verie Angels that stand about thine Arke 2 I wil praise thee in the palace consecrate to thy Maiestie and I wil sing of thy mercie truth because thou hast gotten vnto thee now at the length most great honour for that thou hast so maruelouslie performed vnto me that which thou diddest promise in thy word 3 For thou hast deferred for a space my deliuerance notwithstanding so oft as I called vpon thee thou ministring vnto mee an inuincible strength of mind hast streightwaies heard me when I cried 4 And surelie it wil come to passe ô Lord that al the kings of the world when they shal knowe what thou hast promised vnto me and how assuredlie thou hast performed thy promise made vnto me they wil giue thee praise 5 Hauing in admiration chieflie this thing that thou hast fulfilled thy promises after such a maruelous maner aboue expectation confessing therein thy power and glorie chieflie to appeare 6 In that thou hast declared in deede that though thou sit in a most high throne yet doest thou behold al the base and most lowe things that thou knowest a far off those that proudlie lift vp themselues although thou maiest seeme to winke at both twaine for a time 7 Doubtles although I be inwrapped in the middest of most rough tempests thou wilt preserue me safe and laieng thine hand vpon mine enimies how cruel soeuer thou wilt deliuer me with thy right hand 8 For thou ô Lord thine owne selfe wilt fullie performe the work that I haue enterprised by thine authoritie for this is thine euerlasting mercie testified by thy word neither wilt thou leaue the worke vnperfect which thou hast once begun PSALME CXXXIX The Argument This Psalme doth teach vs when we are oppressed against right and equitie by men of power and chieflie for religion we must alwaies keepe a good conscience and appeale to the iudgement seate of God who beholdeth the verie hearts whose infinite power is described in this Psalme by Dauid with great maiestie THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Lord vnto whome I appeale and whome I can not deceiue though I would I am throughlie knowne manifest vnto thee 2 For no part of my life is vnknowne vnto thee whether I sit or I rise yea thou doest euen vnderstand al my thoughts a far off 3 And thou obseruest narrowlie my walking and my lieng downe neither is anie of those things hidden from thee which I go about 4 For thou knowest euen my words ô Lord before my tongue pronounce them 5 Thou holdest me inclosed before and behinde and as it were compassed by thy hand laide vpon me 6 Thy knowledge is so high that no man can comprehend it it doth astonish me assuredlie with the admiration thereof 7 Wherefore if peraduenture I be so mad that I go about to flee awaie from thee whither I praie thee can I go that thou shouldest be ignorant where I lie hid and whither shal I flie from thy fight 8 If I shal euen go vp and flie vp into the verie heauens verelie there shal I find thee contrariwise if I lie downe in the close places of the graue behold againe there shal I perceiue thee 9 If the sunne it selfe arising vp should lend me his most swift wings whereby I might flee euen into the farthest part of the west 10 That same shal be euen as though thou thy selfe diddest leade me thither and thy right hand wil there find me out and take me 11 And if I were so mad that I should persuade my selfe that the darkenes at least should hide me the night it selfe shal be like a light compassing me about that I shal be open vnto thy sight 12 For the verie darkenes doth not so couer anie thing but that thou seest it fullie yea the night doth shine vnto thee none otherwise than light it selfe so that there is no difference of light and darkenes with thee 13 And no maruel for euen the verie bowels within me are thine owne by right and authoritie because thou hast made me and couered me in my mothers wombe 14 And this worke surelie which I behold in my selfe is so wonderful that I am vtterlie most senseles and vnthankeful vnlesse I praise thee for this cause and professe that thy workes are exceeding maruelous seeing I do perceiue that thing manifest so to be 15 Euen then the ioining of my bones was knowne vnto thee when I was formed in so secret a place and was fashioned in the darke caue as it were with needle worke 16 Euen then I saie thou diddest behold mee when I was yet an vnfashioned lumpe without shape and al this my fashioning and also the verie time appointed therevnto was set downe in thy booke before that anie part of that workemanship was made 17 Therefore ô God how do I prefer the consideration of these things before al others which are so great verelie that no man is able once to account the summe of them 18
For if at anie time I go about to rehearse them I find them mo than the smal sands of the sea and though sleepe come vpon me thinking vpon these things I neuer wake againe but a new matter and cause of praising thee doth offer it selfe 19 And if thou ô God determine to exercise thy power and to destroie the wicked vtterlie then surelie shal I be free from these cruel men 20 From these men I saie which speake wickedlie of thee so great and so proud is the crueltie not of mine enimies so much as of thine for they abuse thy holie name 21 But I as thou knowest because they haue hated thee do therefore againe hate them and do euen abhor them because I perceiue them to rise vp against thee 22 I hate them I saie vtterlie and count them for my greatest enimies much lesse wil I ioine my selfe vnto them or can abide to winke at their wickednes 23 I submit my selfe ô God in this thing to thy trial that thou maist throughlie see my heart and vtterlie search al my thoughts 24 Finallie consider whether I haue prouoked them with giuing anie offence and as thou knowest me innocent so preserue thou me and gouerne the course of my life with thy counsels PSALME CXL The Argument This Psalme is of the same argument with manie others in the which Dauid being brought into great extremities partlie assaulted by slanders partlie by open violence doth declare what is the state of the godlie in this world and to whome we must flee for succour adding most sweete sentences whereby we may perceiue what we must staie our faith vpon and how the end of al these conflicts shal be blessed in the end to the godlie but vtter destruction to the wicked THE PARAPHRASIS 1 DEliuer me ô Lord from wicked men preserue me from those that would do me violence 2 Who partlie assaile me by craft deuising manie things with themselues and partlie prepare open force against me 3 Thou wouldest thinke they were serpents whetting their poisoned tongue against mee and aspes that carrie poison in their mouth to kil men at vnwares 4 But thou ô Lord preserue me that I do not fal into the hands of anie of these wicked men defend thou mee against them that do mee iniurie and are wholie bent vpon this that they may cast me downe miserablie and destroie me 5 These proud men haue laide snares priuilie against me and haue spread their nets and set their grinnes for me which waie soeuer I should go 6 But I ô Lord do hold this point firmelie that thou are my God heare therefore ô Lord my voice when I praie 7 O Lord my Lord thou art he who both wilt and canst saue mee and who hast bin in stead of an helmet to my head assailed with a thousand darts 8 Permit not I beseech thee the wicked to haue their most mischieuous desires neither to bring to passe that which they go about for thereby they wil take occasion to be more and more proud 9 But rather graunt that the captaine of them that lie in wait so diligentlie for me and also they their owne selues with their captaine may be ouerwhelmed with that euil that they haue intended against me by their slanders 10 And surelie I see it wil so come to passe that euen burning coles comming downe from heauen shal fal vpon them and they being stricken with lightnings shal be cast headlong into most deepe pits neuer to come out againe 11 For this is an vndoubted thing that the backbiters and slanderers shal neuer continue and al they that rage with violence bring vpon themselues destruction by their owne wickednes 12 Neither can it be doubted but that the Lord wil helpe the poore and the oppressed 13 And the iust ô God shal praise thy name and with what force soeuer they be assaulted yet shal they that loue truth and equitie remaine safe before thee PSALME CXLI The Argument In this Psalme also Dauid being most greeuouslie vexed doth praie vnto God with great confidence after his accustomed maner but he requireth three things chieflie in this praier One that he may bridle his tong which vnlesse it be restrained doth manie times make the matter worse The second that he do not ioine himselfe to the wicked being ouercome with euil examples or entisements The third that iust and moderate reprehenders be not wanting vnto them THE PARAPHRASIS 1 DEfer no longer ô Lord I beseech thee to heare my crie but rather giue care vnto me when I crie vnto thee 2 Let my praiers be accepted vnto thee as the smel of the incense appointed by thee and let my praiers which I powre out lifting vp my hands vnto thee be as the euening sacrifice 3 Stop my mouth and locke vp the dores of my lips by the power of thy holie spirit least I do speake anie thing rashlie or impatientlie 4 Giue not vp my heart to be gouerned with wicked lusts least I giue my selfe wholie to euil with those that are bent to wickednes either being ouercome with the greatnes of dangers or entised by tasting their delicates 5 But let the iust men smite me the which thing I wil count for a great benefite and let them rebuke me and let neuer that excellent baulme want vnto my head wherewith it shal not be hurt But what neede mo words for it shal shortlie come to passe that I shal praie vnto thee in the miseries of these wicked men euen for them much lesse shal I be swallowed vp by them 6 And when thou hast cast downe headlong the chiefe of them others which are now enimies vnto me shal receiue my words with gentle minds as acceptable and pleasant vnto them 7 In the meane season we do lie not onlie as dead men but also euen as the hewers of stone do cut here and there the peeces of stones so are we scattered and our bones cast to and fro at the mouth of the graue 8 But thou ô Lord my Lord when I turne mine eies vnto thee being full of hope bring me not vtterlie to nothing 9 But rather defend me least peraduenture I fal into snares and into the nets which wicked men haue laied forme 10 And so doubtles it wil come to passe for they shal rather fal into the nets of God but I as it hath come to passe hitherto so also alwaies hereafter shal escape without hurt forth of their snares PSALME CXLII The Argument The Hebrue title doth signifie that this Psalme was made by Dauid when he was closed in on euerie side by Saule and fled into the caue of Engaddi whereby it may be perceiued how great his faith and constancie was as it is declared 1. Samuel 24. therefore this Psalme also conteineth an excellent example of most feruent praiers THE PARAPHRASIS 1 I Crieng cal vpon the Lord and crieng praie vnto the Lord. 2 I powre forth al my mind before him I declare vnto him
haue spoken in the former Psalme how that it is not expedient that the vse of this musicke should be reteined in the holie assemblies which was a portion of the Leuitical worship of the lawe and wherof this fruit at the length did arise in the daies of our fathers that the preaching of the word was changed into songs not vnderstanded of the singers themselues and at the length that graue and plaine singing of Psalmes which as I thinke hath alwaies bin in the Church hath bin turned into a vicious curiositie THE PARAPHRASIS 1 PRaise ye the most holie God which sitteth in that high sanctuarie praise him I saie that testifieth his infinite power and strength from that his most stable palace 2 Let the cause of his praise be vnto you that his great power declared in so manie maruelous workes 3 Let the trumpet sound out his praise let the viols and the harps sound out his glorie 4 Let the timbrels thunder him out let the fluites whistle vnto him let the virginals striken with the fingers and the organs blowne with the bellowes praise him together 5 Let the high sounding cimbals sing out his triumph let the cimbals I saie sound vnto him 6 Finallie whatsoeuer hath breath let it set forth the praise of GOD. FINIS A BRIEFE TABLE OF THE PRINCIPAL POINTS OF EVERIE PSALME WHEREBY Euerie man may meditate in them as his mind is most affected 1 Psalme Who are blessed who are miserable 2 A prophesie of the kingdome of Christ 3 A comfort in great troubles by the mercie of God 4 He reproueth his aduersaries and staieth himselfe vpon the louing kindnes of God not vpon worldlie commodities 5 God our God and our King wil punish the wicked for his owne glorie 6 A conflict of the conscience with sinne and comfort in the end 7 We must set the defence of God against reprochful slanders 8 A thankesgiuing to God for our creation and redemption in Christ 9 A thankesgiuing for benefites receiued and comfort against imminent miseries 10 Al the enterprises of the giants and tyrants against the Church shal come to naught for the Lord wil heare the poore 11 The Lord trieth the good men and destroieth the wicked 12 Cal vpon God when al things seeme desperate and past al hope 13 The more desperate that things appeare more earnestlie must we praie 14 The corruption of the natural man chieflie vttering it selfe against the Church 15 Who shal be the inhabitants of the heauens 16 An exercise of the faithful soule 17 A complaint of the pride and crueltie of the enimies 18 Gods maruelous power in deliuering his 19 A briefe sum of al godlie knowledge with a praier for the atteining thervnto 20 The people praie for their king 21 A thankesgiuing for a victorie wherof al the praise is giuen to God 22 Of Christs agonie greuous sorowe which he suffered ouercame for vs. 23 The Lord is my shepeheard I can not want 24 God is the Lord of al but chieflie of his Church in the which we must pray that God may reigne and set forth his glorie 25 A praier for faith forgiuenes of sin direction of the holie spirit and for Gods merciful protection 26 A meditation for them that liue amongst the wicked 27 28 To the same purpose 29 A necessarie meditation of the maiestie of God 30 A thankesgiuing for deliuerance from some great danger 31 A praier in great danger 32 The blessednes of man is in the forgiuenes of sinne 33 Praise God with a pure heart 34 A thankesgiuing and other necessarie doctrine 35 Against the flatterers of the wicked and false accusers of the godlie 36 The wickednes of men the prouidence of God and his mercie 37 To the same purpose most excellentlie 38 Sin is the cause of our miseries yet put awaie by faith although temporal punishments do folowe for our amendment 39 A meditation of the shortnes of mans life and his miseries 40 Manie godlie lessons 41 A comfort of the miserable against traitors 42 An earnest desire to be in the assemblie of the Church 43 A praier for the deliuerance from the enimies to praise God 44 An earnest praier for helpe in present miseries by the consideration of former mercies 45 The mariage song of Salomon 46 A thankesgiuing for some great deliuerance of the Church 47 An ernest exhortation to praise God 48 God is chieflie to be praised for the defence of his Church 49 Outward felicitie worldlie honor is nothing 50 The worship of God is spiritual and the outward ceremonial hypocrisie is detestable 51 A most earnest praier for the forgiuenes of sinnes 52 53 The crooked nature crueltie and punishment of the wicked with comfort to the godlie in the end of them both 54 The saints being in great dangers powre forth their praier and doubt nothing of their deliuerance 55 56 57 Against traiterous enimies with hope of deliuerance 58 Against wicked iudges he appealeth to Gods iudgement 59 Against his cruel aduersaries with comfort in the end 60 Though the Church be afflicted yet shal it be comforted againe 61 A zealous praier with great faith and confidence 62 By the example of Dauid we may confirme our faith in troubles 63 To the same purpose we must onelie looke vnto God in troubles 64 Against the wicked with the godlie 65 66 A praise thanksgiuing vnto God for the preseruation of the Church 67 A praier for spiritual and temporal blessings 68 The great mercie of God toward his people 69 The complaint and anguish of Dauid as a figure of Christ 70 For the deliuerance of the Church or anie particular member 71 For comfort constancie in the old age when feigned friends doe faile 72 A praier conteining the sum of godlie gouernement 73 God is alwaies fauorable to the godlie euen in their miserie but the vngodlie shal perish 74 A feruent praier against the spoilers of the Church 75 God is the author of al iust policie the dutie of magistrates 76 God is knowne by preseruing his Church and destruction of the enimie 77 Comfortable considerations in the trouble of conscience 78 The maruelous works of God both in trieng and preseruing his Church and punishing of his enimies 79 Against the oppressers of the Church who fight against God 80 A lamentation for the oppression of the Church 81 An exhortation to praise God for his benefits and a reproch of their ingratitude 82 A necessarie admonition to al that are in authoritie 83 A praier against the enimies of the Church 84 The great zeale of Dauid to be in the holie assemblies 85 In the midst of miserie we must hope for mercie 86 A feruent praier for deliuerance forth of miserie that the name of God may be glorified 87 That the Church after the captiuitie should be restored to such glorie that euerie man should count himselfe happie that is accepted as a member thereof 88 A most doleful lamentation 89 Another