delighted in sinne and vniust dealing and solde themselues as it were for fauor or flattery both to work wickednesse and that with gréedinesse Verse 3. Which haue whet their tongue like a sword i. they haue sharpened it prepared it to cut pierse déepely shoote forth their arrowes bitter wordes he cōpareth their corrupt dealing agaynst him by wordes to arrowes shot out of a bow which wil gal wound this is an allegorical amplification wherin the Prophet compareth their false slaunders with warlike weapons sée Psalme 5.9 Psal 11.2 Psal 57.4 Ver. 4. At the vpright i. me and here hee speaketh of him self in the third person and he giueth himselfe this name not as hauing regard to God but as it were comparing himselfe with his enemies agaynst whom he had neuer done any thing blameworthy in secret i. closelye and priuilye he meaneth it no doubt of the secret accusations they broughte to Saule agaynste him they shoote at him sodaynlye i. when hee thinketh not of it and feare not vz. Gods maiestie or the afterclaps that may insue vpon that mischiefe q.d. They are not with-helde with any reuerence or feare of God or with any humanity or curtesie of man Verse 5. They incourage themselues in an euill purpose vz. to go forward in the performance therof of that wickednesse they haue deuised against me they come together vz. closely and secretly among themselues to lay snares priuily vz. to intangle and intrappe me who shall sée them q.d. They suppose that GOD perceiueth neither them neyther the snares that they haue layde against mee for I referre the word them both to the persons and to the thinges Verse 6. They haue sought out vz. very diligently iniquities i. mischiefes and vniust dealing against me and haue accomplished that which they sought out vz. as they themselues suppose so blinded are men in sinne that they thinke a thing to be done when it is neyther so nor so or else it may be vnderstood thus that they thought themselues so sure of it as that it were impossible they shoulde be deceyued and that made them to make so full account of it as though they had done it already euen euery one his secret thoughtes and the depth of his hart i. whatsoeuer they or any of them had secretlye deuised and that in the depth of their own hartes they thought it was done in the same sence as before but they were fouly deceiued Verse 7. But God will shoote an arrowe at them sodaynly i. God by his iudgements will quickly dispatch them for all the sure account they make of the performaunce of their mischiefe their strokes i. the blowes meaning the plagues that God will lay vpon them shall bee at once q.d. God will not be long in dispatching of them but will make a spéedye riddaunce Verse 8. They shal cause vz. by their wickednesse and vngodlinesse their owne tongue i. those things which their own tongue hath spoken against others to fal vpon them vz. from God and whosoeuer shall sée them vz. when Gods hand and iudgement is vpon them shall flée away i. shall make haste from them vz. seing euident markes and tokens of Gods iudgements against them and vpon them for feare least they should be partakers of their punishments and this he speaketh specially of the wicked as may appear by that which followeth in the next two verses specially ver 10. Ver. 9. And all men shall sée it vz. Gods iudgements vpon them by which maner of spéech the prophet noteth that it shall be a visible and manifest iudgement and declare the worke of God vz. which he in his iust iudgement hath executed vppon the wicked they shal vnderstand what he hath wrought vz. agaynst them for their sinne Ver. 10. But the righteous i. I my selfe for he speaketh of himself in the third person as before ver 4. of this Psalme shall be glad in the Lord vz. because of that which he hath done for my cause and trust in him for euer after and all that are vpright of harte i. those that are voyde of hipocrisie and hang wholy vpon god shal reioyce vz. not only for the ayde that God hath giuen me but also because in me they may behold that God will ayde them q.d. The ouerthrow of mine enemies shal not only minister matter of ioy to me but to the rest of Gods children wheresoeuer Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth vs that when we are sore assaulted earnest prayer made to God is very necessary and profitable Ver. 2. Teacheth that vnlesse God do kéep vs we shal be made a pray to the wicked Ver. 3. describeth the wickeds prophaning and abusing of their tongue Ver. 4. Setteth out their close sodain practising of wickednes and that the fountaine of all is want of true feare Ver. 5. Sheweth that the wicked are bold in their mischiefs because they imagine that God regardeth not their doings Ver. 6. Teacheth vs that the wicked are caried away many times with an idle conceite of their owne thinking they haue dispatched al whē it is neither so nor so Ver. 7. Sheweth that the wicked shal not escape vnpunished also that Gods iudgements shal bee swift and short vppon them yet mighty inough to ouerthrow them Ver. 8. Teacheth that the wicked many times are taken in the mischieuous words of their own mouth also that Gods iudgments vpon them shal cause others to flie from them Ver. 9. Teacheth that Gods punishments powred vpon the wicked is an effectual meane to make not onely the parties punished but others to sée their wickednes and his iustice Ver. 10. Teacheth that euen those iudgements prouoke the good on the other side to reioysing and thankfulnes Psalme 65 THis Psalme may be diuided into three parts Di. In the first is cōprehended a thankesgiuing for the chusing preseruation gouernment and other graces of God towards the faithful from ver 1. to the end of the 4. In the second is conteined a notable description of the feareful power maiesty might of the Lord from ver 5. to the end of the 8. In the third is set out a most cōfortable description of Gods generall graces towardes al but specially to his Church from ver 9. to the end of the Psalme For the title of this Psalme sée Psalme 48. and the title thereof Verse 1. Se. Praise waiteth for thée i. is not onely due vnto thée but is ready nowe to bee rendered to thee in Sion i. in the Church as Psal 51.18 He meaneth that God commonly giueth his people occasion to praise him in his Church whither mē assembled to praise him to thanke him to heare his word and to serue him according to the same for so much he vnderstandeth by the word prayse and vnto thée vz. alone shall the vowe be performed i. the sacrifice of thankesgiuing shal bee offered vnto thée which hee calleth a vowe because Gods people did commonly vowe such sacrifices vnto the Lord.
for his excellent gouernment and prouidence Verse 13 teacheth that howsoeuer men be corrupted in their iudgements and gouernment yet God is not sée Psal 94. verse 20. Psalme 97 THis Psalme may be diuided into thrée parts Di. In the first is described the greatnesse and excellency of almightye God and and his power From verse 1 to the end of the sixte In the seconde is declared that this power of his is terrible to the wicked and comfortable to the godly whome the Prophet therfore exhorteth to yéeld obedience and thankfulnesse to the Lorde from verse 7 to the end of the Psalme This Psalme hath no Title as sundry both before it and after it haue not likewise and therefore we cannot determine eyther who was the Author of it Se. or when it was penned Certaine it is that the holye Ghost therein purposeth to exhort the faythfull to shew themselues ioifull for the Lordes fauour loue and power towards them Verse 1. The Lord reigneth sée Psalme 93.1 let the earth reioyce i. people inhabiting the earth as Psalme 96.1 q.d. Let the people be excéedingly glad euen in that respecte that the Lordes power beareth a sway Let the multitude of the Iles i. the multitude of people inhabyting the Ilandes be glad vz. for the same cause and occasion Ver. 2. Clouds and darkenesse i. most fearefull and terrible maiestie and power sée Psalm 18.11 And he doth thus describe God that he might more liuely touch mens harts to yéeld him reuerence and honour are round about him i. compasse him in on euery side meaning that he hath both plenty of them and in a readinesse also to performe whatsoeuer pleaseth him righteousnesse i. all vprightnesse and equitie and iudgement i. true and right iudgement and this the holy Ghost addeth as it were to preuent that which the wicked might obiect as though gods power and maiestie were full of iniustice are the foundation of his throne i. are so tied to his kingdom that they can no more be separated from his kingdom then the foundation of his building Vnderstanding by throne the signe of a kingdome the kingdome it selfe and by foundation the straight and narrowe coniunction of iustice and sound iudgement to it Verse 3. There shall goe a fyre before him he vnderstandeth by the word fire the wrath and vengeaunce of God and burne vp his enemies round about i. it shall vtterlye consume those that set themselues agaynst him and that on euerye side before him and behinde him on the lefte hande and on the right hand so that none shall escape Verse 4. His lightninges i. the lightnings that come from him and are sente by his appoyntment gaue lighte vnto the world i. were so great that all the Worlde mighte sée them the earth i. the people dwelling on the earth saw vz. with their bodilye eyes and sensiblye it i. those lightninges one number put for an other and was afrayde vz. of his great power and maiesty whiche appeared therein By this and the thyrde verse before going and the nexte verse following it the holy Ghost myndeth nothing but to shewe the greatnesse of almightye Gods power in so much that nothing though it be neuer so stoute and stéedye is able to stande before it Verse 5. The Mountaynes vz. though they were neuer so greate strong and mighty melted like waxe vz. helde agaynst the fyre or the heate of the Sunne He meaneth by this Metaphor that they quickly consumed at the presence of the Lorde i. so soone as the Lorde gaue some shew of his presence or maiestie at the presence of the Lorde of the whole earth i. of him that ruleth the earth and all thinges therein contayned Verse 6. The Heauens declare his righteousnesse i. euen those thinges whiche are done in the Firmament as fyre hayle thunder lightning the Lorde thereby plaguing the wicked doe sufficientlye declare him to be vpright and iust in all his wayes and all the people vz. of the earth sée i. plainlye and sensiblye perceyue by the thinges done there his glorye i. his great power and mighte In this verse the Prophet mindeth to declare that God is most glorious manifest tokens of whose glory and iustice appeare in the very heauens and are set out before mens eyes to make them without excuse sée Psalme 19.1 Romanes 1 20. Verse 7. Confounded vz. thorowe the mightye power and iudgemente of almightye GOD bée all they vz. of what state or condition soeuer they bee q.d. let them bée confounded and ouerthrowne that serue vz. any manner of waye or with anye sorte of worship grauen Images i. images or pictures made framed and grauen by the hande arte and cunning of man and that glorye i. eyther boaste of or speake of them as to allowe them anye manner of waye in Idols see before Psalme 96 5. Leuiticus 19.4 Worshippe vz. according to the prescripte rule of his worde him vz. onelye all yée Gods i. not only mightye men and Magistrates of the world but all thinges that in the worlde is esteemed as God The Prophet meaning that eyther they shoulde doe it willinglye and of a good mynde or else by constraynt and inforcemente because they coulde not resist his power Verse 8. Sion i. the Church as Psalme 48.11.12 hearde vz. by thy workes and by thy worde of it vz. that goeth before i. the confusion and ouerthrowe of the idolatrers and was gladde vz. for the iust execution of thy iudgementes vppon them and the Daughters of Iudah i. not onely the Cittyes and Townes of that Lande in whiche sence you shall sundrye tymes haue the worde Daughters taken but the people inhabiting the same places meaning notwithstadding the particular members of the Church reioyced i. were excéedinglye glad because of thy iudgementes O Lord vz. executed vppon the wicked and vngodlye by whiche also it hath pleased thée to prouide for their deliueraunce and safetie Verse 9. For thou Lord vz. alone arte moste high aboue all the earth i. arte greater in power and mighte then all thinges in the earth because that they whatsoeuer they be are subiecte to thy authoritie and power Thou arte muche exalted vz. in thy iustice and iudgementes aboue all Gods sée Psalme 95 3. Verse 10. Yée that loue the Lorde vz. indéede vnfeignedlye and with a good hearte hate i. detest and abhorre from the bottome of youre hartes sée Romanes 12.9 Euill i. whatsoeuer is sinne and transgression before him or inclining that waye sée 1. Thessalonians 5.22 hée preserueth i. God mayntayneth defendeth and kéepeth the soules i the life and whole person of his Sayntes i. of those whome hee hath framed to holynesse and inflamed with the loue thereof hée will deliuer them i. set them safe and sounde from the hande i. from the cruell power and outrage of the wicked vz. that séeke to destroy them Verse 11. Lighte i. ioye prosperitie and eternall blessednesse Sée Ester 8 16. as by the contrarye vz. darkenesse is signifyed myserye is sowne
all This he speaketh according to the law then in force sée Psalme 33 2. and not to tie vs to the vse of the same euen vppon the Harpe he repeateth the same thing agayne d.q. vse all the meanes you maye the better to prouoke you to performe that dutie with a singing voyce d.q. ioyne to your Musicall instrumentes songes expressed and vttered with your owne voyces because that without them the sounde of the Harpe or any other musicall instrument is to little or no purpose Verse 6. With shalmes and sounds of Trumpets he addeth other instruments vnderstanding as was before noted the vse of all musicall instruments allowed by the Lord to his people sing loude i. blowe them vp chearefully and couragiously and make them to giue a loude noyse or sounde for I rather referre this to the musicall Instrumentes then to mens voyces before the Lorde the King i. before the Lorde whome we serue who is King and ruler ouer all the Worlde Verse 7. Let the Sea roare vz. in token of ioy and thankefulnesse and all that therein is sée Psalme 96. verse 11. the World q.d. Let the Worlde i. the frame of the worlde as the heauens earth c. reioyce and be glad also and they i. all creatures whatsoeuer that dwell therein i. haue their liuing being and continuaunce or aboade in the same Verse 8. Lette the floudes vz. of the earth he meaneth by this worde eyther the standing water or the running riuers whiche are different from the sea clappe their handes vz. for ioye and gladnesse meaning by the signe of gladnesse the thing it selfe and not that flouds haue handes and let the Mountaynes i. the greate and huge hils reioyce together i. testifye also their ioyfulnesse and gladnesse with the rest of the creatures In that he ascribeth this reioysing to dumbe and insensible creatures it is q.d. Let euery one inforce himselfe as muche as he can or will and yet he shall neuer yéelde prayses sufficientlye aunswering the greatnesse of Gods grace Verse 9 Before the Lorde for the sence of this whole verse sée before Psalme 96.13 where you shall fynde it almost worde for word De. Verse 1 teacheth vs to be thankefull to God for his greate workes and power also that the Lord alone without any helpe or ayde of man is hee that defendeth his Church Verse 2 teacheth that God doth his workes openly not only to the end that no man might pretend ignoraunce thereof but also that therby euery man might be prouoked to prayse him Verse 3 sheweth that God in déede is euer as good as his worde whether it be in respecte of particular persons or generall persons Verse 4 teacheth vs to inforce our selues by all the meanes we can to prayse the Lord. Verse 5.6 deliuer the same doctrine vnto vs. Verse 7.8 teach vs euen by the example of insensible creatures to be stirred vp to performe the same Ver. 9. teacheth that Gods iustice and iudgement is alwayes vpright howsoeuer corrupt mans is Psalme 99 Di. THis Psalme may be deuided into two partes In the first the Prophet exhorteth the faythfull to prayse God for the greatnesse of his excellency and power and for his singular graces and goodnesse bestowed vpon them from verse 1. to the end of the 5. In the second he expresseth Gods loue towardes their fathers and auncestors for which also he prouoketh theÌ„ to worship and praise the Lord from verse 6 to the end of the Psalme Se. This Psalme hath no title Verse 1. The Lord raigneth sée Psal 93. ver 1. and he meaneth specially amongst his people the people of the Iewes let the people vz. which border round about them other their enemies though they be neuer so far of tremble vz. euen for feare of this Lord who wil defend his own and punish them he vz. that ruleth and gouerneth al thing according to his good pleasure sitteth betwéen the Cherubins this is a description of god q.d. euen that God which hath shewed himself familiarly to Israel he it is that ruleth beareth the sway sée Exod. 25.22 let the earth be moued i. treÌ„ble and be afrayd as it were at his presence q.d. Let al creatures hauing life or without life striken with his presence and Maiestie yield him singular reuerence and honour Ver. 2. The Lord is great i. hath declared himself to be mightye and strong in al places but specially in Sion i. amongst his own people amongst whom he hath shewed the greatest testimonies of his power putting Sion the principall place of their abode for the people themselues he is high aboue all the people vz. of the world he meaneth not by this that he ruleth and gouerneth them for â—â—eir saluation but that he is exalted ouer them to scatter their counsels and to beate downe and ouerthrow their enterprises Verse 3. They i. the faythfull and godly people shall prayse vz. both in word and déede thy great and fearefull name i. thy Maiestye and power whiche is full of mighte and feare for it is holy and therefore méete to bee praysed and magnifyed Verse 4. And the Kinges power q.d. yea they shal praise the power of the great and mighty King that loueth iudgement i. that not onely liketh and alloweth but also executeth vpright iudgement and marke that after he had as it were set vp God in his seat he speaketh of the maner of his gouernment affirming that God is in such sort mighty and strong that yet notwithstanding hee hath not a tyrannous force with him but that his power is ioyned with his iustice and vprightnes for thou vz. O Lord a sodain change of the person from the third to the second hast prepared equitie i. hast appointed and established amongst thy people a good and vpright forme of gouernment which is a verye good rule to liue well and righteously one with another thou hast executed vz. faythfully and with all vprightnesse iudgemente and iustice i. true iudgement sound iustice in Iaakob i amongst the people of Israel who discended froÌ„ Iaakob meaning no doubt further vnder these terms a iust holy gouernment of the Church and people of God Verse 5. Exalt vz. with your songes of praise and thanksgiuing the Lord our God i. the Lord whom we his people serue who is indéede the only true God Iohn 17.3 and fall downe vz. before him and that in token of true reuerence and worship sée Psalme 95.6 before his footstoole the Chaldean paraphrase expoundeth it thus before his footestoole i. in his Temple others thus Before his Footestoole i. before the Arke of Couenaunt whiche is therefore as they suppose called God his Footestoole because the Iewes shoulde not staye too muche vppon the outward signe but shoulde lifte vp their harte to Heauen that they might there beholde the incomprehensible glory of God I would expounde it thus Before his Footestoole i. fall downe euen vnto the grounde or pauement of the Temple vpon which GOD
onely and not from any policie or deuise of man whatsoeuer Ver. 15. Sheweth that the Lorde can by his worde doe watsoeuer pleaseth himselfe Ver. 16.17.18 Teach vs that howsoeuer God vse secondarie causes in the accomplishment of his wil yet it is his power only that directeth disposeth of al things see to this end Iob. 37. throughout Ver. 19. Teacheth vs that gods word is the most singular iewel and blessing that God can giue vs in this life Ver. 20. teacheth vs that God wil haue mercy vpon whomsoeuer he wil haue mercie and he wil shew compassion to whomsoeuer he wil shewe compassion as for the other he wil harden psalme 148 THis Psalme may be diuided into three partes In the first Di. the Prophet exhorteth al the heauenly creatures to praise and glorifie God from ver 1. to the end of 6. In the second he stirreth vp earthly creatures to the performance of that great duety and al this he doth that hee might the better prouoke men therunto from ver 7. to the end of the 12. In the thirde hee exhorteth them al together to prayse the name of the Lorde shewing certaine notable causes wherefore they should do it and this is comprehended in the two last verses of the Psalme The title Prayse ye the Lord Sée before Psal 106. also 111. also 112. Se. also 113. also 146. also 135. and 149. 150. Verse 1. Prayse yee the Lorde from the heauen q.d. al ye things that are in the heauens and haue your abiding there magnifie the Lord and extol him for his goodnes praise ye him in the high places i. ye that are in the heauens haue your dwelling places as it were there and the heauens are called high places because they are high aboue vs and note that in this verse he speaketh generally vnto them al meaning them parcularly as it were one after another in the verses folowing ver 2. Praise ye him all yee his angels hee speaketh this not as though the Angels did not their duetie in that behalfe but because he woulde haue them to shewe men the way as it were to praise God and they are called Gods angels both because he created them and also because they are alwaies ready to execute his commandements praise him al his armies or hostes this is a general word and is to bee referred to all the heauenly creatures as Gene. 2.1 which are called Gods armies and hostes because he vseth their ministery and seruice either in the defence of his children or in the ouerthrow of his and their enemies yet notwithstanding it may very wel be applied to Angels especially as who are the chiefe and principall instruments which he vseth in those cases Verse 3. Prayse ye him sunne and moone he directeth his speach to the insensible creatures though they haue no vnderstanding because they glorifie their creator in doing their duty and kéeping the order which he hath set them and because Gods glory shineth forth in them and they do as it were with a loud cleare voyce publish and set foorth his prayses sée Psal 19.1 and Psal 145.11 all this hee doeth to shewe that it should be great vnkindnes if men should degenerate from the end of their creation prayse ye him al bright starres i. all starres for there is no starre but he hath brightnes and light in him to shine vppon the earth as Gene. 1.16.17 Ver. 4. Prayse ye him heauen of heauens i. not onely the circles and spheres wherein the planets are as it were in diuers seates dwelling houses as the Philosophers affirme but euen the very true heauēs the place of eternal ioy prepared for the elect sée for this phrase 1. King 8.27 and waters i. raine that bée aboue the heauen i. are in the cloudes aboue the firmament and are there vpholde by his almightie power Sée Genesis 1.7 so heauen in this place is put for the aire or the nethermost region of the aire aboue which the cloudes conteining the raine are Ver. 5. Let them vz. altogether and euery one of them prayse the name of the Lorde i. celebrate and set forth his maiesty power goodnes c. for hee commaunded i. hee spake the worde onely and they i. all and euery one of them were created vz. immediatly and presently as Psalme 33.6.9 Verse 6. And hee hath established them vz. by the strength and power of the same word whereby hee created them for euer and euer i. to all perpetuitie and this must chiefely be vnderstoode of the Angels and ministring spirites he hath made an ordinaunce i. he hath set a decrée or decréed by which they are lead to do the office wherunto they are appointed which shal not passe i. which shall not vanish or fléete away or rather thus which they shal not passe i. which they shal not transgresse or goe beyonde doe what they can Verse 7. Prayse yee the Lorde from the earth i. yee earthly thinges as from the heauen verse 1. was heauenlye thinges and this is a general terme comprehending the particulars expressed afterwardes ye Dragons the Hebrewe worde properly signifieth great fishes such as are Whales but yet it may bee applied generally to all great beastes whether they liue in the lande or in the waters and all depthes i. all déepe places or rather by the signe metonomia all thinges conteyned in the déepe places as whether they be in the bottome of the sea or in the caues of the earth Ver. 8. Fire i. lightning and haile i. which cōmonly commeth with stormes of thunder and lightning snow and vapours vz. in the ayre which are drawn vp thither by the power attractiue of the sunne stormie wind which vz. wind or else all of them together but I rather refer it to the wind execute his word i. obey his commaundement after their maner and fashion the accomplishment whereof we sée Exod. 14.25 And this he sayeth because alterations come not by fortune or chaunce but are guided and gouerned by Gods secret will Verse 9 Mountaines and all hils by this particular enumeration he declareth this to be his meaning that he would haue no creatures excepted though he do not reckon them vp all fruitfull trees i. trées that beare fruit for the nourishment of man and beast which thing many trées doe not being replenished only with boughes and leaues and all Cedars vz. how high and tall soeuer they be meaning that if the best were not excepted thē the worst should not Verse 10. Beasts and all cattel vz. of what kind or forme so euer they be the particulars whereof he reckoneth vp afterwardes créeping things vz. as wormes snakes serpents and such like which créepe or craule vnderstanding also by those the very fishes as may appeare Gen. 1.20 feathered foules i. euery thing that hath winges and flieth Ver. 11. Kings of the earth i. al maner of rulers and men of mighte by what title or name soeuer they are called and
because of that which goeth before in this verse and followeth in the next Ver. 3. Let them prayse his name i. his maiestie power and goodnesse with the fluit Let them singe prayses vnto him with the tymbrell and harpe i. let them boldlie fréelie prayse him by all the meanes that lawfully they may sée Psalme 81.2.3 and other Psalmes also as 33.2 and 144.9 Ver. 4. for the Lord hath pleasure in his people that is as he did of singular mercy chose them so he doth singularly delite in them sée Psalme 147 11. he will make the méeke glorious by deliueraunce i. by deliuering them out of the handes of their enemies and all their daungers he meaneth that God will giue thē that be afflicted this honour vz. he will vouchsafe them aid deliuerance from him or as wée woulde say will bestowe vpon them the great honour of deliueraunce Ver 5. Let the Saints sée before ver 1 of this Psal be ioyful with glory i. gloriously reioyce or else reioyce for the great glory that God hath vouchsaued to bestow vppon them let them sing aloude vz. vnto the Lord and his prayse vppon their beds i. in the nighte season q.d. let them spend dayes and nightes in the praysing of him for his great mercies Ver. 6. Let the high actes of GOD i. the notable and singular thinges which he hath done for them and against theyr enemies 〈◊〉 in their mouth i. let them continually speake of them and prayse him for them and a two edged sworde in their handes vz. both to defend themselues and to repulse and to driue farre away their enemies Verse 7. To exercise vengeaunce vppon the heathen i. to repaye them the iniurye and wrong whiche the heathen and wicked enemies haue done them and corrections among the people i. to chastise correcte and subdue them as others had done the like to them Verse 8. To binde their Kinges in chaynes i. to make euen their Princes and Rulers Prisoners and their Nobles with fetters of yron i. to make them captiue also it is as muche q. d. That there might bee neyther Prince nor people but they might be subdued vnder them Verse 9. That they i. the faythfull people may execute vz. with iustice and vprightnesse vpon them i. vpon the heathen kinges and their people the iudgement that is written vz. in the holy Sscripture So that I take these 4. last verses to bée a prayer that the Prophet made for the flourishing estate of the people of the Iewes that they might faythfully execute Gods iudgements vpon the Gentiles according to his word without adding any thing thereto or taking anye thing therefrom Sée Deut. 12.32 also Deut. 29 29. If we apply this to the churche and kingdome of Christ then by the two edged sword we must vnderstand the word of God which is the sword of his mouth of which fée 2. Thess 2.8 Heb. 4 12. Reuel 1.16 and al other instruments which God vseth to cast down strong holds and to ouerthrow mighty imaginations wherof sée 2 Cor. 10.4 c. this honour vz. of their conquest and ouercomming of their enemies shal be to all his saints i. they shall haue their part in it and féele the worke and power of God inabling them to do the like which is a matter of great comfort Prayse ye the Lord sée of this in the end of Psal 148. Do. Verse 1 teacheth vs two things first that as God multiplieth new benefites vpon vs so we should anew and afresh as it were stir vp our selues to be thākfull vnto him continually secōdly that aboue all his praises should specially be founded forth in his Church Verse 2 teacheth vs that seing God hath begottē vs agayne vnto himselfe and is become our kingdome that therfore we should striue in all soundnesse to the obedience of his will Ver. 3 teacheth vs to vse all lawfull meanes to prouoke and stir vp our selues to that great duty of prayse and thankesgiuing Verse 4 setteth out vnto vs the singular loue and affection of God towards his people Verse 5 teacheth vs not only cherefully to prayse God for his mercies but to doe it also continually both day and night Ver. 6 7 8 9 teach vs to wish and pray for the prosperitye and flourishing of Gods Churche and the confusion and ouerthrow of the obstinate enemies thereof Ver. 9 teacheth vs that by reason of the fellowlike affection and féeling whiche is and ought to be amongst the members of the Church the ioy glory and victory of some members and parts therof shal be the ioy glory and victory of the other Psalme 150 THis Psalme may be diuided into thrée parts Di. First he sheweth for what causes men should praise the Lord. Ver. 1.2 Secondly he sheweth wherewith they should praise him Ver. 3 4 5. Thirdly he sheweth who they be that should praise him The title hath bin sundry times touched heretofore Se. Ver. 1. Praise ye God vz. which are his faithful seruauntes in his sanctuary this may be expounded thus either that God dwelleth in heauen which is sometimes called his sanctuarie or thus in his sanctuarie that is in his tēple Or else thus in his sanctuary that is in his sanctity or holinesse so I suppose the hebrew word would rather be turned q.d. praise God for the great holinesse hée hath in himselfe some part whereof also it pleaseth him to communicate vnto vs praise ye him in the firmament of his power i. prayse ye him for the firmament which declareth his power as Psalme 19 1 or else thus prayse ye him for his power stretched out vz. ouer all creatures because in him and by him they liue moue and haue their being and this sence I take to be the better and to agrée best with the hebrew text Ver. 2. Prayse ye him in his mighty acts i. for his noble and valiaunt acts which he hath done for you and against your enemies so that you sée in these two verses this particle in must bee resolued by for prayse ye him according to his excellent greatnesse i. though yée can not prayse him as he most iustly deserueth yet striue you to render vnto him that which he hath inabled you to performe For he meaneth not that wée are able to praise him according to his excellency Ver. 3. Prayse him in the sound of the trumpet i. with trumpets clearely sounded sée Psal 81.3 prayse ye him vpon the viol and the harpe sée Psal 33.2 Ver. 4 Praise ye him with Timbrell and flute sée Psalme 149 3. praise ye him with Virginals and Organs Ver. 5. Prayse ye him with sounding Cimbales i with Cimbals that may be heard for otherwise there are no Cimbals or any other musical instrumentes but they haue a sound if they be played vpon prayse ye him with high sounding Cimbales i. with Cimbales which being set high and so tuned may very easily be heard By this particular enumeration he meaneth nothing else but that
particular persons in particular gréefes eyther of body or soule as psa 6.86 c. Othersome are prayers of a number of godly and faithfull people as psal 44.85 c. To be shorte there is such diuersitye of matter that a man can hardlye deuide them aright yea one and the selfe same Psalme sometimes shall comprehende the most of these thinges For the better vnderstanding of this Booke two thinges specially would be diligently obserued First the sodayne chaunge of number tense person c. which make the places to séeme very hard Secondlye to discerne what is spoken in the person of the Church and to refer the same thereto and what is otherwise spoken to apply it alwayes to his right ende and purpose Psalme 2. Di. THis Psalme consisteth of two partes In the first he setteth out wherein the felicitie and blessednesse of a godlye man consisteth what his exercises are and what blessinges hee shall receaue from the Lord therefore from verse 1. to the ende of the thirde In the seconde he declareth what iudgments shall ouertake the wicked and what an vnlikelye rewarde there shall be to the godly and the vngodly from verse 4. to the end of the Psalme Se. Ver. 1. The man put for euery man i. man and woman for in Christ Iesus there is no difference Galat. 3.28 and blessed are they not in this lyfe onlye but in the life to come for godlinesse hath the promise of this lyfe present and in the life to come 1. Timothie 4.8 Doth not walke in the councell by councell he vnderstandeth the subtilties and craftes of the wicked by which they push on themselues forwardes and labour to drawe others to the like sée Prouerb 1.10.11 c. So that hee meaneth that hee is blessed that ioyneth not himselfe in wicked practises with the vngodly nor by himselfe doth performe the same nor stande in the waye of sinners way is put for order and kinde of liuing for maners and fashions he meaneth then that they are blessed that frame not themselues no not in outward shew like to the vngodly sée Romanes 12.2 In the seate of the scorners by seate he noteth fellowship and societie with the vngodly as Psal 26.4 so that the meaning is that the godly man doth not consent with the wicked neither hath any familiaritie with their vile enterprises Verse 2. His delight i. his whole pleasure in the lawe of the Lorde i. in the performaunce of these things which GOD in his law commaundeth Meditate daye and night i. continually or very much giuing himselfe not only to the reading of holy Scriptures but to meditation therein Verse 3. is a similitude by whiche the Prophet noteth the flourishing state of the faithfull and their fruitfulnesse also by Trée he meaneth eyther Palme Trée as Psalme 92.12 or some other flourishing Trée by the Riuers of waters i. in most moyst places méete to make Trées grow and flourish in due season i. not vntimely fruit nor too late but that which shall haue the fulnesse of grouth and yet not be withered away whose leafe shall not fade i. shal not decay in colour nor fall from the Trée wherby the Prophet noteth the continuall flourishing of the faythfull Whatsoeuer he shall doe we must restrayne that vniuersall terme Whatsoeuer to all thinges that he shall attempte according to godlinesse to which indéede both here and elsewhere sundrye times the Lorde himselfe hath annexed a promise of good successe Verse 4. He amplifyeth by the contrarie the wicked are not so i. Like Trées planted c. as ver 3. but whereto are they like they are as the chaffe i. Light vnprofitable for anye thing and voyde of fruite It is an vsuall thing in Scripture to compare the wicked to chaffe as Psalme 35.5 Isaiah 17.13 Math. 3.12 Which the winde dryueth away q.d. as chaffe cannot withstand the violence of the winde but it tosseth it too and fro and dryueth it whither pleaseth it so shall the wicked be before Gods iudgementes how greate mightie and strong soeuer they séeme to be before men Ver. 5. Therefore i. because they are as chaffe and reprobate to all good workes they shall not stand vz. with boldnesse and lifted vp countenaunces as the godly shall in the iudgement i. in that great and last day mentioned Mat. 25.31.32 c. to the ende of the Chapter nor sinners in the assemblie of the righteous i. they shall not haue place amongst the godlye but God will funder them one from another as Math. 25.31.32 c. as before Ver. 6. The Lord knoweth i. approueth and alloweth as not to know is to disallowe Math. 7.23 yea so alloweth that he blesseth which may appeare by the contrarye in this verse where the Prophet vseth the word Perish the way i. the order and kinde of liuing as before verse the first and afterwardes in this verse of the righteous i. they that indeuour righteousnesse in themselues and haue Christs righteousnesse imputed vnto them And the waye reade But and so the sence shall be more playne Shall perishe vz. In time hereafter to come or else doth perishe putting the beginning of destruction in this life not only for the beginning of it here but for the finishing of it else where Ver. 1. Teacheth a godly man to beware of the vngodlies perswasions Do. secondlye of their order of life and thirdly of their societye and companye kéeping Ver. 2. Teacheth him by the contrary what he must doe firste to take all his delite and pleasure in Gods worde because we doe hardly profit by these thinges which we take no pleasure in secondly to vse al the meanes whereby he may be builded vp in knowledge for so generallye doe I take these wordes Meditate day and night Ver. 3. A promise annexed for our better encouragement which expresseth Gods wonderfull goodnesse and our dulnesse and heauinesse that haue néede of such spurres ver 4. doth not only contayne iudgements agaynst the wicked but also teacheth yea spurreth forward the godly by beholding their punishments to more héedy walking and whereas the holy Ghost resembleth the wicked to chaffe tossed before the winde It teacheth vs that though the wicked thinke themselues glorious and of long continuaunce yet they are neyther the one nor the other ver 5. Teacheth that God with his Fanne wil make a separation betwéene the good Corne and the chaffe as Math. 3.12 ver 6. Teacheth this that God is the only Iudge to allow and disallow they must not therefore stand vpon themselues or other mens iudgements Psalme 2. Di. THis Psalme consisteth of thrée parts In the firste is declared the greatnes multitude and rage of them that rise vp against Christ from ver 1. to the ende of the 3. In the seconde is set out the Maiestie and power of God the Father and his sonne Christ for the confounding of such wicked aduersaries from verse 4. to the ende of the 9. In the 3. is contained a louing
not then nor long time after brought in to Sion but that it was made vppon some other particular victory gotten after Dauid was king and after hée had brought the Arke to Sion where God is sayde to dwel not that God is tyed to any place but because that there was the most manifest and often testimonies of his residence shewed ver 12. Amend thus For hee that requireth slaughter i. Hee that letteth not murther escape frée but is a reuenger of the same because he is a most iust iudge remembreth them i. The poore and afflicted which are spoken of ver 9. and follow presently in this verse Ver. 13. Haue mercy vppon me O Lord. q.d. These are the woordes of the poore that God forgetteth not speaking that in the person of one that appertained to many and was no doubt practised by them and here is the chaunge of number which maketh the place more hard from the gates of death i. from most present and assured death ver 14. Gates put here for publikely and openly Iob. 29.7 For gate in the scripture signifieth a place before the gate of a city into which the people were wont to come where also the iudges did sit to minister iustice of the daughter of Sion Daughter put for the citie or towne as Ioshua 15.45 ver 15. Knit to the former thus saying the heathen c. As though this should be the matter that he woulde publish to the praise and glory of God and in this verse by heathen hee vnderstandeth the Philistines or some other people as Moabites Ammonites and such like that bordered vpon Iudea vsing two metaphors to expresse their ouerthrowe the first taken from hunters who digge pits to take wolues and other wild beastes in the the other from fowlers who lay nets to take birdes ver 16. Is knowne i. maketh himselfe knowne though men many times regarde not his iudgments the wicked see ver 5. Or else expound it thus that vnder one hee meaneth all which he expresseth in the next verse the word wicked there being of the plural number whereas here it is but the singular ver 17. Is read by some as a wish or a praier against the wicked which I better allow of into hell againe which I take to bee the better meaning the ouerthrowe that their enemies had susteined and their destruction that way though the other may stand ver 18. He meaneth that God wil neuer forget them that are afflicted and in misery ver 19. Let not man preuaile vz. against thee and thine least hee waxe proud aboue measure hee putteth man for multitudes of men and for all that is of excellencie power and strength in him ver 20. Putteth in feare i. strike a feare of thy iudgements into the but meÌ„ i. fraile weake and of no strength or countenance Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth that God must be praised for his benefits and that not with a peece of the heart but with the whole ver 4. God alwaies defendeth his children and their iust causes also how corrupt soeuer man is in iudgement yet God is alwaies iust and true ver 6. We may sometimes merily taunt gods enemies and ours it teacheth also the vtter â—â—ne of the wicked which also in ver 5. was noted ver 9. Is full of comfort for all those that are in any manner of affliction or trouble ver 10. sheweth what hope the faithful shall haue in God and on the other side what grace and fauour the Lord beareth to them ver 13. God helpeth his children in the greatest distresses yea when no way appeareth to flesh and blood how to escape ver 15. God in his iust iudgement ouertaketh the wicked in their owne deuises as Psa 7.15 The sunne is declared also ver 16. ver 17.18 Declare gods iudgements against the wicked and his fauour to his owne children ver 20. declareth that vnlesse God bridle men strike them downe they will grow to a marueilous height of pride Psalme 10. THis Psalme hath two parts Di. In the first the Prophet largely setteth out the wickednes of the vngodly and their mischieuous attempts From ver 1. to the end of the second In the second he prayeth earnestly against them desiring the Lord both to punish them to succour his owne seruants From ver 12. to the end This Psal hath no title Ver. 1. Why standest thou farre of he speaketh of God according to man as the rest also in this verse must be so vnderstand not that God was far off for he filleth all places but that it so séemed vnto man and hidest thee vz. From vs which we gather because thou shewest not thy selfe fauourable vnto vs the latter part of that verse mend thus in due time euen in afflictions i. in the times wherein we are very much afflicted ver 2. The wicked sée Psa 9.16 With pride i. being puffed vp with the pride of his heart the poore i. he that is afflicted and in misery Psal 9.18 Let them bee taken the Prophet changeth number that they haue imagined vz. against other ver 3. blesseth himselfe i. not onely wisheth wel to himselfe but praiseth and commendeth himselfe in his couetousnes and other wickednes hee i. the wicked man generally couetous or otherwise vers 4. seeketh not for God i. hath no regard of him at al but puffed vp in his pride consisteth in himself he thinketh alwaies there is no God q.d. the wicked ones call not vppon God the reasoÌ„ is because they thinke alwaies this God regardeth not mens matters and therefore they will doe whatsoeuer pleaseth them sée Psal 41.1 ver 5. His wayes i. his purpose and trade of life alwaies i. what times soeuer fall to other men either of florishing or decaying his state alwayes prosper i. florish wonderfully in this life thy iudgements i. Thy plagues and punishments that thou layest vpon the vngodly are high aboue his sight i. he thinketh not vppon them neither considereth thereof déeply because they are aboue his reach as hee estéemeth much lesse doeth hée féele them therefore defieth hee i. hée is puffed vp into such pride that hée regardeth not his enemies though neuer so mightie or many ver 6. Hee saith in his heart i. hee perswadeth himselfe within himselfe see Psalm 14.1 I shal neuer be moued i. I shal neuer fall from the state and dignitie wherein I am meaning that hee should liue very long and so long as hee liued neuer be hurt as it were or sustaine any losse ver 7. His mouth i. the wordes and spéeches that proceed from his mouth are nothing else but cursing c. vnder his tongue i. in his heart which is vnder his tongue i. beneath his tongue as it is placed in the body is mischiefe vz. against others q.d. in his heart he imagineth how to worke mischief to others ver 8. in the valleies i. in places where there is no great resort of people against the poore vz. to oppresse or murther him q.d. hee
verse otherwise but I like this sence as well as his Ver. 8. As the apple of my eye i. most dearely and tenderly as men are wont to doe the apples of their eye who cannot abide that any thing should touch it hide mee vnder the shadow of thy winges an other similitude to the same purpose q.d. deliuer me with such diligence from present perill as the hens are wont to doe their yong ones vnder their winges when the Kite houereth ouer them or lieth in wait for them The scripture in sundrye places attributeth winges to God that therby it might declare Gods great care to saue and defend the godly such a similitude Christ vseth Math. 23.37 Ver. 9. for my soule i. for my life vz. that they might take it away from me ver 10. They are inclosed in their owne fat i. they are monstrously fat by reason they liue in al plesures and delights q.d. They abound in all delights therefore they spare not to speake proudly which he addeth in this verse describing in this and so on in the rest the maners of the vngodly Ver. 11. They i. the vngodly and wicked enemies haue cōpassed vs i. me Dauid the people that are with mee in our steps i. in our iornies or as we were iornying q. d. In all our iornying they haue most diligently obserued me mine many times haue in the mean while beset vs about they haue set their eyes i. they are earnestly and diligentlye bent as one that fixeth his eyes vppon one to marke him or to know him agayne to bring downe vz. me and mine to the ground i. to destroy and ouerthrow vs as townes and castles rased and made euen with the ground ver 12. He noteth first their crueltie vnder these wordes gréedye of pray next vnder these words lurking in secret places their subtelty craft sée Psalme 10.9 Ver 13. Vp Lord q.d. thou hast deferred a long while vp now and take weapon into thy hand as a notable defender disappoint him vz. of the crueltye he purposeth he speaketh of one as the principal meaning notwithstanding others ioyned with him in the mischiefe cast him down vz. to the ground see ver 11. in these words to bring downe to the grounde deliuer my soule i. my life as before ver 9. of this Psalme with thy sworde i. with thy might and power sée Iob 40.14 Ver. 14. from men vz. deliuer my soule as ver 13. by thine handes i. by thy power and might vsing hande here as he vsed the word sword before from men ad these words I mean for the more playne sence of the world i. worldly men all whose delighte is in things of this life who haue their portion in this life and not in the other which shall be reuealed to Gods sonnes whose bellies i. whose desires and appetites thou fillest with thy hidden treasures i. giuest them great abundaunce of outwarde benefites and blessinges which are called Gods hidden treasures not because they are not séene but because they are not so wel perceyued and vsed of the vngodlye as were méete their children this serueth to amplifie the aboundance of outward blessings that the wicked haue hauing not only more then ynough for themselues but to leaue mountains of mony as it were to their posterity whether sonnes daughters neuewes or any other kindred for so I take the worde children to be vsed in this place ver 15. in righteousnesse i. hauing a good and righteous cause on my side Psalm 4.1 and Gods face is here taken for a more playne and manifest knowledge of Gods mercy then he had set before in the time of his affliction with thine image i. with so much of thy goodnes and grace as it shall please thée in my deliuerance to make knowne vnto me Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth earnestnes in prayer ver 3. that we should kéepe our selues from wicked thoughts and wicked words expressing these thoughts ver 4. Gods word is a notable meane to kéepe vs from wickednesse ver 5. we shall fall vnles the Lord vphold vs. ver 6. He that prayeth to God must bée well assured of the truth of his promises ver 7. If God helpe vs not the enemies rage wil ouercome vs. ver 10. aboundaunce of wealth and pleasure maketh the vngodly proud against God and his people ver 11. setteth out the mischieuous mind of the vngodly ver 12. expresseth their crueltie and craft ver 13. teacheth vs in the time of our afflictions to haue recourse to God by prayer ver 14. sheweth that outward blessings are as well bestowed vpon the wicked as the good and that therefore there is no certaine iudgements to be giuen of gods fauour by these outward things ver 15. Howsoeuer wicked men set their minde on worldly wealth that our delight and pleasure should be onlye in the Lord and his fauour Psalme 18. Di. THis Psalme handleth diuers matters but principally 3. In the first part the Prophet promiseth thankes giuing for benefites receaued and describeth Gods wrath and power from ver 1. to the end of the 15. In the secōd part he reciteth sundry particular graces bestowed vpon him and excellent matters that the Lord inabled him to performe frō ver 16. to the end of the 45. In the third part he yéeldeth praise and thankes vnto the Lord promising neuer to forget these benefits and to publish them continually amongst the people from verse 46. to the end of the Psalme The title is easie these words which spake put for which sung Se. In the day i. at the time from the hand i. from the violent power and raging might and so it is vsed immediatly following of al his enimies he meaneth of the mighty and of the greatest number of thē for Dauid was neuer without enemies this title summarily cōprehendeth the occasion of the making of this Psalm ver 2. My rock this spéech calling God a rock is a metaphor taken from séeking refuge for men are wont for feare of their enemies to go to the rocks or mountayns Mat. 24.16 my fortresse another metaphor meaning that in and by God he might be kept as safely yea more safely from his enemies then in or by the strongest hold in the world my shield another Metaphor because he did as a shield ouershadow and defend him the horne of my saluation saluation here is put for deliuerance and horn put for strēgth or strong meates Another metaphor for euen as horned beasts doe defend themselues with their hornes so Dauid vsed Gods helpe and defence as it were a horne Ver. 3. worthy to be praysed vz. of me and all others that for his wonderful goodnes bestowed vpō vs ver 4. Sorrows of deth i. most gréeuous deadly sorrowes which are therfore called the sorrows of deth because they brought him almost to deaths dore the floods of wickednes i. gret multituds either of wicked deuises or of wicked mē for so I take wickednes to be vsed
thing that the faythfull must cleaue vnto verse 7. Our sinnes must bée confessed and pardon thereof earnestly prayde for verse 8. God calleth all to repentaunce and amendment ver 9. In those in whome God beginneth good things he will go forward with them vnto the end ver 10. God is gracious and faythfull vnto those that walke in the obedience of his law ver 11. The greater our sinnes be the more néede we haue of mercye and to come to the Lord by prayer for the healing thereof ver 12. God will adde blessing vpon blessing and knowledge vpon knowledge to those that loue and feare him ver 13. Yea the Lord will heape all manner of temporall blessings vpon him ver 14. is the same which verse 12. ver 15. We must continuallye wayte vpon the Lord and be certainly assured that he will deliuer vs from danger ver 16. The more we are destitute of all worldly helpes the more néede haue we to come to the Lord and to learne to hang vpon him alone verse 18. Prayer for remission of all sinnes is commended vnto vs Sée Hosea 14.2 ver 22. We should faythfully remember in our Prayers the state of Gods Church Psalme 26. THis Psalme hath two principal partes In the first Di. he setteth out his innocency towards Saule declaring that he was so farre off from working wickednesse that he coulde not abyde wicked mens company from ver 1. to the end of the 5. In the second part he setteth out his loue to Gods workes word promising thanks for Gods goodnes towards him from ver 6. to the end of the Psalme The title is expounded before Ver. 1. Se. Iudge me i. take knowledge of my cause and declare thy selfe to be my defender agaynst the slaunders of mine enimies in mine innocency i. innocently and without doing hurt vz. to Saule or these my enimies that pursue me without cause as Psal 7.5 Psal 15.3 not slide vz. from that stedfast hope that I haue that God will defend me and my iust cause Ver. 2. Proue me vz. to know my innocency and that I am vniustly accused q.d. I desired thée before to be my iudge and now I willinglye offer the same and trie me vz. whether there be any malice in me towards Saule sée Psal 7.8 Psal 17.3 examine vz. euen as goldsmiths doe their moste fine Golde for it is a metaphor taken from them my reines and my hart i. my inward affections and thoughts as Psal 7.9 Ver. 3. Mine eyes vz. of my minde and soule haue I walked in thy truth i. lead such a conuersation as thy truth requireth meaning by truth Gods word because it alone comprehēdeth all truth Ver. 4. with vayne persons i. wicked and vngodly men whiche is a good place also to proue vanity to be taken sometimes for wickednesse as before Psal 24.4 Ver. 5. of the euill vz. men meaning such as accustome themselues to worke euill and to hurt others ver 6. I will wash my handes in innocency i. I will indeuour to liue most vprightly and purelye towardes thée and before men sée Iob. 9.30 and compasse thine altar i. offer aboundāce of sacrifices vnto thée giuing here two excellent testimonies of his vprighte dealing one good behauiour towards men and the other sincere seruice of God ver 7. that I may declare vz. thy goodnesse towards me and my obedience towards thée ver 8. The habitation of thy house i. euen the very place where thy arke resteth which séemeth to be as it were thy house because of thy continuall abode and presence there meaning that if he loued the place so wel he loued the people and the exercises better and the Lord best of all and the place where thy honor dwelleth this is nothing but a repetition of that which goeth before meaning by Gods honour his arke before which he was honoured vnlesse we would expound it thus that we should by place vnderstand the Arke and by honor Gods maiestie and honour manifested there ver 9. gather not my soule with the sinners i. when thou punishest the vngodly destroy not me with them vnderstanding by sinners notorious sinners as before psa 1.5 with the bloody men i. them that giue themselues to crueltie murther bloodshed sée Psal 5.6 Ver. 10. In whose handes is wickednesse q.d. whatsoeuer they doe is wickednesse and their right hand is full of bribes i. they are most ready for the right hande is commonlye more nimble then the other for their owne gayne sake by bribery or otherwise to commit all naughtinesse ver 11. I will walke i. behaue my selfe in my innocency i. innocentlye without hurt sée ver 1. of this Psalme redéeme me vz. from those slaunderous spéeches and dangers that I séeme subiect vnto ver 12. amend thus my foote standing vpon playne ground i. when I shall be brought to a more sure safe condition for in plaine ground there is sure footing in the congregations vz. of thy people and saints assembled to praise thée Do. Ver. 1. Whosoeuer trusteth in the Lord shal not be confounded ver 3. Gods goodnesse toward vs should restrain vs from doing euil to others ver 4.5 Euil company is perilous and therefore would be auoyded as Psal 1.1 Ver. 6. Good dealing towards men and zealous seruice of God must continuallye bée professed practised by his children ver 8. The place where God is serued and the exexcises of his religion must be carefully frequēted ver 9. It is a good way to shun the punishments which light vpon the vngodly to auoyde their company and naughtinesse ver 10. is a liuely description of the peruersenesse and naughtines of vngodly people ver 12. instructeth vs to bee thankfull to God and that openly before men for his benefits bestowed vpon vs. Psalme 27. Di. THis Psalme hath two special parts In the first part the Prophet setteth out the strong fayth and confidence that hée had in God assuring himselfe that God would deliuer him out of all his dangers from ver 1. to the end of the sixt In the second part he prayeth the Lord still to shewe himselfe fauourable and gracious vnto him in deliuering him frō the force and power of all his enemies from verse 7. to the end of the Psalme Se. The Title is expounded already Ver. 1. my light i. he from whome alone I haue in al things good successe and felicity and my saluation i. hee that deliuereth me from al daungers vsing light and saluation the things themselues for deliuerance from afflictions which in the scriptures are many times ment by darknes and al sorts of dangers whom shal I feare q.d. none for by such interrogations the Hebrues doe wonderfully deny the strength of my life i. the vpholder maintainer therof bringing good things to it and putting euil things back frō it for that is the vse of strength in the body ver 2. Came vpon me vz. with violent cruel minds to eat vp my flesh i. most
euill wordes vttered against vs and not to be redy to reproue euery thing spoken against vs. ver 15 In GOD alone must we trust in al distresses ver 16. Our praiers to GOD must be effects of our hope also the sliding of the Godly openeth the mouth of the wicked and therefore we haue néede to pray that we may stand ver 17. It is good to féele our own infirmities but withall to haue recourse to GOD for strength to stande verse 18.19 Declare that the more paine Gods children are in the more doe the wicked insult and grow vp in might and number Verse 20. It is no new thing that Gods children receiue euill for good also that the enemies hate them not for euill but for goodnesse sake Verse 21.22 Praier to God and to him alone in the time of all our distresses is highly commended vnto vs. Psalme 39. Di. THis Psalme may be deuided into two partes In the firste the Prophet sheweth how that after a long debating in himselfe whether he shoulde bée silent or no he burst out into prayer describing the vanity and shortnesse of mans life whiche being well considered maketh him to confesse that hee trusteth only in the Lorde from verse 1. to the ende of the seuenth In the second he prayeth deliueraunce from sinne and from those punishmentes which were layde vpon him for sinne desiring the Lorde to cease from wrath and graciously to heare his prayer from verse 8. to the ende of the Psalme Se. The title to the excellent Musitian Ieduthun This is the name of one who for his skill was preferred before the rest of his stocke and familie Sée 1. Chron. 16.41 also chap. 25.3 but yet he so nameth the chéefe man that vnder the same he meaneth also those excellent Musitions that were of his stocke and race Verse 1. I thoughte vz. in my selfe thus to my wayes i. to the whole order and course of my life and namelye that I sinne not with my tongue vz. in vttering ill spéeches vsing the tongue which is an instrumente of spéeche for wordes or spéeche vttered thereby my mouth brideled or mufled it is a metaphor taken from wilde beasts into whose mouthes or ouer whose mouthes something is put least they should hurt sée Psalme 32.9 while i. so long as the wicked is in my sight i. it pleaseth God by wicked men to exercise me least if I should speake any thing awry they being presente they should take occasion therby to speake euill ver 2. I was dum vz. for the time as Psalme 38.13 or as a dumme man q.d. I did not otherwise hold my tongue then if I had bene dumme euen from God vz. words or matter the Prophet meaneth that though he had a iust defence and an honest cause to complayne yet he put it all vp in silence and bare it patiently as you may sée one particular 2. Samuel 16.5 c. and my sorrow was more stirred vz. by my silence discoursing and dilating with my selfe whether I were best to speake meaning that by that meanes his gréefe was increased others reade it thus when my sorrowe waxed rawe i. was not onely not healed but by reason of newe calamities waxed more vehemente the sence commeth all to one though the wordes somewhat differ Verse 3. By heate of harte and fyre kindled the Prophet meaneth not onlye the greatnesse of his gréefe as they that are gréeuouslye sicke féele greate force and power of heate but he meaneth also some motions that hée had to impatiencye and fretting to whiche fault they are very muche subiecte that are hote and giuen to heate Verse 4. Myne ende i. the tyme of his ende meaning the time wherein hée shoulde dye of my dayes vz. whiche I haue to liue What it is i. Howe long for by seuerall wordes in this verse the Prophet meaneth all one thing vz to knowe howe long he should liue in this World q.d. Séeing thou handlest mée so sharpely let mée at the least knowe howe long I haue yet to liue and indure this payne But this prayer was not good because he required to know that whiche the Lorde had kepte close in his owne counsell Verse 5. My dayes i. the dayes of my lyfe as an hande breadth i. very short as a measure of foure fingers broade yea myne age i. the tyme of my life as nothing vnderstande is or else thou hast made it as nothing in respecte of thée i. if it be compared with thée that arte altogether eternall in whose sight a thousand yeares are but as one daye sée Psalme 90.4 2. Peter 3.8 in his best state i. that hée eyther canne bée in or imagine himselfe to bée in touching this life altogether vanitie i. nothing else but vayne brittle and transitorye Verse 6. Man i. hée and his whole life walketh in a shadowe i. hath his conuersation in this life quicklye to passe awaye as a shadowe doeth meaning that there is nothing founde in mans life certayne and that hée hath nothing but a vayne shewe disquieteth himselfe vz. by heaping and getting vp goods in vayne i. without cause the reason followeth in this verse because he knoweth not who shall be his heire shall gather or rather receaue them vz. from him when hée shall departe from them Verse 7. And nowe q.d. Séeing that all men are so vayne whome shoulde I trust in or whome doe I hope in but in thée alone Verse 8. A rebuke vz. by suffering myne afflictions to preuayle vppon mée vnto the Foolishe i. Wicked men as Psalme 14.1 Verse 9. I shoulde haue bene or make c. q.d. In stéede of reasoning disputing the matter with thée as ver 4. I should haue bin silent towards thée as I was towards others ver 2. of this Psal because thou diddest it This is a reason why hee shoulde haue borne his afflictions patientle ver 10. Thy plague i. the punishmente and scourge that thou hast layde vpon me consumed i. as it were brought to nothing by the stroke of thine hand i. by the punishment and affliction which by thy power thou hast striken me withall Ver. 11. With rebukes i. plagues and punishments procéeding from thy wrath which are called rebukes because that the Lord by them doth as it were rebuke them for their euill for iniquitie vz. committed eyther directly or indirectly against thy maiesty and by these termes he meaneth not only sinne but a iust and full punishment such as sinne deserueth as a Moth these wordes may haue a double sence eyther that God shoulde consume the wicked as mothes doe precious garments which best agréeth with this translation or else that the beautie of all other excellent thinges in the vngodlye should be destroyed thorow Gods iudgements as Mothes in killing of whom there néedeth no great strength as Iob 4.19 and this agréeth with Immanuel who turneth this verse far otherwise Ver. 12. At my teares q.d. Let my teares mingled with my prayers moue thée to pitie me for I am
vz appoynted or made readie for the slaughter Verse 23. Vp why sléepest thou in these verses following they praye God to haue pitie vpon them and to giue them succoure when God for a time giueth vs ouer to the lust of the wicked hee séemeth to sléepe as it were not that hée doth so as appeareth Psalme 121.4 but it is spoken of God after the maner of men Ver. 24. Thy face as those are wont to do that loath to behold any in great calamitie and affliction and by face he meaneth fauour and goodnesse forgettest i. makest as though thou hadst no care or regarde of our miserie and affliction and of vs that are oppressed therewith Ver. 25. For our soule i. the whole man but chéefely the life is beaten downe vnto the dust i. is in wonderfull daunger and almost past hope of recouery as they are that are returning into dust out of which they were taken our bellye cleaueth vnto the ground vz. like those that are ouerthrowne by their enimies in fight and are so cast down flat euen vppon their faces that there is no hope as it were of their rising againe because they séeme to be as a man would say glued to the earth Ver. 26. For our succour i. to helpe and succour vs and redéeme vs vz. from the bondage and captiuity wherein we are Ver. 1. It is good for Ancestors to declare to their posterity and for the posterity to marke Gods works diligently declared vnto them shewing out either his power or his mercy Ver. 2. Declareth that God is al in all either in the ouerthrow of his enemies or in the vpholding of his children Ver. 3. It is not any worldly force or meanes though they may be vsed but yet without trust in them but God alone that performeth whatsoeuer pleaseth him Ver. 4. Wée must pray for the Church Ver. 5. Gods power is the Buckler that the faythful haue to trust to for their owne defence for the discomfiture of their enimies Ver. 6. Trust must not be reposed in any outward thing Verse 7. God alone is the worker of our deliueraunces Ver. 8. And he onely must bee praysed therefore and that continually Ver. 9. God many times leaueth his children for a while to the end that he may come to them agayne in greater mercye also if God guide not the armie all is nothing Ver. 10. Fainthartednesse on the one side and courage and stomacke on the other side is from God Ver. 11.12.13.14 tende all to one end vz. to set out the poore and miserable estate wherein Gods people are many times Ver. 15.16 Teacheth vs that it is no small gréefe to Gods children to heare the wordes and to sée and féele the déedes of the vngodly Ver. 17. teacheth that though there be sinne in Gods children why they should be punished yet God doeth not alwayes punishe them for their sinne Ver. 18. and 19. Teache vs that no affliction should make vs shrinke or fall away from God but rather that our afflictions should draw vs more nigh vnto him Ver. 20.21 Teach that we should not haue recourse for succour to any but to God alone If we doe that God beholdeth that and all other our wickednes in good time to punish it Ver. 22. It is good to suffer for wel doing Ver 23.24 Teach vs not only to pray to God in our miseries but to be earnest with him not to leaue off til we haue obtained Ver. 25. Sheweth that the more our miseries are the more néede we haue to repaire to God yea euen then when they séeme to be past hope of recouery Ver. 26. In our prayers we must only looke vpon Gods mercy and nothing at all in our selues Psalme 45. Di. THis Psalme maye be deuided into two especiall partes In the first is set out the beautye strength glorye power Iustice magnificence and mariage of Salomon from Verse 1. to the ende of the ninth In the seconde is contained an admonition to Salomons wife with great promises to bée performed if she kéepe the matters propounded to her from verse 10. to the end of the Psalme Se. The title is to him that excelleth this is expounded before on Shoshannim whiche was an Instrument amongest the Iewes and had sixe stringes vpon it for the worde is deriued from another Hebrue worde which signifyeth sixe as Kimcho sheweth a Song of loue this is well expounded in the Geneua Bible all that followeth in the Title is expounded before Psal 32. and Psal 42 This one thing I woulde haue noted though Dauids name bee not here expressed yet it is very likely that hee was the Author thereof In déede it is not put downe before many Psalmes and namely Psal 2. and Psal 66. and yet the holy ghost Acts. 4.25 ascribeth it to Dauid Ver. 1. Wil vtter forth vz. by the instrument of my tongue and penne A good matter i. an excellent and profitable thing excellent in respect of the party whom it treateth of and profitable in regard of the people whom he shall rule ouer in my works i. in these verses following which he calleth woorkes in the plurall number not for the greatnes but for the exquisitnes of them My tongue is as the pen of a swift writer he meaneth that his tongue shal be most swift q.d. I wil most readily vtter these things that I haue in my mind and my tongue shall no lesse readily expresse the prayses of the king then hee that is most skilfull in writing writeth with a pen. Ver. 2. Thou art fairer here he beginneth to praise Salomon and in these wordes hee praiseth him for his beautie and comlinesse which he sayth was more excellent in him then in any other person whatsoeuer for so much he meaneth by children of men grace i. words that obteine grace and fauour from men is powred in thy lippes i. is plentifull and as it were ouerflowing in thy mouth and in these wordes he commendeth his eloquence blessed thée vz. with abundance of excellent giftes for euer this must be vnderstood of Salomon but it must haue his true verification in Christ and that that I put down here must be vnderstood throughout the whole Psalm Ver. 3 gird thy sword i. take vnto thée thy authority hee putteth the signe of authority as the Apostle also doth Rom. 13. for authority it selfe for kings obteine great praise if they rightly vse the sword and when hee sayth vpon thy thigh hée alludeth to the fashion that was common among the Iewes then and is at this day vsed among the Turkes who hang their swoordes so that it lyeth vpon the thigh and hangeth not on the side as ours doe which thing also we our selues performe though not in swordes yet in skeanes hangers wood-kniues c. To wit thy worship and thy glory here hee more plainely sheweth what hee ment by swoord vz. his great and excellent authority which hee should make more famous by vsing it well Ver. 4. Amende
to looke vpon their deliuerance and to consider Gods power who doth what pleaseth him from ver 8. to the end of the Psalme Se. The inscription vpon Alamoth which I take to bee the name of an instrument sée 1. Corinth 15.20 Ver. 1. Our hope i. hee on whome wee hope or in whom we trust and strength i. from whom the strength wee haue cōmeth and helpe i. hee that alone helpeth vs in the time of troubles deliuereth vs out of the same ready to bee found q.d. he is not farre off neither yet needeth much intreaty Ver. 2. Will not wee feare i. be ouercome with feare though the earth should be moued q.d. if it were possible that the whole world shoulde be turned vpside downe as it were much lesse would wee feare lesse matters as warres and such like mountaines either vpon the earth cast through earthquakes into the Sea or the mountaines and rockes in the sea should through the rage of the Sea bee ouertumbled as in the next verse by these maner of speaches shaking of the earth and mouing of mountaines hee meaneth most terrible tumults and fearefull things which might strike wonderful great feare into a man that wanted fayth but yet by reason of the full and assured hope that they had shoulde no whit at all dismay them Ver. 3. Thereof i. of the sea rage i. bee very violent and vehement and bee troubled i. with the rage séemeth to haue chaunged his colour by reason of being mingled with dirt clay and mire for so in our spéech we do vse to say the fountaine is troubled shake vz. with the violence of the waues of the sea hée meaneth by this manner of speach in this and the other verse before going that though all the worlde and the whole course of nature shoulde bee as it were turned vpside downe yet still they will hang vppon the Lorde being assured of his goodnes and mercy Ver. 4. A riuer hee meaneth no doubt Gihon or Shiloach which did flowe to Ierusalem whose streames also did fil sometimes the brooke Kidron or Cedren spoken of Iohn 18.1 that compassed some part of the city of Ierusalem shall make glad vz. in the time of their heauines the Citie of God i. Ierusalem which is so called because hee was the defender thereof and was there worshipped euen the Sanctuary hée putteth the word sanctuary which was a part of the Arke for the place where the Arke was that is Sion whither the Arke was caried of the Tabernacles that is of the whole lande which is called Tabernacles because the Arke was pitched in diuers partes of it before it came to bee placed in Sion sée Psal 43. ver 3. Of the most high i. of God himselfe all these three verses vz. 2.3.4 are allegoricall meaning that though the troubles and hurliburlies were neuer so great yet Gods fauour which hee vnderstandeth by riuers and streames as Psalm 36.9 is a sufficient stay to appease their consciences in the middest of them all and because Gods fauour was no where more plainely shewed then in the Citie of Sion or Ierusalem and the Arke there placed hée maketh also speciall mention thereof Verse 5. In the middest of it vz. of that City noting by being in the middest of it his presence Mat. 18.20 Iohn 20.26 and his ready fauour to helpe it not bée mooued therefore much lesse shall it fall doe the enemies against it what they can very earely i. spéedily and in good time before it be distressed Ver. 6. Whē i. so soone as the nations raged i. beganne to expresse their fury and the kingdomes i. the people deuided into kingdomes God thundered i. gaue manifest signes and tokens of his wrath and iudgement against them and the earth i. the people dwelling on the earth melted i. consumed away as snowe before the Sunne or as waxe before the fire sée Psalm 68.2 Ver. 7. The Lord of hostes sée Psalm 24.10 is with vs i. on our side to defend vs the God of Iacob i. of the Patriarch and all the people that came of him towardes whome the Lorde shewed himselfe marueilous mighty and mercifull as in Genesis Exodus and other places appeareth our refuge i. the place whereunto we commit our selues to bée succoured from our aduersaries Verse 8. Come and behold c. In this place the faithfull exhort all to looke vppon Gods iudgements against the vngodly and his mercy towardes his children that thereby they may profit in the hatred of euil and in the loue of weldoing Ver. 9. Vnto the endes of the worlde i. euen vnto the furthest partes of the worlde so that there is no part wherein hée gouerneth not and by breathing cutting and burning of the bow speare and chariot they vnderstand an vtter confounding and consuming of all warlike instruments whatsoeuer and of al the deuices and pollicies that can be vsed therein Ver. 10. Bee still and knowe c. In this verse the faithfull take vppon them as it were Gods person and in the same admonish the enemies of the Church to stay themselues from persecuting it knowing that in setting themselues against it they set themselues against GOD that I am God i. ful of al maiesty and might doing whatsoeuer pleaseth me both in heauen and in earth I will bee exalted among the heathen vz. whether they will yea or no because none of them can let mee Ver. 11. Is expounded before in the seuenth verse Ver. 1. In all troubles Gods people must hang vppon God Do. whose readines to helpe is there also set out Ver. 2. Noteth the assured perswasion that the faithful haue of God and his goodnes notwithstanding the great troubles that be in the worlde Ver. 2.3.6 doe allegorically and in plaine termes also expresse the rage and cruelty of the wicked and the harde brunts that Gods children must abide at their handes Ver. 4. Declareth that notwithstanding all hurliburlies God wil comfort his children in such sort as shal be most for his glory and their good Ver. 5. God is alwaies present with his children to helpe them in due time Ver. 7. God is a sure place of refuge for his children to flie to for hée will neuer put them backe Ver. 8. Teacheth vs to admonish one an other yea the very wicked it setteth out also as likewise the 9. verse doeth Gods power against his enemies Ver. 10. None is able to withstand God and his works sée ver 11. sée ver 7. Psalme 47 Di. THis Psalme chiefely propoundeth two thinges The first is an exhortation to the faithfull to shewe themselues thankful vnto God for the great and wonderfull thinges that hee doth from ver 1. to the end of the 4. In the second is a description of Gods great power maiesty and glory set out to this ende that the faithfull might learne to trust in him alone from ver 5. to the end of the Psalme Se. The title is expounded before Psal 42. Ver. 1. All people i. as well
Iewes as Gentile clappe your handes vz. for ioy as Nahum 3. ver 19. Hee putteth the outwarde signe of ioy for inward and outward ioyfulnes sing loude vnto God c. in this part of the verse the Prophet requireth of the people on the Lordes behalfe willingnes chearfulnes and gladnes for in all seruices performed to him hee specially regardeth these thinges as 2 Corinth 8.12 Ver. 2. Is high vz. not onely because hee dwelleth in the high heauens but also because hee hath highest yea all authoritie and terrible i. fearefull or méete to bee feared not onely of his children for their good but of the wicked for their punishments a great king vz. as whose power no creature is able to resist ouer all the earth i. such a king as to whose authoritie all the quarters corners of the earth are subiect Ver. 3. He i. God hath subdued vz. by his word spirit the people i. of all the people of the world some vnder vs i. vnder the exercises of his religion seruice which wee professe putting the persons professing a thing for the thing professed vnder our féete by this maner of speach is ment that the gentiles shold be schollers the Iews scholemasters as it were to them for to sit vnder the feet or at the feete is vsed in scripture for being a scholler or learning as Act. 22.3 And not that the Iews had euer such a large Lordship ouer the Gentiles Ver. 4. May be the words as it were both of the Iewes and Gentiles conuerted to Christes kingdome shewing what graces he hath bestowed vpon them hee q.d. he that knoweth what is better for vs then wee our selues hath chosen i. not onely layd out but also appointed and that of his owne good will and mercy towards vs our inheritance i. not onely all thinges méete for this life as landes countries possessions c. but euen all other things that concerne the hope of a better life euen the glory of Iaakob i. euen all these excellent thinges that he gaue and promised to Iaakob wherin he might glory and reioyce The faithful meane that they had as great both abundance and assurance of Gods grace and goodnes as Iaakob euer had Ver. 5. God i. the arke of God which was a true token of Gods presence and so is the word Lord also vsed as Psal 132.5 Is gone vp hee speaketh this no doubt in respect of bringing the Arke into the mount Sion of which sée 2. Sam. 6. Throughout the chapter with triumph vz. against the enemies which also was ioyfull to Gods people euen the Lord with the sound of the trumpet this is euen the same that was sayd in the first part of this verse sauing that here hee addeth the instrument which many times striketh terrour into the enemies and addeth courage to the faithful and by this manner of speach hée meaneth to note out the great glory of the Lord and of the triumph and victories that our Sauiour gotte as Colos 2.15 Ephes 4.8 Ver. 6. The foure times repeating of these woordes sing prayses hath great force q.d. let all your care and study tend to this to prayse the Lorde and his sonne Christ Ver. 7. For God this is a reason why they shoulde extoll the Lorde King of all the earth i. hath power ouer all and exerciseth an Vniuersall kingdome the particulars and the maiesty whereof hée setteth out in the next verse Ver. 8. Holy throne hée meaneth either the Tabernacle or else the heauen for both of these in scripture are called Gods holy throne because he that had the fulnes of holines in himselfe gaue manifestation of himselfe from both these places sée Mat. 5.34 Matth. 23.22 Whatsoeuer it is or howsoeuer it is to be taken the Prophets purpose no doubt is to describe God as a iudge ready to yéelde iustice both to good and bad according to their seuerall causes Ver. 9. The Princes of the people q.d. not onely meane men from among the Gentiles but euen the mighty are gathered vz. by the mightie woorking of Gods spirit and the exercises of the word the Prophet meaneth by this manner of speach that the Gentiles should make profession of true godlines as well as Iewes and he speaketh of it as though it were already performed for the certainty of it people of the God of Abraham i. the Iewes for from Abraham they came according to the flesh And he calleth him the God of Abraham thereby to distinguish him from al the false Gods of the Idolatrous gentiles the shields of the world i. the defence and the protections of the whole earth he vseth shields which are good meanes of defence for defence it selfe belong to God is his right q.d. seeing that the worlde is preserued and maintained by God great cause is there why men shoulde reuerence his so great and high maiesty and therefore he addeth hee is greatly to bee exalted i. feared and praysed Ver. 1. It becommeth all sects of people to praise God Do. and that willingly and chearefully Ver. 2. Sheweth that wée ought to praise him for his maiesty and power Ver. 3. Declareth that it is God alone that draweth mens heartes to the imbracing of his trueth Ver. 4. Gods loue is the first and onely cause of all the graces we haue Ver. 5. Setteth out his maiesty and might Verse 6. Teacheth how earnest we should be in praising our God Ver. 7. Sheweth that both our praises and all the seruices that we shall yéeld to the Lorde must procéede from an vnderstanding heart Ver. 8. In that God is described as a iudge it conteineth matter of comfort to his children of terror to the wicked Ver. 9. God calleth of all states some to the imbracing of his truth also God alone is the defender of the whole world and of all the people 's therein and that therefore he is worthylie to be magnified Psalme 48. Di. THis Psalme may bee diuided into three partes In the first is conteined a commendation of Gods power and goodnes manifested especially to the citie of Ierusalem from Ver. 1. to the end of the third In the seconde is declared that all the conspiracies practises and forces of the wicked against that Citie shal be ouerthrowne because God will defend it from ver 4. to the end of the 8. In the third the faithfull set out the assured perswasion that they had of Gods goodnes towardes them praying for the continuance therof both vppon themselues and the whole Church from verse 9. to the end of the Psalme Se. The title would bée thus a song or Psalme meaning such a Psal or song as both by voyce and instruments was sung the rest is expounded Psal 42. Ver. 1. Great is the Lorde vz. in respect of his power and glory and greatly to be praysed q.d. and therefore no smal prayse doth belong to him in the citie of our God i. in Jerusalem which is called Gods Citie because God had
maner of delights pleasures excessiuely for otherwise to make much of our selues is not only not condemned but allowed that thereby wee may bee the better inabled to serue God and to profit our brethrē ver 19. Amend thus though he may come to the age of his fathers i. though he should liue neuer so long yea euen as long as the oldest fathers were wont to doe yet they shall not inioy light for euer i. yet their life must haue an ende in this life and they shall not inioy the light of eternall life The Geneua translation also may haue a good sense thus hee shall not enter into the generation of his fathers i. hee shall die as his fathers haue doone before him for that is the way of all flesh notwithstanding his great pampering of himselfe and they he sodainly chaungeth the number from the singular to the plurall meaning that though they be neuer so many or neuer so wealthy yet they shal not escape death nor inioy life for euer i. a long season vpon the earth Verse 20. Amend thus A man that is in honour and vnderstandeth not is like to beasts that perish i. one yea euery one that God highly aduaunceth and yet vnderstandeth not vz. how to vse the good things he hath or that they all come from God alone is like to brute beasts i. voide of true féeling light and iudgement and in respecte of Gods matters may be sayde to be as voyde of goodnes as bruite beasts are of reason and vnderstanding Verse 1. Gods worde must be diligently hearkened vnto also it is generall Do. appertayning to all people Verse 2. Yea to all sortes of people Verse 3. Wée shoulde learne alwayes to speake the wordes of edification Verse 4. They that wil teach others to hearken diligently must be examples themselues of the same thinges also they must vse all lawfull meanes to make the doctrine acceptable and gracious to the hearers Verse 5. Assured fayth surmounteth all difficulties whatsoeuer Verse 6. There is a double iniquitie in the vngodly riche the one is they make their goods their God and so commit idolatrie the other they wax proude thorow the abundaunce of their riches and so sundrye times oppresse their bretheren Ver. 7. Setteth out the insufficiency of riches and that and verse 8. teach that all mony which hath bin giuen for Masses Diriges Trentals c. hath bene cast away séeing Christ is the onely Redéemer Ver. 9. Mony can not preuent or put away death neither can wit wisedome or policy Verse 11. sheweth how vayne and deceitfull mens mindes and cogitations are and howe that all the meanes that they can deuise for the continuaunce of their name shall come to nought Ver. 12. Nothing that man hath is certayne Verse 13. There is no wickednesse so playne and manifest but some eyther for pleasure or profite will delight in it and approue it Verse 14. Nothing can deliuer from the power of death Verse 15. The faithfull hanging assuredly vpon God shall escape eternall iudgement Verse 16. Other mens prosperity or our owne aduersity should not dismay vs. Verse 17. We brought nothing into this world neyther shall we carry any thing out 1. Timoth. 6.7 Ver. 18. Epicures alwayes pamper their bellies besides the riche are neuer without their flatterers Verse 19. Death is the end of all flesh Verse 20. The more that a man hath of worldly blessings and the lesse he hath of spiritual and heauenly vnderstanding the greater is his blockishnesse and misery Psalme 50. THis Psalme may be diuided into thrée parts Di. In the first is contained an excellent description of the Maiestie power greatnesse and glory of almighty God from verse 1. to the end of the 6. In the second the Prophet taking vpon him the person of God sheweth that no outward meanes no though he himselfe prescribed them can be acceptable before God but that it is a spirituall seruice that pleaseth him from verse 7. to the end of the 15. In the third he reproueth the wicked and vngodly shewing what fruites true worshippers should yield from ver 16. to the end of the Psalme Se. The title a Psalme of Asaph I take it to be called Asaphs Psalme not because he was the Author of it but because it was committed to him and his to bee the singers thereof sée 2. Chron. 25.2 Verse 1. The God of Gods i. hee that is God to all the Rulers in the worlde who are called Gods and to all the counterfeit idols of the Gentiles who are also so named 1. Corinth 8.5 euen the Lord he sheweth more playnly whome hee meaneth hath spoken vz. by his seruauntes as Moses and the rest touching his true worship and seruice and called vz. to himselfe and his seruice the earth i. the people and inhabitants of the earth this was verifyed in the Gentils by the workes of creation as Romanes 1. and in the Iewes by the Creatures and by the worde also from the rysing vp of the Sunne vnto the going downe thereof i. all the Worlde ouer and thorow out the same sée Malach. 1.11 Verse 2. Out of Syon sée Psalme 48.2 whiche is the perfection of beautye i. whiche is the most beautifull and fayre place that canne be and seemeth to be so glorious that nothing can bee added thereto hath GOD shyned i. made manifest himselfe by his workes and by his worde in the exercises of his religion Verse 3. Our GOD These bee the words of the faithfull people assuring themselues of gracious deliueraunce from the crueltye of the wicked by the mighty power of that God whome they feare shall come i. certainlye and assuredlye shall come though hee séeme for a while to deferre put off his cōming shal not kéepe silence as he hath séemed to do heretofore eyther in not hearing the praiers of his people or in not punishing the wicked and vngodly sée verse 21 of this Psalme A fyre shal deuoure before him he compareth Gods iudgements agaynst the wicked to a consuming fyre which shall so eate them vp that nothing shall remayne and a mightye tempest this is another similitude to expresse Gods power iudgmēts by against the vngodly round about him these wordes are added to take awaye hope of escape from the wicked for if iudgement should be but before him they would thinke to créepe behinde him but the Prophet sheweth that whether they bée before him or behinde him all is one for consumed they shall bee if not with the fyre yet with the tempest or whirlewind before which they shoulde bée but as chaffe Psalme 1.4 Such yea a more large description of Gods wrath agaynst his enemies is before Psalme 18.7.8 c. Ver. 4. The Heauen aboue Heauen is here put for heauen and all the heauenly powers which the Lorde will call forth not only as witnesses agaynst the vngodlye but as aydes and helpes also for the defence of his and the earth i. not onely the
earth it selfe but all the powers therein to iudge i. to punish the wicked and to defende the good and maintayne them his people i. all both good and bad nowe the bad are called his people not because he loueth them with the loue of his people but because they are at his commaundement to vse them as pleaseth him Verse 5. Gather my Saynts he commaundeth the heauen the earth to bring Gods people before him whom he calleth saynts because his elect were truelye sanctifyed all were admitted to outward sanctification those that make a couenaunt with me vz. that they will serue me and none but mee with Sacrifice hee meaneth that the sacrifice slayne was a signe and testimonie of the couenaunt betwéene GOD and his people sée Exodus 24.6.7.8 Hee speaketh this according to the common custome for in olde times couenants were made sealed as it were betwéene parties with the death slaughter of some beasts Ver. 6. He sheweth how ready the heauēs shal be to accōplish perform that which was enioined them before ver 4. by righteousnesse he vnderstādeth fauour toward Gods children iudgement vppon the wicked sée 2. Thess 1.6 7. for god is Iudge himselfe q.d. hee that will not bee corrupted or iudge vniustlye is iudge Ver. 7. Heare O my people he requireth attētion declaring that he hath good occasion to deale with them because they had broken the couenant some by standing only vpon the outward seruice these he dealeth with till you come to the ende of the 15 verse and othersome for their lewde life and these he reproueth from verse 16 to the ende of the Psalme testify vnto thée vz. in a solemne sort and as it were vsing witnesses for I am God euen thy God this is a reason why they should hearken vnto him not only for that hee hath power in himselfe to punishe the contempte of his Worde but also because hee hath manifested that power for their good Verse 8. I will not reproue thee vz. so much for the neglect of sacrifices as for not referring thē to their right end and vse for otherwise euen the verye neglecte of them was for that tyme a breache of Gods lawe and therefore iustlye deserued a reproofe thy Sacrifices or burnt offringes I take betwéene these two wordes this difference that by Sacrifices he meaneth all maner of offringes excepte those that were offered for sinne and by burnte offringes hée meaneth those that were offered for sinne which are called burnt offrings because they were wholy burned wherof some were dayly offred as two lambs morning euening euery day Ver. 9. I will take q.d. I haue no néede to take out of thine house i. out of thy stall where thou diddest vse to kéepe them as in a house nor Goats he speaketh here of two sortes whiche were vsuall in the Sacrifices appointed by the law Ver. 10. For all the beasts this is a reason why the Lord néede not require any of their beastes for all the beastes and Foules of the world are at his commaundement thousand mountains a nūber certaine for an vncertain meaning by forrests mountains al the world the beasts therof Ver. 11. I know vz. in such order that I can count them and call thē whē I lust are mine vz. to do with them whatsoeuer I think good Ver. 12. If I be hūgry he speaketh this by supposal q.d. if it were possible that I could be hūgry I wil not tell it thée q.d. I haue no neede so to do for séeing al things are mine I can satisfye my selfe when I lust Ver. 13. Wil I eate q.d. no at anye hand I am a spirite Iohn 4. and néede no such grosse nourishment Ver. 14. Offer vnto God prayse q.d. This is it that God requireth that he be praysed for his goodnesse and this is indeede his spirituall seruice thy vowes i. the thinges which thou hast vowed and promised as testimonies of prayses and thankes giuing Verse 15. Call vpon me i. pray vnto me in the day of trouble i. whē thou shalt be in any kinde of calamitie or affliction and it is called the daye of trouble because in that day or at that time trouble doth sease vpon vs glorifie me i. prayse and thanke me Verse 16. What hast thou to doe q.d. Doth it belong to thée No no With what face then darest thou to speake of my lawes or of that couenaunt that is betwéene me and my people séeing thy life vtterly disagréeeth from the same Verse 17. To be reformed vz. by the rule of righteousnesse which is Gods word and hast cast my words behind thée i. contemned them or little regarded them sée Phillip 3.13 Ver. 18. Thou runnest with him i. thou both takest delight and makest great hast to commit theft as he doth thou art partaker i. thou doest not only enter into fellowship but committest the same villany with them Verse 19. To euill i. to speake ill wordes and to vtter euill thinges and with thy tongue thou forgest deceite i. thou deceauest others with thy spéeche putting the tongue which is an instrument of our spéeche for spéeche it selfe Ver. 20. Thou sittest vz. with some other in open places as markets iudgement places and suche like against thy brother i. thy friendes and kinsfolke vnder one comprehending the rest thy mothers sonne i. euen thine owne brother by birth and nature q.d. Suche is thy naughtinesse that thou regardest not friend kinsman or him that toucheth thée so nigh as thy owne brother is Verse 21. And I held my tongue i. I did not by my iudgements punish thée for the same for then God is sayde to holde his tongue when he executeth not his wrath but did in long sufferaunce looke for thy repentaunce sée Rom. 2.3.4 c. was like thée i. one that tooke pleasure in wickednesse as thou doest but I will reproue thée i. but thou shalt finde and féele the contrarie by the punishments that I will powre forth vpon thée and amongst the rest by this I will set them in order before thée i. I will in such order and so particularly lay them out to thy face that thou shalte sée them and confesse them Ver. 22. Consider this vz. that I beholde all thinges that men doe q.d. at the length know it mark it and be perswaded of the truth of it forget God i. himselfe and his iudgementes against you for sinne least I teare you in péeces he vseth a metaphor taken from wild beasts that cruelly rent in péeces the prayes that they haue gotten noting thereby the greatnesse of the punishment that shall come vpon the wicked and there be none c. He taketh away all hope of deliueraunce from the vngodly Verse 23. He that offereth prayse i. he that in stéede of sacrifices prayseth me vnderstanding by thanks giuing and prayse whiche is a part of Gods seruice and worship his whole religion shall glorifie me he meaneth that he that from the
experience he had had in times past of Gods goodnesse towardes him and this is in verse 3.4.5 In the thirde hee prophecieth of the continuance of his kingdome and promiseth thankfulnesse vnto God for the same and this is in verse 6.7.8 The Title of this Psalme is expounded before Psalme 4. Verse 1. Se. Heare my crie i. graunt my earnest request and the same is meant by giue eare vnto my prayer not that Dauid doubted whether God heard or no but that he would fayne with some spéede haue had his sute yéelded vnto Verse 2. From the ends of the earth it should rather be from the ends of the lande vz. of Israell for Dauid flying fore feare of his sonne Abshalon vpon which occasion I suppose this Psalme was made passed ouer Iordan to Mahanaim whether also Abshalon followed him Samuel 17.24 will I crye vnto thée i. Pray earnestlye and feruently when my hart is oppressed vz. with sorrow and gréefe to sée my sonne rise vp agaynst me and my people also to followe him bring mée vnto the Rocke i. set me vpon a verye high and safe place from whence I may behold my enimies and be safe from their force that is higher then I i. that is more sure and safe then I and all the forces I haue or am able to make Ver. 3. For thou hast bin mine hope i. he alone in whom I haue hoped and trusted and a strong towre i. a most sure defence kéeping me always safe sound from the force of mine enemies for though he speak but in the singular nūber of one yet no doubt he meaneth the rest and this verse containeth a reason of his prayer taken from former experience Verse 4. I shall dwell in thy tabernacle tabernacle is not put here for the Arke but it is put for a tent or pauilion being a metaphor taken from warfare where those that are in the kings tente dwell as it were in a very safe place because the king and those that are with him be alwayes the safeliest prouided for To dwell then in Gods Tabernacle is to haue abiding in such a place as where nothing can hurte him and this sence may appeare to be right by the other member of this verse for euer i. al the dayes of my life vpon the earth and euer after when I shal be receiued to thée and my trust shall be vnder the shadow of thy winges q.d. This shall bee my trust that lying vnder thy protection I shall be safe sée Psalme 17.8 Ver. 5. Hast heard my desires i. graunted the thinges I prayde for thou haste giuen an heritage both in this life vz. the lawfull inioying of earthly things which doe indéede appertain to the only seruaunts of God and also in the life to come prepared for those that feare his name i. that of a certayne childlike reuerence that they haue of his Maiestie in their harts yéeld vnto him that seruice in this life that he requireth of them Verse 6. Thou shalt giue the King i. me that am the King speaking of himselfe in the third person a long life his yeares shall be as many ages vz of men and their posterity layde together he meaneth nothing else but that he should liue and raigne long This was fulfilled certaynly in Dauid who raigned King forty yeares but specially it is accomplished in Christ whose Kingdome indureth for euer Verse 7. He Marke how he speaketh still of himselfe in the thirde person shall dwell before God i. shall haue God alwayes gracious and fauourable vnto him by reason of his fatherly prouidence and care that he hath ouer his For to dwell before God is not only to liue in his presēce for the wicked are neuer remoued from that but to fynde him gracious louing as those whom the Prince continually vouchsafeth his sight for euer i. a long time if you referre it to Dauid but perpetually if you referre it to Christ prepare vz. for the King mercy and faithfulnesse i. by mercy he meaneth compassions that Magistrates vse as when in pronouncing sentence agaynst any they shew that they do it with a tender hart and by faythfulnesse he meaneth truth equity and vpright dealing rendring to euery man according to his cause that they may preserue him vz. in his kingdome and make his raigne and gouernment sure Sée Prouerbs 20.28 also Prouerb 29.14 Verse 8. So will I alwayes sing prayse vnto thy name i. continually prayse thy maiestie for inabling me to execute my office in performing dayly my vowes q.d. by this meanes shall my prayse and thanksgiuing appeare in that I will performe as signes of my thankfulnesse and obedience the vowes that I haue made vnto thée Do. Verse 1. Teacheth vs so to be earnest in prayer with our God not that he hath néede thereof but for our owne cause because it is a good meanes to cause vs to spéede Verse 2. Teacheth that prayer is not tied to any place as to think that for the places sake our prayers should be the better it teacheth also that in the heauinesse of our hart we should then specially praye as also Iames 5.13 Verse 3. Teacheth that nothing can more forciblye cause vs to hope in God then the vnfayned remembraunce of the ayde that we haue receiued from him Verse 4. Teacheth that God alone must be our refuge and protection Verse 5. Sheweth that God graciously graunteth the holy prayers of his Seruaunts and neuer destituteth those eyther of bodily or spirituall blessings that call vpon him Verse 6. Long life to all and namely the long raignes of Kinges and Princes is a speciall gift of God Verse 7. Teacheth that Magistrates knowe not how to rule vnlesse the Lorde apt them for it it teacheth also that tender hartednesse and vpright execution of iustice be the proppes and stayes of kingdomes and countries Verse 8. Teacheth Gods children thankfulnesse yea continuall thankfulnesse and the manifesting of that thankfulnesse by the exercises of Gods holy religion and the fruits of obedience Psalme 62. THis Psalme though somewhat shorte Di. hath yet foure speciall parts In the first is comprehended his entraunce or Exordium wherein the Prophet sheweth that he hangeth only on God and this is in the two first verses In the second he reproueth his enemies for their mischieuous imaginations lyings flatteries c. shewing what iudgement shall fall vpon them therefore Verse 3.4 In the third part he propoundeth the doctrine of confidence in God exhorting the faithfull to hang vpon him because man is but vaine and dehorting the wicked from their sinne and this reacheth from verse 5. to the end of the 10. In the fourth he confirmeth his doctrine shewing that God hath iudgement in the one hand and mercy in the other to render to euery one according to their déeds and this is in the two last verses The title of this Psalm is expounded before Psal 39.1 Ver. 1. Se. yet my soule q.d. notwithstanding al the afflictions
Ver. 6. Teacheth vs that al that we haue we haue frō God our being birth c. and that we ought therefore continually to praise him Ver. 7. Howsoeuer men wonder at vs or despise vs so that God be on our side we néed not greatly care Verse 8. Teacheth vs to pray to God for the continuaunce and increase of his goodnesse towards vs and that not for our own profite and ease but that hee may thereby be more and more glorifyed of vs. Ver. 9. Teacheth that the more weake and feeble we are the more we stand in néede of Gods help and to craue it by prayer Ver. 10. Sheweth that the wicked consult and speake agaynst the good Ver. 11 Sheweth that the wicked make sure account of that many times which they are furthest off from Ver. 12. Teacheth that Gods presence is sufficient to strengthen his people to discomfit their enimies Ver. 13. Teacheth that to wish hurt to any much more to Gods children and to seeke the accomplishment of it are gréeuous sinnes Ver. 14. Teacheth that patience in affliction and thanksgiuing are necessary and méete for Gods children Ver. 15. teacheth vs the right vse of our mouth vz. when it is occupied in rehearsing gods goodnes Ver. 16. Teacheth vs that though to Godward we can not do so much as we should or would yet we ought to indeuour the performance of that that he shall enable vs vnto Ver. 17. teacheth that the experience of Gods mercies should bring forth in vs these two effects first continually to hang vpon him secondly to praise and publish his great power and goodnesse Ver. 18. teacheth what a care we should haue to conuay as it were Gods glorye ouer to all posterities Verse 19. Teacheth vs that none is comparable with God Ver. 20. teacheth first that all afflictions come to passe by Gods prouidence and appointment secondly that he graciously deliuereth his from their greatest daungers Ver. 21. teacheth vs to be certainly assured of Gods fauoure and goodnesse towards vs. Ver. 22. teacheth vs earnestly to praise God for his benefits and to inforce our selues thereto by all the lawfull meanes wee canne Verse 23. Teacheth vs that al our parts both inward and outward should be ready to praise the Lorde Verse 24. Teacheth vs that though the enemies of Gods people prosper a while yet their end without repentaunce will be shame and confusion of face Psalme 72 Di THis Psalm may be deuided into thrée parts In the first the prophet Dauid prayeth to God for himself and his sonne Salomon that they in their kingdome maye bee directed by him which the Lord graciously perfourming hee sheweth what good shall come to the whole land thereby from verse 1. to the end of the 8. In the second he prophesieth of the inlargemente of the kingdom by subduing many people vnto it and of the great plenty that shall be therein all which is but a figure of Christs kingdome and this reacheth from verse 9. to the end of the 17. In the third part is comprised a notable praise that the Prophet yéeldeth vnto the Lord for his power goodnesse from verse 18. to the end of the Psalme Se. The title a Psalm of Salomon i. concerning him or on his behalf not as though he were the author therof Ver. 1. Giue thy iudgements i. instruct the king with the spirite of wisedome vprightnes that he may rightly gouern the people committed to him according to such lawes and ordināces as thou hast prescribed thy righteousnes i. such righteousnes as thou allowest he setteth these two words iudgements righteousnes against the tirannous abusing of kingly authoritie to the kings sonne i. the kings posterity but chiefelye Salomon Verse 2. Then vz. when thou shalt giue him these graces shal he iudge i. conducte and gouerne thy people i. the people that thou haste chosen to bée a people to thy selfe in righteousnesse i. faythfully truely and vprightly and thy poore i. such as are afflicted for thy cause or else those whome thou hast humbled and he speaketh specially of these because that for their defence Kings haue the sworde put into their hands with equity i. iust and vprighte iudgement rendring to euery one according to their behauiour Verse 3. The Mountaines i. after some the most barren places others because the lande of Iudea was ful of mountains vnderstand by mountains the whole land whatsoeuer it is the Prophets meaning is this by this similitude taken from the plentifulnesse of the earth to note that no corner or quarter of the land shall be founde voyde of Gods blessing shall bring peace i. shall yéelde or bring foorth store and plentye of all manner of blessinges for so doe the Hebrewes vse this worde as is to be séene in many places of scripture by iustice vz. rightlye administred hee meaneth that the kinges good gouernment shal be a mean to bring all prosperity vpon the whole land Ver. 4. he shall iudge vz. vprightly the poore of the people who most commonly are troden vnder féete hee shall saue i. deliuer vz. from the oppressor and cruell man the children of the néedy i. moste needie persons for the Father being néedye the childe can hardly bee riche hee meaneth that those that haue no helpe or succoure but lye as a praye to the riche of the Worlde shall be reuenged of and deliuered from the handes of their enemies and shall subdue vz. vnder his féete but yet through iustice and equitie the oppressour i. all oppressours vnderstanding by one al. Ver. 5. They i. the people so gouerned shall feare thée i. shall cary a certaine louing reuerence and obedience vnto thée and this may be referred either to God or to the king if we referre it to God then it is a sodain change of the person shewing what fruits shal come by a holy gournment to wit that the people shal imbrace Gods true religion and seruice If wee referre it to the king then he sheweth what louing and obedient people he shal haue that ruleth well but I rather allow of the first sense by reason of that which followeth in this verse as long as the sunne and moone endureth from generation to generation i. for euer and euer Ver. 6. He i. the king shall come downe vz. either personally from his kingly throne amongest his people or else in his holy and iust gouernment like the raine vpon the mowen grasse These words mowen grasse may haue a double sense and both good either that we referre it to that which is cut for hay vpon which if some raine fall presently after the cutting men say it serueth much for the increase of good smell in it or else to that that standeth which is much subiect to the heat of the sunne and parching when the other is remoued and then as the raine falleth vppon it and causeth it to growe againe as it were so a righteous gouernour after the heate of tyrannie addeth as
name of the Father for his séede and posterity or else Ioseph the whole man for a parte of him vz. his bones which they brought with them at their comming out of Egipt but I like the former better Immanuel and others expounde it otherwise but in my opinion not so rightly Verse 16. The waters vz. of the redde sea and Iordan as appeareth in Exodus and Iosua saw thée O God i. did féele thy maiestie and power in turning the courses of them for otherwise man can not see or féele God much lesse the waters and he repeateth the same agayne for the more certayntie of the matter and were afrayde vz. at thy presence which he gathereth because they were diuided and fled as a man woulde saye backward yea the depths vz of the waters and he allegeth these wordes to expresse the greatnesse of Gods power for though it fall out that the vpper partes of the water is many times troubled yet the depths sieldome or neuer but this was done to the end the people might passe vppon the drie grounde Verse 17. The cloudes vz. in the firmament poured out water vz. in greate abundaunce for that doth the worde of pouring out note sée Eccle. 11.3 he meaneth that God had al creatures ready at his commaundemente to execute his will for the sauegard of his and the punishment of the vngodly the heauens i. the Firmament and the regions of the ayre aboue vs gaue a sounde vz. of thunder and lightning and winde and stormie tempest thine arrowes i. thy thunderboltes and other meanes to manifest thy wrath vppon thy enemies went abroad i. did flie abroad in euery place striking feare into them Sée Exod. 14.24.25 Verse 18. The voice i. the sound or noise of thy thunder i. of the thunder that thou sendest forth was round about vz. all thine enemies or else he meaneth euery quarter and region of the ayre the lightnings vz. which came from thee lightened the world i. they were so greate and many that they might haue bene séene all the world ouer the earth i. this frame of the world trembled and shooke for feare of thy presence Al this is nothing else but an excellent description of Gods eternall maiestie and power Ver. 19. Thy way is in the sea some expound it thus Thy way i. the way that thou preparedst for thy people of Israel is in the sea i. in the red sea ascribing that vnto God because he was the author of it which did belong to the Israelites Some thus thy way i. thy counsels is in the sea i. in darke vnsearchable places known vnto none but to thée alone making it the same with ver 13. of this Psalm but I like the former better by reason of that whiche followeth in the last verse of this Psal thy paths vz. by which thou cariedst thy people all the rest is wel expounded in the note of Geneua Bible Ver. 20. Thou didst lead vz. out of Egipt and thorow the wildernes towards the land of promise thy people as shéepe i. tenderly softly and louingly for shéepe may not be hurried by the hand i. by the labour diligence ministery of these two excellent personages Moses and Aaron And al this the Prophet alleageth that he might raise vp his hope and comfort himself in the middest of those great assaults Verse 1 teacheth that God is nigh to them that earnestly cal vpon him Do. Ver. 2 teacheth that the more afflictions and miseries increase vpon vs the more earnest we should be with the Lord by prayer Ver. 3 sheweth that we thorow our own corruption and sathans malice vse that in the time of prayer as a mean to draw vs back from earnestnesse of prayer which shoulde make vs more carefully to think vpon God I meane our gréefs and afflictions Ver. 4 teacheth that nothing commeth to Gods children but by the speciall not only sufferance but appointment and prouidence of God Ver. 5 sheweth that Gods goodnes declared before should comfort those that are in affliction now Ver. 6 teacheth good men in the time of their heauinesses to cōfort themselues in the consideratiō of these good thinges that thorowe Gods goodnesse they haue felt in themselues Ver. 7.8.9 shew the great conflict that the godly many times haue wreastling mightily betwixt fayth and dispayre Verse 10 teacheth vs that Gods power and the true tast thereof is a good proppe to our faith Verse 11.12 teache vs to record Gods workes for the strengthening of our hope and to speake of them with delight and pleasure Verse 13. teacheth that God alone is the only God Verse 14. that whatsoeuer God doth he doth it for the good of his children or the punishing of his aduersaries Verse 15 sheweth that God careth for his people euen when they be in their greatest distresse Verse 16 17 18 19 teache that God hath all his creatures at his commaundement for the manifesting of his glory and grace towards his and for the declaring of his iustice towards the vngodly which is comfortable to know that the whole course of nature shall stand on our side Ver. 20. teacheth Gods loue and care towards his people which then also most manifestly appeareth when he prouideth for them good Magistrates and Ministers Psalme 78. Di. THe Psalme it selfe is very large and as it were a summary recitall of all the fiue Bookes of Moses and therefore cannot easily be diuided Notwithstanding methinketh it speciallye propoundeth these pointes following first an Exordium or entraunce into the matter the Prophet labouring thereby to make the people attentiue taken partly from the excellencie of the matter and partly from his and their own experience and this is conteyned in the eyght first verses Secondly he rehearseth the great rebellion of this people and of their forefathers vpō whom God had bestowed such great and wonderfull graces as vpon none the like and this is comprehended in verse 8 9 10 11 17 18 19 20 22 32 34 35 36 37 40 41 42 56 57 58. Thirdelye hee setteth out Gods great mercy notwithstanding their manifolde wickednesses and rebellion against him and this is comprised in verse 12 13 14 15 16 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 38 39 52 53 54 55 68 69 70 71 72. Lastly he largely declareth the excéeding great iustice of GOD againste sinne and vngodlinesse which he sheweth by executing the same partly vpon his owne people as appeareth verse 21 30 31 33 59 60 61 62 63 64 67 and partlye vppon his and their enimies as appeareth also verse 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 6◠66. which may teach all men to driue away the vayne imagination that they haue of Gods mercy only neuer looking into the execution of his iustice and iudgements against the world for sinne Se. The title hath bin sundry times expounded before sée the same Title Psalme 73 also Psalme 50. Verse 1. Heare vz. both with your outward eares and inward vnderstanding my doctrine i.
the middest of iudgements which fall vppon others they are safely deliuered Ver. 54. Sheweth that the Lord is faithful in all his promises accomplishing the same the same is taught also in Ver. 55. Which serueth wonderfully to the strengthening of our faith Ver. 56. Setteth out the nature of desperate wicked ones who neither for gods heauy iudgements executed vpon others nor for his mercies bestowed vppon them are any whit at all bettered Ver. 57. Teacheth that euill children treade in the steppes many times of their euill fathers and therefore fathers not so much to be stickt to Verse 58. Teacheth that idolatrie and idoles do greatly prouoke Gods wrath against them that make vse allowe or maintaine the same Ver. 59. Sheweth that all sinne is naked before God also that out sinnes seperate betwéene God and vs which is confirmed also in the 60. verse following Verse 61. Teacheth that sinne bringeth in the subuersion of religion as it were Verse 62. Sheweth that sinne also destroyeth the politique state Verse 63 6â— Declare that God in the execution of his iudgements spareth no persons or condition that hath transgressed Ver. 65. Declareth that God will not alwaies afflict his children and let his enemies triumph ouer them Verse 66. Setteth out Gods iudgementes vppon the enemies of his people Verse 67. Sheweth that for the exercises of his seruice and worship is not tyed to men or places Verse 68. Teacheth that looke what place or what manner God appointeth for his worship that ought onely to bee obserued Verse 69. Setteth out the excellency and perpetuity as it were of the Church Verse 70. Teacheth that God chuseth not as man chuseth the great but the weake and feeble persons to the ende that all the glory might bée giuen vnto him Sée 1. Corinth 1.26.27 c. Verse 71. Doeth excellently describe the duety of godly and faithfull Magistrates Verse 72. Teacheth all by Dauids example painefully and wisely to trauaile in the offices castinges and places that the Lorde setteth them in Psalme 79. THis Psalme Di. being a pitifull discription of the miseries which Gods Church indured may as séemeth to mée bee diuided into thrée partes In the first the faithfull set out the great outrage and crueltie of their enemies and the distresses that they were in from verse 1. to the ende of the 4. In the second is conteyned an earnest prayer that they make as for their owne deliueraunce so for the ouerthrow of the wicked from verse 5. to the end of the 8. verse In the thirde they alleadge certaine reasons as it were to moue the Lord to take pity vpon them promising prayse and thankesgiuing to the Lorde for their deliueraunce and this reacheth from verse 9. to the ende of the Psalme The title hath béene sundry times expounded before and namely Psal 50. Se. Verse 1. O God the heathen either the Babylonians or Assyrians Sée 2. Chronic. 36.17.18.19 or else the people that came with Antiochus who marueilously prophaned the temple as appeareth 1. Machab. 1.46.47 c. also in Ioseph Antiq. Iudais lib. 12. cap. 7. For of both these it may bée vnderstood are come vz. with outrage and cruelty into thine inheritaunce i. the lande of Canaan afterwardes called the lande of Iudah or Israel and as a principall part of that lande the Citie of Ierusalem which GOD also had chosen to be the place of his aboade Thy holye temple vz. which was at Ierusalem and was called holy because the holy GOD gaue testimonies of his presence there and because holy exercises were vsed there haue they desiled both by spoyling it sheadding blood in it and by bringing into it all prophane and wicked thinges contrary to the lawe Sée the places before noted and mâ—â—e Ierusalem heapes of stones i. haue defaced the buildinges thereof and pulled downe the walles hee meaneth by this speach a great and pitiful ruine to beholde Verse 2. The dead bodyes of thy seruantes vz. which were slayne by the rage and cruelty of their enemies yeelding a constant confession to thy trueth and withstanding their pollutions haue they giuen to bée meate vnto the foules of heauen i. they haue cast them heere and there to the ende that they might bee rauened of the fowles of the ayre for by heauen hee meaneth the ayre in this place and here hee secteth out the cruelty of the enemies who woulde not shewe them so much fauour as to let them bee buryed This in déede is reckoned among the curses of Gods lawe Deutronom 28.26 But yet for all that wée may not condemne the faythfull who in respect of the afflictions of this life doe differ little or nothing from the vnbeléeuers and the flesh of thy Saintes vz. they haue cast or giuen and hée calleth Gods people Saintes because the Lorde accounted them holy and by his spirite had prepared and apted them to the workes of sanctification vnto the beastes of the earth i. vnto the wilde beastes that liue as it were by dead carion or to the dogges to bee deuoured of them as was the flesh of that wicked Iezabel 2. Kinges 9. verse 36. This is added but to aggrauate their cruelty and inhumanitie Verse 3. Their blood vz. of the Saintes and good people haue they i. the enemies and aduersaries shed like waters i. plentifully and in great abundaunce or else thus the enemies made no more account of mens liues and bloods then they did of water both senses are good but I rather allow the former rounde about Ierusalem hée meaneth both without the City and within without the city before the enemies came thither and within after they had taken the City q.d. there was no place frée from their cruelty and violence and there was none vz. either of their owne nation that durst or of others that woulde shew them so much curtesie as to bury them Ver. 4. Wée are a reproch vnto our neighbours vz. by the meanes of the misery which they sée vs in they thereby taking an occasion to reproch vpbrayd vs and by neighbours he vnderstandeth the people that bordered vpon their country as the Ammonits Moabites c. which also may appeare by that folowing in the verse vnto them that are rounde about vs vz. dwelling which word inserted after are will make the sense plaine And note that the faithfull doe not here complaine of the mockeries that were directed against their owne persons but of those also which after a sort did redound to the dishonour of God and the disgrace of his law Ver. 5. Lord howe long wilt thou bee angry for euer q.d. wilt thou neuer put an ende to our miseries which are testimonies of thy heauy wrath and continuall anger against vs Immanuel readeth this part of the verse better thus how long vz. wilt thou withhold help and ayde from vs set the wicked insult ouer vs as they do and then hee addeth an other interrogation thus wilt thou be angry for euer q.d. shal there be
glorye and inlargement of the Church Verse 12. Sheweth that the enemies of the Church can doe nothing further then the Lord appointeth them Verse 13 doth paynt out the cruelty and rage of the enemies of the church Verse 14 teacheth vs to pray the Lord in mercy to beholde the poore and afflicted state of his Churche Verse 15 teacheth vs that the taste and tryall of GOD his power before shoulde strengthen our hope for the feeling of the same in tyme to come Verse 16 describeth the wonderfull Maiestie of GOD and the greatnesse of his power which is so mightye that euen the verye manifesting thereof though it bée not executed is sufficiente to consume all Verse 17. teacheth vs to praye for the Church and the particular members of it also that we haue no strength of our selues but that then we are strong when the Lorde maketh vs strong and lastly that strength and whatsoeuer else wee haue is giuen vs that he only in the same might be glorified Verse 18 teacheth the faythfull to carry with them a full purpose to stick fast to the Lorde and to call vpon him Verse 19 deliuereth the same doctrine that verse 3 and 7. of this Psalme doe Psalme 81 THis Psalme being made as it shoulde séeme Di. after the time of the Iudges when either Samuel or Dauid restored Gods worship may be deuided into two principal parts In the first the Prophet exhorteth the faithful people to praise the Lord shewing thē that they haue good causes and reasons so to doe from verse 1. to the ende of the 7. In the second hée taketh vpon him the person of God instructing the people how to walke shewing withall their disobedience by whiche not onlye Gods loue was contemned but they themselues depriued of wonderfull benefites from verse 8 to the end of the Psalme Se. The Title of this Psalme is expounded in the Title of Psalme 8. and Psal 73. Verse 1. Sing ioyfully i. chearefully and with a good courage q.d. praise him by all the meanes ye can and in al places specially in the holy and publike assemblies and that for the benefites you haue receaued from him vnto God our strength i. vnto him who alone giueth vs strength to doe the things we doe sing lowde vz. that all may sée and heare as it were vnto the God of Iaakob i. vnto him that is a good and gracious God to al his faythfull people that come of Iaakob putting the name of the father both for himselfe all his posterity Ver. 2. Take vz. vnto you or into your mouthes the song vz. of praise and thanksgiuing q.d. sing prayses to God and bring forth vz. to be playde vpon the Timbrell the pleasant harpe with the violl vnder the lawe they vsed musicall instruments to expresse their ioy withall sée Iudges 11 34. some other places vnder this scholemastership it pleased the Lord to kéepe his people till Christes comming and by these thrée he meaneth all of the like q.d. With all Instruments of Musick expresse and set out the gladnes of your hart Verse 3. Blow the Trumpet in the newe Moone q.d. bée as earnest to serue GOD now as if it were at any time of our solemne Feastes Sée Leuitticus 25 15. Num. 10 10. and by one feast he vnderstandeth all and so must bee vnderstoode all that followeth in this verse Verse 4. For this vz. to sing reioyce and to vse musicall instruments is testimony of thankfulnesse as also the obseruation of feasts is a statute vz. that God himselfe hath appointed as appeareth Exodus 23 ver 14 15 c sée also Numb 28. and 29. chap. almost thorow out for Israell vz. to obserue and kéepe and a law of the God of Iaakob i. a law which he that is the God of Iaakob hath published Verse 5. He vz. God set this i. ordeined and appointed this kind of seruice worship as verse 4. of this Psalme in Ioseph i. amongst the Israelites putting Ioseph the father of Ephraim and Manasses two excellent Tribes for all the tribes and this he doth as I suppose for two causes not only because that Iosephs stock was counted the chéefe before that Iudah was preferred because hée was the means that al their fathers were maintained in Egipt in the time of the famine but also because they had the largest possessions in the whole land of Canaan as appeareth Iehosh chap. 16. and 17 for a testimony i. in stéede of a testimony witnes vnto them how he would be serued when he this worde he may be referred eyther to God or to the people but I rather refer it to God who is sayde to come out of the land of Egipt not only in the person of his people but also because he brought them thence in a mighty hande and outstretched arme manifesting in the same his mighty power where I hearde a language that I vnderstoode not i. in which place vz. of Egipt I was a straunger for this is a spéech vsuall ynough in the scriptures to note and signifye a stranger by and this sodaynly altering the person which also would be marked from the third to the first must be vnderstood of God not that god knewe not their tongues or vnderstood not their language for he knoweth all things but he sheweth to the end he might testifye his good will that his peoples wantes were as his owne and all this he doth to the end he might amplify the benefite of their deliueraunce which was so much the greater by how much it is verye gréeuous to remaine amongst those whose lips and language we vnderstande not Ver. 6. I vz. the Lord haue withdrawne his shoulder from the burthen i. from most hard bondage of which see Exodus 1 14. and chap. 6. ver 9. and he nameth the word shoulder because men commonly carry burdens vpon it and his hands haue left the pots i. the making of pots of earthlye claye and by making of pots which was one péece of their slauerye hee vnderstandeth all the rest as setting vp of buildinges making of Tyle or Bricke gathering of Strawe sée Exodus 5. verse 4 5 6 7 c. Sée also Exodus 1. verse 11 and 12. Verse 7. Thou calledst i. prayedst vz. vnto me in affliction i. in the time of thy trouble and oppression or when thou wast afflicted of others Sée Exodus 2 23. and I deliuered thée vz. out of that hard bondage wherein thou wast and marke howe hee speaketh of the people as of one person because they were all but one bodye and aunswered thée i. shewed the testimonies and signes of my fauour in graunting thée thy requestes in the secrete of the thunder i. after a secrete and wonderfull fashion but yet in suche sorte notwithstanding that they had very manifest signes by which they knew that GOD succoured them some referre to that which is written Exodus 14 24. but I take it more generallye I prooued thée i. by experience I knew
ouerthrow stoode also the Kings discomfiture and ouerthrowe Sée Iudges 4.2 at the Riuer of Kishon hée nameth the place for the more certaintie of the Historye sée Iudges 4 7 and it may be vnderstoode that at the riuer Sisera and the Midianites were Verse 10. They i. Sisera and the Midianites with them perished i. were ouerthrown confounded and destroyed at Endor which is the name of a place nigh to Taanach and the waters of Megido as appeareth Iudg. 5.19 and were dung for the earth i. were not only troden vnder féete as mire but also left vnburied vpon the vpper face of the earth as dung layde vppon grounde is Verse 11. Make them vz. the enemies that now come to assault vs euen the Princes q.d. the best mightiest men amongst them and he prayeth agaynst them because in the dismay confusion and ouerthrow of the Prince standeth for the most part the discouragemēt and ouerthrow of the people like Oreb and like Zeeb i. destroy them and ouerthrowe them by death of both these see Iudges 7.25 yea all their Princes i. all their men of might and power that they being discouraged the rest might be confounded like Zebah and like Zalmana these were two great Kinges or Princes of Midian whom Gideon slew sée Iudges 8. verse 5.21 Verse 12. Which vz. enemies of thine ours whose great number hee had reckoned vp before ver 6.7.8 haue sayd vz. euen in our hearing or as a man would say euen yet do speake thus let vs take vz. by force and conquest for our possession i. to be a possession to vs and oures the habitations of God no doubt he meaneth Iudea and the Cities thereof wherein God was worshipped but especially Ierusalem where the temple and tabernacle was and in which places God gaue most manifest testimonies of his presence and dwelling Verse 13. O my God this speake the faythfull as it were but one man or else some particular person amongst them in the name of the rest make them like vnto a whéele hée prayeth that they and their counses may be vnstable and inconstant so that wandring in their consultations and imaginations they may not hurt thy people and as the stubble before the winde vz. which is tossed hither and thither an other similitude which hee vseth to expresse their owne inconstancye and the vanity of their deuises sée Psalme 1 4. Verse 14. As the fyre vz. put into the Forrest burneth the forrest vz. if men minde to consume and destroy it after that sort for fire eateth vp all before it and as the flame vz. of that fyre so kindled and burning setteth the Mountaynes on fyre i. causeth the very mountaynes to melt as it were and burne before it Verse 15. So persecute them i. pursue and ouertake them for it muste not bee vnderstoode as though God by laying these iudgements vppon them did offer them iniury or wrong with thy Tempest i. with thy sodayne and fierce iudgementes as tempestes are wonte to come sodaynelye and fiercelye make them afrayde i. cause them not only to quake or shake for feare but astonishe them and take awaye from them all vse of witte and reason that they maye bée euen as it were deade men with thy Storme by storme hee meaneth the same that he did by tempest vnder these two Metaphors noting Gods fierce wrath and iudgement Whatsoeuer it be this is his meaning to praye the Lord that the wicked may be enforced euen in despighte of their heads as it were to acknowledge thorow the multitude of punishmentes that shall fall vpon them that they doe in vayne set themselues agaynste God and his people and shal in the end be confounded and ouerthrowne Ver. 16. Fil their faces with shame i. poure forth vpon them such abundance of shame and confusion by destituting them of their hopes that they may be ashamed as it were to shew their faces that they may séeke thy name O Lorde eyther this worde they must be referred to the faythfull eyther then liuing or afterwards to come who in the confusion of the enimies should haue a good ground offered them continually to hang vpon Gods power or else the Text must bee mended thus after Immanuel that thy name may be sought O God making this as it were one end of their deliuery that God might afterward be prayde vnto and praysed for it for in my iudgement it can at no hand be referred as the Geneua note goeth to the enemies Verse 17. Let them be confounded vz. by thy iudgements which thou shalt execute vpon them and troubled vz. in their mindes and bodies that thorow disquietnesse in both of them they maye be hindered from doing any euill thing agaynst thine for euer i. all the dayes of their life and as long as they shall liue yea let them be put to shame vz. before men and openly in their sight and perish vz. from amongst men Ver. 18. That they i. thine and our enemies may knowe i. féele inwardlye and confesse outwardly though they shall not haue the grace to yeelde to the same for here he speaketh of knowledge by experience which goeth not downe into the hart but is only put into them thorow necessitie and force that thou which art called Iehouah sée for the expounding of this name Exod. 6.3 arte alone contrary to that opinion which the Gentiles haue that their idols are Gods euen the most high ouer al the earth i. that doest whatsoeuer pleaseth thée in earth Ver. 1. teacheth that the more our dangers and miseries be Do. the more earnest and often we should be with God in prayer for the redresse therof Ver. 2. sheweth how the enemies of Gods people in great multitudes with great noyse and very proudlye set themselues agaynst the Lord and those that are his Verse 3. teacheth also that they doe it not rashly but aduisedlye and with great crafte and subteltie Verse 4 setteth out both the words and purposes of the wicked who carrye continuallye with them a hart to roote out good and godlye men from off the earth Ver. 5 6 7 8. teach principally two thinges the one is the great multitude of enemies that Gods people haue the other is howe that al the wicked though otherwise at iarres can yet notwithstanding consente together to destroy Gods chosen They shewe also that they who by nature and kindred as it were should fauour them do many times become their deadly enimies as the Edomites came of Esau Iaakobs brother and the Ammonites and Moabites of Lot Abraham his nigh kinsman Verse 9.10.11 teache that we may pray against the enemies of Gods Church also that iudgments executed vpon former enemies should be grounds to strengthen our hope that God will doe the like to ours if he sée it may serue for his glory and oure comfort Verse 13. and all the rest vnto the ende of the Psalme teach that we maye lawfully pray against the enemies of Gods Church that in their
oppresse mee and ouerwhelme me as waters do the drowned body and thy feare i. the feares that haue béene wrought in mee by the troubles and afflictions which thou hast layd vpon mee haue cut me of vz. from liuing in this worlde or from being amongst men he meaneth that they had euen vtterly as it were destroyed him Ver. 17. They i. the assured testimonies and tokens of thy wrath came roūd about me i. cōpassed me in on euery side so that there was no way to escape or get out yea they take hold of me both inwardly outwardly dayly i. continually and without ceasing as it were like water i. in great abundance and with great force as surges or waues that would swallowe mee vp sée ver 7. of this Psalm and compassed mee together i. euen at one time as it were and with al their violence they set vpon me Ver. 18. This is the same both in sense and almost in worlds with ver 8. of this Psalme hee meaneth that none of those which were linked to him either by nature or kinred would come out for to helpe him Ver. 1. Teacheth vs to be earnest and continual in prayer vnto our God Do. Ver. 2. Teacheth vs to pray to the Lord to make vs féele vs the effects and force of our praiers Ver. 3. Teacheth two things first that very great heapes of afflictions are the ordinary portion of Gods children in this life secondly that the more miseries we haue the more spéed we should make to God by prayer for the redresse of them Ver. 4. Sheweth in what regarde the wicked of the world haue Gods children in the time of their affliction Ver. 5.6.7 Teach that Gods hand lyeth very sore many times vpon his dearest children and yet for all that hee loueth them neuer a whit the worse Ver. 8. Teacheth vs that euen the losse of our friends falleth out according to Gods appointment which rightly considered should minister no smal comfort to Gods children Ver. 9. Teacheth vs that as our miseries increase or continue so our prayers to God should increase or continue Ver. 10.11.12 Shew how sharply the faith of gods children is in their afflictions assaulted so that many times there séemeth to be little difference betwéene hope and dispaire Ver. 13. Teacheth that howsoeuer the godlines fayth be expressed for a time yet it is not vtterly ouercome but bursteth foorth into victory at the length and to earnest praier Ver. 14. Sheweth that nothing gréeueth Gods children so much as to féele a separation betwéene God and them selues Ver. 15. Teacheth that the afflictions of Gods children are continuall euen from youth to old age and from the day of our life vnto the houre of our death Ver. 16.17 Declare that Gods children are not slenderly tryed with some meane crosse but that stil the latter end of one trouble with them is the beginning of an other and as one flood or waue commeth thicke and thréefold in an others necke so do afflictions assault them Ver. 18. Deliuereth the same doctrine that ver 8. doeth also it teacheth vs that we should not be much dismaid when wee sée our friendes and acquaintaunce forsake vs in our miseries for as much as Dauid and many other of Gods Saints haue felt the same Psalme 89 Di. THis being a very long Psalme and handling sundry matters may yet notwithstanding be diuided into three partes In the first part Ethan the Ezraite setteth out and prayseth Gods goodnes which he manifesteth by many thinges but especially by the description of his workes and power and of his mercy and loue towardes his owne people and this reacheth from ver 1. to the ende of the 7. In the seconde part hee maketh expresse mention of Gods couenaunt made in Dauid and his séed a singular testimony no doubt of his vnspeakeable mercy shewing that hee will establish it for euer and yet notwithstanding conuert them if they goe astray from verse 18. to the ende of the 37. In the thirde parte hee séemeth to bewayle the want of performance of that mercy promised praying the Lorde to looke and that in time vppon the great desolations of the Lande concluding in hope of deliuerye with a thankesgiuing vnto the Lorde and this reacheth from verse 38. to the ende of the Psalme Se. For the title of this Psalme sée the title of Psalme 88. Ver. 1. I will sing i. I will by song set foorth the mercies of the Lorde i. his manifold and sundry mercies q.d. wee haue tasted of more then of one of his mercies yea wée haue felt all his mercyes and therefore I will prayse the same for euer i. all the dayes of my life Sée Psalme 146.1 with my mouth will I declare i. I will openly speake of in my wordes and with my voyce for hee putteth the worde mouth which is an instrument to frame the voyce by for the voyce and woordes themselues thy trueth i. the faithfulnesse and constancy that thou hast in all thinges and namely in keeping thy promises from generation to generation i. to al posterities meaning that by leauing it in writing behind him hee woulde bée an instrument as it were to conuay it from hand to hand to all posterity Verse 2. For I sayde i. I beleeued it in my heart and spake it with my tongue as Psalme 116.10 by which he sheweth the assurance of faith that he had in his heart out of the abundaunce whereof the mouth did speake Matth. 12.34 mercy vz. of God shal bee set vppe i. shal bee exalted builded and continue as a very faire strong and artificiall house thy trueth i. the stedfastnesse and stay of thy promises shalt thou vz. O God establish i. ratifie and confirme in the very heauens i. euen the place appointed for the elect sée for this sense Luke 10.20 Others expound the whole verse thus the promise of God shal be as certaine as the state of heauen vnderstanding thereby not the visible firmament but the place of eternal ioy which is exempt from all chaunge Ver. 3. I haue made a couenant a sodaine change of the person from his owne to Gods for this and the next verse are spoken in the person of God with my chosen i. with Dauid whom I haue chosen preferred before al others euen his owne brethren to be king ouer the people of Israel I haue sworne not as though there were any distrust to bee had in Gods worde but for the more strengthening of the couenant in Dauids heart sée ver 49. of this Psalme also Psalm 132.11 and this is to be vnderstood that God by an oth had promised the performance of those things that follow vz. that his séede should continue to Dauid my seruant i. to him whom I haue appointed and chosen to bee my seruant and to serue me my people in the gouernment of the kingdom Ver. 4. Thy séed i. those that shall come of thée as thy posterity and successors wil I stablish vz. in
who sweareth for the further strengthening of our fayth in the truth of his promises Verse 36 Teacheth vs that posteritie and the continuaunce thereof is a speciall blessing from the Lord the same thing doth verse 37. teach Ver. 38 39 40 shew that no affliction commeth to Gods children without his special prouidence and appointment which is comfortable to consider not only because he that doth chastise vs is our father but also our enemies can go no further then he hath appoynted them Ver. 41 teacheth vs that God many times bringeth his children to a low ebbe and yet graciouslye afterwards deliuereth them out of al their feare Ver. 42. teacheth that the wicked and vngodly can not doe what they list nor go beyond the bonds which god hath set them Ver. 43. teacheth that al munition and ayde of men is vaine vnlesse it please God to blesse them and giue them force Ver. 44 teacheth that it is God alone that pulleth downe and setteth vp Ver. 45. teacheth that the dayes of our life are in Gods hands to be disposed of as pleaseth him Ver. 46. Teacheth vs in the middest of our greatest heauinesse to haue recourse to God by prayer and to craue the remouing of his rods Ver. 47. teacheth the vanity and shortnes of mans life Ver. 48 teacheth that death spareth none but that all must tast therof Verse 49 teacheth vs to thinke vppon Gods former graces that they may assure our consciēces of mercy to be afterwards shewed Ver. 50 teacheth vs in our afflictiō to repaire vnto God also that not the meanest sort of the people only but the chéefest are enemies to Gods faynts Ver. 52 teacheth vs that the iniuries and opprobries offred to Gods people are as done against his own maiesty and person Ver. 52. teacheth vs in all estates and at al times to be continually thankfull to God and also to yéeld both to thanksgiuing and prayer an earnest consent Psalme 90 Di. THis Psalme may be deuided into thrée partes the firste is an Exordium or a beginning whiche setteth out the care and good will of God towardes his people from all eternity and this is comprised in the two first verses The second part very excellently paynteth out Gods great prouidence and gouernment and our frayle and miserable condition from ver 3. to the end of the 11. In the third is contayned a prayer for grace and comforte in all heauinesses and distresses of this life whatsoeuer from verse 12. to the end of the Psalme Se. The title a prayer of Moses i. a prayer whiche Moses made vnto God for himselfe and the people at that time as it should séeme that the spies came backe againe and the people murmured agaynst God for which thinges sake the Lord threatned them that they shoulde not enter into the lande of promise sée Num. 13.14 thorowout the man of God i. not onely an excellent man but a Prophet and one called to some publike office sée Deut. 33.1 also 1. Kings 18.24 Verse 1. Lord thou vz. alone and no other hast bin at al times heretofore and specially all the while of our trauaile in the greate and huge wildernesse our habitation i. thou art he alone vnder whose defence we dwel safe and sound see Deut. 33.27 and this hee speaketh of himselfe and of the people that were with him and of all their auncestors gone before them comprehending them vnder that terme our from generation to generation i. euen from the beginning of the world vnto this present time and in this verse he setteth oute the wonderfull gouernment and grace of God towards his people as in the nexte verse the eternall purpose and counsel of God procéeding from the pleasure of his good wil and this he doth specially for two causes the one is that he might publish Gods glory in setting out his mercy the other that he might by laying forth former mercies moue the Lord to haue mercy vpon them now in that distresse Ver. 2. Before the mountaines were made vz. by thy almightye power and word and before thou haddest formed the earth and the world vz. for men to dwell in vnderstanding by forming not only the fashioning of it but euen the very creating of it sée Gen. 1 1 2 and these two sentences layde together be as much q.d. before the world or any part or péece of it were made euē from euerlasting to euerlasting i. frō al eternity and so for euer here after thou art our God i. thou arte hee that hast chosen vs to bee a people to thy selfe and that will wée take also as an argumente to instructe vs to hang vppon thée Verse 3. Thou turnest man i. thou causest man to returne and that by thy worde onlye to destruction i. to Death whiche is called destruction not because it destroyeth in déede but because it séemeth vnto vs to destroye Othersome vnderstande by destruction dust and power and the dissolution of the body both sences are good agayne thou sayest i. also thou doest but speake the word only and then it is done returne vz. in respect of your body into the earth out of which it was taken Genesis 3.19 and in respect of your soule to God who gaue it Eccle. 12.7 ye sonnes of men i. ye mortall creatures for this word expresseth the miserable and fraile condition of men and in these wordes he sheweth how brittle frayle and short mans life is he compareth the course of our life to a race in a Tilt or Turney wher we quicklye runne to the ende of the race as it were and then returne backe agayn Ver. 4. For a thousand yeres vz. of mans life q.d. though it were possible for a man to liue a thousande yeares in thy sight i. before thée and in respect of thée are as yesterdaye when it is past i. yea they are soone passed ouer in respecte of thée as one daye onelye in respecte of vs or else as Saynte Peter expoundeth it in his second Epistle Chapter 3 verse 8 that a thousand yeares are with the Lorde as one daye or as a Watche in the night i. of verye shorte continuaunce for a watche in the night was but thrée houres long the people of the Iewes in olde time diuiding the night into foure Watches and appoynting also to euerye watche thrée howers Matth. 14.35 Luke 12.38 Verse 5. Thou haste ouerflowed them vz. by thy iudgementes sodaynlye taking them awaye oute of this life as a floude ouerwhelmeth all or men beware For this Metaphor of the ouerflowing of them noteth two thinges the one is the mighty hande and power of GOD the other is the sodayne ende of mans lyfe and the vanitie thereof they are as a sléepe or as a dreame that one hath sléeping which passeth awaye and is quite and cleane forgotten in the morning i. when man is in his force and strength hée groweth like the grasse i. hee is flourishing and lustie and marke the sodayne chaunge of the number from
themselues shall yeelde obedience vnto thée vnder these speeches the Prophet meaneth that they shal be deliuered from all deadly dangers which commonly men are subiect vnto such like thinges as these are foretold of the kingdome of Christ Isaiah 11.6.7.8 Hosea 2.18 Mark 16.18 Verse 14. Because he hath loued mée these are Gods owne wordes making an assured promise to the faithfull q.d. because the faithful people haue in a reuerent loue depended on mee and trusted in mee to the ende that their faith and loue might not be voyde and I be found inconstant in my promises therefore will I deliuer him i. set him frée vz. from all daungers troubles and feares and note that this and al that followeth vnto the end of the Psal the Prophet speaketh in the person of God I wil exalt him i. lift him vp and that into a verye high and safe place meaning hereby that hee will deliuer him and set him frée from all daunger and distresse because hee hath knowne my name i. because hée hath experience of my power and might féeling by triall what succour is to bée founde in mée and so hath learned to approue the same and trust in it Ver. 15. Hée shall call vpon me i. pray vnto mée and that in the time of his distresse and heauinesse and I will heare him i. graciously graunt him his request I will bée with him in trouble vz. not onely to comfort him that affliction ouerwhelme him not but also to deliuer him out of the same as it followeth in this verse and gloryfie him i. I wil aduaunce him to great glory and estimation q.d. I wil cause my glory for the loue that I beare him to shine in him and that shal bee both matter and occasion why other shall estéeme him as glorious and renowmed Ver. 16. With long life will I satisfie him q.d. if hée wish or desire long life I will giue it him and that in great measure and will shewe him my saluation i. I will make him féele by effect that I am his sauiour and deliuerer and I suppose that a man may take it further referring it to eternal life meaning by long life all the benefites and blessinges which concerne this life and by saluation eternal life and glory q.d. he shal be sure to haue both the one and the other Do. Verse 1. Teacheth vs alwaies in a stestfast faith to hang vpon the Lord Ver. 2. Teacheth them that haue had féeling of his goodnes to labour to bring other to a stedfast perswasion therein Ver. 3. Teacheth that if God deliuer vs not from dangers we shal daily and hourely fal into the same Ver. 4. Teacheth that they which féele themselues comprised vnder gods prouidence within the compasse of his gracious promises shal neuer miscary Ver. 5.6.7 Teach that a stedfast perswasion of gods power and goodnes surmounteth al the noysome dangers and distresses of this life whatsoeuer Ver. 7. Teacheth that in the middest of the greatest confusion and destruction that can be the Lord wil prouide for the safety of his as appeareth in the example of Noah and Lot Ver. 8. Teacheth that it is no smal comfort to the godly sensibly and plainely to perceiue the iudgements of God vppon the wicked and their vtter ouerthrowe Ver. 9. Teacheth that whosoeuer stedfastly beléeueth the Lorde onely to be his defence shal neuer quaile in his afflictions Ver. 10. Teacheth that God mercifully preserueth the faithful all that belongeth to them Ver. 11. Teacheth vs first in that God vseth Angels as meanes for our defence that therefore wee should vse the meanes not yet trusting in the meanes that the Lord hath giuē vs to performe any thing by secondly that God guideth those that are his in all their purposes and attempts Ver. 12. Teacheth Gods care not only ouer man himself but also ouer euery member and part of him yea the meanest part as the foote also it teacheth that vnlesse the Lorde vphold vs we shall doe nothing else but stumble and fal Ver. 13. Teacheth vs that God wil subdue all things vnto his elect and faithful people The Papists haue done great iniury to this text in appropriating it to the Pope only to whom it can no otherwise appertaine then to any other christian if he were a christian but for as much as hée renounceth Christ and is the very Antichrist indéed this doeth no whit at all belong vnto him Ver. 14. Teacheth two thinges first that the loue the faithful beare to the Lorde is neuer lost but the Lorde doeth rewarde a thousand fold secondly that this is a ready way to bee rid from daunger and feare in stedfast fayth to hang vppon the Lorde and his mighty power Verse 15. Conteineth first a singular spurre to prayer in that the Lorde promiseth to graunt the supplication of his seruauntes secondly a notable comfort in distresse for that the Lorde promiseth not onely to bee present with his in their trouble but also to deliuer them out of the same yea which is more to aduance them to great glory and safety Verse 16. Teacheth that they which vnfeignedlye serue God shall haue abundaunce of all blessings both concerning this life and the life to come Psalme 92 THis Psalme may be diuided into thrée partes Di. In the first the Prophet sheweth that it is méete for men to praise the Lorde and teacheth them howe and wherefore they shoulde doe it from verse 1. to the ende of the 5. In the seconde he declareth by what meanes and woorkes especially GOD purchaseth prayse amongest men and that is by punishing the wicked and maintaining the good from verse 6. to the ende of the 11. In the thirde hée Prophecieth of the great blessednesse that GOD will bestowe vppon his seruauntes and this reacheth from verse 12. to the ende of the Psalme The title A Psal song sée Psal 48. in the title for the Sabboth day Se. i. to be sung in the assembly vpon the Sabboth day vpon which day the people met for the publike exercises of the Church Ver. 1. It is a good thing vz. because it hath the promise of this life and of the life to come to praise the Lord vz. for his graces and benefites bestowed vppon vs hee meaneth by praysing a thanksgiuing which is a part of Gods seruice the performance of his whole seruice prescribed in his worde and to sing vnto thy name i. by prayses and thanksgiuings vnto thy maiesty to set forth the greatnes of thy excellency and power O most high this terme hath béene sundry tymes expounded before Ver. 2. To declare vz. by al the meanes that we can thy louing kindnes i. the mercy goodnes which thou shewest to thy seruants in the morning i. not only in that time which is very conuenient for prayer or thankesgiuing but hee meaneth thereby euery morning yea continuaunce in the action of thankesgiuing as shall afterwardes appeare and thy trueth i. thy faithfulnes in performaunce
soeuer either in heauen or in earth And this verse conteyneth one cause amongest manye why men shoulde prayse GOD vz. for his gracious and large gouernement Verse 20. Prayse the Lorde yée his Angels Angels are sayde to bée Gods not onelye because hée created them but also because hee vseth them at his pleasure in the execution of his will that excell in strength vz. all other creatures vnderstanding also by strengthe whatsoeuer is excellent in them so haue you the woorde vsed before Psalme 102.23 that doe his commaundemente i. the thinges hée commaundeth you in obeying the voyce of his woorde q.d. you are so readye in obeying that so soone as the Lorde speaketh you are readye to doe it Verse 21. Prayse the Lorde all yée his hostes some referre this woorde generallye to all his creatures because the Lorde hath them at commaundement as a Captayne hath his armed men and Souldiers to vse them as pleaseth him some onelye to Angels but I allowe rather the former reason by that which is written Genesis 2.1 Yée his Seruauntes that doe his pleasure i. what pleaseth him before hee called his creatures hostes for the multitude of them Nowe hée calleth them Seruaunts because hée hath them at commaundemente Verse 22. Prayse the Lorde vz. for his vnspeakeable goodnesse all yée his woorkes i. all his creatures of what order or condition so euer yée bée in all places of his dominion i. euerye where because hee ruleth euerye where and doeth whatsoeuer pleaseth him bothe in heauen and in earth my soule prayse thou the Lorde hee shutteth vppe the Psalme with the same sentence hee beganne it and therefore Sée verse 1. of this Psalme And this is verye ryfe to begynne and ende a Psalme with one and the selfesame sentence Sée Psalme 106. verse 1. and last also Psalme 147. verse 1. and last Psalme 148. and Psalme 150. verse 1. and last Verse 1. Teacheth vs first to inforce our selues Do. to the praysing and thanking of God for his graces Secondlye that our thankesgiuing shoulde be vnfeignedly as procéeding in déede from the inwarde man Verse 2. Teacheth also two thinges the first is that wée shoulde striue in an earnest and déepe meditation to remember so nigh as wee can all the benefits and blessings of almightie GOD Secondly that they rightly thought vppon are strong arguments to prouoke thankfulnes from vs. Ver. 3.4 He teacheth vs for what causes and graces wée shoulde bee thankefull vz. both for spirituall and bodily blessings they teach also that all the graces which wee haue wee receiue onely from the Lorde but yet let vs somewhat more particularly consider them Verse 3. Teacheth vs that God alone forgiueth sinnes secondly that hee doeth it of his owne mercy onely which ouerthroweth mans merites thirdly that in the abundaunce of his goodnesse hée fréely pardoneth al of them originall actual c. by which wée sée that Papistes are deceiued who suppose originall sinne only to bée taken away by Christ and as for actuall sinnes committed after baptisme men must satisfie for them Lastly it teacheth that euen the infirmities and weakenesse of our flesh can not bee cured no though wée vse all meanes vnlesse the Lorde put his handes to that great woorke Verse 4. Teacheth first that the issues of life and death are in Gods owne hande Secondly that if a man escape daunger or distresse it is by the Lorde onely and not by his owne strength or any thing in him Thirdly that the Lorde is not skant or pinching in his goodnesse but plentifullye powreth it foorth vppon those that are his Verse 5. Teacheth vs that those which feare the Lorde can want nothing that good is Secondly that hee graciously bringeth his children to a good olde age and maketh them to passe through the miseries thereof with as great ioye as in the dayes of their youth Verse 6. Teacheth that howsoeuer men deale vniustlye yet the Lorde will deale vprightly which is a great comfort vnto his children Verse 7. Teacheth that it is a singular grace of GOD to haue his woorde and that declared also vnto men by faithfull ministers Verse 8. Teacheth vs to set against our owne wretchednesse and miserye the abundaunt riches of Gods eternall mercye Verse 9. Teacheth vs that this is no small comfort that Gods anger indureth not long towards his children Sée Psalme 30.5 Verse 10. Teacheth vs that howesoeuer our sinnes deserue eternall death yet GOD doeth but beate vs in this lyfe to the ende wee might bee saued in the life to come Verse 11. Teacheth vs that Gods mercye is infinyte and incomprehensible Verse 12. Teacheth vs that sinne and iniquitie shall neuer bee layde to the charge of Gods elect Verse 13. Setteth out the exceeding loue of GOD towardes his sonnes and seruauntes Verse 14. Teacheth that euen our owne miserable state and condition doeth moue the Lorde in mercy to deale with vs. Verse 15.16 Vnder the similitude of the grasse flowre wind c. doe set foorth not onely the shortnes but also the miseries and troubles of mans life in this life Verse 17. Teacheth that though man bée subiect to chaunge yet God is alwayes like vnto himselfe and that there is no ende or measure of his goodnesse towardes them that feare him Ver. 18. Teacheth vs that there must bee ioyned with the knowledge of Gods woorde practise and obedience also that man must diligently meditate in the lawe of the Lorde and his commaundementes to the ende they may perfourme the thinges prescribed in the same Verse 19. Setteth out the largenesse of Gods kingdome which is comfortable to the godly because thereby wée sée that deuils and wicked men can not doe what they list Verse 20. In the Angels examples wee learne willing obedience to the voyce and worde of the Lorde Verse 21.22 Teach vs that if all Gods creatures should praise the Lorde much more man that excellent creature not onely because that for his sake all thinges were created but also because hée hath receiued infinite numbers of benefites aboue the rest Ver. 22. And these woordes in all places of his dominion teach Gods children neuer to be ashamed in any place to set foorth the prayses of their louing GOD and in that hee doeth ende the Psalme with the same sentence that hee did beginne it hee doeth not onely shewe howe excellent a thing the Sacrifice of thankesgiuing is but also howe dull men are thereto and that maketh him in this Psalme to double and treble that sentence that so hee might the better stirre them vp to the perfourmaunce of that great duety Psalme 104 THe Psalme of it selfe comprehendeth diuers and sundry matters and therefore can not easily and fitly be diuided Di. Notwithstanding it principally propoundeth these partes as I thinke In the first the Prophet prouoketh himselfe and others to praise God for his power from ver 1. to the end of the 10. In the seconde hee painteth out the singular prouidence of God towardes his
creatures both generally and particularly and this reacheth from verse 11. to the ende of the 23. And in the thirde parte hee doeth not onely expresse Gods excellency manifested in his creatures but speaketh also together both of his power and prouidence sometymes wondering at the Lordes woorkes sometimes praysing him for the same and sometyme praying against the wicked from verse 24. to the ende of the Psalme This Psalme hath no title as many other Psalmes haue not Se. yet notwithstanding a man may probably coniecture that hee which penned the other penned this also adding it to the former thus whereas hée had in the other set foorth Gods graces to the Church hee doeth in this set foorth Gods goodnes to all creatures Verse 1. My soule prayse thou the Lorde Sée Psalm 103.1 O Lorde my GOD i. the onely true God whome I thy poore seruant worshippe thou art exceeding great vz. in maiesty power glory c. as may appeare by that which followeth thou art clothed with glory and honour i. thou art compassed about on euery side with it and haste it in great abundaunce and all this as many other things in this Psalme are spoken of GOD according to mans capacity Verse 2. Which couereth himselfe with light as with a garment i. his honour and glorye doth greatly appeare euen in the creation of the light so that though GOD be inuisible in respect of his owne nature yet his glorye is sufficiently manifested and shining foorth throughout the worlde and spreadeth out the heauens like a curtaine i. layeth them abroade so that they may euidentlye bée séene as a thing spred out by heauens he vnderstandeth the firmament which also hath his name in the Hebrewe tongue of stretching out or ouerspreading it shoulde séeme that in this ver hee meaneth that which is expressed Genesis 1.3.6 And marke howe in this verse and the rest following hée sodaynely chaungeth the person Verse 3. Which layeth the beames of his chambers in the waters i. whose gouernement stretcheth euen vnto the verye deapthes of the waters The speach is somewhat darke but it is vttered to bring men into the greater admiration meaning that wee néede not to ascende so high as heauen to finde GOD out for if we looke belowe wée shall finde liuely portraitures of his glorye and maketh the cloudes his chariotes hee meaneth that GOD the gouernour of the world turneth the cloudes windes c. according to his good pleasure euen as easily as the cocheman doeth his chariot and walketh vz. as a ruler and gouernour vppon the winges of the wynde hée meaneth that hee gouerneth also the wyndes Sée Psalm 18.10.11 Also Isaiah 19.1 Verse 4. Which maketh the spirites his messengers i. hée vseth the windes and fire as messengers ministers and executioners of his will and iudgements so that in respect of their obedience they haue euen the name of Angels as it were giuen vnto them and a flaming fire his ministers i. hée sendeth forth thundringes lightninges and such other like straunge thinges in the ayre both to terrifie men and to perfourme whatsoeuer hee appointeth them The Apostle Hebrewes 1.7 applieth this to Angels and ministring spirits Ver. 5. Hée set the earth vppon her foundations i. by his vertue and power hée hath made it firme stable and sure euen as a frame set vppon a good foundation standeth fast so that it shall neuer moue vz. ordinarilye and in a continuall course otherwise this place letteth not but that through Gods speciall appoyntment there may bée terrible and fearefull earthquakes And that worde neuer must bée vnderstoode so long as the world indureth and also hauing respect vnto other creatures which by reason of their owne lightnesse and Gods appointment are caried hither and thither whereas the earth remayneth firme and sure Verse 6. Thou vz. O Lorde obserue the sodaine chaunge of the person coueredst it vz. the earth with the déepe vz. waters This may bée vnderstoode either of that which is spoken Genesis 1.2 or of the generall flood at both which times all the earth was ouercouered with waters as with a garment i. euery where and in euery place the waters will stande vz. euen at this day aboue the mountaines vz. vnlesse they were kept through thy power and prouidence within the boundes and borders which thou hast set them Verse 7. But at thy rebuke q.d. euen at thy bare worde and angry countenance only they flée vz. backewarde euen as though they were discomfited so that wee sée they can not rage whither they woulde and by that meanes they are in stéed of an ornament and beautifying vnto the earth some and that not amisse neyther referre it to the parting of the waters from the drie lande mentioned Genesis 1.6 at the voyce of thy thunder by rebuke before and thunder in this place hee meaneth nothing but that commaundement of GOD by which hee represseth the raging of the Seas they haste awaye vz. into the places that thou hast appointed them Verse 8. And the mountaines ascende i. appeare and shewe foorth themselues after the departure of the waters and the valleis descende i. are made manifest also to the place which thou hast established for them i. they lye and are setled in those places which thou hast appointed them Though this sense carry with it some probabilitye yet by reason of that which goeth before spoken of the waters and floods and by reason of that which followeth in the next verse spoken of them also I woulde this verse wholly restored out of Immanuel thus They vz. the waters went vppe by the hilles and went downe through the valleis in to the place which thou haddest establisted for them q.d. thou haddest no sooner spoken the woorde but they made a way for themselues euen through thicke and thinne as wée woulde saye sparing nothing till they came to the place that thou haddest appointed and set for them so that neither the high mountaines coulde hinder them nor the lowe valleyes conteine but of necessitie to that place they must goe which thou haddest set for them Verse 9. Thou vz. O Lorde onely and none but thou hast set vz. by thy almightye woorde and commaundement as Iob. 38.10 them i. all waters either of Seas or otherwise a bond i. a certaine compasse and course which they shall not passe vz. though they doe what they can and rage neuer so sore Sée Iob. 38.10.11 also Ieremie 5.22 They i. the waters generallye shall not returne vz. by any strengthe they haue of themselues or otherwise to couer the earth vz. as they haue doone heretofore Genesis 1. verse 2.6.9 or else as they did in the time of the flood Genesis 7.19 c. it may well bee referred to bothe to the former because GOD by creation hath set them an ordinarie course and to the latter because hée hath promised hee will neuer destroye the worlde with water againe Genesis 9.15 Verse 10. Hée i. GOD and marke the sodaine chaunge of
godly magistrates and ministers which the Lord giueth vs. Ver. 17.18 Teach vs that God doth fearefully punish rebels and contentious persons of what state or calling soeuer they be Ver. 19.20 See out the dotage and blockishnes of idolaters who suppose the Godhead can be fashioned or resembled by any outward thing Ver. 21.22 Teacheth that the forgetfulnes of God his benefites and workes is the high way to all manner of sinne and iniquitie Ver. 23. Teacheth two things first that our sinnes do pul destruction from the Lord vppon vs Secondly how forcible the prayers of Gods children are both for themselues and others Ver. 24. Teacheth that contempt of Gods graces offred and giuen and distrust in the trueth of his promises are two horrible grieuous iniquities Ver. 25. Setteth out what great sinnes murmuring and rebellion against the Lorde are Ver. 26.27 Declare that neither these nor any other sinnes shall escape vnpunished in the parties that do them whether they be fathers or sonnes Ver. 28. Sheweth mans readines and earnest affection to commit idolatry Ver. 29. Sheweth that mans inuentions specially in the worship and seruice of God prouoke Gods angers and bring a plague vppon them Ver. 30. Teacheth vs in the example of Phinehas to lothe and abhorre sinne Ver. 31. Teacheth vs that God graciously accepteth the déedes words of his seruants though many wayes fraught with great defectes Ver. 32. Teacheth vs how peruerse and frowarde mans nature is though the Lorde deale neuer so plentifully and mercifully with him it teacheth also that God spareth no man for his person sake in that hée punished Moses Ver. 33. Teacheth thrée things first that other mens peruersnes shoulde not make vs sinne against God secondly though it doe yet wee shall not escape vnpunished thirdly that rash and vnaduised speaches are sinne against the Lord. Ver. 34. Teacheth vs to strike and not to spare where the Lord will haue vs to destroy for then we must not be lead by our owne fonde affections Verse 35. Teacheth vs that ill company is a shrewde meane to peruerte men from goodnes Ver. 36. Teacheth vs that to serue any besides the Lorde is the next way to come to destruction both in this life and in the life to come Ver. 37. Setteth out the rage of idolaters who spare nothing no not the dearest thinges they haue Verse 38. Teacheth vs that the shedding of innocent blood slayeth the whole lande and that therefore murther shoulde not onely not bée pardoned but sharpely punished Verse 39. Teacheth vs that there is nothing that hurteth man more then in ouerwening of his owne deuises Verse 40. Teacheth vs that our sinnes turne Gods loue and fauour into hatred and displeasure Ver. 41.42 Teach vs that sinne doeth drawe euen all temporall punishmentes vppon vs as forraine gouernement oppression captiuity c. Verse 43. Teacheth vs that God doeth not once onely but sundry times deliuer his people Secondlye that many the more graces they haue from God the more they are puffed vp in their owne deuises Thirdly that sinne against God is not onely a cause to humble vs but doeth in déede humble vs though perhaps wicked men will not sée it or féele it Verse 44. Teacheth vs first that GOD hath a tender eye ouer the afflicted ones Secondly that hée neuer forsaketh them if they call earnestly vppon him Verse 45. Teacheth vs that Gods frée couenaunt and eternall mercy without any thing of ours at all are sufficient inough to mooue him to take pity vppon vs in our afflictions Ver. 46. Teacheth that GOD onely hath the touching of mens heartes to bowe them hither or thither according to his good pleasure Verse 47. Teacheth vs to pray for other and euen Gods dispersed members as for our selues also that our owne ease and prosperity or preferment shoulde not so farre preuayle with vs as to make vs to forget them Verse 48. Teacheth all men continually to prayse the Lorde and to prouoke others thereto what in them lyeth Psalme 107 I Woulde diuide this Psalme into two partes Di In the first the Prophet exhorteth the faythfull to prayse the Lord for his mercy goodnes prouidence and power towardes them from verse 1. to the ende of the 10. In the seconde hée prouoketh them to praise the Lorde for his general power prouidence and goodnes towards others from ver 21. to the end of the Psalme Se. This Psalme hath no title or inscription at all Ver. 1. Is the same both in worde and sense that verse 1. of this Psalme 106. is and therfore sée that Ver. 2. Let them which haue béene redéemed of the Lord vz. out of bondage captiuity and dispersion q.d. let them that haue receiued this benefite at the Lords handes to bée set at liberty when they were in bondage prayse him shew vz. openly and to others howe vz. graciously and mightily hée vz. alone and none but hée hath deliuered them i. fréed them being sore oppressed through the cruelty and tyrannie of them that held them vnder from the hand i. from the power and might of the oppressor i. of them that oppressed them hée putteth in this place the singular for the plurall Verse 3. And gathered them vz. againe and together and that by his mighty power out of the landes vz. rounde about them into which they were dispersed for their transgressions sake from the East and from the West from the North and from the South i. from all quarters whereunto they were dispersed that word that we turne South signifieth also Sea and so shall you finde it translated in sundry textes but the meaning is because the red Sea lay southwarde from the land of promise Verse 4. When they wandered vz. a long tyme vp and downe in the desert and wildernesse out of the way hée meaneth out of the right way which did leade them whither they woulde haue come for GOD for their disobedience made them to wander fourty yéeres in the wildernes that so they might die and not come into the lande of Canaan and found no Citie vz. all that while of their wandering to dwell in i. to stay and refresh them selues in Verse 5. Both hungry and thirsty hée meaneth that whylest they were in the wildernesse they suffered many times great want of bread and drinke yea so much that their soule faynted in them i. their life was ready to decay and there séemed to bée but little difference betwéene death and them Verse 6. Then they vz. being in this great distresse and affliction cryed vnto the Lord in their trouble i. prayed earnestly vnto him and hée deliuered them i. set them frée from their distresse i. from the distresse that they were in Verse 7. And ledde them foorth vz. of the wildernesse and that safe and sounde by the right way vz. into the promised lande that they might goe vz. through his good direction to a Citie of habitation i. not onely to a citie inhabited but to a Citie whose
headed men dreame to the contrary secondly that he doth vpon the earth euen whatsoeuer pleaseth him Ver. 34 teacheth that sin and vngodlines is the mean to turn al plenty into pouerty and al blessings into cursings Verse 35 teacheth vs that fruitfulnesse of ground and plenty of al things is Gods only gift Ver. 36 teacheth that God in great mercy prepareth abundance for them that want and giueth them safety shilter from al their enemies Ver. 37. Teacheth Gods children euen in the middest of Gods blessings and abundance yet notwithstanding to imploy themselues in ordinary trauayle and labour Ver. 38 teacheth vs that it is not the trauayle of man but Gods blessing that maketh men rich sée Psal 127.2 Verse 39 teacheth that afflictions are good means to bring men to the right knowledge of God and themselues Verse 40 teacheth that the estate of Princes and great men is not so sure as they commonly fantasie Ver. 41 teacheth vs that preferment commeth not from the east nor weast but from the Lord only sée Psalme 75 6. Verse 42 teacheth that godly men may reioyce as in the benefites of God bestowed vpon others so in his iudgements poured forth vpon the wicked it teacheth also that Gods mercies vpon his children and his punishments vpon the vngodly bring forth an other effect in the wicked that is taketh from them all sence so that they neyther haue harts to conceiue nor mouthes to speake either with or against god in his dealings Ver. 43 teacheth first that men ought déeply to weigh Gods wonderful workes secondly that the number of thē that do so in déede is very small in respect of the other thirdly that the consideration of his works is one good means to make vs sée and féele not his power and prouidenee only but also his eternall goodnes and incomprehensible mercy Psalme 108 THis Psalme as I take it may be deuided into two parts Di. In the first the Prophet stirreth vp himself to prayse God calling also vpon him for helpe and deliuerance from verse 1. to the ende of the 6 verse In the second the Prophet assuring himselfe by reason of Gods promises that his enemies should be ouerthrowne maketh his prayer vnto God for strength to performe it And this part reacheth from verse 7 to the end of the Psalme Se. The title A song or Psalm of Dauid sée before Psal 48. in the title and in that it is sayd here a Psalm of Dauid it is euident that he was the author of it Though it be true that this Psal be made of two Psalmes before going that is of Psal 57 from ver 7 to the end of the Psal and of Psal 60 from verse 5. to the end of the Psal frō whence also the sence doctrines might very wel be fet yet notwithstanding because there is some difference somwhat shal be sayd in this place Ver. 1. O God mine hart i. my inward man is prepared vz. to prayse thée for thy mercies so is my tongue i. mine outward man also putting a part for the whole q.d. I am ready both in the inward man outward mā to magnify thée for thy graces I vz. my self none other for me wil sing gyue praise vz. vnto thée alone Ver. 2. Awake Viol and Harpe he incourageth not only himself but also his instruments to praise God that euen thereby hee himselfe might be the better prouoked thereto I will awake vz. from my sléepe and rise vp from my bed early vz. in the morning the Prophet meaneth that he will euen breake his sléepe to performe seruices to God Verse 3 I wil praise thée O Lord vz. for thy mercies great and vnspeakeable among the people vz. whom thou hast chosen vnto thy selfe and I will sing vnto thée vz. prayses and thanksgiuing amongst the nations vz. round about vs the Prophet meaneth that he would so publish Gods prayses that euen the Gentiles should heare of it Ver. 4. For thy mercy vz. towardes all men but speciallye towards thy sonnes and seruaunts is great i. is so great that it is aboue the heauens i. higher then the heauens themselues so that as the space betwéene heauen and earth is infinite so is thy mercy and thy truth vz. reacheth he vnderstandeth by truth Gods faythfulnesse in making kéeping and performing promise vnto the Cloudes by these maner of spéeches hée meaneth nothing else but that Gods mercy is vnmeasurable and incomprehensible as it were in respecte of the greatnesse of it Verse 5. Exalt thy selfe O GOD vz. by thy mighte and power aboue the heauens i. aboue the highest thinges that may be not that he meaneth that God was not then and alwayes is exalted but that he prayeth the Lorde by effect to shew it amongste men and let thy glory i. the praise that appertaineth vnto thy glory be vz. dispersed farre and wide vpon al the earth i. in euery place of the worlde The Prophet sheweth in this verse that the firste thing that moued him to make this request is Gods glorye In the nexte Verse hée sheweth that an other reason is the saluation and deliueraunce of his people Verse 6. That thy beloued vz. people that is suche people as thou fauourest and louest of thine owne mercye onely without any merites of theirs may be deliuered vz. out of the great daungers distresses and feares wherein they are helpe vz. both them and me and euerye one of vs in this case for it shoulde séeme that Dauid made this Psalme at the beginning of his Kingdome when thinking vppon his enimies and his owne weakenesse it was tyme to craue helpe at the Lords hands for himselfe and his people with thy right hand i. with thy mighty power and strength that so thereby I may ouercome these enemies and heare me vz. praying vnto thée for my selfe and my people vnderstanding by hearing graunting his requestes Verse 7. GOD vz. himselfe hath spoken vz. openlye and playnlye and that by his holye Prophet Samuell that hee will establshe and inlarge the kingdome in my hande yea he hath spoken it in his holinesse i. hée hath holilye and assuredly promised it mée so that I néede not doubte any more of it then of his holinesse therefore vz. for this his mercye I will reioyce vz. greatlye for séeing he hath promised mée I knowe that I shall diuide vz. as the right owner and possessor of it Shechem Shechem is the name of a place on this side Iordan as the valley of Succoth was beyond Iordan Hée nameth certayne places of the land whiche by reason of Saules stocke and those that tooke part with him as Abner and such like he had not at the enterance into his Kingdome in his possession and yet notwithstanding assured himselfe that he should haue them and measure vz. to euery man his portion as Ioshua did by which the prophet noteth his gouernment kingdome ouer it the valley of Succoth this is expounded alredy before euen in this verse
Verse 8. Gilead i. the whole lande countrie of Gilead with the people inhabiting the same shall be mine i. subiect to my power and authority and Manasseh i. the whole tribe of Manasseh shal be mine i. subiect to me though now for a while they follow the house of Saul Ephraim also i. the tribe of Ephraim shall be the strength of mine head i. shall be a principall proppe and staye of my kingdome and this the Prophet speaketh not only for any affiaunce he had in that tribe but also and chéefly because that tribe was mighty much people and when he sayth the strength of his head he vseth a Metaphor taken from beasts with hornes who vse also to defend thēselues therwith q.d. Ephraim shal be one of my principall meanes of defence Iudah i. the tribe of Iudah or the place where that Tribe dwelt is my lawgiuer i. is the place or people frō whence or from whom my lawes and ordinaunces procéed Verse 9. Moab i. the whole land people inhabiting it q.d. not only the Israelites but euen the Gentiles shal be added to my kingdome shal be my washpot vz. wherein I wil wash my féet meaning hereby that he would handle them more hardly make les account of them then of the Israelites because they were vncircūcised q.d. I wil make no more account of them then of an earthen pot vnder my féete and yet if I will reserue any of them I wil vse them in base seruices sée 2. Sam. 8.2 ouer Edom i. ouer the Edomites and their lande I will cast my shoe i. I will ouercom them when they are cast down tread vpon thē as it were meaning nothing else but that he would bring thē euen easily into his subiection obediēce vpō Palestina i the country it self the people inhabiting it who were called Philistines wil I triumph vz. boldly chearfully q.d. whereas they were wont ieastingly and scoffingly to triumph ouer vs as appeareth Iudges 16 25. 1. Samuel 4.7.8.9 Nowe wee will doe the like vnto them as though he should say now let them brag that they haue vanquished vs heretofore if they can or dare Verse 10. Who vz. besides God q.d. there is none able but he alone as may appeare by the next verse following wil lead me vz. the righte and ready way into the strong Citie vz. of mine enemies he putteth one citie for many and he calleth thē strong because they that possessed thē thoughte them so to be and not that they were able any maner of way to resist Gods power in him who will bring me to Edom vz. to vanquish and subdue it and the people there inhabiting Ver. 11. Wilt not thou O God q.d. I am sure thou wilt for so significant is the interrogatiō in this place which haddest vz. heretofore forsaken vs vz. vtterly leauing vs in the hands of our aduersaries and diddest not go forth vz. as thou wast wont to doe in fauour loue with our armies i. with those armies which we sent out agaynst our enemies q.d. Though heretofore we haue receaued a repulse yet now we perswade our selues that thou wilt giue vs victory ver 12 Giue vs vz. thorow thy mercy and goodnesse only for we craue it as a gift helpe i. aid strēgth grace c. against trouble i. against al trouble that we shall indure eyther outward or inwarde for vayne is the helpe of man i. the ayd that man can giue or bring is to little or no purpose Ver. 13. Thorow God i. thorow the ayd and strength we haue of him and in that assurance that we haue of his succour and assistance we shal doe valiauntly vz. against his and our enemies howsoeuer men be not able to ayd vs for he vz. alone without the helpe of any other shall tread down vz. vnder our féete meaning by that spéeche vanquishing and subduing of them our enemies i. all that shall rise vp agaynst vs either at home or abroad Do. Ver. 1. teacheth to come to Gods seruice with purpose and preparation also to serue him with our inward and outward man both Verse 2 doth teach vs two things first to vse all the meanes that may prouoke to the seruice and worship of God secondly to forgoe some parte of our pleasures and profits to performe it Verse 3 teacheth vs to prayse God so that other men may knowe it and by our example be stirred vp to do the like Verse 4 teacheth vs that Gods mercy and truth and the greatnesse and assurednesse thereof are two singular comforts to the consciences of his children Verse 5 teacheth vs in all our praiers to set before vs Gods glory as the speciall marke to aime at Ver. 6 teacheth vs also in our prayers to remember the safety and deliueraunce of our brethren Verse 7 teacheth vs that Gods worde and promise is ground sufficient ynough for the stay of his childrens perswasion Verse 8 teacheth vs that if the Lord haue promised vs a thing we should make as certayne account of it as though we had it in possession Verse 9 teacheth vs that no enemies whatsoeuer shal be able to resist Gods purpose in his seruants but that he wil both with ease and in assurance cast them down Ver. 10 teacheth that the ouerthrow of cities and peoples is from God only though he vse sundrye meanes for the performance therof Verse 11 teacheth that though God séeme to destitute his children for a while yet he will not forsake them for euer Ver. 12 sheweth that all mans ayde helpe counsell and countenaunce is as much without God as nothing Ver. 13 teacheth that all the strength power and victory that God his seruaunts haue is from the Lord only Psalme 109 THis Psalme as I take it Di. doth principallye propounde two things first the Prophet prayeth for himselfe alleaging his own misery and the mischiefe of his aduersaries as a mean to moue the Lord to mercy promising also praise thanksgiuing if the Lord will performe it verse 1 2 3 4 5 21 22 and so forth to the end of the Psalme In the second he praieth agaynst his aduersaries who were voyd as of all godlinesse in respect of the Lord so of all curtesie in respect of men and this reacheth from verse 6 vnto the end of the 20 verse The title of this Psalme is all one with Psal 13. and Psal 14. in their titles Se. and many others Likely it is that Dauid made this Psalm at some one time or other while Saule was king in whose dayes all the thinges were oute of order and if we compare the second verse of this Psalme with 1. Samuel 26.19 it shall appeare it was not made long before Saules death Verse 1. Hold not thy tongue vz. at these things which the vngodly practise agaynst me leste thou shouldest be thought eyther not to sée or else not to regarde the iniuries that they lay vpon me when they falsly accuse me before Saule the
be so much blood shead that the conqueror may drink as it were of a riuer of blood in the way vz. as he pursueth his enemies or else it is a similitude taken from valiaunt and mighty captains who egerly pursuing their enemies stay not vpon dainties or pleasures but content thēselues with flouds and brookes which they finde in the way as they follow the chase therfore shall he i. God the Father lift vp his head i. Christs head meaning by this phrase that he shal giue him a ful victory and aduance him to excéeding glory for this phrase or maner of spéech sée Gen. 40.13.20 Ver. 1 teacheth many things Do. first a distinction betwéen the person of the father and the person of the sonne in the godhead secondly it proueth Christ to be God equal with his father thirdly that howsoeuer christs enemies prosper for a while yet they shal al be brought down come to nothing Ver. 2 teacheth that Gods word is as it were the réede and scepter of Christs kingdom secondly that he shal rule notwithstanding al the force power of his aduersaries Verse 3 teacheth that gods people shal come willingly to Christ also that Gods people are not only a great nūber but also a holy sanctified sort Ver. 4 teacheth vs that God is certayne and sure in al his promises and purposes also it doth liuely effectually describe the eternall priesthood of our Sauiour Christ Ver. 5 teacheth that there is no power or might able to withstand the power of Christes kingdom Ver. 6 setteth out first the inlarging of the bands of Christs kingdom secondly the confusion of his malicious enemies and thirdly the vtter ruine and ouerthrow of Antichrist and all his supposes Ver. 7 describeth not only the redinesse of our sauiour Christ in pursuing the victory vpon his enemies but also how that though he be for a while debased yet he shal in the end maugre their heads rise vp to great glory Psalme 111. Di. I Suppose that this Psalme may be diuided into thrée partes In the first the Prophet promiseth to praise God for his works generally shewed from verse 1 to the end of the 4. In the second he sheweth his graces goodnesse particularly towards his church and this reacheth from verse 5 to the ende of the 9. The third is a commendation of Gods feare and reason alleaged to moue men to imbrace it and this is comprehended in the last verse Se. For the Title of this Psalm sée the title of Psal 106. which is the same with this and the two next following This Psalm that which followeth was in the verses written according to the order of the Alphabet euery verse beginning in the first and second part of it with the letters of the Hebrew alphabet The Iewes suppose that the Psalmes which begin so are very excellent as Psa 25. also Psal 119. c. and I take it to be true but I suppose there may be another cause added and that is to helpe memory Ver. 1. I wil praise the Lord vz. for his graces mercies bestowed vpō me with my whole hart i. earnestly with a sincere affectiō meaning also that he would do it priuately as it were within himselfe as by the next words he noteth that he wil do it openly in the assembly and congregation of the iust q.d. yea I wil perform it not inwardly only but outwardly and openly also that in these méetings which the faythful vse wherin they assēble to offer the sacrifices of praise thanksgiuing Ver. 2. The works of the Lord i. the things that the Lord hath done are great i. conteyne in them great matter to moue mē to praise God for the same and ought to be soughte out i. should diligētly be looked vnto considered of not that the things thēselues are so hard as to note what mēs duty is in that behalf of al thē that loue them i. take delight pleasure in thē as the godly alwayes do Ver. 3. His worke i. al the creatures of God both generally and particularly euery thing that he hath don whatsoeuer it be and he shutteth them al vp as it were vnder one because with the Lord it is alone to make one or many or all is beautifull and glorious i. is ful of comlines maiesty excellency c. so that nothing can be added therto to make it more maiestical his righteousnes i. the vpright faithfull dealing which God vseth toward al his creatures indureth for euer i. is alwayes like vnto itself frée from alteration or change Ver. 4. He i. God hath made his wonderful works vz. by the excellēcy wonderfulnes of them to be had in remembraunce vz. amongst men q.d. God hath done such excellēt and notable things as are not only worthy to be remembred but suche as the remembrence thereof indéede shall neuer perish the Lord is merciful and full of compassion vz. generally towards all but especially towardes his owne seruauntes and people sée Psalme 86.5.15 Verse 5. He hath giuen vz. of his rich and large liberality a portion i. a plentiful and iust measure of mercy euē so much as he thought good to be néedful necessary vnto them the feare him i. vnto them the worship serue him acording to his wil reuealed in his word this he speaketh specially of the Iewes because they at that time were his only people he wil euer be mindful vz. not only to think vpon but also to performe of his couenant vz. made with his people he meaneth of the couenant it self of the things conteined therin Ver. 6. He hath shewed vz. in déede effect and truth to his people i. to that people whom he hath peculiarly chosen to be his own for otherwise all the people of the world are his the power of his works i. how mighty and powerful his works are who doth whatsoeuer pleaseth him in giuing vz. of his frée mercy vnto them i. vnto his own people the heritage of the heathen i. that land which the heathen did possesse and inhabit as their own inheritaunce And this he speaketh of the lande of Canaan wherein dwelte the Ammorits the Hinnits c. Ver. 7. The works of his hands i. the works that he doth putting this word works for al that cōmeth frō god whether it be words or déeds are truth i. faithfulnes mercy and that towards his children iudgment i. punishment vz towards the wicked al his statutes i. the lawes and commaundements that he hath prescribed are true i. not only faithfull but constant also durable so that they ar neuer called back of him neither cā any escape thē by shifts starting holes Ver. 8. They are established vz. in the heauen euen on earth amongst men for euer and euer i. to last and indure for euer and are done i. ordained made and ratifyed in truth and equity i. in al vprightnes so that they cannot be
vnto another that wanteth yea he lendeth fréely looking for nothing againe Luke 6.35 This is a fruite of mercy the vsurer lendeth also but that is to sucke away the wealth of an other and measureth his affaires i. ordereth and disposeth the thinges he hath to do not doing any thing rashly or yet forslowing the occasion when hee may doe a thing well not being prodigall on the one side or miserable on the other side but in all his dealings obserueth the rule of equitie and right by iudgement i. by sound iudgement and good aduise Ver. 6. Surely hee shall neuer bee moued vz. vtterly or altogether q.d. he shall remaine always stedfast and sound what soeuer aduersities come vnto him Sée 2. Corinth 4.8 but I woulde rather read and the righteous sée before ver 4. of this Psalm shal be had in euerlasting remembraunce vz. before God and his Angels and amongest all the company of good and godly people Ver. 7. He will not bée afrayd of euill tydings i. of any euill tydings how heauy soeuer they bee which shalbée brought to him by euil tydings he meaneth reports of some euill or mischiefe that séemeth to drawe nigh or hang ouer mens heads for his heart is fixed vz. stedfastly vppon God and his prouidence and beléeueth vz. with all his heart in the Lord vz. who is able and will also in good time deliuer him q.d. whatsoeuer euill newes he may heare hée will not be afrayd but will alwaies remaine quiet in his spirit the reason is because he hath wholy reposed himselfe vppon Gods fatherly prouidence and care euen as though hee were in his bosome or lappe Ver. 8. His heart i. the perswasion of his heart is stablished i. surely and firmely set vppon God and the trueth of his promises therefore hee will not feare vz. any thing whatsoeuer that man can doe against him Sée Psalm 118.6 vntill he sée his desire vppon his enemies i. vntill he sée them through Gods might and power ouerthrowne as hee himself hath wished by the word vntill hée meaneth not that when they are ouerthrowne then hée shoulde bée afrayd for that were to feare where no feare is but vntil is vsed here for perpetuity of tyme as before Psalm 110.1 q.d. hée shall neuer feare Ver. 9. Hée i. the good and righteous man hath distributed vz. vnto others the things hée had and that not slenderly or niggardly but fréely and as euery mans necessitie requireth and his power able to perfourme and giuen vz. of his owne and that fréely and liberally to the poore i. to the néedy and such as wanted his righteousnesse remayneth for euer i. hée shall continually haue a meane and ability to doe well it may bée also vnderstoode of the fruit of righteousnesse Sée before ver 3. of this Psalme his horne i. his head as 1. Sam. 2.1.10 vnderstanding also therby his force strength state dignitie prosperity and whatsoeuer was excellent in him shal be exalted vz. mightily and greatly with glory i. with abundance of glory q.d. hée shal increase and grow from glory to glory till hée come to the height or toppe of glory Verse 10. The wicked shall sée vz. both with his mynde and eyes it i. the felicity and the prosperity of the good and be angry i. grieue despite and freate at it hee shal gnash with his téeth vz. euen not only for anger as the Bore which whetteth his tushues but also for griefe and payne as Matth. 8.12 and consume away vz. out of this life and from amongest men and that through despite and enuy and the desire of the wicked shall perish i. the wicked shal not attain and performe that which they wish and desire but shal bee frustrated of their hope by desire he vnderstandeth their wicked thoughts counsels indeuours labours and attempts against the good and by perishing he meaneth that they shal be made frustrate and come to nothing sée Psal 146.4 Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth first that the way to attaine true blessednesse is to serue the Lorde according to his worde Secondly that Gods seruants shoulde haue a very great and continuall delight in his lawe Ver. 2. Teacheth first that Gods people shall both inwardly and outwardly growe much euen in this life secondly that the riches of Gods blessings reacheth not onely to the godly but also to their godly séede and posterity Verse 3. Teacheth vs first that riches are not euil because they are reckoned amongst Gods blessinges secondly that we can not haue them vnlesse it please him in fauour to bestow the same vppon vs thirdly that the godly through the strength and power of GOD continue stedfast in goodnes vnto the end Ver. 4. Teacheth vs first that the godly shal be 〈…〉 middest of their greatest heauinesse secondly that godly men 〈…〉 hearted and â—â—ithful in all their dealings Ver. 5. Teacheth men that are able to lend fréely and vtterly condemneth al vsury secondly it teacheth men holy wisedome to doe euery thing they doe with aduise and vprightnes Verse 6. Noteth not onely the continuaunce and sure footing as it were that the godly haue but also euen the great glory and renoune wherwith the Lorde crowneth them Ver. 7. Teacheth vs that whosoeuer stedfastly trusteth in the Lord néed not feare any thing whatsoeuer Ver. 8. Teacheth vs that we ought to haue a stedfast and an assured perswasion of the truth of gods promises also that the wicked shall come to ruine and destruction Ver. 9. Teacheth vs that this is one good note to knowe good men by that they are liberall handed to the néedy also that the Lorde will make the glory of his children more and more to increase Ver. 10. Teacheth first that it is the nature of the wicked to pine away at the prosperitie of the good Secondly that all the deuises and attempts of the vngodly agaynst the good shall through Gods mightie power either come to no effect or else fall in his iust iudgement vppon their owne heades Psalme 113 I Thinke this Psalme doeth specially consist of two partes Di. In the first the Prophet exhorteth men to prayse the Lorde deliuering them also a forme thereof and this is comprehended in the thrée first verses In the second hee sheweth as it were causes wherefore he is to be praysed vz. for his infinite power and wonderfull prouidence from ver 4. to the end of the Psalme The title of this Psalme is the same with the title of Psalme 106. Verse 1. Se. Prayse vz. the Lorde O yee seruantes of the Lorde hée speaketh both to the Leuites and other people whome the Lord had chosen to serue him but specially to the Leuites whom the Lord had appoynted for leaders and guydes vnto the rest prayse vz. both in the inwarde man and in the outwarde man i. both with heart and mouth the name of the Lorde i. his maiesty power and goodnesse manifested to all but especially to you and in that hee doubleth this woorde prayse hee doeth
Ver. 1. Teacheth vs that if God take not part with his children defend them they shal easily be ouerthrown Ver. 2 teacheth the selfsame thing and sheweth further that men are many times to men wolues and deuourers though happely not in action because by god they are restrained therfrom yet in affection Ver. 3 teacheth vs that when God his children are in the greatest dangers he is most nigh to deliuer them also that the wrath of man neuer worketh the righteousnes of God Verse 4. and 5. Declare and set out the rage and crueltie of the wicked and vngodly men Ver. 6. Teacheth vs first Gods mercy in deliuering his from al their dangers and feares secondly our duty that we ought by al maner of meanes to shew our selues thankful vnto him for the same Ver. 7. Teacheth vs that the wicked ioyne to their power and crueltie craft and subtiltie but it sheweth further that there is no wisedome strength or policy that can preuaile against the Lorde and his people whome hee will succour Ver. 8. Teacheth vs that God alone is hee whom his people must trust to for helpe and succour Psalme 125 Di. THis Psalme consisteth of two parts in the first the prophet propoūdeth doctrine shewing in what assurance the faithful are which do trust in the Lord. ver 1.2.3 In the second he maketh his prayer for them that bee good and sheweth what punishments shall ouertake the wicked and what prosperitie shal be to the faithful holy people ver 4.5 The title is expounded before Psalme 120. Ver. 1. Se. They that trust vz. assuredly and stedfastly in the Lorde vz. onely ioyning none other neither in heauen nor in earth with him shalbée vz. stedfast and vnmoueable as mount Sion i. as the rocke whereuppon the Church is builded yea and as the Church it selfe against which no stormes nor tempests no nor the gates of hell shall preuayle Sée Matth. 7.24 Matth. 16.18 which can not bee remooued vz. though the worlde and wicked men doe what they can against it but remaineth vz. stedfast and sure for euer i. continually nowe we must knowe that the stedfastnes of the Church and euery particular member therof hangeth not of themselues but of Gods eternall loue towards them and Christs earnest prayers for them as when hee sayth to Peter Luke 22.32 I haue prayed for thée that thy fayth fayle not Verse 2. As the mountaines are about Ierusalem vz. to strengthen and defende them from the force of their enemies so is the Lorde about his people vz. on euery side of them to saue them from the violence of men from hencefoorth and for euer i. hee is presently their defence and will bee so continually so that by this similitude taken from the mountaines compassing Ierusalem The Prophet setteth out the sure and secret defence of GOD towardes euery particular one of his Church and this wée sée playnely set out Psalme 5.12 also Psalme 34.7 also Psalme 91. throughout also Psalme 121. throughoute Zachari 2.5 Verse 3. For in this verse hée preuenteth an obiection which might bee made thus doe we not sée the Church many tymes afflicted notwithstanding this large promise yeas sayth hée but it continueth not long yea the very calamities them selues make the defence of the godly more famous and notable the rodde vz. of gouernement and authoritie meaning thereby the Scepter putting the signe of gouernement for gouernement it selfe of the wicked vz. men of this worlde in the Hebrewe text hee vseth the woorde wickednesse putting the thing for the men giuen thereto and so the Geneua text yéeldeth the sense shall not rest vz. longe but shal bee quickely remooued and so the good deliuered as 1 Corinth 10.13 on the lot of the righteous i. vppon the Church and inheritance of the godly people which hee calleth the lot of the righteous because GOD hath as it were giuen the same vnto them by lot as it were for an inheritance lest the righteous put foorth their hande vnto wickednesse i. doe commit wickednesse and sinne eyther by murmuring against GOD or by falling to the impieties of their persecutours and so hee sheweth a reason why affliction lyeth not long vppon Gods children and for this cause as it shoulde séeme did the Lorde commaund them to bée flayne that inhabited Canaan leste the people shoulde followe theire fashions the summe of all is q.d. though the Lorde appoynt his to bee afflicted for a tyme by very wicked people yet hee will not leaue them for euer for the wicked shall not alwayes haue power and authoritie ouer the godly So that this thirde verse is as it were a correction of the other q.d. Gods protection lettteth not but that his should be waked by crosses and tribulations to the end that the righteous being tryed by temptation should not giue themselues ouer to licenciousnes in sin which he expresseth by stretching out their handes their hands I say which before were subiected to the obedience of Gods will vnderstanding by hands their whole man putting a part for the whole Verse 4. Doe well O Lorde i. blesse and pursue continually with thy fauour Sée Psalme 119.17 vnto those that be good i. vnto such as thou hast made good vnto thy selfe by thy worde and the working of thy spirite for otherwise there is none good no not one as Psalme 14.1.3 and true i. found and vpright both to thy maiesty and to men in their hearts i. in their affections hee putteth the seate of affections for affections them selues Verse 5. But those that turne aside i. hypocrites which haue a place in the Churche and liue in it though they bée not of it and by turning a side hée meaneth going stray from the right way which God hath sanctified in his worde by their crooked wayes i. by deuises and imaginations of their owne for all that man deuiseth without God is crooked and peruerse Immanuel readeth it thus but those that set their mindes vppon their own crooked waies which in my iudgement is more playne shall the Lorde vz. himselfe in his great iustice and iudgement leade vz. out of his Church foorth vnto iudgement meaning that he shall pull them out from the godly and then pronounce sentence of condemnation agaynst them and giue them their portion euen eternal iudgment Matth. 21.41 Matth. 25.32 Luke 12.46 with the workers of iniquities i. with all others that haue giuen ouer themselues with gréedines to commit sinne sée Matth. 7.21.22.23 but peace i. al maner of blessednes and prosperity as Psalm 122.6.7 shal bee vz. continually vppon Israel i. vppon Gods Church and people Sée Psalme 124.1 and by Israel hee meaneth not onely them that came of Abraham according to the fleshe but those that are Abrahams children by fayth So that he sheweth that the peace of the Church shall procéed from this that the wicked shal bee driuen out of it Do. Verse 1 teacheth vs what stedfastnes Gods people haue as who can neuer fal away
were from a fountayn the particular blessing floweth all the dayes of thy life i. so long as thou shalt liue in this life Ver. 6 Yea thou shalt sée thy childrens children i. thou shalt perceaue the singular fauour and blessing of God towards thée and thy family first by the length of thy own life as Exod. 20. in the fift commaundement secondly by the plentifull increase of thy posterity and séede and peace i. all maner of blessing and goodnesse as Psalme 122.6.7 vpon Israell i. vpon that people whiche serue God sincerely sée Psal 124.1 Ver. 1. Teacheth vs first that such as serue God Do. according to the rule of his word shal receiue al maner of blessing from the Lord secondly that a godly cōuersatiō is a notable testimony of the right worship seruice of god Ver. 2. teacheth vs that not only gaines gotten by labor are gods blessing but to haue the fruition vse of them after we haue obteined them is gods blessing also Ver. 3 Teacheth vs that the fruitfulnes of our wiues and store of children is a blessing from the Lord likewise Ver. 4. Teacheth vs that the blessings which God hath promised vs shal be most assuredly performed Ver. 5. Teacheth vs that this is the blessing of al blessings in this life to sée the florishing and prosperitie of the Church Ver. 6. teacheth vs that old age and large posterity both are good blessings from the Lord. Psalme 129. Di. THe Psalme may be deuided into two parts In the first the faythfull declare that they were gréeuouslye oppressed by their enemies but yet that the Lord did graciously deliuer them verse 1 2 3 4. Secondly in the spirite of Prophecie as it were they doe foretell the assured destruction and ouerthrowe of all their enemies from verse 4 to the end of the Psalme Se. The title is expounded before Psalme 120 in the Title thereof Ver. 1. They i. our wicked and cruel enemies whom as a man would say he will not vouchsafe to name haue oftentimes vz. heretofore and euē at this present one time after another doe afflicted i. troubled gréeued and persecuted and that after sundry sorts and by sundry meanes and wayes me i. vs hee speaketh of the holy body of the faythfull as it were but of one person by reason of the vnitye and fellow-like féeling that is or should be amongst them from my youth i. euen from the beginning of the world when the Church then began may Israell i. the faythfull people as Psalme 124 1 also Psalme 128 6. now i. euen at this present So we sée that the Church counteth those afflictions that the faythful haue indured before hir owne euen as those which she presently suffereth say vz. iustly rightly and vpon very good cause They meane by this and that which followeth after that the Church thinking diligently vpon auntient examples and experiences might easily gather both after what sort God had exercised his people from the first beginning of the world as from Abel Abraham and other Patriarks from whom the churche came and also howe they had a blessed ende of all their afflictions and this is done to the end that by the former deliueraunces they might in a good hope comfort and confirme themselues that God woulde deliuer them from the like in time to come Verse 2. They haue oftentimes afflicted me from my youth this is the same with verse 1 the repeating of it serueth to this ende both to shewe that they were sore afflicted in déede and also to set out the assurednesse of their deliueraunce but they could not vz. for all their subtiltie and for all their power preuayle vz. at any time or by any meanes agaynst me the reason because God hath bin on our side as Psalme 124 1 2. Verse 3. The Plowers i. the emies which God did vse as husbandmen to plow and till his Churche plowed vpon my back i. went quite and cleane ouer vs by which he noteth both the weake estate of the Church and the hard hartednesse of the enemies made long furrowes vz. vpon vs not sparing vs any whit at all for all the miserye that we are in In this verse he compareth the people of God to a fielde which men till and plough that he might the better shew that the crosse hath alwayes bin fastened vpon the back of the Church meaning that they suffred many gréeuous thinges from the enemies and that they did both a long season and very sorely afflict them Verse 4. But the righteous Lord i. he that dealeth and doth vprightly howsoeuer men deale cruelly and iniuriously hath cut vz. euen in sunder and that of his goodnesse towards vs thorow his almightye power the cordes i. all the powers of the wicked whether they consisted in coūsels purposes practises or any such like of the wicked i. whiche the wicked men did imagine and vse All tendeth to this end that here he putteth downe a comfort and sheweth that God hath very easily and with little adoe repressed the rage and crueltie of his enemies and set his owne people at liberty as if one should cut in sunder all that belongeth to the horses that goe to plowe which as I take it in some countrye they call the geares and so by that meanes the plow and the owner thereof should stand still and the horses be at libertye from their labours and so he continueth still in his allegory or Metaphor Verse 5. They that hate Sion i. the Churche of God as Psalme 125 1. also Psalme 128 5. Now if the haters shal be punished hate being an affection of the hart only how shall they escape whiche put their hatred in execution and practise shal be ashamed vz. not only before God but euen before men and that word all noteth of what state or condition soeuer they be whether high or low rich or pore c. for with God there is no respect of persons and turned backward vz. as those that in the day of battaile come forth with fiercenesse and yet thorow a sodayne feare are glad to turne their backes so that in this verse he setteth out the ruine and destructiō of the enemies which thing also he doth in the next verses amplyfiing it by similitudes or metaphors taken from husbandry Ver. 6. They i. that hate Sion and such other wicked and vngodlye persons shall be as the grasse vz. which groweth on the house toppe as wee sée by dayly experience that grasse groweth on the tops of houses and in gutters specially in those houses which are not much inhabited whiche withereth vz. thorow the great and parching heat of the sunne afore it come forth vz. so farre as that it may be cut downe with the sithe or sickle This is the firste allegory or metaphor wherein the wicked are resembled to haye or grasse by the which he meaneth that they shall presently perish though they be lifted vp very high euen as the grasse or hearbe that
people but specially the Priests and Leuites to whome hée giueth this title by reason of the offices whervnto they were appoynted and that therfore they to the end also that by their example they might draw on others to do the like should be so much the more carefully stirred vp to the spiritual exercises of true religion ye that by night stand in the house of the Lord i. whiche doe not only serue God in the day time but in the night kéeping watch and ward about the temple of the Lord sée Num. 18.1.2 c. 1. Chron. 9.33 And though it be true that many of the people had that affection to remain day and night in the temple as it is reported of Anna Luk. 2.37 yet I refer it in this place only to the Priestes and Leuites and when he sayth stande hee meaneth their continuall aboade there as it were And by house of the Lorde hee meaneth eyther the place where the Arke was or the temple after it was builded Verse 2. Lift vp your handes i. praye and giue thankes the signe of prayer or an outwarde gesture vsed in it put for the thing it selfe as Psalme 141 2. also 1 Timothie 2 8. to the sanctuarye i. towardes the Sanctuarye meaning the place where the Arke was and the Arke it selfe out of which God had promised to aunswere his people and to heare their prayers and prayse the Lorde vz. for his mercyes as verse 1. and here hee sheweth that the principall ende of outward ceremonies is to set forth Gods praise and glory Verse 3. The Lord that made heauen and earth i. the God of all maiestie glory power c. sée Psalme 121 2 also Psalme 124 8 blesse thée vz. with all goodnesse and fauour out of Sion where the arke the sure testimonye of his fauoure and presence was so that here they acknowledge in the firste place his power and in the seconde his fatherlye loue which two must neuer be sundered but alwayes ioyned together for the strengthening of the fayth of gods children And whether he speaketh this in the person of the Priestes whose office it was to blesse the people as Numbers 6 23 or in his own person as praying for them and testifying his great loue vnto them it is not muche materiall Do. Verse 1. teacheth vs to exhort and prouoke all men yea the very ministers of God if they be negligent to the performance of their dutie Ver. 2 teacheth vs that Gods children should alwayes ioyne prayer and thanksgiuing vnto God together Ver. 3 teacheth vs in all holy affection and vnfeigned loue to pray for others as for our selues Psalme 135. IN my iudgement Di. this Psalme may bee diuided rightly into two partes In the first the Prophet exhorteth the faythfull of what state or condition so euer they bee to prayse the Lorde shewing certaine causes that may leade them thereto as his mercy his power his wonderful workes c. from ver 1. to the end of the 12. In the second he sheweth what great difference there is betwéene the true God and all the counterfeite Gods of the Gentiles exhorting al the faithful generally and the Priestes and Leuites particularly to prayse that true God whose seruice they professed from ver 13. to the end of the Psalme The title is prayse yée the Lorde sée this expounded before Psalme 106. Se. also Psalme 113. in the titles so that this title séemeth to comprehend the argument of the Psalme as though the whole Psalme did nothing else but prouoke men to prayse God Ver. 1. Prayse the name of the Lord i. his maiesty power goodnes c. as sundrie times before and namely Psal 20.1 and Psal 124.8 ye seruants of the Lorde this I referre generally to all as Psalm 134.1 but specially to the priests praise him this doubling of the exhortation séemeth to set out as mens dulnes and vnaptnes to the same so the excellency of the thing it selfe Ver. 2. Ye that stand in the house of the Lorde i. ye priestes specially and chiefly because they ought by their duety to shewe the way vnto others and in the courtes of the house of our God i. in those courtes that did appertein to the temple of the Lord amongst which the people had some which place is called 2. Chro. 4.9 the great court and this is the reason why though I referre it chiefely to the Priestes and Leuites yet I would haue it also to be vnderstood that this exhortation is directed to the people likewise Verse 3. Prayse ye the Lorde vz. for his wonderful kindnes and loue sée Psal 134.1 for the Lorde is good vz. euen of his owne nature and from that abundaunt goodnesse which is in him floweth all goodnesse which wee haue and this is as it were the first generall cause why men shoulde prayse him sing prayses vnto his name i. extol his maiesty power c. as before ver 1. for it is a comely thing vz. to do so meaning by comely pleasant and profitable sée Psal 133.1 also Psalm 92.1 Ver. 4. For the Lorde vz. whom I exhort you to praise and magnifie hath chosen vz. of his infinite mercy goodnes Iaakob i. the faithfull séede and posterity of Iaakob to himselfe i. to be a peculiar people vnto himselfe and vz. he hath fréely chosen for here you must repeat or vnderstand that word Israel i. the true Israelites or the Israel of God as Psal 124.1 for his chiefe treasure i. for a people whom hee maketh more account of by many degrees then men do of their chiefest treasures Sée Exod. 19.5 The Hebrewe worde signifieth treasure gathered together of verse most exquisite thinges as pearles precious stones or such like And in this verse is conteined a particular cause to prouoke thankfulnes vz. that GOD chose from al the nations of the earth the issue and séed of Abraham to bee his people Ver. 5. For I know vz. both by his worde workes and myne owne experience that the Lord vz. whom we serue is gret vz. in power might and that our Lorde vz. whom we worship according to his will reuealed in his word is aboue al Gods i. is higher and mightier then they whether they be Angels and magistrates to whom this name is sometimes giuen or idoles which the vaine people worship whose vanity he doeth afterwardes declare in this Psalme Ver. 6. Whatsoeuer pleased the Lord i. whatsoeuer it liked him to do that did he vz. because no power was able to resist him in heauen and in earth in the Sea and in al depthes i. euery where for no place is excepted from his power and presence as Psalm 139.7.8 c. and howe true this is the particular examples of his woorde doe declare specially these two the vniuersall flood and the confusion of Babel Gene. 7.8.11 chapt and in this verse is conteyned a thirde cause wherefore men should prayse God and that is the great power of God declared not onely in
2. Teacheth vs particularly to stirre vp both priests and people to that duety when we find them slacke Verse 3. Teacheth vs that the Lords continual goodnes towards vs should draw vs on to praise his name Ver. 4. Teacheth vs that euen his gracious election particularly aboue the rest should be a singular argument of our prayse and thankesgiuing Ver. 5. Teacheth vs the particular experience which wee or any of vs haue had of Gods power should be a notable proppe to our fayth Ver. 6. Teacheth vs that nothing can withstand his purpose and power Ver. 7. Teacheth that euen all naturall thinges are guided and gouerned by him and his appoyntment Ver. 8. Teacheth vs that the Lorde in executing his iudgements vpon the wicked respecteth no mans person Ver. 9. Doeth the same thing teaching vs further that Gods iudgements are so plain and manifest as the wicked are not able to alledge either ignorance or excuse against them for themselues Ver. 10. Teacheth vs that though God vse meanes for the performance of his counsels yet the accomplishment and glory of them belongeth to him alone It teacheth also further which thing also Verse 11. Doeth that there is no power wisedome counsel multitudes or authoritie able to hinder though neuer so litle the Lord in his workes Ver. 12. Teacheth vs that they haue right to lande and inheritance to whom it pleaseth the Lord to giue the same because he is the Lorde of the whole earth Verse 13. Teacheth vs that God in all ages leaueth notable spectacles of his power to al people to the ende that thereby they might bee drawne vnto him Ver. 14. Teacheth vs that though the Lorde bee angry with his people for a while yet he wil turne to them in euerlasting loue Ver. 15.16.17 Set out vnto vs the horrible vanity and great abuse of idoles Ver. 18. Teacheth vs that the idole the idole maker and al such also as serue them are not onely beastly and blockish before men but shall before god in good time come to shame and confusion Ver. 19.20 Teach vs that it is méete for al the faithful but specially for the Lords ministers as guides vnto the rest to praise the Lord for his great goodnes Ver. 21 teacheth them to performe that seruice to him euen in the publike assemblies of his saints Psalme 136. IN this Psalme the Prophet doeth exhort all the faithfull people Di. to praise God first for the excellency of his nature and singular maiesty ver 1.2.3.26 secondly for his workes of creation and prouidence generally and particularly ver 4.5.6.7.8.9.25 Thirdly for his great iudgements vpon the enemies of his people ver 10.15.17.18.19.20 and fourthly for his excéeding fauour towards his owne seruants ver 11.12.13.14.16.21.22.23.24 This Psalme hath no title as many such wee haue had heretofore Se. as Psal 104.105 and sundry such like Ver. 1. Praise ye the Lord vz. O yée faythfull people because he is good vz. towards al but specially towards you for his mercy vz. which is the first course of all his goodnes indureth for euer i. shall neuer haue end This sentence is repeated in euery verse of this Psalme not as idle superfluous or vaine but to shewe that Gods goodnes is the fountaine both of al our praises and al his works which doctrine because it ought to be perpetual therefore did the Leuites sing this Psalme or some other of the same argument or matter dayly in the olde Church of the Iewes as appeareth 1. Chron. 16.41 and it séemeth also to shewe how much we should continue in the acknowledging of gods graces Ver. 2. Praise ye the God of gods i. he that is aboue all that haue any diuine or heauenly offices whether they be men as magistrates or Angels or any other thing which hath the name of God giuen vnto it sée Deut. 10.17 for his mercy vz. towardes all but specially towards his owne people indureth for euer all this is expounded before Ver 3. Praise ye the Lord of Lords i. he that hath the fulnes and perfection of rule and authority in him for whatsoeuer other men haue they haue it from him because it pleaseth him to bestow the same vppon them sée 1. Tim. 6.15 Reuelat. 17.14 for his mercy indureth for euer this is expounded before and therfore we shal not néede to repeate it againe Ver. 4. Which vz. God our Lorde onely i. by himselfe alone and his owne power none ioyning with him as assistant doth great wonders vz. euen as we our selues know and can report Ver. 5. Which by his wisedome i. most wisely and with great vnderstanding yea wich such wisedome and prouidence as is wonderfull Sée Prouerb 3.19 wee may vnderstande also by wisdom his eternal sonne sée Pro. 8. from ver 22. to the ende of the 31. made vz. in the beginning as Gene. 1.1 the heauens vz. and all thinges therein conteined for so large doe I take the worde to be here as Psal 124.8 Ver. 6. Which hath stretched out the earth i. the continent and firme land vpon the waters sée Psal 24.2 hee meaneth that God hath caused the waters to withdraw themselues from of the earth to the end it might be a place for men to dwell therein sée Gene. 1.9 Ver. 7. Which made great lights vz. two as Gene. 1.16 of which he speaketh afterwards particularly and they are called great because they are in our iudgments in déed greater then the other Ver. 8. As vz. for example the sunne to rule the day i. to shine in it and to make it light whereas otherwise it woulde be all darknes Verse 9. The moone and the starres to gouerne the night i. to shyne and shewe forth themselues in that season Verse 10. Which smote vz. with his plagues Egypt i. the lande and the people inhabiting it with their first borne i. all their first borne from man to beast Sée Psalme 135.8 Verse 11. And brought out Israell vz. who was kept in captiuity and thraldome putting Israel for the Israelites from among them i. quite and cleane out of their company and land this history is written in the 13. chapt of Exod. Ver. 12. With a mighty hand i. with such great power as the Egiptians coulde no way resist and stretched out arme i. with singular fauour and proâ—ection ouer his owne and great iudgements vppon the wicked for the arme serueth both for defence and for striking Ver. 13. Which diuided the red Sea into two parts vz. that his people might passe through it Sée Exod. 14.22 Verse 14. And made Israell i. the Israelites hee speaketh thus of them all as though they were but one man because they were but one body to passe through their iddest of it i. of the waters so diuided Verse 15. And ouerthrewe vz. by his almighty power Pharaoh vz. who was king of Egypt and his hoste i. the people which hee had gathered together to pursue the Israelites in their flight yea hée so destroyed them that
obey the wicked no though they haue the mastery of vs in euery thing that they demaunde specially when God and his glory shal be prophaned thereby Ver. 5. Teacheth vs continually to thinke vppon Gods Church and the misteries thereof that thereby we may be prouoked to powre forth earnest prayers to God for it Ver. 6. Teacheth vs that we should rather forget our selues then Gods Church it teacheth vs also that nothing in this life shoulde bee so ioyfull vnto vs as the restitution and florishing therof Verse 7. Teacheth vs that wee may safely pray against the wicked and vngodly Verse 8.9 Teach vs that God many times punisheth one sinne with an other as cruelty with crueltie not that he delighteth in sinne but to shewe that sinne shall not escape vnpunished and that to this ende and purpose hee rayseth vp one wicked man and people against an other Psalme 138 THe Psalme may bée deuided into thrée partes Di. In the first the Prophet promiseth humble and hearty thankesgiuing to the Lorde for his mercies towardes him verse 1.2.3 In the seconde hee doeth by the spirite of prophecie as it were foretell that other kings and people shall doe it as well as hée shewing the cause wherefore they shoulde so doe ver 4.5.6 In the thirde hee setteth out the assured perswasion that hee had of God and his goodnes towardes him praying for the continuaunce therof ver 7.8 The title A Psalme of Dauid i. a Psalme that Dauid made Se. to set foorth his thankefulnesse to God-warde Sée Psalme 4. in the title Ver. 1. I will prayse thée vz. O Lorde and that for thy mercies and benefites and this Psalme shoulde séeme to bee a publike confession that Dauid made vnto GOD for the blessinges which hee had receiued at his handes with my whole heart i. in sinceritie of heart with a sounde and not an hypocriticall heart and this is opposed against a double heart q.d. no parte of my heart nor of the affections thereof but they shall bée all wholly occupied in praysing of thee euen before the Gods i. openlye and before the Kinges and Magistrates of the worlde for so haue you the woorde Gods vsed Psalme 82.1 which thing also Dauid him-selfe promiseth Psalme 119.46 and in other places will I prayse thee vz. continually and vnfeignedly Verse 2. I will worshippe towardes thy temple i. I will call vppon thee bending my presence towardes the place where thou art serued Sée Psalme 5.7 and prayse thy name i. thy maiestye power goodnesse c. as sundry tymes before because of thy louing kindnes vz. towardes mee and for thy trueth vz. in accomplishing thy promises so here hee putteth downe the causes of his thankesgiuing Sée Psalme 115.1 for thou hast magnified thy name aboue all thinges i. thou hast made thy maiesty and power appeare more excellent and great then all thinges whatsoeuer by thy word i. by faithful accomplishment of those thinges which thou hast promised in thy word It may also receiue this sense q.d. the things which thou speakest and performest in thy woorde are more great and large then that men can either name them or thou bee sufficiently praysed for them Sée Psalme 71.15 Ver. 3. When I called vz. vpon thée by prayer then thou heardest mee i. grauntest mée my requestes and petitions Sée Psalm 120.1 and thou vz. alone for none could do it but thou hast increased strength in my soule i. hast made my soule and inward man very mightie and strong with patience to suffer all calamities whatsoeuer it may be also vnderstoode thus that God had more and more strengthened himselfe putting a part for the whole Ver. 4. All the kinges of the earth This séemeth to bee a prophecie of the calling of the Gentiles he meaneth that many kings their people shal bee conuerted to the Lorde shall prayse thee O Lorde vz. by myne example for they haue hearde the woordes of thy mouth i. they haue not onely with their eares heard but with their eyes séene and with their heartes consented vnto the trueth of thy word generally and particularly this that thou hast by wonderfull meanes brought mée to the kingdome and this hee speaketh specially of Hiram king of Tyrus and others néere vnto him Verse 5. And they shall sing vz. openly and in the hearing of others of the wayes of the Lorde i. of the thinges which the Lorde doeth and of the order and course which he obserueth therein he meaneth that they shal both acknowledge gods workes and prayse him for the same specially for the course which hee hath kept in preseruing Dauid from his enemies and exalting him to the kingdome because the glory of the Lorde is great i. because the thinges that he hath done gloriously and openly as it were a conquerour are very high and excellent Verse 6. For the Lorde is high i. mightie and passing the very heauens them-selues and so it may bée a reason of the great glorye of the Lorde whereof hée spake before yet q.d. notwithstanding the great distaunce betwéene him and vs hee beholdeth vz. with a fauourable and louing countenaunce and that not idlely but effectually and as one that hath altogether care ouer such the lowly i. such as are humbled despised and contemned amongest men but the proude vz. men of the earth hee knoweth vz. thorowly both within and without a farre off vz. howe farre off so euer they bée from him and it may bée that hee meaneth that as the proude doeth scornefully and as it were a farre off beholde others so dealeth the Lorde with them Immanuel readeth the whole verse thus though the Lorde bee lifted vppe vz. in great and exceeding glorie yet hee beholdeth the lowly i. such as are depressed and beaten downe of men and though hee him-selfe bee high i. lifted vppe euen aboue the heauens hee knoweth a farre off q.d. GOD hath both sight and certaine knowledge both of the good and of the bad the senses in my iudgements differ not much Verse 7. Though I walke i. though I bee much conuersaunt in the middest of trouble i. in very great daunger so that I am compassed about with both before and behind on the right hande and on the left Sée Psalme 23.3.4 yet wilt thou reuiue mee q.d. though my dangers were so great that I shoulde séeme to be dead yet thou wilt quicken me and preserue me from death Thou wilt stretch forth thine hande vpon the wrath of mine enemies i. thou wilt not onely set thy power betwéene mee and their rage to the end that they doe me not any hurt but thou wilt also oppose and set thy selfe against them Immanuel readeth it thus thou stretchedst out thy hande agaynst the face of mine enemies i. thou wilt strike them and that openly as it were with thy left hande and wilt defende mée with thy right as followeth in this verse and thy right hande i. thy gracious and mighty power shall saue me i. deliuer me out of
of my life as long as I haue any being vz. either in this life or in eternall life for the action of prayse and thanksgiuing to God shal not cease then I will sing vz. prayses and thankesgiuing vnto my God i. vnto him whom I serue and whom I haue founde by particular experience to haue bene a singular God to mee Ver. 3. Put not your trust i. haue not any confidence or affiance in them as though that without God or against him they were able to helpe you in princes vz. how litle or how great soeuer they be in authority nor in the sonne of man i. in any man whatsoeuer and this he doeth to the end that God may haue his whole gloryâ—â—ecting and abolishing all peruerse hopes specially those which we haue in great personages for there is none helpe in them i. he or they altogether are not able of themselues to helpe either themselues or other distressed and this is one reason why they shoulde not trust in men Verse 4. His breath departeth i. euen his soule and vitall spirite that is hee dieth and so the hope which men repose in him or them perisheth and hée returneth to his earth vz. out of which he was taken as Gene. 3.19 and this must bée vnderstoode in respect of his body then vz. when hee dieth his thoughtes perish i. all that hee thought vppon and deuised in his imagination come to nothing and this is an other reason taken from the vanity of mans life Verse 5. Blessed is he i. he is in a good and blessed state that hath the GOD of Iaakob for his helpe i. that hath the true GOD to helpe and deliuer him in all assayes Sée Psalme 144.15 whose hope is in the Lorde his GOD i. that putteth his trust onely in that true god howsoeuer men do destitute forsake or faile him Ver. 6. Which made heauen and earth sée Psalme 124.8 also Psalme 121.2 the Sea and all that therein is i. whatsoeuer liueth and moueth in the same Sée Psalm 8.8 which kéepeth his fidelitie for euer i. which doth faithfully and continually performe whatsoeuer he hath promised Ver. 7. Which executeth iustice vz. vpon the wicked and vngodly and that woorde Iustice sheweth that God doeth them no iniurie when hee punisheth them for the oppressed i. on the behalf of the oppressed q.d. when they are oppressed and none able to deliuer them then doeth God take vppon him the defence of their iust cause against the oppressours which giueth bread to the hungrie i. foode and sustenance to them that want it the Lorde loseth the prisoners vz. out of their prison and bondage as he did Ioseph by bowing rulers heartes to set them at libertie Sée Psalm 105.20 Verse 8. The Lorde giueth sight to the blinde the Lorde raiseth vp the crooked i. hée healeth all diseases yea though they be neuer so harde and incurable howe true this is the whole body of the Scripture declareth and specially the miracles of our Sauiour Christ in the newe testament and by crooked he meaneth them that bee broken and bowed as it were together with afflictions and infirmities the Lorde loueth the righteous i. pursueth them especially with his fauour séeming after a sorte to restraine that to the godly which hée had generally spoken before Ver. 9. The Lorde keepeth vz. safe and sounde and free from hurt and daunger the strangers vz. which are tossed from one place to an other and haue as it were no body to comfort them hee relieueth the fatherlesse and widowe i. hee comforteth them in their distresse and heauinesse vnder these three hee comprehendeth all them that bee destitute of ayd and defence or haue no means to come by the same of these see Exodus 22.22.23.24 but hee ouerthroweth vz. in his iust iudgement the way of the wicked i. all his deuises woordes and workes Sée Psalme 1.6 Ver. 10. The Lorde vz. our God which we serue shall raigne for euer vz. do his Enemies against him and his what so euer they can O Sion he speaketh to Sion that is to the Church because God speciallie raigneth for the preseruation thereof thy GOD vz. whom thou seruest endureth from generation to generation i. ruleth and raigneth for euer and euer as Psalme 145.13 Prayse yee the Lord sée Psalme 106. in the end Do. Ver. 1. teacheth vs that our praysing of God should procéed from the harte Ver. 2. teacheth vs that we should continue in it and neuer be wearie of well doing Ver. 3. teacheth vs earnestlie to fight against that naturall corruption which is in vs that is to trust in others besides the Lord. Ver. 4. setteth out the breuitie and brittlenesse of mans life Ver. 5. teacheth vs that how soeuer wée be forsaken of men yet we are in good case if we trust in the Lorde Ver. 6. teacheth vs to prayse God first for the workes of creation secondlie for his mercifull promising and faythfull performinge of that which he hath promised Ver. 7. teacheth vs that how soeuer men deale vniustlie one with an other yet God alwayes executeth Iustice Secondlie it teacheth vs that he doth not for euer forget the pore afflicted estate of his people Thirdlie that we ought to prayse him for his prouidence towardes the poore and néedie and his pitie towardes the prisoners Verse 8. teacheth vs that many times in matters past mens reache the Lord worketh most mightilie to the end that all the glorie might be geuen to him Ver. 9. teacheth vs that these whom men commonlie make least account of GOD most highlie regardeth and estéemeth it setteth out also the vnlikelie rewarde of the wicked and of the godlie Verse 10. teacheth vs that it is a singular comfort to the Church and to euerie member thereof to knowe that GOD is the King thereof and his Kingdome and gouerment shall endure for euer Psalme 147. THis Psalme standinge chieflie in exhorting men to the prayse of GOD Di. may be deuided into thrée partes First he prouoketh men to prayse God speciallie for his Graces and goodnesse towardes his Church from Verse 1. to the ende of the sixt In the second he exhorteth men to prayse him speciallie for his prouidence to all creatures and namely towardes Men. from Verse 7. to the ende of the 11. In the thirde he prouoketh them to prayse him for his might power and goodnesse towardes all but chiefly towardes his Church from Verse 12. to the ende of the Psalme Se. This Psalme hath no title as many other before going haue none Ver. 1. Prayse ye the Lord vz. for his mercy and goodnesse for it is good i. profitable and comfortable euen to vs sée Psalme 92.1 To singe vz. prayses and thankes giuings vnto our god i. vnto him who hath testified by infinit tokens his great care and loue towardes vs and we agayne on the other side do serue and worship for it vz. prayse and thankes giuinges is a pleasaunt thing i. is an acceptable thing euen vnto
iudgementes ouertake you as are mentioned verse 5. and 9. of this Psalme be wise and learned not that they were withoute wit and learning but because they wanted godly wisedome hee exhorteth them to looke for that Ver. 11. Serue the Lord q.d. Giue vnto him his true honor and worship which hitherto you haue kept backe from him in feare or after others with reuerence both come almost to one ende if wee reade Feare he meaneth the feare of his children which are loth to offende him not so much for feare of punishment as for lothsomnesse on their parte of loue to displease his Maiestie If we reade reuerence then hee noteth with what inward perswasions and outward behauiour we should performe his seruice to his Maiestie vz. not so lightly and vnreuerently as commonlye we doe and reioyce vz. because he hath set suche a king ouer you with trembling vz. at his iudgements which he setteth before them to kéepe them the better in awe and to with-holde them from manifolde mischiefes Ver. 12. Kisse the sonne vz. not only in signe of homage subiectiō but also as a sure pledge of that faithfulnes trust which you wil perform towards him And by Sonne he vnderstandeth either Dauid or Christ least he be angrie and then those punishments fal vppon you mentioned before ver 9. and ye perish q. d least ye also should perish The Prophet putteth downe two reasons to induce men to yéelde to Christ 1. least they prouoke him to wrath 2. least they themselues perish and that in the waye i. before they come to their iournies end meaning thereby the full accomplishment of their purposes practises which no doubt shal be a great gréefe When his wrath shall sodaynly burne others read if his wrath shall burne though neuer so little if you follow the first reading the sence is thus vz. hee noteth not only the time wherein the vngodly shall perish but the maner how and suddainly If you allow the other then this is the meaning q.d. it is good for you to take héede how you prouoke agaynste youre selues God and his iudgements for if his wrath bée neuer so little kindled bée yée sure it will be your destruction this latter I better like of as more agréeing with the circūstance of the place blessed are all that trust in him this is a graue sentence shutting vp the whole Psalme into which the Prophet sodainly entreth not only because of the déepe consideration of Gods iudgements pronounced before agaynst the wicked but also thereby to shew that the godlye are not without hope Ver. 1. Do. Teacheth that the people do many times oppose thēselues against God his ordinance Ver. 2. sheweth that the kings mighty men doe it likewise by which we may learn also that it is not good to hang vpon the multytude for their number nor vpon the mightye for their great countenaunce Ver. 4. Teacheth that God will frustrate the wicked of their hope and mischieuous purposes Ver. 5. as also 9. declareth that the vngodlye shall not escape vnpunished Ver. 7. Teacheth vs not onlye faythfully to declare but also humbly to stand vppon the giftes and calling that God hath bestowed vpon vs. Ver. 8. Declareth Gods liberalitie who giueth to his childrē rich and plentifull gifts ver 9. Noteth the vtter ruine and destruction of the vngodly ver 10. Setteth out Gods mercy in calling men yea euen the highest that others by their examples may be brought therto also to repentāce and amendment and teacheth them likewise to account of the time and not to put off from day to day ver 11. Teacheth that God alone must be worshipped and what maner of seruice it is that he requireth at our hands ver 12. Teacheth obedience to Christ euen as to God the Father by which wee sée that he is God and that there is a distinction of persons it declareth also what iudgement shall fall vpon the vngodly for their sinnes and what graces shall be giuen to the faythfull Psalme 3. THis Psalme hath a large Title Di. which doth not onlye comprehend the Authors name but the time when and the occasion wherefore he did write it is the argument as a man would say of the whole Psalme it may be diuided into thrée parts In the first Dauid declareth what great daungers hee was in by reasons of the multitude of his aduersants and this is in the two first verses in the seconde are comprehended comforts which Dauid gathered vnto him by consideration of Gods present ayde and of the wonderfull consolation which he had by experience felte before from the thyrde verse to the ende of the sixte In the thirde parte hee maketh his prayer vnto GOD for his deliueraunce foretelling as it were Gods iudgements vppon his enemies and his fauour to his children and that is in the two last verses ver 1. Se. is vttered by an interrogation by which the Prophet noteth the wonderfull number of his aduersaries as though hée had bin left almost alone and all the people had gone after Absolon Ver. 2. To my soule mend it thus of my soule i. of me my selfe and my whole lyfe a part put for the whole person There is no help for him in God i. the Lord will not deliuer him for they supposed when they saw him flée from the face of his sonne Absolon on the one side and Absolons power on the other side that God had forsaken him and that he could looke for no helpe of God such a one was Schemei 2. Samuel 16.7.8 Ver. 3. Art a Buckler i. a sure defence from the force of my enemies For me or after some about me by which he noteth in what assuraunce he was vnder the shadow and safegarde of the Almighty My glory i. who how base soeuer I am now must and wil restore me to my former glory And the lifter vp of my heade to lift vp the head is to make one that was very sad and throwne downe with gréefe ioifull and chearefull by exalting of him to giue him matter of mirth sée Genesis 40.13.20 Luke 21.28 he meaneth then by these thrée spéeches that he was to him without weapon a shield or Buckler i. a sure defence and to him contemned glory and renowne and to him cast downe an Author of ioy and raysing vp agayne Verse 4. I did call or after some crye whiche I better like i. I did earnestly pray heard or after some answered i. yéelded and graunted me my request out of his holy mountayne we heard the same before Psalme 2.6 By holy mountayne he meaneth the propitiatorie or mercy seate which was vpon the Arke placed in Mount Sion whiche was sayd to be holy because God the author of holines appeared there and by reason of the holy exercises obserued in that place for God had promised that he would heare his people out of the mercy seate from betwéene the Cherubines when faythfully they should call vpon him or else
path after them in the sea if the sea be calme as a ship or boate doeth sée Iob. 41.23 The 9. ver is expounded ver 1. of this Psalme Ver. 1. The glory of God in his creatures rightly considered Do. should strike an astonishment into vs on the one side and inforce vs on the other side to be thankefull vnto him that maketh his power and prouidence appeare so clearely in them ver 2. Gods power and prouidence seene in his creatures serueth for a double end vz. For the comfort of his children and the terror and confusion of the wicked vers 4. Serueth to humble man and to beat him downe For if he bée compared with other creatures there is no such excellency and durablenes in him as in them neither yet such as hee himselfe imagineth to bee in himselfe vers 5.6.7.8 Setteth foorth the graces and blessings that God hath bestowed vpon man not to the ende that man thereby should waxe proude and swell aboue measure but inforce him 1. to thankfulnes to the giuer 2. to a right vse of them in himselfe and for others 3. the more and more to humble him sée 1. Corin. 4.7 A worde or two touching this matter let man consider what excellencie he hath lost through Adams fall and bewaile his misery and let him on the other side well weigh the grace bestowed vppon him in Christ and bee ioyfull and thankefull for mercy knowing this that if the creatures bee not nowe subiected vnto vs it is by reason of the body and relickes of sinne which yet remaine in vs and that therefore if we would haue a conquest ouer the creatures we must beginne first to get a victory vpon sinne or else wee shall neuer profit that way if any man will obiect and say that many creatures are subdued to many people that are without a god in the world and which notwithstanding remaine in their sinne I answere that Gods dispensing in mercy with our iniquitie or other mens is no impeachment to the truth of this doctrine nay rather it shoulde the more further vs not only in thankfulnes to him for his goodnes but in valiancy and courage to combate against iniquity and that vnto blood because we haue in mercy without any striuing or blow stricken on our side halfe a victory as it were gotten vnto vs the rest no doubt he wil graciously supply that hath begunne this specially if there be a willing mind but al this belongeth to the faithful who are in deede heires of the world and to none other Psalme 9. Di. THis Psalme hath foure parts In the first he prayseth the Lorde and sheweth the causes of that his thankes giuing From ver 1. to the end of the 5. In the second hee scorneth his enemies declaring God to bee iust in punishing the wicked and deliuering his owne children From ver 6. to the end of the 10. In the third he exhorteth others to praise the Lord for his iustice toward the good and bad making a particular praier that he might be deliuered from the hands of his enemies From ver 11. to the end of the 14. In the 4. and last part hee sheweth Gods iudgement vpon the wicked and his fauour to the faithful praying the Lord to rise vp against the vngodly From ver 15. to the end of the Psalme Se. The title hath these words Muth labben which I take to be the beginning of a tune according to which this Psalme was to be sung ver 1. I will speake of i. declare abroad and publish al i. a very great number as Psal 3.7 ver 2. In thee or for thée q.d. for the victory and other goodnesses that thou hast giuen mee I will sing foorth thy praise I wil sing praise to thy name i. I wil praise thy power and maiesty Name is vsed here as Psal 8.1.9 O most high God is so called because he is higher then al thinges or creatures whatsoeuer ver 3. Are turned back i. are discomfited they shal fal and perish at thy presence q.d. They shal not be able to stand before thée much lesse to withstand thée ver 4. For thou hast c. In the third verse he shewed one reason why he would praise the Lord vz. because his enemies were confounded nowe in this verse hee sheweth an other vz. because God maintained his right and iust cause thou art set on the throne vz. to doe the office of an vpright iudge ver 5. Heathen put for the Philistines or some other enemies of Gods people he said that God did rebuke them i. with his terrible countenance or word so cast thē down that they were easily destroied thou hast destroyed the wicked i. some one notorious wicked man among them or other that was their captaine and ring leader as Goliah was amongst the Philistines for the woord wicked is of the singular number though we can not so easilie discerne it in our tongue Thou hast put out i. destroied and cast down to the ground their name i. Their power authoritie glory and what so euer was excellent in them and he meaneth this of those people that come out to warre against gods people who notwithstanding their force were ouerthrowne and destroyed ver 6. Must bée amended thus O enemie he speaketh to one principall meaning all the rest are destructions come to an ende for euer Hast thou rooted out the cities by these speches he derideth the enemies who thought to haue made such a destruction in the land that they shoulde not haue néeded to haue destroyed it againe and therefore they purposed vtterly to haue defaced and destroyed al the cities which the Prophet vnderstandeth by this terme rooting out q.d. is it come to passe as you supposed nay the contrary is fallen out which hee noteth in the next wordes of this verse their memoriall is perished with them i. both them selues are destroyed and all remembrance of them is vanished away from amongst men Ver. 7. But the Lord. q.d. though men fayle yet hee remaineth sure shall sit or after some which I rather allowe indureth Meaning that hee is eternall and shall neuer decay as the enemies doe hee hath prepared his throne for iudgement q.d. hee is alwaies ready to execute iustice putting the throne whereupon hee sitteth for iustice and vpright iudgement pronounced therefrom verse 8. Mend thus that hee may iudge i. That he may performe whatsoeuer hee hath iudged the worlde i. All the people of the world in righteousnesse i. Vprightly and the people with equitie This is a repetition expounding as it were that which went before ver 10. and they that knowe thy name i. Such as haue had experience of thy mercy and power hast not failed them vz. of that thou promisedst and they hoped for that seeke thee vz. vnfeignedly and from a good heart verse 11. Which dwelleth in Sion These wordes make me thinke that this Psalme was not made presently vppon the slaughter of Goliah because the arke was
prieth and watcheth diligently to intrap them that are already afflicted Vers 9. and 10. Hee setteth out the secret councels that the wicked vse to take the godly by Sée for the Lions disposition Iob. 36.1.2 draweth him into his net it is a metaphor taken from foulers who vse closly to lay their nets and snares to catch birds vers 10. He croucheth and boweth i. The vngodly spareth no paine to his owne body that hee may woorke mischiefe Yea hée counterfatteth and pretendeth humilitie but all is hypocrisie Heapes i. Great number and multitudes as it were ver 11. In his heart see ver 6. Of this Psam he noteth in this verse what maketh the wicked so bolde to sinne vz. A false perswasion that they haue of God ver 12. Arise vz. to helpe the oppressed as Psalm 12.5 lift vp thine hand i. declare thy power in striking thine enemies forget not the poore q.d. shewe that thou art not forgetfull of them For in déede he is not forgetfull of them though it so seeme to vs which thing the wicked perswade themselues thou doest as ver 11. ver 13. contemne God Sée ver 3. of this Psalme Thou wilt not regard vz. their sinnes committed against thée and thy seruants ver 14. Mischiefe and wrong vz. which the vngodly haue done to thy children That thou mayst take it into thy hands Not only to iudge betwéen right wrong but also to punish those wicked persons with thy power Himself i. His life al his causes he cōmendeth to thée For thou art the helper this is a reason why the afflicted fléeth to God Of the fatherles i. of those that are voyd of mans help Sée Iob. 29.12 Hosea 14.3 ver 15. breake thou his armie i. al his power and force and whatsoeuer he hath to execute it by Search his wickednes q.d. cal him to account for his sinnes and thou shalt find none vz. To answere thée He meaneth that if the vngodly be sifted the giltines of his owne vngodlines will make him to flée his presence and the iudgement of God will so ouerthrow him that he shal no where appeare neither his place any more be known ver 16. He putteth heathen for the Iewes and Israelits not that they were heathen by nature but because they were corrupted with heathenish maners ver 17. In the Lord part must be read not as a thing already performed but as a praier for the godly Thus strengthen their heart q.d. confirme them more and more in the truth of thy promises dispose their harts to the imbracing thereof bend thine eare i. diligently hearken and yéeld to the praiers of thy poore people as Psal 86.1 ver 18. To iudge i. To reuenge and set frée the fatherles and poore Sée ver 14. Of this Psal That earthly man i. man not only dwelling in the earth but also made of earth cause to feare no more i. Be no more a cause of terror and feare to thy seruants Se. Ver. 1. Teacheth that gods children are wonderfully assaulted when they féele not gods present helpe ver 1.2 c. Till you come to the ende of the 11. ver the holy ghost doeth so diligently set out the wickeds nature not that the godly shoulde feare them For all the mischiefe they can imagine or performe but to teach the Godly the more earnestly therefore to come to God by prayer that they may auoyd these daungers and the more carefully to looke to their steps that they be not ouertaken with these wickednesses Verse 12. Teacheth vs to pray vnto God in the middest of the confusions that wicked men bring into the earth and to desire him to take his owne cause and the cause of his children into his owne hands Ver. 13.14 declare that though the wicked thinke God regardeth not yet hee séeth it and in his good time wil punish them for their sinne Ver. 17. sheweth that it is comfortable for the children of god to think vpon his power because it is their defence and terrible to the wicked because it is their ouerthrow Psalme 11. THis Psalme hath two partes Di. In the first the Prophet flieth to God by prayer that vnder him he might be defended against the violence and mischieuous practises of the vngodly from ver 1. to the end of the third In the seconde part he setteth out Gods iustice in defending his owne seruaunts and in punishing the wicked and vngodlye from verse 4. to the end of this Psalme The title of this Psalme is expounded Psalme 4. Ver. 1. Se. To my soule i. to me a part put for the whole Flie not to as in the Geneua Texte but out of your mountayne Mountaynes are sure places to lodge in from the force of aduersaries but here the enemies tel Dauid and those that were with him that they shal not preuaile to keepe them safe and therefore it were better for them to get them away It may be that by Mountayn hee meaneth the lande of Iudea because it was full of Mountaynes q.d. Get you out of Iudea but the other me thinketh is more simple sée 1. Samuel from chap. 21. to the 27. as a bird vz which séeth the Fowlers snare and therefore flieth away swiftly q.d. You are forewarned of a daunger therefore get you away with all spéede Ver. 2. Bende their bow i. prepare and gather together all the force and subtilties that they haue or can deuise at them vz. at me and those that are with me which are vpright in hart i. which meane no mischiefe or hurt to them or any of them Ver. 3. For the foundations vz. of the places wherein Dauid and his might trust are cast downe he speaketh of that that shall be as though it were alredy done for the certaintie of it in mans iudgement what hath the righteous done q.d. haue I and the people with me committed that these mischiefs should be ment against vs and our liues so sought for Ver. 4. Holy palace i. Heauen as may appeare by that which followeth the Lords throne is in heauen i. he is a heauenly Iudge to reuenge these outrages done vpon the earth agaynst me and mine His eyes will consider or after some doe consider eyes attributed to God after the maner of men meaning that he beholdeth vz. all things that the wicked doe and the godly suffer His eylids i. his eyes it is eyther Metonomya the things contayning for the things contayned or Synecdoche one parte for an other or a part of the eye for the whole eye Chyldren of men i. men of what state and condition soeuer they bee q.d. this one thing comforteth me that though GOD bee in heauen yet from thence he doth withoute respecte of persons behold all things done by men vppon the earth and namely how vngodlye the wicked are agaynst those that trust in him Ver. 5. Will or doth trie vz. by afflictions and calamities that he might make him pure golde vnto him selfe the righteous i. righteous men one
diuision The thing propounded generally is godly life Ver. 2. but particularlye to auoyde slaundering lying inconstancye vsurye briberye c. verse 3.4.5 which done he sheweth what blessings belong to those that walke after that sort Se. This Psalmes Title is easie Ver. 1. In thy Tabernacle i. in the visible Church q.d. who shall be accounted a visible member thereof In thyne holy mountayne i. in Heauen Psalme 3.4 Ver. 2. He that walketh vprightly it is vsuall in scripture to haue walking put for conuersation it is as much then q.d. he that leadeth an vpright life worketh righteousnes i. doth the thing that is right in his hart as he hath it in his hart so hee maketh his mouth and tongue the instruments to expres it Ver. 3. He that slaundereth not this is one particular of truth from the harte with his tongue that is he that maketh not his tongue the instrumente to vtter the slaunder hee hath within him whereby wée sée that there is a double slaunder one inwarde in the mynde and not expressed the other inwarde and besydes that vttered with the mouth nor doth euill this expoundeth righteousnesse verse 2. meaning that a man must doe no manner of iniurye whatsoeuer to his neighbour I take this worde Neighbour to bée vsed here generallye for any as Exod. 20. in the tenth commaundement Thou shalt not couet thy neighbours house c. as also our Sauiour séemeth to meane Luke 10.29 30. c. nor receaueth a false report c. we must not only not slaunder our selues but wee must not admit a slaunder broughte vnto vs by other Ver. 4. In whose eyes i. before whome and in whose iudgement a vile person i. a wicked man is contemned i. a little or nothing set by and regarded he that sweareth i. he that hath with an oth promised a thing lawfull to his own hinderance i. and yet it falleth out in the end to be hurtfull to him in respect of his wealth and substaunce and chaÌ„geth not vz. that which he hath promised though he lose neuer so muche by it ver 5. he that giueth not his monye to vsury i. he that without anye profite at all to himselfe helpeth an other man by the vse of his monye nor taketh reward vz. of them which haue an vniust cause hée séemeth to speak specially of Iudges against the innocent i. that thereby the innocentes cause may be ouerthrowne and iudgement though wrongfullye pronounced against him shall neuer be moued i. he shall be stedfastly rooted in the church in this life and after the course of this life ended be made a citizen for euer of the Heauenly Ierusalem Ver. 2. Teacheth that godly life and vpright dealing be very excellente fruites it teacheth also vnfaynedly to speake the truth touching all men and matters as time and occasion shall serue ver 3. Teacheth vs to auoyd slaundering iniury or wrong doing and acceptation of false tales and reports ver 4. Teacheth that we should not much regarde vngodlye men though they be neuer so highly aduaunced in this world and on the other side that we should loue reuerence the godly though they be neuer so pore and contemptible at teacheth further that honest promises lawfull othes touching things of this life should be performed though the performance therof should much impaire our wealth ver 5. Teacheth that vsury and bribery must be shunned of all the godly and the better to incourage vs to the performance of these holy duties the Lord in mercy setteth before vs a promise of this life present and of the life to come which godlines hath alwais annexed vnto it as a coÌ„panion that cannot be sundered froÌ„ it sée 1. Tim. 4.8 Psalme 16. THis Psalme consisteth of two principall parts In the fâ—â—ste is contayned a prayer that the Prophet maketh to â—â—â—d Di. in which prayer he layeth not forth his workes but cleaueth only to God and his goodnesse from verse 1. to the end of the 6. In the seconde he yéeldeth thankes to the Lorde for the aboundaunce of goodnesse and mercy which hee continuallye receyued from him from verse 7. to the end of the Psalme Se. The title is Michtan of Dauid and differeth from any Title wee haue had yet I take it to be q.d. a Psalme that Dauid made to bee sung after a certayne tune named Michtan commonlye knowne amongst the Iewishe songes for the excellency of it wherevpon also it should séeme to bee named as though it were as excellent as gold Ver. 2. thou art my Lord i. I acknowledge none for Lord vnto me but thée alone my weldoing extendeth not to thée i. thou art nothing profited thereby in respect of thy selfe sée Iob 35.6.7.8 Ver. 3. That are in the earth i. that are liuing amongst men whereby we may learne also that it cannot profit them that are departed and to the excellent vz. in vertue and goodnesse all my delight is in them expound this by Psalme 15.4 Ver. 4. Offerings of blood the Prophet alludeth as I take it to the idolatrous manner of the Gentiles who made their children passe through the fyre to their idols which he calleth offrings of blood or bloody offrings because mans blood was shed therein make meÌ„tion of their names with my lips sée Exo. 23.13 Eph. 5.3 noting by this maner of spéech his detestation of idols and Idolatrie vnderstanding by lips his spéeche and talke ver 5. The Lorde is the portion of my inheritaunce he had sayd before he would haue no fellowship with the Idolaters neyther idols now he sheweth to whom he will cleaue vz. to the Lorde who is a portion euen as it were of inheritaunce alotted vnto him and one that filleth him with goodnesse for so I take the word Cup to be vsed here sée Psal 23.5 thou shalt mayntaine my lot q.d. thou alone for in thée doe I truste and not in my selfe or any other for if it were in vs to be vpholden it could not be mayntayned shalt mayntaine i. vphold and kéepe sure my lot i. the portion which is come to mee by lot as it were he putteth lot for the thing that fell to him by lot as in the next verse he putteth the word lines for that that fell to him by the measuring of the lines or cordes Touching lots and lines or cordes sée Deut. 32.9 Prouerb 16.33 ver 6. in pleasaunte places both for pleasure and profite a fayre heritage i. fine and excellent vnderstanding by these spéeches portion inheritaunce cuppe lines heritage c. all one thing as it were vz. assuraunce of Gods goodnesse towards him for things appertayning to this life and the life to come ver 7. Hath giuen me councell i. instructed and taught me what was right vz. by his holye spirit my reines i. my inward affections as Psalme 7.9 reformed by the mighty working of Gods spirit teach me vz. to thinke vpon nothing as it were but goodnesse in the night when commonly we are prone to euill and
which â—ason the vngodly vse as most conuenient to commit their mischiefe in Iob 24.13.15.16 c Verse 8. I haue set the Lord alwayes before mee q.d. I sieldome or neuer tooke any thing in hande but I behelde the Lorde that I might doe all things according to his good pleasure hee is at my right hande i. he is present with me and that on the better side as it were to holde me vp that I slip not I shall not slide i. perishe and fall awaye for euer because I haue so good a prop to leaue vpon Ver. 9. Doth in manye words note that he was in very good state sometimes speaking of the parts of his bodye as harte and tongue sometimes speaking of the whole vnder the worde of fleshe Ver. 10. Soule put for body as appeareth Leuit. 21.2 in the Hebrew and to sée put for to trie and féele a metaphor taken from one of the sences and applyed to the other This Dauid speaketh of himself in an assured hope that he had of the generall resurrection And Acts. 2.25.26.27 also acts 13.35 it is applyed to our Sauiour Christ to proue him to be a conqueror of death to be truly and indéede risen agayne because death could not keepe him downe and to be the author of that resurrection that al the godly shall haue in which respect also he is called the first fruits of them that slept 1. Cor. 15.20 Ver. 11. The path of life i. the way whereby in this life I may so walke that in the end I shall come to eternall life it is a metaphor taken from trauaylers who iorneying in straunge countries vnlesse they haue a guide cannot tell whether they goe in thy presence i. with thée and where thou thy selfe art in goodnesse and mercy and at thy righte hand sée Mat. 25.33 pleasures he vseth the plurall number to note the great plenty and aboundaunce of them for euermore i. that shall neuer perish Ver. 1. Do. Trust and hope in God is the ground of our prayers to his Maiestie Roman 10.14 Ver. 2. A notable place agaynst merits and confidence in mans workes Ver. 3. Teacheth that we must doe wel to the houshold of faith and that while they liue with vs for otherwise it will not profit them it teacheth also that we should delighte in the company of Gods saynts Ver. 4. teacheth that Idolatrers shall not escape vnpunished also what detestation Gods children should haue of Idols and Idolatrie Ver. 5.6 declare Gods mercy and goodnesse to his children Ver. 7. Teacheth thankfulnesse to God for his inlightning of vs by his spirit ver 8. sheweth that we shoulde doe nothing but alwayes as in Gods presence and that if the Lord be on our side we néede not care who be agaynst vs. ver 10. is a playne testimony of the resurrection ver 11. Teacheth vs vnfainedly to imbrace the Lord in whome is such fulnes and aboundaunce of all good things Psalme 17 Di. I His Psalme hath two especiall partes First the Prophet maketh his earnest prayer vnto God beséeching him graciouslye to heare him and to deliuer him from the vngodly from verse 1. to the ende of the eyght Secondly he describeth the cruelty pryde and other wickednesses of the vngodly as reasons to moue the Lord to pitie his case from verse 9. to the ende of the Psalme De. The title of this Psalme is playne and easie ver 1. crie put for vehemente and earnest prayer of lippes vnfayned or as Immanuel readeth withoute deceitfull lips both commeth to one sence as I take it vz. the Prophet meaneth that his prayers were vttered with wordes for lippes are here put for wordes expressed with the lippes voyde of faigning or subtiltie q. d. My wordes truely expressed my gréefe and were indéede the liuelye image of my minde wordes and hart consenting together ver 2. My sentence i. the sentence and iudgement that thou shalt pronounce on my behalfe for thy presence i. from thée q.d. make it now manifest and let thyne eyes beholde equitie i. declare now by thy iudgements that thou regardest equity whiche I yea with many wicked men haue doubted of because thou hast ben so long before thou hast come to punish the vngodlye ver 3. Proued and visited i. examined and sifted mine hart i. my inward thoughtes whiche are in the hart in the night in which God is wont to stir vp and to put men in minde of his will after that they are called from other affayres sée Iob. 4.3.14 Iob 33.15.16 thou hast tryed me vz. by many tribulations and is a metaphor taken from tryall of metals by fire and foundest nothing vz. euill in me or spoken by me to wit agaynst Saule or some other his enemies in which respect he called his cause a righteous cause verse 1. of this Psalme The latter part of this verse correct thus that which I thinke doth not go beyonde my mouth or as it is in Hebrue I thought adde here and my thought for verbes in the Hebrue tongue doe manye times comprehende their verball nownes passed not my mouth q.d. there was no difference betwéene my mouth and my hart I did without deceit vtter with my mouth what I had in my minde Ver. 4. concerning the workes of men i. which men are wont to doe adde here for the more playne sence this is that I haue to saye by the wordes of thy lippes i by the wordes or thorowe the wordes that thou hast vttered and made manifest I kept me i. through goodnes and strength from thée I did abstayne from the paths i. from the behauiours conditions and manners of doings of the cruell man i. that he vseth ver 5. Stay som read staying but I rather like of the first the Prophet making a prayer for himselfe considering his own weakenesse rather then noting the manner howe My steppes i. my thoughts wordes and déedes in thy paths i. in those wayes and maners which thou hast prescribed by thy word that my féete he goeth out in his metaphor vnderstanding by féete his conuersation inward and outward slide not i. go not astray or slip awry from the rule of righteousnesse that thou hast prescribed ver 6. I haue called i. prayde vnto incline thine eare eare ascribed to God as other partes and members of a mans body are not that he hath such but because our weake capacitie vnder such spéeches might haue some little light of knowledge touching his incoÌ„prehensible maiesty ver 7. he procéedeth in his prayer vsing the word mercies in the plurall number not to the largenes abundaunce thereof sée Psal 16.11 and he calleth them maruailous because they so séeme as in déede they are also vnto men Sauiour i. deliuerer from daungers 1. Timoth. 4.10 he meaneth that God doth vse to saue them that put their trust in him to saue theÌ„ I say from such as resist thy right hand i. from such as sette themselues though in vayne against thy maiestie and power Immanuel readeth this
hath thrée principal partes Di. In the first the Prophet sheweth that Gods excellent maiesty sheweth foorth it self in the heauens generally and particularly in the sunne from ver 1. to the end of the sixt verse In the 2. he commendeth the law of God and the knowledge that may therby be attained farre beyond the consideration of the creatures frō ver 7. to the end of the 11. In the third hee earnestly prayeth to bee deliuered from his sinnes and to be kept backe from performing any thing that might displease almightie God from ver 12. to the end of the Psalme The title of this Psal is expounded before sée Psal 4. ver 1. Se. The heauens i. not only the heauens thēselues the most excellent workmanship therof but al the things therein contained as Sunne Moone Starres c. Declare i. plainly set out euen as it were by speach and the firmament i. the skie and al that which in our iudgement ouerspreadeth vs whereof also in the Hebrew tongue it hath the name The worke of his hands i. that hée hath made them and not so onely but the excellencie thereof also méete for so excellent a workman to whom handes are attributed for mans weaknes sake ver 2. Day vnto day i. one day that goeth before declareth the same to the day following and that not so much for the daies sake as that man by a cōtinual reuolution and successe of the daies man might bee instructed of the power and prouidence of almightie God and by day hee meaneth in this place the day artificiall which after some is counted from the Sunne rising to the Sunne setting or after other some consisteth of xii houres vttereth i. after their maner speaketh the same i. Gods glory power night vnto night he speaketh of the artificial night which wordes also proue that the word day must be vnderstood of the day artificiall teacheth knowledge vz. touching Gods power and goodnes ver 3. There is no speach nor language vz. in them meaning as men vse to speake and yet notwithstanding we vnderstand them as it were speaking vnto vs. sée Rom. 1.20 Psal 8.1.3 mend the latter part of this verse thus and yet not without these i. speach or language is their voyce vnderstood he meaneth that though they haue not mans voyce yet do they sufficiently shewe foorth Gods praise by what meanes he noteth in the next verse ver 4. Their line i. the stretching out of the heauens as a line is gone foorth through all the earth i. hath extended from one end of the world to another and their wordes he speaketh as though they did speak into the ends of the world i. vnto the furthest part thereof q.d. there is no part of the world nor people but it is ouercouered with this excellent workmanship which serueth very well for the Prophets purpose to amplifie Gods goodnes and power in them i. in the heauens or regions of the aire hath he i. God set a tabernacle i. appointed as it were a dwelling place ver 5. Which vz. sunne commeth foorth vz. at the first arising or appearing thereof aboue our Horizon as a bridegrome out of his chamber This is one similitude seruing to expresse the glory and excellency of the sunne hee resembleth the hyding of the sunne out of our sight to a secret chamber prepared for the bridegrome till it please him to make him selfe knowen and the appearing of the Sunne to the bridegrome comming out of his chamber in his glory and excellency and reioyceth like a mightie man to runne his race This is an other similitude to expresse the swiftnes of the sunne which also is noted in the beginning of ver 6. q.d. when the sunne is once vp he goeth his race with a ready chearful ioyful mind euen as a mighty strong man runneth with a chearful noble couragious mind to the gole or marke set before him in the race resembling the Sunne to a mightie strong man and the swift passage therof round about the earth to the spéedy hast of one that runneth in a race noting also by the word reioysing the readines willingnes that this dumbe creature hath as it were to performe the course set it of God ver 6. His going out i. the rising of the sun from the end of the heauens i. from the East where the sunne riseth and his compas is vnto the endes of the same by the ends of the heauens hée vnderstandeth the foure quarters of the world and all their parts q.d. the race of the sunne which he doth so swiftly performe is from the East vnto the west in which course notwithstanding he visiteth the South the North and none or else nothing hee meaneth men or any thing else whatsoeuer For there is nothing to which the heate of the sunne commeth not I meane that quickning heate which all things féele not onely the rootes of trees plants c. But al things else that be hidden as it were in the bowels of the earth as golde water stones c. ver 7. Is perfit vz. nothing may be added to it without marring of it Prouerb 30.6 Conuerting i. turning from euil to good the soule i. the whole man inward and outward but yet he speaketh of the inward because that reformation and amendment must first bee begunne there the testimony i. the lawe vsing an other terme tending to the same ende and it is called testimonie because it witnesseth to vs what God woulde haue vs to doe is sure i. true and can neuer faile and giueth wisedome vnto the simple i. it maketh them that haue little or no skill at all in knowledge many times to excéed their teachers sée Psal 119.99 and by wisedome he meaneth not worldly wisedome condemned Rom. 8.6 but the wisedome of the spirit commended there ver 8. The statuts i. the law an other terme put for the lawe declaring that God hath decréed and appointed the same for vs to walke in are right i. void of any iniustice or corrupt dealing the cōmandement one number for an other vz. the singular for the plural an other terme put for the law because God thereby commaundeth vs to the doing or leauing vndone of this or that is pure i. free from any corruption whatsoeuer vnto the eies vz. of our mindes ver 9. The feare of the Lord i. the reuerence religion and seruice of God after some but I take it to be vsed here for the law which is called the feare of the Lord because it teacheth rules and reasons howe and wherfore he should be feared is clean vz. without any spot or shew of euil and indureth for euer i. is not subiect to alteration and chaunge as mens lawes and ordinaunces are the perpetuitie whereof teacheth vs stedfastly to continue in the same all the daies of our life The iudgements i. the lawe still which is called iudgements because it conteineth and pronounceth iudgements against the breakers therof and here is a
of this Psalme perfourme all thy petitions i. doe that that thou hast prayed for and this is a good place to prooue that by offerings ver 3. Must bee vnderstood praiers also ver 6. Know I a sodaine chaunge of numbers speaking in the person of one thereby to note the vnitie and consent of the people to this praier as though they had beene alone and vttered it al with one mouth His annointed that is his King whom he hath established Sée Psal 2.2 Psal 18.50 heare him sée ver 1. of this Psalme from his sanctuarie Immanuel readeth from the heauens of his holines meaning from heauen where his holines dwelleth which I well like of of his right hand i. power and strength this is spoken of God according to man because man commonly hath most strength in his right hand and it is called mightie helpe because it is such as none is able towithstand ver 7. Is a comparison betwéene the faithfull and the vnbeléeuers these trust in outward meanes of all sortes for that is vnderstoode by chariots and horses and so robbe God of his glory the other cleaue to only Gods vertue power and grace for so is the word name taken as ver 1. 5. of this Psalme and giue him the whole glory ver 8. Brought downe fallen vz. notwithstanding all the trust that they had in the outward meanes q.d. they that sayd they would do al things by mans meanes and strength therefore are lifted vp in pride and lustines are notwithstanding all these imaginations of their owne brought downe and fallen i. lie flat by the fall they haue receiued by setting themselues against God but we are risen and stand vpright q.d. notwithstanding the great miseries and afflictions wherin we were we are become strong and mightie rising vp from vnder the burthen of them ver 9. Saue Lord vz. vs and our king pursuing vs continually with thy fauor in such short kind of spéeches there is great grace in the Hebrewe tongue Let the king heare vs. This is diuersly read and according to the seueral readings hath seuerall sentences Immanuel readeth the king himselfe wil heare vs applying it to Christ and the assurednes that the faithfull men haue that he will heare their praiers othersome take it to be a quick passing from the second person to the third q.d. O king whose office kings in the earth haue in part communicated to them hearken vnto vs so often as we shal seeke thine ayde me thinketh that the Geneua text and note is as plaine as any of these Do. Ver. 1. And so forth teacheth people to pray for their magistrates it teacheth also that the day of affliction is a notable time to pray in also that no ayde is to be had but from God alone ver 3. Teacheth that kinges shoulde be giuen to religious exercises ver 5. The prosperity of the king is the florishing of the people and on the other side the welfare of the people is the Kinges glory Ver. 6. Teacheth those that pray to haue both before and after their prayer an assurance of obteyning ver 7. Sheweth that Gods children must not at any time trust in any thing saue in God alone whatsoeuer the wicked doe whose strength and purposes GOD ouerthroweth vers 8. Declareth Gods iudgements against the vngodly and his fauour to his children vers 9. Teacheth vs to vse earnest prayer in affliction for that doth hee meane by these termes in the day that we do cal vz. vpō thée Psalme 21 THis Psalme hath two principall partes Di. In the first the Prophet sheweth what great benefites and blessings the Lord had bestowed vpon him before he came to the kingdome and in that time also after that he was established therein from ver 1. to the ende of the 7. In the second part he prophecieth of gods great and wonderfull power against his enemies and of their vtter ouerthrow and confusion from ver 8 to the end of the Psalme The title is expounded before Psalm 4. Ver. 1. Se. In thy strength vz. which thou shalt bestow vpon him to stand against to ouercome al his enemies yea how greatly q.d. it can not be expressed in thy saluation i. in that deliuerance that thou shalt bestow vpon him his people giuing them victory ouer their enemies in this verse Dauid speaketh of himself in the third person ver 2. His hearts desire i. whatsoeuer his heart could wish sée Psal 20.4 Hast not denyed him i. hast yéelded and graunted vnto him for by not denying the Hebrewes vnderstand euen as it were performing the request of his lippes i. whatsoeuer he praied rightly vnto thée for vsing in that praier his lippes and other instruments natural whereby the voice is framed ver 3. With liberall blessings i. with abundance and fulnes of all good thinges some particulars wherof he reckneth in the verses folowing diddest set a crowne of pure gold vpon his head i. diddest appoint him to be king most good and glorious vsing setting of the crowne vpon his head which is but a signe as anointing was of his entrance into the kingdome for the ful possession inioying therof ver 4. He asked life vz. in this short life a long life i. more long then he desired for euer and euer i. yea not only life in this life but eternal life also ver 5. His glory i. the glory that thou hast giuen him laid vpon him is great i. is very much inlarged in thy saluation i. through or by the deliuerances and victories that thou hast bestowed vpon him laid vpon him euen of thine owne good wil and in despite of his foes that would haue hindered him therefrom ver 6. Thou hast set him i. appointed him as blessings vz. vnto thy people he vseth the plurall number by which he noteth the wonderfull abundaunce of gods graces bestowed vpon the people by him for euer i. for a long season as we haue had it sundry times before With the ioy of thy countenance i. through the grace and fauour that as it were with a pleasant countenance thou hast shewed him ver 7. The king trusteth the prophet sheweth here the meanes whereby the king shal be established vz. by hope and trust in God he shall not slide vz. from the prosperous successe of his affaires and state ver 8. Thy hand here Dauid speaketh to God meaning by hand power also by right hand in this verse he meaneth the same thing shal find out i. ouertake and lay hold vpon though thine enemies would think to hide thēselues from it ver 9. Like a firie ouen he meaneth that God wil through his wrath make them to burne stil as a firie ouen doth and so in the end consume and ouerthrow them as an ouen cōtinually heat must néeds be spoiled by which maner of speach he noteth two things first that there shal be no intermission of plagues and punishments secondly that these punishments shal not tend to
cruelly to deuoure consume me after the maner of wild beasts They stumbled euen for weakenes and faynthartednesse fell vz. so that they could not rise vp again to molest me mening that they were destroid ver 3. though an host sée Psa 3.6 it argueth a notable stedfast perswasion in the Prophet he meaneth by these words hoste and warre euery thing that may be terrible and fearefull in this worlde in this i. that the Lord is my light and my saluation as verse 1. of this Psalme ver 4. Haue I desired vz. by earnest prayer that I will require vz. agayne and agayne q.d. I will neuer leaue off till I haue obtayned it dwel in the house of the Lord he vseth the word dwelling for continuall presence and the house of the Lord for the sanctuary or tabernacle sée psal 23.6 the beautye of the Lord i. the wonderful works he doth and the famous gifts he giueth by which he is made beautifull and excellent or his beautie is declared to the sonnes of men and to visit i. to be often present in his teÌ„ple i. the place where the ark was as Psal 5.7 Ver. 5. He shall hide me i. kéepe me safe and sound in his Tabernacle it is not here to be taken for the sanctuarie or arke but for the place of Gods abode and visible presence whereby the Prophet meaneth safetye for where the Lorde is with his there is safety and assurance from dangers which the Prophet meaneth also by the wordes following in the secret place of his pauilion containing vnder these spéeches the assurance he had being shrouded vnder Gods protection set me vp vpon a rock i. such a place as my enimies can not come too to hurt me meaning still his safety ver 6. Lifte vp mine heade i. exalt me sée Psalme 3.9 sacrifices of ioy i. sacrifices to testifie my ioifulnesse for my deliueraunce ver 7. crie i. pray earnestly heare me i. graunt my requests for otherwise it cannot be but that God heareth Ver. 8. Séeke yée my face i. in distresse come to me for fauour and grace so that he maketh Gods commaundement in the which also is closely comprehended a promise as Deut 4.26 the ground of his praier mine hart aunswered i. yéelded to that truth and alwayes thought vpon it vnto thée i. thy sayinges and wordes verse 9. Therefore q.d. séeing I come and that according to thy worde and promise hyde not thy face â— withdraw not thy fauour but make me sensibly to féele thy vertue and goodnesse in my deliueraunce nor cast thy seruaunt away vz. without helpe and succour in displeasure vz. agaynst him God of my saluation sée Psal 18.46 Ver. 10. My father and my mother i. not only my parentes but all other whatsoeuer yea all mans ayde and comfort forsake me i. destitute and fayle me gather me vp i. graciously receiue me into his protection and defence see Math. 23.37 Ver. 11. Teach me sée Psal 25 4.5 right path i. righteous conuersation and vpright dealing because of mine enimies sée Psal 5.8 He meaneth such enemies as did looke into his life to sée whether they could finde any thing blame worthy therein Ver. 12. Mende thus for false witnesses would stande vp against me vz. if thou shouldest so deale with me and so I might easily be cast away speake cruellye i. cruell and vniust things that so by their spéeches I might perish ver 13. to sée i. to féele and tast as it were to haue experience of the goodnes of the Lord i. such good things as he hath promised me in the land of the liuing i. here in the world where men liue and I my selfe haue a portion of that life with them sée Psal 1â—6 9 Isaiah 38.11 Ver. 14. He exhorteth himselfe specially but yet also others wholy to depend vpon the Lord. Do. Ver. 1. Assured fayth in the Lord expelleth all feare of men ver 2. God confoundeth the cruell purposes of the vngodle ver 4. It is a notable thing to bée present at the publike assemblies and exercises of Gods Church Earnestnes also and continuance in prayer for good things is commended vnto vs. ver 5. God is an assured place of refuge for all his Ver. 6. God graciously rayseth his after they haue bene cast downe for the which it is their duty to yéeld him hartye prayse Ver. 8. Gods commaundement and promise are two principall spurres to prayer yea the very ground thereof Ver. 9. the godly many times haue such earnest affections in prayer that they can hardly content themselues with any wordes to expresse their mind withal Ver. 10. God is more sure and fast to his children then all naturall parents and friends whatsoeuer Verse 11. Prayer for vpright conuersation according to Gods word should bee muche vsed ver 12. We may pray to be deliuered from the rage and lust of our aduersaries ver 13. If Gods promises were not we should many times sink downe vnder the burthen of our calamities ver 14. It is good for vs to stirre vp our selues and others to a liuely trust and an assured hope in the almighty for we are all dull and weake Psalme 28. Di. I His Psalme hath two especiall parts In the first the Prophet beséecheth the Lord to heare his prayer for himselfe and agaynst the vngodly whose naughtinesse also he doth in part set out from verse 1. to the end of the fift In the seconde hée prayseth the Lorde for his mercies and declareth also the assured perswasion he had in Gods mercy concluding with a prayer for the Church from verse 6. to the end of the Psalme Se. The title hath bin already spoken of ver 1. Doe I crie i. pray earnestly O my strength i. thou from whom all the strength that I haue commeth bée not deafe i. doe not cast away and neglect my prayers eyther as though thou heardst not at all or wouldst not heare for as the deafe cannot heare so there are some that though they can yet will not if thou answere me not i. graunt not my petition I be like theÌ„ that goe downe into the pit i. like dead meÌ„ that are buried for he putteth the word Pit here for the graue meaning that hee and his glory should vtterly perish from among men Ver. 2. When I holde vp my handes the signe of prayer vsed for prayer see Psal 141.2 Exod. 17.11 toward thine holy oracle i. towards the place where thy arke was froÌ„ whence thou hast promised helpe to them that call vpon thée it may be also taken for heauen ver 3. Draw me not away c. vz. to death in the time that thou executest vengeance against the vngodly sée Psal 26.9 Psal 27.12 speake friendlye i. words that pretend friendship goodwill when malice is in their harts i. they imagine mischiefe though they speake fayre sée Psalm 12.2 ver 4. He meaneth that seing they had multiplied iniquitie the Lord would in his iustice repay them home for
it their rewarde i. a rewarde meete for them and their wickednesse ver 5. Workes of the Lord i. his iudgements against other wickednesse and the order of his prouidence breake them downe vz. as men doe olde rotten and ruinous houses for such a metaphor is vsed here and builde them not vp i. let them be without hope of repayring or establishment ver 7. the Lord is my strength my shield sée Psal 18.2 my hart trusted i. inwardly I was fully perswaded and hoped rightly for the hart is it that God specially respecteth and is the seat of all our affections good and euill my hart shal reioyce i. inwardly I will be glad with my song will I prayse him i. openly also will I testifie my ioy and thankfulnes ver 8. Their strength vz. that went forth with me to warre acknowledging that the meanes that men haue are but the instruments of Gods power the strength of their deliuerances i. the only worker of the deliuerances of his annointed that is which his King hath receaued sée Psal 18.50 ver 9. Saue thy people vz. from the rage of their enemies blesse i. poure plēty of blessings vpō that people that thou hast chosen to be a peculiar inheritaunce vnto thy selfe féede them i. be as it were their sheapheard of which sée psal 29.1 nothing his care watchful gouernmēt of thē exalt thē vz. aboue their enimies as psa 27.6 for euer i. cōtinually Ver. 1. When God séemeth not to heare then must we be most earnest ver 2. Do. we must inforce our voice holding vp our hands c and all that we can doe to prouoke vs to earnestnesse in prayer ver 3. It is not good to partake in punishment with the wicked We must learne also to take héede of dissembling either in word or hart ver 4.5 We may pray against the malicious contemners of God and his truth Ver. 6. We ow thankfulnesse to the Lord after that he hath heard our praiers ver 7. Consideration of Gods goodnesse towards vs in former times is a good meane of hope in time to come ver 8. God blesseth the good and those that take part with thē ver 9. In al our prayers we should be mindfull of the prosperous and good estate of the whole church Psalme 29. THis Psalme hath thrée parts Di. In the first the Prophet admonisheth rulers and Princes to feare the Lord this is contayned in the two first verses In the second part he setteth oute the effects of thunder which is an argument of Gods wonderfull maiestie and power from ver 3. to the 9. In the thirde part he sheweth what effects thunder and other workes of God worke in his children promising prosperitie goodnesse to all those that feare the Lord with a right affection from verse 9. to the end of the Psalme The title is expounded before Se. ver 1. Sons of the mighty i. Princes noble men who many times by reason of their birth wealth swel as it wer against god giue vnto the Lord this doubling doth note first that this belōgeth vnto god alone secondly how vnwilling mē are to giue him that which is his right glory strength vz. euen that which you your selues haue q.d. acknowledge that that which you haue you haue from him alone ver 2. due vnto his name which you do not if you claime either the whole or part by name he meaneth god himself al that is in him as maiesty power excellēcy c. in the glorious sanctuary i. in the tabernacle of witnesse in wch god sundry times gaue playne declaration of his glory and maiesty Ver. 3. The voice of the Lord i. the thunder which is called his voyce because he alone sendeth it out is vpon the waters i. as some expound it is heard vpō the waters but I suppose it would rather be turned thus is aboue the waters meaning the waters that be vphelde in the firmament by Gods almightie power because the thunder is in a higher region of the ayre than the cloudes in which the water are contayned the God of glory i. he to whome all glory is due maketh it to thunder i. is the author of it The Lord or better the Lords voice is vpon the great waters as before in this verse and he calleth the waters in the cloudes greate both because of the abundance of them and also because of the force thereof as may appeare in the vniuersall flood Gen. 9. and the reason why I expoūd this verse is because he sayth afterwards verse 10. God sitteth vpon the floud Ver. 4. Is mightye i. declareth greate might in his maiestie is glorious i. expresseth his great glory ver 5. The voice i. the thunder and those things that eyther go before it or follow it as lightnings the thunderbolt storme tempest c. the Cedars of Lebanon i. most high and excellent Cedars for that place yéeldeth the best the most thick and those that lasted longest Ver. 6. He maketh them i. sundry mountaines or places whereof he nameth two in this verse it may also be vnderstood of the shaking of the trées to leape i. to moue and stir muche vp and downe like a Calfe vz. that is vnruly and for pastime as you would say can hardly stand still Lebanon also and Shirion these are the names of two places for Shirion see Deut. 3.8.9 like a yong Vnicorne i. very lustily and nimblye for the Vnicornes but specially their yong ones be slender and light bodyed and much giuen to leaping or skipping ver 7. Deuideth the flames of fyre i. lightnings so called because they séeme to vs and are indéed flaming fire now the thunder deuideth them because it immediately followeth one flash of lightning goeth before another ver 8. the wildernes to trēble i. after some the beasts of the wildernes by Metonomya or which I take to be more plain by reason of that which followeth it maketh the very ground earth of the wildernes to shake as it were the Lord vz. by his power thūdering voice the wildernes of Kadesh i. that most great and horrible wildernes wherin the children of Israel wandred xl yeres before they came to the land of promise of which of the cruel beasts therin mētion is made Deut. 8.15 ver 9. Maketh the hinds who naturally bring forth with great difficulty as Iob 39.4.5.6 to calue vz. before their time which argueth the thunder to be a very terrible thing discouereth the forrest this place hath thrée sences some expound it thus that by forrests they vnderstand the beasts in the forrests which thorow thunder euen for verye feare come out of their couertures others vnderstand by forrest the mere groūd of the forrest which is layd open by the ouerthrow casting downe of trées in thunder and tempest others vnderstand by discouering the forrest the laying of it euen as it were by taking away the leaues thorow thuūder storme and to this
care and conscience diligently to instruct others ver 9. Beware of stubbornes in sinne for besides that it maketh men brutish it draweth Gods iudgement vpon them ver 10. The vnlikely rewarde of the wicked and the vngodly from the Lord. ver 11. Exhortation yea euen to those that haue made good procéedings in godlines is very necessary Psalme 33 THis Psalme hath two special parts Di. In the first the Prophet exhorteth good people to be thankful shewing sundry causes that shoulde moue them thereto as his power prouidence faithful performaunce of his promises and such like from ver 1. to the end of the 11. In the seconde hee sheweth that all thinges in respect of God bee as nothing shewing what a fatherly care that great God hath continually ouer his children and praying also the continuance and increase thereof from ver 12. to the end of the Psal This Psalme hath no title such a one is Psalm 10. Ver. 1. Se. In the Lorde sée Psal 32.11 it becommeth this is a reason to induce praises to God set from their duty vpright men sée Psal 32.11 to be thankeful vz. to God for all his benefits ver 2. instruments of tenne strings the proper name of this instrument is not expressed but it should séeme to be very melodious by reason of the number of strings ver 3. A new song i. not a common song but a very rare and exquisite one chearefully for such countenances the Lord loueth in his seruice ver 4. Al his workes i. whatsoeuer he doth are faithful i. true firme in respect of him from whom they come and profitable vnto vs. ver 5 He loueth i. he so fauoureth that he performeth righteousnes and iudgment I make this difference in this place betwéene these two termes that righteousnes should be referred to the good people vnderstanding thereby faythfull performance of all his promises made to them and iudgement to the vngodly meaning the punishments that he will powre forth vppon them and yet which I thinke also wil not be a misse for this place in consideration that iudgement consisteth of two partes vz. of acquiting and clearing the intent and of condemning the guilty it may be referred to the faithful also is full i. hath wonderfull plenty of the testimonies and tokens of Gods mercy ver 6. Worde of the Lord i. his commandement or effectuall speach as Psal 148.5 Heauens i. not onely heauens but the earth and al creatures whatsoeuer some creatures or a part of the workemanship for the whole and al the host of them if you referre it to the heauens alone he meaneth Sunne Moone Starres c. but if you referre it to the whole worke of creation hee meaneth then all the seuerall creatures the breath of his mouth i. by his word only sée Iob. 15.30 ver 7. He gathereth i. he hath sundred them appointed them their place as appeareth Gene. 1.9 and euer since hath as it were kept them in that compasse and so wil do of all which hee speaketh in the present tense the depth i. the waters that séeme to haue no bottome in his treasures i. hee hath shut vp the depths to be kept in a certaine place euen as it were his treasures or amongst other his treasures ver 8. Al the earth i. al the people of the earth by Metonymia ver 9. He spake c. q.d. he did with a becke as a man would say create al things sée ver 6. of this Psalm It was done i. al the worke of his creation and it stood vz. firme sure and vnmoueable ver 11. the counsell of the Lord i. whatsoeuer he hath purposed and decreed stand vz. sure and stedfast yea neuer to be ouerthrowne the thoughts of his heart the prophet speaketh herof God according to men and as they are able to conceiue of him ver 12. Blessed is that nation q.d. seeing it is so that man can do nothing and God is all in all O blessed are that people that hath the Lord for their God that is for their iudge and gouernor ver 13. All the children of men i. all men whatsoeuer and not only their persons but their deeds and workes as ver 15. ver 14. from the habitation of his dwelling i. from heauen as 1. king 8.30.43 ver 15. He fashioneth i. he not only made but now directeth and disposeth their harts and the thoughts of the same ver 16. Is not saued i. deliuered from danger or getteth the victory by the multitude of an host i. by an host consisting of very many people deliuered vz. from the danger and power of his enemies by great strength vz. of himselfe or others for him teaching that all is done and gouerned by the Lord. ver 17. A horse is a vaine helpe q.d. a horse can not helpe And we may vnderstand by horse al aide succour that man can haue deliuer any vz. that rideth vpon him by his great strength i. by any thing that is in him courage swiftnes c. sée Iob. 39.22.23 c. ver 18. The eye of the Lord i. his fauourable countenance and goodnes is yea and shal be continually ver 19. Their soules i. their liues from death i. from all manner of daunger and destruction that might bring death with it and to preserue i. féede and norish them aliue as he did Elijah by rauens in famine i. in the tyme when other people shall be oppressed with great want ver 20. Our soule i. our whole life and being our inward and our outward man wayteth for the Lord i. patiently taryeth the Lord and his leasure q.d. séeing God doth thus and thus for his children as he had declared before ver 18.19 This is it that we do and will do al the daies of our life trust in him with patience Our helpe i. he that helpeth vs and our shield sée Psal 3.30 Psal 11.2 Ver. 28. Our heart a principal part for God specially regardeth the heart put for the whole man q.d. we will reioyce c. in his holy name i. in his vertue power and grace as Psal 29.1 And God is called holye because there is nothing in him but holines nay hée can not away with wickednes Psal 5.4.5 Ver. 22. As wee trust in thee vz. that thou wilt shewe vs mercy not meaning that they woulde haue no more mercy shewed them then they had trust Ver. 1. The consideration of the duety we owe to God Do. should stirre vs vp to thankfulnes ver 3. God loueth chearfulnes in all the exercises that are to bee performed towardes him ver 4. Whatsoeuer God doeth is righteous good and therefore they are to blame that will dislike of his doings ver 5. God giueth plentiful testimonies of his mercy to the ende hee might thereby prouoke men to continual thankfulnes ver 6. Confirmeth this article of our faith God is the maker of heauen and earth ver 7. Gods prouidence guideth al his creatures and namely and particularly the Seas and great
woulde saye to beholde the Heauens then the heares of myne heade i. they are innumerable my harte i. my courage witte counsell c. hath fayled me i. hath hene as it were consumed vz. by earnest thinking vppon them Verse 13. Let it please thée Hée flieth to Gods good will sée Psalme 38.21.22 Ver. 14. Let them bée c. Sée Psalme 35. 4. and 26. where you haue almost the same words Verse 15. For a rewarde i. as a méete and iust punishmente of their shame i. of their filthye and shamefull life sée Psalme 28.4 Aha Aha sée Psalme 35.21 Verse 16. That séeke thée vz. with a sincere and vprighte harte and that to serue thée in thee i. for thée and for the gracious deliueraunces that thou bestowest vppon them that loue thy saluation i. like and reioyce in thy sauing health and deliueraunces saye alwayes i. haue alwayes an occasion to say the Lorde be praysed vz. for the continuall mercy and goodnes which hée hath shewed vnto vs. Ver. 17. Though I be poore and néedy i. destitute of all mans ayde thinketh on me vz. to doe me good or else prouideth for me my matters thou art my helper and my deliuerer q.d. I néed not be proud when I doe any thing well for I doe it by thy helpe who art wont to deliuer me from troubles Do. Ver. 1. Patient abiding the Lords leasure is neuer vnrecompenced Ver. 2. God sheweth himself then most nigh to his children when they are in the greatest daunger Verse 3. By graces bestowed vppon his children GOD deliuereth two doctrines the one that those that haue receiued them shoulde prayse him the other that those that haue not receiued them should learne thereby to reuerence him and put their trust in the truth of his promises Verse 4. GOD onely must be trusted vnto as for proude and deceitfull persons they are to be abhorred Verse 5. Gods workes are past our reache Verse 6. God preferreth obedience speciallye in the harte before outwarde Ceremonies Verse 7. Teacheth vs chearefully when wée knowe Gods worde to obaye the same Verse 8. Teacheth vs to reuerence the law and worde of God aboue all Verse 9.10 To set forth Gods goodnesse righteousnesse truth to the vttermost of our powers Ver. 11. Continually to pray for the féeling of Gods mercy and truth Verse 12. Describeth the gréeuousnesse of sinne and the horrible effectes of the same Verse 13.14.15.16 We learne to make prayer as for our selues so for others and yet withall to pray against the malicious and obstinate enimies of Gods truth Verse 17. God reiecteth none for his pouerty or néede but the more he is in distresse the readier is the Lord to helpe him if hée be his Psalme 41. THis Psalme may be deuided into thrée parts Di. Firste Dauid declareth what good estate they are in that pitie the afflicted and néedye in their calamities and distresse from verse 1. to the end of the fourth In the seconde hee describeth the mischieuous mindes of his enimies agaynst him and the practises of his counterfeyted friends from verse 5. to the ende of the ninth In the third he prayeth vnto the Lord for deliueraunce and assuring as it were himselfe thereof he concludeth with thankesgiuing from verse 10. to the end of the Psalme The Title is expounded before Verse 2. Se. Kéepe him vz. from the violēce and rage of his enemies preserue him aliue vz. euen here vppon the earth from many daungers hee shall bee blessed vppon the earth i. hée shall haue abundaunce of blessinges powred forth vpon him in this life and thou vz. O God a sodayne chaunge of the person vnto the will vz. that they shoulde doe with him what they list sée Psalme 27.12 Ver. 3. Vpon the bed of sorrowe i. when being sorrowful and gréeued hee doth for verye weakenesse kéepe his bedde putting the place wherevpon the heauy harted partye lyeth for the partie himselfe and his wonderfull gréefe thou hast turned a chaunge of the person as before ver 2. of the time by turning he meaneth changed all his bedde i. all the gréefe hee had vppon his bedde in his sicknesse i. in the time of his sicknesse The Prophet meaneth that God either had or would for the Prophets vse to speake sundry times of things that are to come as though they were alredy done restore him from sicknes to health from gréefe of mynde and body to soūdnes both of body soule ver 4. Therfore I sayd vz. because I saw thy goodnes towards others my soule i. me my self both in body soule a part for the whole Verse 5. Speake euill of mee i. Wish euill to me as may appeare by that which followeth in this verse They desired his death and his name i. not only his glory but his remembraunce perish vz. from amongst men Verse 6. He come a sodain chaunge of the number putting one eyther for some excellent one amongest them or for many to sée me vz. when I am sicke he speaketh lyes because he hath one thing in his mouth and another thing in his hart see Psalme 35.15 his hart heapeth iniquitie within him i. he carrieth an innumerable number of mischiefs in his hart againste mée which he declareth to his mates so soone as he is departed from me and laboreth to put the same in execution commeth forth vz. from the place where he had bin with me he telleth it vz. to his companions Verse 7. Whisper together i. hold their secret counsels and conspire against me for by whispering he meaneth their secret spéeches and practises myne hurt i. the hurt they will doe me Ver. 8. A mischiefe i. some great affliction punishment or disease sent from God which his enemies called a mischiefe prophanelye as prophane men sometimes call it vengeaunce Acts 28.4 hath light vpon him and taken such hold that he that lieth vz. gréeuously sicke vpon his bed and in it shall no more rise vz. out of his bed because they supposed hee shoulde dye of that disease Ver. 9. My familiar friend this may be vnderstood eyther of Absolon or Achitophel as 2. Sam. 15. or some other trustye one which did eate of my bread i. that came to my table and did eate of the best vittails I had there hath lifted vp the héele agaynst me by héele we vnderstande the whole man a part being put for the whole The meaning of the Prophet is that not onelye he whosoeuer he was did set himselfe against him but that also hee did it despightfully and contemptuously for to lift vp the héele or foote to the ende to trample vnder féete or to spurne argueth contempt despight and crueltye This by our Sauiour is applyed to Iudas Iohn 13.18 Verse 10. Rayse me vp vz. to my former strength and glory so shal I reward them vz. according to my kingly calling and office rendring vnto them that they haue deserued Ver. 11. He vseth the present tense for the future which is vsuall
our selues by all the lawfull meanes wée can Verse 6. and namely by hauing recourse vnto our GOD who is the God of all comfort 2. Cor. 1. Verse 7. teacheth two thinges first that the latter end of one trouble with Gods children is the beginning of an other secondly that we should not dispaire vnder the multitude of our afflictions Ver. 8. We ought to be wel and assuredly perswaded that God will haue mercye on vs. Al the rest is touched before verse 3.5 Psalme 43. THis Psalme may be deuided into two parts Di. In the firste the Prophet prayeth to God to take the iudgement of his cause into his hand and to graunt him his fauour and this is in the thrée first verses In the second he promiseth thankfulnes to God for that and other benefits comforting himself what he could in his troubles and this is in the two last verses of the Psalme This Psalme hath no Title no more hath Psalme 10. and also Psalme 33. Se. but it séemeth to be written vppon the same occasion that the 42. was vz. that being driuen out of his Countrie by the violence of his enimies and wanting the vse of Gods exercises hee prayeth deliueraunce from the one and restitution to the other Verse 1. Iudge me i. Pronounce sentence agaynst mine enemies and cleare me deceitfull and wicked man i. it may be that he meaneth Saule as the chéefe but I rather take it to bée the singular number put for the plurall or else one moste notorious put for all the rest of the vngodly sée for the more cleare exposition of this verse 1. Samuel 24.9.10 and so foorth to the ende Verse 2. The GOD of my strength i. thou art he from whome I haue receaued all the strength I haue and by that strength and power that thou haste giuen mée haste deliuered mee hitherto from all daungers Why haste thou put me awaye vz. from thée hee expressed this Psalme 42.9 in these wordes Why haste thou forgotten mee Thus fleshe and blood debateth the matter with GOD when they are left some small time in affliction Why goe I so c. These wordes are worde for worde Psalme 42.9 He meaneth that notwithstanding the enemie did wonderfully trouble him yet hee shoulde haue raysed vp himselfe in the hope and comfort that he had or might haue in the GOD of his strength Verse 3. Sende vz. to mée thy light i. thy gracious fauour and thy truth i. Faythfulnesse and true performing of that whiche hée had promised q.d. of thy fauour and goodnesse helpe them that are oppressed and by that succoure sente them from thée make them to féele the truth of thy promises lette them i. thy lighte and thy truth leade mée vz. to the apprehension of thy goodnesse and mercye and lette them bring mee vnto thy holye Mountayne vz. where thy Arke is whiche was then Kiriath Iearim a Towne set vppon a Mountayne as it shoulde séeme 1. Samuell 6.21 and to thy Tabernacles i. to all the places where the shall bee pitched for thy Arke for the temple was not builded till the raigne of his sonne Salomon Now the Arke was sometimes at Shiloh 1. Samuel 1.3 Sometimes at Kiriath Iearim as 1. Samuel 6.21 Sometymes at Nob 1. Samuel 21.6.7 Sometimes at Gibion 1. Kings 3.4 2. Chron. 1.3 and this is the reason why it is called here and in other places of the Psalmes as Psalme 84.1 Tabernacles in the plurall number vz. because it was sette vp at sundrye times in sundrye places Verse 4. Then i. When this shall be graunted mee from GOD I will goe vz with Sacrifices and offerings vnto the altar of God vz. that I may offer them thereon in these wordes he promiseth a willing frée and thankfull seruice vnto God the God of my ioy and gladnesse i. hee that is the Author thereof as verse 2. of this Psalme hee is called the GOD of his strength and by doubling the wordes ioye and gladnesse which meane all one thing he meaneth the wonderfull greate and excéedinge ioye that GOD eyther had or would giue him vppon the Harpe hee addeth this Instrumente to bée as it were a testimonye outwarde of his thankfulnesse sée Psalme 33.2 Verse 5. Is expounded before Psalme 42.5.12 Hee is my presente helpe i. ready at all assayes to helpe me and to giue mée wonderfull deliueraunces Do. Verse 1. We maye at Gods handes by prayer begge defence against and deliueraunce from cruell subtill and wicked persons Verse 2. It is good the more the enemy rageth to cheare our selues in God Ver. 3. The féeling of Gods fauoure and the truth of his promises two notable poyntes to comfort vs in all our distresses also wée must haue an earnest desire to the holye and publique assemblies of GOD. Verse 4. Thankfulnesse both inwardlye and outwardlye would be rendred to God for his mercies bestowed vpon vs. Verse 5. It is good for vs to comfort our selues in our afflictions and patiently to tarrye the Lordes leasure who wil neuer fayle vs if we hang wholy and stedfastly vpon him Psalme 44. Di. THis Psalme maye bée deuided into thrée partes In the firste the faythfull declare what greate workes GOD in goodnesse had done for their forefathers and them from the firste verse to the ende of the eyght In the second they shewe howe that GOD as it were hauing forgotten himself had left them in moste miserable case to their enimies from the ninth verse to the ende of the sixtéenth In the thirde they shewe that for all their miseries they forgate not God and therefore pray and that earnestly for succour and reléefe from him from verse 17. to the end of the Psalme The Title is expounded before Psalme 42. The author of this Psalme is vnknowne and the tyme to as of certaintye wherein it shoulde bée written notwithstanding there is some probable appearaunce eyther after the returne of the people oute of Babilon or else in the time of their exyle Verse 1. Hearde with our eares i. assuredly and certaynly hearde our Fathers i. our Auncestors haue told vs vz. both by wordes and writing in their dayes i. in the times wherein they liued in the old time i. euen long agoe that the people might the more moue God to comfort them in their miserie they reckon vp his greate goodnesse shewed vnto their forefathers Ver. 2. Driuen out vz. of the land which they possessed and inhabited with thine hand i. by thy power and might as sundry times in the booke of Psalmes planted them i. surely set and as it were rooted them to growe i. to multiplye and to increase wonderfully Verse 3. Inherited not i. atteyned not to the inheritaunce or possession of the land by their owne sworde i. by the weapons and armour whiche they had their own arme i. their owne power and strength saue them i. deliuer them from daunger and distresses but thy right hand thyne arme i. thy strength might and power only and the light of
giuen speciall tokens of his fauour to that aboue the rest euen vppon his holy mountaine hee meaneth mount Sion which is therefore called holy because that the Arke being there placed the most holy God shewed himselfe present in the same Ver. 2. He doth commend mount Sion for the pleasaunt situation thereof because it stood Northward or as you would say on the north side of Ierusalem as Isaiah 14.13 We know that places situated Northward are very holesome by reason of the colde drie and cleare aire that commeth out of that quarter sée Iob. 37.22 It is the ioy i. it is a place wherein the whole earth shoulde reioyce because that the doctrine which came out of the same bringeth saluation to all the worlde sée Isaiah 2.3.4 Mich. 4.1.2 c. Act. 2. Titus 2.11 and the Citie of the great king he calleth Sion the mount wherein the temple was builded and was a part of the Citie of Ierusalem the citie it selfe and by great king hee meaneth God who is called great because he hath all greatnes in himselfe which also serueth to put a difference betwéene him and earthly kinges sée Matth. 5.35 Ver. 3. In the palaces thereof i. in the strong bulwarkes and defenced Towres of Ierusalem which hee calleth pallaces for the excellency and beauty thereof because they were not onely strong but also very sightly is knowne i. by tryall taken and had for a refuge i. for a place of most assured safety as who being with them and on their side they néeded not care who or howe many were against them Verse 4. The kinges i. diuers and sundry kinges as Shishake king of Egipt 2. Chron. 12.9 Serah king of Ethiopia 2. Chron. 14.9 Sanecherib king of Assiria Isaiah chap. 36. and chap. 37. and this circumstaunce maketh mee to thinke that this Psalme was made long after Dauids tyme were gathered vz. together with all their forces against this Citie and went together vz. to destroy it but could not as followeth and by this the faithfull comfort themselues that all the mischieuous imaginations of the wicked shall not preuaile against it Ver. 5. When they i. the enemies withall their armies and power sawe it q.d. at the bare beholding of the Citie they marueiled vz. at the walles Bulwarkes Towres Ramparts and other munition thereof and were astonied vz. not onely with the excellency of the thing but with great feare and sodainely driuen backe vz. for all their great warrelike forces and powers they were put to flight and euery one glad to take them to their héeles as it were Verse 6. Feare came vppon them i. a very great feare seased them and tooke holde of them there i. euen as they were before Ierusalem and as a man woulde say ready to besiege it this was chiefely verified vppon Sanecherib and his host as appeareth 2. Kinges 18.24 2. Kings 19.35 2. Chronic. 32.1 Reade the places throughout and sorrowe i. griefe and great payne so that they were not onely afrayde but full of great griefe as vppon a woman in trauaile by this similitude the Prophet noteth first the sodainenes of their sorrow secondly the increase and continuance of it as one throwe commeth in an others necke and thirdly that they shoulde not escape it no more then a woman can her payne sée Thessalonians 5.3 Ver. 7. Hee doeth by an other similitude shewe howe easily God can breake the strongest thinges that men haue there néedeth no more but a puffe of winde to breake the strongest shippe as with an East winde to this winde the Scripture doeth in sundry places ascribe great force and vehemency as Ierem. 18.17 thou breakest vz. in pieces and makest them to suffer shipwracke the shippes of Tarshish i. goodly tall and strong shippes and hee meaneth by shippes of Tarshish not onely shippes appertaining to that Iland but those that came in to the hauen there which was made very commodious for them sée Ionah 1.3 Verse 8. As wee haue hearde vz. by our forefathers Prophets not onely of former deliueraunces but also that GOD woulde deliuer vs when wee were in daunger so haue wee séene vz. both with our eyes and by experience also the same thinges fulfilled in the Citie of the Lorde of hostes i. Hierusalem why GOD is called the Lorde of hostes sée Psalm 46.7 will stablish it i. make it firme and sure and keepe it safe and sounde from the force of the enemies for euer i. for a very long season if wee referre it to Hierusalem but worldes without ende if wee referre it to Gods Church Ver. 9. Wee wayte c. i. wee quietly and patiently tarry the tyme wherein thou wilt make manifest thy grace and goodnes in the middest of thy temple this must not bee referred to the people as though they had aboad in the middest of the Temple wayting for Gods kindnes but to Gods kindnes and goodnes it selfe which was wont to be manifested and shewed from the propitiatorie or mercy seat which was ouer the Arke of the couenant and an euident signe of the presence and fauour of GOD and was placed in the middest of the Temple Ver. 10. According vnto thy name i. as thy power might and maiesty is great and spreadeth it selfe ouer the earth so is thy praise vnto the worlds end i. it is all the world ouer and shall continue and abyde for euer amongst thine in what place or quarter of the worlde so euer they bee Thy right hand i. thy power and the thinges that by thy power thou doest for hée putteth the hande wherein power consisteth and by which as by an instrument matters are perfourmed for power it selfe and the thinges done thereby is full of righteousnes i. not onely righteous but frée from suspicion or reprehension of vnrighteousnes Ver. 11. Let mount Sion reioyce this is an exhortation to stirre vp the faithfull to thankefulnes By mount Sion hée vnderstandeth Ierusalem as ver 2. of this Psalme putting also the place conteining the people for the people conteined therein Daughters of Iudah i. other Cities and Townes of that Country as Psalm 9.14 of thy iudgements i. which thou hast exercised in defending vs thy people and punishing thy enemies Ver. 12. Compasse about Sion the writer of the Psalmes prouoketh the citizens of Ierusalem not onely to consider the strength and situation of their Citie but also to sée whether that by the besieging of it it were any whit weakened q.d. goe about it and about it againe viewe it well and sée whether there haue beene any breaches made into it tell the Towers thereof vz. to sée whether any bée wanting defaced or throwne downe Ver. 13. Marke well the wall thereof vz. no whit at all impayred behold her towres euen as beautifull and strong as they were before the besieging sée ver 3. of this Psalm that ye may tell your posterity vz. of this great and wonderfull deliueraunce as our fathers haue tolde vs verse 8. of this Psalme and also Psal 44.
ver 1.2 c. and so by that meanes they haue their faith also strengthened in the trueth of Gods promises Ver. 14. Is our God i. hath declared himselfe so to bée heretofore and at this present and will do so continually hée shal be our guide i. we will alwayes take him for our leader and gouernour vnto the death the faithfull meane not by affirming that God shal bee their guide vnto death that afterwardes hée shall cease so to bée but this is their mynde that for as much that death is the greatest and last enemy they haue to deale withall in this life they assured themselues that God would not only leade them thither but giue them strength to ouercome and get the victory also therein Do. Ver. 1. Meane praises appertain not to so great a maiesty as God is whose praises should found euery where but specially in Gods Church Ver. 2. Vnder Sion and Hierusalem and the situation therof the Prophet setteth out but the beauty of the Church and the healthfull and safe dwelling therein Ver. 3. It is a notable thing once to haue felt and had trial of Gods goodnes power towards his Ver. 4. Sheweth that euen the mightiest are many times enemies to the Church Ver. 5. Setteth out the suddaine destruction of the enemies of the Church Ver. 6. Noteth the greatnes of their grief the assurednes therof Ver. 7. Declareth their vtter ruine and ouerthrowe whome the holy Ghost resembleth it to a shipwracke Ver. 8. The faithfull finde God alwaies faithfull in the performances of his promises Ver. 9. Gods children must in patience abyde the Lordes leasure for their deliuerance Ver. 10. God is holy and iust in all thinges hee doeth whatsoeuer the vngodly babble to the contrary Ver. 11. Gods people ought to reioyce when God either ouerthroweth their enemies or deliuereth them Ver. 12. The Lorde will haue all the senses of his seruants witnesses of his gracious deliueraunces to the ende that their fayth might bee more confirmed Ver. 13. Our posterity shoulde bee instructed in Gods mercyes towardes vs out of which also they should reape an argument of comfort in distresse Ver. 14. Wee learne to hang vpon God continually Psalme 49. THis Psalme may bee deuided into three especiall partes Di. In the first is conteined an exordium or entrance into the matter where the prophet prepareth his people to attentiuenes commending also the matter that hee will speake of from Ver. 1. to the end of the 4. In the second part is set out the vanitie and shortnes of mans life and the assurednes that men shall once die against which there can bee no better yea no other remedy then stedfast fayth and assured perswasion in God the trueth of his promises from Ver. 5. to the end of the 15. In the third the Prophet by his owne example exhorteth all the faithfull to take heede that through abundance of riches they haue not their hearts stollen as the fatlings of the world haue from the hope of better thinges from ver 16. to the end of the Psalme For the title and the exposition therof see Psalme 42. Ver. 1. Se. Heare vz. not onely with the eares of the body but also of the minde this vz. that I shall speake hereafter giue eare in that the Prophet doubleth his speach he sheweth both howe dull of heart men are to conceiue and also howe excellent his doctrine is that requireth such attentiuenes all yee that dwell in the worlde in these wordes hee sheweth howe large and generall his doctrine is appertaining to all people then liuing or afterwarde to come Ver. 2. Hee declareth that none for their pouerty or other for their honour can bee exempted from the trueth of his doctrine Ver. 3. Of wisedome in the Hebrewe text it is in the plural number wisedoms meaning thereby varietie and abundance of wisedome and when he sayth his mouth shall speake of wisedome he meaneth that the wordes that he shall vtter if they bee rightly receiued shall stand them in great stéede to atteine excellent wisedome meditation of mine heart i. that that I haue within me which also I will expresse with my tongue is of knowledge in Hebrew knowledges by which he noteth the excellency variety and abundance thereof commending also his doctrine by these speaches to the end it might be the better imbraced Ver. 4. I will incline my eare i. I my selfe wil diligently marke consider and hearken vnto these thinges and therfore you ought also to do the like so that hee maketh himselfe an example here as appeareth in the next verse to a parable vz. that followeth in this Psalme meaning by one sundry the worde signifieth graue and sentencious speaches of matters of weight such as in this Psalme are ver 12.20 vppon the harpe i. vsing a harpe in the vtterance thereof that you may so much the more easily and chearefully heare me speaking of it Ver. 5. Wherfore should I feare q.d. there is no cause because I am certainly perswaded of Gods goodnes towards me the reason of this is shewed in ver 14.15 of this Psalme in the euil daies i. in the daies of affliction calamitie or death which are called euill not that they be so of themselues as sent from God but because they are laid vpon vs for the euil committed against him and so we accoūt of them for otherwise dayes are not euill but good the last part of the verse mende thus though the iniquitie of my héeles might compasse mée by iniquitie of the héeles hee meaneth not onely the iniquities to the doing whereof hee had béene caried with his féete putting héeles which are part of the féete for the féete but also whatsoeuer calamitie had fallen vppon him for these sinnes q.d. there is no cause why I shoulde bée afraid no though my sinnes and the punishments for my sinnes were on euery side vppon mee for that assured perswasion that I haue receiued through fayth and loue in God hath banished al that feare and doubting Ver. 6. They trust amend thus of them that trust in their goods i. in the wealth and substance that they haue scraped together and boast themselues vz. as though by their owne wit and labour they had obteined it in the multitude i. in the great quantitie and abundaunce Ver. 7. Amend thus not one can by any meanes redéeme c. and so knit it to the sixt verse by any meanes vz. which hee hath or can deuise redéeme vz. from death and the power thereof hee meaneth deliueraunce and freedome from bodily or naturall death his brother i. any of his kinred or deare friende and acquaintaunce his raunsome i. raunsome for him vz. that hee may haue a longer life to GOD there is a double reason of this first because God regardeth not these outward thinges as siluer gold honour c. Secondly because GOD is not subiect to alteration or change but that hauing set vs the boundes of our life
heart prayseth the Lord doth yéeld him most excellent honour disposeth his way arighte i. rightly and holily ordreth his life will I i. God himselfe speaking of himselfe or else his seruaunt and Prophet shew the saluation of God i. If wée referre it to God he meaneth that he will shew himselfe the sauiour of suche a person but if we referre it to the Prophet and take it to be his wordes hee meaneth that he will declare vnto him excellent saluation for so sometimes these wordes of God are vsed which he shall receaue indéede from God who will for euer kéepe and saue such persons both the sences come almost to one Verse 1. Gods maiestye appeareth excellently in his creatures Verse 2. Do. But specially in his Church Verse 3. Gods iudgements and power are terrible to his enemyes but comfortable to his seruaunts Verse 4. All creatures are at Gods commaundement Verse 5. Gods people are called saynts euen in this life whome it becommeth carefully to kéepe the couenaunt of sanctifycation that passeth betwéene them and their God Verse 6 It is comfortable to consider that God who is iustice it selfe shall iudge Verse 7 When God speaketh all ought to heare Verse 8.9 God regardeth not outwarde seruices when inward is wanting Verse 10. All things in the world are Gods and at his commaundement Verse 11. If he know the creatures then men likewise Verse 12. God standeth not any maner a way in néede of man Verse 13. God being a spirit néedeth not outward nurriture Verse 14. The sacrifice of thankes giuing is acceptable to God Verse 15. Aduersitie is a spurre vnto prayer if we could rightly consider of it Verse 16. Gods ordinaunces being holy and pure shoulde not come into mouthes giuen to filthinesse Verse 17. To hate admonition and to despise Gods worde be two grieuous sinnes Verse 18. Learne to beware of making hast to wickednesse and of communicating with other men in their sinnes Verse 19. Our tongues and mouthes shoulde be dedicated to goodnesse ver 20. To speake euil of or to slander any much more our nighest kinred is a horrible sinne Verse 21. Gods mercy long suffering worketh strange effects in the wicked not of it selfe but because that they in the corruption of their own nature abuse it Verse 22. Gods iudgemeÌ„ts should strike a reuerence and feare of his maiestie into our harts Verse 23. God delighteth in those that giue themselues to godlinesse and honesty Psalme 51. THis Psalme propoundeth specially two thinges Di. the firste is an humble confession of sinnes with an earnest crauing pardon for the same desiring notwithstanding his sinne the continuaunce of Gods fauour towards him and this reacheth from verse 1. to the end of the 17. In the second is comprehended an earnest praier for the whole estate of Gods church and â—â—is is in the two last verses of the Psalme The Title to him that excelleth Se. a Psalme of Dauid this hath bene expouÌ„ded before when the Prophet Nathan came vnto him for the better vnderstanding of this read 2. Sam. 11. and 12 Chapiter throughout after hee had gone in to Bathsheba the scripture speaketh chastly purely of a filthy facte in other places it is expressed by knowing hir in our spéech we say after he had had her company or lain with her Verse 1. Conteineth excellent wordes of a man that doth earnestly confesse his sinnes and he doubleth as it were the same matter in other wordes that hee might more effectually declare his affection he runneth only to Gods mercye and because his sinnes were many and infinite he prayeth the manifestation and féeling of the infinite multitude of gods goodnesses away myne iniquities vz. either as they doe that take spots oute of apparell or as they doe that blot somwhat out of debt bookes for such a metaphor he séemeth to vse here meaning the vtter remouing of them Verse 2. Vnder the termes of washing and cleansing the Prophet alludeth to the outwarde purifyings and cleansings of the law yet so that he knoweth that all these outward things were nothing without the Lord performed that inwardly wch was signified by these outward signs that is frée pardon ful forgiuenes of al his transgressions Ver. 3. For I know i. féele sensibly within my self but yet so that I do withal confes it is euer before me i. is continually in my remeÌ„braunce and the very thought of it doth continually vex me and by iniquitye sinne in the singuler number he meaneth not that he committed no more but one sinne for we sée there was murther adioyned with his whordome adulterye but in confessing one as the principal he acknowledgeth all the branches appertayning therto whatsoeuer Ver. 4. Against thée against thée only c Dauid noteth by this maner of spéech that he did so cuÌ„ningly couer his sinne from mens eyes that none saw it for the time til it was reuealed but God alone so that we see Against thée doth not only note that his sinne was directly agaynste God which also he meaneth by doubling the words against thée agaynst thée but also that it was naked before him as appeareth by that which followeth when he addeth this word only he meaneth not that he had not offeÌ„ded against men also for we sée that he had caused Vriah to be slain but because God was he whose law both in respect of the first and second table was broken whom it did most especially touch that thou mayst be iust i. declared to be iust for otherwise god is alwayes iust though the manifestation thereof appeare not and pure i. sound and vpright when thou iudgest vz. others for God is always iust but it then specially appeareth wheÌ„ he eyther pronouÌ„ceth senteÌ„ce against some or executeth iudgements vpon them Ver. 5. Behold q.d. I confes not only this sin of adultery and murther but al other from the time of my being vntill this present houre he speaketh indéede specially of originall sinne but yet so that vnder the same he comprehendeth al his other sinnes whatsoeuer originall sinne being the fountayne from whence the rest flow and in sinne hath my mother conceyued me these wordes meane not that the performaunce of mariage dueties simply of themselues bee euill as some lewde men haue dreamed and taught but that he hauing originall sinne from his parents was in that sinne conceaued i. fostred and norished in his mothers wombe and brought forth in the same for so largely do I take the word of conceauing the beginning of a thing being put for the grouth procéeding and continuance of the same thing Ver. 6. Thou louest truth i. vprightnes soundnes a sincere good wil to follow thée in the inward affections meaning that God specially respecteth the hart yet so that he wil haue the outward conuersation agréeable thereto haste thou taught me wisedome i. heauenly and right vnderstanding out of thy law All this the Prophet alleageth to aggrauate his own sinne because
that contrary to the knowledge and truth that God had manifested vnto him he had cōmitted gros iniquities Ver. 7. Purge me with Hysop no doubt hee alludeth to the ceremonies purifications of the law among which Hisope was greatly vsed as Leuit. 14.6.7 Leuit. 19.18 yet so that he would haue the truth also signifyed by these outward things and he putteth purging and Hisope and washing which were outward parts of the legal puristings for a thorow whole cleansing as ver 2. and I shall be cleane q.d. otherwise I cannot bee cleane vnlesse thou O Lord performe it indéede whiter then snow Sée Isaiah 1.16.18 for the vnderstanding of this Verse Verse 8. Make me to heare i. eyther to féele one sence being put for another a thing vsuall in Scripture or else by some one of thy Prophets or other make me to know my sinnes to bée forgiuen as Nathan pronounced the same vnto him 2. Samuel 12.13 ioye and gladnesse i. that comfortable and ioyfull message touching the frée and full pardon of my sinnes that maye make me ioyfull and glad indéede that the bones i. I my selfe both body and soule he putteth a part for the whole which thou hast broken vz. by the horror of thy gréeuous iudgementes agaynste mee for my sinne sée Psalme 38.3 may reioyce i. haue matter of reioycing ministred vnto them and performe that ioy indéede whilst that they inioye their former féelings Verse 9. Hide thy face from my sinnes i. bury them as it were in perpetuall forgetfulnesse for we doe not easily forget those things that be continually in our sight put away sée before verse 1. of this Psalme all mine iniquities one and other for so long as any sinne presseth vs the conscience can hardly be quiet Verse 10. Create in me a cleane hart he prayeth because the heart is the seat of the affections and naturallye it is inclyned to all filthinesse euery day sée Matth. 15.19 Gen. 6.5 Gen. 8.21 That God woulde reforme it taking away that filthinesse and planting goodnesse in it which he calleth creation a right spirite i. a minde frée from all hipocrisie and abhorring crooked wayes some read a stedfast spirite meaning a spirite and mynde so well stayed as might not in tyme afterward be remoued from his obedience Ver. 11. Cast me not awaye from thy presence hee vseth here a metaphor taken from Kings who will not vouchsafe such to beholde them as they hate or lyke not of thy holy spirite i. the effectes and workes of thy holy spirite for neyther doth the spirite substantiallye dwell in men as some haue dreamed neyther is the pledge of the spirite so taken awaye as some haue imagined though it be hidden sometimes vnder the ashes of corruption Verse 12. Restore to me the ioy of thy saluation i. make me to féele agayne that vnspeakeable comfort of saluation that I was wont to feere so that it séemeth that Dauid was almost at the dore of dispayre with the féeling of his sinnes the iudgements of God agaynst him for the same establish me i. make me strong and stedfast with thy frée spirite the spirite of God is called frée in diuers respects as because it is Gods effectuall instrument to set vs frée from the bondage of sinne for where the spirite of the Lord is there is fréedome 2. Corinthians 3.17 because also thereby god worketh in vs fréenesse and readinesse to the doing of those thinges which he commaundeth and lastly because it maketh vs fréelye and boldly to professe that we are Gods children as Rom. 8.15.16 some reade principall or princelike spirite meaning thereby a moste excellent spirit suche as Kings and Princes haue néede of that they may know how to guide them selues in their offices Verse 13. Thy wayes i. thy mercies louing kindnes which are called Gods wayes because he alwayes sheweth them to true penitent sinners q.d. If thou wilt pardon me my sinnes I will be thy instrumente to teach thē that shall come to the like féeling of their transgressiōs thy wonderfull mercy and goodnesse and sinners shall be vz. by that meanes conuerted vnto thée vz. from whom they haue gone astray he meaneth that hee will take paynes to winne men to god but that the profit thereof shall redounde to gods owne glory Verse 14. From blood he meaneth not only from the sinne committed in shedding Vriahs blood and others with him as 2. Sam. 11.17 but also the punishments that by that sinne he had drawne vpon himselfe whereof sée Genesis 9.5.6 God of my saluation sée Psalme 18.46 my tongue shall sing ioyfully i. chearefully and aloude prayse thy righteousnesse i. thy goodnesse faythfulnesse and truth which thou promisest and performest to thē that craue pardon and forgiuenesse Verse 15. He prayeth the Lord not onely to giue him an occasion but also to inable him to thankfulnesse and then he will performe it Verse 16. Must be vnderstoode by the way of comparison and not supplye for yet in his time sacrifices were to be vsed and that by the prescript of gods law sée Psalme 50.8.9 c. Isaiah 1.11.12 c. Verse 17. The sacrifices of God i. such as he principally alloweth and accepteth a contrite spirit i. a spirite brused and broken as it were with the feeling of the sinne committed and the acknowledgement of his owne weakenesse and vnworthinesse which as I take it the Apostle calleth godly sorrow 2. Cor. 7.10.11 Thou wilt not despise i. thou wilt graciously and mercifully accept for not refusing or despising with god is gracious accepting Verse 18. Be fauourable i. notwithstanding my sinne continue gracious and heape vp benefits vpon benefits vnto Sion i. vnto thy church and people he putteth the place where Gods people dwelt and the exercises of his religion were vsed for gods people and Churche sée Psalme 48.11 for thy good pleasure i. for thyne own goodnesse sake and not for any thing in them or me for there is nothing in vs that can procure that build the wals of Ierusalem i. not onely defend thy church by thy mighty power and prouidēce but giue it all the meanes whereby it may resist the assaults of thine enemies as walles to a citie are a good defence to saue them from the violences and outrages of their enemies Verse 19. Sacrifices of righteousnesse sée Psal 4.5 q.d. When sacrifices and burnt offrings shall be referred to a right ende God will allow and like of them then shall they i. thy people offer Calues vppon thine altar i. sacrifices of prayses and thanksgiuing vnderstanding no doubte by Calues euen the instruments of their lippes to prayse God withall sée Hosea 14.2 also Heb. 13.15 Verse 1. When we are touched with the féeling of our sinnes Do. Gods mercy is the only medicine that we must looke to for the curing of our sore Ver. 2. We must pray for pardon and full forgiuenesse of our sinnes or else it is nothing as also verse 9. of this Psalme Verse
verse sixe of Psalme 23. Verse 9. I will alway prayse thée Dauid promiseth thankfulnes for that thou hast done this he sheweth a cause why he will be thankefull and marke the manner of spéeche he speaketh as the Prophets also do oftentimes of a thing that should be done as though it were alreadye done because of the certaintie of it I will hope in thy name i. I will trust in and patiently wayte for thy vertue power and grace as Psalme 20.1 so that here he promiseth patience because it is good i. is found to be gracious fauourable and redy to helpe afflicted ones before thy saynts i. euen in the verye sighte iudgement and experience of thine owne people For this word Saynts sée before Psal 50.5 also Psal 16.3 The vngodly reioyce and glory in their sinne and shame Do. also Gods kindnes continueth for euer towards those that feare him Ver. 2.3.4 sheweth how that the vngodly vse all the meanes they can of words déeds c. to worke mischiefe and hurt by Verse 5. setteth out Gods iudgements against the wicked and that the hope of the vngodly shall perish Verse 6. Gods iudgements vpon the wicked strike two contrary passions as it were into the hartes of his children vz. feare and ioyfulnes Ver. 7. sheweth how vaine a thing it is to trust in any thing saue in God alone and to take pleasure and delighte in vngraciousnesse Verse 8. describeth the flourishing estate of the faythful Ver. 9. Teacheth praysing of God and patience Psalme 53. THis Psalme is the same not only in matter but in wordes almoste with Psalme 14. and therefore that that hath bene sayde there must be looked vpon agayne where it varieth something shall bée put down In the title are these words on Mahalath which I take rather to be an instrument then a tune and such an instrument as was made to go with blowing or breath by the reason of the hollownesse of it all the rest of the title hath ben expounded before Psal 42. and else where Se. Verse 1. For the word Worke in Psalme 14. here is put downe Wickednesse seuerall wordes tending all to one end vz. to set out the naughtinesse of these wicked men Verse 3. For all are gone out of the waye Psalme 14. there is read Here euery one is gone backe vz. from the obedyence of God and his commaundementes whereof they séemed to make some profession Verse 5. differeth almost altogether from Psalme 14. the Prophet declaring what great iudgement the Lorde bringeth vppon the wicked though neuer so stoute and couragious noting that though they feared GOD no whit at al yea and they themselues were greatlye feared of men yet when they thoughte least of it and no cause of feare appeared the Lorde stirred vp the terrours and prickes of their owne consciences to trouble them scattered the bones vz. being firste broken as it were in péeces By this manner of spéeche the Prophet meaneth that the Lorde by his iudgementes entereth and pierseth euen into their inward parts and breaketh and weakeneth all their force and strength whatsoeuer and you so shal haue the word bones vsed for strength before Psalme 32.3 of him that besieged thée the Prophet speaketh of Gods people as of one person because of the vnitye that is or oughte to be amongst them and of their fellowlike suffering So also hee speaketh of the wicked as of one man by reason of the consent that is in them to doe mischiefe vnderstanding also by the worde besieging all the mischieuous attemptes deuices and procéedings of the vngodly thou hast put them to confusion this may be referred eyther to the Churche as that the Churche had gotten victorye agaynst the wicked because GOD woulde haue it so or else to Christ the heade of the Church or GOD the Father speaking to him and of him in the first place in the seconde person and in the latter place speaking of him in the thirde person I woulde rather referre it to the Churche All the rest sée before Psalme 14. Psalme 54. Di. THis Psalme though it be short hath yet notwithstanding 3. parts In the first the Prophet prayeth deliuerance from his enemies shewing the cause that moueth him so to doe from verse 1. to the end of the third In the second he declareth what mercy God wil shew to him and what iustice he will execute vpon his enemies and this is in the two next verses vz. 4.5 In the thirde he promiseth hartye thanksgiuing vnto the Lord and sheweth the cause thereof and this is conteyned verse 6.7 Se The title to him that excelleth on Neginoth sée this expoūded Psal 4. in the title A Psal of Dauid to giue instruction sée this expounded Psal 32. in the title when the Ziphims i. diuers of the people that dwelt in Ziph for the expounding of this and all that followeth in this Title Sée 1. Samuel 23. verse 14 15 16 17 18 19 c. also 1. Samuel 26. verse 1.2 c. Is not Dauid amongest vs This demaunding doth more certainly affirme q. d. certaynelye and withoute all doubte hée is in our countrye and therefore we come to tell it thée Verse 1. Saue me i. deliuer me and set me frée from these daungers wherin I am so haue we had this word vsed sundry times before and so haue you it afterwardes Psalme 69.1 by thy name or else for thy names sake i. for thy strength vertue power and graces sake as sundrye times before and namelye Psalme 20.1 and by thy power q.d. myne enymyes are stronge and I am weake therefore I come vnto thée that arte stronger than all Iudge me i. defende my righte pleade my cause and sette mee frée from the force and subtelties of mine enemies Verse 2. Heare my prayer i. shewe by effect that thou hast or wilte graunte my request for otherwise Dauid doubted not but that the Lorde hearde him praying vnto the wordes of my mouth i. vnto the prayer whiche I vtter with my mouth for prayer speciallye is a lifting vp of the harte vnto GOD though wordes sundrye times bee not vsed or hearde before men as Exodus 14.15 Also 1. Samuel 1. Verse 10.11.12.13 Verse 3. For strangers i. the Ziphims and others taking part with Saule who although they were Israelites according to the flesh and outward profession yet by their déedes declared themselues to be straungers from God his religion and all humanity for very humanity it selfe would haue taught thē to haue bin so farre off from deliuering the afflicted into Tyrauntes handes that they should rather haue pittyed him are risen vp agaynst vz. both with bodily violence and with their tongues to doe me euill and tyraunts i. men not onely of great might but also of great crueltye like vnto wilde beastes séeke my soule i. diligently searche after my life to destroy it Sée Matth. 2.20 Soule is put here for life as in other places before and also verse 4. of this Psalme they
haue not set God before them q.d. all this outrage against me springeth from this fountain to wit that they neglect God as he is manifested and reuealed vnto them in his word neyther take they counsell of him but preferre their owne iudgements and deuises in all their attempts whatsoeuer Verse 4. Beholde GOD is mine helper q.d. notwithstandinge all this see howe graciouslye GOD helpeth and succoureth mee is with them i. taketh their parte and is on their side as Romanes 8.31 For otherwise GOD by his presence is with all his creatures and no doubte he meaneth not only those that fledde away with him but euen Ionathan and suche others as euen in Saules Courte fauoured him and his cause that vpholde my soule i. that beare mée good affection haue care ouer my safegarde and take my parte and ayd and helpe me so farre forth as GOD inableth them Soule is here put for lyfe as before in the thyrde Verse not that men are able to vpholde eyther their owne lyues or other mens otherwise then as God maketh them instruments to doe the same Verse 5. He shall reward euill i. God by pouring forth his iudgements vpon them shal in a iust measure recompence them the mischiefe that they haue deuised and done agaynst me for euill here is put for euil of punishment as sundry times before oh cut them off vz. eyther from amongst men rooting them out of the lande of the liuing or else from power and means to performe their mischiefs by in thy truth i. according as thou truely hast promised so make me effectually to féele the performance therof we haue had the same phrase sundry times before Verse 6. Then will I sacrifice vz. the sacrifice of prayse and thanksgiuing fréely i. not onelye with free and chearefull courage but with greate liberalitie also So that he promiseth to shew himselfe after his deliueraunce euery manner of way thankfull to God I will prayse thy name i. goodnesse strength power c. as before verse 1. of this Psalme because it is good i. mercifull almighty c. for so much doth the word God comprehend in this place Verse 7. For he hath deliuered me this is the reason why he will giue hartye thankes to the Lord vz. because God hath set him frée from wonderfull daungers and troubles for so much I take it he meaneth by all troubles and not that he should not indure any moe afterwards And mine eye hath séene i. I haue not only in my vnderstanding perceaued but with these bodily eyes of mine for he putteth one for both I haue beheld poured forth vpon my enimies the iustice and iudgements of God which I prayd for or desired mighte fall vpon them which also we may doe to wit holily reioyce in the execution of Gods iustice vpon the wicked so that our eyes be pure from all naughty affections and our minds clensed from desire of reuenge Do. Verse 1. Teacheth vs not only in our distresses to pray vnto God alone but for the strengthening of our fayth to haue recourse to his goodnesse and power Verse 2. Teacheth vs in prayer to vse both hart and voyce Ver. 3. Doth not only set out the cruelty of the vngodly agaynste the good but also noteth the fountayne of all wickednesse that is the neglect and contempt of God and his will reuealed in his word Verse 4. instructeth the faythfull to assure themselues of Gods present ayde who is mercifull not only to them but also to all those that take their partes and therefore wee sée it is not good to destitute Gods seruaunts vnlesse we will pluck God vpon our owne backes Verse 5. setteth out Gods iustice against the wicked of which sée Psal 18.26 it teacheth also to make Gods faithful promises the grounds of al our supplications and prayers Verse 6. Teacheth vs both to giue God thankes for his mercies and also the maner how we should yield it that is willingly chearefully fréely and plentifully Verse 7. sheweth that it is God alone that must set vs frée from all daungers whatsoeuer the doctrine of the latter part of this verse is put down in the sence Psalme 55. THis Psalme I take it may well bee diuided into thrée partes Di. In the first the Prophet maketh his prayer vnto the Lorde shewing also what great causes he had to moue him thereto and this from verse 1. to the ende of the 8. In the seconde he prayeth agaynst his enimies describing their mischieuous malice hipocrisie and other vices from verse 9. to the ende of the 15. In the third he returneth agayne to his prayers both for himselfe and agaynst his enimies concluding with a comfortable exhortation to the faythfull with a terrible denouncing of Gods iudgements against the wicked and this reacheth from verse 16. to the end of the Psalme The Title is expounded before Psalme 4. and Psalme 32. Se. in the Titles thereof Some there be that thinke Dauid made this Psalme when hee was afflicted with the Rebellion of his sonne Abshalon Othersome vnderstand it of that great and wonderfull daunger wherein hée was in the Citie Keilah whether Saule came to besiege him whereof sée more at large 1. Samuell 23.1.2 c. And to this doe I rather enclyne Verse 1. Heare my prayer sée Psalme 54.2 hyde not thy selfe i. turne not thy selfe away he séemeth to speake after the manner of men who sometimes if they be not disposed to graunt a request will not speake with the parties that sue vnto them but séeme to hyde themselues from presence spéech from my supplication true it is that in scriptures prayers and supplications are many times vsed for one and the selfe same and it may be that they are so taken here but yet you shall sée them sundry times seuered as Ephe. 6.18 Philip 4.6 1. Tim. 2.1 where by supplicatiō the Apostle meaneth requests made to God for deliuerance from those things which trouble vs and by prayers requests which are made for benefits Ver. 2. Harken vnto me i. the praiers that I make before thée as Psal 54.2 and aunswere me i. graunt me my request for those whom we louingly aunswere we séeme in some sort to graunt vnto I mourne i. I am sorrowful and heauy harted and make a noyse he meaneth that by violence and vehemency of his affliction hee was as it were inforced sometimes to heauinesse of heart mournful bewailings sometimes again into most pitiful outcries Ver. 3. For the voice i. for the hard gréeuous threats which are vttered with the voice of the enemy i. Saule vnderstāding notwithstāding vnder him as the principal all those that cleaue to him in these outragious words déeds against him for the vexation of the wicked vz. which they do against me and not wch they thēselues suffer for here the vexatiō of the wicked is vsed actiuely vz. for the oppression wherewith they did afflict the innocent because they i. the enimies and wicked
12. Myne enemy i. mine open enemy or one that I had giuen any good cause vnto to bee mine enemy for otherwise no doubt hee or they whosoeuer they were that put this in practise against Dauid were his foes and here note that though hee seeme to speake but of one yet no doubt hee meaneth more or else vnder one most singular in that craft of dissimulation hee vnderstandeth others for hee meaneth here that by secret deuises which hee coulde not preuent hee was vnder the pretence of friendshippe almost cast away did not diffame mee sée verse 3. of this Psalme for I could haue borne it vz. better then I doe nowe because I looke for nothing from mine enemie but enemy like dealing Exalt himselfe against mee i. set himselfe against mee by worde or deede All this the Prophet speaketh by the way of comparison not denying but that his foes did defame him and oppose themselues against him but if that were compared with the hypocriticall dealings of his counterfeit friends it would appeare to bee nothing as a man would say and this wee call a denyall by the way of comparison I would haue hid me from him i. I woulde haue kept my selfe close and safe from him and his cruelties Verse 13. Hee sheweth who it was that wrought him this iniurie my companion i. my equall and of the selfesame state and condition that I my selfe was of by which wee see that this Psalme was made before hée came to the kingdome for when hee was exalted thither once none was equall vnto him my guyde vz. in matters of counsell and affaires that I had to doe and my familiar i. my deare and tender friend He meaneth no doubt some whom hee had in great regarde and estimation Ver. 14. Which delighted in consulting together q.d. with whom I tooke wonderfull pleasure to conferre of many matters and namely of the exercises of Gods religion which I suppose the Prophet meaneth by going into the house of God as companions consulting as it were together howe they might prepare themselues to his seruice behaue themselues therein Ver. 15. Let death sease vpon them vz. not onely sodainely and or euer they beware for so much the Hebrewe worde in a metaphor séemeth to import but let it take such holde of them that it may neuer leaue till it haue taken them away from amongest men Let them goe downe quicke into the graue as Korah Dathan and Abiram did Numb 16.31 Hee meaneth that hee woulde haue them dye of some sodaine death no disease or sickenesse going before it for wickednes i. all manner of vngodlinesse sée before Psalm 36.1 In their dwellinges i. in their congregations assemblies and fellowshippes putting the places where such wicked persons did méete for their méetings euen in the middest of them i. they norish it within them and haue it alwayes in their company Ver. 16. I will call vnto God i. earnestly pray vnto him will saue mee i. deliuer mee from these cruelties and daungers as Psalm 54.1 Verse 17. Euening and morning and at noone will I pray i. I will bee importunate and neuer cease till I haue obteined from hence and out of Daniel 6.10 wee may gather that in those dayes the faythfull set themselues certaine houres to pray in thereby the better to awake their sluggishnes And make a noyse i. I will bee feruent and earnest in it for many haue prayed long and yet haue wanted feruency and hee will heare my voyce i. graunt the petitions and prayers that I shall powre foorth before him wherein wee see howe hee assureth him selfe of Gods goodwill and mercy Verse 18. My soule i. my life as sundry times before in peace i. safely and soundly and with great quietnes from the battaile that was against mee i. from the great conflictes and daungers wherein I shoulde haue béene snared because they were layde and prepared against mee for many were with mee q.d. though to sée too wee were but fewe yet wee had Gods Angels with vs to dismay our enemies and to comfort vs as 2. Kinges 6.16 Ver. 19. God shall heare vz. mee and my prayers and afflict them i. whereas hee shewed mercy to mee hee shall afflict them and punish them euen hee that reigneth of olde i. hee which in nature counsell and iudgement is eternall and alwayes like to himselfe which thing the Prophet expresseth to giue the wicked to vnderstande that there is no starting holes to hyde them in from GOD because they haue no chaunges vz. from wealth honour and credit to pouerty disgrace and misery but alwayes they goe forwarde in abundance of these outwarde blessinges therefore they feare not GOD i. they neither reuerence him nor his iudgements but abusing his mercye runne riot to all wickednes and so in this verse hee putteth them out for their harde hartednes in vngodlynes Ver. 20. Hee layeth his hand first marke the sodaine chaunge of the number before he spake of them in the plurall nowe of them in the singular next note that by laying of handes vppon others hee meaneth exercising of violence towardes others yea and this outragious discurtesie is aggrauated by howe much it was practised towards them that were at peace with him i. not only such as liued quietly with him but also loued him and so by that meanes hee brake his couenaunt vz. which he had made with him all this Dauid speaketh principally of Saul and himselfe and of the couenant that passed betweene them Sée 1. Samuel 24. from verse 17. to the ende of the Chapter Verse 21. The woordes of his mouth were softer then butter i. hee made shewe in his woordes of nothing but gentlenesse and mildenesse yet warre was in his heart i. inwardly hee imagineth nothing but mischiefe and destruction for so is the woorde warre vsed here vz. put for thinges that commonly followe warres his woordes were more gentle then Oyle this I take to be but the same thing repeated in an other metaphor in summe the Prophet toucheth him here for his peruerse hipocrisie and wooluish mind as it were against him Verse 22. Cast thy burden vppon the Lorde q.d. if there bee any thing that troubleth thee or that thou thy selfe standest in neede for so much I thinke hée meaneth by the worde burden commit all the care thereof into Gods hands and power staying thy self altogether vpon his prouidence and he shall nourish thée i. vndoubtedly thou shalt not want for God wil play the part of a good Father whereunto in deede the Prophet in this place resembleth him giuing vnto euery one of his in measure and as hee shall sée to bee necessary for them for so much doeth the worde import hee will not suffer the righteous to fall for euer vz. into the wicked mans power that he should vse him as hée himselfe lusteth Verse 23. Shalt bring them downe vz. from the wealth credit and authority that nowe they are in and this hee speaketh of the vngodly and
crafty crueltie of the wicked which may teach the godly two things specially first in all holy wisedome to labour the preuenting of these mischiefes that are meant against them secondly to striue to liue a holy and an vpright life because the eies of the wicked are continually vpon them Ver. 7. Sheweth vs howe the wicked flatter themselues in their sinne Ver. 8. Expresseth the great care that God hath ouer his children and how dearely he accompteth euery thing that is done to them or commeth from them Ver. 9. Setteth out the force and effect of feruent prayer Ver. 10.11 Are the same with ver 4. of this Psalme Ver. 12. Teacheth vs in care and conscience to performe the holy promises we haue made vnto God specially those that concerne praise and thanksgiuing Ver. 13. Teacheth two things first that it is God alone that vpholdeth his children and deliuereth them from all dangers and distresses secondly that he doeth this to this end that by holy life and godly conuersation we should glorifie him before men Psalme 57 Di. THis Psalme may bee diuided into thrée partes In the first the Prophet calleth vppon the Lord assuring himselfe that God will graciously heare his prayers and deliuer him from ver 1. to the end of the third In the second hee declareth the dangerous and pitifull estate wherein he was and the craft and cruelty of his enemies praying deliuerance therfrom from ver 4. to the end of the 6. In the third part he sheweth his readines and inforceth himselfe to yéeld thankes to the Lord for his mercy goodnes towards him from ver 7. to the end of the Psalme The title to him that excelleth sée Psal 4. Destroy not In these words is declared the summe of those petitions which are conteined in Psalmes that haue such titles as this is as Psal 58. also Psal 59. It should appeare that Dauid was in some wonderfull feare of death and destruction and therfore praieth the Lord not to destroy him i. not onely not to suffer the wicked to destroy him but also because he alone had al power in his hands not to lay hands vpon him himself A Psal of Dauid on Michtam sée Psal 56 in the title whē he fled from Saul the history hereof is put down at large 1. Sam. 22.1 1. Sam. 24.1.2.3 c. In the caue or rather into the caue He meaneth either Adullam or else an other caue in En-gedi for which sée the places before noted so that in this title wee may sée the occasion of the writing and making of this Psalme vz. Dauids great daunger and affliction Ver. 1. Haue mercy vppon mee O God haue mercy vpon mee this is a most vehement request which also may appeare by the doubling of the words by the which also he sheweth that he was in very great danger for my soule trusteth in thée this word soule importeth that he trusted in God with all his heart which is the part that God especially regardeth and in the shadowe of thy winges i. thy sauegarde prouidence and protection it is a metaphor borrowed from chickens who lye close vnder the hennes wings till the kyte be passed ouer sée Psal 17.8 Wil I trust vz. because I haue heretofore found it good the Prophet meaneth that he had trusted did and would continually trust in Gods almighty protection onely till these afflictions ouerpasse It appeareth that Dauid had more troubles then one yea that hee had as it were flouds of them which maketh him here to resēble his afflictions to a storme or tēpest not meaning by the word til that when the tempest was appeased hee woulde then cease to trust in God but that hee would both then and for euer hang vppon him so haue you the word till vsed Psal 110. ver 1. Ver. 2. I will call i. I will pray vnto the most high God the Prophet addeth this to strengthen his fayth because he whom he would inuocate had all power in his hand and hée strengtheneth himselfe also by that which followeth vz. that god doth faithfully performe his promises made him for God neuer vseth to leaue a worke vnperfite that hee hath begunne but alwaies continueth his benefits and goodnes towards those that are his Ver. 3. Hee will sende from heauen vz. either one or many Angels rather thē I shoulde want helpe and succour and saue mée i. deliuer mee from the reproofe hee meaneth by this worde all that either closely or openly coulde be done or sayd against him of him i. not onely of Saul though he be the chiefe but of those that take part with him against mee that woulde swallow mee sée Psalm 56.1 God will sende his mercy and his trueth this may serue to expound by the way of addition these wordes hee wil send from heauen in the beginning of this verse or else wee may expound them thus hee wil sende vz. vnto mee making mee féele by experience that which I haue had heretofore but in perswasion his mercy and his trueth by mercy hee meaneth the manifestation of his goodwill and grace towardes him and by trueth hee meaneth the faithfulnes and true performance that God obserueth in keeping his promises Verse 4. My soule i. my whole life and body is amonge Lions i. greedy and cruell persons sée Psalm 35.17 Hée meaneth his enemies whome hee resembleth to Lions because they were full of rage and cruelty meaning also by this manner of speach and those that followe in this verse that hee was in wonderfull daunger I lye among the children of men i. such as haue nothing more then that corruption which they haue brought from their fathers which is nothing else but al maner of naughtines and cruelty that are set on fire vz. against mee and that through the malice and mischiefe of their owne heartes without any cause on my part giuen whose téeth are speares and arrowes and their tongue a sharpe sword by téeth and tongue which are the instruments wherby men speake he vnderstandeth the false and hateful accusations that Sauls flatterers made against him and in that he resembleth them to speares arrowes and swordes hee meaneth that they were sharpe kéene and persing euen to the wounding of him sée Psal 120.4 also Psalm 55.21 also Psal 59.7 Ver. 5. Exalt thy selfe O God aboue the heauen hee prouoketh the Lorde as it were by prayer to declare his power q.d. shewe thy might and power which is farre aboue the heauens here vppon the earth in ouerthrowing and confounding mine enemies and let thy glory bee vz. made manifest and appeare vpon all the earth i. all the earth ouer to the ende that thy glory may bee extolled and magnified amongst men which can hardly be if I be oppressed for that should be with the dishonour of thy name Ver. 6. They vz. the wicked and vngodly my deadly enemies haue layd a net for my steppes i. haue either narowly watched me in my conuersation as before Psal 56.6 or else
procéedeth from imagination in the mynd to execution in act and déede Ver. 3. Plainely prooueth original sinne and noteth the procéedings that the wicked make in vngodlines so that from their birth vnto their death there is nothing but sinne corruption Ver. 4.5 Teacheth vs first that the wicked are giuen to all manner of lying slaundering and backbiting secondly that they are so setled in their sinne that they are almost past hope of recouery Verse 6.7.8.9 Teacheth that wee may pray against the obstinate enemies of Gods Church and trueth that the Lord God woulde if hée sée it so good shortly confounde and spéedely ouerthrowe them which condition would bee vnderstood in al such prayers of Dauid though hee were excellently indued with the spirit of prophecy Ver. 10. Teacheth vs that the execution of Gods iudgements vppon the wicked is a matter of great comfort to the godly Ver. 11. Teacheth vs that the execution of Gods iudgementes vppon the wicked is likewise a matter of great instruction to other people wringing from them a sincere confession acknowledgement of Gods mercy towardes the good and of his iustice towardes the other it teacheth also that the godly shall loose nothing by this that they haue lead a religious and holy life before men in this life sée Isaiah 3.10 Psalme 59 THis Psalme as I take it may bee diuided into two partes Di. In the first the Prophet prayeth deliueraunce from his enemies shewing that their craft cruelty and proud bragges made him thus earnest with God from ver 1. to the end of the 8. In the second he declareth that God notwithstanding all their trecheries will deliuer him vpon which ground hee prayeth and prophecieth against him promising to yéeld thankefulnes to the Lord for that goodnes from ver 9. to the end of the Psalme The title for the most part is expounded before Psalm 57. Se. When Saul sent and they did watch the house to kill him sée for this 1. Samuel 19. from verse 11. to the ende of the 17. where it appeareth howe Michal his wife saued him from those that Saul sent to slay him Ver. 1.2 Hee prayeth to bee deliuered from his enemies which were ready as it were to ouerwhelme him by their wicked attempts cruell practises and mischieuous subtilties who did nothing else as a man would say but seeke his destruction Verse 3. They haue layd wayte vz. both secretly and openly for my soule i. for my life as sundry times before that they might take it away the mighty men q.d. no smal ones and therefore the greater danger am I in but such as haue wille and power to performe what they lift vnlesse thou preuent nor for mine offence nor for my sinne vz. to themward for I haue not done them any maner of euil which also may appeare by the next verse following O Lord q.d. euen as thou that searchest al heartes knowest Ver. 4. They runne and prepare themselues by these wordes the Prophet meaneth that they vsed al their diligence and spared no cost labour or paines to destroy him yea they were so diligent that they thought vppon nothing else almost but to execute their wicked enterprise without a fault on my part vz. towards them as before ver 3. Arise therefore here hee calleth vpon God whom he imagineth to be a sléepe as it were and all this is spoken according to man q.d. shewe thy power and might as hee doeth that is waked out of his sléepe to assist mee i. to stand by me and to strengthen me against such a number of cruel enemies as I haue and behold vz. not only my wretchednes and weakenes but also the outrages and mischieuous matters that they imagine and doe against me Ver. 5. Euē thou O Lorde of hostes hee more plainely describeth the God whom he called vpon for succour and in these termes Lorde of hostes hee comprehendeth his power as who hath infinite armies of all sorts of creatures in his handes to punish the wicked by and to defend the good and by these wordes O God of Israel he setteth out his mercy ioyning both together for the further strēgthening of his fayth awake i. declare thy power as before verse 4. and shewe thy selfe no lesse diligent to succour mee then they are to hurt mee to visite i. to punish and correct as Exod. 20.5 All the heathen by heathen he meaneth the hypocriticall and counterfeit Israelites who did as grieuously persecute Dauid for Sauls pleasure as people estraunged from God woulde haue done and when hee sayth all hee meaneth the greatest number expressing also vnder that terme the great multitude of his enemies which were so many in number as though they had béen whole swarmes of the Gentiles cōming together and bee not mercifull i. shewe no manner of fauour at all that transgresse maliciously i. of set purpose and as it were for the satisfiyng of their owne mischieuous myndes hée mindeth not here to speake of any but of the reprobate whose iniquitie was altogether desperate which as it should seeme hee did knowe through the spirit of prophecy Here wee must take héede that wee bee not ouer hasty to iudge in this behalfe Verse 6. They runne to and fro i. they cease not to goe and come so that they may execute their enterprises and this manner of speach noteth their rage in the euening q.d. if they can doe no euill in the day they will not cease to imploy the night thereto as being in déede a most conuenient tyme to woorke mischiefe in and this setteth out their diligence in committing euil they barke like dogges i. they pursue mee egarly and that with open mouth it is a metaphor taken from dogges vsed in hunting who sundry times followe their game barking and opening their mouthes wide as though they were ready to deuour their pray in which respect hee also compareth them here to raging hungry dogs and goe about the city vz. lest I might escape any maner of way and this noteth their diligence sée Psalm 55.10 Ver. 7. Behold they bragge in their talke i. they boast openly of that which they haue wickedly deuised and consulted on yea they vomit out and discouer all their wicked attempts without hyding or dissembling any thing so great is their impudency and shamelesnes and swordes are in their lippes i. the woordes that they speake are cruell for they speake of nothing but murthering throatcutting and spoyling sée Psalm 55.21 for who say they doth heare vz. our woordes or else perceiue our déeds and attempts and this they say amongst themselues meaning that neither God nor men do perceiue them And here he teacheth the outragious blockishnes that raigneth in the wicked when they perswade themselues that God regardeth not their wickednesses for being in possession fréedome to execute their wicked counsels they haue no shame of men nor feare of God Ver. 8. Sée expounded before Psal 2.4 for the word heathen sée ver 5. of this
Psal Whatsoeuer it is the Prophet meaneth that God wil bring al their purposes to nothing and that without making any great adoe but euen as it were playing and sporting Verse 9. He is strong this may be eyther vnderstood of Saule who was in the kingdome and had al at his commaundement or else of all that ioyned with him speaking of them as of one man by reason of their consent to mischiefe though otherwise they were many in number but I will wayt vpon thée q.d. notwithstanding his strength I will paciently tarrie thy leasure till thou ouerthrow him or deliuer me for God is my defence marke the sodayne chaunge of the person from the second to the thirde and this is a reason why he will wayte the Lords leasure because he is sure to bee defended syth God taketh his part Verse 10. My mercifull God i. my God who hath made me sundry times feele his mercy and goodnesse will preuent me vz. with his helpe and fauour yea and that many times before I aske or haue néede he meaneth that Gods ayde should alwayes be readye to succoure him and though he deferred it for a time yet he would not fayle at néede God will let me sée i. thorow his goodnesse hee will make me perceiue the force of my prayers and the execution of his iustice vpon the wicked For that whiche followeth in this verse sée before Psal 54.7 Verse 11. Slay them not vz. sodaynly or at one blow as we would say he prayeth that his enemies maye bée discomfited and ouerthrowne by little and little least the remembrance of gods iudgements shoulde perish but that this vengeaunce of God exercised vppon them might indure a long season in mans memory for their bettering if it might be least my people i. eyther these that are presently with me or shall in time hereafter come vnder my gouernment but scatter them abroad i. cause them to wander vp and downe as troubled people that know not what they do or else as people that be gréeued and can finde no place of their owne or of other mens to ease themselues in by reason of the euill that pincheth them I suppose he alludeth to the iudgement that GOD pronounced against Kaine Gen. 4.12 by thy power vz which they nor any other are able to resist put them downe vz. from their estates and honourable degrées whervnto they are exalted in Saules Court that their miseries may serue them as glasses to beholde thy iudgements in O Lord our shield i. our defender and succourer sée Psalme 18.2 Verse 12. For the sinne of their mouth and the wordes of their lippes i. for the slaunderous and false spéeches that they haue giuen oute and spoken the Prophet sheweth a cause why the Lorde shoulde or woulde plague them by casting them downe from their honour let them be taken vz. by thy iudgement in their pride i. when they are at the height therof or most proude For the more high a man falleth the greater is his fall to him and more noted of others euen for their periury and lies that they speake by these wordes hee toucheth two great faults in them the lesser of them being strong ynough to draw Gods iudgements vpon them Verse 13. Consume them vz. in the end when thou shalt 〈◊〉 scattered them and cast them down as ver 11. and when the time shal come that thou shalt haue sufficiently serued thy selfe with them as a most â—ayne example of thy vengeaunce verse 11. also of this Psalme in thy wrath which is as it were fyre whereas they are but stubble consume them this doubling of the wordes noteth the earnestnesse of the Prophet in his prayer that they bee no more vz. among men hee meaneth that they might not liue any longer see Ierem. 31.15 Math. 2.18 and let them knowe vz. at the last and that by their owne experience and féeling that God ruleth i. not only gouerneth but also careth for in Iaakob i. in and for his Churche as Psalme 14.7 euen vnto the endes of the worlde this maye be taken eyther that it shoulde note the continuall care and gouernmente of GOD in and ouer his Churche or else that it should set out the largenesse of his gouernment as that it shoulde bée stretched from the one side of the Worlde to the other and to this latter doe I rather inclyne Verse 14. And in the euening c. For the vnderstanding of these phrases and maners of spéeche sée before verse 6. where the same wordes are repeated and expounded In this place the Prophet mindeth to mocke them for their indeuours and agréements and sayth that after they shall be much wearyed and haue trauayled all daye long in remouing housholde stuffe as it were and trudging hither and thither to intangle him they shall bee frustrate notwithstanding of their deuices attemptes and purposes Verse 15. They shall runne here and there i. they shall be verye paynefull and laborious for meat i. to hurte and to doe mischiefe for as the godlye thinke it a nourishmente vnto them to doe good as our Sauiour sayth Iohn 4.32.34 also Iohn 6.27 so the wicked take as much delighte in doing ill as in their foode and surelye they shall not bee satisfyed i. they shall certainlye misse of that they desired and sought for yea though they tarry all nighte i. though they watche all nighte long and take neuer so much paines to atchieue it I know others doe otherwise expound it as though they should be pinched with famine and hunger-bitten what toyle and labour soeuer they tooke but the former sence liketh me Verse 16. But I will sing of thy power i. in my songes I will make mention of and set forth thy power made manifest in deliuering me and in punishing mine aduersaries and will prayse thy mercy i. with a loude voyce I will set it forth that others hearing it may reioyce with mee and trust in the same in the morning he meaneth euery morning and euery day putting a part for the whole and yet because the morning is the speciall time for that exercise of prayer and thanksgiuing hée maketh speciall mention thereof for thou haste bene my defence i. thou alone hast defended me and refuge i. the sure place wherevnto I fled as to a high Mountayne sée Psalme 11.1 in the daye i. in the time or times for he meaneth not that he was troubled but one day onely Verse 17. Vnto thée O my strength i. vnto thée O my GOD that arte the God of my strength and from whome alone I haue the strength that I haue will I sing vz. songes of prayse and thanksgiuing and my mercifull God i. he that vouchsafeth me worthy of his mercy and by his mercy doth protect and defend me Do. Verse 1.2 Teach vs to pray deliuerance from our enimies and that so much the more earnestly by how much they are many in number or cruell in déedes or great daungers in multitude increase vpon
vs. Verse 3. Setteth out firste the subtiltie of the wicked secondlye that not the meanest manye times but the mightiest are enimyes to Gods children and that not for anye euill the godly haue done against them but to satisfie their malicious mindes whiche may be terrible to them but comfortable to the godlye Verse 4. Setteth out the paynes and diligence that the wicked take to performe mischiefe Verse 5. teacheth that God euen the God of power must only laye too his handes when matters are as it were desperate to restrayne the rage of the malicious multitude Verse 6.7 shew the crueltye rage diligence boasting and carelesnesse of the vngodly Verse 8. Teacheth that God will make all the mischieuous attempts of the wicked frustrate Verse 9. Teache vs not so muche to regarde the force and multitude of our enemyes as to looke vp to our GOD whose power is present with vs. Verse 10. Teacheth that GOD is more ready to doe for vs then we many times thinke of Verse 11. Gods iudgementes iustly executed vpon the wicked should not be lightly let passe or slippe out of our remembraunce Verse 12. Teacheth vs to looke to our wordes to beware of pride and to take héede of periurie and lying for they are suche thinges as the Lord can not away with Verse 13. Gods iust iudgements executed vpon the wicked are euident testimonies of his iustice towards the vngodlye and of his mercy towards his own children Verse 14.15 Teacheth that all the wicked purposes and attempts of the vngodly shall be frustrate whatsoeuer pain toile and diligence they shall take in the performaunce thereof Verse 16. teacheth vs that Gods iustice vpon the wicked his goodnesse towards his own should inforce vs to yéeld continuall prayse and thanks to him both for the one and for the other Verse 17. Teacheth that all our strength and sufficiencie is from God alone Psalme 60 THis short Psalme may be diuided as I suppose Di. rightlye into thrée parts In the first the Prophet sheweth the great affliction that he had a long time indured and the great blessings that God afterwards poured forth vppon him from ver 1. to the end of the 5. In the seconde hee doth by the spirite of Prophecie foretell the inlargement of his kingdome not onely in the land of Iudea but among the nations about him from verse 6. vnto the end of the 8. In the third he prayeth the Lord to strengthen him agaynst his enemies and assureth himselfe of his ayde from verse 9. to the ende of the Psalme The title Se. to him that excelleth this is expounded before vpon Shushan Eduth I take it to be the name either of some instrument which shoulde bée vsed in the singing of this Psalme or else the beginning of some song according to the tune whereof Dauid would haue this Psalme sung or Michtam q.d. It may be sung eyther vpon the one instrument or tune or vpon the other instrument or tune of michtam we haue spoken before and namelye Psalme 16. in the Title a Psalme of Dauid i. which Dauid made to teache vz. not only himselfe and those of his time but others that should come after him what great care God hath ouer his though he afflict them for a little while when he fought agaynst Aram Naharaim this expresseth the time of the making of this Psalme The history whereof you may sée at large 2. Samuel 8. thorowe out and namely verse 12.13 For Aram Naharaim what Countrie it was and why it was so called sée Gen. 24.10 and the note in that place and agaynst Aram Zobah he maketh only mention of terrible people and such as are farre of leauing to speake of the nations round about him because the discomfiture of those was as it were incredible and yet God gaue him the victory both against the Aramites of Mesopotamia and againste the other Aramites that inhabited Zobah When Ioab returned to wit from the slaughter of the Syrians as 2. Samuel 8.13 where it is sayd that Dauid slew eyghtéene thousand which wée must vnderstand thus because he was the chéefe of that armye and therefore that is ascribed to him which was performed by the people that was subiect to him and in 1. Chronicles 18.12 It is sayd that Abishai Ioabs brother flew thē which must be vnderstoode because he was the first instrument that ouerthrew the Syrians killing sixe thousand of them which victorye his brother and the armie that was with him pursued and flew twelue thousand more of them of which mention is made in this place read diligently for the better vnderstanding hereof the places before alleaged vz. 2. Samuel 8. throughout and 1. Chron. 18. thorow out Verse 1. No doubt he bewayleth the miserable dispersion and long afflictions that the people of Israel aboad in the time of the Iudges and Saule of which you may reade in the booke of Iudges and the firste of Samuel thou hast cast vs out vz. eyther of thy fauour or else of the lande and dwelling places that thou hast giuen vs of whiche the story of Ruth yieldeth an example thou hast scattered vs vz. amongest other peoples round about vs see more of this phrase Psalme 59.11 thou hast bin angry vz. agaynst vs euident signes of which thy wrath haue bin our outcastinges and dispersions turne agayne vnto vs q.d. behold our misery and affliction and once agayne looke vpon vs in mercy and louing fauour as thou hast don sundry times heretofore take not thy flight from vs neyther depart away from vs in sury but in mercy returne to vs and abide with vs for euer Verse 2. Thou hast made the lande to tremble i. thou hast striken a wonderfull feare into the hartes and heads of thy people by reason of forraine warres and heauie troubles or else thus Thou hast brought great disorders amongst the people euen as confusion commonly and ouerthrowing of houses followeth earthquakes but I allow rather of the former sence whatsoeuer it be he doth by a metonymia put the land for the people inhabiting the same and thou hast made it to gape vz. not only as it were with an earthquake but also as it were with a most dry and parching summer meaning thereby seditions and ciuil discordes when the people were diuided among themselues some following Dauid and some the house of Saule as appeareth 2. Samuel from Chap. 1. to the fourth heale the breaches therof i. remedy the disorders therin and cure the diseases like a good Phisition as in déed one to whom alone it belōgeth for it is shaken vz. greatly and gréeuously with the calamities that it hath alreadye endured and is like to indure vnlesse thou redresse it q. d. It is so laden with affliction and misery that it can not long indure euen as if a man had a burthen on his back that were too heauie for him to beare Verse 3. Thou hast shewed thy people heauy things i. thou hast made that people whom
i. praye vnto thée he vseth the sign of prayer for prayer it selfe 141.2 Also 1. Timothie 2.8 in thy name i. as some expound it calling vpon thy name me thinketh this is better that for as much as Gods name is in scripture vsed for Gods goodnesse and mercye it should rather be expounded thus in thy name i. cleauing to thy goodnesse and mercy Verse 5. My soule shall be satisfyed q.d. though nowe I bee in greate miserye yet when thou shalt haue heard my prayers I shall bee filled both inwardly and outwardly for I take the soule to be put here for the whole man as Psalme 42.2 as with marrow and fatnesse i. as though I had a heape or abundaunce of all swéet and good things sée Psal 4.6.7 and my mouth shall prayse thée i. set out and shew forth thy prayse as Psalme 51.15 with ioyfull lippes i. with lippes that shal be glad and ready to perform that duety Ver. 6. when I remember thée in my bed i. thinke vpon thee and thy goodnesse being thereby prouoked to call vpon thée and that as I lie vpon my bed in the night watches this is spoken according to the maner of the people thē who diuided the night into certaine watches as Mat. 14.35 Mark 13.35 Verse 7. Because thou hast bin my helper vz. at al assaies and in all distresses therefore vnder the shadow of thy winges will I reioyce i. being vnder thy protection I will be glad and alwayes trust in thée sée Psal 57.1 and other places Verse 8. My soule i. I my selfe both body and soule cleaueth vnto thée vz. euen as if it were glued and by this manner of spéeche hee expresseth the assured hope and confidence that he had in god for thy right hand i. thy great might and power as we haue had it sundry times before vpholdeth me vz. in all distresse and agaynst al assaults of mine enimies both inward outward Ver. 9. Therefore i. because thou art on my side they that séeke my soule i. my life and that of a cruel hatred to destroy it vz. as much as in them lyeth to take it away from amongst men shall go into the lowest parts of the earth i. shall die and perish he speaketh this of Saule and the people that tooke part with him the verification of which prophecie sée 1. Sam. 31. throughout Ver. 10. They i. the Philistines shall cast him down i. ouerthrow Saul his company yea kill the with the edge of the sword i. with the force of warlike instruments vsing one sort of them for the rest and they i. mine enemies vz. Saule and his complices shal be a portion for foxes i. their bodies shal be deuoured and torne in péeces by wild beasts and they shal not haue the honor of buriall which was a very hateful thing to heare of specially amongst the people of the Iewes True it is that this oftentimes falleth vpon the good as is declared Psal 79.2 for afflictiōs are cōmō both to good bad but in the end is diuers Ver. 11. But the king i. I my self whom God hath annoynted by Samuel to be King speaking of himselfe in the third person shal reioyce in God vz. for the great help and deliuerance that he hath wrought for me all that sweare by him i. God meaning by this manner of spéech all that feare him and serue him with a right and reuerent affection putting a part of the seruice for the whole as Deutronom 6.13 shall reioice i. be glad because God in fauour hath bestowed so good a king vpō them for the mouth of them that speake lies he setteth these hipocrites agaynst the other sincere harted people and by speaking of lies he meaneth not only false slaundering of Dauid but also dissimulation and crafty dealing with God in his seruice shal be stopped he meaneth that the wicked shal be vtterly remoued and taken away from amongst men some by death as before ver 10. and some by confusion and shame as in this verse Do. Verse 1. Teacheth that we should many times breake our sléepes to the ende we might pray to God it teacheth vs also what an earnest hunger thirste we ought to haue to his seruice and worship with the assembly of his saynts Ver. 2. Teacheth that Gods power maiesty glorye and goodnesse appeareth in no place more then in the congregations of his people Ver. 3. Teacheth that Gods mercy rightly felte farre surmounteth all treasures of this life whatsoeuer Verse 4. Teacheth that the féeling of Gods goodnesse shoulde wring from vs continuall prayer and praysing of his maiestie Verse 5. Our inward man and our outward man should delight in God and good things aboue al. Ver. 6. teacheth vs continually to think vpon god both vpō our beds in our beds and al the night long when we can not sléepe Ver. 7. sheweth that Gods prouidēce and protection is a sure safegard to al the faythful and the only matter in déed that canne minister true ioy Verse 8. Teacheth that the perswasion wée haue of God and in God should not be wauering but assured and constant Verse 9. teacheth that bloodthirsty men shal not escape vnpunished Verse 10. Teacheth that God sundry times stirreth vp one wicked company to plague ouerthrow another Ver. 11. comprehendeth a doctrine of singular comforte to all sincere and true worshippers of Gods maiestie Psalme 64 THis Psalme is the selfe same argument with that which goeth next before and it may be diuided into thrée parts Di In the first the Prophet prayeth God to graunt him his requestes and to kéepe him free from the rage and crueltie of his enemies and this is comprised in the two first verses In the seconde he doth by péecemeale as it were set out the vices of those his wicked and vngodly enimies from verse thrée to the end of the 6. In the third he foretelleth their ruine and ouerthrowe shewing what good shall come therby to al men in general and namely to the righteous from verse 7. to the end of the Psalme The title is expounded already in the fourth Psalme Ver. 1. Se. Heare my voice O God in my praier i. graunt me those requests that in my praiers by my voice I lay out before thée for hearing is put for yéelding vnto in this place as sundry times before for Dauid neuer doubted the God heard him though sometimes he deferred to graunt his petition from feare of the enemy i. from that great peril which I feare the enemie goeth about would gladly lay vpō me Ver. 2. Hide me vz. in some assured place that the flatterers of Sauls court which imagine my destructiō may not find me out from the conspiracy of the wicked i. from these outrages cruelties that the wicked in their secret méetings haue conspired and imagined agaynst me from the rage i. frō the outwarde violence oppression of the workers of iniquity he meaneth by this spéech those that
and the raine also conteined in the cloudes which hee expresseth afterwards by the worde dropping meaning the falling of the raine out of the cloudes which also make the grounde fruitefull which he expresseth vnder the worde fatnes for raine fatteneth the earth as it were In a worde this is the sense that in what place and on what side soeuer it pleaseth the Lorde to walke there hee manifesteth his blessinges and bestoweth great fertilitie and plentifulnes of all thinges sée Prouerb 3.20 Ver. 12. They i. thy steps meaning as before clouds and raine in them droppe i. fal downe vppon the pastures of the wildernes i. vpon the places that are not tilled and manured where nothing growes but wildnes as it were q.d. not onely fruitfull places as furrowes valleis and such like but also barren places as wildernesses mountaines c. shal be made plentifull and the hilles vz. which by reason of their height are in summer parched away with heate and in winter killed with cold shal be compassed with gladnes i. shal be replenished with abundaunce of fruite that shall make mens hearts and bodies glad as Psal 4.7 Psalm 104.14.15 Ver. 13. The pastures are clad with sheepe the metaphor of clothing expresseth the great plenty and store vz. that as a garment couereth the whole body so shall shéepe and other cattel for by one sort he vnderstandeth the rest couer the pastures the valleies shal be also couered with corne vz. in such sort that a man shal behold no void place and this metaphor setteth out the abundance of corne that shal be in the land therefore they i. other men speaking of them indefinitely or else the valleis and corne thereon the plenty wherof maketh men glad as we say the fields laugh whē through their goodly shew they make mens eyes ioyful showte for ioy and sing i. conceiue and expresse abundance of ioy but I rather referre this in mine owne iudgement to men then to other creatures Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth that praises and thankesgiuing are due to God in the publike assemblies of his Saints Ver. 2. Teacheth that Gods readines to graunt his childrens requests shoulde prouoke vs to earnest and often prayer Ver. 3. Teacheth that Gods mercy surmounteth all our iniquities that in the multitude thereof he will do away al our sinnes Ver. 4. Teacheth that the féeling of Gods fauour is the best blessing that can come vnto vs in this life Ver. 5. Declareth that God hath iudgement and power in his owne handes for his childrens defence and the wickeds punishment Ver. 6.7 Sheweth that God by his power gouerneth all thinges in heauen and earth Ver. 8. Gods iudgements executed vpon some do many times strike terror and feare into others Ver. 9.10.11.12.13 Teach two things first that abundance of all earthly benefites procéed from the Lords blessing which instructeth his to hang vpon him secōdly that he performeth these blessings by ordinary meanes which also teacheth vs to vse holy and lawful meanes Psalme 66 Di. THis Psalme may be diuided into three partes In the first the Prophet exhorteth al men to praise the Lord to consider al his works specially his power against the wicked from ver 1. to the ende of the 7. In the second hee declareth that howsoeuer God afflicteth his for a time yet in the ende hee will be gratious vnto them for which hee promiseth thanksgiuing and praise from ver 8. to the ende of the 15. In the third hee frameth his speach to all the faithful declaring what great things God had done for them to the end that in his example they might be comforted from ver 16. to the end of the Psalme The title is expounded before Psal 4. and Psal 48. in the title Se. Some and that of the Hebrewe writers suppose that this Psalme was made by some others rather then Dauid because his name is not here expressed but for this matter sée Psal 45. in the title Likely it is that this Psalme was written and that by Dauid himselfe when God had deliuered the Israelites from the cruell tyrannie of the Philistines and him from his manifold persecutions Ver. 3. Reioyce in God i. be thankefull vnto him and that with great gladnes for his benefits all ye inhabitants of the earth q.d. there is none of you all but you haue great occasion giuen you from him so to do Ver. 2. Sing foorth i. publish aloude that others may heare the glory of his name i. either the glory which is due vnto his maiesty or else his glorious name but I like the first best make his praise glorious i. let all your thankesgiuings tend to this end that his name and praises due thereto may bee glorious continually q.d. adde praise to praise and neuer cease praysing Ver. 3. Say vnto God i. confesse in his presence not that our speaking vnto him doeth make him any whit the more glorious but because that others hearing vs speake of his power goodnes in his sight may haue a reuerent feare of his maiesty striken vnto the how terrible i. reuerend and feareful vz. to the good who beare a louing feare towards thée and to the wicked who feare him for punishment and not for loue in thy workes i. in euery thing that thou doest through the greatnes of thy power vz. exercised heretofore against the godly whereof also thou hast reserued store with thy selfe for them that shall walke in such steppes shall thine enemies i. those that any maner of way set themselues against thée shalbée in subiection vnto thée i. shal forge and faine a subiection to thy maiesty but chuse them whether they will doe it vnfeignedly or no into subiection they shall bée brought for none is able to resist thy power Ver. 4. All the worlde i. all the inhabitants of the world as ver 1. of this Psalme putting all for a very great number shall worshippe thée vz. as thou hast prescribed meaning that they shoulde imbrace his religion and seruice and sing vnto thée i. prayse thee for thy mercy and trueth euen sing of thy name hee noteth what shal be the argument or matter of their song that is Gods maiesty power goodnes c. as Psal 20.2 Ver. 5. Come vz. with mee hee speaketh euen vnto the best sort of people who haue neede to be prouoked to this good thing and behold i. déepely consider with all your vnderstanding and eies both of your bodies minds he is terrible i. reuerend feareful and wonderful in his doings towards the sonnes of men vz. either for their defence or for their punishment The proofe of this plainely appeareth in the gouernement of all creatures whatsoeuer particularly in that hee vpholdeth and maintaineth the estate of men Ver. 6. Hee hath turned the sea i. the red sea into dry land so that this people passed through the same when they came out of Egipt sée Exod. 14.21 They i. his own people of Israel passe i. passed one time
Ver. 3. Teacheth that there is no wisedom power nor policy against the Lord. Ver. 4. Setteth out the inlargment increase of Gods kingdome vpon earth Ver. 5. Teacheth vs that gods works would be diligently déeply considered otherwise they shall litle profite vs. Ver. 6. Teacheth that for the benefite of his children the Lord can and will inuert the nature of thinges Ver. 7. Teacheth first that Gods power ruleth ouer all secondly that nothing can be hid from his presēce thirdly that the wicked howe mighty so euer they be shal neuer preuaile against him Ver. 8. Deliuereth the same doctrines that ver 1.2 doe Ver. 9. Teacheth that in God we liue and moue and haue our being also that it is he alone that vpholdeth vs that we sinke not downe vnder the burthen of sinne and calamities Ver. 10.11.12 Teach that God sundry ways exerciseth the faith and proueth the patience of his children whereby also we learn that it is no new thing that the godly are afflicted Ver. 12. And these wordes but thou broughtest vs out into a wealthy place doeth teach that howe great and gréeuous soeuer the afflictions of Gods saints be yet in the end hee remembreth and deliuereth them with an euerlasting mercy Ver. 13. Teacheth vs to frequent the publike assemblies of the Church and to shewe our selues thankeful to God for his graces Ver. 14. Teacheth that affliction is the time that maketh vs to drawe nigh to God both in word and déede Ver. 15. Teacheth vs to yéeld vnto God such a seruice as he hath prescribed and not as we deuise Ver. 16. Teacheth vs reuerently and diligently to hearken vnto good thinges that others speake to vs also that we should declare to other the graces of God shewed to vs that therby their fayth might be increased Ver. 17. Teacheth that mother tongues and all the members that we haue shoulde bee earnestly occupied in hearty calling vppon God Ver. 18. Teacheth that when we come to pray to God wee must labour to cast away from vs our wickednes and corruption Ver. 19. Teacheth that god is nigh to the earnest supplications of his children Ver. 20. Teacheth vs to yéeld humble and hearty thanksgiuing to our God for al his mercies towards vs. Psalme 67. Di. THis short Psalme may be diuided into thrée partes In the two first verses is comprehended a prayer for that people whome God had prepared vnto himselfe and for the blessing of them with al maner of knowledge In the second part is comprehended an other prayer for the increase and inlarging of Gods kingdome throughout the earth and this reacheth from ver 3. to the end of the 5. In the third is declared what great benefites and blessings shall insue after that God shal haue thus multiplied his Church and this is in the two last verses Se. The first part of the title of this Psalme is expounded before Psalm 4. A Psalme or song sée Psalm 48. in the title Ver. 1. God be merciful to vs vz. who by the meanes of sundry our infirmities stand in néede of it and blesse vs vz. with all good things both bodily spiritual and cause his face i. his fauour to shine i. to appeare and bee felt among vs vz. though there bee no cause on our partes why he should so do The Church prayeth that God would shewe not onely lay aside that wrath which hee had exercised vppon it but also that hee would shewe himselfe gracious and fauourable putting into their hearts by the working of his holy spirite a true tast and féeling of his fatherly loue Verse 2. That they they change the person from the first to the thirde they meane that by Gods fauour practised towardes his Church the Church is more and more confirmed in the obedience of Gods trueth and not onely the Church it selfe but euen diuers that are without may knowe vz. by thy word and spirite thy way i. which thou thy selfe hast prescribed vnto them in thy lawe to walke in vppon earth i. so long as they liue here and thy sauing health i. that saluation and deliueraunce which thou bestowest and giuest to men among all nations vz. of the worlde in what quarter soeuer they dwel Verse 3. Let the people vz. of the earth meaning chiefely the Gentiles let all the people vz. if thou sée it so good or else hee putteth all for an infinit number which I take to bee the more simple sense Verse 4. Bee glad and reioyce q.d. they haue no cause of sorrowe that thou gouernest but rather of vnspeakable ioy for thou shalt iudge the people righteously i. with great equitie and vprightnes shalt thou rule and beare sway after the manner of Iudges Kinges for wee knowe that the people of the Iewes were a long time ruled by Iudges and Kinges to which here hee alludeth and gouerne the nations or else as some read which also I like better lead them out vz. as sheepeheards doeth their flockes noting thereby Gods tender care towardes his Church and all that is here spoken of Gods gouernement must be vnderstood of the spirituall iurisdiction which hee exerciseth in his Church by the scepter of his word and discipline to bring all peoples in obedience to him Ver. 5. Is the same in wordes and sense with ver 3. Ver. 6. Then shall the earth vz. which was cursed for mans sinne and striken with barrennes bring forth her increase i. all manner of fruite and that in abundance through Gods especiall blessing and God euen our God i. the onely true God shall blesse vz. with all good thinges both bodily and spirituall as ver 1. of this Psalm Ver. 7. All the endes of the earth i. people out of al parts and quarters of the world hee putteth the places inhabited for the people inhabiting them this worde all for the great multitude that God will drawe to himselfe shal feare him i. imbrace his religion and seruice and that either soundly in déede or else in hypocrisie and flauish feare Verse 1. Gods mercy must bee fled to Do. as the onely fountaine of all goodnes to vs warde Verse 2. Teacheth vs to pray for increase of knowledge in Gods worde also that wee shoulde wish the same not to our selues only but to others also Verse 3. Teacheth vs to wish and pray for the inlarging of Gods kingdome and his prayses in the same Ver. 4. Teacheth vs that it ought to bee the greatest ioy that can come to vs in this life to bee vnder the gouernement of our God by his worde and discipline Ver. 5. Repeating the same both words and matter with ver 3. Teacheth the earnestnes of the Church in prayer and continuall care for the conuersion of others Ver. 6. Teacheth that when God is fauourably reconciled to his people there can be no want of good things Ver. 7. Teacheth all to haue a care to imbrace Gods religion and to followe his worship Psalme 68 Di. THe Prophet in
those that can hardly be tamed and bee full of wantonnes and sport as it were such as calues be when they are very fat that tread vnder féete i. that do contemne despise and set little by as Matth. 7.6 pieces of siluer thinges that ought to be regarded and estéemed putting one for al of the like sort scatter sée ver 1. of this Psalme the people that delight in warre i. take pleasure thinke it to be the greatest ioy when they may contend or fight most Ver. 31. Then i. when thou shalt bestow these great graces vpon thy children and ouerthrow thine enemies shall the Princes vz. moued partly through iudgments and partly by thy mercy come out of Egipt vz. to yéelde obedience vnto thée and to submit themselues to thy Lordship and gouernment Ethiopia i. the people inhabiting that land shall hast i. make hast and speede to stretch her hands i. to pray vnto or readily to offer giftes in signe of obedience and subiection putting the signe of prayer or obedience for the things themselues vnto God i. vnto thée speaking of God to God in the third person Ver. 32. Sing vnto God vz. prayse and thankesgiuing for your conuersion calling for these verses comprehend the calling of the Gentiles to the kingdom of Christ O ye kingdomes of the earth i. O ye people which inhabite the kingdomes of the world putting the places inhabited for the persōs inhabiting as sundry times before sing prayse vnto the Lorde the saying is doubled the more earnestly to prouoke men thereto Verse 33. To him that rideth vppon the heauens i. to him that gouerneth them and their course as hee that rideth vppon the Horse doeth the Horse this is spoken of GOD according to man and is nothing else as a man woulde say but a description of Gods excellent maiesty and when hee sayth most high heauens hee speaketh it also according to men who are wont to make sundry heauens as the Philosophers yet doe not that there are so for all that they babble of that matter is vayne but that men so esteeme it and yet notwithstanding in Scripture wee see that the worde heauen is sometimes vsed in Scripture for the ayre as when wee say foules of heauen sometimes for the firmament which is also aboue the ayre and so this place may bee expounded thus let men imagine neuer so many heauens yet God ruleth them all whiche were from the beginning as appeareth Gen. 1.1 and so haue since that time continued and still shall continue al which tendeth to expresse the great power of almighty God behold he will send out by his voice a mightie sound by Gods voyce he vnderstandeth the thunder the diuers effects whereof sée at large Psalme 29. And by mighty sound he meaneth not only large sound but also great which euen shaketh the earth as it were Verse 34. Ascribe the power to God i. giue vnto him all the prayse of power both in himself and in you for his maiestie is vpon Israel i. is declared mightily toward his people and Church as Psalm 14.7 and his strength is in the cloudes i. is not onely made manifest in the same but also he vseth the cloudes and all other creatures whatsoeuer to set out his power Verse 35. O God thou art terrible vz. to thine enimies and aduersaries out of thine holy places q.d. Thou shewest euident testimonies and tokens thereof out of thy tabernacle and he vseth the plurall number holy places eyther in respect that the arke was set vp in sundry places before the temple was builded or else in respect of the distincte places of the arke as Heb. 9.2.3 all which were called holy or else in respect of the heauenly holye place and the earthly holy place which was a shadowe of that heauenly one as Heb. 10.19 the God of Israel i. the God of his Church and faythfull people is he vz. alone that giueth vz. of his own goodnesse and mercye onely without any merite or desert of theirs strength and power vz. to defend themselues and to beat back their enimies meaning by strength and power all the meanes whereby these great workes may be performed vnto the people vz. whome he hath chosen vnderstanding the people of Israell for that time and the Church for euer praysed be God vz. for that his mercy and greate goodnesse towards them Verse 1. Teacheth two things Do first that God hath all power in his hande to destroy his enemies seconde that the enemies of the Church cannot prosper Verse 2. Setteth out the sodayne destruction of the wicked Verse 3. sheweth that when the wicked shall be beaten downe Gods children shall be lifted vp in spirituall ioye and mirth Verse 4. teacheth vs continually to prayse God for his incomprehensible maiestie and power Verse 5. Teacheth vs what greate care God in mercy carrieth toward the distressed persons Verse 6. Teacheth vs that fruitfulnesse of body deliueraunce of extreme daungers and plagues and punishments of what sort soeuer vpon the vngodly come all from God Verse 7. Teacheth vs to thinke vpon Gods graces performed of old that therby our fayth may be strengthened to escape daungers Verse 8. Teacheth that all creatures are not able to stande before the presence and maiestie of God Verse 9. Teacheth that plentifulnesse and the means thereof are all in Gods handes Verse 10. Teacheth that though the wicked haue a great portion of the earth in possession yet that the Lord hath properlye prepared it for them that feare him Verse 11. Teacheth vs that we can not haue our mouthes open to speake much lesse to speake well til God giue both the matter and vtterance also that the weakest meanes as women when God inableth them shal be sufficient to expresse his prayse Verse 12. teacheth that neither multitude strēgth nor authority can preuaile agaynst the Lord and his people otherwise then he himselfe séeth good Verse 13. Teacheth that the afflictions of the godly doe no whit at al hinder the beautie of the godly but rather are the instruments which God doth use to make them more glorious Verse 15. Setteth out the excellency beauty and continuance of Gods church Ver. 16. Teacheth that al congregations though outwardly neuer so glorious and glittering in respecte of it are nothing Ver. 17. Sheweth that Gods power is inuincible and his armies to performe his purpose are innumerable Verse 18. Sheweth that God will triumphe ouer al the faythfull willingly and vnfainedlie subiecting themselues and the other whether they will or no. Verse 19 teacheth vs two things first to yéeld thanks to God for his mercies secondly that his goodnes toward vs neuer ceaseth Verse 20 teacheth vs that euen in the greatest daungers God deliuereth his children to the end all glory might be giuen to him therefore Verse 21. Sheweth that the wicked enemies of his Church shal not long escape vnpunished Verse 22. teacheth vs that Gods promises of deliuerance saluation c. are the
that shame vpon the wicked that they had imagined agaynst the good also it teacheth vs not to reioyce in the miseries afflictions of others Verse 4. God and his goodnesse is the only matter of mirth and ioye to his children also Gods children must alwayes prayse God and be thankfull to him for his blessings vpon them Ver. 5. Teacheth vs that the more wee are in distresse the more earnest we ought to be with the Lord in prayer alwayes taking héede that we prescribe him not a time Psalme 71. THis Psalm may be deuided into two parts Di. In the first part the prophet praieth for himself strēgthning the faith of his praier in the assured promises of God and the particular experience of excellent deliuerances that God euen from his youth had done for him and this reacheth from verse 1. to the end of the 12. In the second part he prayeth earnestly againste his enemies assuring himselfe that God will ouerthrow them and giue him deliueraunce for which he promiseth to yéeld harty praise and thanksgiuing to the Lord and this part reacheth from verse 13. to the end of the Psalme This Psalme hath no title Se. but it is very likely that Dauid made this Psalm when he was old and fled from the face of his sonne Absalon both which may bee gathered by playne words and circumstances in this Psalme Ver. 1. In thée O Lord vz. alone and in none other let me neuer be ashamed whiche I shal be if I be frustrated of that hope I haue in thée Ver. 2. Rescue me vz. frō the rage of mine enemies and deliuer mee vz. from the perils and daungers wherein I am in thy righteousnesse i. according to thy goodnes faithfulnesse and truth which thou hast promised to thine doest then make manifest when thou doest deliuer them incline thine eare vnto mee vz. praying vnto thée bowing of the eare is in this place attributed to GOD according to man for men if they mind to be familiar and yéeld to suites will easilye bow their eares to suche as sue to them and saue me i. deliuer mee from daunger and distresse Verse 3. Be thou my strong rocke i. my assured protection and defence In the lande of Canaan there was great store of rockes into whiche the people sundry times conuayed themselues for feare of the enemies and according to this he speaketh alwaye resorte i. continuallye flye both in prosperitie and aduersitie thou hast giuen commaundement vz. not onely to thine Angels but also to the rest of all thy creatures that they should be thy effectuall instruments and meanes to saue me vz. in danger and from distresse for thou art my rocke and my fortresse sée Psalme 18.2 Verse 4. Out of the hand i. from the power and force of the wicked he meaneth in déede Absalon as the chéefe but yet so that he comprehendeth vnder him al those that tooke part with him in that conspiracy Ver. 5. For thou vz. and none other euen my trust i. he in whome I haue trusted from my youth i. from the time of my birth as it were vntill this houre sée Psalme 22.9.10 Verse 6. Vppon thée haue I bene stayed from the wombe i. thou hast mayntayned sustayned and vphelde me from the time of my conception and birth thou art hee that tooke mee out of my mothers bowels i. by thy prouidence appointment and power was I borne into the world my prayse i. the prayses that I shall yéeld shall be alwayes of thée i. thou shalt be the matter of them He meaneth this muche that for as much as no part of his life neither his conception birth infancye childhoode c. was voyde of Gods benefites but that he did continually furnish him as it were with new matters and occasions to prayse him that therefore he would without ceasing glorifie his name Ver. 7. I am become as it were a monster this word must not be taken here in the ill part and therefore would rather be turned wonder but in the good part meaning that GOD had in such great truth and power defended him that by the example whiche God in him had shewed vnto them many were drawne on to trust in God that this is indéede the very signification of the Hebrew worde howsoeuer it haue bene otherwise here translated al the places of scripture wherein it is vsed and attributed to persons doe sufficientlye prooue it my sure trust i. suche a one as neuer fayleth me I trusting stedfastlye in thée Verse 8. Let my mouth bée filled with thy prayse and with thy glory euery day i. deale so graciously with me that I may haue nothing in my mouth i. in my daylye spéeche but thy benefits giuing continually prayse and glorye vnto thée for the same By wyshing to haue his mouth filled he meaneth plentifulnesse and abundaunce and by euerye daye hee vnderstandeth continuaunce in the same vz. in yéelding prayses and glory due vnto God for his graces Verse 9. Cast me not off vz. from thée and thy fauour in the time of age hee meaneth olde age whiche is full of great infirmities and bodily weakenesses forsake mée not i. leaue mee not to my selfe voyde of thy helpe when my strength fayleth i. when the naturall vigor and force of my body decayeth not that Dauid trusted therein any whit at all but rather prayeth GOD to continue as fauourable vnto him in his youth so mercifull vnto him in his olde age to the which that hee mighte the more effectuallye induce the Lorde hee setteth before him his olde age and weakenesse euen as one that hath greate néede of his ayde and succour Verse 10. Speake of mee contemptuouslye and despitefullye reioycing greatly in this that I séeme to be forsaken of thée that laye wayt vz. closelye and diligentlye by all the meanes they canne for my Soule i. for my life to take it from mee take their counsell together the truth of this appeareth 2. Samuel 16. ver 20. c. Also 2. Samuel 17. verse 1.2 c. Verse 11. God hath forsaken him i. destituted him of ayd and comfort pursue vz. with the power you haue and take him nowe while you haue time these are eyther the wordes of them that consulted together noting the easie dispatch that they might make of him or else the words of some captains to their souldiers incouraging them to the spéedye pursuite of Dauid and his apprehension for there is none vz. either in heauen or earth to deliuer him vz. out of our hands we haue him in such a straight Ver. 12. Go not far from me vz. either in with-holding or in denying me thy ful aid succour my God hast thée to help me sée Psal 70. ver 1.5 Ver. 13. Let them be confounded sée Psal 70.2 and consumed i. come to naught both they their imaginations that are against my soule i. my life as sundry times before let them be couered vz. as with a garment meaning thereby the great shame
dennes of violence vz. which they practise against other men q.d. the holes which men sought for refuge and defence are by these mens cruelties become very dennes of outrage violence Ver. 21. Oh let not the oppressed vz. by the iniurie outrage of cruel men returne vz. from thy maiesty specially séeing he prayeth vnto thee but let the poore and néedy praise thy name i. giue them occasion to prayse and extoll thy power by deliuering them from their enemies and supplying their wantes Ver. 22. Arise O God vz. to declare thy might vpon thine enemies and to helpe thine maintaine vz. against the violence and rage of thine enemies thine owne cause i. thyne own glory now hazarded in the person of thy people like to be ouerthrowne if thou lay not to thy hand q.d. the enemies will say that either thou canst not or wilt not helpe and so thy glory shal be defaced remember this is spoken according to man and not that God forgetteth though hee séeme so to doe thy dayly reproch i. the reproches which thy enemies and the enemies of thy people do daily vtter against thée by the foolish man i. which the wicked man speaketh foole put for a wicked person as Psal 14.1 Verse 23. Forget not this is spokē as in the other ver remember the voice of thine enemies i. the roaring and blasphemies that they cast out against thee thy temple and people sée ver 4.6.7.8.10 verses of this Psalme for the tumult i. the rage and outcries of them that rise against thée i. of thine enemies and thy peoples enemies ascendeth vz. into thy sight and presence continually q.d. thou canst not chuse therefore but remember and thinke vpon the same as in the beginning of this very verse Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth that God many times layeth grieuous afflictions vpon his children to the end he might thereby drawe them nigh vnto himselfe Verse 2. Teacheth the faithful not only to haue recourse to god by praier in the time of their troubles but to ground themselues vppon that experience which either they thēselues or their forefathers haue had of his goodnes Ver. 3. Teacheth vs that we may safely pray against the enemies of the Church Ver. 4.5.6.7.8 Do liuely paint out the rage violence of the enemies of god and that against the outward marks of religion which may teach Gods children hatred and zeale against the monuments of idolatry superstition Ver. 9. Teacheth vs that euident signes of Gods wrath displeasure as the want of his worde the stopping of the true ministers mouthes c. should touch vs to the quicke Ver. 10. Teacheth vs with patience to beare the Lords hand vpon vs till it please him to remoue it and yet notwithstanding to craue according to his wil the taking of it from vs. Ver. 11. Sheweth that Gods right hand and power is the only assured meane of defence of his children the destruction of the vngodly Ver. 12. True tast and féeling of gods former deliuerances should strengthen the hope of his seruants that they shal again be deliuered out of al their distresses Ver. 13.14.15.16.17 are particular descriptions of the might power of God in certaine particular works of his out of which we learne to stay our selues wholly vpon him who hath al power in his owne hands and doth whatsoeuer pleaseth him both in heauen and in earth Ver. 18. Setteth out the malice of the wicked which reacheth not only vnto men on earth but to God in heauen Ver. 19. Teacheth vs to haue recourse to God by earnest prayer in the middest of all our calamities and afflictions Ver. 20. Teacheth vs that Gods frée couenant made with vs is not only a good ground for prayer but also a matter of great comfort to the conscience because we know he wil not go backe from that which he hath promised Ver. 21. Teacheth that it is no small comfort to the godly when they féele by effects that their praiers are heard Ver. 22. Sheweth that God his people be so linked together that reproch can not be offered to the one but it is offred to the other Ver. 23. Teacheth vs that euen the very outrage cruelties of the wicked are effectuall instrumentes to drawe from God as iudgements against their owne soules so deliuerance to his people Psalme 75 IN the argument of this Psalm I do somewhat differ from the Geneua Bible taking it to be a Psalme made by Dauid before that hee bare rule ouer the twelue tribes what time there was such great warres betwéene him and the house of Saul the Prophet promising here that if God will establish him in the full gouernement hee wil praise his name continually for the better proof of this my assertion consider the words of the third verse of this Psal This Psal specially expoundeth thrée things Di. first is a solemne promise of hearty thanksgiuing vnto the Lorde and this is comprehended ver 1.9 The second is a protestation what he wil do when god shall aduance him to the kingdome and this is in ver 2.3.10 And the thirde is a louing admonition to the wicked with graue reasons of that admonition that they set not themselues against God and his ordinance and this is conteyned in ver 5.6.7.8 For the exposition of the title of this Psalme sée Psalm 57. in the title Se. and also Psal 48. in the title and Psal 50. in the title out of al which laid together you shal haue these termes destroy not a Psalme and song committed to Asaph expounded and as for these words to him that excelleth they are declared before Psalme 4. in the title Ver. 1. We wil praise thée O God vz. for thy benefites and graces bestowed vpon vs and the doubling of the wordes noteth the constant mind and earnestnes which they caried with them to performe it and all this Dauid speaketh in the person of the faithful in his owne name also for thy name is néere i. thy power maiesty as Psal 20.1 meaning that God by his power began to approch for his good profit therefore they i. not only I but al other faithfull and godly people will declare i. publish and set abroad and that to all others thy wonderfull workes i. those workes of thine which thou doest for those that are thine are in déed for the excellency and greatnes of them to be wondered at Immanuel readeth the latter part of this ver thus for thy wonderful workes declare that thy name is nigh q.d. this shalbée one cause of our praysing thée because we perceiue by thy wonderfull workes that thou in power drawest nigh to helpe vs in these confusions and troubles and this is in my mind a very good sense Ver. 2. When I marke the sodaine change of the person this Dauid speaketh of himselfe not of God as the note in the Geneua Bible goeth shall take i. obtaine and get a conuenient time i. that time
which thou O God hast appointed me for the obteining of the ful gouernment for that time only is conuenient which God hath set Immanuel readeth this part of the text better thus when I shal receiue the couenant i. when I shal be admitted king ouer all Israel according to the couenants that the Israelites consented vnto Abners Counsell sée for this purpose 2. Sam. 3.17 2 Sam. 5.1.2.3 c. also 1. Chronic. 11.3 1. Chronic. 12.23 to the ende of the Chapter I will iudge vz. the people and their causes righteously i. with vpright iudgment this saying he wil do meaneth not that he had not done it before but that then though his charge should be the greater yet hee woulde not be discouraged but rather incouraged therby to the faithful executiō of his office and though thinges had passed vnder Sauls gouernement very corruptlye yet hee woulde deale vprightly Verse 3. The earth i. the land and kingdome and the state both of the Church and common wealth as you would say and al in the inhabitants thereof i. all the people are dissolued vz. from their strength glory and fruitfulnes and that by ciuil warres slaughters and dissentions betwéene the house of Saul and Dauid But I will establish the pillers of it I will labour through Gods assistance to repayre the ruine and decaies thereof the Prophet vseth in this verse two excellent metaphors the one to set out the ruine of the state conteyned in this worde dissolued as though it had beene like water powred vpon the ground or like a house out of frame or a body out of ioynt in euery particular member The other to expresse the restoring thereof when hee sayth hee will set vp the pillars of it meaning that hée will looke that the kingdome shall haue a good foundation and sure proppes which are specially two godlines and righteousnesse Verse 4. I sayde vnto the foolish i. vnto the wicked men the Prophet sheweth what good counsel hée gaue them bée not so foolish i. bée not so wicked as to resist God and set your selues against him lift not vppe the horne i. bée not proude and fearce it is a metaphor taken from wanton lusty and butting beastes vnderstanding by horne strength and power q.d. lift not vp your selues in your power for you can not preuaile Verse 5. Lift not vp your horne on high this is the same metaphor that wēt before ver 4. Immanuel readeth it thus lift not vp your horne against the high GOD q.d. GOD is the author of my kingdome as appeareth 2. Samuel 3.18 so that you can not set your selues against mee but you striue against him and this I take to bée the better sense neither speake vz. against mee and of your selues with a stiffe necke i. loftily and proudly as though you woulde wrastle and striue against Gods will and it is a metaphor taken from stubburne cattle that refuse to beare and drawe in the yoke Verse 6. For to come to preferment i. to bee exalted aboue other men and to obteine the gouernement of a kingdome is neither from the East to the West nor from the South i. it commeth not from this place or that quarter of the worlde out of the earth as other naturall thinges doe but onely from God who as he sheweth in the next verse onely beareth sway in it That worde that wee reade South in the Hebrew text is Wildernesse and therfore Immanuel turneth it nor from the Wildernesse that is from the North or from the South for Judea was on both these quarters compassed in with a wildernesse whatsoeuer it bee the sence is all one and this is nothing but a reason of his former spéech Verse 7. But God is the Iudge q d. it is he alone that rightly determineth these causes he maketh low and he maketh hye sée Psalme 113.7.8 also 1. Sam. 2.7.8 Verse 8. For in the hand of the Lord i. in his might and power as we haue had the word sundry times vsed is a cuppe i. iudgment and vengeance and by saying it is in his hand he noteth also the readinesse and preparation thereof and the wine vz. in the cuppe is red i. strong and pearsing and that sodainlye to the brayne The redder the Wines are in these easterne partes the more pearsing they are both in respect of their own nature and in respecte of the heate of the countrie Sée Prouerbs 23.31.32 Immanuel readeth for red troubled but me thinketh that is the better and is full mixed i. full of mixture he séemeth to allude to those that mingle spices with their wines to make them more hote and pearsing noting by this spéech the greatnesse of Gods vengeance againste the wicked and he i. God poureth out vz. in great abundaunce and plentye of the same vz. Wine that is iudgement and vengeaunce vppon the wicked surely this word serueth to note the certaintie of Gods plagues all the wicked of the earth i. all they that on the earth continue in their sinnes and sette themselues in it shall wring out and drinke the dregges thereof this parte would be better translated thus shall drinke the dregges thereof i. shall haue it euen euery droppe poured vpon their heads in despite of their téeth vnderstanding thereby the great vengeaunce that God will take vpon the wicked which vz. dregges they haue wrung out vz. agaynst themselues and that by their notoriousnesse and setlednesse in sinne Sée Isaiah 51.17 and Iere. 25.15.16 c. Verse 9. But I will declare vz. Gods wonderfull workes and excellent prayses as it followeth in the end of this verse the God of Iaakob i. the God of Israel or of the Israelites putting the name of the Father from whome they came for all his posterity vsing it also as a difference betwéene him and all the false Gods because he whom that people worshipped was the onely true God sée 1. King 18.31 Verse 10. All the hornes i. all the forces might and power of the wicked yea their very pride as verse 4.5 of this Psalme will I breake vz. to péeces and poulder so that they shall haue no hope to hurte the godlye but the hornes of the righteous i. the strength and power of good men shall bée exalted i. lifted vp and as it were daylye more and more extolled by mee And all this Dauid speaketh in his owne person shewing what hée will doe when God shall haue once aduaunced him to the quiet gouernment of the kingdome Verse 1. Do. Teach the faythfull to be thankfull to God for his mercye goodnesse Ver. 2. Teacheth Gods people to purpose good thinges with themselues and to labour to performe the same Verse 3. Teacheth that no disorder or confusion should hinder vs from doing of that which God requireth of vs. Ver. 4.5 Teach vs to admonish reproue the wicked in and for their wickednesse Ver. 6. sheweth vs that Fortune as men call it is a wicked dotage of their own yea that all that man
himselfe can doe to prefer himselfe is nothing Verse 7. Setteth out Gods gouernment not in heauen only but in earth Verse 8. Teacheth the gréeuous and great portion of vengeaunce that in Gods iustice shall bée poured forth vpon the wicked Verse 9. Sheweth that euen the highest are bound to prayse the Lord yea euen they much more then other men because they haue receyued greater graces and fauour Verse 10. Doth excellentlye describe Kings dueties which consisteth in punishing the wicked and defending the good as appeareth Rom. 13.3 Psalme 76. Di. THe Psalme as I take it may be deuided into thrée partes In the first part the Prophet sheweth how good gracious and mighty the Lord is to his own Church and people frō verse 1. to the end of the 4. In the second he sheweth how terrible he is in executing his iudgements agaynst the wicked and vngodly their enemies from verse 5. to the end of the tenth In the third and last part he prouoketh the faythful to shew themselues thankefull for his mercy towards them and his iudgements towards the other and this is comprehended in the two last verses of this Psalme Se. The Title to him that excelleth on Neginoth sée Psalme 4. in the Title A Psalme or song sée Psalme 48. in the title committed to Asaph sée Psal 50. in the Title Ver. 1. God is known vz. both by his works word and spirit for here he speaketh of a speciall knowledge and not only of that general one that al haue Rom. 1.20.21 in Iudah that is not only to that tribe or that portion of the land of promise that Iudah and Beniamin inhabited but to the rest of all the people as may appeare by that which followeth his name i. his power maiestie might is great i. is declared and founde by experience to be great and mighty in Israel i. amongst his faithfull people as sundry times before Ver. 2. For in Shalem that is in Jerusalem which was called firste Shalem sée Gen. 14.18 is his Tabernacle vz. wherein he would be worshipped which he appointed Moses to build his dwelling in Sion he meaneth this of the temple wch was builded vpon part of Mount Sion Sée Psal 48.1.2 Ver. 3. There i. at Ierusalem and Sion brake the arrowes of the bowe i. God discomfited ouerthrew the sorce power of al Saneheribs armie sée Isaiah 37. thorowout here he reckoneth vp the weapons of war as the bowes arrowes shields swords c. vnderstāding therby not only the instrumēts thēselues but also the parties that shall vse handle thē For weapons of thēselues without mē can do little hurt if the weapons had bin broken the mē spared they might either haue had new or repaired the old that we must néeds vnderstand it both of men munition Ver. 4. Thou art more bright puissant i. more glorious and mighty by giuing the Assyrians so great an ouerthrow this he speaketh of God by turning his spéech vnto him thē the mountains of pray i. thē al the Assiryans their great Monarchie whom he resēbleth for the multitude of their men for the great wonderfull spoiles which they had gotten to mountains that were ful of wild beasts giuē to rapine spoile or else because they had pitched their tents vpon the mountains round about Ierusalem they carying with thē al the prayes spoiles that they had gotten in the warres Immanuel readeth by the mountaines of prayes then it must haue this sence by the ouerthrow of the Assyrians whome hee compareth to mountains of pray for the causes before alleaged Verse 5. The stout harted i. the men of might and courage for al their strength are spoyled vz. of thē that were weake in respect of them or else as Immanuel readeth it yéelded themselues for a pray q.d. notwithstanding their strength and courage they were stricken with the faintnesse of their hart and glad to yéeld for the sauegard of their liues and this must be vnderstoode of the men that remayned after that great iudgement mētioned 2. King 19.35 and also that of the latter part of this verse they haue slept their sléep i. they are dead being slaine by the Angell an vsual thing in scripture by sléepe to vnderstand death al the men of strēgth i. al the strong men vz. which were left aliue after the great slaughter mētioned before haue not found their hands i. had not vse of their power strength putting hands which are instruments to manifest strength for strength it self Verse 6. At thy rebuke i. whē thou didst but check them or speake the word against them He meaneth that god very easily did discomfit ouerthrow them sée 2. King 19. ver 20.21 c. O god of Iaakob sée Psal 75.9 both the chariot horse i. the men that did ride in and vpon both the one the other meaning thereby both Princes nobles and men of might because they cōmonly were caried so Sée 2. Chron. 32.21 are cast a sléepe i. slaine as before ver 7. of this Psal Ver. 7. Thou euen thou q.d. thou alone art to be feared vz. of al and aboue all and who shall stande vz. of himselfe in thy sighte i. before thée when thou art angrye vz. agaynste men and by this spéeche hée noteth the weakenesse of the creatures in respecte of their Creator Verse 8. Thou diddest cause thy iudgement to be heard frō heauen he meaneth by this spéech that Gods iudgement vpō his enemies was so cleare manifest that no man could impute it to Fortune or mens trauaile but that euery one must of necessitie confesse that it came from heauen and this he meaneth as generallye so particularly of the vengeaunce executed vppon the Assyrians armie Some vnderstand it of thunder lightning c. fearefull signs tokens of Gods iudgements indeed but methinketh that other is the more plaine sence therefore the earth feared i. the people inhabiting the worlde and hearing of that great ouerthrowe of the Assyrians and stoode still vz. as people amased and without hart and courage not being able to deuise muche lesse to perform any thing against gods seruants Ver. 9. Whē thou O god arose to iudgemēt i. to execute iudgemēt he doth in this the former ver resemble God to an earthly iudge speking of him according to mā as though god did sit a long while deliberating what he would do and when hee had once resolued should rise vp and pronounce sentence to helpe vz. from danger and distresse of the enemies all the méeke i. all those that were afflicted meaning thereby the faythfull and good people of God of the earth he meaneth specially those that inhabited Iudea but yet so that it may comprehend al the rest wheresoeuer dispersed Ver. 10. Surely q.d. it can not otherwise be but that the rage of man i. euen the very fiercenesse and cruelty that men exercise agaynst thy seruaunts vsing the word
man for mankind or the greatest part thereof shall turne to thy prayse not only because that when the godly shal sée them frustrated of their purposes they shall haue occasion to prayse thée but euen if thou couldst suffer and appoynt them to preuayle yet euen therein shouldst thou bée glorifyed because God will make all things worke together both for his own glory and to the good of those that loue him the remnant of thy rage shalt thou restrayne some expound it thus those of the wicked that shall be left aliue hoping that they shall be able to performe great matters shalt thou so kéepe as it were brideled that they shall not be able to atchieue any enterprise I rather expound it thus the remnaunt of the rage that is suche good people as shall remayne after the execution of the wickeds rage shalt thou restrayne eyther from doing euill themselues or else from the violence and outrage of the wicked which latter I like best of And that maketh Immanuel to vse for the word restraine compas about meaning shielding and defending of them Sée to this purpose 2. kings 19.30 so that in this verse he declareth two vses of gods iudgement the one is the prayse and glory of God the other is the deliuery of the good people Verse 11. Vow vz. as tokens and signes of youre thankfulnesse to God for your enemies ouerthrow and your own deliuerances performe vz. your sacrifices vowed testifying also thereby your obedience and readinesse in his seruice vnto the Lord vz. only and alone who also is your God i. your defender and kéeper all ye that be round about him i. both priests and people the Leuits and Priests because they wayted in the Tabernacle and the people because they coulde be no where but in his presence lette them bring presents that is offrings and sacrifices which are called presentes because they presented them before the Lorde sée the accomplishmente of this 2. Chron. 32.23 vnto him that he ought to be feared vz. of all both high and low of what state or condition soeuer they be and this is spoken of the almightye God Verse 12. He shal cut of the spirite of Princes this may bee read better eyther in the present tense or preterperfect tense he doth it or he hath done it meaning by cutting off frustrating or taking away and by spirite not onelye their vnderstanding and purposes but their liues also as appeareth 2. Chron. 32.21 he is terrible vz. not in outward shew onely but in déede and effecte to the kings of the earth i. euen to the mightiest Monarchies and al the Princes of the world so that they néede not thinke that they shall be fauoured for their greatnesse or haue any power to stand against him Do. Verse 1. and 2. teach that God doth specially manifest both his power and good will to the people that exercise his religion and cast vpon his name ver 3. Teacheth that neither armor or indeuour can preuayle agaynst the Churche of God further then he himselfe appointeth Verse 4. Teacheth that he that is on the faythfuls side is stronger then all Verse 5. Teacheth that there is no wisedome strength power or policie able to withstand the Lord in his purposes Verse 6. Teacheth that God néedeth not to make much adoe to ouerthrow for euen a word or rebuke of his mouth shall cast them downe to death Verse 7. Teacheth that God only is to be feared and reuerenced Verse 8. Teacheth vs specially then to haue good regard to our selues when God sheweth euidēt testimonies and tokens of his iudgements Verse 9. sheweth that God will neuer forget the afflicted that hang vpon him Verse 10 sheweth that euen the very sinnes of the vngodly shall serue to Gods great glory Verse 11. Teacheth vs both carefully to purpose and religiously to performe the exercises of the worship and seruice of our God Verse 12. Teacheth vs that it is God onlye who hath the issues of the life and death of al men in his hands Psalme 77 THis Psalme may be deuided into two parts Di. In the firste the Prophet expresseth the great afflictions and gréeuous temptations that he indured and this reacheth from verse 1. to the ende of the ninth In the seconde hee declareth by what reasons and argumentes he comforted himselfe teaching the Churche to doe the like from verse 10. to the ende of the Psalme The Title or inscription of this Psalm would be amended thus Se. To him that excelleth set ouer Ieduthun his posteritie with Asaph a Psalme i. a psalme appoynted to that excellent Musitian whosoeuer he was that was set ouer Ieduthun his posteritie and to Asaph sée 1. Chron. 25.23 Verse 1. My voice i. the prayers that I made came to God i. were directed vnto him appeared in his presence when I cried i. when I prayde earnestly in the anguishe and bitternesse of my soule and hee hearde mee vz. making my prayer vnto him And all this and that whiche followeth the Prophet alleadgeth to strengthen as it were his fayth and hope that he that had bin heard of God in the time of his former affliction should likewise be heard now Verse 2. In the day of my trouble i. in the time wherein I was afflicted for his gréefe lasted longer thē one day doubtlesse I sought the Lord vz. by earnest and harty prayer my sore ran and seased not in the night he meaneth that his disease cōtinued and that no remedy could diminish the same it séemeth to be a spéech taken from woundes and sores that bléede continually or send forth corruption in such sort that they cannot be staunched Immanuel hath another reading and another sence but me thinketh that this is as proportional with this text and better rather My soule i. I my selfe putting a parte for the whole man refused comforte q.d. My payne wrought in mee such waywardnesse that nothing was comfortable or ioyfull vnto mée Verse 3. I did thinke vpon GOD vz. with my harte in my prayers and supplication and was trouble◠vz. because I conceaued that GOD was angrye agaynst me in that I prayed and he graunted mee not my petition I prayde vz. earnestly and my spirite i. my soule and inward man was full of anguish i. gréefe and sorrowe because I felt not the force of my prayers Immanuel readeth this verse also otherwise as he doth the most part of this Psalme but because this texte and sence is playne ynough I varie not from it Verse 4. Thou vz. by the gréefs and sorrowes which thou doest continuallye laye vpon me kéepest mine eyes waking he setteth out in this spéech the greatnesse and continuance of his gréefe which tooke sléepe from his eyes and spéeche from his tongue as hee sayth afterwardes in this verse I was astonied vz. by my gréefs and sorrows yea so amased that I could not speake See Iob. 2.13 also Iob. 3.1 sée also Psalme 38. almost thorow out and Psalme 102. in
i. when they came to fight with their Aduersaries Some vnderstand this of one battaile some of an other but I refer it to that story which is written Num. 14 39 40 c. to the end of the Chapter also Deut. 1. ver 4. to the end of the chapter Ver. 10. They kept not the couenant of God vz. whiche he had made with thē they with him promising to performe the same by couenant he meaneth not only the rule of good life but also the whole seruice of God they refused this word amplifieth the gréeuousnes of their fault because they sinned not thorow ignorāce but euē of set purpose as it were to walk in his law i. to be obedient to the same in their liues conuersation for so is the Metaphor of walking vsed in this place Ver. 11. And forgat his acts i. the noble déeds wch he had don for thē against their enimies that he had shewed them vz. both in the lande of Egipt and in the wildernesse the particulars wherof follow vnto the end of the 16 verse Verse 12. in the sight of their fathers so that their eyes were witnesses and therfore could pretend no ignorance or excuse in the land of Egipt as appeareth from Exod. 7. chapter to the 13. chapter euen in the fielde of Zoan i. euen in a most notorious place for Zoan was one of the great and principal cities of Egipt so that the miracles which God wroughte were not done in a darke place Ver. 13. He diuided the red sea i. by his power he caused the sea to part a sunder sée Exod. 14.21 and led them thorow i. the Israelites as vppon drie land he made also the waters to stand as an heape vz. by his worde and commaundement at that time that his people might haue passage by standing as an heape he meaneth that they stood still and moued not Ver. 14. He led thē with a cloud i. by a cloude the cloude not only going before them as appeareth Exod. 13.21 but also compassing them in on euery side both to kéepe them from the parching heate of the sunne and to saue them from the sighte and violence of their enimies and all the night so that day and night he prouided for them with a light of fire hee meaneth that piller of fire whiche stoode then in stéede of a guide whilste they were in the wildernesse Exod. 13.21.22 Verse 15. Hée i. God by the ministery of his seruaunt Moses claue the rocks in the Wildernesse hee sayeth well rocks in the plurall number because that great worke was twise done as appeareth Exod. 17. and Num. 20. and gaue them drinke i. they and their Cattle as appeareth by the places before alleaged whereby we sée not only that the thing was done but the great plenty and store they had of water also which he noteth by these wordes as of the greate depths q.d. The Rockes gaue it so plentifullye as though the great depthes and bottomlesse pits as it were had yéelded vp all their waters Verse 16. Is the same with verse 15. in sence and meaning only he amplifieth the great facte of God by the vse of sundry wordes as stony rocks which expresseth the hardnes of the thing and to descend like the riuers by which he noteth the plentye and abundance as before Ver. 17. Yet q d. notwithstanding all these graces and great miracles they sinned stil against him i. they continued in their rebellion and disobedience being nothing at al bettered by Gods goodnesse prouoked vz. to wrath and that against themselues their owne soules the highest i. the almighty God whose power no creature is able to resist in the Wildernesse he noteth the place for the more certaintie of the history Ver. 18. And tempted God i. indeuoured to proue Gods power of which they doubted not being contented with Manna but demaūding other meat thā that wch God had appointed them that was flesh forsooth in their harts i. secretly within thēselues not that they staid there for afterwards they expressed it in words as appeareth ver 20. of this Psal but the Prophet noteth the roote beginning of their sin in requiring meat by requiring he meaneth demaunding of it earnestly with muttering and grudging if they had it not for their lust i. to satisfye their gréedy and rauenous appetite not that they were inforced thereto by famin or wāt of meat Ver. 19. They spake agaynst god also vz. in as much as they called his power into question or doubt this story is Num. 11.4 c. can god q.d. Lieth it in his power or is he able if he be let vs sée it otherwise wée wil not beléeue it prepare a table vz. for vs and by preparing of a table they mean furnishing prouiding of thē with al delicates dainties sée Psal 23.5 in the Wildernesse i. in suche a barren and drie place as wée are in This circumstaunce made the matter more hard in the iudgement of the Israelites but God performing it it made it more notable for his glory And this was their villanous and foule tempting of God that they thought that god coulde not giue thē in the wildernes diuers sorts of meat as they had in Egipt neyther woulde they beléeue it vnlesse they saw it by experience Verse 20. Behold c. these are still the words of the murmuring and rebellious Israelites hée smote the Rock i. God by the ministerie of his seruant Moses as verse 15.16 of this Psalme that the water gushed out vz. in great plenty and abundaunce and the streames ouerflowed vz. the vppermost face of the lande where the miracle was wrought can he giue bread also q.d. if he canne lette him shewe it and by bread he vnderstandeth all meat and nourishment as in this petition Giue vs this day our dayly bread or prepare fleshe i. some extraordinarie kinde of flesh for otherwise the people had fleshe because they caryed their cattaile out of Egipt with them for his people i. for the people that hée hath brought out of Egipt And this their propounding of the matter in the waye of a Question doth not onely note the hardnesse of the thinges to doe it but expresseth the hardnesse of their beléefe vnlesse they coulde sée it performed Verse 21. Therfore q.d. because their rebellion and distrust was so great the Lorde heard i. now tooke notice of it as might appeare by his iudgments poured vpon them and not as though God were ignoraunt of any thing that eyther they thought spake or did and was angry vz. agaynste them for their sinnes the effectes of which anger are in this verye verse expressed and the fyre vz. of his wrath and iudgementes sée Numb 11 1 was kindled i. did not onely beginne but was executed in Iaakob i. agaynst Iaakobs posteritye and also wrath came vz. from GOD in his heauie iudgemente vpon Israell sée verse 5 of this Psalme Verse 22. Because they beléeued not
bée séene and glorious in beholding as these places palaces that are builde on high hilles and mountaines like the earth which he stablished for euer vnderstande and like the earth for this is an other similitude expressing the firmitie and continuance of the Church which shal indure vppon the earth vnto the comming of Christ and afterwardes for euer and euer in heauen Verse 70. Hée chose Dauid also his seruant after that he had spoken of the Arke religion and seruice of God hee commeth to speake of the kingdome and politique gouernement for these two things were principal signes of Gods goodnes and grace and tooke him from the shéepefoldes i. from a poore and meane estate for hee was no better then a shéephearde as it were Ver. 71. Euen from behind the ewes with young i. as hee followed the ewes either ready to eane or hauing eaned all ready for the worde I take it may be referred to both to féede his people in Iaakob i. to rule and gouerne his people Iaakob vz. those that came of Iaakob his inheritaunce in Israel i. the Israelits which were his inheritance I knowe these words in Iaakob and in Israel may haue an other sense as though hee put the names of the father of the people inhabiting the place for the place it selfe but mee thinketh the other is more simple Verse 72. So hée fed them i. ruled and gouerned them according to the simplicity of his heart i. as he was of a single mind so hée gouerned iustly and holyly and guided them i. went in and out before them exercising holy and lawfull gouernement ouer them by the discretion of his hands i. by most iust rule and gouernement for the worde hande is in many places of Scripture by metonimia put for worke rule and gouernement because kinges in their handes did vse to beare their Scepter a signe and seale of their gouernement All this serueth to shewe that Dauid did not vnaduisedly handle the thinges that hee was to passe through but did that which apperteined to his office through wisedome aduisedly also and with iudgement Verse 1. Teacheth vs to bring attentiue eares with vs Do. to the exercises of the worde Ver. 2. That the more darke and high the thinges are that are propounded the more diligent should we be in hearing and meditating thereof and not discouraged as many men are with the hardnesse Ver. 3. Teacheth that the workes and worde of GOD which either wee our selues haue tryed or other in trueth haue tolde vs of should bée great grounds of strength to our consciences and perswasions Ver. 4. Teacheth vs to haue a care for posterity that the worde and works of God may in trueth and sinceritie continue with vs and our séede for euer Ver. 5. Sheweth that Gods word bestowed vpon any people is no small signe or token of his fauour or loue towardes them Ver. 6. Sheweth that God giueth his word to the end that the people present and they that should come after might be instructed in sound knowledge of his truth Ver. 7. Teacheth that Gods word is ordeined to two especiall purposes the one is to increase hope in the heartes of his children and the other is to worke obedience Verse 8. Teacheth that fathers are not alwayes to bee followed and therefore that they say nothing that say they will treade in the steppes of their fathers Verse 9. Teacheth that weapon and armour are nothing where GOD his strength and fauour is not ioyned with them Verse 10. Teacheth that disobedience and rebellion against GOD is a grieuous sinne Verse 11. Teacheth vs howe fowle a sinne forgetfulnes of Gods goodnes is Verse 12.13.14.15.16 Setteth out Gods great loue towardes his people who maketh thinges against nature to prouide for them rather then they shoulde bee hurt or want any thing that were good and all this hée doeth to the ende that they might haue their fayth stedfastly stayed vppon him and his goodnes Verse 17. Teacheth that sinne against GOD after benefites receiued is very horrible and monstrous Verse 18. Teacheth vs that euill motions of the heart are sinne Verse 19. Teacheth that there can no greater dishonour bee offered to God then to call his power and will into question Verse 20. Sheweth howe the wicked peruert those things that God doth for them so the increase of their distrust and infidelitie Ver. 21. Teacheth two thinges first that the Lorde séeth the thoughts of the hearts heareth the words of mens mouthes conceiued or spoken against him secondly that sinne shall neuer bee vnpunished Verse 22. Teacheth that distrust in God is a most heinous and grieuous offence Verse 23.24.25.26.27.28.29 Expresse Gods great loue in giuing the people whatsoeuer they desired and that in wonderfull plenty and abundaunce to the ende that by that meanes he might bring them to amendment Ver. 30. Teacheth that the wicked are not drawne to repentance by Gods benefites but rather goe on forward more and more in their sinne Ver. 31. Teacheth that the abuse of Gods goodnes and mercy shall neuer bee left vnpunished also that God respecteth no persons in the execution of his iustice but hee that hath offended of what countenance soeuer he be shall smart for it Ver. 32. Teacheth that there are a sort of people so setled in their sinnes that no graces of God will pul thē out of them Ver. 33. Teacheth that hasty and sodaine destruction oftentimes ouertaketh the wicked Ver. 34. Liuely painteth out the nature of hypocrites their counterfeite repentance so doth verse 35.36.37 Ver. 36. Teacheth that the abuse of mens mouthes and tongues must be answered to the Lorde Verse 37. Sheweth that God specially regardeth an vpright heart Ver. 38. Doeth wonderfully commend the riches of Gods grace and goodnes Ver. 39. Doth marueilously set out the vanity and frailtie of man in all his glory Ver. 40. Teacheth howe the vngodly cease not sinning but procéede from one iniquitie to another Ver. 41. Teacheth that to set god his bounds is a grieuous transgression Ver. 42. Teacheth that the forgetfulnes of gods benefits towardes his children or of his iustice vpon his and their enemies is a grieuous transgression In that description of gods wrath executed vpon the wicked Egiptians and comprehended Ver. 43.44.45.46.47.48.49.50.51 Wee may learne many thinges first that the enemies of gods people shall neuer escape vnpunished which also expresseth gods iustice against persecutours Secondly wee sée the mightie power of the Lorde who wil arme the least of his creatures with such might as all the Monarchies in the worlde shall not bee able to resist Thirdly in that there are so diuers and sundry punishments reckoned vp we learn that the Lord hath all his creatures at commandement to vse them for the manifesting of his glory either in the maintenance of his seruants or for the punishing of the wicked Ver. 52.53 Do not only expresse gods great loue towards his children but also they teach howe that in
first that our sinnes are cart-ropes as it were to pul vpon vs Gods heauy iudgementes Secondly that God of his mercy and not for any desert of ours for we haue none doeth and will helpe vs thirdly that the more our miseries are the more earnest should wée bée with the Lorde in prayer Verse 9. Teacheth vs that Gods owne glory is an effectuall reason to perswade his maiesty to deliuer his people Secondly that Gods mercies onely doe couer and cure all our transgressions Ver. 10. Teacheth vs that wee may pray against the enemies of the Church alwayes prouided that wée intermingle not our owne corrupt affections or hatred against the persons therewith Verse 11. Teacheth vs that the sighes and grones of Gods poore afflicted seruants shall not bée sent forth without fruite or profit Verse 12. Teacheth vs that wee may lawfully pray against the enemies of Gods Church as before ver 6.10 of this Psalme Ver. 13. Teacheth vs two things first that we shoulde giue hearty thankes to almighty God for benefits and graces bestowed vpon vs secondly that we should bee instruments to publish the prayses and to conuey them ouer so farre foorth as we can to all posterity Psalme 80 THis Psalme as it should séeme both by the wordes and matter was made either about that time that the people were caryed captiue into Babylon or at the time of their being there It may bée diuided into thrée partes Di. the first is an earnest prayer made to God that it woulde please him to help the miseries of his Church from ver 1. to the end of the 7. The seconde conteineth a discription of his former goodnes towardes them with a demaunding as it were why hee had withdrawne the same from ver 8. to the ende of the 13. In the thirde part they returne to prayer againe beséeching the Lorde graciously to finish the worke which mercifully hée had begunne which being performed they purpose and promise humble obedience all the dayes of their life from ver 14. to the end of the Psalme The title Se. to him that excelleth on Shoshannim Eduth this is expounded before Psalme 45. also Psalme 60. in the titles as also is that that followeth in sundry Psalmes Immanuel addeth after this worde A Psalme of witnes which for any thing I sée is not in the Hebrew text hée himselfe expoundeth it thus of witnes i. by which the Church beséeching God did testifie their fayth they had in GOD touching the deliueraunce promised after seuenty yéeres as Ierem. 29.10 Verse 1. Heare vz. the supplications and prayers of vs thy poore seruantes praying for our selues and thy whole Church and by hearing they meane graunting of their requestes and not as though GOD either did not or woulde not heare O thou shéephearde i. thou that hast gouerned guided and deliuered thy people heretofore of Jsrael i. of all thy people and not of the tenne tribes alone as the note in the Geneua Bible goeth thou that leadeth Ioseph like shéepe i. tenderly and warely as Psalme 78.52 vnderstanding by Ioseph the same that hee ment by Israel before and all this is nothing else but a description as it were of Gods tender care fauour and loue towardes his people shewe thy brightnes vz. of thy power and might as Deutronom 33.2 q.d. shewe thy selfe in thy accustomed glory and maiesty to our great comfort and the terrour of our enemyes thou that sittest betwéene the Cherubins this is not spoken as though GOD were tied to a place but because it pleased him out of that place for a tyme to shewe foorth his power and might therefore doe the people after this sort describe him Sée Exodus 25. verse 22. Verse 2. Before Ephraim c. i. in the sight and presence of the men of that and other tribes who claue to the kingdome of Iudah and kept thy religion and worshippe sounde with them Sée 1. Chronic. 9. verse 1.2.3 Stirre vppe thy strength vz. which séemeth to haue béene heauy and as it were a sléepe q.d. nowe declare it and make it manifest and come to helpe vs vz. out of the daungers distresse and bondage wherein wee are Verse 3. Turne vs againe vz. out of the bondage and captiuity wherein wée nowe are as our Auncestours were in Egipt into our owne Countrey and to thy worshippe q.d. set vs in our former state and condition cause thy face to shine i. make manifest thy fauour towardes vs which hath béene kept from vs by the cloudes of affliction Sée Psalme 4.6 also Psalm 67.1 that wee may be saued i. deliuered out of these daungers and distresses wherein wée are Immanuel readeth so shall wée be saued The sense differeth not much as wee may easily perceiue Verse 4. How long wilt thou bee angry against the prayer of thy people i. howe long wilt thou reiect the prayer that thy people make vnto thée as though thou were angry with them and it this the faithfull speake and that of infirmity when they féele not the force of their prayers at the first as it were Ver. 5. Thou hast fedde them with the breade of teares i. thou hast giuen them teares in stéede of meate Sée Psalme 42.3 and giuen them teares to drinke with great measure q.d. they are so full of griefes and vexations that they are able to indure no more hee signifieth by these speaches both the abundaunce and the continuaunce of their afflictions Verse 6. Thou hast made vs a strife vnto our neighbours i. thou hast caused all those that are rounde about our lande with whome friendshippe and peace were to bée fostered to moue continuall strifes and iarres against these of our brethren that remaine behind in the lande of Iudah The trueth of this Sée 2. King 25. ver 25. Ierem. 37. chapt and so forwarde almost to the ende of his Prophecie and our enemies laugh at vs vz. being in this affliction and misery that we are among them selues i. to make themselues merry with all when they méete together Verse 7. This is the same almost both in woordes and sense with verse 3. of this Psal Verse 8. Thou broughtest a vine out of Egipt by vine hee meaneth the people of Israel by which comparison hée sheweth howe greatly God regarded them for which sée Iohn 15. verse 1.2 because a vine is a most noble both possession and fruite and is a very tender thing as experience teacheth It is an vsuall thing in Scripture to resemble Gods people to a vine sée Isaiah 5.1.2 c. and other places thou hast cast out vz. of the lande of Canaan the heathen vz. the Ammonites Hittits c. and planted it vz. in their place hée continueth in his metaphor of a vine and planting meaning that God had established his people in the roome of these nations Verse 9. Thou madest roome for it vz. by dispatching their enemies and casting them out before them Sée Exod. 23.27.28.29 Iehosh 24.12 and diddest cause it to take roote hée meaneth by
the first that is roote taking their florishing and prospering in that lande and it filled the lande i. it increased and grewe mightely in number greatnes and glory Verse 10. The mountaines were couered with the shadowe of it among many senses I take this to bée the simplest that the people of Israel was so mightily multiplied and increased throughout the lande of Canaan that not onely the valleis which are for the most part fruitfull but the mountaines which are commonly barren were well inhabited and peopled Sée Matth. 3.1 Luke 1.39 and the boughes thereof i. the yong people that came of that roote or stocke were like the goodly Cedars i. beautifull to beholde as tall straight strong c. Ver. 11. She stretched out her braunches i. she replenished the land with inhabitants vnto the Sea vz. Mediterranium and her boughes vnto the riuer vz. of Euphrates he doeth describe the bredth of the land of Canaan and howe farre Gods people had extended their gouernement sée Psal 72. verse 8. and they recken vp Gods benefites towardes them in times past that they might presently the more easily obteine his fauor and goodnes Verse 12. Why hast thou then broken downe her hedges i. why hast thou destitute her of succour and ayde and why doest thou no more take her into thy sauegarde and protection but hast withdrawne thy power and strength with which shée was compassed as hée threatned Deutronom 31.17 also Isaiah 5.5 so that all they which passe by the way haue plucked her i. spoyled and destroyed her hee meaneth by this manner of speach the gap as it were that GOD made and gaue to the enemies to afflict his people by Verse 13. The wilde Bore i. the most vncleane and rauenous Gentiles the worde wilde out of the wood noting their rauening and the worde Bore noting their vncleannes for the Iewes might not eate swines flesh because it was accounted vncleane by the lawe Leuittic 11.7 hath destroyed it i. hath vtterly rooted it vppe by the rootes as though it woulde finde some thing hidden vnder it for the worde that he vseth here is a compounde worde and signifieth to digge vp some thing that is hidden as Treasure or such like and the wilde beastes of the fieldes haue eaten it vppe i. it was giuen for a pray to all sortes of beastes both of the forrestes and of the fieldes hee meaneth that their neighbours nigh about them and others farre off them did grieuously afflict the people of Jsrael which enemies of theirs hee compareth to wilde beastes by reason of their cruelty Verse 14. Returne we beseéch thée vz. to thy former loue and grace q.d. set aside thy wrath and be mercifull vnto vs as thou hast béene heretofore O GOD of hostes this properly respecteth his power whereby wée sée that they made his might one grounde of their prayers looke downe vz. vppon this vine from heauen q.d. though thou dwell on high yet looke vppon vs belowe in fauour and mercy and beholde and visite this vine i. not onely remember it but perfourme deliueraunce vnto it as thou hast promised sée the worde visiting so vsed Gene. 21. verse 1. Verse 15. And the vineyarde i. the whole body of the people putting the thing conteyning for the thing conteined that thy right hande hath planted i. which thy mighty power hath not onely brought out of Egipt but setled fast in this lande and the young vine so hee calleth the people either because they were small and fewe at the beginning or else because that in the time of these troubles they were become as it were but a handfull which thou madest strong for thy selfe i. to which thou gauest great strength that in it thou and thy glory might appeare Verse 16. It is burnt with fire and cut downe i. it is destroyed by fire and swoorde noting by these two termes of fire and cutting downe all the wayes and meanes that the wicked vsed to destroy the children of GOD with all and they perish i. all thy people of Israel and Iudah at the rebuke of thy countenance i. when thou shewest by thy countenaunce that thou doest rebuke them and art angry with them q.d. the force of the enemy néede not confound them for the very signe and token of thy displeasure doth consume them Ver. 17. Let thy hand i. thy power might grace and goodnes he vpon i. be present with in effect and féeling the man of thy right hande he putteth the worde man for men and people one for many and by man of right hande hee meaneth those that God did so tenderly loue and for their sakes hée continually manifested his mighty power in leading and gouerning them and vppon the sonne sonne is here put for sonnes or posterity as man for men before whom thou madest strong i. whom thou gauest might and power vnto not onely to defence themselues but to wounde their enemies for thine owne selfe i. for thine honour and glory that thou in them mightest bee glorified Verse 18. So will not wee q.d. if thou shew vs the fauour prayed for we wil continue alwaies in thy obedience This must be vnderstood not as though they conditioned with God but alledge their purposed obedience as a reason to moue the Lord to pity them go backe from thée vz. to false and strange worships deuised by men but will kéepe our selues fast to that seruice that thou hast prescribed by thy word reuiue thou vs i. take from vs the great heauines that hangeth vpon vs by reason of our sorrowes and afflictions and quicken vs and so we shal cal vpon thy name i. profes thy religion sincerely and pray vnto thée only Ver. 19. is the very same in words and sence with verse 3 and verse 7 of this Psalme Verse 1 teacheth vs to haue recourse in all our afflictions to God by prayer Do. and in the same to consider as good grounds of our supplications his mercye and his power Verse 2 teacheth that not onely the féeling but the manifesting of Gods strength and power is comfortable to his saints Ver. 3 teacheth that Gods fauour is the only cause of all goodnesse towards vs. Verse 4 declareth that it is no small affliction of conscience to Gods children to féele that their prayers are not forcible Verse 5 6 teach first that all the afflictions of Gods children come by his prouidence and appointment secondly that he bringeth them very lowe euen in this life to the end that they may haue their harts and soules the more lifted vp to him Verse 7 sheweth that we cannot know till the Lord turne vs and so is stong agaynst frée will Verse 8 setteth out Gods great and vnspeakeable loue towards his Church and his plaguing and punishing of the wicked for their sakes Verse 9 sheweth that the beginning increase and continuance of the Church and of euery particular member of it is from the Lord. Verse 10 11 doe vnder excellent Metaphors set out the
what a one thou wast not that GOD was ignoraunt of it before at the waters of Meribah Sée Exodus 15 22 23 c. Psalme 95 8. Verse 8. Heare vz. me speaking vnto thée by my word and law manifested vnto thée O my people i. the people whome I haue so tenderlye loued and I will protest vnto thée i. I will not only open my will vnto thée but also make a solemn contracte with thée to the ende that my wordes maye haue the greater weighte and authoritie if thou wilte hearken vnto mée vz. speakinge vnto thée in my Lawe then lette this bee fulfilled that followeth Verse 9. Let there bée no straunge God in thée i. let there be no idols or images in all thy Lande hee calleth them straunge Gods because straungers from the couenaunte i. other people besides the Iewes did worship them and hee calleth them Gods not because they were so but because the Idolaters supposed them to be so or that there was a certayne Deitye inclosed within them Sée 1. Corinth 8. ver 5.6 neyther worship thou anye straunge God q.d. bee contente with mée alone I expound this verse thus that in the first parte hee forbiddeth the occasion of idolatrie which are images idols c. and in the second he forbiddeth the thing it selfe Ver. 10. For I am the Lord thy God here hee sheweth a reason of the former verse q.d. there is no other but I and I am God alone sée Isaiah 45 verse 5. and hee laboureth in this parte of the verse not onelye to proue himselfe to be the true God but also to strengthen their fayth first by Gods eternity noted in these words I am the Lord secondly by the couenant which he made with thē noted in these words Thy God thirdly by the workes which he did for thē noted in these words Which brought thée out of the Land of Egipt vnderstanding by one singular worke all the rest of the graces that God had at any time bestowed vpon them open thy mouth wide i. largely and abundauntly aske euen whatsoeuer thou wilte according to my will standing fast in my seruice and religion The Hebrewes vnderstande by this speech boldnesse trust liberty and importunity in prayer and not amisse and I will fill i. I will giue thée whatsoeuer thou shalt aske sée Ioh. 15. ver 16. and besides put songes of prayse into thy mouth for benefits receaued Verse 11. But my people would not heare my voyce i. would not obey the thinges that by my word I commaunded them Whereby we sée that to heare and not to perform is as much as in contempt not to heare at all and Israel would none of me vz. in déede and truth though they made a shew as though they reuerenced and loued me alone the truth of this appeareth in Exodus Leuiticus Numbers Deutronom and the Booke of Iudges Verse 12. So I gaue thē vp q.d. séeing nothing I could doe for them or to them coulde reclaime them or bring them to goodnesse I layd the bridle as it were in their own necks and let them run their full swinge to wickednesse vnto the hardnesse of their harte i. vnto all licentiousnesse and iniquity that their harde hartes setled in sinne could deuise and they haue walked i. their conuersation hath bin in their own counsels i. according to their owne deuises and imaginations and not according to my prescript and rule Verse 13. O that my people had hearkened vnto me i. had obeyed my voyce and lawes giuen vnto them and this God speaketh after the maner of men testifying what a great loue he had to them and how acceptable their obedience should haue bin sée Deutron 5. verse 29. Deut. 32.29 Isaiah 48.18 and Israell had walked in my wayes i. had ordred his conuersation according to my commaundements which he calleth wayes because they are as pathes or beaten wayes that we are to treade in all the dayes of our life neuer being weary of going in them Verse 14. I would soone i. very quickly q.d. then my power should haue sodaynly appeared to their comfort but specially for iudgement vpon the wicked haue humbled i. cast downe and ouerthrowne it is a metaphor taken from thē that in humblenesse throw themselues down at others féete meaning that God in iudgement would haue brought them very low their enimies i. al their enemies of what state condition or multitude soeuer they had ben and turned vz. from mine own people vnto their aduersaries mine hand i. my power and might executing iudgement and vengeaunce q.d. My power and fierce wrath should haue lighted vpon their enemies and not vpon them Verse 15. The haters of the Lord i. the wicked and vngodly people which sundry times oppressed them as appeareth in the booke of Iudges shoulde haue bin subiect vz. eyther willinglye or constreinedly chuse them whether it is true that the worde signifyeth a counterfeit subiection by which he noteth the hipocrisie of the enemies vnto him i. to the people of God speaking of them all in one person as it were of whiche sée verse 6 7 of this Psalme and their time i. the time of their prosperity and florishing and marke here the sodaine chaunge of the number and here he speaketh of the people of God should haue moured for euer i. cōtinued and abode in that state continually according to Gods promise made vnto them Ver. 16. And God marke the sodayne chaunge of the person from the first to the third God speaking of himself in the third person would haue fed them i. nourished and maintained his people with the fat of Wheate i. with the best and picked wheat for you shall haue the worde fat and fatnesse so vsed sundrye times in scripture vnderstanding by wheat also not onely corne but also whatsoeuer else was necessary for the maintainaunce of lyfe sée Deutronom 32. verse 14. and with honie out of the Rock would I haue satisfied thée q.d. rather than they shoulde haue wanted I woulde haue made barren places such as Rockes are plentifull and that euen with things not onlye for profite but for delight and pleasure noting by this maner of spéeche that they shoulde haue had all thinges both pleasaunt and profitable for the maintaynaunce of their lyfe if their naughtinesse hadde not stopped the course of his goodnesse and mercy Ver. 1.2.3 teach that we should not be only thankefull to God Do. but that the sacrifice of thanks giuing which we wil render vnto him must be yéelded coragiously chearfully because the Lorde requireth at our handes both the thing it selfe the maner of the performance of it Ver. 4 teacheth that Gods commaundment is the only ground warrant vnto vs that the seruices which we render vnto him are acceptable in his sight Ver. 5. teacheth first that Gods reuealing of his will word to any people is a plain testimonye of his grace and fauour also that Gods accounteth the afflictions of his people as his
own Ver. 6. teacheth that God alone is he that deliuereth his people from all dangers and distresses Ver. 7 teacheth that the Lord is nigh to earnest supplicatiōs requests of his poore afflicted ones Ver. 8.9 teacheth that our obediēce to God is no better manifested by any meanes then by remouing al idolatry al the occasions therof whatsoeuer Ver. 10. setteth out Gods large liberalitie towards his people who many times giueth more then they do aske Ver. 11. describeth the malice corruption stubbornesse of mans hart Verse 12. sheweth how God iustlye punisheth sinne by sinne and that there are no ways so hurtful to man as those which he himselfe deuiseth Verse 13 expresseth Gods singuler care loue that he hath to man and his saluation Ver. 14.15 teach that obedience faithfully performed to the Lord not only draweth from him iudgements against all the enemies of his people but continual fauour and flourishing to themselues Ver. 16. teacheth that those that feare and serue the Lord shall want nothing that is good and that rather then Gods children shal want the Lord wil extraordinarily nourish and maintaine them with abundaunce of al things both profitable and pleasaunt Psalme 82. Di. I Take it that this Psalme maye bee deuided into two partes In the firste the Prophet reproueth vngodly Magistrates for their partialityes exhorting them to the faythfull execution of their office from verse 1. to the end of the fourth In the seconde he setteth out their carelesnesse and pronounceth iudgement agaynst them for the same beséeching the Lord to execute iustice and iudgement seing they were negligent from verse 5. to the ende of the Psalme Se. The Title hath bene expounded sundry times before and namelye Psalme 50. in the Title thereof Verse 1. GOD standeth vz. as the théefe and principall to sée what matters passe and howe they passe in the assemblye of Gods i. in euery Session or sitting of Princes Magistrates or Iudges whom he calleth Gods because in them appeareth some speciall part of Gods Maiestie now when God is present with them it is not as an inferior but as the Lorde of Magistrates and the Author of all iust iudgementes sée Deutron 1. ver 17. also 2. Chronic. 19. verse 6. he iudgeth among Gods i. hée kéepeth his authoritye and preheminence aboue all the Iudges and Gouernors of this worlde Verse 2. How long will ye iudge vniustly q.d. Will ye go still on forward in corruption and naughtinesse shall not Gods forbearing of you bring you to amendment and accepted the persons of the wicked i. peruert iustice and iudgement for their sakes and causes Verse 3. Doe right nowe he teacheth them what they shoulde doe indéede to the poore and fatherlesse i. to those that are in misery distresse and not able by any mean of man to helpe themselues or their causes sée Hosea 14 3. doe iustice i. performe that with iustice and equitie requireth at your handes and this is the same matter expressed in other wordes Verse 4. Deliuer the poore and néedy vz. from the outrage and iniurie that the mightye men offer them saue them i. set them frée safe and sounde from the hande i. from the mighte and power of the vngodly Ver. 5. They i. these wicked vngodly iudges or Magistrates know not i. approue not neither allow or performe good things for otherwise it is not to be doubted but they had knowledge sufficient sée Matth. 7.23 vnderstand nothing vz. of right and iudgement to put the same in execution practise for it must not be vnderstood as though that they were sencelesse they walke in darkenesse i. they take euen delight and pleasure as it were to bleare their own iudgements and light and then how great is that darkenesse Mat. 6.23 albeit al the foundations of the earth be moued q.d. al the troubles confusions of the land procéede from this iniquitye of theirs and yet they though all things be out of order sit stil and take their ease neuer séeking redresse Dauid was of another mind as appeareth Psal 75.3 vpon which looke for the better vnderstanding of these wordes foundations of the earth Ver. 6. I haue saide we may refer these words either to God or the Prophet but I rather referre them to the Prophet q.d. I haue before vz. verse 1. confessed you to be Gods yeare Gods i. not only excellent great personages but such as exercise the very iudgements of God when you doe your office rightly 2. Chron. 19.6 and such as to whome God hath giuen his word Iohn 10.34 35. such as to whom God hath communicated part of his power Rom. 13.1.2 c. and ye are all children of the most high vz not in name only because he hath communicated vnto you some of his Titles but because you doe by his appointment succéede into some part of his iudicial authoritie which he hath cōmitted to you as princely parents doe to their children Ver. 7. But q.d. for al your glorious titles and great renoune by which you might séeme to promise vnto your selues lōg life and immortality as it were ye shall die as a man i. a cōmon ordinary death q.d. death shal no more feare you then other men sée Psal 49. almost thorowout and ye Princes vz. of the people for al your great state and pompe shal fal vz. by death like others vz. of the common sort of people some expounde it thus like others vz. Princes and mighty men which haue gone before you I would not greatly cōtend but me thinketh the other sence is plaine ynough Verse 8. O God the Prophet seing iustice to bee perished from the earth praieth the Lord to take the matter into his own hands rise vp vz. to iudge iustly séeing men are so negligent and carelesse iudge vz. with iustice and equitye the earth i. the people inhabiting the earth He prayeth that God would bring things which amongst men were confused into good order for thou shalte inherite al nations q.d. Thou whether they wil yea or no shalt haue power and gouernment ouer al people and therfore seing that office belongeth vnto thée take into thine own hand séeing men neglect the duties and charges that thou hast committed vnto them The first verse teacheth two things Do. first that Magistrates should deale with good consciences seing God beholdeth them secondly that people should reuerence Magistrates seing some part of Gods glory shineth forth in them Ver. 2. teacheth how wicked men abuse good things to their own condemnation and other mens hurt Ver. 3. 4. set out very liuely the Magistrates duety whiche consisteth of two parts in maintaining the good and punishing the euill Rom. 13.3 Ver. 5. Simple ignorance or malitious ignorance or both in Magistrates be the very nurses of all confusions in cōmon wealths kingdoms Ver. 6 teacheth vs to giue iust titles and honors euen to vniust magistrates alwayes reseruing that which belongeth to God sound and safe
to him Ver. 7. teacheth that no mans honor or office can preuent or put away death Verse 8 instructeth vs in the middest of all confusions disorders amongst men earnestly to pray to the Lord for the redresse of them for he alone is he that can and will in good time reforme the same Psalme 83. IT appeareth that this Psalme was made in some time that the enemies of the Churche conspired the ouerthrow of it Di. I suppose that a man may well referre it to the dayes of Hezekiah wherein Saneherib came vp agaynst Ierusalem and vttered outragious blasphemies against God and his people sée 2. Kings 18. and 19. chapiters The Psalm as I take it may be deuided into two parts In the first the faythfull pray to God for ayd and succour shewing the causes that lead them so to doe from verse 1 to the end of the eyght In the second part they pray earnestly for the ouerthrow of their enemies that so they might be brought downe in their pride and confesse God to be their only God from verse 9 to the ende of the Psalme Sée the Title of this Psalme expounded in the title of Psalme 48. Verse 1. Kéepe not thou silence O God vz. at our prayers Se. and considering the rage of thine and our enemies q.d. Make no longer shew as though thou caredst not for vs but by graunting our petitions and punishing our enemies shewe thy selfe to haue care ouer vs be not still they repeat the same matter in other words to note the earnestnesse of their prayers and cease not vz. to helpe vs in our distresses Verse 2. For loe thine enemies i. they that in vs professing thy truth set themselues agaynst thée make a tumult vz. not onely in gathering great multitudes together but also in lowde and loftie speeches as verse 4. of this Psalme making a great noyse they that hate thee i. they that testifie their hatred against thy maiestie by pursuing and persecuting vs haue lifted vp the head vz. against thy maiestie vs thy poore seruaunts and by lifting vp the head hee meaneth that they had not onely set all feare aside but that with bold and proude mindes they prepared themselues staying vppon their owne strength to accomplish their mischiefs agaynst God and his people Ver. 3. They haue taken craftie counsel i. they haue both diuised with themselues and consulted with others agaynst thy people vz. how they mighte hurte and destroy them and haue consulted vz. with themselues and others agaynst thy secret ones i. thy faythfull people and he calleth them Gods secret ones not only because they were Gods chéefe treasure Exodus 19.5 whiche hee woulde kéepe closely for himselfe but because he would and did vnder the shadowe of his wings as it were kéepe them safe and sound from all iniurie and oppression Psalme 17.8 Psalme 27.5 Verse 4. They haue sayde i. the enemies amongst themselues as it were to exhort and incourage one another haue vttered these spéeches Come and let vs cut them from being a Nation i. let vs vtterly destroy them that they may no more remaine a people vppon the earth and that word them is spoken contemptuouslye of the Iewes or Israelites as though they would not vouchsafe to name the persons they were so base and for the expounding of this spéech from being a Nation sée Esai 7 verse 8. where he vttereth a prophecy against the tenne tribes and let the name of Israel be no more in remembraunce i. let this people so vtterly perrish that neither person name or remembrance therof may be thought vpon By Israell he meaneth that part of the Israelites which remained vnder the gouernment of the kingdome of Iudah to whome hee giueth this name because they came of Iaakob or Israel as well as the others Verse 5. For they haue consulted i. they haue not onely taken counsell how to performe euil things but haue conspired and consented to the same together in hart i. not only closely secretly as before ver 3. but also couragiously boldly as it were and they séeme to bée al of one mind as it were to our destruction haue made a league vz. amōgst themselues and that by solemne oth and ceremonie as it were that they might be the more straightly bound to worke their mischiefe against thée he sayth agaynst God because that the quarrell which the enemies had agaynst this people was for religions cause which was the very cause of God himself Ver. 6 The Tabernacles of Edom that is the Edomites or Arabians whose manner was to dwell in Tents or Tabernacles or else hee meaneth their souldiers abiding in Tentes or Pauilions after the manner of warre this people came of Esau Genesis 36.9 and the Ismaelites adde and of the Ismaelites meaning that their troupes Tabernacles or Tents came who caried also a hatefull mind towards Gods people and it shoulde séeme that these came of Ismaell the sonne of Agar by Abraham sée Genesis 25.12 Moab i. the Moabites putting the name of the Father for all the people that came of him he was the eldest Sonne of Lot borne by incest sée Genesis 19.37 and the Agarims I woulde rather reade it Hagarims with an H or aspiration fyrste it shoulde be read as appeareth by the Hebrew Texte the Prophet mynding to note them that came of Hagar the mother of Ismaell of this people sée 1. Chronic. 5. verse 19.20 Verse 7. Geball from whome this people should come the scripture so farre as I remember sheweth not some suppose he meaneth the Gibbians who were borderers vpon Sidon of whiche sée 1. Kinges 5.18 and Ammon this was the other sonne of Lot conceaued and borne in Incest of whiche sée Genesis 19.38 putting in all these the name of the fyrste Father of them for all the people thee came of them and Amelech these came of Eliphaz Esaus sonne as appeareth Gene. 36.12 the Philistines these came of Ham the Sonne of Noah as appeareth Genesis 10.14 with the inhabitants of Tyrus this is the name of a Citie situate vpon the Sea as appeareth Isaiah 23. thorowout Verse 8. Ashur i. the people of Assyria who came also of Ham Noahs Sonne as it shoulde séeme Genesis 10.11 is ioyned with them vz. in this conspiracie and mischiefe that they minde to doe for in these verses hee doeth nothing but note out the multitudes of the enemies which Gods Churche hath they haue bin an arme i. they haue ministred courage ayde and strength by the league that they haue made to the children of Lot i. to the Moabites and Ammonites that came of Lot of whome before Verse 9. Doe thou to them as to the Midianites i. destroy them vtterly and ouerthrow them for all their force and multitude this story is written Iudges 7. Chapter as to Sisera i. confound and ouerthrow them Sée Iudges 4. Chapter and as to Iabin who was the King of Canaan and Sisera was his chéefe Captayne in whose discomfiture and
ouerthrowe the children of God may be incouraged to pray vnto him and to prayse him for it and this is conteined in verse 16. also that he himself and his power may thereby be glorifyed in that the wicked whether they will or no must of necessity confesse his might and this is in verse 18. Psalme 84 Di. THis Psalme may be deuided as I take it into two parts In the first part the Prophet sheweth what great desire hee had in the time of his exile to ioyne himselfe to the assemblies of Gods people and what good estate they are in that may so doe from verse 1. to the end of the 7. In the second he maketh his request to God for his returne assuring himselfe that God in good time will graciously looke vpon him for his good concluding that they are blessed that stay vpon the Lord from verse 8. to the end of the Psalme Se. The Title of this Psalme is expounded before Psal 8. Psal 45. in their titles Ver. 1. O Lord of hosts i. O mighty God which hast al things at thy cōmaundement as armies or hosts to execute thy will how amiable i. not onely swéete and pleasaunt but most tenderly beloued of me are thy tabernacles by this word he vnderstandeth both the places wher the holy assēblies were made frō whence he was banished thorow the crueltie of his enemies also the people there assembled namely principally Ierusalē the temple the assēblies made there Ver. 2. My soule i. I my self both body and soule putting one part for the whole longeth i. vehemently and earnestly desireth wee applye this spéech to women with child who if they haue not the thing they lust for are in great daunger yea and faynteth i. with desiring of it and not obtayning of it I languish away and am as it were dead or entring into a swoone for the courts of the Lord he doeth expreslye vse this worde Courtes because hée might not go further vnlesse he had bin a Priest for mine harte and my fleshe i. both my inward and outward man reioyce in the liuing God i. take pleasure in him and his seruices who alone is the only true God for by the terme liuing he separateth him from al the dead idols dum images of the Gentils Ver. 3. Yea the sparrow hath found her a house vz. in which she maye rest and take her pleasure and the Swallowe a neast for her i. a place of ease both for her selfe and yong ones as may appeare by that which followeth euen by thine altars i. not verye farre from them by many hee meaneth onely one for it was not lawfull to haue manye Altars to offer Sacrafice vppon Immanuel readeth the latter part of the second verse and this verse otherwise ioyning them together thus My harte and my fleshe crye oute with desire to come to the mighty liuing God vnto thine Altars O Lorde of hostes my King and my God yea the Sparrow hath found a house and the swallowe a neast for herselfe wherein she maye laye her yong ones but the sence varieth not much Verse 4. Blessed are they that dwell in thine house this hee meaneth of the Priests and Leuites who not only had their houses nigh vnto the Temple but their lodgings also sée 1. Samuel 3.2 c. they will euer prayse thée i. they will be continually occupied in praysing thée for thy goodnesse and truth Verse 5. Blessed is the man whose strength is in thée i. who renounceth his owne and others strength and trusteth onelye to thy mighte and power and in whose harte are thy wayes i. that haue a desire and purpose to walke according to thine ordinaunces and namelye in visiting thy Temple and repayring to the exercises of thy Religion And by the worde Man he vnderstandeth many or that number of good men who vsed that course Verse 6. They Marke the sodaine chaunge of the number going thorow the vale of Baca of this valey reade 2. Samuel 5.23.24 and it should appeare to be a very drie place because of the Mulberry trées therein whiche thriue best in drie places make Welles therein i. make accounte of the drinesse of the place as though they had abundaunce of water for the pleasure that they take in Gods seruice mittigateth the great thirst of this drie place the raine also vz. which falleth from heauen couereth the pooles i. falleth vppon the vpper parts of the waters of the pooles increasing them But for mine own parte I would haue all this verse wholly referred out of Immanuel thus Blessed i. in good case are they that going thorow the valey of Baca or Mulberrye Trées of which somewhat is sayd before make it a well i. make that account of it as of a Well or of a most pleasaunt place wherein are welles and springes whome also i. which men the raine of blessings i. rayne that commeth from God and is bestowed vpon the earth as a blessing of God to make the same fruitfull and by raine of blessings he vnderstandeth also abundaunce of raine couereth i. falleth much vpon them and yet hindereth them not from going to the exercises of god This then is his meaning in these thrée verses 4 5 6 that not only the Priests and Leuites are in better case then he but the cōmon people that trauaile thorow many dangers and distresses to come to the place of Gods seruice from which he was shut by reason of his exile and whether hee would haue come with as great payns as they if he might safely haue done it Verse 7. They i. the people that thus repayre to the exercises of God and his word go from strength to strength i. the Lord indueth them with al maner of strength so that they féele no weakenesse or féeblenesse til euery one appeare i. come and place himselfe not denying but that afterwards also the Lorde doth graciously strengthen them before God vz. according to the law Exod. 23.17 meaning also by this spéech the arke of the couenaunt which to the children of Israel was a testimony of Gods presence in Sion vz. which was the place wherin the arke was the seruice of God vsed when Dauid did write this Psalm Ver. 8. O Lord god of hosts this is sundry times expounded before heare my prayer i. graunt my requests and petitions that I make vnto thée hearken i. yéelde to my suite O God of Iaakob i. of the faythful ones putting the name of the father from whom they came for his holy posteritie Ver. 9. Behold vz. in mercy our languishing and fainting for the exercises of thy word so looke vpon vs that we may be restored thereto for here Dauid prayeth both for him selfe and others that were with him in the like case O God our shield i. protector and defender who kéepeth vs many degrées better then shields and tergats are sée Psal 18.2 looke vpon the face i. graciously accepte the persons and prayers of thine
annointed i. of him that was by thy commaundement annoynted king 1. Samuel 16.12.13 Verse 10. For a day i. one day only no more and this verse comprehendeth a reason of his prayers in thy Courts sée verse 2. of this Psalm putting Courts also for the places of publike méetings and assemblies is better i. is more swéete comfortable and profitable to me then a thousand vz. dayes otherwhere yea though the place it selfe were neuer so delightfull and pleasaunt I had rather be a dore kéeper i. I woulde preferre the basest place and calling in the Churche in the house of my God i. in the place where my God who is the only true God is serued then to dwell in the tabernacles i. in the most pleasaunt and gorgeous houses of wickednes i. wherein wickednesse is practised and professed or it may be that hee putteth wickednesse for wicked men whatsoeuer it be he meaneth that he had rather be of the meanest account in the Church of God amongst good men then to be in the highest roome out of the church where nothing raigneth but prophanenesse and corruption Verse 11. For the Lord God is the sunne and shielde he meaneth that God is the only author of all excellent good things and the deliuerer from all euill for euen as the sunne by his heat and brightnesse quickeneth maintaineth and maketh the creatures ioyfull so the gracious countenaunce of the Lord filleth mens harts with ioy and gladnesse and as a shield is an instrument to put backe darts and daungers so it is he alone that defendeth vs in all distresses sée before verse 9. of this Psalme the Lord wil vz. in his owne good time and when it pleaseth him giue grace i. shew fauour and mercy to me and others that are now cast downe and glory i. he will aduance me to that honour and estimation which he hath prepared for me hee meaneth the kingdome and no good thing will hee withhold from them i. he will giue them all good and necessary thinges for his glorye and their comforte that walke vprightly i. lead a holy and vpright life voyde of hipocrisie and being that indéede that they would séeme to be sée Genesis 17.1 Verse 12. O Lorde of hostes i. O God of al might and power who haste all creatures in thy hands as armies to commaund blessed is the man q.d. certainly howsoeuer it goeth with other men of wit wealth c. hee is in good case that trusteth vz. alwayes in thée vz. alone I take it that the Prophet comforteth himselfe by this spéeche that though it were a great gréefe vnto him in respecte of bodily presence to be absent from the exercises of holye assemblies yet this was his comforte that in soule spirite and fayth he did communicate with the Church and behelde the Lorde who was worshipped amongste them Sée Psalme 2.2.12 Ver. 1.2 Do. teach Gods children how much they ought to estéeme of the publike exercises of the Church which are Gods effectuall instruments meanes to nourish and beget vs to the hope of a better thorow his especial blessing Ver. 3 sheweth that absence from holy assemblies should pinch vs to the hart howsoeuer little account men of the world make of them Ver. 4 teacheth two things the firste is that though worldly men iudge such as serue God miserable and wretched yet they are indéede truely blessed the seconde sheweth the duetie of them that professe God that they shold be continually occupied in his seruice Ver. 5. teacheth that true blessednesse belongeth to true beléeuers only and that to such as expresse their fayth by the fruites thereof vz. by purpose of harte to wel doing and practise thereof so farforth as God shal inable them Ver. 6. teacheth vs that no want or weather should hinder vs from the exercises of God Ver. 7. teacheth that God wil furnish those that are his with all abilitie to performe his will Ver. 8. teacheth vs in the time of our sorrowes to haue our recourse to God by earnest prayer Ver. 9 teacheth vs in our prayers and supplications to looke to the mercies of God also to present our prayers vnto him in the mediation of Christ Iesus only who is that in truth to vs that Dauid was in figure Ver. 10. teacheth vs to prefer godlines and godlie mens company before all the pleasures and profits of this life whatsoeuer Ver. 11. teacheth vs Gods prouidence towards his seruaunts whiche appeareth in this that he will comfort and defend them in danger that he wil exalt them to dignitie after distresse and that he will mercifully minister vnto them all thinges necessary It teacheth vs also our dutie in care and conscience without hipocrisie to walke before him all the dayes of our lyfe Verse 12 teacheth vs that sure trust and confidence in God only maketh vs blessed Psalme 85 THe Psalme may be deuided into two parts Di. In the first the faithful reckon vp gods mercies of old as good grounds of their praiers which they should and did make for their presence deliueraunce from verse 1. to the end of the seuenth In the second is comprehended as it were a prophesie or an assured perswasion that the faythful had of their deliueraunce from Antiochus his tyranny at which time it should séeme that this Psalme was made and this reacheth from verse 8. to the end of the Psalme Se. The Title hath ben sundry times expounded before and namely Psalme 4. and Psal 45. in their titles Ver. 1 Lord thou hast bin vz. in times past and therefore we hope thou wilt be now fauourable i. haste shewed mercye euerye waye so that they make his frée loue and mercy towards them the cause of all their goodnesse vnto thy Land i. vnto thy people inhabiting the land of Canaan which he calleth Gods land because GOD had chosen it and appoynted it especially for them Thou vz. alone and none but thou hast broughte againe vz. out of Egipt or else out of Babilon for it may be vnderstoode of eyther of them but speciallye in my iudgement of Babilon as which was the greater matter sée Ierem. 16. verse 14.15 the captiuity of Iaakob i. suche of Iaakobs posteritye as were Captiues putting the thing wherein they were held for the persons as Psalme 84 10. Wickednesse put for wicked men Verse 2. Thou hast forgiuen vz. fréelye and of thine owne accorde without anye merite or deserte of theirs at all the iniquitie i. the sinnes and transgressions vnderstanding by one manye whiche they had committed agaynste him of thy people i. of those whome thou chosest to bee a peculiar people vnto thy selfe and couered vz. from thy iudgement all their sinnes whatsoeuer whensoeuer wheresoeuer or howsoeuer committed for concerning of sinnes sée Psalme 32.1 Verse 3. Thou hast withdrawne vz. from thy people all thine anger vz. whiche they had pulled vppon them iustly by their sinnes and thou in mercye haste eyther vtterly withholden it or else laying some
seruauntes doeth not onely manifest his owne glory but also prouoketh them thereby to bée thankefull vnto him Verse 7. Teacheth that Gods mercy is the cause of all goodnes to vs warde and namely of our deliueraunces from daunger Verse 8. Teacheth first in diligence and patience to wayte the Lordes good will secondly to stay our selues vppon Gods mercy and goodnes towardes vs Thirdly that the name Saint may bee giuen to them that bée liuing which the Papists deny appropriating it onely to the dead fourthly that Gods mercy and goodnesse shewed vnto his people ought to bée an effectuall meane to restrayne them from former folly and sinne Verse 9. Teacheth vs that the ready way to bée assured to haue GOD on our side is to haue a reuerent feare of his maiesty in our heartes and sincere fruites of the same feare in our conuersation Verse 10. Teacheth that the chiefe cause of the reconciliation betwéene God and man and of peace in mens consciences and of faythfull dealing towardes men is Gods great goodnes and mercy and the faithfull perfourmaunce of his promises to vs. Verse 11. Teacheth that it becommeth Gods children euen by the example of their heauenly father who sheweth himselfe most righteous in his promises towardes them to deale faithfully and vprightlye one with an other Verse 12. Teacheth that not onely all good thinges come from GOD as Iames 1.17 but that they are bestowed vppon all and namely vpon his children of his meere liberality onely Verse 13. Teacheth that where God beareth sway there all iustice shall manifestly appeare and bee openly practised Psalme 86. I Suppose that this Psalme of Dauid full of very earnest affections and prayers may bée diuided into two partes Di. In the first hee desireth the Lorde to haue mercy vppon and to deliuer him from all his afflictions sometymes alleadging his owne misery and sometymes Gods mercy and might to induce him thereto and this reacheth from verse 1. to the ende of the 10. In the seconde hee prayeth for light and knowledge desiring also deliueraunce from his distresses alleadging as reasons to moue the Lorde thereto the fearcenes of his enemies Gods owne mercy and his thankefulnes to bee perfourmed to the Lorde from ver 11. to the end of the Psalme The title Se. a prayer of Dauid i. a prayer that Dauid made in the time of some grieuous affliction that hée was in the holy Ghost leauing the same in recorde for vs to see it or the like Verse 1 Incline thine eare O Lorde vz. vnto my prayers and supplications which I make before thée and this is spoken of god according to men who if they bee disposed to graunt suites and requestes wil as a token thereof be ready to hearken to the suppliaunts voyce heare me i. graunt me such thinges as I praying vnto thee doe according to thy wil aske at thy hands for otherwise it is not to be denyed but that god continually heareth and séeth al thinges for I am poore i. miserable and in great distresse and néedy i. stand in néede of thy fauour and ayde hee alleadgeth his afflictions weaknes and misery to the end therby to moue god the more to fauour him for this is proper to his nature to succor the miserable Hosea 14.3 Ver. 2. Preserue thou my soule i. kéepe thou â—ay life whole man either from the rage of mine enemies or from the sharpnes of these afflictions for I am merciful vz. not only towards them that be in miserie but euen to my very enemies and he speaketh thus not as though hee would clayme somewhat for his dignity or worthines but to make his enemies more hatefull as it were to God because they persecuted him that alwaies behaued himself curteously towards them and therefore they had the lesse cause to persecute him Immanuel readeth it thus for I am hée whome thou pursuest with goodnes i. I am he whom thou tenderly louest and therefore hope that thou wilt defende and kéepe me euen as the apple of thine eye both the senses are good my God Dauid speaketh not this as though god were his god onely but to testifie the particular apprehension that hee had in his perswasion of GOD and his goodnes saue thou thy seruaunt i. deliuer him from his present dangers distresses and afflictions that trusteth in thée vz. alone and in none other but thée Ver. 3. Bée mercifull vnto me vz. that am thus distressed and compassed in on euery side out of which I can not get vnlesse thou shew great mercy for I cry vpon thée i. I do earnestly call and pray vnto thee continually i. dayly and without ceasing setting out here two thinges in his praiers the one is earnestnes and vehemency vnderstood by crying the other is perseueraunce ment by the worde continually Verse 4. Reioyce i. giue an occasion of ioy vnto mee by kéeping mée from mine enemies by deliuering mée from the heauines wherein I am and by graunting my requestes the soule i. the whole man but specially the inward and mortal part sore afflicted with continuall assaults striken into heauines and sorrow of thy seruant i. of me whom thou hast vouchsaued to call to this honour to make thy seruaunt and marke here how hee speaketh of him selfe in the third person presently chaunging in the other part of this verse to the first for vnto thée O Lord vz. alone and to no other but thée do I lift vp my soule i. I pray thy helpe and that not with mouth only but also with my heart Ver. 5. For thou Lord art good vz. to all and therefore much more to thine owne seruants and sonnes and merciful vz. to those that turne vnto thée after they haue strayed from thee meaning that God pardoneth them their sinnes and transgressions and of great kindnes i. of wonderful and vnspeakable mercy vnto al them vz. of what condition or state soeuer they be that cal vpon thée i. that pray vnto thee vz. alone and that in spirite and trueth Ver. 6. Giue eare O Lorde vz. I beséech thee and not as though Dauid commanded God vnto my prayer i. vnto my prayer which now I make vnto thée and hearken to the voice i. yéeld to the words of my supplications i. which I vse in my supplication meaning by all this the graunting of his requests it séemeth to be the same almost with ver 1. of this Psalm Ver. 7. In the day of my trouble i. at what soeuer time I shalbée in my trouble affliction or miserie I will call vppon thée i. I will pray vnto thee onely Immanuel readeth it in the present tense I cal vpon thée q.d. nowe that I am in trouble I pray vnto thée and in déed it better agreeth with the circumstance of the place and person for thou hearest me i. I knowe that thou either doest graunt or wilt graunt me my request wherby the Prophet sheweth what a stedfast perswasion he had in God and the word of his
shal be sayde of her that hée euen the most highest i. the almighty God shall stablishe her i. make her so strong and stedfast that the gates of hell shall not preuaile against her Sée Matth. 16.18 Ver. 6. The Lord shal count i. accept and allow of those that be his when he writeth the people i. when he inroleth inregistreth them as it were al this is spoken of God according to mans capacitie as that also which is so often mētioned in scripture touching the booke of life hee i. many as before ver 4. of this Psalm was borne there vz. in the bosome of the Church and that by spiritual regeneration or new birth altogether is as much q.d. whē the Lord shal take an account of people he shal make thē whom he will greatly honour Citizens of Ierusalem and of his Church Ver. 7. As well the singers as the plaiers on instruments shall prayse thée q.d. the commendation of the Church shal be so great and large that the members therof both with musicall instruments and with voyce shal sound forth prayses of it all my springs i. al the pleasure and delights that I haue are in thée i. are set vpon the Church of God others expound it otherwise but methinketh the sense is simple and playne Immanuel readeth it thus wherefore all the fountaines of my life sing and reioyce also concerning thée there is no difference in the sense sauing that he referreth it to the Prophet alone and the other text to others with the Prophet Ver. 1. Setteth out the firmity and stedfastnes of the Church Do. the consideration whereof is comfortable to Gods children and fearefull to the wicked because that nothing that they can deuise against it can vndoe it Ver. 2. Declareth that Gods free loue towardes his Church is the cause of the stayednes thereof and of all other good things to it Ver. 3. Teacheth that howsoeuer vyle and contemptible the Church séeme in the eyes of the world yet it is true that shée and the thinges appertaining vnto her are glorious Verse 4. Expresseth both the increase of the Church and also the calling of the Gentiles Verse 5. Teacheth vs that the Lorde who is greater then all is the stay and strength of the Church Ver. 6. Teacheth vs what a straunge stay Gods election is to the Church and also what great grace he doeth bestowe vpon vs when in the same by the ministry of his worde he doeth beget vs againe vnto himselfe Verse 7. Teacheth the faithful what great delight and pleasure they ought to take in the Church and in the graces that she hath in her Psalme 88. THis Psalme as I take it may be diuided into two parts Di. In the first part Heman the Ezrahite beséecheth the Lord to hear his prayers setting out the great miseries wherein hee was as arguments to moue the Lorde in pity and compassion from ver 1. to the end of the 9. In the second he doth as it were expostulate and delate the matter without setting out some time his owne misery sometimes his enemies cruelty and sometymes one thing and sometimes an other and this reacheth from verse 9. to the ende of the Psalme The title a song and Psalme sée Psal 48. of Heman who was a very wise man as appeareth 1. king 4.31 and the brother of Ethan who made the next Psalme following as appeareth 1. Chrome 2.6 the Hezrahite this I take to bée a name deriued by transposition of letters from Zerah his father of whome sée also 1. Chron. 2.6 and he is so called according to the manner of the Iewes who vse to name the race or stocke by the name of the first father thereof to giue instruction vz. howe to behaue themselues euen towardes God in the tyme of their afflictions sée Psal 42. in the title committed to the sonnes of Korah vz. to be sung by them sée Psal 42. in the title for him that excelleth q.d. yea euen to the chiefest musition amongest them because of the excellency of the Psalm and the matter contained therein sée Psalm 4. in the title vppon Malath Leannoth some take it to bee the beginning of a song by the tune whereof he would haue this Psalme to be sung some take it for the name of an instrument vppon which hee woulde haue the tune of this Psal played when it was sung The Iewes themselues who either were or shoulde bee best acquainted with these matters do fréely and plainely confesse that they knew not what these thinges meane and therefore wée néede not stand much about them Ver. 1. O Lord God of my saluation i. thou that heretofore hast deliuered mee and from whome I presently hope of deliuery out of all the distresses wherin I am I cry i. I pray earnestly day and night i. continually also and without ceasing as it were before thée i. not only in thy presence before whom all thinges are naked but also vnto thee alone Ver. 2. Let my prayer enter into thy presence i. let it find grace fauor and acceptatiō in thy sight for otherwise the Prophet doubted not but that God did sée it and heare it incline thine eare i. shew thy selfe ready not onely to hearken vnto but also to graunt and yéelde vnto vnto my cry i. to my earnest supplication and prayer Ver. 3. For my soule i. my whole man and my very life putting a part for the whole is filled with euils i. hath nothing in it but heapes of miseries Sée Iob. 14 1. but here he speaketh of some extraordinary griefe as it were and my life draweth néere to the graue q.d. my afflictions and griefes are so great that I am become thereby as it were at deaths doore and as one that is ready to be buried Ver. 4. I am accounted vz. not onely by them that hate but euen by my frends yea in mine owne iudgment among them that go downe into the pit i. I am like vnto them that be dead and buried of whom there is as a man would say no more hope of life and as a man without strength q.d. certainly and in déed my griefes haue so preuailed vpon me that I haue no strength at all in bones flesh sinowes or any part of me but am vtterly consumed Ver. 5. Frée among the dead Immanuel readeth this part of the ver better and more plainely by repeating the worde I am accounted thus I am counted among the dead i. men haue no other account or regard of me then of a dead man and then he addeth shut out vz. from others wherein he alludeth to the ceremony of the old lawe by which they that were infected with the leprosie were shut out of the campe Leuit. 14.3 and afterwardes when the people came to a setled state they were sent out of the cities into houses prepared for them 2. king 15 5. 2 Chro. 26.21 Like the slaine lying in the graue q.d. I am as a dead man for hee vseth but
and his people or else speaking it according to the present affection and féeling of the flesh resting notwithstanding resolued howsoeuer his fayth were shaken for a time yet that god wil graciously performe his promises These words also which is to be marked are verified in Dauid and Christ in Christ because God for a season forsooke him as may appeare when he cried My God my God why hast thou forsaken me Matth. 27.46 and in Dauid when it séemed vnto him that Gods promise shoulde take no place and that God had as it were vnsayd the same and when he was driuen out of his kingdome by Abshalon his sonne sée Psalme 3. thorowe out and abhorred i. loathed and despised him as it were thou hast bene angrye which thing also thou hast declared by effects as appeareth in the verses following with thine annoynted i. with the King whome thou thy selfe hast annoynted and chosen to that roome sée Psalme 18 5 Verse 39. Thou hast broken i. it séemeth vnto vs so in the eye of flesh and to our enimies the couenant of thy seruaunt i. the couenaunt which thou haste made with thy seruaunt and it is called his couenaunt not because he made it or was the chéefe in it but because he was one to whome and with whome it was made and profaned his crowne i. brought it to great dishonour and contempt specially among the prophane people as the Gentiles c. and by crowne he meaneth his kingly dignitie casting it on the ground i. ouerthrowing it taking it as it were from his head setting it vpon the ground whether he spake it of Dauids abiection by the hand of his sonne Abshalon or of the renting of the kingdome in the dayes of Rehoboan or of their captiuity vnder Salmanazder and Nebuchadnezar it is not certayne I suppose that without any iniury to Gods spirite a man may well apply it to them all Verse 40. Thou hast broken downe vz. and that vnto the ground all his walles i. al the walles of his kingdome meaning by walls not onely all the strong places thereof but all the instrumentes and meanes that he had eyther for his owne defence or for the annoyaunce of his enemies for to those two endes doe walles serue thou hast layd his fortresses in ruine i. thou hast vtterly ruinated and destroyed and as a man would saye made euen with the ground all his strong holds Verse 41. All that go by the way q.d. he and his kingdome is so weakened that euen way faring men can easily spoyle them there néedes no souldiers or men ofwarre to doe it spoile him vz. and his people meaning that they take away from them euen what they list sée Psal 80.12 he i. he his people kingdome and all is a rebuke i. is such a one as his neighbours that is those that are round about him rebuke contemne and despise sée Psalme 79. verse 4. Verse 42. Thou hast set vp the right hand of his enemies i. thou hast aduanced their power and strength so that they are not onely become more mightie then he and his but in that mighte haue also preuayled agaynste them and made all his aduersaries to reioyce vz. because of the victorye they haue atchieued and the ouerthrowe that is layde vppon the others Verse 43. Thou hast also turned the edge of his sworde i. thou haste blunted it in such sorte that it could not wound and hurte his aduersaries meaning by this manner of spéeche that euen the verye meanes they had of weapons as swordes speares c. to defende themselues and to annoy their enemies were vtterly vnprofitable vnto them and haste not made him i. him and his people to stand vz. stedfastly and in the face of the enemies and agaynst them but to flée and fall before them in the battaile i. at what time the enemies and they came to ioyne battail together Ver. 44 Thou hast caused his dignity i. the great honour and aduauncement that thou hast layde vpon him to decay vz. in the presence of men and in the sight of his aduersaries and cast his throne i. his maiesty and Kingly gouernmente sée verse 36 of this Psalme to the ground i. rased it and layde it flatte with the earth as it were sée verse 39 of this Psalm Verse 45. The dayes of his youth hast thou shortned this the Prophet speaketh of the king and the state of the kingdome both together meaning that the Lord hath broughte both the king and the kingdome to a very poore and weake estate before eyther of them came to their perfection as it were as if a man shoulde before he came to the flowre of his age or his ripe yeares and couered him with shame i. hast altogether made him a reproche and shame for the worde couering and what it importeth sée Psalme 44.19 Verse 46. Lorde the Prophet ioyning this prayer with his complaynts sheweth that howsoeuer his fayth was shaken yet he did not despayre of the truth of Gods promises how long wilte thou hide thy selfe vz. from vs meaning by hyding of himselfe shewing them no signe of fauour and grace for euer q.d. Wilt thou doe this for euer shall thy wrath vz. agaynste vs our King Lande and people burne like fyre vz. to consume vs quite and cleane who are as it were but stubble before fire in respecte of thée and thy wrath Verse 47. Remember of what time I am i. thinke how shorte the time of my life is and this is an argumente taken from his owne estate to moue the Lord to pittie him and his Wherefore shouldest thou create in vayne i. to little or no purpose at all all the children of men i. all men and their posteritie In these wordes hee vseth an other Argumente to mooue GOD to compassion taken euen from the ende of his creation And this hee speaketh because that if in this life wée féele not some taste of Gods goodnesse it should séeme that he had in vayne created vs séeing that this is one end of our creation euen in this lyfe to féele and fynde his liberalitie towardes vs. Verse 48. What man liueth vz. at this presence or shall liue hereafter that shall not see death i. taste of Death or dye q.d. There is no man but hee must passe that waye sée Hebrues 9.27 shall he deliuer his soule i. his bodye and lyfe soule put for body as Psalme 16.10 from the hand of the graue i. from the power of Death putting the graue whiche followeth death for Death it selfe q.d. Both the one vz. to liue and not to die and the other vz. to bee fréede from the force of death is vtterlye impossible sée Psalme 49. almoste thorow ouâ—e and all this is q.d. Séeing mans lyfe is so shorte if thou doe not in good time shewe thy selfe a Father towardes them thou shalte haue no more occasion to make them féele thy fauoure in this lyfe Verse 49. Lorde where are thy former mercies vz. whiche
thou hast shewed in former time vnto our Fathers which vz. also thou swarest vnto Dauid in thy truth i. which faythfully and truely thou promisedst and that by an oth adioyned to thy promise to performe to him and his séede see verse 35 of this Psalme In the other two verses vz. verse 47.48 he tooke argumentes from the vanitie of men and their life to moue the Lorde to pittie them In this verse he taketh an argument from the faythfulnesse which GOD vseth towards his seruaunts to induce him therto and in the two nexte verses vz. 50 51. he taketh an argument from the person of their enemies Verse 50. Remember O Lord i. earnestly thinke vpon that thou mayst also redresse it the rebuke of thy seruaunts i. the tauntes and rebukes wherewith thy seruaunts are laded by their enimies sée Psalm 123.4 which I beare in my bosome i. which I suffer most quietly patiently louing them as it were and making so much of them as though I fostred them in my bosome because I know they come from thée of al the mightie people i. which al the mighty people cast vpon me so the Prophet sheweth who were his enemies vz. not only the meaner sort but the most mighty of all Ver. 51. Thyne enemies vz. and ours for thy sake haue reproched thée O Lord vz. because thou hast not holpen vs saying where is now their god Psal 79.10 because they haue reproched i. blasphemed and spoken euil of with taunts rebukes the footesteps of thine annointed i. the good conuersation and behauiour of him whom thou hast appointed to be King if you referre it to Dauid If to Christe then it hath this sence that they speake euill of the doctrine and profession of Christ vpbraiding them also that wayted for his comming Vnderstanding by footesteps the féete themselues because with our féete we make our steps and by féete comming as Isaiah 52.7 Ver. 52. Praysed be the Lord for euermore this is a conclusion with thanksgiuing which in all places and in prosperitye and aduersitie the faythfull vse to giue to the Lord as Iob 1 21. So be it euen so bee it this is a consent yeelded to the same thankes giuing and the doubling maketh both for the earnestnesse and certaintie of it Sée Psalme 72.19 Ver. 1 teacheth that it behoueth Gods saints continually to praise god for his Do. mercy also that their thanksgiuing must not be inward in the hart onlye but outward also in the mouth Verse 2. teacheth that the true taste and féeling of Gods mercy and truth are two principall proppes to our consciences Verse 3 teacheth Gods goodnesse and mercy who for the further strengthening of our fayth and not for any inconstancy in him maketh an oth for the performaunce of his promises Verse 4. teacheth that Kinges and their posterity can not indure without the Lord vphold them and blesse them Verse 5. teacheth men euen by the example of heauenly creatures to prayse the Lord. Verse 6 teacheth that none neither in heauen nor earth is any way matchable with God Ver. 7 is a notable place against inuocation or prayer to Saynts Verse 8 sheweth that it is no small comfort to the consciences of Gods children rightly to consider his great power Verse 9. teacheth that Gods power and prouidence beareth a sway in the stilling of the sea and waues thereof which otherwise séeme to goe by naturall course Verse 10 teacheth vs that the ouerthrow of Gods enemies is not from man but from the Lorde himselfe and his mightye power Verse 11 sheweth that God is Lord ouer all things and that the firmity or stayednesse which the world hath it hath it not of it selfe but from the Lorde who in his power and prouidence vpholdeth the same Verse 12 proueth that God created the earth and that therefore it is not eternall as Philosophie affirmeth also although all the earth belong to the Lord as ouer which he hath a generall care yet specially that part which the faythfull inhabite Verse 13 setteth out Gods mightie strength and power which is so great as none is able to resist Verse 14 setteth out Gods iustice mercy and truth as matters not only of great comfort to his seruaunts but of great instruction also to teache them to striue to the lyke in their behauiour and dealings Verse 15 teacheth first that only Gods people are indéede blessed secondly that there is no matter of mirth or ioy but in the Lord only thirdly that Gods frée fauour and mercy is the onely vpholder of our bodily and spirituall life Verse 16 teacheth that the faythfull neuer reioyce in themselues but in the Lord and in his strength and in the faythfull accomplishment of his promises Ver. 17. teacheth that all the glory strength and power that the godly haue is from the Lord only Ver. 18. teacheth that neyther King nor people nor weapons c. are any thing without the Lord. Verse 19 teacheth that Gods word in the mouth of his ministers is a good both warrante and comforte to those that are his also that it is the Lorde that rayseth vp one and pulleth downe an other Verse 20 teacheth vs that he is in déede approued whom the Lord approueth howe much soeuer otherwise he be reiected of men Verse 21 teacheth that all the strength and power that Princes haue they haue it from the Lorde alone Verse 22 sheweth Gods care ouer his children and how mightily he will defend them it teacheth also that the wicked cannot doe what they list Ver. 23 teacheth that the ouerthrow of the vngodly is from the Lord whatsoeuer instruments he vseth to the performance thereof Verse 24. teacheth that Gods truth mercy and power are the proppes of all common wealths and kingdomes Ver. 25. teacheth that it is the Lord alone who inlargeth kingdoms Ver. 26 teacheth not only how earnest Gods children should be in their prayers but also with what a particular apprehension féeling of his mercy and power they ought to repaire vnto him Ver. 27. teacheth that meane men and high men are so much as God accounteth of them indéede and no more Ver. 28 teacheth that Gods mercy the stedfastnesse of his couenaunt be singular comforts to the consciences of his seruaunts Ver. 29. teacheth that God will be the God of the faythfull and of their séede after them Ver. 30.31 doe euidently declare what sinne is vz. the breache of the law and not obseruing Gods commaundements Ver. 32. teacheth that God wil chastice his for their sins to the end that therby they may come to amendment Verse 33 teacheth that God in the middest of his punishmentes remembreth his mercy toward his secondly that God will neuer vtterly forsake those that are his howsoeuer it pleaseth him to afflict them for a time Verse 34. sheweth that God is frée from all chaunge or shadow of turning Iames 1.17 which is a singular comfort to the afflicted foule Verse 35 expresseth Gods loue towardes vs
the singular to the plural vnderstanding by this word he euery man Verse 6. In the morning i. before it bee cutte downe and the heate of the Sunne parche it it flourisheth and groweth that is the grasse prospereth and thriueth but in the euening vz. towardes the declining of the sunne at whiche time husbandmen suppose the grasse will cutte better and the mowers the heat of the daye being somewhat spent are the better able to indure labour it is cut down vz. by the mower with his sythe withereth vz. somewhat that night before the sunne set and so is more and more withered with the heate of the sunne the daye or dayes following q.d. Euen so fareth it with mans life for by this similitude he noteth the breuitie and shortnesse thereof a very vsuall thing in the scripture Isaiah 40.6 1 Pet. 1.24 Iam. 1.10.11 Ver. 7. For we are consumed by thyne anger he séemeth to allude to some great and particular iudgement layde vpon the people of which sée Num. 14. q.d. Our case by reason of thy iudgement sore vpon vs is more gréeuous then other mens cases are and by thy wrath vz. agaynste vs for our sinnes wée are troubled vz. verye sore and on euerye syde stricken as it were with greate feare Verse 8. Thou hast set our iniquities before thee vz. that so thou mightest remember them and punishe vs for them and vz. thou hast set our secret sinnes i. the sinnes which we our selues though not of and therefore supposed were hidden before thée in the light of thy countenaunce i. openly in thy sight and before thy face Ver. 9. For all our dayes i. al the dayes of our life are past vz. already so that they cannot be called back agayn in thine anger vz. against vs for our sinnes we have spent our yeres i. the yeares of our life are gone as a thought i. sodainly as a thought commeth into our minds and passeth away again so sodainly are our dayes passed some read as a word or a tale that is tolde whatsoeuer it be the sence commeth all to one end vz. to note the vanitie shortnesse of mans life Verse 10. The time of our life is thréescore yeares and tenne i. ordinarilye and commonlye men liue not beyonde it yea if there be one that reacheth vnto it there are a hundred which dye before and if they be of strength i. if eyther the dayes of our life or the parties themselues haue thorow Gods blessing more strength then other men haue foure skore yeares vz. at the vttermoste q.d. That is the greatest age which almost they come vnto yet their strength q.d. that strength and excellency whereof commonly they brag boast is but labor and sorrow i. conteineth nothing in it but al maner of affliction toile gréefe dayly experience of the most aged men doth sufficientlye prooue the same vnto vs for it is cut off i. that same excellent strength and force of men which they bragge of is by death thorowe Gods appoyntmente made nothing and that quicklye vz. in the twinckling of an eye or in the turning of a hande and wée vz. mortall men that were flie awaye i. wee quicklye departe oute of this world and lyfe Verse 11. Who knoweth the power of thy wrath q.d. None at all though thy hande bée heauye vppon vs or of thyne anger according to thy feare i. who standeth in awe of thyne anger so much as thou and it oughtest to be feared for so must the latter part of this verse be read oute of Immanuel As for that in the Geneua text for according to thy feare is thine anger i. men féele thine anger according to the feare that they haue conceaued of thée caryeth with it as little or no sence in regarde of the place so lesse truth because Gods iudgements doe many times lye heauie vpon those men that haue no feare of his iudgements at all Verse 12. Teache vs so to number our dayes i. make vs so to vnderstand how shorte a space we haue to liue that we may apply our harts vnto wisdome i. that we may thereby become more circumspecte and héedye howe we spende euen that shorte tyme that we haue Verse 13. Returne vz. to vs in mercye and loue i. shewe some signes of thy fauour and grace q.d. hitherto thou haste bene angrye agaynste vs nowe at the length shew some fauoure towards vs O Lorde howe long vz. wilte thou bee angrye with vs and shewe vs the testimonyes of thy wrath and bee pacifyed towardes thy seruauntes i. take pleasure gentlye and graciously to handle vs whome thou haste vouchsafed worthye of this honour to be called thy seruaunts Verse 14. Fill vs with thy mercye i. make vs féele thy goodnesse in greate abundaunce and plentifullye in the morning i. eyther in the flower of our age as ver 5. of this Psalme or else in time conuenient as sundry times before some take it to be put for continually so shall we reioyce and be glad i. so we shal not only haue occasion of reioycing and gladnesse but we wil also performe prayses vnto thée for the same al our dayes i. al the dayes of our life or so long as we liue sée Psalm 146.1 Verse 15. Comfort vz. with thy grace goodnesse and fauour vs vz. now afflicted according to the dayes that thou hast afflicted vs vz. in Egypt as maye appeare from Exod. 1. to the 12. chapter q.d. graunt that the comfort which we shall receiue from thée may be equall yea more with the calamities which we haue indured and according to the yeares i. let thy comfort be aunswerable to the multitude of yeares that we haue séene euill i. wherein wee haue suffered and borne affliction or punishmente For euill is vsed here as Amos 3 6. no doubte in consyderation of the weakenesse and corruption of their owne nature and of the multitude of afflictions that commonlye lye vpon them and of the hardnesse to apply Gods fauour and goodnesse towardes them the godly had néed to pray that Gods graces may rather excéed their miseries then be equal with them or like vnto them Ver. 16. More playnly the wordes would be placed thus let thy worke toward thy seruaunt bee séene i. let that which thou wilt doe for thy seruaunts for vnder one he meaneth all the rest of the people appeare and be made manifest before men vnderstanding by the worde Worke some singular protection sauegarde and delyueraunce that GOD should worke for his people and thy glorye i. and let thy glory also appeare not only vpon them or towardes them but also vpon their children i. vppon their whole race and posteritie so that there are two endes touched in this verse the one is Gods glorye the other is the sauegard of Gods people and the defence of their séede Verse 17. And let the beautie of the Lord our God be vpon vs first marke how he changeth the person from the second to the third next that
by beautie he meaneth the wonderful louing kindnesse and fauour of God which while it pleaseth God to shewe to his he doth after a sort adorne them with great glory and comfort which when also he withdraweth they séeme to bee in greate reproche and dishonour This then is as muche q.d. Shew vs thy fauour that not only we our selues maye thereby be comforted in our selues but also that thereby wee maye haue the great credite glory and estimation whiche wee were wont to haue with other people direct i. order guide and prosper the worke of our handes i. whatsoeuer wée shall take in hande vppon vs i. amongst vs in vs and to vs q.d. giue a good successe and blessed issue to al our enterprises he meaneth that nothing we take in hand can come to good ende except that GOD guide vs by his holy spirite euen directe the worke of our handes hee repeateth the same request agayne not onely to set forth his owne earnestnesse in prayer but also to declare howe necessarye and néedefull the thing it selfe is for whiche hée prayeth Verse 1. teacheth that it is no small comfort of conscience Do. if wee haue once felte God gracious and fauourable vnto vs. Verse 2. teacheth that the true tast and féeling of Gods eternall election is an excellent proppe for men to staye themselues on in all assaults Verse 3 teacheth that the issues both of life and death are in Gods owne power Verse 4 teacheth that the longest dayes and yeares of mans life in respect of God who is all eternity are nothing In the 5 and 6 verses by two similitudes vz. of floods and flowers he noteth the shortnesse and vanity of the life of all men of what state or condition soeuer they be Ver. 7 teacheth that the apprehension and féeling of Gods wrath worketh gréeuous effects in the mindes and bodies of those that be indéed touched therwith Ver. 8 that the matter of all Gods wrath agaynst vs is within our selues vz. both our open and secret transgressions against God and man Ver. 9 teacheth that mans life is nothing how long soeuer it be amongst men when the wrath and iudgement of God is vpon it Ver. 10 teacheth that al the dayes of the strongest mans life is nothing else but sorrow and vexation of spirite Ver. 11. teacheth how hard a thing it is and how few there are that doe rightlye and reuerently thinke of Gods fearefull wrath Verse 12 teacheth vs to pray to God to giue vs grace to thinke vpon the shortnesse of our liues and to remember the last ende a matter which we very easilye and much forget Verse 13 teacheth that nothing is so comfortable to Gods seruaunts as his fauour and loue and as when in the same they féele him reconciled vnto them Verse 14.15 teacheth vs that if we respecte our wretchednesse miserye and affliction we haue great néede to pray for the abundaunce and riches of Gods mercy to be shewed vpon vs and when we haue felt it to shew our selues vnfeignedly thankefull to him for the same Verse 16 teacheth in our prayers alwayes to respecte Gods glorye and the saluation of his people Verse 17. teacheth that nothing that wée doe can come to a good ende vnlesse the Lorde doth beginne continue and finish the same Psalme 91. Di. THis Psalme may be diuided into two parts In the firste he declareth in what safety they are that in stedfast trust do wholy submit themselues vnto the Lord and hang vppon him from verse 1. to the end of the 13. In the second he bringeth in god speaking as a sufficient witnesse to confirme and performe the truth of all that he had sayde from verse 14. to the ende of the Psalme Se. This Psalme hath no title The Iewish expositors iudge that Moses penned it but that is not much materiall this is to be marked whosoeuer he was that writ it did shewe himselfe to haue a very singular féeling of Gods power and prouidence Verse 1. Who so i. Whosoeuer hée bée of what state and condition hée bée that dwelleth i. hath his moste vsuall abode in the secrete of the most high i. vnder the prouidence and protection of the most high GOD shall abide q.d. Suche a one néede not doubte but that hée shall alwayes continue in the shadowe of the almightie i. vnder the pleasaunte and assured defence of GOD. The Prophet sheweth what care the Lorde hath ouer his faythfull people into whatsoeuer daungers they fall and therefore exhorteth them to continue sure and stedfast to him because they that bee in his kéeping shall not be in daunger of blowes but shal dwel in a sure quiet and pleasaunt place which I suppose he meaneth by secret and shadowe Verse 2. I vz. being thus assured of his fatherlye protection will saye vz. at all times in what case or distresse souer I bee vnto the Lord vz. vppon whome I doe thus depende by fayth O myne hope i. thou whome alone I hope and trust in and my Fortresse sée Psalme 18.2 hée vz. alone and none other but hee is my GOD i. my defender and safe kéeper in him will I trust vz. all the dayes of my lyfe euen for euer and euer Immanuel readeth these two verses otherwise and maketh an other sence which indéede I better allow of thus Verse 1. To him vz. whosoeuer he bée that dwelleth i. that hangeth continually by a stedfast fayth in the secrete of the most high i. vppon the prouidence of the Lorde whether it appeare towards him or no and vnto him that lodgeth all nighte vnder the shadowe of the almighty By dwelling and lodging and all the rest of the words the Prophet meaneth nothing else but this he that daye and nighte by a liuelye fayth stayeth himselfe vppon GOD and his prouidence neyther careth much for anye worldlye casualtie as men terme it shall in déede be safe for that muste we vnderstande euen as Chickens are vnder the Hennes winges Let then the first verse go thus To him that dwelleth in the secrete of the most high and vnto him that lodgeth all night vnder the shadow of the almightie Ver. 2. Do I say vz. in mine own experience example in the Lord is my hope q.d. and by my example I woulde haue him to hope in him likewise and my fortresse i. the place of my sure defence agaynste all mine aduersaries hee is my GOD in whome I truste i. I trust vnto him and to no other but him who both canne and will defende mee Verse 3. Surelye q.d. without all doubte if so bee it thou vnfeynedlye trust in him For the man of GOD in this verse applyeth his owne example to the faythfull hée vz. whiche hath all will and power in himselfe and neuer deceaueth anye will deliuer thée i. eyther kéepe thée altogether from it or else if thou fall into it sette thée frée from the snare i. from destruction priuilye and closelye prepared for thée as snares are to catche
in height greatnes strength like a Cedar of Lebanon of these Cedar trées wée haue hearde before Psalm 28.5 and in other places Verse 13. Such as bée planted i. such as haue taken déepe roote and bée well setled for hee speaketh not here of hypocrites which kéepe or occupy a place onely in the Church but of all faithful people in the house of the Lorde i. in the Church as 1. Timothie 3.15 and it is called Gods house both because that GOD taketh a delight to dwell there as it were and also because his exercises are there obserued and hee sheweth him selfe more familiarly to that company then to the rest beside shall florishe i. shall yéelde great store of fruite through Gods blessing in the Courtes of our GOD i. euen in the Church or assembly of the Sayntes hee speaketh of Courtes because both the tabernacle had sundry Courtes and also afterwardes the temple vz. one for the Priestes and Leuites and an other for the people Ver. 14. They shal bring forth vz. through Gods blessing and great goodnes fruite i. abundaunce and store of fruite in their age i. euen in their olde age q.d. although they bee neuer so olde yet they shall not bee barren but shall plentifully yéelde foorth fruites of righteousnesse being watred thereto through the working of the spirite what these fruites are hee sheweth in the next verse they shal be fat and florishing vnder these metaphores he meaneth that they shal be not onely in good liking but couragious and apt to all good thinges through Gods goodnes Ver. 15. To declare vz. abroade in euery place and to all men that the Lord my rocke i. that the Lorde who is my sure defence sée Psal 18.2 is righteous vz. in all his waies and namely when hee blesseth the good and powreth vengeaunce vpon the vngodly and that no iniquity vz. at all is in him vz. either in respect of his being or doings so that hee sheweth that this is one excellent fruit which the godly yéelde to confesse gods iustice and righteousnes Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth vs that it is profitable euen for vs to praise GOD for his mercy and might Ver. 2. Teacheth vs to yéelde thankesgiuing continually vnto God Ver. 3. Teacheth vs to vse all lawful meanes to inforce our selues to that whereunto wee are so dull and backwarde Ver. 4. Teacheth vs that euen the very beholding and consideration of Gods workes ministreth great ioy vnto many of Gods children Ver. 5. Teacheth two thinges first the excellent maiesty of God which in some measure appeareth in his workes secondly that Gods iudgements and wayes are a bottomlesse depth vnto man Ver. 6. Teacheth that the wicked haue very litle or no regarde at al of Gods iudgements workes or wordes Ver. 7. Teacheth two things first that the wicked and vngodly haue in this life great prosperity secondly that they shall come to a perpetual and sodaine destruction Ver. 8. Teacheth that though man bee weake and wauering yet the Lorde is full of power and alwayes like vnto himselfe Ver. 9. Sheweth not onely what great plagues shall fall vpon the enemies of God and his trueth but also how assuredly they shall fall vpon them Ver. 10. Teacheth that howsoeuer God punisheth the wicked yet he wil remēber his own with an euerlasting mercy Ver. 11. Sheweth that God will execute iudgements vpon the wicked to the end the godly may bee strengthened in the assured perswasions which they haue in the trueth of his promises Verse 12. Setteth out the glorious and prosperous estate of the faithfull Verse 13. Teacheth that it is a good thing to ioyne our selues to the assemblies of Gods Saints for there is the place of all godly and plentiful fruites Ver. 14. Teacheth that Gods children are not voyde of the fruites of faith Ver. 15. Teacheth that this is one excellent fruite of faith vz. to set out and prayse the strength power goodnes and iustice of almighty God Psalme 93 THe faythfull in this Psalme Di. doe magnifie and prayse GOD for many thinges they doe commende and prayse him first for his great glory and euerlasting eternity and this is in the two first verses Secondly for his most excellent and mighty gouernment of all thinges and this is in verse 3.4 thirdly of the singular regarde that hee hath of his Church and this is in the last parte of the Psalme This Psalme hath no title and of this sort are Psalme 1.2.10 Se. and sundry others Verse 1. The Lorde reigneth vz. ouer all the earth but specially amongest his owne people and that not onely in ruling and gouerning the course of nature but specially by his doctrine and worde so you shall sée the worde raigning taken Psalm 96. verse 10. Psalm 97.1 Psalme 99.1 and is clothed with maiesty i. decked with great glory which by effect is declared in euerye place maintaining mankinde with a wonderfull power iustice and wisedome yet wee must note that this worde clothed signifieth not any thing that commeth from an other to him for hee hath the fulnesse of all thinges in his owne power and possession but hee speaketh in this and the next verse following of GOD according to the manner of earthly Kinges who beare rule amongest men and for their great maiesty are clothed with the most costly apparell and rich iewels the Lorde is clothed and girded with power vz. both to withstande his enemies and defende his children hee meaneth by the worde clothing that the Lorde hath power continually with him as a garment and by the worde girding that he hath it on euery side and in a readinesse to make it manifest as pleaseth him the worlde also vz. which hee hath created and made vnderstanding thereby al things in the world whatsoeuer shal be established i. preserued and maintained in the right gouernement thereof though men labour to disturbe it that it can not be moued vz. by any thing that man can imagine or doe against it hee commendeth in this verse Gods great power which hath so established the earth and all thinges therein that men can not so much as shake the least part thereof Verse 2. Thy throne i. thy kingdome and the gouernment thereof Sée Psal 89.4 putting a part of the kingdome for the kingdome and gouernement it selfe is established of olde i. was not onely setled thē but hath from that time hitherto indured and so shall for euer and euer and that word which we terme of olde is in Hebrewe before them i. before there was any certaine or set time of which men might pronounce this worde then sée Prouerb 8.22 thou art from euerlasting vz. and so shalt continue for euer euer Ver. 3. The floods i. all floods of the seas and waters haue lifted vppe their voyce i. haue made a great noyse as men doe when they inforce themselues to speake or sing loude some vnderstande by this manner of speach the enemies who with great violence did breake in vpon gods
his sight neither wil the God of Iaakob regard it q.d. hee will make no great account of our transgressions so the wicked are caryed away into sinne perswading themselues either that God maketh no account of it or if hée doe they are able to stoppe his eyes vppe and to shut his mouth Verse 8. Vnderstand vz. howe farre yee goe astray and deceiue your selues q.d. nowe at the length bee of a better mynde yee vnwise i. yee wicked and vngodly men as Psal 92.6 among the people hee meaneth by this speach not onely that they committed sinne in the sight of the people but were as a man woulde saye the ringleaders of the rest and yée fooles i. O yée wicked people as generally you shall haue that worde so vsed throughout the Prouerbes when will yee bée wise i. when will yée returne and bée of a better mynde for that is true wisedome in déede Ver. 9. Hée that planted the eare vz. in the heade and that place of the head meaning thereby the creating and making of it shall hee not heare q.d. it can not bée but hée must needes heare or hee that formed the eye i. hée that not onely gaue shape but substaunce also and being vnto it shall hée not sée q.d. it can not bée auoyded but hée must needes sée and therefore that is a vayne perswasion which you haue to thinke that hee doeth not beholde and marke your wordes and déedes and this is a reason taken from the very order of nature q.d. if GOD giue men power to heare and sée can any thing then be hidden from him as you suppose no in déed Sée such a like argument vsed Exodus 4.11 Verse 10. Or hée that chastiseth vz. with his punishmēts and iudgments the nations i. whole peoples countries yea and the whole world as in the general flood shall hée not correct vz. you that with the same or like punishments q.d. you may assure your selues that hée will come vppon you in seuere iustice and iudgement And this is an argument taken from the more to the lesse q.d. if GOD chastise and correct all people without partialty or respect of persons will he leaue some fewe men vnpunished no in deed he that teacheth man i. all mankynde and euery man that hath any thing knowledge i. any knowledge or vnderstanding that hée hath shall not hée knowe vz. the sinnes and iniquyties which you commit against him either openlye or secretlye q.d. assure your selues hée knoweth them all Verse 11. The Lorde q.d. whatsoeuer you imagine yet this is certaine that hée knoweth i. heareth seeth correcteth yea and pronounceth iudgement of the thoughtes of man i. not only the thinges that man thinketh but also the wordes hee speaketh and the workes hee doeth putting thought which is the beginning of euery thing for the pursuite and perfourmaunce of the thinges themselues that they are vanitye i. that they are vayne and shall come to no ende as by the iudgement which hée will execute vppon them shall appeare Verse 12. Blessed is the man i. certainely hee is in good case howsoeuer the world déeme of him And marke how after hee had reproued the wicked hee commeth to comfort the good whome thou chastisest vz. for a small while and that either by the ministery of wicked and vngodly men as verse 5. and 6. of this Psal or else by thine owne hande and crosses of tryall and teachest him vz. to walke in thy law i. according to the rules prescribed in the same Verse 13. That thou mayest giue him rest vz. after some short and small affliction as Psalme 30.5 vnderstanding by rest deliueraunce from all daungers and distresses and peace after the same deliueraunce from the dayes of euill i. from the tyme wherein hée was exercised with affliction and aduersitie while the pit is digged for the wicked i. not onely while the vngodly is afflicted as though he ment that the good being deliuered the vngodly shoulde bée punished in this life but also death and destruction from the Lorde is prepared for them and commeth vppon them Sée 2. Thessalonians 1. ver 5.6.7 Vnderstanding by pit death and destruction and by digging the preparing and performing thereof Ver. 14. Surely the Lorde will not faile his people i. deceiue or disappoint them in any thing neither will hee forsake his inheritaunce vz. vtterly or for euer hee here laboureth to staye the faythfull vppon the assured loue and trueth of the Lorde Verse 15. for iudgement i. Gods iudgements which in this worlde is rather executed vppon the good then vppon the badde shall returne to iustice i. shalbée brought to full and assured iustice euerye man hauing yéelded to him his right vz. affliction to them that afflict and to the afflicted Gods kingdome for which they suffer Sée 2. Thessalonians 16.7.8 not as though Gods iudgements executed in this life were vniust for hee is iust in all his workes and holy in all his wayes but because wee haue in this life but the beginning of them and in the great daye the full measure of iustice shalbée made manifest and all the vpright in heart i. all that are soundly and sincerely without hypocrisie giuen to godlinesse shall followe after it vz. chearefully meaning by the worde following not onely the approuing of it but also a holy desire to sée and imbrace the same Verse 16. Who will rise vppe with mee i. for mee against the wicked hee meaneth that none woulde defende him and his cause against the wicked or who will take my part against the workers of iniquity q.d. none saue God only by this the Prophet sheweth in his owne example that vnlesse GOD had holpen him hée had béene vtterly cast away so much was hee despised of all and so little coulde or woulde any mans helpe preuaile Verse 17. If the Lorde had not holpen mee vz. in the tyme of my distresse and feare by the woorde holpen hee meaneth plentifull helpe and deliueraunce my soule had almost dwelt in silence i. I shoulde haue béene dead and buryed hée putteth the worde soule for life as sundry tymes before and dwelling in silence for lying in the graue which is called the place of silence not onely because the deade haue no féeling force speaking c but also because they haue no power as then to prayse GOD. Sée Psalme 6.5 also Psalme 115.17 and by the worde almost hee meaneth not that hee shoulde haue escaped death but that hee shoulde shortly haue dyed Verse 18. When I sayde vz. either in wordes or thought in my heart that which followeth my foote slydeth i. I am come nowe into some one daunger or other and I seeme thereby to bee cast awaye and euen at deathes dore as it were If any man list to to take it of small daungers because slyding or slipping of the foote is no great matter I will not gainesay it thy mercye O Lorde stayed mee vz. from falling either into daunger or perill of destruction or into
some lesse triall Verse 19. In the multitude of my thoughtes in my heart i. while I did secretly and within my selfe thinke vppon many thinges hee calleth these perillous and doubtfull cares which hee had in his thoughtes which no doubt woulde haue ouerwhelmed him if the comfortes of God of which he speaketh afterwards had not refreshed him thy comfortes i. those comfortes that by thy spirite I receiue from thy nature and worde haue reioyced i. haue caused to reioyce or haue made glade my soule i. my life and whole man distressed with sundry sortes of heauinesses Verse 20. Hath the throne of iniquitie i. hath vniust iudgement and sentence hee putteth a wicked place for wicked matter and iudgement pronounced out of that place fellowshippe with thée i. doest thou iudge vniustly as wicked iudges doe Sée Gene. 18.25 which forgeth wrong for a lawe i. which deuiseth frameth and performeth cruelty as though it were right and according to the lawe and iustice and marke that hee calleth it the throne of iniquitie both because vniust men sit there and vniust sentences are pronounced there the whole verse together is q.d. thou in thy dealings O Lorde hast nothing common with vniust iudgement seates with vniust iudges or vniust sentences all which doe nothing else but oppresse other men with iniurie and wrong and that many times vnder the pretence of lawe and right Ver. 21. They i. the wicked and vngodly gather them together vz. in troupes and great companies and all to take counsell against the soule of the righteous i. against the life of the good man howe they may take it away from him and spoyle him of al that he hath and condemne vz. vniustly without cause the innocent blood i. the man that hath done them no harme putting blood a part of man for man himselfe and his whole life Verse 22. But the Lorde q.d. notwithstanding the mischieuous malice of the vngodly mentioned verse 21. yea the rather for that is my refuge i. a sure place whereunto I will flée to bée preserued from mine enemies and my God i. hée that hath alwayes shewed himselfe careful for mee and gracious to mée is the rocke of my hope i. is the sure stay and foundation of the hope that I haue q.d. I assuredly staye my selfe in none but in him alone Ver. 23. And hée will reuenge them their wickednesse vz. which they haue committed against him and others meaning by this manner of speach that hée will giue them the wages and hire which is due to so great transgression and destroy them i. vtterly ouerthrow them and bring them to naught in their owne malice i. in the mischiefe and euill that they haue deuised against the good meaning that their euill deuises shall fall vpon their owne heades and they shal be taken in the mischiefes wherein they thought to intrappe the good yea the Lorde our God shall destroy them q.d. he wil certainely destroy them and that by his great and sodaine iudgements the repeating of the same words noteth nothing else but the assured perswasion of the faithfull and the certaine destruction of the wicked Verse 1. Teacheth that it is comfortable to Gods children Do. and terrible to the wicked to knowe and féele that GOD is the auenger of al iniuries and wronges Verse 2. Teacheth that wée may safely praye against the malicious and insolent enemyes of Gods trueth Verse 3. Teacheth vs not to bée dismayed though the wicked preuaile much and long neither to prescribe GOD a tyme of deliuerance but with patience to beare and by earnest praier to labour the remouing of those crosses and trials Verse 4. Describeth the proude and cruell both wordes and gestures of the vngodly Verse 5. Setteth out their cruell and outragious déedes against Gods seruants Verse 6. Sheweth that they growe to such a height and harde heartednes and cruelty that they pity not them whome nature and curtesie woulde shewe compassion to Verse 7. Sheweth not onely that the vngodly flatter themselues in their sinnes but also that they imagine that either God will not beholde their iniquity or if hee doe that hee will not greatly regarde to punish them for it Verse 8. Teacheth vs to haue a care to instruct euen those that are most desperately wicked Verse 9. Teacheth vs that nothing that we doe or speake can bee hid from Gods eyes or eare Verse 10. Teacheth vs that God is no respecter of persons and that therefore wee shoulde not flatter our selues as though hée woulde forbeare vs. Verse 11. Teacheth that man and all his deuises are nothing in respect of the Lorde Verse 12. Teacheth that Gods corrections are to Gods children seales of his blessing vppon them also that this is a singular benefite to haue Gods will and worde made manifest vnto vs. Verse 13. Sheweth two thinges first that GOD will deliuer his out of all their distresses Secondly that the wicked shall bee ouertaken in the mischiefes of their owne heartes Verse 14. Teacheth that howe slippery or inconstant soeuer man bée to man yet GOD is alwayes fast and sure to those that are his Verse 15. Teacheth that howsoeuer GOD séeme for a time to deferre the execution of full and perfect iudgement yet hee will in the ende perfourme it in déede and the godly shall reioyce therein Verse 16. Teacheth that the number of those which boldly defende Gods seruants is very smal Ver. 17. Teacheth that vnlesse God kéepe vs euery steppe that wée steppe is a steppe vnto death Verse 18. Is very comfortable teaching vs that GOD is alwayes present with his to preserue them from all euill Ver. 19. Teacheth that nothing can more gladde men in this life in the middest of their heauinesses then to haue an eye to the comfortes which GOD hath set downe in his worde Verse 20. Setteth out the vprightnesse of GOD and of all his iudgements so that though men bée neuer so corrupt yet he is alwayes iust and holy in all his workes Verse 21. Paynteth out the conspiracye and crueltye of the wicked against the godly Verse 22. Teacheth vs in the middest of all these mischiefes to hang vppon the Lorde onely by an assured and stedfast fayth Verse 23. Setteth out the certaintye of that destruction and iudgement of the vngodly with which they shalbée ouertaken from the Lorde Psalme 95. Di. THis Psalme may bée diuided into thrée partes In the first the Prophet exhorteth the faithful to praise and serue God and this is conteyned in the two first verses and in the sixt verse In the seconde part hée sheweth the causes wherefore vz. for the gouernement of the worlde which is general and for the chusing of his Church which is particular Verse 3.4.5.7 In the thirde part the better to bring them vnto the perfourmance of this duety hée setteth before them a fearefull example and that in their owne fathers for the neglect of it from verse 8. to the ende of the Psalme Though this Psalme
outragiously following sinne and vngodlinesse for they haue not known i. neither allowed loued nor walked in my wayes i. eyther my doctrine and law or the knowne miracles which I haue done for their sakes Verse 11. Wherefore vz. by this their continuall rebellion being moued I sware vz. vnto them q.d. I tied my selfe by the vertue of an oth in my wrath vz. agaynst them he meaneth by this spéech being angry with them saying vz. in such sort that they might both heare it and know it surely they i. this wicked and rebellious people shall not enter vz. at all into my rest i. into the land of Canaan where they should rest after their long trauayles and he calleth it Gods rest both because God promised it and also after forty yeares by the ministery of Iehoshua performed it vnder which Dauid ment that there was another rest signified and prepared for Gods people sée Heb. 4. ver 8.9 Verse 1 teacheth vs not only to prayse God our selues Do. but also to prouoke others thereto Ver. 2 teach vs to yéeld praise vnto him publikely chearefully and with an vnfeyned hart Ver. 3 teacheth that none in heauen or earth no not all of them together are in any respect to be compared with the God whome the faythfull serue Ver. 4.5 teache that Gods power and prouidence gouerne all things whatsoeuer in heauen earth the water c. Ver. 6. teach vs with all outward reuerence to humble our selues in praiers and thanksgiuing vnto the Lord. Ver. 7. teacheth vs two things first that in respect of God and of our selues we ought to yéeld him seruice and obedience secondlye that when hee speaketh vnto vs out of his word we ought with reuerence to harken vnto the same Verse 8. teacheth vs to cast away and to purge from vs al hard hartednesse and obstinacy when God speaketh vnto vs it teacheth also to set before vs the example of other mens wickednesse and Gods iustice vpon them for the same that we may learne in the sight of them to auoyde them Ver. 9. teacheth that it is not alwayes safe and good to follow the steps of our forefathers also that the more workes God sheweth of his power and prouidence the more we should haue our fayth strengthened in the truth of his promises not demaunding euery day new miracles for the strengthening of our fayth Verse 10. teacheth vs that God beareth long with a people before hee punisheth them Also that he vseth many meanes to bring men to amendmente if it woulde bée Verse 11 teacheth vs that sinne and rebellion against God shutteth vs vtterlye out of the heauenly kingdome Psalme 96. TRue it is that this Psalme doth chéefely contayne an exhortation directed to the people Di. to stir them vp to prayse God for his goodnesse yet notwithstanding I suppose it may be diuided into foure parts In the first the Prophet exhorteth men to praise the Lorde verse 1.2.3 In the second he sheweth causes wherefore they should doe it verse 4.5.6 In the third he doth agayne because men are dull prouoke them to that duety of praysing God ver 7 8 9 10. In the fourth he desireth or rather indéed prophecieth of the good things and blessinges that the godly shall haue from verse 11. to the end of the Psalme Se. This Psalme séemeth to be a part of that Psalme which the Israelites sung at the bringing of the Arke into Ierusalem differing little or nothing sauing in the chaunging of certain words from that which we may reade 1. Chronic. 16. from verse 23. to the end of the 33. verse Verse 1. Sing vz. with harte and voyce vnto the Lord vz. our good gracious God a new song i. not only new in respect of making but an exquisite one and more then a common song by reason not only of a new grace shewed vs from God but one that is more then accustomed yea extraordinary sée Psalme 33 3. sing vnto the Lord vnderstād it as before in the beginning of this verse all the earth i. all the people inhabiting the earth meaning specially the people of the Iewes vnderstanding also by earth the lande wherein the Iewes dwelt Verse 2. Sing vnto the Lord expound this as it was expounded before ver 1. of this Psal and praise his name i. set forth his maiesty power c. as Psalme 20 1. with songes of prayse and thanksgiuing declare vz. in your songs with your words his saluation i. the gracious deliuerance wch he performeth for his people frō day to day i. continually without ceasing as the day neuer ceaseth True it is that god neuer ceaseth to poure vpon vs new continuall benefits but yet the meaning of the Prophet is not in this place to set forth that but to shew rather the faythful what their duty is in publishing these graces Ver. 3. Declare vz. by your words déeds his glory i. the things which he hath don for you getting ther by glory vnto himselfe among al nations vz. of the earth meaning that the people of the Iewes should trauayle what in thē lay to make known his works euen to the Gentils and his wonders vz. whiche he hath done for you and on your behalfe among all people vz. of the whole world q.d. sound sende them abroad that other may heare the same and feare Ver. 4. For the Lord is great vz. in strength might and power and muche to bée praysed vz. of all men but specially of his own children and seruaunts for the graces he bestoweth vpon them he is to be feared vz. with a reuerent and holye feare aboue al Gods i. more then al the idols of the Gentils for of them he speaketh in this place as may appeare by that which followeth in the next verse Ver. 5 for all the Gods of the people i. all those things which the people estéeme as Gods but yet are not so in déed as appeareth 1. Cor. 8.5 and Psal 115.4.5 c. are idols i. vanities and matters of nothing as appeareth 1. Corinth 8 4. whereof also in this place and Leuit. 19.4 they haue their names as the etymologie of the Hebrew word very well declareth but the Lorde vz. our God which we serue made vz. in the beginning and that of nothing the heauens i. al things whatsoeuer heauen earth c. putting one part of the creatiō for the whole Ver. 6. strength vz. to strike his enemies to defend his own people and glory vz. for those whom he loueth liketh are before him i. are continually in his sight and in a readinesse at his cōmandement as it were to goe whether soeuer it pleaseth him power beauty vz. most excellent and glorious are in his sanctuary i. in the place of his abode worship the Prophet meaneth as I take it that though the Lord manifest his great power and glory in many places yet specially doe they appeare in his sanctuary or Tabernacle Verse 7. Giue vnto
the Lord vz. only and to none other but him ye families of the people vz. of God the Prophet speaking this according to the custome of the Iewes who were diuided first into tribes and then into families Iehoshua 7.17.18 1. Sam. 9.21 which maketh me also to dissent from Immanuel who referreth it generally to al people of the earth which also is confuted by that which followeth in this Psalm ver 10. wher they are cōmaunded to speake to the Gentils giue vnto the Lord vz. only as before glory and power i. al glory and power for vnto him only it is due sée Psal 115. verse 1. Verse 8. Giue vnto the Lord the glory of his name i. that glory and honoure which is due and méete for his name q.d. Striue to glorifie God as much as in you lieth euen according to his excellency bring an offring vz. vnto him in token that you doe vnfeignedly worship and serue him this and that whiche followeth he speaketh according vnto the law by which the people were appoynted to performe these things enter into his Courts vz. to praise serue and worship him For this word Courts see Psalme 84. verse 2.10 Verse 9 Worship vz. according to the rule of his word the Lord vz. only as manye times before in the glorious sanctuary i. in the Tabernacle of witnesse where his glorye appeareth most liuely tremble before him vz. in token of a louing and reuerente feare all the earth sée verse 1. of this Psalme Verse 10. Saye i. speake aloude declare and publish that which followeth among the nations i. the other peoples of the world meaning thereby the Gentiles The Lord reigneth sée Psalme 93.1 surely the worlde shall bee stable i. the whole earth and the people therein shall continue in good order and peace though the wicked laboure to disturbe the same He noteth this as an excellent fruite of Gods gouernmente not moue vz. for all that the wicked can imagine or do and note that this amplyfying by the contrary as that on the one syde it shall be stable and on the other side it shall not moue serueth for the greater certayntye and assuraunce thereof as Iohn 1 20. Romanes 9.1 1. Timothie 2.7 and shée shall iudge the people i. gouerne and guide them putting one parte of gouernmente for the whole in righteousnesse i. vprightlye and iustlye without any partialitie or respecte of persons or without feare fauoure or flatterye Verse 11. Let the heauens reioyce some reade it the heauens shall reioyce and so they doe reade all these verses vnto the ende of the Psalme as foretelling of the greate ioye and gladnesse that shall bée among Gods people for that he exerciseth a gouernmente ouer them They that reade it as the Geneua Texte doeth maketh it an exhortation that the Prophet should vse the more to sette out Gods grace and goodnesse euen for this that hee gathereth men vnder his authoritye and gouernmente q.d. This grace of GOD is so greate that euen the dumbe creatures haue thereby an occasion offered them as it were to reioyce and be glad take whether of these sences you shall thinke good yet for mine owne part I allowe rather the latter because of that which followeth Psalme 98.7.8 Which also Immanuel turneth as exhorting the creatures to reioyce in it though he doe not so in this place let the heauens reioyce vz. for this great goodnesse of god ruling and gouerning and let the earth be glad vz. for the same occasion let the sea roare vz. in token and testimonye of reioycing and all that therein is i. euery thing that liueth and moueth in the same Verse 12. Let the fielde i. the fieldes putting one for many as Psalme 95.9 worke is put for workes be ioyfull vz. for the causes before alleaged and all that is in it i. whatsoeuer groweth and flourisheth in the same fieldes let all the Trées of the Wood i. al trées of what kinde soeuer that groweth in the Woods then reioyce vz. when the Lorde shall beginne this gouernment here for the better vnderstandinge of this of these two verses we are specially to marke these two thinges firste that the Prophet layeth not this duetie vpon the insensible creatures otherwise then they in their kind are able to performe it and to no other end but that thereby he may prouoke men who haue the vse of reason and the light of the worde to doe the same Secondly that he layeth it not only vpon them whom hee here nameth but that by these which he putteth downe he vnderstandeth all the rest of the creatures whatsoeuer Verse 13. Before the Lord i. in his presence and openly for this as playnly appeareth must be ioyned to the ende of the other verse for he commeth for he commeth i. he wil certainly come the certaintie is noted not only in the doubling of the word but also in that he sayeth he commeth as though he were already present putting the present tense for the future to iudge i. to rule and gouern as before verse 10. of this Psal the earth i. the people inhabiting the earth he will iudge q.d. howsoeuer others rule yet he will gouerne the world i. the people of the world both greate and smal with righteousnesse i. vprightly and iustly as ver 10 of this Psal and the people in his truth i. in exactnesse and perfection of truth and vprightnesse for that word his hath a force in this place as discerning betwéene men and him how truely and vprightly soeuer they deale Do. Verse 1. teacheth vs to striue what in vs lieth to make our praises aunswerable to Gods graces though in déede we can not performe the same Verse 2. teacheth vs that our prayses and speakinges of his glory ought to be continuall Verse 3 teacheth vs that we should publish it before al men and in al places Verse 4. Setteth out the excellent power glory and maiestie of the Lord our God Verse 5 paynteth out the vanity and vnprofitablenesse of all counterfeyte Gods and idols Verse 6 teacheth that all honour glory strength c. are due only to the Lord. Ver. 7 teacheth the faythfull to ascribe also and yéelde vnto him the same seing they belong to him and to none other but to him Verse 8 teacheth Gods people carefullye to exercise themselues in the seruice and worship of him that is so gracious a God to them Verse 9 teacheth vs not onelye to frequent the places of publike exercises but also there and euerye where to shew forth assured testimonies of a reuerent feare that wee carrie to his Maiestie Verse 10 teacheth vs to haue a care to publish Gods gouernment amongest others that they also may be subiected to the same It teacheth vs further that the vngodly can not vnlesse the Lord so appoynt it make any hurliburlies or stirs in the Worlde Verse 11.12 teach vs in the example of insensible creatures to shew our selues thankfull to God for all his graces and namelye
should as it were set his féete sée 1. Chronicles 28.2 for he vz. alone is holy and therefore méete to bee worshipped Verse 6. Moses and Aaron were vz. as chéefe and principall among his Priestes i. among them whom he hath appointed to offer sacrifices and to expounde the Law and Samuel vz. the Prophet was as chéefe and principall among such as call i. called vpon his name i. professed his religion and made prayers vnto him sée 1. Samuell 7. almost thorow out these vz. before rehearsed and manye other such like called vppon the Lorde i. prayed vnto him with earnestnesse and continuaunce and hee hearde them i. graciouslye graunted them their requestes as hee doeth all them that call vppon him in trueth The Prophet alleageth these men that by their example he might prouoke the people to the worship and seruice of God and hee nameth rather these thrée then other because to their fayth and custodie speciallye was committed the kéeping of the couenaunt that God had made with his people For the truth of this verse sée Exodus 32.31 c. to the end of the Chapter 1 Samuel 12 20 c. Verse 7. He vz. God whome they serued spake vz. plainlye and audiblie vnto them vz. Moses and Aaron in the cloudye piller i. in or out of the Cloude which séemed to haue the forme of an vpright piller sée Exodus 14 19. sée also Num. 17.5 they kept vz. themselues and caused others what in them lay to kéepe his testimonies i. his commaundementes which God gaue his people as a testimonie that he was their God sée Psalme 19.7 and the lawe that he vz. the Lorde himselfe gaue them vz. as a rule of their life and to be a light vnto their féete and a Lanthorne vnto their steps Verse 8. Thou heardest them vz. quickly when they prayd vnto thée for the Lordes hearing sée verse 6. of this Psalme O Lord our God a sodain but yet an emphatical turning of his spéech vnto God by which the Prophet sheweth that the Lord toke pitie vpon that people in respect of the trueth of his Couenaunt and of his grace only without any other cause thou wast a fauourable God vnto them vz. not only when they prayed vnto thée but continually specially when thou pardonest their sinnes though thou diddest take vengeaunce i. though thou diddest fatherlye punishe and correct them for their inuentions i. for deuyses of their owne by whiche they procured thée to wrath agaynste them I knowe others expounde it otherwise but yet me thinketh that this is a moste simple and playne fence Verse 9. Exalte the Lorde our GOD and fall downe sée before verse 5. of this Psalme before his holye Mountayne hee meaneth no doubte the Mountaine of Moriah vppon whiche the Temple was builded sée Genesis 22 2. meaning by this manner of spéeche that he woulde haue the people to worship the Lorde in his Temple al the rest of this verse is expounded before verse 5 of this present Psalme Do. Verse 1. Teacheth vs that euen to know the God ruleth and gouerneth in his Church is sufficiente to strike terror into all the enemyes of all Gods people Verse 2 teacheth vs that though Gods glory appeare euery where yet in no place more plainly thē in his church Ver. 3 teacheth that it becommeth the righteous to praise Gods great power might Ver. 4 teacheth vs not only what great vprightnes is in the Lord in al his iudgemēts but also how iust faithful he is to his people Ver. 5 teacheth vs that it is not only our duety in respects of benefits receaued to praise god but that we are bound therto also in respect of the holines of his maiesty person also that it is a good thing to do it publikely with the rest of the Church Ver. 6 teacheth vs that the prayers of Gods faythfull people are neuer frustrate Verse 7 teacheth vs that familiaritye with the Lorde and knowledge of his maiestye requireth at our handes obedience to his truth and performaunce of it Verse 8 Is full of great comforte teaching vs these points firste that the Lorde chastiseth and correcteth those whome he loueth most tenderlye secondly that though hee doe correct them yet those punishments do no whit at al lessen his fauour and good will towards them Verse 9 is the same with verse 5 and deliuereth the same doctrines Psalme 100 THis Psalme may be diuided into two parts In the one parte Di. the Prophet exhorteth the faythfull to prayse the Lorde hartilye and with ioyfulnesse verse 1 2 3. In the second he vseth the causes wherefore they shoulde prayse him vz. for his frée election and the continuaunce of his mercye verse 3 5. The Title Se. a Psalme of prayse i. a Psalme penned and appointed to stir vp the people to praise the Lord and not so much for that the Psal it selfe doeth comprehend the prayses of God sing ye loude vnto the Lord for the meaning of these wordes sée Psalme 98 4. all the earth i. all the people of God inhabiting the promised lande for I suppose that he putteth the worde earth here for that part of the earth Verse 2. Serue vz. according to the rule of his worde and not after your owne inuentions the Lord vz. only for vnto him all honour is due with gladnes i. readily and ioyfully because in suche kinde of worships the Lord taketh great delight and pleasure come before him i. appeare before the arke which was the place of his worshippe and seruice with ioyfulnesse vz. both inwarde and outwarde of the hearte and of the body meaning thereby greate and singuler reioysing Verse 3. Knowe yée i. professe this muche and yéelde him this honour for hée speaketh not here of inwarde knowledge onely to disreaue him from all false Gods and such as mans fantasie hath forged that euen the Lorde vz. whiche wée serue and that no other but hée is GOD i. our GOD and the only author of that couenaunt which is betwéene him and vs hée hath made vs marke that hée speaketh not here of the common creation of men onely for in that respecte the godlye haue no greater priuiledge than the wicked haue but of spirituall regeneration wherein by the ministerye of his worde and the working of his spirite he begetteth men agayne to his owne image to the ende that they maye serue him in newnesse of life and not we our selues i. we haue not neyther in respecte of the bodye nor of the soule and spirituall regeneration framed and fashioned our selues no no righteousnesse of our owne hath aduaunced vs to this dignitye but we are made his sonnes and seruauntes by his onely frée goodnesse sée Deutronomie 7 7 8. also Deutronomie 9 4. we are his people i. the people whome he of mercye hath chosen to serue him and to bring forth much fruite and the shéepe of his pasture sée Psalme 95 verse 7. meaning by this manner of spéeche that GOD of his frée
goodnesse chuseth men to be a peculiar inheritaunce to himselfe to the end he may alwayes mayntayne them vnder the shaddow of his winges Verse 4. Enter q.d. Because hée hath adopted you therefore striue to serue him into his Gates i. into the Gates of his Temple or Tabernacle he putteth a parte for the whole and the beginning of Gods seruice vz. repayring to the publique place for the execution of that seruice and Worshippe with prayse vz. vnto his name for that and many other his great goodnesses and mercye and into his Courtes hee speaketh according to the number of Courtes in the Tabernacle meaning as before the places of publike assemblies and Gods seruice sée Psalme 94.2.10 with reioycing vz. for the blessinges and benefites which he hath bestowed vpon you prayse him vz. for his great goodnesse and kindnesse towards you and blesse his name i. thanke his maiestye and power for those his mercies sée the word blessing so vsed Mat. 14.19 Verse 5. For the Lorde is good vz. towardes all but speciallye to his owne people meaning by the worde good fauourable louing and gracious his mercye vz. towardes his sonnes and seruauntes is euerlasting i. indureth and lasteth for euer and is neuer subiect to alteration nor chaunge sée Psalme 136. thorowe out and his truth i. the truth and stedfastnesse of his promises made vnto his seruauntes for so doeth the Hebrew worde vsed in this place alwayes signifye is from generation to generation i. is continuall and neuer decayeth euen as one generation succéedeth an other not meaning but that Gods mercy shall indure when all carnall generations of men shall fayle Do. Verse 1 teacheth vs that it becommeth Gods people neuer to be ashamed to prayse the Lord. Verse 2 teacheth vs to yéelde that seruice which we performe to God chearefully and with a good hart Verse 3 teacheth vs that we haue neyther our bodily creation nor our spirituall regeneration of our selues but all from the Lord only Verse 4 teacheth vs that Gods children should shew them selues in publike assemblies publikely thankfull for publike benefits receaued at his mercifull hands Verse 5. Teacheth vs that howsoeuer man be variable in his loue and promise yet God in goodnesse and truth abideth alwayes faithfull to his Psalme 101 THis Psalme as I take it may be deuided into two parts Di. In the first the Kingly Prophet Dauid declareth what hee will performe in respecte of his owne particular person from verse 1 to the end of the 4 In the second he sheweth what hée will doe concerning other vz. punish the wicked and foster the good from verse 5 to the end of the Psalme The Title a Psalme of Dauid i. a Psalme that Dauid made Se. whether before he came to his kingdome or at the beginning of his raigne is vncertain but I suppose rather when he first entred into his kingdome Ver. 1. I wil sing i. I will both speake of and practise sée Isaiah 5.1 mercy i. fauor maintainance towards my good subiects and iudgement i. execution of punishmente vpon the wicked in which 2 parts consisteth the Magistrates dutie as appeareth Rom. 13. sée for the performaunce of this promise 2. Sam. 9.1 vnto thée O Lord will I sing the Prophet meaneth not only that he will prayse God for aduauncing him to the kingdome but that euen for his sake in repect of his own office he wil performe these matters Ver. 2 I will doe wisely i. I wil behaue my selfe vprightly and circumspectlye according to the rule of thy word which is only true wisedome in the perfit way i. in the gouernmente of my kingdome the execution of my office which he calleth a perfit way because there is prescribed in Gods word a perfit rule therof til thou commest to mée vz. to take me out of this life and to cal me to an account for the discharge of my dutie I wil walke in the vprightnes of my hart i. I wil behaue my self vprightly and soundly so that mine own hart conscience shal witnes vnto me my good dealing and holy cōuersation in the middest of mine house i. priuatly and within mine owne walles as it were yea in the eyes and sight of my whole family the Prophet in this verse promiseth two thinges as I take it in the first part of a faythfull executing of his publike charge in the second a godly conuersation priuatly Verse 3. I wil set no wicked thing before mine eyes vz. to performe or doe it yea he meaneth that he wil not only kéepe himselfe from doing wickednesse but that he will so turne himself away from it that his eyes shall not behold it I hate vz. earnestly and from the bottome of my hart the worke of them that fall away vz. from thy truth and from that righte waye that thou hast prescribed meaning by the word worke not only that defection of theirs wch is the principal but al other transgressions whatsoeuer putting one for the whole it i. such maner of dealing shal not cleaue vnto me i. either raign or dwel in me this the Prophet speaketh as assuring himselfe of gods strength to continue the profession of his truth Verse 4. A froward hart i. a peruerse rebellious mind noting in these words the séed or foūtain of sin shal vz. thorow Gods goodnes and strength depart from me vz. farre off he meaneth by this spéeche that he wil indeuour to put of the old man with the lusts therof Ephe. 4 22 I will know none euil q. d. as I wil be far from performing wickednes in acte so I will not allow or like of the same in my iudgement or vnderstanding for so is the word knowing vsed in this place as in sundrye other places before Ver. 5. Him that priuily slaundereth he meaneth not that he wil spare them that shal do it openly for if he punish the lesse offence thus he will not spare the greater which is open slaunder his neighbour i. any whether hée dwell nigh or farre from him for so generally and largely doe I take this worde sée Psalme 15.3 will I destroy i. most sharply punish and that euen by death if the hainousnes of the offence require it him that hath a proud looke i. he that is lofty proud for pride appeareth many times euen in the very eye brées and eyes themselues whē they be lifted vp and high harte or as it is in the Hebrew text large in harte meaning by that maner of spéech one that hath a mind to aspire to great matters therefore is puffed vp with ouerwéening of himself I cannot suffer vz. or indure at any hand he meaneth by these spéeches that he cannot abide pride nor the tokens nor signes thereof nor the persons giuen thereto Ver. 6. Mine eyes shal be i. I wil carefully looke vnto and haue special regard of vnto the faithful of the land i. vnto the good and godlye peo-people that dwell in the lande wheresouer
it be that they maye dwell with mée i. continue and abide with me not onely as my counsellors and houshold seruaunts but as friends and familiars being alwayes in my fauour for I take it that the Prophet meaneth two thinges here the one is that hee will haue a great care generallye ouer all the people of the lande the other is that out of that good people hée will chuse the best to bée continually about him hée that walketh in a perfecte waye i. hée that is vprighte in his dealinges and of good conscience and holy conuersation and hée calleth this waye perfecte not because men walke perfectly in it but because it is perfecte of it selfe and leadeth to perfection in the other life hée q.d. he and no other for so muche I take it the doubling of the worde meaneth shal serue mée vz. both in the publike offices of my kingdome in the particular offices of my priuate affairs houshold Ver. 7. There shall no deceitfull person dwell within my house this must be vnderstood so far forth as Dauid could know or vnderstand q.d. If I might know it there should none such remain in my seruice not but that good men many times haue wicked Seruauntes yea and that those Seruauntes which make the fayrest shewe of goodnesse are many times déepe dissemblers he that telleth lies i. giueth himself ouer either to tel them or to heare them sée Reuel 22.15 shal not remain vz. long in my sight he meaneth by this spéeche that such a one should not abide long in his house or seruice Verse 8. Betimes i. not onely in good season and quickly but also continually will I destroye sée before verse 5 of this Psal all the wicked of the land i. all the vngodlye that inhabite it Dauid meaneth that hee will not bee negligent or slouthfull to execute good quick and continuall iustice against all malefacters of whose transgressions he shall haue knowledge that I maye cutte off i. remooue and take away vz. by execution of iust iudgement all the woorkers of iniquity i. them that giue ouer themselues to commit sinne from the Citie of the Lord i. from Ierusalem but yet so that therin hée comprehendeth the whole kingdome because if the chiefe place be reformed it is very likely the other will followe Ver 1. Teacheth magistrates to haue a great care to foster the good Do. sharply to punish the badde Ver. 2. Teacheth magistrates thrée thinges first to haue an eye to the faithfull execution of publike iustice and iudgement Secondly to indeuour with care and conscience good dealing priuately and thirdly to continue and that vnto the last gaspe in all good dealing both publike and priuate that so they may haue peace in their owne conscience and the Lorde finde them well occupied Ver. 3. Teacheth all men but specially magistrates so to lothe euil that they can neuer behold it but with great griefe also to cary with them this holy purpose that howsoeuer other men fall away from God yet that in his strength they will sticke fast vnto him Ver. 4. Teacheth al but specially magistrates more and more to indeuour the crucifiyng of the old man with the workes thereof and neuer to allowe of any thing that is euill Ver. 5. Teacheth magistrates to punish malefacters according to the notoriousnes of their offence it also sheweth howe grieuous both before God and man backbitings and pride are Ver. 6. Teacheth magistrates to haue a speciall regard for the defence and preferment of the good also it teacheth all both high and lowe to make choise of the best men they can get to bee their officers and seruantes Ver. 7. Teacheth magistrates and masters that whē the sinnes of their inferiours or seruaunts are once layed open they shoulde not beare with them in the same Verse 8. Teacheth magistrates in tyme to cut off sinne and iniquitie lest the infection thereof growe so great that when they woulde they shall not bee able to doe it Psalme 102 THis Psalme being an earnest prayer of an afflicted soule Di. may bee diuided into thrée partes In the first hee prayeth vnto the Lorde for deliueraunce out of his great distresses the particularities whereof he doeth plainely declare from ver 1. to the end of the 11. In the second he sheweth by what arguments as it were he was prouoked to pray vnto the Lord vz. because he was assured of his goodnes power c. and this recheth from ver 12. to the end of the 23. In the third part he returneth to his prayer againe assuring himselfe of gods goodnes towardes him because those whom God loueth he loueth for euer from ver 24. to the end of the Psalme The title a prayer vz. to bee vsed of the afflicted i. Se. of him that féeleth himselfe either inwardly or outwardly wounded with Gods iudgments wrath when hée shal be in distresse vz. any manner of way either inwarde or outward and power foorth his meditation before the Lorde i shall in prayer vnto the Lorde expresse that with his mouth which hee hath meditated on in his heart note that the holy ghost myndeth not to tye vs in our afflictions onely to this forme And though wee can not certainely determine who shoulde write this Psalme or about what time it was penned yet it is very likely that either Daniel or some other holy Prophet did write it about the tyme that the people of the Iewes were caried captiues into Babylon Verse 1. O Lorde heare my prayer i. graciously graunt the request which I make vnto thee now and let my crye i. mine earnest supplication come vnto thée i. appeare in thy sight as well accepted and allowed of q.d. let it haue frée and bolde accesse vnto thy maiesty Sée Psalm 88.1.2 Verse 2. Hyde not thy face i. withdraw not thy fauour and goodnes from me vz. as though thou wert offended with me he speaketh this of God after the maner of men who when they are not disposed to shew fauour wil turne their faces from others or kéep them out of the way signifiyng vnto them by withholding the signe of fauour that they cannot haue fauor it selfe shewed thē in the time of my trouble i. at what time I am any maner of way troubled either inwardly or outwardly incline thine eares vnto me q.d. shewe thy selfe ready to heare and graunt my petition sée Psalm 86.1 and note that eares are attributed to God not that hee hath them but that we might the better conceiue somewhat of his maiesty when I cal vz. vppon thée by prayer make haste to heare mée i. graciously and quickly grant mee my request the Prophet vttereth not this as appointing God a time but in respect of his owne great misery and want as may appeare by that which followeth Verse 3. For my dayes i. the dayes and tyme of my life are consumed i. vanish and weare away like smoke i. quickly q.d. euen as sodainely as smoke vanisheth away in
of the Lorde i. shal tremble at his great power and maiesty though not with the reuerent and right feare thereof which his owne children only haue and al the kings of the earth q.d. this feare shal not onely sease the heartes of their common people but euen of their greatest and mightiest princes thy glory i. they shal feare thy maiesty glory which doest such great and glorious thinges for thy people Verse 16. When the Lorde hee noteth the time of the trembling of the kings and people shall builde vp Sion i. his Church vz. decayed and cast downe hee vseth this worde Sion generally for the place of Gods seruice because that sometime the arke of couenant was placed there and shal appeare in his glory i. shall shewe himselfe glorious and triumphant which shall no doubt be comfortable to his children and feareful to his enemies Ver. 17. And shal turne vz. his gracious and louing countenance meaning by this speach yéelding or graunting vnto the prayer i. to the harty supplications and requests of the desolate i. of thē that are forsaken of all whom though they stand in néede of euery mans helpe yet no man helpeth The worde properly signifieth a kinde of shrubble which groweth in vntilled places as a brier or such like by which he noteth also the people that were in the captiuity of Babylon as in a deserte and wilde place and not despise their prayer vz. which they make vnto him in their affliction hee speaketh one thing twise as it were of which sundry times before and not as though god did euer despise the supplications of his poore seruants Ver. 18. This vz. gracious hearing of his poore seruants prayers and deliuery of them out of captiuity shal be written vz. as an excellent thing and worthy of continual remembrance for the generation to come vz. that they therby may be instructed both of the power of God and his faithfulnes and trueth in performing his promises and the people vz. of Israel and Iudah which shalbée created i. which shal returne out of the captiuity of Babylon which hée compareth to be a second birth or creation as it were because they séemed therin to bée as dead Sée Ezech 37. from ver 1. to the ende of the 14. of which also for the greatnes of it it is sundry times sayd in the Prophets It shalbée no more sayd the Lord liueth that brought the people out of Egypt but that brought the people from the lande of the North shall prayse the Lorde vz. for his great goodnes and mercy towardes them Ver. 19. For hée hath looked downe vz. vppon the great outrage of his enemies and the wonderfull affliction of his people from the height of his sanctuary i. euen from the very heauens as hée séemeth to expound it euen in this verse out of the heauē which is the throne of his maiesty did the Lorde behold the earth i. not onely the earth it self but specially and chiefly men inhabiting the earth and amongest the rest his owne people as may appeare in the verses following Verse 20. That hee might heare vz. and so take pity of the mourning i. the sighings gronings and lamentable cryes of the prisoner i. of the prisoners one number put for an other meaning those that were bound and helde as captiues in Babilon and deliuer vz. out of daunger distresse and all manner of feare the children of death i. them that were at deaths doore or appointed to death as it were Sée Psal 79.11 Ver. 21. That they vz. so deliuered noting also the end why god giueth deliueraunce vnto his seruants may declare i. set out and publish and that both by word and déede the name of the Lord i. his power maiesty goodnes c. as Psal 21.1 in Sion i. in his Church and his prayse i. the prayse which is due vnto him for the same not that any is able to prayse him sufficiently for his power and goodnes in Ierusalem i. in the Church as before Sion and Ierusalem being the principall places of his worshippe put for his whole Church and the publike assemblies and congregations thereof sée Psal 2.6 Ver. 22. When the people vz. which are nowe in captiuity and dispersed abroad shal be gathered together vz. to serue the Lorde in these places and after that sort which he himselfe hath prescribed and the kingdomes vz. of the earth meaning hereby the calling of other people besides the Iewes to serue the Lord vz. according to the prescript rule of his word The Prophet noteth two thinges specially in this verse the one is the returning of the people out of Babylon the other is the calling of the Gentiles to the religion and seruice of God Ver. 23. He i. the Lorde abated vz. by outwarde and inward afflictions my strength i. whatsoeuer séemed excellent in mee putting one excellent thing for many in the way vz. wherein I walked meaning the daies and course of his life as may appeare by that which followeth in this verse and shortened vz. in mine owne iudgment and as I supposed for otherwise in respect of God our dayes are certainely numbred my dayes i. the dayes of my life Ver. 24. And I sayd vz. in that great affliction and griefe O my God take mee not away vz. out of this life q.d. let mee not vanishe awaye but shewe mée thy fauour in continuing my life in the middest of my dayes i. before I come to the full ende of my race and all this and that in the former verse the Prophet speaketh not onely in his owne person but in the name of the rest of the faithful thy yéeres indure from generation to generation i. thou continuest and abidest for euer and art alwayes one make mee therefore q.d. like vnto thy selfe Verse 25. Thou vz. O GOD hast afore tyme vz. in the beginning layde the foundation of the earth i. created and mainteined the earth and all thinges therein hee sheweth Gods eternitie because hee was before all thinges created and was the maker of all thinges whatsoeuer and the heauens vz. and all thinges therein conteined are the worke of thine handes i. thou hast made them handes attributed to GOD for our vnderstanding sake Verse 26. They vz. the heauen the earth and all thinges therein shall perish vz. not in respect of their substance but in respect of their qualities sée Isaiah 65.17 Isaiah 66.22 Reuelat. 21.1 2. Peter 3.12.13 and this perishing hée calleth afterwardes in this verse a chaunging but thou shalt indure vz. frée from any alteration or chaunge as Iames 1.17 and that for euer and euer hée here commendeth Gods eternity by comparison euen they all q.d. not one of them accepted shall waxe olde as doeth a garment i. shall through continuaunce of tyme decay as doeth a garment as a vesture shalt thou chaunge them this is a metaphor taken from men who changing their garmentes from worse to better of which chaunge of the creatures the Apostle
speaketh Roman 8.19.20.21.22 verses Nowe if any wil demaunde to what vse the creatures shal be imployed I answere that for as much as GOD in his worde hath not reueiled that it is more then curiositie to aske the same and they shal bee changed i. they shall certainely and without fayle bée chaunged for so much doeth the doubling of the worde chaunge import Verse 27. But thou art the same i. alwayes one and the selfe same without any shadowe of chaunging q.d. howsoeuer the creatures bee variable yet thou the creator art alwayes vnchaungeable and thy yeeres i. the time of thy essence and beeing shall not fayle vz. for euer and euer q.d. thou art and hast béene from euerlasting and so shalt continue Verse 28. The children of thy seruantes i. thy godly ones and their godly posterity shall continue vz. stedfast and sure alwayes safe vnder thy almighty defence whatsoeuer great alteration shal bee in heauen or earth and their séede i. their race and posteritie shall stande fast vz. so that they shall not bée mooued for euer in thy sight i. before thée hée meaneth that GOD will care for and preserue for euer the godly Ver. 1. Teacheth vs to be earnest with the Lord to grant vs our holy requests Do. Verse 2. Sheweth that in the time of affliction nothing is more grieuous to Gods children then to perceiue God any long time absent Ver. 3.4.5 Do declare what great affliction the godly are in for their sinnes and the wrath of God vppon them for the same Verse 6.7 Shewe that it is no new thing to sée the children of God forsaken of men Verse 8. Noteth two things the one is howe that the godly are subiect to the vyle both woordes and deedes of the vngodly the other that the wicked giue themselues a full swinge to all manner of outrage both in worde and deede Verse 9. Teacheth that so long as wée féele Gods wrath vppon vs for our sinnes our meat and drinke is not pleasaunt and delightfull vnto vs. Verse 10. Teacheth vs three things first howe much wee shoulde stande in awe of the fearce wrath and indignation of the Lorde Secondly that in this life Gods children haue no durable estate and thirdly that their exaltation and depressing is not by fortune as they say but from the Lorde onely Verse 11. Setteth out the shortnesse and troublesomnesse of mans life Verse 12. Setteth out the eternity and continuaunce of the almightie Verse 13. Teacheth vs to haue an assured trust that God wil looke graciously vppon the afflictions of his Church Verse 14. Teacheth Gods children two thinges first to delyte more euen in the verye ruines of the Church then in the palaces of the vngodly secondly to pity and pray for the reforming of the desolations thereof Ver. 15. and 16. Teach vs that Gods fauour shewed to his Church shalbée matter of sufficient terrour to the wicked and vngodly Ver. 17. Is comfortable shewing that the prayers of Gods poore people shall neuer returne empty from the Lorde Ver. 18. Teacheth the faithful to haue a care for their posterity that both Gods mercy towards them and his iudgements vpon the wicked might be conueyed to their children Ver. 19. Teacheth that God beholdeth al things done vpon the earth contrary to the imagination of them who suppose him to sit as idle in heauen Ver. 20. Teacheth that God taketh speciall regarde of those that be his and namely when they are in the greatest distresse Ver. 21. Teacheth that god doth deliuer his people out of al their feares specially to this end that they might publish his prayse for the same in the Church Ver. 22. Teacheth that our assemblies should be for the seruice and glory of god Ver. 23. Teacheth that God for the trial of his children layeth manifold afflictions vpon them in this life Verse 24. Teacheth vs that wee may pray for long life but yet so that that life may bée referred to Gods glory Verse 25. Teacheth that God is the maker of heauen and earth Verse 26. Teacheth the variablenesse of the creature which shoulde instruct vs so to vse the worlde as though wee vsed it not and no otherwise but as it may further vs to the hope of a better life Ver. 27. Teacheth that howsoeuer variable the creature is yet the creator is altogether vnchaungeable Ver. 28. Setteth out to the comfort of the godly their continuaunce Psalme 103. Di. THis Psalme may bee diuided into thrée partes In the first hee doeth stirre vp and prouoke himselfe to be thankful to the Lord and this is conteyned in the two first verses In the seconde hee sheweth causes for which men shoulde prayse the Lorde as for the forgiuenesse of their sinnes for their deliuery from daunger and the continuall course of his mercies from ver 3. to the end of the 19. In the last part he exhorteth euen all creatures to praise the Lord for the largenes of his goodnes from ver 20. to the end of the Psalme Se. The title of this Psalme hath beene expounded before in others of the lyke inscription Ver. 1. My soule hee exhorteth the soule to this great worke because if that be ready the other cannot be much backward and the word soule is vsed here for the seate of vnderstanding and afflictions prayse thou the Lord vz. for his great mercies and all that is within me as my thought my hart and all the powers both of the one and the other and hee meaneth all inwarde thinges because those parts specially doeth the Lorde regarde as Psal 51.17 Ioh. 4.23 prayse his holy name i. set foorth the glory that apperteineth to his maiesty power goodnes c. name is here vsed as Psalm 20.3 Ver. 2. My soule praise thou the Lord this is expounded before ver 1. and forget not vz. through negligence or otherwise but earnestly thinke vpon to the vttermost of thy power al his benefites i. not onely all but any one of them as possible thou canst and by this meanes he prepareth himself a way to speak of the blessings which afterwardes he reckoneth vp Ver. 3. Which vz. alone forgiueth thée fréely vz. and of his owne mercy onely without any merites or deserts of thyne at all all thine iniquity vz. committed either against God or man either of ignoraunce or of knowledge and he beginneth with the frée forgiuenes of sinnes because it is as it were the fountaine from which al other blessinges flowe many whereof he reckoneth vp afterwardes which are nothing else but the effects of that reconciliation and healeth vz. of his great goodnes his mighty power all thine infirmities vz. bodily or spirituall outwarde or inward Ver. 4. Which vz. alone as before ver 3. redéemeth vz. by his great and mighty power thy life i. thy whole man both body and soule putting a part for the whole from the graue i. from death and destruction Sée Psalm 16.10 putting that which followeth death for death it selfe and crowneth
the person from the second to the thirde sendeth vz. by his eternall appoyntment and power the springs into the valleyes the Prophet meaneth that by Gods decree and appoyntment the fountaines and springes keepe their course euen in those places that he hath assigned them that is in the vales and lenelles of the lande which vz. fountaines or springes runne betwéene the mountaines q.d. not withstanding that they séeme to bee little thinges yet God doeth sometimes so increase them that they rise as high as some part of the mountaines This serueth to set out Gods power in the ordinarye gouernement euen of his creatures also Ver. 11. They i. the waters and springes shall giue drink vz. in great plenty and abundance to all the beastes of the fielde vz. so that not one of any kinde shal bee excepted and hee speaketh rather of beastes then of men the better to set out the grace of GOD not only in that he prouideth for bruite beastes but also in that hee giueth them which drinke more then men such great abundaunce of it and the wilde asses shall quench their thirst q.d. euen the beastes that drinke most by reason of their heate shall not onely be satisfied but leaue abundaunce beside of the wilde asse Sée Iob. 39. ver 8.9 10.11 Ver. 12. By these springes vz. spoken of before shall the foules of the heauen i. the birdes of the ayre heauen put for the aire Sée Matth. 6.26 dwell i. abide and continue and that with delight which hée expresseth afterwardes and shall sing vz. for ioy and pleasure that they shall take therein among the braunches vz. of the trees that stande along by the riuers sides Ver. 13. He i. God watereth the mountaines i. powreth downe abundance of waters vppon the mountaines so that by reason of the rayne which he sendeth hee maketh the mountaines otherwise barren very fruitfull from his chambers i. from the cloudes which are sayde to bee Gods chambers because it séemeth to vs that the Lorde dwelleth in and aboue them so that chambers is taken in an other sense here then in verse 3. of this Psalme and the earth i. the whole worlde so that there is no part exempted no nor no creature either man or beast as may appeare by that which followeth in this Psalme is filled vz. plentifully and in very great abundaunce with the fruite of thy workes i. with those fruites which by thy workes thou doest graciously minister vnto them which fruites also through thy blessing and commaundement the earth it selfe doth yéeld And marke the sodaine chaunge of the person from the thirde to the second Ver. 14. Hée i. God causeth vz. by his almighty power as the first cause and by rayne and dewe from heauen as the seconde cause grasse to growe vz. vppon the earth for the cattle i. for the vse of cattle that it may bee meate vnto them and herb i. euerye gréene thing sée Genesis 1 29. for the vse of man i. for man to vse eyther necessarily or of pleasure that he vz. man being strengthened by the vse of the hearbes trées c. may bring forth vz. by his ordinary labour and trauayle bread though the Prophet meane it principally of bread yet he vnderstandeth also thereby all manner of sustenaunce out of the earth vz. laboured and tilled in the sweat of mans face Gen. 3.18.19 Immanuel readeth the latter part of the ver thus that they i. both man beast reading it in the plural number may fet meat out of the earth i. may haue al maner of food ministred vnto them out of the earth for the maintaynaunce of their life whatsoeuer it be all commeth to one end vz. to shew that God by his power doth this and doth that Verse 15. And wine vz. God giueth that maketh glad the hart of man i. maketh mans hart to reioyce when it is striken downe with heauinesse sée Prouerb 31.6.7 and oyle to make the face to shine i. to make him séeme to haue a merry and chearefull countenaunce he speaketh this according to the manner of those hote countries wherein men vsed with sauours and oyntmentes both to strengthen and refresh themselues and bread vz. he giueth also vnderstanding by bread as before verse 14 that strengtheneth mans hart i. whiche is a good meane to ad strength and courage to a mans stomach And mark the Prophets course he sheweth in this place that God plentifullye giueth vnto all his creatures and namely vnto man not only life but al thinges necessary for the maintaynaunce thereof Whether they be thinges necessary as breade and foode or profitable as wine and drinke or seruing to pleasure delighte or comlinesse of the body as oyle and oyntments c. Verse 16. The high Trées he passeth from men to trées shewing that euen Gods power and prouidence also watcheth ouer them are satisfyed vz. with moysture dew and rayne sent from the Lord to make them grow and increase euen the Cedars of Lebanon sée Psalme 29 5. which he hath planted i. which the Lord himselfe hath caused to grow which sort of Trees must néedes excell them that are set by Art Verse 17. That the birdes vz. of the Woods and Forrests yea the very foules of heauen may make their neasts there vz. in those trées because they are so great high and mighty The Prophet doth not meane only as I take it that God ordeyned the Trées to this end that birdes might build their neasts therin but also to shew the greatnesse of Gods power in creating such great trées as are able to receiue the Fowles of the ayre the storke dwelleth in the Firre trées he meaneth not only that they build their neasts there for their yong ones but also haue as it were their continuall abode Verse 18. The high Mountaynes vz. otherwise barren and bare are yet notwithstanding good and profitable are for the Goates vz. good to féede on and to liue in the Rockes are a refuge for the Conies vz. to kéepe them safe in as it were from al distresse and feare Verse 19. He vz. God appoynted vz. by the order which he himselfe set in creation the Moone i. that glorious and excellent creature for certayne seasons i. not only to distinguish the night from the day and other times spoken of Gene. 1.14 c. as monethes yéeres c. but also for some principall feastes obserued in the lawe and the sunne i. that other great and excellent creature knoweth vz. by the boundes and orders which God hath set out his going downe i. in what part it shoulde set according to the seuerall quarters of the yéere Verse 20. Thou makest darkenesse i. thou causest darkenes to come in an ordinarye course And not as though GOD did euery night make newe darkenesse for hee did once create the same Gene. 1.2 to continue as the rest of his creatures and it is night i. night commeth presently for none is able to let or withstande it wherein i. in
which darkenesse and night all the beastes of the forrest i. a great number of rauening and deuouring beastes whiche in the daye tyme durste not for feare of man shew their heads amongst these hee reckoneth vp the Lyon in the nexte verse créepe forth vz. out of their holes and dennes where they had lurked all the day long Verse 21. The Lions i. euen the yong lustie and strong Lyons roare vz. in that darkenesse and nighte after their praye i. after a praye that they woulde gladlye gette and obtayne to satisfye their hunger withall and séeke their meate at GOD the Prophet meaneth not that they staye themselues vppon the care which GOD hath ouer them for that they cannot doe but hée sheweth that GOD doth myraculouslye giue meate to the Lyons and other deuouring beasts yea although they liue by spoyle and rauening whiche serueth wonderfullye to sette foorth God his power and prouidence whiche is the special marke that the Prophet aymeth at in this Psalme Verse 22. When the Sunne ryseth the Prophet sheweth that GOD so distributeth the tyme that the daye belongeth vnto man and the nighte to rauenous beastes whose cruelty is in parte also restrayned by the lighte of the Sunne or day so that they are thereby as it were constrayned to kéepe themselues in their dennes to the ende that man may more safelye goe aboute his businesse they retyre i. those rauenous Beastes of the Forrestes and couche in their Dennes i. lye still and quietlye there without annoying or hurting man any waye Verse 23. Then i. at the Sunne rysing and when the wilde beastes are in their Caues and holes goeth man foorth i. mankinde or the people whiche inhabite the earth to his worke and to his labour i. to the affayres and businesses whiche thou haste appointed him to doe whiche is called his because hée is Gods Instrumente in the performaunce thereof vntill the euening whiche tyme thou of thy goodnesse O Lorde haste ordayned for his rest Verse 24. O Lorde the Prophet in this sentence vseth both an exclamation and a wondering after that hee had as before spoken of the merueylous vses of GOD his gouernmente howe manifolde i. not onely dyuers in respecte of kynde but innumerable in respect of multitude are thy workes i. the thinges that thou haste created and made in wisedome i. in suche greate and excellent wisedome haste thou made them all vz. generally and particularlye as none is able to controll eyther the whole or any parte thereof The Prophet meaneth that Gods workemanshippe is so exquisite that there is no confusion eyther in the whole or in parte some expounde it thus In wisedome hast thou made them all i. by wisedome meaning his eternall Sonne as Prouerbes 8 verse 22 c. vnto the ende of the Chapter but notwithstanding I lyke the former sence better the earth i. the whole worlde and the people that dwell therein is full of thy riches i. is plentifullye replenished with varyetie of thy greatnesse whiche are greate testimonyes of thy grace Verse 25. So is the Sea q.d. as the earth is filled with thy riches so is the Sea lykewise from the testimonyes of Gods grace and goodnesse vpon the Lande he commeth to the Sea which hée setteth out as it were a new glasse wherein men may behold Gods power and wisedome greate and wyde hée attributeth two Titles to the Sea the one noting the force thereof the other the largenesse both yet tending to manyfest Gods power which had replenished so huge a place with such wonderfull store and varietye of creatures for therein i. in the Sea are thinges vz. whiche thou haste created créeping vz. according to the order whiche thou haste sette meaning by this terme swimming and liuing in the Waters innumerable hée sheweth that the creatures of GOD in the Sea can not bée numbred muche lesse can those in Heauen and these in earth and altogether both small Beasts and great q.d. There is not onely innumerable store but varietye of kindes also all which setteth forth still Gods mightye power Verse 26. There i. in that Sea goe the Shippes i. they sayle to and fro a Metaphor taken from liuing Creatures and applyed to insensible thinges yea that Leuiathan q.d. Euen that same greate monstrous Fishe is in the Sea also sée Iob. 40. verse 20. to the end of the Chapter and Iob 41. throughout whome thou hast made to play therein i. to swimme vp and downe at his pleasure q.d. This onely Sea beast doth sufficyently sette out vnto vs the fearefull power of GOD whose styrring though it trouble the seas yet is it nothing but sporte in respecte of GOD. Verse 27. All these vz. thy creatures whether they bée in the ayre or in the earth or in the Sea wayte vppon thée vz. not only to haue foode and sustenaunce as followeth but to bée disposed of euen as shall please thée without whome they canne doe nothing that thou vz. thorowe thy prouidence and appoyntment mayest giue them vz. of thy gracious goodnesse and mercy foode vz to eate vppon and lay by in due season i. in that time wherein thou thy selfe haste appoynted with thy selfe to bestowe it vppon them Verse 28. Thou giuest it vz. graciously and plentifullye vnto them vz. when they are in néede and wante and they gather it vz. to their comforte and sustentation thou openest thine hande hée séemeth here to resemble GOD to a good Father or Mayster of a householde who many tymes with holdeth from his children and Seruauntes to the ende that they might learne to sette a better price vpon them which when he séemeth then inclined vnto then hée bestoweth these thinges vppon them and they are filled with good thinges vz. from thée by opening of the hande hée meaneth Gods greate liberalitye and by filling with good thinges hée vnderstandeth the effecte of that grace Verse 29. But if thou hyde thy face i. if thou shewe not thy selfe fauourable and mercyfull vnto them but leaue them Hée sheweth that euen GOD his verye countenaunce giueth euen béeing and moouing and lyfe vnto all thinges they are troubled vz. beyonde all measure so that they euen seeme to bee withoute all lyfe or béeing If thou take awaye their breath i. that kinde of lyfe whiche thou hast giuen them sée Genesis 1 verse 24. they die and returne to their dust vz. out of which they were taken and not that it is their owne Verse 30. Againe if thou vz. O Lorde the Prophetes minde is to shew that the death and life of all creatures is in the Lords power only send forth thy spirit i. thy quickening and liuely power some referre it to the holy Ghost I suppose both sences may very well stand prouided also that wée fall not into the error of some who supposed that the spirit did essentially dwell in men and other creatures they are created i. not only restored into their former state by thy fauourable countenaunce after they haue bene troubled by
withholding thy goodnesse from them as verse 29 of this Psalme but also by propagation of séede and ofspring they are as it were anew thorow the strength of thy commaundement and blessing Gen. 1. in sundry places created and thou renuest the face of the earth i. though thou séeme to man by reason of the death which falleth vpon creatures to be a wonderful decay of earthly creatures yet by raising vp the like in their roomes vpon the vpper part of the earth thou giuest as it were a new face and countenaunce agayne vnto the same Verse 31. Glory be to the Lord for euer after the particular description of Gods power and prouidence in his creatures he bursteth forth to Gods prayse for the same and wisheth as it were that both he and all men would yéeld continuall thankes and prayse vnto him therefore let the Lord reioyce i. take singular delight and pleasure in his workes i. in the workes and creatures whiche hée hath made The Prophet addeth vnto his former praysing of God for his power and goodnesse a praier to the Lord for the continuance of the same towards his creatures I know others expound it otherwise but me thinketh this is a simple sence Verse 32. He vz. God looketh vz. with his angry countenāce as it were on the earth i. on the world it selfe and all things therein contayned and it trembleth vz. for feare and reuerence of his maiestie hee toucheth the mountaynes and they smoke q.d. the Lorde néedeth not to doe much to testifie his wrath for euen the very Mountaynes by touching them shall burne and consume All this is nothing else but a consideration of the greate power and Maiestie of God of which sée more Psalme 18 7 8 9. c. Verse 33. I will sing vnto the Lord i. I will prayse him pray vnto him and serue him for hée putteth one part of Gods seruice for the whole q.d. Euen the greatnesse of his power and maiestie shall be one meane to draw me on to the seruice and obedience of him and that not for a small time onely but all my life long I will prayse my God while I liue this is the same with that which went before the doubling of it noteth the resolute purpose whiche the Prophet had to performe this his vow Verse 34. Let my wordes be acceptable vnto him hee promised before prayse and thanksgiuing and now he desireth that that seruice maye be pleasaunt in his sight I vnderstand by wordes not only the words of his prayers though them chéefely indéede but all his other spéeches whatsoeuer sée Psalme 19 14. I will reioyce in the Lorde q.d. I will remooue all my thoughts from the pleasures and profits of this life to the ende I may staye my selfe vpon a spirituall ioy and contentment in God only Verse 35. Lette the sinners i. the notorious wicked men sée Psalme 1. ver 1.5 be consumed vz. vtterly lest they should infect others stay from the the godly abundance of graces blessings out of the earth vz. wherein they dwell and thus he prayeth agaynst the vngodly whom the Lord had sealed vp agaynst the day of his wrath and the wicked vz. men of the worlde meaning by wicked men them that foster and foode themselues in wickednesse till there bee no more vz. of them left vpon the earth he desireth an vtter taking awaye of the vngodlye both of their persons and memories O my soule prayse thou the Lorde sée verse 1. of this Psalme where you haue the same wordes In these wordes hée prouoketh himselfe to prayse the Lorde as in these wordes following prayse yée the Lorde he prouoketh the rest of the godlye and faythfull to doe the like And thus muche for the sence of this Psalme the doctrines follow in order Verse 1 teacheth vs to stir vp our selues to the prayses of God De. it teacheth vs also that Gods power and glorye doth after a sort craue the same at our handes Verse 2 sheweth that euen in Gods creatures we haue euident glasses wherein to beholde his Maiesty power c. the selfe same thing doth ver 3 and and many other verses in this Psalme teach Verse 3 teacheth that God by his power ruleth the waters the cloudes the windes c. the same doctrine doeth verse 4 deliuer Verse 5 teacheth that whatsoeuer firmity the earth hath it hath it from the Lord and not of it self Verse 6 7 teach that neither the waters nor any other creature can go further then the Lord appoynteth them and that his onely word without any déede as it were is sufficient to staye the rage of them all Verse 8 and 9. teach the selfe same doctrine sée Prouerbes 8.29 Verse 10.11 teach that all blessings whatsoeuer yea and the abundaunce of them come from the Lorde only Verse 12 teacheth that God hath made his creatures not only profitable for man but one of them ioyfull and delightful to another Verse 13 teacheth that God can by moysture as a meane make barren places plentifull also that there is no place of the world wherein there is not to be séene abundaunce of his blessinges though in some places more then in other some as must be confessed Verse 14 teacheth what care God hath ouer his creatures in giuing them all thinges necessarye for the mayntainaunce of life Verse 15 setteth out Gods large liberalitie who giueth vs all thinges of pleasure as well as of profite contrary to the assertion of Anabaptistes who would haue vs vse nothing for necessitie only Verse 16 teacheth that which god doth farre excelleth all done by arte or witte of man Verse 17 18. shewe that God hath made all creatures one of them to be delightfull and profitable to an other sée before verse 12. Verse 19 doth not onely expresse Gods power and prouidence in the Sunne and Moone but their obedience also to that course sette them which shoulde teache vs to walke with care and conscience before him Verse 20.21.22.23 set forth Gods great care for man and beast who hath distributed to eyther of them times for their labour and times for their rest whiche also teacheth vs to beware that we turne not the day into night nor the nighte into daye withoute some verye speciall and vrgent occasion Verse 24 teacheth vs that the variety and plentye of GOD his creatures shoulde not onlye draw vs into a maruayling at them and their Creator but also into a praysing of him for the same Verse 25 teacheth vs that euen the Sea as well as the Lande doth lyuely expresse the greatnesse of GOD his power and goodnesse The same in particularitye doth verse 26. whiche verse 25 did generallye Verse 27 doth not onely set out the largenesse of Gods prouidence which stretcheth it selfe to all creatures but also it teacheth vs with patience to attende for euerye thing necessarye from the Lordes hande in due season Verse 28 teacheth that Gods frée and only liberalitye is the very
cause of all goodnesse towardes all his creatures Verse 29 teacheth vs that the wante of féeling of Gods fauour is the fountayne of all woe disquietnesse death c. Verse 30 teacheth vs that the continuaunce of Creatures is not onely by an ordinary course of nature but specially by the commaundement and blessing of almighty GOD. Verse 31 teacheth vs to prayse GOD continually for his mercy and to pray for the continuaunce thereof Verse 32 teacheth vs to stande in awe of so great a Maiestye as can doe whatsoeuer pleaseth him both in heauen and in earth Verse 33 teacheth vs to carrye with vs holy purposes to serue the Lord as long as we liue and carefully to labour the performance thereof Verse 34 teacheth vs to pray that euen our prayers maye bée regarded in Gods sight Verse 35 teacheth vs that we may sometimes pray against the wicked and vngodly also that we should carefully stirre vp both our selues and others to prayse the Lorde Psalme 105 Di. THis Psalme as I take it may be deuided into thrée partes In the firste hée exhorteth to prayse GOD for his mercies shewing who they are that shoulde doe it from the first verse to the ende of the sixte In the seconde part hee resiteth the particular graces that GOD bestowed vppon them from the tyme of their firste calling till their comming oute of Egipt from verse seuen to the ende of the 26. In the thirde hee setteth out both what iudgementes GOD bringeth vpon their enemies for their sakes and also what mercies he sheweth them after their deliuery from verse 27 to the end of the Psalme Se. Though there be no Title of this Psalme declaring who made it yet it should appeare by 1. Chronic. 16.7.8 c. that Dauid made it and committed it to Asaph and his brethren to sing it And it hangeth wel with the other Psalms before going vz. Psalme 103. and Psalme 104. and also with Psalme 106.107 following al being Psalms to stir vp the Church to prayse God partly for his graces towards the Church Psalme 103 and generallye towardes all creatures Psalme 104 and partly for benefites vppon the faythfull euen by trying and correcting them Psalme 105 106. and lastlye for graces towardes all men Psalme 107. Verse 1. Prayse the Lord vz. all ye good and faythful people he would haue them to shew themselues thankefull and to set forth his glorye for graces receaued and call vpon his name i. feare his Maiesty but specially pray vnto him putting one part of Gods seruice for the whole declare vz. openly and playnly and that in euery place his workes i. the maruaylous thinges that hée hath done among the people vz. not onely of Iudea but of the whole earth Verse 2. Sing vnto him sing prayse vnto him vz. alone the doubling of the worde serueth both to stirre vs vp and also to note the excellency of that Sacrifice of thanksgiuing Some make this difference betwéene the two wordes that the firste singing shoulde bée with the mouth and the latter singing with musicall Instrumentes according to the Lawe and talke vz. amongest your selues openlye and euerye where of all his wondrous workes vz. whiche hée hath done for you and your Fathers so that wée shoulde as neare as wée canne call to remembraunce all Gods graces and mercyes bestowed vppon vs. Verse 3. Reioyce in his holye name i. shewe your selues gladde in that greate power and Maiestye of his which besydes the excellencye thereof contayneth in it holinesse also lette the hearte i. the inwarde affection as well as the outwarde behauiour of them that séeke the Lorde vz. vnfeignedlye and with a good harte vnderstanding by séeking of the Lorde seruing of him according to his will reuealed in his worde reioyce vz. in the Lorde and bée glad euen for this that hée giueth them grace to séeke and serue him Verse 4. Séeke the Lorde vz. earnestlye and that euen now while hée maye bée founde as Isaiah 55.6 and his strength 1. the Arke of the Couenaunte from whence the Lorde gaue euidente testimonye of his power and myghte Sée 2. Chronicles 6. verse 41. also Psalme 78. verse 61. séeke his face i. the arke of couenaunte whiche is also called Gods face because from thence GOD gaue playne testimonies of his fauour and goodnesse towards his people continually i. so long as you liue q.d. Be neuer wearye of doing that dutie Verse 5. Remember i. déepely and diligently thinke vpon that you maye thereby bee the better stirred vp to praise him his marueilous workes i. the great and wonderfull things which he hath don for his people he calleth thē maruailous because the Gods marueilous power declared it selfe in thē euen so that a man might easily iudge that they came from him that he hath done vz. in time heretofore and that for you your fathers his wonders i. the strange things which he hath done far beyond the reache and compasse of mans wit and the iudgementes of his mouth i both the punishments whiche he hath threatned against others and also the law and word he hath giuen vnto you for I would referre it to both these Verse 6. Ye séede of Abraham i. O yée that come of Abraham and his posteritie according vnto the flesh his seruaunt i. that serued GOD hee setteth before them their Fathers example the better to draw them on to the performaunce of that great dutye ye children of Iaakob i. O ye that come of Iaakob wch are his elect i. which he hath fréely chosen from amongst al other nations and here he vseth another reason fet from their election to draw them on to obedience Verse 7. Hée vz. alone and none other but he is the Lord our God i. he that gouerneth vs and vpon whome we our selues depend his iudgementes vz. agaynst sinne and vngodlinesse meaning by iudgements punishments are thorow all the earth i. are made manifest in all the world though perhaps men haue not eyes to sée the same or else we may take iudgements for rule guiding and gouernment so you haue the word to iudge vsed Psalm 98 9. meaning that Gods gouernment was stretched thorow out all the world Verse 8. He hath alway remembred his couenaunt and promise vz. made with his sonnes and seruaunts mening by remembred not only thinking vppon it but also the execution and performaunce of it that he made vz. of his owne accord and frée goodnesse to a thousand generations i. not only to infinite numbers of people putting a nūber certayne for an vncertayne but also to last and indure for euer Verse 9. Euen that vz. couenaunt which he made with Abraham vz. our Father sée Genesis 12 2 3 and his oth vnto Isaak sée Genesis 26.3.4 c. and hee vseth the word oth to note the certaintie and assurednesse of the couenaunte passed betwéene God and the people Verse 10. And since vz. the time of Abraham and Izaak meaning after their death hath confirmed it vz. both
aduāced Ioseph Israel i. Iaakob al his people for he putteth the principal man of the familye for the whole came to Egipt vz. not only to sée Ioseph but also to tary abide there sée Gen. 46.1 c. Iaakob i. he and his posterity was a stranger i. dwelt soiorned as a stranger in the land of Ham i. in Egipt which is called the land of Ham because they came of Ham Noahs secōd son as appeareth Gen. 10.6 sée before Psal 78 51. ver 27. of this Psal Ver. 24. And for this word read where then the sence wil be more plaine he i. God increased vz. thorow his especial blessing his people vz. of Israel excéedingly vz. into an infinit multitude number in respect of them wch went down into Egipt and made them stronger vz. both in power might then their oppressors i. then the Egyptians who oppressed them by reason of their multitude increasing of thē stood in feare of thē sée for this Exod. 1.7 8 c. Ver. 25. He vz. God turned their harts i. the harts of the posterity of the king and the people of Egipt as appeareth also Exod. 1.8 c. to that his people wheras their predecessors loued fauored the and to deale craftily he meaneth by this spéech the subtil wicked cruel deuises that the Egiptians had to kéepe the people of Israel vnder mentioned Exod. 1. ver 8 10 11 c. with his seruants i. with those whom the Lord had chosen called to serue him These spéeches in outward shew séeme to make god the author and cause of sinne but we must note that the Prophet meaneth not any such thing thereby but to declare that in that the Egiptians hated and dealt cruelly with the children of Israel it was not don without Gods prouidēce counsel yet so that the roote séed of malice corruption and cruelty was wholy in the Egyptians and that no péece of fault could therfore be ascribed to God Ver. 26. Then i. when the Egiptians did deale so wickedly and cruelly agaynst his people sent he vz. of mercy and goodnes pittying their misery Moses his seruaunt i. that excellent man whom he had appoynted to serue his turne in the deliuery of his people and Aaron whom he had chosen vz. to go with Moses and to be his mouth in that great busines sée for this matter Exod. chapt 3 4 thorowout Ver. 27. They i. Moses Aaron shewed vz. by the power that God had giuen them and according to his commaundement among them i the Egiptians and the Israelits both but chéefely the Egiptians the message of his signes euident demonstrations and proofes that the signs and wonders wch they wrought they did by his power not otherwise and wonders i. wonderful things meaning that they did them a particular resitall wherof followeth in the next verses in the land of Ham i. in Egipt sée before verse 23 of this Psalme Verse 28. Hée i. God true it is that it may be referred to Moses or God but I rather vnderstand it of God without whom Moses could do nothing and by whom alone Moses was inabled to do that which he did sent darkenesse vz. amongst the Egyptians and made it darke i. made the whole land darke so that nothing in it could behold any light sée this story Exod. 10.21 where you shall finde it to bee one of the last plagues though here the Psalmist reckon it vp first by which we sée that the holy Ghost is not greatly curious of order and they i. as some think Moses and Aaron othersome vnderstand it of the signs and wonders were not disobediēt to his cōmission i. they did perform those things which he had enioined and laid vpon thē It is not much material whether we refer it to the men or to the signes but I had rather refer it to the wonders themselues q.d. They did readily performe that which god had enioyned they were not vneffectual but were performed euen as Moses had sayd Ver. 29. Hee i. God by the ministery of his seruant Moses turned their waters i. the waters of the Egiptians into blood so that they could not drink thē and slew their fish vz. which were in the waters sée Exod. 7 20 21 Ver. 30. Their lād i. Egipt brought forth frogs vz. in great abūdance and multitude and that by gods specyal appointmēt euē in their kings chambers q.d. there was no place frée from thē Kings is here a word of the plurall number whiche we must not vnderstande as though Egypt had many Kinges for wee knowe it had but one but he meaneth thereby eyther the King and the Nobles of his kingdome who ioyned with him were as it were little Kinges or else the Kinges children who were nourished and brought vp in the hope of the kingdome Sée this more largely set out Exodus 8 verse 5 6 c. Ver. 31. Hee spake q.d. The Lord made not much adoe to plague Egypt for euen as soone as hee spake any thing it was performed and there came vz. immediately being sente from God swarmes of Flyes i. wonderfull abundaunce so that men could not say it was naturall and the word which we turne swarmes of Flies doth in déede signifye troupes of all sortes of creatures which serued also to make the myracle so much the more straunge and lice vz. hee sente and that in greate store and aboundaunce in all their quarters i. in all the quarters of the land of Egypt sée Exodus 8 verse 17 c. vnto the end of the chapeer Verse 32. he gaue them haile for raine i. wheras by reason of the drouth of the country they did much desire rain the Lord gaue them in stéed therof terrible fearful hail and flames of fire vz. sent frō heauen in their land i made manifest in the land wherin they dwelt sée Exod. 9 23 24 c. Ver. 33. He smote their vines also their fig trées vz. with that haile thunder lightning c. sent from heauen and brake down vz. euen to péeces the trées in their coasts i. the trées that were in al the coasts and quarters of their country fée Exod. 9 25. Ver. 34. He spake i. so soone as he spake sée verse 31 of this Psalme and the grashoppers came vz. in great number sent from him caterpillers innumerable vz. to destroy the fruit that the Grashoppers had left Ver. 35. And did eate vp vz. the grashoppers caterpillers did euen consume and deuour al the gras i. al the gréen and flourishing things that were sprouted forth in their land i. in the land of Egipt and deuoured the fruit of their ground i. did also consume and wast the fruit that their ground yéelded sée Exod. 10 13 14 c. Ver. 36. Hée smote also vz. in his wrath and anger and that not with pain and sicknesse only but euen with death all the first born in the land
vz. both of man and beast sée Psal 136.6 also Psa 78.51 Exod. 12.29 euen the beginning of al their strēgth this is another Peraphrasis of their first born or eldest and they are so named because their parents are of principal force then in the beginning of them and their force doth specially then appeare sée Gen. 49.3 Psal 78.51 Sée this story Exod. 12.29.30 c. Ver. 37. He i. the Lord by the ministery of his seruaunt Moses brought them vz. the people of Israell forth vz. out of the lande of Egipt and that with a mighty hand and outstretched arm also i. euen as wel as punished the Egiptians I suppose that the word may note the time whē god performed it vz. after that he had plagued and punished the Egiptians with siluer golde vz. euen as it were faden they had such great abundance of it which they tooke from the Egiptians sée Exod. 12.35 36. and there was none féeble among their tribes q.d. they came al out of Egipt safe and found frée from al not only outward but inward hinderaunces as the Lord had promised Exod. 11.7 Ver. 38. Egypt i. the Egiptians putting the land for the inhabitants was glad at their departure vz. from amongst them for the feare of them i. of the Israelites meaning that God then had made thē terrible and fearful to their enemies who but a little before did cruelly oppres them had fallen vppon them i. had seased taken hold of and possessed the harts of the Egiptians sée Exod. 11.8 also Exod. 12.33 Verse 39. He spread a cloud vz. in the day time to bee a couering vz. vnto his people of Israel and that to kéepe them from the heate of the sunne and fire i. a piller of fire to giue light in the night vz. to lead them in the way that they went sée Exod. 13 21. Ver. 40. They i. the Israelites asked vz. of god and that temptingly as Psal 78.18 and he broughte quailes i. most dainty delicate things so gracious was God vnto them and hee filled thē with the bread of heauen i. with Māna wch is called the breade of heauen because it came from the Firmament sée for this Exodus 16. thorow out also Psal 78. verse 23.24 c. Ver. 41. He opened vz. by his almighty power the rock vz. in the Wildenesse he putteth rock for rocks for this miracle was performed more then once as may appeare Exod. 17 6 Num. 20 11 by diligent cōparing of these two places together the waters flowed out vz. in great abundance and ran in the dry places vz. where there was no water before like a riuer i. in great plenty abundance so that both men beasts were satisfied therwith as Num. 20 11. sée also Psalme 78 15 16. Verse 42. For he remembred vz. euen to performe it sée verse 8. of this Psalme his holy promise vz. which he had made the promise is called holy both because it came frō him that is holines it self and also because it conteineth holy things to Abraham his seruant sée ver 6 of this Psal Now he made him this promise when he promised to bring his séed into the land of Canaan after 400 yeres sée Gen. 15 13 c. also Iosh 24.4 5 c. Ver. 43. And he vz. God brought forth vz. after that he had plagued the Egyptians his people vz. of Israel with ioy vz. both on the behalfe of the Egiptians who were glad to be rid of them and of the Israelites who reioyced to be set free from bondage and his chosen i. that people whom he had chosen with gladnes i. with mirth and singing the truth of this appeareth Exo. 15.1 c. also Num. 33 3 Ver. 44. And gaue them vz. fréely and of his own accord and goodnes and that for an inheritaunce as ver 11. of this Psalme the lands of the heathen i. the lands that the heathen did inhabite and dwell in vnderstanding by Heathen the Amonites Hittites other people that dwelt in the lande of Canaan And they vz. the Israelites tooke vz. vnto themselues the labours of the people i. those things that the people by great labour and trauayle had got vnto themselues in possession i. to bée a possession or inheritance for thē Ver. 45. That they vz. the Israelites might kéepe vz. with al their harts his statutes i. Gods cōmandements obserue vz. in thought word déed his lawes i. those thinges which by his laws he commaunded them to do So that here he noteth the end wherfore God gaue them those graces prayse ye the Lord sée the last verse of Psalm 104. Verse 1 teacheth vs to prayse God for his mercies Do. secondly to ioine with our praises praier vnto him for the things we want thirdly to indeuor that other as well as we may come to the knowledge of his maiestie and power Verse 2 teacheth vs both with hart and mouth to glorify our god that this should be one péece of our spéech to set forth his wonderful workes Ver. 3 teacheth vs that we can not rightly reioyce in any thing but in the power and goodnesse of God it teacheth vs also that none can in déed reioyce but those that loue fear the Lord Ver. 4 teacheth vs to ioin our selues to the publike assēblies of gods church for there the Lord is to be found also it teacheth vs the doctrine of perseuerance that we should neuer be weary of well doing Ver. 5 teacheth vs that in our meditations it is good for vs to ioyn Gods works his word together because al the life light that the works haue they haue it frō the word Ver. 6 teacheth that chéefly and only indéed it appertaineth to the faithful their séede to praise God Ver. 7 teacheth the faithful to comfort themselues in this that God is their God that they are vnder his gouernment Ver. 8 sheweth that this is very comfortable to Gods children that he thinketh alwaies vpon his mercies promised them to perform the same Ver. 9 10 setteth out Gods great goodnes who for the strengthning of our faith in the truth of his promises doth not only oftētimes repeat confirm the same but as it were tieth himself vnto vs by an oth Ver. 11 teacheth that whatsoeuer benefits either outward or inwarde God bestoweth vpō his seruants he giueth thē of his méere liberality goodnes only Ver. 12 teacheth vs that God respecteth not the person of men nor their multitude Ver. 13 sheweth that Gods children are vpō the earth strāgers pilgrims Ver. 14 teacheth that God doth neuer destitute his in any distres Ver. 15 teacheth how deare Gods children are vnto him and what care he hath ouer them so that he wil not haue them so much as once touched Ver. 16 teacheth that God many times euen by outward things exerciseth the faith of his dearest seruants Verse 17 teacheth that he doth not at any time for
you may behold Numb 14.45 Numb 21.1 Deut. 1.44 and to scatter them vz. by reason of captiuity and bondage into which they shoulde fall through out the countries hee meaneth strange countries which either lay nigh about them or else farre of Verse 28. They ioyned themselues vz. euen as it were two oxen in one yoke such a metaphor also the Apostle vseth 2. Corinth 6.14 he noteth hereby the straigth coniunction that was betwéen the idole the idolater vnto Baalpeor this was the idole of the Moabits as appeareth Num. 25.3 meaning that they worshipped the idoles and gods that idolatrous people worshipped and did eate vz. with the idolaters the offringes of the dead i. such things as were offred to their idoles whome hée here calleth dead not because they were at any time liuing but because they neuer had life or breath in them of the vanitie of idoles Sée Psalm 115.45 c. and of meats consecrated to idols sée 1. Corinth 8. throughout and 1. Corinth 10. in sundry places Ver. 29. Thus vz. in maner before rehearsed ver â—8 they prouoked him vnto anger vz. against themselues and their soules with their own inuentions i. with those thinges that they themselues had deuised both in his seruice and for the satisfiyng of their owne lustes for so largely would I take the worde inuentions in this place and the plague vz. sent from God brake in vpon them i. did vehemently and violently destroy sundry of them as a breach in a battry doth for such a metaphor I suppose he vseth in this place Verse 30. But Phinehas who was Aarons sonne stoode vppe vz. beeing mooued with the vilenes of the peoples sinne and executed iudgment vz. vpon Zimri and Cozbi and the plague vz. sent from God wherein there dyed 24. thousand was stayed i. ceased Phinehas did this by a secret particular and extraordinary motion of Gods spirit being assured in his conscience that though hee had no publike power of the sword in his hand yet hee ought to doe it the like did Moses in slaying the Egiptian but these particulars ought not to bée drawne into examples Ver. 31. And it vz. that fact of slaying Zimri Cozbi was imputed vnto him for righteousnesse vz. through Gods frée goodnes hée meaneth not that Phinehas was iustified by this worke for no man can bee iustified by the workes of the law vnlesse hée perfectly accomplish them but that this worke was imputed vnto him for righteousnes as the worke of the faithful people are not for any merite that is in them but of his frée mercy onely Sée for this phrase Gene. 15.6 from generation to generation for euer i. always and continually he meaneth that both God and men approued Phinehas for his fact Sée for this story Numb 25. throughout Ver. 32. They i. the people of Israel angred him i. God meaning by the worde angred prouoking of him to fearce wrath against them also i. besides their other sinnes before recited at the waters of Meribah hee meaneth the place for the more certainetie of the history and they are called the waters of Meribah that is the waters of strife and contention because there for want of waters they contended with the Lorde and with Moses so that Moses vz. so notable a Prophet and so excellent a man of God sée Psal 90. in the title was punished vz. grieuously for hée was not onely rebuked but depriued of entrance into the land of promise for their sake hée meaneth not that God punished him for their sin for that had béen iniustice but because he did after a sort doubt with them hée was punished for that transgression Ver. 33. Because they vexed his spirite so i. they so troubled him with their continuall murmuringes and rebellions that he spake vnaduisedly vz. of God and his power with his lippes i. openly not onely conceiuing it in his heart but vttering it with his mouth All this history is largely described Numb 20. from ver 1. to the end of the 13. Ver. 34. Neither destroyed they the people vz. which inhabited the land of Canaan and by destroying he meaneth an vtter destruction of them and rooting of theÌ„ out but left some remaining Sée Iudges 1. euen to the ende of the 21. also Iudges 2. and 3. chapters throughout as the Lorde had commaunded them vz. by his faithful seruant Moses Sée Deut. 7.1.2.3 c. Ver. 35. But were mingled among the heathen vz. not onely in that they dwelt among them but also in that they matched with them in mariages and were sundry times brought into captiuity by them as the booke of Iudges doth plainly declare and learned their workes i. they did not onely knowe but also practised al the wickednes of the Gentiles as may appeare by the verses following Ver. 36. And serued their idoles i. worshipped the same images counterfeited gods that the heathen did which were their ruine hee meaneth that their straunge worships and idolatries were the cause not onely of their sinning as God had foretold Exod. 23.33 but also of their destruction as appeareth in the very same place Ver. 37. Yea q.d. they procéed to such height of iniquitie they offered and that against Gods commaundement Leuit. 20.2 Deut. 12.31 Deut. 18.10 their sonnes and their daughters i. such was their rage to idolatrie that they spared not that which was most deare vnto deuils sée Deut. 32.17.1 Cor. 10.20 and specially he meaneth Molech as may appeare 2. king 23.10 Verse 38. And shed innocent blood he calleth it innocent blood both because they had not done euil to deserue death and also because it was shed as without cause so without warrant of a sufficient and lawful magistrate eueÌ„ the blood of their sonnes and of their daughters hee sheweth in these two verses a monstrous kynd of idolatrie because the people caryed with a rage spared not their owne children but defiled their owne handes and the whole land also with innocent blood whom they offred vz. as burnt sacrifices or offrings vnto the idoles of Canaan i. vnto the idoles which were worshipped in the land of Canaan by the inhabitants thereof and the land vz. of Canaan wherein they dwelt was defiled with blood vz. shed guiltlesly and without cause Sée Num. 35.33 Ver. 39. Thus were they steyned i. fouly defiled and had receiued such spots and blots as hardly coulde bee gotten away with their owne workes i. with the sinnes and iniquities which they themselues had deuised and done and went a whoring i. leauing the mariage duety which they ought to God they chose rather to follow any thing according to the lust of their owne heartes then God himselfe sée Numb 15.39 The Prophet meaneth that they brake their faith giuen vnto God as if a wife should breake her faith in committing whoredome for this is spiritual chastity to cleaue wholy to God and his worde 2. Corinth 11.2 with their owne inuentions i. with the idoles and Gods which they
themselues had deuised to themselues meaning also by whoring that they followed it earnestly and with delight Ver. 40. Therefore vz. for their great grieuous sinnes was the wrath of the Lorde kindled vz. very hote meaning by kindling the preparing of it against his people i. against that people that hée had chosen to bee his owne and hée abhorred i. lothed and hated as it were and that for their sinnes sake his owne inheritance i. both the land the people whome hee tooke for an inheritaunce vnto himselfe Ver. 41. And he gaue them vz. for their great sinnes committed against him into the lande of the Heathen i. into their power and possession and they that hated them i. the geÌ„tiles who could at no hand away with them because they came to enioye their lande were Lordes ouer them i. ruled them at their owne pleasure sée for this speach Isaiah 26.13 and for the truth of the matter the whole booke of Iudges and namely chap. 2.14 Ver. 42. Their enemies also oppressed thm vz. sore and hardly and many times and they were humbled i. subiected and that sundry tymes vnder their hand i. vnto their power and authority Ver. 43. Many a time did hée vz. God deliuer them vz. out of the hande and power of their enemies but vz. notwithstanding these great graces they prouoked him vz. to wrath against them and that sundry times also by their counsels i. by those things which they themselues had grauely and as it were in counsel concluded and resolued vppon to perfourme therefore they were brought downe vz. from that high state of liberty and fréedome wherein God had set them to miserable captiuity and bondage by their iniquity vz. committed against his maiesty Ver. 44. Yet hee sawe q.d. notwithstanding these grieuous sinnes of theirs he did not onely behold them afflicted but pitied them when they were in affliction i. in any trouble and hee hearde their cry i. granted them al things they prayed for when they prayed which was a sure token of compassion towardes them Verse 45. And hée remembred his couenant vz. which hee had made with their Fathers and them the Prophet in these two verses noteth two meanes whereby God was moued to doe good to this people the one was his frée mercy and the other was his gracious couenant towardes them i. for their good and on their behalfe and repented vz. of the punishmentes that hee had purposed to bring vppon them meaning hereby that God after a sort chaunged as it were his purpose not that God is subiect to alteration or chaunge but because pardoning both the fault and the punishment hée séemeth vnto vs to chaunge and this manner of speach is applied to the weakenes of our capacity Sée Gene. 6.6 according to the multitude of his mercies q.d. euen as hee is inclined to shewe abundance of fauour so he shewed them the riches of his grace Ver. 46. And gaue them fauour i. made them to finde fauour Sée Gene. 45.14 in the sight of all them that led them captiues the Lorde who hath the disposing of all mens heartes so inclined their heartes to his people Ver. 47. Saue vs O Lorde our God i. deliuer vs and set vs frée from the daungers and distresses wherein wée are and gather vs from among the Heathen whose captiues we are for our sinnes and amongest whome we heare and sée things tending much to thy dishonour and the griefe of our soules and marke the Prophets zeale and loue towardes the people though hée were king and the gouernement well established yet because that by the confusion that was in the dayes of the Iudges and Saul many people were out of their owne countrey hée prayeth the Lorde as for himselfe to reduce and bring them backe agayne that we may prayse thy holy name i. thy maiesty power goodnesse c. which is full also of all holinesse and glorye in thy prayse i. reioyce and boast as it were of this that wee haue him for our GOD who alone is worthy all prayse and glorye Verse 48. Blessed i. praysed bée the Lord GOD of Israell i. hée that is the defender of the people of Israel who are called Israell because they came of Iaakob otherwise called Israell for euer and euer and let all the people say so bee it i. let all young and olde one and other acknowledge that hée alone is woorthye prayse and giue their frée and willing consent vnto it for so much hee meaneth by so bée it prayse yée the Lorde Sée Psalme 104. and 105. in the ende Ver. 1. Teacheth vs that the greatnesse of Gods goodnes Do. and the continuaunce of his mercies shoulde prouoke vs earnestly and continually to praise the Lorde Verse 2. Teacheth first that Gods graces and woorkes are infinite Secondly that though wée can not so sufficiently prayse him as wee shoulde yet wée shoulde not for all that leaue off to doe that which hée hath giuen vs grace to doe Verse 3. Teacheth vs to deale well and to continue in well doing and that so wee shall in the end atteine true blessednesse Ver. 4. Teacheth vs in distresse to cal vpon the Lord. Ver. 4. and 5. Teach vs to set before vs Gods mercies towardes his children that wee may assure our selues in hope to receiue the like Ver. 6. Teacheth vs humbly vnfeignedly fully confesse to our sins Ver. 7. Teacheth vs that forgetfulnes of Gods graces is the high way to all rebellion and sinne it teacheth vs also that forefathers are not always to be followed Verse 8 teacheth that though the sinnes of his children be very great yet they doe not alwayes set or hinder the riuers of his mercies towards them Ver. 9. Teacheth first that for the benefite of his children he will make things go contrary to their natural course Secondly that when his children in mens eyes séeme to bée in the greatest daungers hée will lead them as safely as though they were in none at all Ver. 10. Sheweth that al maner of deliuerances come from the Lord onely and his power Ver. 11. Teacheth that the same things that God maketh to giue place to his childreÌ„ shall serue to the vtter destruction of his and their enemies Ver. 12. Teacheth vs alwayes to beléeue the trueth of Gods worde yea though wee sée no meane how it can be performed secondly that wée should continually prayse God for his mercies Ver. 13. Teacheth that it is a very easie thing to fall into sinne it teacheth also that forgetfulnes of gods graces is as it were the nurse mother of many other transgressions also that we should tary the Lordes leasure for the accomplishing of that which hée hath appoynted vs. Ver. 14. Teacheth that lust or concupiscence is sinne also also that we should not tempt or try the Lord Ver. 15. Teacheth that God bestowing hâ—â— benefits vpon the wicked doth many times with all lay punishments vpon them Ver. 16. Teacheth vs to loue and reuerence the
which god the father hath committed to Dauid in figure but to Christ in truth frō ver 1 to the end of the 5. In the seconde are described what things both Dauid Christ shal do according to the seuerall offices cōmitted to thē this is comprehēded in the 2. last verses of this Psalm The Title is Se. a Psalm of Dauid i. a Psalme which Dauid in the spirite of Prophecie made as appeareth Mat. 22.43 Verse 1. The Lorde i. God the father sayd vz. in the truth of his word vnto my Lord i. vnto Christ the Messiah who is called Dauids Lord by right both of creation and redemption as who is God eternall with the father and the holy Ghost and yet became man at the fulnesse of tyme Galat. 4.4 If we referre it to Dauid then it must haue this sence either that Dauid speaketh of himself calling himselfe a Lord because God had aduaunced him to the kingdome of Israel or els penneth it as though some other should speake it of him We cannot offend in referring it to Christ because Christ doth account it as a prophecy of his kingdom Mat. 22 43 c. and the Apostle also Heb. 1.13 sit thou at my right hand i. receaue chéef rule and authority from me and exercise iurisdiction and power ouer al. And this is spoken according to mens vse specially Kings who are accustomed to set them on their right hand whom they wil highly aduance sée 1 King 2.19 also Psalme 45.9 and this is the right sence of that article hee sitteth at the right hand of God vntil I make thine enemies thy footestoole i. til I make thē that oppose thēselues against thée obediēt wholy subiect vnto thée He speaketh this speciallye of the reprobate who wil they or nil they must bée broughte down 2. Cor. 10.5 these words are largely expounded 1. Corinthians 15.25 c. The word vntil doth not here note a péece of time but a perpetuity for Christ shal be as he hath alwayes ben God coequal coeternal with his father sée the word vntil so vsed 2. Sam. 6.23 and in the new testament Mat. 5.26 Mat. 28.10 Ver. 2. The Lord i. God the father as before ver 1. shal send vz. forth abroad into al the world the rod of thy power i. thy powerfull and mighty rod or the rod and scepter whereby thou declarest thy power and might notwithstanding al the resistance of thine enemies sée for the better vnderstanding of this word rod Psalm 2 9 and by this rod no doubt he meaneth speciallye the preaching of the word which is the mighty power of God to saluation to al that beléeue Rom. 1.16 is able to cast down strong holds euery hie thing 2. Cor. 10.5 out of Sion i. out of the Church of the Iewes yet so that it shall bee spread abroad euen amongst the Gentiles also sée Isai 2 3. Micah 4 2. bee thou ruler vz. by thy word and spirit in thine own children and by thy mighty iudgements amongest the wicked in the middest of thine enemyes i. euen where their greatest force is He meaneth that the kingdome of Christ shall be alwayes assaulted by the enemies but yet al that notwithstanding he shal rule and remayne a Conqueror Verse 3. Thy people i. the people that thou shalte beget vnto thy selfe and shall be subdued vnto thée shall come willinglye i. shall fréely and of their own accord present themselues before thée to yéeld al obedience vnto thée at the time of assembling i. at that time when by the exercises of thy word and working of thy spirit thou shalt assemble and gather people vnto thy self thine armie i. great troupes of thy children vz. shall come before thée and appeare in thy presence in holy beauty i. either in suche comlinesse as shall carrye holinesse with it or else thus in holye beautye i. in thy Temple which is called holy beautye because that holinesse and glory of God did most plainly appeare in the same and therefore it is called a glorious sanctuarye also Psalme 29 2 the youth of thy wombe i. the people that thou shalte beget and bring forth shal be as the morning dew i. not onely pleasaunt and delightfull to thée as the dew is to the grounde but also plentifull and aboundaunt as there is most store of dew in the morning and as the Philosophers saye great abundaunce falleth after the appearing of the daye star Immanuel readeth this verse otherwise and maketh another sence of it but methinketh this is plaine and euident ynough Ver. 4. The Lord hath sworne vz. by himself as Heb. 6.13 wil not repēt vz. himself of the thing that he hath promised sworn to perform he meaneth by al this to assure vs that god will not change his purpose thou vz. O my sonne art a Priest for euer i. an eternall Priest to put a difference betwéene him and the Priestes in the lawe after the order of Melchizedech what his priesthood was appeareth Genesis 14. verse 18. reade also for this matter Hebrewes chapter 5 and also chapt 7. The Prophet meaneth that that was truly fulfilled in Christ which was figured in Melchizedech to wit that the eternall priesthoode and the crown and royall seat was ioyned together in one person which otherwise coulde not bee as appeareth 2. Chronicles 26 21. but by some speciall commaundement from God Ver. 5. The Lord that is at thy right hand i. Christ of whom is spoken before ver 1 of this Psal shal wound vz. by his mighty power vnderstanding by wounding the debasing throwing of thē down some after one sort and some after an other Kings i. the greatest mightiest enemies that can be in the day of his wrath i. in that time wherin he shal be prouoked to wrath and manifest the same He describeth in this place the power of Christ against his most great aduersaries enemies vpon whom he wil in good time pour forth the testimony of his wrath Ver. 6. He i. Christ the Lord Messiah shal be iudge i. ruler and Gouernor sée Psal 96.13 among the Heathen vz. and not only amongste the Iewes he prophecieth of the inlargement of Christs kingdom euen vnto the gētils he shall fill all vz. places with dead bodies i. with the bodies of his enemies and aduersaries being deade and smite vz. with his power might the head i. the chéefe ruler and gouernour by one vnderstanding many vnlesse wée would vnderstand it of the whole body of Antichrist whom the Lorde shall destroy with the spirit of his mouth 2. Thessal 2.8 ouer great countries i. ouer large and manye landes In this verse the Prophet setteth out Christ as a valiant conqueror ouer his enemies Ver. 7. He shall drinke of the brooke in the way this may haue a double sence eyther thus he i. the Messiah shal drinke of the brooke vz. which shall be made by the blood of them which shal be slayne q.d. there shal
charged with iniustice or vnfaithfulnes Ver. 9. He i. the Lord alone sent vz. by the hands of Moses Aaron meaning by the word sending bestowing or giuing redēption i. deliuerance vz. out of Egipt to his people vz. Israel when they were bōdslaues captiues he hath cōmanded his couenant vz. to remain sure certain for euer i. continually holy and fearefull is his name i. his maiesty goodnes power c. is ful of holinesse feare reuerence c. The Prophet meaneth that God in deliuering his people was not a father vnto them for one day only but established his grace and confirmed his couenant made with Abraham to the end that the hope of eternall life and the reuerent feare of his Maiesty might remaine continually in his church and he addeth these words holy and feareful is his name not only to discern betwéene him and al counterfeit Gods whatsoeuer but also to teach his children thereby to walk in the obedience of his maiesty Ver. 10. The beginning of wisdome i. of true holy wisdom such as is acceptable before god is the feare of the lord i. a right a reuerēt fear of gods maiesty imprinted in mēs harts he meaneth not by beginning the A B C as it were but the top height as it were of all holy heauenly wisdom sée Deut. 4.6 vnder the word feare he containeth al piety the seruice of God q.d. They that haue not gods feare and order themselues according to his law are altogether brutish Now we may try whether the feare of God be in vs by this touchstone to wit whether wee willingly receiue his yoke and suffer our selues to be gouerned by his word al they that obserue thē i. his commaundements or statutes as before ver 7 of this Psal haue good vnderstanding i. are truely wise indéed wheras without these there is nothing else but foolishnes his praise indureth for euer i. the praise that is due vnto God for his goodnes and mercy indureth yea and ought to indure amongste his to al posterities Do. Ver. 1 teacheth vs first to thank God for his benefits secondly to do it vnfeinedly with al our affection thirdly to do it both priuatly and openly Ver. 2 teacheth vs that Gods children ought to exercise thēselues in déepe meditation of Gods works Ver. 3 teacheth vs that al gods works do wōderfully set forth his glory maiesty Ver. 4 teacheth vs first that we cannot deface the excellēcy of gods works though we would secondly it describeth the excellency of loue and mercy that is in the Lord specially towards those that are his Ver. 5 teacheth vs that God giueth his children whatsoeuer he féeth good meet for them also that God promiseth nothing to his but he performeth it Verse 6 sheweth that though gods power be known to al yet chéefly to those that are his people Ver. 7 teacheth vs that al that God doth he doth in mercy to his seruaunts and in iudgemente to his enemies Verse 8 noteth the certaintie assurednesse and cōtinuance of gods word Ver. 9 teacheth that God in the middest of their greatest miseries remembreth and deliuereth his own people Ver. 10 teacheth vs that this is true wisedome to yéeld God that seruice only that he requireth at our hands also that it is not ynough to know but that we are bound to do Gods commaundemēts Psalme 112. Di. THis Psalm may be diuided specially into two parts In the first the Prophet sheweth the great blessings of God vpō those that feare him frō ver 1 to the end of the 4. In the secōd he sheweth certain qualities or notes wherby to discern good men describeth all the cursed estate of the wicked Frō ver 5 to the end of the Psalm For the title of this Psal Se. also sée before Psal 106. in the title Ver. 1 Blessed is the man i. fulnes of blessings is to him of what sexe or state soeuer he be sée Psal 1.1 that feareth the Lord vz. vnfeignedly with his whole hart Vnder this word feareth the Lord he comprehēdeth al the whole worship seruice of God and delighteth greatly i. taketh much and continual pleasure as Psal 1.2 in his cōmandements i. in the cōmandemēts which God hath prescribed Ver. 2. His séed i. the houshold race and posterity of such a good man shall bée mighty i. shal grow not only to a great increase but also to strength continuance that shal not rot away vpon earth i. in this earth that the Lord hath giuen to the sonnes of men the generation of the righteous i. the godly race and posterity of good men continuing in their fathers goodnesse shal be blessed vz. with plentiful blessings that from the Lord. Ver 3. Riches treasures i. al maner of wealth wch is noted both because the prophet vseth 2 words signifying almost one thing and also because hee speaketh of them in the plural nūber shal be in his house i. in his possession and vse to serue his own turne and the turne of all those that any manner of way depend vpon him and his righteousnes i. his vprightnes and goodnes both towards God and men indureth for euer i. shall neuer decay q.d. though many rich men through deceitefulnes of riches fall away from their former goodnes yet this good man neuer shall doe so because he is vpholden in the same by the strength of God and his spirite yea and withall he sheweth what difference there is betwéene the good and the bad wicked mens riches goe away by and by but good mens righteousnes continueth for euer True it is that the good are oftentimes poore but the Prophet herein specially magnifieth the grace of god that the godly content themselues with mediocritie and that on the other side the prophane men are neuer satisfied what abundaunce so euer they haue Ver. 4. Vnto the righteous i. vnto thē that striue to a righteous life and holy conuersation ariseth vz. through Gods speciall appoyntment gift and grace light i. all maner of prosperity and blessednes both inward and outward in darkenes i. in the greatest distresse misery and aduersitie that can come vppon him the Prophet meaneth that God maketh them to féele his grace and goodnes which are vpright in heart in the middest of their greatest afflictions they knowing this that all that is layd vpon them shall turne to their good hee i. the godly and faithfull man is mercifull and full of compassion vz. towardes such as are in neede and distresse righteous i. vpright and faithful in al his dealings with other Some referre this to God but methinke the other is the more apt sense Ver. 5. A good man i. one whome God hath framed to goodnes for otherwise none is good saue God onely Mark 10.18 is mercifull vz. to the poore and néedy vnderstanding by mercifull curteous in speach and ready in déede to performe what in him lyeth and lendeth vz.
euer since the beginning hath preserued and increased the same the heauen and the earth vz. and al thinges therein conteined q.d. you may assure your selues of a most plentiful blessing séeing that he who blesseth you is the author preseruer gouernor of heauen al things therin of the earth al things therin which also he hath giuen to vs as verse following Ver. 16. The heauens euen the heauens i. the most high heauens are the Lords i. apperteine and belong vnto him as the special place of his delight and dwelling and yet we must not so vnderstand it as God were tyed to any one certaine place for his maiestie filleth the heauens and the earth but he hath giuen vz. of his large liberality and goodnes the earth vz. wherein men dwel to the sonnes of men i. to men and their séede after them that they should inhabite and vse it so that in this life they might by the thinges thereof bee prouoked to serue God and stirred vp thereby to the hope and fruition of eternal felicity Verse 17. The dead prayse not the Lord the Prophet meaneth that if God preserued not his Church the whole order and course of the worlde shoulde bee turned vpside downe for to what end should the creation of the worlde serue if there were not a people to call vpon God whereupon he gathereth that there shal always be some which shal praise the Lorde euen vntil the end of the world and so with al there is set out the end wherefore men are placed in the world vz. to prayse serue God q.d. that we dye not must be attributed to gods glory therfore euen our life also must be occupied about his praise sée Psal 6.5 whether they that go downe into the place of silence i. neither do they praise him that are brought to their graues and layed in them sée for this speach Psal 94.17 sée also Isaiah 38.18 The Prophet vttereth vnder diuers words one the selfesame thing Ver. 18. But we vz. which shal liue and be deliuered from our distresses wil prayse the Lord vz. for the benefites that we haue receiued from him from hencefoorth and for euer i. continually and alwaies prayse ye the Lord sée Psal 104. and Psal 105. in the very end Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth vs when we do in prayer appeare before the Lord to craue any thing at his handes vnfeignedly to cast from our selues all trust and confidence in our selues to flie to gods soueraine goodnes and trueth only Ver. 2. Teacheth vs that gods glory is after a sort hazarded amongst the enemies of God and his people when his own people are discomfited or disgraced Ver. 3. Teacheth vs that the more the enemies do blaspheme God the more we should be throughly perswaded of his power because that their dealing doeth prouoke him to execute a more swift and hard iudgment vpon them Ver. 4.5.6.7.8 doth liuely paint out the vanity of idoles themselues and of al such as either make or worship them Ver. 9. Teacheth the godly howsoeuer other men run a whoring after idols to cleaue only to the Lord. Ver. 10. Teacheth the ministers preachers of Gods word to make themselues examples vnto other of stedfast confidence in God Ver. 11. Teacheth vs that with the seruice of god there must be ioyned faith in God and his word or else it is nothing Ver. 12. Teacheth vs that God neuer forgetteth his children and merciful couenant made with them also that the godly shal haue from the Lord both assurednes and plentifulnes of blessings Ver. 13. Teacheth vs that God respecteth no mans person but in euery nation he that feareth him and worketh righteousnes is accepted before him Ver. 14. Sheweth that Gods grace and loue reacheth euen to the godly and their posterity after them Ver. 15. Teacheth vs that those whom the Lord pursueth with his fauor shal not nor can not want any thing that is good Ver. 16. Setteth out the large liberality and fatherly care of God towardes men also it teacheth vs that séeing he hath giuen vs the things of this life we shold vse them wel and so as they may further vs to the hope of a better life Ver. 17. Teacheth vs that when God giueth vs life in this world he doth thereby as it were prouoke vs to set forth his glory and praise Ver. 18. Teacheth vs thrée things first that we should praise the Lorde for his mercies for euen to the ende haue we our life giuen and his blessings are bestowed vppon vs secondly that this our thanksgiuing should be continual and thirdly that we should prouoke and stirre vp other men to do the like Psalme 116. THis Psalme as I take it may bée diuided into two partes Di. In the first the Prophet setteth out on the one side his loue fayth towards the Lord and on the other side Gods mercy and goodnes towards him from ver 1. to the end of the 11. In the second part hee promiseth humble and hearty thankesgiuing vnto the Lorde for that continuall heape of benefites which hee had receiued from his mercifull handes from verse 12. to the ende of the Psalme This Psalme hath no title as many other Psalmes both before it Se. and after it haue not sée Psal 114.115.117.118 c. Ver. 1. I loue vz. with all my heart and vnfeignedly the Lord vz. only and alone and none either with him or besides him and vnder the word of loue the Prophet sheweth that there was nothing without god that either could like him or please him because hee hath heard i. because he hath yéelded vnto and granted my voyce vz. sent forth vnto him and my prayers vz. which I made vnto him vnder these words voice and prayers the Prophet meaneth such prayers as he powred forth vnto the Lord not only with his heart but also with his mouth and words Ver. 2. For he hath inclined his eare vz. as one that were ready for to heare mee this is spoken of God according to mans capacity vnto mée vz. being in distresse and when I prayed vnto him as followeth when I did call vppon him vz. for helpe and ayde by earnest and hearty prayers in my dayes i. in the tyme of my affliction as may appeare by the next verse following sée Psal 137.7 also Lament 1.21 and by the woorde dayes hée noteth that hee had continuaunce and length of trouble Ver. 3. When the snares of death compassed mee vz. on euery side and rounde about so that there was almost no hope of escaping no more then of a bird or wild beast taken in a snare or grin by this manner of speach hée meaneth that euen then when hee was ready to dye the Lord in mercy looked vppon him Sée 2. Sam. 22.5.6 also Psalm 18.4.5 and the griefes of the graue i. great and extreme griefes which brought me almost to the graue made me as it were ready to bee put into it caught
matter of no smal comfort Ver. 16. Teacheth vs that it is a good thing to be borne of good parentes but that it is much better to haue our names written in the booke of life also that though mischief be deuised against Gods seruauntes or they themselues somewhat fal into it yet that God will either preuent the mischiefe or else dispatch them out of distresse Ver. 17. Teacheth vs that thankesgiuing and prayer should alwaies be ioyned together Verse 18. Is the same with ver 14. and deliuereth the same doctrines also it teacheth vs not to be ashamed openly to praise God for his mercies Ver. 19. teacheth vs also to yéeld him that sacrifice publikely in his Church and in the assemblies of his saints It teacheth vs also to prouoke others to praise the Lord. Psalme 117. Di. AS this Psalme is the shortest Psalme in al the booke and hath but only two verses so it specially propoundeth two things The first is a generall exhortation to al people to praise the Lorde this is in ver 1. The second comprehendeth a double reason why they should praise him vz. for his mercy in making promises and for his faithfulnes in performance of them ver 2. Se. It hath no title or inscription Ver. 1. Al nations vz. of the world whether ye be gentiles or Iewes prayse ye the Lord vz. both with heart and voyce al ye people vz. of the whole earth some vnderstand by nations all the Gentiles onely and by people the people of Israel only but I sée no reason of it for the Prophet speaketh generally to al praise him vz. incessantly and in all places This doubling of the word noteth not only how necessary the sacrifice of praise and thankesgiuing is but how backwarde also wee are in it that must so often be called vpon ver 2. For his louing kindnes i. his mercy is great towards vs i. is multiplied very much and sufficiently confirmed vnto vs. The Hebrew word may be turned is strengthened vz. so that it hath preuailed against vs q.d. though we would pue it backe yet it wil ouercome vs meaning that it hath bene excéeding great and mighty one example of the continuance and increase of Gods fauour and graces read 1. King 17.14 and the trueth of the Lord indureth for euer i. Gods faithfulnes in performing his promises continueth stedfast and sure and therefore hee is worthy to be praysed of al. This is to bee referred to the continuall testimonies of Gods fatherly fauour and grace which is as it were decked with stedfastnes and firmity Verse 1. teacheth vs that it behoueth all men of the world Do. and euery particular person in the same to praise God Ver. 2 teacheth vs that Gods mercye and faithfulnes be the principall causes which should moue vs to thankfulnes and praysing of his name Psalme 118 THis Psalme séemeth to bee made eyther after that Dauid was deliuered from some great trouble in the dayes of Saule Di. or after Saules death when he was aduanced to the kingdom or after victory obtained amongst and against sundry nations with whom he fought Whatsoeuer it is it doth specialy propound thrée thinges the one is an exhortation to men to praise God and this is comprehended in the 4 first verses In the seconde hée sheweth the causes why men should doe so which though they bee many particularly expressed in the Psalme yet generally they are but these two his mercy towards his children and his iustice towards his enemies from verse 5. to the end of the 20. In the third is contayned a harty reioycing both of the people and Priests for the establishment of Dauids Kingdom and this reacheth from verse 21 to the end of the Psalm This Psalme hath no title as many other before haue not Verse 1. Se. Praise ye the Lord vz. O ye seruaunts of the Lord as Psalm 113.1 because hee is good vz. towards all but specially towards you for his mercy vz. towardes you indureth for euer i. lasteth for euer and euer he noteth the cōstancy of gods mercy towards his children and withall sheweth that the righte occasion of praysing God is rather set forth vnto vs in his mercye then in his iustice and power because we shall neuer be well disposed to prayse God vnlesse wee bée drawne vnto it by the swéetenesse of his mercy Verse 2. Let Israel i. not only them that came of Israel or Iaakob according to the flesh but the true faithful Israelites now say i. presently and without any delay confesse from their hart that his mercy indureth for euer vz. euen as they themselues by their owne practise and experience are very well able to report These wordes are expounded before verse 1. Verse 3. Let the house of Aaron i. those that are of Aarons stock and come from him meaning especially the Priests and Leuits sée Psalme 115 10. now say c. this is expounded before verse 1.2 Verse 4. Let them that feare the Lord i. that serue and worship him in al holy reuerēce sée Psalme 115 11 13 All the rest is expounded before in this Psalme marke that he tieth his spéeche to the true seruaunts of God because that although many Israelites according to the flesh occupied a place in the church yet they were notwithstanding straungers from it Ver. 5. I called vpon the Lord vz. by earnest and harty prayer in trouble i. when I was in trouble sée Psalme 1.20 ◠and the Lord heard me i. graunted me the requests and prayers which I made vnto him and set me at large i. at liberty taking me out of the distresse wherein I was sée for this purpose Psal 4.1 In this verse also marke that the Prophet commeth from the generall to his owne particular person declaring that as he himself had marks and tokens of Gods goodnesse towards him so hee had also thereby occasion giuen him as well as the rest to prayse the Lord. Verse 6. The Lord is with me vz. in all distresse hee meaneth by this spéech that God tooke his part against al his enemies therefore I will not feare what man can do against me i. I wil not care for al that man can doe or deuise whatsoeuer it be by man he meaneth multitudes of men and great personages q.d. be they neuer so many or neuer so great yet I wil not feare Thus wee sée how the Prophet hauing felt Gods assistaunce in former time and obtayned sundry victories assureth himself of Gods perpetual aide in time to come such confidence and assured perswasion sée before Psal 3.6 also Psal 27 3. Ver 7. The Lord is with me i. not only present but also on my side and taketh my part among them that helpe me vz. being thus cast down and afflicted the prophet meaneth that seing God taketh his part he shal preuaile otherwise if he had al the helpe in the world it could not stand therfore shal I sée my desire vpon my enemies i. I shall
sée that fall vpon them that I haue long desired and wished vz. destruction and confusion Immanuel readeth it thus therefore doe I despise mine enemyes q.d. I make no more account of them and their forces then of thinges whiche I contemne so safe sound and vnfearefull am I being vnder Gods defence Verse 8. It is better vz. by infinite degrées and marke that the worde better is not spoken here as though confidence in men were good for to trust in men is to rob god of his glory to trust vz. stedfastly in the Lord vz. only then to haue confidence i. any maner of trust or coÌ„fideÌ„ce at al in man vz. of what calling soeuer he be or how many in number soeuer they are Ver. 9. is the same almost with ver 8 therfore looke vpon that again in Princes this is a certaine kind of amplification q.d. We must not put our trust neither in men of low estate nor in mighty men those that séeme to haue all the power and authority in the world for they that wil cleaue to them shall be deceaued also because they be but men Ver. 10. All nations vz. whiche lie round about me my kingdom as the Philistines Moabits c. haue coÌ„passed me vz. and my people that round about sometimes by fraude sometimes by force and somtimes by one mean somtimes by another but in the name of the Lord i. thorow the goodnesse power strength of God shal I destroy theÌ„ vz. al with al their imaginations deuises In this verse and some other following the Prophet rehearseth the great daunger hée was in hee setteth out also the power cruelty multitude of his enemies and al to this end that hée might the more manifest the grace power of God in his deliueraunce which could not be performed by mans ayd but after a certayn meruailous diuine sort Ver. 11. They i. the nations round about me being my deadly enemies haue coÌ„passed me sée before ver 10 yea they haue coÌ„passed me i. they haue oftentimes enuironed me also very hardly and straitly beset me so that there was no likelyhood of escaping for so much I suppose the doubling of the phrase importeth al that followeth in this ver is the same in words sence with ver 10 Ver. 12. They i. mine enemies came about me vz. on euery side like bées i. not only in great multitudes as though there had bene many hiues of bées together but also with great fiercenesse eueÌ„ as though they would haue ouer-run me sée Deut. 1.44 for this phrase True it is that these little creatures haue no great power yet they are wonderfully fierce and angry specially if they be prouoked and make men somewhat afrayd if they set vpon them at the sodaine or vnawares but they i. mine enemies were quenched vz. thorow the strength and power which the Lord gaue me He meaneth by this spéeche that they were euen as it were vtterly and sodainly confounded as fyre that hath abundaunce of water cast vpon it as a fyre of thornes whiche though it make much noyse at the beginning by reason of the crackling thereof as our experience teacheth vs and yéeldeth a greater flame then greater woode doth yet notwithstanding it quicklye vanisheth awaye q.d. for all the vngodlye mens bragges they shall sodainlye perish and come to nothing sée for this spéeche Ecclesiasticus 7 8. the rest that followeth is expounded before in the other verses Ver. 13 Thou vz. O mine enemie some refer it to Saule as though Dauid spake it particularly of him I rather thinke that vnder one who was as it were the chéefest he meaneth all or manye hast thrust sore at mée vz. with al thy power force and deuises whatsoeuer The Prophet meaneth by this that hée had left no way vnassaâ—ed to hurt him that I might fal vz. either by death or into some dangerous state from the high coÌ„ditioÌ„ wherin I now am but the Lord vz. alone hath helpen me vz. thorow his mighty power meaning that the Lord had deliuered him froÌ„ the dangers distresses that were deuised against him Ver. 14 The Lord vz. alone is my strength i. is the strength that I haue to withstande or to ouercome al mine enemies my song i. the only matter mean of my ioy q.d. I haue nothing else in my selfe to reioyce in but onely in the Lorde who doth thus and thus for me for he hath bin my deliueraunce vz. oute of all my feares and daungers q.d. he alone hath deliuered me Ver. 15. The voyce of ioy and deliuerance i. ioyful voices and soundes for deliuerance vz. bestowed vpon me shal be vz. continually in the tabernacles of the righteous i. in the dwelling places houses of good men q.d. the righteous shall sing praises to god for the great deliuerances wch he hath wrought for them me saying vz. amongst themselues yet so that other may heare it the right hand of the Lord i. his great glory power and might hath done valiauntly vz. againste his enemies and for the defence of his own children he meaneth that they shoulde confesse that God had nobly displayed his power Ver. 16. The right hand of the Lord i. his great power might is exalted vz. aboue euery thing that setteth it selfe against it how high or great soeuer it be the rest of this verse is expounded before Verse 17. I shall not die vz. yet as mine aduersaries supposed and wished and as my weake state did make shew of but liue vz. vppon the earth amongest men suche doubling of spéeches haue bin touched before sundry times such a one there is also Psal 110.4 and declare vz. amongest men and vnto the people which shal come hereafter the workes of the Lorde the great and excéeding workes that he doth specially for his seruauntes and childreÌ„ Ver. 18. The Lord vz. by the hand and rod of his and mine enemies hath chastened me sore i. sharply q.d. It was Gods purpose to correct me by the meanes of mine enemies but the wicked went about thereby to destroy me but this God would not suffer sée Isaiah 10.6 7. also Zacha. 1 15. but he hath not deliuered me to death vz. which mine enemies purposed and practised against me q.d. thorow his goodnesse I haue escaped that daunger Ver. 19. Open ye vz. ye Priests and Leuites that haue the watch garding and kéeping of the Lords house sée Psalme 134.1 vnto me vz. vpon whome God hath bestowed such graces and mercies the gates of righteousnesse i. the dores of the Tabernacle or Gods house which is called righteousnesse either because none ought to enter therein but wise and good people or else because that in that place there was only reade and expounded the law of God whiche is the only true rule of all righteousnesse And by this maner of spéech hee testifyeth his ardent zeale when he desireth that the dores of the Tabernacle may be set
they are without sinne that walk in his waies i. that lead a life according to such rules as he hath prescribed vnto them Immanuel readeth this verse thus who also worke no iniquitye q.d. They also are blessed who labour indeuour to the vttermost of strength and grace receaued from God to put downe iniquitie and vniust dealing either in themselues or others or both but walke vz. as much as in them lyeth in his wayes i. in the rules of life which he hath appointed them both texts are good and also both the sences but I rather allow of the latter Verse 4. Thou vz. O Lord hast commaunded vz. men or vs thy seruants to kéepe i. to indeuor and in déede what they may to performe both in thought word and déede the obedience of thy law thy precepts i. the thinges whiche thou in thy lawe haste commaunded vs diligently i. with care and conscience and continually as it were all the dayes of our life Immanuel varieth also somewhat in this verse reading it thus which vz. wayes mentioned in the latter ende of the thirde verse thou hast commaunded by thy commaundements to be greatly or diligently kept the Prophet that he might somewhat terrifie men declareth that the obseruation of the law is euen of God himselfe required and that with some seuerity to the end also that men might know that the breach therof shal not remain vnpunished Verse 5. Oh that my wayes i. my life and conuersation as verse 1 of this Psalme were directed i. might be directed that is disposed and ordred thorow thy power prouidence and goodnesse to kéepe vz. vnfeignedly and with a good hart thy statutes i. the thinges that thou hast established as statutes for me to obserue and kéepe This wish of the Prophet noteth both the want of abilitie in himselfe and also the great desire he had therto Verse 6. Then should I not be confounded vz. either before thée or men when I haue respect i. regard both outwardly and inwardly vnto all thy commaundements vz. to do and performe the same He meaneth that after he shal haue learned of God and bin taught of him he wil both acknowledge and hold the same fast and so by that meanes escape shame and confusion Ver. 7. I wil praise thée vz. alone with an vpright hart i. with a sound and sincere affection voyd of hipocrisie and counterfeiting when I shal learn vz. being taught and instructed by thée the iudgements of thy righteousnesse i. thy righteous iudgements vnderstanding by iudgements Gods commaundements whiche containe nothing in them but perfect righteousnesse Verse 8. I wil kéepe vz. very much or very earnestly and diligently he speaketh this not as though he were able of himself to performe them but to shew what a minde and purpose he caried with him and what a great good will he had thereto thy statutes i. thy lawes and commaundements and note that there is neuer a verse in all this Psalme but you haue in it eyther word law statute iudgement cōmaundement or some such like equiualent therto to signifie Gods word by forsake me not vz. in the middest of mine assaults temptations and infirmities ouerlong i. a long season He prayeth the Lord not only not to leaue him in temptation but also to respect his infirmity and weakenesse least he should go aside from the right way Ver. 1 teacheth vs Do. that obedience to Gods law is the high way to al blessednesse Ver. 2 teacheth vs first that with knowledge there must be ioyned obedience and practised secondly that we must séeke the Lord with all our soule and affection Ver. 3 teacheth that Gods children frame not a conuersation to thēselues according to their own fantasie but according to the rule of Gods word Verse 4 teacheth vs to haue care conscience and diligence in the obseruation of Gods lawe least otherwise wee heape iudgement against our owne soule Ver. 5 teacheth vs to carry with vs both purpose and prayer that we may walk in obedience of Gods law Ver. 6 teacheth vs that obedience to God his truth is the way to auoyde shame both before God and men Ver. 7 teacheth vs first to praise God for his mercies secondly to do it sincerlye and with a sounde affection thirdly that we can neuer rightly praise God or serue him til we haue learned his law Verse 8 teacheth vs what holy purposes we should carry with vs of obedience to Gods law and how for the better informing of vs that way wée should as it were lay vowes vpon our selues thirdly that féeling our owne misery and weakenesse we should by earnest prayer haue recourse to the Lord for his mercy Beth. Di. THis is the seconde letter of the Hebrew Alphabet and serueth to sette out the seconde part of the Psalme In which the Prophet sheweth firste that GOD his worde is the onlye rule to reforme corruption by in what state soeuer verse 9. Secondlye what care and conscience hée hymselfe had to walke in the obedyence of GOD and his Lawe verse 10 11 13 14 15 16. Thirdlye hée praysed GOD for his graces and prayeth vnto him more and more to instructe him in his truth and this is contayned in the 12. verse Se. Verse 9. Wherewith i. by what mean or with what thing shall a yong man i. hée that is the sonne and seruaunte of GOD whosoeuer hée bée but hee chéefelye speaketh of yong men because affection of sinne is most raging in them redresse i. reforme it is in Hebrewe purge or make cleane his waye i. the waye that hée is naturally inclined to walke in and this hée propoundeth in the way of a question aunswering the same himselfe which is also vsuall in the scripture and namely Psalme 15 1 2 also Psalme 24 8 10 in taking héede thereto i. in diligent caring and looking to it that he fal not or stumble not in the fame according to thy word i. according to the commaundements and counsels which in thy word thou giuest to that end The Prophet here prouoketh men in good time to dispose of their life and euen speciallye then when affections begin to boyle within them Now when men will chuse vnto themselues an order of life wherein to liue there is no better counsell more readily to direct them in the right way then this to wit to haue an eye to the Lawe and to looke what is prescribed vnto them therein Ver. 10. with my whole hart i. soundly sincerely and vnfeignedly sée verse 2 of this Psalm haue I sought thée vz. O Lord and that according vnto thy worde whiche I haue in part learned and layd vp in my hart as ver 11. and which I do further desire to bée taught and instructed in verse 12. let me not wander vz. hither and thither as one that is out of his way and knoweth not whether he goeth but followeth his owne imagination and yet strayeth from the righte waye from thy commaundementes vz. which thou hast
proposed as the rule of my life Verse 11. I haue hid vz. as it were in a case or chest thy promise i. thy worde he putteth one part of the word for the whole in mine heart i. secretlye and within me not meaning otherwist but that he had them there to remember them to his comfort and profite In the new Testament Luke 2 18 51 it is expressed by an other phrase as where Mary is sayd to haue kepte all these sayings in hir hart and to haue pondered them there Hee meaneth that hée locked vp as it were Gods lawe in his hart for feare of Sathans embushes and assaults that I might not sinne vz. any manner of way or at any time such a minde and will he had though there wanted abilitie to perform it agaynst thée vz. O Lord Verse 12. Blessed art thou O Lord i. praysed or worthye of all prayses by reason of thy goodnesse wisedome iustice and mercy teach me vz. not only to knowe but also to doe thy statutes i. the rules that thou hast appointed for me to walke in so that nothing is or ought to bée the rule of our life but Gods ordinaunce only Verse 13. With my lippes i. with my mouth and the wordes of my mouth hee putteth one instrumente whereby the voyce is framed for all instrumentes appertaining thereto and for wordes expressed by the same haue I declared vz. openly that others also might thereby learne them all the iudgementes of thy mouth i. all thy commaundements which thou hast vttered as playnely as can bée sée iudgements put for commaundements ver 7 of this Psalme and mouth is attributed to God according to mans capacity q.d. I haue not only hidden thy lawe in my hart as ver 11. but I haue often and openly spoken of the same And this is not a vaine brag that he maketh but rather serueth to shew that he did the part of a good and faithful scholler and to make himselfe an example that others might follow him Ver. 14. I haue had as great delight in the way of thy testimonies i. to walke according to the rules orders that thy law prescribeth as in all riches vz. that euer I had or might haue had q.d. I haue taken as great pleasure in kéeping thy statutes as euer I did in gathering great riches together Ver. 15. I will meditate vz. earnestly and continually as Psal 1.2 in thy precepts i. in thy law which thou hast giuen and commaunded as a rule of life and consider vz. déepely and diligently thy wayes i. those wayes that he had prescribed men to walke in meaning his law and commaundements sée ver 3. of this Psalme and not as though God were tied to any wayes in respecte of himselfe Verse 16. I will delight vz. all the dayes of my life and this the Prophet speaketh not as though he had strength of himselfe but assuring himselfe of the continuaunce of Gods loue towardes him in whome he shoulde bée made able to doe it in thy statutes i. in thy law and word and I will not forget i. I carry with me this minde and purpose not to forget thy word i. not only the word it selfe but the thinges layde vpon men by the same worde to bée performed and done Verse 9 teacheth Do. firste that yong men had néede to striue the subduing of euill because affections boyle most in them secondly that Gods word rightlye and reuerently vsed is an effectuall meane to ouercome iniquity Ver. 10. teacheth vs vnfeignedly to cleaue to the Lord our God also to pray the Lord to kéepe vs for otherwise we can not stand in the obedience of his truth Ver. 11. teacheth vs that euen the promises of Gods word rightly considered are good means to beat down sinne Verse 12 sheweth that till God instructe vs wee are blind and ignoraunt also that we should dayly pray for increase of knowledge and vnderstanding Verse 13 teacheth vs boldly and openly to make profession of Gods word Ver. 14 teacheth vs that Gods word should be more pleasaunte vnto vs then all worldlye Treasure Verse 15 teacheth vs not onely barelye to reade but also déepelye to consider and continuallye to meditate in Gods word Verse 16 teacheth vs first that our delight in Gods law is a good step to godlinesse secondly that forgetfulnesse of Gods word is a great meane why sinne preuaileth against many Gimel Di. THis is the third letter of the hebrew Alphabet and serueth to note out the thirde part of the Psalme which containeth thrée speciall things first the prayers that the Prophet maketh for himselfe ver 17 18 19 22 secondly Gods iudgements against the wicked verse 21. Thirdly the earnest desire which the Prophet had to walke in the obedience of Gods law Se. Verse 17. Be beneficial i. be thus mercifull vnto thy seruaunt i. vnto mée thy seruaunt that I may liue vz. here vpon the earth so long time as thou shalt sée the same to be good and conuenient and kéepe vz. vnfaignedlye and with a good hart what I maye both in thoughte worde and déede thy word vz. reuealed and made manifest vnto mée q.d. shewe thy selfe fauourable vnto me and graunt me grace to imploy the whole life that thou shalt giue mee in the seruice of thée according to thy lawe and this is the ende of our life here Verse 18. Open vz. by the mightye working and brightnesse of thy holy spirit mine eyes vz. of my mind and vnderstanding that I maye sée vz. by the eyes of fayth the wonders of thy lawe i. the secretes which are contayned therein and he calleth the doctrine and precepts of the lawe wonders or wonderfull because they excéede mans vnderstanding and reason The Prophet did well know the blindnesse which was in him and in all men naturally which hindereth them from beholding the clearenesse of Gods word and therfore beséecheth the Lord to open the eyes of his vnderstanding to deliuer him out of that great darknesse wherein he was Ver. 19. I am a stranger vpon earth vz. as all men haue bin are and shall bee during this mortall life sée Psalme 39 12 vnder the word straunger he noteth not onely the shortnesse of his life in this life but his ignoraunce and lack of knowledge q.d. I am as a poore pilgrime not knowing what waye to kéepe vnlesse thou shew it mée by thy lawe hyde not thy commaundements from me i. leaue me not to my selfe in suche sorte that I shut vp mine eyes or stoppe mine eares from the knowledge of thy lawe for God hideth his commaundementes from them whose eyes he openeth not Verse 20. Mine hart breaketh vz. within me he meaneth by this spéech that he had an earnest thirsting hungring or longing as it were after Gods law in an other place he vseth panteth and thirsteth after GOD sée Psalme 42 1 2 for the desire vz. which I haue within mée to thy iudgements vz. not only to know them but also to execute and perform
this restoring of him to a better estate and refreshing him ouer all his miseries according to thy worde sée verse 25 of this Psalme Verse 29. Take vz. thorowe thy goodnesse and mercye from mée vz. which am so much inclyned thereto the way of lying i. the order trade and course of lying vnderstanding thereby all manner of corruption whatsoeuer agaynst GOD or man and graunt me graciously i. of thy great grace and goodnesse giue to mee thy Lawe i. the knowledge and practise of it that according to the same I maye leade my lyfe for it is not to bée doubted but that he had the Law q.d. Kéepe mée from all lying vanitie and sinne from the whiche that hée mighte bée the better preserued hée desireth to bee instructed in the doctrine of GOD his law Verse 30. I haue chosen vz. thorow the light that thou hast reuealed vnto me by the worke of thy spirite the waye of truth i. that path that leadeth into truth and well doing and thy iudgementes i. thy Lawe and commaundementes whiche hee calleth iudgementes because according to the same will he pronounce sentence haue I layde before mee vz. not onlye to looke vpon them but also as the rule of my life and behauioure Immanuell readeth this verse thus The way of truth which I chose and of thy iudgementes which I set before me making it as it were an exposition of the latter part of the other verse q.d. Graunt me graciously thy lawe which I acknowledge and take to be the way of truth c. Ver. 31. I haue cleaued vz. vnfaignedly and with a good hart meaning by this Metaphor of cleauing continuing and perseuering in GOD his Lawe sticking so fast vnto it as nothing coulde remooue him from it sée Romanes 12 9. to thy testimonies O Lord i. to thy law confounde me not i. let me not bee confounded and ashamed q.d. suffer me not to slide or fall into suche infirmitie eyther of woorde or déede that my life shoulde be shamefull vnto mée and I skorned of the enemies of thy law Ver. 32. I will runne vz. chearefullye and swiftlye the waye of thy commaundementes i. that waye order and course of life whiche thy commaundementes shewe me he meaneth that he will bee prompte and ready to kéepe Gods lawe when thou shalt inlarge mine hart some expounde it thus when thou shalt haue set mée out of daunger and giuen me thereby an occasion of great reioycing I rather would expounde it thus when thou shalt haue made my vnderstanding and spirite which of it selfe is narrow and straight not able to contain or conceaue any good things capable by inlarging and opening of it to containe and conceaue thy gifts and graces sée 1. King 4 29 concerning the inlarging of Salomons hart which in my iudgemente serueth very wel to open this place Do. Verse 25 teacheth vs in distresse and affliction to call vppon GOD by earnest prayers also that one good grounde of our prayers is Gods promises made vnto vs in his word Verse 26 teacheth vs that God is nigh to the faythfull prayers of his poore seruaunts also that we are ignoraunt of Gods law till it please him in mercye to vouchsafe to teache vs. Verse 27 teacheth vs carefullye and continuallye to meditate in Gods worde Verse 28 sheweth that Gods children are many times broughte verye lowe but yet the hope that they haue in GOD his promises doeth raise them vp agayne Verse 29 teacheth vs to abhorre as all sinne generally so particularlye lying and falshood also that Gods worde rightly vsed is a great mean to vanquishe sinne by Verse 30 teacheth vs that GOD his word shoulde be sette before vs in all the particular actions of this life Verse 31 teacheth vs to perseuer and continue in the profession of Gods truth all the dayes of our lyfe Verse 32 teacheth vs to go on forward in the race that is set before vs and neuer to be weary of wel doing He. Di. IN this whole part which consisteth of earnest prayer vnto God the Prophet first beséecheth the Lord to giue him good things as amongst others the knowledge and obedience of his law Ver. 33 34 35 38 40 secondly he praieth him to giue strength to auoyd euil things Ver. 36 37 39. Se. Verse 33 Teach me vz. which of my selfe am so blind ignorant and vnapte to euery good thing O Lord vz. whom alone I feare and worship the way of thy statutes i. that order of life which thy law setteth out ver 32. he called it the way of his commaundements and I will kéepe it vz. thorow thine assistance and goodnesse for otherwise no man can do any thing that good is vnto the end vz. of my life meaning that he would obserue Gods law al his life long sée verse 112 of this Psalme afterwards Ver. 34. Giue me vnderstanding vz. of thy will reuealed in thy word and I will kéepe thy law vz. thorow thy goodnesse and assistaunce as before not onlye in my hart but in my conuersation outwardlye yea I will kéepe it with my whole hart i. soundly sincerelye and with an vnfeigned affection Meaning that in the obseruation and obedyence of Gods lawe he would auoyde all hipocrisie Verse 35. Directe mée vz. which thorow mine owne corruption am readye to runne out of the way in the path of thy commaundements i. in the waye and order of life which thy commaundements would haue me to tread for therein i. both in thy Lawe and in a conuersation according to the same is my delighte i. I take singular ioye and pleasure Verse 36. Inclyne vz. thorowe the exercises of thy worde and the working of thy spirite mine hearte i. the affections and desires of my harte vnto thy Testimonyes i. to imbrace the knowledge and practise of thy worde and not to couetousnesse i. gréedye affecting and desyring of that whiche appertayneth to an other man hee putteth one kinde of sinne which is in déede the roote of all euill for al other transgressions and vices whatsoeuer as he did before the word lying ver 29. of this Psalme Ver. 37. Turne away mine eyes by the eyes he meaneth all other senses because they are the messengers which conuey or bring things to our other senses and the windowes or gates as it were by which euil entereth into vs from regarding i. from beholding or looking vpon he prayeth against the beginning of euill which being once ouercome processe and procéeding in it néed not to be feared vanity i. vaine things with the loue whereof men may easily bee ouertaken q.d. remooue the affections of my mind from these things which men do greatly desire and delight in lest otherwise I being caryed away from thy word I imbrace vayne things with other men quicken mee i. make me not only liuely to do thy will but giue me grace to liue in it all the dayes of my life in thy way i. in thy lawe see ver 15. of this Psalme Verse 38. Stablish
his seruants and haue beene comforted vz. excéedingly specially in the inward man by the sight and beholding thereof Verse 53. Feare vz. of heart and trembling meaning thereby also great feare is come vppon me i. hath taken strong holde vppon mee for the wicked i. because of these great iudgments which shall fall vpon the wicked that forsake thy lawe i. that breake and transgresse thy lawe in their wordes thoughts and déedes others I knowe giue other senses but methinketh this is plaine and right vz. that the prophet considering Gods horrible iudgmēts against the wicked was as it were seased and striken with a very great feare Ver. 54. Thy statutes i. thy worde and lawe haue béene my songes i. as some interpret it haue giuen me occasions to write songs I woulde rather expound it thus haue giuen me pleasure ioy and contentment because men greatly reioyce and content themselues in musicke in the house of my pilgrimage some thinke that he meaneth his banishment when he was persecuted by his enemies and fled from the face of Saul Abshalon or others in which distresse he wandered vp and downe and yet because he was long in it hee did count it as it were the house of his dwelling I rather thinke that hee vnderstandeth hereby the whole course and race of his life both that time and all other times for the Prophet had not then comforte only but al the dayes of his life so that in the house or place of his pilgrimage is as much as if he should say in whatsoeuer place of the world I am haue béen or shal be yea al the days of my life and this the rather because the godly haue alwayes estéemed their liues for a pilgrimage as Gene. 47.9 Psal 39.12 also ver 19. of this Psal Sée also Heb. 11.9.10 Ver. 55. I haue remembred sée ver 52. of this Psalme thy name i. thy maiesty goodnes and power as Psal 20.1 O Lord vz. whom I serue in the night vz. when others sléepe q.d. euen then doe I watch and remember thée when others take their rest and haue kept thy lawe vz. with a good and sincere heart Ver. 56. This I had i. al these graces were giuen me from thy goodnes only because I kept i. indeuored what in mee lay to kéepe performe thy precepts i. thy law and commandements he bosteth not here of any merit of his owne but saith that God in working a special deliuerance did yéeld a notable testimony to that goodnes which was in him Immanuel redeth this verse thus This is a comfort vnto me that I kéepe thy cōmandements q.d. euen the litle or slender obedience that I yéelde to thy lawe doeth much comfort me Do. Ver. 49. Teacheth vs that Gods promises made vs in his worde ought to be special grounds of our perswasions touching his mercies towards vs. ver 50. Teacheth vs that Gods promises are speciall comforts vnto vs in the time of our distresses Ver. 51. Declareth what is the nature of the vngodly vz to scoffe continually at gods religion the professers therof also that no contēpt or ignominie in this life should draw vs away from the obedience of our God Ver. 52. Teacheth Gods children to receiue comfort not only in his mercyes practised towards them but also in his punishments powred forth vppon the wicked Ver. 53. Teacheth vs that we should not only be grieued when we sée gods law broken but to be striken with feare of those iudgments that from God shal fal vpon the wicked ver 54. teacheth vs that nothing should minister more ioy contentment to vs in this life then gods word Ver. 55. teacheth vs continually to meditate on gods power goodnes maiesty c. also that wee shoulde many times forbeare euen our ordinary rest and sléepe to the ende wee might performe that duty Ver. 56. Teacheth vs that God giueth continual blessings to them that haue care and conscience to obserue his lawes Cheth Di. AL that the prophet speaketh in this eight part of the Psalme may be referred either vnto God before whom he powreth forth earnest supplications for the assistance of his grace in the obedience of his word ver 57.58.64 or else vnto himselfe wherin he declared what care he had of obedience to gods law and to obserue al the meanes that might cause him to grow therein neglecting also all things that might hinder him therein and this is conteined in ver 59.60.61.62.63 Ver. 57. O Lord thou art my portion vz. alone q.d. I haue none that I hang or depend vpon but thée alone Sée Psalme 73.25 I haue determined vz. with my selfe and that altogether whatsoeuer come of to kéepe vz. in my life and conuersation thy wordes i. the worde that thou hast giuen me as the rule of my life the meaning is q.d. séeing that thou O Lorde art mine inheritance and hast in mercy chosen me to thy selfe I haue fully concluded with my selfe to kéepe thy law Ver. 58. I vz. being priuy to mine owne weakenesse wretchednes made my supplication in thy presence i. prayed before thée and to thée it may be vnderstood euen of some solemne prayer that the Prophet made before the arke with my whole heart i. vnfeignedly and without wandering affections those setting my heart earnestly vpon things that I vttered with my mouth be merciful vnto me vz. thus distressed as I am according to thy promise vz. made and giuen to me and other thy seruants also that call vpon thée sée ver 49. of this Psalme q.d. performe thy promise made vnto me by thy word in Christ and not in respect of my infirmity Ver. 59. I haue considered vz. diligently and carefully my waies i. the maner and order of my life heretofore and turned vz. from those corrupt and naughty pathes of wickednes my féete i. not my féete onely but mine affections also sée Eccle. 4.17 into thy testimonies i. into the way kéeping of thy law q.d. I haue vewed my life past and I do also wel consider my conuersation present and now the thing that I wholy purpose is this to giue my selfe to the vttermost of my power to kéepe thy commandements ver 60. I made hast vz. after the beholding of the former things delaied not i. nothing hindered me q.d. I made spéed in déede for so much doth this doubled spéech meane for such a doubled speach sée Psal 118.17 to kéepe vz. sincerely soundly without hipocrisie thy commandements i. the things which thou haddest commanded Ver. 61. The hands of the wicked i. the great troupes companies of vngodly men by this phrase hée noteth the multitudes of his enemies haue robbed me i. haue taken from that by fraude violence all that euer I had but vz. for all that I haue not forgotten thy law i. the things prescribed in thy law and the comforts therin conteined q.d. neither their flattery nor their fraude nor any thing that they coulde do against me could draw
which we haue in our hands we haue them in readines for any vse as it were yet q.d. for all these dangers doe I not forget vz. continually or vtterly thy law i. thy word putting a part of it for the whole Ver. 110. The wicked vz. men of the world haue laid vz. secretly and priuily a snare for me vz. to catch me in it He meaneth that the vngodly hath secretly conspired and practised his destruction but vz. for all that I swarued not vz. to the one side or to the other meaning that neither the feare of his aduersaries nor fauour towards himselfe had drawne him away from the obedience of God from thy precepts i. from doing the things which thou commaundest and requirest at my hands Ver. 111. Thy testimonies i. thy worde haue I taken i. estéemed had in as great regard as an heritage for euer i. as a perpetuall inheritance He meaneth that he did more estéeme the doctrine of God thē al possessions though they had bin neuer so durable for they are the ioy of my hart i. my hart meaning by hart himself putting the principall parte of him for the whole man taketh ioy and delight in nothing else so much as in them Verse 112. I haue applied mine hart i. I haue not only carried a purpose with me but I haue set my whole affection vpon this and he speaketh not this as a vayne bragge of his own vertue but as a simple protestation of the vprighte affection of his own hart to fulfil thy statutes i. to obserue and do the thinges which thou hast or dained in thy law to be performed alway i. continually and for euer euen vnto the end vz. of my life meaning by that maner of spéech all his life long sée verse 33 of this Psalme Verse 105 teacheth vs that without the light of Gods word we cannot walke rightly Ver. 106 teacheth vs to vse al the means we can Do. yea euen to binde our selues with vowes and promises to obserue gods law Ver. 107 teacheth vs that Gods children in this world are many times brought to a low case that we haue no liuelinesse in vs to good things till God bestow it vpon vs. Ver. 108. teacheth vs that we can do nothing which can please God except it please him in mercy to accept of the same Ver. 109 teacheth vs that many are the afflictions of the righteous but yet that for their comforte they shoulde continuallye thinke vpon Gods word Verse 110 setteth out the malicious mindes of the vngodly agaynst the good also it teacheth vs for no persecution to go astray from God and his truth Verse 111 teacheth vs in what price and estimation we should haue Gods word it teacheth vs also that there is no true ioy to be found but in that Ver. 112 teacheth vs to carry with vs a continuall care and conscience to walke in the obedience of Gods law Samech IN this xv part the Prophet specially propoundeth thrée things Di. in the firste he setteth out his loue to Gods worde and his hatred of all wickednesse and wicked men Verse 113.114.115 In the second he maketh his prayers vnto god for strength and continuance in goodnes and truth Ver. 116 117. In the thirde he expresseth Gods feareful iudgements agaynst the vngodly and what profite the godly reape thereby Ver. 118.119 120. Verse 113 I hate vz. with an vnfeined hatred as Psalm 139 22. Se. meaning by this earnest spéech the great dislike he had vayne inuentions i. all the deuises of any mans hart or head whatsoeuer The hebrew worde whiche hee vseth in this place properly signifieth boughes or braunches and by a Metaphor are put here for inuentions deuises or thoughts whiche comming from the harte as it were from the trunke or body of a Trée spread themselues hither and thither and that causeth Immanuel to turne it thoughts Whatsoeuer it be he meaneth doubtles the crooked inuentions deuises of mans hart but thy law i. thy word sée ver 109 of this Psalm doe I loue vz. vnfeignedly and with a good hart Ver. 114. Thou vz. alone no other but thou alone art my refuge i. the place that I flie vnto in distresse meaning that God was he alone vnder whose protection and sauegard he did withdraw himselfe sée Psalme 18.2 and shield vz. to defend me from deadly darts and daungers sée agayne Psalme 18 2 where you shall finde both these wordes expounded and Psalme 3 verse 3. and I trust vz. stedfastly and patiently in thy worde i. in the promises that thou hast made in thy word he meaneth that hee did assuredly beléeue that Gods promises made in his word should bee performed and though they were delayed for a while yet he woulde patiently tarrye the accomplishment thereof Ver. 115. Away from me ye wicked q.d. Departe from me for ye labour in vayne to draw me to commit wickednesse with you sée this spéech expounded Psalme 6.8 for I will kéepe i. I haue a purpose to kéepe and thorow the strength and assistaunce of my God will performe it the commaundements of my God i. those things which my God hath commaunded and will at no hand doe these wickednesses which ye prouoke me vnto Ver. 116. Stablish me i. confirme and strengthen me in thy truth and in al goodnesse according to thy promise vz. made vnto me in thy word that I maye liue vz. euen here in this life before men to thy glory and disappointe me not of my hope i. of the things that I hope for He maketh this prayer not as though God did at any time fayle his children but to the end he himself might more and more féele his fayth strengthened in the truth of the word Ver. 117 Stay thou me vz. from faynting sliding or falling and I shall be safe vz. from daungers and distresses meaning that vnlesse God kept him he coulde not stand one minute of an houre and I wil delight continually in thy statutes vz. not only to know them but also to doe them sée verse 112. Ver. 118. Thou hast troden down vz. vnder thy féete euen as a mighty King or conqueror sée for this phrase Psalm 110.1 al them vz. of what state or condition soeuer they be that depart from thy statutes i. that swerue and go astray from the things that thou hast appointed them to walke in for their deceit i. the mischieuous practises which deceitfully they haue deuised against others is vayne i. is voyde and to no purpose vnlesse it be to their owne hurt Verse 119. Thou hast taken away vz. from amongst thy children and that in thy heauie iudgement al the wicked of the earth i. all the vngodlye inhabiting the earth of what state or condition soeuer they were sée verse 118 for this word all like drosse i. as a thing or matter of no account for indéede the wicked are not regarded before God neither are they to be estéemed of his children sée the wicked compared to drosse
giue me vnderstanding vz. in thy law and worde according to thy word i. according to thy promise made vnto me sée verse 25 of this Psalm where word is vsed for promise Ver. 170. Let my supplication i. the prayer which I make come before thée i. appeare in thy presence It is the same in other words which he said before ver 169 and deliuer me vz. out of al my feares and distresses according to thy promise vz. made vnto me q.d. deliuer me as thou hast promised Ver. 171. My lips shal speake praise vz. to thée He putteth lips which are some of the instruments wherby the voice is framed for the rest of them Meaning that he would not only with his hearte bée thankful to God but that he would with his mouth and words expresse the same and that phrase of speaking praise doth shew that he wil do it plentifullye and sing as it were with an open and full mouth when thou hast taught mee vz. to know and vnderstand thy statutes i. thy worde q.d. before he had knowledge thereof he could not doe it and so we learne that such as are ignoraunte of Gods doctrine can not prayse and glorifie him Verse 172. My tongue i. my mouth one part of it put for the whole and the whole mouth it selfe put for the wordes expressed thereby shall intreat of thy word i. not onelye simplye speake and talke of it but solemnly sing and set forth the prayses of it for thy commaundementes are righteous i. the thinges that thou commaundest are most iust Verse 173. Let thine hand help me i. let thy power preserue and defend me from all mischiefs and inconueniences whatsoeuer hand put for power for I haue chosen vz. before all other things whatsoeuer thy precepts i. thy law and word Ver. 174. I haue longed i. I haue greatly and earnestly desired euen as women with child lust after a thing sée Psal 84.2 for thy saluation O Lord i. for helpe and deliueraunce from thée as ver 155 166 of this Psalme and thy law i. thy word as sundry times before a parte for the whole is my delight i. is the chéefest thing wherein I take most delighte and pleasure sée verse 77. Ver. 175. Let my soule liue i. graunt mee to liue long vpon the face of the earth soule put for the whole man as ver 167 and it shall praise thée vz. continually and that for all thy mercies both bodily and spirituall and thy iudgements i. the vengeaunce that thou shalt shewe vpon mine enemies shall helpe me not only because they shall be weakened beaten down and so I by that means strengthened but also because I shal be holpē forward thereby to the knowledge and obedience of thy truth Ver. 176. I haue gone astray vz. from thée O Lord wandering vp and downe hither and thither in the vayne and wicked imaginations of mine own hart like a lost shéepe i. like a shéepe that strayeth and stragleth farre both from the flock and the shéepeheard whereof there can be no other account made then as it were of one that were lost séeke vz. euen as the sheepeheard doth the straying shéepe sée Ezech. 34 4 also Luke 15 4. thy seruaunt i. me thy seruaunt for he speaketh of himselfe in the third person for I doe not forget thy commaundements i. I heare thy voyce euen as thine own shéepe Iohn 10 3 c. these words are often times repeated in this Psalm as verse 61 93 c. Do. Verse 169 teacheth vs to pray earnestly to the Lorde for the vnderstanding knowledge and practise of his word Ver. 170 teacheth vs in all our prayers to call to minde the gracious promises of GOD made vnto vs in his worde as the chéefest grounde in déede of all our supplications Verse 171 teacheth vs that as we cannot prayse God till he haue giuen vs light so when wee haue receaued that light from him wée should then speake continually to his prayse Verse 172 teacheth both to speake of Gods worde continuallye and also to labour to praise the same according to the dignity and excellency thereof Verse 173 teacheth vs that vnlesse God helpe vs by his almightie power wee cannot stand Verse 174 teacheth vs in patience to tarrye the time wherein the Lord will worke our deliueraunces Verse 175 teacheth vs that the ende of our life in this life is to praise and glorifie God also that the faithfull are furthered to Godward by his iudgemēts poured forth vpon the wicked Ver. 176. teacheth vs first in all humblenes and simplicity to confesse our sinnes secondlye with a stedfast faith to come vnto the Lord that so we may be cured and holpen of our diseases Psalme 120. THis Psalme as I take it may bee diuided into thrée partes Di. In the first the Prophet sheweth what experience hee had had of Gods mercy in hearing his prayers whereuppon in assurance of the like grace he calleth vpon the Lord that he may be fréed from slaunderous tongues Ver. 1.2 In the seconde he speaketh to such as vse deceitfull wordes shewing that they themselues profite not thereby and also doe much harme and hurt to others Ver. 3.4 In the thirde part he grieuously lamenteth his owne case in that he is inforced to dwell with such wicked men as nothing on his part could make them quiet Ver. 5.6.7 The title A song of degrées Some as the Geneua note Se. take it to bee so called because of the lifting vp of the tune the rising in singing some thinke the worde degrées to be vsed in the plurall number for excellent because those places are excellent whereunto men assend by degrées and that therefore it is as much q.d. a most excellent song and of this mind is Immanuel Some take it to be ment thus that this and the other xiiii Psalmes following are called songs or Psalmes of degrées that is of staires or steppes because they were sung vppon the staires or steppes of the Lords house of which you may read 2. Chro. 9.11 and I for mine owne part incline thereto because there is mention made of the staires of the Leuites that is of the staires whereuppon the Leuites were wont to stand Nehem 9.4 Ver. 1. I called i. I praied earnestly vnto the Lord vz. only because he alone was able to helpe in my trouble i. when I was greatly and much troubled with affliction and hee hearde me i. he granted me my request sée Psalm 3.4 Ver. 2. Deliuer my soule i. me my selfe as Psal 119. ver 167. and 175. from lying lippes i. from the lying woordes of the wicked and vngodly who did continually accuse him before Saul as Dauid himselfe sheweth 1. Sam. 24.10 also 26.19 Sée for this purpose also Psalm 52. almost throughout and from a deceitfull tongue i. from a tongue that vttereth deceit and craft and in these wordes hee noteth particularly the kind of affliction that made him to cry vnto god Ver. 3. What doth thy
deceitfull tongue bring vnto thée i. what doe thy false woordes profit thée or what gaine gettest thou by speaking so wickedly against other men thus he speaketh to one as it were particularly yet in him noting others also giuen fouly to that fault or what doth it auaile thee vz. that thou doest by euil speach hurt othermen Ver. 4. It is i. the tongue it selfe and slaunderous woordes procéeding from it as i. as dangerous and hurtfull the sharpe arrowes of a mighty man i. as sharpe and pearsing as are those sharpe arrowes which a mighty man shooteth q.d. they are very deadly and bring euen as it were present death with them as the coles of Iuniper i. as the coles which come of Iuniper wood being burned which are most hot and liuely as Hierom writeth vnto Fabiola and though hée yéelde not a reason of it yet I suppose that the gummy or salty matter in the trée may bee one cause of it and he vseth the rather this similitude because as is before sayde these coales burne and pearce more déeply the thinges which they take hold of then coales of other wood q.d. they burne whatsoeuer withstandeth them Of the inconueniences of the tongue Sée Iames 3. ver 1.2.3 c. Ver. 5. We is mee q.d. my case is pitifull miserable and grieuous that I remaine i. that by occasion of persecution at home I am inforced to inhabite and dwell in Meseel this is the name of one of Iaphets sonnes Gene. 10.2 whereupon some suppose that both the place wherein he and his posterity dwelt and also the people that came of him were called by this name and dwell in the tentes of Kedar Kedar was Ismaels sonne as appeareth Genesis 25.13 and likely it is that both the people and the countrey were so called of him Sée Psalm 83.6 and he maketh mention of tents because al the oriental people did for the most part dwel in tents Some thinke that vnder these names Mesech and Kedar hee meaneth the bastardly Israelites who had degenerated from their holy fathers and that therefore hée resembleth them to these two people because of their barbarous crueltie rage Some thinke that hee vnderstandeth by these places and persons places and people nigh vnto the land of Canaan whither he did sundry times flie as appeareth by the first booke of Samuel whatsoeuer it was hee was greatly wounded no doubt with the calumnies and slaunders of his aduersaries which also may appeare by this exclamation of his woe is to mée Verse 6. My soule i. I my selfe as verse 2. of this Psalme hath to long dwelt vz. if the Lorde sawe it so good with him that hateth peace i. with men much grieued against mee and here hee putteth the singular number for the plural meaning by him that hateth peace such men as did euen of set purpose and malice make warre agaynst good people Verse 7. I séeke vz. by all the meanes that I can and this sense I giue by reason of that which is read Psalme 34.14 peace vz. with those mine aduersaries and I woulde rather turne it but when I speake thereof vz. vnto them q.d. I doe no sooner open my mouth about such a matter but they are bent to warre i. they are prepared and ready for it and cry as a man woulde say alarum Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth vs to call vppon God in our troubles with confidence that we shal be deliuered and set frée from the same Verse 2. Teacheth vs to pray particularly that we may be deliuered from slaunderous and lying speaches Verse 3. Teacheth vs that such as giue themselues to backbiting and slaundering shall in the ende get nothing thereby Verse 4. Declareth how raging and violent slaunderous tongues are Ver. 5. Declareth in what a miserable estate they are that liue amongst the wicked Verse 6. Teacheth vs that the shorter while wee haue our habitation amongest the vngodly the better it is for vs. Ver. 7. Teacheth vs if it be possible and as much as in vs lyeth to séeke to haue peace with all men Secondly it painteth out the nature of the wicked that the more they are sought to the worse they are Psalme 121. THis Psalme standeth especially of thrée partes Di. In the two first verses the Prophet sheweth that he wil hang vpon God alone because he alone both can and wil helpe him In the second part hee setteth out the fatherly care and singular prouidence of almighty God towards those that are his ver 3.4.5 In the third part he declareth how they shal be continually deliuered from al dangers and euil whatsoeuer ver 6.7.8 The title A song of degrées this is expounded before in Psal 120. Ver. 1. Se. I wil lift mine eyes i. I wil looke vpon set mine affection vpon vnto the mountaines vz. of the land of Canaan for it may be that in them I may haue succor defence from my enemies such counsell the wicked gaue him as appeareth Psal 11.1 Canaan was ful of rockes mountaines and therfore in that respect it is called the mountaine of gods inheritance Exod. 15.17 from whence i. from which mountaines mine helpe i. helpe ayde and succor for mee shall come vz. as I suppose So that the prophet speaketh here as though he were debating the matter with himselfe from whence he should looke for aid q.d. the rockes and hils of Canaan shall defend mée from the rage and cruelty of myne enemies yet reiecting that opinion of his he doth in the second verse correct himself saying Ver. 2. Mine help i. help for me cōmeth from the Lord vz. alone q.d. what meane I to talke of mountaines it is most certaine that I can haue no help but in the Lord only for though I fixe mine eyes vpon the mountaines trouble my self much with the meanes which are before me yet I shal in the end know that I can haue succor no where else but from God so that here he doth both correct that which he said before sheweth a victory against his assaults wholy cōmitting himselfe vnto God for his Christs sake because in God there was power wil both to helpe him which hath made vz. in the beginning Gene. 1.1 and that of nothing Heb. 11.3 heauen and earth i. both those elements themselues and all things whatsoeuer in them conteined and this title is here and in many places attributed to God to the end that men might learne to assure and stay themselues in his power and might Ver. 3. Hée i. God will not suffer vz. through the prouidence and care that hee shall haue ouer thée thy foote i. thou thy self putting a part for the whole meaning notwithstanding that Gods prouidence shal reach not only to the guiding of the whole man but to euery particular member of him sée Psal 34.20 also Matth. 10.30 to slippe i. to stumble or fal so that thou shalt be hurt or lye downe vnder thy fall and thus vnder one hee turneth his
and heauie hearted expressing that griefe of theirs by teares and caryed vz. with them into that straunge countrey precious séede i. hope and fayth in the trueth of Gods promises which none coulde take from them but they shall returne vz. from thence into their owne Countrey with ioy i. with great store of outwarde and inwarde comfort and bring vz. with them after that they haue gathered in their haruest as it were their sheaues or after some their handfuls whatsoeuer it is hee meaneth that they shall returne againe with greater abundance of féeling then they caryed with them thus doeth GOD make his children to thriue vnder the crosse Verse 1. Do. Teacheth vs that whatsoeuer instruments or meanes GOD vseth in the performaunce of his counsels yet all the glory of the fact must be adscribed to him alone Verse 2. Teacheth vs to bée glad and to reioyce specially in the Lorde and his goodnesse when it pleaseth him to offer vs occasion and to giue vs matter of mirth also it sheweth that Gods works for his children are so playne and sensible that euen the wicked are inforced to confesse them Verse 3. Teacheth vs plainely and with thankefulnesse to acknowledge Gods graces bestowed vppon vs. Verse 4. Teacheth vs that when GOD hath deliuered vs from misery yet wée shoulde not forget our brethren that lye plagued in the same wherein wée were but that wee shoulde remember them in our earnest prayers to the Lord. Ver. 5. and 6. Teach vs that howsoeuer wee bee afflicted and made sorrowfull for a tyme yet a day will come wherein we shall reioyce and haue our heades lifted vp which time we ought to attend in all patience Psalme 127. THis Psalme consisteth wholly of instruction and doctrine Di. and may bée diuided into two partes In the first the holy Ghost sheweth that both publike administration and rule must bee blessed by GOD or else they will bee to no effect Verse 1.2 Secondlye hee declareth particularly that children are a speciall blessing giuen to men from the Lorde and this reacheth from verse 3. to the ende of the Psalme The title A song of degrees this is expounded before Psalme 120. Se. or Psalme of Salomon i. which Salomon made some read or for Salomon as though Dauid his father had made it as an instruction for him Sée somewhat of this matter Psalme 72. in the title thereof whether Salomon made it or Dauid for his vse it is not much materiall this is to bee marked that here the Prophet woulde giue vs to vnderstande that all thinges whatsoeuer must bee directed and gouerned by God or else they can not come to any good successe or ende Verse 1. Except the Lorde builde the house by house hée meaneth not onely the frame of an house wherein men dwell but the persons commonly called the housholde or familie yea and the very order and manner of gouernement thereof and by building hee meaneth blesse it and further it yea do all in all in it and about it they labour in vayne i. they take paines to no end or purpose but lose their trauaile that builde it i. that indeuour or toyle about it to builde it set it vp and bring it to good order except the Lorde keepe the Citie vz. from the rage and spoyle of the enemie vnderstanding by Citie not onely the houses and wals but the people and the whole common wealth yea the very fourme and order of their politike gouernement the kéeper i. he that is appointed by office to keepe it meaning hereby not onely the watch which order is obserued in al townes of warre and those that suspect the enemy but euen the iudges and maiestrates who also in the Scriptures are called watchmen watcheth in vayne i. to no ende or purpose hée meaneth that all the industrie of men either in maintaining or gouerning a familie or in vpholding a good pollicie and gouernment in a Citie shalbée vayne and vnprofitable vnlesse GOD guyde all and giue good successe thereto Verse 2. It is in vayne vz. vnlesse Gods speciall blessing bee present with you for you vz. of what state or condition so euer you bee to ryse earely vz. to your labour and worke and to lye downe late i. to goe to bed from your worke and eat the bread of sorrowe i. sustenaunce gotten with great payne and trauayle of the bodie and great griefe of mynde so that they can not eate quietlye with a mind free from labour care and feare but q.d. notwithstanding the vngodly haue these griefes and cares hée i. the Lorde will surely i. without fayle giue vz. of his méere liberalitie and mercie rest i. both norishment and all good thinges whatsoeuer and yet not yéelding vnto them an idle life or forbidding them labour because the faythfull doe willingly subiect themselues thereto through the obedience of fayth to his beloued vz. people putting one for all for hee speaketh here in the singular loued by beloued ones hee meaneth them whome the Lorde loueth and such also as being confirmed in his loue towardes them doe wholy commit themselues vnto him Verse 3. Beholde q.d. consider it as a thing most certayne and profitable children i. posteritie and issue which it pleaseth GOD to giue in this life are the inheritance of the Lorde i. are a portion that as it were for an inheritance the Lord giueth vnto vs and the fruit of the wombe i. children sée Micah 6.7 his reward i. a reward that he giueth to men in this life and mark that in these thrée last verses he maketh thrée degrées as it were of gods blessing in this ver he mentioneth the blessing of posterity or generatiō in ver 4. hee speaketh of their good liberall and obediēt education and verse 5 he sheweth what fruits come by them that are well brought vp The hebrew word whiche we turne here reward signifieth euery good thing whatsoeuer that God giueth vnto men Ver. 4. As are the arrowes i. the cleane and well kept arrowes in the hand of the strong man or at the hand of the strong man that is to say alwayes in a readinesse so are the children of youth i. so are the children that are begotten in the flower of their parents age meaning it of those children whiche are well brought vp that they are in a readinesse alwayes to goe and come and to doe all good things enioyned them I know there is another sence of these wordes as to the end he might the more commend this benefite of God he should commend them for their naturall force because their fathers might strengthen and defend themselues by them as it were by archers and good men But me thinketh the other is a more fit sence for this place Verse 5. Blessed is he vz. from the Lord and euen in the sight and presence of men that hath his quiuer full of them i. that is replenished and hath his house garnished with such good children for he continueth in the similitude
of shafts and arrowes still whiche he had put downe in the other verse before going for this is a reason of the thinges which go before they i. neyther the fathers nor the children for so largely would I take it shall not bee ashamed i. they shall not giue place to their enemies but shall ouercome them yea and shall possesse the gates of their enemies as is promised whē they speake with their enemies vz. face to face in the gate vz. eyther of the Citie if it be besieged or else in the place of publike iustice because the iudges were wont to fit in the gates of the Citie to determine publike causes as Genesis 34 20. Deut. 25 7. 2 Samuel 15.2 and in many other places Ver. 1 Teacheth vs that nothing eyther in house or citty Do. can be well begun go well forwarde or come to good end except the Lord be the directer and guider thereof Verse 2 teacheth vs that no meanes eyther lawfull or vnlawfull can performe any thing except the Lords blessing concurre with the same and yet we should not therefore neglect the meanes but vse them alwayes with prayer to God to blesse them to vs so farre forth as maye make for his glory and our comfort Verse 3 teacheth that children are a blessing which it pleaseth the Lord to bestow vppon the sonnes of men not that wée should conclude them to be accursed that want them For the want of blessing yea of sundrye blessing maketh not accursed for who then should be blessed Verse 4 doth teache vs both how good and profitable holy education is to children and also what fruite it yéeldeth to wit in the children readinesse and obedience to the parents Verse 5 teacheth vs that good children are a singular glorye vnto their parents yea and they adde estimation vnto themselues also Psalme 128. Di. THis Psalme may be diuided into two parts In the first the Prophet doth both generally and particularly set out the blessinges of God towards the faythfull Verse 1 2 3. In the second part hée assureth them of the continuaunce of Gods fauour and blessing vpon them and their posterity ver 4 5 6. Se. The title is expounded before Psalme 120. Ver. 1. Blessed is euery one vz. of what estate or condition soeuer he be and that word blessed containeth in it abundance of blessednesse q.d. he shal be plentifully blessed whosoeuer he bée that feareth the Lord i. that rightly serueth and worshippeth him He putteth the beginning of Gods seruice for the whole for wee can neuer rightly serue God til we haue a reuerent feare of his maiesty printed in our hartes walketh in his wayes i. that kéepeth his commaundements and directeth his life according to such lawes as God hath prescribed For God doth not otherwise allow of our life except it be reformed according to his law walking is put here as in sundry other places of the Psalmes for order of lise and conuersation Verse 2. When thou eatest this by the consente of the best interpreters would be turned thus for thou shalt eat shewing a reason as it were of his blessednesse and not as though the godly man were not blessed till hée did eate the fruit of his labours which many times he doth in this life and so the blessing of God vpon him in this life should be called into question and doubte we will therefore turne it thus for thou vz. that hast a care and conscience to fear God and marke how he passeth from the third person to the second shalt eate vz. quietly thorow Gods blessing and fauour towardes thee meaning by eating enioying and liuing by the labours of thine hands i. that whiche thou thy selfe with thy hand hast laboured for q.d. no forrain enemy nor any extortioner shal spoile thée of that which thou hast trauailed for but thou shalt enioy with al profit vse it with al pleasure thou shalt be blessed vz. with all maner of blessings from the Lord both outward and inward both bodily spirituall and this is another grace that God wil shewe to his seruants it shal be well with thée vz. whersoeuer thou art whether at home in thy house or abroade in thy fields as is promised Deut. 28 3. meaning also by this maner of spéeche that euen all his affayres businesses should mightily prosper go well forward Ver. 3. Thy wife shal be as the fruitfull vine i. shal beare thée many childrē as the fruitful vine doth many clusters and bunches of grapes posteritye séede is reckoned amongst the outward blessings that God bestoweth vpon his on the sides of thine house some expound it thus nigh to thy house Methinketh he alludeth to the common custome of men who plant vines vnder their houses and at the sides of them specially at the sides of them where they may haue the most sun by which they may be most defēded frō the cold for heat maketh the Vine plentiful faire and flourishing and thy children vz. which god shal giue thée by hir shal be what like the Oliue plants i. as faire as pleasaunte as the plants of yong Oliue trées or as the yong trées themselues yea I stretche it somewhat further that is they shal be alwayes gréene fresh florishing and increasing sée Psal 52 8 round about thy table by this spéech he expresseth the great delight that children bring vnto their fathers while they sée them as many in number so neate and trimme standing alwayes as it were in their fight Ver. 4. Le here he stirreth vp the faithfull both to behold and also to acknowledge the blessings of God reckoned vp before and these that followe after surely vz. without all doubt thus vz. as is before expressed and as hereafter followeth shal the man be blessed i. euery man as verse 1 of this Psalme that feareth the Lord sée also ver 1 of this Psalme Now we must know that hee promiseth the faithfull earthly blessings from God not that they should stay and rest themselues there but to the end that by the same they might be lifted vp to the meditation of the heauenly life Verse 5. The Lord vz. whom we serue and worship out of Sion i. out of the place wherein he dwelleth and is worshipped and here he putteth the faythfull in minde that it is because of the couenaunte which he hath made with thē that he bestoweth these graces vpon them not for any merite or worthines in them shal blesse thée vz. with his grace and fauour and that so largely and plentifully that thou shalt sée i. both with the eyes of thy body with the eyes of thy faith yea that thou thy self shalt enioye the wealth i. the prosperitie peace and all maner of goodnesse sée Psal 122 9. of Ierusalem i. of the Citie and Church of God because God was serued therein so that he descendeth from particular blessings to the common blessing of the whole Church from whence as it
the creation of heauen and earth the waters c. but also in that hee gouerneth euery thing according to his will and disposeth of them in a most wyse order Ver. 7. Hée vz. God alone bringeth vp vz. into the aire and skye and that by his almighty power the clouds i. vapors and exhalations which afterwardes in the middle region of the aire are turned into cloudes as we sée them from the endes of the earth i. from al the quarters of the worlde and maketh vz. by his almighty power the lightnings with the raine i. both lightning and rayne which are seldome sundered but come together as our dayly experience teacheth vs for wee haue seldome any lightning without rayne and thunder hee draweth foorth the wynds vz. by his almightie power stil to which euery thing euen the dumbe and insensible creatures must obey out of his treasures i. out of holes dens hidden and secret places in which as it were in treasure houses god keepeth the windes of which our sauiour Christ sayth Iohn 3.8 That the wind bloweth where it listeth and men heare the sound thereof but whence it commeth or whither it goeth no man can tell And thus wée sée that though by reason wee can giue a naturall cause of these meteors as that the cloudes are congealed of moist and watery vapours drawen out of the Sea and from the earth from which cloudes the rayne commeth as Ecclest 11.3 and that lightning is made of hote drye and firie exhalations drawen by the power of the sunne into the regions of the aire and so foorth of the rest yet we may perceiue by the playne woords of this text that nothing is done in the order of nature without the counsell and will of our GOD Sée Iob. 36. verse 27.28 c. also Iob. 37. throughout for this purpose Verse 8. Hée smote vz in his iustice and iudgement and that by his almighty power the first borne of Egipt i. all the first borne in the lande of Egypt both of man and beast i. of all men and beastes whatsoeuer Sée Exod. 12.29 Psalme 105.36 meaning by smiting destroying them with death And note that here he reckoneth vp a fourth cause wherefore the faythfull shoulde prayse God to wit for his speciall graces and benefites bestowed vppon his Church in their preseruation and deliuerance and his singular iudgements and punishments brought vpon their enemies wherein the principal prayse of his vertue and power is manifested Verse 9. Hée i. God himselfe hath sent vz. by his eternal power in the ministery of Moses and Aaron his seruants tokens vz. of his wrath and iudgement and wonders i. feareful and straunge thinges into the middest of thée O Egypt vz. so that thou canst not either pleade ignoraunce or alledge excuse for my iudgements were euen vppon Pharaoh vz. thy king and vppon all his seruauntes i. not onely them that attended vppon him but vppon all his people and subiectes the trueth and accomplishment of this Sée in Exod. 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12. chapters Verse 10. Hée i. God smote vz. in his iudgement and that by the dint of the sworde and death many nations vz. greater and mightier then the people of the Iewes Sée Deutronom 2. 3. chapt throughout for this matter and flewe vz. by the sworde of his seruantes and people many kinges whereof some hee reckoneth vp in the next verse and others are mentioned Numb 21.1 and in other places Verse 11. As Sihon king of the Ammorites and Og the king of Bashan sée the historie of these Numb 21. Deut. 3. Ioshua 12. and all the kingdomes of Canaan which was diuided into sundry kingdomes and wherein dwelt seuen nations greater and mightier then the Iewes Ver. 12. And gaue vz. of his frée goodnes their lande i. the land of the Canaanites or that land which they inhabited for an inheritance euen an inheritance to Israel his people i. for a place for them as safely and as lawfully for them to dwell in as if it had descended to them by inheritance Ver. 13. Thy name i. thy maiesty power and goodnes indureth for euer vz. towardes all but specially towards thine owne people O Lorde thy remembraunce i. the continual instructions which thou giuest to thy people to remember thée is from generation to generation i. lasteth comtinually and goeth on from age to age so that there is no age but they haue euident examples thereof Ver. 14. For the Lorde vz himselfe will iudge i. guide gouerne and defend as Psalme 96.13 and Psalme 98.9 and bee pacified towardes his seruauntes i. hee will as it were chaunge his purpose and not execute with heauy iudgement that which he had determined against them and this is spoken of God according to the manner of men Ver. 15.16 17.18 Sée expounded before Psalm 115. ver 4.5.6.7.8 where you shall finde both the very same woordes and matters And hee here inueigheth so sharply agaynst idoles because that the prayse which belongeth vnto GOD is many tymes falsly giuen vnto them and therefore hee declareth that neither the matter it selfe whereof they are made nor the workeman can giue them the title of GOD or God heade Ver. 19. Prayse the Lorde sée ver 1.3 of this Psalme yee house of Israell i. yee that descende of Israell or Iaakob meaning by this speach all the people generally prayse the Lorde yée house of Aaron i. ye Priests who descend and come from Aaron to whose race familie and stocke the priesthood was by Gods ordinaunce onely appoynted and tyed Ver. 20. Prayse the Lorde yee house of Leui i. all ye Leuites who were inferiour vnto the Priestes though they came all from one father to wit Leui Iaakobs third sonne and by this place wee sée that euen by the very institution and ordinaunce of God there were two distinct orders amongest the people of the Iewes to wit priests and Leuites according to which also he speaketh here ye that feare the Lorde vz. with a reuerent child like feare meaning also by this speach such as did worshippe and serue him sée Psalme 128.1 prayse the Lorde vz. with a good heart sée before ver 1.3 of this Psalme Ver. 41. Praysed be the Lord vz. for his infinite mercies towards vs out of Sion i. in Sion which was the place appoynted for his worshippe for this phrase sée Psalm 128.5 also 134.3 which vz. Lord and God dwelleth in Ierusalem i. giueth most plaine testimonies of his presence and abode there and not that God is tied to any place The Prophet meaneth that in Sion and Ierusalem the place of his worshippe he gaue euident signes of his presence and power and not that hee was inclosed or tied to that place only praise ye the Lord this Psalme beginneth and endeth with like woordes for which sée Psal 105. and Psal 106. in the beginning and ending Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth vs to exhort and prouoke al gods people to thankefulnes to God for his benefites Ver.
there was not one of them left in the red Sea the place is named for the certainetie of the historie also Verse 16. Which vz. God led vz. carefully and tenderly as a father his children or a shepheard his flocke his people i. the Israelites whome he had chosen to bée a peculiar people to himselfe as Psalme 135.4 through the wildernesse i. through sundry wildernesses putting one for many as Sin Pharam and others as whosoeuer will reade the historie of their iourneyes in Numbers 33. shall plainely perceiue Verse 17. Which smote sée Psal 135.8.10 great kinges i. kinges of great power Verse 18. And slewe vz. by the sworde of his captaines and people sée Psalm 135.10 mightie kinges i. kinges of wonderfull might and force howe great and mightie soeuer they were Verse 19. As vz. for example Sihon king of the Ammorites i. one Sihon that gouerned that people Ver. 20. And Og the king of Bashan i. he that ruled in the lande of Bashan Verse 21. And gaue vz. freely and of his owne goodnesse their lande i. the lande which they and their people inhabited for an heritage i. by the right of inheritance as it were so that the people might lawfully possesse it Verse 22. Euen an heritage i. to be a most certaine inheritaunce for so much I take the doubling of the woorde to import vnto Israell his seruaunt i. vnto the Israelites which did serue and worshippe him and vppon whome hee had bestowed this honour to bee his seruants because to serue him is to bée a king for the storie of all these matters conteined here from verse 10. to the ende of the 22. Sée Exod. chapters 12.13.14 c. Sée Psalme 78. from ver 12 to verse 56. also Psalm 105. verse 27. to the ende thereof Sée Psalm 106. almost throughout Psalme 135. verse 8.9.10.11.12 also Numbers 21. Deutronomie 3. Iosh 12. and many other places Verse 23. Which remembred vs i. shewed by effect that hee thought vpon vs and had care ouer vs as Genesis 8.1 in our base estate i. when wee were afflicted and oppressed on euery side for to such a lowe ebbe are Gods children many tymes brought Verse 24. And hath restored vs from our oppressours i. from the power and tyrannie of such as did oppresse vs the metaphor of restoring is notable not onely declaring their miserie who were taken captiues and prisoners to bee vsed according to the pleasure of those that had taken them but also expressing Gods mercy in deliuering his people out of the same and Gods power because the enemy coulde not gainstande it Verse 25. Which giueth foode i. graciously and plentifully prouideth for to all fleshe i. not onely men but also all beastes and creatures sée Psal 104.27.28 Ver. 26. Prayse ye the God of heauen i. the true and onely GOD whose seate and dwelling place is in the heauen of heauens and by this title hée discerneth God from all counterfeite and forged Gods in the earth Verse 1. Teacheth vs both to prouoke others and also our selues Do. to prayse God for his excellent goodnes Ver. 2. teacheth vs to prayse him for his excellent nature and incomprehensible maiesty Ver. 3 teacheth vs to praise him for his large and great gouernment Ver. 4 teacheth vs that God alone is he that doeth notable things howsoeuer he vseth men as meanes in the performance thereof Ver. 5 teacheth vs that al that God doeth he doeth in most exact wisedome vnderstanding Ver. 6 teacheth vs that it is by Gods power that the waters ouerflow not the earth Ver. 7. Teacheth vs that euen the light which we enioy is a singular gift of God Verse 8. Sheweth that the sunne shineth in the day by the order which GOD hath set and not for any naturall cause Verse 9. Teacheth vs the selfe same thing touching the moone and the starres in the night season Verse 10. Teacheth vs that God spareth not the wicked in his punishments Vrr. 11. Teacheth vs that it is a singular benefite of God to deliuer his people from idolaters and out of an idolatrous land Ver. 12. Sheweth that God doeth it by his only power which none is able to resist Verse 13 Teacheth vs that God will make the whole course of nature giue place vnto his Seruauntes Verse 14.15 Teach that Gods children goe in safety where the wicked manye tymes perishe and are ouer-whelmed Verse 16. Teacheth vs not onely that GOD doeth sundry wise proue the fayth and patience of his seruantes but mercifully prouideth for them in the places of greatest daunger Ver. 17 18 19 20 21. Teacheth vs that as there is no power or strength able to withstand God in his purposes attemptes so god for his peoples sake and this assured loue towardes them wil spare to plague none though neuer so high and to doe wonderfull and great thinges Verse 22. Teacheth vs that whatsoeuer God giueth vs in this lyfe hee doeth it to this ende that wée shoulde imploy it and our selues wholy to his seruice Verse 23 24. Doe teach vs that GOD doeth not onely thinke vppon his people for their good but also graciously performeth their deliueraunce Verse 25. Doeth excellently set out Gods prouidence ouer all his creatures Verse 26. Teacheth that wee must not pray to or praise any or giue thanks to any but to the true God onely which dwelleth in heauen Psalme 137 Di. THis Psalme may be diuided into thrée partes In the first the faythfull doe declare the great griefe they had in their captiuitie and specially the scornes and taunts which the enemy layd vpon them Ver. 1.2.3 Secondly they set out the great strength that god gaue them in those afflictions and their earnest loue to the Church Ver. 4 5 6. In the third they pray against their enemies pronouncing a curse vpon them and a blessing vpon them that shal molest and trouble them ver 7.8.9 Se. This Psalme is without title as that Psalme which goeth next before and many others are Ver. 1. By the riuers vz. named Euphrates and Tygris of Babel i. not onely of the Cytie but also of the whole monarchie for the Iewes were not onely caried into the Citie but dispersed throughout theire whole gouernment as appeareth in the bookes of Ezechiel Daniel Ezra we vz. who were captaines of the people of the Iewes but specially the priests and Leuites who were occupied and skilled in singing sate i. we were a long while in that captiuity and there we wept vz. in greate abundaunce when wee remembred Sion i. the place wherein we were wonte to worship GOD and the great destruction and desolation of it Ver. 2. We vz. being thus sad and heauie hanged our harpes i. our musical instruments putting one sort for sundry sortes of them vpon the willowes i. openly and abroad shewing therby that we had no care or regard thereof hee meaneth that they regarded not their musical instruments nor had any pleasure or delight in singing in the middest
al my dangers Verse 8. The Lorde vz. whose purpose and power none is able to withstand will performe vz. graciously and in good time his worke i. the worke that hee hath begunne in me towardes me i. vpon me and for my cause q.d. hee will procéede 〈◊〉 declare that hee hath care ouer my saluatioon and will bring to perfection that which hee hath begunne Sée Philip. 1.6 O Lorde thy mercy vz. towardes all but chiefely towardes thy children indureth for euer i. shall neuer haue ende for though that in the life to come wee shall not sinne no more then the Angels in heauen doe nowe yet as they stand now so must wee then by his only mercy in Christ forsake not the woorkes of thine handes i. leaue not mee in myne affliction and the good thinges that thou hast begunne in mee Ver. 1. Teacheth vs vnfeignedly to prayse the Lorde for his mercies Do. yea that wée shoulde not bée ashamed to doe it before men of might and countenaunce Verse 2. Teacheth vs that Gods continuall grace towardes vs and the faythfull accomplishment of his promises shoulde alwaies prouoke vs to bee thankefull vnto him Verse 3. Teacheth vs that GOD is nigh to the earnest supplications and prayers of his seruauntes Verse 4. Teacheth vs that it is the duety euen of Kinges to serue the Lorde euen as well as the meanest of the people and that the hearing of Gods woorde is a good meane for mens conuersion Verse 5. Teacheth vs to take singular delight in the meditation and speach of Gods workes and worde Ver. 6. Teacheth vs that God considereth the conuersation both of the good and the bad but to diuers endes and effectes Verse 7. Teacheth vs that when Gods children are in the greatest distresse that euen then they should assuredly beleeue that God will worke most comfortably for their deliueraunce Verse 8. Teacheth vs that GOD beginneth nothing in his children but hee doeth accomplishe and make the same perfect and yet that it is our duety notwithstanding to vse continuall and hearty prayers vnto him for the performance thereof Psalme 139 Di. I Doe suppose that this Psalme may rightly bee diuided into foure partes In the first the Prophet sheweth that the Lorde did thorowly know him and al his waies both inward and outward and this reacheth from ver 1. to the ende of the 6. In the seconde hée declareth that nothing neither in heauen nor in earth nor in places vnder the earth is able to hyde him from this great presence and exact knowledge of God from verse 7. to the ende of the 12. In the thirde parte hee setteth out certaine reasons thereof taken from mans creation concluding with the excellency of Gods workes and wayes from ver 13. to the ende of the 18. and in the fourth part hee prayeth earnestly agaynst the wicked desiring the Lorde more and more to try him that in the ende hee may bee founde fit for him from ver 19. to the ende of the Psalme Se. The title to him that excelleth a Psalm of Dauid sée this expounded before Psalme 4. in the title Sée also the title of Psalme 14. Ver. 1. O Lorde vz. who alone art the searcher of the heartes and reynes thou hast tried vz. by sundry and many meanes mée vz. whome men speake so much euill of and knowne mee vz. thorowly both inwardly and outwardly so that my thoughtes wordes and déedes are open in thy sight and that which hee speaketh here generally hee vttereth in the next verses more particularly And this Dauid doth appealing to the iudgement of God and making him witnesse of his heart because hee sawe that hee was vniustly accused of his enemies Verse 2. Thou knowest vz. thorowly as before verse 1. my sitting and my rising i. whether I sit downe or ryse vp or doe any thing else it is naked before thée vnderstanding also by these two al the actions of the whole life of a man thou vnderstandest i. knowest and perceiuest my thought i. both it and the thinges that in it I thinke vppon a farre off i. long before it bee brought to effect yea long before it come into my minde or I haue conceiued any thing in my selfe Verse 3. Thou compassest my pathes and my lying downe i. thou art alwayes with mée whether I iourney trauayle or lye still and are accustomed i. well acquainted and as it were familiar with all my wayes i. with the conuersation and actions of my whole lyfe Verse 4. For there is not a woorde in my tongue i. I am not about to speake any thing at all hée putteth the instrument of speach and woordes conceiued and ready to bée vttered for woordes vttered already as it were but loe thou knowest it wholly O Lorde vz. euen before I speake it so that neither it nor any part of it can bee hidden from thée Verse 5. Thou holdest mée straite vz. by thy almighty power behinde and before i. on euery side as aboue and belowe on the right hande and on the left q.d. thy power and presence enuironeth mée on all sides so that I can neither thinke doe nor speake any thing but thou séest it and knowest it and layest thyne hande vppon mee i. thy power q.d. euen as though thou haddest arrested mee and made mee thy prisoner thou kéepest mée in such sort that I can not goe out of thy sight nor doe any thing but thou knowest it yea and guidest and gouernest mee also Verse 6. Thy knowledge i. the knowledge of thy maiesty and of thy wonderfull and excellent woorkes is to wonderfull i. ouer high and marueilous for mee vz. to reach vnto it it is so high i. excellent and exquisite that I can not atteine vnto it vz. by any wit or industrie that I haue q.d. I am not able to comprehende of my selfe or by any thing that is within mée or without mee to knowe thée and thy great woorkes because they are farre beyonde the reach of my reason capacitie and vnderstanding Verse 7. Whither i. into what place of heauen and earth shall I goe from thy spirite vz. to hyde mee from thy knowledge and vnderstanding because men conceiue and vnderstande thinges by the spirite which is a facultie and power of the inwarde man hee speaketh thus of God not meaning it of the holy Ghost which is the thirde person of the godheade q.d. I knowe not whither to goe but thou wilt alwayes perceiue and vnderstande where I am whither shall I flie from thy presence q.d. I knowe not whither to get mee from thy sight as may appeare by the particular enumeration following Verse 8. If I ascende i. goe vp into heauen vz. which is thy seate and dwelling house as it were thou art there i. I shall certainelye finde thee there if I lye downe in hell i. in the graue as wee haue had it sundrye tymes in this booke of Psalmes q.d. if I should rest in the graue and lower partes of the earth as men
doe in their beddes thou art there vz. in thy almightye power prouidence and presence Verse 9. Let mee take the winges of the morning i. as I take it the sunne beames putting a parte for the whole q.d. albeit I had as great quickenesse as the sunne hath both when it riseth and when as it were in a moment it goeth rounde about the worlde yet that woulde not profite mee to hyde mée from thy presence and knowledge and dwell in the vttermost partes of the Sea i. shoulde dwell as farre as there is any Sea or at the furthest ende of the Sea Verse 10. Yet thither vz. euen to that same very place shall thine hande i. thy power and might leade mee vz. euen as a shephearde is wont to leade his sheepe and thy righte hande i. thy great power and might holde mee vz. there and keepe mee in that place q.d. though I woulde thinke by flying hither and thither to withdrawe my selfe from thy presence yet I shoulde be in thy presence and power still because by it I should bée caried whither I my selfe would to stay there and to returne againe from thence at thy pleasure euen as the shéepe hang vppon the shephearde Verse 11. If I say i. if I shoulde either speake or thinke thus yet the darkenesse q.d. séeing other places and meanes can not helpe yet this shift I will haue I shal bee hidden from thée in the night for I take it that by darkenes hée vnderstandeth night as may appeare by that which followeth shal hyde me vz. from thy presence and knowledge so that thou shalt not sée or perceiue mee euen the night shal be light about me q.d. certainely I shal bee but deceiued for that which is done in the night is as wel known to thée as that which is done in the noone day for howsoeuer to me and other creatures the night is darke yet to thée that art the creator all thinges are open naked and bare as Heb. 4.13 Ver. 12. Yea the darknes i. the night nor no other darkenes whatsoeuer though it were as thicke and palpable as the darkenes of Egypt hydeth not vz. any either thought worde or déede from thée i. from thy sight and knowledge but the night shineth vz. before thée and in thy sight meaning by the worde shineth that it is as cleare for God to beholde any thing in as the noone tyde the darkenes and light i. the night and the day Sée Gene. 1.5 are both a like vz. to thée for thou séest as clearely in the one as in the other Verse 13. For thou hast possessed here hée yéeldeth a reason why God shoulde knowe the thinges before mentioned and it is taken from the notable creation of man by Gods wonder full gouernement q.d. by good reason all these thinges are knowne to thée because thou hast created man and euery part and péece of him and vnder the worde possessed the Prophet noteth first the knowledge that God hath of vs for no man possesseth euidences or houses but hee knoweth the right title roomes thereof Secondly his right and authoritie for howsoeuer men obtaine vniust possessions yet with the Lorde there is no iniustice my reines i. mine affections yea the most secret thoughtes of my heart and whatsoeuer lay or lyeth hid within me thou hast couered me in my mothers wombe Immanuel addeth here a terme that maketh the sense most plaine thus from the time that thou hast c. q.d. yea euen from my conception long before thou knewest al thinges concerning me And yet I deny not but this text of the Geneua Bible may haue a good sense thus thou hast couered mee vz. with flesh sinewes skin c. in my mothers wombe i. before I was borne when in that place thou gauest a forme and fashion to me and so it may be a reason why nothing can be hidden from God because God made him there and knewe him there therefore much more in this life Ver. 14. I wil praise thée vz. with my whole hart as psal 138.1 for I am fearefully wonderously made i. the very creation and making of me and the due consideration which I haue thereof do strike into me a feare of thy maiesty a wondering at thy workmanship or else thus thou hast created me after a feareful and wonderful sort Immanuel readeth it thus I doe praise thée because by these thy reuerend woorkes I am brought to wondering then repeateth these words I praise thy marueilous works my soule knoweth thē very well but I take the other text to be as good as this marueilous i. very excellent wonderfull are thy workes vz. euerie one of them and namely the continuall forming and creating of mankynde and my soule knoweth it well vz. through thy great goodnesse who hast put that light into it to know and consider of that excellente and wonderfull worke Verse 15. My bones i. neyther they all nor any one of them for thou kéepest them in a continuall account sée Psal 34 20. are not hid from thée for thou knowest both their names and their number though I was made in a secret place vz. in my mothers wombe as verse 13 q.d. the closenesse of that place could not hide them from thy presence and knowledge and fashioned beneath in the earth whereas thou notwithstanding was in heauen q.d. the distaunce of the place could not hinder thée from the sight and knowledge of me and of euery part and péece of me Verse 16. Thine eyes did sée me this is spoken of God according to mans vnderstanding not that God hath eyes but that the Lord knew more perfitly by many degrées then we know things by our sight when I was without forme i. when I had neither shape nor fashion but was as it were a rude lumpe he speaketh here of a great secret of nature Of which we should both think and speake reuerently and modestly for in thy booke this is spoken according to men who vse bookes for the helpe of their memory that they may haue euery thing by péecemeale as it were were all thinges written i. all the members and parts of my body were as well knowne in thy prouidence vnto thée as if they had bin written in a booke and layd before thée which vz. members and parts of mine in continuance vz. of time were fashioned vz. thorow thy great power woorking when there was none of thē before vz. created and made This is it that he meaneth that as God in the beginning made heauen earth as a huge heape without forme yet afterwardes gaue them that notable forme which they haue and out of them framed that great variety of excellent creatures so out of the rude lumpe conceaued first in the womb which yet notwithstanding did in it self containe the whole body did the Lord by a merueilous workmanship create that excellent forme and proportion of mans body and of the seueral members ioynts therof Ver.
more profite in the knowledge and apprehension of his maiestie goodnesse power c. Ver. 19 teacheth vs not only to pray agaynst the malicious and obstinate enemies of Gods Churche but also to haue no society nor familiarity with them Verse 20 doth liuelye set out the nature of the vngodly who in the pride of their own harts spare not to speake agaynst God himselfe it sheweth also further that this their pride and haughtinesse is but in vaine Verse 21 teacheth vs to oppose our selues against those that set themselues against God and his truth this belongeth generally to all christians but most especially to Kings and Princes suche a one as Dauid was Verse 22 teacheth vs that this setting of our selues againste suche must be done as not for any worldly or carnall respect so of a single and sound hart towards God and men Verse 23 teacheth vs that it is good to pray the Lord thorowly to trie vs because that the more we are tried the more pure and fyne we are to him Verse 24 teacheth vs to pray for constancy and continuaunce in euery good and holy way Psalme 140 Di. THis Psalme consisting wholy as it were of prayer may be diuided into two parts In the first the Prophet prayeth to bée deliuered from his enemies describing their mischieuous malicious minds towards him from verse 1 to the end of the seuenth In the seconde parte he prayeth agaynst the wicked and prophecieth their destruction assuring himselfe that God in mercye will saue his and that they therefore shall prayse his name continually and this reacheth from verse 8 to the end of the Psalme Se. The Title to him that excelleth a Psalme of Dauid this is sundrye tymes expounded before and namely Psalme 4 in the title thereof Verse 1. Deliuer me O Lord vz. of thy goodnesse thorow thy almighty power from the euill man i. from him that wholy giueth himselfe euen as it were without prouocation or occasion to doe euill preserue me vz. safe and sounde and that according to thy good pleasure from the cruell man i. from him that setteth himself in cruelty to performe agaynst me whatsoeuer they can And though in this verse he speake but of one yet he meaneth many as may appeare by the sodain chaunge of the number for in the next verse he speaketh in the plurall number and these many were Saule and his counsellors and his seruauntes who both by fury force and fraude did persecute him Verse 2. Which imagine vz. euen vppon their beddes and continually sée Micah 2 1. euill thinges vz. agaynst me vnderstanding by euill thinges such thinges as tended to his hurt and destruction in their hart i. secretly and closely and make warre vz. both by themselues and others whom they prouoke and stirre vp by all meanes they can against me sée Psalme 120 7. continually i. euery day so that no daye escapeth them In this verse he chargeth his enemies that they did both openly and priuately both in purpose and counsell by themselues and by others deuise all mischiefe against him and verse 3. and others following hee sheweth that both in worde and déede they attempted to perfourme it Verse 3. They i. the wicked and vngodly men haue sharpened their tongues vz. to destract and speake euill of me and to hurt me like a serpent i. as the serpents tongue is sharpe and so striketh by reason thereof more déepely So these men both hard by and a farre off doe pierce and wound me with their poysons Adders poyson is vnder their lippes i. their mouth is full of wicked and venemous wordes agaynst me some reade Adders some reade vipers some Aspes for mine owne part I suppose that the word being somewhat of a doubtfull signification should be referred to such kind of serpents as though they lie still in a place doe yet notwithstanding spit their poyson or venim far from them Selah this hath bene expounded before as I suppose Psalme 3. verse 2. It is as much as if the Prophet should say marke this being a note or warning of attention Verse 4. Kéepe vz. vnder the shadow of thy winges and thy almighty power and protection me vz. whom am thus sought and set for by myne enemies from the handes of the wicked i. from their power and that whiche they would do vnto me for he putteth the instruments whereby they perform thinges for the thinges themselues preserue me from the cruell man sée verse 1 of this Psalme which purposeth vz. in himselfe to cause vz. eyther by his force or by his fraude or by both my steppes to slide i. to cast mée downe and to cause me to fall that so when he hath me downe he may the more easily and tyrannously exercise his will agaynst me I take it to be a metaphor taken from men who lay grinnes and cords to ouerthrow wild beasts withal Verse 5. The proud i. the wicked and vngodly which are puffed vp in the pride of their own imagination haue layde vz. closely and secretly a snare for me vz. to take or catche me withall sée Psalme 119.69.85.95 and spread a nette with cordes i. haue set a very great and strong net thinking assuredly to catch me so fast therein that I shall not escape in my pathway i. euen in the playne or beaten way that I should walke and set grinnes for me i. to catch and take me as before Vnder all these metaphors borrowed from fowlers and hunters tending all to one end he meaneth nothing else but this that they did not only vse open force and violence agaynst him but also subtelties and craftes to surprise and take him Selah this is expounded before verse 3. Verse 6. Therefore i. I séeing my selfe thus beset by men did run to the Lord by prayer I sayd vz. with a féeling hart when I was in these daungers and distresses vnto the Lord vz. whose goodnesse and power I had had great experience of as appeareth verse 7. Thou vz. alone and none but thou art my God i. he vpon whom only I will depend for helpe and succour heare O Lorde the voyce of my prayers i. graunt me those requestes whiche with my voyce and wordes I make vnto thee Verse 7. O Lord God the strength of my saluation i. thou that sauest and deliuerest me from all daungers with maruailous power and strength and in whome only my deliueraunce standeth this is a notable title attributed to God for the strengthening of his faith thou hast couered vz. by thy power and might euen as it were with a Helmet and shield my head i. me my selfe a part for the whole and yet hee nameth this part rather then others because it is the most excellent as which in some mens iudgemēts conteineth life in it and doth disperse the same into all the parts of the bodye in the day of battaile i. when I was in the field and did fight q.d. thou hast deliuered me heretofore from all the assaults of mine
enemies and I hope that thou wilt hereafter likewise deliuer me Verse 8. Let not the wicked haue his desyre O Lord i. the thinges that he hath desired agaynst me q.d. Let him not sée mine ouerthrow which he much wisheth and desireth performe not i. giue him not leaue or strength to performe agaynst me his wicked thought i. the wicked thing which he hath wickedly thought vpon and deuised againste mée and by one no doubt he vnderstandeth many mischiefs of theirs least they bée proude vz. aboue measure for he had before charged them with pride ver 5. he meaneth least they should wax proude euen agaynst God and man Selah this is expoūded before Ver. 9. As for the chéefe of them how great or high soeuer he or they be Whether he speake it of Saul Doeg and such like particularly it is not certaine that compas me about vz. to destroy and are my deadly enemies sée Psal 3.6 also Psal 118.10.11.12 let the mischiefe of their own lips i. that mischiefe which with their own lips they haue spoken agaynst me come vpon them i. fall vpon thē thorow thy iust iudgemēt I know others both translate this verse otherwise and giue some other sence but methinketh this is playn Ver. 10. Let coles vz. of thy wrath iudgement fall vpon thē vz. frō heauen as it did in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah to which he séemeth to allude let him vz. god thus he speaketh to him or of him in the third person cast thē into the fire vz. that neuer goeth out but burneth for euer Mar. 9.43 into the déepe pits vz. of danger destruction that they rise not i. that they may neuer be able to rise vp again to do any more hurt Ver. 11. For the backbiters i. slanderers such as haue their tongues ful of venime and worke mischiefe rather by fraud flattery and backbiting then by opē force shal not be established vz. any long while vpon the earth i. in this life to liue long here euill i. plagues and punishments from the Lord shall hunt vz. from place to place pursue him so that he shall not escape it the cruell man sée verse 1.4 of this psalme to destruction i. in such sort that it shall in the end vtterly destroy him Immanuel others read this whole verse as a prayer Ver. 12. I know vz. certainly and assuredly q.d. I am fully perswaded both by Gods word and the dayly executing of his iudgements vpon the wicked that the Lord vz. himself will auenge i. in good time not only deliuer his but ouertake with his iudgements the wicked vngodly for the iniuries they haue done them the afflicted i. such as are afflicted by the wicked and iudge i. not only pronounce righteous sentence but also deliuer from the cruelty of the vngodly the poore i. those his seruants which are here despised amongst the worldlings of the earth Ver. 13. Surely the righteous i. those whom thou hast made righteous by imputing righteousnes vnto them by framing them to a righteous conuersation shal prayse vz. vnfeignedly with all their hartes thy name i. thy maiesty power goodnes and the iust i. such as deale faythfully both with thée and their brethren shall dwell in thy presence i. shall not only in this life be maynteined and vpholden by thy fatherly care and prouidence but shal be made partakers of eternall glory Do. Verse 1 teacheth vs to pray to be safely deliuered from the rage of the wicked ver 2. 3. doe generally paint out the malicious nature of the wicked Ver. 2. doth particularly teach vs that wicked thoughts against gods childrē are sin before him Ver. 3 teacheth vs that the wicked spare not euen with slaunderous venemous toungs to persecute the godly Ver. 4. teacheth vs that vnles the Lord kéepe vs we can not be deliuered frō the rage power of the vngodly Ver. 5. sheweth the malicious minds of the wicked who cease not both opēly secretly to indeuour the destruction of the good Ver. 6 teacheth vs that the more men set themselues against vs the more earnest and often we should be with God in prayer for his gracious assistance Ver. 7 teacheth vs that God is the protector of his in all dangers distresses whatsoeuer Ver. 8 sheweth that if God let not wicked men in their attempts they will be more bold in mischiefe and swel against his maiestie and men also Ver. 9 10 teach vs that we may pray against the malicious wicked and desire their ouerthrow Ver. 11 teacheth vs what a gréeuous offēce the sinne of backbiting and slaundering is Ver. 12 teacheth vs to bee assured of Gods fauour goodnes towards vs and of his iudgmēts towards the wicked Ver. 13 teacheth vs two things first that it becommeth the godly to shew them selues continually thankful secondly what is the excellent estate and condition of Gods children Psalme 141 THis Psalme consisting wholy of supplication and prayer vnto God may be diuided into two parts Di. first he beséecheth the Lord to accept his prayer and to guid him into a godly conuersation and for this end to prouide such for him as maye brotherly admonish him from verse 1 to the end of the 5. In the second he foretelleth as it were the destructiō of the wicked desiring the Lord to deliuer him from them and to ouerthrow them in their deuises from verse 6 to the end of the Psalme The Title A Psalm of Dauid i. which Dauid made Se. this hath bin expoūded sundry times before It should séeme that Dauid made this Psal at some time or other whē he was gréeuously afflicted persecuted we may refer it without iniury as I suppose to the history conteined 1 Sam. 24. Ver. 1. O Lord I cal vpon thée i. pray vnto thée earnestly continually specially in the time of my gréeuous afflictions hast thée vnto me vz. to helpe me to deliuer me out of the same neither doth he here prescribe God a time but rather declareth the great danger distresse that he was in q.d. vnlesse he were spéedily holpen in the iudgement of flesh and blood he should perish heare my voyce i. graunt the prayers which I vtter with my voyce and words when I cry vnto thée i. whē hartily and earnestly I pray vnto thée Ver. 2 Let my prayer vz. which I make vnto thée be directed in thy sighte i. come before thée and bée accepted of thée as the incence vz. which was wont to bée offred vnto thée by thine own commaundement And here hée alludeth to the perfumes whiche they vsed in the time of the law of which read Exod. 30 chap. and the lifting vp of my hands i. euen my prayer supplication He putteth a gesture vsed in prayer for prayer it selfe as 1. Timoth. 2.8 as an euening sacrifice i. as that sacrifice which thou hast appointed to be offred to thée in the euening God prescribed
a man should cut wood cleaue it on the earth our bones are scattered ready to be thrust into the graues mouth i. the enemies doe compasse me mine with such great violence are so ready to flie vpon vs all that wée shal be presently broken rent in peces by their rage vnles thou O Lord lay to thy helping hand which danger of theirs is most excellently set out by a verye fit similitude taken from wood cleauers or else thus I and my companions haue bin handled in al cruelty as if that after they haue cut a mans throat they would teare him in péeces before they would bury him Ver. 8. But mine eyes vz. both of my mind of my body looke vz. carefully continually as Psal 123.1.2 c. vnto thée O Lord God vz. only who hast both power wil for to helpe me in thée vz. only and none other but thée is my trust vz. alwayes but specially in this time of my great daunger and calamitie leaue not my soule i. me my selfe a part for the whole destitute vz. of thy defence aid and saluatiō Ver. 9. Kéepe me vz. of thy goodnesse that by thy power might from the snare i. that I fal not into the snare or grin or be taken therwith which they i. mine enemies vngodly men haue layd vz. closely and secretlye for me vz. to take me to catch me in and from the grins he repeateth the same matter in other words which is not vaine because it serueth to amplifie the cruelty craft of his wicked aduersaries of the workers of iniquitye sée before Psal 5.5 also Psal 6.8 also ver 4. of this very Psalm Ver. 10 Let the wicked fall vz. thorow thy iust iudgemēt into his nets i. into his own nets vz. which he hath made and layd for others together vz. with all them that take their parte q.d. let all the vngodly be ouertaken with their own nets thorowe thy iudgements as fishes are taken with a casting net for such a Metaphor he séemeth to vse in this place sée for this metaphor Isaiah 19.8 whiles I escape vz. out of the dangers which they supposed to haue brought vpon me this escaping of his must be attributed to Gods goodnesse and power only Do. Ver. 1 teacheth vs earnestnesse and seruency in prayer to our god not as a man would say to leaue of til he haue graciously graunted our requests Ver. 2. teacheth vs that séeing our prayers smack of the corruption which is in vs we should earnestly desire the Lord to accept of them in his own mercy Ver. 3 teacheth vs that we can not bridle our spéech vnles the Lord giue vs grace Ver. 4 teacheth vs not only to pray against grosse euils but also things that may preuoke and stir vs vp therto by reason of the slipperines of our corruption Ver. 5. teacheth vs that the reproofes of the godly are good and profitable secondly that a godly man should euer take them in good part thirdly that no euil that men can do to vs should make vs neglect our duty towards them Verse 6 teacheth vs not only how subtile and crafty the wicked are to intrap Gods childrē but also that no humble or swéet spéech that the godly can vse will asswage their malice and cruelty against them Ver. 7 teacheth vs to what a low ebbe miserable estate Gods children are many times brought in this life Ver. 8 teacheth vs not only in the great sea of our afflictions confidently to trust in the Lorde but also with patience to attend his leasure time for our deliueraunce Ver. 9 teacheth vs to pray the Lord to deliuer vs from the fraud and force of his and our enemies Verse 10 teacheth vs to pray for the confusion of the malicious enemies of God and his people Psalme 142 THis Psalme may be diuided into two parts Di. In the first the Prophet declareth howe that in the time of his greate affliction and feare yea euen then when all had forsaken him hee cryed earnestly vppon the Lorde from the first verse to the ende of the fift In the second part he prayeth earnestly vnto the Lord to be deliuered from his enemies sometimes alleadging the better to moue the Lord thereto his owne miserye his aduersaryes strength and the prayse that the faythfull will yeelde to the Lorde therefore verse 6.7 The Title A Psalme of Dauid to giue instruction Sée this expounded before Psalme 42 and Psalme 44 in the titles thereof and a prayer vz. Se. which Dauid himselfe made when he was in the caue i. in the selfe same Caue with Saule whereof reade 1 Samuel 24 4. Verse 1. I cryed i. I earnestly prayed vnto the Lorde vz. in my trouble as Psalme 120 1. with my voyce i. wich seruent wordes expressed with my voyce with my voice I prayed vnto the Lord he expresseth the same thing in other termes noting thereby the ardency and earnestnesse of his prayer Verse 2. I poured out vz. plentifullye and in great aboundaunce my meditation i. the meditation of my hart q.d. I did not onely pray vnto him with my hart but layed forth the holy meditations of my soule with abundance of wordes before him i. in his presence not meaning that God was ignoraunt of the thoughts of his hart but expressing his great dutye towardes the Lord and declared vz. playnly and plentifully mine affliction i. the affliction and sorrowe whiche I did suffer and indure not but that GOD knew it for hee knoweth all things but because this is a péece of duty which he hath layd vppon vs to call vppon him in the time of our trouble Verse 3. Though my spirit was in perplexitie in mée i. though I my selfe was full of anguishe as Psalme 7◠ver 3 and troubled with gréeuous assaultes both inwarde and outwarde yet thou knewest i. diddest approue and allowe of as Psalme 1 6. my path i. the order of my life and innocent conuersation In the waye wherein I walked i. what iournie or way soeuer I tooke haue they i. the wicked and myne enemies priuily layd a snare for me vz. to catch me in it sée Psalme 141 9. Verse 4. I looked vz. as well and as narrowlye as I coulde vpon my right hande i. on euerye syde of mée or round about me putting a parte for the whole and behelde vz. on my lefte hande and that as attentiuelye as I coulde but there was none vz. amongst men that would know mee i. haue any care or regard of mée or succour me any maner of waye all refuge vz. of or from men fayled me i. was taken from me none vz. amongst men cared for my soule i. estéemed either me or my life q.d. I looked on euery side I perceiued my self to be destitute of all help and ayd Ver. 5. Then vz. when I saw my selfe thus distressed so that we sée that the true tast féeling of our own daungers and miseries
wil spéedily send vs to god cried I vnto the Lord sée this expounded verse 1. of this Psal and sayd vz. froÌ„ the bottome of my hart thou art my hope i. he in whom I put my hope to be deliuered from al my distres feare for otherwise he had his hope fast setled in his hart and my portion vz. wherewith I do content my self knowing that hauing thée I haue all things wanting thée I haue nothing in the land of the liuing i. in this worlde in this very present life as Psal .. 27 13 Ver. 6. Hearken vnto my cry i. graunt my petition which I do earnestly make vnto thée and poure forth before thée for I am brought very low vz. by outward persecutions and inward gréefes as ver 3 of this Psal meaning by this spéech also that he was at the last cast and euen as it were at deaths dore deliuer me vz. of thy goodnesse thorow thy great power might from my persecutors i. from such as persecute me that without anye cause on my part for they are too strong for me vz. alone of my selfe meaning that he was not able to deale with theÌ„ any maner of way vnles God tooke his part and strengthened him Ver. 7. Bring vz. thorow thy goodnes and power my soule i. my life me my selfe a part put for the whole as Psal 14.1.8 and ver 4 of this Psal out of prison i. out of this most present daunger and captiuity wherin I am with which I am coÌ„passed about on euery side by the reason of the rage of mine enemies as the prison is with strong wals that I may praise thy name i. thy maiesty power and goodnes for that deliueraÌ„ce so we haue had the word name vsed sundry times in that sence before then i. when thou shalt haue deliuered me shal the righteous come about me i. a great number of good people shal come vnto me and heare me setting forth thy praise for thy mercy towards me shal not only reioyce be glad on my behalf but prayse thy name together with me when thou art beneficiall vnto me i. when thou shalt haue bestowed vpon me this great benefit of deliueraunce sée Psal 119.17 Do. Verse 1 teacheth vs earnestnes and feruency in prayer Ver. 2 teacheth vs that the way to be rid from affliction is harty calling vpon the name of the Lord. Ver. 3 teacheth vs that howsoeuer we be distressed either outwardly or inwardly this is our comfort that the Lord approueth vs. Ver. 4. teacheth vs of what little estimation Gods children be with the world and worldly men Ver. 5 teacheth vs that the more afflictions increase vpon vs the more chearefully should we stirre vp our fayth and hope and earnestly call vpon the Lord. Ver. 6. teacheth vs that the féeling of our own misery and weakenesse and the feare of our foes force should be good whetstones to sharpen our prayers Verse 7 teacheth vs not onlye to prayse God for those mercies which he bestoweth vppon vs our selues but also to repaire to others vppon whome God hath bestowed great graces that thereby we may be prouoked to prayse God not only for theÌ„ but for our selues also and his mercy towards vs. Psalme 143 I Doe iudge that this Psalm may very fitly be diuided into two partes Di. In the first the Prophet beséecheth the Lord to grant his petition and to remooue his sins which might be a hinderaunce to his mercies alleaging certayne reasons of his supplication as the rage of the enemie his owne weakenes the experience he had had of Gods goodnesse c. from verse 1. to the end of sixt In the second part he doth as it were renewe his prayer afresh desiring the Lord to graunt his requests to shew him his mercy to order his conuersation and to deliuer him from his aduersaries and oppressors from verse 7. to the end of the Psalme The title A Psalme of Dauid i. which Dauid made Se. this is the title of sundry Psalmes and hath bin expounded before Ver. 1. Heare my prayer O Lord i. graunt me the things that I pray for hearken vnto my supplication i. giue me the things that I humbly sue vnto thée for answere me vz. who call vppon thée and pray vnto thée vnderstanding by answering also yéelding vnto his requests in thy truth i. according to thy gracious promises which contayn in theÌ„ nothing but truth because they procéed from thée that art the God of truth and truth it self in thy righteousnesse i. according to thy righteous nature who doest deliuer a iust cause from iniustice or else by righteousnes we may vnderstand gods goodnesse by which he maintaineth those that are his for gods righteousnesse specially shineth forth in his faithful accomplishment of his promises Ver. 2. And enter not into iudgement i. be so farre of from pronouncing sentence I pray thée that I would not haue thée to begin to prepare thy selfe to lay out my faults or to come into iudgement with thy seruaunt i. with me thy seruauÌ„t speaking of himself in the third persoÌ„ as sundry times before namely Psal 119 17. for in thy sight i. before thée if thou shouldest once take vppon thée to enter into iudgement with theÌ„ shal none of what state or condition soeuer he be that liueth vz. euen now or shal liue hereafter be iustified i. be fouÌ„d iust if he be loked vpon in himself for otherwise he mindeth not to say that al shall be condeÌ„ned for God hath a remnaunt in election according to grace Ver. 3. For the enemie i. my enemy or enemies rather â—utting one who was the chéef as Saul or some such other for him al his coÌ„plices hath persecuted my soule i. hath egarly pursued me and my life to take it awaye from mee hee hath smitten vz. with his rage and crueltie my life i. me my selfe my company that I haue with me who are means for the preseruation of my life which appeareth plainly by the history of the first booke of Sam. and by Psalme 141.7 he i. the enemye as in the beginning of this verse hath layde mée in the darkenesse i. hath caused me and mine to dwell in Caues and holes and other darke places sée 1 Samuel 24.4 as they that haue bin deade long agoe q.d. By the importunitie of our enemies we are inforced to flie the light to liue in darke places euen as it were in the graues with them that died long sithence Ver. 4. And my spirit was in perplexitie in me i. I was greatlye and gréeuously troubled sée Psal 77.3 also Psal 142.3 and my hart within me was amased vz. by reason of the gréeuous assaultes that both outwardlye and inwardly I did indure Ver. 5. Yet q.d. notwithstanding al my heauy affliction do I remember vz. euen to my great ioy and comforte the time past i. the graces and blessinges whiche in former time thou diddest bestowe vppon my
forefathers and me He putteth time for the things done in the time he meaneth that by former examples trials he strengthened himself in the faith against the bitter assaults which he suffred I meditate vz. carefully and continually in all thy workes i. in all that thou hast wrought yea I meditate i. I doe diligentlye and déepely think vpon in the works of thine hands i. in those excellent workes which by thy power and prouidence thou hast performed Verse 6. I stretch forth mine hands vnto thée i. I doe earnestlye and hartilye pray vnto thée he putteth the signe for the thing signified as Psalme 141 2. to declare that we must euen as it were lift vp our selues vnto God my soule i. I my selfe but chéefely my inward man desireth after thée i. longeth sore after thée sée Psalme 42 1 2 also Psalme 84 2 as the thirstye lande vz. doth desire water rayne or dew He vnderstandeth by thirstie lande the earth which is dried and chopped for lack of water gaping gréedily as it were to receaue the moysture or raine that shal fal from heauen sée also Psal 63.1 Ver. 7. Heare me i. graunt the requests which I make vnto thée speedily O Lorde i. quickly and in good time not that he prescribeth god a season but expresseth rather his great misery q.d. vnlesse thou quickly helpe it is like in maÌ„s iudgment that I shal be destroyed for my spirit fayleth i. I faint euen in the inward man and this is a reason of his prayer taken from his own person the misery that he was in hide not thy face from me i. shew not thy selfe angry against me as men many times do who wil not vouchsafe to looke vpon theÌ„ with whom they are displeased else vz. if thou hide thy face I shal be like vnto theÌ„ that go down into the pit i. there wil be no difference betwéene me those that are dead Ver. 8. Let me heare thy louing kindnesse i. make me to know féele and perceiue thy mercy in the morning i. in good time and spéedily for in thée is my trust i. I depend and hang only vpon thée and shew me the way that I should walke in i. direct not only the order and conuersation of my life but euen my very steppes also from daunger for I lift vp my soule vnto thée i. I do both trust in thée cal vpon thée from the hart Ver. 9. Deliuer me O Lord from mine enemies i. from the power and rage of them who séeke nothing else but to destroy me for I hid me with thée i. I did hang vpon thy prouideÌ„ce and protection only sée Psal 31.5.6 Ver 10. Teach me to doe thy will i. to do the thing which thou willest commaundest in thy word for thou arte my God i. thou art he alone whom I wil serue worship let thy good spirit i. thy blessed and holy spirit which is called good because it is Gods effectuall instrumente to lead vs into all goodnesse leade me vz. which am so often and continuallye straying and wandering from good thinges vnto the land of righteousnesse i. guide me not only in this life to righteousnesse of life but to that same eternall life wherein righteousnesse shall dwell for euer sée 2. Peter 3.13 Ver. 11. Quicken me O Lord i. cause me to passe safe and sound thorow this danger wherein I séeme to be as it were in death for thy names sake i. that I others may praise thy name as Psal 142.7 and for thy righteousnesse i. for thy righteous and faythful accomplishment of thy promises bring my soule i. me and my life out of trouble i. out of this trouble wherein it presently is and vnder which it wil quaile if thou assist me not Ver. 12. And for thy mercy sake vz. toward me thy seruaunt slay mine enemies i. destroy them by what meanes or wayes soeuer thou shalt think good and destroy vz. in thy iustice and iudgements against the wicked al them vz. of what state or condition soeuer they be whether it be Saul as the chéefest or his complices that oppresse my soule i. me and would faine take away my life from me for I am thy seruaunt i. I am such a one as whom thou in mercy hast vouchsaued worthy of this honour to commit some part of thy seruice into his hands sée 1. Timoth. 1.12 13. so that he boasteth not here of his merits but magnifieth the grace of God from whom this goodnesse came Ver. 1 teacheth vs Do. first in our distresses to run vnto God by earnest and harty prayers secondly to ground our prayers vpon the righteousnesse truth and faythfulnes of our God Ver. 2 teacheth vs two things first to pray the Lord to remoue al things that might hinder the course of his mercy toward vs secondly it is a strong place to ouerthrow al imagination of mans righteousnes Ver. 3 teacheth vs that God suffereth and appointeth the wicked many times to preuaile very far against the godly Ver. 4 is a notable place to proue that euen gods children in their troubles haue their affections against that blockish dotage of the stoâ—ks Ver. 5 teacheth vs that the consideratioÌ„ of Gods goodnesse in former times should minister no smal comfort vnto vs in the time of our present heauines Ver. 6 teacheth vs to hunger and thirst after the Lord and to bee earnest with him in our supplications vnto his maiesty Ver. 7 teacheth vs that the more our miseries grow increase vpon vs the more earnest and often we should be with the Lord our God in prayer Ver. 8 teacheth vs that there is nothing more comfortable then plentifully and in good time to féele Gods mercy Ver. 9 teacheth vs in all distresses to commend our selues to Gods power and prouideÌ„ce as to a most sure rock and tower of defence Ver. 10 is a notable place againste fréewill because we are blind til God teach vs and we can do nothing without the assistance of his holy spirit Ver. 11 teacheth vs that vnlesse God set vs frée from trouble we can neuer be deliuered Ver. 12 teacheth vs that we may safelye praye agaynste the malicious and obstinate enemies of Gods Churche and people Psalme 144 Di. THis Psalme may be diuided into thrée parts In the first he prayseth God for his goodnesse and confesseth his own vnworthines and this is comprehended in the 4 first verses In the seconde he prayeth to GOD for the ouerthrowe of his enemies whose corruption he toucheth and for his owne deliueraunce and this reacheth from the fifte verse to the ende of the eleuenth In the thirde he sheweth what fruite shall redound thereby both to GOD and his people vz. he shall be praysed and they shall bée comforted from verse 12 to the end of the Psalme Se. The Title A Psalme of Dauid vz. which he made after his comming to the kingdome when he had obtayned diuers victories and yet notwithstanding his enemies were very
side from the hand of strangers sée for the vnderstanding of this and all that followeth in this verse the 7. and 8. verse of this Psalme where you shall sée the very same wordes Ver. 12. That our sonnes i. the posteritie that we shal leaue behind vs through thy fauour towardes vs and thy iudgements vpon thine and our enemies may be as the plants i. tender faire gréene and florishing growing vp in their youth this may be referred either to the childrē or to the plants but I rather refer it to the plantes q.d. euen as plantes set in good grounde grow vp a pace so by this thy blessing the séede that we shall leaue behinde vs shall increase in all comelines beautie and good thinges and our daughters i. our seede and posteritie for vnder these two sonnes and daughters hee meaneth all posteritie either male or female which they coulde leaue behinde them as the corner stones vz. of the house builded or in the foundation of the house which were not onely profitable to vpholde the whole building as Psalme 118.22 but also was finely hewen cunningly wrought grauen i. curiously wrought and cut after the similitude of a pallace i. after the forme of most costly stones wherewith most costly buildinges as palaces are built But I like better Immnuel who readeth it thus that our sonnes being as the plantes growing vp in their youth our daughters being as the corner stones al this agréeth with the sense before giuen may bee the building of the temple i. may be such stones as may be vsed to the building and polishing of Gods church that we may altogether grow vp to an holy temple in the Lord Ephe 2.21 also Ephe. 4.12.13 Ver. 13. That our corners i. not onely the barnes and store houses which we haue but euery corner of our dwelling house maye bee full vz. through thy blessing and abounding vz. in great measure and plenty with diuers sortes vz. not onely of graine and corne but of all maner of prouision and that our shéepe may bring forth vz. through thy especial blessing thousandes and ten thousandes i. may increase infinitely and as it were without number for he putteth a number certaine for an vncertaine in our stréetes i. openly so that not only we our selues to our great ioy but our aduersaries to their great griefe may beholde the same Verse 14. That our oxen vz. also through this thy blessing may be strong to labour i. méete and fit for all that labour whereunto thou hast appointed them and we shal according to thy will vse them he meaneth by this that the people may bee rich and abounde with al maner of worldly blessings that there bee none inuasion vz. of the enemie against vs that is that the enemy runne not in vppon our lande and vs neither make breaches in our wals nor enter into our cities nor going out vz. to battle and warre which can not be if none come to assault them nor no crying in our stréetes i. neither noyse or sodaine tumult as commeth to passe in the taking of townes nor no mourning by any occasion either when the enemies slay vs or otherwise q.d. that no euill thing at all may come vpon vs that no good thing may passe from vs and that we haue no heauines nor cause therof within vs our Cities but al things ioyful and pleasant Ver. 15. Blessed are the people that be so i. in so good a cause d.q. most happy surely are they yea blessed are the people whose God is the Lorde i. they in déede are blessed who howsoeuer they haue or inioy the outward blessings before rehearsed or haue them not yet so do tast and féele the grace of God that they are still perswaded of his fatherly loue towards them and in the apprehension thereof goe on forward towards the obtaining of the heauenly inheritance Ver. 1. Teacheth vs that we can do nothing no not outwarde things well Do. vnlesse the Lorde teach and instruct vs. Ver. 2. Teacheth vs first that God alone is the whole aide and defence of his children secondly that it is not kings powers and pollicies that kéepe the people in good order and subiection but hee alone who boweth their heartes thereto Verse 3. Teacheth vs that there is nothing in man as of man that can commend him to God Ver. 4. Setteth out the vanity brittlenes and shortnes of mans life Ver. 5. Teacheth vs that God néedeth not to vse any great power for the ouerthrowe of his enemies Verse 6. Teacheth vs that wee may safely pray agaynst the malicious and obstinate enemies of his trueth Verse 7. Teacheth vs that vnlesse GOD deliuer vs out of our great daungers there is no way or meanes for vs to escape out of them Verse 8. Teacheth vs that there is nothing but vanitie lying and falshoode to bée looked for at the handes of the wicked Verse 9. teacheth vs to bee alwayes thankefull to the Lorde for his mercies and because wee are very dull thereto to stirre vp our selues by all the meanes wee can Verse 10 teacheth vs that Kinges victories and their deliuerances from daungers procéed from God as well as the poore mans doeth Ver. 11. teacheth vs that because we can not helpe our selues wee shoulde pray the Lorde to deliuer vs from distresses Verse 12. teacheth vs that it is a singular blessing to haue a posteritie grafted into Gods Church Verse 13 teacheth vs that abundance of al things come from the Lorde onely Verse 14. Teacheth vs that neither our cattell nor any thing else can stand vs in steede without Gods especial blessing and al these three verses layde together doe teach vs further what great commodities insue to Gods people by the ouerthrow of their enemies also that euen these outward blessinges are to Gods seruants sure seales and testimonies of a better hope Ver. 15. Teacheth vs that they in déed are in some measure blessed that haue these outwarde benefites bestowed vpon them but yet they are in better case which though they wante them féele with assuraunce of perswasion the eternal fauour of God towards them in the hope and certaintie of a better life Psalme 145 Di. THis Psalm propounding specially the matter of thanksgiuing and praise vnto the Lord may bée diuided into foure partes In the first hee himselfe promiseth to praise the Lorde shewing a cause wherefore Ver. 1.2.3 In the second he doeth as it were prophecie that all Gods creatures and workes shal serue to set forth his praise from ver 4. vnto to the end of the 12. In the third he sheweth reasons and causes why men should praise the Lorde to wit for his gouernement his mercy his prouidence c. from verse 13. to the 20. And lastly hee shutteth vp the Psalme with promise of thankesgiuing as he began it ver 21. Se. The title A Psalme of Dauid i. which hee made of prayse vz. vnto the Lord i. of such prayse and thankesgiuing as
he promised and perfourmed vnto him So that this worde séemeth to comprehende the argument or the whole matter of the Psalme this Psalme is written in the order of the Alphabet euery verse beginning with the letters as they are in order in the Hebrewe Alphabet one onely being omitted and that is the letter Nun in the 14. verse which beginneth with Samech the next letter in the Alphabet such Psalmes we haue had before Psal 25. which beginneth euery verse so two or thrée onely excepted such also are Psalm 111. and 112. which beginne euery verse of it and the seconde part of it which two letters of the Hebrewe Alphabet in order Ver. 1. O my God i. he whome onely I worship and king i. whom I serue whose subiect I am I wil extol thée vz. in my songes and thankesgiuinges and that aboue all whatsoeuer and will blesse i. prayse thy name i thy maiesty power and goodnes for euer and euer i. continually Ver. 2 I wil blesse thée i. praise thée as before ver 1. dayly i. euery day q.d. no day shall passe ouer my head but I will spend it or some part of it in magnifiyng of thee and prayse thy name for euer and euer sée before ver 1. of this Psalme Verse 3. Great is the Lorde vz. in power and goodnes towardes all but chiefely towardes his owne and most worthy to be praised vz. for those excellent things that be in him and the great workes that he doth dayly and his greatnesse is incomprehensible vz. of vs men for though after regeneration wee doe looke into it by fayth yet it is but in some measure for we knowe in part and prophecie in part 1. Corinth 13.9 and though it bée sayde that in the life to come we shall see him as he is 1. Iohn 3.2 yet he meaneth not that there wee shalbée able to attaine to the full apprehension of Gods eternall maiestye because he dwelleth in light that no man can come vnto 1. Tim. 6.16 and that which is finite as we shal bee after the resurrection though wee shall haue glorified bodies can not comprehend that which is infinite as God is alwayes but that wee shall haue a farre greater measure in that life then wee haue had in this Ver. 4. Generation shall prayse thy workes vnto generation i. the prayse and excellencie of thy great workes shal be magnified in al ages both because thou doest continue thy great workes in euery age and giuest men care and conscience to publish the same to their posteritie and declare thy power i. the generations shall preach and set out the greatnes of thy power and the excellency thereof Immanuel referreth it to Gods workes both senses are true Ver. 5. I will meditate vz. déepely and diligently of the beautie i. not onely of the comelinesse but also of the excellency of thy glorious maiestye i. of thy maiesty which is full of wonderfull glory and thy wonderfull workes i. I will meditate of thy workes also which are rather to bee wondered at then comprehended Ver. 6. And they i. men and specially thy people shall speake vz. openly and plainely meaning that they shall declare and set abroade of the power vz. which is great and excéeding of thy fearefull acts i. of those iudgments which thou exercisest vppon the contemners of thy maiestie which should strike feare into al mens hearts and I wil declare vz. fréely and openly thy greatnes i. thy excellency maiesty and power Sée ver 3. of this Psal Ver. 7. They i. men shall breake out i. playnely and with open mouth into the mention i. euen to the making mention of thy gret goodnes vz. towards all but specially towardes thy people and shall sing aloude i. speake openlye and playnely of thy righteousnesse i. of thy faithfull and iust dealing towards all Ver. 8. The Lorde is gracious and merciful this séemeth to be the speciall matter of their song and praysing and it séemeth to bee taken out of Exod. 34.6 sée also Psalme 86.5.15 slowe to anger i. not easily moued to punish and of great mercy vz. towardes those that drawe me vnto him Ver. 9. The Lorde is good to all vz. his creatures and namely men but chiefely amongst them to his chosen people and his mercies i. the abundaunt plenty of his mercie for so much I suppose the word in the plurall number importeth are ouer all his woorkes i. there is none of his woorkes but it sheweth vnto others and findeth in it selfe very large testimonies of Gods mercy and goodnes They then do not rightly vnderstand the place that from hence would gather that Gods mercy excéedeth all his works though that is to be confessed to bee true But this is the true and naturall meaning thereof that though it be so that by meanes of sinne all the worlde bee wrapped vp vnder the curse yet the mercy of God passeth through al his creatures and entereth euen vnto the very bruit beastes as ver 15.16 of this Psalme Ver. 10. Al thy workes vz. which thou hast created and the noble deedes which thou hast done prayse thée O Lorde vz. in their kinde that is doe set foorth thy prayses vnto men and doe put in to their mouthes as it were an occasion to prayse thee and thy Saintes i. those whome thou hast made holy vnto thy selfe Sée Psalme 16.3 also 30.4 also 132.9 blesse thee i. prayse thée as ver 1.2 of this Psal Ver. 11. They i. both thy workes and people shewe vz. out and that sensiblie and plainely the glory of thy kingdome i. the excellency of thy rule and gouernement meaning also that Gods woorkes and the prayses of his people shoote all at this marke vz. to bring the worlde in subiection to his obedience and speake of thy power i. set it foorth very plainely howe the creatures perfourme this Sée Psalme 19.1.2 c. also Roman 1.19.20 c. Verse 12. To cause his power i. Gods power for hée sodainely chaungeth the person from the seconde to the thirde to be knowne In these wordes hee noteth the ende why God vseth his creatures and mens praises vz. that other men thereby may be drawne to see approue and confesse his goodnes and power to the sonnes of men i. to all ages and posterities and the glorious renowne of his kingdome sée ver 11. of this Psalme Ver. 13. Thy kingdome i. the gouernement which thou exercisest ouer all is an euerlasting kingdome i. shall neuer haue ende and thy dominion vz. which thou hast indureth throughout all ages i. shall neuer decay Ver. 14. The Lorde vz. himself vpholdeth vz. by his mercy all that fall vz. into any daunger or distresse Sée Prouerb 24.16.17 and yet wée must restraine that general terme to such as the Lord knoweth in his goodnes are méete to be vpholden and staied without which goodnes of his none is raised vp or maintained and lifteth vp all that are ready to fall q.d. whether they bee entering into
afflictions or aduersities or whether they bee already fallen into the same God reacheth out his hande and either keepeth them from falling or else deliuereth them being fallen Verse 15. The eyes of all vz. thinges whatsoeuer wayte vppon thée vz. with patience and that for their â—â—â—â—re and sustenaunce and thou giuest vz. euen in thy mercy them their meate i. that portion of foode that thou hast appointed for them in due season i. in that time that thou séest with thy selfe to bee good and méete for them Verse 16. Thou openest thyne hande i. thou stretchest forth thy power and giuest plentifully and largely to all thy creatures and fillest all thinges liuing i. whatsoeuer liueth and moueth or hath sense féeling and groweth of thy good pleasure hee noteth here the cause why all the creatures are norished vz. Gods good pleasure and will Sée for these 2. ver Psalme 104. ver 27.28 c. Verse 17. The Lorde is righteous i. iust and equall in all his wayes i. in euery thing that hee taketh in hande hée meaneth that God obserueth a most vpright course in euery thing he doeth howe corrupt or partiall so euer men be in their dealings and holy in all his workes i. his very workes declare that there is a certaine kynde of vnspeakeable holinesse in his maiesty that woorde holy would bee better turned good or mercifull and so doeth Immanuel turne it sée to this end ver 9. of this Psalme Ver. 18. The Lorde is néere i. euen ready at hand not onely to heare them but to helpe them vnto all that call vpon him i. to those that worshippe and serue him a part of Gods seruice put for the whole as Gene. 4.26 1. Corinth 1.2 also 2. Timot. 2.19 yea to all that called vppon him in trueth i. without feigning or hypocrisie or else that call vppon him in such sort that they perfourme not the inuocation of his name by their inuentions and superstitions In summe hee setteth trueth against infidelitie doubting impacience murmuring counterfeite humilitie and vicious affecting of thinges which are the fruites of lying for true worshippers Sée Iohn 4.24 and this hée addeth in the way of correction q.d. though I sayde before that the Lorde heareth all them that call vppon him yet I meane it of al them that call vppon him in trueth Verse 19. Hée will fulfill i. accomplish and perfourme the desire of them i. the thinges which they shall desire and will according to his will Sée 1. Iohn 5.14 because God setteth vppon their affections a lawe of obedience that feare him i. that serue and worshippe him this hath béene sundry tymes expounded before hee will also heare their cry i. graunt them their requestes which they pray euerlastingly vnto him for and will saue them i. both deliuer them out of all the daungers of this lyfe and at the ende bring them to eternall life Verse 20. The Lorde preserueth vz. from any notorious hurt or daunger or if not so yet hée maketh away for them to escape out of it as shal bee most for his glory and their comfort all them that loue him vz. vnfeignedly and with a good heart Sée Roman 8.28 but hee wil destroy vz. in his wrath and iust iudgement all the wicked vz. of the worlde of what estate or condition so euer they bee Verse 21. My mouth shall speake the prayse of the Lorde i. I will boldly and openlye in wordes set foorth his prayses hee putteth the instrument wherewith wordes are vttered for the wordes themselues all flesh i. all men for when this word is so put alone without adding any thing to it doeth most commonly in the Scriptures respect men shall blesse his holy name i. shall prayse his maiesty power and goodnes for euer and euer i. continually sée ver 1.2 of this Psalme Verse 1. Teacheth vs not onely to be thankfull to God for his mercies Do. but also to continue in the same because his mercies are continually powred forth vppon vs. Ver. 2. teacheth vs that wee shoulde let no day passe without heartie thankesgiuing to the Lord for his graces Ver. 3 teacheth vs that Gods power and incomprehensible maiesty should prouoke vs to thankfulnes Verse 4. Teacheth vs to haue a care to conuey the remembraunce of Gods benefites to our posteritie Verse 5. Teacheth vs to imploy more time in the meditation of Gods workes then heretofore we haue done Verse 6. Teacheth vs as well to publish Gods iudgements as his mercies that the wicked may bee pearsed with a feare of his maiesty Verse 7. teacheth vs neuer to be ashamed to publish gods promises Ver. 8 9. Are excellent descriptions of god by his qualities and comprehende much matter of comfort for those that bee afflicted and also conteine very excellent causes why we should prayse and thanke God Ver. 10. Teacheth vs that it becommeth all Gods creatures but specially his faythful people to blesse and prayse the Lorde Ver. 11. and 12. Teach vs not onely for our owne good and the discharge of our owne duety but that others also therby may be drawne to do the like Ver. 13. Teacheth vs that howsoeuer mens kingdomes be brittle yet Gods gouernment ouer all but specially ouer his indureth for euer Ver. 14. Teacheth vs that God so prouideth for his children in their daungers and distresses that howsoeuer they bee afflicted yet they do not vtterly perish Ver. 15. Setteth out Gods gracious prouidence fatherly care ouer his children Ver. 16. Sheweth that the Lorde is liberall handed towardes his creatures and that al the good thinges which we haue procéede from his good will and pleasure Verse 17. Teacheth vs that whatsoeuer God doeth he doeth in all vprightnes though perhaps we through the blindnesse and corruption of our nature can not conceiue so thereof Ver. 18. Teacheth vs that God quickly heareth the earnest and vnfeigned prayers of his Seruauntes Verse 19. Sheweth that God will graciously deliuer his out of all their daungers Verse 20. Sheweth the vnlikely reward betweene the godly and the vngodly Verse 21. Teacheth vs both in our owne persons and in others to stirre vp and prouoke our selues to continual thankfulnesse Psalme 146 Di. THis Psalme may bee diuided into two partes In the first hee prouoketh himselfe to prayse God promising to perfourme it as long as he liueth to which he addeth a dehortation that we should not trust in any man nor giue them the matter of praises Ver. 1.2.3.4 and 5. In the second he sheweth certaine causes why he and other should prayse the Lord from ver 6. to the end of the Psalme Se. The title Prayse ye the Lorde sée Psalme 106. in the title Ver. 1. Prayse thou the Lorde O my soule vz. for his mercy and goodnes towardes thée vnderstanding by soule the seate of his affections which is the heart Sée Psalm 103.1 Ver. 2. I will prayse the Lorde vz. for his mercies during my life i. as long as I liue and all the dayes
in that he beginneth with them he doth not only closely as it were reproue them for their vnthankfulnesse because that whereas they are more bound to God then others by reason the greater benefits they haue receaued from him and yet notwithstanding they are more slow to doe their dutie in this behalfe vnlesse they be wonderfully prouoked and pricked on forward defrauding God by that meanes of the praise which is due vnto him supposing that the world was made only for them but also secretly telleth thē their dutie to wit that they should go before others in the performance of that great office for the more that any hath receaued and in the offices of his exaltation draweth nigh to God the more is he bound to serue him and to magnify the riches of his grace and al people vz. of the world of what nation country or kinred soeuer they be princes and all iudges of the world i. al that haue the matters of state or publike iustice committed vnto them Ver. 12. Yong men and maids old men and children the particular recitall of the distinction of ages and sexes which the Prophet vseth in this verse doth sufficiently declare that all without exception should imploy themselues in the seruice praysing of God And these two words virgins children import an amplifying as it were of the matter q.d. yea let virgins which are not so well instructed as the male kind is and let children which are not so skilfull as the old sort are performe this dutie of praise vnto the Lord. Ver. 13. Let them vz. altogether both heauenly and earthly reasonable and vnreasonable but chéefely the reasonable creatures laste rehearsed verse 11 12. prayse the name of the Lorde i. his goodnesse power and might for his name only is to be exalted vz. in the songes and prayses of his peoples meaning that none is worthy of prayse in respect of himselfe but he alone sée Psalme 145 3. and his praise aboue the earth and the heauens i. he is to be praysed more then the heauens or the earth or else his prayse is so great that neither the heauens nor the earth nor all thinges therein contayned are able sufficiently to expresse it and this is the firste reason why they should prayse him taken from the excellēcy of Gods own maiestie Ver. 14. For he vz. alone hath exalted vz. by his power and mighte the borne of his people i. their strength for so haue we had the word horne vsed sundry times heretofore meaning that God aduaunced his Churche both into great strength and dignity which vz. exaltation and lifting vp of their glory and strength is a prayse to all his saints i. tendeth not only to their glory and prayse but also offreth them a plentifull occasion to prayse and magnifie his name by reason of the grace which he hath shewed them For the worde Saints sée Psalme 145 10. euen for the children of Israell i. euen for the true and right Israelites and this is an other terme proper and peculiar to Gods sonnes and seruaunts a people that is nere vnto him vz. by the reason of the couenant which God hath made with them in the person of Abraham and confirmed in his sonne Christ and thus he doth more and more specifie the people who haue most singular occasion to praise him praise yee the Lorde sée Psal 146 in the end Do. One generall doctrine is offred in this Psalme from ver 1. to the end of the 10. vz. that if all Gods creatures in the dutie and by the right of their creation are bound to praise God in their kind much more man for whose sake all the creatures were made that are made An other generall doctrine wee may gather out of verse 2. that if Angels must be put in mind of the performance of this dutie men had much more néede to be remembred and not only so but to bee pricked and prouoked forward thereto Verse 5 being a generall inference vpon the particular premisses doth playnly proue that Angels as well as other things were created and that therefore that is a dotage of some to thinke that they were without beginning and withall it plainlye and sufficientlye ouerthroweth the dreame of the Sadduces who did thinke that there was neither Angell nor spirit Verse 6 teacheth vs that not one of the creatures nor all the creatures can go beyonde the boundes which God hath set them in his eternall decrée Verse 8 teacheth vs that al gods creatures are but instruments to execute that which God will haue them to doe Verse 11 teacheth vs that as Kings are the highest so they should be the first and examples to others in the seruice of God Verse 12 teacheth vs that no age or sexe can or should be exempted from the sincere worship and seruice of God Ver. 13. teacheth vs that as God onely is to be praysed so he is only to be prayed vnto because praise and prayer belong onlye vnto him alone Verse 14 teacheth vs first that al the glory and strength which the church hath it hath it from God secondly that God neuer bestoweth benefit vpon the Churche but that it becommeth the same aboue all others to bée thankfull to God for it Psalme 149 THis psalme may bee deuided into two partes Di. In the first hee exhorteth the faithfull to praise God for his great grace and mercie bestowed vpon them from Ver. i. to the end of the 4. In the second he prouoketh them to prayse him for the strength and power which he gaue them to subdue their enemies from Ver. 5. to the end of the psalme The title is expounded before Psalme 148. Se. in sundrie other places Ver. 1. Singe yee vz. which are his sonnes and seruantes vnto the Lord vz. your God a newe song i. a singular and excelent song by reason of an vnacustomed benefite which you haue receaued from the Lord. sée Psalme 33.3 also psalme 144.9 let his praise i. songes and Psalmes made vnto his praise be heard vz. openlie and painelie in the congregation of saincte i. in his Church this is an excelent description of the Church for saincts sée Psalme 148.14 Ver. 2. Let Israell i. the Church of God and faithfull people sée Psalme 147.19 also 148.14 reioyce vz. excedinglie and with an vnfeyned ioye in him that made him i. in God and hee meaneth it not here of the generall creation onely but also of their frée adoption by which they were chosen seperated from all mankinde to be a peculiar people to God which was as it were a newe creation and let the children of Sion i. the faithfull members of the Church sée Psalme 146.10 and 147.12 reioyce vz. as before in this verse in their king i. either in Dauid and so by consequent in Christ because Dauid was but a figure of him or els in God whom the faithfull many times call their king as Psalme 5.2 and this latter do I rather allowe
they should prayse God by all holy and lawfull meanes they could sée to this purpose before Psalm 149 3. Concerning these instruments it is true that vnder the law they serued to lead the people to a certayne kind of holy ioy If any would inferre herevpon therefore they should be vsed now publikely in the Church they are much deceaued for they were but ceremonies we know and beléeue that the ceremoniall law and euery part and péece thereof is abolished so that we can not without iniury to Christ retayne them publikely in our Churches Concerning the priuate vse of them they are so far forth to bée vsed as they prouoke vs to holinesse if they be instruments to stirre vp men to sinne and filthinesse they must be detested and abhorred as vile and abhominable Ver. 6. Let euery thing that hath breath prayse the Lord. Some referre it to all creatures and it is true that the word may well beare import so much I for mine own part refer it only to men who though they liue as other creatures do yet the word breath as also the word life doth more properly agrée to them then to beasts prayse ye the Lord sée before in the end of thrée or foure of these last Psalmes Now let vs marke that when the scripture doth so often times put vs in mind to prayse the Lord it doth iustly charge and vpbrayd vs with our vnthankfulnesse and slouthfulnesse in that behalfe Do. Verse 1 2 teach vs that we are bound to praise God and shew also certayne causes why we should doe it vz. for the holinesse he communicateth to vs for his great care and prouidence ouer vs and all creatures for his mercies towards vs and his iudgements towards the wicked Ver. 2 teacheth vs that though we cannot praise God or pray vnto him as we should and he iustly deserueth yet we should not for all that leaue of Ver. 3.4.5 teache vs to vse all the holy and lawfull meanes wée can to stir vp our selues to vnfeigned thankfulnesse to our God Ver. 6. teacheth vs that men aboue all his other creatures are specially bound to bée continually thankefull vnto him Ephes 3. Ver. 20.21 Vnto him that is able to doe exceeding abundantly euen aboue all that we aske or thinke according to the power that worketh in vs bee prayse in the Church by Christ Iesus thorowout all generations for euer So be it Faultes escaped The first number noteth the page the second the line Pag. 1. l 13. they r theirs 2. l. 12. in the r of the. 3. l. 40. they r men 5. l. 3. many r maÌ„ l. 15. kingly r king by l. 16. imagination inauguration 9. li. 28. of r. from l. 41. coÌ„triued r conteined 10. l. 6. or r on l. 22. draw deceiue 14. l. 39. such r further 15. li. 20. rebuked reputed li. 26. crueltie subtiltie r cruelly and subtilly li. 31. par r per. 19. l. 21. time terme 22. l. 24. putteth r put them li. 37. summe r same 23. l. 20 consisteth r trusteth 27. li. 7 tâ—â—e r terme 35. li. 2. out r on li. 9. not to r to note 40. l. 32. thy r my 46. l. 28. possible r impossible l. 31. Gods r God 46. l. 18. lustines loftiner l. 26 sentences senses 51. li. 20. remoued reuiued 59. li. 32. strike r stirre 68. li. 27. affection r affliction 70 l. 38 quarellors quarellous 73. li. 10. better r bitter li. 30. set r fet 74 li. 3. intent innocent 77. li. 20 guilty r guile 82. l. 24. reiected recited 85. 38. spoke r smoke 88. l. 33. past me past cure 91 li. 40. drunke dumbe 96. li 20. trusty vntrusty 97. li. 30. parting for panting 104. l. 39. kimcho for kimchi 100. l. 37. performed for perfumed 110. l. 20. 1. Cor. for 1. Chro. 111. l. 15. breathing for breaking 113. l. 30. sects r sorts 161 l. 21. expounded r propounded l. 36. ceased r seized 172. l. 34. captaines r captiues 174. l 20. mother read both our 176 l 6. expound for propound l. 7. expoundeth propoundeth l. 16. seeke for setteth out 181. l. 6. altogether r All together 186. l. 17. faithful r faith 203. l. 1. afflictions r affections 205. l. 29. godly for vngodly 255. l. 24. first r for so 259. l 27. referred r corrected 265. l. 18. see r vse 266. l. 10. mortal for immortal 271. li. 26. strange r strong 303. l. 16. comfort r confute 315. li 11. three r two 347 li 35. for necess r. but for necess 354. l. 18. peraphrasis read periphrasis l. 19. beginning r begetting 363. liÌ„ 13. meaneth for nameth 364. li. 28. lande read hand 367. l. 13. slaieth for staineth 397. l. 31. reed for rod li 38. bands r bounds li. 40. supposes r suppostes 399 li. 13. Himites r Hiuites 405. li. 4. shal r should 406. l. 25. inuisible for insensible
admonition of God who will not the death of sinners but rather that they should repent wishing them in time for feare of after punishment to turne to his Maiestie from verse 10. to the ende of the Psalme Se. Ver. 1. Heathen put for people not being Iewes If you vnderstand this Psalme of Dauids kingdome if otherwayes of Christes kingdome as it is referred thereto Acts. 4.25 Then vnderstande by Heathen and people of the enemies of Christ whiche were of thrée manner of sorts and in this first verse he noteth two kindes of them some that through rage were caried to outrage and violence and othersome that were not so cruel and yet murmuringly opposed themselues in wordes Some reade the later part of the first verse thus And the Nations meditate or thinke vpon a vaine thing i. a matter that can not be brought to passe but shall lack his effect the sence commeth all to one effect Ver. 2. The kings of the earth i. they that had the highest authority bend themselues or after some stand vp meaning that they cōsent and conspire together as it were and the Princes i. the great men by whose counsel and wisedom kings gouern their countries noting hereby that neither might nor councell was wanting in Christs aduersaries are assembled or after some do take counsell together agaynst the Lord A strange matter that men like Giaunts should arm thēselues against God against his Christ i. his annointed one meaning either Dauid as the figure or Christ himselfe as the truth ver 3. the Prophet putteth down the vngodlies spéeches Let vs breake q.d. Let vs ioyne all our force to assay to breake not that they can but that such purposes they haue in their hartes and wordes in their mouthes their bandes i. God the fathers lawes published by Dauid and Christ which hee calleth bandes because that by them as it were by certaine bandes the subiectes are wont to be bound kept in their dueties their cordes or as some terme it thick i. strong cords from vs I suppose that the Prophet vnderstandeth by cords the rule and authoritie that God hath giuen to Dauid and his son Christ the meaning is Let vs not obaye say the wicked their lawes and let vs labour that they may not rule ouer vs ver 4. He that dwelleth others reade He that sitteth in heauen a notable description of God wherby the Prophet meaneth to show that they are not able to match with him and they are Dauids words q.d. Howe wil these wicked men as wicked as they are fight with him that is so high aboue their reach shall laugh or in the present tense as some reade it doth laugh i. maketh no account of al their rage and murmuring and this is spoken of God as the rest of the words in this verse and the next that follow are according to many and as his capacity is able to cōprehend shal haue them in derision or as others read it doth deride them it is a repetition being the same in effect that the former part of the verse is by which doubling the holy Ghost noteth the certaintie assurednes of the thing Ver. 5. Then vz. when time shal require and at that very instant which God in his eternall decrée hath appointed shall he i. God speake vnto them vz. the wicked and vngodly eyther by his wordes or by his rods Iob. 33.14 c. but chiefly by his roddes as Iob 33.19.20.21 in his wrath i. being angry with them meaning that hee will most vehemently and sharpely rebuke them and vexe them i. plague them so that they shall be vexed greeued in his sore displeasure he meaneth that being moued with great wrath he wil destroy and ouerthrow thē Ver. 6. amend thus Saying vz. God himselfe but I annoynted my kingly placing him in his kingdome putting the signe of his imagination or entrance into his kingdom vz. annoynting for the possession enioying therof And putting these words my king for him whom the Lord had aduanced thereto either Dauid or Christ had made him ruler ouer Sion which place was the seat of Dauids kingdome as may appeare by sundrie places the Prophet vsing a part for the whole land and the people contained therin and a figure also of Christs Church Isaiah 2.3 the Mountains of my holines i. My holy mountaines for so do the Hebrues sundry times speak vsing the Substantiue for the Adiectiue now it is called Gods holy mountaine because that Dauid brought thither Gods own arke and there were the holy exercises of his religion obserued till the Temple was builded sée 1. Chron. 15.16 Chap. and this verse comprehendeth God the fathers wordes sitting in iudgement as it were and condemning the wicked who laboured the ouerthrow of his kingdome Ver. 7. I will declare i. I will faythfullye shew and set abroad the decrée vz. which the Lord hath determined cōcerning men thou art my sonne vz. by adoption if we vnderstand it of Dauid and by nature if we vnderstand it of Christ This day if you vnderstād it of Dauid you must refer it to the time of his first annointing so forward If you vnderstand it of Christ you must refer it to his first manifestation in the flesh not but that he was begotten of the Father from before all beginnings and this 7. verse are the words of Dauid or Christ declaring Gods eternal decrée touching their gouernments Ver. 8. are the wordes of the Father inuiting Dauid or Christ to aske somewhat of him and as it were a prophecy of the inlargement of their kingdomes In Dauid somewhat more narrowly thus that the Heathen round about him and namelye those that inhabited the coasts nigh to the land of Iudea as Ammonites Moabites c. should be brought in subiection to him as may appeare in the Histories in 2. Samuel in Christ more largely to wit that of all the nations and peoples vnder heauen he should haue diuers subiected to his kingdome by the ministerie of the word Ver. 9. is declared the power of Dauid or christ Thou shalt crush or after some thou shalt breake them together vz. not onlye those enemies mentioned in the beginning of this Psalme but all others whatsoeuer that shall rise vp or rebell agaynst thée with a scepter or after some with a rod of yron whatsoeuer it be the holy Ghost meaneth vnder these termes to sette out the inuincible power and force of Dauid or of Christ agaynst their seuerall enemies And breake them in péeces or after some shalt scatter them abroad vz. being already broken which I rather allow of lyke a Potters vessell vz. which is broken alreadye noting by this maner of spéeche not only a iudgement to bee executed vpon the wicked but such a iudgement as the vngodlye shall bée past all hope of repayre and recouery Ver. 10. Is a notable exhortation to Rulers in time to turne to the Lord and his obedience Now i. while it is time before such