of any meat concerning which notice was given them that it had been offered to idols to wit because all the creatures being the Lords they were to use them to his glory and therefore might not eat them to the scandall of their brethren or because the whole world being the Lords they need not fear they should not have to eat seeing out of his rich store he was able to provide otherwise for them But if any man say unto you This is offered in sacrifice unto idols eat not for his sake that shewed it and for conscience sake The earth is the Lords and the fulnesse thereof Vers 2. For he hath founded it upon the seas and established it upon the flouds That is say some Expositours by the seas and by the flouds as we use to say in that sense that London stands upon the river of Thames But rather it is said that God hath founded it upon the seas c. because whereas the naturall place of the earth is to be under the waters God hath ordered it so that it is above the seas and above the flouds so that in outward appearance it seems as it were to stand upon the waters and hereby it was made fit for the habitation of his creatures See the Note Gen. 1.9 Vers 3. Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord and who shall stand in his holy place As if he should have said Though all the inhabitants of the world be the Lords yet to dwell in Gods holy hill as members of his Church his peculiar people that 's a priviledge which few to speak of do enjoy yea even amongst those that are his people in outward profession But for the more clear understanding of these words see the Notes Psal 2.6 and 15.1 Vers 4. He that hath clean hands c. That is He whose works are blamelesse and a pure heart that is a heart purified by faith from all sinfull pollutions all erroneous opinions and carnall affections he that is carefull to approve his heart unto God as well as to avoid sin outwardly As for the following clause who hath not lift up his soul unto vanity that is diversly expounded Some understand it of the man that hath not worshipped idols which are often tearmed vanities in the Scripture see the Note 1 Kings 16.13 Others of him that doth not give his mind to vain and foolish sinfull practises or that doth not heed or trust in the vain and foolish designs of the world nor the allurements of Satans temptations see the Notes Job 31.5 and Psal 4.2 But there are two Expositions which most follow The one is that by lifting up his soul unto vanity is meant vain and false swearing for because they that swear do engage their souls thereby and as it were offer them up as a pledge unto God 2 Cor. 1.23 I call God saith the Apostle as a record upon my soul therefore the man that swears vainly and falsly may be said to lift up his soul unto vanity and so they make this to be much the same with that which follows nor sworn deceitfully The other is that by the man who hath not lift up his soul unto vanity is meant the man that doth not set his heart upon vanity because men are wont with much eagernesse to look and gape after those things which they earnestly desire Psal 123.1 2 therefore by a borrowed speech they that earnestly look after and greedily desire the vain things of this world riches and honours and pleasures or that prosecute eagerly any vain or sinfull desire they are said to lift up their souls unto vanity The same expression is used in the Hebrew much to the same purpose Deuter. 24.15 and Jer. 22.27 Vers 5. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord c. That is He and he alone shall receive the blessing which the Lord hath promised his people to wit all blessings temporall spirituall and eternall for thus are all these comprehended under this word the blessing 1 Pet. 3.9 knowing that ye are thereunto called that ye should inherit a blessing though indeed both here and there the blessing of eternall life may be principally intended concerning which Christ shall say Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the kingdome prepared for you c. Matth. 25.34 And so in the following clause and righteousnesse from the God of his salvation it is this blessing promised that is there tearmed righteousnesse to wit either because it shall be the reward of their righteousnesse or because God out of his righteousnesse or faithfulnesse will bestow it upon them in both which regards the glory of heaven is accordingly called a crown of righteousnesse 2 Tim. 4.8 See the Note Psal 5.8 Some I know understand this of the righteousnesse of God in Christ but in regard he speaks of rewarding the righteous the first Exposition must needs be intended Vers 6. This is the generation of them that seek him c. By a generation of men in the Scripture is usually meant some sort or kind of men as Matth. 12.39 An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign and Luk. 16.8 The men of this world are in their generation wiser then the children of light and so it is taken here This is the generation of them that seek him that is These that I have before described are that sort or kind of men that do truly seek God and are the true people of God Yet withall I doubt not but that the title of the generation of them that seek him is here limited to these purposely to shew how vainly those Israelites boasted of being the seed and generation of Abraham and the peculiar people of God who in the mean time lived not as became Gods people and that though they went up amongst others to worship God in his holy place for this is spoken in reference to that before vers 3. who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord c. yet they did not indeed seek God and therefore in the second clause by turning his speech to God for so some read it as it is in the margin of our Bibles that seek thy face O God of Iacob he doth as it were call God to witnesse that it was so and so doth withall covertly imply that however men might esteem them Gods people yet before Gods tribunal it would not be so But if we read it as it is in our Text the meaning is this that seek thy face O Iacob that is seek to joyn themselves to the true Church and people of God according to that of the prophet Isa 44.5 One shall say I am the Lords and another shall call himself by the name of Iacob c. Vers 7. Lift up your heads O ye gates and be ye lift up ye everlasting doors and the king of glory shall come in In these words first David expresseth his earnest desire that the Temple might be built and the Ark settled therein and
therefore in a poeticall manner he speaks to the gates of the Temple calling them everlasting doors because the Ark that had been often removed from one place to another was now in the Temple to continue for ever according to that Psal 132.14 This is my rest for ever c. see also the Note 1 Kings 9.3 And by speaking to the gates to lift up themselves either first he may mean the building of them up Lift up your heads O ye gates that is Be ye built up that the Lord of glory in his Ark may enter into you or secondly the lifting up of the upper posts of the gates as if he had said Raise up and enlarge yourselves and become greater then you are because the great King of Glory is to enter in by you alluding to the custome of opening the gates of a house or city to the widest when some great Prince is to come in or thirdly the lifting up of their heads in a way of glorying and rejoycing as if he had said Triumph and rejoyce O ye gates thereby the better to set forth the solemnity and joy of the Arks removall into the Temple But secondly Doubtlesse under this type 1. he speaks to the Church the true spirituall Temple desiring that this Temple may be built up and that at her doors which are called everlasting because the Church shall continue for ever the Lord Christ the Lord of glory 1 Cor. 2.8 may be entertained with joy as their Lord and King and so he may enter and rule as king amongst them 2. to Christians the particular members of the Church or to all men in generall who being converted become the true Temples of the ever-living God 1 Cor. 3.16 at the doors of whose hearts called everlasting doors because they shall live for ever he knocks to have entrance Rev. 3.20 exhorting them to lift up their heads that is to raise up their hearts from all earthly things and to prepare them by faith that God in Christ the Lord of glory and by whose merits all his members are glorified may enter in and dwell and rule in their hearts by faith 3. as some conceive to Princes and Magistrates exhorting them to let in the Lord Christ and the Gospel and kingdome of Christ into their kingdomes and common-wealths expressing this in these tearms Lift up your heads O ye gates c. either as alluding to the custome of Magistrates sitting in the gates in those times when they judged the people or because of the great power that such men usually have either to let in or to keep out the profession of the Christian religion amongst the people and 4. to the gates of Gods holy Temple in heaven calling upon them with all joy to entertain the Lord Christ when he should after the accomplishment of the work of mans Redemption triumphantly ascend into heaven and so in these words Lift up your heads O ye gates c. there may be an allusion to those triumphall Arches which used to be set up for the entertainment of great Conquerours Vers 8. Who is this king of glory c. These words must be taken as a question propounded by David either in his own name as if he should have said But who now is this king of glory that I speak of that so he might take occasion to extoll this king of glory and shew what reason there was why they should gladly receive him or in the name of some other that might move this question as if he should have said But now if any one shall demand of me Who is this king of glory I answer the Lord strong and mighty c. I know many Expositours take them to be the supposed reply of those that were spoken to in that foregoing figurative expression Lift up your heads O ye gates c. and accordingly they conceive that this reply is made either by way of scorning and despising Christ as if they should have said What is this your glorious king that we should submit to him or else by way of desiring to be informed and satisfied concerning Christ yea they that understand the former verse of Christs ascension into heaven take these words as the reply of the Angels admiring that one clothed with a humane body should ascend above the heavens and enter in as the Lord of that Jerusalem But that which is first said of this seems most probable And however that which is answered The Lord strong and mighty the Lord mighty in battel plainly imports that it was he who being of infinite power was able to destroy those that would not submit to him and to protect his people against all their enemies both temporall and spirituall and to make them victorious over them all and it may have speciall reference to Christs conquest over Hell and death when after his Resurrection he ascended triumphantly into heaven Vers 10. The Lord of hosts c. See the Note Gen. 2.1 PSALM XXV Vers 1. UNto thee O Lord do I lift up my soul That is In thee only do I trust and hope and my hearts desire for help and comfort is only towards thee and with much eagernesse doth expect good from thee In the Hebrew this Psalm is so composed that we have all the letters of the Hebrew Alphabet one after another in the first letter of every verse except only in two or three verses and that as we may probably conceive that being a Psalm of singular excellency and speciall use it might by this help be the better remembred The like elegancy there is in the 34 37 111 112 119 and 145 Psalms Vers 2. I trust in thee let me not be ashamed To wit as they use to be that when they have hoped for any thing with great confidence and have boasted of their hope yet at last have been disappointed Vers 3. Yea let none that wait on thee be ashamed c. To wit neither by their own disappointments nor mine For this last some adde because if he should fail of his hopes he knew this would be a great discouragement to others that waited to see what the issue of Gods dealings with him would be Let them be ashamed which transgresse without cause that is that causlesly afflict and trouble me and oppose me in the businesse of the kingdome promised me see the Note Psal 7.3 Yet some conceive that by them which transgresse without cause is meant those that out of distrust do causlesly fall away from God and others understand it of all wicked men whatsoever all sin against God being in true judgement altogether unreasonable and causlesse But the first Exposition is the best Vers 4. Shew me thy waies O Lord c. That is the waies wherein thou hast appointed thy people to walk Or Shew me thy waies that is the waies thou usest to take with thy children as namely how gracious thou art unto them though thou dost usually afflict them how faithfull in
men the way to life eternal rather then other humane bookes concerning other sciences which may distract the mine and weary the body but cannot yield that full satisfaction which from these divind writings may be attained Vers 13. Let us heare the conclusion of the whole matter c. That is of all the foreguing discourse concerning the vanity of all earthly things concerning the attainment of true happinesse That which may be drawn from all that hath been said and that whereto all that hath been delivered tends the summe and substance of all may be comprized in these two short directions wherewith I may therefore well end this book there being no need of adding any thing more Feare God and keep his Commandements This is a short abridgement of all that is required to make a man truly happy under which we must know that faith in Christ is necessarily comprehended because it is by faith in him that the love of God to us is shed abroad in our hearts whereby our hearts are purified and we are brought to love and feare God and so to endeavour sincerely to keep all his commandments for this is the whole duty of man or as it is in the Hebrew the whole of man In this the whole safety and happinesse of man doth consist After all the enquiry that can be made this will be found to be the summe of all the meanes that can be used for the obteining of true happinesse Vers 14. For God shall bring every work into judgement c. To wit At the great day of Judgement whereof Solomon had made mention before see the Note Chap. 3.17 every work of man shall then be examined and sentenced there will be no avoyding it With every secret thing whether it be good or whether it be evill to wit not only those actions of men which were done so privately and closely that there was never any notice taken of them by others but also the thoughts affections and intentions of mens hearts which are knowne only to God And this is added here as a strong motive of the foregoing Exhortation to feare God and keep his commandments ANNOTATIONS Upon the SONG of SOLOMON CHAP. I. Vers 1. THe song of songs which is Solomons That is Which was composed by Solomon see the Note Pro. 1.1 to wit either after his repentance when he came to see the vanity of all earthly things as is set forth in the book of Ecclesiastes or else before his fall which may seeme the more probable because it is said in generall that then he made his songs 1 King 4.33 It is clearely a Pastoral marriage-song or a song of espousals or betrothings much of the same nature with the 45 Psalme which is therefore called A song of loves see the Note there Only this is composed in the way of a Dialogue where the Speakers are the Bridegroome and the Bride represented in the quality of a shepheard shepheardess or a Country damosel and the Bride-men and Bride-maides the friends of the Bridegroome and the companions of the Bride Very probable it is that Solomon composed this song upon occasion of his marriage with Pharaohs daughter because there are many passages in this song which doe so clearely allude thereto as where the Bride is called the Shulamite as if one should say the wife of Solomon and is compared to the horses in Pharaoh's charets chap. 1.9 and where the Bridegroome is so often called by the name of Solomon or at least compared to Solomon as Chap. 3.7 9 11. but especially because Solomon as in many other regards so also more particularly in that his marriage with Pharaohs daughter who being a stranger by birth became a Proselyte was a most excellent type and figure of Christ admitting the Church of the Gentiles as his Spouse into the nearest fellowship and communion with himselfe see the Notes Psal 45.9 10. But yet that it cannot be literally understood of Solomon and his wife the daughter of Pharaoh or any other particular woman is evident because though the Bride be sometimes termed the daughter of a Prince chap. 7.1 yet elswhere she is represented as some Country damosel that is Sunne-burnt set to keep the flocks and to watch the vineyards Chap. 1.6 8. and that was beaten and wounded by the watchmen of the City Chap. 5.7 which are passages that doe in no wise suite with one that lived in the state of a Queen yea it were absurd and ridiculous to think that Solomons wife should be compared to a company of horses in Pharaohs charets her head to Carmel her eyes to fishpooles and her nose to the tower of Lebanon c. chap. 7.4 5. Such expressions are no way comely for any but a spirituall Bride And indeed the Bridegroome is here described to be a King of that transcendent Majesty and glory as is proper to none but only to Christ and the Bride is set forth by such rare beauty and glory as can belong to none but the Church the Lambs wife Revel 19.7 And therefore the drift of this song is prophetically to set forth the neere conjunction and the exceeding great love that is between Christ and his Church and so by consequence and secondarily between Christ and every faithfull soul and that under the metaphorical expressions of a Shepheard-Bridegroome and his Bride though not yet married together but only contracted and espoused And indeed the Scripture doth frequently elswhere speake of Christ in these figurative expressions 1. of a shepheard as Joh. 10.11 I am the good shepheard and Heb. 13.20 where he is called The great shepheard of the sheep and 2. of the Churches Husband or Bridegroome as Isa 54.5 Thy maker is thine husband the Lord of hosts is his name and thy redeemer the holy one of Israel 62.5 As the Bridegroome rejoyceth over the Bride so shall thy God rejoyce over thee see also Hos 2.16 19 20. Joh. 3.29 And this sufficiently discovereth the vanity of that scruple which some have made whether this Song were written by divine inspiration because the name of God is no where mentioned in it and because no passage in this song is cited in any place of the New Testament for besides that the same may be said of the booke of Esther see the Note Esth 1.1 considering the whole book is carried in this figurative and allegorical straine it is sufficient that God in Christ is here set forth by that name that is most suitable hereunto to wit the Churches Beloved and there are many expressions in the New Testament that seeme clearely to have been taken from those conjugal expressions that are used here As for this Title The song of songs this song is so called not so much to imply as some would have it that it is a song that consisteth of many songs as to set forth the excellency of it that it is the chiefe and most excellent not only of those thousand and five songs
his sorrows and paines were most exquisite like the paines of those that are tortured with the stone and by the pouring out his gall upon the ground they understand either that his extreme miseries made him pour forth the bitternesse of his spirit in bitter complaints or else that the wounds that God had given him were mortall and incurable But I conceive the drift of these words in generall was to imply the exquisite incredible and insupportable pains and sorrows he endured even in the inward parts of his body that his very bowels and vitall parts were wrackt and torn within him so that the torment he endured was insufferable and that without intermission or remission night or day Vers 14. He breaketh me with breach upon breach c. That is he heaps afflictions plagues and miseries upon me thick and three-fold as we use to say one in the neck of another which may be meant of those sad tydings that were brought to him chap. 1. one messenger coming in still with a fresh report of his losses before the other had well made an end of speaking or else of the griefs and diseases which did every day still encrease upon him and the ulcers that did continually break out a-fresh in his body As for the following clause he runneth upon me like a giant therein he seekes to imply how exceeding heavy Gods hand was upon him and with what fury and unresistable violence he proceeded against him Vers 15. I have sowed sackcloth upon my skin c. Some conceive that he saith of the sackcloth that he wore that it was sowed upon his skin because it did cleave to his ulcerous body as fast as if it had been sown to his skin but I conceive this phrase I have sowed sackcloth upon my skin intends no more but this that he had put on sackcloth sowed together next his skin which being full of boyles and sores whether scabbed or raw it must needs be very terrible to him and that hereby he seeks to set forth how he had humbled himself under the hand of God and that consequently he was not guilty of advancing himself against God as Eliphaz had covertly charged him making that the cause why God layed his hand so heavy upon the wicked man chap. 15.25 And to the same purpose also are the next words and defiled my horn in the dust for thereby is meant either that he had sprinkled dust upon his head concerning which custome see the Notes Iosh 7.6 or else rather that he was content laying by all the thoughts of his former greatnesse and pomp and glory to sit down in the dust that he might humble himself before the almighty for that the word horn is thus frequently used in the Scripture we may see in the Notes upon 1. Sam. 2.1 yea both these expressions concerning his sackcloth and his defiling his horn in the dust may be only used as figurative expressions to signifie that he had greatly abased and humbled himself even as those doe that cloth themselves with sackcloth and throw dust upon their heads And thus because men are wont the more to pity those that are in affliction when they see they are penitent and do melt and humble themselves under Gods hand he useth this as another argument to move his friends to pity him and doth covertly tax them of cruelty that could be so harsh to one whom they saw in so mournfull a manner humbling himself under the strokes of the Almighty Vers 16. My face is foul with weeping and on my eye-lids is the shadow of death By this shadow of death on his eyelids may be meant either that shadowy blacknesse or darknesse which will be on the eyelids of those whose eyes are sunk in their heads by grief or sicknesse as we see in the hollow eyeholes of dying men or of a dead mans scull in allusion whereto it may be called the shadow of death or else that darknesse and dimnesse of sight which is also usually the effect of some extreme grief or exceeding much weeping as we see in that complaint of the Church Lam. 2.11 Mine eyes do fail with tears for because such a mistynesse and dimnesse of sight doth usually come upon sick men when death approacheth even this also may be justly tearmed the shadow of death Vers 17. Not for any injustice in my hands also my prayer is pure Not as thinking himself free from all sins but only from that grosse wickednesse and secret hypocrisie wherewith his friends had charged him Iob here professeth his innocency in regard of his upright walking both towards God and towards man and consequently that he knew that Gods hand was not so heavy upon him in regard of any such wickednesse that he had committed 1. Towards man in the first clause Not for any injustice in my hands where by injustice is meant all oppression all fraudulent or unjust dealing whatsoever and it may well be that in clearing himself of this he had respect to that which Eliphaz had said chap. 15.34 The congregation of hypocrites shall be desolate and fire shall consume the tabernacles of bribery 2. Towards God in the second clause also my prayer is pure whereby he meant that he did sincerely worship God as God had appointed and that his prayers proceeded from a pure conscience and faith unfeigned wherein also he might have respect to that bitter charge of Eliphaz chap. 15.4 yea thou castest off fear and restrainest prayer before God And this he doth either thereby to move his friends to pity him for when righteous men suffer much that have not deserved it by any wickednesse of theirs all men are the readier to commiserate their sufferings or else to disprove all that Eliphaz had said concerning the Lords punishing wicked men only as is noted before vers 7. Vers 18. O earth cover not thou my bloud and let my cry have no place A Poeticall and patheticall expression this is and Expositours differ much in their judgement concerning the meaning of it Some take it to be an imprecation wherein he wisheth that his body might lye unburied after he was dead if that were not true which he had said concerning his innocency and others take it as an earnest asseveration that he desired not to die as the bruit beasts do which through guilt of conscience all hypocrites must needs desire whose bodies when they dye are covered in the earth there to rot and consume and never to rise again but that he certainly expected and earnestly desired the Resurrection of his body when he knew he should appear before God and his innocency should be cleared But I see not how according to either of these expositions there can be a good sense given of the last clause and let my cry have no place But two other Expositions there are given of these words which seem to me far the most pobable The first is that Iob doth herein professe his desire that his
over him and vex him with scornfull and reproachfull speeches but rather that they should pity him and comfort him and take warning thereby to look to themselves that the same judgements were not inflicted upon them too and 3. That he first yields in these words that it was true indeed that God had dealt with him just as they had said God used to deal with wicked men and therefore whereas Bildad had talked so much of the nets and snares wherein wicked men were taken he useth here the same expression know now that God hath overthrown me and hath compassed me with his net and then afterwards prove that yet notwithstanding it did not follow thence that he was a wicked man Vers 7. Behold I cry out of wrong but I am not heard c. The originall word here translated wrong may also be translated violence and then the meaning may be only this that he cryed out of the violence of Gods proceedings against him in that the miseries he had brought upon him were so exceeding great but reading it as it is in our Bibles Behold I cry out of wrong but I am not heard c. then the meaning must be that he cryed out of the injuries that were done him by men the robbers that had spoyled him of his estate or his friends that insulted over him and devided him in his misery and vexed him and reproached him as he had before complained Some Expositours I know understand it that he had complained bitterly of wrong done him by the Lord in that the miseries he had laid upon him were no way proportionable to any offence he had committed against God making this the height of his misery that though he cryed out of these things yet neither God nor man regarded his cry nor afforded him the least comfort or help And all they say for Iob herein is that in this his corruptions did too farre prevail over him as over the best they will sometimes doe in the hour of temptation But methinks it is too harsh to charge this upon Iob thus to understand his words neither is there any just reason that can be given why it may not be understood only of the wrong that had been done him by men Vers 8. He hath fenced up my way that I cannot passe c. That is he hath brought me into inextricable miseries out of which ther 's no hope nor possibility to escape and to the same purpose is the following clause and he hath set darknesse in my paths that is I cannot see which way to turn my self to wit either because he was so amazed with his sorrows and terrours or because his troubles were so desperate The like expressions Iob had used before chap. 3.23 of which see the Note there Vers 9. He hath stript me of my glory and taken the crown from my head By his glory and his crown some understand his children according to that Hos 9.11 their glory shall flee away as a bird from the birth and from the womb and from the conception and that Prov. 17.6 childrens children are the crown of old men Some his wealth and great estate according to that Gen. 31.1 where Iacobs riches are called his glory of which see the Note there and that Prov. 14.24 the crown of the wise is their riches some the dignity and authority which formerly he had in the place where he lived as having born some place of magistracy amongst them whence it is that he saith afterward chap. 29.7 c. when I went out to the gate through the city when I prepared my seat in the street the young men saw me and hid themselves c. some the good report and esteem he had before amongst all that knew him whereof he was now stript as being despised and in great disgrace every one accounting him a wicked man and an hypocrite But I conceive the words must be understood generally to wit that God had bereaved him of all that had formerly been an honour and an ornament to him Vers 10. He hath destroyed me on every side c. That is every way and in every thing and therefore he addes and I am gone that is I am in a manner a dead man ther 's no hope of me for so we find the same phrase used Psal 39.13 O spare me that I may recover strength before I goe hence and be no more yea because of the following clause and mine hope hath he removed like a tree it may seem that in these words he hath destroyed me on every side he alludes to those that when they intend to grub up a tree by the roots do dig up the ground and hew it round about on every side and so thereupon inferres that there was no more hope of his recovery here in this world then there was of a tree digged up by the roots Vers 11. And he counteth me unto him as one of his enemies That is He doth not correct me as a father but deales with me as if he looked upon me as an enemy And this is one thing for which Elihu condemnes Iob chap. 33.8 10. I have heard the voice of thy words saying he counteth me for his enemy Yet the words do not impart that God concluded that Iob was his enemy but that he proceeded against him as if he had taken him for an enemy Vers 12. His troups come together c. Having in the foregoing verse said that God counted him as an enemy here he proceeds accordingly in the same metaphoricall expression and shews how God did as it were lay siege against him His troups come together which is meant not only of the Chaldeans and others that had robbed him of his estate but generally of those armies of Afflictions that did together break in upon him and raise up their way against me to wit as pioners are wont to make waies even and large and passable for armies that are to march that way or as souldiers are wont to cast up trenches and to raise up batteries and galleries that they may get in to a city which they have besieged and encamp against me round about that is they block me up from all possibility of escape and hope of relief for all these figurative expressions are to set forth how very many how violent and of how long continuance his afflictions were encamping about him as souldiers in a siege Vers 13. He hath put my brethren far from me c. Even this may be added also with respect to the formes metaphor as if he should have said My brethren friends and others that should have been as auxiliary forces to have aided me in my streights God hath also quite taken off from helping me they come not near me or their hearts are alienated from me Vers 15. They that dwell in my house and my maids count me for a stranger If amongst those of his house he comprehended those also whom by way of hospitality
know there is a judgement Now Zophar being exceedingly netled with these words breaks out presently as in relation thereto Therefore doe my thoughts cause me to answer and for this I make hast as if he should have said Whereas you think to stop our mouths by threatning us with the judgements of God so farre am I from being terrified herewith that this above all forceth me to speak so that now I am not able to hold my peace any longer And three reasons may be conceived why Zophar should upon those words above others be so much stirred in his spirit that he could no longer forbear 1. Because he might judge this most insufferable that he that lay under such judgements of God himself should yet be so confident that he was in the right as to threaten them with the judgements of God for speaking against him perceiving how he wrongfully applyed the judgements of God it was time to make him sâ— his errour herein 2. Because he might apprehend that he had now a notable advantage to convince him from his own words since if wrath bringeth the punishments of the sword as Iob said what cause had he to be afraid of this sword of divine vengeance that had in so much fury and wrath uttered so many bitter speeches against God and so scornfully despised the admonition of his friends and 3. Because he might be eager to put him in mind that if there were judgement and a sword of divine vengeance for wicked men he might thence know what himself was whom this sword of God had already so sorely wounded However observable is the expression which Zophar here useth My thoughts cause me to answer for hereby he would seem to imply that though he should speak zealously yet he should not speak rashly because he had seriously be thought himself of what he meant to say Vers 3. I have heard the check of my reproach c. That is the checks and taunts wherewith to my reproach thou hast upbraided me and scorned the truth of God which hath been spoken to thee for though some Expositours referre this particularly to that sharp expression of Iob chap. 19.23 why do ye persecute me as God and are not satisfied with my flesh as if he should have said What Do you charge me with persecuting you with eating up your flesh Are you not ashamed to cast such base reproaches upon us And others to that before mentioned vers 29. where he had threatned them with the sword of divine vengeance yet I should rather understand it generally either of Iobs stiffenesse in maintaining still the truth of his cause and the innocency of his person which Zophar esteemed a reproach to them or of all those tart passages in Iobs speeches wherewith Zophar apprehended himself to be reproached he still applying that to himself which Iob had spoken in common to them all As for the following clause and the spirit of my understanding causeth me to answer by the spirit of his understanding may be meant either the spirit of God enlightening his mind and causing him to understand or his soul by which he was inabled to understand or the force and strength of his understanding or the highest and chiefest and most refined part of the understanding that which is most free from the dregs of passion But however doubtlesse the drift of Zophar in this expression was either to imply that he meant to answer Iob with reason and understanding and not in passion and anger as Iob had still replyed upon them or else rather to shew that the reason why he could not forbear speaking any longer was because he did clearly understand that it was the truth which they maintained against Iob and was able by evident reason to convince him of his folly in reproaching his friends as he had done for that which they had spoken and of the wickednesse which they had charged him with Vers 4. Knowest thou not this of old since man was placed upon earth c. As if he should have said I appeal to thine own conscience caâ—st thou be ignorant of that which the experience of all ages hath approved to be true ever since God first made man and placed him upon the earth to wit as it follows in the next verse that the tryumphing of the wicked is short and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment And well it may be that when Zophar spake this he had in his thoughts how God punished Cain the son of Adam and Ham and his cursed posterity immediately after the flood Vers 6. Thaugh his excellency mount up to the heavens and his head reach unto the clouds That is though he overtop all men in riches honours authority and high esteem and be gotten up to the highest pitch of outward prosperity and glory insomuch that hereupon he exalts himself in his pride as a little God upon earth and think his condition as unchangeable as the heavens we have the like expression Matth. 11.23 And thou Capernaum which art exalted unto heaven shall be brought down to hell Vers 7. Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung c. This expression of Zophars may imply three things to wit 1. That God should slay him and so he should become a loath some stinking carcase his body being turned wholly to rottennesse and putrifaction 2. That when God began to execute his judgements upon him he should become loathsome base and abominable unto all men so that none should vouchsafe to save him but he should be cast out with the detestation and abhorring of all and 3. That he should perish utterly both he and his according to that which is said of Ieroboam 1 Kings 14.10 I will take away the remnant of the house of Ieroboam as a man taketh away dung till it be all gone concerning which see the Note there And likely enough it is too that Zophar might herein allude to the dunghill whereon Iob now sat chap. 2.8 and to the complaint he had made in the foregoing chapter that God had stripped him of his glory and taken away the crown from his head and that all his nearest friends c. despised him and stood aloof from him and so intimated to him that it was not strange at all that it was thus since it was the usuall portion of the wicked man thus to perish as his own dung that is mans dung the most loathsome of all dung And to the same purpose is the following clause they which have seen him shall say where is he for this implyes 1. That he should be utterly cut off and not be seen any more and 2. That they that had seen him with admiration in his height of prosperity should wonder to see afterward how on a sudden he was quite perished and gone not so much as any memoriall being left of him and should speak of him in a way of scorn and contempt Vers 8. He shall fly away as a
severe wrath against his enemies yet to his people he should be the authour of all perfect happinesse PSALM III. The Title A Psalm of David when he fled from Absalom It is not improbable that this Psalm was composed by David in the very time of his withdrawing himself from the rage of Absalom if we consider first that the time was long secondly how carefull David was to redeem all times of any freedome for any spirituall services and thirdly that he was thereto inabled by the speciall inspiration of Gods spirit Yet the words may well bear it that it was composed afterward to expresse how he was affected in that time of his distresse thereby to sound forth the praises of God Vers 1. Lord how are they encreased that trouble me c. It is said 2 Sam. 15.12 that this conspiracy was strong for the people encreased continually with Absalom and chap. 17.24 that Absalom passed over Iordan he and all the men of Israel with him which was according to Hushai's counsell vers 11. I counsell that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee from Dan even to Beersheba as the sand that is by the sea for multitude And hence it is that David here complaining to God upon whom he casts his grief and care mentions this three severall times that his enemies were so many expressing himself by way of admiration to shew how strange it was that so many should so suddenly without any cause fall off from him whom God had anointed to be their king to set up an ambitious youngster as his son Absalom was to reign over them Vers 2. Many there be which say of my soul c. That is of me See the Note Gen. 27.4 There is no help for him in God that is no hope or possibility of help And thus they animated one another against him and did thereby exceedingly wound his soul either first out of an Atheisticall contempt of God boasting that now they had such a strong party that God should not be able to help him and indeed we see with what confidence Ahithophel spake 2 Sam. 17.2 I will come upon him while he is weary c. and all the people that are with him shall flee and I will smite the king only or secondly because they judged thus from that sore calamity that God had brought upon him in the insurrection of his own son against him or thirdly because they judged that God had forsaken him for his sin in the matter of Uriah which probably might be the reason that moved Ahithophel though so great a Politician to joyn with Absalom for so we see Shimei concluded 2 Sam. 16.8 Selah Divers opinions Expositours have concerning the meaning of this word which is three severall times inserted in this and often in other Psalms but very little clear evidence of reason there is in any thing they alledge as the ground of their opinions That which hath most shew of likelyhood is either first that it is set as a musicall pause to shew that in that place the singers were for some time to make a stop in their singing which may seem the more probable because we find this word no where in Scripture but in this book of the Psalms and in the song of Habakkuk and in both alwaies at the end of a verse unlesse it be in these few places to wit Psal 55.19 and 57.3 and Habak 3.3 9. or secondly that it was a Note to mind the singers that in that place they were to lift up their voices which is grounded upon this that the word seems to be derived from an Hebrew word that signifieth to elevate or lift up These two I say are the most probable opinions Only withall we must know that the end of either of these was to signifie the observablenesse of the foregoing passage as here how considerable this sad condition of David was that his enemies should say there was no help for him in God They that hold it was a musicall pause say it was to give a hint that men should seriously ponder of that which was then said and they that hold it was for the lifting up of the voice or as some think to shew that the foregoing passage was to be sung twice do likewise conceive that hereby was signified how admirable and observable that was for all that heard it Vers 3. But thou O Lord art a shield for me my glory and the lifter up of my head He tearms God his glory first because God had given him and he knew would still give him cause of glorying in his favour and help secondly because he had honoured him and so would still by giving him victory over his enemies and this he opposeth to the shame that lay now upon him when he was glad to fly for the saving of his life and thirdly because it was the Lord that had advanced him to that glorious condition of being king over his people and therefore he doubted not but that he would maintain and protect him therein And then again he tearms him the lifter up of his head first because God did comfort and support his dejected spirit and keep him from sinking under his afflictions secondly because through Gods grace to him he was inabled to bear up his head with confidence and comfort according to that Luk. 21.28 And when these things begin to come to passe then look up and lift up your heads for your redemption draweth nigh thirdly because God had often and he knew still would deliver him out of troubles and raise him from any dishonour and reproach that should be cast upon him as it is said that the king of Babylon did lift up the head of Jehoiachin when he freed him out of prison 2 King 25.27 and fourthly because he had exalted him to be king and therein he doubted not but he would continue him according to that Psal 110.7 He shall drink of the brook in the way therefore shall he lift up the head Vers 4. I cryed unto the Lord with my voice c. Why was it not enough to say I cryed unto the Lord but that these words must be added with my voice I answer first because he would covertly imply that in stead of spending his breath as in their afflictions many do in vain and uselesse complaints and murmurings against God he rather chose to call upon God for help secondly because he would hereby oppose the lifting up of his voice in prayer to their clamours and insultations as if he had said Their outcryes shall not put me to silence whilst they lifted up their voice in such outcryes against me God hath forsaken him there is no help for him in God this stopped not my mouth but I cryed to the Lord with my voice and thirdly to shew that by reason of the strength of his affections he not only prayed within himself but also out of the fervency of his spirit poured forth his desires in vocall
anointed Or it may be understood thus Now know I that is by this victory I see by proof and experience that the Lord saveth his anointed For this Psalm might be composed after the victory was obtained Vers 7. Some trust in chariots and some in horses but we will remember the name of the Lord our God That is Our enemies or rather more generally the men of the world trust altogether in outward things some in chariots and some in horses and so never mind God but we will think on God and the great things that he hath formerly done and will trust in God and pray to God as our only help Vers 8. They are brought down and fallen but we are risen and stand upright That is Our enemies or those that trusted in their chariots and horses that were before exalted in their pride and in a lofty condition for all their bragging are now laid low enough being vanquished and slain and we that trusted meerly in the name of the Lord though we were before oppressed and in a low condition yet are now raised to a better and through Gods help are safe and sure The first clause They are brought down and fallen some understand thus whereas they were carried aloft on their chariots and horses now they are from thence cast down But then by way of opposition the following clause but we are risen c. must be understood of being raised up on chariots and horses which seems no way probable Vers 9. Save Lord let the king hear us when we call That is as some expound it Let God the great king of the whole world hear our prayers But rather I conceive it must be understood thus Save Lord let the king hear c. that is Preserve the king O Lord that when we call to him for help through thine assistance he may deliver us Or Preserve us Lord and that by making our king instrumentall for our preservation when we seek to him for help And this must be understood principally of Christ as our king and Mediator PSALM XXI Vers 1. THe king shall joy in thy strength O Lord c. To wit as thankfully acknowledging that by thine assistance he hath prevailed over his enemies In this Psalm the people are brought in blessing God for conferring upon their king those mercies which they had prayed for in the foregoing Psalm And this must be understood both of David and Christ of whom David was a type Vers 2. Thou hast given him his hearts desire c. As was desired in the foregoing Psalm vers 4. Grant thee according to thine own heart and fulfill all thy counsell How this was verified eminently in Christ see Psal 2.8 Luk. 22.15 Joh. 11.42 and 17.1 c. Vers 3. For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodnesse c. That is Thou hast bestowed many good blessings of thine own free grace and goodnesse which he neither did desire nor could deserve thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head that is thou madest him king over Israel when he dreamt not of any such thing for this is mentioned as one of those blessings which God bestowed upon him undesired Because it is by some conceived that the foregoing Psalm was composed upon occasion of Davids making war against the Ammonites therefore they understand this as spoken with reference to their kings crown 2 Sam. 12.30 He took their kings crown from off his head the weight whereof was a talent of gold with the precious stones and it was set on Davids head but this seems not so probable Taking this as spoken of Christ either it may be meant of his kingly office the kingdome of David being restored in him the son of David which had been quite lost as it were for a time or of that incorruptible crown of glory whereto after his sufferings and being crowned with thorns he was exalted in heaven See Heb. 2.7 Vers 4. He asked life of thee and thou gavest it him c. That is Being often in desperate dangers he desired that thou wouldest save his life and not suffer him to fall into the hands of his enemies and thou didst grant his request and gavest him his life for a prey even length of daies for ever and ever which was more then he desired And hereby may be meant either 1. that God granted him a long yea a very long life to the great benefit of his people for this only the Hebrew phrase may imply or 2. that the Lord did not only cause him to live to a good old age but also gave him assurance of life eternall hereafter or 3. that God granted him that his kingdome should be continued in his posterity till the coming of Christ in whom it should become an eternall kingdome And indeed if the words be understood of Christ they must be referred to his desire that he might not be swallowed up of death and to his resurrection and his obtaining of eternitie of dayes in heaven both for himself and for his members concerning which see Heb. 5.7 Rom. 6.9 Revel 1.18 Heb. 7.25 Vers 5. His glory is great in thy salvation c. That is His fame and renown is great by reason of his many glorious victories and that especially because it is so evident that thou O Lord hast taken his part and made him so victorious Understanding it of Christ it must be meant of the exceeding glory he attained by the work of mans salvation however he was scorned and despised at first concerning which see Joh. 13.31 and 17.1 and Philip. 2.9 10. Vers 6. For thou hast made him most blessed for ever c. As if he should have said Why should I goe about to number the particular blessings conferred upon him which are innumerable Thou hast made him most blessed in every regard thou hast made him exceeding glad with thy countenance See the Notes Psal 4.6 7. and 16.11 and 17.15 Vers 7. For the king trusteth in the Lord and through the mercy of the most High he shall not be moved That is He resteth upon the promises thou hast made to him meaning that 2 Samuel 7.16 concerning the perpetuity of his throne and others of the like nature and therefore his kingdome shall be established for ever Vers 8. Thine hand shall find out all thine enemies c. That is Thine hand O God shall destroy all those that being enemies to thine Anointed are also enemies to thee see the Note Psal 2.2 Or thine hand O king meaning David or Christ shall destroy all thine and thy peoples enemies they shall not be able to hide themselves or escape from thee Vers 9. Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger c. That is Through thy wrath they shall be still burning like an oven implying judgements without intermission or they shall be as those things which the fire devours and consumes when they are cast into an oven that is they shall be
Vers 9. Thou rulest the raging of the sea c. To wit by keeping it within its bounds and making it calm at thy pleasure see the Notes Job 9.8 and 26.12 and 38.8 c or thou quellest the pride of tyrants and nations that are like the raging sea But that in these words the Psalmist doth particularly intend Gods dividing the red sea before the Israelites is evident by that which follows vers 10. Vers 10. Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces c. That is Egypt see the Note Psal 87.4 as one that is slain that is thou hast broken the Egyptians with a deadly blow destroying them with the waves of the sea as when a man is slain with a sword and with as much ease as a man is slain Vers 12. The North and the South thou hast created them Tabor and Hermon shall rejoyce in thy name As if he had said All parts of the world East West North and South were created by thee and do chearfully serve and praise thee their creatour for Tabor a mountain in the West of Canaan and Hermon in the East are here put for the East and West Vers 14. Iustice and judgement are the habitation of thy throne c. That is Thy throne is seated in the midst of justice and judgement thou dost order all things with most exact justice both by way of protecting and blessing thy people and by way of punishing thine and their enemies Or if we read it as it is in the margin Iustice and judgement are the establishment of thy throne then the meaning is that Gods kingdome on earth is upheld and magnified and made conspicuous in the world by his justice and judgement Mercy and truth shall go before thy face that is they shall be continually with thee and in thy presence see the Note Psal 85.13 Vers 15. Blessed is the people that know the joyfull sound c. That is who though they be in never so great distresse and danger yet they can rejoyce in that God is graciously present amongst them as their God and king and so can quietly rest on his favour and protection for in this expression the Psalmist alludes to the sounding of trumpets that was used amongst the Israelites upon divers occasions in the time of the Law that still as a sign of Gods favourable presence amongst them which who so understood they could not but exceedingly rejoyce therein for which see the Notes Numb 10.2 9 10 and 23.21 Yet withall consequently hereby must needs be implyed the happinesse of those that enjoyed the holy solemn assemblies of Gods people and that understanding the meaning of those sacred signs there used were refreshed with those spirituall joys that were signifyed thereby They shall walk O Lord in the light of thy countenance that is they shall rejoyce in thy favour see the Notes Psal 4.7 and Numb 6.25 26. through thy favour they shall go on prosperously in all their waies Vers 16. In thy Name shall they rejoyce all the day c. That is They shall continually rejoyce in thee or in thy favour and the daily effects thereof or in that they are thy people called by thy name and in thy righteousnesse shall they be exalted that is through thy faithfulnesse or in the confidence of thy faithfulnesse to them their spirits shall be lifted up with joy or they shall be encouraged against all adversities and enemies or through thy faithfulnesse they shall prosper flourish and become eminently great above others Some also understand this of the imputed righteousnesse of Christ to wit that thereby they shall be spiritually and eternally exalted Vers 17. For thou art the glory of their strength c. That is Thou givest them that strength whereby they glory and triumph over their enemies or whereby they become glorious or thou dost make thy self glorious in their strength or the glory of their strength consists in this that thou art their strength and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted see the Notes 1 Sam. 2.1 Vers 18. For the Lord is our defence c. Or as it is in the margin of our Bibles our shield that is our king see the Note Psa 47.9 is of the Lord that is the Lord made him king he did not exalt himself to that dignity which is more plainly expressed in the next words and our king is of the holy one of Israel see the Note Psal 71.22 And all this is meant of David but principally of Christ see the Notes 1 Sam. 16.1 Vers 19. Then c. That is When thou hadst appointed David to be king as was touched in the foregoing verse for the good of thy people thou spakest in vision to thy holy one to wit Gad or Nathan 2 Sam. 7.4 5 c. or rather to Samuel 1 Sam. 16.1 and saidest I have laid help upon one that is mighty that is I have set apart one to be king for the help of my people whom I have furnished with eminent gifts and graces of my spirit and so have made him a mighty man of valour wisedome every way exceeding able for that government and service I have exalted one chosen out of the people that is out of the common sort of people But all this with that which follows is chiefly meant of Christ see the Notes 1 Sam. 16.1 and Deut. 17.15 Vers 20. I have found David my servant c. And so Christ who is also called David Ezek. 34.23 is tearmed Gods chosen servant Isa 42.1 with my holy oyl have I anointed him see the Notes 1 Sam. 16.1 and Psal 45.7 Vers 21. With whom mine hand shall be established c. That is I will be so with him that I will never forsake him mine arm also shall strengthen him that is my full power not mine hand only but mine arm also shall be put forth for his help Vers 22. The enemy shall not exact upon him c. To wit by forcing taxes or tributes from him or otherwise oppressing him in his estate nor the son of wickednesse afflict him that is they shall not prevail over him how bold and desperate soever they be But now as we referre this promise to Christ it must be understood of his triumphing over all the enemies he grappled with see the Note 2 Sam. 7.10 Vers 24. But my faithfulnesse and my mercy shall be with him c. That is He shall be faithfull mercifull which shall be the chief ornaments of his kingdome or rather I will make good my promises to him notwithstanding his infirmities wherein mercy shall be shewed him and in my name shall his horn be exalted that is in the confidence of my help and favour he shall lift up his head with courage or rather by me or to the end my name may be glorified shall his kingdome be advanced and chiefly was this accomplished in the transcendent glory of Christs kingdome but see also the Notes Psal 20.1 and
that doth righteousnesse at all times that is and he that accordingly liveth righteously and that both in prosperity and adversity implying that they that do thus constantly fear and serve God shall find God good and gracious to them though they may be in much distresse for a time Vers 4. Remember me O Lord with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people c. That is Whereas of late thou hast seemed not to mind us doe us good again and deliver us and blesse us according to what thou hast been wont to doe for thy people see the Note Psal 25.6 O visit me with thy salvation that is save us as thou hast formerly done out of our troubles see Psal 85.1 2 c. Vers 5. That I may see the good of thy chosen c. That is That I may enjoy the good which thou art wont to afford thy chosen people see the Notes Job 7.7 and Psal 21.4 that I may rejoyce in the gladnesse of thy nation that I may glory with thine inheritance that is that I may triumph with others for thy wonderfull deliverances and mercies to thy people But yet under these outward mercies spirituall and eternall blessings are likewise comprehended Vers 6. We have sinned with our fathers we have committed iniquity we have done wickedly Some conceive that this Psalm being composed in Babylon these words were by the Psalmist taken from Daniels prayer Deut. 9.5 where the very same expressions are used But however the drift of these words is doubtlesse not only by an humble acknowledgement of their sins to make way for Gods mercy but also especially to imply that seeing God had shewed great mercy to their fathers notwithstanding they had provoked him greatly by their sins therefore they hoped that God would after the like manner deal with them Vers 7. Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt c. That is say some Expositours Though they saw the miracles which Moses wrought before them yet they laid them not so much to heart but that when Pharaoh upon the message of Moses to him did oppresse them worse then before they did then greatly murmure against Moses and Aaron Exod. 5.21 But rather I conceive that the Psalmist prefixeth this as the aggravation of their murmuring at the red sea whereof he speaks in the following words that notwithstanding the wonderfull works he had wrought in Egypt yet presently at the red sea when they were scarce gotten out of Egypt they provoked God by murmuring against him they remembred not the multitude of thy mercies but provoked him at the sea even at the red sea Vers 9. He led them through the depths as through the wildernesse That is He led them through those heaps of waters which stood up as a wall on each side of them see the Notes Exod. 14.22 and that on as dry ground as if they had gone through a dry sandy wildernesse Vers 12. Then believed they his words c. So it is said Exod. 14.31 But this is here added as an aggravation of their wickednesse that being thus convinced within themselves they should yet so soon again murmure against the Lord. Vers 13. They soon forgat his works c. For three daies after their removing from the red sea they murmured again because of the bitternesse of the waters at Marah Exod. 15.22 23 they waited not for his counsell that is they would not wait to see what God had determined concerning them or what God would enjoyn them to doe they would not patiently wait upon Gods providence as believing that he would provide for them as considering that it was Gods way to exercise his people with trials for a time but would prescribe both what he should doe and when he should doe it yet this may be referred to the following story Vers 14. But lusted exceedingly in the wildernesse c. To wit for flesh whereas in the wildernesse it was a great mercy to have necessary food See the Notes Num. 11.4 and Psal 78.18 and tempted God in the desart see the Note Exod. 17.2 Vers 15. And he gave them their request but sent leannesse into their soul That is upon their persons see the Note Psal 16.10 The meaning is that the dainties that God gave them with a curse instead of feeding them brought a deadly consumption upon them see the Note Numb 11.33 Vers 16. They envied Moses also in the camp c. See the Notes Numb 16.1 3 and Aaron the saint of the Lord that is whom the Lord had set apart to that holy office of being the high Priest so that their insurrection was by consequence against the Lord Numb 16.11 Vers 24. Yea they despised the pleasant land To wit by refusing to enter into it by speaking of it with contempt Numb 14.3 wherefore hath the Lord brought us into this land c. And he calleth it the pleasant land not only because it was such a rich fruitfull sweet and delightfull land the glory of all lands as it is called Eze. 20.6 but also because God had chosen it to be the peculiar seat of his word worship a sacramental pledge to them of his kingdom of glory their heavenly inheritance Vers 26. Therefore he lifted up his hand against them to overthrow them in the wildernesse That is He threatned and was ready to strike and that with great violence or rather he swore that he would destroy them Numb 14.21 28. for which see the Note Deut. 32.40 Vers 27. To overthrow their seed also among the nations and to scatter them in the lands Because though we find not this branch of Gods oath in expresse tearms where Moses relates this story of Gods anger against the Israelites for their refusing to enter into the land of Canaan yet we find the very same in a manner again affirmed only indeed there is no mention of their seed Ezek. 20.23 I lifted up mine hand unto them also in the wildernesse that I would scatter them among the heathen and disperse them through the countreys therefore some conceive that this was thus denounced at that time though it were not expressed by Moses and that it was fulfilled when upon the Israelites presumptuous attempting to enter the land after God had enjoyned them to return back into the wildernesse the Amalekites and the Canaanites smote them and discomfited them even unto Hormah Numb 14.45 and again after when Arad the Canaanite fought against Israel and took some of them prisoners Numb 21.1 And others hold that this is said only because under that threatning expressed by Moses the like was also covertly implyed concerning their posterity in case they should rebell against God as their fathers had done But I rather think that the true reason of this which is here said concerning the overthrowing of their seed is because at first God did indeed threaten to destroy the whole people of Israel and so to scatter them that they should never be a
all power and majesty the Lord thy Benjamin the son at thy right hand as was said of Christ vers 1. shall strike through kings c or 2. as spoken to Christ concerning God the Father O Christ the Lord thy father shall stand by thee at thy right hand to aid thee and to destroy all thine enemies for thee or 3. as spoken to the people of God concerning Christ as if he had said Be not dismayed O ye servants of Christ for as the Lord your Saviour sits at the right hand of his Father in glory and majesty so he will also be at your right hand to assist and prosper you and to execute judgement on all your enemies Vers 6. He shall judge among the heathen c. That is He shall rule as king amongst the heathen or rather he shall punish and destroy his enemies of all nations not the Jews only but the Gentiles also which is clear by the following words he shall fill the places with dead bodies that is with dead bodies lying unburied which also may imply the multitude of the slain in that they that were left alive should not be able to bury their dead he shall wound the heads over many countries that is he shall destroy the mightiest of princes that oppose him Vers 7. He shall drink of the brook in the way c. Some conceive that hereby the havock that Christ should make amongst his enemies is farther set forth for they make the meaning of the words to be this that Christ should make such a slaughter amongst them that as a conquerour he might drink the bloud of his enemies which should run down as a brook or stream according to that expression Numb 23.24 Behold the people shall rise up as a great lion and lift up himself as a young lion he shall not lye down untill he eat of the prey and drink the bloud of the slain and hereby they say is signifyed Christs satiating refreshing and delighting himself in the destruction of his enemies But there are two other expositions that are far more probable and indeed of these it is hard to say which is the best The first is that hereby the Psalmist sets forth the alacrity heat and fervency of Christ in pursuing his enemies He shall drink of the brook in the way therefore shall he lift up the head that is being in the pursuit of his enemies he shall no where stay to rest and refresh himself but quenching his thirst a little out of any brook that he meets with in the way he shall presently lift up his head again and shall again follow his enemies close at the heels And this exposition some learned Expositours do the rather approve because by the coherence of these words with the two foregoing verses it may seem that the Psalmist doth still prosecute his prophesies concerning the victories of Christ But then the second is that these words are meant the first branch of his humiliation or passion and the second of his resurrection and exaltation For by those words He shall drink of the brook in the way they say is meant either 1. the poor and mean condition wherein Christ lived as a pilgrim and stranger here in this world like that of those that have no other drink but the water that runs in brooks and rivers to quench their thirst wherein they say also that David whilst he lived obscurely in desolate places for fear of Saul was a type of Christ and then by the lifting up of his head must be meant the glory whereto afterwards Christ was exalted or 2. the death and passion of Christ As waters in the Scripture do usually signify afflictions and sorrows see the Notes 2 Sam. 22.5 and Psal 42.7 so drinking of these waters may signify either that a man is drowned and overwhelmed in these floods of afflictions because when a man is drowned the water will run into his bowels as we may see in that Psal 69.1 2. Save me O God for the waters are come in unto my soul c. for which see the Notes there or else a voluntary submission to the afflictions which a man undergoes according to that of our Saviour Joh. 18.11 the cup which my father giveth me shall I not drink it But now as drinking of a cup may signify the undergoing of a certain portion of afflictions and miseries so on the other side drinking of the brook may signify an undergoing of the highest degrees of all miseries and sorrows because a brook of waters may signify a confluence of all kind of miseries So that when it is said here of Christ He shall drink of the brook in the way the meaning is that all the miseries due to men for sin should as a torrent come pouring in upon him Having spoken so much in the foregoing verses concerning the victories of Christ under those metaphoricall expressions of striking through kings of filling the places with dead bodies c. lest we should hence think that his kingdome should be an outward worldly kingdome the Psalmist doth therefore adde this concerning his suffering and so entring into glory He shall drink of the brook in the way that is as he passeth through this world or whilst he is in the way of accomplishing the will of God for the salvation of men passing through this vail of tears he shall drink of the troubled brook of many bitter sufferings he shall undergoe all the wrath that was due to man for sin therefore shall he lift up the head that is he shall rise victoriously out of the grave he shall triumphantly ascend up into heaven and shall there sit down at the right hand of his Father See also the Note for this phrase of lifting up the head Psal 3.3 PSALM CXI Vers 1. PRaise ye the Lord c. See the Note Psal 25.1 This is the first of the Alphabeticall Psalms wherein we have all the Hebrew letters perfectly according to their order without omission of any and they are in the beginning of every clause of the Psalm the first eight verses being divided into two clauses and the two last into three And just so it is again in the following Psalm Vers 2. The works of the Lord are great sought out of all them that have pleasure therein As if he had said Though profane ungodly men discern not the transcendent excellency that is in Gods works and that because they regard them not and therefore search not into them yet they that take delight in searching into them they discover and in a good measure understand the exquisite excellency that is therein Vers 3. His work is honourable and glorious c. Some understand this peculiarly of the glorious work of Gods delivering the Israelites out of Egypt because they conceive the Psalmist speaks of this in the following verses But I rather take it as spoken generally that whatever God doeth is full of majesty and glory And which the Psalmist
speaking softly to his companions lest he should be over-heard by some body and so prevented in what he hath designed to doe In a word the meaning is that wicked men by their cunning plots and hypocrisy in the close carrying on their designes do work much villany Vers 31. The hoary head is a crown of glory if it be found in the way of righteousnesse To such a one the gray hairs wherewith his head is compassed round about is a glorious ornament even as a silver crown which God himself hath put upon his head to wit because such an one doth in a speciall manner bear in himself the image of God who is the Ancient of daies Dan. 7.9 as likewise because old men by long experience do often attain the greater wisdome and the very gray hairs of such men do render their countenance the more comely grave and do naturally procure the more authority and respect amongst men Vers 32. He that is flow to anger is better then the mighty c. That is he is a man of greater excellency and more to be commended for his strength and fortitude then he that is of mighty bodily strength to wit because the strength of the soul is better then bodily strength it enables men to bear reproaches and injuries which are of all burdens the heaviest hardest to be born to resist and overcome a mans own unruly passions and sinfull lusts together with those principalities powers Eph. 6.12 which of all enemies are most hardly resisted and subdued And by mens subduing these much benefit redounds to other whereas the mighty man cannot obtain victories nor subdue cities without much bloudshed and hurt to others And to the same purpose is the following clause and he that ruleth his spirit that is that overruleth his affections passions then he that taketh a city who may the while be a slave to his own lust But see the Note also chap. 14.29 CHAP. XVII Vers 1. BEtter is a dry morsell quietnesse therewith then a house full of sacrifices with strife We had a Proverb before much like this chap. 15.17 for which see the Note there But the meaning of this is briefly thus that the smallest coursest pittance with quiet is more comfortable safe and wholesome then a house full of good chear for that is meant by a house full of sacrifices see the Note chap. 7.14 with strife and contention Which may be said because at feasts wine good chear do usually cause many quarrels or else to imply that it is better to be in a low then in a high condition because these are usually exposed to more envy and hatred and strife then meaner men are Others also understand this Proverb of the happinesse of those that enjoy a little with quiet of conscience above those that have plenty with a conscience that continually chideth them for what they have gotten unjustly or for some other wickednesse Vers 2. A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame c. See the Notes chap. 10.5 and 14.35 and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren Thus it is usually in both particulars mentioned The first when a servant for his wisdome is advanced to some place of honour magistracy and so the foolish son having wasted his estate being become poor liveth under his command or else when the master of such a servant shall give him the rule over his whole family or shall make him at his death one of his Executors a guardian over his foolish son perhaps over all his children And so the second also either when such a servant growing rich and great buyes the estate of his masters prodigal child or rather when a master shall give one of his daughters in marriage to such a servant or shall adopt him for his son and thereupon shall at his death allot him a share in his inheritance But the drift of the Proverb is to shew that wisdome doth often prefer men above those that otherwise had it not been for their folly might have been their betters Vers 3. The fining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold but the Lord tryeth the hearts Either we must understand these words thus that as the fining pot and the furnace do try silver and gold so the Lord whose eyes are as a flame of fire Rev. 1.14 tryeth the hearts of men or thus whereas the gold-smith can by his art try of what goodnesse his silver gold are can purify them from the drosse that was in them none but the Lord only can try that is exactly know or purify and purge by affliction or otherwise the hearts of men See the Notes Psal 7.9 and 26.2 and 66.10 and Job 23.10 Vers 4. A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips c. That is to lies slanders flatteries or generally to all manner of evil speeches whatsoever and a liar giveth eare to a naughty tongue that is a mischievous tongue or a lying slanderous tongue The drift of this Proverb therefore may be to shew 1. that not only to speak evil but also willingly to hearken to evil speakers to be prone to believe lies is the property of a wicked man or 2. that wicked men are still ready to yield to the evil suggestions enticements commands of others or 3. that because men are delighted with such talk as is sutable to their disposition therefore liars and slanderers love to hear the lies and slanders of others and generally all wicked men delight to hear those that talk wickedly Vers 5. Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his maker That is he that derideth a man distressed with poverty or any other sad affliction It is a sin to deride any body but the poor man is mentioned because men do usually take most liberty to scoffe at such men and yet the deriding of them is worst because thereby men adde affliction to the afflicted But see the Note chap. 14.31 Vers 6. Childrens children are the crown of old men c. To wit because this makes known that they are very aged and because children are a glorious blessing of God and do render their parents to be the more reverenced respected and to be of the more authority amongst men and the glory of children are their fathers to wit whether living or dead for living with them their wisdome and authority do supply many defects in their children and whether living or dying they are an honour to them But now both these clauses must be understood both of parents children that are vertuous pious for otherwise they will both be but a crown of thorns to their nearest relations Vers 7. Excellent speech becometh not a fool c. Some by excellent speech understand copious fluency of speech which they say becometh not a fool because the more he speaks the more he will discover his folly Again others by excellent speech understand a
of the Law the persecutions of the world and the danger of all judgements and afflictions whatsoever whereto agreeth that promise concerning Christs kingdome Isa 4.6 And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the day time from the heate c. See also the Notes Psal 17.8 91.1 121.5 6. And then by the Churches sitting down under his shadow with great delight is meant 1. Our putting our selves under his protection and government by owning him thorough faith as our Lord and Saviour 2. our abiding and persevering in our faith and union with him Joh. 15.4.3 The quieting of our hearts and spirits by this meanes from all feares and terrors that glorious rest foretold by the Prophet Isa 11.10 which Christ promiseth to all that embrace him by a lively faith Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest c. Mat. 11.28 29. see also Joh. 16.33 and which Believers have in all ages enjoyed by him Rom. 5.1 Being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ 4. The full satisfaction which this yields to the soules of Believers causing them to sit down and without seeking any farther to place their whole happinesse and content in him alone and 5. the unexpressible delight and joy that doth hereupon cheare and revive their hearts And his fruit was sweet to my tast As if she had said My beloved reapes no fruit nor benefit by me but I reape abundance of fruit and benefit by him not only refreshing under his shadow but also fruit too the golden apples I gather from this my deare and precious apple-tree whereon I dayly feed by faith and find much sweetnesse therein And by this fruit is meant 1 all the workes of his Prophetical Priestly and Kingly office all that he did and suffered for our redemption and salvation the very meditation whereof yields exceeding great delight to the faithfull and 2ly all the spirituall blessings purchased for us and imparted to us thereby as the Gospel the fruit of his lips with all the promises and consolations thereof and all other Gospel ordinances and so likewise Remission of sin justification sanctification with all the fruits of righteousnesse wrought in us thereby our adoption the consolation of his Spirit that hidden Manna Revel 2.17 and what ever other benefits we enjoy through him but especially the hope of glory and life eternall with respect to which fruit it is that Christ is called the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradice of God Revel 2.7 For all these doe yield most sweet and pleasant delight to the soules of those that are made partakers thereof whence are those expressions we meet with in the Scripture Psal 119.103 How sweet are thy words unto my tast yea sweeter then honey to my mouth And Psal 34.8 O tast and see that the Lord is good And 1 Pet. 2.2 3. As new borne babes desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby if so be that ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious All the sweets of earthly delights have no relish in them to a true Christian in comparison of the sweetnesse that he finds in Christ and his benefits Vers 4. He brought me to the banquetting house Here the Spouse relates how her beloved had formerly or at present manifested his singular love to her by bringing her into his banquetting house It is in the Original the house of wine and accordingly they translate this place thus He brought me to the wine-cellar and suitably hereunto because wine-cellars are low vaults under ground dark raw and cold but yet withall well stored and fraught with wine that cheareth the heart Psal 104.15 they understand this passage of the great refreshing comforts which Christ doth usually afford his people when he hath brought them for reasons best known to himselfe into an estate of deep and dismal affliction and sorrow That condition of darknesse and trouble which is in it selfe as a dungeon to the Spouse is by Christ made a wine-cellar Psal 119.71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted 2 Cor. 1.4 As the sufferings of Christ abound in us so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. But reading the place as it is in our translation He brought me to the banquetting house I conceive that by Christs banquetting house here is meant the Scripture or the publick assemblies and ordinances whereto when the Saints are brought thorough the secret swaying of their hearts by his Spirit besides the communion which there they enjoy with Christ and with their brethren he there entertaines and feasts them with all variety of dainties the divers gifts and graces of his Spirit together with the sweetest of comforts working in them joyes unspeakeable and glorious And his banner over me was love They that expound the foregoing words of this verse of Christs making the afflicted estate of his Church to be as a wine-cellar to them doe accordingly understand this clause thus that in the afflictions of his people Christ the Captain of their salvation by the manifestation of his gracious presence amongst them and the love he beares them doth as with a banner displayed cheare them up proclaiming defence to them and resistance against their enemies according to that Isa 59.19 When the enemy shall come in like a floud the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him But reading the foregoing words as they are in our Bibles He brought me to the banquetting house I conceive that accordingly in this following clause and his banner over me was love Solomon alludes to the custome of Captains hanging up their Banners or Ensignes over their heads when they made any great feasts thereby to adde the more glory and splendor to their entertainments and the Churches maine intent in these words is to shew that Christ by the manifestation of his love in the preaching of the Gospel doth exceedingly glad and rejoyce her heart And indeed the preaching of the Gospel may well be compared to a Standard a Banner or Ensigne displayed whose Motto or Device is LOVE and that in severall regards 1. Because the great work of preaching the Gospel is to lift up Christ crucified as a Banner displayed in the eyes of all nations to unfold and display before men all the heavenly mysteries of Gods eternall counsell concerning mans salvation and so to publish and make knowne that wonderfull love of God in giving his own Son to dye for poore sinners And hence are those expressions Joh. 3.14 As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wildernesse even so must the Son of man be lifted up to wit in the preaching of the Gospel and Gal. 3.1 O foolish Galatians before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth crucified amongst you and Eph. 3.8 Vnto me is this grace given that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ that is
the tast she had gotten of those sweet and heavenly dainties wherewith he had feasted her for in this case hope deferred maketh the heart sick Pro. 13.12 especially if it be accompanied with a feare of loosing what hath been formerly enjoyed and the soule that is transported with such vehement desires after the full enjoying of Christs presence must needs be as sick of the world yea dying to the world and senselesse of all things that are here below and be alwayes panting and sighing and groaning after the enjoying of Christ in his kingdome of glory Psal 73.25 26. Whom have I in heaven but thee and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee My flesh and my heart faileth c. And then secondly for the help she requires Stay me with flagons comfort me with apples we must know 1. that it is Christ or rather the Ministers of Christ and other private Christians to whom she speakes and 2ly that by the flagons and apples wherewith she desires to be stayed and upheld and comforted are meant the cordial promises and comfortable doctrines of the Gospel together with the fruits of Christs Mediation which she desires may out of the Scripture the bowles and flagons of the Sanctuary be applyed to her heart and conscience and that in the fullest measure for the strengthening of her weake faith and the chearing and reviving of her drooping spirits that her consolations might abound through Christ for as it was the discovery of Christs love that had wounded her so it was only the manifestation of the same love that could heale her againe Make me to heare joy and gladnesse that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoyce Psal 51.8 Vers 6. His left hand is under my head and his right hand doth embrace me There may well be in these words an allusion to the manner of their sitting on their beds if I may so call it in those times when they feasted together which was that they lay along as it were in one anothers bosomes the first having his left hand under the head of him that was next him so that with his right hand also he might embrace him and so it was in order with all the rest However it is cleare that the fainting Spouse doth here glory in the tender care of her beloved over her in that so soone as ever she had called for help to them that were about her he himselfe had presently catched her up in his armes and cherished her it is the Apostles word Eph. 5.29 even as a â—oving husband is wont to cherish his sick wife which may be meant of Christs chearing up his afflicted people by the immediate motions of his Spirit as it were preventing the outward meanes of grace or else of his working effectually together with the outward means to make them successefull for the reviving and bearing up of their fainting spirits As for these expressions His left hand is under my head and his right hand doth embrace me all that I conceive is intended hereby is that when the hearts of his people are ready to faint Christ is wont to imploy all his power for their support bearing them up as it were with both his hands or that by all possible expressions of his ardent and tender love as by so many close and fast embraces he doth labour to assure them how neare they lye to his heart how inseparably they are united to him that he may keep them from sinking under any sorrowes and beare up their hearts in the expectation of their future glory see Psal 37.24 Vers 7. I charge you O ye daughters of Jerusalem c. Who are meant by these daughters of Jerusalem see in the Note Chap. 1.5 Because this verse is severall times repeated in this Song it may seeme to be inserted after the manner of those verses which we use to call versus intercalares wherewith as the foote of the Song Pastorals and Marriage-Songs are in other Poets often interlaced very many Interpreters translating the last words of this verse until she please not as they are in our Bibles until he please doe accordingly conceive of this as the Bridegroomes charge enjoyning those about his Bride that seeing she was after her languishments fallen asleep in his embraces they should be very carefull not to disturb or awaken her which they understand of taking heed that the Churches peace be not broken by heresies or schismes or any other disturbances whatsoever But according to our Translation these are clearely the words of the Spouse which may also seeme the more probable both because as the foregoing words so also those that follow are her words and likewise because it seemes to be one of the decorums of this Song that the Bridegroome speakes only to his Bride-men and companions it is alwayes the Bride that speakes to her Bride-maides the daughters of Jerusalem It is the Spouse therefore that lying in the embraces of her beloved and apprehending that in this posture he might lay himselfe to rest doth therefore charge her Bride-maides not to trouble or disquiet her beloved whilst he was pleased thus to cheare her up with his embraces I charge you O ye daughters of Jerusalem or as it is in the Hebrew I adjure you I charge you as by an oath by the roes and by the hindes of the field that is I charge you that as you dearly love and prize the roes and hindes of the field and would be loth to loose them or according to the love ye beare to them which is said because Country damosels that used to feed their flocks abroad in the fields where the roes and hindes ranne were wont exceedingly to delight in the beauty and comelinesse of these pretty creatures and likewise in hunting them and in sporting and playing with them as if she should have said I adjure you by those things you most delight in that ye stirre not up nor awake my love that is him whom my soule loveth or who dearly loveth me til he please that is till he awakes of himselfe Now that which is spiritually intended hereby is this The Church after her perplexity having been comforted by the embraces of Christ is very carefull not to have this peace and rest of hers disturbed and thereupon chargeth the faithfull according to the authority she hath over her particular members to be very carefull that they did not give her Lord the least offence that they did not by any heresies or schismes amongst them by any distrustfull feares or murmuring or any sinfull courses whatsoever disturb or vex his holy Spirit lest being provoked thereby to displeasure he should withdraw himselfe from her according to that Isa 59.2 Your iniquities have separated between you and your God and your sinnes have hid his face from you that he will not heare see also Chap. 63.10 This I conceive is that which is intended by these words Stirre not up nor awake my love for as
perhaps this word paved is used figuratively to shew that the very flour of the coach whereon they set their feet was overlaid with such rich clothes of tapestry and as in allusion to that variety of artificial works that used to be in their pavements in those daies And now according to the several Expositions given of Solomons Charet in the foregoing verse we may also spiritually apply the several parts of it as they are here particularly described the more to set forth the glory of Solomon and under that the glory of Christ of whom Solomon was a type First Understanding by the Charet the humane nature of Christ by these pillars of silver may be meant the precious gifts wherewith his humane nature was adorned and 2. By the bottom thereof of gold the singular and transcendent purity of his nature free from the least stain of sinne which made it fit for the habitation of the only begotten Son of God And 3. by the covering of it of purple the form of a servant under which the glory of his Godhead was covered or hidden from the eyes of men especially with respect to his bloody passion for which it is said to be of purple and 4. by the midst thereof being paved with love for the daughters of Jerusalem the heart of Christ fully fraught with love which made him undertake the work of the redemption of Gods chosen ones or the amiablenesse of his doctrine and conversation which drew the people to love and admire him But secondly understanding thereby the word of the Gospel whereby Christ is carried forth into all nations then by these pillars of silver may be meant the firme and certain truths therein contained pure as silver Psal 12.6 or the severall Articles of the Christian faith and by the bottome of gold the Covenant of grace contained therein more precious then gold which is the ground-work of Christs love to the Saints and that whereon the Saints rest for life and salvation as on a sure foundation and by the purple covering the rich and pleasant promises of the people which are comfortable coverings to them to shelter them from all evil and by the midst paved with love those many Scripture-Stories the whole scope whereof is to set forth the love of Christ to his Saints and the love which they likewise have showne to their Lord Christ And thirdly Understanding thereby the Church then by the pillars of silver may be meant the stability of the Church and the perseverance of the Saints or the goodly graces wherewith the Church is adorned or rather the Prophets and Apostles Eph. 2.20 and so also other the faithfull Ministers of Christ wisdomes seven pillars see the Note Pro. 9.1 who by the doctrine of the Gospel are to beare up the Church and by the purity of their lives to be an ornament to her according to that of the Prophet Mal. 3.3 He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver and he shall purifie the sonnes of Levi and purge them as gold and silver c. And by the bottome thereof of gold the faith of Believers much more precious then gold 1 Pet. 1.7 or the purity of their hearts or the peace and quiet of their consciences by meanes of their reconciliation with God thorough Christ and by the purple covering the heavenly power wherewith the Church is protected or their hope of heavenly glory or rather their outward conversation which is Prince-like holy and heavenly those robes of righteousnesse which are also washed in the blood of the Lamb Revel 7.14 and many times made the more glorious thorough their sufferings for Christ and by the midst thereof being paved with love for the daughters of Jerusalem the shedding abroad of the love of Christ in the hearts of the faithfull and the ardent love which this fetches back from them both towards God and Christ and their brethren yea indeed toward all men whatsoever all tending to the glory and delight of the elect of God the daughters of Jerusalem Some referre these last words to all that is said before concerning this charet to wit that it was wholly made for the use of the daughters of Jerusalem or that they might be pleased with the sight of it or that they might be wonne highly to love and esteeme Solomon But most Expositors apply it to the last branch only Vers 11. Goe forth O ye daughters of Zion c. This may be taken as spoken together with that in the foregoing verses by the Bride-groomes friends or rather by the Bride her selfe who upon occasion of that which was said in the foregoing verses concerning the magnificence of her Beloveds charet the true Solomon doth call upon others to goe forth and behold that goodly sight yet not to gaze so much upon the richnesse of the charet as to behold the magnificence of him that sat in it And behold king Solomon with the Crowne wherewith his mother crowned him in the day of his espousals and in the day of the gladnesse of his heart which may be meant of the Royal Crowne and his mother Bathsheba may be said to have crowned him herewith because it was by her meanes that he rather then any other of Davids sonnes was crowned King 1 King 1.16 or rather it may be meant of some garland or crowne which his mother provided for him against his nuptials for though no such thing be expressed in the Scripture yet it may well be that there was a custome in those times that mothers at the marriage of their sonnes amongst other ornaments provided garlands wherewith they crowned their heads and so the mothers of Princes provided crownes of gold for them In allusion whereto this may be spoken Behold king Solomon with the crowne wherewith his mother crowned him in the day of his espousals c. As if the Bridegroomes friends or the Bride her selfe had said Consider of Solomons state in this his charet and compare it with that of our Bridegroome and you will find that his was as nothing in comparison Or thus You that never saw Solomon with the crowne on his head in the day of his espousals come forth and behold his expresse image in this our Solomon and you will find the glory of our Solomon doth farre surmount his As for the spirituall sense of these words we must consider 1. that Zion being the most eminent part of Jerusalem and so a type of the Church as Jerusalem was see the Note Psal 2.6 the daughters of Zion are the same that were before tearmed the daughters of Jerusalem chap. 1.5 for which see the Note there 2. That by the going forth of these daughters to behold king Solomon is meant that Christians should goe out of themselves out of all their sinnes their worldly intanglements and carnall confidences and out of the false Church Zion transformed into Babylon and should by the eye of faith behold Christ the true Solomon the King of heaven and earth
and more peculiarly the King of Zion and to their astonishment and joy observe and consider how much his magnificent state did excell that of Solomon which is much the same with that Zach. 9.9 Rejoyce greatly O daughter of Zion shout O daughter of Jerusalem behold thy King cometh unto thee 3. That by the crowne wherewith his mother crowned him is meant either those faithfull soules that by the preaching of the Gospel are wonne and converted to Christ or the glory and honour which the Church hath in all ages yielded to Christ by owning his soveraignty by placing all her hope of salvation in him and spreading abroad throughout the world by the preaching of the Gospel the glory of his person and kingdome the great love he hath showne to his people and the great things he hath done for them Both which we may the rather pitch upon 1. Because the Scripture speakes of the Church the Congregation of the faithfull as the mother of Christ Revel 12 1-5 and in the Church by the word of faith Christ is conceived Gal. 4.19 My little children of whom I travel in birth againe untill Christ be formed in you and Christ himselfe did professe whilst he was upon earth that he esteemed and honoured them as his mother Matth. 12.50 2ly Because Christ is indeed by the faith of the Saints honoured in the world as the king of Israel Joh. 1.49 When Christ ruleth in his Church by the scepter of his word and people submit to his law and government they then set the Crowne upon his head and thence it is that Christ said of his Disciples Joh. 17.10 that he was glorified in them And 3ly Because the Scripture doth speake of the faithfull that are by the Church converted and wonne unto Christ as his glory and crowne as Isa 62.3 Thou shalt also be a crowne of glory in the hand of the Lord and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God And indeed if a people converted to Christ may be tearmed the Crowne of that Minister by whom they are converted as the Apostle calls the Philippians his joy and crowne Phil. 4.1 and a good wife may be tearmed a crowne to her husband Pro. 12.4 well may the faithfull who are the Spouse of Christ a chosen generation and a royal Priesthood 1 Pet. 2.9 be said to be the crowne wherewith his mother crowned him yea and the rather haply may Christ be said to be crowned by his mother the Church of the Jewes because his first converts were gathered there And 4. By the day of his espousals and the day of the gladnesse of his heart is meant the time when a people are by the Gospel wonne to the faith whence is that of the Apostle 2 Cor. 11.2 I have espoused you unto one husband that I may present you as a chast virgin to Christ for then doth the Lord begin to rejoyce in such a people even as a Bridegroome rejoyceth over the Bride Isa 62.5 Yea and some doe apply this particularly to the glory and dignity wherewith Christ was crowned after his resurrection Heb. 2.9 which might also be called the day of his espousals and of the gladnesse of his heart because he had then procured his Church to be presented to him as a glorious Spouse even as Eve after Adam awoke from sleep was presented unto him which was to the Lord a matter of great triumph and joy CHAP. IV. Vers 1. BEhold thou art faire my love behold thou art faire Here it is cleare that Christ the Bridegroome doth extoll the beauty of the Church his Spouse and that by way of a kind reply to that discovery she had made of her high esteeme of him if the later part of the foregoing Chapter be as it is by many understood of her We had the very same expression before Chap. 1.15 for which see the Note there yet some apply this particularly to the Church of the Jewes Thou hast doves eyes within thy locks Having extolled the Spouses beauty in generall he proceeds to set forth her beauty in many particulars the severall members of the Church or the manifold graces wherewith she is adorned And accordingly begins with her eyes the most eminent and beautifull part The first words Thou hast doves eyes were also opened before Chap. 1.15 But here they are repeated with an addition Thou hast doves eyes within thy locks haply in allusion to the custome of Brides having their haire hanging loose about them which made their eyes shine forth from between their locks with the more beauty and lovelinesse Now first because by these dove-like eyes I conceive the Churches Teachers are here principally meant though some understand thereby faith the first and chiefe of all Christian graces without which it is impossible to please God Heb. 11.6 and others adde Magistrates to Ministers to make up the Churches two eyes and 2. Because the locks seeme to be mentioned here as an ornament to the eyes therefore it seemes most probable that the drift of this expression Thou hast doves eyes within thy locks is to shew 1. that in the publick assemblies of Gods people the Teachers as the eyes and lights of the Church are most conspicuous and 2. that such full assemblies when they receive the word into believing hearts and thrive under their teaching are as the locks to the eyes a great ornament unto their Teachers Phil. 4.1 Thy haire is as a flock of goates that appeare from mount Gilead Or that eate of mount Gilead as it is in the margin that is that feed on mount Gilead a fruitful soile where the cattell that were bred were fat and faire The Spouses beauty is farther here set forth by shewing that her haire which indeed the Apostle tearms a womans glory 1 Cor. 11.14 was as great an ornament to her head as such a flock of goates were to mount Gilead in the eye of those that from a farre did look up and behold them grazing there and that because her haire was thick and long fine and soft and bright and curled and kept in neate and good order and therein like to a long flock of goodly goates going close together whose haire also especially when they were fat and in good liking used to be curled and long whence it was that they made coverings or curtaines for the Tabernacle of goates haire for which also see the Note 1 Sam. 19.13 In all which as likewise in the following similitudes it is very observable how Pastoral-like the expressions still are And hereby is meant spiritually either the Churches outward profession of religion which is indeed a great ornament to her or her good workes or more particularly the pure and holy thoughts and meditations in the minds and heads of the faithfull still ascending heaven-ward which though they be innumerably many yet by the watchfulnesse of the Saints are kept in good order as a flock of goates by the shepheard or rather the multitude of believers
excellencies of Christ set forth to them 1. That they may thereby better their knowledge of him whom indeed we can never know enough Eph. 3.19 and may be delighted to heare his praises as indeed men love to heare others talke of those they greatly affect and be stirred up the more to love him and the more industriously to seek after him 2. That those that doe set forth his excellencies to them may thereby find their own affection the more inflamed towards him and 3. That others also hearing his praises might be wonne to love him and to seek by faith to be united to him And besides this makes way to raise up our attentions the more heedfully to observe that glorious description that is immediately given us of Christ Vers 10. My beloved is white and ruddy c. Thus the Spouse sets forth the beauty of her beloved as one of a sanguine complexion covertly thereby to condemne her former folly in disregarding such a one as he was and withall to quicken her own affection towards him and to represent him as one that deserved to be beloved of all And indeed it is the office of the Church thus evidently to set forth Jesus Christ crucified before the eyes of men by the preaching of the Gospel Gal. 3.1 Expositors doe severall wayes apply this as 1. that Christ was white in regard of his Godhead as being the brightnesse of his fathers glory Heb. 1.3 and therefore when at his transfiguration the glory of his deity did shine forth thorough the veile of his body it is said Matth. 17.2 that his raiment was white as the light and ruddy in regard of his humanity being made of the same substance with Adam who had his name from the red earth from whence he was taken Gen. 2.7 and therefore is called the second Adam 1 Cor. 15.45 2ly that white might denote his innocency holinesse and spotlesse purity and red the imputation of the bloody scarlet sinnes of men unto him 2 Cor. 5.21 or the merit of his death and bloody passion whence he is described Revel 19.13 as cloathed with a vesture dipped in blood And indeed the mixture of this white and red was admirable in that great mystery of his passion when he that had not the least staine of sin in him had sin notwithstanding in a way of justice charged upon him and was numbred with the transgressors Isa 53.12 And 3. that white might betoken his mercy and grace to penitent sinners as likewise his victory triumph and joy Revel 19.8 14. and red his justice in executing vengeance upon his enemies Isa 63.1 2 3. But I think that the drift of the words is only in generall to shew that the excellencies that are in Christ and the great things that he hath done and suffered for his Church doe make him most beautifull and lovely in the eyes of his people And to the same purpose is the following clause where it is said that he is the chiefest or as it is in the margin of our Bibles A Standard-bearer among ten thousands because usually the tallest stoutest and goodliest men are chosen to be Standard-bearers for hereby is signified that Christ doth transcendently excell in the lovelinesse of his glorious excellencies all the children of men see the Notes Chap. 3.2 Psal 45.2 Yet some adde also that he is called a Standard-bearer with respect to his leading his people in their way and Christians marching and fighting under his Colours for which he is also called the Ensigne of his Church Isa 11.10 Vers 11. His head is as the most fine gold Some conceive that this is spoken with reference to the golden Crowne which Solomon wore on his head of which mention was made before Chap. 3.11 But because of these words as the most fine gold I rather think the Spouse intends hereby to signifie that his head was exceeding goodly to behold or that there was a kind of splendor of beauty and majesty in it or it may be that his intellectuals were exceeding precious and excellent And so mystically this may signifie 1. The transcendent excellency of his Godhead according to that 1 Cor. 11.3 The head of Christ is God Or rather 2. The surpassing excellency and glory of his government and kingdome above all other kingdomes whatsoever because spiritual heavenly and eternall see Joh. 18.36 Dan. 7.14 as likewise the al-sufficiency that was in him for the exercise of this his Regal power as that in him were hid all the treasures of wisdome and knowledge and that he was still ready to powre forth the riches of his goodnesse and mercy for the enriching and adorning of his people His locks are bushy or curled and black as a Raven To wit as the feathers of a Raven which are also smooth and shining and therefore the more beautifull And this is added because black haire hath been ever esteemed most beautifull in men whence was that of the Poet Spectandus nigris oculis nigroque capillo Now mystically I conceive these words doe import as the exceeding spirituall beauty so also the invincible fortitude and strength of Christ black and curled locks being signes of a hot and strong constitution Some by his locks doe understand the innumerable company of Angels that attend upon Christ and others the Saints and servants of Christ especially as gathered into Congregations which are an ornament to Christ and others againe his hidden and unsearchable counsels and his secret profound judgements which are so intricate that they cannot be fully known and so black and formidable that they may well strike men with astonishment and this last seemes the most probable Vers 12. His eyes are as the eyes of doves c. Thus Christ had before set forth the beauty of his Spouses eyes Chap. 1.15 4.1 for which see the Notes there and here now the Spouse useth the same expression concerning Christs only it is with an addition that his eyes were as the eyes of doves by the rivers of waters that is doves that have their abiding place where they have plenty of pure and cleare water to wash themselves and their eyes in as indeed cleare running water hath been alwayes esteemed good to refresh and cleare the eyes Now though this may be not unfitly applyed to the Ministers of Christ in regard of their purity and sincerity see the Note Chap. 1.4 and their being so continually conversant in the Scriptures and as some think to the most pure and spotlesse wisdome and prudence of Christ as man yet I rather think they are meant either of the carefull and affectionate respect that he hath alwayes to his Church and so as the Church was before said to have doves eyes because of her faith and loyalty to Christ so the same is here said of Christ because of his faithfullnesse to her or else of the beauty of his divine wisdome and providence according to that Habak 1.13 Thou art of purer eyes then to behold