headed men dreame to the contrary secondly that he doth vpon the earth euen whatsoeuer pleaseth him Ver. 34 teacheth that sin and vngodlines is the mean to turn al plenty into pouerty and al blessings into cursings Verse 35 teacheth vs that fruitfulnesse of ground and plenty of al things is Gods only gift Ver. 36 teacheth that God in great mercy prepareth abundance for them that want and giueth them safety shilter from al their enemies Ver. 37. Teacheth Gods children euen in the middest of Gods blessings and abundance yet notwithstanding to imploy themselues in ordinary trauayle and labour Ver. 38 teacheth vs that it is not the trauayle of man but Gods blessing that maketh men rich sée Psal 127.2 Verse 39 teacheth that afflictions are good means to bring men to the right knowledge of God and themselues Verse 40 teacheth that the estate of Princes and great men is not so sure as they commonly fantasie Ver. 41 teacheth vs that preferment commeth not from the east nor weast but from the Lord only sée Psalme 75 6. Verse 42 teacheth that godly men may reioyce as in the benefites of God bestowed vpon others so in his iudgements poured forth vpon the wicked it teacheth also that Gods mercies vpon his children and his punishments vpon the vngodly bring forth an other effect in the wicked that is taketh from them all sence so that they neyther haue harts to conceiue nor mouthes to speake either with or against god in his dealings Ver. 43 teacheth first that men ought déeply to weigh Gods wonderful workes secondly that the number of thē that do so in déede is very small in respect of the other thirdly that the consideration of his works is one good means to make vs sée and féele not his power and prouidenee only but also his eternall goodnes and incomprehensible mercy Psalme 108 THis Psalme as I take it may be deuided into two parts Di. In the first the Prophet stirreth vp himself to prayse God calling also vpon him for helpe and deliuerance from verse 1. to the ende of the 6 verse In the second the Prophet assuring himselfe by reason of Gods promises that his enemies should be ouerthrowne maketh his prayer vnto God for strength to performe it And this part reacheth from verse 7 to the end of the Psalme Se. The title A song or Psalm of Dauid sée before Psal 48. in the title and in that it is sayd here a Psalm of Dauid it is euident that he was the author of it Though it be true that this Psal be made of two Psalmes before going that is of Psal 57 from ver 7 to the end of the Psal and of Psal 60 from verse 5. to the end of the Psal frō whence also the sence doctrines might very wel be fet yet notwithstanding because there is some difference somwhat shal be sayd in this place Ver. 1. O God mine hart i. my inward man is prepared vz. to prayse thée for thy mercies so is my tongue i. mine outward man also putting a part for the whole q.d. I am ready both in the inward man outward mā to magnify thée for thy graces I vz. my self none other for me wil sing gyue praise vz. vnto thée alone Ver. 2. Awake Viol and Harpe he incourageth not only himself but also his instruments to praise God that euen thereby hee himselfe might be the better prouoked thereto I will awake vz. from my sléepe and rise vp from my bed early vz. in the morning the Prophet meaneth that he will euen breake his sléepe to performe seruices to God Verse 3 I wil praise thée O Lord vz. for thy mercies great and vnspeakeable among the people vz. whom thou hast chosen vnto thy selfe and I will sing vnto thée vz. prayses and thanksgiuing amongst the nations vz. round about vs the Prophet meaneth that he would so publish Gods prayses that euen the Gentiles should heare of it Ver. 4. For thy mercy vz. towardes all men but speciallye towards thy sonnes and seruaunts is great i. is so great that it is aboue the heauens i. higher then the heauens themselues so that as the space betwéene heauen and earth is infinite so is thy mercy and thy truth vz. reacheth he vnderstandeth by truth Gods faythfulnesse in making kéeping and performing promise vnto the Cloudes by these maner of spéeches hée meaneth nothing else but that Gods mercy is vnmeasurable and incomprehensible as it were in respecte of the greatnesse of it Verse 5. Exalt thy selfe O GOD vz. by thy mighte and power aboue the heauens i. aboue the highest thinges that may be not that he meaneth that God was not then and alwayes is exalted but that he prayeth the Lorde by effect to shew it amongste men and let thy glory i. the praise that appertaineth vnto thy glory be vz. dispersed farre and wide vpon al the earth i. in euery place of the worlde The Prophet sheweth in this verse that the firste thing that moued him to make this request is Gods glorye In the nexte Verse hée sheweth that an other reason is the saluation and deliueraunce of his people Verse 6. That thy beloued vz. people that is suche people as thou fauourest and louest of thine owne mercye onely without any merites of theirs may be deliuered vz. out of the great daungers distresses and feares wherein they are helpe vz. both them and me and euerye one of vs in this case for it shoulde séeme that Dauid made this Psalme at the beginning of his Kingdome when thinking vppon his enimies and his owne weakenesse it was tyme to craue helpe at the Lords hands for himselfe and his people with thy right hand i. with thy mighty power and strength that so thereby I may ouercome these enemies and heare me vz. praying vnto thée for my selfe and my people vnderstanding by hearing graunting his requestes Verse 7. GOD vz. himselfe hath spoken vz. openlye and playnlye and that by his holye Prophet Samuell that hee will establshe and inlarge the kingdome in my hande yea he hath spoken it in his holinesse i. hée hath holilye and assuredly promised it mée so that I néede not doubte any more of it then of his holinesse therefore vz. for this his mercye I will reioyce vz. greatlye for séeing he hath promised mée I knowe that I shall diuide vz. as the right owner and possessor of it Shechem Shechem is the name of a place on this side Iordan as the valley of Succoth was beyond Iordan Hée nameth certayne places of the land whiche by reason of Saules stocke and those that tooke part with him as Abner and such like he had not at the enterance into his Kingdome in his possession and yet notwithstanding assured himselfe that he should haue them and measure vz. to euery man his portion as Ioshua did by which the prophet noteth his gouernment kingdome ouer it the valley of Succoth this is expounded alredy before euen in this verse
crafty crueltie of the wicked which may teach the godly two things specially first in all holy wisedome to labour the preuenting of these mischiefes that are meant against them secondly to striue to liue a holy and an vpright life because the eies of the wicked are continually vpon them Ver. 7. Sheweth vs howe the wicked flatter themselues in their sinne Ver. 8. Expresseth the great care that God hath ouer his children and how dearely he accompteth euery thing that is done to them or commeth from them Ver. 9. Setteth out the force and effect of feruent prayer Ver. 10.11 Are the same with ver 4. of this Psalme Ver. 12. Teacheth vs in care and conscience to performe the holy promises we haue made vnto God specially those that concerne praise and thanksgiuing Ver. 13. Teacheth two things first that it is God alone that vpholdeth his children and deliuereth them from all dangers and distresses secondly that he doeth this to this end that by holy life and godly conuersation we should glorifie him before men Psalme 57 Di. THis Psalme may bee diuided into thrée partes In the first the Prophet calleth vppon the Lord assuring himselfe that God will graciously heare his prayers and deliuer him from ver 1. to the end of the third In the second hee declareth the dangerous and pitifull estate wherein he was and the craft and cruelty of his enemies praying deliuerance therfrom from ver 4. to the end of the 6. In the third part he sheweth his readines and inforceth himselfe to yéeld thankes to the Lord for his mercy goodnes towards him from ver 7. to the end of the Psalme The title to him that excelleth sée Psal 4. Destroy not In these words is declared the summe of those petitions which are conteined in Psalmes that haue such titles as this is as Psal 58. also Psal 59. It should appeare that Dauid was in some wonderfull feare of death and destruction and therfore praieth the Lord not to destroy him i. not onely not to suffer the wicked to destroy him but also because he alone had al power in his hands not to lay hands vpon him himself A Psal of Dauid on Michtam sée Psal 56 in the title whē he fled from Saul the history hereof is put down at large 1. Sam. 22.1 1. Sam. 24.1.2.3 c. In the caue or rather into the caue He meaneth either Adullam or else an other caue in En-gedi for which sée the places before noted so that in this title wee may sée the occasion of the writing and making of this Psalme vz. Dauids great daunger and affliction Ver. 1. Haue mercy vppon mee O God haue mercy vpon mee this is a most vehement request which also may appeare by the doubling of the words by the which also he sheweth that he was in very great danger for my soule trusteth in thée this word soule importeth that he trusted in God with all his heart which is the part that God especially regardeth and in the shadowe of thy winges i. thy sauegarde prouidence and protection it is a metaphor borrowed from chickens who lye close vnder the hennes wings till the kyte be passed ouer sée Psal 17.8 Wil I trust vz. because I haue heretofore found it good the Prophet meaneth that he had trusted did and would continually trust in Gods almighty protection onely till these afflictions ouerpasse It appeareth that Dauid had more troubles then one yea that hee had as it were flouds of them which maketh him here to resēble his afflictions to a storme or tēpest not meaning by the word til that when the tempest was appeased hee woulde then cease to trust in God but that hee would both then and for euer hang vppon him so haue you the word till vsed Psal 110. ver 1. Ver. 2. I will call i. I will pray vnto the most high God the Prophet addeth this to strengthen his fayth because he whom he would inuocate had all power in his hand and hée strengtheneth himselfe also by that which followeth vz. that god doth faithfully performe his promises made him for God neuer vseth to leaue a worke vnperfite that hee hath begunne but alwaies continueth his benefits and goodnes towards those that are his Ver. 3. Hee will sende from heauen vz. either one or many Angels rather thē I shoulde want helpe and succour and saue mée i. deliuer mee from the reproofe hee meaneth by this worde all that either closely or openly coulde be done or sayd against him of him i. not onely of Saul though he be the chiefe but of those that take part with him against mee that woulde swallow mee sée Psalm 56.1 God will sende his mercy and his trueth this may serue to expound by the way of addition these wordes hee wil send from heauen in the beginning of this verse or else wee may expound them thus hee wil sende vz. vnto mee making mee féele by experience that which I haue had heretofore but in perswasion his mercy and his trueth by mercy hee meaneth the manifestation of his goodwill and grace towardes him and by trueth hee meaneth the faithfulnes and true performance that God obserueth in keeping his promises Verse 4. My soule i. my whole life and body is amonge Lions i. greedy and cruell persons sée Psalm 35.17 Hée meaneth his enemies whome hee resembleth to Lions because they were full of rage and cruelty meaning also by this manner of speach and those that followe in this verse that hee was in wonderfull daunger I lye among the children of men i. such as haue nothing more then that corruption which they haue brought from their fathers which is nothing else but al maner of naughtines and cruelty that are set on fire vz. against mee and that through the malice and mischiefe of their owne heartes without any cause on my part giuen whose téeth are speares and arrowes and their tongue a sharpe sword by téeth and tongue which are the instruments wherby men speake he vnderstandeth the false and hateful accusations that Sauls flatterers made against him and in that he resembleth them to speares arrowes and swordes hee meaneth that they were sharpe kéene and persing euen to the wounding of him sée Psal 120.4 also Psalm 55.21 also Psal 59.7 Ver. 5. Exalt thy selfe O God aboue the heauen hee prouoketh the Lorde as it were by prayer to declare his power q.d. shewe thy might and power which is farre aboue the heauens here vppon the earth in ouerthrowing and confounding mine enemies and let thy glory bee vz. made manifest and appeare vpon all the earth i. all the earth ouer to the ende that thy glory may bee extolled and magnified amongst men which can hardly be if I be oppressed for that should be with the dishonour of thy name Ver. 6. They vz. the wicked and vngodly my deadly enemies haue layd a net for my steppes i. haue either narowly watched me in my conuersation as before Psal 56.6 or else
annointed i. of him that was by thy commaundement annoynted king 1. Samuel 16.12.13 Verse 10. For a day i. one day only no more and this verse comprehendeth a reason of his prayers in thy Courts sée verse 2. of this Psalm putting Courts also for the places of publike méetings and assemblies is better i. is more swéete comfortable and profitable to me then a thousand vz. dayes otherwhere yea though the place it selfe were neuer so delightfull and pleasaunt I had rather be a dore kéeper i. I woulde preferre the basest place and calling in the Churche in the house of my God i. in the place where my God who is the only true God is serued then to dwell in the tabernacles i. in the most pleasaunt and gorgeous houses of wickednes i. wherein wickednesse is practised and professed or it may be that hee putteth wickednesse for wicked men whatsoeuer it be he meaneth that he had rather be of the meanest account in the Church of God amongst good men then to be in the highest roome out of the church where nothing raigneth but prophanenesse and corruption Verse 11. For the Lord God is the sunne and shielde he meaneth that God is the only author of all excellent good things and the deliuerer from all euill for euen as the sunne by his heat and brightnesse quickeneth maintaineth and maketh the creatures ioyfull so the gracious countenaunce of the Lord filleth mens harts with ioy and gladnesse and as a shield is an instrument to put backe darts and daungers so it is he alone that defendeth vs in all distresses sée before verse 9. of this Psalme the Lord wil vz. in his owne good time and when it pleaseth him giue grace i. shew fauour and mercy to me and others that are now cast downe and glory i. he will aduance me to that honour and estimation which he hath prepared for me hee meaneth the kingdome and no good thing will hee withhold from them i. he will giue them all good and necessary thinges for his glorye and their comforte that walke vprightly i. lead a holy and vpright life voyde of hipocrisie and being that indéede that they would séeme to be sée Genesis 17.1 Verse 12. O Lorde of hostes i. O God of al might and power who haste all creatures in thy hands as armies to commaund blessed is the man q.d. certainly howsoeuer it goeth with other men of wit wealth c. hee is in good case that trusteth vz. alwayes in thée vz. alone I take it that the Prophet comforteth himselfe by this spéeche that though it were a great gréefe vnto him in respecte of bodily presence to be absent from the exercises of holye assemblies yet this was his comforte that in soule spirite and fayth he did communicate with the Church and behelde the Lorde who was worshipped amongste them Sée Psalme 2.2.12 Ver. 1.2 Do. teach Gods children how much they ought to estéeme of the publike exercises of the Church which are Gods effectuall instruments meanes to nourish and beget vs to the hope of a better thorow his especial blessing Ver. 3 sheweth that absence from holy assemblies should pinch vs to the hart howsoeuer little account men of the world make of them Ver. 4 teacheth two things the firste is that though worldly men iudge such as serue God miserable and wretched yet they are indéede truely blessed the seconde sheweth the duetie of them that professe God that they shold be continually occupied in his seruice Ver. 5. teacheth that true blessednesse belongeth to true beléeuers only and that to such as expresse their fayth by the fruites thereof vz. by purpose of harte to wel doing and practise thereof so farforth as God shal inable them Ver. 6. teacheth vs that no want or weather should hinder vs from the exercises of God Ver. 7. teacheth that God wil furnish those that are his with all abilitie to performe his will Ver. 8. teacheth vs in the time of our sorrowes to haue our recourse to God by earnest prayer Ver. 9 teacheth vs in our prayers and supplications to looke to the mercies of God also to present our prayers vnto him in the mediation of Christ Iesus only who is that in truth to vs that Dauid was in figure Ver. 10. teacheth vs to prefer godlines and godlie mens company before all the pleasures and profits of this life whatsoeuer Ver. 11. teacheth vs Gods prouidence towards his seruaunts whiche appeareth in this that he will comfort and defend them in danger that he wil exalt them to dignitie after distresse and that he will mercifully minister vnto them all thinges necessary It teacheth vs also our dutie in care and conscience without hipocrisie to walke before him all the dayes of our lyfe Verse 12 teacheth vs that sure trust and confidence in God only maketh vs blessed Psalme 85 THe Psalme may be deuided into two parts Di. In the first the faithful reckon vp gods mercies of old as good grounds of their praiers which they should and did make for their presence deliueraunce from verse 1. to the end of the seuenth In the second is comprehended as it were a prophesie or an assured perswasion that the faythful had of their deliueraunce from Antiochus his tyranny at which time it should séeme that this Psalme was made and this reacheth from verse 8. to the end of the Psalme Se. The Title hath ben sundry times expounded before and namely Psalme 4. and Psal 45. in their titles Ver. 1 Lord thou hast bin vz. in times past and therefore we hope thou wilt be now fauourable i. haste shewed mercye euerye waye so that they make his frée loue and mercy towards them the cause of all their goodnesse vnto thy Land i. vnto thy people inhabiting the land of Canaan which he calleth Gods land because GOD had chosen it and appoynted it especially for them Thou vz. alone and none but thou hast broughte againe vz. out of Egipt or else out of Babilon for it may be vnderstoode of eyther of them but speciallye in my iudgement of Babilon as which was the greater matter sée Ierem. 16. verse 14.15 the captiuity of Iaakob i. suche of Iaakobs posteritye as were Captiues putting the thing wherein they were held for the persons as Psalme 84 10. Wickednesse put for wicked men Verse 2. Thou hast forgiuen vz. fréelye and of thine owne accorde without anye merite or deserte of theirs at all the iniquitie i. the sinnes and transgressions vnderstanding by one manye whiche they had committed agaynste him of thy people i. of those whome thou chosest to bee a peculiar people vnto thy selfe and couered vz. from thy iudgement all their sinnes whatsoeuer whensoeuer wheresoeuer or howsoeuer committed for concerning of sinnes sée Psalme 32.1 Verse 3. Thou hast withdrawne vz. from thy people all thine anger vz. whiche they had pulled vppon them iustly by their sinnes and thou in mercye haste eyther vtterly withholden it or else laying some
for his excellent gouernment and prouidence Verse 13 teacheth that howsoeuer men be corrupted in their iudgements and gouernment yet God is not sée Psal 94. verse 20. Psalme 97 THis Psalme may be diuided into thrée parts Di. In the first is described the greatnesse and excellency of almightye God and and his power From verse 1 to the end of the sixte In the seconde is declared that this power of his is terrible to the wicked and comfortable to the godly whome the Prophet therfore exhorteth to yéeld obedience and thankfulnesse to the Lorde from verse 7 to the end of the Psalme This Psalme hath no Title as sundry both before it and after it haue not likewise and therefore we cannot determine eyther who was the Author of it Se. or when it was penned Certaine it is that the holye Ghost therein purposeth to exhort the faythfull to shew themselues ioifull for the Lordes fauour loue and power towards them Verse 1. The Lord reigneth sée Psalme 93.1 let the earth reioyce i. people inhabiting the earth as Psalme 96.1 q.d. Let the people be excéedingly glad euen in that respecte that the Lordes power beareth a sway Let the multitude of the Iles i. the multitude of people inhabyting the Ilandes be glad vz. for the same cause and occasion Ver. 2. Clouds and darkenesse i. most fearefull and terrible maiestie and power sée Psalm 18.11 And he doth thus describe God that he might more liuely touch mens harts to yéeld him reuerence and honour are round about him i. compasse him in on euery side meaning that he hath both plenty of them and in a readinesse also to performe whatsoeuer pleaseth him righteousnesse i. all vprightnesse and equitie and iudgement i. true and right iudgement and this the holy Ghost addeth as it were to preuent that which the wicked might obiect as though gods power and maiestie were full of iniustice are the foundation of his throne i. are so tied to his kingdom that they can no more be separated from his kingdom then the foundation of his building Vnderstanding by throne the signe of a kingdome the kingdome it selfe and by foundation the straight and narrowe coniunction of iustice and sound iudgement to it Verse 3. There shall goe a fyre before him he vnderstandeth by the word fire the wrath and vengeaunce of God and burne vp his enemies round about i. it shall vtterlye consume those that set themselues agaynst him and that on euerye side before him and behinde him on the lefte hande and on the right hand so that none shall escape Verse 4. His lightninges i. the lightnings that come from him and are sente by his appoyntment gaue lighte vnto the world i. were so great that all the Worlde mighte sée them the earth i. the people dwelling on the earth saw vz. with their bodilye eyes and sensiblye it i. those lightninges one number put for an other and was afrayde vz. of his great power and maiesty whiche appeared therein By this and the thyrde verse before going and the nexte verse following it the holy Ghost myndeth nothing but to shewe the greatnesse of almightye Gods power in so much that nothing though it be neuer so stoute and stéedye is able to stande before it Verse 5. The Mountaynes vz. though they were neuer so greate strong and mighty melted like waxe vz. helde agaynst the fyre or the heate of the Sunne He meaneth by this Metaphor that they quickly consumed at the presence of the Lorde i. so soone as the Lorde gaue some shew of his presence or maiestie at the presence of the Lorde of the whole earth i. of him that ruleth the earth and all thinges therein contayned Verse 6. The Heauens declare his righteousnesse i. euen those thinges whiche are done in the Firmament as fyre hayle thunder lightning the Lorde thereby plaguing the wicked doe sufficientlye declare him to be vpright and iust in all his wayes and all the people vz. of the earth sée i. plainlye and sensiblye perceyue by the thinges done there his glorye i. his great power and mighte In this verse the Prophet mindeth to declare that God is most glorious manifest tokens of whose glory and iustice appeare in the very heauens and are set out before mens eyes to make them without excuse sée Psalme 19.1 Romanes 1 20. Verse 7. Confounded vz. thorowe the mightye power and iudgemente of almightye GOD bée all they vz. of what state or condition soeuer they bee q.d. let them bée confounded and ouerthrowne that serue vz. any manner of waye or with anye sorte of worship grauen Images i. images or pictures made framed and grauen by the hande arte and cunning of man and that glorye i. eyther boaste of or speake of them as to allowe them anye manner of waye in Idols see before Psalme 96 5. Leuiticus 19.4 Worshippe vz. according to the prescripte rule of his worde him vz. onelye all yée Gods i. not only mightye men and Magistrates of the world but all thinges that in the worlde is esteemed as God The Prophet meaning that eyther they shoulde doe it willinglye and of a good mynde or else by constraynt and inforcemente because they coulde not resist his power Verse 8. Sion i. the Church as Psalme 48.11.12 hearde vz. by thy workes and by thy worde of it vz. that goeth before i. the confusion and ouerthrowe of the idolatrers and was gladde vz. for the iust execution of thy iudgementes vppon them and the Daughters of Iudah i. not onely the Cittyes and Townes of that Lande in whiche sence you shall sundrye tymes haue the worde Daughters taken but the people inhabiting the same places meaning notwithstadding the particular members of the Church reioyced i. were excéedinglye glad because of thy iudgementes O Lord vz. executed vppon the wicked and vngodlye by whiche also it hath pleased thée to prouide for their deliueraunce and safetie Verse 9. For thou Lord vz. alone arte moste high aboue all the earth i. arte greater in power and mighte then all thinges in the earth because that they whatsoeuer they be are subiecte to thy authoritie and power Thou arte muche exalted vz. in thy iustice and iudgementes aboue all Gods sée Psalme 95 3. Verse 10. Yée that loue the Lorde vz. indéede vnfeignedlye and with a good hearte hate i. detest and abhorre from the bottome of youre hartes sée Romanes 12.9 Euill i. whatsoeuer is sinne and transgression before him or inclining that waye sée 1. Thessalonians 5.22 hée preserueth i. God mayntayneth defendeth and kéepeth the soules i the life and whole person of his Sayntes i. of those whome hee hath framed to holynesse and inflamed with the loue thereof hée will deliuer them i. set them safe and sounde from the hande i. from the cruell power and outrage of the wicked vz. that séeke to destroy them Verse 11. Lighte i. ioye prosperitie and eternall blessednesse Sée Ester 8 16. as by the contrarye vz. darkenesse is signifyed myserye is sowne
should as it were set his féete sée 1. Chronicles 28.2 for he vz. alone is holy and therefore méete to bee worshipped Verse 6. Moses and Aaron were vz. as chéefe and principall among his Priestes i. among them whom he hath appointed to offer sacrifices and to expounde the Law and Samuel vz. the Prophet was as chéefe and principall among such as call i. called vpon his name i. professed his religion and made prayers vnto him sée 1. Samuell 7. almost thorow out these vz. before rehearsed and manye other such like called vppon the Lorde i. prayed vnto him with earnestnesse and continuaunce and hee hearde them i. graciouslye graunted them their requestes as hee doeth all them that call vppon him in trueth The Prophet alleageth these men that by their example he might prouoke the people to the worship and seruice of God and hee nameth rather these thrée then other because to their fayth and custodie speciallye was committed the kéeping of the couenaunt that God had made with his people For the truth of this verse sée Exodus 32.31 c. to the end of the Chapter 1 Samuel 12 20 c. Verse 7. He vz. God whome they serued spake vz. plainlye and audiblie vnto them vz. Moses and Aaron in the cloudye piller i. in or out of the Cloude which séemed to haue the forme of an vpright piller sée Exodus 14 19. sée also Num. 17.5 they kept vz. themselues and caused others what in them lay to kéepe his testimonies i. his commaundementes which God gaue his people as a testimonie that he was their God sée Psalme 19.7 and the lawe that he vz. the Lorde himselfe gaue them vz. as a rule of their life and to be a light vnto their féete and a Lanthorne vnto their steps Verse 8. Thou heardest them vz. quickly when they prayd vnto thée for the Lordes hearing sée verse 6. of this Psalme O Lord our God a sodain but yet an emphatical turning of his spéech vnto God by which the Prophet sheweth that the Lord toke pitie vpon that people in respect of the trueth of his Couenaunt and of his grace only without any other cause thou wast a fauourable God vnto them vz. not only when they prayed vnto thée but continually specially when thou pardonest their sinnes though thou diddest take vengeaunce i. though thou diddest fatherlye punishe and correct them for their inuentions i. for deuyses of their owne by whiche they procured thée to wrath agaynste them I knowe others expounde it otherwise but yet me thinketh that this is a moste simple and playne fence Verse 9. Exalte the Lorde our GOD and fall downe sée before verse 5. of this Psalme before his holye Mountayne hee meaneth no doubte the Mountaine of Moriah vppon whiche the Temple was builded sée Genesis 22 2. meaning by this manner of spéeche that he woulde haue the people to worship the Lorde in his Temple al the rest of this verse is expounded before verse 5 of this present Psalme Do. Verse 1. Teacheth vs that euen to know the God ruleth and gouerneth in his Church is sufficiente to strike terror into all the enemyes of all Gods people Verse 2 teacheth vs that though Gods glory appeare euery where yet in no place more plainly thē in his church Ver. 3 teacheth that it becommeth the righteous to praise Gods great power might Ver. 4 teacheth vs not only what great vprightnes is in the Lord in al his iudgemēts but also how iust faithful he is to his people Ver. 5 teacheth vs that it is not only our duety in respects of benefits receaued to praise god but that we are bound therto also in respect of the holines of his maiesty person also that it is a good thing to do it publikely with the rest of the Church Ver. 6 teacheth vs that the prayers of Gods faythfull people are neuer frustrate Verse 7 teacheth vs that familiaritye with the Lorde and knowledge of his maiestye requireth at our handes obedience to his truth and performaunce of it Verse 8 Is full of great comforte teaching vs these points firste that the Lorde chastiseth and correcteth those whome he loueth most tenderlye secondly that though hee doe correct them yet those punishments do no whit at al lessen his fauour and good will towards them Verse 9 is the same with verse 5 and deliuereth the same doctrines Psalme 100 THis Psalme may be diuided into two parts In the one parte Di. the Prophet exhorteth the faythfull to prayse the Lorde hartilye and with ioyfulnesse verse 1 2 3. In the second he vseth the causes wherefore they shoulde prayse him vz. for his frée election and the continuaunce of his mercye verse 3 5. The Title Se. a Psalme of prayse i. a Psalme penned and appointed to stir vp the people to praise the Lord and not so much for that the Psal it selfe doeth comprehend the prayses of God sing ye loude vnto the Lord for the meaning of these wordes sée Psalme 98 4. all the earth i. all the people of God inhabiting the promised lande for I suppose that he putteth the worde earth here for that part of the earth Verse 2. Serue vz. according to the rule of his worde and not after your owne inuentions the Lord vz. only for vnto him all honour is due with gladnes i. readily and ioyfully because in suche kinde of worships the Lord taketh great delight and pleasure come before him i. appeare before the arke which was the place of his worshippe and seruice with ioyfulnesse vz. both inwarde and outwarde of the hearte and of the body meaning thereby greate and singuler reioysing Verse 3. Knowe yée i. professe this muche and yéelde him this honour for hée speaketh not here of inwarde knowledge onely to disreaue him from all false Gods and such as mans fantasie hath forged that euen the Lorde vz. whiche wée serue and that no other but hée is GOD i. our GOD and the only author of that couenaunt which is betwéene him and vs hée hath made vs marke that hée speaketh not here of the common creation of men onely for in that respecte the godlye haue no greater priuiledge than the wicked haue but of spirituall regeneration wherein by the ministerye of his worde and the working of his spirite he begetteth men agayne to his owne image to the ende that they maye serue him in newnesse of life and not we our selues i. we haue not neyther in respecte of the bodye nor of the soule and spirituall regeneration framed and fashioned our selues no no righteousnesse of our owne hath aduaunced vs to this dignitye but we are made his sonnes and seruauntes by his onely frée goodnesse sée Deutronomie 7 7 8. also Deutronomie 9 4. we are his people i. the people whome he of mercye hath chosen to serue him and to bring forth much fruite and the shéepe of his pasture sée Psalme 95 verse 7. meaning by this manner of spéeche that GOD of his frée
sée that fall vpon them that I haue long desired and wished vz. destruction and confusion Immanuel readeth it thus therefore doe I despise mine enemyes q.d. I make no more account of them and their forces then of thinges whiche I contemne so safe sound and vnfearefull am I being vnder Gods defence Verse 8. It is better vz. by infinite degrées and marke that the worde better is not spoken here as though confidence in men were good for to trust in men is to rob god of his glory to trust vz. stedfastly in the Lord vz. only then to haue confidence i. any maner of trust or coÌ„fideÌ„ce at al in man vz. of what calling soeuer he be or how many in number soeuer they are Ver. 9. is the same almost with ver 8 therfore looke vpon that again in Princes this is a certaine kind of amplification q.d. We must not put our trust neither in men of low estate nor in mighty men those that séeme to haue all the power and authority in the world for they that wil cleaue to them shall be deceaued also because they be but men Ver. 10. All nations vz. whiche lie round about me my kingdom as the Philistines Moabits c. haue coÌ„passed me vz. and my people that round about sometimes by fraude sometimes by force and somtimes by one mean somtimes by another but in the name of the Lord i. thorow the goodnesse power strength of God shal I destroy theÌ„ vz. al with al their imaginations deuises In this verse and some other following the Prophet rehearseth the great daunger hée was in hee setteth out also the power cruelty multitude of his enemies and al to this end that hée might the more manifest the grace power of God in his deliueraunce which could not be performed by mans ayd but after a certayn meruailous diuine sort Ver. 11. They i. the nations round about me being my deadly enemies haue coÌ„passed me sée before ver 10 yea they haue coÌ„passed me i. they haue oftentimes enuironed me also very hardly and straitly beset me so that there was no likelyhood of escaping for so much I suppose the doubling of the phrase importeth al that followeth in this ver is the same in words sence with ver 10 Ver. 12. They i. mine enemies came about me vz. on euery side like bées i. not only in great multitudes as though there had bene many hiues of bées together but also with great fiercenesse eueÌ„ as though they would haue ouer-run me sée Deut. 1.44 for this phrase True it is that these little creatures haue no great power yet they are wonderfully fierce and angry specially if they be prouoked and make men somewhat afrayd if they set vpon them at the sodaine or vnawares but they i. mine enemies were quenched vz. thorow the strength and power which the Lord gaue me He meaneth by this spéeche that they were euen as it were vtterly and sodainly confounded as fyre that hath abundaunce of water cast vpon it as a fyre of thornes whiche though it make much noyse at the beginning by reason of the crackling thereof as our experience teacheth vs and yéeldeth a greater flame then greater woode doth yet notwithstanding it quicklye vanisheth awaye q.d. for all the vngodlye mens bragges they shall sodainlye perish and come to nothing sée for this spéeche Ecclesiasticus 7 8. the rest that followeth is expounded before in the other verses Ver. 13 Thou vz. O mine enemie some refer it to Saule as though Dauid spake it particularly of him I rather thinke that vnder one who was as it were the chéefest he meaneth all or manye hast thrust sore at mée vz. with al thy power force and deuises whatsoeuer The Prophet meaneth by this that hée had left no way vnassaâ—ed to hurt him that I might fal vz. either by death or into some dangerous state from the high coÌ„ditioÌ„ wherin I now am but the Lord vz. alone hath helpen me vz. thorow his mighty power meaning that the Lord had deliuered him froÌ„ the dangers distresses that were deuised against him Ver. 14 The Lord vz. alone is my strength i. is the strength that I haue to withstande or to ouercome al mine enemies my song i. the only matter mean of my ioy q.d. I haue nothing else in my selfe to reioyce in but onely in the Lorde who doth thus and thus for me for he hath bin my deliueraunce vz. oute of all my feares and daungers q.d. he alone hath deliuered me Ver. 15. The voyce of ioy and deliuerance i. ioyful voices and soundes for deliuerance vz. bestowed vpon me shal be vz. continually in the tabernacles of the righteous i. in the dwelling places houses of good men q.d. the righteous shall sing praises to god for the great deliuerances wch he hath wrought for them me saying vz. amongst themselues yet so that other may heare it the right hand of the Lord i. his great glory power and might hath done valiauntly vz. againste his enemies and for the defence of his own children he meaneth that they shoulde confesse that God had nobly displayed his power Ver. 16. The right hand of the Lord i. his great power might is exalted vz. aboue euery thing that setteth it selfe against it how high or great soeuer it be the rest of this verse is expounded before Verse 17. I shall not die vz. yet as mine aduersaries supposed and wished and as my weake state did make shew of but liue vz. vppon the earth amongest men suche doubling of spéeches haue bin touched before sundry times such a one there is also Psal 110.4 and declare vz. amongest men and vnto the people which shal come hereafter the workes of the Lorde the great and excéeding workes that he doth specially for his seruauntes and childreÌ„ Ver. 18. The Lord vz. by the hand and rod of his and mine enemies hath chastened me sore i. sharply q.d. It was Gods purpose to correct me by the meanes of mine enemies but the wicked went about thereby to destroy me but this God would not suffer sée Isaiah 10.6 7. also Zacha. 1 15. but he hath not deliuered me to death vz. which mine enemies purposed and practised against me q.d. thorow his goodnesse I haue escaped that daunger Ver. 19. Open ye vz. ye Priests and Leuites that haue the watch garding and kéeping of the Lords house sée Psalme 134.1 vnto me vz. vpon whome God hath bestowed such graces and mercies the gates of righteousnesse i. the dores of the Tabernacle or Gods house which is called righteousnesse either because none ought to enter therein but wise and good people or else because that in that place there was only reade and expounded the law of God whiche is the only true rule of all righteousnesse And by this maner of spéech hee testifyeth his ardent zeale when he desireth that the dores of the Tabernacle may be set
A RIGHT GODLY AND learned Exposition vpon the whole Booke of Psalmes Wherein is set forth the true Diuision Sence and Doctrine contained in euery Psalme for the great furtheraunce and necessarie instruction of euery Christian Reader Newly and faithfully set forth by a Godly Minister and Preacher of the word of God 2 Tim. 3. Ver 16.17 For the whole Scripture is giuen by inspiration of God and is profitable to teach to improue to correct and to instruct to righteousnesse That the man of God may be absolute being made perfect vnto all good workes LONDON Printed for T. Man and W. Brome 1586. ¶ The printers of this present worke to al godly and Chrystian readers do wish all increase of knowledge and strength of faith in Christ for euer THere are two thinges especially that behoueth all good men to haue regarde of in this life The one is the inlarging of the kingdome of Christ to the vttermost of their powers in a lawfull and holy vocation And the other is simplicity and plainnes in the places that God putteth men into or in the words or workes that he inableth them to performe therein At both which things we our selues haue aimed so farre forth as humāe infirmytie would suffer in the pulishing of this present work for the further declaration whereof wee haue beene contented to prefixe these fewe lines By Gods good prouidēce the booke it selfe came into our hādes from amongst the writings of that religious worshipful Gentlmā M. Herlakinden of Kent esquier late deceased and for whose cause onely as we suppose the penning of this was performed at the first Which hauing once gotten into our handes we could not let lie and perish amongst the wormes and moaths as the prouerbe is vnles we would closly vnder hand haue hindered the edification of the Church but indeuour to our vttermost the publishing of the same Wherein if any man thinke we did it for glory or gaine vnto our selues wee can not but tell them that as they doe vncharitably surmise against vs so they doe fondly and fouly deceiue themselues as for glorye how can we attayne sith the labor is wholy an others and no part ours except men would thinke vs to be so conceited that wee would count it credit to be decked with other birdes feathers and to waxe rich with the robbery and vniust spoyles of others And for gayne there is as litle if not lesse reason for besides that we know not what vent we shal haue the sale being very vncertaine what likelyhood is there that our aduantage can be much in publishing cōmentaries vpon that booke of which there are so many learned expositions extant already And yet least any should imagine that we haue without cause caused this to be printed besides the reasons before alleaged we say that both the soundnes of the matter it selfe and the manner of deliuery obserued therein which is both plaine and short the one seruing for the more simple sort of people and the other fitting such as either can not or will not allowe themselues leasure to read long commentaries hath drawen vs on hereto Wherein we do willingly giue al the world to vnderstand that we speak not so much our own minds for we confesse our selues to be men not greatly able to discerne of such high points but we vtter that that men of good countenance in the Church of sound iudgement as in respect of religion haue deliuered and that we hope all that read it shal well find and perceiue There resteth no more but this that euery good man labour to referre it to good ends and holy purposes namely to the building vp of thē selues and others in knowledge in faith in repentance and obedience of al such good things as God hath reueiled in his worde praying the Godly reader for his better more plain direction in that behalfe diligently to obserue these few points following First that all that is spoken vppon all the Psalmes or any of them respecteth either the diuisiō of the Psalme it selfe into his members and parts or the true sense and natural meaning of the very words or the doctrines touching faith and manners that are therein conteined Secondly that wheresoeuer they shall finde these letters markes or directions ensuing i. vz. q.d. they would take paines to resolue and interpret them thus namely that i. signifieth that it is to say vz. signifieth to wit and q.d. meaneth as if he should say Thirdly that the framer of this work in all his notes at the least for the most part we are sure of it had speciall respect to that english text of the Psalmes and Bible that was Imprinted at Geneua which was as it shoulde seeme the first yere of the raygne of our gracious Queene which also we thought good to aduertise the reader of that so he may haue an eye always in his reading to that text or others conformable to the same printed vpon good authoritie though it be not wholly put downe here nor the wordes of it in other letters for difference sake as had been to be wished Lastly wee are earnestly to intreat the godly reader fauourably to interpret and with loue to correct whatsoeuer hath escaped here through the negligence or ignorance of the workemen imployed about this busines some taste whereof also euen we our selues haue thought good to giue vnto them by putting downe some fewe scapes obserued in the ouer reading of it that so if there be any such like as we hope there are not many they may by these amend the rest And thus beseeching God to giue a blessing vnto this work in the heartes of all these into whose handes it shall come we end the 28. of Aprill 1586 Lord Iesus begin and make an end An Exposition vpon the whole Booke of Psalmes The penners of the Psalmes were diuers men as Dauid Moses c. but all led by one and the selfe same spirit so that the holy Ghost may rightlie be said to be the Author of this Booke SOme Psalmes haue titles and inscriptions of which we will shew somewhat when we shall come to them othersome are without Titles or inscriptions of which we shal not néede to say any thing These that haue Titles do eyther containe the name of the writer of that Psalme or the instrument wherevpon it was sung or the end wherevnto it was appoynted or the principal matter therein contayned As they were diuers Writers so they comprehended diuers matters some are full of instruction touching both fayth and maners as Psal 1.37 c. Othersome containe confession of sinnes and prayer for repentaunce as Psalme 25.51 c. Othersome are Prayers agaynst the enemies of the Church as Psal 79.83 c. Some containe the histories of the olde Testament as Psal 78.105.106 c. Some are commendations of Gods lawes as Psa 19.119 c. Some descriptions of Gods wonderfull power as psal 18.164 Some are particuler prayers of
being once manifested hee promiseth to yeelde heartie thankes vnto the Lord from vers 11. to the end of the Psalme The title of this Psalme is Shigaion of Dauid Se. that is a Psalme of Dauid sung according to the tune of an ordinary song the beginning whereof was Shigaion which is also in vse with vs to haue latter songs song according to the tune of other songs made before them concerning the woordes I take it to be more large then accusation and that it is to be stretched to deedes practised against him for this is vsuall among the Hebrewes by words to vnderstand deeds also Cushe some take it for Saul I rather think that he meaneth some stranger of Ethiopia for Cushe is the Hebrewe name for Ethiopia whom Saul had gotten to his court and made great account of yea so much that hee rebuked him as it were in his owne stocke and familie which he meaneth by these words The sone of Iemini which man for hatred against Dauid and flatterie toward Saul both falsly accused him villanously practised all maner of mischiefe against him vers 2. Least hee the Prophet noteth one speciall man amongst those all that hee had touched vers 1. Deuoure my soule i. Me my selfe sée Psalm 3.2 Psal 6.4 Like a Lion i. crueltie and subtiltie as Iob. 39.1.2 Psal 10.9 His crueltie also being noted by tearing him in peeces and his subtilty in taking him at such a time as there is none to succour him ver 3. This thing vz. wherwith he was charged i. the affecting of the kingdome sée Psalm 131. Or the taking away of Sauls life from which hee was free as 1. Samuel 24.5 2. Samuel 26. par totum any wickednes vz. in this behalfe wherewith I am charged and not otherwise for Dauid was a sinner some read it thus if this iniquitie hauing respect to that whereof he was accused which is good I better allow of In mine hands these words may haue a double sense in my hands that is in my facts and deeds performed by my hands or else in my hands i. in my selfe putting a part of man for the whole vers 4. euill put for mischiefe or a shrewd turne that had peace with me i. that seemed friendly vnto me or wished me or did me any good yea q.d. I haue been so far from that that I haue set him frée from danger that vexed me or after some that did enemy like pursue me which I better allow meaning Saul without cause i. no cause on my part giuen to himward not in these wordes respecting his sinnes against God verse 5. My soule see verse 2. of this Psalme tread my life c. as a most vile and contemptible thing and lay mine honour in the dust i. let him so put out my glory honour that there may be no more remembrance of it in the posteritie to come so that honour here is vsed for the remembrance of his honour and glory yea and for himselfe also verse 6. Arise O Lord in thy wrath i. shewe thy selfe angrie against this people and lift vp thy selfe i. shew thy selfe high and mightie against or after some because of the rage of mine enemies according to the double reading there is a double sense If you take the first reading the mening is this shewe thy selfe mightie in beating downe the rage and cruell attempts of mine enemies If you take the latter then this is the meaning let the cruelties and rages of mine enemies moue thee to defend me by thy might q.d. if thou lay not to thy hand I shall vtterly be destroyed and this latter I do approue awake for me i. not only be careful but take pains on my behalfe by bringing me to the kingdom that thou hast promised me verse 7. He noteth what good shall come by the ouerthrowe of his enemies and the establishing of him in the kingdome vz. that the whole land shall stand about him with reuerence at his iustice as the people doe iudges when they are to pronounce a sentence returne on high hee alludeth to the place wherein iudges were wont to sitte to giue sentence and was higher then where the people stoode q.d. thou hast seemed to come downe from the bench as it were and to haue no care of iudgement but goe vp once again and declare thy power vers 8. The Lord shal iudge or after some iudgeth all cōmeth to one purpose for the Prophets drift is here to lay down this as a preamble that seeing the Lord eyther shal or doth iudge it would please him amongst other causes to take knowledge of his according to my righteousnes vz. in this cause and behalfe see verse 3.4 of this Psalme that is in me q.d. so pronounce giue sentence vers 9. correct thus Oh let the malice of the wicked i. that mischiefe that the wicked haue diuised intended fayle and neuer come to any effect or purpose that thou mayst stablish the righteous because the ouerthrow of the one is the strengthning of the other euen as thou O iust God art the trier of the heartes and reines he putteth these two words for thoughts and affections or lustes q.d. thou alone searchest seest mens harts inward thoughts which seeing it belongeth vnto thee alone I doubt not but thou seest what difference there is betweene me and my enemies vers 10. My defence is in God q.d. I trust for helpe from none but frō him vers 11. must be amended thus God I say the iust iudge q.d. vpon him alone doe I hang that is iust in all his iudgements yea the strong God that troubleth thē euery day i. layeth continually some iudgement or other vpon the wicked to see whether by that means they wil come to amendment verse 12. and 13. is diuersly read according thereto hath diuers senses if we take it as it is here then it hath this meaning except he turne i. except that wicked person whether it were Saul or any other it skilleth not much vnlesse we take it thus that vnder one the Prophet mindeth to note many except I say he or they turne i. alter their purpose and repente them of their euill he i. the enemie or els God if you referre it to the enemie he meaneth that he hath prepared him al the weapons that possibly he could to hurt Dauid if you referre it to God then he meaneth by these weapons that Gods iudgments are readie to preuent the wicked frō doyng their mischiefe which I rather allow of because it is sayd verse 13. He will ordeine his arrowes for them that persecute me If we reade it as Immanuel readeth it then thus it must be vnderstand and read if he vz. the wicked and vngodly be not conuerted i. chaunged from his purpose amended he may whet his sword he may bend his bow and direct it vz. as though he did ayme to hit and getting vnto himselfe deadlye weapons hee may
also that our tongues are not our owne to vse as we list but to Gods glory and our neighboures profite ver 5. Expresseth Gods readinesse to helpe his and how forcible in his sight the earnest prayers of his children are ver 6. Teacheth vs to make Gods promises alwayes the assured grounds of our prayers ver 7. Teacheth Gods prouidence and protection ouer his children if we reade it as in the Geneua text or els that we ought to pray for gods fauour toward them if we read it as Immanuel doth ver 8. setteth out both the diligence and the rage that the wicked vse in performing their mischiefe Psalme 13. Di. THis Psalme hath two partes in the firste the Prophet séemeth to complayne as it were that God was so long absent from him in his so gréeuous afflictions and this is comprehended in the two first verses In the seconde hee maketh his earnest prayer to God assuring himselfe in the truth of Gods goodnesse that he should ouercom yea euen the horrors of death from ver 3. to the end of the Psalme Se. The Title is expounded before ver 1. he speaketh as men many times doe who if they be not succoured when they themselues would they thinke they are forgotten for euer q.d. What wilt thou neuer thinke vpon mée So hardly was his fayth assaulted to yéeld to distrust in God hide thy face which thing angry persons are wont to doe q.d. How long wilt thou shew thy selfe angry towards me Sée Psalme 10.1 Psa 4.6 or else face maye be taken for fauour and mercy ver 2. Take councell within my selfe i. how long shall I be tossed and tumbled with diuersitie of councels and purposes sometimes in my mind thinking this sometimes that ver 3. Heare mée i. my prayers lighten my eyes whiche are waxed dimme with trouble Psal 6.7 he meaneth that he would gladlye haue the Lord to driue afflictions from him that I sléepe not in death i. that I doe not certainly die for it is vsuall in scripture by sléepe to vnderstand death as 1. Corinth 11.30 1. Thessa 4.14.15 and by doubling as it were the word to note the certaintie of the thing Gen. 2.17 Ver. 4. He sheweth a double reason to induce god as it were to yéelde to his petition q.d. least otherwise mine enemies should not only euery day more than other wax proude but also haue an occasion to blaspheme thée as though thou wert weake and not able to helpe Ver. 5. In thy saluation i. in that deliuerance which thou shalte worke for mee Psalme 3.8 I will sing to the Lord i. I will declare my selfe thankefull for his benefites and goodnesse Ver. 1. Let vs learne that how sharpe soeuer our conflicts be Do. wee doe not vtterly despayre in God ver 3. Let vs learne by prayer to draw nigh vnto him desiring him euen for his owne glory to take our defence vppon him ver 4. Noteth the nature of the wicked two maner of wayes vz. the more they preuaile the more insolent they are the other that they will wonderfully insult ouer those that are afflicted ver 5. Teacheth vs to make Gods mercye alone the onely ground of our hope also that we should be glad for particular deliuerance and shew our selues thankfull vnto him for benefits receaued Psalme 14. THis Psalm hath thrée parts In the first Di. the Prophet describeth the peruerse nature of the vngodlye both towardes God and towards men and this parte is contayned in verse 1.3.6 In the seconde he declareth that God sitteth not idle in heauen as they did imagine but beholdeth the wicked to punish them and the good to deliuer them verse 2.4 In the third he sheweth Gods iudgement vpon the vngodly and his fauour toward his own seruants verse 5.7 The title of this Psalme is expounded before Psal 4. Ver. 1. Se. The Foole i. the wicked man how wise soeuer he be in naturall wit hath sayd in his hart i. is of this perswasion in his minde see for this 1. Mark 2.6.7.8 there is no God vz. that careth for mens matters here on earth sée Psalm 10.4 they i. the vngodly chaunging the number from the singular to the plurall haue corrupted vz. their own wayes turning the light of knowledge which they had into darkenesse Ver. 2. would vnderstande i. indeuoured to know God aright and as he is reuealed by his word and séeke God i. serue him and take delight and pleasure in his seruice and religiō Ver. 3. All i. the greatest number here but in Paul Romans 3. it is put for all generally considering man in his naturall corruption are gone out of the way vz. of right and goodnesse which God had prescribed them to walk in they are all corrupt i. full of filth and stinch it is a metaphor taken from stinking meat which all men are wont to loath ver 4. doe not all c. knowe q.d. their owne conscience doth sometimes though they quench it agayne tell them of their crueltie as they eate bread i. any kinde of foode or nourishment noting thereby not only their rauening and deuouring but the pleasure that the vngodly take in it they call not vpon the Lord i. They neglect all Gods religion and seruice calling vpon the Lord or prayer being a part thereof and put for the whole Gen. 4.26 2. Timoth. 2.19 ver 5. in the generation of the iust i. amongst iust men fauouring their causes and graciously deliuering them ver 6. the Lord is his trust i. because hee hath his whole trust and confidence in God only and he vseth counsell for al goodnes in the poore as holy purposes and carefull pursuings therof faith hope c. ver 7. giue saluation i. deliueraunce from all greefes in this life as Psal 13.5 Psalme 3.8 eternall glory after this life is once ended vnto Israel i. vnto the faythfull people out of Sion i. out of heauen the place of Gods presence earthly put for the Heauens sée Psalme 2.6 Psalme 9.11 turneth the captiuitye of his people i. when the Lord chaungeth their bondage for fréedome then Iacob shall reioyce and Israell shall be glad by these two names of the Patriarche who was faythfull attributed vnto the rest of the people he vnderstandeth all the faythful and true Israelites indéede Do. Ver. 1. Not only noteth the fountaine of sinne but sheweth how farre the diuel and sinne preuaile in mans hart that they make men vtterly to forget God good men ver 2. declareth that God hath an eye to mens doings vpon the earth Ver. 4. sheweth that the wicked sin many times against knowledge and the light of their own conscience Ver. 5. containeth a iudgement against the wicked ver 6. noteth a vile sinne of the vngodlye deryding and scoffing at the iust Ver. 7. that we should pray for the whole church and reioyce for the benefits that God bestoweth vpon it Psalme 15 Di. THis Psalme expoundeth specially one matter and therefore will hardlye admitte a
our selues and to hang wholy vpon God for deliueraunce Ver. 5. Sheweth that we néede not much to regard what men saye of vs so that wee haue a cleare conscience before the Lord. Verse 6. Teacheth vs two thinges first the care that we should haue to pray for other men that they fall not from God through our afflictions secondly that other mens troubles shoulde not cause vs to reuolt from the truth Verse 7. Teacheth that it is good to suffer for a good cause Verse 8. Sheweth that in afflictions both friends and kinsfolkes doe many times forsake those to whom they are bound Verse 9. Teacheth vs to be earnestly moued for God and his glory Verse 10. Sheweth the mischieuous nature of the wicked who misconster euery good thing that the godly doe Ver. 11. Teacheth vs not to leaue off mourning when mourning is required though the wicked deride vs for it Ver. 12. Teacheth vs that al for the moste part high and low good and bad are enemies to Gods children Verse 13 Teacheth vs first to come to God by prayer in the time of our néede secondlye to doe it hauing a trust in his abundance mercy and thirdlye to cleaue for the strengthening of our prayers to the truth of Gods promises Verse 14. teacheth vs to craue deliueraunce out of troubles at Gods handes who onely can and will performe the same for vs. Verse 15. Teacheth vs the more that afflictions are multiplyed the more earnestlye to call vppon GOD. Ver. 16. Our prayers must bee grounded vppon the wonderfull and vnspeakeable mercies of our God towardes vs. Verse 17. Teacheth vs that the féeling of Gods fauour is no smal comfort in the time of our afflictions Verse 18. teacheth vs to praye for deliueraunce and that least the enemyes insulte ouer much Verse 19. Teacheth vs that it is no small comforte to vs that God knoweth vs and our afflictions and our aduersaries and their dealinges Ver. 20. Teacheth vs that it is no new thing that the godlye are many times destituted of those helpes which they made account of Verse 21. Teacheth vs that the wicked are voyde of bowels of compassion adding affliction to miserye Verse 22. Teacheth that the wicked thorowe Gods iust iudgementes maye many times bee snared in their pleasure and prosperitye Verse 23. Teacheth that GOD sundrye tymes in iustice depriueth them of all iudgement and taketh from them all strength and courage Verse 24. Sheweth that the wicked are not able to escape Gods wrath and displeasure Verse 27. That GOD also sometimes leaueth them childlesse Verse 26. Setteth out the hard hartednesse of the vngodlye who neuer pitie any though in neuer so greate miserie Verse 27. Teacheth that Gods iudgementes manye tymes doe ouertake the wicked in their transgressions Verse 28. Sheweth that Hipocrites are not within the compasse of Gods election howsoeuer they bee admitted to the societye of the Churche Verse 29. Teacheth that GOD is all in all for his to deliuer them from distresse Verse 30. Teacheth vs to prayse and thanke GOD for his benefites bestowed vppon vs. Verse 31. Teacheth vs that spirituall seruice is more acceptable to GOD then all outwarde Sacrifices whatsoeuer Verse 32. Teacheth vs that greate pleasure shall come vnto Gods Children by consideration of the blessinges that hee bestoweth vppon some of them Verse 33. Teacheth vs the wonderfull prouidence and care that God hath ouer those that suffer any thing for his cause Verse 34. Sheweth that if dumbe Creatures must prayse the Lord much more the reasonable are bounde to it and amongest them those that he accounteth as his Sonnes and Seruauntes Verse 35. Teacheth not onelye Gods care and loue for his Churche but that in the middest of all miseries hee will haue a people that shall continuallye call vpon him in spirite and truth Verse 36. Sheweth that incorporation into the Churche appertaineth vnto the faythfull and their posteritye after them Psalme 70 Di THis Psalme séemeth to be the same both in wordes and matter almost with the last part of Psalme 40. from verse 13. to the ende of the Psalme whether it shall be good to looke backe agayne for the more playne sence and vnderstanding thereof and yet notwithstanding something shall be sayd here First the Psalme it selfe may fitly be deuided into two parts vz. first that the Prophet maketh prayer for himselfe that he may spéedily be deliuered out of his daungers and this is comprehended in the first and last verses of this Psalme Secondly he prayeth for the ouerthrow of the wicked and for the prosperity of those that loue the Lorde and this is comprehended in verse 2.3.4 Se. The title is expounded before Psalme 4. and psalme 38. in the titles therof Verse 1. To deliuer me vz. from the daungers and enemies whiche doe as it were ouerwhelme mee make haste to helpe mee vz. oute of this distresse wherein I am Verse 2. Let them be confounded vz. among themselues and in their owne vnderstandinges and put to shame vz. euen in the sighte and presence of men before whome they thinke to attayne great glorye in banding themselues agaynst mee that séeke my soule i. my life vz. to destroye it and take it awaye let them be turned backwarde vz. as men discomfyted in warre that flée before their enemies and put to rebuke vz. openly and before others that desire myne hurt vz. eyther secretlye within them or openly by wordes and wishing Verse 3. For a rewarde of their shame i. as a iust recompēce of that shame and ignominie which they thought to bring vppon me whiche sayde vz. when I was in trouble Aha aha i. did outwardlye by wordes and countenaunce testifye the great ioy they had conceaued for mine affliction Verse 4. But let all those that séeke thee i. call vppon thée in their afflictions and that according to the rule of thy will sette foorth in thy worde bée ioyfull and glad in thée i. for thée thy power and great workes that thou performest on their behalfe that loue thy saluation i. like of allow and wishe for the great deliueraunces that thou bestowest vpon thy people Verse 5. Now I am poore and néed◠i. I am destitute of aide help and succour make hast to me i. to deliuer or help me as verse 1. of this psalm thou art mine helper vz. in time of daunger and distresse and that word thou importeth as much as if he shoulde saye thou alone and my deliuerer vz. oute of affliction and trouble make no tarrying i. delaye not or put not off to helpe me Do Verse 1. Teacheth vs that in extremity of daunger prayer to God is a notable refuge Ver. 2. Teacheth vs first that we may sometimes pray agaynste the vngodly secondly is pointeth out the mischieuous minds and nature of the wicked thirdly it teacheth vs not so much as to wish euill muche lesse to doe euill to Gods children Verse 3. Sheweth that God can and will sometimes in his iudgement bring
that shame vpon the wicked that they had imagined agaynst the good also it teacheth vs not to reioyce in the miseries afflictions of others Verse 4. God and his goodnesse is the only matter of mirth and ioye to his children also Gods children must alwayes prayse God and be thankfull to him for his blessings vpon them Ver. 5. Teacheth vs that the more wee are in distresse the more earnest we ought to be with the Lord in prayer alwayes taking héede that we prescribe him not a time Psalme 71. THis Psalm may be deuided into two parts Di. In the first part the prophet praieth for himself strēgthning the faith of his praier in the assured promises of God and the particular experience of excellent deliuerances that God euen from his youth had done for him and this reacheth from verse 1. to the end of the 12. In the second part he prayeth earnestly againste his enemies assuring himselfe that God will ouerthrow them and giue him deliueraunce for which he promiseth to yéeld harty praise and thanksgiuing to the Lord and this part reacheth from verse 13. to the end of the Psalme This Psalme hath no title Se. but it is very likely that Dauid made this Psalm when he was old and fled from the face of his sonne Absalon both which may bee gathered by playne words and circumstances in this Psalme Ver. 1. In thée O Lord vz. alone and in none other let me neuer be ashamed whiche I shal be if I be frustrated of that hope I haue in thée Ver. 2. Rescue me vz. frō the rage of mine enemies and deliuer mee vz. from the perils and daungers wherein I am in thy righteousnesse i. according to thy goodnes faithfulnesse and truth which thou hast promised to thine doest then make manifest when thou doest deliuer them incline thine eare vnto mee vz. praying vnto thée bowing of the eare is in this place attributed to GOD according to man for men if they mind to be familiar and yéeld to suites will easilye bow their eares to suche as sue to them and saue me i. deliuer mee from daunger and distresse Verse 3. Be thou my strong rocke i. my assured protection and defence In the lande of Canaan there was great store of rockes into whiche the people sundry times conuayed themselues for feare of the enemies and according to this he speaketh alwaye resorte i. continuallye flye both in prosperitie and aduersitie thou hast giuen commaundement vz. not onely to thine Angels but also to the rest of all thy creatures that they should be thy effectuall instruments and meanes to saue me vz. in danger and from distresse for thou art my rocke and my fortresse sée Psalme 18.2 Verse 4. Out of the hand i. from the power and force of the wicked he meaneth in déede Absalon as the chéefe but yet so that he comprehendeth vnder him al those that tooke part with him in that conspiracy Ver. 5. For thou vz. and none other euen my trust i. he in whome I haue trusted from my youth i. from the time of my birth as it were vntill this houre sée Psalme 22.9.10 Verse 6. Vppon thée haue I bene stayed from the wombe i. thou hast mayntayned sustayned and vphelde me from the time of my conception and birth thou art hee that tooke mee out of my mothers bowels i. by thy prouidence appointment and power was I borne into the world my prayse i. the prayses that I shall yéeld shall be alwayes of thée i. thou shalt be the matter of them He meaneth this muche that for as much as no part of his life neither his conception birth infancye childhoode c. was voyde of Gods benefites but that he did continually furnish him as it were with new matters and occasions to prayse him that therefore he would without ceasing glorifie his name Ver. 7. I am become as it were a monster this word must not be taken here in the ill part and therefore would rather be turned wonder but in the good part meaning that GOD had in such great truth and power defended him that by the example whiche God in him had shewed vnto them many were drawne on to trust in God that this is indéede the very signification of the Hebrew worde howsoeuer it haue bene otherwise here translated al the places of scripture wherein it is vsed and attributed to persons doe sufficientlye prooue it my sure trust i. suche a one as neuer fayleth me I trusting stedfastlye in thée Verse 8. Let my mouth bée filled with thy prayse and with thy glory euery day i. deale so graciously with me that I may haue nothing in my mouth i. in my daylye spéeche but thy benefits giuing continually prayse and glorye vnto thée for the same By wyshing to haue his mouth filled he meaneth plentifulnesse and abundaunce and by euerye daye hee vnderstandeth continuaunce in the same vz. in yéelding prayses and glory due vnto God for his graces Verse 9. Cast me not off vz. from thée and thy fauour in the time of age hee meaneth olde age whiche is full of great infirmities and bodily weakenesses forsake mée not i. leaue mee not to my selfe voyde of thy helpe when my strength fayleth i. when the naturall vigor and force of my body decayeth not that Dauid trusted therein any whit at all but rather prayeth GOD to continue as fauourable vnto him in his youth so mercifull vnto him in his olde age to the which that hee mighte the more effectuallye induce the Lorde hee setteth before him his olde age and weakenesse euen as one that hath greate néede of his ayde and succour Verse 10. Speake of mee contemptuouslye and despitefullye reioycing greatly in this that I séeme to be forsaken of thée that laye wayt vz. closelye and diligentlye by all the meanes they canne for my Soule i. for my life to take it from mee take their counsell together the truth of this appeareth 2. Samuel 16. ver 20. c. Also 2. Samuel 17. verse 1.2 c. Verse 11. God hath forsaken him i. destituted him of ayd and comfort pursue vz. with the power you haue and take him nowe while you haue time these are eyther the wordes of them that consulted together noting the easie dispatch that they might make of him or else the words of some captains to their souldiers incouraging them to the spéedye pursuite of Dauid and his apprehension for there is none vz. either in heauen or earth to deliuer him vz. out of our hands we haue him in such a straight Ver. 12. Go not far from me vz. either in with-holding or in denying me thy ful aid succour my God hast thée to help me sée Psal 70. ver 1.5 Ver. 13. Let them be confounded sée Psal 70.2 and consumed i. come to naught both they their imaginations that are against my soule i. my life as sundry times before let them be couered vz. as with a garment meaning thereby the great shame
no end of thy wrath against vs shal thy gelousie vz. ouer thine owne glory and vs also euen for our good if we coulde sée it burne like fire i. consume vs vtterly as the fire doth euery thing that is before it Ver. 6. Powre out thy wrath i. lay the abūdance of thy iudgements for the word of powring out noteth the plenty of thē vpon the heathen that haue not knowne thée vz. according to thy wil reueiled in thy worde for otherwise the Gentiles had a knowledge of God as appeareth Rom. 1. ver 21. And vpon the kingdomes vz. of the earth or world that haue not called vppon thy name i. made profession of thy religion and seruice Sée Gene. 4.26 also 2. Tim. 2.19 And note that the faithfull are not in this place caryed away with carnall affections but onely as hauing respect to the publike saluation of Gods Church Verse 7. For this very reason sheweth that the former prayer against the enemies was made for the good and peace of the Church and not of any rancor or fleshly affection they haue deuoured i. the enemies haue cruelly and gréedily like bruite beastes dealt with Iaakob i. the people of Israel who descended or came from Iaakob and so haue wee had this worde vsed sundry times before and made his dwelling place i. the whole lande of Iudea which was assigned him by God to dwell in desolate i. waste and voyde as it were of inhabitants Ver. 8. Remember not against vs i. thinke not vpon as meanes to prouoke thée to wrath against vs and to destroy vs the former iniquities vz. which we continuing also in the euill step◠of our auncestours haue committed against thée but make haste vz. to helpe and succour vs in these distresses and to deliuer vs from the same and let thy tender mercy preuent vs vz. before we sinke downe vnder the burthens of our afflictions for we are in great miseries q.d. vnlesse thou put to thy helping hand we perish vtterly Ver. 9. Helpe vs O God of our saluation i. thou that only workest deliuerances for vs for so is the word saluation vsed here as it is Psal 3.8 helpe vs deliuer vs now as thou hast done sundry time heretofore for the glory of thy name i. that thy maiesty might and power may bee glorified of vs for name is vsed here as it is Psalm 20.1 which otherwise shall bee somewhat obscured and darkened and deliuer vs vz. from troubles and out of the handes and powers of our enemies and bee merciful vnto our sinners i. forget and forgiue them taking away also the punishments from vs which by them we haue pulled vppon vs for thy names sake i. for thy glory and goodnes sake as before Verse 10. Wherefore should the heathen say q.d. why should they haue an occasion to say as they will not spare to speake it if thou helpe not where is their GOD vz. the God that the Israelites serue q.d. giue not occasion to the enemyes to reioyce ouer vs and mocke vs because wee haue trusted in thée as though thou haddest forsaken vs in the tyme of neede They shewe howe that the aide which God shall giue them shall turne to his glory q.d. if thou helpe the vngodly people shall haue no cause to say that wee haue in vayne trusted in a GOD that forsaketh vs in our troubles but they and wée shall féele by effectes that thou hast a singular care ouer vs let him I woulde rather reade let it vz. our gracious deliueraunce from these distresses bée knowne i. opened and made manifest among the heathen vz. who are our enemies and otherwise would insult ouer vs in our sight i. wée liuing séeing and diligently beholding the same that thou arte alwayes presence with thine by the vengeaunce of the blood i. by the punishment that thou wilt take and lay vppon them for the blood of thy seruauntes hee calleth them Gods seruauntes who notwithstanding confessed that they were iustly punished for their sinnes because GOD when hee chastiseth vs testifieth that hee hath care of our saluation that is shed vz. by their cruelty and rage by blood and shedding of the same hée meaneth the godlies life and the death that the wicked did cruelly laye vppon them Verse 11. Let the sighing of the prisoners i. of them that are taken prisoners by the enemies and ready to bée caryed away or put to death vnderstanding by the sighing of these men their earnest prayers pitifull complaints teares outcries c. come before thee i. into thy presence and let it appeare by effect that thou regardest and acceptest of them according to thy mighty arme q.d. as thy power is most large and infinite for hee vseth this worde arme for power so preserue and defend thy people preserue vz. from outrage violence and death the children of death i. them that bée in verye great daunger at deaths doore as it were and ready to bée slayne so that death séemeth to haue as much authority ouer them as parents haue ouer their children Verse 12. And render to our neighbours i. to them that are round about vs as before ver 4. seuen folde i. most grieuous punishmentes a number finite for an infinite sée Gene. 4.15 in to their bosome i. largely and plentifully as appeareth Isaiah 65.6.7 Ierem. 32.18 it is a metaphor taken from them that powre things without number into the lappe or bosome as it were of those to whome they giue them their reproch i. the blasphemous and wicked wordes that they haue vsed against thée which is expressed in the part of the verse following Verse 13. So wée thy people i. the people that thou hast chosen seperating vs from other nations sée Psalm 74.1.2 and shéepe of thy pasture i. people whome thou féedest as tenderly and carest as much for as shepheardes doe their pasture sheepe shall prayse thée vz. for thy grace and goodnes towardes vs in deliuering vs and from generation to generation wée will set foorth thy prayse vz. to others q.d. we will bee instrumentes to publish thy prayse and occasions of thy glory to all posterity Do. Verse 1. Teacheth that God many times for the punishment of his peoples sinnes appointeth the wicked to preuaile so farre against them that euen his own glory séemeth as it were to bée layd in the dust Verse 2.3 Set out the monstrous cruelty and barbarousnesse of the wicked and vngodly people whose cursed nature is the more they preuaile the more outrage violence to offer and doe Ver. 4. Teacheth that the miseries of Gods children should prouoke them to earnest and hearty calling vpon his name Ver. 5. Teacheth that the consciences of the godly can hardly be quieted so long as they féele Gods wrath and anger against them Ver. 6. Teacheth that wee may safely pray against the malicious enemies of Gods Church Ver. 7. Setteth out the rage and cruelty of the wicked against the Lordes people and inheritance Verse 8. Teacheth
first that our sinnes are cart-ropes as it were to pul vpon vs Gods heauy iudgementes Secondly that God of his mercy and not for any desert of ours for we haue none doeth and will helpe vs thirdly that the more our miseries are the more earnest should wée bée with the Lorde in prayer Verse 9. Teacheth vs that Gods owne glory is an effectuall reason to perswade his maiesty to deliuer his people Secondly that Gods mercies onely doe couer and cure all our transgressions Ver. 10. Teacheth vs that wee may pray against the enemies of the Church alwayes prouided that wée intermingle not our owne corrupt affections or hatred against the persons therewith Verse 11. Teacheth vs that the sighes and grones of Gods poore afflicted seruants shall not bée sent forth without fruite or profit Verse 12. Teacheth vs that wee may lawfully pray against the enemies of Gods Church as before ver 6.10 of this Psalme Ver. 13. Teacheth vs two things first that we shoulde giue hearty thankes to almighty God for benefits and graces bestowed vpon vs secondly that we should bee instruments to publish the prayses and to conuey them ouer so farre foorth as we can to all posterity Psalme 80 THis Psalme as it should séeme both by the wordes and matter was made either about that time that the people were caryed captiue into Babylon or at the time of their being there It may bée diuided into thrée partes Di. the first is an earnest prayer made to God that it woulde please him to help the miseries of his Church from ver 1. to the end of the 7. The seconde conteineth a discription of his former goodnes towardes them with a demaunding as it were why hee had withdrawne the same from ver 8. to the ende of the 13. In the thirde part they returne to prayer againe beséeching the Lorde graciously to finish the worke which mercifully hée had begunne which being performed they purpose and promise humble obedience all the dayes of their life from ver 14. to the end of the Psalme The title Se. to him that excelleth on Shoshannim Eduth this is expounded before Psalme 45. also Psalme 60. in the titles as also is that that followeth in sundry Psalmes Immanuel addeth after this worde A Psalme of witnes which for any thing I sée is not in the Hebrew text hée himselfe expoundeth it thus of witnes i. by which the Church beséeching God did testifie their fayth they had in GOD touching the deliueraunce promised after seuenty yéeres as Ierem. 29.10 Verse 1. Heare vz. the supplications and prayers of vs thy poore seruantes praying for our selues and thy whole Church and by hearing they meane graunting of their requestes and not as though GOD either did not or woulde not heare O thou shéephearde i. thou that hast gouerned guided and deliuered thy people heretofore of Jsrael i. of all thy people and not of the tenne tribes alone as the note in the Geneua Bible goeth thou that leadeth Ioseph like shéepe i. tenderly and warely as Psalme 78.52 vnderstanding by Ioseph the same that hee ment by Israel before and all this is nothing else but a description as it were of Gods tender care fauour and loue towardes his people shewe thy brightnes vz. of thy power and might as Deutronom 33.2 q.d. shewe thy selfe in thy accustomed glory and maiesty to our great comfort and the terrour of our enemyes thou that sittest betwéene the Cherubins this is not spoken as though GOD were tied to a place but because it pleased him out of that place for a tyme to shewe foorth his power and might therefore doe the people after this sort describe him Sée Exodus 25. verse 22. Verse 2. Before Ephraim c. i. in the sight and presence of the men of that and other tribes who claue to the kingdome of Iudah and kept thy religion and worshippe sounde with them Sée 1. Chronic. 9. verse 1.2.3 Stirre vppe thy strength vz. which séemeth to haue béene heauy and as it were a sléepe q.d. nowe declare it and make it manifest and come to helpe vs vz. out of the daungers distresse and bondage wherein wee are Verse 3. Turne vs againe vz. out of the bondage and captiuity wherein wée nowe are as our Auncestours were in Egipt into our owne Countrey and to thy worshippe q.d. set vs in our former state and condition cause thy face to shine i. make manifest thy fauour towardes vs which hath béene kept from vs by the cloudes of affliction Sée Psalme 4.6 also Psalm 67.1 that wee may be saued i. deliuered out of these daungers and distresses wherein wée are Immanuel readeth so shall wée be saued The sense differeth not much as wee may easily perceiue Verse 4. How long wilt thou bee angry against the prayer of thy people i. howe long wilt thou reiect the prayer that thy people make vnto thée as though thou were angry with them and it this the faithfull speake and that of infirmity when they féele not the force of their prayers at the first as it were Ver. 5. Thou hast fedde them with the breade of teares i. thou hast giuen them teares in stéede of meate Sée Psalme 42.3 and giuen them teares to drinke with great measure q.d. they are so full of griefes and vexations that they are able to indure no more hee signifieth by these speaches both the abundaunce and the continuaunce of their afflictions Verse 6. Thou hast made vs a strife vnto our neighbours i. thou hast caused all those that are rounde about our lande with whome friendshippe and peace were to bée fostered to moue continuall strifes and iarres against these of our brethren that remaine behind in the lande of Iudah The trueth of this Sée 2. King 25. ver 25. Ierem. 37. chapt and so forwarde almost to the ende of his Prophecie and our enemies laugh at vs vz. being in this affliction and misery that we are among them selues i. to make themselues merry with all when they méete together Verse 7. This is the same almost both in woordes and sense with verse 3. of this Psal Verse 8. Thou broughtest a vine out of Egipt by vine hee meaneth the people of Israel by which comparison hée sheweth howe greatly God regarded them for which sée Iohn 15. verse 1.2 because a vine is a most noble both possession and fruite and is a very tender thing as experience teacheth It is an vsuall thing in Scripture to resemble Gods people to a vine sée Isaiah 5.1.2 c. and other places thou hast cast out vz. of the lande of Canaan the heathen vz. the Ammonites Hittits c. and planted it vz. in their place hée continueth in his metaphor of a vine and planting meaning that God had established his people in the roome of these nations Verse 9. Thou madest roome for it vz. by dispatching their enemies and casting them out before them Sée Exod. 23.27.28.29 Iehosh 24.12 and diddest cause it to take roote hée meaneth by
seruaunts that whiche thou haste graciously promised are the stablishment of thy throne i. are such as vphold and magnifye thy kingdome vsing throne as verse 4. of this Psalme I suppose he speaketh of God according to mens manners who haue certayne supporters as it were of their armes or of their kinglye Charrets sée 1. Kings 10 18 19 20 mercy and truth i. grace and faythfull performaunce of thy promises which procéedeth from grace goe before thy face i. are continually with thée and in thy presence Ver. 15. Blessed is the people q.d. O indéede howsoeuer they are condemned of the worlde yet they are in best case that can reioyce in thée i. that finde such tast in thy blessinges and benefites bestowed vpon them that they are thereby prouoked to prayse and thanke thée they shal walke vz. the dayes of their pilgrimage here and that with peace and quietnesse of conscience in the light of thy countenaunce i. in thy fauour and goodnesse hanging continuallye vppon thy prouidence Verse 16. They i. such people shall reioyce i. both in word and déede shewe themselues thankefull continually this worde importeth firme and stedfast perseueraunce in thanksgiuing in thy name i. for thy great maiestye goodnesse might and power as Psalme 20.10 and in thy righteousnesse vz. practised and performed partly towards them and partly toward their enemies shall they exalt themselues i. lift vp themselues and that with praise vnto thée not as any thing reioycing in themselues but as giuing al the honor vnto thée to whome alone it belongeth Verse 17. For thou art the glory i. thou art hee alone that adornest with glory and beautifyest their strength q d. if thou with draw thy hand in stéede of glory they shal haue weakenesse and confusion and by thy fauour i. of thy frée goodnesse and not by our desertes our horns i. our estate kingdome authoritie gouernmente force power might c. as 1. Sam. 2.1 sée verse 24. of this Psalme shall be exalted vz. aboue our enemies and we shall preuayle agaynst them Verse 18. For our shielde i. our defence and safegard from euill as it were by a shield to kéepe back our enemies dartes some referre it and that not improperly to the King who was appointed to defend and gouerne them But I rather allow of the former exposition appertayneth to the Lord vz. only q.d. the helpe and defence that we haue is from him alone and our King vz. Dauid whom the Lord hath appointed to be our King and by whose hand and power as by a meane wee must be defended to the holy one of Israell vz. belongeth q.d. he and all the kingly authoritie hee hath is from the Lorde or else it would not auayle him or profite vs. Ver. 19. Then vz. O God for here he speaketh eyther of God or to God speakest thou vz. when Dauid was appoynted King in a vision this was then one of the ordinary meanes whereby God in old time appeared and manifested his will to the fathers see numb 12.6 vnto thine holy one i. Samuel the Prophet sée 1. Samuel 16. and Samuel is here called Gods holy one not onely because hée was sanctifyed by the spirite as others his children are but also because hée was appointed to an holy office vz. of Priest and Prophet sée 1. Samuel 3.20 and saydest vz. then at that time I haue layde helpe vpon one that is mighty i. I haue appointed Dauid to whom also I haue giuen force and strength to be an helpe and ayde to deliuer my people from their opressors and haue giuen him graces méete for the gouernmente and kingdome I haue exalted vz. to the height of the kingdome and gouernment one chosen out of the people i. one of meane state and condition as Psalme 78 70 71 and yet notwithstanding thorow my goodnesse apted and aduanced to that high calling Ver. 20. I haue found vz. out from amongst the rest or else thus I haue founde i. I haue prouided for me and my people as 1. Samuel 16.1 Dauid my Seruaunt i. Dauid whom I haue chosen to serue me and my people in the gouernment of the kingdome with my holy oyle i. with the oyle which I haue appoynted to such holy vses in which respect also it is called holye oyle haue I annoynted him i. appoynted him to be King ouer my people sée Psalm 45.7 Verse 21. Therefore i. because I haue thus chosen him my hand shall be established with him i. he shall haue my power and might as a sure foundation to stay himselfe vpon and mine arme i. my force and strength shall strengthen him vz. agaynst all his enemies so that I will kéepe and preserue him from all dangers and marke that vnder hand and arme which are seueral termes he meaneth nothing but prouidence pâ—otection might c. Verse 22. The enemie i. whatsoeuer enemye he hath shall not oppresse vz. for any long time and that eyther by fraude or by force him vz. whom I haue appointed neyther shall the wicked i. he that is giuen ouer to wickednesse howe desperate and bold soeuer he be in his vngodly attempts hurt him vz. any manner of way or any long time as before in the word oppresse Verse 23. But I will destroy vz. by my might and power and that in iustice and iudgemente his foes i. all his foes whether they be open or secret before his face i. openlye he seing and beholding the same and being mine instrumente to performe that great worke and plague them vz. with death and destruction that hate him vz. any maner of way eyther inwardly or testifie their hatred outwardely Ver. 24. My truth also i. my faithfulnesse in performance of promises and my mercy i. great goodnesse he noteth the cause of his promises and the performance thereof shal be vz. present and in effect with him vz. continuallye q.d. I will alwayes shewe my selfe faythfull and mercifull towardes him and in my name i. thorow my goodnesse strength and power as Psalme 20.1 shall his horne i. his maiestie glory power and might as before ver 17. of this Psalme shall be exalted i. lifted vp and aduanced to great heighte and reuerence Verse 25. I will set his hand also in the sea some expound it thus I wil make subiect vnto his power the very sea and riuers muche more the lande which is weaker then they I would rather expounde it thus I vz. the almighty Lord will set i. stretche out his hand i. his might power gouernement and kingdome in the sea i. euen vnto the red sea and the sea mediterraneum and this was promised Exodus 23 31. and was accomplished 2. Samuel chapter 8. and 10 and his right hand in the flouds vz. of Euphrates Nylus Iordan and others Ver. 26. He vz. Dauid my seruant shal crie vnto me i. earnestly call vpon me and say thou art my Father i. one that hath a most louing tender and prouident care ouer me my God i. my
the singular to the plural vnderstanding by this word he euery man Verse 6. In the morning i. before it bee cutte downe and the heate of the Sunne parche it it flourisheth and groweth that is the grasse prospereth and thriueth but in the euening vz. towardes the declining of the sunne at whiche time husbandmen suppose the grasse will cutte better and the mowers the heat of the daye being somewhat spent are the better able to indure labour it is cut down vz. by the mower with his sythe withereth vz. somewhat that night before the sunne set and so is more and more withered with the heate of the sunne the daye or dayes following q.d. Euen so fareth it with mans life for by this similitude he noteth the breuitie and shortnesse thereof a very vsuall thing in the scripture Isaiah 40.6 1 Pet. 1.24 Iam. 1.10.11 Ver. 7. For we are consumed by thyne anger he séemeth to allude to some great and particular iudgement layde vpon the people of which sée Num. 14. q.d. Our case by reason of thy iudgement sore vpon vs is more gréeuous then other mens cases are and by thy wrath vz. agaynste vs for our sinnes wée are troubled vz. verye sore and on euerye syde stricken as it were with greate feare Verse 8. Thou hast set our iniquities before thee vz. that so thou mightest remember them and punishe vs for them and vz. thou hast set our secret sinnes i. the sinnes which we our selues though not of and therefore supposed were hidden before thée in the light of thy countenaunce i. openly in thy sight and before thy face Ver. 9. For all our dayes i. al the dayes of our life are past vz. already so that they cannot be called back agayn in thine anger vz. against vs for our sinnes we have spent our yeres i. the yeares of our life are gone as a thought i. sodainly as a thought commeth into our minds and passeth away again so sodainly are our dayes passed some read as a word or a tale that is tolde whatsoeuer it be the sence commeth all to one end vz. to note the vanitie shortnesse of mans life Verse 10. The time of our life is thréescore yeares and tenne i. ordinarilye and commonlye men liue not beyonde it yea if there be one that reacheth vnto it there are a hundred which dye before and if they be of strength i. if eyther the dayes of our life or the parties themselues haue thorow Gods blessing more strength then other men haue foure skore yeares vz. at the vttermoste q.d. That is the greatest age which almost they come vnto yet their strength q.d. that strength and excellency whereof commonly they brag boast is but labor and sorrow i. conteineth nothing in it but al maner of affliction toile gréefe dayly experience of the most aged men doth sufficientlye prooue the same vnto vs for it is cut off i. that same excellent strength and force of men which they bragge of is by death thorowe Gods appoyntmente made nothing and that quicklye vz. in the twinckling of an eye or in the turning of a hande and wée vz. mortall men that were flie awaye i. wee quicklye departe oute of this world and lyfe Verse 11. Who knoweth the power of thy wrath q.d. None at all though thy hande bée heauye vppon vs or of thyne anger according to thy feare i. who standeth in awe of thyne anger so much as thou and it oughtest to be feared for so must the latter part of this verse be read oute of Immanuel As for that in the Geneua text for according to thy feare is thine anger i. men féele thine anger according to the feare that they haue conceaued of thée caryeth with it as little or no sence in regarde of the place so lesse truth because Gods iudgements doe many times lye heauie vpon those men that haue no feare of his iudgements at all Verse 12. Teache vs so to number our dayes i. make vs so to vnderstand how shorte a space we haue to liue that we may apply our harts vnto wisdome i. that we may thereby become more circumspecte and héedye howe we spende euen that shorte tyme that we haue Verse 13. Returne vz. to vs in mercye and loue i. shewe some signes of thy fauour and grace q.d. hitherto thou haste bene angrye agaynste vs nowe at the length shew some fauoure towards vs O Lorde howe long vz. wilte thou bee angrye with vs and shewe vs the testimonyes of thy wrath and bee pacifyed towardes thy seruauntes i. take pleasure gentlye and graciously to handle vs whome thou haste vouchsafed worthye of this honour to be called thy seruaunts Verse 14. Fill vs with thy mercye i. make vs féele thy goodnesse in greate abundaunce and plentifullye in the morning i. eyther in the flower of our age as ver 5. of this Psalme or else in time conuenient as sundry times before some take it to be put for continually so shall we reioyce and be glad i. so we shal not only haue occasion of reioycing and gladnesse but we wil also performe prayses vnto thée for the same al our dayes i. al the dayes of our life or so long as we liue sée Psalm 146.1 Verse 15. Comfort vz. with thy grace goodnesse and fauour vs vz. now afflicted according to the dayes that thou hast afflicted vs vz. in Egypt as maye appeare from Exod. 1. to the 12. chapter q.d. graunt that the comfort which we shall receiue from thée may be equall yea more with the calamities which we haue indured and according to the yeares i. let thy comfort be aunswerable to the multitude of yeares that we haue séene euill i. wherein wee haue suffered and borne affliction or punishmente For euill is vsed here as Amos 3 6. no doubte in consyderation of the weakenesse and corruption of their owne nature and of the multitude of afflictions that commonlye lye vpon them and of the hardnesse to apply Gods fauour and goodnesse towardes them the godly had néed to pray that Gods graces may rather excéed their miseries then be equal with them or like vnto them Ver. 16. More playnly the wordes would be placed thus let thy worke toward thy seruaunt bee séene i. let that which thou wilt doe for thy seruaunts for vnder one he meaneth all the rest of the people appeare and be made manifest before men vnderstanding by the worde Worke some singular protection sauegarde and delyueraunce that GOD should worke for his people and thy glorye i. and let thy glory also appeare not only vpon them or towardes them but also vpon their children i. vppon their whole race and posteritie so that there are two endes touched in this verse the one is Gods glorye the other is the sauegard of Gods people and the defence of their séede Verse 17. And let the beautie of the Lord our God be vpon vs first marke how he changeth the person from the second to the third next that
people as the sea and floods do when they gayne vpon the lande but this in my iudgment is the more simple sense that hee meaneth that though the noyse of the floods and sea vnderstanding thereby if you will all the hurliburlies of the earth bee very great and forcible yea euident testimonies of Gods power and might yet if they bée compared with Gods owne maiesty and might they are as much as nothing and this sense is confirmed by that which followeth in the next verse the floods lift vp their waues vz. and make a great and fearefull noyse and this expoundeth what he ment before when he ascribed voyce to the floods Verse 4. The waues of the sea are marueilous vz. considered in themselues if a man mark their goinges greatnes and the noyse of them but yet more marueilous are they in the respects before alleadged through the noyse of many waters vz. which fal into them and ioyn with them sée Ecclesi 1.7 and so by that meanes the waues and noyse of the floodes are greater yet the Lord on high vz. in heauen is more mighty vz. then them al as who hath the ordering disposing and gouerning of them al at his good pleasure q.d. though it be true that the sea and floods make a great noyse and so expresse a great power yet that is nothing if they be compared to God by whose appointment they doe that which they doe Ver. 5. Thy testimonies i. thy worde and all thinges therein conteined as Psal 19.7 specially thy promises made vnto thy seruants are very sure vz. so that they can not be altered at any time or by any way holines i. thy holines or such holines as thou both appointest and giuest becommeth thyne house i. adorneth and beautifieth thy Church and congregation for euer i. continually Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth sundry thinges first Gods great power and maiesty the consideration whereof is terrible to the wicked and comfortable to his children secondly it setteth out not onely the great care that God hath ouer the earth and the things therein so that they can not be shaken but also how litle or nothing at all mans Counsell can preuaile to hurt or hinder much lesse to vndoe any thing that the Lorde will haue to remaine stedfast and sure Ver. 2. Setteth out the eternity and euerlastingnes of almighty God Ver. 3. Teacheth that the very creatures may manifest vnto vs some part and piece of Gods excellencye and power the same thing doeth Verse 4. Teache but yet so that it sheweth further that all that wee can beholde in them is not so much as a shadowe to the trueth if it bee compared with the Creator himselfe Verse 5. Is comfortable to the consciences of the godly because it assureth them of the certaintie of Gods worde and promises also it sheweth that the holinesse of Gods Church is from GOD himselfe and not from the Church Psalme 94 THis Psalme in my iudgement may very aptly bée diuided into two partes Di. In the first the Prophet doeth not onely praye against the vngodly but reckoneth vp their particular sinnes and doeth sufficiently comfort all their vayne imaginations and this part reacheth from verse 1. to the ende of the 11. In the second part he doth especially shew in what a good and blessed case they are whose God is the Lorde interlasing notwithstanding the attempts of the wicked all which the Lorde will for his peoples sake frustrate bring to nought and this reacheth from ver 12. to the end of the Psalme This Psalme is without title as the Psalme next going before is Se. and also sundry other Psalmes following and namely 95.96.97.99 Ver. 1. O Lorde GOD the auenger O God the auenger i. O God to whome alone it belongeth to punish the wicked Roman 12.19 shewe thy selfe clearly i. openly manifest thy power and might by punishing the wicked and defending the good Sée Deutron 33.2 q.d. punish the vngodly openly and in the sight of all men Verse 2. Exalt thy selfe i. doe not onely shewe thy selfe vnto the vngodly but declare thy selfe to bee great and high q.d. lift vppe thy selfe not onely aboue them but oppose and set thy selfe in thy power and might against them O Iudge of the worlde i. O thou to whome the iudgement of al men and matter appertaine Sée Genesis 18.25 Psalme 82.7 Render a rewarde to the proude vz. for their pryde against thée and men q.d. paye them home and punish them for that they haue proudlye set themselues against thee and thy people Verse 3. Lorde howe long shall the wicked this hée speaketh not as though hée would prescribe GOD a time but as praying that the rage and power of the wicked might not continue long howe long shall the wicked hée repeateth the same wordes not onely to set out the great cruelty and pride of the vngodly but to expresse also his earnestnesse in prayer triumph vz. in their pride and mirth against thée and thy people and by this manner of speach hée meaneth a certaine kinde of gladnesse full of outrage and boasting as though all thinges were lawfull for wicked men to doe Verse 4. They prate vz. with an open and full mouth not béeing ashamed of their speaches and speake vz. rashly and that without any feare of thy maiesty or modesty towardes men fearcely i. not onely rough and harde things but proudly and presumptuously Sée 1. Samuel 2.3 all the workers of iniquitie i. all they that giue ouer themselues to commit sinne with gréedinesse vaunt them selues vz. in themselues and their transgressions making that a great part as it were of their glorye Verse 5. They smite downe vz by their force and might and that vnto the grounde meaning by this speach all manner of affliction that the wicked laye vpon them thy people i. that people whome thou hast chosen for thine owne and trouble vz. very much with sundry sortes of crosses and afflictions thine heritage i. that people whome thou hast chosen to bée a peculiar inheritaunce vnto thy selfe Sée Psalm 28.9 Verse 6. They slay vz. through extortion rauening and violence the widowe and the straunger i. all manner of persons that euen in curtesie should bee fauoured and murther vz. cruellye and without any remourse of conscience or tendernes of heart the fatherles i. them that bee destitute of helpe and comfort Sée Hosea 14.3 q.d. they in their cruelty and rage spare none Ver. 7. Yet q.d. for all this wickednesse that they commit they say vz. not so much in their woordes as in their perswasion and by their factes Sée Psalm 14.1 Hée meaneth that without any checke or controlement of their owne heartes or woordes they gaue themselues ouer to commit euil casting behind them the feare of God and perswading themselues that hee regarded not thinges done vpon the earth the Lord shal not sée vz. the iniquity and sinne that we commit against him q.d. wee haue meanes to bleare his eyes and to stop vp
Prophet desireth God to shew by effect that he doth vtterly disallow that wicked dealing of the vngodly as Psalme 28 ver 1. He prayeth the Lorde that he woulde not be deafe O God of my prayse i. thou O God that art the argumente and matter of my praises or else thus thou O God in whom all my prayse consisteth because thou mayntainest and vpholdest me in my iust cause whereas all the rest besides as it were do oppresse me by false slaunders and euery one accoūteth me for a wicked man but I doe better like of the former sence Ver. 2. For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth full of deceyte i. wicked and deceitfull men with their wicked and deceitfull words are opened vpon me vz. readie to deuoure and ouerwhelme me with the great waters of vniust reports wch they cast out against me sée 1. Sam. 24.10 1. Sam. 26.18 Psal 12.2 they haue spoken to me with a lying tongue i. they haue spoken me fayre in words when they caried swords in their harts Ver. 3. They compassed me about also with words of hatred i. they did not only dissemble with me one while but an other while they vttred hatefull spéeches agaynst me and fought agaynst me vz. both by words and déedes without a cause i. when I gaue them no cause eyther of the one or other Verse 4. For my friendship vz. shewed towards the they were mine aduersaries i. they wrought me much euill and hurt but I vz. in these afflictions and distresses gaue my selfe vz. readily earnestly and diligently to prayer vz. not only for my selfe that I might patiently beare al these calamities but euen for my enemies also sée Psal 35.13 Ver. 5. And they vz. in the vnkindnes frowardnes of their own harts haue rewarded me euill for good i. haue don me much mischéef for the good that I haue performed towards them and hatred for my friendship i. for my good will the Prophet meaneth that both in action and affection they had dealt wickedly with him Ver. 6. Set thou the wicked i. a more vngodly wicked man then he himself is ouer him i. to beare rule ouer him It is likely that vnder one wicked man he meaneth many but whatsoeuer it be the prophet meaneth that he would haue the Lord to cast him down vnder most hard tirānous gouernment let the aduersary i. his aduersary or aduersaries some refer it to the deuil and his angels stand at his right hand i. be continually present with him to vex pursue and gréeue him sée ver 31 of this Psalme Ver. 7. Whē he shal be iudged i. when he shall come before a Iudge to haue causes of his heard or else his own person to stande in iudgement let him be condemned vz. as a wicked and vngodly man and punished without pity compassion let his prayer i. the suit supplication wch he maketh to the iudge for fauour be turned into sin i. serue to increase aggrauate his offēce rather thē to lessē it any ways the prophet meaneth that looke whatsoeuer the vngodly should vse in his own defēce either as to clear himselfe or to moue others to pity him that al that should stand in stéed more more to burthē charge him Ver. 8. Let his dayes i. the days of the life that he hath to liue be few vz. in nūber in respect of thē that liue long and not as though mens dayes could be shortned in regard of that time which the Lord hath alotted them and let another man take vz. to execute performe it his charge i. the charge office which he had S. Peter Act. 1.10 applieth this to Iudah Ver. 9. Let his children i. the children he hath and shal leaue behind him in the world be fatherles his wife a widdow i. let him die let the punishment of his death light not only vpon him but vpon his wife and children as a thing most gréeuous vnto them Ver. 10. Let his children i. his posteritie be vagabondes vz. vppon the earth and without dwelling place sée Gen. 4.14 and begge vz. of other men hauing nothing of their own neither any man in pitie to giue them anye thing as followeth afterwards verse 12. and séeke vz. gréedily and that at other mens hands who shal not pitty thē bread i. al maner of maintainance for their life cōming out of their places destroid by places he meaneth both their dwelling houses whole stock q.d. after that they and al that belongeth vnto thē haue ben destroyed let thē run vp down a begging c. and in this and the other verse vz. 9. hee prayeth agaynst the wickeds race and posteritye as verse 6 7 8 he prayed agaynst the vngodly man himself Ver. 11. Let the extortioner i. the couetous and cruel man or vsurer into whose debt he is falne catche all that he hath vz. remayning of his substance yet vnspent or vnwasted The Metaphor of catching would be marked for it is taken from nets or snares out of which birds or any thing caught in them cannot only not escape but also be in continual daunger of death and let the straungers vz. which are wont to shew no pitty and compassion for one naturall countreiman wil shew affection to another whereas Foreiners are giuen altogether to rapine and spoyling spoyle vz. without pitty or compassion or giuing him any thing back agayn his labour i. the thinges that he hath trauailed for how good or how bad soeuer they be The straunger when he commeth once to rifling refuseth almoste nothing Ver. 12. Let there be none vz. found amongst mē to extend mercy vnto him vz. in the time of his distres and affliction neither let there bee any to shew mercy vpon his fatherles children whose case is pittiful as hath bin sundry times shewed before whom we ought to tender because God commēdeth them the widdowes the stranger vnto vs. Ver. 13. Let his posterity i. those that shall come after him or which he shall leaue behind him be destroyd vz. from amongst men meaning the cutting of thē of or the rasing or rooting of thē out of remēbrance in the generatiō following i. in the very next age let their name i. the glory renowne both of the wicked fathers their children be put out vz. of mans remēbrance q.d. let there be no more any remembraunce of him or his séede Ver. 14. Let the iniquities of his fathers be had in remēbrāce with the Lord i. let him be punished for the sinnes of his father his mother whose vngodlines he hath followed and so must both this place and the threat conteyned in the second commaundement be vnderstood and when he sayth be had in remēbrance with the Lorde he meaneth not that God forgetteth any sinne cōmitted against him but that he would haue the Lord by effect i. by punishmēts to shew that he thinketh vpō the wicked mās
because of that which goeth before in this verse and followeth in the next Ver. 3. Let them prayse his name i. his maiestie power and goodnesse with the fluit Let them singe prayses vnto him with the tymbrell and harpe i. let them boldlie fréelie prayse him by all the meanes that lawfully they may sée Psalme 81.2.3 and other Psalmes also as 33.2 and 144.9 Ver. 4. for the Lord hath pleasure in his people that is as he did of singular mercy chose them so he doth singularly delite in them sée Psalme 147 11. he will make the méeke glorious by deliueraunce i. by deliuering them out of the handes of their enemies and all their daungers he meaneth that God will giue thē that be afflicted this honour vz. he will vouchsafe them aid deliuerance from him or as wée woulde say will bestowe vpon them the great honour of deliueraunce Ver 5. Let the Saints sée before ver 1 of this Psal be ioyful with glory i. gloriously reioyce or else reioyce for the great glory that God hath vouchsaued to bestow vppon them let them sing aloude vz. vnto the Lord and his prayse vppon their beds i. in the nighte season q.d. let them spend dayes and nightes in the praysing of him for his great mercies Ver. 6. Let the high actes of GOD i. the notable and singular thinges which he hath done for them and against theyr enemies 〈◊〉 in their mouth i. let them continually speake of them and prayse him for them and a two edged sworde in their handes vz. both to defend themselues and to repulse and to driue farre away their enemies Verse 7. To exercise vengeaunce vppon the heathen i. to repaye them the iniurye and wrong whiche the heathen and wicked enemies haue done them and corrections among the people i. to chastise correcte and subdue them as others had done the like to them Verse 8. To binde their Kinges in chaynes i. to make euen their Princes and Rulers Prisoners and their Nobles with fetters of yron i. to make them captiue also it is as muche q. d. That there might bee neyther Prince nor people but they might be subdued vnder them Verse 9. That they i. the faythfull people may execute vz. with iustice and vprightnesse vpon them i. vpon the heathen kinges and their people the iudgement that is written vz. in the holy Sscripture So that I take these 4. last verses to bée a prayer that the Prophet made for the flourishing estate of the people of the Iewes that they might faythfully execute Gods iudgements vpon the Gentiles according to his word without adding any thing thereto or taking anye thing therefrom Sée Deut. 12.32 also Deut. 29 29. If we apply this to the churche and kingdome of Christ then by the two edged sword we must vnderstand the word of God which is the sword of his mouth of which fée 2. Thess 2.8 Heb. 4 12. Reuel 1.16 and al other instruments which God vseth to cast down strong holds and to ouerthrow mighty imaginations wherof sée 2 Cor. 10.4 c. this honour vz. of their conquest and ouercomming of their enemies shal be to all his saints i. they shall haue their part in it and féele the worke and power of God inabling them to do the like which is a matter of great comfort Prayse ye the Lord sée of this in the end of Psal 148. Do. Verse 1 teacheth vs two things first that as God multiplieth new benefites vpon vs so we should anew and afresh as it were stir vp our selues to be thākfull vnto him continually secōdly that aboue all his praises should specially be founded forth in his Church Verse 2 teacheth vs that seing God hath begottē vs agayne vnto himselfe and is become our kingdome that therfore we should striue in all soundnesse to the obedience of his will Ver. 3 teacheth vs to vse all lawfull meanes to prouoke and stir vp our selues to that great duty of prayse and thankesgiuing Verse 4 setteth out vnto vs the singular loue and affection of God towards his people Verse 5 teacheth vs not only cherefully to prayse God for his mercies but to doe it also continually both day and night Ver. 6 7 8 9 teach vs to wish and pray for the prosperitye and flourishing of Gods Churche and the confusion and ouerthrow of the obstinate enemies thereof Ver. 9 teacheth vs that by reason of the fellowlike affection and féeling whiche is and ought to be amongst the members of the Church the ioy glory and victory of some members and parts therof shal be the ioy glory and victory of the other Psalme 150 THis Psalme may be diuided into thrée parts Di. First he sheweth for what causes men should praise the Lord. Ver. 1.2 Secondly he sheweth wherewith they should praise him Ver. 3 4 5. Thirdly he sheweth who they be that should praise him The title hath bin sundry times touched heretofore Se. Ver. 1. Praise ye God vz. which are his faithful seruauntes in his sanctuary this may be expounded thus either that God dwelleth in heauen which is sometimes called his sanctuarie or thus in his sanctuarie that is in his tēple Or else thus in his sanctuary that is in his sanctity or holinesse so I suppose the hebrew word would rather be turned q.d. praise God for the great holinesse hée hath in himselfe some part whereof also it pleaseth him to communicate vnto vs praise ye him in the firmament of his power i. prayse ye him for the firmament which declareth his power as Psalme 19 1 or else thus prayse ye him for his power stretched out vz. ouer all creatures because in him and by him they liue moue and haue their being and this sence I take to be the better and to agrée best with the hebrew text Ver. 2. Prayse ye him in his mighty acts i. for his noble and valiaunt acts which he hath done for you and against your enemies so that you sée in these two verses this particle in must bee resolued by for prayse ye him according to his excellent greatnesse i. though yée can not prayse him as he most iustly deserueth yet striue you to render vnto him that which he hath inabled you to performe For he meaneth not that wée are able to praise him according to his excellency Ver. 3. Prayse him in the sound of the trumpet i. with trumpets clearely sounded sée Psal 81.3 prayse ye him vpon the viol and the harpe sée Psal 33.2 Ver. 4 Praise ye him with Timbrell and flute sée Psalme 149 3. praise ye him with Virginals and Organs Ver. 5. Prayse ye him with sounding Cimbales i with Cimbals that may be heard for otherwise there are no Cimbals or any other musical instrumentes but they haue a sound if they be played vpon prayse ye him with high sounding Cimbales i. with Cimbales which being set high and so tuned may very easily be heard By this particular enumeration he meaneth nothing else but that