Og the king of Basan and al the kingdoms of Canaan 12 Whose countries giuen to them before he deliuered to be possessed of Israël 13 Wherefore doubtles ô Lord thou hast gotten vnto thy selfe a name of perpetual praise neither shal the remembrance of thee be extinguished for euer 14 And thou wilt chieflie more and more set forth thy glorie in the preseruation of thy people and in thy louing kindnes that is so prone and readie to pardon thy seruants 15 But euen these most gorgious and pretious images which the senseles nations do worship are nothing else but gold siluer made by the workmanship of man in this or that forme 16 They haue a mouth and yet are dumbe they haue eies but they see nothing therewith 17 They haue eares but can not heare and haue a nose but wanting breath 18 And verelie in this point the workemen and worshippers of them differ nothing from them 19 But ye the stocke of Israël praise the Lord ye the familie of Aaron go before others in praising the Lord. 20 Ye Leuites praise the Lord as manie as professe his worship praise the Lord. 21 Let the euerlasting inhabitants of Ierusalem sound foorth the praises of the Lord out of Sion PSALME CXXXVI The Argument There is the same argument and the same vse of this most magnificent Psalme as of the other but the benefites of God both toward the whole mankind and especiallie bestowed vpon his Church are heere more plainelie set forth and euerie where there is a singular verse often repeated partlie that we should certainlie iudge these benefites onlie to come of the most liberal bountie of God partlie that we should iudge not onelie that al things generallie but also euen particularlie euerie thing is as a testimonie and pledge of Gods fauour and mercie to our saluation although this his liberalitie turne to the destruction of the wicked And it appeareth by 1. Chro. 7. that Dauid was the authour of this song the which was sung with most great solemnitie both in their high feasts and in their triumphant victories euer repeating this singular verse by course as also the historie of Iehosaphat doth declare 2. Chron. 20. THE PARAPHRASIS 1 PRaise the Lord for his great goodnes for his mercie endureth for euer 2 Praise the God of gods for his mercie endureth for euer 3 Praise the Lord of lords for his mercie endureth for euer 4 Who by his onlie power bringeth to passe maruelous things because his mercy endureth for euer 5 Who hath created the heauens by his infinite wisedome for his mercie endureth for euer 6 Who hath commanded the earth to stand vp aboue the bankes of the waters being appointed to susteine and giue nourishment to the beasts of the earth and the soules of the aire for his mercie endureth for euer 7 Who hath created those two great lights for his mercie endureth for euer 8 The Sunne to rule the daie for his mercie endureth for euer 9 The Moone and the Starres to rule in the night for his mercie endureth for euer 10 Who smote Aegypt slaieng their first borne for his mercie endureth for euer 11 And deliuered Israël from thence for his mercie endureth for euer 12 And that with a strong force and as it were by lifting vp his arme on high for his mercie endureth for euer 13 Who did part in sunder the Rushie sea which is called the red sea that it should lie open vnto the people passing to and fro by multitudes for his mercie endureth for euer 14 And led Israël through the middest thereof for his mercie endureth for euer 15 And drowned Pharao and al his armies in the same for his mercie endureth for euer 16 Who led his people by the waste wildernes for his mercie endureth for euer 17 Who stroke great kings with plagues for his mercie endureth for euer 18 Who slue mightie kings for his mercie endureth for euer 19 Sihon king of the Amorites for his mercie endureth for euer 20 And Og the king of Basan for his mercie endureth for euer 21 And gaue their dominion to be possessed by others for his mercie endureth for euer 22 Euen to be possessed by Israël his seruant for his mercie endureth for euer 23 Who when we were oppressed was mindful of vs for his mercie endureth for euer 24 And deliuered vs from our enimies for his mercie endureth for euer 25 Who giueth foode to al liuing creatures for his mercie endureth for euer 26 Praise ye God the Lord of heauen for his mercie endureth for euer PSALME CXXXVII The Argument The holie Ghost would haue this excellent Psalme to be extant which no doubt was made by the Leuites the fingers in the time of the captiuitie that he might teach vs verie notable things and necessarie to our comfort to wit that there is a time of silence vnder the crosse when the power of darkenes hath his time notwithstanding that we must retaine alwaies our constancie not onelie in faith but also in zeale least we betraie the truth with our silence or forsake our dutie for feare of men The dogs verelie are vnworthie to haue anie holie thing offered to them but this same thing is not to be dissembled that they are dogs when it standeth vpon the glorie of God and that the oppressors of the Church shal neuer carie awaie their wickednes vnpunished and chieflie they which do inflame the crueltie of the mightie men against the innocent THE PARAPHRASIS 1 WE being caried awaie vnto that prophane Babylon euen auoiding so much as laie in vs the sight of the wicked enimies did confesse with most doleful silence euen with aboundance of teares both our sinne and our sorowe at the floud of Euphrates being mindful of Sion 2 And though we caried our harpes euen to be our comfort in so great calamitie yet seeing that it seemed vnto vs that we should rather mourne than sing in that time and place we did hang them vpon the sallowe trees making no noise in the sight of the Babylonians 3 When they themselues which had drawne vs awaie into this most miserable captiuitie outrageouslie mocking our miserie did require of vs that we should delight them with our songs and take againe into our hands the harps that we had hanged vp speaking these words Come off sing vnto vs those tunes of your Sion 4 But we did not agree vnto them bearing most heauilie this their derision as breaking out into the reproch of the Lord himselfe For with what countenance or with what conscience could we abandon the holie praises of the Lord to be derided of those wicked enimies 5 But be it far awaie and God forbid ô Ierusalem that though we be far separate from thee we should forget thee but let rather euerie one of our right hands forget al plaieng of instruments 6 Let the tongue of euerie one of vs rather cleaue to the roofe of our mouthes than that it being vnmindful of thee
10 But the innocents whome these men without cause laboured to oppresse shal more ioifullie praise the name of God and shal flie vnto him more boldlie hereafter al I saie that be of good conscience shal take occasion of a certaine holie boasting and glorieng hereby PSALME LXV The Argument This Psalme or hymne written to the praise of God first teacheth vs that his benefites are neuer anie where rightlie knowledged and praised but onlie in his holie congregations Then he biddeth vs to marke three special things and to praise God for them One and that for the greatest that God doth gather a Church vnto himselfe in the which he wil be praised where he heareth them that do praie where he doth forgiue sinne the which finallie he neuer ceasseth to blesse with the multitude of his benefites and most mightilie to defend Secondlie that he doth mainteine the societie of mâ—n by appointing and preseruing the policies and gouernements in the midst of so great hurlieburlies Thirdlie that he doth minister from heauen al things that are necessarie for this life so abundantlie and liberallie THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THou certeinlie art onlie he to whome once vttering thy pleasure al men must worthily yeeld but this praise ô God is giuen vnto thee in the onlie mount of Sion where onlie vowes are paied vnto thee aright 2 And thou againe there doest despise the praiers of none that flie vnto thee 3 There doest thou purge the sinnes wherewith else we being vtterlie ouerwhelmed durst not lift vp our faces before thee 4 O blessed is he therefore whome so euer thou so fauourest that thou commandest him to come vnto thee and whome thou feedest abundantlie with those true good things of thy house and most holie palace after thou hast receiued him into the number of thy houshold seruants 5 For although no men seeme to be more in danger yet experience it selfe doth declare that none are more sure whiles that thou in verie deede dost declare thy selfe terrible to al their enimies for the perfourmance of thy promise so oft as they cal vpon thee so that euen to the vtmost coastes of the earth and the farthest part of the sea the same of thy name being spread al men are compelled to looke vp vnto thee 6 Thou art he by whose power consisteth whatsoeuer is high in the world euen by thy might which as it establisheth these mountaines which we see and the kingdomes also and the policies whereby mankind is preserued 7 And like as thou doest calme the stormes of the sea and the sounding tempests so also thou doest breake and bridle the fiercenes of the raging multitude 8 By these testimonies of thy most mightie power the inhabitants of the earth being conuinced do tremble and keepe silence and thus peace being restored thou causest that men againe do leade their life both daie and night in comfortable peace and tranquillitie 9 For thou takest care of the earth euen from the heauens watering it and making it fruiteful with plentious showres which are thy verie gift wherwith it being soupled and prepared doth reteine the seede committed vnto it 10 Afterward thou waterest the sorrowes of the fields thou breakest the clots thou mollifiest the ground with mild and timelie showres sent downe from aboue thou cherishest and bringest forth the seede with their buds 11 Finallie thus thou crownest the earth most bountifullie with al kinde of fruites yearelie the fatnes dropping downe from aboue from thy steps which waie soeuer thou walkest 12 Yea and the pastures of the wildernes doest thou cherish with dew and thou fillest the high hilles also with gladnes 13 So are the pastures clad with sheepe the vallies are clothed with corne finallie al places do sound together with ioiful shoutes and songs PSALME LXVI The Argument This Psalme and also certaine other do seeme to be written for the perpetual vse of the Church although they haue some priuate occasion partlie to renew the memorie of so manie old deliuerances and partlie to giue thankes vnto God so oft as anie occasion doth offer it selfe either priuatelie or publikelie THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Al ye inhabitants of the earth sing vnto the Lord a triumphant song 2 Praise his name with songs praise him with glorie and maiestie 3 Saie in his presence O how terrible and feareful doest thou shew thy selfe in verie deede for euen thine enimies ouercome by the greatnes of thy power are compelled to acknowledge thee and to dissemble at the least that they feare thee 4 Therfore shal al the earth worship thee it shal sing praises vnto thee and celebrate thy name 5 Go to come hither al you behold the things that God hath done and with how great miracles he hath declared himselfe terrible to mortal men 6 This is he that dried vp the sea in a moment and made the floud passable vnto our feete for the which benefit we his people euen at this daie do reioice 7 This is the almightie Lord of the whole world beholding from heauen al the nations scattered throughout the world not suffering them that forsake him to exalt themselues at their pleasure 8 O praise the Lord ô ye tribes and kindreds consecrate vnto him sound forth his glorie far and wide 9 For he hath restored our life when it was lost and he onlie hath staied that we should not fal with sliding steps 10 For thou wouldest not haue vs to be lost ô God but onlie hast tried vs and fined vs as the siluer put in the fornace 11 Thou hast snared vs and cast vs bound with chaines into most streight distresse 12 Thou hast suffered that our enimies hauing ouercome vs did abuse vs with reproches and scoffes as though we had bin beastes we haue tasted the heate of the fire and the force of the water but thou afterward hast sent comfort and refreshed vs. 13 Wherefore I am present in thy house with offerings to performe my vowes 14 Which I haue fullie vowed in my miserie and spoken them with my mouth 15 Therefore haue I determined to offer vnto thee fat offerings euen the fat of rams and bullockes and goates 16 And you also al others that feare God come hither I praie you with me and giue eare vnto me rehearsing the benefits bestowed by him vpon me 17 I haue called for his helpe with my mouth and haue praised him with my tongue 18 And that with a mind free from al euil imagination for else he would not haue heard me 19 Therefore the Lord hath heard me and gaue eare vnto my praier 20 Praise then be vnto God who refused not my praiers neither did withdrawe his mercie from me PSALME LXVII The Argument The Prophet doth attribute vnto the onlie mercie of God both the spiritual blessings which are peculiar vnto the Church and also the corporal whereof he desireth the continuance and also doth prophesie the spreading of the Church that should be vnder Messiâ—h and so exhorteth al the
Psalme and other foure that followe haue neither the name of the writer nor the occasion of the writing set before them in Hebrue but they seeme altogether to be written by Dauid which thing is noted in the Greeke and that at the same time when he brought in the Arke of the Lord into his citie as it is written 1. Chron. 15. whereof we did speake vpon the Psalme 47. either verelie when he dâ—clared the building of the temple of the Lord a little before the death of Salomon which historie is written 1. Chron. 29. and it doth conteine the doctrine of the true vse of the temple of al the holie rites wherewith both Messiah himsâ—lfe and al his office was shadowed Therefore notable and plaine prophesies are adioined of his comming and of that spreading of his spiritual kingdome throughout the whole world so that Christ did not vnworthilie admonish the senselesse Jewes with these words Search the scriptures for they beare witnes of me THE PARAPHRASIS 1 SIng vnto the Lord a new song sing vnto the Lord al ye inhabitants of the earth 2 Sing I saie vnto the Lord giue him thanks shew foorth without ceasing the saluation that he hath wrought 3 Rehearse vnto the Gentiles and to al people his excellent and maruellous works 4 For the Lord alone is great and no praise is sufficient for him and he is to be feared worthilie but not those false and feigned gods 5 For they verelie are vaine though the people do worship them so deuoutlie but the Lord hath created the verie heauens 6 Maiestie and honour doe go befoâ—e him shining foorth in his works and it is declared in his sanctuarie both how great his power and glorie is 7 Giue therefore vnto the Lord al ye people assembled together giue I saie vnto the Lord the praise of power and glorie 8 Giue honour vnto the Lord due vnto his name and take an oblation and enter into the courts consecrated vnto him 9 Worship the Lord sitting in that his renowmed sanctuarie al ye inhabitants of the earth reuerence his Maiestie 10 Proclame on euerie side ô ye criers Now is the Lord come to reigne ouer the whole earth now verelie the world shal be established now shal the people be gouerned with a iust and righteous gouernement 11 Let the heauens be glad and the earth reioice and the roring sea how wide soeuer it lieth testifie her ioie 12 Let the fields leape for ioie and whatsoeuer is in the fields finallie let al the trees of the wood now reioice 13 Before the Lord for lo he commeth he commeth to gouerne the earth to gouerne the world I saie and al the people with the scepter of his iustice and truth PSALME XCVII The Argument Jt falleth out in the Psalmes as in a doubtful feast that thou canst not easilie iudge which to prefer before another This Psalme verely is most worthie for al the godlie to meditate most diligentlie as a most diuine briefe summe of al the mysterie of the Gospel and these are the chiefe places thereof First the diuinitie of Christ by the repeating of the name Iehouah sixe times and by attributing al glorie and power vnto him verse 2 5 6 9 10. finallie by worshipping of the verie Angels verse 7. it is most manifestlie confirmed as the Apostle doth interpret it Heb. 1 6. Secondlie his humanitie as the same Apostle doth interpret it which thing is also prooued hereby that here it is treated of that kingdome as it were first then to be begun verse 1 2 6 9. wherby it is plaine that it cannot be referred onelie to his godhead but that it apperteineth necessarilie vnto the King that should be borne of the stocke of Dauid which should so be God that he should also be man and so also man that he should be verie God Thirdlie a plaine prophesie of the spreading of the spiritual kingdome throughout the whole world verse 1 5 6. wherevnto Christ himselfe had regard Ioh. 5 22. Mat. 28 18. Fourthly the rebellion of verie manie vnto whom the Gospel should be now is the sauor of death vnto death verse 2 3 4 5 wherevnto Christ had respect Luke 12 49. For J had rather interpret these things thus than to applie them to the preaching of the lawe Fiftlie that incredible power of the spirit of God which should declare it selfe in the ministerie of the Apostles verse 1 6 7 9. the which thing Christ also foretold before Iohn 12 32. and 14 12. Sixtlie the exaltation of the verie person of Christ verse 9. wherevnto the Apostle manifestlie alluded Ephe. 4 10. and Philip. 2.9 Seuenthlie faith by bearing the word in the elect and the vnspeakable ioie of the conscience that shal folowe thereof verse 8. Eightlie the office of those that are iustified and sanctified verse 10. Ninthlie the crosse is like a certaine apparitor attending vpon the promises of the Gospel which yet shal haue a most ioiful end verse 11. and 12. Wherevnto the Apostle most manifestlie alluded Philip. 4.4 THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THe Lord being so long inclosed as it were within the smal and narrowe bounds of one people now at the length he beginneth his kingdome ouer al the world wherefore let the earth reioice and al ye most great countries euen beyond the seas be ye ioiful 2 For he is come although verie mild and meeke towards his yet to be reuerenced of his owne both for his diuine Maiestie and also terrible to his enimies how fierce soeuer they be euen compassed about with the blacke darknes of the clouds and sitting vpon a throne staied as it were with two vnmoueable pillers namelie iustice which he sheweth in keeping promise with his owne and defending them by his couenant and most seuere iudgement whereby he punisheth his aduersaries 3 A flaming fire shal then go before him and shal take hold on his enimies on euerie side 4 The lightenings breaking forth from his iudgement seate shal fil the world with glittering light they shal see this in the end euen against their wils which are most blind and they shal tremble thoroughout the compasse of the earth 5 The hils at the sight of the Lord at the sight I saie of the Lord of al the earth shal melt 6 But vnto others that are willing to be taught and readie to obeie he wil shew himselfe so iust and minful of his mercie promised that the verie heauens being astonished with so great so glorious bountie powred out by him vpon al people as farre as the heauens are extended shal set foorth this so great a benefite as it were with a sounding voice 7 Go to then be ye ashamed of your most filthie seruitude ô ye slaues of the idols but ô ye euen the verie Angels worship him as your Lord and King 8 But who wil heare these things verelie the true Sion who with the residue of the cities of her dominion as a mother with her daughters
of the natural loue and affection not of common friendship whereof the prophane writers haue spoken manie things also verie wel but of that holie charitie whereof the holie Ghost onelie is the authour which ioineth al the godlie vnto one heauenlie father in Christ the first born among manie brethren The which knot also not euerie kind of commoditie in regard wherof the poëts did adorne peace with maruellous epithetons so that they counted it as a goddesse but al the benefits of God both of this life and of the life to come do folowe it being euen powred downe vpon vs from him foorth of whose fulnes they are deriued downe vnto the vnder members cleauing vnto him Wherefore this charitie or loue is worthilie cōpared with the heauenlie dew that we may acknowledge it to be giuen vs from heauen and that freelie and also with the holie ointment of Aaron running downe from the head vnto the hem of his garment because that Aaron was a figure of Christ our eternal Priest that ointment did signifie the holie spirit powred foorth without measure vpon our head that is vpon Christ himselfe thereby sanctifieng his vnder members that is the whole Church by whose sweete smel also we are acceptable to our heauenlie father according to that saieng Ioh. 14 21. He that loueth me shal be loued of my father and I wil loue him c. Iohn 1 16. THE PARAPHRASIS 1 BEhold how beautiful and happie this change of our state is to wit because we see that brethren which before were at dissention both in bodies and minds are now most friendlie ioined in hearts Wherefore I would haue you continuallie to consider and marke that there is nothing either more profitable or more pleasant than your brotherlie amitie For besides that God would haue vs to be borne of one and the same father Abraham the which reason is of no smal moment he hath further called and chosen vs out into his familie by the same his holie spirit 2 Wherefore this brotherlie vnitie is plainlie like that sweete balme so pretious which being powred vpon the head of the high priest and vpon his beard did flowe downe euen to the hem of his holie garment 3 And we may compare it with that most sweet and most fruitful dew which falleth on the mountaines both of Hermon and Sion For where this concord is of force there at the commandement of God from heauen al commodities flowe downe and remaine for euer PSALME CXXXIIII The Argument After the manifold speeches pertaining vnto the people at the length a verie good end is made vnto that matter by an exhortation directed vnto the priestes and Leuites seeing the worship of God is the whole summe belonging vnto the Church Therefore the Leuites are admonished for what cause they are placed in the Church not that they should exercise dumbe ceremonies but that they should bestowe whole daies nights for the saluation of the people that is in teaching declaring the praises of God and in praieng THE PARAPHRASIS 1 LO ye blessed companie whom the Lord hath peculiarlie chosen out of the rest of the people and whose ministerie he vseth whilest yee appeare in his house before him daie and night first execute your office diligentlie in Gods sight carefullie labouring to set foorth his praises 2 Praie vnto the Lord I saie lifting vp your hands vnto his sanctuarie and praise him which is the principal part of his worship and the verie end of these ceremonies 3 Then commend the whole assemblie of the people vnto God sending them awaie after they haue sincerelie offered their sacrifices and haue bene instructed with holie doctrine praieng that the Lord who is the Creator of heauen and earth would enrich them al out of Sion with al kind of blessings PSALME CXXXV The Argument The Prophet doth chiefly exhort the priests and the Leuites also in this Psalme as in the former publikelie to set foorth the praise of God vnto whome yet he wil haue the people to ioine as to their ringleaders And the arguments of praise are taken partlie of the general works wherein God setteth foorth both his infinite power and goodnes euen as it were to be groped or handeled of al men partlie of his special benefits that are bestowed on his owne people and he adioineth an antithesis of the idols at large And we ought to confirme our selues at this daie stil with the same testimonie and to giue thanks vnto God dailie now for them also seeing there hath bene alwaies and is stil one and the same Church as there is one God and one faith although the couenant be diuers in the manner and forme of reuelation which God hath made with his THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Al ye that are peculiarlie appointed to the ministerie of the Lord praise ye praise ye the Lord as he hath shewed himselfe in deede worthilie to be acknowledged 2 You I saie which are appointed to stand and to appeare euen in the house of the Lord and vnto whome the keeping of these courts of the Lord is committed 3 Praise God who is verie good and praise his name than the which nothing is more pleasant 4 For he hath of his onlie goodnes chosen Iacob to himselfe as his most chiefe treasure 5 And to speake no more of these special testimonies of his fauour why should not I affirme that thing which is most plaine and euident that the Lord euen our God is verie great although foolish men imagine to themselues gods he is mightier than al their gods although we should graunt that there were such as they doe dreame 6 For seeing that these men suppose that there are manie gods surelie they can make none of these almightie and some doe make them idle beholders of things others do bind them to inferiour causes others faine that most vile things and most wicked things are done openlie by them but the Lord as he hath created the heauen the earth the sea and al the depths thereof so also he vseth them at his pleasure 7 By whose commandements the clouds rising from the vttermost parts of the earth doe minister the matter of the firie flames and of the raines which burst foorth thence together and which bringeth foorth the winds out of his store 8 And least anie man should limit this infinite power of the Lord within the bounds of natural causes this is he which destroied in one night al the first borne both of men and beasts in Aegypt the which thing certainlie can not be attributed to the order of nature 9 He also ouerthrew Pharao in Aegypt and al the Aegyptians ouer dutiful-seruants to their king with signes and wonders whereof there is not one which doth not declare the infinite power of the Lord aboue al order of nature 10 Yea and not Pharao onlie and the Aegyptians but he also miserablie slue manie other nations and their most mightie kings 11 As Sehon king of the Amorites and
earnest affection of the heart thou dost as it were neuer depart from their sides 19 Insomuch that they can aske nothing of thee aright which thou dost not grant them and alwaies helpest them when they crie 20 And euen as thou safelie keepest al those that loue thee so thou destroiest al the wicked 21 Wherefore by good right ô Lord I wil declare thy praises euen with a sounding voice and it becommeth al men to whome thou grantest the vse of this life to doe this thing diligentlie and continuallie PSALME CXLVI The Argument The Prophet doth exhort al men in this Psalme to set forth the praises of God which consist chieflie in this point that al our confidence may be fixed in him alone as both in a most mightie most moderate and especiallie in a most merciful Lord of al things of whose both power equitie and clemencie he setteth foorth some notable examples those being proued by verie dailie experience THE PARAPHRASIS 1 GO to yet my seelie soule praise the Lord. 2 For I haue thus determined to bestowe the whole time of my life in praising the Lord and to set foorth my God so long as I liue 3 And this praise properlie belongeth vnto him that we fixe our whole confidence in him alone For whome wouldest thou rather trust to princes whose glorious shew vseth to dazel the sight of foolish men But seeing euen these mortal men be also borne of mortal parents that is to saie hauing neither firme strength nor stable wil safetie cannot consist in them 4 For euen their life consisteth in their breath of the which so soone as they are bereaued the soule departing out of their bodie they are resolued againe into dust and al their cogitations do vanish awaie together with them 5 But ô blessed is that man which trusteth in the helpe of the God of Iacob and whose whole hope is laid vp in the Lord his God! 6 For hereby it appeareth euen to blind men how good and how great his power is in that he created the heauen the earth the sea and al things that are comprehended in them and his excellent goodnes and fidelitie is herein euident that he neuer breaketh his promise 7 That he doth maintaine those that are vniustlie oppressed he feedeth the hungrie and looseth the prisoners from their bonds 8 He openeth the eies of the blind and of such as are vexed for want of counsel and lifteth vp those that faint vnder the burthen of miseries finallie the Lord loueth al that loue righteousnes 9 The Lord doth defend and nourish those that are destitute of mans helpe especiallie strangers and trauelers the fatherles and widowes but vtterlie ouerthroweth them that liue a wicked life 10 Last of al other dominions are trulie transitorie and subiect to destruction but the kingdome of the Lord alone is euerlasting thy God I saie ô Sion endureth for al ages Praise ye the Lord. PSALME CXLVII The Argument The people did in this Psalme celebrate that most high benefit of their returne from Chaldëa which was like a new birth of the Church chieflie if we principallie regard the worship of God as it is conuenient and the testimonies of the mercies of God are annexed so elegantlie described as nothing can be more excellent the which though they be general yet do they properlie belong to the children of God because they onelie knowe from whome they proceed and giue vnto God his iust praise Therfore in the end of the Psalme he doth make mention of that most excellent and great benefit of al others wherewith God did bind his Church peculiarlie vnto him euen the knowledge of his wil which bringeth saluation And whereas that deliuerance from Chaldëa and the gathering together of Jsraël as the citie of Ierusalem it selfe also were figures the truth thereof is exhibited vnto vs in deede in the Gospel there is no doubt but the Christian Church is much more bound dailie to set foorth the benefit of our redemption whereby we are brought into the heauenlie countrie especiallie in these our last times wherein God hath begun to gather his Church from the other occidental Babylon THE PARAPHRASIS 1 GO to I beseech you praise the Lord for what should we rather doe than to giue thanks vnto God who besides that he is God and therefore hath bound al men vnto himselfe by good right hath bestowed vpon vs so manie peculiar benefits and againe what can be more ioiful and more to be desired than such a testimonie of his fatherlie loue 2 For behold ô God thou restorest Ierusalem being cast downe destroied subuerted and beaten into dust contrarie to the hope of al people and dost gather together thine Israël being scattered ful seuentie yeeres the which thing the worke it selfe doth testifie that thou wast onelie able to doe 3 Thou doest comfort them that are vtterlie desperate thou also doest heale the deadlie wounds that none could heale but thou 4 Euen because there is nothing which thou art not able to do for thou knowest the number of the verie stars the which as their Lord thou callest out by name 5 O our great Lord both of infinite power and also of vnderstanding 6 And which doth vse his infinit power nothing proudly or immoderatly but euen to helpe the oppressed to cast the wicked downe to the ground 7 Go to then praise the Lord that our God both with voice and with instruments 8 Which couereth the heauen with clouds from whence he draweth foorth the raine to water the earth and to cloth the tops of the mountaines with al kind of hearbs 9 With this food he feedeth the beasts and nourisheth the yong rauens when they crie being forsaken of their dams 10 Yet is there nothing in vs which should moue him to embrace vs far vnlike to those which approue an horse by beholding his beautie or courage or that doe regard a man that runneth for his swiftnes 11 For what can he find in anie man which he hath not giuen vnto him before Therefore al the benefits which are bestowed vpon them that feare him and who haue regard onlie to his mercie doe proceed of his liberalitie alone 12 Go to then Ierusalem praise thou the Lord go to Sion praise thou thy God 13 For he doth ward thy gates with bars he doth cherish and multiplie thy familie thy citizens I meane 14 He bringeth thee into amitie with thy neighbors he feedeth thee with the fine flower of wheat 15 For he needeth none armies or engins of war but so soone as he hath declared what his pleasure is his commandement goeth foorth through the whole world like a most swift post 16 He raineth downe the flakes of snowe as it were wool from the clouds he doth sprinkle the earth also with the smal hore frost as it were with dust 17 He casteth out the I se like morsels and he bindeth together al things with cold that no man is able to
abide 18 And he also againe so soone as he commandeth doth melt the things that are frosen and the waters streightwaie flowe foorth againe as though their bands were losed 19 And these things verelie do testifie most plainelie both his infinite goodnes and power yet surelie they are nothing in comparison of that benefite which he bestowed vpon his Israël when he deliuered vnto him the doctrine of saluation and the rule to leade his life both godlie and honestlie 20 Neither is there any nation vnder heauen with whome he hath so dealt but he hath left other men without this most true and most iust doctrine PSALME CXLVIII The Argument The scope and end of this Psalme most ful of maiestie euen written with a heauenlie feruencie is whereas there be extant so manie most cleare witnesses of Gods wisedome of his power and goodnes as there be things created to cal vpon al those things high lowe and of the middle sort to set foorth the praise of God with common consent For though manie of them are without both vnderstanding and sense yet they al after their maner although they be silent are said to sound foorth the glorie of God though men which haue reason and for whose cause they are made ought properlie both in their owne name and in their name to do this dutie and chieflie the godlie ought to set foorth continuallie that incomparable benefite whereby they are chosen into the felowship of the sonne of God THE PARAPHRASIS 1 GO to let them found forth the praises of the Lord euen from the most high heauens 2 O al ye holie spirits the apparitors of his Maiestie which are diuided into innumerable garrisons go ye before others in this his praise 3 Thou Sunne and Moone and al ye Starres shining in the heauens shewe forth the praise of your Maker 4 O ye most high spheares of the heauens praise ye him ye vawts of waters which hang on high 5 Let al these things I saie praise the Lord for they began to haue their being by his onlie commandement 6 And they are placed by his appointment in the same place and order where they stand most stable and they are set in order with certaine spaces and bounds which they can not passe ouer by anie meanes though they would 7 And let the earthlie things againe answer vnto the heauenlie and the creeping wormes in the hollowe holes of the earth and also the depths of waters 8 And ye flames of lightnings also hailes snowes vapours lifted vp whirlewinds and other tempests which al haue your being and are moued by his commandement 9 Mountaines and al hils trees laden with fruits the Cedars mounting vp with such maruelous height 10 Ye wild beasts also and ye that be tame whatsoeuer creepeth vpon the ground and whatsoeuer fleeth through the aire 11 But chieflie both the kings and their people subiect vnto them the princes and the gouernours of the earth 12 Yong men and old yong maides also and children 13 Praise ye the name of the Lord for he alone deserueth most high praise as he that is more deepe than the very earth more high than the heauens 14 But this becommeth chieflie the people whom God of his vnspeakable fauour hath consecrated vnto himselfe and brought them into the most high state of dignitie aboue others therefore it becommeth those that haue receiued such benefits of God to set forth his praises euen the posteritie of Israël the which people God hath chosen to be his owne familie and houshold PSALME CXLIX The Argument The interpretation of this Psalme seemeth to be more plaine and more agreeable to the holie historie if it be applied vnto the kingdome of Dauid rather than to the last times of the captiuitie of Babylon Wherefore in ny iudgement the people recouering themselues from so manie miseries which they had suffered both in the times of the iudges and of Saule himselfe both the religion of God being first restored and also the policie set in good order is taught by this Psalme to giue thankes vnto God and not to abuse his so great benefits Wherein Dauid himselfe giueth them example acknowledging the Lord God to be the King together with them And as concerning the musical instruments here named it was a part of the seruice of the lawe which is abolished notwithstanding no man vnlesse such a one as is worthie to be counted amongst beastes can denie but that there is a great power both of musicke when it is sung and also in instruments to moue mens minds yet the examples both of the former Church and the horrible abuses that streightwaies followed do teach sufficientlie how vnprofitable it is to bring in such musicke and instruments into the Church of Christ as hath bin of late And a prophesie is also added which the verie end did confirme so manie victories being granted vnto Dauid and the bounds of his kingdome being spread euen vnto Euphrates that then the promise was fulfilled at the length which was made vnto Abraham as concerning the figure for it can not be doubted but that these things were the figures of the kingdome of Christ and of his spiritual victories and of that horrible iudgement which shal be most fullie in the end at the last daie and which now and then God executeth vpon al the rebellious THE PARAPHRASIS 1 GO to al ye that haue receiued benefites of the Lord sing vnto him a new and excellent song being deliuered from so manie not dangers but deaths 2 Euen thou ô Israël delight thy selfe in setting forth his praises whose worke thou art as it were newlie formed O ye citizens of Sion reioice ye trusting in the Lord your King Gouernor which belongeth to none other nation vnder heauen 3 Set foorth his praises far and wide not onelie priuatelie but also publikelie not onlie with voice but also with fluites and timbrels and with al kind of musical instruments 4 Euen because it hath pleased the Lord of his infinite mercie to consecrate this people vnto himselfe and as the matter it selfe maketh it manifest when they seemed vtterlie to be lost to make them honourable and of most high dignitie 5 Wherefore these glorious people vpon whom he hath bestowed so manie benefites do now reioice and shal reioice hereafter and with great quietnes shal sing a triumph 6 Praising the Lord indeede with their exclamations cries but armed with double edged swords in their hands 7 Wherewith they may punish the prophane Gentiles and auenge the crueltie of the people 8 And also may drawe their kings nobles bound in chaines and iron setters 9 Euen to execute the iudgement appointed and commanded by the Lord and this verelie is the dignitie and the honour of al them whome God hath receiued to his fauour PSALME CL. The Argument Jt is probable that the holie singing men of the temple did stir vp one another with this Psalme ful of maruelous zeale We
due vnto him whereby we may become partakers of euerlasting life Wherefore he saith that men are taught the glorie and maiestie of God that is as Paule interpreteth it Rom. 1.10 his eternal power and godhead by the beholding of the heauens by the orderlie changes of daies and nights but specialie by the golden beautie of the Sunne which shineth ouer the whole world with an vnspeakeable course so that no man can pretend the ignorance thereof The which place the Apostle treateth both in that Chapter cited before and also in the Actes 17.27 But the Prophet addeth that men do lacke a farre more perfect declaration which may shew foorth both those same things and besides them the wil of God to conclude which may quiet our consciences that are greeuouslie vexed with the deadlie wound of our sinnes as the Apostle teacheth plentifullie 1. Cor. 1.21 and afterwards And he affirmeth that these things are not taught vs any otherwhere than by that doctrine which is giuen vs of him from the heauens it printing in our hearts that true wisedome not in words alone but in deede also that it might comfort vs with euerlasting gladnes And seeing this power belongeth wholie to the Gospel it is manifest that Dauid speaketh principalie of this part of the written word of God and that he treateth of that free forgiuenes of sinnes which at that time was shadowed with the ceremonies of the lawe but now is expounded and vttered vnto vs most fullie and manifestlie both by Christ himselfe and also by the writings of the Apostles THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THE heauens declare the glorie of God and this wide stretched frame of the heauenlie spheres called the firmament doth plainlie testifie that they could not be created by anie other but by God himselfe 2 The interchangeable course of daie and night doth minister occasion to drawe out the power of that most wise creator by that most ample and neuer ceasing race as it were out of a liuely euer running fountaine 3 Yea the heauens do also speake as with an high sounding voice which may be vnderstood of al people of al maner of languages 4 For that same their most cunning workemanship and the orderlie mouing by most constant and certaine spaces wherewith chiefelie the Sunne is carried about by that huge bodie compassed and couered with the heauens as with a tabernacle calleth as with a lowde voice vpon al men from the one end of the world to the other 5 For the Sunne it selfe like a bridegrome comming foorth of his chamber glistering with gold and pretious stones or like a mightie champion stretching himselfe to runne his race 6 Doth runne foorth from the one vttermost border to the other without anie wearines and with a course incomprehensible and there is none that can be hid from his heate 7 But wee haue an other farre more excellent schoolemaister and teacher of this wisedome yea one that is perfect in deede euen the doctrine declared vnto vs from heauen and appointed of God which doth fullie restore vs to perfection By the which the Lord hath opened vnto vs plainelie al that appertaineth to our saluation and doth teach al men true wisedome so that they knowledging their want of wisedome should shew themselues willing to be taught 8 The doctrine I saie ordeined of God which teacheth the true waie of felicitie plainelie and euidentlie and doth comfort the mindes with true ioie and lighteneth the eies of the mind with true light 9 For this is it which declareth the pure and vnchangeable worship of God and the maner how to worship God most rightlie and sincerelie 10 A thing more pretious by much than al gold how pure so euer and more sweete than anie honie combe 11 For heereby thy seruants ô Lord are taught which waie they should walke and they that walke this waie shal feele thee in the end most merciful 12 But ah who can vnderstand his faults wherfore I beseech thee mercifullie to deliuer me from these faultes that I can not by anie meanes vnderstand 13 And suffer not me thy seruant to be ouercome of these vnbrideled affections but rather graunt that I may leade this life vpright and free from wickednes 14 That I neither speake anie thing nor thinke anie thing in my heart which may not be acceptable vnto thee in whose sight I stand vnto thee I say ô Lord my defender and deliuerer PSALME XX. The Argument Here is an example of the praier of godlie subiects for the preseruation of their magistrates especialie in the chiefest dangers such as this was which is supposed to haue bin the cause why this Psalme was made as is declared 2. Sam. 10. and 1. Paralip 19. Out of the which praier these principal points of doctrine are to be gathered 1 That God is the authour and preseruer of policies 2 That policies are established by Gods helpe not by fortune nor by the meere and alone wisedome of man 3 That some kind of warfare is both iust and necessarie 4 That there is great difference betwixt the confidence and trust of the wicked and of the godlie THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THE Lord heare thee in these dangers and being called vpon by thee place thee in safetie 2 The Lord come down frō his sanctuarie to help thee euen from the mount Zion to strengthen thee 3 Let him declare that thine oblations are acceptable vnto him consuming thy burnt offerings with fire from the heauen 4 And graunt vnto thee that thy heart desireth and accomplish al thy purpose 5 That we may triumph being deliuered by thee ô Lord and that we may celebrate thee our God with banners displaied which hast graunted al the petitions of our king vnto him 6 For doubtles now thou hast preserued in deede the king that was annointed by thee thou hast heard him now out of thy heauenlie sanctuarie and hast defended him that trusted in the power of thy right hand which bringeth saluation 7 For they do trust in their chariots and in their horses but we do onlie remember thy name 8 Wherefore they are broken downe and fallen but we stand vpright 9 Assist vs ô Sauiour let that King heare vs when we cal vpon him PSALME XXI The Argument This Psalme dependeth of the former and namelie it conteineth a thanksgiuing for a notable victorie which was gotten the which victorie the Church imputeth to the bountiful clemencie of God alone who promiseth it the selfe-same helpe in al other distresses THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THou hast giuen cause of new ioie vnto thy king ô Lord which acknowledgeth himselfe preserued by thy power reioicing therein with al his heart 2 For thou hast giuen him his hearts desire and thou hast graunted vnto him that which he requested in his praiers 3 Yea thou hast preuented him with thy benefites thou hast crowned his head with a crowne of most pure gold 4 He required this thing onlie of thee that he might escape aliue and safe from
Psalme doth belong to those times that were most miserable of al other in the which that captiuitie of the seuentie yeares was finished so that it seemeth vnto me to answere on the contrarie vnto that excellent praier which is conteined in the 9. Chapter of Daniel And there be foure parts thereof one from the 1. verse vnto the 11. doth describe a most lamentable mourning of the Church more like to a dead carcase than to a liuing bodie euen as it is resembled in Ezechiel Chapter 37. adioining so liuelie and apt similitudes that in my iudgement there is no writing treating of the same argument comparable with it The second part from the 12. verse vnto the 15. setteth forth the arguments of most sure comforts partlie drawne from the most constant nature of God himselfe partlie of the oracle vttered by the mouth of Iâ—remie and other Prophets concerning the restoring of the Citie The third part from the 16. verse vnto the 23. is the amplifieng of the second part in the which the â—r nâ—tâ—o honour of the second temple that is to saiâ— of the spiritual and eternal whereof that stonie tâ—mple was a figure that is euen of the Church to be spread with most great maiestie throgh the whole world vnder Christ the head is described by the spirit of prophesie Finâ—llie the fourth part from the 24. verse vnto the end of the Psalme the Church as a conquerour singeth a song of triumph THE PARAPHRASIS 1 HEare my praiers ô Lord and let nothing hinder that my cries come not euen vnto thee 2 Turne not thy face from me in such miserable times but rather giue eare and answere speedilie to me that crie 3 For behold my life is consumed as the smoke and I am withered and without al moisture al my strength being consumed like the stone vnder the fire 4 My heart is withered like the hearbe cut downe with the syth and loatheth al meate 5 My bones consumed with sorowe sticke hard vnto my flesh 6 I am like the Pellicane or the Bitter dumping in the desert like the Owle mourning in the wildernesse 7 I passe the nightes like a bird vnder the house eaues bereaued of her mate or spoiled of her yong ones taken foorth of the nest 8 For mine enimies lie in wait for me poore miser and with intollerable pride they abuse the example of my calamitie if they wish euil or curse anie 9 Wherefore I being cast downe vpon the earth can not tel whether I do eate bread or dust and I mixe my drinke with teares 10 For how can I do otherwaies thou beeing so sore displeased with me in that thou maist seeme therefore to haue exalted me that I should fal with so much sorer ruine 11 Wherefore to conclude al in few words I vanish awaie like a shadowe when the sunne setteth and wither like the haie 12 But thou ô Lord vpon whose power notwithstanding and promises I do rest continuest stil the same and thy memorie which thou hast appointed to be with vs must needes be eternal 13 Therefore seeing thou hast so long bin as it were an idle beholder of the miseries of Sion so manie yeares thou wilt arise I knowe wel and haue compassion vpon it when the appointed time shal come 14 Neither shalt thou want seruants which shal beare good affection towards the rammel thereof and haue pitie thereon when it is beaten into dust 15 Yea it is so far off that it should alwaies lie prostrate that contrariwise ô Lord the Gentiles which in the former ages were alienate from thee shal now feare thy name and al the kings of the world shal magnifie thy Maiestie 16 Because thou ô Lord whose worke this is onlie hast built Sion againe and hast shewed thy selfe there much more glorious than at anie time before 17 Not despising the praiers of thy most miserable people but rather hearing them in verie deede 18 For thou shalt do a worke worthie to be set forth in writing to euerlasting memorie and a new people created by thee shal sing forth thy praises 19 Because that from thy most high and holie throne euen from the heauens thou hast looked downe vpon the earth 20 To heare the mourning of the prisoners and to loose them forth of their bonds of whose life it was despaired 21 That in Sion againe thy name ô Lord that thy praise I saie in Ierusalem may be published manie nations and kingdomes running together to worship thee 22 Howbeit thou in the meane season I grant whilest this so great goodnes is waited for doest greeuouslie afflict vs and doest as it were cut off the thred of our life 23 But in this extreame distresse ô God I did flie vnto thee and I praied thee with plaine words that thou wouldest not take me awaie hastilie before that I had run the race of my life 24 And why should not I trust that it wil certainelie come to passe that thou hast promised vnto vs for thou art not like vs who are changed by time but thou abidest stable throughout al worlds 25 And the verie earth was most firmelie established by thee long ago when thou madest it and this mightie compas of heauen standeth vnshaken vnto this daie which was framed by thine onelie hands 26 But their stabilitie is nothing to that thine vnchangable firmitie for they also by little little do faile but thou endurest al one Al these things I saie how stable so euer they seeme are worne by little little as the garment is by long vse whilest that at the length they be changed by thee from the forme that we now see as a garment cast off 27 Yet thou art the selfe-same altogether subiect to no tearme of yeares and time 28 Therefore that thy kingdome which thou hast raised for thy selfe amongst thy people shal also be for euer and that posteritie of thy seruants with whome thou hast made an euerlasting couenant howsoeuer it be tossed with manie and most sharpe tempests yet it being staide by thy wil and vnchangeable power shal remaine for euer PSALME CIII The Argument Dauid did write this Psalme being rauished as it were out of himselfe into heauen in the which he stirreth vp not himselfe onlie but the verie heauenlie spirits also to sing praises vnto God taking the chiefe occasion of that great and vnspeakeable benefite of God which he bestowed on his Church by reuealing both the right waie of righteousnes and the free forgiuenes of sinnes not forgetting his most abundant liberalitie in giuing vs those things most bountifullie which belong to this present life which benefits he setteth forth with most excellent similitudes most sincete sentences adioining herevnto a most magnificent description of the diuine Maiestie THE PARAPHRASIS 1 GO to my deare soule and mine inward bowels giue thankes vnto God with al your power 2 Praise the Lord my soule and declare thy selfe that thou art mindful of al his benefites