THE PSALMES OF Dauid TRVLY OPENED AND explaned by Paraphrasis according to the right sense of euerie Psalme With large and ample Arguments before euerie Psalme declaring the true vse thereof TO THE WHICH IS ADDED A briefe Table shewing wherevnto euery Psalme is particularly to be applied according to the direction of M. BEZA and TREMELLIVS Set foorth in Latine by that excellent learned man THEODORE BEZA And faithfully translated into English by ANTHONIE GILBIE And by him newlie purged from sundrie faultes escaped in the first print and supplied with the principal pointes of euerie Psalme summarilie set downe in a Table at the end of the booke PSALME 22 5. Our father 's called vpon thee and were deliuered they trusted in thee and were not confounded Printed by Henrie Denham 1581 Cum priuilegio Regiae Maiestatis TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE AND VERTVOVS LADIE THE LADIE KAtherine Countesse of Huntingdon mine especial good Ladie Grace and peace in Iesus Christ our Sauiour al sufficient RIGHT honorable my singular good Ladie I can write no pleasant thinges the which the great states much desire neither anie eloquent termes which this world doth require but as your honour doth know my rude simplicitie yet through Gods great mercie alwaies grounded vpon his infallible veritie it pleaseth your honour to giue me leaue sometimes to write vnto you And now hauing gathered some profite my selfe by a booke of that excellent man Theodore Beza written in Latine and dedicate to my most honorable Lord so am I bold to put foorth some part of the same into English which I thought most expedient for you and to present it to your honour with this short preface The which though it be short and rude yet do I beseech your honour to consider it as a preparatiue to moue your godlie mind to the more diligent meditation of these Arguments of the Psalmes which are verie profitable and to this Paraphrasis which is a briefe and a plaine declaration of the meaning of the holie Ghost who did endite the Psalmes and set them foorth by his secretaries Dauid and others as shal appeare in their places First then I beseech your Honour to consider the state of our time and compare it with former times that we may see what is like to come vpon vs vnles we do watch and pray and bring foorth the fruites of vnfeigned repentance We do reade in the histories of the Kings of Iudah who were the deare people of God how that after the death of Manasses that idolatrous and cruel King who had brought in idolatrie againe after that his father Hezekias had reformed religion Amon reigned but two yeares when God in mercie stirred vp good Iosias who restored the religion and brought it againe to ful perfection and made a couenant betwixt the Lord and the people and al the people stoode to the couenant 2. Kings 23 3. the which true religion was continued 31. yeares euen al the time of Iosias yet is it written in the 2. Kings 23. verses 25 26 27. Like vnto Iosias was there no King before him that turned to the Lord with al his heart and with al his soule with al his might according to al the lawe of Moses neither after him arose there anie like him Notwithstanding the Lord turned not from the fearcenes of his great wrath wherewith he was angrie against Iudah because of al the prouocations wherewith Manasses had prouoked him Therfore the Lord said I wil put Iuda also out of my sight as I haue sent away Israël and wil cast off this Citie Ierusalem which I haue chosen and the house whereof I haue said My name shal be there Againe 2. Kings 24.3 Surelie by the commandement of the Lord came this vpon Iudah that he might put them out of his sight for the sinnes of Manasses according to al that he did and for the innocent bloud that he shedde for he filled Ierusalem with innocent bloud therefore the Lord would not pardon it The which terrible words and threatnings against Gods chosen people when I read them they cause me to tremble and feare for our state here in England And I do earnestlie request your honour and al that feare God diligentlie to meditate these and such like places of the holie histories which I omit for breuitie sake For besides that our religion is not yet brought to ful perfection in these 22. yeares the which thing I feare wil be laid to our charge the horrible sinnes of former times are not yet purged with true teares of repentance For manie do yet carie their idols in their hearts manie do waite for the occasion to shew the like crueltie that they did before few do feele how horriblie they did offend Gods sacred maiestie in erecting of idols contrarie to Gods holie commandement especialie in kneeling downe and worshipping that wafer cake the vilest and weakest idol that euer was imagined vpon the earth both for the smalnes of the substance and the huge heapes of errours therein maintained The most part make that their reuolting vnto Antichrist and renouncing of the Gospel of Christ in Q. Maries time but a laughing matter Two or three or none do worthily lament their fal with Peter Wherefore I can not but feare I saie least the like punishment wil come vpon vs for the like sinnes committed in the daies of Q. Marie for al our outward shew of religion as came vppon Iudah for their former sinnes committed in the time of Manasses Therefore haue we great cause to praie vnto the Lord our God to be merciful vnto vs to our Queene and Countrie that so by earnest praiers either we may turne awaie his fearce wrath from vs altogither or at the least with our Hezekias our gratious Queene I meane to obteine that it come not in our daies To this purpose is this Booke of the Psalmes most necessarie for euerie Christian not to reade them for fashion and custome onlie either in a knowne or vnknowne language which were to take the name of God in vaine but to meditate them in their hearts and so by earnest and continual inuocation and hartie praiers to moue the Lord our God to mercies as his holie seruants haue by the like meanes alwaies found mercie before vs. For whereas al other scriptures do teach vs what God saith vnto vs these praiers of the saints do teach vs what we shal saie vnto God and how we must prepare our selues to appeare before his maiestie both in prosperitie and aduersitie and therefore are they dailie to be vsed with great reuerence and humilitie And surelie these Arguments this Paraphrasis of the psalmes set forth of late by that great learned man Beza do so liuelie paint forth the zealous and feruent praiers which both the whole Church generalie and the saints of God particularlie haue vsed from time to time that we haue great cause to praise God that hath giuen vs such patternes and examples at this present
and to confirme them against imminent calamities which wil assured he fal vpon al them that vex the Church THE PARAPHRASIS 1 I Wil praise the Lord with my whole heart and I wil shew foorth al his maruelous workes 2 I wil be ioiful and reioice in thee I wil sing vnto thy name ô God most high 3 For that mine enimies are turned backe are fallen downe and perish at thy presence 4 For thou hast mainteined the right of my cause and sitting vpon thy throne of iudgement thou hast declared thy selfe to be a iust iudge 5 Thou hast rebuked the multitude of the heathen and thou hast destroied them for euer 6 O enimie the destructions that thou diddest threaten doe no where appeare thou saiest forsooth that thou wilt destroie cities and the memorie of the inhabitants shal together be abolished with them 7 But the Lord hath an euerlasting dominion and sitteth alwaies to giue vnto euerie man his due right 8 It is he onlie that ruleth the whole world righteouslie and gouerneth the people with equitie 9 He is an high tower to the oppressed and a safe refuge to the afflicted 10 Wherfore al that knowe thy name wil trust in thee for thou neuer forsakest ô Lord them that seeke vnto thee 11 Sing praises to the Lord which dwelleth in Zion declare vnto the people his worthie actes 12 For he maketh inquisition for bloudshead and murther neuer vnmindful of his people neither forgetteth he the crie of the oppressed 13 Haue mercie vpon me ô Lord ô thou that hast deliuered me from deaths doore see what violence mine enimies do vse against me 14 That I maie shew foorth al thy praise and entering into Zion may with ioie declare that thou art my sauiour 15 The multitude of the enimies are drowned in the selfe-same ditch which they haue digged for me and they are snarled in the selfe-same snares the which they haue hid for me 16 The Lord is knowne by executing his iudgement by catching the wicked in their owne wiles and crafts 17 The wicked shal fal backward into hel and al they that forget God 18 Neither shal the poore be alwaies forgotten neither the hope of them that are oppressed shal faile them for euer 19 Rise vp ô Lord let not mortal men preuaile let these wicked people be punished by thine appointment 20 Cast them downe ô Lord let them al knowe that they be but men mortal PSALME X. The Argument The crueltie of the enimies of the Church is liuelie painted foorth in this Psalme and their carelesse securitie and they are described to be much like the Giants called of the Poets Cyclops yet al their enterprises in the end shal come to naught because God wil neuer forsake his Church nor suffer them to go vnpunished THE PARAPHRASIS 1 WHY departest thou far off ô Lord and why withdrawest thou thy selfe when most need is in the time of troble and calamitie 2 The wicked with crueltie doth rage against the good cause them to be snared in their owne craftie counsels 3 For the wicked delighteth in his owne lustes and the couetous man doth therein count himselfe blessed and contemneth God himselfe 4 He walketh with a proud countenance and careth for nothing and thinketh alwaie that there is no God 5 Al things fal out prosperouslie vnto him he putteth awaie thy iudgements farre from his sight he casteth downe his aduersaries as with his onelie breath 6 He thinketh in his heart alwaie that he shal neuer be moued neither suffer anie aduersitie 7 His mouth is ful of cursing griefe and iniurie doe lie vnder his tongue 8 He lieth in waite in the villages to kil the innocent in secret places with glieng eies he watcheth for the succourlesse 9 He lieth in waite in secret as the Lion doth in his denne he lieth in waite I saie that he may spoile the poore drawen into his net 10 He crowcheth lieth downe so that heapes of the poore fal as a praie into hi◠teeth nailes 11 He imagineth with himselfe that God forgetteth these things and doth not behold them or at the least doth not alwaies marke them 12 Rise vp ô Lorde lift vp thine hand ô most mightie and forget not the poore 13 For whie should the wicked aduaunce himselfe against God persuading himselfe that thou wilt neuer cal these things to accompts 14 But thou surelie doest behold these things thou doest obserue if anie man hurt or vexe an other that thou maist apprehend him and set him before thy iudgement seate the poore do rest vpon thee and thou hast taken vpon thee to defend the fatherles 15 Breake thou the power of this malicious and wicked person search out his wickednes that he being destroied suddenlie be seene no more 16 God the eternal King wil cast downe and destroie the wicked out of his land 17 O Lord thou hearest the desires of the poore thou comfortest their heart thou bendest thine eare vnto them 18 Deliuer the fatherles and the oppressed least these earthlie wretches do exercise a continual tyrannie ouer them PSALME XI The Argument The Prophet doeth heere teach that the godlie are in this world like vnto birds which are compelled to wander to and fro without certaine habitation for the foulers snares yet are not they to be heard which thinke that a man should leaue his calling either imagining that things are lead by fortune or that the godlie otherwaies should perish For the end wil declare it selfe that al and euerie particular thing is gouerned by Gods prouidence who wil neuer forsake them that trust in him neither wil suffer them vnpunished that dispise him And it seemeth that Dauid made this Psalme when the courtiers laboured vnder the colour of friendship to driue him out of the Court as though otherwaies he should be slaine by Saul the which thing he counted not meete to do vnlesse he were constrained by extreme necessitie THE PARAPHRASIS 1 IN the Lord put I my trust how saie yee then as men careful for my life Flee awaie into your mountaines 2 For lo saie ye the wicked haue bent their bowe and haue laid their arrowes vpon their string to shoote at those priuilie that are of vpright heart 3 And whereas the verie foundations are shaken what can the righteous do 4 The Lord sitteth in his holie temple the Lords throne is in the heauens his eies doe behold al things and he trieth mortal men with his eie lids 5 The Lord trieth both the good and the bad and he vtterlie hateth and abhorreth him that is giuen to wickednes 6 He wil raine vpon the wicked coles fire and brimstone and stormie tempests this is their portion appointed 7 For the iust God loueth righteousnes and he alwaies beholdeth them that do right PSALME XII The Argument When the Church is sometime brought into this extremitie that al men may be bold to doe al things either by force or by craft so that al things may
lo standeth vp but I lie downe troden vnder his feete and in this my so great trouble what can I speake but vnaduisedlie and without al order and therefore what other thing can I do if I speake than by trespassing with my tongue to bring more griefe vpon mee wherefore I haue wholie purposed to be silent and to bridle my mouth 2 So therefore I determine with my selfe haue perfourmed that which I determined so that I did not once mutter yea I did abstaine from speaking those things which I might with most good right haue brought foorth for my defence 3 But when I peâ—ceiued my sorowe to waxe more bitter and my heart the morâ— that I did bridle it so much more did it boile within me at the length fire did burne foorth and turning my mind from mine enimies vnto my God I began to speake that which I had conceiued within me 4 O Lord cause me more and more seriouslie to vnderstand and consider how momentanie and transitorie this life is and cal into my mind the shortnes of this life 5 For behold thou hast made the daies of this my life scarse one hand-breadth long which is almost nothing in thy sight neither are they whose state seemeth most constant and flourishing anie other but a most vaine thing Wherfore then am I so sore troubled for the hazarding of a thing of so smal importance as though either they should rage against me for euer or I should fight anie long time with these euil persons 6 Doubtles men doe walke in the shadowe of things not seeing the things themselues making great stirs for the most part for things of no value by the which their cares if anie man doe get anie thing yet doth he not knowe for whome he gathereth it in the end 7 God forbid therefore that I should be careful for this trash I doe rather depend of thee vpon whome onlie I do fasten my hope who seeing thou art my Lord canst not despise thy poore seruant 8 And why should I lo complaine of thee which knowledge my selfe a sinner Wherefore I do not murmur against thy most iust iudgements but I rather desire this of thee that of thy mercie forgetting al mine iniquities thou wouldest graunt vnto me that I be not a iesting stocke to foolish wicked men 9 Finallie why should not I hold my peace why should I speake one word seeing al these things come vnto me not by chance but by thy knoweledge and pleasure who doubtles art most good and most righteous 10 But I beseech thee take thine hand a little space from me which woundeth me continualie so that I wholie doe faint and faile 11 Yet doe I not denie but that thou dost worthilie punish mankind with these thy most iust punishments so that whome soeuer thou touchest al his beautie and comlines must waste and consume immediatelie as though a moth had eaten it to be short euerie man in himselfe is nothing but vanitie it selfe 12 But thou ô Lord heare my praiers and cries and hauing pittie of these my teares make answere vnto me For thus hast thou done to my forefathers whome thou didst loue vnto whome thou seest me most like euen a stranger pilgrime in this world 13 Cease ô Lord and grant me some space to recouer my life before I doe vtterlie perish PSALME XL. The Argument Although this Psalme doth containe a thankesgiuing yet for the most part it is of doctrine and instruction and hath also a singular prophesie concerning the abolishing of the old couenant and of the office of Christ therefore Dauid by his example doth teach vs these things First that the efficacie and force euen of our praiers which are heard of God are deferred the which doctrine is necessarie in the contention that faith hath with distrust and impatience Secondlie that this deferring turneth both to the glorie of God our owne commoditie For so it is made more euident to al men out of how great dangers the Lord doth deliuer his seruants and also this is made more certainlie manifest how farre they are deceiued who either being drawen awaie through euil examples or being ouercome by impatience do fal froÌ„ God Thirdlie that we must attribute this that we are heard of God and deliuered from dangers to no sacrifices of the law nor satisfactions of our owne but to the free reconciliation in Christ alone which was then to be fulfilled when Dauid wrote this but is now wholie fulfilled and finished and therefore we are heard not that we should take libertie to sinne by the mercie of God but rather that we should consecrate and offer vp our selues wholie vnto him both before him and before men openlie and without al dissimulation and hypocrisie Fourthlie that this chaunge doth not proceede from vs but is wrought in vs by the grace of God who pearceth our eares to make vs perceiue his word and worketh in vs both to wil and to doe Fiftlie that the written lawe of God is the onlie rule of true obedience Sixtlie seeing that in this life there is continuallie a certaine interchangeable course of temptations we must ioine with our thankesgiuing for present benefites praiers against miseries which may hereafter followe and we must doe our diligence that being confirmed by the experience of things that are past we may wholie depend vpon him And forasmuch as Dauid was a figure of Christ Christ himselfe is brought in speaking in the 6 7 and 8. verse and testifieng that he was made of his father our priest not to offer the sacrifices of the lawe but that by offering himselfe he might finish the old figures and being obedient to his father euen to the death of the crosse he might be vnto vs perfect righteousnes and redemption as the Apostle teacheth abundantlie Heb. 10 5. and afterwardes But we must remember that these things are so to be attributed to the person of Christ that they are to be applied farre otherwise to Christ than to Dauid that is to the truth it selfe and the figure this onlie excepted that Christ especiallie in his agonie or conflict did beare in deede our person and therefore he that is our redeemer in as much as there was no sinne in him so may he be said the first that is redeemed of himselfe forasmuch as our sinnes were laid vpon him THE PARAPHRASIS 1 I Haue waited for the Lords helpe a verie long season but with good successe for he hath giuen eare vnto me at the length and hath declared in deede that he hath heard my crie 2 For he hath drawen me forth of the most deepe pit and most tough mire and hath set me vpon an high rocke where I walke most firmelie 3 Wherefore he hath ministred vnto me the matter of a new song euen to set foorth the praises of our God whereby al that looke vpon me set forth as an example of his mercie may learne to worship God and to feare him and to
but to haue taken them of the king himself that we might acknowledge al our goodnes to proceede from his bountiful mercie that hath couered our nakednes and therfore that that is to be counted the true Catholike Church which goeth crowned amongst hâ—r felowes with the onlie righteousnes of Christ fâ—eelie imputed vnto her although also an other righteousnes begun in vs doth consequentlie fellowe this iustice and separateth the children of light from the children of darknes the which thing is by a like allegorie shadowed of Christ himselfe Matth. 11.22 These things being declared wherein almost al the mysteries of our saluation are contained the Prophet turneth his speach to the Church it selfe or rather to euerie member thereof exhorting it to studie how to approue it selfe more and more to her husband of whom she is loued so tenderlie and he also sheweth by what meanes she may do it namelie if hearing him diligentlie for faith commeth by hearing without the which we can not please God and turning vnto him that is continuallie beholding his wil in the glasse of the lawe she cast awaie al corruptions either ingendred in her nature or taken from her elders or continued and confirmed by long custome that she may learne more and more to obey this her husband alone as her head and Lord. There is annexed an exhortation which hath respect to the verie infancie of the Christian Church that first began in Iewrie for we may knowe by the verie historie it selfe how slender poore and miserable the Church was concerning the flesh consisting onlie of an hundred twentie persons and those verie poore and needie He doth therefore comfort it foreshewing that at length they of Tyre also should ioine themselues vnto them by the which name he vnderstandeth the Gentiles comprehending euen the princes themselues but yet so that he might warne vs that al the beautie of the which he spake and which is by infinite degrees more excellent than al the ornaments of al Queenes how pretious soeuer they be is inward and now in deede is not to be seene of fleshlie eies but shal in the time appointed appeare so bright and glorious in the Queene and in her whole nursserie that it shal passe al mens capacitie euen then when as the Apostle saith we shal go to meete Christ and shal be for euer with him being entred into his palace But what saist thou in the meane time shal be done Doubtles this Queene shal bring forâ—h children for her husband and al those shal be worthie and true Kings and shal reigne euerie-where like those their elders that were the ancient Patriarchs hauing brought Sathan sinne death and their owne selues into subiection Hereof it commeth to passe that this same marriage shal be perpetual and euerlasting THE PARAPHRASIS 1 MY heart so boileth within me that it must needes burst forth that which it hath conceiued euen a magnifical song of the King consecrated to the King himselfe and that with such zeale and feruencie that no pen may seeme to be able to attaine vnto the voice of the speaker 2 Doubtles thou art the most beautiful of al men an incomparable eloquence and grace of speach is in thy lips for God hath adorned thee most bountifullie with al these giftes which shal neuer be taken from thee 3 Come foorth now ô most mightie champion girded with the sword and shew that thy beautie ful of maiestie 4 Come foorth I saie and do al things prosperouslie caried vpon thy triumphant chariot euen the word as a gouernour directing it and let truth mercie iustice drawe it O how great and maruelous things do I see that thou shalt bring to passe by this thy mightie power 5 Yet shalt thou not want such ô King who shal resist thee howbeit I do see thee againe armed with sharpe arrowes wherewith thou wilt wound the hearts of thine enimies and so cast downe al people 6 For thy throne ô God is for euer and euer and as nothing is more stable than thy kingdome so is thy scepter righteousnes it selfe 7 For thou louest righteousnes and hatest what so euer is against it for ô God that our King God that is thy God hath powred foorth vpon thee al his bountie that no man is able to be compared vnto thee 8 For when thou commest foorth of thy iuorie palace a most fragrant odour of thy garments doth spread it selfe than the which nothing can be more pleasant therefore do al men run together with prease vnto thee to declare their ioie 9 Yea and the kings daughters beautified with thy giftes do come also amongst the which the Queene being present sitteth at thy right hand bearing a crowne of most pure gold 10 Heare therefore ô daughter consider diligentlie vnto what maner of husband thou art coupled learne of him alone what he requireth of thee that thou shouldest forget thine owne nation and thy fathers house and al other things when thou commest vnder the authoritie and into the familie of this husband 11 So wil it come to passe that thou shalt be more and more in his fauour to whome onlie it is meete that thou shouldest be subiect as to thy Lord. 12 And thou shalt be againe honourable euen to strange people of whome euen the most rich honouring thee shal desire thy friendship 13 But at home chieflie euen with thy husband thou shalt sit most richlie decked clothed altogether with garments broadered with gold 14 Thus shalt thou then be set before the King with such and so pretious apparel the virgins thy companions waiting and going with thee vnto the King 15 Whilest that you altogether with most great ioie and reioicing enter into the palace 16 Here shalt thou see thy children whom thou hast borne vnto thy husband flourishing and nothing inferiour vnto those thy most noble elders reigning ouer the prouinces of the whole world 17 Therefore ô King I wil praise thy name in al ages for euer and the people with me shal sing praise vnto thee world without end PSALME XLVI The Argument Jiudge that this and the 47. Psalme was written of Dauid or of the sonnes of Corah after those great victories which they had ouer so manie and so mightie enimies whereof mention is made 2. Sam. 8. And two principal commodities of such like victories are set forth vnto vs in this triumphant Psalme the one is because the glorie of God is by this meanes amplified with the care whereof the saintes are much more touched than with their owne profites whatsoeuer the other for that thereby it may be seene in deede that the Church alone is in safetie though it be most fiercelie assaulted by Sathan the world vtterlie destitute of mans aid the which thing the Prophet doth set forth with maruelous words figures ioining also therevnto a prophesie of the calling of the Gentiles THE PARAPHRASIS 1 WE haue proued sufficientlie by due experience that God is our defence and strength
godlie to giue thankes and to celebrate the praise of God THE PARAPHRASIS 1 GOD from whose mercie so manie benefites do proceede vnto vs continue to blesse vs and chiefelie do cause his pleasant countenance to shine vpon vs. 2 That his waie which he hath declared vnto his people may be knowne as far as the borders of the earth are extended and that al nations may embrace the saluation promised by him 3 Let al people praise thee ô God let al the people praise thee 4 Let the people be glad and reioice For the time wil be when thou shalt gouerne the whole world with most iust and righteous iudgement 5 Let the people praise thee ô God let al the people praise thee 6 Command the earth also to bring foorth her fruites and continue ô God our God to heape thy benefites vpon vs. 7 Continue I saie ô God to blesse vs and let al the world againe acknowledge and worship thee PSALME LXVIII The Argument Dauid being about to carrie the Arke of the couenant which was the visible testimonie of the presence of God and of his mercie into the tower of Sion when he had ordeined a solemnitie whereof he himselfe was the ringleader than the which there was neuer anie in this nation more famous which is written plainlie 1. Chron. 15. he made certaine Psalmes vndoubtedlie by diuine inspiration wherewith he inflamed both himselfe and others doubtles to praise God maruelouslie And amongst other he did write this Psalme also than the which nothing could be written more diuinelie more ful of maiestie or more eloquentlie by anie man and he repeateth and calleth to memorie the former benefites of God and addeth maruellous artificial colours rather painting it forth than writing it But we must diligentlie marke this thing further that the Prophet stood not fixed onlie in that matter which was then in hand but by diuine inspiration did insinuate mysticallie as the times did then suffer the most excellent secrets of the kingdome of heauen and therfore by that Arke is mysticallie vnderstood that the sonne of God in whome the fulnesse of the Godhead remaineth hath put vpon him our flesh by Sion is meant the tabernacle not made with mans hand by bringing in of the Arke the ascension of Christ into heauen by leading awaie of the captiues that Sathan sinne death are ouercome lastlie by the temporal blessings continuallie powred vpon Jsraël the spiritual euerlasting giftes of Christ dailie bestowed vpon the Church by the holie ministerie worke of the Gospel is here figuratiuelie described as Paule witnesseth Ephes 4 8. and almost throughout the Epistle to the Hebrues THE PARAPHRASIS 1 GO to let God onlie arise and in a moment al his enimies shal flee awaie wandring and scattered abroade 2 For al the vngodlie must none otherwise vanish awaie at his sight and countenance than the smoake which being driuen with the winde is dispersed and the waxe that is laied before the fire is melted 3 But on the contrarie the righteous being maruelouslie refreshed by his countenance shal reioice and shal leape for gladnes 4 Go to then celebrate the Lord with songs sing vnto his name prepare the waie to him that hath long wandered in the wildernesse and comming now vnto vs praise him I saie who is eternal both in name and in deede and reioice before him 5 For he that is the father of the fatherles and the defender of the widowes hath now chosen amongst vs holie and stable habitations vnto himselfe 6 This is he that hath made fruiteful those barren persons of whome we had our beginning who hath losed vs from bonds being oppressed with most cruel bondage who hath cast out the rebels into drie and desert countries and regions 7 For thou ô God when thou wentest before the people leddest them by the horrible wildernes 8 The earth it selfe did tremble and the heauens being afraid by feeling of thy maiestie were dissolued as it were in a sweate and dropped downe when thou ô God the God of Israël didest sit presentlie vpon the top of mount Sinai 9 Furthermore thou hast not failed to water the countrie in the which thou hast placed thy people with the raine of thy large liberalitie and to refresh it when it was barren 10 Euen that thou mightest feede therein thy flocks to whome thou hast giuen it and mightest strengthen thine which else should haue perished through hunger 11 And also thou hast giuen the cause to the great multitudes of our virgins to reioice and sing of thy victories which should otherwaies haue bin vnthankeful vnlesse they had praised thee with hymnes 12 Behold the mightie euen the kings compassed about with their armies haue fled awaie they haue fled I saie and the women that vsed not to come out of the house haue diuided the spoile 13 O ye damsels ye haue liued hitherto amongst the soote of the pots euen sitting at home but now ye may come foorth shining and glittering no otherwise than the doues as white as snowe do cast foorth a certaine golden glistering as they flee in the aire 14 For when the strength of the enimies was scattered by the power of GOD a most cleare brightnes did shine vnto the earth euen like the snowe that lieth vpon the top of Salmon which dazeleth the eies of them that looke vpon it with the brightnes thereof 15 O mount Basan thou verelie art verie fat and art seene to haue manie tops of thy hilles but what canst thou do God hath not chosen thee but the mount Sion vnto himselfe 16 Why then should ye be proud why should ye lift vp the tops of your hilles for God hath chosen vnto himselfe this hil far lower than you in the which he wil dwel the Lord hath consecrated vnto himselfe this seate for euer 17 Here verelie he is caried in his chariots the which two millians both on this side and that side doe drawe and being inuironed with these armies as he did sit vpon the top of Sina of old so now he entreth the possession of this his holie place 18 Now therefore ô God thou doest verelie exalt thy selfe carrieng awaie thine enimies captiue taking the spoiles that thou maist giue to thine euen thus taming thine enimies how rebellious so euer and going vp to the tower of Sion that thou maist settle thine euerlasting habitation there 19 Wherefore euerlasting praise be vnto thee ô Lord ô God I saie our sauiour which doest heape vpon vs thy continual benefites 20 For this is that God who hath declared himselfe vnto vs to be the God our sauiour after a thousand sorts and the Lord hath approued in verie deede that deliuerance from death is set in him alone 21 Therefore so oft as neede is that same God wil breake the verie head of his enimies and wil cast downe the wicked which arrogantlie hold vp their long shagged haire 22 For he hath promised to do the same thing againe
sorts to wit to bring vs into a deepe consideration of the constancie of God alwaies continued in the performing of his promises and of the other side of his wrath against the obstinate and stubborne breakers of his couenant The Prophet then doth declare this by this long and diligent rehearsal both of the chiefe benefites which God hath bestowed vpon this people euen from the first adoption and choosing of them euen vnto Dauid and also of the punishments which the people caused God euen as it were vnwillinglie to execute vpon them And would to God that al men could marke in their minds how necessarie this doctrine is in our times and how woonderful examples God hath set before vs to both these purposes by the space of these fortie yeeres euen as great as euer before THE PARAPHRASIS 1 HEare the master teaching ô my people and giue eare vnto him that wil speake nothing vnaduisedlie 2 I wil speake foorth most graue matters and I wil bring foorth things to be called into memorie euen from the ancient times 3 The which though we haue heard by report yet knowe we that they are most certaine and not fained by our elders which haue deliuered them vnto vs. 4 And as they had regard of vs so is it meete that wee should haue regard of our posteritie that the praises of the Lord and those woonderful acts whereby he hath testified his power vnto vs may be continued vnto al posteritie 5 For God hath established a certaine doctrine by his singular goodnes whereby he testifieth his wil to the ofspring of Iacob euen to Israël and hath commanded our fathers that euerie one should declare it to his children 6 And they againe to others their children that by this meanes the knowledge of the true God and of the worship of God might be continued from the fathers to the posteritie by the order of their generation 7 To this purpose that euerie one mindful of so great benefits of God might be taught to beleeue in God and to obeie his commandements 8 And that they should not followe those their elders a stubborne kind of men greeuous vnto God himselfe vnconstant dissembling and vnfaithful 9 The Ephramites for example being cunning archers in deede yet when they came to the battel they turned their backs 10 Vnmindful of the couenants of God and disdaining to walke the waie that he appointed 11 Forgetting his noble and wonderous works 12 For this is he that wrought so manie wonders before their elders in Aegypt and in the fieldes of Zoan 13 Who lead them through the waters diuided here and there heaped vp like mounts 14 Who lead them in the daie time with a cloud going before them and in the night by a flame glistering in the aire 15 Who brake the stonie rocks and gaue them waters most abundantlie to drinke 16 Drawing forth riuers euen forth of the flint that running streames did flowe from thence 17 Yet did they not cease to offend him for al this naie they continued to prouoke that high God 18 Yea and they durst trie his power whether he were able to satisfie their lust 19 For thus spake they against God Is he also so mightie that he can intertaine vs with a deintie feast in the wildernes 20 For he hath striken the rocke in deed whence so manie waters doe flowe that they are in abundance but can he also giue vs bread and can he giue vs here delicates 21 The Lord hearing this was verie angrie against Israël and that verie worthilie 22 Because they beleeued not God neither gaue themselues wholie to be gouerned by him 23 For he had commanded the clouds aboue that they should feede his people and he had opened the gates of heauen 24 And the cloudes being commanded did raine downe manna a most pleasant heauenlie bread 25 And he did giue to euerie one of them euen his bellie ful of bread so delicate that no prince be he neuer so mightie hath anie better 26 Wherefore he commanded by his authoritie that the east wind should blowe on the one side and the south wind on the other 27 And behold he rained downe euen quailes those deintie birdes with such abundance vpon them that they were like in number to the dust and sand of the sea 28 So that al the tents within and al round about them were filled with birds falling downe from heauen on euerie side 29 These then they did take and eate with al greedines to their fil God giuing them most abundantlie that which they desired 30 But behold whilest they did eate and whilest they did yet chawe the meate 31 The wrath of the Lord burnt against them and he destroied al the most excellent and chosen men amongest them 32 Yet could they not be amended with thess plagues nor brought to trust in him whose infinite power they had so oft tried 33 Wherefore he disappointed their hope worthilie and destroied them trembling with continual terror 34 For they then sought him when he threatened them with death and comming earlie did intreate him 35 They acknowledged that God was vnto them a most safe tower and they called him the high God and their deliuerer 36 But al these things were onelie vaine flatterings nor anie other things than words ful of falshood 37 For they did not speake with an vpright heart but such as shewed themselues nothing more faithful than before in perfourming the conditions of the couenant 38 Yet he pardoned them through his infinite mercie neither proceeded to deale with them rigorouslie and though they continued to prouoke him to anger yet powred not he al his wrath vpon them 39 For he remembred that men are indued with a fleshlie lumpe that passeth and vanisheth away and that their present life is like to a blast that passeth by and neuer returneth againe 40 Ah! how oft prouoked they him in the desert how oft were they troublesome vnto him in the wildernes 41 How oft by returning to their old manners haue they tempted God distrusting his power and mercie whereof they had so oft experience how oft haue they limited the bounds to the holie one of Israël 42 For they had forgotten his vnspeakable power which he had declared by deliuering them from the most cruel bondage of the Aegyptians 43 When he did so manie miracles in Aegypt and so manie woonders in the fields of Zoan 44 For he turned their flouds into bloud so that al Aegypt which is ful of pooles had no water to drinke 45 He brought vpon them swarmes of al kind of flies and wormes wherewith they were destroied and frogs wherewith they were consumed 46 He gaue al the fruits of their fields to the caterpillers and their fallowe grounds to the grashoppers 47 He destroied their vines with haile and their wild figtrees with lightenings 48 He killed their cattel with haile and their beasts with thunderbolts 49 Finallie he powred foorth al his furie and that
his terrible wrath vpon them that there was no calamitie wherewith he did not strike Aegypt by those his wicked spirits 50 Conuerting himselfe now on this side now on that side being ful of wrath and both slaieng men and consuming their cattel with pestilence 51 And he did also kil al the first borne of Aegypt that no head of the familie did remaine aliue in the tabernacles of Cham. 52 But he lead his people like sheepe brought foorth of the folds of Aegypt euen like a heard through the midest of those wildernesses 53 He carried them I saie safelie without al feare of danger couering their enimies with the multitude of waters 54 Neither ceased he whilest that he had brought them into this land consecrate vnto him yea and placed them in this mountaine which he prepared for himselfe by his owne power alone 55 For it is he which cast out the people that resisted them out of these countries which he diuided afterward to the tribes of Israël by lot and placed them in their habitation 56 But behold againe they heaping sinne vpon sinne tempted and prouoked to wrath that high God by breaking his couenant 57 They turned awaie from him following the infidelitie of their fathers they turned themselues aside contrarie from the marke as deceitful bowes vse to doe 58 Finallie they maruellouslie prouoked him by no light error and crime but with altars built euerie-where in the high mountaines and which is the far greatest wickednes they placed there their grauen idols 59 God hearing these things was most worthilie displeased and wonderfullie loathed Israël 60 And he did willinglie forsake that tabernacle that he had set in Shilo that house I saie which he had chosen vnto himselfe amongst men 61 What should I saie more he deliuered into the hands of their enimies to be carried into captiuitie that Arke his most sure pledge of his presence and of his power euen that his honour and dignitie 62 And also he cast awaie his people and gaue them to their swords 63 The flame of his wrath consumed the flowre of their youth and the virgins being vnmaried did remaine without their mariage songs 64 Their priests did fal giuen vp to the sword and their widowes had no time to mourne their husbands 65 Notwithstanding he being mindful of his couenant was awaked with a great crie as it were a mightie man raised from a deepe sleepe after his wine 66 When his enimies did seeme to pursue him like conquerours he contrariwise did wound their hinder parts with a sore disease vnto their shame in al ages 67 Notwithstanding yet that he might mixe some seueritie with his mercie he did not returne to the tabernacle of Ioseph which he had forsaken neither did he preferre the tribe of Ephraim as he had done before 68 But he did choose the tribe of Iuda and did imbrace the mount Sion with a certain peculiar loue 69 For he determined not to haue his abode here for a while as in former time but he built vnto him a sanctuarie as a most strong tower as stable as the bodie of the earth 70 Finallie it pleased him to cal Dauid from the sheepefold whose seruice he would vse 71 And so to appoint him to feede the posteritie of Iacob euen his most deere Israël who followed the ewes with yong and led them to their pastures which was not yet the chiefe shepheard of his fathers flocke so that he could neuer reioice that he was brought to his dignitie by his owne endeuour or power and that you should honour him as a man set ouer you by God 72 In the which gouernment of your pastor there neither wanted integritie and vprightnes in taking of counsel neither wisedome in perfourming of his enterprise PSALME LXXIX The Argument There is the same argument and vse of this Psalme as of the 74. the which none of the godlie can reade without great comfort neither anie of the enimies of the Church without horrible terrour THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O God the prophane nations euen the enimies of thy name haue inuaded thine inheritance they haue polluted thy holie temple they haue ouerthrowne Ierusalem and made it an heape of stones 2 They haue cast the dead bodies of thy seruants that are slaine and whom thou hast imbraced with singular fauor to be deuoured of wild beasts 3 They haue powred out their bloud like water on euerie side and there was none found which would commit them to the burial 4 Moreouer it was so farre off that we could find anie where those that would comfort vs in so great miseries that we were exposed euen to the reproches mockings and slanders of the people round about vs. 5 O Lord wilt thou be thus angrie with vs for euer and how long shal the fire of thy wrath rage 6 Powre foorth rather thy wrath vpon a people that knowe thee not and vpon the kingdomes which worship not thy name 7 For these are they which haue deuoured thine Israëlits and haue spoiled the possession that thou hast giuen them 8 And we verelie I grant haue heaped sinne vpon sinne of old but cal not these to account we beseech thee rather hasten those thy great mercies before we vtterlie perish for we are almost wholie consumed 9 Helpe vs ô God our deliuerer neither consider what we deserue but what thy glorie requireth deliuer vs and forgiue vs our sinnes for the honour of thine owne name 10 For why shouldest thou suffer these prophane people anie longer to aske vs in derision Where is that your God Naie rather bring to passe that in our sight al these Gentiles may knowe in deed how seuere punishment thou vsest to execute for the shedding of thy seruants bloud 11 Heare the captiues laden with bonds mourning before thee which remaine of so many slaughters whome also they haue appointed to death and keepe them by that thy mightie power 12 And repaie seuen fold vpon their heads which are our cruel neighbors who cease not to reproch thee ô Lord. 13 But we are thy people and the sheepe whom thou pleasest to seede we wil celebrate thee for euer and set forth thy praise to the worlds that shal come after PSALME LXXX The Argument J iudge that this Psalme wherein the beginnings the increasings and also the calamities of the Church of Israël are most elegantlie described vnder the similitude of a vine may verie aptlie be referred to those times which either went a lâ—ttle before or followed soone after the anointing of Dauid the which Psalme Esaias Cap. 5. doth applie vnto other times and Christ after him to the verie destruction of the citie and cutting off the boughes Matth. 21 33. Marke 12 1. and Luke 20 9. and there is the same vse of this Psalme as of the former THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THou shepheard of Israël and leader of the flocke of Ioseph hearken thou that sittest vpon the Cherubims shew forth who and how great thou art 2 Be
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
that put their trust in him 10 Thou chieflie the ofspring of Aaron which ought to go before others both in doctrine and example trust in the Lord the sure shield and defender of al that put their trust in him 11 Finallie how manie soeuer do professe to worship Iehouah trust you in the Lord who is the shield and defender of them that fixe their hope in him 12 The Lord doubt ye not careth for vs he wil blesse he wil blesse the posteritie of Israël he wil blesse the kindred of Aaron 13 The Lord is bountiful toward his true worshippers both toward the noble and also the most abiect 14 He wil heape you euen you I saie and your posteritie with new benefits more and more 15 For the Lord which hath made the heauen and the earth hath receiued you into his fauour 16 And he inhabiting those most high heauens from whence he ruleth al things hath granted the vse of the earth and of infinite good creatures wherewith he hath adorned it vnto men of his singular liberalitie 17 Euen for this purpose that they should publish his glorie in the earth the which thing verelie the dead can not perfourme vnto whome death it selfe taking awaie the vse of the tongue hath inioined silence 18 Deliuer vs therefore ô God that we may sing foorth thy glorie both now being aliue and for euer Praise ye the Lord. PSALME CXVI The Argument Whether we refer this Psalme vnto Dauid whom we certainlie knowe to haue bene maruellouslie deliuered oftentimes by the Lord from most present death and also froÌ„ most great anguish of mind or to anie other it conteineth an example of a singular thankesgiuing whereby we may vnderstand how far sometime the best and most vpright men vse to be cast downe and vnto whom in such case we must flie finallie how happie an end there shal be of al temptations so that we refraine our impatience by the bridle of faith THE PARAPHRASIS 1 AL my loue is in the Lord hearing the voice of my praier 2 And giuing attentiue eares vnto mee wherefore also I wil cal vpon him so long as I liue 3 Behold I was bound in the chaines of death the verie anguish of the graue held me being ouercome with the sorrowes of my heart 4 Then I called vpon the name of the Lord I beseech thee ô Lord said I deliuer my most miserable soule 5 And what else should I say here than that which I streightwaies prooued in deed verelie that God is verie mild toward his and verie iust in perfourming his promises and that our God is most merciful 6 And that the Lord finallie doth defend those that walk plainlie vprightlie because he did help me so readilie when I was brought to extremitie 7 Go to therefore ô my seelie soule returne now vnto thy selfe and take rest seeing that so notable a change of thy state is wrought by the Lord. 8 For thou ô Lord hast deliuered my life from death thou hast staied the teares of mine eies thou hast established my feete that I did not fal 9 So that I may walke now safe and sound before thee among the liuing 10 For I beleeued the promises of the Lord and therefore did I speake euen my faith ministring voice and words to me being most sore oppressed with sorrowe 11 For I grant that I was so far cast downe that I knewe not whither to turne me and finding no staie anie-where did decline vnto this that I iudged with my selfe that both the very men and whatsoeuer they do is nothing 12 But ô Lord this most dangerous temptation being ouercome by thy power for how can that thing be vaine which is taken in hand by thine appointment or how can they be nothing with thee vpon whome thou hast bestowed thy grace what shal I giue againe vnto thee for al thy benefites which thou hast bestowed vpon me 13 Verelie I wil take in my hands the cup of thankful sacrifice and calling vpon thee by name ô Lord I wil testifie openlie that I knowledge this deliuerance to be of thee 14 And those things which I vowed vnto thee ô Lord when I was in danger wil I now paie in the presence of al the people 15 I acknowledge therefore and professe as the truth is that thou doest not despise those to whom thou hast once bin beneficial but louest them most deerelie and that thou wilt in no wise vnaduisedlie destroie them 16 Verelie therefore I am thy seruant thy seruant I saie euen thy bond seruant and therfore hast thou broken the bonds wherewith I was bound 17 And I againe as is meete doe render vnto thee this sacrifice of praise and cal vpon thy name 18 I paie the vowes vnto thee which I haue promised before the whole assemblie of the people 19 And that in the courts of thy house ô Lord and in the middest of the citie Ierusalem Praise ye the Lord. PSALME CXVII The Argument The vocation of the Gentiles is prophesied in this most short but verie excellent Psalme as Paule interpreteth it Rom. 15 11. And also the summe of the Gospel is declared namelie the giuing of the grace and truth as Iohn doth expound it Iohn 1 17. and the end also namelie the worshipping of God in spirit and truth that we may knowe that the kingdome of Messiah is spiritual Finallie we are here taught what is the office of the subiects of this kingdome and what good things they ought to waite for THE PARAPHRASIS 1 PRaise ye now the Lord ô al ye Gentiles casting awaie al your fained Gods and al ye people set forth his praise 2 For now at the length that his great mercie hath ouercome and is powred downe vpon vs and the truth of that eternal saluation promised of the Lord is now perfourmed Praise the Lord. PSALME CXVIII The Argument J do agree vnto them that attribute this excellent Psalme vnto Dauid and do suppose that it was written at the first beginning of his kingdome when the nations about him were readie to inuade him either in the feast of passeouer or in the feâ—st of the Tabernacles both that he might giue thanks to God after he had ouercome so manie difficulties and also that they which had so long resisted him might knowe that they resisted God and again that the whole people might so much the more willingly receiue the king that was giuen them froÌ„ heauen And it appeareth that Dauid so wrote these things of himselfe and of things that were past that they did chieflie appertaine to the Messias of whome he was a figure Esaie 8 14. and 28 16. Math. 21 42. Acts. 4 11. Rom. 9.33 Ephes 2 20. 1. Pet. 2 7. And Ierome witnesseth that this Psalme was thus expounded in the synagogues by the ancient Iewes the which thing is manifestlie confirmed by those ioiful acclamations of the people taken out of this Psalme when as they receiued him at his last entrance into the
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
abide 18 And he also againe so soone as he commandeth doth melt the things that are frosen and the waters streightwaie flowe foorth againe as though their bands were losed 19 And these things verelie do testifie most plainelie both his infinite goodnes and power yet surelie they are nothing in comparison of that benefite which he bestowed vpon his Israël when he deliuered vnto him the doctrine of saluation and the rule to leade his life both godlie and honestlie 20 Neither is there any nation vnder heauen with whome he hath so dealt but he hath left other men without this most true and most iust doctrine PSALME CXLVIII The Argument The scope and end of this Psalme most ful of maiestie euen written with a heauenlie feruencie is whereas there be extant so manie most cleare witnesses of Gods wisedome of his power and goodnes as there be things created to cal vpon al those things high lowe and of the middle sort to set foorth the praise of God with common consent For though manie of them are without both vnderstanding and sense yet they al after their maner although they be silent are said to sound foorth the glorie of God though men which haue reason and for whose cause they are made ought properlie both in their owne name and in their name to do this dutie and chieflie the godlie ought to set foorth continuallie that incomparable benefite whereby they are chosen into the felowship of the sonne of God THE PARAPHRASIS 1 GO to let them found forth the praises of the Lord euen from the most high heauens 2 O al ye holie spirits the apparitors of his Maiestie which are diuided into innumerable garrisons go ye before others in this his praise 3 Thou Sunne and Moone and al ye Starres shining in the heauens shewe forth the praise of your Maker 4 O ye most high spheares of the heauens praise ye him ye vawts of waters which hang on high 5 Let al these things I saie praise the Lord for they began to haue their being by his onlie commandement 6 And they are placed by his appointment in the same place and order where they stand most stable and they are set in order with certaine spaces and bounds which they can not passe ouer by anie meanes though they would 7 And let the earthlie things againe answer vnto the heauenlie and the creeping wormes in the hollowe holes of the earth and also the depths of waters 8 And ye flames of lightnings also hailes snowes vapours lifted vp whirlewinds and other tempests which al haue your being and are moued by his commandement 9 Mountaines and al hils trees laden with fruits the Cedars mounting vp with such maruelous height 10 Ye wild beasts also and ye that be tame whatsoeuer creepeth vpon the ground and whatsoeuer fleeth through the aire 11 But chieflie both the kings and their people subiect vnto them the princes and the gouernours of the earth 12 Yong men and old yong maides also and children 13 Praise ye the name of the Lord for he alone deserueth most high praise as he that is more deepe than the very earth more high than the heauens 14 But this becommeth chieflie the people whom God of his vnspeakable fauour hath consecrated vnto himselfe and brought them into the most high state of dignitie aboue others therefore it becommeth those that haue receiued such benefits of God to set forth his praises euen the posteritie of Israël the which people God hath chosen to be his owne familie and houshold PSALME CXLIX The Argument The interpretation of this Psalme seemeth to be more plaine and more agreeable to the holie historie if it be applied vnto the kingdome of Dauid rather than to the last times of the captiuitie of Babylon Wherefore in ny iudgement the people recouering themselues from so manie miseries which they had suffered both in the times of the iudges and of Saule himselfe both the religion of God being first restored and also the policie set in good order is taught by this Psalme to giue thankes vnto God and not to abuse his so great benefits Wherein Dauid himselfe giueth them example acknowledging the Lord God to be the King together with them And as concerning the musical instruments here named it was a part of the seruice of the lawe which is abolished notwithstanding no man vnlesse such a one as is worthie to be counted amongst beastes can denie but that there is a great power both of musicke when it is sung and also in instruments to moue mens minds yet the examples both of the former Church and the horrible abuses that streightwaies followed do teach sufficientlie how vnprofitable it is to bring in such musicke and instruments into the Church of Christ as hath bin of late And a prophesie is also added which the verie end did confirme so manie victories being granted vnto Dauid and the bounds of his kingdome being spread euen vnto Euphrates that then the promise was fulfilled at the length which was made vnto Abraham as concerning the figure for it can not be doubted but that these things were the figures of the kingdome of Christ and of his spiritual victories and of that horrible iudgement which shal be most fullie in the end at the last daie and which now and then God executeth vpon al the rebellious THE PARAPHRASIS 1 GO to al ye that haue receiued benefites of the Lord sing vnto him a new and excellent song being deliuered from so manie not dangers but deaths 2 Euen thou ô Israël delight thy selfe in setting forth his praises whose worke thou art as it were newlie formed O ye citizens of Sion reioice ye trusting in the Lord your King Gouernor which belongeth to none other nation vnder heauen 3 Set foorth his praises far and wide not onelie priuatelie but also publikelie not onlie with voice but also with fluites and timbrels and with al kind of musical instruments 4 Euen because it hath pleased the Lord of his infinite mercie to consecrate this people vnto himselfe and as the matter it selfe maketh it manifest when they seemed vtterlie to be lost to make them honourable and of most high dignitie 5 Wherefore these glorious people vpon whom he hath bestowed so manie benefites do now reioice and shal reioice hereafter and with great quietnes shal sing a triumph 6 Praising the Lord indeede with their exclamations cries but armed with double edged swords in their hands 7 Wherewith they may punish the prophane Gentiles and auenge the crueltie of the people 8 And also may drawe their kings nobles bound in chaines and iron setters 9 Euen to execute the iudgement appointed and commanded by the Lord and this verelie is the dignitie and the honour of al them whome God hath receiued to his fauour PSALME CL. The Argument Jt is probable that the holie singing men of the temple did stir vp one another with this Psalme ful of maruelous zeale We