his fixed purpoâ—…e to praise the Lord for his delivery Whence learn 1. Renewed sense of Gods favour and fresh experience of his mercy towards his children and of his justice against his and their enemies doth much refresh quiet and settle the hearts of his people and confirme their faith My heart is fixed 2. It is a part of our thanksgiving unto God to acknowledge the fruit of his gracious working for us felt upon our spirits whensoever our hearts are cheared up by him after any sad exercise My heart is fixed O God my heart is fixed 3. As it is needful to labour on the heart that it may be fitted and prepared fixed and bended for Gods worship so in special for the work of praise whereunto naturally we are most dull and indisposed then shall the work go on more chearfully My heart is fixed I will sing and give praise Ver. 8. Awake up my glory awake psaltery and harp I my self will awake early From the third part of this thanksgiving wherein he stirs up himself by all means within and without himself to set forth his sense of Gods mercy and of Gods glory in bestowing of it Learn 1. A well-imployed tongue for praising of God and edifying others is indeed a mans commendation and glory above other creatures Therefore David directing his speech toward his tongue after the manner of Orators affectionate speaking saith Awake my glory 2. Albeit the abolition of the Ceremonial Law hath taken away the roome which musical instruments once had in the stately publick instituted worship of God in the congregation yet neither is the natural private use thereof taken away nor the signification of that typical ordinance to be forgotten to wit that we of our selves aâ—… dull and unapt to holy things and that the Lords praises are above our power to reach unto them or expresse them and that we should stir up all the faculties of our soul unto this holy service as David here insinuatech to be the moral signification thereof for after he hath said Awake Psaltery and Harp he subjoyneth I my self will awake 3. As he who in earnest is wakened up to glorifie and praise God will finde himself short in abilities to discharge this work of praise so will he finde the choicest time of the day when the body is best refreshed most deservedly bestowed upon this exercise I my self will awake early Ver. 9. I will praise thee O LORD among the People I will sing unto thee among the nations From the fourth part of his thanksgiving wherein he promiseth to let all the world know the mercy bestowed upon him Learne 1. The Spirit of God who indited this Scripture made his Pen-man know that the Gentiles should have the use of his Psalmes I will praise thee amongst the People 2 David was a type of Christ in sufferings exercises spiritual and in receiving of deliveries for this promise is fulfilled in Christ and this undertaking is applied unto Christ Rom 15. 9. 3. Then do we seriously minde the praise of God when according to our place we labour to make others also know God as we know him I will praise thee among the People Ver. 10. For thy mercy is great unto the Heavens and thy truth unto the clouds 11. Be thou exalted O God above the Heavens let thy glory be above all the earth From the last part of his thanksgiving wherein he confesseth that the excellency of the glory of God doth transcend his reach and capacity and that he can follow it no further then by wishing the Lord to glorifie himself Learne 1. The matter of the joy of the Saints and of their sweettst Songs is the goodnesse of God which appointed and promised such and such mercies unto them and the faithfulnesse of God which doth bring to passe his gracious purpose and promises made unto them For thy mercy is great and thy truth saith he 2. There is no possibility of taking up the greatnesse of Gods mercy and truth they reach so farre as our sight cannot overtake them Thy mercy is great unto the Heavens where mortal eyes cannot come to see what is there And thy truth unto the clouds through which mans eye cannot pierce 3. Seeing the Lords glory is greater then heaven or earth can contain and God himself only can manifest his own glory it is our part when we have said all we can for glorifying of God to pray him to glorifie himself and to make it appear to all that his glory is greater then heaven or earth can comprehend Be thou exalted above the Heavens and let thy glory be above all the earth PSAL. LVIII To the chief Musician Al-â—… Michtam of David THâ—… Psalmist being opp essed by the calumnies of the Courtiers â—…t King Saul and by the Senâ—…tors of the Courts of Justice who should have provided against the oppression of the subjects chargeth them in the first part of this Psalm as must guilty of injustice done to him ver 1 2 3 4 5. In the second part he prayeth against them that God would execute judgement upon them ver 6 7 8. And in the third part he pronounceth the sentence of their deserved destruction ver 9 10 11. From this experience of the Propher we may see what strong Parties and hard opposition the godly may meet with in the defence of a good cause and how necessary it is in such trials to exercise our faith and to exalt God above all opposite powers that we may be borne out and get consolation and victory in the Lord. Ver. 1. DO ye indeed speak righteousnesse O Congregation do ye judge uprightly Oye sonnes of men 2. Yes in heart you work wickednesse you weigh the violence of your hands in the earth 3. The wicked are estranged from the wombe they go astray assoone as they be borne speaking lies 4. Their poison is like the poison of a serpent they are like the deaf Adder that stoppeth her eare 5. Which will not hearken to the voice of Charmers charme never so wisely In the fiâ—…st part he châ—…rgeth the Councel and Senate or Congregation of the Judges first for not giving out righteous decrees or sentences ver 1. Secondly for their resolved violent oppressing decrees ver 2. Thirdly for their inveterate wickednesse and falshood from the wombe ver 3. Fourthly for their incorrigible wickednesse which they will not for any admonition or advertisement amend ver 4 5. Whence learn 1. There is a Congregation of Rulers whose office it is to administer justice to the people who presuppose they be the supreme Court in authority and place above the body of the people yet are they subject to Gods challenge which he doth send unto them by the hand of his messengers when they do wrong as here we see Do ye indeed speak righteousnesse O Congregation 2. When the just cause of the righteous cometh before the Judge whosoever be pursuer were he as great a Party as King Saul
the ewes for the good of the Gentiles and enlarging of the Kingdom of Christ among them The petition is propounded ver 1 2 In the next place is an acclamation with the Gentiles glorifying of God at their in-bringing now foreseen that it should come most certainly ver 3 4. In the third place the Church of the Jewes do applaud the second time the conversion of the Gentiles and their praising of God promising to themselves that by that meanes the increase of Gods blessing on them shall follow and the enlarging of the Kingdom of God through all the world ver 5 6 7. Ver. 1. GOD be merciful unto us and blesse uâ—… and cause his face to shine upon us Selaâ—… 2. That thy way may be known upon earth thy sâ—…ving health among all nations This is the blessing which the Lord commanded the children of Aaron to pronounce upon the people of Israel Numb 6. 22 23. â—…hich here the people do turn into a prayer for the drawing in â—…f the Gentiles unto Gods service Whence learn 1. It is safe turning of Gods offers promises and forms of blessing of his people into prayers we are sure so to pray according to Gods will as the Church doth here 2. It is the duty of every citizen of the Church as lively members of that body to pray for the blessing of God upon all his people God be merciful unto us and cause his face to shine upon us 3. Then are the Lords people blessed when God doth make them instrumental to enlarge his Kingdome and to propagate the true Religion that is the doctrine of mans salvation and Gods service and this should be the aim we should shoot at in seeking any blessing to his people That the Lord may be known upon earth thy saving health among all the nations 4. The world is ignorant of true Religion till God by his own instruments reveale it and no way of Religion will please God nor profit men save Gods way only wherein he will have men to walk in the course of faith and obedience and wherein he revealeth how he will deal with us and how we must behave our selves toward him Therefore say they That thy way may be known upon earth thy saving health among all nations Ver. 3. Let the people praise thee O God let all the people praise thee 4. O let the nations be glad and sing for joy for thou shalt judge the people righteously and govern the nations upon earth Selab The Psalmist foreseeth by the revelation of Gods Spirit that the Gentiles shall be converted and shall rejoyce in God and praise him and therefore will have the Church of the Jewes to welcome them and to joyn in acclamation of praise to God with them because of Christs reigning among them and ruling them by his most holy lawes Whence learn 1. The manifestation of Gods freely gifted salvation in Christ and the revealing of his manner of dealing with people and how he will have people deal with him and one with another is a matter of unspeakâ—…ble praise to God and joy to men to whom this grace is revealed that thy saving health may be known among all nations let the people praise thee O God 2. True converts unto Christ besides the joy they have of their own salvation have also daily new accession of joy at the conversion of others as they come in and ought to blesse and praise God heartily with them when they behold their conversion Let all the people praise thee do they say twice and hereafter also the third time 3. The conversion of the Gentiles was not a thing only wished for by the Church of the Jewes but also prophesied of unto them clearly O let the nations be glad and sing for joy for thou shalt judge the people righteously c. 4. The Spirit which did endite the Psalmes did not degrade the promised Messiah Jesus Christ from his Godhead for his future incarnation but speaketh of him and to him as God blessed for ever that is the true God to the Jewish Church before his coming and true God to the converted Gentiles after his coming in the flesh one with the Father and holy Spirit for sixe times in this Psalm he is called God and acknowledged here to be the fountain of mercy and blessing to men and of manifested reconciliation with men and the object of all divine honour and praise and God the Lord and Law-giver of the converted Gentiles Thou shalt judge the people righteously and govern the nations upon earth 5. The doctrine and discipline of Christ whereby he judgeth and governeth his Church is most holy and righteous and in as far as particular Churches and Christians submit themselves to his Lawes Doctrine and Government they are his true subjects and shall finde the fruit of his governing and judging For these shall he judge righteously unto these shall he do the part of a Governour even on earth He shall govern the nations upon earth Ver. 5. Let the people praise thee O God let aâ—… the people praise thee 6. Then shall the earth yield her increase and God even our own God shall blesse us 7. God shall blesse us and all the ends of the earth shall fear him In the last place the Jewish Church giveth a second acclamation to the incoming of the Gentiles and do promise to themselves by that meanes Gods blessing more abundantly upon themselves as now being one body with the Gentiles in the same Covenant of grace with them Whence learn 1. As the conversion of the Gentiles was esteemed by the Jewes a matter worthy to be oftner presented to God and prayed for and earnestly pursued by all that loved God so was it foreseen to bee a matter of growing and lasting joy to men and growing and lasting praise to God and to Christ who is God the Converter of them and the Governour and Teacher of them effectually to know his Name and salvation Let all the people praise thee O God let all the people praise thee 2. The Spirit of God gave the Church of the Jewes to understand that the conversion of the Gentiles especially the conversion of the fulnesse of the Gentiles which here is prayed for when he saith Let all the people praise thee was to be a means or a mercy antecedent unto or nearly joyned with the bringing in and blessing of the Jewish Church and possibly in their own land Then shall the earth yield her increase and God even our own God shall blesse us for by the earth he meaneth the promised land of Canaan which hath been and is accursed during the time of their ejection out of it 3. When God shall be gracious to the Jewes after the conversion and bringing in of the Gentiles and shall renew the Covenant with them in Christ it shall fare the better with true Religion and with the Christian Churches among the Gentiles it shall be to them as a resurrection from the
mercy to them that he may have the more glory thanks for his work I will magnifie him with thanksgiving 3. Moral worship offered in Spirit and truth in the meanest degree of sincerity is more acceptable to God then the most pompous ceremonial service which can be done to him without Spirit and truth This also shall please the Lord better then an oxe and bullock that hath bornes and hooses that is which is perfect and wanteth nothing in the external part of commanded service 4. That which we know shall be most acceptable to God we ought to study and follow that most that we may walk before God unto all well-pleasing in special to praise him in affliction and to praise him from a contrite spirit This also shall please the Lord better then c. Ver. 32. The humble shall see this and be glad and your hearts shall live that seek God 33. For the Lord heareth the poor and despiseth not his prisoners From the third evidence of the victory of his faith in the prophecy of the fruits of his sufferings mainly as he was a type of Christ who here is most intended Learn 1. The exercise of the Saints set down in Scripture and namely the exercise of David and of Christ represented by him was foretold that it should be of great use to the Church of God in after-times as now we see it in effect The humble shall see this and be glad 2. The humble soul is most capable of divine knowledge and comfort The humble shall see this 3. The escape of our Lord Jesus out of his sufferings for us and the escape of his afflicted children out of their sufferings through faith in him is a matter of instruction comfort and joy to every humbled beleever The humble shall see this and be glad 4. As such who are pure in spirit and truly humbled do live upon Gods almes and are daily at his doores for relief of their necessities and for communion with his gracious goodnesse so shall they thrive well in this trade Your heart shall live that seek God 5. The Lordâ—… children have a life beyond the children of men which is able to quicken them in their deepest troubles and to make them blessed in their delivery out of troubles a life moral and spiritual whereby their conscience is comforted Your heart shall live that seek God 6. The right way for the godly afflicted to have the benefit of the troubles and events which Christ and his followers have had experience of is to comfort themselves in hope of the like event and successe in seeking God as they did The humble shall see this and be glad and your heart shall live that seek God 7. As the Lords poor men are much in prayer so shall they be rich in good answers For the Lord heareth the poor 8. Whoever in defence of any point of Gods truth are put to trouble either in body or minde by men or Satan or both they are all sufferers for God they are all prisoners who howsoever they be misregarded by men shall be of much price in Gods eyes He despiseth not his prisoners Ver. 34. Let the heaven and earth praise him the seas and every thing that moveth therein 35. For God will save Sion and will build the Cities of Iudah that they may dwell there and have it in possession 36. The seed also of his servants shall inherit it and they that love his Name shall dwell therein From the last evidence of the victory of faith set down in a prophetical thanksgiving for the foreseen mercies which were to come to the Church by Christs procurement and specially to the Jewes Learne 1. Large sense of troubles maketh way for large observation and sense answerable of mercies The evil of deepest afflictions the Lord can recompense with highest consolation as the beginning and ending of this Psalm giveth evidence 2. The soul that seeth the mercy of God toward it self doth see also the mercy of God upon the same grounds to all others his people in Sion his Church in every place and time and he seeth the benefits of Christs sufferings to be matter of praise unto God able to fill the whole world and he seeth his own insufficiency for the praising of God also and that all the creatures are all few enough when they all concurre in this Song Let the heaven and the earth praise him and the seas and every thing that moveth therein 3. Whatsoever condition of Gods people can be represented by the various condition motion settlement or commotion of heaven earth and seas and things therein cannot but furnish matter of joyful praise to God and come up to contribute to Gods praises Let the heaven and earth the seas and every thing that moveth therein praise him 4. Every delivery of every beleever and above all the delivery of Christ as man from his expiâ—…tory sufferings is earnests and pledges of the delivery of the Church militant out of all its troubles For God will save Sion saith the Psalmist being now delivered out of his trouble 5. As the Lord will ever maintain his Church his Sion and his Iudah so hath he a purpose to give a special evidence of this his care among the Jewes how farre soever they may at some times be from all appearance of his respect to them for in the promise he keepeth in expressely the Name of Iudah He will build the Cities of Iudah 6. What outward testimonies of Gods respect to the Jewes for Christs sake shall be given unto them after the destruction of their Cities here presupposed we must leave it to God to be in due time by his own works interpreted and to be made out according to what here is said That the Cities of Judah shall be builded that they may dwell there and have it to wit the promised land in possession the seed also of his servants shall inherit it and they that love his Name shall dwell therein Only let us observe that the duty of the true Citizens of the Church is to transmit true Religion to their posterity and that this is the best and only way to transmit also the blessing of God and the constant possession thereof unto them The seed also of his servants shall inherit it and they that love his Name c. PSAL. LXX To the chief Musician A Psalme of David to bring to remembrance THis Psalm is almost one in words with the latter end of Psalm 40. wherein David being in present danger of his life by his enemies prayeth first for speedy delivery ver 1. next for shameful disappointment to his enemies ver 2 3. and thirdly for a comfortable life to all the godly ver 4. from which condition albeit he himself was very farre for the present yet he professeth he doth relie on God by faith and prayeth for a timous delivery ver 5. From the Inscription Learn 1. Our most notable dangers and deliveries should most
cause judgement to be heard from heaven the earth feared and was still 9. When God arose to judgement to save all the mâ—…ek of the earth Selâ—…b The fifth reason of Gods praise is from the experience of fearful judgements on Gods enemies when he was about to deliver his people from their oppression Whence learâ—… 1. Late mercies and deliverances given to the Church should renew the thankful memory of old deliveries as here is done 2. When ordinary meanes and advertisements do not make the Persecutors of the Church to cease God hath extraordinary judgements from heaven whereby he will speak unto his adversaries Thou didst cause judgements to be heard from heaven 3. If by one sorâ—… of more milde advertisement or rebuke men cannot be brought in order by another and more terrible rebuke they shall be made quiet Thou didst cause judgement to be heard from heaven the earth feared and was still 4. The property of the Lords people is to be so acquainted with afflictions and so sensible of their own sinfulnesse that they do not impatiently fret at Gods dispensation even when they are oppressed by men but do study submission unto God and commit their cause to him therefore are they called The meek of the earth 5. When the Lords meek ones are in danger to be swallowed â—…p and destroyed by their oppressors the Lord who is the sovereign Judge to decide controversies and to determine who is in the wrong albeit he be silent for a while yet will arise in due time and speak from heaven by judgements to the terrifying and silencing of proud oppressors The earth feared and was still when God arose to judgement to save all the meek of the earth 6. When the Lord ariseth to save the meek in one place and of one generation it is an evidence and earnest that he shall arise to save at length all and every one of the meek in every place in all times after for his arising for his people which was now past is saiâ—… here to be for to save all the meek of the earth Ver. 10. Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee the remainder of wrath shalt thou restraine The sixth reason of Gods praise is that he shall make the malice of the adversaries of his people to contribute to his glory Whence learn 1. Albeit the rage and cruelty of men against the Lords meek ones may seem for the present to obscure Gods glory and to tend to his dishonour yet when he hath huâ—…bled tried purified his own and done his work in Mount Sion all the rage of persecutors shall turn to Gods glory undoubtedly Surely the â—…rath of man shall praise thee 2. When God hath glorified himselâ—… in the purging of his Saints and punishing their peâ—…secutors yet the enmity of the wicked world against Gods people will not cease there will be still as here is presupposed a remainder of wrath 3. Let the wrath of the wicked against the godly be never so great inveterate lasting and unquenchable yet it shall vent it self only as the Lord sees fitting he shall maderaâ—…e the out-letting of it as he seeth expedient for his peâ—…ples good it shall not break out to the destruction of his people The remainder of wraâ—…h shaâ—…t thou restrain Ver. 11. Vow and pay unto the LORD your God let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to he feared 12. He shall cut off the spirit of Princes he is terrible to the Kings of the earth The use of the former doctrine is to teach Gods people to give unto God that respect and praise which is due to him from them and to exhort all Nations without the compasse of the visible Church to submit themselves unto him lest he cut off fearfully the chiefest of them Whence learn 1. The use of the Lords deliverances of his Church which the people of God should make is to call on God in their troubles engage themselves to glorifie him in word and deed for his mercies and to entertain the conscience of their obligation Vow and pay unto the Lord. 2. It is not enough to discharge a promised duty to God in outwâ—…rd formality as the Philistines made their offering to the Ark of God but the godly must do what service they do to God as to their God reconciled unto them and in Covenant with them Vow and pay unto the Lord your God 3. The Lord is to be feared and honoured of all that are neaâ—… to him in Covenant or Profession yea or in vicinity of place unto his people and Church where the Lord manifesteth himself in his ordinances Let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared 4. How terrible soever the power of Princes and great men seem unto the Lords people when they engage themselves and their subjects against the Church yet ere they bring forth the ripe grapes of their designes and plots against Gods people God can and will cut off their wisdome courage and lise as easily as the branches of a Vine-tree He shall cut off the spirit of Princes 5. There is greater cause why Princes should be afraid of God then why Gods people should be afraid of Princes Princes cannot do so much to any one of Gods people as God can do to the highest Princes on earth God can make their fall great according to the height of their place he can root them out and their posteriry not only from all place of power but also from all being on the earth he can make them a terrour to themselves he can destroy them soul and body yea he useth to do this tâ—… his adversaries He is terrible to the Kings of the earth PSAL. LXXVII To the chief Musician to Ieduthun A Psalme of Asaph THis Psalme doth expresse the deep exercise of the Psalmist troubled with the sense of Gods displeasure and how he wrestled under this condition and had deliverance from it which is summarily propounded ver 1. and made plain more particularly in the rest of the Psalm for first he setteth down his trouble of minde ver 2 3 4. Secondly his wrastling with the sense of felt wrath ver 5 6 7 8 9. Thirdly his begun victory by faith ver 10 11 12. Fourthly the setling of his minde by consideration of Gods manner of dealing with his Church of old to the end of the Psalm Ver. 1. I Cried unto God with my voice even unto God with my voice and he gave eare unto me In this summary Proposition of his sad exercise of spirit and of his delivery out of that condition Leorne That as there are many troubles whereunto Gods children are subject whereof this is one of the most heavie to be under the sense of the wrath of God and feare of final cutting off so God hath set down examples of this exercise in some of his dear children for preparation of those who have not yet been acquainted with the
own people righteous and followers of the rule of equity With righteousnesse shall he judge the world and the people with equity PSAL. XCIX FOr the comfort of the Church against the multitude of enemies round about her there is in this Psalm 〈◊〉 declaration of the Kingdom of Christ reigning as God one with the Father and holy Spirit in the Church of Israel before his Incarnation with a fourefold exhortation to all who shall heare tell of him The first exhortation is to stand in â—…we of him because of his great majesty manifested in Sion ver 〈◊〉 2. Another exhortation is to praise him for his greatnesse terriblenesse holinesse and righteousnesse ver 3 4. A third exhortation is to glorifie and worship him for sundry reasons ver 5 6 7 8. For which he repeateth the exhortation the fourth time ver 9. Ver. 1. THe LORD reigneth let the people tremble he sitteth between the Cherubims let the earth be moved 2. The LORD is great in Sion and he is high above all people From the first exhortation to feare Christ and to stand in awe of him Learn 1. Christ was King in his Church before his incarnation and did reigne in the sight of his Saints from the beginning of the world for as the Father from the beginning was in Christ his Sonne the Mediatour reconciling the world to himself not imputing their trespasses unto them so Christ the eternal Sonne was in the Father and with the Father and holy Spirit gathering and governing his Church all the time before his incarnation for it is Christ of whom â—…ere the Psalmist speaketh and calleth him Iehovah King in Sion The Lord reigneth 2. Albeit the Church be compassed about with enemies as the lilie among the thornes yet because her Lord reigneth in the midst of her she hath râ—…ason not only to comfort her selfe in him but also hath ground of deâ—…ying her enemies and boasting against them The Lord reigneth let the people or Nations tremble 3. The Lords people do not worship an unknown God they know who he is and where to finde him to wit in his ordinances on the throne of grace reconciling himself to the world in Christ He sitteth between the Cherubims 4. Whosoever do seek God in Christ have the Angels attending on Christ to go forth for the service and safety of the beleever and worshipper for this did the ceremonial figure signifie He sitteth between the Cherubims 5. As Christ is attended by Angels to the comfort of his Church so also for the terrour and punishment of all adversaries in the world He sitteth between the Cherubims let the earth be moved 6. Albeit the Lord be great in his works every where yet is his greatnesse most manifest to his Church by his Word and Works to her and for her The Lord is great in Sion 7. There is no opposition which can be made against the Church no power or multitude of people able to prevail by counsel device plot or practice against his Sion or his Church for He is high above all people to dissipate their devices bridle their fury and destroy them at his pleasure Ver. 3. Let them praise thy great and terrible Name for it is holy 4. The Kings strength also loveth judgement thou dost establish equity thou executest judgement and righteousnesse in Iacob The second exhortation is to praise Christ the King of his Church for his greatnesse terrour holinesse moderation of his power and love of justice Whence learn 1. Whatsoever we know or understand of God we should not only by faith subscribe to it and seale it and praise God for it our selves but should also commend it to others and wish the like should be done by all men Let them praise thy Name 2. As the greatnesse of God in Christ on the one hand should induce men so the terrour of our God who is a consuming fire to his adversaries on the other hand should presse men to praise him Let them praise tâ—…y great and terriâ—…le Name 3. Whatsoever in Scripture is said of Christ will be found to be really in him he will answer to his name perfectly in all things without staine or blot Let them praise thy great and terrible Name for it is holy 4. Albeit the enemies of Christ despise the weaknesse and simplicity of his Government yet he is a powerful and strong King both in himself and in and for all who beleeve in him for here the Church praiseth the Kings strength 5. Christ moderateth his power specially in relation to his subjects and doth not what he may dealeth not in the rigour of justice with his people layeth no more on them then they are able to beare his yoke is easie and his burden is light yea he suffereth them not to be tempted above their strength but dealeth discreetly with them moderation and discretion pleaseth him The Kings strength loveth judgement 6. The course which our God hath set down for comforting the afflicted relieving the oppressed taking order with hypocrites and obstinate offenders is very equitable and a course which he will not alter or change for He loveth judgement and thou dost establish equity saith he 7. Christs actions and dispensations are answerable to his Lawes and his revealed Word he teacheth his subjects righteousnesse he maketh them righteous performeth his promises and executes his threatenings in his Church according to his sacred Word Thou executest judgement and righteousnesse in Iacob Ver. 5. Exalt ye the LORD our God and worship at his footstool for he is holy A third exhortation wherein he presseth the same duty of glorifyng of God the third time by three reasons One is because he is holy ver 5. Another is from the example of the Lords most approved servants who did subject themselves unto the Lords ordinances to their own and others advantage ver 6 7. A third reason from the example of the Church both in the wildernesse and in after-times who as they found the benefit of obedience of the ordinances of God when theyr worshipped God as he commanded them so did they smart so their disobedience when they followed their own inventions ver 8. whereupon he repeateth the exhortation the fourth time ver 9. Whence learne 1. Then is God rightly acknowledged when his Covenant of grace offered in Christ is embraced when men ioyne themselves to the true God of Israel and when they esteeme of God and acknowledge him as supreme Lord and King over all Exalt ye the Lord our God 2. God will be worshipped when and where and how he pleaseth to command and will not be worshipped but in Christ figured by the Temple and Ark of the Testimony in it worship as oâ—… before his foâ—…tstool 3. The worshippers of God under the Old Testament were taught to lift their mindeâ—… above all earthly things and loose their mindes from all limitation of God unto any corporal presence in the Sanctuary or Ark and to worship him at Solomon did
The 〈◊〉 oâ—… the reason is the Lord cannot forsake the soul which hath committed it self to him 3. The Lord offeâ—…eth relief and protection in Christ to miserable sinners in as warme a manner as the similitude of a hen gathering her chickens or the type of the stretching of the wings of the Cherubims about the Mercy-seat could expresse and saith doth creep no less waâ—…y in unto this offer in time of straits then this similitude doth imporâ—… yea in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge 4. The use of Gods protection and warme love is best known in time of trouble and faith also is best set on work to make use of Gods love and protection in time of troubles In the sâ—…a â—…ow of thy wings will I make my refuge untill thâ—…se calamities be overpast ver 2. I will cry unto God most High unto God that performeth all things for me From the second argument which he useth for strengthening his faith Learn 1. Faith in God and invocation of his name are gâ—…s inseparable and resolution to persevere in beleeving is unseparable from resolution to persevere in praying unto God and he that findeth in his heart such resolutions may also be confident to speed in his requests made to God for the Psalmist as he did resolve to beleeve in the former verse so here he addeth I will cry unto God and hereby expecteth that God shall be merciful 〈◊〉 him 2. It is needfull for the supplicant in his stâ—…aits to keep in his fight the Lords Supremacy and Omnipotency for incomaging himself in hope to speed I will cry to God most High saith he 3. The consideration of the Lords constant going on in the perfecting of the work of grace which once he beginneth graciously in us or for us doth serve much to strengthen our faith in prayer I will cry to God who performeth all things for me Ver. 3. He shall send from heaven and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up Selah God shall send forth his mercy and his truth From the third argument and prop of his prayer taken from his hope to be helped Learn 1. Albeit faith be no help on earth yet it looketh for help in heaven and if ordinary means do fail it assureth it self of Gods working wonders for perfecting of his promises He shall send from heaven and save me 2. The godly mans making God his refuge is a matter of mâ—…king to the wicked which mocking God will certaâ—…nly refute by making the godly finde the fruit of their flying to him he will sâ—…e me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up 3. The mercy and truth of God whereupon faith doth six it self do remove all impediments and sâ—… on wâ—…k all the mâ—…ans of the salvation of the beleevâ—… and that â—…tually God shall send forth his mercy and his truth Ver. 4. My soul is among lions and I liâ—… even among them that are set on fire even the sons of men whose teeth are speares and arrowes and their tongue a sharp sword From the fourth reason of his prayer taken from the beastly cruely of his enemies Learn 1. The condition of the people of the Lord in this world may be oâ—…-times like sheep in peâ—…l of their lives compassed about with â—…nous beasts My soul is among â—…ions 2. Yet they may be so desolate as having no assistance from without themselves to flie or fight they shall be forced like dâ—…rned birds chased by the hawke or like bound sheep to clap close down to the ground I lie saith he among them 3. The desolate condition of the godly doth not move their persecuâ—…s to pity deadly malice is most ready then to break forth and to devour I lie even among them that are set on fire 4. Gâ—…acelesse men destitute of the â—…e of God are sit enough instruments for the persecution of Gods children and his 〈◊〉 servants if they be no more but yet in nature even the children of men 5. The slanders mockings lies calumnies reproaches and aspersions cast upon the godly by godlesse men are no little part of their cruel persecution of cutting and piercing the Lords people very deeply whose teeth are spears and arrowes and their tongue a sharp sword Ver. 5. Be thou exalted O God above the heavens let thy glory be above all the earth From the fifth reason of his peâ—…ition Learn 1. When the godly are born down and the wicked do caâ—…y all matters before them the glory of the Lord is obscured and eclipsed in some sort among men therefore saith he Be thou exalted O God 2. In what measure Gods children are helped by him and his enemies are born down in that measure is be gloriously manifested to be the ruler of heaven and earth Be thou exalted aboâ—… the heavens and tâ—…y glory above all the earth 3. However the wicked do obscure the glory of the Lord and how little evidence soever Gods children do see of his appearing for their relief yet they ought to glorifie him in their heart and not onely beleeve his sovereigne power able to set all things in order but also to professe their hope that he shall manifest himself from heaven to be Lord over all his enemies and adversary powers of the world Be thou exalted above the heavens and thy glory aboâ—… all the earth Ver. 6. They have prepared a net for my steps my soul is bowed down they have digged a pit before me into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves Selah From the last reason of his supplication Learn 1. Great slight and subtilty do the wicked use to overtake the godly in some snaâ—…e one or other They have prepared a net for my steps 2. The godly mans strength will soone â—…ail him in time of straits if the Lord do not give supply yea the Lord for the clearer manifestation of his glory both before the godly and before the wicked also doth suffer his children to come to so low a condition of spirit that they are ready to succumbe if he do not help My soul 〈◊〉 bowed down 3. When the enemies are at the highest of theiâ—… plots and the godly at the lowest step of their humiliation then is the Lords time to turne the chase and to fall upon his enemies and that oft times by that same very means wherby they were about to make all fast for their own power and the oppression of the godly They have digged a pit before me in the midst whereof they are fallen themselves And this last sentence is the first part of his thanksgiving in acknowledging the Lords wonderful mercy and justice in changing up-side down the seales of his low condition and the enemies lofty persecution on a sudden Ver. 7. My heart is fixed O God my heart is fixed I will sing and give praise In the rest of the Psalme he prosecureth his thanksgiving and this is the second put of it wherein he professeth
his own Name on the sinner whatsoever be his priviledge and though he were never so neer to God in external priviledges So a fire was kindled against Iacob and anger also came up against Israel 3. Misbelief is a more grievous sin then men do esteem of it for it calleth Gods truth mercy goodnesse power constancy and all in question and even his justice amongst the rest which if the misbeleever did consider he would not provoke justice against himself by this sin Wrath came up against Israel because they believed not in God 4. They do not believe in God who study not to depend upon him for salvation and for whatsoever is necessary to them for salvation yea they who do not believe that the Lord shall bring them out of every strait in a way most serving to their welfare and for his own honour do not believe in him for salvation so solidly as he requireth of them They believed not in God saith he and trusted not in Gods salvation 5. The more meanes encouragements helps and props to support a mans faith are furnished of God the greater is the sinne of unbeliefe in him As the Israelites misbelief was the greater for Gods miraculous bringing of water out of the rock and Manna from the clouds as here the Israelites misbelief is aggravated thus They trusted not in his salvation though he had commanded the clouds and rained down Manna 6. Man liveth not by bread but by the efficacious Word of God It is so easie for God to rain down victuals out of the clouds as to make them grow out of the ground let him say the Word and it is done He commanded the clouds and opened the doores of heaven and rained down Manna on them to eat 7. The Lord doth provide well for his own redeemed people what the earth doth not yield unto them he maketh the heaven one way or other furnish unto them as when the Israelites wanted the corne of the earth the Lord gave them of the corne of heaven so that man did eat Angels food not that there is corne in heaven or that Angels do eat any corporal food but manna is so called for the excellency of the food that it might have served for food to Angels if they had any need of food 8. The more excellent the benefit is which God giveth the greater is the ingratitude of him who doth not esteem of it and make use of it as becometh as we see in Israels sinne who did not esteem of Manna as they should have done had the Lord sed them with dust of the earth or roots of grasse be any other mâ—…n thing they should have had no reason to complain but when he giveth them a new food created every morning for their cause sent down from heaven as fresh furniture every day of such excellent colour taste smell and wholesomenesse what a provocation of God was it not to be content now in special when he gave them abundantly of it He sent them meat to the full Ver. 26. He caused an East-winâ—… to blow iâ—… 〈◊〉 heaven and by his power he brought in the Soâ—… winde 27. He rained flesh also upon them as dust and feathered fowles like as the sand of the sea 28. And he let it fall in the midst of their camâ—… round about their habitations 29. So they did eat and were well filled for he gaâ—… them their own desire Here the Lord being tempted by a murmuting and unthankfull people to refute their suspicion of his power sendeth theâ—… the most delicate flesh that could be found in the world quailâ—… in abundance till they were all filled Whence learn 1. Tâ—… Lord that he may shew what regard he hath to satisfy good and lawful desires doth sometime grant unto men their unlawfull and unreasonable desires that holy desires may be the better entertained and constantly followed till they be granted as appeareth by the Lords granting of the unreasonable desire of the Israelites after flesh 2. The Lord hath the Commandement of the windes to make them blow from what aire and in what measure he pleaseth He caused an East-winde to blow in the heaven and by his power he brought in the South-winde 3. The Lord can gather so many creatures as he mindeth to make use of at his pleasure he can gather birds and fowles and make their flight longer or shorter as he pleaseth and make them light and fall where he pleaseth and can bring near to mans hand what he hath a mind to give unto him He rained flesh also upon them as dust and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea and he let them fall in the midst of their camp round about their habitations 4. As the Lord doth grant lawful desires in mercy so also doth he grant sinful desires in wrath So they did eat and were filled for he gave them their own desire 5. When the carnal heart doth meet with the object of his lust he falleth upon it as a beast doth without fear of God or moderation of affection They did eat and were well filled for be gave them their own desire Ver. 30. They were not estranged from their lustâ—… but while their meat was yet in their mouthes 31. The wrath of God came upon them and sleâ—… the fattest of them and smote down the chosen mâ—… of Israel 32. For all this they sinned still and believed not for his wondrous works 33. Therefore their dayes did he consume in vanity and their yeares in trouble In the sixth place he setteth down their impenitency continued in and the Lords judgements poured out one after another upon them Whence learn 1. Sinful lust is unsatiable even when the body is overcharged with the service of it To lust sinfully is a snare but to continue in the slavery of lust is a felling of a mans selfe and a wedding of him unto that lust such was the sin of the carnal Israelites They continued in their lusting and repented not albeit they â—…t time to repent they and their lust did not discord They were not estranged from their lust 2. When men will not be enemies to their own sinful lusts they do provoke the Lord to become enemy to them and to poure wrath on them in the very act of their sinning While their meat was yet in their mouthes the wrath of God came upon them 3. Such as are most head-strong in sinne and take to themselves most liberty to sin and do give example most unto others to sin shall be most notoriously punished High places and eminency in power as it doth not lessen sin but aggravate it so doth it not exempt from judgment but procuâ—…eth that it should be augmented rather as is to be seen here in the punishment of the Nobles and great men in the camp of Israel The wrath of God came upon them and slew the fattest of them and smote down the chosen men of Israel 4. Such is the perversenesse of
he exhorteth all to acknowledge the Lord as they who are worshippers of him and who are taught by his Word should do Whence learn 1. It was foretold that as the Church of Israel was taught by the Lords Word to know him so should the Gentiles be so taught also for Give unto the Lord the glory due to his Name presupposeth and importeth that they should have his Name set forth in his Word and â—…hould be instructed to know him and how to worship him acceptably 2. Whatsoever point of glory the Scripture giveth unto God it may not be withdrawn from him nor communicated to any other beâ—…de him for it is his own proper due Give unto him the glory due to his Name 3. It is the manner of the Scriptures of the Old Testament to expresse the spiritual service of the Gospel in the termes of the service of the Law Bring an offering and come into his courts 4. Albeit bodily sacrifices and oblations and the material Temple of Ierusalem be taken away yet the moral duties shadowed forth in them are still necessary to be done we must not come for fashion empty and vaine before God but with the calves of our lips offering up our selves in a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to him Bring an offering unto hm 5. The Church of the Gentiles make up one Church with the Jewes and are of the same incorporation and holy society and partakers of the priviledges of the Church with them Bring an offering and come into his courts Ver. 9. O worship the LORD in the beauty of holinesse feare before him all the earth In the third branch he exhorteth more particularly all the Gentiles to worship and feare the same God with the Church of the Jewes Whence learn 1. True Converts must submit themselves absolutely unto Christs Government in soul and body for O worship the Lord importeth so much 2. Then is a mans worship and submission sanctified and made acceptable when it is offered in and through Christ and in society with his Church represented by the Sanctuary here called the beauty of holinesse Worship the Lord in the beauty of holinesse 3. Among all Gods works nothing so beautiful as his ordinances rightly made use of in his Church Worship the Lord in the beauty of holinesse 4. All our worship must be seasoned with fear lest we swerve on either hand from the rule prescribed by God Fear before him all the earth Ver. 10. Say among the heathen that the LORD reigâ—…th the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved he shall judge the people righteously 11. Let the heavens rejoyce and let the earth be glad let the sea roare and the fulnesse thereof 12. Let the field be joyfull and all that is therein then shall all the treâ—…s of the wood rejoyce 13. Before the LORD for he cometh for he cometh to judge the earth he shall judge the world with righteousâ—…esse and the people with his truth In the fourth place he exhorteth the Lords Ministers his called messengers every where to proclaime Christ King in his own Church and to declare the benefits of his reigning in special these three 1. The putting of all things which are in disorder and confusion in the world by sin into their own order again and setling all things to the perpetual benefit of his subjects 2. Christs righteous governing and deâ—…ending of his subjects 3. The unexpressible joy which Christ doth bring to his people for setting forth whereof all the reasonable and understanding creatures are unable Whence learn 1. Wheresoever the Gospel is preached there without injurie to Magistrates Christ may and should be declared King sovereigne Lord and Law-giver in all the matters of Religion and whatsoever concerneth the salvation of men and service of God Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth 2. Before Christ come to a people men neither know God nor themselves nor what is their profit nor what is their losse for before Christ reveale himself to a man things earthly and temporall are put in the room of things heavenly and everlasting the creatures and lusts of men are put in the room of God and the sinner is made a slave to his own lusts and unclean spirits but when Christ cometh who is the light of the world and the life of men and convinâ—…eth men of sin and righteousnesse and judgement then is the sinner humbâ—…ed and God exalted and every thing is put in its own place and a solid state of grace and glory is â—…ounded by his Word and working and is setled by his decree for the benefit of the world of his Elect and Regenerate people for by Christs governing the world also shall be established 3. The Kingdom of Christ is a Kingdom which cannot be moved and they who are his Subjects do receive this Kingdom in title and right and begun possession which cannot be taken from them again The world also shall be established that it cannot be moved 4. The government of Christs Kingdom is so well and wisely carried by him as right is done to God and man to friends and foes and no injury to any party is allowed and course is taken to give effectually to every man according as his work shall be He shall judge the people righteously 5. There is no true rejoycing for sinners in heaven or earth except in and through Jesus Christ alone all joy of sinners without him is madnesse and in him men have cause of rejoycing whatsoever condition they shall be in Let the heaven rejoyce and let the earth be glad let the sea roare and the fulnesse thereof 6. The joy which Christ bringeth to his people is such that men and Angels are not able to expresse it and if all the dumb creatures had mindes and mouthes to set it forth it were a taske and more for them to undertake it Let the heavens rejoyce and the earth be glad let the sea roare and the fulnesse thereof c. 7. As all the creatures are in a sort of bondage and subjection unto vanity through the sins of men so have they their own redemption freedom from vanity in relation to Christ and the service which they do unto the Saints who make right use of them and at length the creature shall be fully delivered from the bondage of corruption and in its owne kinde have cause of rejoycing Let the heaven earth sea and fields rejoyce c. 8. All the creatures are at enmity with man before he be reconciled to God in Christ but when peace is made by Jesus Christ they look upon man all of them with another countenance as servants unto and children of their Lord who is Father of the reconciled and governour of all for their good Let the fields be joyful and all that is therein then shall all the trees of the wood rejoyce They shall look upon a reconciled man walking in the light of Gods countenance as a
gets up the head it seeth its own deliverance and the overthrow of the enemy both at once in the proper cause there 〈◊〉 to wit the fountain of over-running mercy engaged unto it by Covenant The God of my mercy There is the 〈◊〉 of â—…rlasting mercy whereof God is called God because he is the beleevers God for ever and therefore the God of all mercy consolation and salvation to the beleever He saith he shall prevent me that is he shall give manifest deliverance before I succumb it shâ—…ll come soonâ—… then I could set it a time Then for his enemies he saith God shall let me see upon mine enemies to wit what I could lawfully desire or what should satisfie me Ver. 11. Slay them not lest my people forget Scatter them by thy power and bring them down O Lord our shield 12. For the sinne of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride and for cursing and lying which they speak 13. Consume them in wrath consume them that they may not be and let them know that God ruleth in Iacob unto the ends of the earth Selah 14. And at evening let them returne and let them make a noise like a dog and go round about the City 15. Let them wander up and down for meat and grudge if they be not satisfied In the fourth place he prayeth to God to glorifie himself in the manner and measure of his just judgement on his obstinate enemies which in effect is a Prophecy of the punishment of Persecutors of the righteous and of the wrath to come upon the enemies of Christ of whom David in his trouble and unjust sufferings was a type Whence learn 1. Sometime the Lord will delay the cutting off of wicked enemies of his people for a curse to them and a benefit to his people Slay them not left my people forget 2. The Lords people are subject to forget the Lords doing for them and punishing of their enemies except the Lord did renew the evidence of his care he hath of them by often renewed or long continued judgement on their enemies whose misery is made more to them by lingring judgements in the sight of men then if they were cut off more suddenly Slay them not left my people forget 3. In praying against our wicked enemies that persecute us we must take heed that we be found pleading not our own particular revenge but the common cause of the Church and the Lords quarrel Slay them not left my people forget scatter and bring them down O Lord our shield It is the good of the Lords people and the glorifying of God which is in his eyes 4. Albeit the Lord do not at first cut off the troublers of his Church but do suffer them to live for the exercise of his people yet it is mercy worthy to be prayed for if God disable them and break their power that they prevaile not over the righteous Scatter them by thy power and bring them down O Lord our shield 5. Albeit the Persecutors do not accomplish their purpose against the righteous yet their pride their brags their lies their slanders their curses against the godly are a sufficient ditty for damnation and wrath to come upon them For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride and for cursing and lying which they speak 6. After the keeping alive of the wicked for a time to the encreasing of their misery at length utter destruction cometh upon them Consume them in wrath consume them that they may not be 7. By the judgements of God upon the adversaries of his people the knowledge of his sovereignty over and Kingly care for his Church is made more known to the world the encrease of which glory of the Lord should be the scope of the prayers of the Saints against their foes And let them know that God ruleth in Iacob unto the ends of the earth 8. It is suitable to Gods justice and no strange thing to see such as have been messengers servants officers of persecuting powers or searchers out of the godly as beagles or blood hounds to be made beggars vagabonds and miserable spectacles of Gods wrath before they die roving to and froâ—… like hungry and masterlesse dogs At evening let them return and let them make a noise like a dog and go round about the City let them wander up and down for meat and grudge if they be not satisfied Ver. 16. But I will sing of thy power yea I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble 17. Unto thee O my strength will I sing for God is my defence and the God of my mercy In the last place he promiseth thanksgiving for the mercy whith he felt in the day of his trouble and sixeth his faith on God as his merciful Protector and only strength whereon he was to lean in every condition where in he could fall Whence learn 1. Whatsoever mischief fall upon the wicked the Lords children whom they maligne shall have reason to rejoyce and to praise God for supporting them in their trials and delivering of them out of toubles But I will sing of thy power 2. When the godly do compare the Lords putting difference between them and the rest of the wicked world pitying them and pardoning their sins when he justly pursueth the sins of others they cannot but rejoyce and proclaim Gods mercy with earnest affection Yea I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning 3. The shining light of one late experience of Gods care of a man serveth to bring to remembrance and to illuminate the whole course of Gods by past care and kindnesse to him and to raise a song of joy and praise to God for altogether For thou hist been my refuge and defence in the day of trouble 4. What God hath been unto us being looked on rightly may serve to certifie us what God is unto us and what he shall be to us and what we may expect of him For from thou hast been my defence and my refuge he inferreth hope of joyful experience of the same mercy for time to come Unto thee O my strength will I sing 5 When a man is sure of God engaged to him by good will and Covenant and proof given for letting out to him protection and mercy as his soul needeth he cannot choose but have a heart full of joy and a mouth full of joyful praises unto God Unto thee O my strength will I sing for God is my defence and the God of my mercy PSAL. LX. To the chief Musician upon Shushan-Eduth Michtam of David to teach When he strove with Aram Naharaim and with Aram Zobah when Ioab returned and smote of Edom in the valley of salt twelve thousand THis Psalme is a prayer for the victory of Israel over their enemies indited unto the
soft with showres thou blessest the springing thereof 11. Thou crownest the yeer with thy goodnesse and thy paths drop fatnesse 12. They drop upon the pastures of the wildernesse and the little hills rejoyce on every side 13. The pastures are clothed with â—…ocks the valleyes also are covered over with corn they shout for joy they also ring The ninth reason of the Lords praise is from his plentiful furnishing of food yearly for man and beast but in special for his making the promised land fruitful unto his people Israel when he shall give them rest from their enemies and peace therein after their being exercised with troubles What may be prophetical in this whole Psalme as touching the Israelites we will not here enquire nor how far the Prophet did look beyond his own and Solomons time when he said Praise waiteth for thee in Sion c. Only Hence learn general doctrines 1. The Lords blessing of the ground and making it fruitful is his coming as it were to visit it Thou visitest the earth and waterest it 2. Gods providence is then best seen when particular parts are looked upon one after another Thou waterest it thou enrichest it thoâ—…â—…parest them corn c. 3. The sending of timely rain and plentâ—… of it and after that abundance of victual should not be slightly passed over but well and carefully marked for the husbandry is all the Lords Thou preparest them corn when thou hast so provided for it 4. Second causes and the natural course of conveying benefits unto us are not rightly seen except when God the first and prime cause is seen to be nearest unto the actual disposing of them for producing the effect Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly c. Thou â—…ssest the springing thereof 5. From the one end of the year to the other God hath continual work about the bringing forth of the â—…ruits of the ground and gloâ—…iously doth perfect it once a year Thou crownest the year by thy goodnesse 6. Every one of the footsteps of Gods providence for the pâ—…ovision of his peoples food hath its own blessingâ—… as appeareth in the profitable use of the straw and stubble and chaffe and multiplication of the seed Thy paths drop fatnesse 7. The Lord hath a care to provide food not only for man but also 〈◊〉 beasts and not only for â—…ame beasts which are most useful for man but also for wilde beasts in the wildernesse making his rain to fall on all parts of the ground They drop upon the pastures of the wildernesse and the little hills rejoyce on every side 8. Albeit temporal benefits be inferior to spiritual yet because unto Gods children they be appendices of the spiritual they are worthy to be taken notice of and that God should be praised for them as here the Paslmist sheweth praising God for spiritual blessings in the beginning of the Psalm and here in the end for temporal benefits 9. The plurality of Gods creatures and the comparison of Gods benefits set before our eyes are the scale musick book and noted lessons of the harmony and melody which we ought to have in our hearts in praising him yea these benefits do begin and take up the song in their own kinde that we may follow them in our kinde The pastures are clothed with flocks the valleyes also are covered over with corn they shout for joy they also sing PSAL. LVI To the chief Musician A song or Psalme THis Psalm being all of praises may be divided into three parts In the first the Psalmist exhorteth all the earth to praise God ver 1 2 3 4. and that because of the works which God did of old for his people ver 5 6. and because he is able to do the like when he pleaseth ver 7. In the second part he exhorts the Church of Israel living with him in that age to praise God for the late experience of Gods goodnesse towards them in the delivery granted to them out of their late trials troubles and sore vevations ver 8 9 10 11 12. In the third place the Prophet expresseth his own purpose of thankfulnesse unto God for the large experience which he had in particular of Gods mercies to himselfe from ver 13. to the end Ver. 1. MAke a joyful noise unto God all yee lands 2. Sing forth the honour of his Name make his praise glorious From this urgent exhortation to praise God Learn 1. As the duty of praise is most necessary and most spiritual so are we more dull and indisposed thereto then to any other exercise spiritual and had need to be stirred up thereunto therefore saith he Make a noise sing forth c 2. The Prophets of old had it revealed unto them that the Gentiles should be brought to the knowledge of God and made to worship him as Make a joyful noise unto God all ye lands importeth 3. The praise of the Lord is a task for all the world to be imployed about and a duty whereunto all are bound seeing they all do see his works and all do hold what they have of him but specially those that hear of him by his Word to whom most specially the Word doth speak Make a joyful noise all ye lands 4. Men ought to go about the work of praising God so cheerfully so wisely and so avowedly as they who do hear his praise spoken of may understand his Majesty magnificence goodnesse power and mercy Make a noise unto God sing forth the honour of his Name make his praise glorious Ver. 3. Say unto God How terrible art thou in thy works through the greatnesse of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee 4. All the earth shall worship thee and shall sing unto thee they shall sing to thy Name Selab Here the Psalmist as the Lords pen-man doth furnish matter and words of praising God unto the hearers and prophesieth that the fulnesse of the Gentiles shall concurre in his worship and take part in the song of his praise Whence learn 1. Because we can do nothing of our selves in this work of the Lords praise God must furnish to us matter words Say unto God How terrible c. 2. As the work of the praise of God should be done in love and confidence and sincerity and in his own strength so may it be directed to him immediately and that without flattery otherwayes then men are praised for praise properly is due to God only and no man can speak of him except in his own audience Say unto God How terrible art thou in thy works 3. The works of the Lord every one of them being rightly studied are able to affright us by discovering the incomparable dreadful and omnipotent Majesty of the worker thereof How terrible art thou in thy works 4. When the Lord is pleased to let forth his judgements on his adversaries and to let them see what he can do none of them dare stand out against him but if they be not converted
highnesse above the heavens doth not hinder him from taking notice of the lowest of his poor people yea the most helplesse and desolate among men are the first objects of his warmest love A Father of the fatherlesse and a Iudge of the widows is God 2. Albeit the Lord be infinite and incomprehensible by any place yet hath he appointed a trusting place where his people shall finde him by his own ordinance to wit the assembly of his Saints his holy Temple shadowing forth Christ to be incarnate who now is in heaven now is incarnate and sitting at the right hand of God in whom dwells the Godhead here here is God to be found God in his holy habitation 3. It is the Lords nature pleasure and ordinary practise to make up the wants and to change to the better the disconsolate condition of his own humbled and emptied children God setteth the solitary in families 4. The souls that are most sensible of bonds and bondage do lie nearest the seeking of the fruit of his redemption yea none in bonds have made or shall make use of God the Redeemer but his bonds and â—…etters hindering him from freedome of Gods service and from attaining of felicity have been and shall be loosed off him he bringeth out those which are bound in chaines 5. Such as will not be ruled by his Word according as they are disloyal rebels to him so shall they be dealt with as rebels that is they shall neither have Gods blessing joyned with any benefit which they seem to possesse nor any spiritual comfort in their afflictions when their calamity cometh upon them but the rebellious dwell in a dry land Ver. 7. O God when thou wentest forth before thy people when thou diddest march through the wildernesse Selah 8. The earth shook the heavens also dropped at the presence of God even Sinai it self was moved at the presence of God the God of Israel From the second reason of praising God Learn 1. It is expedient for our up-stirring unto thankfulnesse to cast our eye upon some particulars wherein the Lords goodnesse to us and our obligation to his love may appear as here the Pâ—…almist doth lead us by the hand unto the Lords particular work of redemption of Israel out of Egypt 2. That one work of the Churches delivery out of Egypt representing the redemption of his people from the misery of sin and Satans bondage 〈◊〉 a sufficient proof for ever of the Lords love care power and faithfulnesse to deliver his own out of all their misery which the Church and every member thereof should alwayes make use of unto the end of the world whether we look upon that work in the type singly or as it is a representation or pawne of the spiritual delivery of his people this work should we often look upon and still hold it up unto God O God when thou wentest forth before thy people when thou diddeâ—… march through the wildernesse 3. In the woâ—…ke of the Lord it is needful not only to look upon that which may foster saith in God and love toward him but also to set before us what may serve to keep our hearts in fear and awe of his dreadful Majesty The earth shook the heavens dropped at the presence of God even Sinai it self was moved at the presence of God even the God of Israel Ver. 9. Thou O God didst send a plentiful raine whereby thou didst confirme thine inheritance when it was weary 10. Thy Congregation hath dwelt therein thou O God hast prepared of thy goodnesse for the poor From the third reason of Gods praise Learne 1. The ordinary sustaining of Gods people bodily and spiritually in the possession of any benefit temporal or spiritual given unto them should be observed as well as the bestowing of any benefit in an extraordinary way as here the ordinary sustaining of Israel in Canaan is made a part of the song of praise no lesse then their miraculous delivery out of Egypt Thou O Lord didst send a plentiful rain whereby thou didst confirme thine inheritance when it was weâ—…ry 2. The people who are in Covenant with God externally are the Lords own peculiar more nearly and properly then any other society in the world therefore Israel here is called by the Prophet speaking to God Thy Congregation 3. It is for the Churches cause that the land wherein his people dwelleth is blessed at any time by God Thy Congregation hath dwelt in it 4. The blessing bestowed upon the Church or the place wherein they dwell is not given for any goodnesse in his people but for the goodnesse grace and good will of God to them Thou O God hast prepared of thy goodnesse for the poor Ver. 11. Thâ—… Lord gave the word great was the company of those that published it 12. Kings of armies did flee apace and she that â—…rried at home divided the spoile From the fourth reason of praise Learn 1. The Lord will sometime exercise his Church with warres afflictions and trials when he doth not intend to punish them but to give them the victory over their enemies and that for his own glory as in Ioshuahs time and Davids whereunto the text doth relate The matter of joyful newes or the word of the Churches victory over her â—…oes whensoever it is proceeds from the Lord who furnisheth matter for and words and utterance of joy to his people and praise to himself The Lord gave the word 2. When God will glorifie himself by comforting his Church he shall not want Heraulds of his praise Great was the company of those that published it 3. Were the enemies of the Church never so powerful and Gods people never so farâ—…e inferiour unto their enemies in power yet shall the enemy not be able to stand when God begins to fight for his people Kings of armies did flee apacc 4. It is easie for the Lord to make them a prey to the weakest of his people who do set themselves to make havock of the Church yea and to inrich his people with the spoil of such adversaries She that tarried at home divided the spoile Ver. 13. Though ye have lien among the pots yet shall ye be as the wings of a Dove covered with silver and her feathers with yellow gold 14. When the Almighty scattered Kings in it it was white as snow in Salmon From the fifth reason of praise Learn 1. As the Lord sometimes doth beautifie his people with victories and wealth so also at other times for just reasons he will darken all their outward glory and make them look as blacked scullions in the kitchin Though ye have lien among the pots c. 2. The Lord after the trial and hard exercises of his people for a time will give them so glorious an event and delivery as shall take off all the ignominy of their former affliction and make up all their losses yea he will cause their formerly deforming afflâ—…ions to serve for washing-balls of
exact any thing of his subjects but that which he offereth to furnish and enable them to discharge he lets none be tempted above his strength he taketh small beginnings in good part he spareth the rod in a great measure mitigates the correction and in midst of wrath he remembereth mercy He shall spare the poor and needy whatsoever hard exercise he put them to he will give them their soul for a prey They shall not perish who in the sense of their need depend upon him He shall save the souls of the needy ver 14. The sixteenth benefit and commendation of Christs Kingdome albeit the Lord suffer his subjects to be tried with heresies and seducers by oppressors and persecutors yet he will assist them in the trial and bring them out of it He shall redeem their soule from deceit and violence and if for his own glory he put any of them to lay down their life for his cause it shall be a point of special honouring of them as of precious sonnes whom he esteemeth much of both living and dead Precious shall their blood be in his sight v. 15. The seventeenth benefit and commendation of Christs government is from his everlasting indurance albeit other Kings die and leave their kingdom to their successor yet it is not so with Christ he indureth for ever his death for paying the ransom of our sins did not interrupt his reign but made way for his more glorious reigning after his resurrection he hath life in himselfe as in the fountain He shall live he shall live conquering and bringing in moe subjects who shall pay tribute unto him To him shall be given of the gold of Sheba The eighteenth benefit and commendation of Christs Kingdom is this Christ shall be well beloved of all his subjects whose exercise it shall be to wish and pray for the prosperity of his Kingdome Church and mystical body and who shall commend and praise his glorious and lovely Majesty Prayer also shalll be made for him continually and daily shall he be praised v. 16. The nineteenth benefit commendation of Christs government is that a little seed of his precious Word sowen among men of whose conversion there might be least hope like a handful of corn sowen upon the mountaines or most barren ground shall have a glorious increase of the conversion of many notable Saints like as corn in a barren place should grow up like Cedar-trees There shall be an handful of 〈◊〉 in the earth on the top of mountains the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon and this blessing of the Gospel he can make it to be without prejudice of the manured land of Churches already planted which are as cities inhabited those he can blesse and will blesse at his pleasure with the abundant growth of grace amongst them And they of the City shall flourish as the grasse of the earth ver 17. The last commendation and benefit of Christs government summeth up all that can be said in these foure generals 1. That Christs Name fame and honour shall be perpetuated from one generation to another for the running of his benefits to his subjects and for the course of his judgements on his enemies His name shall endure for ever his Name shall be continued as long as the Sun 2. His Gospel shall spread further and further among men to deliver his own from the curse due for sin to make them partakers of the blessing of full felicity Men sâ—…all be blessed in him 3 It shall be in vain to seek blessednesse any where except in him only who is the procurer applier and maintainer of true blessednesse the way whereunto is to come to God in and through Christ In him men shall be blessed And 4. Such a fulnesse of converted Gentiles at length shall be brought in that the blessednesse of the Gospel of Christ and of spiritual communion with him and the riches of his goodnesse and grace shall generally be acknowledged in all the world All Nations shall call him blessed Ver. 18. Blessed be the LORD God the God of Israel who only doth wonderous things 19. And blessed be his glorious Name for ever and let the whole earth be filled with his glory Amen and Amen After this gracious answer of the Churches prayer in so glorious a prophecie of Christ thanksgiving and praise is endited unto the Church to be offered up to God for this mercy Whence learn 1. When the heart hath beleeved what the eare hath heard of the blessedness to be found in Christ the mouth should be opened to praise and blesse God Blessed be the Lord God the God of Israel 2. As the keeping of the race of David till the coming of Christ distinct from other families in so many revolutions of affairs as were between Davids reigne and Christs coming is very wonderful so the enlarging of the Kingdome of Christ since he came is full of wonder also whether we look to the King oâ—… to the subjects converted or the way of converting them by the preaching of his Word or the preservation or continuing of Christs Kingdome in the world amongst so many Devils and wicked adversaries all his subjects being so weak and sinful as they are It is a matter of great wonder indeed Blessed be the God of Israel who onely doth wondrous things There are no wonders like the wonders done in the Redemption of men by Christ 〈◊〉 yea there is no other who can work any wonders but Christ alone 3. As the blessings of Christ are everlasting so should the thanksgiving for them be and no lesse can content the heart of a true beleever who the more he thinks of Christ the more glory seeth he in him and blessed be his glorous Name for ever saith he 4. Before Christ do put an end to his work and give up the Kingdome to the Father his glory shall shine in all the parts of the world for the prayers endited to the Church are not vanishing wishes but reall promises and certaine prophecies â—…et the whole earth be filled with his glory 5. As faith sets so its seal unto the truth of Gods Word in special what concerneth the salvation of men and the glory of God in Christ so love to both the glory of God and salvation of souls seâ—…s to its seal also or both faith and love do subscribe the same truth of God in both respects again and againe Amen and Amen Ver. 20. The prayers of David the sonne of Iesse are ended This closâ—…e of the Psalm is added by the Psalmist David himself and is a part of the text serving first to shew that this was the last of the Psalmes endited by the Spirit to him a little before his death when Solomon was now reigning howsoever in the order of providence it be not in the hindmost place of this book of the Psalmes And next it serveth to shew that in this answer made to his prayer set down in this Psalme all his
Zebah and as Zalmunna 12. Who said Let us take to our selves the houses of God in possession In the latter part of the Psalm is the Churches prayer to God that he would be party against her enemies and plague them There are sundry branches of the malediction which the Church doth imprecate against the enemies The first is that God would destroy them as he destroyed others before them who were upon such a wicked plot of rooâ—…ing out Gods people Whence learn 1. When the Church hath to do with her enemies she should look what in Scripture the Lord did for her in times past for so doth the Church look here to what the Lord did to his enemies Iudg. 7. 22. and 4. 15 24. and 7. 25. and 8. 〈◊〉 2. It is lawful to pray for judgements upon the enemies of the Church provided it be out of a publick spirit and not out of private malice or revenge in which case the prayers of the Church are more forcible for the overthrow of their enemies then all her external force is Do unto them as unto the Midianites is a hard charge against them 3. Former plagues poured out upon the Churches enemies are pledges of the Lords bringing like judgements on her enemies afterward and of giving like preservation unto the Church as before Do unto them as to the Midianites in Gideons time and to Sisera and Iabin in Deborah time when small meanes were sufficient for a great overthrow of the enemy 4. The dead bodies of Gods enemies shall not only be contemptible before men which is incident to the bodies of the Saints sometimes but also contemptible before God as here we see Their enemies perished at Endor and became as dung for the earth 5. The Nobles leaders chief amongst Gods enemies may look for most eminent judgement Make their Nobles like Orch and Zeeb yea all their Princes like Zebah and Zalmunna 6. It is all one for enemies to resolve to spoile Gods Church and to rob God of his habitation specially so long as Gods people love to have God dwelling among them for the injuries done to the Church redound to the contumely of God who hath taken the maintenance of 〈◊〉 They say Let us take to our selves the houses of God in possession Ver. 13. O my God make them like a wheel as the stubble before the winde 14. As the fire burneth a wood and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire 15 So persecute them with thy tempest and make them afraid with thy storme 16. Fill their faces with shame that they may seek thy Neme O LORD 17. Let them be confounded and troubled for ever yea let them be put to shame and perish From the rest of the branches of the imprecation wherein sundry similitudes are looked unto for shewing forth the effects of Gods wrath upon the enemies of the Church Learn 1. Use is to be made of our Covenant with God so well against our enemies as for our selves for O my God saith he no wwhen he is about to curse the enemy 2. The enemies of Gods Church have many a mischief waiting on them of which if they escape one another shall overtake them yea no one similitude can set forth what misery is prepared for them no peace no rest for them no standing in any stablished prosperity but they shall be rolled as a bowle turned upside-down or as a wheel Make them like a wheel 3. They shall have no strength to resist the blast of Gods wrath Make them as stubble or chaffe before the winde 4. The Lords indignation against them shall burn them as a flame doth a Forrest let them be consâ—…med as fire that burneth a wood which is the greatest flame we can easily conceive or when a mountain of sulphur or coales is kindled as the flame sets the mountains on fire where fâ—… above the earth and under it do meet together 5. If they escape for a while yet judgements shall follow them and overtake them and 〈◊〉 them and turn them in a circle till they be giddy So persecute them with thy tempest or whirewinde 6. Beside what torment their present plague shall bring unto them horror and fear of worse to come shall vexe them Make them afraid with thy storme 7. At last they shall be ashamed when both they shall be disappointed of what they intended against the godly and also meet with the misery which they least feared Fill their faces with shame 8. If any of the enemies of Gods people do belong to Gods election the Churches prayer against them giveth way to their conversion and doth not seek more then that the judgement should follow them only till they acknowledge their sinne and do turn and seek God Fill their faces with shame that they may seek thy Name O Lord. 9. For the rest of the wicked irreconcileable adversaries when shame of disappointment and temporal judgements are come upon them the worst of all doth yet follow even everlasting perdition Let them be confounded and troubled for ever yea let them be put to shame and perish Ver. 18. That men may know that thou whose Name alone is IEHOVAH art the most High over all the earth He closeth the Psalme with shewing the end of all this complaint and imprecation Whence learne 1. The end of all cursing of the wicked enemies of the Church is not to satisfy private revenge but that God may be glorified Let them perish that men may know that thou art he whose Name is IEHOVAH 2. The Name Iehovah signifying Gods being of himself and the cause of the being of all things created is incommunicable to any creature and in Scripture is given only unto the three persons of the Godhead the Father the Word and the Spirit whose essence is one as here is taught Thâ—… men may know that thou whose Name alone is Iehovah 3. If men will not acknowledge the true God to be the supreme and only Governour of all the world they shall by his heavy â—…ements either upon others or upon thgmselves be made to show it for the Church doth here declare that they do use this heavy imprecation against Gods enemies that men may know say they that thou whose Name alone is Iehovah art the most High over all the earth PSAL. LXXXIV To the chief Musician upon Gittith A Psalme for the sonnes of Korah THis Psalme is of the same subject with Psalm 42. and Psalm 63. Wherein the Psalmist lamenteth his banishment from the Temple and the publick Ordinances of Religion to ver 8. and then prayeth for his restoring to that priviledge in the rest of the Psalme This Psalme agreeth well with the time of Davids parting with the Ark when he fled from Absalom In his lamentation First he commendeth the place of publick worship ver 1. Then sheweth his longing after it ver 2. Thirdly he wisheth to be as a sparrow in the meanest condition partaker of that priviledge ver 3. Fourthly
judgements which have been executed upon disobedient unbelievers of Gods Word are mercifull and fatherly warnings of Gode children to eschew such â—…ns as carefully and really as they abhorre the punishment inflicted for them for the Lords making use of his wrath against the misbelieving and disobedient Israelites here doth teach us so much PSAL. XCVI WE fin'e 1 Chron. 16. 23. a part of this Psalm sung at the bringing up of the Ark to Sion to be in substance and almost in words alâ—…o one and the same with this which is here for as there so here the Prophet foreseeth in the Spirit the spreading of the Kingdome of Christ among the Nations And therefore first he exhorteth all people heartily to receive Christ and propagate his glory ver 1 2 3. And giveth reasons for it ver 4. 5 6. Then he repeateth and inlargeth the exhortation to glorifie God and to rejoyce in him because Christ was indeed to come among the Gentiles to reign among them righteously ver 7 8 9 10 11 12 13. Ver. 1. O Sing unto the LORD a new song sing unto the LORD all the earth 2. Sing unto the LORD blesse his Name shew forth his salvation from day to day 3. Declare his glory among the heathen his wonders among all people From the exhortation given to all Nations to rejoyce for Christs coming among them Learne 1. As sadnesse and sorrow misery and mourning is the condition of all people till Christ the true Ark of the Covenant come unto them so Christs coming among them is the matter of the greatest joy that ever sinners did hear of for upon this ground are all here exhorted to rejoyce O sing unto the Lord. 2. As the matter of â—…oy in Christ is everlasting and shall never decay so the reason of praising of God for salvation in him is everlasting also new and fresh matter being alwayes offered of joy to us and praise to God which shall never vanish nor wax old Sing unto the Lord a new Song 3 All the earth hath interest in this Song and is obliged unto the duty of joy and praise because out of all people tongues and languages God is to gather a people to be saved Sing unto the Lord all the earth 4. We have â—…eed again and again to be stirred up to joy in Christ to praise him for we are dull and the work excellent and no man doth discharge the duty sufficiently therefore is it said the third time Sing unto the Lord. 5. The grace offered in Jesus Christ is a perpetual reason of declaring the goodnesse of God and that Christ is the fountaine of all blessednesse to them who do receive him for Blesse his Name doth import so much 6. The salvation which cometh through Christ ought to be commended as Gods salvation indeed because he devised it he purchased it and he it is that doth apply it to us and maketh us partakers of it Shew forth his salvation 7. The doctrine of salvation by Christ is the common good of mankinde and ought not to be concealed but set forth to all preached and proclaimed and spoken of by all according to their vocation and ability Shew forth his salvation from day to day 8. It is a part of the Commission given to the Ministers of the Gospel not only to teach their Congregations concerning Christ but also to have a care that they who never did heare of him may know what he is what he hath done and suffered and what good may be had by his mediation Declare his glory among the heathen 9. Nothing so glorious to God nothing so wonderful in it self as is the salvation of man by Christ to behold God saving his enemies by the incarnation sufferings and obedience of Christ the eternal Sonne of God Declare his glory among the Heathen his wonders among all people Ver. 4. For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised he is to be feared above all gods 5. For all the gods of the nations are idols but the LORD made the heavens 6. Honour and majesty are before him strength and beauty are in his sanctuary The reasons of the exhortation are because God is sovereign above all ver 4. and all other gods beside God are idols ver 5. and whatsoever is glorious is to be found in him only ver 6. Whence learn 1. None can praise God till they consider his excellencie and that his wisdom power and empire is above all created or imaginable greatnesse for The Lord is great and greatly to be praised 2. As the Lord is praise-worthy for his goodnesse and readinesse to communicate of his riches to all his creatures and most of all to his servants so is he able to punish his adversaries and all that contemn his Authority which no creature is able to do He is to be feared above all gods 3. Whosoever do not submit themselves to God and worship and obey him shall be found to serve idols and vanities whereby they can have no good but disappointment of hopes for All the gods of the Nations are idola 4. The framing of heaven and earth and the upholding and governing of all the creatures proveth that the Maker thereof is God alone and that there neither is nor can be any beside him all others who have the name of gods are idols All the gods of the heathen are â—…dols but the lord made the Heavens 5. Before a man can come to the knowledge of God he must first meet with the shining beams of his honour and majestie in his Word and in his Works for these are Apparators and Harbingers going before him Honour and majesty are before him 6. The power and glory of God is not rightly seen either to Gods praise or a mans salvation except by his own ordinances in his Church where he himself is both teacher and the substance also of what is taught Strength and beauty are in his Sanctuary Ver. 7. Give unto the LORD O ye kindreds of the people give unto the LORD glory and strength Here he repeateth and dilateth the exhortation in foure branches In the first he exhorteth to acknowledge that glory and power belong to God both in decreeing wisely and in executing timously and powerfully his own decrees in special the work of Redemption and Conversion of the Gentiles by Christ. Whence learn As it is the sinful sicknesse of natural men to take to themselves or to give unto the creatures the glory of every excellent work which is properly due to God alone so is it the part of a renewed soul to give the glory of every thing which is praise-worthy unto God alone which glory God expecteth and shall have it of the Gentiles being reconciled and instructed by the Gospel Give unto the Lord O â—…e kindreds of the people give unto the Lord glory and strength Ver. 8. Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his Name bring an offering and come into hiâ—… courts In the second branch
Paradise 9. The first and second coming of Christ to shew himself King of his Church is ground and cause of all joy to his Subjects Let them and all the creatures rejoyce before the Lord for he cometh for this for he cometh twice said to judge the earth is given for a reason of the exhortation 10. By Christs government every poor and needy Subject is helped supplied comforted and provided for as their case requireth all the Subjects are justified by the imputation of the righteousnesse of Christ all of them are renewed and begun to be sanctified and made to aime at righteousnesse more and more in their wayes all the proud and adversaries of his Subjects are declared against course is laid down in the Word of truth for a full deliverie of his people from all injuries and oppression from all miserie and sin with the full punishment of their enemies He shall judge the world with righteousnesse and the people with his truth PSAL. XCVII THis Psalme containeth a prophecie of the spiritual glory of Christs Kingdome to ver 8. And the use of the Doctrine to the end of the Psalme The comfort of Christs Kindome in relation to his Church is set downe ver 1 2. And the terriblenesse thereof in relation to his enemies ver 3 4 5 6. with a curse upon image-worshippers ver 7. The uses of the Doctrine they are foure The first is that all excellency and whatsoever is honourable in the world should do homage to him set down in the end of ver 7. The second is that the true Church should be glad at the hearing and the seeing of the execution of Gods judgements upon idolaters with a reason for it ver 8 9. The third use is a direction to the Saints to beware of sin with some reasons for it ver 10 11. The fourth use is that the righteous should rejoyce and thank God upon all occasions ver 12. Ver. 1. THe LORD reigneth let the earth rejoyce let the multitudes of Isles be glad thereof 2. Clouds and darknesse are round about him righteousnesse and judgement are the habitation of his throne The Psalmist proclaimeth Christ King among the Gentiles and doth commend his Kingdome to them as full of joy full of majesty and full of righteousnesse Whence learn 1. Beside the sovereignty which God hath over all people he hath a speciall Kingdom wherein he reigneth by the Gospel of Christ this is it whereof here he speaketh saying The Lord reigneth 2. Comfort against all grief from sin or misery true matter of joy and full felicity is to be had by the coming of this Kingdom The Lord reigneth let the earth rejoyce 3. The Isles of the Sea are in Christs charter and have their share of the joy which is to be had in Christ Let the multitude of the Isles be glad thereof 4. How despicable soever Christs Kingdome may seem to the world yet it is full of heavenly majesty Clouds and darknesse are round about him 5. The glory of Christs Kingdome is unsearchable and hid from the eyes of the world who cannot take up the things of God except he reveale himself to them and do open the eyes of their understanding Clouds and darknesse are round about him 6. The Kingdome of Christ giveth no liberty unto sin but is altogether for righteousnesse and judgement for therein righteousnesse is taught to sinners and they made righteous and kept in the course of righteousnesse and defended from the harme of their adversaries and rewarded according to their righteousnesse and all the unrighteous are adjudged to punishment according to their works Righteousnesse and judgement are the habitation of his throne Ver. 3. A fire goeth before him and burneth up his enemies round about 4. His lightnings inlightened the world the earth saw it and trembled 5. The hills melted like waxe at the presence of the LORD at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth 6. The heavens declare his righteousnesse and all the people see his glory After the Psalmist hath set down how comfortable Christ is to His Subjects he sheweth how terrible he is to his enemies Whence learne 1. Albeit the Kingdom of Christ be a Kingdome for righteousnesse and a fountaine of joy to all who do receive him yet such is the natural wickednesse of men that he shall not want enemies as here is imported plainly 2. There is no lesse but rather more wrath attending the despisers of the Gospel then did attend the giving out of the Law Heb. 12. 29. A fire goeth before him 5. Albeit the enemies of Christ were never so many invironing his flock round about yet shall he reign in the midst of them and consume all his adversaries A fire goeth before him and burneth up his enemies round about 4. He letteth forth his wrath not all at once but by degrees lighter judgements and foregoing terrours come before destruction His lightnings inlightened the world the earth saw it and trembled 5. Christ shall utterly undo the greatest Potentates on earth if they stand in his way and oppose him The hills melted like waxe at the presence of the Lord. 6. There is no comparison between Christ and his enemies how great Monarchs soever they be they cannot stand before his presence For he is the Lord of the whole earth 7. Our Lord shall not want Preachers of his righteousnesse for beside the Word of God blessings from heaven upon his friends and judgements from heaven upon his enemies according to the Word shall testifie for Christ The heavens declare his righteousnesse 8. The judgements of God upon the enemies of the Church and his blessings upon his Church shall be so evident as beholders shall be forced to acknowledge God in them manifesting himself for Christs Kingdome And all the people shall see his glory Ver. 7. Confounded be all they that serve graven images that boast themselves of idols worship him all ye gods He setteth down Gods curse upon idolaters or image-worshipers and then sheweth the uses of the former Doctrine for further setting forth the glory of Christs Kingdome Whence learn 1. All they who either serve or worship graven images are reckoned by God for enemies to God and to Christ and it is a part of Christs glory to abolish images and all worship and service unto images out of his Church Confounded be all they that serve graven images 2. Albeit such as are lovers of imagery not only do serve images but also will defend the state of images in the exercise of Religion and glory in them yet shall they at length be ashamed of their boasting Confounded be all they that serve graven images that boast themselves of idols 3. God will not have such relative worship as men would give him by serving or worshipping of him in at or before imagâ—… the way how God will be served is by a direct and immediâ—… worshipping of him without the mediation or intervening 〈◊〉 any thing which may
the dayes of our pilgrimage and warfare till we come to the promised rest for this did the external ceremonies used under the pedagogie of the Law teach Which ceremonies although they be abolished now yet the subâ—… and intended duties pointed at in them being moral do stiâ—… remain The fingers went before players on instruments follwed aâ—…ter c. Ver. 26. Blesse ye God in the Congregations even the Lord from the fountain of Israel 27. There is little Benjamin with their Ruler the Princes of Iudah and their Councel the Princes of Zebulun and the Princes of Naphtali As the Psalmist did clear the doctrine of Gods dealing for his Church and against their enemies by experiences of olâ—… so he points here at experience later as was to be seen by all at the glorious triumphing of Israel over all their enemies when they were now assembled in their several tribes the least as well as the greatest the most remote tribes as well as those that were nearest hand all of them conveying the Ark of God unto the City of David which was the type of Christ God incarnate ascending after his victories into heaven Whence learn 1. The mercies of God to his people in special the great work of Redemption and victory over all enemies obtained by Christ in favour of his people are abundant matter and cause to praise God and to blesse him in all the assemblies of the Church for here it is a commanded duty Blesse ye God in the Congregations 2. Whatsoever be the part of others in discharging of this duty it is expected most at the hands of every kindly Israelite who draw their original from the fountain of Israel whether they be of the natural stock of Iacob descended of him as water out of a fountain or have their descent of the same Spirit of regeneration with him Blesse ye God even the Lord from the fountain of Israel 3. Examples and practices of Gods children at any time are the encouragements of his people at all timeâ—… thereafter There is little Benjamin with their Rulers c. set forth here for example 4. The Piety of Governors and their precedencie before or joyning with others in the Lords service is more honourable unto them then their places of dignity or their gifts of wisdom and power There were the Princes of Judah with their Councel the Princes of Zebulun and the Princes of Naphtali 5. In the exercise of Gods worship and in priviledges spiritual the Lord doth joyne the smallest with the greatest the lowest with the highest that the loâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…n their exaltation and the highest in their humâ—… 〈◊〉 â—…s little Benjamin with Iudah the people with theiâ—… 〈◊〉 â—…d Rulers Ver. 28. Thy God hath commanded thy strength â—…rengthen O God that which thou hast wrought for us 29. Because of thy temple at Ierusalem shall kings bring presents unto thee From the eleventh reason of Gods praise Learn 1. Not in Kings or Rulers or any thing else but in the Lord and from the Lord is the strength of his Church which she may expect alwayes to be furnished with by vertue of the Covenant Thy God hath commanded thy strength saith David to the Church 2. As the Lord hath decâ—…eed to establish his Church so hath he meanes and instruments in every age and place prepared for this puâ—…pose and hath given out order by actual providence which is alwayes going about the work in all ages Thy God hath comâ—…anded thy strenâ—…th 3. The Lords decree and the order given forth to accomplish it consisteth well with the Churches using of all lawful meanes to further that end and in speâ—…ial should be joyned with thankful acknowledging of what â—…he Lord hath begun to do or done already for it and with earnest prayer for accomplishing of what is to be further done so teacheth Davids example and prayer here Strengthen O God that which thou hast wrought for us 4. The Lords knowne presence in his Chuch maintaining and blessing of his publick Ordinances shall move kings at last to do homage to God incarnate that is to Christ represented by his dwelling in the Temple of Ierusalem Because of thy temple at Ierusalem shalt kings bring presents unto thee Ver. 30. Rebuke the company of spearmen the â—…ltitude of the bulls with the calves of the people till every one submit himself with pieces of silver scatter thou the people that delight in warre 31. Princes shall come out of Egypt Ethiopia shall sâ—…n stretch out her hands unto God How this shall come to passe he sheweth to wit partly by breaking the power of some of them when they make opposition partly by powerful conversion of other some Whence learn 1. It is not against the precept of love to pray against publick enemies of the Church when private spleen is not the motive but zeal to the glory of God Rebuke the company of spearmen 2. The leaders of armies parties and factions against Gods Church and cause and the followers of such leaders are all of them a company of beasts Rebuke the multitude of the bulls with the calves of the people 3. God is adversary to all who do oppose his people and his cause in their hand and can as easily repulse them really and overturn them as reprove them verbally Rebuko the spearmen c. 4. The end of the Churches prayer against her enemies is that God mâ—…y be glorified and people at least brought to outward obedience unto God which may be a means to real conversion in Gods time Rebuke them c. till every one of them submit themselves with pieces of silver that is till they offer to contribute to Gods service 5. The punishing of some of Gods enemies may be a meanes to move others to offer obedience and submit to God when people that delight in warre are scattered For Princes shall come out of Egypt 6. God will draw into subjection unto himself some of his most open and inveterate enemies Princes shall come out of Egypt Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto thee Ver. 32. Sing unto God ye kingdomes of the earth O sing praises unto the Lord. Selah 33. To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens which were of old lo he doth send out his voice and that a mighty voice 34. Aâ—…cribe ye strength unto God his excellency is over Israel and his strength is in the clouds 35. O God thou art terrible out of thy holy places the God of Israel is he that giveth strength anll power unto his people blessed be God From the lâ—…st reason of praising of God taken from his Almighty power in conversion of Kingdomes of Gentiles ready to be put forth for the preservation of his Church gathered and for the overthrow of his enemies Learn 1. The tiâ—… shall come when the kingdomes of the earth shall turn Christians in profession in a greater measure then yet hath been seen for Sing unto God ye kingdomes of the earth is
not a simple telling of their duty but a prophecie of their joyful joyning in the worship of God and that they shall have cause of joy within themselves to praise him O sing praises to the Lord. 2. True Converts will renounce Idols and false gods and reverently worship the omnipotent Creatoâ—… and Governour of heaven the eternal God Sing praises to God that rideth upon the heaven of heavens that were of old 3. As the glorious government of heaven doth shew the Lords power so the thunder also doth shew his power and terror the consideration whereof is needful to dispose our stupid mindes to praise him Lo he doth send forth his voice even a mighty voice 4. The right use of Gods great and sensible and daily seen works is to make us to glorify the power of God who is able to work whatsoever he pleaseth Ascribe strength unto the Lord. 5. The Lords glory in his Church is more excellent then all that is to be seen in the works of Creation His excellency is over Israel 6. The true worshipper must study the power and all other properties of God both by what he hears in the society of the Church and by what he seeth in his visible works as well daily transient works such as the clouds are as constantly enduring works such as the heavens are His excelâ—…ency is over Israel and his strength is in the clouds And surely it is no small power which doth bear up such weight of mountaines of snow and seas of water and doth make them saile as it were and flee with wings in the aire which God doth dissolve by sittle and little as we daily behold 7. Wheresoever God sheweth his presence whether in heaven or in his Church in any place of the earth there and from thence doth he shew himself a dâ—…eadful God to such as fear him not O God thou art terrible out of thy holy places 8. Albeit there were no man to hear us glorifie God or no man to take his praise of our hand we should acknowledge his greatnesse in our heart and before himself who will take true worship of our hand for David here turneth his speech to God in the end of the Psalme saying to him O God thou art terrible out of thy holy places 9. The Lord hath an everlasting interest in the people of â—…srael and they in him for the elections cause and every true Israelite hath an everlasting interest in God he is the God of Israel 10. What the Lord hath is forth-coming to his peoples furniture as they have need The God of Israel is be that giveth strength and power to his peâ—…le 11. It is reason that at all the several remembrances of Gods mercy to us we should acknowledge his blessednesse and his blessing of us and this is all we can do and that also can we not do except he strengthen and enable us for praise for blessed be God saith the Prophet for this very reason after he hath spoken of his giving power to his people PSAL. LXIX To the chief musician upon Shoshannim A Psalm of David DAvid as a type of Christ earnestly dealeth with God for a delivery from his perplexed condition and from the malice of his adversaries and doth finde a comfortable event There are three parts of the Psalm In the first is his prayer six times presented and strengthened with new reasons to ver 22. In the second part of the Psalm is his imprecation of ten plagues against his enemies with some reasons added for the justice of the inflicting the plagues mentioned to ver 29. In the third part are four evidences of his victory from ver 29. to the end In all which whatsoever is proper to the type is to be referred to the type only and whatsoever is fit also to be applied unto Christ the Antitype must be referred to him only in that sense which is suitable to his Majesty His prayer at first is propounded in few words Save me the reasons are foure The first from the danger he was in ver 1 2. The next from his long and patient waiting for an answer to his prayer ver 3. The third from the multitude and malice and iniquity of his enemies ver 4. The fourth is by way of attestation of God that he was innocent of that whereof he was charged by his enemies joyned in with his humble acknowledging of whatsover other sins justice could charge upon him in any other respect ver 5. Ver. 1. SAve me O God for the waters are come in unto my soul. 2. I sink in deep mire where there is no standing I am come into deep waters where the floods overflow me His first Petition is to be saved and the first reason of it is because of the danger he was in Whence learn 1. A childe of God may in his own sense be very near to perishing and yet must not in the most desperate condition cease to pray nor cease to hope for delivery prayed for Save me O God 2. With danger of bodily death a childe of God may have in his spirit a sore conflict with the sense of wrath like to swallow up his soul as deep waters do a drowning man The waters are come in unto my soul. 3 The condition of a soul exercised with the sense of wrath threateneth no lesse then perdition certain inevitable without any event and endlesse whereof the bodily danger of a drowning man is but a shadow I sink in deep mire where there is no standing I am come into deep waters where the floods overflow me Ver. 3. I am weary of my crying my throat is dried mine eyes faile while I wait for my God The second reason of the first Petition is because he had long and patiently waited on God Whence learn 1. Faith in hard exigences doth not give over for appearances of perdition knowing that what is impossible to mans appearance is not impossible to God for David as a believer and a type of Christ prayeth still for all this although he finde no delivery I am weary of my crying 2. Prayer put up in faith to God keepeth in life and is like a mans drawing breath in the water when the head is lifted up above the floods for here although the floods overflowed the Psalmist yet he is able to shew this to God and to cry till he be weary of crying 3. For exercising of faith and making patience to have the perfect work it is no strange thing for God to delay relief unto an earnest supplicant till he be like to give over till his case seem desperate and his relief hopelesse Mine eyes faile while I wait for my God 4. Though the flesh of the regenerate man be weak yet the spirit is ready and will never give over calling on God depending on him holding fast the Covenant and the hope of deliverance for it will make this a new ground of speech unto God that it is noâ—… able