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
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
vnto this grace by an earnest abasing and casting downe of themselues with a true knowledging of sinne that they may obteine forgiuenesse in Christ apprehended by faith by feruent and continual praier Finalie that al this conflict shal turne in the end to the glorie of God and most great commoditie of the saints so that the other part of repentance which is the amendment of life do folowe and that we must desire to be deliuered from those euils to this end that we may be the instruments to set foorth the praise of God THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Lord rebuke me not in thine anger neither chastise me in thy wrath 2 Haue mercie vpon me ô Lord that am vtterlie without al strength heale me ô Lord for my verie bones are shaken 3 Yea and my soule is vtterlie amazed but thou ô Lord how long 4 Turne againe ô Lord and behold me deliuer my soule saue me of thy free mercie 5 For the dead can not remember thee neither can he set foorth thy praise in the graue 6 I am wearie with sighing my bed swimmeth euerie night washed with my teares 7 Sorowe doth consume my face I waxe wrinkled and old by reason of the miseries wherewith I am oppressed 8 Hence from mee al ye wicked for the Lord hath heard my lamentable crie 9 The Lord I saie bâ—â—h heard my praier the Lord hath receiued me his humble suppliant 10 Let al mine enimies bee ashamed and dismaied and flie awaie suddenlie confounded PSALME VII The Argument Whereas reprochful slaunders do most trouble men so that it is hard for them therein to bridle their anger and other euils that folowe especialie when we can find no comfort in the lawful defence of the magistrate we are taught in this Psalme to set the defence of God against men but so that we commit without al outrage of affections the defence of our innocencie vnto God alone the most seuere punisher of slaunderous tongues And the circumstances and causes of the writing of this Psalme are diligentlie to be considered whether it be referred to Saul or to Semei which historie is written 2. Sam. 16. or to anie other of Saules kinred that we may learne how that in the most greeuous slaunders and accusations wherein both our good name and our life also is dangered that we must yet keepe this moderation of mind and brideling of our affections And this doctrine doth chieflie apperteine to the whole Church and the gouernours thereof whome Sathan and his ministers do chieflie strike with these darts THE PARAPHRASIS 1 I Trust in thee ô Lord my God preserue me and deliuer me from al those that persecute me 2 Let him not deuoure me aliue like a Lion and teare me in peeces hauing none to deliuer me 3 O my Lord God if I haue committed this wickednesse if my hands haue committed anie such mischiefe 4 If I haue rendered euil to anie man yea if I haue not deliuered this same man from danger that doth persecute me without anie cause 5 Let the enimie pursue me vnto death let him take me and cast me downe and spoile me of my life and burie al mine honour and credit with me 6 Arise ô Lord in thine anger and come downe with thy power against al mine enimies awake ô Lord for my sake to execute that iudgement that thou hast appointed 7 Let the assemblie of people come about thee and turne thee vnto them from thine high throne 8 Lord execute iudgement among the people iudge me ô Lord euen as I am innocent giltles 9 Let the wickednes of the wicked I beseech thee come to an end and establish the iust For thou ô iust God doest search the hearts inward thoughts of man 10 My defence is in my God who defendeth the vpright in heart 11 God doth deliuer the iust and the same God is dailie angrie 12 So that vnlesse this wicked man repent God hath sharpened his sword he hath bent his bowe and made it readie 13 He hath also prepared his deadlie weapons and shooteth his arrowes against them that do so hotlie persecute me 14 Behold he traueleth with mischiefe he hath conceiued within himselfe to molest me but he shal bring foorth nothing 15 He hath digged a deepe pit but he shal fal into the pit that he hath digged 16 The euil that he hath deuised against me shal fal vpon his owne head and the hurt that he hath wrought against me shal fal vpon his owne pate 17 I wil praise the Lord as he iustlie deserueth and I wil sing praise to the name of the Lord most high PSALME VIII The Argument This Psalme is a thankesgiuing vnto God for two most excellent benefites bestowed vpon mankind that is for our creation in Adam and our restauration and redemption in Christ. And although that man by his owne fault did fal from that high dignitie wherein he was created yet there doe remaine certaine notes and markes of that dignitie and excellencie both in that he is the Lord ouer al the beastes and hath a certaine power of life and death ouer them and also in that singular prouidence wherewith God in mercie ordereth mankinde but that other state wherevnto the eternal sonne of God hath exalted mans nature being assumpted into the vnitie of his person al the infirmitie thereof laid aside that he might make al that beleeue partakers of his excellent glorie to whome onlie also he graunteth this that in this life they should haue the light of the true wisedome and that they may vse al the creatures of God in this world with safe conscience is the chiefe end of this Psalme as the holie Ghost doth interprete it Matth. 21 15. 1. Cor. 15 27 and Hebr. 2 8. THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Lord our God how excellent is thy name throughout al the earth aduancing thy glorie aboue the verie heauens 2 The verie mouths of infants sucklings confirme thy power so that al they that oppresse others or do rise vp against thee shal come to naught 3 For when I behelde those thy heauens the worke of thy fingers the Moone and the Starres so cunninglie set in order 4 O what is man saie I that thou art mindful of him that he being borne of mortal parents thou shouldest regard him 5 Thou hast made him little inferior to the Angels and hast crowned him with glorie and honor 6 Thou hast made him Lord ouer al the workes of thine hands thou causest al to serue him 7 Al sheepe cattel and the verie wilde beasts 8 The foules fleeing in the aire and the fishes swimming in the seas 9 O Lord our GOD how excellent is thy name throughout al the earth PSALME IX The Argument The Prophet doth teach the Church in this ix Psalme continualie to giue thankes for the benefites receiued at Gods handes which do testifie both his infinit power and singular fauor and by these examples both to comfort themselues in present miseries
And also being assured of his prophetical spâ—rit that this kingdome how florishing so euer was but onlie a figure and patterne of that eternal kingdome of Messiah who should be borne of him therefore doeth he extend his speach therevnto and prophesieth that al people of the earth shal receiue him for their King as the Apostle Paule doth interpret it Rom. 15.9 10 11 12. THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Lord my strength I doe loue thee from the bottome of my heart 2 The Lord is my rocke and my fortresse my deliuerer my God my mount my refuge my shield the horne wherewith I driue away the enimie and my high tower of defence 3 I haue praised the Lord and called vpon him and he hath deliuered me from al mine enimies 4 The bands of death had compassed me round about and bound me most wicked men like most raging flouds made mee afraide enuironing me round about 5 I did lie as it were wrapped in my winding sheete euen snarled with the snares of death 6 I called vpon the Lord in these extremities I called vpon my God I saie and he heard my voice out of his high palace and receiued into his eares the crie that I made vnto him 7 Then began the earth to quake and tremble the verie foundations of the mountaines to shake and shudder 8 And he breathed out smoke from his nostrels spitting foorth fire out of his mouth yea casting foorth euen coles of fire 9 He bowed the heauens and came downe the darkenes beeing spred al abroade vnder his feete 10 He did ride vpon the wings of the Angels and was caried with the wings of the winde 11 Blacke darkenes enuironed his tabernacle round about and he was couered with most darke and thicke cloudes 12 Vntil his glistering brightnes did breake those cloudes and the flames of fire did flash on euerie side 13 At the length he thundered from heauen and filled al places with his mightie sounding voice and with hailestones and lightnings 14 He shot foorth his firie dartes and increasing his lightnings he terrified mine enimies and destroied them 15 Then the deepe bottomes of the waters appeared and the foundations of the world were discouered at thy rebuke ô Lord and at the blustering winde of thy wrath 16 So then hath he stretching his right hand downe from the heauen taken me and drawne me out of the bottome of the deepe waters 17 From that mightie enimie I saie and from the other enimies by whose power I was oppressed 18 For they verilie had almost cast mee downe and destroied me at the sudden but he was my staffe that staied me 19 And he hath drawne me out of these straights and placed me in an open and large place because it so pleased him without my deseruing to fauour me 20 For he had regard in deede of me that was oppressed of these men without cause and granted these things to me being guiltles 21 For I haue folowed the waie that the Lord hath appointed me howsoeuer these men vexed me neither could I be drawne by anie of their iniuries that I should faile from my God as the wicked vse 22 For I had al his lawes before mine eies neither did I put his statutes foorth of my sight 23 But I behaued my selfe without hypocrisie with him neither did I folowe mine affections which else would easilie haue carried me forth of the waie 24 Therefore had the Lord regard of me that was oppressed of them without anie cause and fauoured me the innocent partie 25 For thou ô Lord wilt shewe thy selfe good vnto the good and vpright to them that deale vprightlie 26 And as thou shewest thy selfe sincere with them that deale sincerelie so the craftie men shal perceiue thee to be more cunning 27 For although manie times thy seruants be sore vexed yet doest thou preserue them and doest cast downe those that behaue themselues so proudlie 28 Hence haue I my light whereby thou causest me to shine and driuest away my darkenes 29 Thou hast made me to ouercome these dangers easilie and to leape ouer the walles and lets that were in my waie 30 For the waie whereby God leadeth vs is plaine the word of God is most pure the Lord doth defend al that trust in him as with a shield 31 For who is God but the Lord and who is mightie but our God onlie 32 He hath girded mee with power and hath made my waie safe 33 He hath made me as swift as the Hindes and hath placed me in most high and safe places 34 He hath taught mine hands to fight and he hath giuen me so great strength that I am able to breake a bowe of brasse with these mine armes 35 Thou hast preserued me with the protection of thy shield and thou hast staied me with thy right hand when I was readie to fal through thy great mercie 36 Thou hast caused me to go safelie without danger and thou hast staied my sliding steps 37 Therefore haue I pursued mine enimies and taken them and I haue not turned backe til I haue destroied them 38 I haue so beaten them downe and troden them vnder foote that they were not able to raise themselues againe 39 For thou verelie hast giuen me such strength that they which haue risen against me haue fallen headlong at my feete 40 Thou hast giuen me power to strike off their heads and that I might destroie them that pursued me 41 Yet Lord I graunt they cried vnto thee but thou hast not deliuered them neither wouldest heare their crie 42 Therefore did I beate them smal like the dust that the winde scattereth abroad and I did tread them like the mire which is trampled vnder the feete of them that walke the streetes 43 Yea also thou hast deliuered me from domestical and inward troubles and thou hast giuen me dominion ouer the nations that I neuer knew before 44 Vnknowne people I say obey my commandement and strangers be compelled for feare to submit themselues vnto me 45 The hearts of the strangers haue failed so that they fal downe for feare in their strongest forts 46 Let the Lord liue and let him that is my defence be knowledged and worshipped of al as he worthilie deserueth let God my deliuerer be praised euerie-where 47 Euen God I say who is mine aduenger who hath subdued so manie people vnder me 48 Thou hast saued me from mine enimies thou hast deliuered me from them that rose vp against me especialie from that cruel man 49 Therefore wil I praise thee euen among the prophane nations and I wil sing vnto thy maiestie 50 For verelie thou hast maruelouslie preserued thy king and not onlie Dauid himselfe whom thou hast annointed king but also thou hast shewed singular fauour to his seed that shal remaine for euer PSALME XIX The Argument This Psalme doth teach vs the summe of al true diuinitie the end whereof is that we haue that knowledge both of God himselfe and of the worship
due vnto him whereby we may become partakers of euerlasting life Wherefore he saith that men are taught the glorie and maiestie of God that is as Paule interpreteth it Rom. 1.10 his eternal power and godhead by the beholding of the heauens by the orderlie changes of daies and nights but specialie by the golden beautie of the Sunne which shineth ouer the whole world with an vnspeakeable course so that no man can pretend the ignorance thereof The which place the Apostle treateth both in that Chapter cited before and also in the Actes 17.27 But the Prophet addeth that men do lacke a farre more perfect declaration which may shew foorth both those same things and besides them the wil of God to conclude which may quiet our consciences that are greeuouslie vexed with the deadlie wound of our sinnes as the Apostle teacheth plentifullie 1. Cor. 1.21 and afterwards And he affirmeth that these things are not taught vs any otherwhere than by that doctrine which is giuen vs of him from the heauens it printing in our hearts that true wisedome not in words alone but in deede also that it might comfort vs with euerlasting gladnes And seeing this power belongeth wholie to the Gospel it is manifest that Dauid speaketh principalie of this part of the written word of God and that he treateth of that free forgiuenes of sinnes which at that time was shadowed with the ceremonies of the lawe but now is expounded and vttered vnto vs most fullie and manifestlie both by Christ himselfe and also by the writings of the Apostles THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THE heauens declare the glorie of God and this wide stretched frame of the heauenlie spheres called the firmament doth plainlie testifie that they could not be created by anie other but by God himselfe 2 The interchangeable course of daie and night doth minister occasion to drawe out the power of that most wise creator by that most ample and neuer ceasing race as it were out of a liuely euer running fountaine 3 Yea the heauens do also speake as with an high sounding voice which may be vnderstood of al people of al maner of languages 4 For that same their most cunning workemanship and the orderlie mouing by most constant and certaine spaces wherewith chiefelie the Sunne is carried about by that huge bodie compassed and couered with the heauens as with a tabernacle calleth as with a lowde voice vpon al men from the one end of the world to the other 5 For the Sunne it selfe like a bridegrome comming foorth of his chamber glistering with gold and pretious stones or like a mightie champion stretching himselfe to runne his race 6 Doth runne foorth from the one vttermost border to the other without anie wearines and with a course incomprehensible and there is none that can be hid from his heate 7 But wee haue an other farre more excellent schoolemaister and teacher of this wisedome yea one that is perfect in deede euen the doctrine declared vnto vs from heauen and appointed of God which doth fullie restore vs to perfection By the which the Lord hath opened vnto vs plainelie al that appertaineth to our saluation and doth teach al men true wisedome so that they knowledging their want of wisedome should shew themselues willing to be taught 8 The doctrine I saie ordeined of God which teacheth the true waie of felicitie plainelie and euidentlie and doth comfort the mindes with true ioie and lighteneth the eies of the mind with true light 9 For this is it which declareth the pure and vnchangeable worship of God and the maner how to worship God most rightlie and sincerelie 10 A thing more pretious by much than al gold how pure so euer and more sweete than anie honie combe 11 For heereby thy seruants ô Lord are taught which waie they should walke and they that walke this waie shal feele thee in the end most merciful 12 But ah who can vnderstand his faults wherfore I beseech thee mercifullie to deliuer me from these faultes that I can not by anie meanes vnderstand 13 And suffer not me thy seruant to be ouercome of these vnbrideled affections but rather graunt that I may leade this life vpright and free from wickednes 14 That I neither speake anie thing nor thinke anie thing in my heart which may not be acceptable vnto thee in whose sight I stand vnto thee I say ô Lord my defender and deliuerer PSALME XX. The Argument Here is an example of the praier of godlie subiects for the preseruation of their magistrates especialie in the chiefest dangers such as this was which is supposed to haue bin the cause why this Psalme was made as is declared 2. Sam. 10. and 1. Paralip 19. Out of the which praier these principal points of doctrine are to be gathered 1 That God is the authour and preseruer of policies 2 That policies are established by Gods helpe not by fortune nor by the meere and alone wisedome of man 3 That some kind of warfare is both iust and necessarie 4 That there is great difference betwixt the confidence and trust of the wicked and of the godlie THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THE Lord heare thee in these dangers and being called vpon by thee place thee in safetie 2 The Lord come down frō his sanctuarie to help thee euen from the mount Zion to strengthen thee 3 Let him declare that thine oblations are acceptable vnto him consuming thy burnt offerings with fire from the heauen 4 And graunt vnto thee that thy heart desireth and accomplish al thy purpose 5 That we may triumph being deliuered by thee ô Lord and that we may celebrate thee our God with banners displaied which hast graunted al the petitions of our king vnto him 6 For doubtles now thou hast preserued in deede the king that was annointed by thee thou hast heard him now out of thy heauenlie sanctuarie and hast defended him that trusted in the power of thy right hand which bringeth saluation 7 For they do trust in their chariots and in their horses but we do onlie remember thy name 8 Wherefore they are broken downe and fallen but we stand vpright 9 Assist vs ô Sauiour let that King heare vs when we cal vpon him PSALME XXI The Argument This Psalme dependeth of the former and namelie it conteineth a thanksgiuing for a notable victorie which was gotten the which victorie the Church imputeth to the bountiful clemencie of God alone who promiseth it the selfe-same helpe in al other distresses THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THou hast giuen cause of new ioie vnto thy king ô Lord which acknowledgeth himselfe preserued by thy power reioicing therein with al his heart 2 For thou hast giuen him his hearts desire and thou hast graunted vnto him that which he requested in his praiers 3 Yea thou hast preuented him with thy benefites thou hast crowned his head with a crowne of most pure gold 4 He required this thing onlie of thee that he might escape aliue and safe from
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
when he goeth from me he vttereth al to the men of his faction that he hath found out of me 7 And then when they haue diligentlie commoned and consulted together they pronounce the sentence of death against me 8 For saie they He is found guiltie of a horrible and mischieuous wickednes that there is no hope that he can escape from these miseries 9 Yea that same my most familiar who being in safetie I hoped for al prosperitie and of whome I looked for al kind of friendship euen he whome I tooke to mine owne table hath lifted his heele against me 10 But thou Lord haue mercie vpon me make frustrate their desires and raise me againe that according to the office and authoritie that thou hast giuen me I may iustlie punish their infidelitie 11 But oh Wherefore should I vse manie words vnto thee doubtles I now knowe that thou doest not hate me euen by this that thou hast not suffered mine enimies to triumph ouer me as they verelie hoped and by mans iudgement it seemeth so in deede 12 Behold then I do yet stand safe sure through thy defence and I knowe that thou wilt alwaies care for me 13 O Lord the God of Israël euerlasting praise be giuen to thee euen so be it I saie so shal it be PSALME XLII The Argument This Psalme doth set forth a singular example of true faith together with a maruellous care of the exercise of religion For Dauid being now an exile and not onlie spoiled of al his honour but of al his goodes and also fought for vnto death by most cruel enimies on euerie side doth yet testifie that he doth not despaire Furthermore he saith that he doth nothing regard so great losse of al other things in comparison of this one thing that whereas before time he was wont to go before others that vsuallie came vp to the Tabernacle he was now compelled to want those helpes of faith appointed by God For this most holie man did vnderstand that although he had God present with him whither soeuer he went and had profited so greatlie in the knowledge of God and his dutie as no man like him yet did he knowe that there was profite to be taken of the holie publike assemblies and that there is not anie man that doth not neede the hearing of the word and the comforts of the sacraments Let them marke this chieflie who thinke themselues so wise that they wilfullie despise the holie assemblies and the sacraments and they much more who for the commoditie of the transitorie things of this world doe refuse the holie ministerie Finallie they also which had rather he stil in the dunghil of idolatrie than to be accounted of the Church of Christ. THE PARAPHRASIS 1 LIke as the Hart long and sore chased with the hunters panting and braieng doth most greedilie seeke the fountaines of waters euen so I miserable man whome these men neuer cease so manie yeeres to persecute doe crie vnto thee ô God with my whole heart 2 Neither doe I desire againe the honour that I haue lost or the riches or my wife or my kinsmen and friends but I am consumed wholie rather with thirst and desire of thy liuely and euerlasting fountaine ô God Ah then when shal it at the length be graunted vnto me most miserable man that I may behold thee in thy house 3 I feede my selfe with teares day and night hearing these wicked men vpbraiding me as though I were forsaken of thee asking dailie Where is my God 4 O how bitter vnto me is the remembrance of the former times when I consider how great a multitude I was wont aforetime to leade vnto thy house which caused the verie fields to sound forth thy praises with their songs and danses 5 Go to yet my poore soule Why art thou so amazed and troubled so greatlie wait thou whilest God that thy deliuerer doe come For he I knowe wel wil bring to passe that I shal appeare againe in his sanctuarie and shal giue thankes vnto him for my deliuerance 6 But oh my God! I doe lie downe ouerthrowne both in the strength of my bodie and mind thinking of thee so far absent being chased vnto Iordan and lieng hid in the tops of the mountaines Hermon and Mizar 7 One deepe followeth another and calleth me to destruction thy streames breaking out with horrible sounding and the conduits of the clouds rolling downe vpon my head and al the flouds powred foorth to destroie me at once 8 Be it far from me yet that I should despaire for surelie the Lord wil prouide for mee in the daie time through his goodnes and in the night time he wil giue me cause to sing foorth his praise Finalie I wil neuer cease to praie vnto God the onelie authour and preseruer of my life 9 I wil saie vnto God vnto whose onlie protection I trust Can it be that thou shouldest be vnmindful of me and suffer that I being oppressed of the enimie should lie for euer in sorowe and miserie 10 Wilt thou neuer regard me nothing mooued with the losse of those thinges whereof I am most vniustlie spoiled but wounded to the heart with those wicked words of mine enimies when I heare them oftentimes speake in derision asking Where that my God is 11 Go to then my seelie soule why art thou so amazed and why art thou so disquieted wait rather whilest the Lord come for he wil graunt me that I being againe deliuered shal giue him thanks Thus he deliuering me shal cheere my countenance he I saie is my God PSALME XLIII The Argument This Psalme is a portion of the former repeating the praiers whereby he praied to be restored to the Church THE PARAPHRASIS 1 MAinteine my right ô God and defend my iust cause deliuer me from this vnmerciful multitude and from the deceitful and wicked man 2 For I trust to thy power alone ô my God wherefore doest thou refuse me and sufferest me to go heauilie being oppressed of mine enimies 3 Graunt I beseech thee that thy mercie and truth may shine vnto me which may bring me vnto that holie mountaine euen to thy tabernacles 4 O God! I wil there witnesse my ioie with my voice comming foorth vnto thine altar and I wil praise thee ô God my God vpon the harpe also 5 Wherefore art thou cast downe my soule and so sore disquieted wait vpon God for it wil come to passe that I shal praise him againe For this is that my God who deliuering me wil againe comfort me PSALME XLIIII The Argument This is also a Psalme of praier but ful of most grieuous lamentations the authour whereof is supposed of manie not to be Dauid because these complaintes seeme not to belong to his time therefore other do refer it to some other time but I do thinke that that which is spoken in the 18. verse and afterward doth much lesse agree to anie time than to those times which came after Dauid
which he did of old when he preserued our elders putting to flight the kings of Basan and brought them through the deepe streames of the sea 23 Wherefore then ô people thou didst walke through the middest of the heapes of thine enimies that were slaine dogs licking their bloud 24 Then ô God our elders did see thee going ô my God they did see thee going I saie within thy holie tabernacle ô my King 25 The singers went before thee the trumpetters folowing thee the companie of damsels also did plaie vpon the timbrels on euerie side one sort exhorting an other by course with this maner of song 26 Go to praise God with courage praise the Lord by course ye that come of Israël 27 Beniamin on the one side which was the youngest hath mightilie ouercome the enimie Iuda on the other side hath destroied them with stones also the valiantnes and noble victorie of the princes of Zabulon and Ephraim is famous 28 And as we knowledge al this power to haue proceeded from thee alone so disposing it so doe we now praie ô God that thou wilt confirme it more and more vnto vs. 29 And we doubt not but thou wilt so doe much more hereafter than euer before foorth of thy holie palace which thou hast chosen vnto thee at Ierusalem whither the verie kings also shal once come and shal offer gifts vnto thee 30 Represse therefore and bridle with thy terrible rebuke those cruel beasts that breake foorth of their holes and dens fierce rankes of buls and scatter the people that are like wanton calues that go proudlie decked in siluer euen the people that couet wars 31 Surelie the time wil come when the princes of Aegypt shal run hither vnto thee the Aethiopians with great haste shal hold vp their hands humblie vnto thee 32 Go to then ye kingdomes scattered through the earth praise God with melodie and sing vnto the Lord 33 Euen vnto the Lord that sitteth vpon those most high heauens from al eternitie as it were vpon a chariot and maketh a terrible and most mightie sound from thence 34 Acknowledge ye his power the maiestie wherof doth no lesse shine foorth in Israël than the thunders sounding in the clouds 35 For this is that sanctuarie ô God out of the which thou declarest thy selfe terrible vnto thine enimies but vnto thine ô God of Israël thou wilt minister power and strength therefore al praise and glorie be giuen vnto thee for euer PSALME LXIX The Argument Although this Psalme is altogether agreeable with the 22 Psalme written in the forme of a praier and no doubt by the occasion which either the flieng of Dauid out of the court of Saule seemeth to offer when the chastitie of his wife was not preserued safe vnto him who was married vnto an other husband much lesse did they spare his goods to the which opinion I doe incline or the treason of Absalom yet is it certaine that the holie Ghost did so gouerne the mind and the hand of the Prophet that he seemeth to haue regarded those things rather whereof he was a figure than himselfe if not in euerie place of the Psalme yet surelie in the most part thereof So then is Christ our mediatour rather brought in complaining vnto God of the crueltie of his people which could be ouercome by none of his benefits than Dauid complaining of his enimies and he also wisheth and forewarneth those punishment which the people of the Jewes did worthilie suffer for their ingratitude wherewith we also now see that they are punished of the which mystical interpretation we haue most cleare witnesses Matth. 27 48. Luke 1 20. Iohn 2 18. and 19 28. Last of al Paule Rom. 11 9. and 15 3. And seeing the members must be conformed vnto the head it followeth that there wil be great vse and commoditie of this Psalme so long as the Church shal soiourne vpon earth THE PARAPHRASIS 1 DEliuer me ô God euen now readie to be swallowed with these streames of water 2 For I am now cast downe into the most deepe mirie pit where I can by no meanes fasten my foote and I am drowned with most deepe waters flowing vpon me on euerie side 3 I am wearied with crieng my iawes are pained with hoarsenes also mine eies haue failed while I earnestlie wait for my God 4 Furthermore I may more easilie tel the haires of mine head than the multitude of mine enimies which hate me causelesse yea and the number of them that hate me deadlie is increased dailie and which thing is most greeuous of al those that spoile my goods deale so with me as though I had first spoiled others 5 But thou ô God knowest verie wel whether I haue behaued my selfe vprightlie and wiselie or no and whether I be a wicked man as these doe slander me 6 What then if I be forsaken of thee verelie they must needs also be ashamed who haue ioined them selues with me trusting to the promises that thou hast made vnto me O most mightie Lord staie thou this thing that it come not to passe neither suffer that they faile of their hope which seeke thee the God of Israël in the defence of my cause 7 For doubtles whatsoeuer they pretend they would wound not me but thee by my side and for thy cause alone am I so railed vpon and doe lie downe couered with reproch 8 Neither am I forsaken of strangers onelie but also my kinsemen and mine owne brethren doe despise me as an vnknowne person and as I were not ioined vnto them with any bond of consanguinitie 9 For euen so oft as I perceiued thy glorie to be diminished I burnt with sorrowe the which thing I neither would nor could dissemble and I accounted my self to be wounded with the reproches cast out against me 10 Wherefore I being in great heauines haue absteined euen from my meate for sorrowe the which my care these men had in derision 11 I laid downe my garment I saie and tooke vnto me haire cloth the which thing these men turned into scoffes 12 So that in the publike assemblies also they ceased not to prate on me and feasting merilie they made songs of me 13 What shal I do then Verelie ô Lord I doe notwithstanding powre out my praiers vnto thee being nothing afraid either of the power or of the pride of these men For though thou hast now loosed the raines to their dissolute wickednes I doe knowe that thou hast appointed a time againe when thou wilt bridle them and wilt declare in deed how much thou louest thine Wherefore I beseech thee ô God by that thine infinite mercie that of thy great and most assured goodnes thou wilt heare me when I crie 14 Deliuer me I beseech thee from this deuouring pit least I be wholie swallowed vp deliuer me from mine enimies and from the floud of so manie miseries 15 Forbid I beseech thee least I be ouerwhelmed vtterlie by the abundance of waters least
this most deepe streame swallowe me least I being deuoured in this deepe pit no hope of deliuerance be left vnto me 16 Graunt ô Lord of thy great mercie that I may prooue that my praiers were heard of thee and seeing thy mercies are infinite declare them by hauing regard of me 17 Doe not withdrawe thy selfe I beseech thee from thy seruant oppressed with so manie miseries but hasten ô Lord rather to heare me and to deliuer mee 18 Come vnto this my most miserable soule that thou maist deliuer it calling for thy helpe and redeeme me frō this multitude of most cruel enimies 19 Thou knowest more than al men with what and how false crimes I am charged and with what iniuries and reproches I am vexed neither can anie of mine aduersaries escape my sight 20 Ah! how sore doe these things vexe trouble and torment me especiallie seeing I haue so long waited but in vaine that some man should stand vp which should be moued with so many iniuries offered vnto me yet can there be found no-where anie man which would comfort me most miserable man with one word 21 Yea moreouer they labour to increase my miseries so much as lieth in them feeding mee with most bitter gal and they haue giuen me vineger to drinke they are so farre from comforting of me most miserable man 22 But cause thou againe that al thy benefits may turne to their destruction that they may be snared like beasts which are deceiued by the baits of meat set before them and let them find death there where they gaped for mirth and ioie 23 Take from them al the light of reason and vnderstanding and cut as it were al their sinewes that they may neither thinke nor perfourme anie thing that is good 24 Powre forth vpon them thine indignation and in the heate of thine anger correct them with iust punishment 25 Destroie their faire houses to the ground and waste al their dominion vtterlie 26 For they are so farre from hauing anie compassion on him whome it hath pleased thee to afflict so seuerelie that they haue also tormented him more greeuouslie and they haue laid new strokes one after another vpon him that thou haddest so greeuouslie wounded 27 Withdrawe therefore al thy helpe againe from them that they may heape wickednes vpon wickednes neither giue them at anie time the spirit of repentance to receiue them into thy fauour 28 And although that they insomuch as they are borne of those holie fathers may seeme to be counted amongest the number of thine to whome thou hast appointed the gift of the true life yet rase thou out their names foorth of thy booke neither count them amongst the iust 29 Let this then be the lot of those most wicked men but I ô God now being most miserable at the length shal be deliuered of thee and shal be exalted againe 30 Wherefore I wil then sing of thy name then wil I set foorth thy praises with great maiestie 31 And this I knowe wel shal be more pleasant vnto the Lord than the most great offering hauing hornes and hoofes 32 And al that are likewise vexed being comforted by mine example shal reioice and flieng vnto God by mine example shal be restored vnto life 33 For the Lord shal they saie wil heare the needie and doth not despise them who are bound in the chaines of miseries for his cause 34 Go to therefore let the verie heauens and also the huge lumpe of the earth the verie seas what things soeuer creepe in the waters let them set foorth the praises of the Lord. 35 For God wil preserue his Sion and wil build vp his cities appointed vnto Iuda and wil there assigne euerlasting habitation for his people 36 For the fathers shal sit ouer this heritage vnto their posteritie and this shal be the euerlasting possession of the seruants of God namelie of those that seeke his glorie carefullie PSALME LXX The Argument This Psalme doth conteine a praier which it is like that Dauid vsed in his banishment most commonlie and hath prescribed it vnto the Church afterward as a forme of dailie praier seeing that there neuer wanteth such enimies vnto the Church or at the least to manie of the members thereof as are here described THE PARAPHRASIS 1 COme speedilie ô God to deliuer me make haste to helpe me ô Lord. 2 Put them to shame that seeke my death command them to turne backe and to be couered with shame which desire nothing more than to see me destroied 3 Let them turne home with shame for a recompence being disappointed of their purpose which haue vaunted against me as though I had bene vtterlie vndone 4 And graunt thou of the contrarie that not I alone but al they also that haue a desire to worship thee and wait for an end of my miseries may be ioiful and reioice and that they may giue solemne and euerlasting thanks and praises vnto thee who hast deliuered me 5 In the meane season I stand here poore miser destitute of al succour make haste therfore ô God to helpe me For I depend vpon thy helpe alone ô God my deliuerer ô Lord I beseech thee delaie no longer PSALME LXXI The Argument This Psalme though it be without title in the Hebrue yet doth it seeme to be made by Dauid and written at that time when he now being aged was with so sudden and so great rage driuen from his roial seate and chased euen beyond Jordan chieflie by the treason of Achitophel and of his sonne whome he so deerelie loued And it is ful of most greeuous and iust complaints and it doth also set foorth an example of excellent constancie and of an inuincible faith And seeing the good seruants of God can looke for none other condition or state it is profitable oft to meditate this Psalme both least they should fondlie promise vnto themselues after they had ouercome manie troubles that their old age should be quiet and also least they should despaire when they shal be likewise vexed not onlie of strangers but also of them whome they haue cherished in their owne bosom but that they go forward in their vocation whilest they atteine the garland following the example of Dauid and other Prophets and of the Apostles as also of verie manie other faithful Bishops THE PARAPHRASIS 1 I Flie vnto thee alone ô Lord suffer me not to be ouerwhelmed with shame for euer 2 Deliuer me rather from this calamitie as I haue had experience that thou art iust and mindful of thy promises heare me and deliuer me 3 Be thou vnto me also in the steede of a most strong tower into the which I may alwaies flie For seeing thou hast once already receiued me into thy defence where else shal I rather seeke for succour 4 Therefore my God graunt that I fal not into the hands of this most wicked and most craftie enimie which rusheth vpon me with so great rage 5 For I depend wholie
they not being thus contented with the destruction of thy temple when they had thus determined to spoile al things at once that there should be no monument of vs at al remaining they burnt vp al the other buildings that we anie where had built for the hearing of thy precepts and to set forth thy praises 9 At the least ô Lord we should now see some of those our old and accustomed signes and wee should haue some one prophet who might comfort vs and might signifie vnto vs what end would be to these calamities 10 But how long ô God shal these enimies raile against thee shal this enimie neuer cease to reproch thy holie name 11 And wilt thou for euer hold in thy right hand whereby onelie we can be deliuered wilt thou turne it awaie from vs and neuer drawe it out of thy bosome 12 But thou art he who hast taken in hand to gouerne me so manie yeares ago and hast saued me so oft al they beholding and fighting against me 13 Thou by thy power hast made the sea passable for our sake and hast broken the heads of the mightie men of Aegypt being like dragons within the waters 14 Thou hast broken the head of that huge and cruel whale and thou hast giuen their carcases to be deuoured by the beastes of that wildernes 15 Thou euen contrarie to the course of nature breaking the huge rocke didst bring forth a riuer out of the veines of the flint stones and contrariwise thou diddest drie vp suddenlie the deepe chanel of that most raging riuer 16 Thou art the Authour and Ruler both of daie and night which hast set in order the certaine and vnchangeable motions of the light and of the Sunne 17 Thou hast diuided the whole compas of the earth into their borders thou hast appointed the course of summer and winter 18 And how much more easilie canst thou restore thy people if thou please in what desperate case soeuer they be onelie therefore be mindful of that thy couenant yea though thou couldst forget thy people yet doubtles thou canst not forget thine owne selfe And what reproches hath not this enimie cast foorth against thee ô Lord and what railings haue not this mad people vsed against thee 19 Ah! do not forsake nor giue vp this thy most deare turtle doue counted to be forsaken mourning vnto thee vnto these most cruel beastes neither commit the congregation of thy miserable people to perpetual obliuion 20 Remember rather thy couenant ô Lord for the whole land is now nothing else but a den of theeues and robbers 21 Let not the praiers we beseech thee of thine being so sore beaten and vexed with so manie reproches be vaine and frustrate but rather giue occasion to them that are oppressed and destitute of al succour to praise thee 22 Arise ô Lord and pleade thine owne cause and do not forget the reproches of these outragious men which they dailie cast out against thee 23 Forget not I saie the outcries of thine aduersaries but declare in deede that the brute of their tumult is come vp vnto thee PSALME LXXV The Argument Whether this Psalme were written by Asaph in the name of Dauid or it were written by Dauid himselfe and after deliuered to Asaph the singer and chanter it doth wholie agree vnto those times when Dauid reigned in the citie of Hebron when he was readie to receiue the kingdome of the whole nation by the common consent of al the tribes and it conteineth three principal points to wit that God is the Author and gouernour of al iust policie againe that these be the two principal duties of the magistrates euen to be a terror to those that be euil and to cherish them that be good finallie that this is the chiefe and final end of al namelie that glorie be giuen vnto God THE PARAPHRASIS 1 WE praise thee we praise thee ô God and that most worthilie whose power we do feele present and shal find hereafter and so shal we againe set forth thy wonderful benefites 2 And I wil surelie care for nothing so much when I shal haue the people by thy goodnes committed vnto me as to institute an holie and righteous gouernement 3 For as the case now standeth al the bonds of lawes being broken the whole kingdome is disordered but I wil againe establish the pillers thereof which are remoued foorth of their places 4 I wil bridle the proud and dissolute persons I wil terrifie the wicked that they shal not lift their hornes so high with these words 5 O ye mad men do not henceforth exalt your selues neither answere you so stoutlie and proudlie as ye are wont 6 For as ye may wel perceiue which way soeuer a man doth turne him it is not in his power to mount to higher dignitie 7 But it belongeth to God alone the most iust gouernour of al things and it is in his power and authoritie to cast off whome he wil and to exalt whome he pleaseth 8 Wherefore thou doest not resist me but God himselfe And the Lord doth carrie in his hand a cup ful of troubled wine and ful of dregs the which he wil giue to al the wicked to sucke vp and to drinke to the verie dregs 9 Thus then I diligentlie praising the God of Iacob and singing vnto him continuallie wil cut off the hornes of the wicked but I wil increase the iust with honours PSALME LXXVI The Argument J do take it to haue the same Argument and the same occasion to be of the writing of this Psalme as of the 46. and this is most notable in them both that he distinguisheth plainelie that knowledge of God whereby the Gentiles are rather conuinced than taught and conuerted from that wisedome which Christ saith that it can not be perceiued of flesh and bloud which is onlie peculiar to the Church of God and whereby onelie the true Catholike Church may and ought to be knowne and distinguished from the residue of mankinde and especiallie from the false and fained apostatical Church which onelie delighteth in ignorance THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THAT true God of Israël is onelie knowne in Iudëa who he is and he doth there onlie declare himselfe in deede how great and what maner of one he is 2 And though he fil both the heauen and the earth yet doth he not dwel euerie-where but in Salem as his tabernacle witnesseth which is placed in Sion 3 And experience it selfe doth declare this to be a most manifest testimonie of his presence seeing it is he who hath there broken in peeces the bowes and arrowes the shields the speares and al the instruments of war of the enimies of his people at once 4 Thus then hath he set foorth his owne glorie and he hath declared himselfe to be more mightie than al those spoilers people or kings how proud soeuer 5 For they how fierce or famous so euer they were are bereaued of their weapons and spoiles neither were they able
and poore 2 Preserue the life of him that is promoted by thy benefite preserue ô my God I saie thy seruant that flieth vnto thee 3 Haue mercie vpon me ô Lord crieng dailie vnto thee 4 Refresh the soule of thy seruant for vnto thee alone ô Lord my soule doth lift it selfe 5 For thou ô Lord art verelie good and merciful and vsest great clemencie and kindnes towards them that cal vpon thee 6 Giue eare vnto my praiers ô Lord and receiue the words of him that praieth vnto thee 7 Neither doe I crie without cause vnto thee but being in most extreame miserie therefore thou wilt heare me 8 For verelie amongst al those feined gods vnto whome the mad men doe attribute so much who is to be compared vnto thee ô Lord and who is able to doe like vnto thee 9 Wherefore al nations in the end shal cast awaie their false gods and shal knowledge thee their creator and reuerencing thee shal giue thee al praise 10 For thou verelie art great thou onelie art God the author and worker of maruellous works 11 Teach me ô Lord the waie that thou hast appointed that I may shew my selfe faithful and trulie obedient vnto thee and cleauing wholie vnto thee may set my mind to serue thee 12 O Lord my God I wil praise thee with my whole heart and magnifie thy name for euer 13 Seeing I haue the experience of thine infinite goodnes in my selfe and am deliuered from the lowest pit of the graue by thee 14 Thou seest doubtles how cruel and proud men do arise vp against me and how such as regard nothing lesse than thee doe labour with al power to take my life from me 15 But thou ô Lord God vpon whome onlie I do depend wholie art verelie merciful and pitiful and art not hastie vnto anger most merciful I saie and most ful of truth 16 Take care of me therefore for thine infinite mercie and helpe thy bond-seruant 17 Grant finallie that I may manifestlie knowe that thou louest me that mine enimies may be ashamed of themselues when they see that thou dost helpe and comfort me PSALME LXXXVII The Argument Manie do applie this Psalme to the time of the second temple but I had rather to attribute it to that time of the kingdome of Dauid when he set vp a tabernacle for the Arke of the Lord in that part of the citie that bare his name euen the mount Sion whilest that the temple was builded Howsoeuer it is besides the prophesie of spreading the Church of God thoughout the whole world this Psalme doth teach vs with a maruellous and diuine breuitie vnder the figure of that earthlie either temple or tabernacle either first or second that the worke of the building of the spiritual temple of God which is made of liuely stones euen the Church is altogither diuine and that the foundation thereof is onelie the good pleasure of God and that the Church is not bound to one place alone and that nothing is more stable and durable than the Church finallie that the true and euerlasting ioie doth onlie there remaine as hauing the promises both of this life and of the life to come THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THe Lord minding to build vnto himselfe a firme and stable habitation hath chosen these hils consecrated them to himselfe 2 And he hath preferred the gates of Sion aboue al the habitations of Iacob because it so pleased him 3 Wherfore excellent things are decreed of thee ô citie of God 4 For behold saith the Lord I wil account both Aegypt and Babylon amongst my people so that they shal be no more enimies vnto thee and the verie Philistins the Tyrians and Arabians shal be numbred amongst thy citizens 5 Finallie men of al nations shal not be as aliens and strangers but they shal be the natiue citizens of Sion the which God wil establish from aboue 6 For God accounting the people wil write them al in his booke 7 There shal al sound with singers and shawmes there saith the Lord al the fountaines of my benefits shal flowe foorth PSALME LXXXVIII The Argument The Hebrue title doth testifie that the writer of this Psalme was Heman by his countrie surnamed Esrait a kinsman and fellowe of Asaph of whome most honourable mention is made 1. Chron. 6 33. and 15 4. where it is said that he was a Prophet to the king and a singer and of singular wisedome 2. Kings 4.31 So that I thinke they are deceiued who refer this Psalme to the time of Joakim the last king of Iu l◠saue one who was captiue in Babylon And it conteineth such a lamentation as there is none more lamentable and pitiful in the whole Psalmes the which the whole Church and the families and also euerie priuate man may vse both in publike and priuate miseries Therefore was this Psalme afore-time named amongst the penitentials as they called them and was sung at the publike confession of the excommunicate persons the which Psalmes afterward we haue seene to be applied foolishlie and without reason to a daily and priuate babbling without respect either of time or person THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Lord GOD of whome I doe wait for my deliuerance I cal for thy helpe daie and night 2 Let my praiers I beseech thee come vnto thee and giue eare vnto my crie 3 My soule is ful of miserie neither is my life far from the graue 4 For I am more like to a dead than to a liuing man by the iudgement of al that doe behold me 5 And as though I had no part with the liuing I am now counted amongst the dead and amongst them that lie in graue of whose life there is none account as those whome thy hand hath cut off at once 6 And I am cast by thee as into the lowest darke and deepe pit 7 Thy wrath lieth vpon me and thou hast ouerwhelmed me with al thy flouds 8 Thou hast put al my familiars from mee vnto whome I am so loathsome not without thy knowledge so that I keepe my selfe within my house as it were in a prison and dare not go one foot forth 9 Mine eies are consumed through sorowe yet cal I vpon thee dailie ô Lord spreading foorth my hands 10 And wil there be time to exercise thy great power when men are dead wilt thou restore them to life againe that they may giue thee praise 11 Shal they that lie in graue set foorth thy mercie there and shal they that are dead set foorth thy truth againe here 12 Shal those that lie buried in the darknes of death knowe thy woonderful workes and they whose memorie death hath blotted out from the liuing acknowledge thy righteousnes 13 Wherfore I cease not to cal vpon thee ô Lord and I doe preuent the morning light in powring foorth my praiers 14 Why dost thou refuse mine oppressed soule ô Lord why doest thou turne awaie thy face from mee 15 Ah! I am miserable and readie to
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
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
commeth vpon vs and then verelie the wild reuening beasts creepe foorth of their dens 21 Euen the young lions searching their praie with roring and requiring their meate as it were of God himselfe who hath kept them shut vp in the daie time for mans sake 22 But when the light returneth againe at the sun rising they get themselues into their dens againe as it were by a signe giuen from the heauen 23 So that man may returne vnto his labors which he had lest off and continue his trauel safelie vnto the euening 24 How maruellous therefore are thy works ô Lord how wiselie hast thou made al things with what and how great riches hast thou filled the earth 25 And this wide sea how large is it and how in numerable fishes are there how manie liuing creatures both of smal bodies and of monstrous greatnes doe swim therein 26 The ships also do run there through the seas and those huge beasts created of thee doe leape to and fro through the midst of the flouds as though they would plaie 27 And al these things as they haue receiued life of thee so also they wait for meate of thee wherewith they are nourished in their due time 28 Therefore thou giuest it vnto them and they receiue it and when thou openest thine hands they are satisfied 29 But if at anie time thou withdrawe thy selfe from them they stand euen astonished whilest that thou calling againe that liuelie strength which thou hadst giuen them they die at the length and returne to their dust 30 Yet for al this the kinds of things doe not decaie but whilest thou doest shew foorth that thy power which createth and preserueth al things thou causest that one of thy creatures comming into the place of another the verie face and furniture of the earth is renewed 31 Therefore euerlasting praise be giuen to the Lord and let the Lord continue to take his delight in his owne works 32 He is great I saie and verie mightie at whose angrie countenance the earth it selfe doth shake and tremble and by whome the mountaines being touched doe cast out smoke and flame 33 And as concerning me I wil consume al my life in praising him and so long as I shal remaine aliue I wil praise that my God 34 And would to God that my songs might be so acceptable vnto him as I with glad and cheereful mind doe celebrate his so manie and so great benefits 35 And contrariwise would to God that al the wicked that are stubborne against him might vtterlie be destroied But thou my soule praise thou the Lord and al ye others praise ye God PSALME CV The Argument Jt is euident by 1. Chron. 16. that the author of this Psalme was Dauid and that it was indited for Asaph to be sung when the Arke of the Lord was carried into the citie and there is the same vse of this as of the two former but the argument is diuers in this point that he doth celebrate two peculiar benefits of the Israëlites namelie the free adoption of that people and the bringing in of the same into the land promised Now seeing we haue a couenant more excellent than the former and our true Joshua is gone before into the verie heauen we may wel perceiue besides that now also the rehearsal of those old histories is most ioiful and most profitable so haue we so manie examples both of Gods mercie and truth whereby we may confirme our faith resting vpon the same foundations and are bound also much more than our fathers to celebrate these benefits and to continue in setting foorth the same THE PARAPHRASIS 1 PRaise the Lord cal vpon him and in the hearing of the people shew foorth his works 2 Sing vnto him praise him set foorth his maruellous acts 3 Glorie in his holie name you also that seeke the Lord reioice 4 Come ye vnto the Lord and diligentlie seeke this visible signe and pledge of his power and excellencie namelie this Arke 5 Cal to mind how manie and how great miracles and wonders he hath wrought for your sakes finallie what punishments he hath executed is iudgement of your enimies 6 For we are the children of Abraham his seruant and the ofspring of Iacob whome he hath choses to himselfe 7 And the Lord againe is the gouernour in deed and Lord ouer al the earth but he is our God by a peculiar right 8 Namelie for that he is mindful of that his couenant and word which shal be of force for euer by his commandement 9 Of that couenant I saie which he made first with Abraham and after with Isaac which was confirmed with a solemne oth 10 And further established with Iacob or Israël in these plaine words to stand for an vnchangeable and euerlasting decree 11 I wil giue you this land of Canaan as a possession by right of inheritance measured out by me 12 And that which he promised most freelie he hath perfourmed also most faithfullie For though they were verie few in number and of no strength and liued in that land as strangers 13 And changing their seates oftentimes wandering from nation to nation and remoued from one kingdome to another 14 Yet was it so farre off that he would suffer anie violence to be done vnto them by anie man that he also rebuked kings for their sakes 15 And hath written this decree as it were in these few words Let none touch mine annointed consecrate priests let no man hurt my prophets 16 But afterward he sent a famine vpon the earth as it were called by him and he did breake al the strength of bread that they might al seeme to be readie to perish streightwaies 17 But he sent a man before them when they should go into Aegypt long before by a most maruellous meane farre from al mans wisedome who should prepare them a place to soiourne in euen Ioseph who was first sold as a slaue in Aegypt 18 But afterward he was bound with iron fetters no lesse chained in mind than in bodie 19 Whilest at the last at the time appointed mention was made of him vnto the king and the wisedome which the Lord gaue vnto him did declare what maner of man and how excellent he was 20 Then therefore the king and lord of the Aegyptians did not onelie send messengers and loose him from his bonds 21 But also made him the steward of his court and so appointed the gouernement of al his affaires vnto him 22 Also an absolute authoritie was giuen vnto him ouer al the great princes of Aegypt that he should gouerne the verie magistrates of Aegypt by his wisedome and counsel 23 Therefore came Israël at length into Aegypt and Iacob did soiourne in the countrie of Cham. 24 And the Lord increased his familie there maruellouslie so that they became feareful for this cause vnto the Aegyptians that hated them 25 For God did change their minds against his people that they began to hate
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
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
of the natural loue and affection not of common friendship whereof the prophane writers haue spoken manie things also verie wel but of that holie charitie whereof the holie Ghost onelie is the authour which ioineth al the godlie vnto one heauenlie father in Christ the first born among manie brethren The which knot also not euerie kind of commoditie in regard wherof the poëts did adorne peace with maruellous epithetons so that they counted it as a goddesse but al the benefits of God both of this life and of the life to come do folowe it being euen powred downe vpon vs from him foorth of whose fulnes they are deriued downe vnto the vnder members cleauing vnto him Wherefore this charitie or loue is worthilie cōpared with the heauenlie dew that we may acknowledge it to be giuen vs from heauen and that freelie and also with the holie ointment of Aaron running downe from the head vnto the hem of his garment because that Aaron was a figure of Christ our eternal Priest that ointment did signifie the holie spirit powred foorth without measure vpon our head that is vpon Christ himselfe thereby sanctifieng his vnder members that is the whole Church by whose sweete smel also we are acceptable to our heauenlie father according to that saieng Ioh. 14 21. He that loueth me shal be loued of my father and I wil loue him c. Iohn 1 16. THE PARAPHRASIS 1 BEhold how beautiful and happie this change of our state is to wit because we see that brethren which before were at dissention both in bodies and minds are now most friendlie ioined in hearts Wherefore I would haue you continuallie to consider and marke that there is nothing either more profitable or more pleasant than your brotherlie amitie For besides that God would haue vs to be borne of one and the same father Abraham the which reason is of no smal moment he hath further called and chosen vs out into his familie by the same his holie spirit 2 Wherefore this brotherlie vnitie is plainlie like that sweete balme so pretious which being powred vpon the head of the high priest and vpon his beard did flowe downe euen to the hem of his holie garment 3 And we may compare it with that most sweet and most fruitful dew which falleth on the mountaines both of Hermon and Sion For where this concord is of force there at the commandement of God from heauen al commodities flowe downe and remaine for euer PSALME CXXXIIII The Argument After the manifold speeches pertaining vnto the people at the length a verie good end is made vnto that matter by an exhortation directed vnto the priestes and Leuites seeing the worship of God is the whole summe belonging vnto the Church Therefore the Leuites are admonished for what cause they are placed in the Church not that they should exercise dumbe ceremonies but that they should bestowe whole daies nights for the saluation of the people that is in teaching declaring the praises of God and in praieng THE PARAPHRASIS 1 LO ye blessed companie whom the Lord hath peculiarlie chosen out of the rest of the people and whose ministerie he vseth whilest yee appeare in his house before him daie and night first execute your office diligentlie in Gods sight carefullie labouring to set foorth his praises 2 Praie vnto the Lord I saie lifting vp your hands vnto his sanctuarie and praise him which is the principal part of his worship and the verie end of these ceremonies 3 Then commend the whole assemblie of the people vnto God sending them awaie after they haue sincerelie offered their sacrifices and haue bene instructed with holie doctrine praieng that the Lord who is the Creator of heauen and earth would enrich them al out of Sion with al kind of blessings PSALME CXXXV The Argument The Prophet doth chiefly exhort the priests and the Leuites also in this Psalme as in the former publikelie to set foorth the praise of God vnto whome yet he wil haue the people to ioine as to their ringleaders And the arguments of praise are taken partlie of the general works wherein God setteth foorth both his infinite power and goodnes euen as it were to be groped or handeled of al men partlie of his special benefits that are bestowed on his owne people and he adioineth an antithesis of the idols at large And we ought to confirme our selues at this daie stil with the same testimonie and to giue thanks vnto God dailie now for them also seeing there hath bene alwaies and is stil one and the same Church as there is one God and one faith although the couenant be diuers in the manner and forme of reuelation which God hath made with his THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Al ye that are peculiarlie appointed to the ministerie of the Lord praise ye praise ye the Lord as he hath shewed himselfe in deede worthilie to be acknowledged 2 You I saie which are appointed to stand and to appeare euen in the house of the Lord and vnto whome the keeping of these courts of the Lord is committed 3 Praise God who is verie good and praise his name than the which nothing is more pleasant 4 For he hath of his onlie goodnes chosen Iacob to himselfe as his most chiefe treasure 5 And to speake no more of these special testimonies of his fauour why should not I affirme that thing which is most plaine and euident that the Lord euen our God is verie great although foolish men imagine to themselues gods he is mightier than al their gods although we should graunt that there were such as they doe dreame 6 For seeing that these men suppose that there are manie gods surelie they can make none of these almightie and some doe make them idle beholders of things others do bind them to inferiour causes others faine that most vile things and most wicked things are done openlie by them but the Lord as he hath created the heauen the earth the sea and al the depths thereof so also he vseth them at his pleasure 7 By whose commandements the clouds rising from the vttermost parts of the earth doe minister the matter of the firie flames and of the raines which burst foorth thence together and which bringeth foorth the winds out of his store 8 And least anie man should limit this infinite power of the Lord within the bounds of natural causes this is he which destroied in one night al the first borne both of men and beasts in Aegypt the which thing certainlie can not be attributed to the order of nature 9 He also ouerthrew Pharao in Aegypt and al the Aegyptians ouer dutiful-seruants to their king with signes and wonders whereof there is not one which doth not declare the infinite power of the Lord aboue al order of nature 10 Yea and not Pharao onlie and the Aegyptians but he also miserablie slue manie other nations and their most mightie kings 11 As Sehon king of the Amorites and
whatsoeuer doth trouble me 3 And greefe in deede doth bring darkenes vpon me but thou knowest what path I should hold in these rockes of the wildernes though they haue set snares round about me 4 I looke about me hither and thither but I see no man which knoweth me no refuge appeareth anie-where there is no man that thinketh how to saue me 5 Therefore I with crieng seeke thee onlie thou art my refuge and my portion keeping me aliue 6 Ah! heare the crie of a man most miserable and vtterlie consumed deliuer me from these enimies much more mightie than I which do persecute me so cruellie 7 Deliuer me from this prison that I being compassed with the assemblie of iust men which reioice that this deliuerance is giuen me by thee may sing thy praises continuallie PSALME CXLIII The Argument There is scarselie anie other Psalme extant wherein it is declared more plainlie what moderation we should vse when we are oppressed with slanders For although he that is vniustlie accused that he hath hurt this or that man be not guiltie of that crime in his owne conscience as it appeareth that Dauid was banished without al deseruing as a seditious person and guiltie of high treason which causeth him both in other places and in this Psalme boldlie to appeale vnto God trusting to his innocencie notwithstanding whereas the conscience before the iudgement seat of God doth abundantly reproue them also which are most innocent before men it must needs be that the conscience here susteine a double person both confessing it selfe guiltie also setting it selfe as innocent before the same iudgement seate and Dauid doth this thing most manifestly in this Psalme adding a sentence as notable as anie is anie-where in the holie scriptures whereby al euerie man without exception besides him onelie which was borne pure without al spot being considered in themselues are condemned of iniurie done vnto others and therfore worthie of sundrie punishments Afterward there is added an excellent description of the battel of faith with infidelitie whilest the one armeth her selfe both with the inuincible power of the most mightie and most merciful God and also with his most certaine truth declared in his writen word but the other gathering strength of the greatnes and multitude of the troubles wherevnto it seemeth that God would neuer offer his but faith ouercommeth in the end because as the Apostle saith We are not vnder sinne but vnder grace that is to saie in the regenerate not the flesh but the spirit doth ouercome THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Lord thou knowest the goodnes of my cause concerning mine enimies therefore I beseech thee that thou wouldest deliuer me being an innocent but againe when I consider who I am before thee what shal I rather doe than intreate thee to turne awaie thy most iust wrath heare me therfore that praie heare me which praie earnestlie resting both vpon thy truth in perfourming thy promises and of thy righteousnes in defending thine owne 2 Howbeit though I be innocent concerning these men yet desire I this thing earnestlie that thou deale not with me thy seruant by iudgement For this is plaine that there was neuer man neither is there anie man who if he be set before thy iudgement seate as he is in himselfe can be found iust 3 But behold I beseech thee how these men account me they haue sought me vnto death they haue cast me downe so that scarselie my life remaineth yea and I am counted of them alreadie as a putrified carcase in the pit of the graue 4 And what shal I here doe whither shal I turne me my God for I am in mind vtterlie amazed and I tremble being striken in my heart whether I doe looke vpon thee a seuere iudge or vpon these my cruel enimies 5 Howbeit when I cal to memorie how mercifullie thou vsest to deale with thine and doe not onlie remember thy promises which of themselues are most sure but also with how manie notable wonders thou hast confirmed them which none was able to worke besides thee I take a wonderful comfort thereby 6 Wherefore I come to thee with stretched out hands requiring thee to send downe thy holie spirit vpon me none otherwise than the earth burnt vp with heate and gaping euerie-where doth wait for the dew 7 Heare me therefore ô Lord and tarrie not for al my strength doth faile me and now when I am more like a dead man than a liuing doe not withdrawe thy selfe far from me 8 But grant rather that thy mercie may speedilie shine as it were a light vnto me that flie onlie vnto thee which may gouerne me wandering in this darknes seeing that I depend wholy on thee alone 9 Deliuer me ô Lord from these mine enimies because I lie hid vnder thy wings alone 10 Finallie seeing thou art not onlie the God which canst saue vs but also art my God that is to saie which hast testified that thou wilt do this thing for me which thou canst do take me from these mine enimies and continue furthermore to teach me both to knowe and also to do that which is acceptable to thee least that either my blind mind or mine affections which are by their nature outragious carrie me out of the waie but rather that thy spirit which worketh al goodnes may leade me in the right waie the whole course of my life 11 Neither yet do I desire that thou shouldest restore mee vnto life which am readie to die and brought to deaths doore as though I did trust to my owne merits but that thou maiest prouide for thine owne glorie 12 Therefore what wil be the end euen that thou vtterlie destroie mine enimies by whome I am so vniustlie vexed for thy singular mercie because I am thy seruant PSALME CXLIIII The Argument Dauid being renowmed with noble victories and that not without singular courage and strength both of bodie and mind as it is knowne by his historie yet in this Psalme which doth wholie agree with the 18. he doth so giue thanks vnto God that he doth attribute no more to him selfe in warlike affaires than Paule doth in the ministerie of the Gospel when he saith that He that planteth and he that watereth are nothing but that it is God onlie that giueth the increase He teacheth al men true humilitie of mind what great diligence soeuer they haue vsed in the worke committed vnto them And because our battel is so long as our life lasteth he giueth thanks so for the victories obteined that he desires new strength against new conflicts which are at hand giuing a singular admonition to take heed least we being made more negligent by prosperous successe be ouercome at vnwares by the enimie Finallie he doth open the fountaine from whence al good things both publike and priuate doe flowe to wit the sincere worship of the true God closing vp the Psalme with a most magnificent acclamation the which would to God al Commonwealths would
ô Lord and I do seeke thy face 9 Turne not away ô Lord neither reiect thy seruant in thine anger thou wilt yet helpe me leaue me not neither forsake me ô my sauiour 10 Though I be destitute of al mans helpe yea euen forsaken of my verie parents yet thou ô Lord wilt succour me 11 Teach me the waie that I should walke and make plaine the path-way vnto me against whom so manie enimies do lie in wait 12 Giue me not vp to the lust of mine enimies for they are risen vp against me which are not ashamed to lie or to commit anie wickednes 13 Yet I trust that I shal be safe and comfortablie enioie the Lords benefites 14 Go to Dauid waite vpon the Lord with a couragious and constant heart waite vpon the Lord I saie PSALME XXVIII The Argument Dauid in this Psalme susteining the person not of a priuate man but of a publike euen of a king appointed by God himselfe praieth for himselfe and for Gods people with such confidence although he could not liue safelie no not as a priuate person in the kingdome of Saul that he giueth thankes for his petition graunted alreadie And he addeth certaine praiers vndoutedlie by the spirit of prophesie against al such as persecute the Church not by ignorance or sudden affection but of set purpose and obstinate malice Wherevnto appertaine those things that are written 1. Sam. 23.17 and 24.21 THE PARAPHRASIS 1 I Call vpon thee ô Lord my defence be not deafe at my crie for if thou keepe silence I shal differ nothing from them that die and are laied in the earth 2 Heare my praiers therefore whilest I may crie and regard me that stretch vp my hands to that thy most holie sanctuarie 3 Count not me ô Lord amongest these wicked men who reioice in wickednes who wil offer in words al duties of friendship and to be at commandement but in their hearts they haue most wicked deuises 4 Giue vnto them their worthie reward euen that which their wicked deedes deserue recompence them I saie according to their desert 5 For seeing they hinder the worke that thou hast determined to bring to passe both willinglie and wittinglie certainelie thou wilt destroie them ô Lord much lesse wilt thou increase them with thy blessings 6 I giue thankes therefore vnto the Lord which hath heard my praiers 7 The Lord is my strength and my shield this is he in whom my heart doth rest hauing experience of his support he for ful conclusion comforteth my heart him wil I praise 8 The Lord strengtheneth his seruants neither wil thine annointed trust to anie other 9 Deliuer thy people ô God and declare thy fauour towards them whom thou hast chosen peculiarlie to be thine feede them and extoll them vp for euer PSALME XXIX The Argument Whereas no men commonlie vse to be more proud and to shew themselues in the end despisers of the verie maiestie of God than they to whome God hath made others subiect to be gouerned by them so that they chalenge vnto themselues to be honoured as gods and suppose that they may do what they lust vnto others this Psalme teacheth Kings and Princes peculiarlie by the comparison of their power how great soeuer it be with that infinite power of GOD which doth vtter it selfe in the terrible thunders and other tempestes and their effects to remember rather how farre they are abased vnder his power and of whome and vpon what condition they haue receiued their authoritie rather than to be proud that they are aboue a few mortal men for a little season Againe seeing that the kings them-selues are oftentimes sotted and demented by the flatterie of the people he admonisheth them that be of God that they be content to obey their magistrates as Gods ministers yet that they learne to depend onlie of God and to wait for al good things from him THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Ye kings and al ye of power giue place vnto the Lord giue vnto the Lord I saie the honour of al glorie and power 2 Giue vnto the Lord the maiestie and glorie due vnto his name and fal downe and worship him in that his most beautiful temple 3 This is that Lord whose voice thundering foorth of the midst of the waters doth witnesse himselfe with such a lowd sounding voice to be the verie God of glorie euen by that voice I saie which breaketh foorth of the midst of the clouds driuen by tempests 4 The voice of the Lord is verie mightie the voice of the Lord is ful of maiestie 5 The voice of the Lord breaketh the most high Ceders of Libanus 6 And he plucketh them vp by the rootes and causeth them to skip like a wanton bullocke and he causeth those most mightie mountaines to tremble and to shake 7 The voice of the Lord doth cast foorth fire striken out of the verie clouds 8 The voice of the Lord doth shake the horrible wildernes and the high rockes of the Arabians 9 The voice of the Lord causeth the hindes to cast their calues and maketh the woods bare by casting downe their trees with terrible noise the godlie in the meane season praising him in his temple 10 By him commeth the horrible flouds of waters but â—o that he sitteth as gouernour ouer them for the Lord is King for euer 11 This is he that giueth power to his people euen the Lord that blesseth his people with continual benefites PSALME XXX The Argument Jt is verie probable that Dauid made this Psalme when Abshalom and Sheba were slaine and he returned into the citie as it is declared 2. Sam. 20. when he would purge his house and as it were consecrate it a new vnto God that was polluted by the incest of his sonne and other wickednes wherein there appeareth some ceremonie to haue bin vsed as appeareth by the historie of Nehemia in dedicating the walles of the citie and by dedicating the house Deut. 20 5. And he giueth great thankes therefore vnto God to whose onlie mercie he doth giue the praise of this his restoring to his kingdome so sudden euen done as it were in a moment And he doth also confesse that it came to passe by his owne foolish securitie that GOD did breake off the continuance of publike peace and other his benefites THE PARAPHRASIS 1 I Wil magnifie thee ô Lord my deliuerer which hast not suffered mine enimies to triumph ouer me 2 I haue cried vnto thee ô Lord my God and thou hast saued me that was readie to die 3 Thou hast deliuered me ô Lord from the verie graue and hast restored life vnto me who should else haue gone downe into the pit 4 Sing with me vnto the Lord al ye that are receiued to his mercie and celebrate his memorie with perpetual praise 5 For in one moment doth his anger end but his fauour endureth to the end of our life so that if we go to bed in the euening with sorowe in the
morning commeth some cause of reioicing 6 Howbeit I sleeping in securitie when I was in prosperitie did fullie thinke that no change could come vnto me 7 For thou ô Lord assuredlie hadst fortified my hil wonderfullie of thy singular goodnes but as soone as thou wast offended with my foolish securitie thou turnedst awaie thy face from me and I was suddenlie stricken and fel downe 8 Then I called againe vpon thee ô Lord and praied with these words 9 I beseech thee ô Lord if I be slaine and go downe into the graue what good wil come thereof can this my bodie made dust sing praise vnto thee or can it declare that thy constancie in performing of thy promises 10 O Lord heare me haue mercie vpon me ô Lord help me 11 And lo thou hast turned this my mourning into most ful ioie so that suddenlie casting awaie sackcloth I came foorth most ioifullie 12 Therefore this tongue shal neuer cease to sing thy praise but shal be wholie consecrate to set forth thy glorie ô Lord my God I wil praise thee I saie for euer PSALME XXXI The Argument Euen as there be diuers and sundrie circumstances of the calamities and afflictions whereby God doth trie and chasten his seruants so is it necessarie in the reading of the Psalmes in the which are conteined praiers framed and set downe by the holie Ghost to consider what is common to them al and what is peculiar and proper to euerie one that we may vse them aptlie to our commoditie This Psalme then was written by Dauid as it is manifest in respect of that time when he being a little before in great authoritie and dignitie and was next vnto king Saul in the kingdome was suddenlie brought into extreame miserie by the vniust hatered of the king and the enuie of certaine that stirred vp the kings rage against him by the which and such like sudden alterations an infinite number of men in other things verie constant being suddenlie stricken haue taken most vile counsels and fallen most shamefullie as it appeareth by histories But Dauid on the contrarie part confessing his double fault both that he did forget this mutabilitie and vnstablenes of the woâ—â—â— when he was in his prosperitie and that he did almost despaire when this sudden storme of aduersitie came vpon him doth praie vnto God so much the more earnestlie trusting vpon the promises which he had learned of Samuel and of his owne vpright conscience Furthermore he doth set before him those most excellent promises of God confirmed by most manifold and plaine examples whereby God doth shew himselfe then to haue most care for his seruants when things seeme in deede most desperate Finallie he giueth thankes vnto God that he may teach al the godlie by his example that such maner of praiers are heard whether it were that he was by his faith assured that it should so come to passe as he praied wherein he was nothing deceiued either that he did write this Psalme after his deliuerance THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THou art he ô Lord to whome I flie for refuge deliuer me I beseech thee from this horrible shame euen for that thy righteousnes whereby thou alwaies performest thy promises deliuer me 2 Heare me and make haste to deliuer me for in thee alone is al my safetie and al my defence is set in thee 3 Thou art my fort and most strong rocke of defence I saie leade me therefore and guide me through the middes of these stormie tempests not for my deseruing but for thine owne glorie sake 4 Graunt that I may escape foorth of the net that they haue laied priuilie for to take me for I trust onlie in thy power 5 I commend my soule into thy hands whome I haue alwaie to be my sauiour and mindful of thy promise 6 Thou also canst testifie againe for me that I haue hated the craftie persons and the liers and haue depended onlie vpon thee 7 Therefore do I fullie trust of thy goodnes that I shal fullie reioice therein that thou hast acknowledged and regarded me so miserable and brought into such extremitie 8 Neither hast thou suffered me to be inclosed and intrapped of mine enimies but rather hast brought me foorth into a large place at libertie 9 Therefore Lord haue mercie vpon me so cruellie vexed that not onlie my face and my bowels within me but my verie soule is consumed 10 For certainlie I can scarselie drawe my breath for sorowe I waxe old with mourning so that the verie bones being weakened al my strength faileth 11 For the multitude and the authoritie of mine enimies causeth me to be abhorred of al euen of my verie neighbours so that they that knowe me wel if I do meete them abroade they flie foorth of my sight 12 Finallie I am forgotten of al as though I were dead and I am counted more vile than anie broken earthen poâ—sheard 13 I do heare the reproches and railings that al they of power do cast out against me which make me wholie to tremble whiles they take such craftie counsels against me 14 Howbeit ô Lord I trust in thee for I haue thus concluded within my selfe that thou art my God 15 And surelie the tearme of my life it is not in their hands but in thine deliuer me therefore from the hands of mine enimies and from al that persecute me 16 Refresh me thy seruant with the brightnes of thy countenance for thy mercie sake deliuer me 17 Graunt I beseech thee ô Lord that I be not put to shame that cal vpon thee but rather that death may stop their mouthes 18 That they may cease to make lies which slander me being innocent so bitterlie proudlie and disdainefullie 19 O how manifold is that thy mercie whereof al haue had experience that feare thee whome no feare of man can driue from the true profession of thy glorious name 20 For thou hast secret places ynow wherein thou canst hide and secretlie keepe them safe from the proud bragges of the wicked farre away from the poisoned and cursed speakers and wilt preserue them in safetie in thy tabernacle 21 Therefore I praise thee ô Lord hauing experience of that thy maruellous goodnes whereby I was defended as with the most mightie walles of a strong citie 22 Yet I confesse that I being cast downe headlong with such a sudden tempest did vnaduisedlie thinke in my heart that I was vtterlie cast off from thee howbeit thou notwithstanding hast heard my praiers when I cried vnto thee 23 Wherefore al ye that feele this goodnes of the Lord being admonished by mine example loue the Lord more and more for he most constantlie preserueth them that loue him and most abundantlie rewardeth the proud doer according to his deedes 24 Be strong I saie and encourage your selues more and more whosoeuer haue setled your hope and confidence in the Lord. PSALME XXXII The Argument This most pretious Psalme doth teach the chiefe and principal article of the
Psalme and other foure that followe haue neither the name of the writer nor the occasion of the writing set before them in Hebrue but they seeme altogether to be written by Dauid which thing is noted in the Greeke and that at the same time when he brought in the Arke of the Lord into his citie as it is written 1. Chron. 15. whereof we did speake vpon the Psalme 47. either verelie when he dâ—clared the building of the temple of the Lord a little before the death of Salomon which historie is written 1. Chron. 29. and it doth conteine the doctrine of the true vse of the temple of al the holie rites wherewith both Messiah himsâ—lfe and al his office was shadowed Therefore notable and plaine prophesies are adioined of his comming and of that spreading of his spiritual kingdome throughout the whole world so that Christ did not vnworthilie admonish the senselesse Jewes with these words Search the scriptures for they beare witnes of me THE PARAPHRASIS 1 SIng vnto the Lord a new song sing vnto the Lord al ye inhabitants of the earth 2 Sing I saie vnto the Lord giue him thanks shew foorth without ceasing the saluation that he hath wrought 3 Rehearse vnto the Gentiles and to al people his excellent and maruellous works 4 For the Lord alone is great and no praise is sufficient for him and he is to be feared worthilie but not those false and feigned gods 5 For they verelie are vaine though the people do worship them so deuoutlie but the Lord hath created the verie heauens 6 Maiestie and honour doe go befoâ—e him shining foorth in his works and it is declared in his sanctuarie both how great his power and glorie is 7 Giue therefore vnto the Lord al ye people assembled together giue I saie vnto the Lord the praise of power and glorie 8 Giue honour vnto the Lord due vnto his name and take an oblation and enter into the courts consecrated vnto him 9 Worship the Lord sitting in that his renowmed sanctuarie al ye inhabitants of the earth reuerence his Maiestie 10 Proclame on euerie side ô ye criers Now is the Lord come to reigne ouer the whole earth now verelie the world shal be established now shal the people be gouerned with a iust and righteous gouernement 11 Let the heauens be glad and the earth reioice and the roring sea how wide soeuer it lieth testifie her ioie 12 Let the fields leape for ioie and whatsoeuer is in the fields finallie let al the trees of the wood now reioice 13 Before the Lord for lo he commeth he commeth to gouerne the earth to gouerne the world I saie and al the people with the scepter of his iustice and truth PSALME XCVII The Argument Jt falleth out in the Psalmes as in a doubtful feast that thou canst not easilie iudge which to prefer before another This Psalme verely is most worthie for al the godlie to meditate most diligentlie as a most diuine briefe summe of al the mysterie of the Gospel and these are the chiefe places thereof First the diuinitie of Christ by the repeating of the name Iehouah sixe times and by attributing al glorie and power vnto him verse 2 5 6 9 10. finallie by worshipping of the verie Angels verse 7. it is most manifestlie confirmed as the Apostle doth interpret it Heb. 1 6. Secondlie his humanitie as the same Apostle doth interpret it which thing is also prooued hereby that here it is treated of that kingdome as it were first then to be begun verse 1 2 6 9. wherby it is plaine that it cannot be referred onelie to his godhead but that it apperteineth necessarilie vnto the King that should be borne of the stocke of Dauid which should so be God that he should also be man and so also man that he should be verie God Thirdlie a plaine prophesie of the spreading of the spiritual kingdome throughout the whole world verse 1 5 6. wherevnto Christ himselfe had regard Ioh. 5 22. Mat. 28 18. Fourthly the rebellion of verie manie vnto whom the Gospel should be now is the sauor of death vnto death verse 2 3 4 5 wherevnto Christ had respect Luke 12 49. For J had rather interpret these things thus than to applie them to the preaching of the lawe Fiftlie that incredible power of the spirit of God which should declare it selfe in the ministerie of the Apostles verse 1 6 7 9. the which thing Christ also foretold before Iohn 12 32. and 14 12. Sixtlie the exaltation of the verie person of Christ verse 9. wherevnto the Apostle manifestlie alluded Ephe. 4 10. and Philip. 2.9 Seuenthlie faith by bearing the word in the elect and the vnspeakable ioie of the conscience that shal folowe thereof verse 8. Eightlie the office of those that are iustified and sanctified verse 10. Ninthlie the crosse is like a certaine apparitor attending vpon the promises of the Gospel which yet shal haue a most ioiful end verse 11. and 12. Wherevnto the Apostle most manifestlie alluded Philip. 4.4 THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THe Lord being so long inclosed as it were within the smal and narrowe bounds of one people now at the length he beginneth his kingdome ouer al the world wherefore let the earth reioice and al ye most great countries euen beyond the seas be ye ioiful 2 For he is come although verie mild and meeke towards his yet to be reuerenced of his owne both for his diuine Maiestie and also terrible to his enimies how fierce soeuer they be euen compassed about with the blacke darknes of the clouds and sitting vpon a throne staied as it were with two vnmoueable pillers namelie iustice which he sheweth in keeping promise with his owne and defending them by his couenant and most seuere iudgement whereby he punisheth his aduersaries 3 A flaming fire shal then go before him and shal take hold on his enimies on euerie side 4 The lightenings breaking forth from his iudgement seate shal fil the world with glittering light they shal see this in the end euen against their wils which are most blind and they shal tremble thoroughout the compasse of the earth 5 The hils at the sight of the Lord at the sight I saie of the Lord of al the earth shal melt 6 But vnto others that are willing to be taught and readie to obeie he wil shew himselfe so iust and minful of his mercie promised that the verie heauens being astonished with so great so glorious bountie powred out by him vpon al people as farre as the heauens are extended shal set foorth this so great a benefite as it were with a sounding voice 7 Go to then be ye ashamed of your most filthie seruitude ô ye slaues of the idols but ô ye euen the verie Angels worship him as your Lord and King 8 But who wil heare these things verelie the true Sion who with the residue of the cities of her dominion as a mother with her daughters
his words at al did refuse the land which ought to haue bene most deere vnto them 25 And therfore disdaining to heare God speake they stirred vp a tumult in their tents 26 Therefore he stretched out his hand worthilie against them to destroie them in the desert 27 And did scatter their posteritie amongest the nations and cast them so into diuers regions 28 For also they ioined themselues with Baal Peor that abhominable idol and did eate the sacrifices that were offered to things that had no life 29 Against the which wickednes God being most iustlie angrie did fal vpon them and strike them with a most greeuous plague 30 But Phinees rising vp with great courage did auenge that horrible fact and the Lord ceased streightwaie to strike them 31 And Phinees was counted to haue done that thing iustlie and therby did obteine the praise that should remaine to al posteritie 32 But they notwithstanding prouoked God vnto wrath at the waters which were therefore called the waters of strife to the great damage of Moses 33 For they so stirred his mind that he also spake something vnaduisedlie 34 And Moses verelie therefore died in that wildernes but they that were brought into that land of Canaan were nothing more obedient to Gods commandements than their fathers for they spared the people whome God had streightlie commanded to be slaine 35 And they mixing themselues amongest them did streightwaie learne their manners 36 And serued their idols to their most certaine destruction 37 Euen comming to this madnes that they did slaie their sonnes and their daughters vnto diuels 38 That they offered I saie the bloud of their sonnes and innocent daughters powred it foorth willinglie to the grauen images of the Canaanites and defiled the whole countrie with most cruel slaughters 39 Behold therefore their most horrible facts behold the abhominable whooredomes wherewith they of set purpose polluted themselues 40 Wherewith God being most iustlie greeued did so burne foorth in anger against this people in the end that though he had chosen them vnto himselfe before he now abhorred them 41 He deliuered them into the hands of the Gentiles and laied them open to the lust and pleasure of their enimies 42 Wherefore they were after sundrie sorts vexed by them afterward and oppressed at their pleasure 43 Notwithstanding he did deliuer them againe ofter than once by the which benefits yet it was so farre off that they did recouer anie better mind that contrariwise they following their owne lusts ceased not to prouoke him to anger whilest that they being forsaken of him consumed in that their owne wickednes 44 And who would not here haue in admiration the infinite goodnes of God For lo though he had profited nothing with them so manie ages neither by benefits nor by chastisements yet heard he their cries in their distresse 45 And remembring his couenant and of his infinite mercie suddenlie changing his mind 46 He caused that euen they which had carried them into captiuitie should haue compassion vpon them 47 Go to then ô Lord our God finish the worke that thou hast begun and gather vs at the length home vnto thee foorth of the Gentiles that we may praise thy name and set foorth thy praises for euer 48 Let euerlasting glorie be vnto thee ô Lord God of Israël O al ye people agree vnto me and saie with one mouth Amen Praise ye the Lord. PSALME CVII The Argument This Psalme than the which nothing can be spoken more truelie nor more eloquentlie neither yet more diuinelie doth affirme the prouidence of God both general and particular to be most iust and also most merciful bringing foorth and most elegantlie describing most goodlie examples of those things which come to passe both by sea and by land that of necessitie we must grant their causes and effects wholie to be gouerned by God either against the wicked which denie God vtterlie or remoue him from the gouernement of the world as doe the Epicures or do thinke that he doth regard the things that he hath made onlie generalie as do the Peripatetians or doe bind him to second causes as doe the Stoikes as also against the superstitious persons confessing the truth in deed but attributing to their feined gods that which belongeth to the most mightie and merciful God alone Al the which lies being worthilie condemned the Prophet doth admonish the godlie and them that are trulie wise that they should learne rather to haue the works of God in admiration and to praise both his most excellent wisedome and moderation in them than to cal them into doubtful question and to dote with the wicked THE PARAPHRASIS 1 PRaise the Lord for his infinite goodnes and euerlasting mercie deserueth the same 2 O you the innumerable multitude whom God hath deliuered out of manifold dangers and forth of the hands of your enimies acknowledge this thing with me 3 For how manie hath he gathered from the beginning of the world which were scattered from the east and the west from the north and south Ocean sea 4 How manie wandering in the waste wildernes and seeking a citie commodious to dwel in 5 Halfe dead and killed with famine and thirst 6 Crieng vnto him in their extreame miseries hath he heard and being drawne foorth of their distresse 7 Hath he brought into the right waie and led them into commodious cities 8 Let these men therefore set foorth this his great mercie before the Lord himselfe and shew foorth his maruelous workes to other men 9 Who hath refreshed them panting for thirst and fed them so mercifullie being hungrie 10 How manie also being shut vp in darke prisons and euen as it were in the darkenes of death being chained in their mind with sorrowe and in their bodie most streightlie with iron fetters 11 And that worthilie because they did not obeie the commandements of God which are ingrauen in the minds of al men but rather folowed their owne lustes than the counsels of God 12 Notwithstanding when the Lord had tamed their fiercenes so and had brought them to this point that they could finde no helpe in anie 13 He heard them crieng vnto him in this their distresse and deliuered them from their miserie 14 And bringeth them from the dungeons of the prisons and darkenes of death breaking their fetters of iron 15 Praise ye therefore this so great mercie of the Lord before him and declare his wonderful actes to other mortal men 16 Who hath broken the brasen gates and hath broken in pieces their iron barres 17 What shal I speake furthermore of them who by their owne foolishnes going in the waie of wickednes and being oppressed by manifold diseases do suffer the reward of their madnes 18 And loathing al maner of meate are at deaths dore 19 Whome notwithstanding the Lord did heare crieng vnto him in this miserie and he deliuered them out of their distresse 20 And he speaking but one word did take
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