10 But the innocents whome these men without cause laboured to oppresse shal more ioifullie praise the name of God and shal flie vnto him more boldlie hereafter al I saie that be of good conscience shal take occasion of a certaine holie boasting and glorieng hereby PSALME LXV The Argument This Psalme or hymne written to the praise of God first teacheth vs that his benefites are neuer anie where rightlie knowledged and praised but onlie in his holie congregations Then he biddeth vs to marke three special things and to praise God for them One and that for the greatest that God doth gather a Church vnto himselfe in the which he wil be praised where he heareth them that do praie where he doth forgiue sinne the which finallie he neuer ceasseth to blesse with the multitude of his benefites and most mightilie to defend Secondlie that he doth mainteine the societie of mâ—n by appointing and preseruing the policies and gouernements in the midst of so great hurlieburlies Thirdlie that he doth minister from heauen al things that are necessarie for this life so abundantlie and liberallie THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THou certeinlie art onlie he to whome once vttering thy pleasure al men must worthily yeeld but this praise ô God is giuen vnto thee in the onlie mount of Sion where onlie vowes are paied vnto thee aright 2 And thou againe there doest despise the praiers of none that flie vnto thee 3 There doest thou purge the sinnes wherewith else we being vtterlie ouerwhelmed durst not lift vp our faces before thee 4 O blessed is he therefore whome so euer thou so fauourest that thou commandest him to come vnto thee and whome thou feedest abundantlie with those true good things of thy house and most holie palace after thou hast receiued him into the number of thy houshold seruants 5 For although no men seeme to be more in danger yet experience it selfe doth declare that none are more sure whiles that thou in verie deede dost declare thy selfe terrible to al their enimies for the perfourmance of thy promise so oft as they cal vpon thee so that euen to the vtmost coastes of the earth and the farthest part of the sea the same of thy name being spread al men are compelled to looke vp vnto thee 6 Thou art he by whose power consisteth whatsoeuer is high in the world euen by thy might which as it establisheth these mountaines which we see and the kingdomes also and the policies whereby mankind is preserued 7 And like as thou doest calme the stormes of the sea and the sounding tempests so also thou doest breake and bridle the fiercenes of the raging multitude 8 By these testimonies of thy most mightie power the inhabitants of the earth being conuinced do tremble and keepe silence and thus peace being restored thou causest that men againe do leade their life both daie and night in comfortable peace and tranquillitie 9 For thou takest care of the earth euen from the heauens watering it and making it fruiteful with plentious showres which are thy verie gift wherwith it being soupled and prepared doth reteine the seede committed vnto it 10 Afterward thou waterest the sorrowes of the fields thou breakest the clots thou mollifiest the ground with mild and timelie showres sent downe from aboue thou cherishest and bringest forth the seede with their buds 11 Finallie thus thou crownest the earth most bountifullie with al kinde of fruites yearelie the fatnes dropping downe from aboue from thy steps which waie soeuer thou walkest 12 Yea and the pastures of the wildernes doest thou cherish with dew and thou fillest the high hilles also with gladnes 13 So are the pastures clad with sheepe the vallies are clothed with corne finallie al places do sound together with ioiful shoutes and songs PSALME LXVI The Argument This Psalme and also certaine other do seeme to be written for the perpetual vse of the Church although they haue some priuate occasion partlie to renew the memorie of so manie old deliuerances and partlie to giue thankes vnto God so oft as anie occasion doth offer it selfe either priuatelie or publikelie THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Al ye inhabitants of the earth sing vnto the Lord a triumphant song 2 Praise his name with songs praise him with glorie and maiestie 3 Saie in his presence O how terrible and feareful doest thou shew thy selfe in verie deede for euen thine enimies ouercome by the greatnes of thy power are compelled to acknowledge thee and to dissemble at the least that they feare thee 4 Therfore shal al the earth worship thee it shal sing praises vnto thee and celebrate thy name 5 Go to come hither al you behold the things that God hath done and with how great miracles he hath declared himselfe terrible to mortal men 6 This is he that dried vp the sea in a moment and made the floud passable vnto our feete for the which benefit we his people euen at this daie do reioice 7 This is the almightie Lord of the whole world beholding from heauen al the nations scattered throughout the world not suffering them that forsake him to exalt themselues at their pleasure 8 O praise the Lord ô ye tribes and kindreds consecrate vnto him sound forth his glorie far and wide 9 For he hath restored our life when it was lost and he onlie hath staied that we should not fal with sliding steps 10 For thou wouldest not haue vs to be lost ô God but onlie hast tried vs and fined vs as the siluer put in the fornace 11 Thou hast snared vs and cast vs bound with chaines into most streight distresse 12 Thou hast suffered that our enimies hauing ouercome vs did abuse vs with reproches and scoffes as though we had bin beastes we haue tasted the heate of the fire and the force of the water but thou afterward hast sent comfort and refreshed vs. 13 Wherefore I am present in thy house with offerings to performe my vowes 14 Which I haue fullie vowed in my miserie and spoken them with my mouth 15 Therefore haue I determined to offer vnto thee fat offerings euen the fat of rams and bullockes and goates 16 And you also al others that feare God come hither I praie you with me and giue eare vnto me rehearsing the benefits bestowed by him vpon me 17 I haue called for his helpe with my mouth and haue praised him with my tongue 18 And that with a mind free from al euil imagination for else he would not haue heard me 19 Therefore the Lord hath heard me and gaue eare vnto my praier 20 Praise then be vnto God who refused not my praiers neither did withdrawe his mercie from me PSALME LXVII The Argument The Prophet doth attribute vnto the onlie mercie of God both the spiritual blessings which are peculiar vnto the Church and also the corporal whereof he desireth the continuance and also doth prophesie the spreading of the Church that should be vnder Messiâ—h and so exhorteth al the
faile to be worshipped 6 And thou againe wilt powre downe vpon thy people from heauen al good things like a showre comming downe vpon the new mowne medowes and none otherwise than thou vsest to water the earth with showres in due season 7 Whilest he reigneth the iust shal flourish and great peace shal be so continued as is the firme course of the starres 8 And the king himselfe shal haue dominion from the one sea to the other euen from Euphrates to the farthest coastes of the earth 9 The inhabitants of the countries of the desert shal come vnder his yoake falling downe vnder his feete and his enimies falling downe before him shal licke the dust of the earth 10 The kings of Silicia and of the Islands shal offer presents vnto him the Aethiopians also and the Arabians shal bring him giftes 11 Finallie al kings shal worship him al nations shal serue him 12 For his righteousnes shal be praised throughout the whole world for that he heareth the crie of the poore and doth defend the needie forsaken of others 13 He hath mercie on them that are needie and he refresheth those that are in danger of their life 14 He defendeth the poore against the iniurie of the mightie neither doth he suffer the violence done vnto them to be vnreuenged 15 God also wil keepe him safe and gold shal bee brought vnto him out of the middest of Arabia al men shal make praiers for his life and safetie and shal dailie wish al prosperitie vnto him 16 Then shal wheate be shorne euerie-where with ful handfuls in the verie mountaine tops the corne growing as high as the trees of Libanus and there shal be such a multitude of inhabitants in the cities that they may almost seeme like plants springing out of the earth 17 Therefore his memorie shal be for euer euen durable as the Sunne and this king shal be an example of al felicitie vnto al nations which shal account him blessed 18 But vnto thee ô Lord the Prince of the heauenlie companie the Author of al things so wonderful let al praise be giuen 19 The same of thy glorie be praised for euer that it may fil al the earth so euen so shal it be ¶ Here end the praiers of DAVID sonne of Jshai PSALME LXXIII The Argument That which is written in the end of the former Psalme is not so to be taken as though the Psalmes of Dauid were al ended here as it is euident seeing that diuers of them that folowe haue his name set before them and some of them that go before are without anie title but those 11. that folowe are attributed to Asaph an excellent Prophet and Leuite one of the singers of whome mention is made in manie other places and chiefelie 2. Chro. 29 30. vnlesse we had rather saie that there were diuers men of that name or that his posteritie were called by that name And in this Psalme is dâ—scribed the victorie of the spirit against the flesh the which the Sophisters and Papists do falselie imagine to be that which is taught by the Philosophers when they dispute of the strife betwixt reason and the affections whereas yet in those things which peculiarlie belong vnto God there is nothing that striueth more against the true wisedome than doth the verie reason of man as he is natural and not regenerate yea euen then when he hath granted the true principles so true is it that the Apostle saith euen that mans wisedome doth end in foolishnes as appeareth also in this Argument For mans wisedome doth iudge and rightlie iudgeth that if men be gouerned by the prouidence of God it must go wel with good men and euil with euil men But where it gathereth thereby that therefore men are not gouerned by the prouidence of God and that their paines and trauel is in vaine which seeke vertue because the life of wicked men fâ—r the most part floweth with prosperitie but the life of the godlie is contrarilie ful of calamitie herein it sheweth it selfe to be most foolish For it should rather haue bin gathered by that same principle that we must determine otherwise of the ends of good and euil things than men vse to do because God doth bestowe euen vpon euil men certaine commodities his prouidence is not therefore abolished but rather his infinite goodnes and patience commended And that good men are exercised with diuers calamities in this life it commeth to passe partlie that they should not abuse the mercie of God partlie because they stand in neede of chastisement and also that they may learne to hope for better things and the more hard battels that they suffer so much the more excellent might the power of God appeare in their victories and the souldiers themselues might be rewarded with so much the greater reward Finallie which is the chiefest of al that it shal neuer go wel with the euil men and that by their owne fault Contrariwise that it shal neuer go euil with the good and that by the singular mercie of God For vnto the euil men good things are turned to euil and on the contrarie vnto the good men euen euil things turne to good This is a verie pretious doctrine which is handled oftentimes both in other Psalmes and in diuers places of the scripture especiallie in Job and the Prophet Abacuc but aboue al in this Psalme the which doctrine Asaph worthilie saith that it must be sought onlie in the sanctuarie of God whereas bare slender and sometime foolish things are taught in the scholes of the difference of good and euil things and of the vertues and of their causes and effects euen among those Philosophers which did count vertue their onlie meede and did iudge onlie the wise man to be alwaies blessed THE PARAPHRASIS 1 BVT whatsoeuer things are now brought on the contrarie it must needes be true and inuiolable that God can not be but fauourable vnto Israël that is to them that worship him purelie and deuoutlie 2 Howbeit I confesse that I could scarselie wrestle out at the length from contrarie cogitations so that I was verie like to fal and scarselie could I staie my selfe least I should fal downe headlong 3 For I was wholie set on fire beholding mad men so proud and puffed vp with prosperitie 4 For they are lustie so that thou wouldest saie that they were free from diseases and almost from death it selfe they are of so strong health 5 When others are in trouble and oppressed with manifold miseries these men haue the comforts of this life in readines whereby they auoide these miseries 6 Therefore are they haughtie and testifie with how great pride and fiercenes their heart swelleth by the verie apparel of their bodie adorned with chaines with gold and pretious stones 7 And their fat panch doth declare with what and how great delicates they abound and their eies sticke out with fatnes and if they desire anie thing they obteine also more than
his words at al did refuse the land which ought to haue bene most deere vnto them 25 And therfore disdaining to heare God speake they stirred vp a tumult in their tents 26 Therefore he stretched out his hand worthilie against them to destroie them in the desert 27 And did scatter their posteritie amongest the nations and cast them so into diuers regions 28 For also they ioined themselues with Baal Peor that abhominable idol and did eate the sacrifices that were offered to things that had no life 29 Against the which wickednes God being most iustlie angrie did fal vpon them and strike them with a most greeuous plague 30 But Phinees rising vp with great courage did auenge that horrible fact and the Lord ceased streightwaie to strike them 31 And Phinees was counted to haue done that thing iustlie and therby did obteine the praise that should remaine to al posteritie 32 But they notwithstanding prouoked God vnto wrath at the waters which were therefore called the waters of strife to the great damage of Moses 33 For they so stirred his mind that he also spake something vnaduisedlie 34 And Moses verelie therefore died in that wildernes but they that were brought into that land of Canaan were nothing more obedient to Gods commandements than their fathers for they spared the people whome God had streightlie commanded to be slaine 35 And they mixing themselues amongest them did streightwaie learne their manners 36 And serued their idols to their most certaine destruction 37 Euen comming to this madnes that they did slaie their sonnes and their daughters vnto diuels 38 That they offered I saie the bloud of their sonnes and innocent daughters powred it foorth willinglie to the grauen images of the Canaanites and defiled the whole countrie with most cruel slaughters 39 Behold therefore their most horrible facts behold the abhominable whooredomes wherewith they of set purpose polluted themselues 40 Wherewith God being most iustlie greeued did so burne foorth in anger against this people in the end that though he had chosen them vnto himselfe before he now abhorred them 41 He deliuered them into the hands of the Gentiles and laied them open to the lust and pleasure of their enimies 42 Wherefore they were after sundrie sorts vexed by them afterward and oppressed at their pleasure 43 Notwithstanding he did deliuer them againe ofter than once by the which benefits yet it was so farre off that they did recouer anie better mind that contrariwise they following their owne lusts ceased not to prouoke him to anger whilest that they being forsaken of him consumed in that their owne wickednes 44 And who would not here haue in admiration the infinite goodnes of God For lo though he had profited nothing with them so manie ages neither by benefits nor by chastisements yet heard he their cries in their distresse 45 And remembring his couenant and of his infinite mercie suddenlie changing his mind 46 He caused that euen they which had carried them into captiuitie should haue compassion vpon them 47 Go to then ô Lord our God finish the worke that thou hast begun and gather vs at the length home vnto thee foorth of the Gentiles that we may praise thy name and set foorth thy praises for euer 48 Let euerlasting glorie be vnto thee ô Lord God of Israël O al ye people agree vnto me and saie with one mouth Amen Praise ye the Lord. PSALME CVII The Argument This Psalme than the which nothing can be spoken more truelie nor more eloquentlie neither yet more diuinelie doth affirme the prouidence of God both general and particular to be most iust and also most merciful bringing foorth and most elegantlie describing most goodlie examples of those things which come to passe both by sea and by land that of necessitie we must grant their causes and effects wholie to be gouerned by God either against the wicked which denie God vtterlie or remoue him from the gouernement of the world as doe the Epicures or do thinke that he doth regard the things that he hath made onlie generalie as do the Peripatetians or doe bind him to second causes as doe the Stoikes as also against the superstitious persons confessing the truth in deed but attributing to their feined gods that which belongeth to the most mightie and merciful God alone Al the which lies being worthilie condemned the Prophet doth admonish the godlie and them that are trulie wise that they should learne rather to haue the works of God in admiration and to praise both his most excellent wisedome and moderation in them than to cal them into doubtful question and to dote with the wicked THE PARAPHRASIS 1 PRaise the Lord for his infinite goodnes and euerlasting mercie deserueth the same 2 O you the innumerable multitude whom God hath deliuered out of manifold dangers and forth of the hands of your enimies acknowledge this thing with me 3 For how manie hath he gathered from the beginning of the world which were scattered from the east and the west from the north and south Ocean sea 4 How manie wandering in the waste wildernes and seeking a citie commodious to dwel in 5 Halfe dead and killed with famine and thirst 6 Crieng vnto him in their extreame miseries hath he heard and being drawne foorth of their distresse 7 Hath he brought into the right waie and led them into commodious cities 8 Let these men therefore set foorth this his great mercie before the Lord himselfe and shew foorth his maruelous workes to other men 9 Who hath refreshed them panting for thirst and fed them so mercifullie being hungrie 10 How manie also being shut vp in darke prisons and euen as it were in the darkenes of death being chained in their mind with sorrowe and in their bodie most streightlie with iron fetters 11 And that worthilie because they did not obeie the commandements of God which are ingrauen in the minds of al men but rather folowed their owne lustes than the counsels of God 12 Notwithstanding when the Lord had tamed their fiercenes so and had brought them to this point that they could finde no helpe in anie 13 He heard them crieng vnto him in this their distresse and deliuered them from their miserie 14 And bringeth them from the dungeons of the prisons and darkenes of death breaking their fetters of iron 15 Praise ye therefore this so great mercie of the Lord before him and declare his wonderful actes to other mortal men 16 Who hath broken the brasen gates and hath broken in pieces their iron barres 17 What shal I speake furthermore of them who by their owne foolishnes going in the waie of wickednes and being oppressed by manifold diseases do suffer the reward of their madnes 18 And loathing al maner of meate are at deaths dore 19 Whome notwithstanding the Lord did heare crieng vnto him in this miserie and he deliuered them out of their distresse 20 And he speaking but one word did take
vnto this grace by an earnest abasing and casting downe of themselues with a true knowledging of sinne that they may obteine forgiuenesse in Christ apprehended by faith by feruent and continual praier Finalie that al this conflict shal turne in the end to the glorie of God and most great commoditie of the saints so that the other part of repentance which is the amendment of life do folowe and that we must desire to be deliuered from those euils to this end that we may be the instruments to set foorth the praise of God THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Lord rebuke me not in thine anger neither chastise me in thy wrath 2 Haue mercie vpon me ô Lord that am vtterlie without al strength heale me ô Lord for my verie bones are shaken 3 Yea and my soule is vtterlie amazed but thou ô Lord how long 4 Turne againe ô Lord and behold me deliuer my soule saue me of thy free mercie 5 For the dead can not remember thee neither can he set foorth thy praise in the graue 6 I am wearie with sighing my bed swimmeth euerie night washed with my teares 7 Sorowe doth consume my face I waxe wrinkled and old by reason of the miseries wherewith I am oppressed 8 Hence from mee al ye wicked for the Lord hath heard my lamentable crie 9 The Lord I saie bâ—â—h heard my praier the Lord hath receiued me his humble suppliant 10 Let al mine enimies bee ashamed and dismaied and flie awaie suddenlie confounded PSALME VII The Argument Whereas reprochful slaunders do most trouble men so that it is hard for them therein to bridle their anger and other euils that folowe especialie when we can find no comfort in the lawful defence of the magistrate we are taught in this Psalme to set the defence of God against men but so that we commit without al outrage of affections the defence of our innocencie vnto God alone the most seuere punisher of slaunderous tongues And the circumstances and causes of the writing of this Psalme are diligentlie to be considered whether it be referred to Saul or to Semei which historie is written 2. Sam. 16. or to anie other of Saules kinred that we may learne how that in the most greeuous slaunders and accusations wherein both our good name and our life also is dangered that we must yet keepe this moderation of mind and brideling of our affections And this doctrine doth chieflie apperteine to the whole Church and the gouernours thereof whome Sathan and his ministers do chieflie strike with these darts THE PARAPHRASIS 1 I Trust in thee ô Lord my God preserue me and deliuer me from al those that persecute me 2 Let him not deuoure me aliue like a Lion and teare me in peeces hauing none to deliuer me 3 O my Lord God if I haue committed this wickednesse if my hands haue committed anie such mischiefe 4 If I haue rendered euil to anie man yea if I haue not deliuered this same man from danger that doth persecute me without anie cause 5 Let the enimie pursue me vnto death let him take me and cast me downe and spoile me of my life and burie al mine honour and credit with me 6 Arise ô Lord in thine anger and come downe with thy power against al mine enimies awake ô Lord for my sake to execute that iudgement that thou hast appointed 7 Let the assemblie of people come about thee and turne thee vnto them from thine high throne 8 Lord execute iudgement among the people iudge me ô Lord euen as I am innocent giltles 9 Let the wickednes of the wicked I beseech thee come to an end and establish the iust For thou ô iust God doest search the hearts inward thoughts of man 10 My defence is in my God who defendeth the vpright in heart 11 God doth deliuer the iust and the same God is dailie angrie 12 So that vnlesse this wicked man repent God hath sharpened his sword he hath bent his bowe and made it readie 13 He hath also prepared his deadlie weapons and shooteth his arrowes against them that do so hotlie persecute me 14 Behold he traueleth with mischiefe he hath conceiued within himselfe to molest me but he shal bring foorth nothing 15 He hath digged a deepe pit but he shal fal into the pit that he hath digged 16 The euil that he hath deuised against me shal fal vpon his owne head and the hurt that he hath wrought against me shal fal vpon his owne pate 17 I wil praise the Lord as he iustlie deserueth and I wil sing praise to the name of the Lord most high PSALME VIII The Argument This Psalme is a thankesgiuing vnto God for two most excellent benefites bestowed vpon mankind that is for our creation in Adam and our restauration and redemption in Christ. And although that man by his owne fault did fal from that high dignitie wherein he was created yet there doe remaine certaine notes and markes of that dignitie and excellencie both in that he is the Lord ouer al the beastes and hath a certaine power of life and death ouer them and also in that singular prouidence wherewith God in mercie ordereth mankinde but that other state wherevnto the eternal sonne of God hath exalted mans nature being assumpted into the vnitie of his person al the infirmitie thereof laid aside that he might make al that beleeue partakers of his excellent glorie to whome onlie also he graunteth this that in this life they should haue the light of the true wisedome and that they may vse al the creatures of God in this world with safe conscience is the chiefe end of this Psalme as the holie Ghost doth interprete it Matth. 21 15. 1. Cor. 15 27 and Hebr. 2 8. THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Lord our God how excellent is thy name throughout al the earth aduancing thy glorie aboue the verie heauens 2 The verie mouths of infants sucklings confirme thy power so that al they that oppresse others or do rise vp against thee shal come to naught 3 For when I behelde those thy heauens the worke of thy fingers the Moone and the Starres so cunninglie set in order 4 O what is man saie I that thou art mindful of him that he being borne of mortal parents thou shouldest regard him 5 Thou hast made him little inferior to the Angels and hast crowned him with glorie and honor 6 Thou hast made him Lord ouer al the workes of thine hands thou causest al to serue him 7 Al sheepe cattel and the verie wilde beasts 8 The foules fleeing in the aire and the fishes swimming in the seas 9 O Lord our GOD how excellent is thy name throughout al the earth PSALME IX The Argument The Prophet doth teach the Church in this ix Psalme continualie to giue thankes for the benefites receiued at Gods handes which do testifie both his infinit power and singular fauor and by these examples both to comfort themselues in present miseries
ô Lord and I do seeke thy face 9 Turne not away ô Lord neither reiect thy seruant in thine anger thou wilt yet helpe me leaue me not neither forsake me ô my sauiour 10 Though I be destitute of al mans helpe yea euen forsaken of my verie parents yet thou ô Lord wilt succour me 11 Teach me the waie that I should walke and make plaine the path-way vnto me against whom so manie enimies do lie in wait 12 Giue me not vp to the lust of mine enimies for they are risen vp against me which are not ashamed to lie or to commit anie wickednes 13 Yet I trust that I shal be safe and comfortablie enioie the Lords benefites 14 Go to Dauid waite vpon the Lord with a couragious and constant heart waite vpon the Lord I saie PSALME XXVIII The Argument Dauid in this Psalme susteining the person not of a priuate man but of a publike euen of a king appointed by God himselfe praieth for himselfe and for Gods people with such confidence although he could not liue safelie no not as a priuate person in the kingdome of Saul that he giueth thankes for his petition graunted alreadie And he addeth certaine praiers vndoutedlie by the spirit of prophesie against al such as persecute the Church not by ignorance or sudden affection but of set purpose and obstinate malice Wherevnto appertaine those things that are written 1. Sam. 23.17 and 24.21 THE PARAPHRASIS 1 I Call vpon thee ô Lord my defence be not deafe at my crie for if thou keepe silence I shal differ nothing from them that die and are laied in the earth 2 Heare my praiers therefore whilest I may crie and regard me that stretch vp my hands to that thy most holie sanctuarie 3 Count not me ô Lord amongest these wicked men who reioice in wickednes who wil offer in words al duties of friendship and to be at commandement but in their hearts they haue most wicked deuises 4 Giue vnto them their worthie reward euen that which their wicked deedes deserue recompence them I saie according to their desert 5 For seeing they hinder the worke that thou hast determined to bring to passe both willinglie and wittinglie certainelie thou wilt destroie them ô Lord much lesse wilt thou increase them with thy blessings 6 I giue thankes therefore vnto the Lord which hath heard my praiers 7 The Lord is my strength and my shield this is he in whom my heart doth rest hauing experience of his support he for ful conclusion comforteth my heart him wil I praise 8 The Lord strengtheneth his seruants neither wil thine annointed trust to anie other 9 Deliuer thy people ô God and declare thy fauour towards them whom thou hast chosen peculiarlie to be thine feede them and extoll them vp for euer PSALME XXIX The Argument Whereas no men commonlie vse to be more proud and to shew themselues in the end despisers of the verie maiestie of God than they to whome God hath made others subiect to be gouerned by them so that they chalenge vnto themselues to be honoured as gods and suppose that they may do what they lust vnto others this Psalme teacheth Kings and Princes peculiarlie by the comparison of their power how great soeuer it be with that infinite power of GOD which doth vtter it selfe in the terrible thunders and other tempestes and their effects to remember rather how farre they are abased vnder his power and of whome and vpon what condition they haue receiued their authoritie rather than to be proud that they are aboue a few mortal men for a little season Againe seeing that the kings them-selues are oftentimes sotted and demented by the flatterie of the people he admonisheth them that be of God that they be content to obey their magistrates as Gods ministers yet that they learne to depend onlie of God and to wait for al good things from him THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Ye kings and al ye of power giue place vnto the Lord giue vnto the Lord I saie the honour of al glorie and power 2 Giue vnto the Lord the maiestie and glorie due vnto his name and fal downe and worship him in that his most beautiful temple 3 This is that Lord whose voice thundering foorth of the midst of the waters doth witnesse himselfe with such a lowd sounding voice to be the verie God of glorie euen by that voice I saie which breaketh foorth of the midst of the clouds driuen by tempests 4 The voice of the Lord is verie mightie the voice of the Lord is ful of maiestie 5 The voice of the Lord breaketh the most high Ceders of Libanus 6 And he plucketh them vp by the rootes and causeth them to skip like a wanton bullocke and he causeth those most mightie mountaines to tremble and to shake 7 The voice of the Lord doth cast foorth fire striken out of the verie clouds 8 The voice of the Lord doth shake the horrible wildernes and the high rockes of the Arabians 9 The voice of the Lord causeth the hindes to cast their calues and maketh the woods bare by casting downe their trees with terrible noise the godlie in the meane season praising him in his temple 10 By him commeth the horrible flouds of waters but â—o that he sitteth as gouernour ouer them for the Lord is King for euer 11 This is he that giueth power to his people euen the Lord that blesseth his people with continual benefites PSALME XXX The Argument Jt is verie probable that Dauid made this Psalme when Abshalom and Sheba were slaine and he returned into the citie as it is declared 2. Sam. 20. when he would purge his house and as it were consecrate it a new vnto God that was polluted by the incest of his sonne and other wickednes wherein there appeareth some ceremonie to haue bin vsed as appeareth by the historie of Nehemia in dedicating the walles of the citie and by dedicating the house Deut. 20 5. And he giueth great thankes therefore vnto God to whose onlie mercie he doth giue the praise of this his restoring to his kingdome so sudden euen done as it were in a moment And he doth also confesse that it came to passe by his owne foolish securitie that GOD did breake off the continuance of publike peace and other his benefites THE PARAPHRASIS 1 I Wil magnifie thee ô Lord my deliuerer which hast not suffered mine enimies to triumph ouer me 2 I haue cried vnto thee ô Lord my God and thou hast saued me that was readie to die 3 Thou hast deliuered me ô Lord from the verie graue and hast restored life vnto me who should else haue gone downe into the pit 4 Sing with me vnto the Lord al ye that are receiued to his mercie and celebrate his memorie with perpetual praise 5 For in one moment doth his anger end but his fauour endureth to the end of our life so that if we go to bed in the euening with sorowe in the
morning commeth some cause of reioicing 6 Howbeit I sleeping in securitie when I was in prosperitie did fullie thinke that no change could come vnto me 7 For thou ô Lord assuredlie hadst fortified my hil wonderfullie of thy singular goodnes but as soone as thou wast offended with my foolish securitie thou turnedst awaie thy face from me and I was suddenlie stricken and fel downe 8 Then I called againe vpon thee ô Lord and praied with these words 9 I beseech thee ô Lord if I be slaine and go downe into the graue what good wil come thereof can this my bodie made dust sing praise vnto thee or can it declare that thy constancie in performing of thy promises 10 O Lord heare me haue mercie vpon me ô Lord help me 11 And lo thou hast turned this my mourning into most ful ioie so that suddenlie casting awaie sackcloth I came foorth most ioifullie 12 Therefore this tongue shal neuer cease to sing thy praise but shal be wholie consecrate to set forth thy glorie ô Lord my God I wil praise thee I saie for euer PSALME XXXI The Argument Euen as there be diuers and sundrie circumstances of the calamities and afflictions whereby God doth trie and chasten his seruants so is it necessarie in the reading of the Psalmes in the which are conteined praiers framed and set downe by the holie Ghost to consider what is common to them al and what is peculiar and proper to euerie one that we may vse them aptlie to our commoditie This Psalme then was written by Dauid as it is manifest in respect of that time when he being a little before in great authoritie and dignitie and was next vnto king Saul in the kingdome was suddenlie brought into extreame miserie by the vniust hatered of the king and the enuie of certaine that stirred vp the kings rage against him by the which and such like sudden alterations an infinite number of men in other things verie constant being suddenlie stricken haue taken most vile counsels and fallen most shamefullie as it appeareth by histories But Dauid on the contrarie part confessing his double fault both that he did forget this mutabilitie and vnstablenes of the woâ—â—â— when he was in his prosperitie and that he did almost despaire when this sudden storme of aduersitie came vpon him doth praie vnto God so much the more earnestlie trusting vpon the promises which he had learned of Samuel and of his owne vpright conscience Furthermore he doth set before him those most excellent promises of God confirmed by most manifold and plaine examples whereby God doth shew himselfe then to haue most care for his seruants when things seeme in deede most desperate Finallie he giueth thankes vnto God that he may teach al the godlie by his example that such maner of praiers are heard whether it were that he was by his faith assured that it should so come to passe as he praied wherein he was nothing deceiued either that he did write this Psalme after his deliuerance THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THou art he ô Lord to whome I flie for refuge deliuer me I beseech thee from this horrible shame euen for that thy righteousnes whereby thou alwaies performest thy promises deliuer me 2 Heare me and make haste to deliuer me for in thee alone is al my safetie and al my defence is set in thee 3 Thou art my fort and most strong rocke of defence I saie leade me therefore and guide me through the middes of these stormie tempests not for my deseruing but for thine owne glorie sake 4 Graunt that I may escape foorth of the net that they haue laied priuilie for to take me for I trust onlie in thy power 5 I commend my soule into thy hands whome I haue alwaie to be my sauiour and mindful of thy promise 6 Thou also canst testifie againe for me that I haue hated the craftie persons and the liers and haue depended onlie vpon thee 7 Therefore do I fullie trust of thy goodnes that I shal fullie reioice therein that thou hast acknowledged and regarded me so miserable and brought into such extremitie 8 Neither hast thou suffered me to be inclosed and intrapped of mine enimies but rather hast brought me foorth into a large place at libertie 9 Therefore Lord haue mercie vpon me so cruellie vexed that not onlie my face and my bowels within me but my verie soule is consumed 10 For certainlie I can scarselie drawe my breath for sorowe I waxe old with mourning so that the verie bones being weakened al my strength faileth 11 For the multitude and the authoritie of mine enimies causeth me to be abhorred of al euen of my verie neighbours so that they that knowe me wel if I do meete them abroade they flie foorth of my sight 12 Finallie I am forgotten of al as though I were dead and I am counted more vile than anie broken earthen poâ—sheard 13 I do heare the reproches and railings that al they of power do cast out against me which make me wholie to tremble whiles they take such craftie counsels against me 14 Howbeit ô Lord I trust in thee for I haue thus concluded within my selfe that thou art my God 15 And surelie the tearme of my life it is not in their hands but in thine deliuer me therefore from the hands of mine enimies and from al that persecute me 16 Refresh me thy seruant with the brightnes of thy countenance for thy mercie sake deliuer me 17 Graunt I beseech thee ô Lord that I be not put to shame that cal vpon thee but rather that death may stop their mouthes 18 That they may cease to make lies which slander me being innocent so bitterlie proudlie and disdainefullie 19 O how manifold is that thy mercie whereof al haue had experience that feare thee whome no feare of man can driue from the true profession of thy glorious name 20 For thou hast secret places ynow wherein thou canst hide and secretlie keepe them safe from the proud bragges of the wicked farre away from the poisoned and cursed speakers and wilt preserue them in safetie in thy tabernacle 21 Therefore I praise thee ô Lord hauing experience of that thy maruellous goodnes whereby I was defended as with the most mightie walles of a strong citie 22 Yet I confesse that I being cast downe headlong with such a sudden tempest did vnaduisedlie thinke in my heart that I was vtterlie cast off from thee howbeit thou notwithstanding hast heard my praiers when I cried vnto thee 23 Wherefore al ye that feele this goodnes of the Lord being admonished by mine example loue the Lord more and more for he most constantlie preserueth them that loue him and most abundantlie rewardeth the proud doer according to his deedes 24 Be strong I saie and encourage your selues more and more whosoeuer haue setled your hope and confidence in the Lord. PSALME XXXII The Argument This most pretious Psalme doth teach the chiefe and principal article of the
in our dangers 2 Therefore we wil not feare at al though the earth be shaken from her foundations and the mountaines be carried into the middest of the sea 3 Though al the stormes of waters sound about vs with most horrible noise and mounting vp doe shake the verie mountaines 4 Yet the citie of God which the most high hath consecrated vnto himselfe for his habitation doth rest in the meane time safe and comforted with his most gentle and pleasant riuers 5 For seeing that God himselfe doth dwel in it how can it be subuerted nay as oft as neede is he wil wake earlie in the twi-light and wil helpe it 6 Behold the nations did rage on euerie side and the kingdomes had prepared battel euerie-where against vs but as soone as he thundered out his voice al their fiercenes although they filled the land with their multitude did fal downe their hearts melting for feare 7 For the Lord hauing farre other armies is on our side that God I saie of Iacob is our defence 8 Come hither I praie you if anie doubt of this matter or negligentlie regard these thinges and consider with me the workes of the Lord namelie what destruction and desolation is now come vpon those countries which did rage so mightilie against vs. 9 Behold how sudden these battels and tumults are ceased on euerie side behold how he hath broken the bowes and hath cut in sunder the speares and burnt al their chariots with fire 10 Heare the Lord himselfe finalie setting forth this example and thus calling vpon your enimies O ye mad men leaue off these things and learne at the least by these your miseries that I am GOD whom ye haue wounded by the sides of my people and whose name ye labour in vaine to abolish But it is so farre from your power to doe this that contrariwise I wil once dilate my glorie wide broad throughout the whole world 11 Finalie let vs conclude this fullie that the Lord being furnished with innumerable and most mightie armies standeth on our side and that that God of Iacob is a most sure defence vnto vs. PSALME XLVII The Argument The verie order of this Psalme chieflie the fift verse seemeth vnto me manifestlie to declare that this song was written by Dauid ful of most feruent zeale and sung of the sonnes of Corah in that pompe most ful of maiestie wherein he brought the Arke of the Lord at the length into the citie which was called after his owne name the which excellent storie is set downe 2. Sam. 6 1. Chro. 15. And this song of praise doth teach foure principal things 1 With how feruent zeale we are bound to seeke the glorie of God 2 How careful the princes chieflie ought to be to establish the publike holie ministerie and to amplifie it 3 What great difference there is betwixt the people chosen of God and other nations proceeding only of the mercie of God Last of al that other nations also in the end shal be partakers of this so great mercie Of these foure there is no part which doth not much more appertaine vnto vs than to the old people now when this prophesie is fulfilled at length and Christ him selfe is come vnto vs. THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Al ye people being gathered together clap your hands and praise God with most ioiful voices 2 For this is that Iehouah not closed vp in this Arke for he is higher than the verie heauens notwithstanding he setteth before our eies this testimonie of his presence and mercie this I saie is the King shewing himself terrible against his enimies this is the Lord of the whole earth 3 This is hee that wil bring into subiection the people that lie neare vnto vs ouer whome we shal haue authoritie 4 This is he that hath giuen vs that most excellent heritage by whose power we may worthilie glorie of our dignitie and honour and that by his singular benefite for none other cause but that it hath pleased him to receiue vs into his fauour 5 Behold God commeth vp to his holie mountaine with triumph the Lord commeth with sound of trumpets 6 Sing vnto God sing I saie sing praises to our King sing praises 7 For this is the greatest King by farre euen the Monarch of the whole world sing al you that can sing 8 Praise God I saie who is not onelie our King but the King of al people sitting vpon his holie throne 9 For the verie gouernours of the people shal submit themselues to the people of the God of Abraham for he is onelie the Lord of the whole world and the preseruer of the same farre higher than al powers beside PSALME XLVIII The Argument There is the same argument of this Psalme and of the 46. although it seeme to haue bene written long after in the daies of Josaphat as may appeare and is to be referred to the storie which is written 1. Chron. 20. there is added therfore the praise of the citie of Ierusalem which was a figure of the Church by the beautiful situation and by the strength of the wals and forts whereby yet the Prophet doth not saie that the safetie thereof doth stand but by God alone the Lord of the citie that we may vnderstand that the Church is preserued by the same onlie defence although so oft as it so pleaseth God it is not destitute of mans armour and defence THE PARAPHRASIS 1 DOubtles the Lord doth shew himselfe great and most worthie of al praise euery-where but this is seene chieflie in that his owne citie which knowledgeth him for their God and worshippeth him in his holie mountaine 2 For this is that mount Sion of most pleasant situation looking towards the north the ornament and ioie of the whole earth the citie of the great King 3 For there verelie God dwelleth as in his palace and there is he knowledged againe to be the onlie defence thereof 4 Neither neede we to fetch anie farre proofe of this most plaine thing for behold the kings associate together were about to set vpon it 5 The which so soone as they did behold being striken with the admiration of it fled awaie speedilie 6 For so wonderful terrour and so sudden came vpon them as the pangs of a woman that trauelleth with child 7 And as the most raging violence of the wind vseth to shake the ships sailing in the deepe seas 8 Therefore we our selues haue seene the woonders which we heard of our elders of old that were done by God to deliuer them done also in the citie of the most mightie Iehouah the citie I saie of our God the which being now defended of him he wil from hencefoorth also preserue for euer 9 Surelie ô God thou hast not disappointed vs calling for thy mercie in thy palace with ful confidence 10 And the fame of this thing whither soeuer it shal come shal stir vp al men euen to the vttermost coastes of the earth to set
the things that he hath iustlie gotten doe continue 4 That meeke merciful and iust God commandeth the light to arise vnto them that walke vprightlie in the midst of the darknes of calamities 5 A good man is also liberal he lendeth and gouerneth his things vprightlie and iustlie 6 Wherefore he shal neuer fai and his memorie shal be for euer 7 He shal be shaken with no slanders neither with anie euil tidings but setling his hope vpon the Lord shal constantlie confirme himselfe 8 By this meanes his heart being staied he wil couragiouslie wait whilest that he see his aduersaries suffer the iust reward of their wickednes 9 In what state soeuer he is he continueth to be liberal vnto the poore and remaineth iust wherefore he is increased dailie more and more with glorie and honour 10 The wicked seeing this his felicitie wil be greatlie greeued and wil gnash with their teeth but they shal consume awaie al their enterprises being brought to naught PSALME CXIII The Argument The Leuites which were appointed to sing do exhort themselues mutuallie in this Psalme to praise the loue of God towards man testified by manie benefits chieflie toward the miserable and poore such as were Ioseph Moses Dauid and Daniel vnto the which examples doubtles this Psalme hath respect like as that which treateth of the barren women verelie is to be referred to Sara Rebeccah Anna. But in the verie beginning streightwaies we are admonished that these praises are then onlie accepted when they proceed from the seruants of God and are giuen to that true God as he openeth himselfe in his word for this is meant by the name of Iehouah And seeing that the Leuitical priesthood is taken awaie and al we Christians are now consecrate to offer this sacrifice of praise before the throne of God it appeareth that this exhortation doth apperteine to al Christs Church THE PARAPHRASIS 1 PRaise ye praise ye I saie ô ye seruants of Iehouah the name of Iehouah 2 Let the blessed name of Iehouah be praised now and for euer 3 For most iust causes of praising and giuing vnto it al laud do declare themselues from the rising of the sun euerie-where vnto the setting of the same 4 The Lord doubtles hath a more high dominion than al the Gentiles and also he exalteth his glorie aboue the verie heauens 5 Is there anie like vnto the Lord our God which sitteth most gloriouslie in a most high place 6 And yet doth abase himselfe so lowe of his infinite goodnes that he beholdeth gouerneth both the things that are done in heauen and in earth 7 Wherefore this is he that raiseth vp the abiects and exalteth the miserable lieng in the dunghils 8 Whome he placeth among the princes among the princes I saie of his people 9 Finallie he causeth that they that were barren before and without comfort suddenlie being made mothers of manie children were filled with ioie Praise ye the Lord. PSALME CXIIII The Argument Jt probable that this elegant and excellent Psalme was sung especiallie in the feast of the passeouer which was appointed peculiarlie to celebrate the deliuerance out of Aegypt and the bringing in of them into the land of promise the which things seeing they were the figures of that true and euerlasting deliuerance by Christ from the most miserable bondage of Sathan sinne and death and of the bringing of vs into the verie heauen it iâ— plainlie perceiued how much more we than the old people are bound to celebrate so great mercie of God especiallie in our holie feast of thankesgiuing THE PARAPHRASIS 1 WHen Israël came out of Aegypt euen the posteritie of Iacob from that cruel people 2 The Lord did consecrate Iudah to himselfe and Israël for a people ouer whom he would chieflie rule 3 The sea did flie at his sight comming foorth of Aegypt least it should hinder his passage Iordan driuing her waters backward made it selfe passeable that he might come ouer 4 The verie mountaines the tops of the rocks as it were the hornes of rams beating together and the hils like lambes did leape 5 And wherefore ô sea diddest thou flie wherefore ô Iordan diddest thou driue back the waters 6 Wherefore ye mountaines like rams and why did ye hils like lambes so leape 7 Verelie it was meete that thou ô earth shouldâ— tremble at the sight of the Lord going before his people at the sight I saie of the God of Iacob 8 Who turned the rocke into pooles euen the head rocke into flowing waters PSALME CXV The Argument This Psalme doth containe an example of publike praiers conceiued with great boldnes for the preseruation of the Commonwealth against prophane nations though it is not euident what battel this was and to what times this Psalme is to be referred I do applie it to the historie of Iehosaphat 2. Chron. 20. or else suppose that it was indited for the Chuâ—ch generallie to some such vse Now besides manie excellent sentences it conteineth a notable comparison of the true God with the false and it teacheth furthermore verie plainlie that the last and chiefe end of our praiers ought to be not anie commodities of our owne but the onlie glorie of the true God THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THat we desire deliuerance out of this peril of thee ô Lord be it far from vs that we should aske it as due vnto anie righteousnes of ours neither that anie glorie or dignitie should arise thereof to vs but that rather thou shouldest prouide for thine owne name that is to saie that it may appeare plainlie thereby how liberal thou art in promising and how true in perfourming thy promises 2 For I beseech thee why doest thou suffer these men anie longer to aske in derision Where is their God 3 Our God ô cursed men of whome ye demand where he is is in the heauens indued with far greater maiestie than anie earthlie prince by whose power and also most free wil al things were created in the beginning and are euen now gouerned 4 But your idols if the matter be considered are gold and siluer and therefore dead things without al sense but if regard be had of the workmanship they are made by the hands of men 5 They haue a mouth and are dumbe what can they then answere you they haue eies and are blind what can they then see what is done here 6 They haue eares and are deafe wherefore then do ye powre out praiers vnto them they haue noses and smel nothing wherevnto then serueth the perfume and smel of sacrifices 7 They haue hands but touch nothing what can they then giue you they haue feet and can not go how then can they make haste to helpe you 8 And to speake al at one word what letteth it but that you your selues that worship them be as witlesse and senselesse as the verie stocks stones in whome ye trust 9 But thou Israël trust in the Lord the sure shield and defender of al them
Og the king of Basan and al the kingdoms of Canaan 12 Whose countries giuen to them before he deliuered to be possessed of Israël 13 Wherefore doubtles ô Lord thou hast gotten vnto thy selfe a name of perpetual praise neither shal the remembrance of thee be extinguished for euer 14 And thou wilt chieflie more and more set forth thy glorie in the preseruation of thy people and in thy louing kindnes that is so prone and readie to pardon thy seruants 15 But euen these most gorgious and pretious images which the senseles nations do worship are nothing else but gold siluer made by the workmanship of man in this or that forme 16 They haue a mouth and yet are dumbe they haue eies but they see nothing therewith 17 They haue eares but can not heare and haue a nose but wanting breath 18 And verelie in this point the workemen and worshippers of them differ nothing from them 19 But ye the stocke of Israël praise the Lord ye the familie of Aaron go before others in praising the Lord. 20 Ye Leuites praise the Lord as manie as professe his worship praise the Lord. 21 Let the euerlasting inhabitants of Ierusalem sound foorth the praises of the Lord out of Sion PSALME CXXXVI The Argument There is the same argument and the same vse of this most magnificent Psalme as of the other but the benefites of God both toward the whole mankind and especiallie bestowed vpon his Church are heere more plainelie set forth and euerie where there is a singular verse often repeated partlie that we should certainlie iudge these benefites onlie to come of the most liberal bountie of God partlie that we should iudge not onelie that al things generallie but also euen particularlie euerie thing is as a testimonie and pledge of Gods fauour and mercie to our saluation although this his liberalitie turne to the destruction of the wicked And it appeareth by 1. Chro. 7. that Dauid was the authour of this song the which was sung with most great solemnitie both in their high feasts and in their triumphant victories euer repeating this singular verse by course as also the historie of Iehosaphat doth declare 2. Chron. 20. THE PARAPHRASIS 1 PRaise the Lord for his great goodnes for his mercie endureth for euer 2 Praise the God of gods for his mercie endureth for euer 3 Praise the Lord of lords for his mercie endureth for euer 4 Who by his onlie power bringeth to passe maruelous things because his mercy endureth for euer 5 Who hath created the heauens by his infinite wisedome for his mercie endureth for euer 6 Who hath commanded the earth to stand vp aboue the bankes of the waters being appointed to susteine and giue nourishment to the beasts of the earth and the soules of the aire for his mercie endureth for euer 7 Who hath created those two great lights for his mercie endureth for euer 8 The Sunne to rule the daie for his mercie endureth for euer 9 The Moone and the Starres to rule in the night for his mercie endureth for euer 10 Who smote Aegypt slaieng their first borne for his mercie endureth for euer 11 And deliuered Israël from thence for his mercie endureth for euer 12 And that with a strong force and as it were by lifting vp his arme on high for his mercie endureth for euer 13 Who did part in sunder the Rushie sea which is called the red sea that it should lie open vnto the people passing to and fro by multitudes for his mercie endureth for euer 14 And led Israël through the middest thereof for his mercie endureth for euer 15 And drowned Pharao and al his armies in the same for his mercie endureth for euer 16 Who led his people by the waste wildernes for his mercie endureth for euer 17 Who stroke great kings with plagues for his mercie endureth for euer 18 Who slue mightie kings for his mercie endureth for euer 19 Sihon king of the Amorites for his mercie endureth for euer 20 And Og the king of Basan for his mercie endureth for euer 21 And gaue their dominion to be possessed by others for his mercie endureth for euer 22 Euen to be possessed by Israël his seruant for his mercie endureth for euer 23 Who when we were oppressed was mindful of vs for his mercie endureth for euer 24 And deliuered vs from our enimies for his mercie endureth for euer 25 Who giueth foode to al liuing creatures for his mercie endureth for euer 26 Praise ye God the Lord of heauen for his mercie endureth for euer PSALME CXXXVII The Argument The holie Ghost would haue this excellent Psalme to be extant which no doubt was made by the Leuites the fingers in the time of the captiuitie that he might teach vs verie notable things and necessarie to our comfort to wit that there is a time of silence vnder the crosse when the power of darkenes hath his time notwithstanding that we must retaine alwaies our constancie not onelie in faith but also in zeale least we betraie the truth with our silence or forsake our dutie for feare of men The dogs verelie are vnworthie to haue anie holie thing offered to them but this same thing is not to be dissembled that they are dogs when it standeth vpon the glorie of God and that the oppressors of the Church shal neuer carie awaie their wickednes vnpunished and chieflie they which do inflame the crueltie of the mightie men against the innocent THE PARAPHRASIS 1 WE being caried awaie vnto that prophane Babylon euen auoiding so much as laie in vs the sight of the wicked enimies did confesse with most doleful silence euen with aboundance of teares both our sinne and our sorowe at the floud of Euphrates being mindful of Sion 2 And though we caried our harpes euen to be our comfort in so great calamitie yet seeing that it seemed vnto vs that we should rather mourne than sing in that time and place we did hang them vpon the sallowe trees making no noise in the sight of the Babylonians 3 When they themselues which had drawne vs awaie into this most miserable captiuitie outrageouslie mocking our miserie did require of vs that we should delight them with our songs and take againe into our hands the harps that we had hanged vp speaking these words Come off sing vnto vs those tunes of your Sion 4 But we did not agree vnto them bearing most heauilie this their derision as breaking out into the reproch of the Lord himselfe For with what countenance or with what conscience could we abandon the holie praises of the Lord to be derided of those wicked enimies 5 But be it far awaie and God forbid ô Ierusalem that though we be far separate from thee we should forget thee but let rather euerie one of our right hands forget al plaieng of instruments 6 Let the tongue of euerie one of vs rather cleaue to the roofe of our mouthes than that it being vnmindful of thee
haue spoken in the former Psalme how that it is not expedient that the vse of this musicke should be reteined in the holie assemblies which was a portion of the Leuitical worship of the lawe and wherof this fruit at the length did arise in the daies of our fathers that the preaching of the word was changed into songs not vnderstanded of the singers themselues and at the length that graue and plaine singing of Psalmes which as I thinke hath alwaies bin in the Church hath bin turned into a vicious curiositie THE PARAPHRASIS 1 PRaise ye the most holie God which sitteth in that high sanctuarie praise him I saie that testifieth his infinite power and strength from that his most stable palace 2 Let the cause of his praise be vnto you that his great power declared in so manie maruelous workes 3 Let the trumpet sound out his praise let the viols and the harps sound out his glorie 4 Let the timbrels thunder him out let the fluites whistle vnto him let the virginals striken with the fingers and the organs blowne with the bellowes praise him together 5 Let the high sounding cimbals sing out his triumph let the cimbals I saie sound vnto him 6 Finallie whatsoeuer hath breath let it set forth the praise of GOD. FINIS A BRIEFE TABLE OF THE PRINCIPAL POINTS OF EVERIE PSALME WHEREBY Euerie man may meditate in them as his mind is most affected 1 Psalme Who are blessed who are miserable 2 A prophesie of the kingdome of Christ 3 A comfort in great troubles by the mercie of God 4 He reproueth his aduersaries and staieth himselfe vpon the louing kindnes of God not vpon worldlie commodities 5 God our God and our King wil punish the wicked for his owne glorie 6 A conflict of the conscience with sinne and comfort in the end 7 We must set the defence of God against reprochful slanders 8 A thankesgiuing to God for our creation and redemption in Christ 9 A thankesgiuing for benefites receiued and comfort against imminent miseries 10 Al the enterprises of the giants and tyrants against the Church shal come to naught for the Lord wil heare the poore 11 The Lord trieth the good men and destroieth the wicked 12 Cal vpon God when al things seeme desperate and past al hope 13 The more desperate that things appeare more earnestlie must we praie 14 The corruption of the natural man chieflie vttering it selfe against the Church 15 Who shal be the inhabitants of the heauens 16 An exercise of the faithful soule 17 A complaint of the pride and crueltie of the enimies 18 Gods maruelous power in deliuering his 19 A briefe sum of al godlie knowledge with a praier for the atteining thervnto 20 The people praie for their king 21 A thankesgiuing for a victorie wherof al the praise is giuen to God 22 Of Christs agonie greuous sorowe which he suffered ouercame for vs. 23 The Lord is my shepeheard I can not want 24 God is the Lord of al but chieflie of his Church in the which we must pray that God may reigne and set forth his glorie 25 A praier for faith forgiuenes of sin direction of the holie spirit and for Gods merciful protection 26 A meditation for them that liue amongst the wicked 27 28 To the same purpose 29 A necessarie meditation of the maiestie of God 30 A thankesgiuing for deliuerance from some great danger 31 A praier in great danger 32 The blessednes of man is in the forgiuenes of sinne 33 Praise God with a pure heart 34 A thankesgiuing and other necessarie doctrine 35 Against the flatterers of the wicked and false accusers of the godlie 36 The wickednes of men the prouidence of God and his mercie 37 To the same purpose most excellentlie 38 Sin is the cause of our miseries yet put awaie by faith although temporal punishments do folowe for our amendment 39 A meditation of the shortnes of mans life and his miseries 40 Manie godlie lessons 41 A comfort of the miserable against traitors 42 An earnest desire to be in the assemblie of the Church 43 A praier for the deliuerance from the enimies to praise God 44 An earnest praier for helpe in present miseries by the consideration of former mercies 45 The mariage song of Salomon 46 A thankesgiuing for some great deliuerance of the Church 47 An ernest exhortation to praise God 48 God is chieflie to be praised for the defence of his Church 49 Outward felicitie worldlie honor is nothing 50 The worship of God is spiritual and the outward ceremonial hypocrisie is detestable 51 A most earnest praier for the forgiuenes of sinnes 52 53 The crooked nature crueltie and punishment of the wicked with comfort to the godlie in the end of them both 54 The saints being in great dangers powre forth their praier and doubt nothing of their deliuerance 55 56 57 Against traiterous enimies with hope of deliuerance 58 Against wicked iudges he appealeth to Gods iudgement 59 Against his cruel aduersaries with comfort in the end 60 Though the Church be afflicted yet shal it be comforted againe 61 A zealous praier with great faith and confidence 62 By the example of Dauid we may confirme our faith in troubles 63 To the same purpose we must onelie looke vnto God in troubles 64 Against the wicked with the godlie 65 66 A praise thanksgiuing vnto God for the preseruation of the Church 67 A praier for spiritual and temporal blessings 68 The great mercie of God toward his people 69 The complaint and anguish of Dauid as a figure of Christ 70 For the deliuerance of the Church or anie particular member 71 For comfort constancie in the old age when feigned friends doe faile 72 A praier conteining the sum of godlie gouernement 73 God is alwaies fauorable to the godlie euen in their miserie but the vngodlie shal perish 74 A feruent praier against the spoilers of the Church 75 God is the author of al iust policie the dutie of magistrates 76 God is knowne by preseruing his Church and destruction of the enimie 77 Comfortable considerations in the trouble of conscience 78 The maruelous works of God both in trieng and preseruing his Church and punishing of his enimies 79 Against the oppressers of the Church who fight against God 80 A lamentation for the oppression of the Church 81 An exhortation to praise God for his benefits and a reproch of their ingratitude 82 A necessarie admonition to al that are in authoritie 83 A praier against the enimies of the Church 84 The great zeale of Dauid to be in the holie assemblies 85 In the midst of miserie we must hope for mercie 86 A feruent praier for deliuerance forth of miserie that the name of God may be glorified 87 That the Church after the captiuitie should be restored to such glorie that euerie man should count himselfe happie that is accepted as a member thereof 88 A most doleful lamentation 89 Another
he saie haue annointed this my King to reigne vpon my holie mount Sion 7 And the King shal saie againe I wil declare what the Lord hath decreed of me when he thus spake Thou art my sonne indeede this daie haue I begotten thee 8 Aske of me and I wil giue thee the heathen for thine inheritance and the ends of the earth for thy possession 9 Thou shalt breake them with an iron scepter and crush them into peeces like potsheards 10 Now therefore be wise ô ye Kings be learned ô ye Iudges of the earth 11 Worship the Lord and do him reuerence and reioice in him with feare and trembling 12 Worship this his sonne least he be angrie and ye suddenlie perish euen when his wrath shal flame foorth ô then shal they be blessed that trust in him PSALME III. The Argument This third Psalme was made by Dauid when by the sudden conspiracie of his sonne Absalom being driuen foorth of his citie and kingdome he seemeth vtterlie vndone and he teacheth by his example that euen then when God doth punish our sinnes yet we must cal vpon him with earnestnes and faithful confidence euen in our most extreame daungers resting partlie vpon his power partlie vpō his loue declared vnto vs in the Gospel THE PARAPHRASIS 1 HOW manie do vexe and trouble mee ô Lord how manie do rise vp against me 2 How manie do saie of me His God can not helpe him 3 But thou Lord art my shield on euerie side my glorie and the lifter vp of my head 4 I called vpon the Lord and he heard me out of his holie hil 5 I lie downe therefore and take my rest and awake againe for the Lord defendeth me 6 Though manie thousands be assembled and compasse me round about I wil not be afraid 7 Come foorth ô Lord saue me ô God doubtles thou hast smitten al mine enimies vpō their iawes and hast broken their teeth 8 It is the Lord that deliuereth his people and this is now thy people that feeleth thy blessing and mercie PSALME IIII. The Argument This Psalme doth teach the whole Church euerie member of the same that when the wicked do rage we ought not onlie not to despaire or be discouraged but rather boldlie to reproue our aduersaries resting vpon the power of God whereof we haue had so oft experience and trusting to the goodnes of our cause and chieflie to the most assured promises of the life to come vpon the which we must alwaies haue our eies bent and neuer depend vpon the transitorie commodities of this world THE PARAPHRASIS 1 ANswere me when I crie and cal ô Lord the iudge of mine innocencie O thou that hast brought mee so oft out of distresse haue mercie vpon me and heare my praiers 2 O ye sonnes of men how long wil you labour to distaine mine honour reioicing in vanitie and take counsel of things that shal neuer come to effect 3 For be ye sure that it hath pleased God to exalt me aboue others and to embrace me with his special grace and fauour The Lord wil heare me when that I cal vpon him 4 Tremble ye therefore and sinne no more ponder these things in your minds and meditate the same with your selues in your beds 5 And worship the Lord with due worship and trust in the Lord. 6 Manie do saie How shal we growe vnto wealth and riches But we desire ô Lord that the light of thy countenance may shine vnto vs. 7 For far greater is this inward ioie which thou giuest vnto me than is theirs when their vintage and haruest are most plentious 8 I wil therefore quietlie lie downe and take my rest for thou onlie ô Lord doest keepe me in saftie PSALME V. The Argument This Psalme is also a praier and teacheth these rules of praier when anie is vniustlie afflicted That is to saie that we must praie earnestlie and set this against al doubt of Gods good wil towards vs or of his power that he is our God and our King and our impatience is to be bridled with this consideration that the nature of God can not suffer the wicked vnpunished wherefore the more cruel that the enimies appeare the more neare and more certaine is their destruction Finallie that we ought not herein to consider the punishment of our enimies neither our owne commodities but onelie the glorie of God in our praiers as he for this cause wil not faile to blesse vs. THE PARAPHRASIS 1 HEare what I saie ô Lord vnderstand mine inward meditation 2 Giue care vnto my crie my King and my God for thou art he to whome I doe present my praiers 3 Heare my voice earelie in the morning for dailie in the morning wil I prepare my selfe to praie vnto thee and as out of a watch tower wait for thee 4 For thou art not he ô GOD which delightest in wickednes neither wilt thou alow anie wicked person 5 The proud shal not stand in thy presence thou hatest al them that are giuen to wickednes 6 Thou destroiest al liers and abhorrest ô Lord al the cruel and deceitful persons 7 Wherefore I trusting in the greatnes of thy goodnes wil enter into thy palace and I wil worship thee in thy holie place with feare 8 Therefore thou ô merciful deliuerer of al thine rid me that am oppressed from mine enimies and make streight the waie wherein I may walke safelie before thee 9 For none of them doth speake anie thing sincerelie and vprightlie they haue a thousand fetches in their hearts to doe hurt their throte is like an open sepulchre their tongue with faire words doth onlie flatter 10 Condemne them ô Lord and cause them to faile of their purposes cast them downe for the multitude of their wickednes and their rebellion against thee 11 Then shal they al reioice that flie vnto thee for succour and in that thou doest defend them they shal triumph for euer and al that feare thy name shal praise thee with ioie 12 Because thou hast shewed thy fauour to the innocent ô Lord and hast defended him with the shield of thy mercie PSALME VI. The Argument This Psalme conteineth a praier of a diuers argument from the former For before was described the conflict of the godlie vexed vniustlie by men onlie but here is an example set foorth of a man so sore oppressed of his enimies that he wresteleth principallie with sinne and death and with the verie sense and feeling of Gods wrath the which battel is far the greatest and most dangerous And these things are chieflie to be noted in this Psalme that the fruit of sinne is most bitter wounding most greeuouslie both soule and bodie and that the remnants of sinne doe stil remaine in the verie saints for the which God doth chastise them sometimes most seuerelie and that there is no remedie left but this onlie against this incurable wound that is the free mercie of God in Christ and that the saints are brought
Lord and they shal testifie vnto their posteritie that shal be borne after them that he onelie is the authour of this maruellous worke PSALME XXIII The Argument Dauid of a shepeheard being made a most mightie king contrarie to the errour of the Epicures which do dreame that al that they haue commâ—th vnto thâ—m either by fortune or by thâ—ir owne industrie and so abuse al the good things that they haue vnto al filthines doth attribute al those things to the liberalitie of God alone vsing two similitudes one of a shepeheard that prouideth for his flocke with great carefulnes the which similitude is most apt for Dauid being once a shepeheard and it also admonisheth the kings that they ought to be the shepeheards and feeders of the people The other similitude is taken from them that keepe good hospitalitie which most liberallie receiue those trauelers that come vnto them the which thing also doth admonish vs of our state and sheweth how al things are sanctified vnto vs by the word of God and thankesgiuing whatsoeuer the Lord ministreth vnto vs for the vse of this life Last of al it teacheth vs that we ought to rise from those transitorie benefites to those euerlasting and heauenlie blessings seeing that godlines hath the promises both of this present life and of the life to come THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THE Lord is my shepeheard I neede not to feare anie famine 2 He lodgeth me in greene pastures and leadeth me to the pleasant riuers of waters 3 He restoreth me to life being ouertyred and doeth leade me in a plaine and pleasant waie deseruing thereby euerlasting praise for his mercie 4 Therefore though I should go by most darke and dreadful vallies of death I wil feare none euil trusting vpon the rod and shepeheards hooke of my shepeheard 5 Thou in the verie sight of mine enimies doest prepare a deintie table for me thou doest annoint my head with oile and giuest me a ful cup. 6 And surelie thy goodnes and mercie shal followe me to cause me to dwel in thy house al the daies of my life PSALME XXIIII The Argument This most sweete Psalme doth teach vs that as God is the creator of al things so is he the Lord of al howbeit that he hath chosen vnto himselfe out of the multitude of men some certaine persons whome onlie he accounteth for his subiects and whome alone he hath appointed to euerlasting blisse Furthermore he declareth who these are and by what workes the true members of the Church may be knowne that we may vnderstand that they are not al of the Church who are outwardlie conuersant in the Church But because there was but one certaine nation as yet comprehended vnder the couenant the Israëlites I meane and there was but one place certaine in the which the Church was bound to assemble that holie mountaine I meane in the which the Temple was then to be builded therefore doth Dauid chieflie make mention hereof and doth treate by the spirit of prophesie of the magnificent building of the Temple Yet doeth he exhort the people that they should not onlie regard the outward building and the outward rites and sacrifices but that they should chieflie giue their hearts vnto him that promised to dwel in the Temple And this same doctrine doth euen now at this daie declare the true vse of the sacraments and doth much more appertaine vnto vs vnto whome the truth is plainelie reuealed al the shadowes of the lawe being abolished than it did to the old fathers THE PARAPHRASIS 1 GOD is the Lord of the earth and of al things therin conteined euen of the whole world I saie and of al that dwel therein 2 For it is he that built the earth vpon the sea placed it to appeare aboue the flouds as we see 3 Howbeit he hath chosen vnto himselfe a certaine mountaine into the which loe who shal ascend and who shal stand in that place consecrate vnto him 4 Euen he whose hands are not polluted with wickednes that is of a pure heart which gapeth not for vaine things neither sweareth deceitfullie 5 Such a man shal receiue blessings of the Lord abundantlie and in the end shal find him a sauiour as he that can not lie hath promised 6 And this is thy true seede ô Iakob euen the generation of men that seeke God and present themselues before thee ô Lord. 7 O ye gates lift vp your postes mount vp I saie ye eternal gates that the King of glorie may enter 8 Who is this glorious king That same Lord strong and valiant that mightie warriour 9 Lift vp your head postes ô ye gates mount vp I saie you gates that this King of glorie may enter 10 Who is this glorious King The Lord of hoastes he is this King of glorie PSALME XXV The Argument This Psalme teacheth a forme of praier dailie to be vsed of the whole Church and of euerie one of the saintes of God wherein three things are requested euen by faith regarding the promises alreadie made vnto vs and confirming it selfe by the experience of former benefites The first is the free forgiuenesse of sinne The second that we may be gouerned by the holie Ghost in the whole course of our life that remaineth The third a defence from the iniuries of our enimies the which three do answere to the petitions of the Lords praier wherein we require to haue our sinnes forgiuen and that we be not led into temptation and to be deliuered from euil THE PARAPHRASIS 1 VNTO thee ô Lord I lift vp my whole heart 2 O my God my hope is onlie fixed in thee let me not be repulsed I beseech thee and put to shame and so be derided of mine enimies 3 And surelie thou wilt not suffer them that depend vpon thee to be put to shame but rather must these faithles persons that persecute the innocent be brought to shame 4 Graunt ô Lord that I may vnderstand in these so great perplexities and extremities what way thou appointest thine to walke and teach me thy pathes 5 Guide my steps in thy truth and teach me continualie for thou art he ô my God of whom I do looke faithfullie for my deliuerance 6 Be mindful ô Lord of thy mercies which thou hast shewed so oft to thy seruants and of thy manifold goodnes which thou hast declared in al ages 7 Contrariwise ô Lord forget al the follie of my youth and al my trespasses and remember me ô Lord of thy sinâ—ular mercie and goodnes 8 And why should not I thus hope seeing the Lord is merciful and true in his promises therfore doth he cal againe into the way the sinners that go astraie 9 He also after they be humbled made meete to learne doth teach them gentlie and meekelie and declareth how louinglie he vseth to gouerne his 10 Which waie so euer the Lord doth leade his his mercie appeareth as also how constantlie he keepeth his promise to them that keepe
they not being thus contented with the destruction of thy temple when they had thus determined to spoile al things at once that there should be no monument of vs at al remaining they burnt vp al the other buildings that we anie where had built for the hearing of thy precepts and to set forth thy praises 9 At the least ô Lord we should now see some of those our old and accustomed signes and wee should haue some one prophet who might comfort vs and might signifie vnto vs what end would be to these calamities 10 But how long ô God shal these enimies raile against thee shal this enimie neuer cease to reproch thy holie name 11 And wilt thou for euer hold in thy right hand whereby onelie we can be deliuered wilt thou turne it awaie from vs and neuer drawe it out of thy bosome 12 But thou art he who hast taken in hand to gouerne me so manie yeares ago and hast saued me so oft al they beholding and fighting against me 13 Thou by thy power hast made the sea passable for our sake and hast broken the heads of the mightie men of Aegypt being like dragons within the waters 14 Thou hast broken the head of that huge and cruel whale and thou hast giuen their carcases to be deuoured by the beastes of that wildernes 15 Thou euen contrarie to the course of nature breaking the huge rocke didst bring forth a riuer out of the veines of the flint stones and contrariwise thou diddest drie vp suddenlie the deepe chanel of that most raging riuer 16 Thou art the Authour and Ruler both of daie and night which hast set in order the certaine and vnchangeable motions of the light and of the Sunne 17 Thou hast diuided the whole compas of the earth into their borders thou hast appointed the course of summer and winter 18 And how much more easilie canst thou restore thy people if thou please in what desperate case soeuer they be onelie therefore be mindful of that thy couenant yea though thou couldst forget thy people yet doubtles thou canst not forget thine owne selfe And what reproches hath not this enimie cast foorth against thee ô Lord and what railings haue not this mad people vsed against thee 19 Ah! do not forsake nor giue vp this thy most deare turtle doue counted to be forsaken mourning vnto thee vnto these most cruel beastes neither commit the congregation of thy miserable people to perpetual obliuion 20 Remember rather thy couenant ô Lord for the whole land is now nothing else but a den of theeues and robbers 21 Let not the praiers we beseech thee of thine being so sore beaten and vexed with so manie reproches be vaine and frustrate but rather giue occasion to them that are oppressed and destitute of al succour to praise thee 22 Arise ô Lord and pleade thine owne cause and do not forget the reproches of these outragious men which they dailie cast out against thee 23 Forget not I saie the outcries of thine aduersaries but declare in deede that the brute of their tumult is come vp vnto thee PSALME LXXV The Argument Whether this Psalme were written by Asaph in the name of Dauid or it were written by Dauid himselfe and after deliuered to Asaph the singer and chanter it doth wholie agree vnto those times when Dauid reigned in the citie of Hebron when he was readie to receiue the kingdome of the whole nation by the common consent of al the tribes and it conteineth three principal points to wit that God is the Author and gouernour of al iust policie againe that these be the two principal duties of the magistrates euen to be a terror to those that be euil and to cherish them that be good finallie that this is the chiefe and final end of al namelie that glorie be giuen vnto God THE PARAPHRASIS 1 WE praise thee we praise thee ô God and that most worthilie whose power we do feele present and shal find hereafter and so shal we againe set forth thy wonderful benefites 2 And I wil surelie care for nothing so much when I shal haue the people by thy goodnes committed vnto me as to institute an holie and righteous gouernement 3 For as the case now standeth al the bonds of lawes being broken the whole kingdome is disordered but I wil againe establish the pillers thereof which are remoued foorth of their places 4 I wil bridle the proud and dissolute persons I wil terrifie the wicked that they shal not lift their hornes so high with these words 5 O ye mad men do not henceforth exalt your selues neither answere you so stoutlie and proudlie as ye are wont 6 For as ye may wel perceiue which way soeuer a man doth turne him it is not in his power to mount to higher dignitie 7 But it belongeth to God alone the most iust gouernour of al things and it is in his power and authoritie to cast off whome he wil and to exalt whome he pleaseth 8 Wherefore thou doest not resist me but God himselfe And the Lord doth carrie in his hand a cup ful of troubled wine and ful of dregs the which he wil giue to al the wicked to sucke vp and to drinke to the verie dregs 9 Thus then I diligentlie praising the God of Iacob and singing vnto him continuallie wil cut off the hornes of the wicked but I wil increase the iust with honours PSALME LXXVI The Argument J do take it to haue the same Argument and the same occasion to be of the writing of this Psalme as of the 46. and this is most notable in them both that he distinguisheth plainelie that knowledge of God whereby the Gentiles are rather conuinced than taught and conuerted from that wisedome which Christ saith that it can not be perceiued of flesh and bloud which is onlie peculiar to the Church of God and whereby onelie the true Catholike Church may and ought to be knowne and distinguished from the residue of mankinde and especiallie from the false and fained apostatical Church which onelie delighteth in ignorance THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THAT true God of Israël is onelie knowne in Iudëa who he is and he doth there onlie declare himselfe in deede how great and what maner of one he is 2 And though he fil both the heauen and the earth yet doth he not dwel euerie-where but in Salem as his tabernacle witnesseth which is placed in Sion 3 And experience it selfe doth declare this to be a most manifest testimonie of his presence seeing it is he who hath there broken in peeces the bowes and arrowes the shields the speares and al the instruments of war of the enimies of his people at once 4 Thus then hath he set foorth his owne glorie and he hath declared himselfe to be more mightie than al those spoilers people or kings how proud soeuer 5 For they how fierce or famous so euer they were are bereaued of their weapons and spoiles neither were they able
by thy power and hast stilled the most deepe surges thereof that there might be a passage to thy people 10 And by the same thy mightie arme thou hast cast downe Aegypt euen thine enimies wounded to death 11 And how can it be but thou art able to doe it vnto whome the heauen and the earth as to their onlie Creator are subiect 12 And which hast defended with a certaine special power the land which thou hast chosen and giuen vnto thine For thou certainlie hast appointed the north and south borders thereof and hast set Tabor at the west and Hermon at the east 13 Wherefore seeing thou hast a power neither weake nor idle surelie thou wilt declare thy strength and wilt lift vp thy right hand 14 Finallie thou wilt declare thy selfe in deede to be the King whose throne that most moderate equitie whereby thou gouernest thine assemblie and that seueritie of iudgement whereby thou punishest thine enimies and the enimies of thy people doe hold vp as it were two pillers vnto whome also sitting vpon this throne mercie and truth are seene to stand before him 15 O blessed is the people who being stirred vp with the sound of thy trumpets ô Lord doth go foorth the light of thy countenance shewing them the waie 16 And praising thee dailie and trusting of thy iustice doth reioice 17 For thou art both the honour and also the strength both of them and vs and we lift vp our head trusting vpon thy most merciful goodnes 18 For our defender our king I saie vpon whom we set our eies who is ordeiâ—ed ouer vs by thee ô Lord which hast consecrated and separated thine Israël forth of al people vnto thee is stablished by thy power 19 For thou at what time it pleased thee to bestowe this so great benefite vpon vs didst appeare vnto men whome thou louedst most dearelie and didst speake vnto them in these words I haue raised vp this most valiant man chosen out of the whole people by whose power my people may be defended 20 Dauid I saiâ— hath it pleased me to take onlie out of al the rest whose endeuour I would vse in that busines and therefore haue I consecrated him with my holie oile to be the king 21 Therefore my hand shal establish him with mine arme I saie wil I strengthen him 22 No enimie shal ouercome him by subtiltie neither shal anie wicked man oppresse him by force 23 For I wil destroie al that would oppresse him before his face and I wil staie al his enimies 24 My mercie shal neuer faile him my truth shal neuer forsake him and he trusting to my fauour shal lift vp his head most high 25 I wil cause him to haue one hand vpon the sea and another vpon the flouds 26 And he shal name me his father his God and his safe tower 27 And I wil place him againe as my first begotten sonne in the whole familie of the kings of the whole world euen in a throne most high aboue others 28 I wil defend him with euerlasting mercie and my couenant made with him shal be stable for euer 29 I wil cause that his generation shal be eternal and his throne as stable and euerlasting as heauen it selfe 30 For though his posteritie shal saile from my lawe neither order themselues by the rules of the lawe prescribed vnto them 31 But violate the ordinances that I haue appointed and keepe not my commandements 32 I wil then take the rod and correct their faults and punish their wickednes 33 But I wil not suffer them to be without al sense of my mercie neither wil I therefore breake my promise 34 Nor wil violate my couenant or wil change anie thing of those things that I haue spoken 35 For I the holie one haue once sworne by mine owne selfe If I lie at anie time vnto Dauid 36 His generation shal stand for euer and his throne shal be as the sunne before me 37 And it shal continue euen as the moone in al ages they both being faithful witnesses of this my promise in the heauens 38 Thou hast euen promised these things of old ô Lord how shal I now saie then that it is come to passe that thou being angrie hast refused and cast awaie this thy king 39 Wherefore I praie thee hast thou abrogated thy league made with thy seruant wherefore hast thou laid open to the reproch of al men his crowne cast vpon the ground 40 Al his forts being ouerthrowne and al his fortresses destroied 41 Thou hast laid him open to be spoiled by al that passe by at their pleasure and to be derided of al his neighbours about him 42 Thou hast ministred power and cause of ioie to al his aduersaries 43 Thou hast made blunt the edge of his sword thou hast taken awaie al courage from him that he is not able to stand against the force of his enimie 44 And thou hast blotted out al his honour and hast cast downe his throne euen vnto the ground 45 In the verie flower of his youth thou hast cut off his strength hast couered him with al shame 46 Oh Lord wilt thou withdraw thy selfe from vs for euer shal thine anger thus like a most raging flame breake foorth against vs 47 Remember how short the space of mans life is although it should be the whole time continued And shal we thinke that thou hast made men for no purpose but to take them awaie suddenlie 48 What neede anie violence I praie you to destroie vs seeing there is no man who doth not perish of his owne selfe and no man is able to exempt him selfe from the graue 49 Where are now those thine old benefits ô Lord which thou hast sworne vnto Dauid that they should remaine for euer 50 But to what purpose do I make these complaints Thou knowest most certainelie the purpose of thy counsels and be it far from me that I should doubt of thy fidelitie Onlie I beseech thee ô Lord consider with thy selfe how thy seruants are rebuked especiallie how manie reproches so manie people do vomit into my bosome 51 Euen what these thine enimies rather than ours haue reprochfullie laide vnto thy charge ô Lord and with what ieasting taunts they aunswere those things which are rehearsed by vs of the king and kingdome that thou hast established 52 Howbeit ô Lord howsoeuer these men dote and which waie soeuer thou leadest vs to and fro al land and euerlasting glorie apperteineth vnto thee And so vndoubtedlie without al faile wil it come to passe PSALME XC The Argument Moses doth here preach of the miseries of mankind speciallie of death wherof the Philosophers do teach manie things but falselie and foolishlie For they vnderstoode nothing of the creation of man nor of his fal much lesse of the true comforts against al the miseries of this life Hereof did these wicked voices arise that It was the best either not to be borne at al or to die
Psalme and other foure that followe haue neither the name of the writer nor the occasion of the writing set before them in Hebrue but they seeme altogether to be written by Dauid which thing is noted in the Greeke and that at the same time when he brought in the Arke of the Lord into his citie as it is written 1. Chron. 15. whereof we did speake vpon the Psalme 47. either verelie when he dâ—clared the building of the temple of the Lord a little before the death of Salomon which historie is written 1. Chron. 29. and it doth conteine the doctrine of the true vse of the temple of al the holie rites wherewith both Messiah himsâ—lfe and al his office was shadowed Therefore notable and plaine prophesies are adioined of his comming and of that spreading of his spiritual kingdome throughout the whole world so that Christ did not vnworthilie admonish the senselesse Jewes with these words Search the scriptures for they beare witnes of me THE PARAPHRASIS 1 SIng vnto the Lord a new song sing vnto the Lord al ye inhabitants of the earth 2 Sing I saie vnto the Lord giue him thanks shew foorth without ceasing the saluation that he hath wrought 3 Rehearse vnto the Gentiles and to al people his excellent and maruellous works 4 For the Lord alone is great and no praise is sufficient for him and he is to be feared worthilie but not those false and feigned gods 5 For they verelie are vaine though the people do worship them so deuoutlie but the Lord hath created the verie heauens 6 Maiestie and honour doe go befoâ—e him shining foorth in his works and it is declared in his sanctuarie both how great his power and glorie is 7 Giue therefore vnto the Lord al ye people assembled together giue I saie vnto the Lord the praise of power and glorie 8 Giue honour vnto the Lord due vnto his name and take an oblation and enter into the courts consecrated vnto him 9 Worship the Lord sitting in that his renowmed sanctuarie al ye inhabitants of the earth reuerence his Maiestie 10 Proclame on euerie side ô ye criers Now is the Lord come to reigne ouer the whole earth now verelie the world shal be established now shal the people be gouerned with a iust and righteous gouernement 11 Let the heauens be glad and the earth reioice and the roring sea how wide soeuer it lieth testifie her ioie 12 Let the fields leape for ioie and whatsoeuer is in the fields finallie let al the trees of the wood now reioice 13 Before the Lord for lo he commeth he commeth to gouerne the earth to gouerne the world I saie and al the people with the scepter of his iustice and truth PSALME XCVII The Argument Jt falleth out in the Psalmes as in a doubtful feast that thou canst not easilie iudge which to prefer before another This Psalme verely is most worthie for al the godlie to meditate most diligentlie as a most diuine briefe summe of al the mysterie of the Gospel and these are the chiefe places thereof First the diuinitie of Christ by the repeating of the name Iehouah sixe times and by attributing al glorie and power vnto him verse 2 5 6 9 10. finallie by worshipping of the verie Angels verse 7. it is most manifestlie confirmed as the Apostle doth interpret it Heb. 1 6. Secondlie his humanitie as the same Apostle doth interpret it which thing is also prooued hereby that here it is treated of that kingdome as it were first then to be begun verse 1 2 6 9. wherby it is plaine that it cannot be referred onelie to his godhead but that it apperteineth necessarilie vnto the King that should be borne of the stocke of Dauid which should so be God that he should also be man and so also man that he should be verie God Thirdlie a plaine prophesie of the spreading of the spiritual kingdome throughout the whole world verse 1 5 6. wherevnto Christ himselfe had regard Ioh. 5 22. Mat. 28 18. Fourthly the rebellion of verie manie vnto whom the Gospel should be now is the sauor of death vnto death verse 2 3 4 5 wherevnto Christ had respect Luke 12 49. For J had rather interpret these things thus than to applie them to the preaching of the lawe Fiftlie that incredible power of the spirit of God which should declare it selfe in the ministerie of the Apostles verse 1 6 7 9. the which thing Christ also foretold before Iohn 12 32. and 14 12. Sixtlie the exaltation of the verie person of Christ verse 9. wherevnto the Apostle manifestlie alluded Ephe. 4 10. and Philip. 2.9 Seuenthlie faith by bearing the word in the elect and the vnspeakable ioie of the conscience that shal folowe thereof verse 8. Eightlie the office of those that are iustified and sanctified verse 10. Ninthlie the crosse is like a certaine apparitor attending vpon the promises of the Gospel which yet shal haue a most ioiful end verse 11. and 12. Wherevnto the Apostle most manifestlie alluded Philip. 4.4 THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THe Lord being so long inclosed as it were within the smal and narrowe bounds of one people now at the length he beginneth his kingdome ouer al the world wherefore let the earth reioice and al ye most great countries euen beyond the seas be ye ioiful 2 For he is come although verie mild and meeke towards his yet to be reuerenced of his owne both for his diuine Maiestie and also terrible to his enimies how fierce soeuer they be euen compassed about with the blacke darknes of the clouds and sitting vpon a throne staied as it were with two vnmoueable pillers namelie iustice which he sheweth in keeping promise with his owne and defending them by his couenant and most seuere iudgement whereby he punisheth his aduersaries 3 A flaming fire shal then go before him and shal take hold on his enimies on euerie side 4 The lightenings breaking forth from his iudgement seate shal fil the world with glittering light they shal see this in the end euen against their wils which are most blind and they shal tremble thoroughout the compasse of the earth 5 The hils at the sight of the Lord at the sight I saie of the Lord of al the earth shal melt 6 But vnto others that are willing to be taught and readie to obeie he wil shew himselfe so iust and minful of his mercie promised that the verie heauens being astonished with so great so glorious bountie powred out by him vpon al people as farre as the heauens are extended shal set foorth this so great a benefite as it were with a sounding voice 7 Go to then be ye ashamed of your most filthie seruitude ô ye slaues of the idols but ô ye euen the verie Angels worship him as your Lord and King 8 But who wil heare these things verelie the true Sion who with the residue of the cities of her dominion as a mother with her daughters
3 For it is he alone who forgiueth al thy sinnes of his vnspeakeable mercie and so plaieng the part of a Physician wiping away the woore of the deadlie woundes wherewith thou wast wounded thorough thy sinnes doth cure the verie diseases themselues to wit euen the original sinnes 4 This is he who when thou wast appointed to death did redeeme thee as his owne and hath adorned thee with benefites as testimonies of his singular goodnes and mercie 5 This is he who vseth to minister vnto thee most abundantlie meate to eate and to renew thee with giuing thee new and new strength like the eagle that liueth most long 6 This is he who being mindful of his promises doth defend the suppliants flieng vnto him for succour and doth punish seuerelie those that do anie iniurie vnto others 7 This is he who declared the waie vnto Moses wherein we should walke and hath preserued Israël shewing so manie miracles 8 This is finallie that Iehouah who euer was most readie to haue compassion vpon the miseries of his people and most readie to pardon them most slowe to anger ful of goodnes and mercie 9 Euen readie to forgiue and not retaining iniuries in memorie 10 For surelie he hath not so dealt with vs as our sinnes did deserue neither hath he rendred punishment agreeable to our wickednesse 11 Naie looke how much more greater the heauen is than the earth both in largenes and in height so much more doth his goodnes excell and as it were swalowe vp their sinnes who being penitent and sorowful for them do feare him 12 So far as the east is distant from the west so far hath he remoued our sinnes from vs. 13 With how great and how louing kindnes the parents are moued towards their children being in anie miserie with so great tender loue doth the Lord embrace those that feare him 14 For he knoweth that we are but earthen vessels he knoweth that our substance is made of the earth 15 For I praie thee vnto what thing rather shalt thou saie that the life of men is like though they flourish neuer so much than like a little plant or a little flower 16 For when as euen the least blast of hurtful weather doth touch this flower it perisheth so that thou canst not easilie knowe the place it selfe wherein it grew a little before 17 Howbeit thus flightsome then is mans life by it owne nature but the euerlasting mercie of God toward them that feare him and that tender affection to preserue his owne which is also extended to their posteritie doth redresse this miserable condition 18 Of them I saie that keepe his couenant and applie themselues diligentlie to obserue the statutes that he hath made 19 Finallie to passe ouer al these his benefites towards vs what honour is not the Lord worthie of whose seate is set in the heauens and whose dominion is stretched forth ouer al things without exception 20 Go to then with me you mightie spirits being his apparitours and the diligent executioners of his wil so soone as ye heare him speake celebrate ye the praises of the Lord. 21 O ye mightie armies of his most obedient souldiers praise the Lord I saie 22 Praise ye the Lord ô al his workes in what place so euer of his dominion you be Finallie thou my deare soule set thou foorth the praise of God PSALME CIIII. The Argument There is onelie this difference betwixt this Psalme and the former that in the other the particular benefites of God towards his Church but in this his general benefits towards al mankind are rehearsed namelie the creation of the world and of euerie part thereof and the gouernance thereof for mans sake both the which things he so amplifieth with such an excellencie of words and grauitie of sentences that nothing can be thought to be spoken either more elegantlie or more learnedlie than this heauenlie poëtical inuention THE PARAPHRASIS 1 PRaise the Lord ô my soule thou surelie my Lord God art ful of maiestie and art so accounted declaring thine honour and glorie wherewith thou art adorned in al thy workes 2 For the Lord shineth wholie as he were cloathed with most bright light the heauens beeing spread round about him as it were a most large and beautiful pauillion 3 He himselfe hath built a chamber vnto himselfe in the verie waters being staid onelie by his power he is caried vpon the cloudes as in a chariot he is caried and walketh vpon the wings of the windes 4 He vseth the windes none otherwise than his messengers and the lightnings as his ministers 5 Thou hast established the masse of the earth also to be vnmoued in her foundations by thy maruelous wisedome and power 6 And thou hadst couered it wholie in the beginning with the deapth of the waters which ran ouer the verie tops of the hils 7 But so soone as thou diddest rebuke them they fled awaie and being afraide by the terrible sound of thunder they departed hastilie 8 Wherefore the hils then did lift vp themselues and the vallies contrariwise did fal downe and go into the place appointed for them 9 But thou diddest shut vp the waters within their bounds that they should neuer returne to couer the face of the whole earth 10 Yet the fountaines and the riuers gathered of them meeting together came foorth to run by the bottoms of the mountaines at thy commaundement 11 Euen that the cattel might drinke of them and the wild asses and other wild beastes might quench their thirst 12 By the which the shril sounding birds should abide and sitting vpon the boughes euerie one should sing his owne tune 13 But on the other side euen from heauen thou waterest the mountaines powring downe raine from thy chambers and by that thy benefite it commeth to passe that the earth as it were drinking drinke to the fil doeth not deceiue the hope of the husbandman 14 That selfe-same power bringeth foorth of the bowels of the earth grasse and manie kinds of hearbs to nourish the beasts which are necessarie for the vse of men finallie it bringeth al kind of nourishment 15 Euen wine wherewith the strength of man is refreshed and oile whereby his face being annointed doth shine and bread wherewith the heart of man is strengthened 16 And also the verie trees of Libanus which we behold so high that it may seeme that God hath set and planted them with his owne hand because they growe so mightilie must attribute it vnto the moisture which the Lord doth send them most plentifullie from the heauens 17 There do the birds build there the storke maketh her house in the high fir trees 18 The tops of the most high hils also are for the goates and the rocks are a refuge for the conies 19 He also hath created the moone to change her forme by certaine seasons and the sunne also to haue the appointed time of his setting 20 And so soone as he setteth the darknes of the night
commeth vpon vs and then verelie the wild reuening beasts creepe foorth of their dens 21 Euen the young lions searching their praie with roring and requiring their meate as it were of God himselfe who hath kept them shut vp in the daie time for mans sake 22 But when the light returneth againe at the sun rising they get themselues into their dens againe as it were by a signe giuen from the heauen 23 So that man may returne vnto his labors which he had lest off and continue his trauel safelie vnto the euening 24 How maruellous therefore are thy works ô Lord how wiselie hast thou made al things with what and how great riches hast thou filled the earth 25 And this wide sea how large is it and how in numerable fishes are there how manie liuing creatures both of smal bodies and of monstrous greatnes doe swim therein 26 The ships also do run there through the seas and those huge beasts created of thee doe leape to and fro through the midst of the flouds as though they would plaie 27 And al these things as they haue receiued life of thee so also they wait for meate of thee wherewith they are nourished in their due time 28 Therefore thou giuest it vnto them and they receiue it and when thou openest thine hands they are satisfied 29 But if at anie time thou withdrawe thy selfe from them they stand euen astonished whilest that thou calling againe that liuelie strength which thou hadst giuen them they die at the length and returne to their dust 30 Yet for al this the kinds of things doe not decaie but whilest thou doest shew foorth that thy power which createth and preserueth al things thou causest that one of thy creatures comming into the place of another the verie face and furniture of the earth is renewed 31 Therefore euerlasting praise be giuen to the Lord and let the Lord continue to take his delight in his owne works 32 He is great I saie and verie mightie at whose angrie countenance the earth it selfe doth shake and tremble and by whome the mountaines being touched doe cast out smoke and flame 33 And as concerning me I wil consume al my life in praising him and so long as I shal remaine aliue I wil praise that my God 34 And would to God that my songs might be so acceptable vnto him as I with glad and cheereful mind doe celebrate his so manie and so great benefits 35 And contrariwise would to God that al the wicked that are stubborne against him might vtterlie be destroied But thou my soule praise thou the Lord and al ye others praise ye God PSALME CV The Argument Jt is euident by 1. Chron. 16. that the author of this Psalme was Dauid and that it was indited for Asaph to be sung when the Arke of the Lord was carried into the citie and there is the same vse of this as of the two former but the argument is diuers in this point that he doth celebrate two peculiar benefits of the Israëlites namelie the free adoption of that people and the bringing in of the same into the land promised Now seeing we haue a couenant more excellent than the former and our true Joshua is gone before into the verie heauen we may wel perceiue besides that now also the rehearsal of those old histories is most ioiful and most profitable so haue we so manie examples both of Gods mercie and truth whereby we may confirme our faith resting vpon the same foundations and are bound also much more than our fathers to celebrate these benefits and to continue in setting foorth the same THE PARAPHRASIS 1 PRaise the Lord cal vpon him and in the hearing of the people shew foorth his works 2 Sing vnto him praise him set foorth his maruellous acts 3 Glorie in his holie name you also that seeke the Lord reioice 4 Come ye vnto the Lord and diligentlie seeke this visible signe and pledge of his power and excellencie namelie this Arke 5 Cal to mind how manie and how great miracles and wonders he hath wrought for your sakes finallie what punishments he hath executed is iudgement of your enimies 6 For we are the children of Abraham his seruant and the ofspring of Iacob whome he hath choses to himselfe 7 And the Lord againe is the gouernour in deed and Lord ouer al the earth but he is our God by a peculiar right 8 Namelie for that he is mindful of that his couenant and word which shal be of force for euer by his commandement 9 Of that couenant I saie which he made first with Abraham and after with Isaac which was confirmed with a solemne oth 10 And further established with Iacob or Israël in these plaine words to stand for an vnchangeable and euerlasting decree 11 I wil giue you this land of Canaan as a possession by right of inheritance measured out by me 12 And that which he promised most freelie he hath perfourmed also most faithfullie For though they were verie few in number and of no strength and liued in that land as strangers 13 And changing their seates oftentimes wandering from nation to nation and remoued from one kingdome to another 14 Yet was it so farre off that he would suffer anie violence to be done vnto them by anie man that he also rebuked kings for their sakes 15 And hath written this decree as it were in these few words Let none touch mine annointed consecrate priests let no man hurt my prophets 16 But afterward he sent a famine vpon the earth as it were called by him and he did breake al the strength of bread that they might al seeme to be readie to perish streightwaies 17 But he sent a man before them when they should go into Aegypt long before by a most maruellous meane farre from al mans wisedome who should prepare them a place to soiourne in euen Ioseph who was first sold as a slaue in Aegypt 18 But afterward he was bound with iron fetters no lesse chained in mind than in bodie 19 Whilest at the last at the time appointed mention was made of him vnto the king and the wisedome which the Lord gaue vnto him did declare what maner of man and how excellent he was 20 Then therefore the king and lord of the Aegyptians did not onelie send messengers and loose him from his bonds 21 But also made him the steward of his court and so appointed the gouernement of al his affaires vnto him 22 Also an absolute authoritie was giuen vnto him ouer al the great princes of Aegypt that he should gouerne the verie magistrates of Aegypt by his wisedome and counsel 23 Therefore came Israël at length into Aegypt and Iacob did soiourne in the countrie of Cham. 24 And the Lord increased his familie there maruellouslie so that they became feareful for this cause vnto the Aegyptians that hated them 25 For God did change their minds against his people that they began to hate
that put their trust in him 10 Thou chieflie the ofspring of Aaron which ought to go before others both in doctrine and example trust in the Lord the sure shield and defender of al that put their trust in him 11 Finallie how manie soeuer do professe to worship Iehouah trust you in the Lord who is the shield and defender of them that fixe their hope in him 12 The Lord doubt ye not careth for vs he wil blesse he wil blesse the posteritie of Israël he wil blesse the kindred of Aaron 13 The Lord is bountiful toward his true worshippers both toward the noble and also the most abiect 14 He wil heape you euen you I saie and your posteritie with new benefits more and more 15 For the Lord which hath made the heauen and the earth hath receiued you into his fauour 16 And he inhabiting those most high heauens from whence he ruleth al things hath granted the vse of the earth and of infinite good creatures wherewith he hath adorned it vnto men of his singular liberalitie 17 Euen for this purpose that they should publish his glorie in the earth the which thing verelie the dead can not perfourme vnto whome death it selfe taking awaie the vse of the tongue hath inioined silence 18 Deliuer vs therefore ô God that we may sing foorth thy glorie both now being aliue and for euer Praise ye the Lord. PSALME CXVI The Argument Whether we refer this Psalme vnto Dauid whom we certainlie knowe to haue bene maruellouslie deliuered oftentimes by the Lord from most present death and also froÌ„ most great anguish of mind or to anie other it conteineth an example of a singular thankesgiuing whereby we may vnderstand how far sometime the best and most vpright men vse to be cast downe and vnto whom in such case we must flie finallie how happie an end there shal be of al temptations so that we refraine our impatience by the bridle of faith THE PARAPHRASIS 1 AL my loue is in the Lord hearing the voice of my praier 2 And giuing attentiue eares vnto mee wherefore also I wil cal vpon him so long as I liue 3 Behold I was bound in the chaines of death the verie anguish of the graue held me being ouercome with the sorrowes of my heart 4 Then I called vpon the name of the Lord I beseech thee ô Lord said I deliuer my most miserable soule 5 And what else should I say here than that which I streightwaies prooued in deed verelie that God is verie mild toward his and verie iust in perfourming his promises and that our God is most merciful 6 And that the Lord finallie doth defend those that walk plainlie vprightlie because he did help me so readilie when I was brought to extremitie 7 Go to therefore ô my seelie soule returne now vnto thy selfe and take rest seeing that so notable a change of thy state is wrought by the Lord. 8 For thou ô Lord hast deliuered my life from death thou hast staied the teares of mine eies thou hast established my feete that I did not fal 9 So that I may walke now safe and sound before thee among the liuing 10 For I beleeued the promises of the Lord and therefore did I speake euen my faith ministring voice and words to me being most sore oppressed with sorrowe 11 For I grant that I was so far cast downe that I knewe not whither to turne me and finding no staie anie-where did decline vnto this that I iudged with my selfe that both the very men and whatsoeuer they do is nothing 12 But ô Lord this most dangerous temptation being ouercome by thy power for how can that thing be vaine which is taken in hand by thine appointment or how can they be nothing with thee vpon whome thou hast bestowed thy grace what shal I giue againe vnto thee for al thy benefites which thou hast bestowed vpon me 13 Verelie I wil take in my hands the cup of thankful sacrifice and calling vpon thee by name ô Lord I wil testifie openlie that I knowledge this deliuerance to be of thee 14 And those things which I vowed vnto thee ô Lord when I was in danger wil I now paie in the presence of al the people 15 I acknowledge therefore and professe as the truth is that thou doest not despise those to whom thou hast once bin beneficial but louest them most deerelie and that thou wilt in no wise vnaduisedlie destroie them 16 Verelie therefore I am thy seruant thy seruant I saie euen thy bond seruant and therfore hast thou broken the bonds wherewith I was bound 17 And I againe as is meete doe render vnto thee this sacrifice of praise and cal vpon thy name 18 I paie the vowes vnto thee which I haue promised before the whole assemblie of the people 19 And that in the courts of thy house ô Lord and in the middest of the citie Ierusalem Praise ye the Lord. PSALME CXVII The Argument The vocation of the Gentiles is prophesied in this most short but verie excellent Psalme as Paule interpreteth it Rom. 15 11. And also the summe of the Gospel is declared namelie the giuing of the grace and truth as Iohn doth expound it Iohn 1 17. and the end also namelie the worshipping of God in spirit and truth that we may knowe that the kingdome of Messiah is spiritual Finallie we are here taught what is the office of the subiects of this kingdome and what good things they ought to waite for THE PARAPHRASIS 1 PRaise ye now the Lord ô al ye Gentiles casting awaie al your fained Gods and al ye people set forth his praise 2 For now at the length that his great mercie hath ouercome and is powred downe vpon vs and the truth of that eternal saluation promised of the Lord is now perfourmed Praise the Lord. PSALME CXVIII The Argument J do agree vnto them that attribute this excellent Psalme vnto Dauid and do suppose that it was written at the first beginning of his kingdome when the nations about him were readie to inuade him either in the feast of passeouer or in the feâ—st of the Tabernacles both that he might giue thanks to God after he had ouercome so manie difficulties and also that they which had so long resisted him might knowe that they resisted God and again that the whole people might so much the more willingly receiue the king that was giuen them froÌ„ heauen And it appeareth that Dauid so wrote these things of himselfe and of things that were past that they did chieflie appertaine to the Messias of whome he was a figure Esaie 8 14. and 28 16. Math. 21 42. Acts. 4 11. Rom. 9.33 Ephes 2 20. 1. Pet. 2 7. And Ierome witnesseth that this Psalme was thus expounded in the synagogues by the ancient Iewes the which thing is manifestlie confirmed by those ioiful acclamations of the people taken out of this Psalme when as they receiued him at his last entrance into the
earnestlie meditate THE PARAPHRASIS 1 I Doe render vnto thee ô Lord mine onelie strength the praise of al these victories by most worthie right For I doe attribute it vnto thee that these my hands haue fought so valiantlie and that my fingers haue handled my sword so cunninglie 2 For thou art hee by whose benefit I remaine aliue thou art my defence my tower my sauiour my shield my refuge finallie thou art he who onlie hast subdued al this people vnto me 3 For I praie thee what maner a thing is man that most miserable of al liuing things and most ful of calamities wherefore shouldst thou regard him what haue mortal men borne of those that are mortal in themselues that thou shouldst take care of them 4 Certainlie he himselfe is most like a thing of naught and his life is like a shadowe that passeth awaie most swiftlie 5 Be present therefore with me ô Lord without whose helpe I perish and come foorth terriblie from thy heauenlie tower and testifie thy presence with the tempests following thee and command the tops of the clouds being striken to cast foorth stormie whirlewinds 6 Let thunderbolts followe whereby thou maiest cast downe their troups let lightnings come thicke glistering like darts wherewith thou maiest disorder their whole armies 7 Finallie stretch foorth thy hand and deliuer me from these whirlepooles euen from the hands of these strangers 8 I doe cal them strangers because that although they be counted in thy familie yet do they nothing appertaine vnto thee seeing their mouth is ful of falshood and their hands are defiled with a thousand deceits 9 But euen these also thou wilt driue awaie therfore I wil sing a new song vnto thee both with my voice and with mine instruments 10 Vnto thee I saie which art the reuenger of roial dignitie and the defender of Dauid thy seruant euen now readie to be slaine with the sword of his aduersaries 11 Wherefore deliuer me and defend me out of the hands of these strangers whose mouth is ful of falshood and their hands are ful of deceit 12 For thus least I be thought to respect onelie mine owne commoditie our sonnes also shal be like the faire plants which growe vp speedilie at the verie beginning and our daughters being of a tal and comlie stature shal be like vnto pillers cunninglie polished or carued wherewith the entries of palaces are sustained 13 In our storehouses al kind of prouision shal abound manie millians of our cattel shal plentifullie fil our streets 14 Our heards shal be seene to be of a strong and wel knit bodie there shal no-where be anie inuasion of enimies which should neede to be repulsed with armies there shal no crie be heard throughout the cities 15 O happie people to whom thou shalt giue this thing ô blessed is that people which acknowledgeth the Lord to be his God and whome the Lord likewise acknowledgeth for his people PSALME CXLV The Argument Euen this one Psalme is most worthie that al men should choose also as a squire and rule how to giue true praise vnto God for nothing can be spoken either more grauelie or more honourablie both of the wisedome mercie iustice and power of God testified in al his works and especiallie of his singular and excellent benefits toward his Church so that this Psalme verely is a perfect example of that same reasonable worship of God which doth continue in the Church alone THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O My God my King I wil highlie extol thee and celebrate thy name for euer and euer 2 I wil consecrate al the daies of my life to set forth thy glorie and wil amplifie thy name with songs that neuer shal haue end 3 For thou art great ô Lord and no praise is sufficient for thee neither can anie man attaine to thy greatnes 4 For thy wonderful works endure not for one generation and age alone but as one age succeedeth another so likewise must some men commit the memorial of them vnto others vnles they wil be negligent in doing their dutie 5 Wherefore truelie be it far from me that anie thing should be of greater authoritie with me than that I should carefullie thinke that the brightnes of thy Maiestie which shineth vnto vs in the verie dailie vse of things and that thy deedes are greater than can be comprehended by the admiration or by the capacitie of al men 6 And doubtles though verie manie be most blockish and wonderful thanklesse yet can there neuer be wanting some which shal euen against their wils confesse at the least thy terrible power but admit that other be silent yet wil I neuer cease to declare thy greatnes 7 But God forbid that I alone should labour to doe this my dutie for verelie there wil be alwaies some assemblie which wil by al meanes testifie the remembrance of thy peculiar goodnes and thy most vndoubted promises 8 Namelie that thou art most merciful and most readie to exceeding mercie and of whome a man may almost doubt whether he be more slowe to wrath or more prone to pardon 9 For is there anie thing ô Lord void of thy goodnes naie what is there in this whole world anie-where which doth not testifie thy clemencie euen in this point that thou doest suffer so manie ages this world that is defiled so sundrie waies 10 Therefore ô Lord thou hast created nothing nothing was done of thee since the world was first made which doth not euen of it selfe set foorth thy glorie but onelie thy chosen people doe acknowledge thee and giue vnto thee due and conuenient praise 11 For these alone do knowe declare by experience what thy dominion is and what is thy power 12 That is to saie the publishers of thy most valiant acts committing the glorie of thy kingdome to their posteritie 13 For indeed thy kingdome is not limited in any bounds of time for that it alwaies endureth one and vnchangeable from al eternitie 14 And how iust and moderate this thy rule is hereof it is euident ô Lord because thou dost staie vp euerie one how vnworthie soeuer which else should fal and also liftest vp those that are alreadie fallen downe 15 And what maner of benefit is this of thine which is common to al that the life of al liuing creatures is attributed to thee their creator and preseruer and thou againe giuest them nourishment in their due and conuenient time 16 For whatsoeuer hath life liueth not by anie other means than herevpon that thou bestowest vpon euerie one as it were willinglie reaching foorth thine hand compelled by thine alone liberalitie 17 Neither doth both thy iustice and thy most bountious liberalitie lesse appeare in gouerning those things which thou hast made and directing them what waie soeuer thou wilt to the end appointed by thee 18 Yet thou manifesting thy selfe principalie and with a certaine peculiar testimonie of thy fauour in defending them carefulie which worship and reuerence thee with an