woulde saye to beholde the Heauens then the heares of myne heade i. they are innumerable my harte i. my courage witte counsell c. hath fayled me i. hath hene as it were consumed vz. by earnest thinking vppon them Verse 13. Let it please thée Hée flieth to Gods good will sée Psalme 38.21.22 Ver. 14. Let them bée c. Sée Psalme 35. 4. and 26. where you haue almost the same words Verse 15. For a rewarde i. as a méete and iust punishmente of their shame i. of their filthye and shamefull life sée Psalme 28.4 Aha Aha sée Psalme 35.21 Verse 16. That séeke thée vz. with a sincere and vprighte harte and that to serue thée in thee i. for thée and for the gracious deliueraunces that thou bestowest vppon them that loue thy saluation i. like and reioyce in thy sauing health and deliueraunces saye alwayes i. haue alwayes an occasion to say the Lorde be praysed vz. for the continuall mercy and goodnes which hée hath shewed vnto vs. Ver. 17. Though I be poore and néedy i. destitute of all mans ayde thinketh on me vz. to doe me good or else prouideth for me my matters thou art my helper and my deliuerer q.d. I néed not be proud when I doe any thing well for I doe it by thy helpe who art wont to deliuer me from troubles Do. Ver. 1. Patient abiding the Lords leasure is neuer vnrecompenced Ver. 2. God sheweth himself then most nigh to his children when they are in the greatest daunger Verse 3. By graces bestowed vppon his children GOD deliuereth two doctrines the one that those that haue receiued them shoulde prayse him the other that those that haue not receiued them should learne thereby to reuerence him and put their trust in the truth of his promises Verse 4. GOD onely must be trusted vnto as for proude and deceitfull persons they are to be abhorred Verse 5. Gods workes are past our reache Verse 6. God preferreth obedience speciallye in the harte before outwarde Ceremonies Verse 7. Teacheth vs chearefully when wée knowe Gods worde to obaye the same Verse 8. Teacheth vs to reuerence the law and worde of God aboue all Verse 9.10 To set forth Gods goodnesse righteousnesse truth to the vttermost of our powers Ver. 11. Continually to pray for the féeling of Gods mercy and truth Verse 12. Describeth the gréeuousnesse of sinne and the horrible effectes of the same Verse 13.14.15.16 We learne to make prayer as for our selues so for others and yet withall to pray against the malicious and obstinate enimies of Gods truth Verse 17. God reiecteth none for his pouerty or néede but the more he is in distresse the readier is the Lord to helpe him if hée be his Psalme 41. THis Psalme may be deuided into thrée parts Di. Firste Dauid declareth what good estate they are in that pitie the afflicted and néedye in their calamities and distresse from verse 1. to the end of the fourth In the seconde hee describeth the mischieuous mindes of his enimies agaynst him and the practises of his counterfeyted friends from verse 5. to the ende of the ninth In the third he prayeth vnto the Lord for deliueraunce and assuring as it were himselfe thereof he concludeth with thankesgiuing from verse 10. to the end of the Psalme The Title is expounded before Verse 2. Se. Kéepe him vz. from the violēce and rage of his enemies preserue him aliue vz. euen here vppon the earth from many daungers hee shall bee blessed vppon the earth i. hée shall haue abundaunce of blessinges powred forth vpon him in this life and thou vz. O God a sodayne chaunge of the person vnto the will vz. that they shoulde doe with him what they list sée Psalme 27.12 Ver. 3. Vpon the bed of sorrowe i. when being sorrowful and gréeued hee doth for verye weakenesse kéepe his bedde putting the place wherevpon the heauy harted partye lyeth for the partie himselfe and his wonderfull gréefe thou hast turned a chaunge of the person as before ver 2. of the time by turning he meaneth changed all his bedde i. all the gréefe hee had vppon his bedde in his sicknesse i. in the time of his sicknesse The Prophet meaneth that God either had or would for the Prophets vse to speake sundry times of things that are to come as though they were alredy done restore him from sicknes to health from gréefe of mynde and body to soūdnes both of body soule ver 4. Therfore I sayd vz. because I saw thy goodnes towards others my soule i. me my self both in body soule a part for the whole Verse 5. Speake euill of mee i. Wish euill to me as may appeare by that which followeth in this verse They desired his death and his name i. not only his glory but his remembraunce perish vz. from amongst men Verse 6. He come a sodain chaunge of the number putting one eyther for some excellent one amongest them or for many to sée me vz. when I am sicke he speaketh lyes because he hath one thing in his mouth and another thing in his hart see Psalme 35.15 his hart heapeth iniquitie within him i. he carrieth an innumerable number of mischiefs in his hart againste mée which he declareth to his mates so soone as he is departed from me and laboreth to put the same in execution commeth forth vz. from the place where he had bin with me he telleth it vz. to his companions Verse 7. Whisper together i. hold their secret counsels and conspire against me for by whispering he meaneth their secret spéeches and practises myne hurt i. the hurt they will doe me Ver. 8. A mischiefe i. some great affliction punishment or disease sent from God which his enemies called a mischiefe prophanelye as prophane men sometimes call it vengeaunce Acts 28.4 hath light vpon him and taken such hold that he that lieth vz. gréeuously sicke vpon his bed and in it shall no more rise vz. out of his bed because they supposed hee shoulde dye of that disease Ver. 9. My familiar friend this may be vnderstood eyther of Absolon or Achitophel as 2. Sam. 15. or some other trustye one which did eate of my bread i. that came to my table and did eate of the best vittails I had there hath lifted vp the héele agaynst me by héele we vnderstande the whole man a part being put for the whole The meaning of the Prophet is that not onelye he whosoeuer he was did set himselfe against him but that also hee did it despightfully and contemptuously for to lift vp the héele or foote to the ende to trample vnder féete or to spurne argueth contempt despight and crueltye This by our Sauiour is applyed to Iudas Iohn 13.18 Verse 10. Rayse me vp vz. to my former strength and glory so shal I reward them vz. according to my kingly calling and office rendring vnto them that they haue deserued Ver. 11. He vseth the present tense for the future which is vsuall
also in scripture because of the certaine perswasion that they haue that the thing shall bee performed and therefore I know is put for I shall know and so doth not triumphe for shall not triumphe meaning it of those that be named before or some such like Verse 12. Set me before thy face i. hast me not only in continuall but in mercifull remembraunce as those that are continually in the presēce and fauour of Princes Ver. 13. Blessed i. Praised so you shal haue this word often vsed in the Psalmes of Israel i. of his faythfull people sée Psalm 14.7 world without end i. for euer and euer Do. Ver. 1.2.3 Teache vs to pitie those that are afflicted and for our better incouragement therein the Lord hath set downe certaine promises whiche hee will performe alwayes vnto vs so farre forth as he shall sée to be for his glory and our comfort Ver. 4. Sinne draweth all iudgements vpō vs both in soule and body Ver. 5. The vngodly wish the death of the faythfull Ver. 6. The vngodly are full of lying and hipocrisie Verse 7. They craftily conspire the hurte and destruction of the godly Ver. 8. They reioyce and clap their hands for ioye in his misery and affliction Ver. 9. A mans enemies are they of his owne houshold as it were and it so falleth out many times that where Gods children assure themselues of greatest friendship there they find least whiche teacheth vs not to hang vpon man Verse 10. We must flie to the Lord onlye in all our distresses Ver. 11. Gods deliueraunce of his children is a testimony of his fauour towards them Verse 12. All our sufficiency to goodnesse is from God aloue and that of his mercy only Verse 13. God must be continually praysed for his louing kindnesse and we must alwayes giue a thorow and earnest consente thereto Psalme 42. THis Psalme consisteth of two partes Di. In the firste the Prophet declareth what great desire he had to serue God among the faythfull whiche because hée coulde not performe he sheweth further into what great heauinesse he fell therefore from verse 1. to the fifte In the second he runneth to God praying comfort from him and labouring by all meanes he coulde to comfort himselfe ouer that heauinesse and sorrow from verse 6. to the end of the Psalme The title to him that excelleth this is expounded before Psalme 4. Se. a Psalme to giue instruction this is expounded Psalme 32 committed to the sonnes of Korah not onely to bée kepte as a treasure but to bee sung also by that posterity amongest whome it shoulde séeme that one Heman was the chéefe 1. Chron. 6.33 1. Chron. 25.5 Verse 1. Vnder a similitude of the Hart which by reason of naturall heate much desireth waters as appeareth by them that haue written of the nature of them Dauid setteth oute his earnest desire to serue GOD before the Arke after thée O GOD i. after thy seruice and worship and after the beholdinge of thy Maiestye a visible token whereof thou shewest in thy Tabernacle and the worde of parting woulde bée marked by whiche Dauid sheweth not onlye the great paynes that hee hadde taken therefore but euen that that little breath whiche hee had yet lefte hee imployed that waye Verse 2. My soule i. I my selfe whollye thyrsteth i. earnestlye desyreth euen as those that bee almost ouercome with thyrst wishe for drinke euen for the liuing God This terme hée vseth to put a difference betwéene the God which he meant and whom he serued and the dead idols of the Gentiles before the presence of GOD hée meaneth by this the Tabernacle where God gaue visible signes of his presence and not as though hee were or coulde be at anye time out of his sight sée Psalme 139.7.8 c. Verse 3. The Prophet meaneth that by reason of abundance and continuance of teares that fell from him he might be sayd to bée fedde as it were therewith sée Psalme 80.5 while they i. the Enemyes thy GOD vz. in whome heretofore thou diddest trust this is a moste bitter vpbrayding of the godly Verse 4. These thinges i. Both the reproches of the enemie and my frequenting of the Tabernacle with the rest of Gods people I poured out my hearte i. my courage consumed as it were and my strength wasted awaye see Iob 30.16 hee meaneth in this Verse that hée was as it were halfe deade when hee remembred the enemies reproches on the one side and on the other side the wonderfull pleasure whiche hée tooke in the holy assemblies going before them as a Captaine or ringleader to the rest that kéepeth a Feast vz. vnto the Lorde wherein there was great mirth vsed as maye appeare by sundrye places Verse 5. Cast downe vz. into doubting and heauinesse vnquiet within mee i. meaning by reason of gréefe the helpe of his presence i. the ayde and deliueraunce which his presence i. his fauour and goodnesse hath giuen vs For so is Gods presence often tymes vsed and namelye in these Psalmes Verse 6. From the Lande of Iorden i. I being in the Lande of Iorden whiche is a place very muche distaunt from Ierusalem where thyne Arke is or from the place where thou arte serued so likewise is Hermonim and the mount Mizar which some take to be a place vnknowne euen to the Iewes themselues whatsoeuer it is this he meaneth that hee was much greeued being in a countrie farre from the place where GOD was serued to thinke that hee was depriued of the assemblyes of his Saynts Verse 7. One déepe i. One greate and gréeuous affliction calleth another déepe i. exhorteth as it were another to come that by accesse thereof my afflictions maye growe as it were to infynitenesse as Psalme 40.12 by the noyse i. in suche manner and with suche greate noyse as thy Water-spoutes i. thy Cloudes sende downe the rayne sée Iob 38.25 and he iustly resembleth the Cloudes to Spoutes because they both poure downe and with hold agayne as it pleaseth God to appoynte and rule all thy Waues and floudes i. great and gréeuous afflictions sent from thée are gone ouer me i. haue in a manner ouerwhelmed me Psalme 38.4 Verse 8. Will graunte i. graciouslye giue and make me to féele the nighte vz. of the day before wherein I haue felt his goodnesse of him i. both of him and his prayses meaning that he would prayse him the God of my life i. the author of my life and being for in him we liue moue and haue our being Acts 17. Verse 9. My rocke sée Psal 18.2 forgotten me sée Psalme 13.1 Verse 10. He noteth what great gréefe he indureth by the vngodlies spéeches Ver. 11. Is expounded before ver 5. of this Psalme Do. Verse 1.2 Teache what an earnest loue and desire we shoulde haue to serue God in the assemblie of his Saynts Verse 3. declareth what greate gréefe we shoulde haue to heare GOD reproched the same doth verse 4. Verse 5. that we should labour to comfort
and his people or else speaking it according to the present affection and féeling of the flesh resting notwithstanding resolued howsoeuer his fayth were shaken for a time yet that god wil graciously performe his promises These words also which is to be marked are verified in Dauid and Christ in Christ because God for a season forsooke him as may appeare when he cried My God my God why hast thou forsaken me Matth. 27.46 and in Dauid when it séemed vnto him that Gods promise shoulde take no place and that God had as it were vnsayd the same and when he was driuen out of his kingdome by Abshalon his sonne sée Psalme 3. thorowe out and abhorred i. loathed and despised him as it were thou hast bene angrye which thing also thou hast declared by effects as appeareth in the verses following with thine annoynted i. with the King whome thou thy selfe hast annoynted and chosen to that roome sée Psalme 18 5 Verse 39. Thou hast broken i. it séemeth vnto vs so in the eye of flesh and to our enimies the couenant of thy seruaunt i. the couenaunt which thou haste made with thy seruaunt and it is called his couenaunt not because he made it or was the chéefe in it but because he was one to whome and with whome it was made and profaned his crowne i. brought it to great dishonour and contempt specially among the prophane people as the Gentiles c. and by crowne he meaneth his kingly dignitie casting it on the ground i. ouerthrowing it taking it as it were from his head setting it vpon the ground whether he spake it of Dauids abiection by the hand of his sonne Abshalon or of the renting of the kingdome in the dayes of Rehoboan or of their captiuity vnder Salmanazder and Nebuchadnezar it is not certayne I suppose that without any iniury to Gods spirite a man may well apply it to them all Verse 40. Thou hast broken downe vz. and that vnto the ground all his walles i. al the walles of his kingdome meaning by walls not onely all the strong places thereof but all the instrumentes and meanes that he had eyther for his owne defence or for the annoyaunce of his enemies for to those two endes doe walles serue thou hast layd his fortresses in ruine i. thou hast vtterly ruinated and destroyed and as a man would saye made euen with the ground all his strong holds Verse 41. All that go by the way q.d. he and his kingdome is so weakened that euen way faring men can easily spoyle them there néedes no souldiers or men ofwarre to doe it spoile him vz. and his people meaning that they take away from them euen what they list sée Psal 80.12 he i. he his people kingdome and all is a rebuke i. is such a one as his neighbours that is those that are round about him rebuke contemne and despise sée Psalme 79. verse 4. Verse 42. Thou hast set vp the right hand of his enemies i. thou hast aduanced their power and strength so that they are not onely become more mightie then he and his but in that mighte haue also preuayled agaynste them and made all his aduersaries to reioyce vz. because of the victorye they haue atchieued and the ouerthrowe that is layde vppon the others Verse 43. Thou hast also turned the edge of his sworde i. thou haste blunted it in such sorte that it could not wound and hurte his aduersaries meaning by this manner of spéeche that euen the verye meanes they had of weapons as swordes speares c. to defende themselues and to annoy their enemies were vtterly vnprofitable vnto them and haste not made him i. him and his people to stand vz. stedfastly and in the face of the enemies and agaynst them but to flée and fall before them in the battaile i. at what time the enemies and they came to ioyne battail together Ver. 44 Thou hast caused his dignity i. the great honour and aduauncement that thou hast layde vpon him to decay vz. in the presence of men and in the sight of his aduersaries and cast his throne i. his maiesty and Kingly gouernmente sée verse 36 of this Psalme to the ground i. rased it and layde it flatte with the earth as it were sée verse 39 of this Psalm Verse 45. The dayes of his youth hast thou shortned this the Prophet speaketh of the king and the state of the kingdome both together meaning that the Lord hath broughte both the king and the kingdome to a very poore and weake estate before eyther of them came to their perfection as it were as if a man shoulde before he came to the flowre of his age or his ripe yeares and couered him with shame i. hast altogether made him a reproche and shame for the worde couering and what it importeth sée Psalme 44.19 Verse 46. Lorde the Prophet ioyning this prayer with his complaynts sheweth that howsoeuer his fayth was shaken yet he did not despayre of the truth of Gods promises how long wilte thou hide thy selfe vz. from vs meaning by hyding of himselfe shewing them no signe of fauour and grace for euer q.d. Wilt thou doe this for euer shall thy wrath vz. agaynste vs our King Lande and people burne like fyre vz. to consume vs quite and cleane who are as it were but stubble before fire in respecte of thée and thy wrath Verse 47. Remember of what time I am i. thinke how shorte the time of my life is and this is an argumente taken from his owne estate to moue the Lord to pittie him and his Wherefore shouldest thou create in vayne i. to little or no purpose at all all the children of men i. all men and their posteritie In these wordes hee vseth an other Argumente to mooue GOD to compassion taken euen from the ende of his creation And this hee speaketh because that if in this life wée féele not some taste of Gods goodnesse it should séeme that he had in vayne created vs séeing that this is one end of our creation euen in this lyfe to féele and fynde his liberalitie towardes vs. Verse 48. What man liueth vz. at this presence or shall liue hereafter that shall not see death i. taste of Death or dye q.d. There is no man but hee must passe that waye sée Hebrues 9.27 shall he deliuer his soule i. his bodye and lyfe soule put for body as Psalme 16.10 from the hand of the graue i. from the power of Death putting the graue whiche followeth death for Death it selfe q.d. Both the one vz. to liue and not to die and the other vz. to bee fréede from the force of death is vtterlye impossible sée Psalme 49. almoste thorow ouâ—e and all this is q.d. Séeing mans lyfe is so shorte if thou doe not in good time shewe thy selfe a Father towardes them thou shalte haue no more occasion to make them féele thy fauoure in this lyfe Verse 49. Lorde where are thy former mercies vz. whiche
speaketh Roman 8.19.20.21.22 verses Nowe if any wil demaunde to what vse the creatures shal be imployed I answere that for as much as GOD in his worde hath not reueiled that it is more then curiositie to aske the same and they shal bee changed i. they shall certainely and without fayle bée chaunged for so much doeth the doubling of the worde chaunge import Verse 27. But thou art the same i. alwayes one and the selfe same without any shadowe of chaunging q.d. howsoeuer the creatures bee variable yet thou the creator art alwayes vnchaungeable and thy yeeres i. the time of thy essence and beeing shall not fayle vz. for euer and euer q.d. thou art and hast béene from euerlasting and so shalt continue Verse 28. The children of thy seruantes i. thy godly ones and their godly posterity shall continue vz. stedfast and sure alwayes safe vnder thy almighty defence whatsoeuer great alteration shal bee in heauen or earth and their séede i. their race and posteritie shall stande fast vz. so that they shall not bée mooued for euer in thy sight i. before thée hée meaneth that GOD will care for and preserue for euer the godly Ver. 1. Teacheth vs to be earnest with the Lord to grant vs our holy requests Do. Verse 2. Sheweth that in the time of affliction nothing is more grieuous to Gods children then to perceiue God any long time absent Ver. 3.4.5 Do declare what great affliction the godly are in for their sinnes and the wrath of God vppon them for the same Verse 6.7 Shewe that it is no new thing to sée the children of God forsaken of men Verse 8. Noteth two things the one is howe that the godly are subiect to the vyle both woordes and deedes of the vngodly the other that the wicked giue themselues a full swinge to all manner of outrage both in worde and deede Verse 9. Teacheth that so long as wée féele Gods wrath vppon vs for our sinnes our meat and drinke is not pleasaunt and delightfull vnto vs. Verse 10. Teacheth vs three things first howe much wee shoulde stande in awe of the fearce wrath and indignation of the Lorde Secondly that in this life Gods children haue no durable estate and thirdly that their exaltation and depressing is not by fortune as they say but from the Lorde onely Verse 11. Setteth out the shortnesse and troublesomnesse of mans life Verse 12. Setteth out the eternity and continuaunce of the almightie Verse 13. Teacheth vs to haue an assured trust that God wil looke graciously vppon the afflictions of his Church Verse 14. Teacheth Gods children two thinges first to delyte more euen in the verye ruines of the Church then in the palaces of the vngodly secondly to pity and pray for the reforming of the desolations thereof Ver. 15. and 16. Teach vs that Gods fauour shewed to his Church shalbée matter of sufficient terrour to the wicked and vngodly Ver. 17. Is comfortable shewing that the prayers of Gods poore people shall neuer returne empty from the Lorde Ver. 18. Teacheth the faithful to haue a care for their posterity that both Gods mercy towards them and his iudgements vpon the wicked might be conueyed to their children Ver. 19. Teacheth that God beholdeth al things done vpon the earth contrary to the imagination of them who suppose him to sit as idle in heauen Ver. 20. Teacheth that God taketh speciall regarde of those that be his and namely when they are in the greatest distresse Ver. 21. Teacheth that god doth deliuer his people out of al their feares specially to this end that they might publish his prayse for the same in the Church Ver. 22. Teacheth that our assemblies should be for the seruice and glory of god Ver. 23. Teacheth that God for the trial of his children layeth manifold afflictions vpon them in this life Verse 24. Teacheth vs that wee may pray for long life but yet so that that life may bée referred to Gods glory Verse 25. Teacheth that God is the maker of heauen and earth Verse 26. Teacheth the variablenesse of the creature which shoulde instruct vs so to vse the worlde as though wee vsed it not and no otherwise but as it may further vs to the hope of a better life Ver. 27. Teacheth that howsoeuer variable the creature is yet the creator is altogether vnchaungeable Ver. 28. Setteth out to the comfort of the godly their continuaunce Psalme 103. Di. THis Psalme may bee diuided into thrée partes In the first hee doeth stirre vp and prouoke himselfe to be thankful to the Lord and this is conteyned in the two first verses In the seconde hee sheweth causes for which men shoulde prayse the Lorde as for the forgiuenesse of their sinnes for their deliuery from daunger and the continuall course of his mercies from ver 3. to the end of the 19. In the last part he exhorteth euen all creatures to praise the Lord for the largenes of his goodnes from ver 20. to the end of the Psalme Se. The title of this Psalme hath beene expounded before in others of the lyke inscription Ver. 1. My soule hee exhorteth the soule to this great worke because if that be ready the other cannot be much backward and the word soule is vsed here for the seate of vnderstanding and afflictions prayse thou the Lord vz. for his great mercies and all that is within me as my thought my hart and all the powers both of the one and the other and hee meaneth all inwarde thinges because those parts specially doeth the Lorde regarde as Psal 51.17 Ioh. 4.23 prayse his holy name i. set foorth the glory that apperteineth to his maiesty power goodnes c. name is here vsed as Psalm 20.3 Ver. 2. My soule praise thou the Lord this is expounded before ver 1. and forget not vz. through negligence or otherwise but earnestly thinke vpon to the vttermost of thy power al his benefites i. not onely all but any one of them as possible thou canst and by this meanes he prepareth himself a way to speak of the blessings which afterwardes he reckoneth vp Ver. 3. Which vz. alone forgiueth thée fréely vz. and of his owne mercy onely without any merites or deserts of thyne at all all thine iniquity vz. committed either against God or man either of ignoraunce or of knowledge and he beginneth with the frée forgiuenes of sinnes because it is as it were the fountaine from which al other blessinges flowe many whereof he reckoneth vp afterwardes which are nothing else but the effects of that reconciliation and healeth vz. of his great goodnes his mighty power all thine infirmities vz. bodily or spirituall outwarde or inward Ver. 4. Which vz. alone as before ver 3. redéemeth vz. by his great and mighty power thy life i. thy whole man both body and soule putting a part for the whole from the graue i. from death and destruction Sée Psalm 16.10 putting that which followeth death for death it selfe and crowneth
not then nor long time after brought in to Sion but that it was made vppon some other particular victory gotten after Dauid was king and after hée had brought the Arke to Sion where God is sayde to dwel not that God is tyed to any place but because that there was the most manifest and often testimonies of his residence shewed ver 12. Amend thus For hee that requireth slaughter i. Hee that letteth not murther escape frée but is a reuenger of the same because he is a most iust iudge remembreth them i. The poore and afflicted which are spoken of ver 9. and follow presently in this verse Ver. 13. Haue mercy vppon me O Lord. q.d. These are the woordes of the poore that God forgetteth not speaking that in the person of one that appertained to many and was no doubt practised by them and here is the chaunge of number which maketh the place more hard from the gates of death i. from most present and assured death ver 14. Gates put here for publikely and openly Iob. 29.7 For gate in the scripture signifieth a place before the gate of a city into which the people were wont to come where also the iudges did sit to minister iustice of the daughter of Sion Daughter put for the citie or towne as Ioshua 15.45 ver 15. Knit to the former thus saying the heathen c. As though this should be the matter that he woulde publish to the praise and glory of God and in this verse by heathen hee vnderstandeth the Philistines or some other people as Moabites Ammonites and such like that bordered vpon Iudea vsing two metaphors to expresse their ouerthrowe the first taken from hunters who digge pits to take wolues and other wild beastes in the the other from fowlers who lay nets to take birdes ver 16. Is knowne i. maketh himselfe knowne though men many times regarde not his iudgments the wicked see ver 5. Or else expound it thus that vnder one hee meaneth all which he expresseth in the next verse the word wicked there being of the plural number whereas here it is but the singular ver 17. Is read by some as a wish or a praier against the wicked which I better allow of into hell againe which I take to bee the better meaning the ouerthrowe that their enemies had susteined and their destruction that way though the other may stand ver 18. He meaneth that God wil neuer forget them that are afflicted and in misery ver 19. Let not man preuaile vz. against thee and thine least hee waxe proud aboue measure hee putteth man for multitudes of men and for all that is of excellencie power and strength in him ver 20. Putteth in feare i. strike a feare of thy iudgements into the but meÌ„ i. fraile weake and of no strength or countenance Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth that God must be praised for his benefits and that not with a peece of the heart but with the whole ver 4. God alwaies defendeth his children and their iust causes also how corrupt soeuer man is in iudgement yet God is alwaies iust and true ver 6. We may sometimes merily taunt gods enemies and ours it teacheth also the vtter â—â—ne of the wicked which also in ver 5. was noted ver 9. Is full of comfort for all those that are in any manner of affliction or trouble ver 10. sheweth what hope the faithful shall haue in God and on the other side what grace and fauour the Lord beareth to them ver 13. God helpeth his children in the greatest distresses yea when no way appeareth to flesh and blood how to escape ver 15. God in his iust iudgement ouertaketh the wicked in their owne deuises as Psa 7.15 The sunne is declared also ver 16. ver 17.18 Declare gods iudgements against the wicked and his fauour to his owne children ver 20. declareth that vnlesse God bridle men strike them downe they will grow to a marueilous height of pride Psalme 10. THis Psalme hath two parts Di. In the first the Prophet largely setteth out the wickednes of the vngodly and their mischieuous attempts From ver 1. to the end of the second In the second he prayeth earnestly against them desiring the Lord both to punish them to succour his owne seruants From ver 12. to the end This Psal hath no title Ver. 1. Why standest thou farre of he speaketh of God according to man as the rest also in this verse must be so vnderstand not that God was far off for he filleth all places but that it so séemed vnto man and hidest thee vz. From vs which we gather because thou shewest not thy selfe fauourable vnto vs the latter part of that verse mend thus in due time euen in afflictions i. in the times wherein we are very much afflicted ver 2. The wicked sée Psa 9.16 With pride i. being puffed vp with the pride of his heart the poore i. he that is afflicted and in misery Psal 9.18 Let them bee taken the Prophet changeth number that they haue imagined vz. against other ver 3. blesseth himselfe i. not onely wisheth wel to himselfe but praiseth and commendeth himselfe in his couetousnes and other wickednes hee i. the wicked man generally couetous or otherwise vers 4. seeketh not for God i. hath no regard of him at al but puffed vp in his pride consisteth in himself he thinketh alwaies there is no God q.d. the wicked ones call not vppon God the reasoÌ„ is because they thinke alwaies this God regardeth not mens matters and therefore they will doe whatsoeuer pleaseth them sée Psal 41.1 ver 5. His wayes i. his purpose and trade of life alwaies i. what times soeuer fall to other men either of florishing or decaying his state alwayes prosper i. florish wonderfully in this life thy iudgements i. Thy plagues and punishments that thou layest vpon the vngodly are high aboue his sight i. he thinketh not vppon them neither considereth thereof déeply because they are aboue his reach as hee estéemeth much lesse doeth hée féele them therefore defieth hee i. hée is puffed vp into such pride that hée regardeth not his enemies though neuer so mightie or many ver 6. Hee saith in his heart i. hee perswadeth himselfe within himselfe see Psalm 14.1 I shal neuer be moued i. I shal neuer fall from the state and dignitie wherein I am meaning that hee should liue very long and so long as hee liued neuer be hurt as it were or sustaine any losse ver 7. His mouth i. the wordes and spéeches that proceed from his mouth are nothing else but cursing c. vnder his tongue i. in his heart which is vnder his tongue i. beneath his tongue as it is placed in the body is mischiefe vz. against others q.d. in his heart he imagineth how to worke mischief to others ver 8. in the valleies i. in places where there is no great resort of people against the poore vz. to oppresse or murther him q.d. hee
putting the whole word for a part thereof and wil not feare vz. because I trust in him sée Psal 3.6 What flesh can do vnto mee i. any man whatsoeuer as appeareth ver 11. of this Psal and he calleth his enemies flesh as it were in conteÌ„pt that he might put his aduersaries in remeÌ„braÌ„ce of their pride who forgetting themselues did thrust in themselues into such foolish enterprises Ver. 5. Mine own words grieue me dayly q. .d. besides my enemies which much trouble mee I féele the want of Gods fauour in my affaires which doth also much grieue me he vseth words for thoughts purposes speaches déeds according to the propriety of his owne tongue which vseth it many times so generally al their thoughts i. they do nothing else in a maner but thinke deuise how to destroy me worke me mischiefe Ver. 6. They gather together vz. to conspire and take counsell against me and kéepe theÌ„selues close that their méetings practises conclusions may not be known or disclosed and by this speach he meaneth also their subtilties which they vsed secretly to intrap him sée Psal 10.8.9.10 They marke my steps some expound it thus they follow me so nigh that they are as it were at my héeles but I take this to be the simple sense they prie into my life and conuersation to sée whether they can find any thing in it blame worthie and so haue you the words vsed in sundry places 1. Pet. 2.21 Heb. 12.13 they wayte for my soule soule is here put for life as in sundry places before and when hee sayth they wayte for it hee noteth their diligence and labour to kil him and to take his life from him Ver. 7. They shal escape vz. thy iudgments by iniquitie vz. which they commit the Prophet meaneth that the wicked perswade themselues not only that they shall escape vnpunished for their wickednes but also that God will blesse them for it Sée Iohn 16.2 Cast these people down vz. from the height of pride and cruelty that they practise against thine in thine anger i. at that time which thou shalt thinke méete to declare thy wrath against them Ver. 8. Thou hast counted my wandrings i. thou knowest that all my life hath béen nothing else but a continuall flight hither and thither as though I were a vagabond I neuer being assured in any certaine place nor hauing any setled rest al my life long as it were this he alleageth to strengthen his faith that as God before had had care ouer him so he would continually after that time put my teares into thy bottle i. suffer them not to fall in vaine vppon the earth and to bee like water spilt vppon the grounde and this is spoken according to man By teares hee vnderstandeth not onely his wéeping but also that great heape of afflictions that did make him shed his teares and by bottle speaking after the manner of men who reserue precious things sundry times in such manner of vessels hee meaneth Gods continuall remembraunce or as hee sayth afterwardes in this verse register so that altogether come to this much q.d. Beholde somewhat more nighly the afflictions that I indure to the ende that thou mayest take pity vppon mee and haue mee in continuall remembraunce suffer not my teares to fall to the grounde but esteeme of them I pray thee as of a precious thing are they not in thy register q.d. yes certainely they are for by such demaundings they vse most certainely to affirme as wee haue sundry times noted before hee meaneth that the remembrance of the teares of the faithfull shall neuer bee blotted out before God Ver. 9. When I cry i. when I pray earnestly as Psalm 22.2 Psal 30.2.8 shall turne backe vz. as though they were discomfited in the day of battaile hee meaneth that they shall haue no force or power to doe him any hurt but that in the strength of God hee shall bee able to wound them this I knowe i. this I am fully perswaded of sée the word knowe so vsed 2. Corin. 5.1 for God is with mee i. taketh my part sée Psal 54.4 Psal 55.18 and this hée putteth downe as an assured reason of his perswasion Ver 10. Is the same both in wordes and sense with the first part of verse 4. in this Psalme Ver. 11. Is the same with the latter part of that verse and hee repeateth the same woordes that hee might expresse the force of the trust that hee had in God and in his promises The sense is thus much q.d. although it may séeme to men that GOD doth abuse mée withdrawing his ayde from mée and kéeping mee in suspense yet I will neuer cease to trust in his promise which shall bee strong inough to vpholde mee in all mine afflictions Verse 12. Thy vowes i. the vowes that I haue vowed vnto thee which are called Gods vowes because they did of duety afterwards belong vnto him are vpon me vz. not onely because I haue vowed the same but because it parteineth vnto me to performe them and that vppon paine of thy displeasure and wrath I will render praises vnto thée hee sheweth that hee will not be vnthankfull for the benefite receiued from God q.d. I bounde my self vnto thée by the vowes that I made when I was in danger which now I will pay vnto thée because thou hast deliuered mee the particularities of which deliueraunce hee expresseth in the next verse Ver. 13. My soule from death i. my body and life which was in the danger of death and as it were at deaths doore by reason of the rage of our enemies my féete from falling i. thou hast stayed mee vpright so that notwithstanding all the grinnes snares of the enemies I haue not fallen or stumbled that I may walke before God i. not onely lead a holy vpright and vertuous life but also commit my selfe and my affaires to Gods prouidence and protection Sée Gene. 17.1 Psalm â—â—6 8.9 and marke howe he changeth the person from the second to the third in the light of the liuing i. in this life which is called the light of the liuing because they here inioy it Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth vs two thinges first to runne to Gods mercy by earnest prayer in our distresses Secondly what is the outragious and cruell nature of the wicked which thing also ver 2. doeth set out vnto vs. Ver. 3. Teacheth that assured trust and confidence in God is a ready way to ouercome all feare Ver. 4. Teacheth two things first that Gods promises are and ought to be the matter of our mirth secondly that if we be fully perswaded thereof wee neede not greatly feare what flesh and blood can do against vs. Ver. 5. Teacheth vs to be moued much and to learne to make our profit by it when God crosseth vs in our purposes and attempts and the latter part of that ver and Ver. 6. Do marueilously paint out the mischieuous imaginations close conspiracies narrow markings and
in God he sheweth the roote of all their sinne vz. Diffidence and distrust in GOD and his power and trusted not in his helpe vz. which he had promysed to perform for them which also maketh their sinne the greater because they beléeued not his promise whereby we sée that incredulitie is so déepely rooted in mans nature that it is impossible to pull it out except God work miraculously therein Verse 23. Yet he q.d. though God had bestowed very great abundāce and plenty had commaunded the cloudes aboue i. by his commaundement had brought to passe that the clouds poured down Manna as in the next verse had opened the dores of heauen i. had giuen them in great plenty an excellēt Metaphor to expresse the abundance of it Ver. 24. And had rayned down Manna sée Exod. 15. almost thorow out and had giuen them of the Wheat of Heauen he calleth Manna by this name because God caused it in great plēty to come down from the heauen by wheat you must vnderstand a food that had in it the same vse of nourishment that wheat had sée Num. 11.7.8 Ver. 25. Man i. men and euery one of the people of Israel did eat the bread of Angels i. excellente bread and such as Angels might vse if they did eat and not that they do eat it but because it came downe from that place that Angels inhabite this is a vsual phrase in scripture by things attributed to Angels to vnderstand very excellent things Sée Acts 6.15 also 1. Cor. 13.1 he i. God sent vz. from Heauen meate ynough i. strange and delicate flesh ynough as may appeare ver 28 29 30 31 of this Psalme also Exodus 16. and in other places Verse 26. He caused the East wind to passe in the Heauen i. he stirred it vp in the ayre or the Firmament It is likely that he meaneth that winde whiche is expressed Num. 11.31 which brought the Quailes vpon them and that which followeth in the next verse séemeth to strengthē the same and thorow his power he brought in the south wind meaning that God had al elements at his commaundement for the performaunce of his worke whatsoeuer Ver. 27. He rayned i. hée gaue them great plenty as ver 24. of this Psalm flesh vz. of Quailes as may appeare by the story Num. 11. as dust i. in such great abundaunce and as thicke by a maner of spéech as dust is vpon the earth see Genesis 13 16 also Numbers 23.10 also 2. Chronicles 1.9 and feathered foule i. Quayles for of them particularly he speaketh and meaneth as the sand of the sea i. innumerable as it were sée 1. Sam. 13.5 Psalme 139. Verse 17.18 Verse 28. And hee made it fall vz. from the heauen or the firmamente meaning it also of the fleshe of Quayles or Quayles themselues in the middest of their Campe i. of the place where they camped and not of the tents or campes themselues and round about their habitations i. the places where they dwelte for the time sée for this Numb 11.31 by these spéeches he meaneth that they might with ease gather them for they were not farre of Verse 29. So i. hauing these blessings and graces bestowed vpon them from God they did eat vz. of Quails were wel filled i. satisfied with the flesh thereof for he gaue them their desire i. god gaue thē that which they longd lusted after Ver. 30. They were not turned frō their lust i. frō the thing they longed after lusted for q.d. they were not wery of quails though they had eatē thē a whole mōth together sée num 11.20 they were as a mā would say ready to burst with fulnes but the meat i. the flesh of quails which they had eaten was yet in their mouthes i. euen as they were eating of it as may appeare Num. 11.33 Ver. 31 When the wrath of God i. punishment and vengeance sent from him vpon thē for their sinnes came euē vpon thē vz. as they were eating then gods wrath is sayd to come vpon any when he taketh iudgement in hand against them executeth the same vpon them flew the strongest of them who no doubt had abused the strong constitution of their body agaynst God thinking they were able to make their partye good with him and smote down vz. to the ground by death the chosen men in Israell i. the picked ones as men of greatest hope so that we sée no mans strength or neatnesse can turne away Gods iudgement from thē which by sin they haue pulled vpon thēselues Ver. 32. For al this i. notwithstanding the benefits God had giuen thē and the punishments he had layd vpon them they sinned still i. they procéeded on in their iniquities murmuring cōtinually against god as appereth Num. 14 12. c. num 16.1.2 c. num 17. almost thorowout num 20.2.3 c. and beléeued not his wondrous works i. had not their perswasion strengthened by the maruailous thinges that God did for them but did as much doubt of his power and good will as though he had shewed no signe or miracle at al Verse 33. Therefore i. for their sinnes and namely not profiting by his corrections their dayes i. the dayes and times of their life appointed vnto them did he consume in vanity i. God made them to passe away as vain transitory and vnprofitable things some expound it thus he caused thē to die some thus God thorow his curse vpon them cut off the time of their life so that they liued not out half their days nor brought thē into the lande of promise but layd their Karkases in the wildernes sée Num. 14.28.29 al commeth to one sence their yeres hastily he meaneth that they died hastilye sodainlye or when they thought least of it as appeareth verse 3. of this Psalm Ver. 34. And when hee slewe them i. when he did not only destroy them by his iudgements but also when soeuer he layd any affliction vpon them they sought him vz. in hipocrisie and counterfeiting as appeareth ver 36.37 of this Psal so that they did but séeme only to séeke him or made as though they would séeke him and they returned vz. from their euil wayes but this was in outward shew onlye and not from the hart as Iudas is sayd to repent Matth. 27.3 and sought God vz. by hypocriticall and dissembled prayers such as are mentioned Isaiah 29.13 early vz. in the morning pretending that they would spare no labour or payn Ver. 35. And they remembred that God was their strength i. he that strongly defended them from their enimies and gaue them strength to incounter with them and the most high God their redéemer vz. from al distresses trouble and daunger Ver. 36. But they flattered him with their mouth i. they went aboute by words and faire spéeches to deceaue God as it were and this was not only because they did not vnfainedly confesse their offences but also did not truly and
that both morning euening a sacrifice should be dayly offred vp vnto him as Exod. 29. ver 38.39 also Numb 28.3.4 but here he speaketh but of one only Ver. 3. Set a watch O Lord before my mouth vz. that I may not only be kept from the acte of reuengment but also that I may not speak anie thing but that which I should speak and kéepe the dore of my lippes i. kepe me from euil speach and guide both me and my words so that I doe not rashlie vtter anie thing or els mine aduersaries subtlely drawe somewhat from me before I be aware ver 4. Incline not vz. by leauing me in the hands of mine own counsell and withdrawing thy grace goodnes from me for otherwise god draweth not any man to euil as Iames. 1.13 mine hart i. the affections motions and appetites of my hart and by this hee declareth that it is little or nothing for a man to bridle his speach if wicked affections be not repressed within the mind to euill i. to any euill thing he prayeth that god would confirme him against euill and strengthen him in good thinges so that he decline not to the right hand or to the lefte hande by any either threatninges or alurements of his aduersaries that I should cōmit vz. against thee and that either in thought word or deede but specially in deed wicked works i. vngodly and vnlawfull yea such things as thou condemnest with men that worke iniquity i. in the company of such as geue ouer themselues with greedinesse to commit euerie euill thing and are strong and mighty to performe naughtinesse let me not eat of their delicates i. let me not only not enioy such prosperity as they do by which they are puffed vp to wickednesse but let me not haue acquaintance with them at their tables lest I be ouertaken with their sin so we see what a conscience Dauid had to abstaine euen from the allurements and prouocations to euill ver 5. Let the righteous i. the godlie and vertuous yea such a one as to whome thou O Lord imputest rightiousnesse and whom also thou framest to righteousnesse smite me vz. with the friendly and charitable word of admonition or reproofe for that is a benefite or shal be a benefite q.d. I doe and will accounte of it as of a great good turne and let him reprooue me vz. in euerie thing wherein he shall know me to doe amisse wherby hee declareth that he had in such sort accustomed his hart to docility quietnes and pacience that he would not think sharp anie reprehension which he knew to proceed frō the spirite of mildnesse And it i. this admonitiō and reproofe shal be a precious oyle i. in steed of a precious oyle vnto me q.d. it shal bring both more pleasure profit to mine inward man thē anie outward oile can bring to my outward man which though it be sweete in smell and profitable to supple the mēbers of the bodie yet the other shal be more sweete and profitable that shal not breake my head 1. which shal not hurt mee But this part of the verse and that which followeth is better and more plainely translated in Immanuel thus let him not withhold it frō my head i. let him not cease cōtinually to sprinkle me as it were with his most sweet and pleasant reproofes his whole meaning is that the reproofes of gods people should not onely not be hurtfull but pleasant and profitable vnto him and that he preferred their reprehensions before all the fauour of the vngodly the more he i. the righteous man shall doe it i. performe christianly and charitablie this duetie of admonition and reproofe vnto me so much the more shall my prayer be i. so much the more earnestlye shall I pray for them in their euils i. not only when they themselues shal be afflicted but looke whatsoeuer euils I shal receaue from them they shall not prouoke my mind against them but rather prouoke me to cōmend them in my frée praiers to god The Geneua readeth it thus for within a while i. very quickly and shortly I vz. my selfe seing them cast down and ouerthrown shall euen pray vz. for them though they persecute me in their miseries i. when they shal fal into such miseries as they cannot auoyd q.d. let vs wait but a little while and we shall sée the wicked mens calamities so great that we shall bee constrayned in pittie to pray for them This is a good sence referring it to the wicked but yet methinketh the other which referreth it to the godly is more apte and fit and hangeth better together Verse 6. When their iudges i. their rulers and gouernors shal be cast downe i. ouerthrown thorow Gods hand and power in stonie places i. euen as it were from the high rocks huge moūtains they i. the people which follow such corrupt rulers and captains shal heare my words i. reuerently receaue and giue consent vnto the good things which I shal speake for they are swéet vz. in déed q.d. howsoeuer they are now reproued as naught and vnsauery yet they are good and shal be so accepted thē He séemeth here to lay the cōmon peoples fault who were drunk with false reports and caried forward with extreme rage against him vpon the rulers iudges thēselues not only suffering them without punishmēt to speak so vncōtroledly but also for that they were in their own persons infamous exāples of the wickednes q.d. when the great ones shal be discomfited ouerthrown the people shall bée wise come to amendment This is good but I rather allow Imman text and sence thus But their iudges i. their rulers captains specially and aboue the rest Saul moue thēselues i. go by the sides of the rocks i. closely and secretlye thinking to apprehēd me sée 1. Sam. 23.26 also 24 3. though they vnderstande i. know in their consciences and sometimes confesse with their mouths that my words are pleasant or swéet meaning that he had not so much as by a word offended them or any of them but had pleasured them very greatly and spoken most humbly comfortably and swéetely vnto them sée 1 Sam. 24 9 10 c. also 26.14 15 c. Ver. 7. Our bones i. I and my companions putting a part of them for the whole lye scattered vz. here and there meaning that they were in great distresse and danger because that they were many times sundered one of them from another as that body is whose mēbers are as it were out of ioint or distracted one of them frō another at the graues mouth i. in great danger and euen as it were at deaths dore as he that heweth wood vz. maketh the shiuers to flie hither and thither so are we thorow thy iudgemēt dispersed or diggeth in the earth vz. and casteth it abroad one péere from another he careth not whether This text sence is somewhat dark therefore cleare it out of Immanuel thus as though