trust in him 4 O blessed is that man who putting al his confidence in the Lord turneth awaie from men that are puffed vp with most vaine and deceitful confidence 5 O Lord my God! how manie and maruellous are thy works who is able to comprehend in his mind or to declare and vtter thy thoughts towards vs seeing they are innumerable 6 Howbeit this doth chieflie set forth the greatnes of thy benefites that al this doth proceed freelie of thine vnspeakeable mercie For thou hast not required of me the oblations and sacrifices of the law as though I could satisfie thee by them which were a madnes for anie man to persuade himselfe but thou hast required this one thing for al maner of oblations and offering that I should heare thee the which thing also thou hast graunted vnto mee making me apt and readie to heare thee 7 Wherefore I trusting to this thy grace haue streightwaies againe answered within my selfe Lo I am here for in the verie beginning of the booke of thy lawe I doe heare my selfe thus called when thou saiest Heare ô Israël 8 Neither dost thou command vs ô my God to heare thee for anie other cause but that we should obeie thee when thou speakest Seeing thou hast graunted vnto me ô Lord this wil I haue testified my wil and that thy lawe is setled in the secret of my heart 9 Neither haue I done this dissemblinglie for I haue openlie declared thy righteousnes neither wil I euer cease to declare it for feare of anie peril of the which my wil thou art witnesse ô Lord vnto me 10 I haue not kept secret I saie thy righteousnes which I did knowe in my heart but I haue most plainlie professed how faithful thou art in thy promise and that al our saluation doth consist in this thine onlie goodnes I haue testified thy mercie truth also before al the assemblie of thy people 11 Now thou againe my God seeing that new enimies do arise continue as thou hast done hitherto to haue mercie vpon me and ioine neare vnto me those thy faithful keepers euen thy mercie and fidelitie in keeping thy promises 12 For innumerable troubles doe againe hang ouer my head and so manie and so great punishments due vnto my sinnes do presse me that I can scarselie behold them a farre off with mine eies for they are aboue the number of the haires of mine head and my verie heart faileth me 13 Let it please thee therefore ô Lord to deliuer me ô Lord I saie make haste to helpe me 14 Cause them to be confounded ashamed and frustrate of their expectation that seeke my death and let them be turned backe with shame voide of their purpose which bend themselues wholie to hurt me 15 Let them suffer the same blot of infamie for a reward of their wickednes wherewith they would haue spotted me which cried Ha ha in my miserie 16 But contrariwise let al that seeke thee being confirmed comforted by mine example reioice and they that haue set al their hope of saluation in thee let them exhort one another to praise thee I was miserable and destitute of al mens helpe but the Lord prouided for me and mine affaires Thou wast my helper thou wast my deliuerer and now ô my God I beseech thee make no delaie PSALME XLI The Argument This is a most greeuous temptation which was the occasion of the making of this Psalme treating the same matter with the booke of Job wherein this question is handled to wit whether seeing God is iust and al the miseries wherevnto men are subiect doe come for our sinnes we may determine of the wrath of God and of the condemnation of anie by the present miseries wherewith they are oppressed For it is the common iudgement of the world supposing of the contrarie that they are in Gods fauour which doe abound with the commodities of this life And both these are false as God himselfe doth decide the controuersie betweene Job and his friendes and Salomon also in his booke called Ecclesiastes Now this temptation is most greeuous for it openeth the doore to blasphemie and desperation and this euil iudgement is the more greeuous when it proceedeth from faithlesse and churlish persons of whom chiefly we looked for comfort Thus was Dauid maruellouslie vexed of them who liked not his sincere and vpright dealing and seueritie of discipline as it appeareth by the historie that the son was drawen away froÌ„ his father by the practise of wicked Achitophel and others and driuen to that horrible conspiracie Moreouer these faithles persons had an horrible disease in their hearts which increased the desire of alteration in them for they supposed when Dauid should be taken awaie that they could raise vp one who would satisfie their lustes and would set them at more libertie Dauid therefore greeued with so manie sorrowes acknowledgeth himselfe a sinner and both by faith resting vpon God and vpon an vpright conscience towardes these traitors flieth vnto God and wisheth wel vnto them that had a better opinion of him and powreth foorth most feruent praiers for the safetie of himselfe and his kingdome of the good issue whereof he is so sure as he might wel be hauing a particular promise of God that he giueth thanks for the performance of the same And heerein there is a maruellous figure both of Dauid compared with Christ and of Achitophel with Judas as the verse of this Psalme is cited Iohn 13 18. For like as Dauid being betraied chased awaie by his sonne dâ—d yet recouer the kingdome euen so Christ betraied of his disciple and nailed vpon the crosse by the malice of his owne people did then verelie begin his kingdome and both the traitors had the like and the same end THE PARAPHRASIS 1 BVT wel may it be vnto you that iudge more vprightlie of me being in most great miserie for surelie the Lord wil deliuer me forth of this calamitie 2 The Lord wil not faile to prouide for me and wil restore me to life againe yea whatsoeuer these do prattle God wil againe blesse me neither wil he suffer mine enimies to satisfie their lustes vpon me 3 The Lord rather wil strengthen me though I be throwen downe with the greatnes of my sorowes and he wil go about my verie bed 4 For I haue called vpon him with these words which cannot be frustrate I knowledge ô Lord that I haue sinned against thee and am therefore punished most iustlie but thou hauing compassion vpon me heale me being wounded much more in mind than in bodie 5 Behold these churlish and faithles persons doe not cease to cursse me wish nothing more than my destruction When saie they shal he once perish and his name be wholie extinguished 6 If anie man come vnto me vnder the colour of friendship he may wel testifie amitie in his words but he meaneth in his heart to hurt me casting manie subtile fetches in his mind and
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
being for this cause replenished with ioie and comforted with thy iudgements ô Lord wil reioice 9 Go to then ô Lord sitting vpon thy most high throne rule thou the whole earth and exalt thy selfe aboue al that is aloft anie-where 10 And ye that loue the Lord continue to hate that which is euil and doubt nothing but that he which hath freelie embraced you with so great fauour wil defend you also most mightilie and wil deliuer you from the wicked 11 And though this light of the mercie of God doth not streightwaie shine vnto the godlie let them remember that like as the seedes which are sowen in the earth do not foorthwith spring vp naie though they lie longer hid in the bowels of the earth yet they come forth more plentifullie euen so the light of righteousnes is sowen for them that loue that light whereby it shal wholie come to passe that al they that leade an vpright life are replenished with incredible ioie 12 Reioice ye therefore in the Lord so great a King ô al ye iust and magnifie the holie remembrance of him continuallie PSALME XCVIII The Argument This Psalme is the same almost with the ninetie and sixe and it conteineth the prophesie of the spreading of the kingdome of the Messiah and repeateth it againe of the which prophesie Simeon Zacharie and Marie the mother of the Lord in those their most famous hymnes are most diuine interpreters vsing almost the selfe-same words But this Psalme doth teach three things of most great importance euen in three verses One verse 1. that Christ our mediatour in this worke of our redemption hath no coadiutor at al nor partener the which heauenlie doctrine doth confute that diuelish dotage of the merits of saints as they cal them with what painted colours soeuer it be intruded and it giueth to God alone his due glorie as wel in the redemption as in the creation of man The second verse 2. that al this redemption consisteth in the iustice of Christ himselfe which verelie can not be made ours but by imputation The third verse 3. that al this benefit doth flowe foorth from the onelie free promise and truth of God himselfe THE PARAPHRASIS 1 SIng vnto the Lord a new song for he hath now shewed foorth al that his maruellous power by ouercomming al his enimies by his owne right hand onelie and by his owne arme alone 2 And now in the end he setteth foorth to be seene before al nations this benefit of so great a deliuerance which was so long looked for of our fathers and now at the length is performed which did lie hid before as in a corner euen his owne iustice wherewith they being indued shal not onlie escape the damnation which their vnrighteousnes deserueth but also shal obteine the crowne of iustice promised 3 And if anie demand what hath mooued him at the length to so great bountifulnes let him knowe that al this proceedeth from hence that hee is mindful of the promise that he hath made and by the same mercie that he was moued to promise it by the same he is moued to perfourme it in deede that he might shew himselfe most bountiful in verie deede vnto al men to the vttermost borders of the earth 4 Go to then al ye inhabitants of the earth blowe vp the trumpets vnto God sound out the instruments sing a triumphant song vnto him sing praises vnto him 5 Sing vnto the Lord both with the harps and with voices by order and course 6 Go before the King Iehouah with sounding trumpets and shalmes 7 Let the sea how wide soeuer sound againe and also the whole world with the song of al the inhabitants of the earth 8 Let the verie flouds sound round about with their noise and the verie mountaines with triumphant songs 9 Before the Lord that shal vndertake the gouernement of the world and shal gouerne the people most iustlie and vprightlie PSALME XCIX The Argument This Psalme was set foorth that the people what storme soeuer should arise turning vnto God should learne to set foorth the promise of the Messiah against al terrours of whome he so plainlie speaketh as though he had bene now present at the same time commanding al men euen to behold him in the visible sacraments set before them because they were no vaine signes of his most present fauour being euen the same in signification that ours are seeing there is but one and the same Christ whether he be to be shewed or alreadie exhibited although their signes were differing from ours Furthermore he adioineth the testimonies of three most godlie men Moses Aaron and Samuel whose office was to praie vnto God for the people both that whilest that priesthood appointed of God should remaine in authoritie the people should surelie iudge that the same God should be present with them who was with them of old as also they which desired to be heard might followe the same waie of faith and godlines that they did vnto the which doctrine of the publike and ecclesiastical praiers that is to be applied which Paule writeth 1. Timoth. 2 1. THE PARAPHRASIS 1 NOw I beseech you why should we feare the force or threatenings of anie man seeing we haue the Lord himselfe to be our King let the people fret as much as they lust yea let the earth wauer the foundations being shaken it is enough that he is with vs that inhabiteth the Cherubims 2 Verelie the Lord hath declared abundantlie the greatnes of his power in Sion and al the people nil they wil they shal be subiect to his power 3 Let vs therefore neither feare nor yet doubt but rather trusting vpon the most assured protection of God magnifie that his mightie and terrible name to the enimies for it is holie and therefore al honour is due vnto it 4 For is not this our King as he is indued with most great power so also the louer of iustice wherefore we neede to seeke none other succour besides him neither neede we to doubt but that he wil punish most sharplie al them of whome we are vniustlie oppressed For it is not possible that he should suffer their wickednes vnaduenged who is the authour of equitie it selfe hath set downe the verie rule of iustice vnto the posteritie of Iacob 5 Go to then praise ye the Lord our God and falling downe before his footestoole worship him for he is holie 6 For this cause did he consecrate Moses and Aaron of old and set Samuel also amongst them who did exercise the office of the mediator for the people the which thing whilest they did carefullie praieng vnto God they were heard of the Lord. Why then should wee doubt seeing that same priesthoode is of force but that we folowing their example should now also be heard 7 And also he did speake to those our fathers of old out of the cloudie piller vnto whome because they should keepe his commandements he prescribed the rites of
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
his couenant that he hath made with vs as the singular testimonie of his mercie 11 I beseech thee ô Lord therefore for thy great mercie and for the honour of thy holie name forgiue me my sinnes the which I acknowledge to be great and manifold 12 O how happie is he that feareth the Lord for he wil teach him the waie that he ought to walke 13 His mind enioieth a continual rest a blessing shal alwaie followe him wherof his posteritie shal be partakers 14 These are they to whome the Lord doth reueale his counsels which are otherwaies hid from vs euen that his couenant I saie to them that feare him 15 Wherefore I haue mine eies alwaies bent vpon the Lord alone for he in the end wil rid my feete foorth of these nets 16 O looke vpon me and haue mercie vpon me for I am verie miserable and forsaken of al. 17 Sorowes oppresse my heart on euerie side deliuer me from these miseries 18 Behold how miserablie I am vexed and tormented and put awaie my sinnes which are the verie cause of al these miseries 19 Behold how manie do hate me and how bitter hatred they beare against me 20 Defend me and keepe me from shame for in thee onlie do I trust 21 Graunt that I may be preserued safe in simplicitie and integritie the which I do waite for of thee 22 Finalie ô God deliuer thou Israël out of al troubles PSALME XXVI The Argument It is a verie hard thing in the Court to retaine true religion and vprightnes of life and conuersation chiefelie when wicked men do reigne there flatterers do rage partlie by open violence partlie by false accusations and an other sort doth sing in their eares that they must frame their wits to serue al turnes and purposes euen as the fish called Polypus doth change himselfe into the colour of the stone whereunto he cleaueth so that some do altogither leaue their vocations prouiding for their owne commodities to the great damage of the common wealth others do by little and little fal to the Courtlie maners like the rest And some there be who for the wicked life of certaine others do either absteine from the holie assemblies or gather vnto them-selues apart priuate conuenticles as did the Catharians and the Nouatians and manie Monkes that went into solitarie places and the Anabaptistes of our time But Dauid contrariwise though his state was no better in the Court of Saul yet doth he perseuere in his place and vocation and doth the more diligentlie frequent the holie assemblies that were polluted with no idolatrie whiles he is driuen from them by violence neither when he is driuen thence doth he repent of his constancie but being alwaies one man he doth commit his cause vnto God and stil continueth to abhorre the counsels and the examples of the wicked and plainelie testifieth that he wil make a true profession of his faith and that he wil liue an vpright life resting vpon the promises of the most merciful and most mightie God THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O LORD iudge thou my cause for surelie according to my power I haue endeuored my selfe to walke vprightlie and I setling al my confidence in thee ô Lord am minded to continue without wauering 2 Thou ô Lord prooue me and trie me and search the secret of my heart 3 Surelie mine eâ—es are alwaie bent vpon thy goodnes and I haue appointed thy truth to be the guide and leader of my life 4 I haue carefullie auoided the companie of these most vaine men and I haue fled awaie from these deceitful dealers 5 I hate the assemblie of euil men neither do I accompanie the wicked 6 I do present my selfe before thine altar not onlie with my hands washed in water but rather purified from al wickednes 7 That I may openlie set foorth thy praise and celebrate thy wonderful workes 8 For there is nothing that I loue more dearelie than that temple wherein thou hast set thy seate euen the house of thy Maiestie 9 Wrap me not in I beseech thee with these wicked persons neither account me with these cruel men 10 Who do speedilie put in execution their wicked deuises and whose hands are ful of bribes 11 But I haue walked vprightlie to my power therefore haue mercie vpon me and deliuer me 12 That I do stand vpright in the waie I do attribute it to thee ô Lord and wil magnifie thy name in the publike congregations PSALME XXVII The Argument Whether we saie that Dauid did write this Psalme when he was now deliuered or when he was in the middest of his daungers it is no great matter But here are opened vnto vs euen when al things seeme most desperate three liuelie and neuer failing fountaines whence we may drawe assured comfort One is to take hold of the power of God by true faith and oppose it against al the bragges of the enimies The second a continual desire alwaie of the glorie of God keeping euermore a safe conscience and vsing diligentlie the meanes whereby our faâ—th may be confirmed that is to saie the hearing of the word preached and the vse of the sacraments if so be that we may haue thâ—m if not yet must we haue a continual meditation of them The third is earnest praier wâ—th faith and patience THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Lord seeing thy wil doth manifestlie appeare like a most bright light vnto me in this so great darkenes to deliuer me whome shal I feare seeing my life standeth vpon the strength of the Lord of whom shal I be afraid 2 I speake of experience for so oft as those wicked tyrants mine enimies did runne vpon me as though they would deuour me with their teeth they fel downe voide of their purpose 3 Hereafter therefore though the enimies come foorth with their armies set in araie against me yet wil I stand without al feare yea though they enter into battel against me I wil hereof take the occasion of more confidence 4 Neither do I yet herein prouide for mine owne priuate commoditie but I beg and craue this one thing of the Lord that I may dwel in the house of the Lord and leade my life with him euen to spend my whole life in beholding the beautie of the Lord and to meditate in his holie temple 5 For there trulie vnder the roose of his house wil I lie hid when anie storme commeth in the secret place of his pauilion shal I be hid whilest that I be set vpon an high and safe rocke 6 Yea euen now alreadie like a conquerour I mount vp listing mine head aboue mine enimies that compas me about wherefore I wil offer sacrifice ioifullie in his tabernacle and I wil sing and praise the Lord. 7 Receiue therefore ô Lord the voice of my crie haue mercie vpon me and heare me 8 My heart doth continualie meditate that same thy commandement Seeke ye my face that is euen as I now open my selfe wherfore I do obeie thee
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
foorth thy praise for euen this one sact doth plainlie declare what great fidelitie thou keepest in preseruing thy seruants 11 Therfore let the whole mount Sion breake out into gladnes ô ye damsels of Iuda reioice you of the iust iudgements of God! 12 Compas Sion round about account her towers 13 Consider diligentlie her wals her bulwarks and set foorth the praises of her palaces so that ye may spread forth the memorie thereof euen to the posteritie 14 And let al men vnderstand that this is God and wil for euer be our God which wil not leaue vs no not in the last minute of our life PSALME XLIX The Argument The Prophet doth vse a most graue preface in this Psalme and that not without cause seeing that it conteineth a doctrine necessarie to the nobles commons to the rich and to the poore to this purpose that the one should not be so insolent and proud and the other should not be discouraged or caried away with the desire of riches beyond the rule of righteousnes therefore this Psalme conteineth the same argument in substance with certaine Psalmes that went before and that do followe Wherein the vanitie of the fading goodes of this world is described especiallie when they be gotten with craft and deceit or their owners do abuse them But a peculiar and certaine special matter is regarded in this Psalme namelie of those rich men which oppresse the godlie poore which poore men the Prophet doth comfort chieflie with two reasons One that there is nothing more vaine than the pride of the rich men as the thing it selfe proueth in the end whereby it solloweth that these proud men are not to be feared as though they had like power to hurt as they haue wil to doe it The second that the certeine hope of a better life is to be set against al those cogitations which vse to come into our minds in such temptations and that we must fullie determine that they are more like beastes than men who being increased with honours and riches do not vnderstand how to vse them much lesse that anie wise man should enuie them THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Al ye people heare what I shal saie giue eare al ye inhabitants of the earth 2 Both noble and simple both rich and poore 3 For I wil speake of things which who so regardeth is verie wise and I haue meditated with my selfe things that al men ought to vnderstand 4 I my selfe wil diligentlie consider that I haue determined to teach vnto others euen great and most hid things that this my harpe may be perceiued to haue sounded not onlie vnto others but vnto my selfe also 5 For why should I tremble though I be neuer so much oppressed and be set round about with my mightie enimies compassing me and following my verie foot-steps 6 They trust I graunt vnto their riches and are proud resting vpon their great wealth as though it were lawful for them to doe what they lust 7 But I beseech you what is more vaine than this momentanie confidence for the vse of riches doutles is no longer durable than the life it selfe which is most short although a man should possesse them to the last minute of his life For no man can redeeme another much lesse himselfe with his riches neither can he make anie couenant with God for the restoring of life 8 For the price of the life is greater than that it can be paied by anie man much lesse that a man should get immortalitie to himselfe by anie riches 9 Naie no man can obtaine vnto himselfe the prolonging of his life by anie summe of monie 10 For the verie experience of al ages doth teach that al men must die be they wise be they foolish and that there is no difference in this thing either of kind or of age or of state of the person and that those goods which they leaue when they die do commonlie go vnto others euen whome they knowe not 11 Yet notwithstanding such is the foolishnes of manie that they so leade their life as though they should neuer depart hence whiles a fained imagination doth occupie their mindes as though their families remaining for euer and their faire houses that they had built should continue alwaies vpon the earth in their name 12 Howbeit there is nothing more vaine than the madnes of these men seeing man doth not remaine long in this worldlie honour so that they which liue thus minded are not much differing from the beasts 13 For their life is nothing else but meere foolishnes and yet their posteritie being no wiser tha◠they praise their example and followe it 14 Howsoeuer it is and howsoeuer these men doe please themselues in these fantasies yet like beasts shut in the night in the stable so these men when the euening of their life commeth are gathered into the graue where death doth eate and deuoure them as it doth others Contrariwise although they must die also which walke the right waie yet another light shineth out in due time at the rising whereof it shal appeare how much more excellent these be than those mad men For that shadowed power of them shal streightwaies be changed into the graue the which shal deuoure them caught awaie from these their glorious buildings 15 But God contrariwise wil bring the godlie from the prisons of the graue and wil receiue them to himselfe 16 Therefore I wil thee to be quiet and not to bee discouraged at the sight of anie proude rich man howsoeuer thou see him to abound in riches 17 For the time shal come when his dead bodie shal lie in the graue spoiled of al this dignitie and his glorie shal not followe it so farre 18 Wherefore let them delight themselues and please themselues as they list and iudge none other to be happie but them that giue themselues to pleasure after their example 19 Yet if thou consider their great grandfathers of whom they boast and al their continuance thou shalt find that they are buried with an euerlasting death the which doth manifestlie condemne the foolishnes of their posteritie 20 Finallie although anie man be increased with riches and honours yet if he want true wisedome he is to be counted to differ little or nothing in this life from the beastes which wholie perish PSALME L. The Argument Like as God hath giuen vnto man a spiritual soule and a visible bodie so would he alwaies and wil be worshipped with them both euen with the inward and outward worship and as he would haue the external actions to be the witnesses of the inward so hath he diligentlie admonished men that both twaine should consent and agree together Furthermore least men depraued by nature should go out of the waie either in the one or the other part of the worship of God he hath giuen commandement most fullie vnto the people of Israël by written lawes both for religion and maners how he would be worshipped
that moued him to that crueltie by whose rage to auoide their craftie snares he came into so great danger Howsoeuer it be this Psalme doth shew vnto vs the example of a singular faith and constancie especiallie if we consider the person of Dauid and from how great dignitie without anie fault committed of him he was throwne downe into so miserable condition THE PARAPHRASIS 1 AH my God! haue mercie vpon a man most miserable how neare was it that he should swalowe me neither doth he yet cease to beset me round about and to bring me to extremitie as if he would deuoure me 2 These men I saie whither soeuer I remooue or go lieng in wait most diligentlie haue a mind to deuoure me and a great multitude do fight against me ô God most high 3 Notwithstanding when feare commeth vpon me I flie vnto thee 4 And why should I not glorie of that thou hast spoken vnto me most boldlie Wherefore I trust in thee ô God and wil not be afraid For what can these mortal men do against me that rest vpon the power of God who hath testified his good wil vnto me 5 They are wholie bent vpon this that whatsoeuer I intend I speake or doe they may peruert it and therevpon take occasion falselie to accuse me 6 They go together closelie following me at the verie heeles seeking this one thing how they may take my life from me 7 Notwithstanding yet they hope by their crafts to escape thy hands but thou ô Lord how manie soeuer they be and how great soeuer their conspiracies be cast them downe I beseech thee 8 I knowe that thou hast al my wanderings to and fro in a reckoning I beseech thee gather my teares into thy bottels they are I trust registred in thy counting bookes 9 Wherefore so oft as I shal cal vpon thee mine enimies shal be put to flight For I knowe this assuredlie that thou art of my side 10 For I haue the word of God whereof I glorie the word of God I saie whereof I wil glorie 11 Wherefore resting vpon God what should I feare and what can anie mortal man doe against mee 12 O how greatlie do these so manie and so great benefits bind mee vnto thee but I wil paie that which onlie I am able namelie the continual magnifieng of thy mercie 13 For thou hast deliuered my life foorth of the most present doores of death and thou hast raised me when I was cast downe and that I liue now I may onlie thanke thee PSALME LVII The Argument Another most great daunger much like to the former which is sâ—t foorth 1. Sam. 24. gaue the occasion of writing this Psalme whereof we may gather that it lieth in the hand of God not onlie with how great but with how long miseries yea euen by wicked men he wil exercise his seruants and therfore that we must praie continuallie as wel for the gifts of constancie and perseuerance as for the gift of faith Jn other things this Psalme is to the same purpose as certeine other that went before and written of like occasion THE PARAPHRASIS 1 NOw at the length ô Lord it is high time that thou either looke vpon me or else I am vndone Wherefore haue mercie haue mercie vpon mee I saie ô God for this my soule doth onlie trust in thee and I flie onlie vnto thee vnder the shadow of whose wings I may lie hid so long whilest these great calamities do passe ouer 2 I crie vnto thee ô God most high that thou wouldest finish that which thou hast begun in me 3 And so doubtles wil it come to passe For the Lord wil send helpe from heauen because I find none in the earth and he wil not suffer mee so shamefullie to be deuoured For there wil come downe from the heauen to deliuer me two inuincible helpes for defence euen his mercie and that most high and sure faith which he declareth in the perfourming of his promises 4 In the meane season I graunt my selfe exposed of the one side to the pawes of the lions and the crueltie of most outragious men and of the other side to the false slanders of most shameles accusers whose teeth are like vnto speares and arrowes and their tong more hurtful than most sharpe swords 5 But thou ô God declare that thou dwellest euen aboue the heauens and cause that thy glorie may be published throughout the whole world 6 Whither soeuer I mooue my foote their net is spread to take me I doe lie as it were throwne downe vpon the earth I see before mine eies the pit into the which they hope to cast me downe headlong but the matter wil go otherwaies For they contrariwise shal fal into the selfe-same pit 7 Therefore ô God I being now prepared with my whole heart with my whole heart I saie haue great desire to praise thee both with my voice and harpe 8 Go to my tongue go to both lute and harpe awake with me in the morning 9 Euen the gentils most farre distant shal heare me declaring thy praises the people shal heare me sing vnto thee 10 For surelie thy goodnes extendeth it selfe vnto the heauens and thy truth vnto the clouds 11 Declare thy selfe ô God to sit aboue the verie heauens and shew forth thy glorie to the whole world PSALME LVIII The Argument Jt may be collected of this Psalme that Saul that he might haue some excuse to couer his hatred against Dauid did gather a councel of the states whereby he procured him being absent to be condemned as a publike enimie now there is no greater iniurie than that which doth oppresse vnder the cloake of lawe wherefore Dauid comforting himselfe and appealing to God doth paint forth those most corrupt iudges in their owne colours as one that knew them verie wel and also doth pronounce the sentence against them in the name of God himselfe not as a priuate man but as a Prophet and as a king alreadie allowed of God and he vseth similitudes most agreeable to the couetousnesse and ambition of such maner of men For where they haue this purpose chieflie that they may set themselues aloft and their children by these practises yet God doth oftentimes cut them off in the mid course of their couetous desires furthermore their posteritie cleane contrarie to the opinion of their fathers doth either consume awaie by little and little in the sight of al men or is destroied by some sudden rage THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Yee states and senatours tel me I praie you if there remaine anie sparkle of conscience in you Is this to decree iust iudgement O ye mortal men of how great dignitie soeuer ye be doe ye iudge aright 2 Naie surely seeing the matter it selfe declareth that inwardlie ye deuise al manner of wickednes outwardlie and openlie in al mens sight yee doe weigh nothing but iniurie in your ballance 3 Neither is this now the first time that ye do so for I
streightwaie that Nature is a stepdame and such like Heereof came innumerable blasphemous complaints powred foorth in the mourning for the dead And they which sought a remedie against these things either of the immortalitie of the soules as did the scholers of Plato to passe ouer the doting follie of them who thought that the soules went foorth of one bodie into an other besides that they did confirme it with verie slender Arguments first of al they beleeued that the other part of man was extingu shed by death which causâ—d the Atheniens to dâ—ride Paule Actes 17 32. and at the iudgement seate of Festus Actes 26 24. Againe setting the cause of blessed immortalitie in the vertues themselues the chiefe whereof they scarsâ—lie knew by name and in those that they did knowe after a sort yet beeing ignorant both of the true causes and effects it cannot bee spoken how far they erred from the marke But Moses streightwaies in the beginning of this sermon euen in the first verse arming men against al these euils teacheth that though men be mortal notwithstanding there hath bin alwaies in this life one certaine companie whome the Lord hath defended in al their misâ—ries whereof it followeth that there is plainelie in the Church a certaine and sure remedie against al calamities seeing it hath bin preserued from the beginning of the world Yet doth he confesse verse 2 3 4. that this same companie is in the same condition as other men are that is to saie they are subiect to verie manie miseries yea and to the dissolution of the bodie by death and that not by chance as the wicked Epicures imagined neither by that principle of the natural Philosophers that Al things which are made of necessitie must be dissolued the which yet not alwaies to be true nor to be verefied vniuersallie in it selfe we may plainelie see both by the condition of man before his ful and by the doctrine of the resurrection of the bodies to remaine afterward for euer contrarie to the Pelagians but by the decree of God the cause whereof afterward he wil declare to rest in the men themselues And he is so far from the diminishing of this most miserable condition as thâ—y vse to do who rather obstinatelie defend darke sentences than prooue them with sound arguments that contrariwise he doth paint it foorth maruelouslie with most excellent similitudes Howbeit he declareth that the cause of al these miseries is the sinne of man which the most iust God cannot but correct hate and also punish al the which are conteined from the 5. verse to the 11. Afterward in the 11. verse Moses doth greeuouslie accuse the slouthfulnes of men who thinke of nothing lesse than of the wrath of God although they be most seuerelie accused both by their owne conscience and by the word of God For Moses doth not preach to the prophane people but vnto the verie Church of God and there hath bin alwaies most frequent examples of this dul slouthfulnes in the verie congregations of the godlie wherefore it is no maruel though the Church it selfe must be also corrected with scourges Howbeit there is added a most certaine consolation verse 12. that though al these things do proceede of our sinnes that God yet doth not meane to destroie his when he punisheth them but rather correctâ—th them so that our scourgings are schoolings tâ—e which thing yet when it so commeth to passe mâ—y not be attributed vnto our selues but rather to the goodnes of God that we may know that that same sorowe which is according vnto God as the Apostle speaketh is the excellâ—nt gift of God much lesse that true repentance should in anie part at al proceede of our selues Finallie after that al thesâ— things are most brieflie and diuinelie declared he setteth sâ—â—â—th an example of praâ—ers wheâ—ewith it is meâ—te that the Church and euerie member thereof he so comforted that in the mâ—st outragious tempests withâ—ut feare of shâ—pwrack God being their goueâ—nour they may sâ—felâ—â— saâ—le vntâ—â— they come into the vâ—rie hauâ—n THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THou ô Lord hast bin a safe hauen and habitation vnto vs and to our elders succeeding one another in order 2 And thou trulie before the mountaines were made and before thou framedst the world yea euen from al eternitie art God without beginning and end 3 And men being now most miserable creatures as at the first they were created by thee of an handful of dust so as soone as this voice proceeding from thee is heard whereby thou biddest them returne thither againe they are forthwith resolued into a smal quantitie of dust againe 4 But though a man liue euen a thousande yeares how little is this space being compared with thine eternitie verelie this is so much with thee as yesterdaie that is past or as a watch in the night 5 Therefore whether mans life be somewhat longer or short for thou nothing regardest it thou takest them awaie as a cloud that powreth downe raine that their life seemeth to be like a dreame that suddenlie vanisheth awaie 6 They growe vp like the hearbe which continueth not in the same state for in the morning it flourisheth by and by is changed for it is cut downe in the euening and withereth 7 Doubtles euen thus thy wrath doth consume vs and wee are astonnied at thy displeasure 8 Neither is this without cause for the cause of al this doth wholie cleaue in our selues euen our sinnes the which seeing thou art a most iust iudge they must needes be seene and marked by thee and although we labour neuer so much to hide them yet doest thou with thy most sharp sight behold them 9 This is the cause that thou being angrie with vs most iustlie we leade a miserable life and al the time of our life doth vanish awaie euen as a sound spread in the aire 10 For if euen the longest space of mans life be rightlie counted he shal finde it about threescore and ten yeares or at the most fourescore in them that are more strong the better part whereof and the chiefe the mans state I meane is consumed with labour and sorowe so commeth it to passe that we suddenlie taken flie awaie 11 The which things seeing they are so yet how few do consider the power of thy wrath and do so thinke how he may auoide it that he may reuerence thee as is meete 12 Graunt therefore ô God that we accounting oftentimes the daies of our life may knowe how short it is and that our mind drawne awaie by this cogitation from most vaine troublesome cares and also called awaie from al those things whereby we wander out of the path of the right waie may aspire to true wisedome 13 Returne then ô Lord and fauour vs for what measure else can there be of thy wrath and put thou on a more merciful minde toward thy seruants 14 Commaund after so long darkenes of troubles that thy goodnes may shine vnto vs
like a most pleasant light that we being satisfied with the most comfortable sight thereof may enioie the true and euerlasting consolation 15 And like as thou hast corrected vs with so manie kind of miseries so manie daies and yeares so againe comfort vs with thy bountious goodnesse 16 Graunt that it may plainelie appeare which seemeth to haue bin hid hitherto or at the least not so plainelie knowne to wit that we are chosen from other nations by thee and taken into thy familie chieflie to be cared for of thee and let this thy glorie shine foorth to our posteritie 17 And let that thine honour beautifie and adorne vs ô Lord our God and gouerne thou our counsels from heauen and al our enterprises gouerne thou I saie our counsels and al our enterprises PSALME XCI The Argument J do consent with that godlie and most learned man Henrie Mollerus who supposeth that that horrible pestilence whereof mention is made 2. Sam. 24. ministred the occasion of this Psalme for both the words and sentences do agree vnto this historie and both the people and the king chieflie h mselfe stoode in neede of great consolation for he brought this plague vpon him and his people wilfullie And whosoeuer shal weigh the worthines of the words and sentences of this Psalme I hope they wil graunt vnto me that nothing can be spoken either more substantiallie or more eloquentlie and that there shineth foorth in it a singular example of diuine eloquence And whereas God hath scourged manie countries about vs within thesâ— few yeares with the pestilence and seemeth stil to threaten the same plague J would desire that our Diuines should not take in hand that disputation which ought to be sent vnto the schooles of Physicians whether that the pestilence be contagious or no but rather to beate into the minds of men the doctrine which is so necessarie and so godlie set foorth in this Psalme in the which not onelie the general prouidence of God but also the most particular which gouerneth al the second causes most iustlie and most orderl e who watcheth also for the safetie of his is set forth to be seene so l uelie and is ratified with so manie and so plaine sentences euen the person of God being brought in to speake to them that nothing seemeth more to be desired in this point And trulie I wil not thinke much to declare vnto the glorie of God what I haue proued certainlie by experience This is the one and thirtie yeare since by the goodnes of God I haue willinglie forsaken my countrie and al that I had that I might freelie serue Christ and it came to passe at my first entrie into the publike assemblie of the Christians that the companie did sing this Psalme by the singing whereof as though I had heard God himselfe calling me particularlie I felt my selfe so comforted that I haue kept it since that time most dearelie grauen in my heart and I may truelie witnes this before God that I haue receiued maruelous comforts by it both in sicknes and in sâ—rowe not onelie by meditating it when I was also smitten with the pestilence and the same plague had infected my familie euen foure times but also in other most grieuous temptations THE PARAPHRASIS 1 GO to ye mortal men and imagine so manie shifts as ye lust there is one onlie safe and quiet refuge euen the shadowe of the almightie God vnto al them that runne vnto the hid couert of him that is most high 2 Wherefore for my part the Lord onlie shal be my refuge and fortresse he is my God in whome I haue setled al my hope 3 And whosoeuer thou be that shalt folowe my example be thou assured that God wil deliuer thee from the net of the fowler euen from the perilous pestilence how infectiue and dangerous so euer 4 For he wil defend thee couering thee with his feathers receiuing thee vnder his wings neither is there anie buckler so strong or shield so sure as the promises of God who neither wil nor can breake the promise that he hath once made vnto the beleeuers which were to be a liar 5 Wherefore neither the terrors of the night nor the darts fleeing in the daie time shal strike thee 6 Euen the pestilence spreading in the darknes and the deadlie plague that maketh such slaughter in the daie 7 And though a thousand fal on the one side and ten thousand on the other yet the euil shal not come vnto thee 8 Nay God wil haue thee to remaine aliue that thou maist behold the punishment wherewith he auengeth the sinnes of the wicked 9 Euen because thou hast set al thy strength in the Lord by mine example and hast fled vnto that tower of God which is set in the most high and sure place 10 For so wil it come to passe that no euil shal touch thee and thou shalt be preserued safe and sure without the shot of darts in this tabernacle 11 For the blessed spirits haue receiued a commandement from the Lord to defend thee and preserue thee so that thou keepe the waie appointed to thee 12 Wherefore rather than thou shalt be hurt against anie stone they themselues shal take thee vp in their hands and beare thee 13 So that if there bee anie neede thou shalt walke harmeles euen vpon the lionâ— the aspes and thou shalt tread vpon the yong lions and dragons without danger 14 For God himselfe shal say Seeing that he doth loue me so feruentlie I wil deliuer him and because he acknowledgeth me I wil exalt him 15 He calleth vpon mee therefore wil I heare him and as though I were a companion and partaker of his miseries I wil deliuer him and bring him also to honour 16 I wil likewise prolong his life to the ful much lesse shal he die with others and in the end I wil make him partaker of my true and euerlasting felicitie PSALME XCII The Argument Whereas the institution of the sabboth had diuers ends to wit one political euen that some rest might be granted to seruants and to the cattel an other ceremonial which is abrogate together with other ceremonies finallie the third which was the chiefe and shal neuer cease before the end of the world although the seuenth daie be changed into the first to wit that other cares being laide aside solemne assemblies may be gathered to heare the word of God to vse the sacraments and to giue thankes vnto God The title doth declare that this Psalme was written to admonish the people of this matter that both in the temple and in the synagogues and in the families it being sung a rule might be set forth to sanctifie that daie It setteth out those diuine workes whereby we may be stirred vp to behold Gods infinite power and also his mercie which are considered first generallie and secondlie in the gouernment of the Church And whereas the Saints are manie times vexed and the wicked
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
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