comparison for brotherly love is a celestial benefit how the spiritual dew is dispensed from God in heaven on those holy consecrated mountains Sion and Moriah where he vouchsafes his presence unto his people who resort thither to worship him and where they meet with soul-enriching graces and consolations othergets blessings than the dew of Hermon which makes them abound in faith and godliness to their own eternal as well as temporal felicitie such like is peace and love among the Israel and people of God it self is a special blessing from heaven and brings with it all manner of blessings from thence both temporal and spiritual if ever we mean to be rich and happie this is the way to live and love as sons of one father and mother God and the Church members of one body under one head the Messiah as all Israel shall be through love and obedience to David and his successours ruling in Sion as types of Christ. The cxxxiv. PSALM David being a man of fervour and affection in the service of God gives a watch-word to the watch-men of the Temple the Priests and Levites and in them to gospel-Ministers not regardlesly to passe over their duties but to be imployed for the whilst as Christ himself is for ever in praying for the people and Church of God and blessing both God and them and that in a proportionable zeal here to Christ and his saints in heaven in their respective imployments there See the title of the 120 Psalm 1 YOu that are by the special appointment and ordination of God chosen as Christ himself from among all your brethren and preferred to the honour of sanctuarie-administration continually in his presence consider the place you hold whom and what you personate even Jesus Christ in his Priestly office at the right hand of God who ever liveth to make intercession and offer thanks-givings for his Church to his father have that allwayes in your eie and be active suitably stand not idle in your offices nor keep not sleepie centry in the sanctuarie but as your turns come to watch do service there as well night as day rouse up your spirits call to mind the moral meaning of your imployments which is to improve your nearer interest in God by virtue of your offices for the good of his Church and people as Christ does in heaven continually through Christ presenting to God in the Churches behalf the spiritual sacrifices of praise and thanks-giving for his mercies vouchsafed together with prayers and supplications for the continuation and constant gracious dispensation of them still as there is need 2 I say again busie and lay out your selves in those sacred and religious imployments of praise and prayer neither idle nor nifle out your time and Turn in the sanctuarie nor yet with formalitie or hypocrisie do you do your service to him as bare pretenders but as holy and real performers clap your wings in your night-watches let your hearts be in heaven and your hands in token of the fervour of your spirits lifted up thitherwards and so bless the Lord not betwixt sleeping and waking but with the whole soul and bodie too considering he whom you worship is a spirit and his proper place of residence is above in the heavens whose service there for condiscention sake you personate in the sanctuarie here in types shadows wherein you must not stick but by them mount up higher even to him where he is in spirit and faith externally manifested by suitable comportment of bodily action and expression such as are significant and adorative commensurable to Gods glorie and greatness your own hearts puritie faith and fervour and the Divine condition of the Church-Triumphant in heaven 3 Your office is double faced upward and downward you are in Christs stead like Jacobs ladder on which and by which blessings are to ascend and descend for as you are the mouth of the Church and people of God to offer him their thanks and praises blessing him continually in their behalfs as Christ does the father for the elect so likewise are you to be the mouth of God down to his people to bless them from him which doubtless is as an honourable so a full imployment if you set your selves to do it as it ought to be done with that zeal and reverence the Church oweth to her head and with that delight and love the head hath in and to his bodie and fellow-members Pray therefore for and as presenting the person of Jesus Christ that effectual mediatour in his name also faithfully bless ye the Israel of God that do worship him in Sion his place of residence with the blessings of his special protection and salvation who is the onely true God and Allmighty master of heaven and earth The cxxxv PSALM The Psalmist quickens up the people of Israel in general the Priests and Levites more particularly but most especially the faithful of both sorts to magnifie and praise the Lord and this he doth by way of argument taken from the congruitie delectabilitie and dutie of it from such a people to such a God who as he is greatly to be preferred for his self-sake and the excellent power that is in him so for the effects of it towards them the grateful memorie whereof should ever be upheld for his glorie and his peoples faith sake All other Gods being but puppits he onely is God and onely to be blessed as such especially of them that are his onely people and Priests his Church preferred by him of all the world to that honour who therefore ought to honour him how and where he will be worshipped 1 O That all sorts of people would consider their dutie of praising God conscionably to discharge it in spirit and power to magnifie him for his greatness as Lord of and over all yea for his excellent attributes and properties not onely absolute but relative of grace and goodness and for his alonenes for as there is no God like him so there is no God but him O ye servants of the Lord chosen by him and set apart for that purpose what ever others do forget not you your duties not onely of your persons but of your places to praise the Lord worthily with hearts enlarged with the apprehensions of him and his manifold excellencies 2 I mean ye Priests and Levites principally be you especially conversant in this service of praising the Lord in his holy Temple where you are priviledged to administer like to the glorified saints in heaven that stand in his presence for ever more praising the Lord. Yea and all others also that are admitted to the participation of grace and that worship him in his ordinances though at greater distance whether Levites or people whose persons and praises faithfully tendered in spirit are yet really accepted and graciously regarded by the God of Israel whose presence is as well in the courts which also are sanctified as in
Lord a new song sing unto the Lord all the earth 2 Sing unto the Lord bless his name shew forth his salvation from day to day 3 Declare his glory among the heathen his wonders among all people 4 For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised he is to be feared above all gods 5 For all the gods of the naâ—ions are idols but the Lord made the heavens 6 Honour and majestie are before him strength and beautie are in his sanctuarie 7 Give unto the Lord O ye kindreds of the people give unto the Lord glorie and strength 8 Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name bring an offering and come into his courts 9 O worship the Lord in the beautie of holiness fear before him all the earth 10 Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved he shall judge the people righteously 11 Let the heavens rejoyce and let the earth be glad let the sea roar and the fulness thereof 12 Let the field be joyfull and all that is therein then shall all the trees of the wood rejoyce 13 Before the Lord for he cometh for he cometh to judge the earth he shall judge the world with righteousness and the people with his truth Psalm xcvii 1 THe Lord reigneth let the earth rejoyce let the multitude of Isles be glad thereof 2 Clouds and darkness are round about him righteousness judgement are the habitations of his throne 3 A fire goeth before him and burneth up his enemies round about 4 His lightenings enlightned the world the earth saw and trembled 5 The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth 6 The heavens declare his righteousnes and all the people â—ee his glory 7 Confounded be all they that serve graven images that boast themselves of idols worship him all ye gods 8 Sion heard was glad and the daughters of Judah rejoyced because of thy judgements O Lord. 9 For thou Lord art high above all the earth thou art exalted far above all Gods 10 Ye that love the Lord hate evil he preserveth the souls of his Saints he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked 11 Light is sown for the righteous and gladness for the upright in heart 12 Rejoyce in the Lord ye righteous give thanks at the remembrance of his holinesâ— Psalm xcviii A Psalm 1 O sing unto the Lord a new song for he hath done marvellous things his right hand and his holy arm hath gotten himself the victory 2 The Lord hath made known his salvation his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen 3 He hath remembred his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God 4 Make a joyfull noise unto the Lord all the earth make a loud noise and rejoyce and sing praise 5 Sing unto the Lord with the harp with the harp and the voice of a Psalm 6 With trumpets sound of corner make a joyfull noise before the Lord the King 7 Let the sea roar the fulness thereof the world and they that dwell therein 8 Let the flouds clap their hands let the hils be joyful together 9 Before the Lord for he cometh to judge the earth with righteousness shall he judge the world and the people with equitie Psalm xcix 1 THe Lord reigneth let the people tremble he sitteth between the cherubims let the earth be moved 2 The Lord is great in Sion and he is high above all people 3 Let them praise thy great and terrible name for it is holy 4 The Kings strength also loveth judgement thou doest establish equity thou executest judgement and righteousness in Jacob 5 Exalt ye the Lord your God and worship at his foot-stool for he is holy 6 Moses and Aaron among his Priests and Samuel among them that call upon his name they called upon the Lord and he answered them 7 He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar they kept his testimonies and the ordinance that he gave them 8 Thou answeredst them O Lord our God thou wast a God that forgavest them though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions 9 Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his holy hill for the Lord our God is holy A psalm of praise 1 MAke a joyfull noise unto the Lord all ye lands 2 Serve the Lord with gladness come before his presence with singing 3 Know ye that the Lord he is God it is he that hath made us and not we our selves we are his people and the sheep of his pasture 4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving and into his courts with praise be thankfull unto him bless his name 5 For the Lord is good his mercy is everlasting and his truth endureth to all generations Psalm ci A Psalm of David 1 I will sing of mercy judgement unto thee O Lord will I sing 2 I will behave my self wisely in a perfect way O when wilt thou come unto me 3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes I hate the work of them that turn aside 4 A froward heart shall depart from me I will not know a wicked person 5 Who so privily slandereth his neighbour him will I cut off him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer 6 Mine eyes shall be upon the faithfull of the land that they may dwell with me he that walketh in a perfect way he shall serve me 7 He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight 8 I will early destroy all the wiâ—ked of the land that I may cut off all wicked doers from the citie of the Lord. Psalm cii A Prayer of the afflicted when he is overwhelmed pourâ—th out his complaints before the Lord. 1 HEar my prayer O Lord and let my cry come unto thee 2 Hide not thy â—ace from me in the day that I am in trouble encline thine ear unto me in the day when I call answer me speedily 3 For my dayes are consumed like smoak my bones are burnt as an hearth 4 My heart is smittâ—â— and withered like grass so that I forget to eat my bread 5 By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin 6 I am like a Pelican of the wilderness I am like an Owl of the desert 7 I watch and anâ— as a sparrow alone upon the house top 8 Mine enemies reproch me all the day and they that are mad against me are sworn against me 9 For I have eaten ashes like bread and mingled my drink with weeping 10 Because of thine indignation and thy wrath for thou hast lifted me up and cast me down 11 My dayes are like a shadow that declineth
and I am withered like grass 12 But thou O Lord shalt endure for ever and thy remembrance unto all generations 13 Thou shalt arise and have mercie upon Sion for the time to favour her yea the set time is come 14 For thy servants take pleasure in her stones and favour the dust thereof 15 So the heathen shall fear the name of the Lord and all the Kings of the earth thy glorie 16 When the Lord shall build Sion he shall appear in his glorie 17 He shall regard the prayer of the destitute and not despise their prayer 18 This shall be written for the generation to come and the people which shall be created shall praise the Lord. 19 For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuarie from heaven did the Lord behold the earth 20 To hear the groaning of the prisoner to loose those that are appointed to death 21 To declare the name of the Lord in Sion and his praise in Jerusalem 22 When the people are gathered together and the Kingdoms to serve the Lord. 23 He weakened my strength in the way he shortned my dayes 24 I said O my God take me not away in the midst of my daie 2 Bless the Lord O my soul and forget not all his benefits 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities who healeth all thy diseases 4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies 5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things so that thy youth is renewed as the Eagles 6 The Lord executeth righteousness and judgement for all that are oppressed 7 He made known his wayes unto Moses his acts unto the children of Israel 8 The Lord is merciful and gracious slow to anger and plenteous in mercy 9 He will not allwayes chide neither will he keep his anger for ever 10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins nor rewarded us according to our iniquities 11 For as the heaven is high above the earth so great is his mercie toward them that fear him 12 As far as the East is from the West so far hath he removeth our transgressions from us 13 Like as a father pitieth his children so the Lord pitieth them that fear him 14 For he knoweth our frame he remembreth that we are dust 15 As for man his dayes are as grass as a flower of the field so he flourisheth 16 For the wind passeth over it and it is gone and the place thereof shall know it no more 17 But the mercie of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him and his righteousness unto childrens children 18 To such as keep his Covenant and to those that remember his commandments to do them 19 The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens and his Kingdom ruleth over all 20 Bless the Lord ye his angels that excel in strength that do his commandments hearkening unto the voice of his word 21 Bless ye the Lord all ye his hosts ye ministers of his that do his pleasure 22 Bless the Lord all his works in all places of his dominion bless the Lord O my soul. Psalm civ 1 BLess the Lord O my soul O Lord my God thou art very great thou art clothed with honour and Majestie 2 Who coverest thy self with light as with a garment who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain 3 Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters who maketh the clouds his chariot who walketh upon the wings of the wind 4 Who maketh his angels spirits his ministers a flaming â—ire 5 Who laid the foundations of the earth that it should not be removed for ever 6 Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment the waters stood above the mountains 7 At thy rebuke they fled at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away 8 They go up by the mountains they go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for them 9 Thou hast set a bound that they may may not pass over that they turn not again to cover the earth 10 He sendeth the springs into the valleys which run among the hils 11 They give drink to every beast of the field the wild asses quench their thirst 12 By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation which sing among the branches 13 He watereth the hils from his chambers the earth is satisfied with the fruit of his works 14 He causeth the grass to grow for the cattel and hearb for the service of man that he may bring forth food out of the earth 15 And wine that makes glad the heart of man and oyl to make his face to shine and bread which strengtheneth mans heart 16 The trees of the Lord are full of sap the Cedars of Lebanon which he hath planted 17 Where the birds make their nests as for the stork the fir-trees are her house 18 The high hils are a refuge for the wild Goats and the rocks for the conies 19 He appointeth the moon for seasons the sun knoweth his going down 20 Thou makest darkness and it is night wherein all the beasts of the forrest do creep forth 21 The young lions roar after their prey and seek their meat from God 22 The sun ariseth they gather themselves together and lay them down in their dens 23 Man goeth forth to his work and to his labour until the evening 24 O Lord how manifold are thy works in wisdom hast thou made them all the earth is full of thy riches 25 So is the great and wide sea wherein are things creeping innumerable both small and great 26 There go the ships there is that Leviathan whom thou hast made to play therein 27 These wait all upon thee that thou maist give them their meat in due season 28 That thou givest them they gather thou openest thine hand they are filled with good 29 Thou hidest thy face they are troubled thou takest away their breath they die and return to their dust 30 Thou sendest forth thy spirit they are created and thou renewest the face of the earth 31 The glorie of the Lord shall endure for ever the Lord shall rejoyce in his works 32 He looketh on the earth and it trembleth he toucheth the hills and they smoak 33 I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live I will sing praise unto my God while I have my being 34 My meditation of him shall be sweet I will be glad in the Lord. 35 Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth and let the wicked be no more bless thou the Lord O my soul. Praise ye the Lord. Psalm cv 1 O Give thanks unto the Lord call upon his name make known his deeds among the people 2 Sing unto him sing Psalms unto him talk ye of all his wonderous works 3 Glorie ye in his holy name let the heart of them rejoyce that â—ear the Lord. 4 Seek
O Lord who shall stand 4 But there is forgiveness with thee that thou maiest befeared 5 I wait for the Lord my soul doth wait and in his word do I hope 6 My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning I say more than they that watch for the morning 7 Let Israel hope in the Lord for with the Lord there is mercy and with him is plenteous redemption 8 And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities Psalm cxxxi A song of degrees of David 1 LOrd my heart is not haughtie nor mine eyes loftie neither do I exercise my self in great matters or in things too high for me 2 Surely I have behaved and quieted my self as a child that is weaned of his mother my soul is even as a weaned child 3 Let Israel hope in the Lord from henceforth and for ever Psalm cxxxii A song of degrees 1 LOrd remember David and all his afflictions 2 How he sware unto the Lord and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob. 3 Surely I will not come into the Tabernacle of my house nor go up into my bed 4 I will not give sleep to mine eyes or slumber to my eye-lids 5 Until I find out a place for the Lord an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob. 6 Lo we heard of it at Ephratah we found it in the fields of the wood 7 We will go into thy Tabernacles we will worship at thy foot-stool 8 Arise O Lord into thy rest thou and the Ark of thy strength 9 Let thy Priests be clothed with righteousnâ—s and let thy saints shout for joy 10 For thy servan Davids sake turn not away the face of thine anointed 11 The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David he will not turn from it of the fruit of thy bodie will I set upon thy throne 12 If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimonie that I shall teach them their children also shall fit on thy throne for evermore 13 For the Lord hath chosen Sion he hath desired it for his habitation 14 This is my rest for ever here will I dwell for I have desired it 15 I will abundantly bless her provision I will satisfie her poor with bread 16 I will also clothe her Priests with salvation and her saints shall shout aloud for joy 17 There will I make the horn of David to bud I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed 18 His enemies will I clothe with shame but upon himself shall his Crown flourish A song of degrees of David Psalm cxxxiii 1 BEhold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unitie 2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head that ran down upon the beard even Aarons beard that went down to the skirts of his garment 3 As the dew of Hermon and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Sion for there the Lord commanded the blessing even life for evermore Psalm cxxxiv. A song of degrees 1 BEhold bless ye the Lord all ye servants of the Lord which by night stand in the house of the Lord. 2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuarie and bless the Lord. 3 The Lord that made heaven earth bless thee out of Sion Psalm cxxxv 1 PRaise ye the Lord praise ye the name of the Lord praise him O ye servants of the Lord. 2 Ye that stand in the house of the Lord in the courts of the house of our God 3 Praise ye the Lord for the Lord is good sing praises unto his name for it is pleasant 4 For the Lord hath chosen Jacob unto himself and Israel for his peculiar treasure 5 For I know that the Lord is great and that our Lord is above all Gods 6 Whatsoever tâ—e Lord pleased that did â—e in heaven and in earth 7 He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth he maketh lightnâ—ngs for the rain he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries 8 Who smote the first-born of Egypt both of man and beast 9 Who sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee O Egypt upon Pharaoh and upon all his servants 10 Who smote great nations slew mightie Kings 11 Sihon King of the Amorites and Og King of Bashan and all the Kingdoms of Canaan 12 And gave their land for an heritage unto Israel his people 13 Thy name O Lord endureth for ever and thy memorial O Lord through all generations 14 For the Lord will judge his people and he will repâ—nt himself concerning his servants 15 The Idols of the heathen are silver and gold the work of mens hands 16 They have mouthes but they speak not eyes have they but they see not 17 They have eaâ—s but they heâ—r not neither is there any breath in their mouthes 18 They that make them are like unto them so is every one that trusteth in them 19 Bless the Lord O houâ—e of Israel bless the Lord O house of Aaron 20 Bless the Lord O house of Levi ye that fear the Lord bless the Lord. 21 Blessed be the Lord out of Sion which dwelleth at Jerusalem Praise ye the Lord. Psalm cxxxvi 1 O Give thanks unto the Lord for he is good for his mercie endureth for ever 2 O give thanks unto the God of Gods for his mercie endureth for ever 3 O give thanks to the Lord of Lords for his mercie endureth for ever 4 To him who alone doth great wonders for his mercie endureth for ever 5 To him that by wisdom made the heavens for his mercie endureth for ever 6 To him that stretched out the earth above the waters for his mercie endureth for ever 7 To him that made great lights for his mercie endureth for ever 8 The son to rule by day â—or his mercie endureth for ever 9 The moon and stars to rule by night for his mercie endureth for ever 10 To him that smote Egypt in their first-born for his mercie endureth for-ever 11 And brought out Israel from among them for his mercie endureth for ever 12 With a strong hand and a stretched-out arm for his mercie endureth for ever 13 To him which divided the red-sea into parts for his mercie endureth for ever 14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it for his mercie endureth for ever 15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the red-sea for his mercie endureth for ever 16 To him which led his people through the wilderness for his mercie endureth for ever 17 To him which smote great Kings for his mercie endureth for ever 18 And slew famous Kings for his mercie endureth for ever 19 Sihon King of the Amorites for his mercie endureth for ever 20 And Og the King of Bashan for his mercie endureth for ever 21 And gave their land for an heritage for his mercie endureth for ever 22 Even an heritage unto Israel his servant for his mercie endureth
and great commander in chief the Lord of Hosts even of all the numberless number of created beings in heaven and earth is with us the God of Jacob that mightily delivered him is on our side and in covenant with us to do the like for us in time of danger and difficultie Let us therefore be comforted in him The xlvii PSALM The Author of this Psalm which seems to be penned in the time of the glorious condition of the people of Israel under David and Solomon in the name of the Iewish Church and nation invites all the world to yield obedience to the Government of Christ typified in theirs then ascendent and to be partakers of their happiness and tells them the danger of refusing for as Christ must prevail so must his Church and people whose happiness he greatly extols because of the love and presence of God with them for which he stirs them up mightily to magnifie the Lord. And prophesies the enlargement of Christs Kingdom over and amongst the Gentils by the Almightie over-ruling hand of God and the glorious condition of the Evangelical Church under him as of theirs under David or Salomon and far beyond it A Psalm committed to Heman the chief musician of the familie of the Korathites for him and them to sing 1 O That all the world would be advised to share in our happiness by entertaining that common salvation tendred them in the Messiah now as it were ascended into heaven in that pledge of his presence the Ark pitched upon Sion and that now they would subject themselves unto him together with us not of constraint but of a willing mind with joyful and thankful hearts as one day they shall receiving him for their Lord and King that he might triumphantly reign over Jews and Gentils 2 For they that refuse voluntarie subjection to him will have cause to repent it they will find him even the Messiah whom they slighted in his types on earth to be the most high God reigning not onely in heaven but on earth also yea all the world over as he will make it appear by executing terrible vengeance upon such as rebel against him 3 But for our parts that are his chosen people we shall be blessed of the Lord and how ever the Gentils do stubbornly refuse to come in unto us partake of our priviledges and subject themselves to his government among us yet shall they be made subject to us and to our Kings the types of Christ whose spiritual Kingdom shall enlarge it self over all the world over-powring by his spirit the most ignorant and rebellious to receive him and be subject to him 4 As he hath graciously made choice of us for his people so will he accordingly give us the utmost he hath promised to our forefathers his faithful servants and their faithful seed concerning both an earthly and heavenly inheritance maugre all enemies temporal or spiritual and dignifie us the seed of holy Jacob his beloved with those excellent priviledges appropriated by promise of Temple-worship and royal government figuring Christ his King and priestly office An honour unspeakable 5 How do we see it made good to us in that the Lords Ark the sure pledge and token of his presence with us and favour to us is at this time to be fixed in its abiding place upon mount Sion whether it is triumphantly carried with joyful acclamations and sound of trumpet answerable to the welcome entertainment of Christ in the hearts of his Gospel-converts and faithful people in his Church Evangelical on earth and his glorious entertainment at his ascention by saints and Angels in heaven 6 O that we could rise up to their pitch of praise and gratitude for this unestinable mercie and priviledge we enjoy of the gracious presence and divine favour of God in Christ to us and amongst us in its lively types but though we cannot but come short of what it merits from us yet let us lay out our selves to the utmost of our skill and abilities in praising magnifying and exalting the Lord both for his own excellencies and for our interest and proprietie in him and them as a people ought to do that have such a God for their King and gracious benefactor 7 We above all people have cause to praise him for though he be King of all the whole earth yet of us in a differing manner and eminencie so that though honour be due to him from all creatures yet more especially from us for that none have that knowledge of him and peculiar obligation to him that we have Therefore we are not to praise him as others that know him onely by acts of creation and providence and are subjects at large but with a saving Gospel-understanding of him in the Messiah and powerfully not formally acting-faith in our hearts answerably to the praises of our lips 8 And though we be now the onely peculiar of God and all the world but we are as it were exempted out of grace and favour Yet are the heathen as well as we under his government and power And the same God that hath been gracious to us can make them also his people when he pleaseth And doubtless will from heaven his place of holiness remember in truth and faithfulness the promises made to and concerning them for light to shine out of Sion to them that sit in darkness which he is able to fulfil and bring them in to himself accordingly 9 Yea and which he will certainly do in great abundance even Kings and Kingdoms that now are heathenish shall imbrace the faith of Christ preached amongst them out of Jerusalem and be ingrafted into the stock of faithful Abraham our predecessour as well as we our selves whose seed they all are that do or shall believe upon the face of the whole earth and have as good a right to the God of Abraham as we whose priviledge ought not to be in the flesh but in the spirit by and in which spirit shall Jews and Gentils be united when the power of God shall be made manifest in Christ then shall the great as well as the small belong unto God and how ever they have refused subjection to him and stood in opposition against him yet they shall take Laws from him and and that right willingly becomming of enemies friends yea under him protectors and defendors of their fellow-brethren believers in Christ throughout all the earth Thus shall God in Christ be universally worshipped and his Kingdom enlarged far beyond the bounds of Jewry The particion shall be taken down and his dominion shall be throughout all the world as Davids and Salomons is over Jews and Gentils The xlviii PSALM This Psalm seems to be made upon some notable deliverance that Ierusalem had from some potent armie made up of several nations that had besiedged it but by a special and immediate hand of God wâ—re wonderfully defeated and sent away
very gracious and tenderly affected towards such and just to fulfill his goodness promised them in one kind or other but especially in spirit 5 The worldly minded man thinks he is happy and rich in laying up but the good and godly differ from him for they think themselves happy and enriched by laying out knowing that as God favours them with blessings of this life so they ought to shew favour unto others that want them as stewards not owners of that they have And therefore he that out of the love he bears to God loves his brother also will not stick upon occasion to shew his love by his lending yea his care shall be so to walk as to credit his profession more than to benefit himself to get and spend neither sinfully nor profusely but with a good conscience and in an orderly sort so that thereby what he hath may be blessed and he made able to lend and not to borrow and to his power to supply others that by providence are enforced to borrow and cannot lend like himself 6 Surely how ever the world think their liberality and charity is the next way to beggary because Mammon is their God yet it shall be otherwise with him that in the faith of God with godly wisdom expends what he hath in pious uses he shall never be ashamed for so doing though the world count it folly he shall find it both wisdom and providence so to do he and his estate shall be upheld when many of those miserly diffidents shall fall and come to lack for God will never forget to reward and be favourable to those that in conscience and love to him have laid out their store upon his that wanted 7 Such an one shall have such provision laid up in God and be so secure in him as that he shall not fear the changes of times nor hazards and losses approaching as they shall that have much wealth and are little conversant in faith and charity who are ready to make away themselves upon the very report of such things having an evil conscience 8 Though because he is good therefore he may have many enemies as commonly it falls out yet shall he not care nor fear the worst they can do unto him having God and a good conscience to take his part and side with him he shall be as well satisfied and firmly perswaded of mercy to him and judgements upon them as if he saw them already executed 9 He hath not hoarded up his pelf but hath scattered it here and there by lending and giving it amongst the poore as he saw them to want like as seed is cast into the ground of which he shall reap the blessing The righteous man shall gather the fruit of his charity and beneficence it shall follow him into heaven to be rewarded there yea and here also God shall manifest his good acceptance of his pious liberality by blessing and prospering him both in his estate and estimation 10 So that the wicked covetous wretch shall to his grief behold himself out-stript his wisdom befooled by that which he counted foolishness and the high-way to beggery he shall be ready to eat his own flesh for envy at the prosperity and increase of the righteous the whilest his substance melts away and wasts insensibly like snow before the sunne notwithstanding his pains and care to get and keep his hopes and desires shall fail him he shall attain neither riches nor honour The cxiii PSALM The Psalmist invites to the praises of God specially his servants and that in all ages and places both for his transcendent greatness and for his no less goodness which his dispensations make to appear very remarkably for which again he excites them unto praises 1 LEt not the manifestations of God his power and goodness in his works of creation and salvation be buried in ignorance and silence but take faithfull notice of them and give him gratefull praises for them it may be the blind world neither will nor can but you his sanctified and redeemed ones that profess to serve him and not to be of the world though in it specially ye Levites chosen by himself to that office do you make it your imployment Let him in his greatness and goodness be magnified by all that serve him either by office or calling whether Levites in letter or spirit praise ye the Lord. 2 3 As largely as the power wisdom and goodness of God is declared for time and place so let the praisefull acknowledgements of him and them be extended in like sort let none in no ages nor regions of the world that have eyes in their heads and tongues in their mouths be silent but bless and praise him alwayes in all places as he well deserves 4 The Empire of the whole world is the Lords he is King of Kings and Lord of Lords his dominion is over all the earth but his throne in the glorious splendour of it is more especially in the heaven of heavens where in brightness he exceeds the sunne which as it is under him though above us so t is short of him who from the highest top of Majesty and Honour commands and orders all things the heavens and the earth which are as far beneath him in glory as in scituation 5 6 Who is like unto the Lord for greatness that hath his throne higher than not onely we can see but conceive heaven that is so far above us is under him and the great men of the earth who in comparison of the vulgar are called Gods are as far below him as above them Yet this God of greatness out of no less goodness daineth himself to be ours and his Churches God though but a parcel of people compared to the world whom yet he owns for his subjects and favourites even he to whom it is an abasing considering the superlativeness of glory that he the Creatour hath above all creatures whatsoever to condescend by way of rule and governance to take notice of the things that are and are done on earth nay and in heaven also so far are all below him that are made by him so absolute and perfect is he in and of himself from whom all things are and to whom nothing adds neither Angels nor men 7 8 Yet doth he agitate affairs here below and dispose of his creatures as best pleaseth him and is most for his glory many times raising men from an abject low estate and great poverty to honour and opulency yea from the very lowest stair to the highest step of fortune as David from the sheepfolds to be King over his people Israel instead of Saul 9 And in like sort by his Almighty power and good will he opens the womb that was shut and causeth her that was in despair of having children by being long without to conceive turns the grief of her barrenness into a
their neck serves meerly to hold their heads on their shoulders but is of no Organicall use at all for speech c. 8 And they that make them are as void of true understanding as they of sence that can so against the light of reason think such things fit to be worshipped which they make and which made not them and that when they are made are but inanimate statues short of all living creatures even the meanest and what must they then be that put confidence of good or evil in such but irrational senceless people and as little able to do good or hurt as they saving thou the onely living God orders and appoints them 9 O ye sonns of Israel your fathers with whom and his seed God made an everlasting covenant whatever befall you let not an evil heart of unbelief to depart from the living God to dumb and deaf Idols possess you as he hath peculiarly chosen and adopted you for his people from out all the world so do you him for your God from all other Gods trust in him relie upon him for your sole helper and defendour against these Idols and Idol worshippers which can do you just so much hurt as he for your sinns permits them and no more 10 O ye Preists and Levites that are the successours and assistants of faithfull Aaron in that high office of Preist-hood and more immediate worshippers of the high God within his holy Temple do you exemplarily declare your faith of and in the Lord alone that hath so highly honoured you above your brethren that he is of power al-sufficient and faithfull of his word and promise to protect and restore his people and you to their places and your imployments 11 But chiefly you that are nearer and dearer to God than any externall adoption or office can make men you that are Israelites indeed spirituall Priests and Levites the adopted and called of the Lord that have the spirit of reverence and godly fear in you do you as I hope you will not fail to do trust assuredly in God for he is your help and shield against worse enemies than these that can but destroy the body and that do but serve to typifie the power that our ghostly enemies have over us by sinne as these for sinne and Gods greater power to deliver us from them as from these which he will certainly do 12 No doubt is to be made of it but that as God hath done so he will do exercise mercy in deliverance as well as justice in afflicting us if we seek to him and that he see us mindfull of him he will be so of us as ever heretofore in like case to ours now he was wont to be Israel and the Priest-hood is still dear to him for old love to our forefathers and the covenant he made with them and for Aaron his servants sake that Preistly type of our powerfull Mediatour and therefore will he certainly bless us with joyfull deliverance and restauration 13 Yea for his covenant sake he will bless Israel and Aaron according to the letter but thank them for it that amongst you are so in the spirit with whom properly and principally that covenant is made these of what outward condition soever high or low are dear to God whom he will certainly bless and the rest for their sakes 14 You are the men that have the promise of this life and of a better as you are the blessed seed of blessed Abraham in whom his name is upheld because his faith is inherited by you so shall the Lord raise you up faithfull successours a more numerous off-spring than ever yet his Church produced from generation to generation shall the faithfull your heirs and successours flourish and multiply 15 As you are the promised seed so are you heirs of the blessed promise He that by his Almighty power made the heavens and the earth is your God and for your sakes made he them and with both heavenly and earthly blessings will he bless you 16 The Lord made both and governs both but so that heaven the heaven of heavens which is superlative to all the rest is the more immediate place of his glorious residence and inhabitancy and the earth of mans which he hath bountifully furnished with all needfull things for his sustentation and existence there 17 And why hath the Lord done so lent me life and livelihood here below but that they should imploy their time and improve those blessings to the praises of him in the highest for its true that God made the earth and all things in it for man but he made man for himself for his praise and glory who yet praise him not but serve other Gods all the world but we so that if we should perish that are his onely Church on earth the praises of the Lord would cease upon it which must not be whilest it is to have a being he is to have a people that shall glorifie him 18 Therefore O Israel O house of Aaron and especially ye that fear the Lord trust in the Lord that he will be your help and shield for the Lord will not unchurch himself no nor us neither we are the people though unworthy that his name is and shall be named upon chosen out of all the earth so that how ever we are at the graves mouth yet deliverance will come and we shall be restored else nature must be dissolved which cannot be considering what promises are yet to be fulfilled Therefore be confident in hope and in the faith hereof ingage our selves for future when God shall so bless us that we will answerably bless and praise him yea in full assurance let us begin at present and be doing in that dutie now aswel as hereafter that the Lord may see the useful existence of a Church for ever on earth for that they alwayes and they onely praise him What ever your condition be then though it were worse than it is which at present is bad enough be sure to praise the Lord for which you live and have your Beings and in you all the world which else should cease The cxvi PSALM David being possessed of the Kingdom according to promise looks behind him to see the difficulties God carried him through to mind himself to his mercies and his own ingagements for them And in the first place offers the Lord his affections promiseth him his faith for future because of what is past and therefore excites his soul to comfortable confidence and peaceable acquiescence together with a gratuitous walking with God recalling his offs and on s he is in an extasie how to return to God that brought him out of them and resolves to celebrate his praises in the most publick and solemn manner according to the prescript of the Law Assuring all Gods people from his example that in their greatest danger God hath the greatest care Magnifies the Lord that
for the good and well-fare of his Church and to be a type of Christ be blessed in his own person and a means of much blessing unto Israel and blessed of them again with a prayer and praise to God for him and his Government Yea let the Priests of the Lord that wait upon the Altar whose office by the Lords special appointment it is to bless his people discharge their sacred function in performance of that holy action from out that sacred place where they immediatly attend the Lords service upon David and his people the figure of Christ and his Church and let him and them be blessed accordingly both of Priests and people that worship within or without in the Courts of the sanctuarie of the Lord. 27 God hath approved himself to be the Lord omnipotent for that he hath brought us out of a miserable estate void of temporal but especially spiritual felicitie having of late nothing but confusion amongst us in Church and Kingdom and reduced us to a comfortable condition in both principally in the enjoyment of the Doctrine and ordinances of his saving truth and holy worship which by David and Christ that blessed type and Antytipe are made to shine forth upon the Church and people of God after the dark times of Sauls reign and Gentilism like as the sun comforts and lightens all creatures when the darkness is past for which unspeakable and unvaluable mercie let us therefore bring those offerings and sacrifices the Law appointeth accompanied with sincere and hearty praise and thanks-givings before him and tie them with cords ready for their oblation and that in abundance answerable to his benefits and for the larger expression of our praises in proportion to those Holocausts of Hallelujahs that shall be offered under Christs regiment Let the people by their frank and liberal offerings find the Priests store of work in their sacrificing imployment at the Altar 28 For my part I am resolved to lead the way by mine example unto thy praising and magnifying and I confess cause I have to do so if I consider how much thou hast done for me and how thou hast made choice of me to this place and office of honour and service 29 As I begun so I conclude with hearty advice and instigation to be mindful of and thankful for the goodness of God whose mercie to his Church and faithful people never failed nor never shall The cxix PSALM This Psalm by the Author of it which some say and by many circumstances probably was David in his flight and exile is divided into 22 parts according to the number and order of letters in the Hebrew Alphabet each part containing eight verses and the first word of every verse in each part beginning with the same letter that is prefixet to the part it self as it is in order and succession in the Hebrew A. B. C. which its conceived was done for help of memorie The Psalm is without title and for the matter of it drives on no one particular subject but partly by the Psalmists own example and partly by rule is represented what is requisit to enter a man into and carrie him through a holy life specially in an afflicted state which are promiscuously scattered throughout the Psalm promises precepts documents prayers being variously intermingled and to be taken notice of accordingly by the Reader as they happen in his way as also the Authors exalting Gods grace and decrying self in his own person a president for all and a confutation of all self-opinionists or justiciaries whether Papists Armenians in judgement or practise mâ—n morally righteous or carnally confident Israelitish Christians which worship God but not in the spirit and rejoyce but not in Christ Iesus having confidence in the flesh contrarie to Paul Phil. 3.3 and David throughout this Psalm Aleph Is the first letter of the Hebrew Alphabet and is therefore here according to order prefixed to the first part of this Psalm to signifie that it is so and so do all the rest of the Letters in their ranck and order as they are prefixed to each part signifie alike numerarie orderly succession of the rest of the parts of this Psalm for instance The second letter Beth signifies that to be the second part and the third letter the third part and so of the rest 1 ALl men would be blessed but certainly happie and onely happie is here and shall be hereafter that man that seeks not after a sensual sinful felicitie as most do but on the contrarie throughout the whole course and trade of his life approves himself as one that walks towards heaven in heavens way in conscience to God avoiding the spots and stains of every sin in heart and life that may render him unpleasing or unsightly with God and strives to walk exactly in holy obedience to all his commandments to his well-pleasing 2 Yea they onely do and shall partake of true happiness peace of conscience and favour with God which deviate not into by-wayes of their own fancying but keep constant to an obediential walking with him according to the rules he in his word hath prescribed and commanded and that set so high a rate upon his grace and favour as to over-value it to all other happiness and therefore pray for it as their chiefest good and strive to walk worthy of it in all well-pleasing with sincere and entire obedience 3 Nor dare they transgress or willingly contract the least guilt of any known sinne upon themselves out of a filiall fear of displeasing God and forfeiting his favour but carefully tread his paths which onely lead to life and true happiness and bring with them sweet peace of conscience and seals of sincerity 4 And if it be asked what is the cause of the blessed mans exact walking and not taking the liberty that others do to sinne it is because he prefers Gods will before his own because the holy God strictly commandeth holiness therefore is he strict in observance to do thereafter to keep all and break none of his commandments 5 Lord let other men take other courses my prayer is and ever shall be that I may be so happy as to be enabled by thee to walk in well-pleasing to thee all my dayes and in all my wayes according to the rule of righteousness 6 Others think shame of holiness but I count it my glory yea the more holiness the less shame to come short of duty and sincerity is onely shame-worthy make me therefore in sincerity of heart and integrity of life to do thy whole will with my whole heart and then and never but then am I as I would be because then and onely then I am as I ought to be able to look God and man in the face free from an evil conscience 7 Truly Lord if I know mine own heart and I take it to be upright towards thee there is nothing that thou
ones for ever in all ages to do them good protect and save them spite of all worldly power or malice Such a God is thy God O Israel whom thou worshippest in his sanctuary upon his holy hill Sion of which accordingly he will bless preserve as the type of his Church universal which as his shall be upheld by him who himself is everlasting whilest the world endures Therefore praise ye the Lord trust in him and in nothing else all ye that are now or shall hereafter be his people the true worshippers of the onely true God The cxlvii PSALM David exceedingly exciteth the people of God his Israel to be frequent and conversant in praising the Lord by sweet motives and powerfull arguments proper and common shewing sometimes his tender care in speciall over his Church then again illustrating him by his native excellencies also by his gracious just and different dispensations to good and bad all having relation to his people whom he again stirs up to the dutie of thanksgiving and praise by acts of powerfull providence above and below to beast and birds He further cautionizeth them not to be misled in judgement so as to think the favour of God or success from God is attainable by humane inducemâ—nes or probabilities no but by faith and holy fear which being the things that indear us to God he again incites gods people to praise him for the priviledge of such truths revealed and such graces exhibited whereby they are so blessed and prospered with peace and plentie by him who as Lord paramount commands the whole creation and is obeyed by it both in heaven and earth but he is Israels and Israel his after a more peculiar and excellent manner than any other nations or all the worlds besides for which he concludes they ought to praise him answerably 1 O Ye people of the Lord be much busied in praising him no greater testimonie of a good heart towards God than to be praisefully affected and disposed nothing we can do more profitable and available to our selves for it keeps the heart in a holy frame and tunableness in the exercise of faith and love to God-ward and gains upon him exceedingly who is much delighted with that kind of service and sacrifice to have the honour done him and homage paid him that 's due unto him from the creature specially his people that do it with faith and understanding it is a work well becoming these to magnifie the Lord both for what he is in himself considered and also to them in grace and gracious dispensations 2 Who indeed deserves praise but he That is all in all specially to his Church it is he that laieth the foundation of it in election and builds it progressively by faith and sanctification and finisheth his work of grace and his peoples happiness in glorification like as out of all the world Jerusalem is the chosen place of his worship and Israel a chosen people to worship him both which he of meer grace by an Almightie power doth bless and build up unto a flourishing state and condition and that notwithstanding their many enemies Yea he brings his people Israel out of their several mis-fortunes and dispersions to be the sole subjects of his Kingdom and to be united under me their head his substitute in a formed Church and Common-wealth thereby to live happilie and serve him acceptably as in like sort he shall call his chosen all the world over into one body his Church under one head Christ to serve and honour him and partake of his happiness It is he that doth both the one and the other 3 God many times is pleased to break and bruise his people with outward afflictions and inward depressions of mind and conscience by the weight of sins guilt or his dis-favour but it is but to find his grace and spirit work to shew his skill and to verifie his word who healeth them again with the balm of Gilead the light of his countenance ariseth upon such a soul after some conflict for God is tender over his people specially in distress and most specially in soul-agonies when they pant under a troublesom spirit he is the true Samaritan that poureth in wine and oyl and binds up the wound of his Church and chosen which the world without or trouble within hath made 4 He that can number the numberless stars from one end of the heavens to the other and knoweth them particularly and distinctly one by one as many as they are having indeed made them all and ordained each one its orb and office causing them to appear and act in their seasons orderly and successively without confusion notwithstanding their infinite number as also their variable manifold and inter-winding courses he as well knoweth the number of the stars on earth as in heaven his people wheresoever dispersed upon the face of the whole earth to gather them into his bodie as Israel into Canaan from their dispersions yea every particular person and member of his Church universal knows he to bring him in in his season age and generation and both where and how to imploy him in what station of the world and place in his Church for the service of him and it 5 For as the Lord is great in knowledge so also in power there can no bounds be set to either he is infinite in understanding past our capacitie a fit object of of our faith and subject of our praise in all his proceedings 6 As appears by the certain conclusions he brings out of uncertain providences how those that meekly and humbly undergo their time and portion of sufferings the share of all his servants wherein they seem to themselves and others to be forlorne and helpless he by an Almightie hand beyond imagination relieves and releaseth them makes them able with joy to over-top their sorrows how despicable soever they were in the eyes of the world whereas on the contrarie those that with worldly pomp and affluence are lifted up to do wickedly against him or his Church oppressing them or contemning him these as high as they are in power and pride and though they seem to the world and themselves in respect of their present condition to be as immoveable as a mountain God notwithstanding nay therefore ruinates them and lets the world see the difference of good and bad of them that fear him and also of them that fear him not 7 Consider the thank-worthy goodness of God to stir you up to zeal and gratitude when you praise him in Psalms and Hymns which neglect not to do even to do with all your might and the best of your skill both of voice and instrument and all too little to give God his due specially we his peculiar people cannot do too much in this way who by special priviledge are the onely people of all the world that worship the onely true God 8 For it is he
Kings of the earth set themselves and the Rulers took counsel together against the Lord and against his anointed saying 3 Let us break their bands asunder and cast away their cords from us 4 He that sitteth in the Heavens shall laugh the Lord shall have them in derision 5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath and vex them in his sore displeasure 6 Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Sion 7 I will declare the decree the Lord hath said unto me Thou art my Son this day hâ—ve I begotten thee 8 Ask of me and I shall give thee the Heathen for thine inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession 9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potters vessel 10 Be wise now therefore O ye Kings be instructed ye Judges of the earth 11 Serve the Lord with fear and rejoyce with trembling 12 Kiss the Son lest he be angry and ye perish from the way when his wrath is kindled but a little blessed are all they that put their trust in him Psalm 3. A Psalm of David when he fled from Absalom his son 1 LOrd how are they encreased that trouble meâ— many are they that rise up against me 2 Many there be which say of my soul There is no help for him in God Selah 3 But thou O Lord art a shield for me my glory and the lifter up of my head 4 I cried unto the Lord with my voice and he heard me out of his holy hill Selah 5 I laid me down and slept I awaked for the Lord sustained me 6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people that have set themselves against me round about 7 Arise O Lord save me O my God for thou hast smitten all â—ine enemies upon the cheek bone thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly 8 Salvation belongeth unto the Lord thy blessing is upon thy people Selah Psalm 4. To the chief musician on Neginoth A Psalm of David 1 HEar when I call O God of my righteousness thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress have mercie upon me and hear my prayer 2 O ye sons of men how long will ye turn my glorie into shame how long will ye love vanitie and seek after leasing Selah 3 But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself the Lord will hear when I call unto him 4 Stand in aw and sin not commune with your own heart upon your bed and be still Selah 5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness and put your trust in the Lord. 6 There be many that say who will shew us any good Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us 7 Thou hast put gladness in my heart more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased 8 I will both lay me down in peace and sleep for thou Lord onely makest me dwel in safetie Psalm 5. To the chief musician upon Neginoth A Psalm of David 1 GIve ear to my words O Lord consider my meditations 2 Hearken unto the voice of my crie my King and my God for unto thee will I pray 3 My voyce shalt thou hear in the morning O Lord in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee and will look up 4 For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness neither shall evil dwell with thee 5 The foolish shall not stand in thy sight thou hatest all workers of iniquitie 6 Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing the Lord will abhor the bloudie and deceitful man 7 But as for me I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercie and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy Temple 8 Lead me O Lord in thy righteousness because of mine enemies make thy way straight before my face 9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth their inward part is very wickedness their throat is an open sepulchre they flatter with their tongue 10 Destroy thou them O God let them fall by their own counsels cast them out in the multitude of their transgressioâ—s for thy have rebelled against thee 11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoyce let them ever shout for joy because thou defendest him let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee 12 For thou Lord wilt bless the righteous with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield To the chief musician on Neginoth upon Sheminith A Psalm of David 1 O Lord rebuke me not in thine anger neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure 2 Have mercie upon me O Lord for I am weak O Lord heal me for my bones are vexed 3 My soul is also soar vexed but thou O Lord how long 4 Return O Lord deliver my soul o save me for thy mercie sake 5 For in death there is no remembrance of thee in the grave who shall give thee thanks 6 I am wearie with my groaning all the night make I my bed to swim I water my couch with my tears 7 Mine eye is consumed because of grief it waxeth old because of all mine enemies 8 Depart from me all ye workers of iniquitie for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping 9 The Lord hath heard my supplication the Lord will receive my prayer 10 Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed let them return and be ashamed suddenly Psalm 7. Shiggaion of David which he sang unto the Lord concerning the words of Cush the Benjamite 1 O Lord my God in thee do I put my trust save me from all them that persecute me and deliver me 2 Lest he tear my soul like a Lion renting it in pieces while there is none to deliver 3 O Lord my God if I have done this if there be iniquitie in my hands 4 If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me Yea I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemie 5 Let the enemie persecute my soul and take it yea let him tread down my life upon the earth and lay mine honour in the dust Selah 6 Arise O Lord in thine aâ—ger lift up thy self because of the rage of mine enemies and awake for me to the judgement that thou hast commanded 7 So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about for their sakes therefore return thou â—e high 8 The Lord shall â—udge the people â—udge me O Lord according to my righteousness and according to mine integritie that is in me 9 Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end but establish the just â—or the righteous God trieth the heaâ—rs and reins 10 My defence is of God which saveth the upright in heart 11 God judgeth the righteous and God is angrie with the wicked every day 12 If he turn not he will wheâ— his sword he hath bent
presence of the God of Jacob. 8 Which turned the rock into a standing water the flint into a fountain of waters Psalm cxv 1 NOt unto us O Lord not unto us but unto thy name give glory for thy mercy and for thy truths sake 2 Wherefore should the heathen say where 〈◊〉 now their God 3 But our God is in the heavens he hath done whatsoever he pleased 4 Their Idols are silver and gold the work of mens hands 5 They have mouths but they speak not eyes have they but they see not 6 They have ears but they hear not noses have they but they smell not 7 They have hands but they handle not feet have they but they walk not neither speak they through their throat 8 They that make them are like unto them so is every one that trusteth in them 9 O Israel trust thou in the Lord he is thy help and thy shield 10 O house of Aaron trust in the Lord he is their help and their shield 11 Ye that fear the Lord trust in the Lord he is their help and their shield 12 The Lord hath been mindfull of us he will bless us he will bless the house of Israel he will bless the house of Aaron 13 He will bless them that fear the Lord both small and great 14 The Lord shall increase you more and more you and your children 15 You are blessed of the Lord which made heaven and earth 16 The heaven even the heavens are the Lords but the earth hath he given to the children of men 17 The dead praise not the Lord neither any that go down into silence 18 But we will bless the Lord from this time forth and for evermore Praise the Lord. 1 I Love the Lord because he hath heard my voice and my supplications 2 Because he hath enclined his ear unto me therefore will I call upon him as long as I live 3 The sorrows of death compassed me and the pains of hell-gate hold upon me I found trouble and sorrow 4 Then called I upon the name of the Lord O Lord I beseech thee deliver my Soul 5 Gracious is the Lord and righteousâ— yea our God is merciful 6 The Lord preserveth the simple I was brought low and he helped me 7 Return unto thy rest O my soul for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee 8 For thou hast delivered my soul from death mine eyes from tears and my feet from falling 9 I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living 10 I believed therefore have I spoken I was greatly afflicted 11 I said in my hast All men are liars 12 What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me 13 I will take the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord. 14 I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people 15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints 16 Oh Lord truly I am thy servant I am thy servant and the son of thy handmaid thou hast loosed my bonds 17 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanks-giving will call upon the name of the Lord. 18 I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people 19 In the courts of the Lords house in the middest of thee O Jerusalem praise yâ— the Lord. Psalm cxvii 1 O Praise the Lord all ye nations praise him all ye people 2 For his merciful kindness is great towards us and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever praise ye the Lord. Psalm cxviii 1 O Give thanks unto the Lord for he is good because his mercie endureth for ever 2 Let Israel now say that his mercie endureth for ever 3 Let the house of Aaron now say that his mercie endureth for ever 4 Let them now that fear the Lord say that his mercy endureth for ever 5 I called upon the Lord in distress the Lord answered me and set me in a large place 6 The Lord is on my side I will not fâ—ar what can man do unto me 7 The Lord taketh my part with them that help me therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me 8 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man 9 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in Princeâ— 10 All nations compassed me about but in the name of the Lord will I destroy them 11 They compassed me about yea they compassed me about but in the name of the Lord I will destroy them 12 They compassed me about like bees they are quenched as the fire of thorns for in the name of the Lord I will destroy them 13 Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall but the Lord helped me 14 The Lord is my strength and song and is become my saltion 15 The voyce of rejoycing and salvation is in the Tabernacles of the righteous the right hand of the Lord doth valiantly 16 The right hand of the Lord is exalted the right hand of the Lord doth valiantly 17 I shall not die but live and declare the works of the Lord. 18 The Lord hath chastened me sore but he hath not given me over unto death 19 Open to me the gates of righteousness I will go in to them I will praise the Lord. 20 This gate of the Lord into which the righteous shall enter 21 I will praise thee for thou hast heard me and art become my salvation 22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner 23 This is the Lords doing and it is marvellous in our eyes 24 This is the day which the Lord hath made we will rejoyce and be glad in it 25 Save now I beseech thee O Lord O Lord I beseech thee send now prosperitie 26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord. 27 God is the Lord which hath shewed us light bind the sacrifice with cords even unto the horns of the Altar 28 Thou art my God and I will praise thee thou art my God I will exalt thee 29 O give thanks unto the Lord for he is good for his mercie endureth for ever Aleph 1 BLessed are the undefiled in the way who walk in the Law of the Lord. 2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies and that seek him with the whole heart 3 They also do no iniquity they walk in his wayes 4 Thâ—u hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently 5 O that my wayeâ— were directed to keep thy statutes 6 Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect to all thy commandments 7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart when I shall have learned thy righteous judgements 8 I will keep thy statutes O forsake me not utterly Beth. 9 Wherewithall shall a
help me 176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep seek thy servant for I do not forget thy commandments A song of degrees Psalm cxx 1 IN my distress I cried unto the Lord and he heard me 2 Deliver my Soul O Lord from lying lips and from a deceitful tongue 3 What shall be given unto thee or what shall be done unto thee thou false tongue 4 Sharp arrows of the mightie with coals of juniper 5 Wo is me that I sojourn in Mesech that I dwell in the tents of Kedar 6 My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace 7 I am for peace but when I speak they are for war Psalm cxxi A song of degrees 1 I Will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help 2 My help cometh from the Lord which made heaven earth 3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved he that keepeth thee will not slamber 4 Behold he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep 5 The Lord is thy keeper the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand 6 The sun shall not smite thee by day nor the moon by night 7 The Lord shall reserve thee from all evil he shall preserve thy soul. 8 The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth and even for evermore Psalm cxxii A song of degrees of David 1 I Was glad when they said unto me let us go into the house of the Lord. 2 Our feet shall stand within thy gates O Jerusalem 3 Jerusalem is builded as a Citie that is compact together 4 Whither the tribes go up the tribes of the Lord unto the testimonie of Israel to give thanks unto the name of the Lord. 5 For there are set thrones of judgement the thrones of the house of David 6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem they shall prosper that love thee 7 Peace be within thy walls and prosperiâ—ie within thy palaces 8 For my brethren and companions sake I will now say Peace be with thee 9 Because of tâ—e house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good Psalm cxxiii A song of degreeâ— 1 UNto thee lift I up mine eyeâ— O thou that dwellest in the heavens 2 Behoâ—d as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their maiters and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God until that he have mercie upon us 3 Have mercie upon us O Lord have mercie upon us for we are exceedingly filled with contempt 4 Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease and with the contempt of the proud Psalm cxxiv A song of degrees of David 1 IF it had not been the Lord who was on our side now may Israel say 2 If it had not been the Lord who was on our side when men rose up against us 3 Then they had swallowed us up quick when their wrath was kindled against us 4 Then the waters had overwhelmed us the stream had gone over our soul. 5 Then the proud waters had gone over our soul. 6 Blessed be the Lord who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth 7 Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers the snare is broken and we are escaped 8 Our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth Psalm cxxv A song of degrees 1 THey that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Sion which cannot be removed but abideth for ever 2 As the mountains are round about Jerusalem so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even for ever 3 For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquitie 4 Do good O Lord unto those that be good and to them that are upright in their hearts 5 As for such as turn aside unto their crooked wayes the Lord shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquitie but peace shall be upon Israel Psalm cxxvi A song of degrees 1 WHen the Lord turned again the captivitie of Sion we were like them that dream 2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter our toÌ„gue with singing then said they among the heathen the Lord hath done great things for them 3 The Lord hath done great things for us whereof we are glad 4 Turn again our captivity O Lord as the streams in the south 5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth hearing pretious seed shall doubtless â—ome again wiâ—h reioycing bringing his sheaves with him Psalm cxxvii A Song of degrees for or as in the margin of Solomon 1 EXcept the Lord build the house they labour in vain that build it except the Lord keep the citie the watchman waketh but in vain 2 It is vain for you to rise up early to sit up late to eat the bread of sorrow for so he giveth his beloved sleep 3 Lo children are an heritage of the Lord and the fruit of the womb is his reward 4 As arrows are in the hands of a mighty man so are children of the youth 5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them they shall not be ashamed but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate Psalm cxxviii A Song of degrees 1 BLessed is every one that feareth the Lord that walketh in his waies 2 〈◊〉 thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands happy shalt thou be and it shall be well with thee 3 Thy wife shall be as a fruitfull vine by the sides of thine house thy children like olive plants round about thy table 4 Behold that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord. 5 The Lord shall bless thee out of Sion and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life 7 Yea thou shalt see thy childrens children and peaâ—e upon Israel Psalm cxxix 1 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth may Israel now say 2 Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth yet they have not prevailed against me 3 The plowers plowed upon my back they made long their furrows 4 The Lord is righteous he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked 5 Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Sion 6 Let them be as the grass upon the house tops which withereth before it springeth up 7 Wherewith the mowe silieth not his hand nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom 8 Neither do they whiâ—h go by say the blessing of the Lord be upon you we bless you in the name of the Lord. Psalm CXXX A song of degrees 1 OUt of the depths have I cried uno thee O Lord. 2 Lord hear my vioce let thy ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication 3 If thou Lord shouldest mark iniquities
as a vessel unemptied taking taint by long standing in any one condition and therefore God hath ordered it that the soul as the Sea shall purge it sel◠by its constant vicissitudes of ebbings and flowings whether the winds blow without or not But least Christians wonder at such fortunes as befall them God hath shewen us that we sail but the course of other men that went before us and have landed safely through many cross winds and high Seas in a happy issue or conclusion and David is the highest Sea-mark in all the Bible for men of shipwracked souls bodies states or names to cast their eye upon who ever lived that endured such and such variety of affliction for that he was to be the type as of the Crown so of the cross of Christ yea and of every Christian or the Church in generall And therefore what state soever thou beest in the Psalms are as an Apothecaries stop full of boxes and they are full of all manner of store for men in all tempers and distempers at all times and in all tunes to make use of especially when thou hast to do in a good cause against a wicked enemy Bodily weakness disabling me for other imploiments gave me opportunity to make thus much more progress in Scripture-paraphrase and though the Psalms which being so frequently used ought the better to be understood may primâ facie seem to need none yet they that look into them with inspection will find much more sence than lies above board besides that of coherence and connexion the hardest part of paraphrase which most Readers omit and most expositours neglect rendering though a true sence of the Text if disjoyned yet not carefully considering the scope of the contexture they give not the sence in its full propriety which is the endeavour of Thine in the work of the Lord. G. F. Advertisements premised WHerein the word Maschil is prefixed to a Psalm it imports it to be a Psalm of direction instruction or information in some sort or other Where the word Selah is affixed to any sentence or verse it is to be understood by way of Emphasis or as an Emphaticall close to the matter foregoing suitable to it by way of Exaggeration or Amplification for Impression sake And so in like sort the word Higgaion which signifies to muse or meditate is to be taken when and where it is affixed to a sentence as where Higgaion Selah concludes a verse The first PSALM The Contents The Prophet to induce to godliness and disswade from wickedness shews in this Psalm that the first of these does onely make men happie and blessed and the other doth certainly and eternally make men miserable 1 WOuldst thou be a blessed man mistake not then but know upon the word of a Prophet speaking from God that He and He onely is here and shall be for ever hereafter happie and blessed to wit with the favour of God true peace of conscience and joys of heaven the onely true happiness that maugre the opinion of the world to the contrarie shuts his ear to the sinful perswasions of wicked men not suffering himself to be seduced to lead their lives much less willingly and impudently gives himself over to a course of sinning and least of all with brazen face scorns and opposes the ways of God and them that walk them 2 But on the contrarie is ruled by the Word studying it and walking those ways which it prescribes and commands with as much pleasure and content of mind as wicked men take in sin keeping it in mind and memorie to order his ways according to it that in nothing nor at no time sin may mislead him 3 And God shall so bless this his holy care and industrie that his soul shall be plentifully fed from heaven with the never-failing influences of Grace and Consolation to the making him fruitful in every good work and work comfortable in every condition and inable him to hold forth a holy profession throughout prosperitie and adversitie to the end maugre the world and wicked men to the glorie of God and honour of Religion and his own great advantage too here as well as hereafter thereby procuring the blessing of God upon all he hath and doth 4 Whereas the wicked have no firm footing in any good condition for in the way they walk God will never bless them nor respect them but as they are nought so will he set them at nought and will make it appear he does so when he executes his displeasure upon them which shall part them from the prosperitie they enjoyed in this life with a fearful farewel never exspecting to see good day again 5 For the conscience of their wicked ways and the expectation of that just and fearful sentence Go ye cursed to be pronounced upon them shall make them hang the head in deep despair at the great Assize when as the godly shall be able to lift up their heads with joy nor shall such sinful wretches ever set foot within heavens threshold or have any fellowship or share there in the happiness of the saints 6 For however wicked men that know not things that differ think as well and better of themselves and their ways than of the godly and theirs Yet God knows the difference and shall one day make them to know it too when he comes to judge and reward every one according to his works then he will make it appear what notice he took of the godly and how he approved them the world contemned And the wicked they shall see and find for all their confidence and jolity where their way will end and to what a woful condition it will bring them at last Even to everlasting destruction Second PSALM David finding great opposition in his coming to the Kingdom both at home by the House of Saul and they that sided with them and also abroad by confederacy of neighbour-Princes and People He shews them both their folly and danger in so doing for that as a Prophet he does assure them that God hath designed him to rule both over Iews and Gentiles as a figure of Christs doing the like in his spiritual Kingdom all the world over and therefore exhorts them to desist and submit to the will of the Lord and not to their utter undoing put from them the Grace that is offered them in Christ whose type onely he was and of whose Kingdom he prophesies which would make them blessed for ever 1 HOw senselesly do the Gentile and Heathen nations amongst us and about us yea and so many that are of Israel too so violently oppose my Government and refuse their subjection to me which nevertheless shall be effected maugre all their rage and resistance for that herein I am to be a type of Christ the Son of God his universal Sovereignty over Jews and Gentiles which by the wicked of both sorts shall in like manner be opposed but in
tongue is made apt to utter them with a ready dexteritie 2 As God hath advanced thee O Solomon with honour to be King over Israel as Christ shall be over his Church so hath he beautified thee above the ordinarie ranck of men and adorned thee with excellent Divine wisdom and utterance worthie thy place of regiment like as he will do Christ the blessed King and bridegroom of his Church with all the excellent inward ornaments of grace and spirit wherein he shall exceed all and of which his excellencies he shall participate to all his people by his powerful and saving word of grace which is an infallible argument of the never failing love and favour God hath to thee and will ever bear thee the type as to Christ the antitype and the blessings that shall accompany it 3 Whensoever thou preparest for war prepare for victorie O thou that art mightily blessed and aided by the Almighty God of heaven and made the King of most renown and majestie in all the world as Christ shall be the most powerful and victorious Saviour of his Church and mightiest potentate to whom all power shall be given both in heaven and earth 4 And in the majestick power that God hath given thee prosperously proceed to aw and conquer all thine enemies not by falshood pride and injustice as do other Kings that move upon earthly principles but in Gods way by the exercise of his graces of faithfulness meekness and justice as shall do Christ by his Kingly office in behalf of his Church prevailing and conquering by the saving truth of his word patient long-suffering and righteous performing of his promises ruling and walking in this manner thou shalt be able to work wonders and shalt strike terrour into thine enemies and reverence into thy people as shall Christ into his 5 Those that shall oppose thy Sovereign rule and government will have but bad success for thou art as Christ shall be of power to quell them whereby whole nations of the Gentils shall be subdued to thy subjection and obedience as they shall to his 6 Thy dominion and sovereigntie O Solomon the type of Christ the son of God is not like meer earthly Kings that perish but it shall in him who is God and our Divine mediator be extended over all and to all eternity Thou hast right to rule for God himself hath given thee dominion over Jews and Gentils as he hath done to Christ over all the world a just and righteous government shalt thou the type execute in him the antitype who is the just and holy God not subject to the corruptions of earthly Princes 7 For he whom thou resemblest perfectly loves and obeys the holy and righteous will of God and as perfectly hateth both sin and sinners for which cause that he may be Gods high officer and King over his Church chosen peculiarly to that place and honour before all mankind and Gods own people too as David was before all Israel and both he and thou before the rest of your brethren therefore is he inabled and enriched from God whose son even by nature he is and whose love most especially he hath with the spirit of consolation and all his Divine graces in his humane nature even without measure whereof the adopted sons of God and fellow-members of Christ that are partakers with him of the Divine nature as he is with them of the humane do share but in measure short of him receiving grace for grace from him 8 All thy royall robes O Solomon are richly and odoriferously perfumed with the most costly aromatick spices when as thou shewest thy self to thy people from out thy stately palaces who at the sight and smell of thee are rejoyced and refreshed and reciprocally return their joyfull and loyal acclamations to thee again to thy great contentment as well as theirs Like as Christ shall come from heaven furnished in his humane nature with all excellent graces and perfections befitting his high office to the infinit joy of his people who enjoy the sweet and benefit thereof which they return again unto him in love honour and service to his good content 9 Thou art honoured with many wives and concubines of high birth even Kings daughters are in the number of them but especially and of most account with thee is Pharaohs daughter who is Queen above all the rest and more gloriously attired than any Like as Christ shall have the attendance and company of many noble and famous congregations that will profess him and worship him externally in his ordinances But his onely and principal spouse is the holy Catholick Church consisting principally of the elect Gentils whom he shall cloth like himself in his own righteousness and adorn her with the Divine nature and the graces of his spirit and prefer her to special favour here and glorie with him hereafter in heaven 10 O daughter of Aegypt whom God hath made so happie as to bring thee thence and to marrie thee to King Solomon the type of Christ be thou also the resemblance of his spouse the Church specially of the Gentils by hearkening unto and embracing the true and saving knowledge of the onely true God and be converted by it as she shall be and turn from the errours wherein thou wast bred and born inheriting them by education and birth-right as do even the elect of God their sinful and corrupt nature till they be married to Christ by a new nature and forsake all for him 11 So shall King Solomon far more entirely love thee and delight in thee thy beautie being much increased thereby and thou made glorious within as well as without who is thy Lord and husband and therefore one whom thou oughtest to obey and desire to please Like as shall the Church be infinitly pleasing to Christ when she hath given herself to him and is endowed with his graces whose Lord and husband he is and whom she ought to serve and honour 12 Nor shalt thou lose thereby but God will greatly increase thine honour and esteem far more than being the daughter of Pharaoah comes to for so shalt thou in conjugal participation gain the homage and subjection of great and rich nations the most mightie and powerful people of all the world shall be brought under and made glad of thy favour through the favour and blessing of God upon thee Like as it shall be with the Church which worships Christ in puritie and sinceritie she shall be so blessed by him as that no enemy shall stand before her but by the assistance of the power and grace of Christ her Lord and husband she shall be Ladie and Mistresse of the whole world sought unto of all nations for the knowledge of her saving truth and participation of her graces with the renouncing of their false confidences to share with her in Christ. 13 Thou the daughter of King Pharaoh art not gloriously
and reproves not onely for a sinfull but an ungratefull and a despising people that having those excellent priviledges of his worship and presence amongst them so shamefully play the hypocrits with him pretending holiness in outward ceremoniall worship and performances but never heed how faith and grace acts in their services nay many of them are not onely formall but even prophane hypocrites that dare to live in sin even gross sins and yet be frequent in duties thus mocking God to his face and yet think he likes well enough of that they do because they smart not for it but God tells them they shall tast the bitter fruit of their wayes if they repent not And for them that spiritually and uprightly worship him amongst them as they honour him so he will reward them to their hearts content A Psalm made by Asaph THe onely true and Almighty God the Lord of all the earth having noted thē Idolatrous miscarriages and false worships that are every where practised summons all men in all the world to take notice 2 That though the whole world be in sinfull darkness and ignorance of the true God and the right way of serving him Yet there is a corner of the earth that God hath vouchsafed to shine out of as the sun when it arises in the East and spreads its light by degrees over the face of the whole heavens a place and people that he hath chosen to reveal himself in and amongst it is his people Israel in the land of Canaan principally in the Citie Jerusalem but most especially upon mout Sion there shall you find and see in a breife map of lively types and representations God manifested not onely in his majesty but in his true and saving way of worship grace and truth shining there and from thence shall take its rise to overspread the whole world 3 This God that is so peculiarly ours and at present seems comparatively to be professour of no part of the earth but this that his people dwell in nor to have no dominion over any else for none serve him but they This God of ours shall one day make it appear that he is Lord of all the world when he shall come to judge it which he will do though now he forbear and suffer it to lie in ignorance and Idolatry but he will appear in terrour and great glory to the astonishing and confounding of all men all the world over that believe not in him nor worship him aright 4 None shall escape his judgement the heavens and the earth which he made he shall command to render up all mankind alive or dead and dissolved into their elements or first principles as subject to him to be judged by him from the four corners of the world 5 Then shall it appear that but some of all the world are Gods peculiar sanctified ones a people sprinkled with the bloud of the covenant keeping faith and a good conscience which the Angels by speciall appointment shall gather together from out the rest of the world and set them on Gods right hand in heaven as now his Israel his onely covenanting and sacrificing people severed from all the world besides are by a powerfull hand settled in Canaan 6 His righteous justice shall be made manifest over all the earth in condemning the wicked be they never so many and saving those that are godly from amongst them be they never so few for the righteous and omnipotent God that is Lord over all and hath all power both in heaven and earth who is of wisdom to judge aright of all men and of power to execute his judgement shall himself pass sentance infallibly from heaven upon them Even so be it 7 What have been said of my peculiar favour to you above all the world besides is true how that I have chosen you out of the whole earth placed you in the promised land vouchsafed you my speciall presence in my speciall place of worship entered covenant with you to be your God and you likewise with me to be my people mine Israel to tread in the steps of your faithfull forefathers and therefore though I have a quarrell with all the world for their sinfull evil ways for which I will one day judge them as I have said yet you that are my people even because you are so I would have you know and therefore do I passionately press it upon you that your sins in your ignorance of me and abuse of my name and worship in an outward pretence of holiness without faith and affection are my greatest trouble and which I cannot but with griefe complain of as a great unkindness against me the God of all the world but more especially your God above and beyond all the world besides and therefore exspect to be served in sincerity and not in hypocriticall shews and formalities by you 8 It is not your sacrifices that I so much care for nor do I complain the want of them I have had enough and too many of such ceremonies from you that I even surfet again of them 9 Those are things which thou valuest thy Bullocks and thy Goats they are thy livelihood and sustenance which makes thee set by such kind of service but they are not of that value to me nor of that use it is not they that give me content I had rather be without them than have them after that carnall and formall manner you offer them you think you do me a pleasure by being at such charges and that you feast me as you do your selves with the sacrifices you offer me whereas did I need such things I would not be beholden to your stalls or folds for them 10 I would go where there is better choice and more variety and take either what I wanted or what I pleased all the world over for they are all mine the whole store that the whole earth is furnished with and where you can plead no propriety 11 Yea I can command also the fowls that flie in the air or that breed in the mountains out of your reach and those beasts that naturally are wild and untameable and never will be at your command they are all mine 12 So that if I were an hungry and had an appetite to eat and feed upon the creature as thou dost as by your manner of service you seem to fancy me to be I need not take the meat out of thy mouth by appointing you sacrifices to any such end who am the God of all the world and can serve my self as I please upon the creature which I have replenished the whole earth withall 13 Can you have such low and base thoughts of me as to think me to have appointed the sacrifices I command you for any such carnall and sensuall respects that am a spirit and look to be worshipped in spirit or are you so void of reason and understanding as
amends at last and all that thou promisedst hast thou performed for thou hast by a strong hand invested us in a happie condition and possessed us of a fruitful land spite of all our enemies so shall thy Church have deliverances here but let not them never doubt of heaven hereafter 13 14 What I would have others do I hope I shall not fail for mine own part to practise I am resolved upon consideration of what I have recounted that thou hast done for us and I am sure wilt do for thy Church to give thee praise and thanks not onely inwardly in my heart but also outwardly in the eyes and for the example sake of all others according to thine appointment by solemn sacrifices and especially for my self who have been in not a few nor those no small troubles at what time I vowed them to thee and have tasted accordingly of not a few and those no small deliverances 15 What ever thou hast commanded to be offered thee I will do it to the full in the performance of my thanks and acknowledgement of thy mercies both for number and worth even the best I can get what charge soever I am at And that with a free heart 16 Thou hast set me up as a pillar and monument of thy unspeakable goodness to thy servants which I hope and do desire that all thy people in all ages of the World would take notice of and to that end I will leave it upon record even the wondrous mercies I have partaked of and miraculous preservation that I have had 17 How that I never in my need put up my prayer to him in fervour and faith but I had a return answerable and my prayer was turned to praise 18 I speak not this to embolden hypocrits as if they were so priviledged who are apt enough to pray in their need as well as the Godly but for the incouragement of the sincere and upright such as I bless God I am harbouring the love of no known sin in me I know how I should have sped if I had not as I have done but have had the deaf ear turned upon me and well I had deserved it as all hypocrits and carnal formal professers do 19 But assuredly the Lord from time to time hath heard me and answered me too very graciously yea he hath carefully had respect to me whensoever I poured out my heart before him in the anguish thereof in time of trouble 20 I bless the Lord he hath blessed me and not sent me away without mine errand when as I have come to him in prayer and supplication nor withheld his mercie from me in mine extremitie but hath effectually appeared for me and so he will for all that trust in him and seek to him as I have done The lxvii PSALM The Psalmist praies that God would in such a sort be good to Israel that the Gentils may note it and be won by it to imbrace his saving truth and serve him as well as they But for the full â—ffecting of their conversion he wishes heartily for the comming of Christ and his Kingdom and the happie dayes that shall be then all the World over To him that is most skilful upon the stringed instrument Neginoth to which this Psalm is chiefly set is it committed for his care and ordering it be sung and plaid 1 THe good Lord be merciful unto us in the pardon of our sins and graciously benevolent and propitious in multiplying blessings upon us and manifesting his favour to us so as it may be notorious in the eyes of the World Even so be it 2 That the whole earth that now wander out of the way may be brought to acknowledge thee for the only true God to worship thee aright when they perceive the mercies that we that do so do enjoy above all others may be brought to hearken enquire after the saving righteousness thou hast revealed to us whereof they are utterly ignorant 3 Lord let the Gentils as well as we have the knowledge and experience of thy rich mercie and saving goodness that they may praise thee for it yea spread and proclaim it to all the World that thou mayest every where have a people to magnifie thee for it upon the whole earth 4 When shall Christ come to proclaim the year of Jubile even life and salvation to the Gentils to their unspeakable joy and thy unspeakable praise and to take the Government into his hands which he shall sway with equitie and justice both to the good and to the bad Lord hasten it 5 Let the Gentils as well as we have the knowledge and experience of thy rich mercie and saving goodness that they may praise thee for it yea spread and proclaim it to all the World that thou mayest every where have a people to magnifie thee for it upon the whole earth 6 O that this time were now for when it is happie shall those dayes be when the Messiah shall come infinite of blessings of every sort temporal and spiritual will he bring with him The whole earth that is cursed by the fall shall by him be blessedly restored and made a Canaan fruitful to God and man and God who was become a stranger by it shall by and in him be as much and more his peoples in more near proprietie and relation than ever and bless them with better blessings through grace than ever they were and could be capable of other wayes 7 Then shall be a time of sweet harmonious interchangeable correspondencies betwixt heaven and earth God he shall pour out his spirit upon all flesh and spread his Gospel over the whole earth and accompany it with no small store of temporal mercies and his people shall from all the ends of the World be hereby gathered to him and give up themselves in faith and obedience to be his The lxviii PSALM David upon the great victories he had had over his enemies and the remove of the Ark to its setled abode in Ierusalem praies and prophesus the infelicitie of the adversaries of Gods Church and the prospâ—ritie of the righteous whereof he advises them to be confident and therein to rejoyce for God in mercie will be mindful of the oppressed and injustice of the oppressors whereof they had had ample experience by marvellous deliverance out of Aegypt settlement in Canaan in the gaining whereof he gave them wonderful victories and as their case was prospâ—rous then so he prefigures it shall be again now in his time both Church and Common-wealth shall flourish because of the favour of God to them and his protection over them for he is to be a resemblance of Christ after his ascension victor over all his enemies Having shewn the happie consequences of the Arks remove he amplifies the manner of its transportation from the house of Obed-Edom in what order and with what harmonie
it was conveyed thence to Ierusalem whither he excites all Israel to come and duely frequent iâ— and promises himself as much of them both one and other assuring thâ—m that as its God that hath put them into this good condition so must be preserve them in it and therefore must be sought to for it and then shall the Church flourish from a tabernacle to a temple even like unto Gospel-times when Gentils as well as Iews shall make up the Church whereof he would have the world take notice and be 〈◊〉 to God for it when it is who now onely is made manifest to them by works of creation by which they are to know him and for which they are to praise him even him who is at present the God which they the Israelites worship and who from heaven and his sanctuarie hath so blessed them and overthrown their enemies as he hath done To the President of the Quire is this Psalm committed by David that made it for his ordering it to be sung and plaid by voices and instruments 1 THine Ark O Lord the token of thy presence hath hitherto been in obscuritie in comparison of what it shall be upon this remove of it to Jerusalem there to be placed upon thy holy hill where it shall be in far more eminencie than formerly and thy worship and service better acted and frequented And as hath been thine Ark so hath been thy self under a cloud towards thy people till now that I doubt not will be far otherwayes for time to come and wilt let the World see that as thy glorie and worship is promoted and thy people awakened as it were out of their supine neglect of thee to honour and serve thee so wilt thou arise for them to do them good and make them a flourishing nation under me the type of Christ and his Government so that their enemies which hereafter shall be thine because theirs shall by thy power and in thy wrath be discomfited and confounded in all their attempts against them and they shall destroy and be victorious over all that have formerly triumphed over them and though still they hate them yet shall they not now in the flourishing estate of thy Church be able any more to hurt them Lord let all these things be so 2 Let thine and thy Churches enemies come to nought scatter their forces and vacate their counsels and let it appear by the nature and manner of thy destructive judgements upon such wicked wretches that it was thee that didst it in the behalf of thy people and for their sakes with whom and for whom thou art as really present as thine Ark is present in Jerusalem 3 Let it be now the portion of thy faithful ones thy poor afflicted people to joy their while in thy presence as they have been sadned a long time at thine absence let them so clearly see thee for them and with them as may even ravish their hearts and raise up their spirits exceedingly 4 In confidence of this that he will now be with and do after this sort for us his Church and people in the faith of it I say for ye need not doubt it sing praises to him for it even for his grace and faithfulness to us and the just remuneration of our enemies which he counts his let your thoughts be of him and praises to him answerable to his greatness let your faith pierce the Heavens to behold him there in his glorie and majestie over-looking the World from thence and ruling and ordering all things here by his mightie power who onely hath his being of himself and gives being to every thing else which can be said of no God or Gods besides him as such be sure to magnifie and praise him and in the faith hereof that this his infinit power absolute regiment and glorious independant Being shall be improved and imployed for you do you rejoyce in him 5 God is both gracious to help those that are in need and just to relieve those that are oppressed have they never so few friends or many enemies this though all the World be against us we shall even therefore be sure of him on our side he will from heaven hear our prayers put up to him in his tabernacle take our parts and judge our cause against them that are against us 6 Those that are comfortless exiles solitarily wasting their dayes far from home in penurie and pressures incident to banishment amongst strangers God hath his eye on such to pitie them and to give them a settled habitation in a comfortable enjoyment of their possessions and relations at home he hath compassion on those that suffer for his sake which they shall not do alwayes but shall have deliverance from under their yoaks and bonds and be preferred to a free and happie condition when as those that are wicked and oppress them shall be transplanted from that their prosperous estate and made miserable 7 We have cause to say so that have had so great experience of his power and goodness towards us in that wonderful enfranchising of us out of our Aegyptian thraldom and destroying the Aegyptians before our faces what wonders did he work to bring it to pass which we have cause to record in all the circumstances of it as a certain pledge to his Church for ever of his care over her How then when the Lord by evident tokens of his presence in a pillar of fire and cloud conducted and protected his people our fore-fathers out of Aegypt through the red-sea and along throughout the desert wilderness Let it never be forgotten 8 How then I say he did appear with them and for them altering the very course of nature many times for their supply and benefit both the heaven and the earth the one and the other though sensless of all other things yet seemed sensible of the presence of the Lord with his people The earth quaking with awful reverence the clouds doing fealtie and paying their tribute in emptying themselves of their exhalations Sinai also that mightie mountain when in that dreadful manner God gave the Law and manifested his presence upon it was affected at it with signs of terrour and amazement and all this was when he undertook the protection and conduct of his people Israel the emblem of his Gospel-Church and her travel through this world her wilderness to Canaan which is above 9 And though we left behind us the fruitful plains of Aegypt over-flowed with Nilus yet hast thou brought us into a good land of hils and valleys blessed by thee from heaven with seasonable and fructifying showres whereby thou didst approve it to be a land of promise and thy gift having made good it to thy people and thy blessings unto it as it stood need 10 Thy Church and people Israel chosen to be so from out the whole earth as thou hast placed them so thou hast preserved them
there to this day maugre all their enemies Thou hast provided for and protected of thy meer grace this thy little poor handful of people maliced and opposed by all the world 11 The Lord in exigencies gave his people many wonderful deliverances and victories and so administred occasion of praise ever and anon to them which in an instant was rumored over all the land and in every ones mouth the good news of thine almighty assistance still as thou didst vouchsafe it passed from one to another like the word in an armie with joyful acclamations and praises 12 Many potent Princes with powerful armies that came against Israel were by miracle defeated and made both they and their armies to flie for their lives leaving behind them rich bootie and such plentie of it that the very women who with fearful mindes abode at home doubting the issue when they heard the news with joy made hast to congratulate the victorie and share in the spoil 13 Though in Aegypt your fathers were in woful slavish condition conversant in brick and pot-kils doing all the base work and being as basely used and though since their deliverance thence you their posteritie have even in this good land for your evil wayes endured much affliction and undergone great hardship by tyrannous usages of insulting enemies yet be confident of this the time is come wherein God will be as propitious to you for his grace sake as ever he hath been severe against you for your sins you shall now be a rich and flourishing nation blessed with grace and peace and admired for your glorie and beautie 14 You know when first God brought his people into this land which then lay wholly in the darkness of Idolatrie and destroyed the Kings thereof one after another for their sake how famous was this nation then upon that glorious change and how resplendent in the eyes of God and men by the establishment of Gods pure worship and the admirable and clear wonders wrought by God here why such now shall be again though it hath been long in infelicitie and deformitie since those dayes by our sins and Gods just judgements 15 Sion the mount whereon God hath chosen now to pitch his tabernacle and in it the Ark of his presence and there and there onely to be worshipped in solemn and more than ordinarie manner it is by this become more famous for this Soul-fatning and spiritual repast that is there in such plentie to be had than that ledge of hills called the hill of Bashan scituate beyond Jordan is for its extraordinarie fruitfulness and fatning of cattel it is raised by this divine prerogative to a height of eminencie and note equal and beyond the height and greatness of Bashans hills exceeding it both in profit and pleasure 16 Why do you the tall and fruitful hills in several parts of the World seem to carrie it so high to joy and pride your selves in your priviledges of nature so far above this of Sion whereas this one supernatural priviledge of Gods residence and worship here is more worth than you and all yours put together for all your priviledges of nature richness of soil and high towring tops yet hath God past you by and chosen this to be his place of residence on earth and the very type of heaven nor will he change it or alter his mind to transplant himself and his worship from thence unto any of you but hath set down his staff here his promise is passed to it which he will not revoke And what is true of Sion above all other hills is as true of the spiritual Kingdom of Christ typified in me and my Government which for that reason is transcendent to all the Kingdoms nay the empires of the whole world â—7 And let not this residence and presence of God we so much magnifie our selves in be judged of by carnal apprehensions nor the strength of Sion by outward appearance as if the one nor the other afforded no more protection and help to Gods people than we see with our eyes Our faith is it that must instruct us in this matter to which onely God appears aright in his power and majestie excelling all earthly might The potentates of the World esteem their strength by the number of men horses and chariots that they can arm and muster But what say you to Angels one whereof is able to destroy thousands whole armies of such nay what say you to thousands and millions of such Angels these are they though invisible wherewith God appears in the behalf of his Church fights for and defends the Kingdom of Christ and so shall mine and yet if we doubt that men may be too hard for Angels know that God even the irresistable Almighty God is commander in chief over and amongst these his heavenly host who alone is sufficient without auxiliaries either of men or Angels to safe-guard his people and place of worship and presence where he is as really though not so visibly and in as great majestie strength and grace as he appeared on mount Sinai in power and terrour I hope we remember that and so should our faith represent him to us now when we come thither to worship him and seek unto him in any strait 18 As I am raised from a low estate to this height of dignitie and office to be King over Israel and so made able to overcome those that overcame them and to enrich them with the spoils of their enemies and the presents of forrain nations that seek to me for friendship which I am readie for thou hast put me into a capacitie to stand mine enemies in steed to extend to friend and so be they never so opposit thereby to make way for and hold forth in type thy willingness O blessed Saviour to do the like to Jew and Gentil who shalt draw all men to thee when as thou art lifted up and raised from thy low estate of humiliation and death by a glorious resurrection and ascention which is as sure to be as if it were and indeed virtually and energetically as also typically and in figure is already done for so even now as I upon the throne so dost thou sit at Gods right hand having conquered all spirituall powers and enemies to thy Kingdom as the world flesh sin death and Sathan who but for thy conquest of them whom by thine ascension thou art victorious over had absolute dominion over thy people who thereby are set at liberty to serve thee that art enriched in thy humane nature with all the glorious graces and excellencies that heaven and the divine nature can afford thee that thou maiest be the bounteous and gracious dispenser of them to thy body mysticall thy spirituall Israel that are a willing people to thee as also empowered and put into capacity to vanquish and over-power the most ignorant and gainsaying that the power of thy spirit and grace may be glorified
should not me if my life did not lie at stake but though their way to the Tabernacle lie through the dry and desart valley of Mulberry trees yet they can comfortably go it and undergo with holy resolution the hardship of it yea pass it with pleasure and esteem it a happiness they have the liberty to purchase such a benefit as the worship and spirituall enjoyment of God in his ordinances which yields them such refreshing of mind all the way they travell as that their very bodies fare the better and are refreshed therewith as it were with springs of water and showers of rain 7 Yea the nearer they draw to the end of their journey like the faithfull towards heaven instead of being more they are less faint and tired gathering strength every step they take by their near approaches to and the comfortable expectation of what all the way they hoped and travelled for even the glorious priviledge of appearing in the presence of God as the saints and angels do in heaven resident upon his holy hill mount Sion where the Ark the faithfull pledge of his presence is there to enjoy soul-ravishing communions gracious audience sweet and sensible supplies of spirit and consolation a very heaven upon earth for so it signifies 8 O God that hast an almighty power and that I am sure art the great commander in chief of heaven and earth and therefore canst restore me to this happiness and satisfie my longing which is infinitely enkeened by these considerations so that I beseech thee gratifie thy poor petitioner with a gracious answer that I may be no longer debarred and hear me a poor branch of the root of Jacob though sore against my will removed from the soil where thou hast appointed him to grow Lord re-plant me 9 Behold me O God an exile and afflicted man the emblem of thy militant Church whereof I am a member as well as a type whose defence and protection nevertheless thou art even of all the faithfull whereof I am one consider me also in an other capacity as the type of Christ anointed by thy special appointment to be King over thy people as he shall be over thy Church Let these considerations move thee to own pitie and restore me to my spiritual priviledges and comfortable exercise of thine ordinances in thy sanctuary 10 For for my part if I might have my choice I speak it unfainedly I had rather have one days comfortable enjoyment of thee in thy sanctuary and prize it higher than to live a thousand years in the very best condition this life can afford and be as I am debarred from thy worship so that I might but have the happiness to wait upon thee there I should think the meanest office in thy service even a porters place to be an honour and preferment far beyond the condition I am in whilest I am forced thus to inhabit among the prophane and Idolatrous heathen though in never so good esteem 11 And truly Lord I will not despair one day to have all that thou hast promised me and more than I desire though rather than none at all I should be glad of a little either time or place in thy sanctuary for I know thou art a God that wilt shine forth to the comfort and reviving of thine afflicted people who in the interim thou wilt protect I shall see better days and doubt not yet to be made happy by thy grace and favour and to be advanced to that glorious condition of being the Kingly type of Christ for had not I a special promise yet thy general promise would engage thee and encourage me to believe for certain it is that thou wilt be gracious and faithfull to give all needfull and requisit blessings and such Lord I desire to those that are thine as I am and walk thereafter in faithfull dependance and sincere obedience which I do 12 What ever my condition be though I am far from present possession of what thou hast promised or enjoyment of what I desire banished both out of the Church and kingdom of Israel yet I dare pronounce it of all faithfull ones that patiently wait and believingly depend upon thee that it shall go well with them one day and so it shall with me because of thine Almighty power which shall make good thy faithfulness The lxxxv PSALM Either at the end of the Babilonish captivitie or under Antiochus tyrannie was this Psalm composed minding God of his former pardoning and restoring-grace to his people to intreat the same again The Psalmist in the name of the Church promising himself a glorious deliverance proportionable in some degree and representative of that happie enfranchisment the Church shall have by the Messiah at his coming To the president of the Quire is this Psalm committed for his ordering of it to be sung by the Korathites 1 LOrd thou hast offered very great and gracious deliverances unto this nation thy people by re-estating it heretofore in a good condition after sad desolations and un-captivating Jacobs posteritie by an Almighty hand 2 Mercifully commiserating their sufferings and pardoning their iniquities because they were thy chosen Israel a people peculiarly belonging to thee though ill deserving from thee yet though their sins were then very great and provoking thou wast pleased after a while to put them out of thy sight and receive thy people again into thy favour we have not forgot it 3 As thou wast pleased grievously to afflict thy people so thou didst as graciously relieve and release them for what thy provoked anger took from them thy free-grace restored it again unto them and wouldest neither quite consume nor everlastingly embondage them but became as much theirs and for them as ever thou wast against them 4 Lord thine anger is again miserably broken out against us by reason of our sins we are fallen under heavy pressures we are now as void of all humane helps as then Thou onely heretofore wroughtest deliverance and so thou must still Turn us therefore we pray thee by unfained repentance and deliver us out of this miserable condition thou that hast been and we hope still wilt be a Saviour to us yea both turn us to thee and do thou also turn towards us the face and not the back-parts let the clouds of thine indignation be dispelled and the sun-shine of thy saving grace break forth upon us 5 Wilt thou do by us as thou never diddest with any before us wilt thou be unexorable and are our sins unpardonable more than theirs shall thine anger never cease and those heavy judgements thou hast laid upon us shall they never be taken off us but must they be an everlasting inderitance to us and our posterity after us God forbid 6 Thou hast raised thy people by thine Almighty power when they were as it were dead and buried and shall the name of Israel now die in us
his sins expose him to if God did not guard him as a field-flower that lieth open to men and beasts wind and weather 16 Subject to be despoiled of its beauty and laid along by every blast that blows and as gay as it is now appears straightway it disappears and is not and such is man 17 But for all this that man is of himself thus subjected by sin to return to dust and nothingness every moment yet is the mercie of God long-lived his Church and faithful people who shall never fail upon the face of the earth shall find that it shall never fail them but they and theirs throughout all generations that believe in him and filially fear him shall have the benefit of it grace and protection 18 Even all in all ages that enter Covenant with God and are careful and conscionable in the keeping of it by stedfast believing in him and exact walking with him in universal obedience to all his commandments seasonably and respectively calling to mind his will and their dutie as occasion requires to do accordingly in all occurrences 19 The glorie of the Lord is most perspicuous in heaven where his throne of dominion and rule is principally placed and he in his excellencies far more conspicuous there than the creature here doth or can represent or demonstrate him being seen of us thereby as but through a glass darkly from whence yet he extends his Sovereigntie hither ordering and governing aswell all things here as there especially his Church and that for ever 20 As the Lord appears most glorious in heaven so you his glorified angels that excel all other creatures in all manner of excellencies whose strength though derivative and created yet exceeds all humane power yea all humane imagination who are as fellow-creatures so fellow-servants with us yielding obedience to his commandments aswel as we and do his will revealed and commanded from his mouth as we from his word do you I say with us and for us bless the Lord and praise him both in his greatness and goodness 21 You that are so many millions waiting upon him and ministring at his pleasure what he commands do you even that whole heavenly army of glorious and mightie angels again and again bless and praise him that is as much above you in power and place as you are above us 22 And as his dominion is aswell over the earth and all things there and in the firmament above the earth as in heaven so ought his praises to be extended Even every creature that he hath made for so far extends his governance in all places throughout all ages ow him all the honour that in their kinds and after their created abilities they can do unto him But chiefly O thou my soul that art not onely beholden to God for a created being but for redemption and salvation which of free grace he hath vouchsafed thee a mercie far exceeding all meer created bounty do thou therefore above all in heaven and earth praise the Lord and bless his holy name answerable to thine ingagements so far beyond theirs The civ PSALM This Psalm as it is subsequent to the last so it is coherent with it made doubtless by the same Author the beginning and end of both being alike and the argument not unlike The one treating of God as a gracious redeemer of his Church and people and the benefits that redownd thereby the other as a powerful Creatour of all things heavens earth seas and all things in them together with their orderly conservation and provident preservation All which things strikes the Psalmist into admiration and puts him upon ingagement to constant meditation and praise wishing none might live that live not to the Lord in like sort 1 O Thou my soul my best and principal part praise thou the Lord the Lord Almighty which is the onely true God whom I worship and serve Thou Lord art wonderfully great in power and dominion the whole frame and order of nature in the great work of creation shew thee to be such specially the heavens whose scituation is above as thou art which as in a mirrour shew forth thine incomparable honour and Majesty in those glorious lights which is the visiblest representation of thee to our capacities thy throne being there 2 Thou hast spread the light over our heads throughout the aery element so that it is filled therewith and the Heavens where thou art seem to be covered thereby from our sight who can onely see on this side those supernal luminaries And as the light so that vast expanse of heaven thy Princely pavilion is drawn between thine unaccessible Majesty and us like the curtains of a royal Tent. 3 Who as he hath laid the foundation of the earth which is his foot-stool in the depths of the sea so hath he laid the floor of his upper loft the heavens where principally he resides as great men do above stairs amongst the clouds that spread like a sea far and wide over our heads on which he seems to ride as great men do in Chariots directing the uncertain motions thereof hither and thither and so also disposeth of the winds in their swift transition and sudden mutation to go and do as pleaseth him 4 Who therefore hath made the glorious angels those heavenly messengers of his not of such natures as we sublunaries are but spirits agil and active to come and go of his errands and do his pleasure here below instantly and effectually as far distant as it seems making those celestial ministers of his to execute his fiery indignation either visibly appearing as flames of fire as sometimes they have done so the Israelites were consumed in the wilderness or invisibly destroying his enemies but suddenly and terribly like as fire devoures combustible matter 5 Who also hath by his transcendent supernatural wisdom so established the earth upon its center as a house upon a firm foundation so that though it be pendent as a ball in the air and therefore seems nothing more moveable yet indeed there is nothing more immoveable all the winds and storms that overthrow other things that have foundations cannot stir this that hath none but from the first creation to the uttermost dissolution of all things it shall continue firm 6 In the first creation thou didst overflow all the earth and encompassed it with those waters that are now the sea they then spread themselves over the earth as a garment over a mans body so that no drie land appeared the mountains as well as the valleys were then under water 7 Until thou wast pleased to command the contrarie and then when thou preparedst that great Abyss to receive them that now contains them and biddest them contrarie to their nature that would still be overflowing all and drowning the whole earth to retire into it as into their mansion and place of abode they in reverence
shall have no more power to hurt thee through his gracious providence and protection over thee than a worm under thy feet 7 Fear neither less nor more great nor small for God shall certainly protect thee as well from one evil as another especially thy soul whether respecting life temporal or eternal shall have a special guard fear that least because as it is most of wroth in it self so also in Gods esteem and valuation 8 God is every where in all places at all times thou needest not put cases of fear and doubt to thy self of this though not that may befal me and then though not now for whatsoever thou doest and whither ever thou goest God is with thee and it and will ever be so to keep thee from evil and bless thee with good and to prosper thee in all thy wayes of well-doing believe it stedfastly and live comfortably in the faith thereof The cxxii PSALM David overjoyed to see the universal concord and conformitie in his people for the bringing the Ark to Ierusalem and worshipping the Lord there as God had appointed the more to sharpen them to it and ingratiate it to them highly commends the prerogative of that place and that people by reason of it and therefore exhorts them not to degenerate but in love and zeal still to labour and pray for the happiness of it promising happiness to those that do so and so does he himself and shews the reasons why See the title of the 120 Psalm the Authors name superadded here 1 HOw infinitly did it rejoyce me to hear and see such an universal unanimity in my people Israel to submit to and approve of the transportation and fixing the Ark and sanctuarie in Jerusalem where God had appointed it with desire and forwardness to worship God there without the least scruple or question 2 Saying amongst themselves with rejoycing now is the time and Jerusalem is the place that God will fulfil his promise by giving his Ark a settled condition which hitherto hath moved and removed from place to place and together with his Ark his Church and people Israel who have been both for worship and Government in an unsetled and various state but now shall there be an happie establishment as both Christ and the Church by Christ shall have at his glorifying 3 And indeed a blessed and desireable place Jerusalem is exceeding lovely for uniformitie of structure order in Government and harmonie of hearts and affections in the inhabitants towards the true worship of the onely true God stately and strong both in men and materials sweetly composed and well compact a Citie specially blessed of God to represent the happie condition of his Church both under Christ on earth united by faith in him their head and with Christ in heaven 4 It is the most beautiful place of the world and enriched with the most singular and Divine priviledges of any on earth being a resemblance of heaven it self and the Church both there and here for as thither the twelve tribes of Israel a chosen generation out of the whole world do congregate and ascend to the mount of God solemnly to worship him before the Ark the testimonie of his covenant and presence with his people so shall his elect the Church of the first born all the world over be gathered to Jesus and ascend into the heavenly Jerusalem evermore to praise him in that general assembly the celestial Quire of innumerable Angels and spirits of just men made perfect Yea by spirit and faith they shall meet in one bodie mystical on earth and with raised affections worship one God in Christ that blessed Emmanuel the mediatour of the new testament upon mount Sion in spiritual Jerusalem the Church that Citie of the living God 5 And as Christs Priestly office is established and clearly held forth in the sanctuarie-worship in Jerusalem so also is his Kingly in those thrones of honour and justice civil and ecclesiastical erected and perpetuated there in the royal line of David his posterity Kings of Judah the figure and progenitours of Christ according to the flesh as is his tribunal in heaven where he hath dominion over his Church and the whole world and from whence he shall come to judge all flesh at the latter day 6 Many are the enemies of this flourishing Citie Jerusalem as shall be to the Church yea all the world is against it and the worship and Government that is in it but yet we need not fear for God is for it able to preserve it in peace and prosperitie maugre all its adversaries if our sins and carnal presumption do not indispose him to it Therefore all ye Israelites specially ye that with a spiritual understanding are inlightned to know the worth and excellencie of the place which is in the world as the sun is in the firmament mystically comprehending all that Divine light and life that the sun of righteousness the Messiah shall illuminate the world withall when he comes to save his Church as Gods High-priest and take possession of his Kingdom as King of Kings and Lord of Lords do you serve the Lord and seek to him for the continuation of his grace and favour to it and his blessing upon it that it may be evermore happie with his love and presence and as a consequent thereof have rest and quiet from its enemies And of this be confident that they that thus for Christ and religion sake under that notion and relation sincerely love pray for and endeavour the happiness of it shall how ever it may suffer by other mens sins and formal hypocrisies within the pale or without by external violence of Gentile enemies be themselves happie and blessedly rewarded of God with grace peace and protection in their own particulars 7 It is and shall be my heartie prayer that the Lord will preserve thee as from outward forrain enemies so also from intestine civil broils and disunions in peace unanimity and concord within thy self as the Church shall be in heaven and ought to be on earth as one so at one under their one and onely head the Lord Christ. And that the throne of David his royal seed successours over his people Israel here in Jerusalem may successively flourish in peace and prosperitie and by the blessing and favour of God be established in judgement and righteousness there administred in honourable equipage as shall the Prince of peace Christ Jesus the righteous his throne and dominion over his Church be for ever in heaven 8 Nor am I a self-seeker in my well-wishes to this place no the Lord can witness for me that I desire the good and happiness of all the faithful yea of all Israel as mine own who to me are as dear as my nearest kindred and acquaintance by that relation natural and civil that God hath given me to them knowing right well that in the peace and
flourishing of my Crown and Kingly office that my heart is so much fixed on as thereby to forget the Priestly office and worship which is to go hand in hand and by which and for which it must be that both I and my Kingdom must be preserved therefore though I have built me an house fit for me yet will I take no pleasure to dwell in it nor enjoy the benefits and conveniences of it 4 Nay I will not sleep in quiet nor take any comfortable rest with content of mind 5 But with a longing desire will watch at what time and by what way and means the season being now at hand God will reveal to me the place long ago forespoken of that he would choose to set his name pitch his Ark and build his temple there where he hath promised his constant abode his presence and residence for ever and from whence he will eminently yield protection and assistance to his people the seed of Jacob calling on him as he did whom he assisted mightily against his enemies and so will them from thence against theirs 6 Lo we have heard of the several transplantations and removes thine Ark hath made one while residing at Shiloh within the tribe of Ephraim another while after thou hadst miraculously rescued it from the Philistines in the house of Abinadab at Kiriath-jearim a place of plains and woods whereby the iniquitie of the times and obscuritie of the place it was disfrequented and scarce taken notice of to be there where yet David found it out and whence he with the approbation and applause of all Israel removed it to Jerusalem preordained and by thee revealed to him to be its place of residence where accordingly it now is to be frequented and thou to be worshipped in that solemn manner befitting the present State of thy Church 7 Whither we thy people generally and unanimously will resort with chearful obedience to thy holy sanctuarie and temple where thou that art in heaven art pleased by typical umbrages to vouchsafe thy real presence and residence and there we will worship thee as thou hast ordained and onely there henceforward as the Church shall for ever worship God in Christ onely accessible in his humane nature where is the fulness of the God-head bodily 8 And that prayer which hath been so often made by Moses in the itinerarie removes of thine Ark now do I prefer and do thou Lord fulfil as it were once for all now possess thy self of this holy mountain and take thou up thy rest and residence there where thou hast promised to dwell amongst thy people in a state triumphant such as both Christ and his Church shall have after their afflictions even on mount Sion in the Temple where thine Ark is at last scituate the sign as of thy presence so of thy powerful goodness in thy peoples preservation and their enemies confusion to remove no more neither thou nor it but there to abide a blessed God amongst a blessed people 9 Now Lord let thy Church flourish that hath been long under the wheel let it at last bear the character of thee the Almighty and merciful God in holiness and happiness both Priests and people let those in thine abundant faithfulness not onely ritually but really by the sanctifying graces of thy spirit be holy to the Lord as their office holds forth salvation so let them in life and conversation so walk before thee as that thou mayest bless and preserve them and thy worship and people by their means Let the time to come burie the memorie of thy Churches former infelicitie by a glorious resurrection of all things to the highest pitch of heavenly and spiritual lustre in temporal and typical resemblances to the ravishment of thy faithful servants and sanctified ones that have long looked for this triumphant condition of Christ in his Churches felicitie and the Temples glorie 10 Yea grant I pray thee my request put up in behalf as of thy service and servants the Temple and Kingdom in general so more particularly in mine own behalf in whom they are so eminently concerned and that for the sake and in the name of that typical mediatour and faithful servant of thine the blessed type of thy blessed son the Messiah David my father with whom thou plightest thy faith by promise and Covenant to be his God and the God of his seed after him to bless them and make them blessings to thy people Lord make me so happie whom thou hast by especial appointment ordained to be his immediate successour in this high dignitie and office of being King over Israel before whom I pray thee honour me with a gracious acceptance of my service in building thee an house by some extraordinarie token of favour and by effectual answering my prayer put up in their and mine own behalf at that thy Temple that they may see thou favourest me and for that cause may have me and my Government in honour and estimation as they had my fathers and be blessed as by him and his Government so by me and mine 11 Thy faithfulnes is my confidence comfort thou hast of thine own free grace ingaged thy word of truth that is as infallible thy self by a firm and lasting promise to David that lived and died in thy favour a lively type of the Mediatour Christ that thou wilt not do by him as by Saul let him be King for tearm of life onely but out of his own loins should proceed his successour whom thou wilt choose as thou didst David himself from among all his brethren to govern his people after him as is verified this day in me thine anointed 12 Nor hath thy favour to him determined in his immediate seed but is extended by thy gracious promise to a successive establishment of the throne of Israel in his seeds seed in case they walk worthy so rich mercie treading in the steps of their father David by keeping the Commandments of the Lord in faith and godliness without deviating or stepping aside to carnal confidence or will-worship even so long as it is to endure to Christs coming and in him to eternitie 13 14 For the Lord hath foretold the prosperous condition of his Church in the dayes of David and his seed how his Ark should then have rest his temple be built where he would reside among his people by special presence of goodness and faithfulness in Sion long defore designed for this honour but not revealed till David and to him it was made known that that was the very place where he would establish the Kingly and Priestly office of his beloved son the Messiah in their lively prefigurations whence he will by his anointed Kings and Priests rule and bless his people if they forfeit not so great blessedness as from heaven he shall his Church in and by Christs mediation the onely High-priest and Potentate ascended sitten down for ever
strength is in the clouds 35 O God thou art terrible out of thy holy places the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people blessed be God Psalm lxix To the chief musician upon Shoshannim A Psalm of David 1 SAve me O God for the waters are come in unto my soul. 2 I sink in deep mire where there is no standing I am come into deep waters where the flouds overflow me 3 I am weary of my crying my throat is dried mine eyes fail while I wait for my God 4 They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head they that would destroy me being mine enemies wrongfully are mighty then I restored that which I took not away 5 O God thou knowest my foolishness and my sins are not hid from thee 6 Let not them that wait on thee O Lord God of hosts be ashamed for my sake let not those that seek thee be confounded for my sake O God of Israel 7 Because for thy sake I have born reproach shame hath covered my face 8 I am become a stranger unto my brethren and an aliant unto my mothers children 9 For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up and the reproaches of them that 10 When I wept and chastened my soul with fasting that was to my reproach 11 I made sack-cloth also my garment and I became a proverb to them 12 They that sit in the gate spake against me and I was the song of the drunkards 13 But as for me my prayer is unto thee O Lord in an acceptable time O God in the multitude of thy mercy hear me in the truth of thy salvation 14 Deliver me out of the mire and let me not sink let me be delivered from them that hate me and out of the deep waters 15 Let not the water â—loud overflow me neither let the deep swallow me up and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me 16 Hear me O Lord for thy loving kindness is good turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies 17 And hide not thy face from thy servant for I am in trouble here me speedily 18 Draw nigh unto my soul and redeem it deliver me because of mine enemies 19 Thou hast known my reproach and my shame and my dishonour mine adversaries are all before thee 20 Reproach hath broken my heart and I am full of heaviness and I looked for some to take pitie but there was none for comforters but I found none 21 They gave me also gall for my meat and in my thirst they gave me vineger to drink 22 Let their table become a sâ—are before them and that which should have been for their welfare let it become a trap 23 Let their eyes be darkned that they see not and make their Ioiâ—es continually to shake 24 Pour out thine indignation upon them and let thy wrathfull angâ—r take hold of them 25 Let their habitation be desolate and let none dwell in their tents 26 For they pâ—rsecute him whom thou hast smitten and they talk to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded 27 Adde iniquitie to their iniquitie and let them not come into righteousness 28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living and not be written with the righteous 29 But I am poor and sorrowfull let thy salvation O God set me up on high 30 I will praise the name of God with a song and will magnifie him with thanksgiving 31 This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs 32 The humble shall see this and be glad and your heart shall live that seek God 33 For the Lord heareth the poore and despiseth not his prisoners 34 Let the heaven and earth praise him the seas and every thing that moveth therein 35 For God will save Sion and will build the Cities of Judah that they may dwell there and have it in possession 36 The seed also of his servants shall inherit and they that love his name shall dwell therein Psalm lxx To the chief musician A Psalm made by David to bring to remembrance 1 MAke hast O God to deliver me make hast to help me O Lord. 2 Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soule let them be turned backward and put to confusion that desire my hurt 3 Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame that say Aha Aha 4 Let all those that seek thee rejoyce and be glad in thee and let such as love thy salvation say continually Let God be magnified 5 But I am poor and needy make hast unto me O God thou art my help and my deliverer O Lord make no tarrying Psalm lxxi 1 IN thee O Lord do I put my trust let me never be put to confusion 2 Deliver me in thy righteousness and cause me to escape incline thine ear unto me and save me 3 Be thou my strong habitation whereunto I may continually resort thou hast given commandment to save me for thou art my rock and my fortress 4 Deliver me O my God out of the hand of the wicked out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man 5 For thou art my hope O Lord God thou art my trust from my youth 6 By thee have I been holden up from the womb thou art he that took me out of my mothers bowels my praise shall be continually of thee 7 I am as a wonder unto many but thou art my strong refuge 8 Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day 9 Cast me not off in the time of old age forsake me not when my strength faileth 10 For mine enemies speak against me and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together 11 Saying God hath forsaken him persecute and take him for there is none to deliver him 12 O God be not far from me O my God make hast for my help 13 Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul let them be covered with reproach and dishonour that seek my hurt 14 But I will hope continually and will yet praise thee more and more 15 My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day for I know not the numbers thereof 16 I will go in the strength of the Lord God I will make mention of thy righteousness even of thine onely 17 O God thou hast taught me from my youth and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works 18 Now also when I am old and gray-headed O God forsake me not until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation and thy power to every one that is to come 19 Thy righteousness also O God is very high who hast done great things O God who is like unto thee 20 Thou which hast shewed me great and sore troubles shalt quicken me again
for ever 23 Who remembered us in our low estate for his mercie endureth for ever 24 And hath redeemed us from our enemies for his mercie endureth for ever 25 Who giveth food to all flesh â— for his mercie endureth for ever 26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven for his mercie endureth for ever Psalm cxxxvii 1 BY the rivers of Babylon there we sat down yea we wept when we remembred Sion 2 We haâ—ged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof 3 For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song and they that wasted us required of us mirth saying sing us one of the songs of Sion 4 How shall we sing the Lords song in a strange land 5 If I forget thee O Jerusalem let my right hand forget her cunning 6 If I do not remember thee let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy 7 Remember O Lord the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem who said Rase it rase it even to the foundation thereof 8 O daughter of Babylon who art to be destroyed happy shall he be that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us 9 Happy shall he be that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones Psalm cxxxviii A Psalm of David 1 I will praise thee with my whole heart before thâ— Gods will I sing 〈◊〉 unto thee 2 I will worship towards thy holy Temple and praise thy name for thy loving kindness and for thy truth for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name 3 In the day when I cried thou answeredsâ— me and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul. 4 All the Kings of the earth shall praise thee O Lord when they hear the words of thy mouth 5 Yea they shall sing in the waies of the Lord for great is the glorie of the Lord. 6 Though the Lord be high yet hath he respect to the lowly but the proud he knoweth afar off 7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble thou wilt revâ—ve me thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies and thy right hand shall save me 8 The Lord will perfect that which cocerneth me thy mercie O Lord endureth for ever forsake not the works of thine own hands Psalm cxxxix To the chief musitian A Psalm of David 1 O Lord thou hast searched me known me 2 Thou knowest my down â—itting and mine uprising thou understandest my thoughts afar off 3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down and art acquainted with all my waies 4 For there is not a word in my tongue but â—o O Lord thou knowest it altogether 5 Thou hast besâ—t me behind and before and laid thine haâ—d upon me 6 Such knowledge is too wonderfull for me it is high I cannot attain unto it 7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit or whither shall I flee from thy presence 8 If I ascend up into heaven thou art there if I make my bed in hell behold thou art there 9 If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the 〈◊〉 10 Even there shall thy hand lead me and thy right hand shall hold me 11 If I say surely the darkness shall cover me even the night shall be light about me 12 Yea the darkness hideth not from thee but the night shineth as the day the darkness and the light are both alike to thee 13 For thou hast possessed my reins thou hast covered me in my mothers womb 14 I will praise thee for I am fearfully and wonderfully made marvellous are thy works and that my soul knoweth right well 15 My substance was not hid from thee when I was made in secret and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth 16 Thine eyes did see my substance yet being unperfect and in thy book all my members are written which in continuance were fashioned when as yet there was none of them 17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me O God how great is the summe of them 18 If I should count them they are moe in number than the sand when I wake I am still with thee 19 Surely thou wilt slay the wicked O God depart from me tâ—erefore ye bloâ—dy men 20 For they speak against theâ— wickedly thine enâ—mies take thy name in 〈◊〉 21 Do not I hate them O Lord that haâ—â— thee and am I not grieved with these that rise up against theâ— 22 I hate them with perfect hatred I count them mine enemies 23 Search me O God and know my heart try me know my thoughts 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting Psalm cxl To the chief musitian A Psalm of David 1 DEveâ— me O Lord from the evil man preserve 〈◊〉 from the violent man 2 Which imagine mischiefs in their heart continually are they gathered together for war 3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent adders poison is under their lips Selah 4 Keep me O Lord from the hands of the wicked preserve me from the violent man who have purposed to overthrow my goings 5 The proud have hid a snare for me and cords they have spread a net by the way side they have set grins for me Selaâ— 6 I said 〈…〉 Lord thou art my God hear the voice of my supplications O Lord. 7 O God the Lord the strength of my salvation thou hast covered my head in the day of battell 8 Grant not O Lord the desires of the wicked further not his wicked deviâ—e least they exalt themselves Selah 9 As for the head of those that compass me about let the mischief of their own lips cover them 10 Let buâ—ning coals â—all upon them let them be cast into the fire into deep pits that they rise not up again 11 Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth evil shall hunt the violent maâ— to overthrow him 12 I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted and the right of the poor 13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name the upright shall dwell in thy presence Psalm cxli. A Psalm of David 1 LOrd I cry unto thee make hast unto me give ear unto my voice when I cry unto thee 2 Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice 3 Set a watch O Lord before my mouth keep the door of my lips 4 Encline not my heart to any evil thing to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity and let me not eat of their dainties 5 Let the righteous smite me it shall be a kindness and let him reprove me it shall be an excellent oyl which shall not break my head for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities 6 When their Judges are overthrown in stony