which also is the last verse of the Psalm is the same with the first verse of this Psalm both in words and sence therfore haue an eye back to that Do. Ver. 1 teacheth vs to prouoke others to praise the Lord also that we they should do it for the continuance of his mercy towards vs. Ver. 2 teacheth vs that the sacrifice of thanksgiuing doth generally belong vnto al of the housholde of faith Ver. 3 teacheth vs that it doth specially appertain to Gods ministers as who euen in that respect also should be examples to Gods people Ver. 4 teacheth al to profes that presently without any further delay the assurednesse of Gods goodnesse mercy Ver. 5. teacheth vs to pray to the Lord in affliction also that the Lord doth graciously heare the prayers of his seruaunts Ver. 6 teacheth vs that an assured féeling of Gods fauor presence driueth away al fear of man whatsoeuer Ver. 7 teacheth vs that God men many times ioin together for the defence of his seruants Ver. 8 9 teach vs only to hang vpon the Lorde and to trust in none other how many or mighty soeuer they bee but in him alone Verse 10 teacheth that no multitude shall bée able to preuayle agaynste God and his people Verse 11 teacheth vs that no force or fraude shall bée able to preuayle agaynst them Verse 12 teacheth that no rage or cruelty shall bée able to preuayle agaynst them also that the enemies of God and his people shal be sodaynly ouerthrowne Verse 13 teacheth that there is no wisdom strength power or policie against the Lord and his annointed ones Ver. 14 teacheth that al the strength and deliuerance of the godly is from the Lord only Ver. 15 teacheth that God will graciously giue his children great occasions of reioycing in him also that the faithful wil fréely and willingly confesse that whatsoeuer they haue they haue it from the power and goodnesse of God Ver. 16 teacheth vs that Gods power is aboue all Ver. 17 teacheth vs that our life in this life ought to be referred to the setting forth of Gods glory Ver. 18 teacheth that howsoeuer God doth correct his for a time yet hee doth neuer destitute thē for euer Ver. 19 teacheth vs to haue an earnest care to praise and thanke God in the assemblye of his Saints Ver. 20 teacheth that howsoeuer hypocrites thrust themselues into the Churche yet that place doth properlye and peculiarly belong only to the faythfull Verse 21 teacheth vs to giue thankes to God for graunting our requestes and working our deliueraunce Verse 22 teacheth vs that that which is reiected of mā is highly estéemed of the Lord those that be his Ver. 23 teacheth vs that all Gods workes are far beyond the reach of our reason specially that great mistery of sending his sonne into the world Ver. 24 teacheth vs that because we are dul and heauy to consider of matters of spirituall mirth which the Lord giueth vs we should prouoke and stir vp one an other to doe the same Ver. 25 teacheth vs to pray for the safety and prosperity of our Princes Ver. 26 teacheth vs that no man either in Church or common wealth should take vpon him an office without warrant from God also that it is the duty of the ministers to blesse and pray for both their Princes and people Ver. 27. teacheth vs that whatsoeuer prosperity we haue we haue it from the Lorde onlye and of his mere mercy alone also that we should prepare and present our sacrifices of praise vnto the Lord. Ver. 28 teacheth vs that the more particular féelings we haue of Gods graces the more we should labour to prayse his name Ver. 29 deliuereth the same doctrines with verse 1. Psalme 119 Aleph FOr as much as the holy Ghost it selfe hath diuided this long Psalm into 22 partes Di. according to the number of the letters of the hebrew Alphabet I take it that it should be at the least superfluous if not vngodly to vse or make any other diuision of it Euery part of this Psalme containeth eyght verses euery verse also beginning with the same letter that the parte beginneth withall which was vsed as I suppose both to note out the excellency of the Psalme and also to helpe memory sée before Psal 111. in the verye beginning This Psalme as manye other Psalmes before going hath no Title Se. and therefore nothing can be sayd of certaintie notwithstanding very likely it is that Dauid was the pen man which the holy Ghost vsed in making writing this excellent Psalme Aleph this is the first letter of the Hebrew Alphabet and is here put downe to note and sette out the firste parte of this Psalme Whiche I thinke dothh specially consist of two parts or points Di. In the first the Prophet putteth down a general proposition teaching the blessednesse of those whiche yéelde obedience to God and his law and this is comprehended in the 4 first verses In the second is contained a particular applying of the same to his own person who earnestly wisheth grace and strength to performe the same and this is in the foure other verses Verse 1. Blessed i. abundaunce of blessednesse is vnto those that are vpright in their waye i. that haue a pure and vpright affection to follow righteousnesse and which referre their whole life to that marke the word way is put here for maner of liuing or course of life as Psalme 1 ver 1.6 and walke in the law of the Lord i. order and rule their life and conuersation according to Gods law Vnder the word walking hée comprehendeth life and conuersation and vnder the word law hee comprehendeth all the doctrine of Gods word contained in the law and Prophets he sheweth by this that true blessednesse is not in them that are wise in their own eyes and imagine in their own fantasie some holinesse in themselues but in them that giue themselues ouer to the obedience of Gods word Ver. 2. Blessed are they sée verse 1. of this Psalm that kéepe vz. not only in their hart to beléeue them as true and righteous but obserue them also in their outward acts and behauiour his testimonies i. his commaundements whiche testifye and witnesse to vs his will For these seuerall words law testimonies statutes c. whiche are so often vsed in this Psalme and for the difference of them sée before Psalm 19.7 8 9 and séeke him i. the Lorde vz. according to his will reuealed in his word with their whole hart i. not giuing part to him and part to the worlde but giuing all to him to whome it alone is due Hee declareth by this manner of spéech that God will not be serued with eye seruice only but also with a frée and sound affection of the hart Verse 3. Surely they work none iniquity vz. whiche is able to condemne them because all their sinnes are fully aunswered in Christs obedience for he meaneth not that
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
thus and in thy glory ride prosperously because of the word of trueth c. in thy glory i. being thus established and set vp ride prosperously i. feare not to attempt good and holy things because of the word of truth i. because the matter of trueth yea all trueth it selfe requireth this of thee and hee vnderstandeth by these thrée termes three seuerall things that ought to bee in kinges by trueth he meaneth faithfull dealing by meekenes milde and curteous behauiour and by righteousnes vpright execution of those thinges that concerne either the maintenance of good or the punishmēt of vice if we take it as it is read in the Geneua text hee séemeth then to resemble these vertues to chariotes of triumph vpon which kings were wont to bee carried specially after some great victories gotten and he speaketh of these vertues because that iust vpright gouernement and not outragious and violent giueth credit and authoritie to princes So thy right hand i. thy power and might because that in that hand it most consisteth shall teach thée i. shall inable thée to performe as those that teach others make them able Terrible thinges i. such thinges as shal strike a terrour and feare of thee into the heartes of thine enemies and a louing reuerence into the hearte of thy friendes and subiects Ver. 5. Thine arrowes are sharpe i. the instruments and meanes that thou hast to vse against thy enemies are persing yea so persing that the heart i. the closest part yea the strongest euen that wherein life consisteth shal be pearced thereby of the kinges enemies marke the chaunge of the person meaning thereby thy enemies which art the king shall fall vnder thee i. shall come into thy power and subiection as men are wont to fall when they are stricken wish an arrowe so that a man may do with them what he listeth hee meaneth nothing else but that Salomon should haue instruments and darts to strike his enemies a farre of and to constraine them to yeelde to his obedience Ver. 6. Thy throne i. thy kingdome for he vseth the throne where the Prince did vse to sit that gouerned the kingdome for the kingdome rule dominion and authority that the king had O God Salomon is here called God as kinges and magistrates are in other places of scripture for euer and euer i. indureth a long season the scepter of thy kingdome i. the rule and authority which was signified by the scepter is a scepter of righteousnes i. is iust equall and vpright all this must after this sort be applied to Salomon but for as much as the Apostle Heb. 18. doeth apply it to Christ wee must more largely interpret it vz. that the holy Ghost meaneth to signifie and to set out vnto vs not only the continuance and durablenes of Christes kingdome but also the continual vprightnes and equity that shal be therein Ver. 7. Apply this also to Salomon Christ to the one in figure to the other in trueth thou louest i. allowest likest of and performest righteousnesse i. vpright dealing and equity and hatest i. canst not at any hand away with wickednes i. any manner of sinne whatsoeuer he sheweth wherein vprightnes consisteth vz. in the maintenance of equity and in the sharpe punishment of iniquity hath annoynted thee the Prophet speaketh after the manner of those dayes wherein kinges were annoynted which was a visible signe of their entrance into the kingdome with the oyle of gladnes i. with such oyle as made not onely Salomon glad but the people ouer whom he should raigne aboue thy fellowes i. al thy brethren set aside though they were elder then thou howe this and other places of this Psalme haue their verification in Christ shal be shewed afterwarde in the doctrines Ver. 8. Hee commendeth Salomon for the glory of his garments noting that they were as it were performed with Myrrhe Aloes and Cassia which were things not only of good fauor but of great price because they were set from far countries iuory palaces i. excellent which the holy Ghost meaneth both by speaking in the plurall number and also by calling them or affirming them to be of iuory which was excellent and precious as may appeare Amos 6.4 Where they i. thy people and those that doe thee seruices haue made thee glad vz. by the dutifull deedes cheareful countenances and louing words that they haue declared towards thee Ver. 9. Kings daughters i. those that issued from kings were among thine honourable wiues i. were come vnto thee among the rest all which thou diddest honourably vse and apparel sumptuously of gold of Ophir i. most fine and pure gold sée Iob. 28. ver 16. Ver. 10. Hée admonished Pharao his daughter who was Salomons chiefe wife by mariage newly ingraffed into the body of the church willingly to hearken to Gods worde and quite and cleane to forget all carnall thinges whatsoeuer Marke the wordes of this admonition first hearing then considering of that which is heard and lastly imbracing of that which is hearde ment by inclining of the eare and shee is called daughter not in respect of her husbande but in respect shee was become nowe a scholleresse as a man woulde say in Gods Church as some were called children before Psal 34.10 And by people and Fathers house he meaneth her owne country and all the pleasures therein as friendes kinred and whatsoeuer else she might be delighted in Ver. 11. So shall the king c. i. if thou doest this vz. imbrace the religion that hee shall teach thee thou shalt bee most acceptable vnto him and hee shall loue thée most tenderly for he is thy Lord i. thy head and gouernour as 1. Corinth 11.3 Reuerence thou him q.d. therefore it beseemeth thee to yéelde him all the obedience due to him Ver. 12. Daughter of Tyrus i. the citie Tyrus putting the place for the people inhabiting the same sée Psal 9.14 With the rich of the people q.d. euen the richest and not the meanest only shal doe homage before thy face with presentes i. shall in token of homage and as though they were subiects bring openly presents vnto thée Ver. 13. Kings daughter shee is so called not as though shee were not his wife but because hee did as it were beget her vnto God is all glorious within vz. in the kings pallace where shee remaineth familiarly with the king her clothing is of broidered gold i. is most precious and costly Ver. 14. She shal be brought vnto the King the Prophet alludeth to the manner in these daies vz. that Quéenes might not come when they woulde to the king but when they were sent for Hest 4.11 Hest 5.2 In rayment of néedle worke which is very deare and precious by this variety of apparell the Prrphet mindeth to set out the sumptuousnes of the king his wife by that which followeth after the Prophet meaneth that she shall come with a great number of handmaydes wayting vppon her which séemeth also
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.
men and mark here the sodayn change of the nūber haue brought iniquitie vpon me these wordes haue diuers sences some expounde them thus they slaundered mee as though I had bene a wicked man some thus they imagined a wicked purpose against mee séeking by all meanes to bring me to ruine and destruction Some thus They did vniustly and wrongfullye rushe in vppon me and agaynst mee to destroy me some thinke it to bee suche a manner of spéeche as is Genesis 20. verse 19. For mine owne parte I take this to be the Prophets meaning that the vngodly did by all meanes thoughtes wordes and déedes séeke his hurte and ouerthrowe which dealing of theirs hee calleth iniquitye because they practised it agaynst him without anye cause on his part giuen them and that in no small measure but in wonderfull heapes whiche I take hée meaneth by these wordes they brought vppon mée and furiously hate me hee noteth in these wordes the Fountayne of all iniustice and harde dealing to wit outragious hatred so that he sheweth in this verse foure causes of his mourninges and outcries their wicked spéeches agaynst him their great gréefes done to him the heaping of them vp to a full measure thereof and their cruel outragious hatred Verse 4. My hart trembleth within me nowe hee sheweth what great feare possessed him by reason of the mischiefs that the wicked attempted against him He sayth not without cause any hart trembled meaning by that manner of spéeche that courage and boldnesse whiche haue their seate in the harte were remoued and in stéede thereof came all trembling and feare And the terrors of Death i. moste gréeuous terrours and as it were the pangues of death for bitternesse and sharpenesse are fallen vpon mee i. haue seased me and taken holde of mée and the reason thereof was because hee thoughte hee should haue fallen into the handes of his aduersaries to bee murthered of them at their pleasure which thing declareth that notwithstanding the faythfull people haue a wonderfull trust in GOD yet they are not for all that insensible or vtterly voyde of feare whiche also hee noteth in the nexte verse Verse 5. Feare and trembling are come vpon mée this verse is almost the same with the fourth Betwéene feare and trembling I make this difference that feare is inward and is as it were the cause of the other trembling is outwarde and as it were the effecte of feare and an horrible feare i. an extraordinarye and moste terrible feare hath couered mee i. besette mee aboute on euerye side and as it were ouerwhelmed mee whereby we sée that he was in greate distresse Verse 6. And I sayde vz. in that great extremitye for in this verse and some others following hee doth amplifye his calamitie and miserye by wishing the auoyding thereof if it were possible whiche thing declareth that hee was so compassed in on euerye side that hee coulde hardlye hope to bee deliuered vnlesse it were myraculouslye and that hee coulde hardlye fynde anye meane to saue himselfe though hee were readye and willing to forgoe all that hee hadde and to goe into exile Oh that I had winges like a Doue true it is that hee vseth the worde Doue in some respecte to set out the miserable estate wherein hee was as one hath noted because that it is a sielie and fearefull birde but yet I suppose that he meaneth rather in this place to wish vnto him selfe swiftnes that thereby hee might auoyd the dangers and troubles that his enemies intended against him Many fowles are more swift of flight then Pigeons or Doues are we confesse but yet he that were able to flie from his enemies as fast as the Pigeon néeded not much to feare all their forces then would I flie away vz. from their force and fury hee meaneth that he would giue place to the rage and fury of his enemies and rest vz. in some place free from their attempts and mischiefes Ver. 7. Séemeth to bee of the same sense and meaning for when he saith farre off he meaneth not only from the places of their aboade but from their fearcenes and fury and lodge i. dwell and as it were make my aboad in the wildernes i. in some place either vninhabited or else not so peopled as other places are so you haue the word vsed Matth. 3.1 Whatsoeuer it is hee meaneth that hee woulde dwell in a place where hee might not bee knowne of any or at the least but onely of those that should wish him well Ver. 8. In the beginning for he read I and so the sense is plaine the Prophet shewing what he would do if he had wings as swift as a Doue that is he would make no delay that hee might escape and bee set free from the outragious daungers wherein hee and his were by that continuall pursuite which Saul and other his complices made against him for so much I thinke in a metaphor he meaneth by stormie wind and tempest Ver. 9. Destroy vz. them and their counsels The Hebrewe worde signifieth to swallow or suppe vp by which hee noteth an vtter ruine that neither they nor their imaginations may any more appeare and this kind of punishment was exercised towardes Dathan and Abiram Numeri 16.31.32 Diuide their tongues vz. in such sort that they may not vnderstande one another which iudgement was powred foorth vppon the builders of Babel Gene. 11.7 c. For I haue séene cruelty and strife i. all maner of naughtines and disorder hee putteth two sortes for all of what sort soeuer and when hee sayth he hath seene it hée meaneth that he certainely knew of it the sense of the sight being a notable instrument to ingender knowledge of thinges that be done before it in the citie i. in my iudgement not Ierusalem though in Sauls time all things were very disorderous there but in Keilah of which sée Ioshua 15.44 also 1. Sam. 23.1.2 c. Ver. 10. Day and night i. continually as Psal 1.2 They are about vz. cruelty and strife of which before ver 9. he noteth the disorder that was there to wit in Keilah all iustice order and right being banished and al cruelty strife and all manner of naughtinues being the principall and continuall watchmen of the Towne whose duety it was to goe about the places where they watched as may appeare Cantic 3.3 vpon the walles thereof i. in the highest and chiefest places for the walles in Townes besieged are the most méete places to kéepe watch and warde on All that followeth both in this verse and in the next verse is nothing but a particular recitall of the iniquities that were bolstered and practised in this place as vniust dealing mischieuous practises all maner of wickednes and namely to their tyrannie they ioyned deceit and subtilty If any man list to referre it to other Cities subiect to Sauls kingdome besides Keilah I will not greatly contend This alwayes being prouided that it must bee principally vnderstood thereof Ver.
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
from ver 1. to the end of the Psalme For the title of this Psalme sée before Psalme 32. and Psalm 50. Se. in the titles thereof because it séemeth to be a title made almost of these two titles Ver. 1. Why hast thou put vs away vz. from thée as though wee were out of thy fauour and thou in displeasure with vs for euer i. for a long season for God doeth neuer vtterly reiect his these demaundes procéed of the infirmitie of the flesh and shew as on the one side an earnest desire that they had to haue God fauourable to them so on the other side some discontentednes of mynde with the long absence of the Lord why is thy wrath kindled i. not onely made manifest but declared also to be excéeding hote and great against the sheepe of thy pasture i. against the people whom thou hast most dearely loued and prouided for and madest great account of as men doe the flockes of their pasture hee meaneth by this people the people of Israel whom God had chosen from amōg all nations placing them in the land of Canaan as in a fruitful féeding place Ver. 2. Thinke vpon thy congregation i. declare by déed effect that thou forgettest not thy people for otherwise god doth not in déed forget his which thou hast possessed vz. as thine own proper and peculiar inheritance of old i. euen from the time that thou madest a couenant with Abraham his séed and on the rod of thine inheritance i. of that portion of people that thou hast chosen to bée an inheritance to thy selfe in this place he speaketh according to the vsual custome of measuring out of ground putting the instrument vz. the rod or staffe wherewith the ground was measured for the ground it self and by a metaphor translating it also from earthly inheritances to spirituall which thou hast redéemed vz. vnto thy selfe and that out of great daungers as out of Egipt and others as the booke of Iudges is full and on this mount Sion he meaneth hereby chiefely the temple but withal the whole citie of Ierusalem wherin thou hast dwelt i. wherein thou hast shewed manifest testimonies of thy presence goodnes more then in other places for otherwise god dwelleth not in any place as whom the heauen yea the heauen of heauens is not able to conteine Ver. 3. Lift vp thy strokes i. manifest thy strength and power and lay it vpon the enemies of thy people that thou maiest for euer destroy vz. from among men to the sanctuary i. not only to the temple but to the city and the whole land the people thereof as may appeare by the verses following the verse is otherwise red by Immanuel but the senses doe not much differ Ver. 4. Thine aduersaries i. Gods enemies and they are called his because they did set themselues against his maiesty religion and people roare i. make a great noise as hauing gotten a victory in the middest of thy congregation i. in the middest of thy people assembled to call vpon thy name others reade it in the plurall number congregations sinagogues or sanctuaries speaking according to the diuision of the sanctuary which had thrée parts he court whither the people might come the sanctuary which was the place appointed for the priests the sanctum sanctorum where was the Arke of the couenant whither the high Priest only might enter sée Hebrew 9.1.2 and set vp their banners for signes vz. of victory atchieued despiting God thereby as it were and prophaning his temple for the better vnderstanding of this the bookes of Machabées and Iosephus lib. 12. Antiq. Iudai serue wel Verse 5. Hée i. they putting one for many that lifted the axes vppon the thicke crées vz. either to fell them when they were standing in the wood or to square thē and to make them fit for the work was renouned i. highly estéemed of others euen as though he had done a most excellent and perfect thing as appeareth by that which followeth all this hée alleadgeth to abrogate the crueltie of the enemies that woulde not spare so excellent a building as the temple was Immanue readeth it farre otherwise and in an other sense referring it still to the enemies of whom hée had spoken verse 4. thus Euery one of them vz. of the aduersaries or enemies was accounted Noble vz. of others euen as hée lifted vp the axes against the carued wood q.d. the more of that costly worke they coulde deface the better they liked themselues and the more they were estéemed of others and so it agréeth also with that which followeth after Ver. 6. For but read also and then the sense goeth well on still now i. when they haue cast downe much they breake downe the carued worke thereof with axes hammers q.d. they are not contented to spoile it but they do in hatred so deface it that they leaue not one litle piece but they breake it in sunder with hammers mallets Ver. 7. They haue cast thy Sanctuary into the fire i. they haue burnt thy temple with all things appertaining therto putting one part of the tabernarle of witnes which was placed in the temple for the tabernacle it selfe the whole temple which may also appeare in that which followeth because it is said and rased it to the ground i. they haue made it equal Sée for rasing Luke 21.5.6 and haue defiled vz. by their superstitions and idolatries and taking away and destroying such things as God had ordeined Sée 1. Machab. 1.23.57 the dwelling place of thy name i. the temple wherein Gods maiesty power and goodnes was wonderfully made manifest and had as it were a perpetual aboad Ver. 8. They said in their heartes i. they caried this purpose perswasion inwardly with them and incouraged themselues to the performance thereof sée Psal 14.1 Let vs destroy them altogether i. vtterly so that not one of them may remaine all the Synagogues of God i. al the places appointed for holy assemblies wherein they vsed to read and expounde the Prophets and to call vppon Gods name in the land i. that were in the lande vz. of Iudea Immanuel readeth it thus casting them downe to the grounde noting thereby the vtter destruction of them Ver. 9. We sée not our signes some vnderstand by signes miracles wonders which God had wrought for them in time before but now shewed not the like I take it more general for al the testimonies of Gods grace fauor whatsoeuer which he was wont to declare towards thē amongst the rest for the ceremonies sacrifices of the lawe which they wanted by reason of the miserable destruction of their land they are called their signes not because they did thē but because they were wrought for their sakes thē when they say we sée not our signes they meane q.d. we sée not now the testimonies tokens of thy grace fauor which we were wont to behold hertofore in gret plēty there
inhabitauntes being cast out of it they themselues might possesse enioy and dwell in the Prophet meaneth not that they that were dead coulde amongest men prayse the Lorde for these thinges but in as much as the benefite thereof did reach vnto their posterity hée exhorteth their séede being aliue to acknowledge Gods mercyes in that behalfe and to prayse him for the same Verse 8. Let them i. their posterity after them therefore i. for the benefites and blessinges before rehearsed confesse i. prayse and magnifie God before the Lorde i. in his presence and from a good heart whether it bee secretly in their owne selues or openly before the Arke according to the custome of those dayes his louing kindnes vz. fréely and plentifully bestowed vppon them and his wonderfull workes i. the wonderfull workes that hee hath done for his people before the sonnes of men i. openly in mens sight and to them and their posterity Ver. 9. For hee satisfied vz. with abundaunce of all good thinges the thirsty soule i. him that stoode in néede of any good thing putting the word soule a principall part of man for the whole person and filled the hungry soule i. the hungry man with goodnesse i. with abundance of good thinges Ver. 10. They that dwell in darkenesse i. such as were kept prisoners in darke places and in the shadowe of death i. in great extremitie of death and daunger Sée Psalme 23.4 Isaiah 9.1.2 being bounde in misery and yron i. being kept in miserable and harde bondage hée beginneth here to recite how many sortes of people afflicted with diuers afflictions haue alwayes founde the Lorde mercifull and fauourable specially when they came vnto him Verse 11. Because they rebelled vz. both in thought woorde and deede agaynst the woordes of the Lorde vz. manifested and put downe in his Lawe and despised i. regarded not and set nought by the counsell of the most high i. the purpose ready inclination and power that the Lorde had to doe them good if they had yéelded obedience vnto him hée sheweth in this verse the cause of mens correction that hee might thereby deliuer Gods iustice from mens slaunders and reprehension And withall he teacheth that the onely rule of good life is to followe Gods commandement Verse 12. When hee i. God humbled vz. though not rightly and truely not that God was not able to doe it but because hée woulde not vouchsafe them that grace by humbling hée meaneth casting downe Sée 2. Kings 21.29 their heart with heauinesse i. hée made them heauy sorrowfull and sadde there they fell downe vz. before their enemies and there was no helper i. there was none that woulde helpe them This is the Prophetes meaning when they were wounded with a worldly sorrowe in their heartes and by meanes thereof their courages and stomackes were decayed then they laye as an open pray to their aduersaries and none pitied their cases or were able to helpe them Verse 13. Then vz. when they were thus destituted of mans ayde they cryed vnto the Lorde i. they called earnestly vppon him this and all that followeth in the verse is the same both in woordes and sense with verse 6. of this Psalme Verse 14. Hee i. GOD brought them vz. by his almightie power out of darkenesse and out of the shaddowe of death i. out of affliction oppression anguish c. Sée before verse 10. of this Psalme And brake their bandes i. the bandes wherewith they were bounde whether they were the bandes of affliction captiuity c. a sunder i. in pieces and so set them at libertie For the better vnderstanding of this speach Sée Sampsons story Iudges 15.13.14 also Iudges 16.11.12 Verse 15. Is the same both in woordes and sense with verse 8. before going Ver. 16. For hée vz. the Lorde hath broken vz. by his almightie power the gates of brasse and brast the barres of yron a sunder vz. for his peoples sake vnderstanding by brasen gates and barres of yron either most straite bandes and prisons Sée Acts 12.10 or else the bandes of cruell and perpetuall bondage In which respect also Egipt is called in the Scripture a house of bondage Verse 17. Fooles i. wicked and vngodly men as may appeare throughout all the booke of the Prouerbes and Psalm 53.1 by reason of their transgression vz. committed against GOD and because of their iniquities vz. against men are afflicted vz. by the Lord and that with sundry sortes of his iudgements And hée calleth them fooles because they haue no feare of God before them which is the beginning of wisedome Prouerbs 1.7 So that wée may perceiue that he meaneth not that wicked men who are here called fooles fall through ignoraunce or error onely but that their affections being blinded doe take away from them all right iudgement Ver. 18. Their soule abhorreth all meate i. they themselues putting one part of man for an other and not as though the soule were fed with bodyly foode hée meaneth that they are withoute all appetite and lothe euen the verye sighte of meate a punishment wherewithall GOD many times plagueth the gluttonous persons and they are brought to deathes dore i. they are euen ready to dye hée speaketh in this place of vncurable diseases and of which seldome fewe or none at all escape for deathes doore Sée Psalm 9.13 where he speaketh of the gates of death Verse 19. Is the same with verse 6.13 of this Psalme both in wordes and meaning and there is no difference sauing that the former speake it in the tyme past and this in the tyme present Verse 20. Hée sendeth his woorde i. hée commaundeth or speaketh but the word onely Matth. 8.8 and healeth them vz. of all their infirmities and diseases and deliuereth them vz. through his great goodnesse and almightie power from their graues i. from present death and the graue made ready as it were for them by their sicknesses and maladyes Verse 21. Is the same with verse 8. and 15. of this Psalme Verse 22. And let them offer vz. vnto GOD for these his graces the sacrifices of prayse i. not only of praysing but also of thankesgiuing Sée Hebrewes 13.15 and declare his woorkes vz. which hée hath graciously done for them with reioycing vz. both to himwarde and chearefully and gladly in respect of themselues for God requireth chearefulnes in our actions Verse 23. They that doe come into the Sea by shippes i. the mariners for I take it to be a special periphrasis of them and occupy vz. into diuers quarters and countreyes by the great waters vz. of the Sea This I doe especially referre to marchauntes q.d. whether they bée mariners or marchauntes trading by Sea or the armes thereof and that woorde of going downe into the Sea woulde bée marked because the waters séeme to bée belowe the earth Verse 24. They sée vz. sensibly and playnely and that with bodyly eyes if they haue any grace to beholde it the woorkes of the Lorde i. the great workes that
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
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
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
the barres of thy gates strong vz. in such sort that no enemy is able to breake them or to make any irruption into them meaning by this speach that the Church was well defended with ayde and succour from GOD yea in such sort that it néede not feare the enemies thereof because it was defended and shoulde bee deliuered from all euill and hath blessed vz. with al maner of goodnesse and namely with increase of multitude thy children within thée i. those that appertaine vnto thée whether they bée young or olde for all are the children of the Church Verse 14. Hée vz. alone setteth peace in thy borders i. keepeth thy coastes Countrey and people in all quietnesse not onely in that hee mightily driueth away all thyne enemies but also in that hee inclineth the heartes of thyne owne people to mutuall peace and so kéepeth them from tumults and rebellion and satisfieth thee vz. to the full in all abundaunce and plenty with the flowre of the wheate it is in Hebrewe with the fat of the wheate Sée Deutron 32.14 Sée also Psalme 81.16 meaning euen that part of the wheate not onely which yéelded greatest plentie but also wherein the greatest strength of nourishment consisted vnderstanding also by this particular thing whatsoeuer did appertaine to this present life and was fit for mans nourishment Verse 15. Hée i. God the Lorde sendeth foorth his commaundement vppon earth i. hée needeth no more but to commaund onely and then by a certaine secret motion and inclination which hee hath giuen vnto the earth the earth bringeth foorth the effectes thereof as wée sée by experience and his worde i. the woorde which hée vttereth runneth very swiftly vz. to be accomplished and perfourmed q.d. when hee hath declared what he woulde haue done all thinges are prest and prepared ready to obey him so that looke whatsoeuer he speaketh by his woorde and commandeth it is presently done as appeareth Psalme 33.9 and by the particular enumeration of thinges which followeth in this Psalme Ver. 16. Hée giueth i. sendeth vz. from heauen and casteth it vppon the earth snowe like wooll i. very whyte and light as wool is so that in these respectes snowe and wool may bée compared together and scattereth the hoare frost vz. in sundrie places like ashes or dust which being light of themselues and cast out are scattered hither and thither with the winde Verse 17. Hée casteth foorth his yee like morsels the Hebrewe worde that is here turned yee is diuersly interpreted by sundry men some take it as we vse to take it for water vppon the earth congealed to a hard substance other take it for frost that commeth vpon raine presently fallen but a litle before yea wee haue séene that almost at the one and the selfe same instant there hath been raine and frost other some for haile and tempest and to this latter do I incline because that the droppes of raine by very great colde in the aire are turned into hayle which seeme to bee little morsels or pieces as it were who can abide the colde thereof or rather thus who can abide his colde that is the colde which God can sende for otherwise the cold of yce or hayle is not much Ver. 18. He sendeth vz. forth his worde i. his commaundement and melteth them vz. presently q.d. he néedeth but onely speake the woorde and they are by and by molten and consumed as it were hee causeth his winde to blowe and the waters flowe i. hee bringeth speedily the winde into a warme quarter and there commeth presently a thaw of the snow frost yce haile c. and by their melting the waters are increased and flowe and swell beyonde their ordinarie and accustomed boundes The winde is called Gods both because he created it and hath it continually at his commaundement to doe with it whatsoeuer pleaseth him and by waters hee vnderstandeth both the waters of the Sea and the waters in the land Verse 19. Hée sheweth vz. plainely and manifestly so that they can not pretende ignoraunce his word i. his doctrine and certaine knowledge out of the same that they may follow him whither hee calleth them thereby vnto Iaakob i. vnto his faythfull people his statutes and his iudgementes i. his whole lawe and euery part thereof whether it consist of commaundements or punishmentes for the breath of those commaundements vnto Israell i. vnto his faithfull people Iaakob and Israel are here put both for one thing Sée Psal 14.7 Ver. 20. Hée hath not dealt so vz. mercifully and graciously with euery nation no not with any nation for vnto the people of the Iewes al that time were the oracles of God committed onely Sée Rom. 3.2 and Rom. 9.4 neither haue they i. other nations and people of the world besides the Iewes knowne his iudgments i. his word putting a part of it for the whole as sundry times in Psalm 119. True it is the Gentiles before their calling knewe him by his woorkes and that was sufficient to make them without excuse before him but by his worde hee was onely knowne to his owne people praise yee the Lord sée Psalm 106. in the ende also Psalm 113. in the ende Psal 146. in the end and the rest of the Psalmes following euen vnto the end of this booke Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth vs that it is profitable for our selues acceptable to God to bée earnest and often in praysing and thanking of him Ver. 2. Teacheth vs the continuall care and loue which God beareth towards his Church Ver. 3. Setteth out Gods pitie and loue towardes all such as are truely beaten down with their afflictions either outwarde or inwarde Verse 4. Setteth out his excéeding great power and care in the gouernement and disposing of his creatures Ver. 5. Teacheth vs that wee can not of our selues attaine to the least part of Gods wisedome Ver. 7. Sheweth howe dull wee are in praysing our God in that wee are so often prouoked vnto it and haue néede of so many both outward and inwarde things to stirre vs vp thereto Ver. 8. Teacheth vs that raine the fruitfulnes of the earth and all other such like thinges procéed from God alone Ver. 9. Teacheth vs to bee rightly perswaded of Gods prouidence who séeing he féedeth the vnreasonable beastes and rauens will not leaue vs destitute Verse 10. Teacheth vs that no outwarde thing which we haue nor can doe as of our selues can commend vs to God Ver. 11. Teacheth vs that if wee will bee acceptable before God wee must striue to these two thinges vz. in hope and patience to wayce vppon him and to yéelde vnto him that seruice that in his woorde he requireth at our handes Verse 12. Teacheth vs that Gods faythful people and his Church are specially bound aboue others to prayse the Lorde Verse 13. Teacheth vs that the safetie prosperitie and multiplying of the Church commeth from God onely Ver. 14. Teacheth vs also that the peace and plenty of his people procéede from him