forty years long before the end of which I concluded that they were a people whose heart would never be stedfastly resolved to adhere unto me for they did not mind what wonderfull things I did for them nor what I commanded them to doe for me 11. Vnto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest 11. Which so highly displeased me that I sware they should wander all their days and die at last in the Wilderness XIV Numb 28 c. and never enter into that good Land where I intended to give them rest after all their travels XII PSALM XCVI ARGUMENT This Psalm also wants a Title in the Hebrew but the Greeks are justified in the former part of their Inscription which calls it An Ode of David's by the 1 Chron. XVI where we find that at the bringing up the Ark from the house of Obed Edom to the place he had prepared for it on Mount Sion David delivered this Psalm together with the CV into the hand of Asaph to express the joy he had in God's special presence among them which all their neighbours round about he foretells should be made sensible of as well as themselves This Psalm indeed is not exactly the very same with that but there is a difference in some expressions ex gr it is called here A new Song but not there which shews it was afterward altered by some divine person who accommodated it to other uses And very probably by Ezra when they came out of Babylon which occasioned the Greeks to add in the latter part of the Inscription of this Psalm these words when the house was built after the Captivity Ezra that is made use of it to express their joy at the re-edification of the Temple But it never had a compleat fulfilling answerable to the height of it till the Messiah who was indeed the Temple of God came to dwell among us to give eternal Salvation to us Several of the Jewish Writers acknowledge that it belongs to His times and accordingly we not onely may but ought to have Him in our minds when we say Sing unto the Lord a new Song for his new Grace that is in sending Him to give Salvation to all Nations and the Lord reigneth Ver. 10. and hath all things put under his feet See Euseb in his Demonstrat Evangelica L. 1. c. 4. 1. O Sing unto the LORD a new song sing unto the LORD all the earth 1. O Sing praises unto the Lord for his new and extraordinary benefits which He hath bestowed upon us Let all the earth join together with us to sing his praises 2. Sing unto the LORD bless his name shew forth his salvation from day to day 2. We can never praise Him enough and therefore cease not to bless his Name and to spread the fame of his Almighty Goodness towards us but publish every day with joyfull hearts the great deliverances He hath wrought for us 3. Declare his glory among the heathen his wonders among all people 3. Tell the Nations round about how He hath glorified Himself let none of them be ignorant of the wonderfull things He hath done among us 4. For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised he is to be feared above all gods 4. For all our praises fall infinitely short of the greatness of the Lord who is worthy of the highest praise of the whole world and hath shewn both to us 1 Chron. XIII 10 12. 1 Sam. VI. 20. and to others 1 Sam. V. 3 4 c. how dreadfull He is above all that are called Gods 5. For all the gods of the nations are idols but the LORD made the heavens 5. For all the Gods of the Nations are nothing worth being able to doe neither good nor harm But the Lord not onely made the earth but the heavens too which abundantly declare the greatness and the splendour of his Majesty 6. Honour and majesty are before him strength and beauty are in his sanctuary 6. Whose heavenly Court infinitely out-shines all the state and pomp wherein the greatest earthly Monarchs live 1. Esther 4. For all the words we have are not able to express the brightness and magnificence the power and comely order of so much as his Ministers an image of which we have in his holy place wherein He manifests Himself among us 7. Give unto the LORD O ye kindreds of the people give unto the LORD glory and strength 7. Ascribe therefore unto the Lord O ye people from whatsoever Family ye come ascribe unto Him that incomparable Majesty and supreme Dominion and Authority which you give to imaginary gods 8. Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name bring an offering and come into his courts 8. And renounce them all and acknowledging the Lord alone to be the omnipotent King of all the world doe Him honour sutable to the excellency of his Majesty bring Him an oblation in token of your subjection to Him and humbly worship Him in his Temple 9. O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness fear before him all the earth 9. O come and cast down your selves before the Lord in his Sanctuary where He hath fixed his glorious residence among us Adore his transcendent perfections and let all the people approach into his presence with a pious trembling and dread to offend their Sovereign 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 10. Go ye that are already become Proselytes unto Him and publish every where in all Countries that the Lord CHRIST is the Sovereign of the World who alone can make it happy For He shall settle those in peace that submit unto his Government and they shall not be so disturbed as they were wont with wars and tumults He shall administer equal justice unto all and neither suffer the good to be unrewarded nor the evil to escape unpunished 11. Let the heavens rejoice and let the earth be glad let the sea roar and the fulness thereof 11. Let the whole Universe therefore be filled with joy at this blessed news which the Angels themselves shall gladly receive I. Luk. 30 32. much more ought all mankind wheresoever they are dispersed on the Earth or on the Sea and the Islands thereof exceedingly rejoice and fill all places with the loud sound of their joyfull praises 12. Let the field be joyfull and all that is therein then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice 12. Let the husbandmen and the shepherds and all that dwell in the fields leap for joy and the woodmen and foresters shout for joy to see the happy day approaching when all the Idols that are worshipped there shall be thrown down together with their groves 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 13. Let them
ye servants of the LORD praise the name of the LORD 1. O Ye Ministers of the Lord and whosoever you are that love his Service praise his eternal Majesty be not remiss in this heavenly imployment but with your best affections praise the power wisedom and goodness of his eternal Providence 2. Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore 2. Praise him now in this present Age and wish that those incomparable perfections of his may be celebrated with the praises of those that live in future times as long as the world shall last 3. From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD's name is to be praised 3. And not onely here in this little spot of earth but wheresoever the Sun shines and lets men see how splendid and glorious his Majesty is 4. The LORD is high above all nations and his glory above the heavens 4. For all the Nations of the earth are his and but a little parcel of his supreme Dominion which extends far beyond the Sun and Moon and Stars whose light is but a dim resemblance of the brightness of his glory 5. Who is like unto the LORD our God who dwelleth on high 5. Do not think that any of them though worshipped by other Nations as gods is comparable to that great Lord and our most gracious God whom we adore for the very place where his glorious Majesty resides is far higher then they 6. Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven and in the earth 6. And it is a great condescension in him that He will have any respect to the most illustrious of those celestial bodies though He be so gracious also as to extend his kind and carefull Providence even to us who dwell upon this earth 7. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill 7. Where among other manifest tokens of his stupendious goodness He is pleased to take special notice of those whom the world despises and to raise them out of a mean nay sordid condition to such a pitch of honour and dignity 8. That he may set him with princes even with the princes of his people 8. That at last they are advanced to sit upon a Throne and made the Governours of his own people 1 Sam. II. 8. 2 Sam. VII 8 9. compared with 1. XXIV 14. 9. He maketh the barren woman to keep house and to be a joyfull mother of children Praise ye the LORD 9. And which is still more strange He opens the barren womb which according to the course of nature would have brought forth nothing and makes a numerous Family spring from thence to the great joy of her that bears them 1 Sam. I. 20. II. 21. Praise the Lord in these and such like wonderfull works of his PSALM CXIV ARGUMENT As the foregoing Psalm puts them in mind of several works of the Divine Providence about particular persons so this makes a brief narration of some miraculous works wherein the Lord declared his power when He brought the whole Jewish Nation out of the Egyptian bondage 1. WHen Israel went out of Egypt the house of Jacob from a people of strange language 1. WHen our Forefathers with their whole Family were brought out of Egypt and not one of them left behind among that barbarous people who had long oppressed them 2. Judah was his sanctuary and Israel his dominion 2. There was a most glorious appearance of God among them by that bright cloud the token of his presence which then had no other peculiar place for its sanctuary but stood over the whole Camp of Israel XIII Exod. 21. XIV Numb 14. whom He then took for his peculiar Kingdom XIX Exod. 6. 3. The sea saw it and fled Fordan was driven back 3. At which appearance the red Sea forsook its channel and left a dry path for them to march through XIV Exod. 21 24. and so did Jordan also afterwards to make way for their easie entrance into Canaan III. Josh 15 16. 4. The mountains skipped like rams and the little hills like lambs 4. All the Mountains great and small which adjoined unto Sinai trembled and leaped like so many affrighted rams or little lambs before the same most dreadfull Majesty XIX Exod. 18. 5. What ailed thee O thou sea that thou fleddest thou Jordan that thou wast driven back 5. To what else shall we ascribe that sudden ebb of the Sea and that no less strange retreat of Jordan when it overflowed all its banks 6. Ye mountains that ye skipped like rams and ye little hills like lambs 6. What made the mountains and hills leap up like affrighted rams or lambs as if they would run away from the place where they were so firmly fixed 7. Tremble thou earth at the presence of the Lord at the presence of the God of Jacob 7. But onely the glorious presence of the Divine Majesty who was then bringing his people to the rest He had promised to give them And let the whole earth be afraid and tremble before that great Lord who hath honoured us so far as peculiarly to be our God 8. Which turned the tock into a standing water the flint into a fountain of waters 8. And was so kind as to supply the necessities of our Forefathers even when they murmured against Him by a new Miracle bringing out of hard rocks as hard as flint such plenty of water as if they had been dissolved into lakes or rivers XVII Exod. 8. XX. Numb 11. PSALM CXV ARGUMENT There is great reason to think that this Psalm was made in some time of sore distress when their Pagan Enemies began to boast and brag as if their gods were too hard for the God of Israel But by whom it was made or on what particular occasion there are so many conjectures that it will be no presumption to interpose mine which is this That when Jehoshaphat saw that vast Army which we reade of 2 Chron. XX. 2. composed of several Nations coming against him and after his prayer to God for deliverance was incouraged by a Prophet to hope for it Ver. 14 15. and had by the Levites given Him thanks for this hope he or that Prophet composed this Hymn to quicken and confirm their faith in God unto which you reade he exhorted them Ver. 20. And it is likely that this was the Hymn which by common consent the Singers were appointed to use when they went out to encounter those Enemies saying not onely those words which we reade there Ver. 21. Praise the Lord for his mercy endureth for ever but these Not unto us O Lord not unto us but unto thy Name give glory for thy mercy and for thy truths sake c. 1. NOT unto us O LORD not unto us but unto thy name give glory for thy mercy and for thy truths sake 1. PRosper our arms O Lord and give us the victory over these
another command which as suddenly Ver. 15. makes a thaw and by the warm breath of softer winds loosens the waters which were bound up and causes them to flow again 19. He sheweth his word unto Jacob his statutes and his judgments unto Israel 19. In such things as these the whole world see how powerfull and how good He is But we have more peculiar reasons to depend upon Him for a happy return of our Nation whom He doth not teach merely by the snow the hoar frost and the ice but by another sort of word then that which sends them upon the earth Ver. 15. even by His Ten Commandments delivered from heaven XX. Exod. 1. in a most glorious and astonishing manner Ver. 18. and by Laws of all sorts which He hath given us for the government of our life 20. He hath not dealt so with any nation and as for his judgments they have not known them Praise ye the LORD 20. This is a privilege which no other Nation in the world enjoys IV. Deut. 32 33. For though they all receive the showres and snow out of the clouds yet Laws from thence they have no acquaintance withall Therefore let not us dishonour Him so much as to distrust his Providence but continually praise the Lord and acknowledge his bounty to us PSALM CXLVIII Hallelujah See CXLVI ARGUMENT It doth not appear who was the Authour of this Hymn nor upon what occasion it was composed But the last Verse sufficiently shews the Nation was then in a very flourishing condition and therefore probably it was made by David when God had given him rest from all his Enemies which filled his heart with such love to God that it transported him into this rapture Wherein finding how short his own praises were he wishes all Creatures in heaven and earth would conspire in a sweet symphony as Theodoret speaks of singing Hymns unto Him And first he calls upon the world above and all that is therein from the first Verse to the seventh where he descends to the world here below and calls upon all things on the earth to praise the Lord concluding v. 13. that as there is one Maker of both so all that they can say of Him when they have joyned all their powers together in one Quire falls infinitely short of his most excellent Majesty Who hath set forth his most transcendent wisdome power and munificence in such variety of stupendious work that there is not the smallest of them but ministers such matter of praise nay admiration to those that attentively consider them that they cannot but wish with the Psalmish here that every one of them were able to tell us how much skill and kindness He hath shown in their contrivance or that we were able to find it out and comprehend it Thus He is to be understood when he calls upon all Creatures to praise the Lord or it is as if he had said The Lord is to be praised by or in all these things as long as the world lasts This I take to be the true account of this Psalm which I refer to the times of David because the two following seem to have been then made and there is no other we can so well fix upon unless we will conceive that it was a Meditation when they were perfectly settled in a peaceable enjoyment of their Religion after the Captivity of which there is not the least intimation in the Psalm 1. PRaise ye the LORD praise ye the LORD from the heavens praise him in the heights 1. LET all Creatures praise the Lord. First let the Celestial Quire begin and sing their thankfull Hymns to Him who hath raised them so high above us in power and might as well as in dignity and place 2. Praise ye him all his Angels praise ye him all his hosts 2. Praise Him all ye Angels who have the honour to be the prime Ministers of his most excellent Majesty O let their several Hosts and Companies in whatsoever rank or order they stand praise Him whose Sovereign Authority commands them all 3. Praise ye him Sun and Moon praise him all ye stars of light 3. Praise Him ye Sun and Moon who are his greatest visible Ministers and unwearied in his service Praise Him all the rest of the shining Stars and declare to all future generations as ye have done for so many Ages past how glorious He is 4. Praise him ye heavens of heavens and ye waters that be above the heavens 4. Let all the heavenly Regions praise Him particularly the Clouds which hang in the Aire and disstill in fruitfull showres to inrich the Earth 5. Let them praise the Name of the LORD for he commanded and they were created 5. Let all these set forth the adorable wisdome and power and goodness of the Lord For by his omnipotent word these whom the mistaken world calls Gods were created not to be worshipped but perpetually to proclaim his praise 6. He hath also established them for ever and ever he hath made a decree which shall not pass 6. who hath made them not onely illustrious but everlasting monuments of his splendour and glory having fixt and settled them in an admirable order which they constantly observe and prescribed them Laws which they never transgress 7. Praise the LORD from the earth ye dragons and all deeps 7. O Let all Creatures here below accompany those celestial hosts in their praises of the Lord whose power the vast Whales in their several kinds and all that moves in the profound depth of the Sea abundantly declare 8. Fire and hail snow and vapour stormy wind fulfilling his word 8. Let the Lightnings Thunder and Hail the Snow hoary Frost and Ice the Winds Storms and Tempests all make a part of this Song for they constantly execute his Sovereign Will and serve his wise Designs 9. Mountains and all hills fruitfull trees and all cedars 9. The lofty Mountains also and the lesser Hills the Fruit-bearing Trees with the stately Cedars the Pines the firrs and all the rest which He hath created for several ends and uses let them all be called upon to tell how great and how bountiful He is 10. Beasts and all cattel creeping things and flying fowl 10. The wild Beasts also of the Forest and all the Cattel that feed in the Fields whatsoever creeps upon the Earth or swims in the Sea or flies in the Aire let it joyn in this Hymn of praise to Him who hath shown his manifold wisdome and diffusive goodness in them all 11. Kings of the earth and all people Princes and all Judges of the earth 11. But especially let Mankind praise Him who after He had made these things brought them into the world last of all to contemplate his wonderfull works And first let Kings who here on Earth resemble the Angels or the Sun in Heaven and then let their Ministers of State and Lieutenants in their several Provinces and next all the Judges of the Earth who are
but after I have suffered a while be preferred to those dignities from whence they fall and which is more be so graciously accepted by Thee as to continue in them unto immortal glory 25. Whom have I in heaven but thee and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee 25. This I expect from thy Almighty Goodness who art the solest object of my hope For thou knowest there is none in Heaven whom I depend upon for help and protection but Thee alone none upon Earth whose favour I seek but onely thine which shall perfectly content me 26. My flesh and my heart faileth but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever 26. It is possible I may still be pressed with such sore afflictions that not onely my bodily strength but also my courage may begin again to fail me but then I will recover my self and fortifie my Soul by flying unto Thee O God for safety in whose love I will alway think my self happy and enjoy everlasting satisfaction 27. For lo they that are far from thee shall perish thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee 27. For there is nothing more certain or more remarkable then this that they who by forsaking Thee have put themselves far from under thy care will never be able by any other means to save themselves from perishing For Thou hast already made such men a terrible Example of thy displeasure and utterly destroyed those who quitting thy service have devoted themselves to the worship of other Gods 2 Chron. XXVIII 6 18 19. XXIX 7 8 9. 28. But it is good for me to draw near to God I have put my trust in the Lord GOD that I may declare all thy works 28. And therefore I will learn by their miscarriages that it is the best and safest course for me to adhere to my good God and to make my humble addresses to Him alone I have done so hitherto and no danger shall tempt me hereafter to quit this hold and to confide in any thing but onely in the Sovereign of the World who never fails those that depend upon Him and will I hope be so gracious unto me that I shall have abundant cause to publish and proclaim to all others the Works of his Providence in preserving the Good and in throwing the wicked down at last to the ground PSALM LXXIV Maschil of Asaph ARGUMENT The desolation of Jerusalem and of the Temple as well as the rest of the Country made by Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon was the sad occasion of this Psalm For it is altogether improbable that it hath respect to the days of Antiochus Epiphanes as some fancy because as Theodoret perrinently notes to omit all other reasons we reade nothing in any History of his burning the Temple or so much as of his laying the City waste which are both here most sorrowfully bewailed by Asaph Who was not therefore that Asaph in David's time unless we should grant him to have written by the spirit of Prophecy and predicted what should be in after-times as a great many think because there was no such Temple in those days nor had been as is here described Nor was it Asaph the Seer in Hezekiah's days of whom see Argument of the foregoing Psalm who saw no such desolation made by Senacherib for he did not take Jerusalem nor shoot so much as an arrow into it nor in all likelihood prophesied of the destruction here spoken of because the description of it in this Psalm is so plain that we may most reasonably think the Authour of it had it before his eyes and did not merely see it by the spirit of Prophecy which is not wont to foretell things in so clear a manner but more obscurely and darkly I conclude therefore it was some other Asaph who composed this Psalm in the time of the Captivity and in the middle or rather toward the conclusion of it because he complains Ver. 9. that they had no Prophet as there was in the beginning of the Captivity particularly Jeremiah to tell them how long it should last And considering that in the second Verse he speaks of himself as one that dwelt still in the Land of Israel pointing to Mount Sion as a place near to him I take him to have been some pious man of the posterity of Asaph who was suffered to remain there with the Chaldaeans And if it were fit to suppose him to have written this Psalm very young and to have lived to a great age when I have no proof of either I should guess him to be Asaph the Keeper of the King's Forrest in the days of Nehemiah who desired Artaxerxes to write to him to furnish him with Timber out of Lebanon for the rebuilding some of those places which the Psalmist here complains were destroyed Among which the Porch of the Court of the Sanctuary remained unbuilt even unto those times Howsoever from the mention of Mount Sion in the second Verse it is manifest Grotius forgot himself when in his Notes upon Ver. 6. he applies this Psalm to the destruction of Shiloh which he supposes Asaph to have here bewailed For Mount Sion had then never been in their possession as it was afterward and had lain so long waste Ver. 3. when Asaph wrote this Psalm that it look'd like a perpetual desolation Besides the Tabernacle was not burnt when Shiloh was destroyed but remained though without the Ark till the days of Solomon 2 Chron. I. 3. see Psalm LXVIII And of the meaning of Maschil see Psalm XXXII 1. O God why hast thou cast us off for ever why doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture 1. O God the Sovereign Judge of the world who hast justly expelled us out of our Land and continued our banishment so long that little hope appears of our being restored to it again behold the anguish of our Souls wherein we cry unto Thee for mercy For we are confounded to see Thee so highly incensed against those who were once under thy most indulgent care as if Thou wert resolved never to be reconciled to us any more 2. Remember thy congregation which thou hast purchased of old the rod of thine inheritance which thou hast redeemed this mount Sion wherein thou hast dwelt 2. Thou hast not forgotten we know though it be very long ago with the expence of how many Miracles Thou didst make our Ancestours thy peculiar people For which reason though we be exceedingly underserving we beseech Thee to let all the world see Thou wilt not utterly abandon the poor remainders of that Nation which Thou didst acquire at so great a price that Kingdom which Thou didst rescue out of the most miserable slavery to be thy own possession and this Mount Sion wherein after Thou hadst by many wonders brought us into Canaan and routed out the old Inhabitants Thou wast pleased at last to settle thy abode among us 3. Lift up thy feet unto
humbly submit themselves unto Him 8. For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup and the wine is red it is full of mixture and he poureth out of the same but the dregs thereof all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out and drink them 8. For he never wants power to inflict the most dreadfull punishments which like an intoxicating Wine full of stupifying ingredients that loosens the very joints and takes away all a man's strength to resist never fail to have their effect And the godly may taste of them nay suffer sorely for a time but the heaviest and most grievous punishments like the dregs at the bottom of such Wine shall fall to the share of all the wicked of the Land who shall be forced to indure the utmost expressions of the Divine vengeance upon their sins 9. But I will declare for ever I will sing praises to the God of Jacob 9. And this I who am His Minister to execute his judgments will not cease to declare as long as I live that none may pretend ignorance for their excuse And I will sing praises unto God who delivered Jacob from all evil not onely for his late miraculous preservation of us by his vengeance on Senacherib whom he hath made an Example of his wrath to all proud contemners of Him but for making me the Instrument of so happy a Reformation 10. All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted 10. For this is my resolution not merely as I said to praise Him but to pull down the haughty spirit and cut short all the power of the wicked that they shall not be able to doe such mischief as they desire and to raise the righteous into such Authority that they shall not fear what their most insolent enemies can doe unto them PSALM LXXVI To the chief Musician on Neginoth A Psalm or Song of Asaph ARGUMENT It is visible to every eye that the Psalmist here commemorates some notable Victory over very powerfull Enemies whereby God delivered when it was in great danger the whole Country particularly Jerusalem Which is called here Salem Ver. 2. by an usual form of speech among the Hebrews who are wont in names of places to cut off the former part instead of Abel-Sittim saying onely Sittim and Nimrim for Beth-Nimrim Lechi for Ramath-Lechi Sheba for Beer-Sheba and many such like as Bochartus hath shewn in the Second Book of his Phaleg chap. 24. and in the First part of his Work concerning the Animals named in Scripture Book 2. ch 25. And there is as little reason to doubt that the particular deliverance here aimed at is that from Senacherib's Army which Asaph the Seer mentioned 2 Chr. XXIX 30. see Psal LXXIII was not content to celebrate in the former Hymn which he made for the use of the King but added this also for his own use and all other pious persons Who he hoped would join in it especially when it was sung in the Temple as he directed the Master of the Musick after the same manner as Psal IV. Some of the Greeks seem to have perceived something of this For though there be no such Title in the ancient Hexaplus of Origen yet in after times Theodoret tells us he found in some Copies this Inscription which still continues An Ode against the Assyrian which Apollinarius follows Of a Psalm-Song see Psalm LXVII 1. IN Judah is God known his Name is great in Israel 1. GOD hath so illustriously demonstrated himself among us in this unexpected and terrible execution to be the Sovereign Ruler and Judge of the World that he must shut his eyes that doth not see it His Power and all his other glorious perfections which are conspicuous every where are in no Country so magnified as they are in Israel 2. In Salem also is his Tabernacle and his dwelling-place in Sion 2. Our Enemies themselves who reviled Him 2 Chron. XXXII 17 19. and despised Jerusalem Ib. Verse 10. are now sure convinced that there this Mighty Lord maketh his abode in the top of that Mountain where he hath chosen to fix his dwelling-place 3. There brake he the arrows of the bow the shield and the sword and the battel Selah 3. Before the Walls of which He hath slain with an invisible Dart the fiery Archers who have not shot so much as one Arrow into it 2 King XIX 32. and made the Shields and Swords and the rest of their military preparations altogether useless and unprofitable 4. Thou art more glorious and excellent then the mountains of prey 4. Whereby thou O Sion art become more glorious then all the Mountains where the fiercest Beasts of prey or the most desperate Robbers have their resort who never made such slaughters 5. The stout-hearted are spoiled they have slept their sleep and none of the men of might have found their hands 5. For they whose courage made them fear no danger but confidently promised themselves the spoil of Jerusalem are given unto us for a spoil They lay down to sleep but never awaked 2 King XIX 35. not a man among the most mighty of them was able to strike a stroke or do any thing to defend himself against that hand which cut them off 6. At thy rebuke O God of Jacob both the chariot and horse are cast into a dead sleep 6. But the most experienced Horsemen as well as they that rode in Chariots sunk down dead at the sudden check the severe rebuke which they received from Thee O God of Jacob whom they reproached 2 King XIX 22 23. 7. Thou even thou art to be feared and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry 7. Thou and none but Thou art to be dreaded And what King is he that is able for so short a time as a moment to resist thy power which in an instant can destroy all those who incur thy heavy displeasure 8. Thou didst cause judgement to be heard from heaven the earth feared and was still 8. We have an Example of it before our eyes for when we made our solemn appeal to Thee 2 King XIX 3 4 15 16. Thou wast pleased to pronounce a sentence of condemnation from heaven upon our enemies which struck such terrour into those that survived that they who before were full of rage and made a tumultuous noise Ver. 27 28. were as still as Lambs and durst not stir a foot but onely to return from whence they came Ver. 28 36. 9. When God arose to judgment to save all the meek of the earth Selah 9. They were afraid to continue their attempts against us when God who had long suffered their insolence sent an Angel to chastise it and to do execution upon them and thereby delivered the helpless people of this Land who had patiently born their horrible oppression 10. Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain 10. Which
doest wonders thou hast declared thy strength among the people 14. For Thou art the mighty God who canst doe miracles as easily as the most ordinary works and hast made all the world sensible that thy power exceeds both the strength and the opinion of all Creatures 15. Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people the sons of Jacob and Joseph Selah 15. Having delivered thy people descended from Jacob and miraculously preserved by Joseph from the Egyptian bondage by a long series of stupendious judgments upon Pharaoh and his Servants VI. Exod. 6. VI. Deut. 21 22. VII 8. 16. The waters saw thee O God the waters saw thee they were afraid the depths also were troubled 16. Which were followed presently with a greater wonder when the waters of the Red Sea felt thy Power O God They felt thy power to the very bottom of them which so disturbed them that they retreated as if they had been affrighted at thy presence and left a plain way for thy people to march through upon dry ground 17. The clouds poured out water the skies sent out a sound thine arrows also went abroad 17. But returned again upon the Egyptians who pursued after us accompanied with a terrible storm of rain and thunder and hailstones which flew about their ears and brake the very Wheels of their Chariots XIV Exod. 24 25. 18. The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven the lightnings lightned the world the earth trembled and shook 18. The noise of this thunder filled all the air thereabout and so did the lightning that flashed in their faces which together with a dreadfull Earthquake made the very inhabitants of Canaan tremble II. Josh 10 11. 19. Thy way is in the sea and thy path in the great waters and thy foot-steps are not known 19. We might well say then that thy way is quite out of our reach Ver. 13. who madest a passage through the Sea a broad path through the boisterous waters which as none ever trod before or after so they cannot trace the footsteps which the waters have overflown and obliterated XIV Exod. 26 27. 20. Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron 20. Nor did thy care over thy people end there but by the ministry of thy servants Moses and Aaron Thou didst conduct them with the same tenderness that a good Shepherd doth his Sheep through a horrid Wilderness in which Thou feddest them till they came to Canaan And thither the same Power can and the same Goodness will I hope restore us though now we seem neglected by Thee as our Fathers were for a time in the Land of Egypt PSALM LXXVIII Maschil of Asaph ARGUMENT When God gave his Law to the Israelites He commanded them not onely to be carefull to study it themselves but to inculcate it upon their Children as the Psalmist here remembers Ver. 5. that they might propagate the knowledge of it to all future generations IV. Deut. 9. VI. 7 8 c XI 18 19 c And particularly to instruct them in the reason of their Feasts which were appointed for the commemoration of several benefits which he would not have forgotten XIII Exod. 8 14. In prosecution of which end as Theodoret well observes this Psalm was indited by the Prophetical grace as his words are that they and all their posterity might preserve in mind the wonderfull works of God An Epitome of which for the help of their memory He here presents them withall from the time of their coming out of Egypt till David's promotion to the Throne Where this Narration concluding it makes it probable this Psalm was composed by that Asaph so often mentioned as one of the principal Singers in those days who setting before the peoples eyes as in a Table the benefits their Fathers had received with their shamefull ingratitude and the punishments inflicted upon them for it teaches and instructs them who succeeded for which reason some will have it called Maschil see Psal XXXII to learn greater gratitude and fidelity to their Benefactour for fear they should incur his higher displeasure if they did not beware by such sad Examples 1. GIve ear O my people to my law incline your ears to the words of my mouth 1. ATtend reverently O my Country-men for whom I have a particular affection unto the Admonition which now I intend to give you listen diligently I beseech you to the following instruction 2. I will open my mouth in a parable I will utter dark sayings of old 2. It is no vulgar lesson which I would have you learn nor will I be sparing in my instruction but I will abundantly inform you in the most remarkable passages of God's Providence in former times which are more worthy your knowledge then the skill of resolving the darkest Riddles 3. Which we have heard and known and our fathers have told us 3. And I will not report uncertain or doubtfull things to you or things done in another Nation But such as are of unquestionable credit which you have heard and know to be recorded in your holy Books and our Forefathers who were eye-witnesses of them have faithfully registred and transmitted unto us 4. We will not hide them from their children shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD and his strength and his wonderfull works that he hath done 4. Who will not be so treacherous as to lose the memory of them in our days but diligently propagate them to posterity endeavouring that all future generations may understand how much the Lord deserves to be praised for the mighty and stupendious works which He hath done in former Ages 5. For he established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel which he commanded our fathers that they should make them known to their children 5. And indeed when God gave us the Law He strictly charged our Forefathers and made a particular injunction about it which He frequently repeated Deut. IV. VI. XI see the Argument that they should be carefull to leave the knowledge of these things as a sacred legacy or inheritance unto their Children 6. That the generation to come might know them even the children which should be born who should arise and declare them to their children 6. In order to the conveying them by their hands to the next generation who were then unborn who should be taught also when they were grown up to deliver them with the same diligence to their descendants and so preserve the memory of them to all succeeding generations 7. That they might set their hope in God and not forget the works of God but keep his commandments 7. To the end that they might learn by such wonderfull instances of his powerfull goodness to adhere unto Him and confide in Him alone and by the constant commemoration of his benefits be provoked religiously to observe his Precepts 8. And might not be as their fathers a stubborn and rebellious generation a generation
have eaten up 2 King XIX 29. 14. Return we heseech thee O God of hosts look down from heaven and behold and visit this vine 14. Our onely hope is that Thou the great Lord of Hosts on whom the event of Wars as of all things else depends wilt be reconciled unto us and drive him out again deny us not this request we beseech Thee but though we be destitute of all help on earth yet send us some from heaven and though very unworthy yet graciously take us into thy care and repair the breaches which they have made 15. And the vineyard which thy right hand hath planted and the branch that thou madest strong for thy self 15. Be favourable to the remnant of us which by thy powerfull preservation is still left like the root or stock of a Vine which may sprout out again 2 King XIX 30 31. and especially to our King whom Thou hast endued with zeal and couragious resolution for they service 2 Chron. XXX 32. and for our defence 2 Chron. XXXII 5 6 7 8. 16. It is burnt with fire it is out down they perish at the rebuke of thy countenance 16. Great numbers of us are destroyed already and may be compared to the numerous branches of that remaining stock which being cut off are burnt with fire and all the rest of us must perish if Thou wilt not be reconciled unto us but still persevere in thy anger towards us 17. Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand upon the son of man whom thou madest strong for thy self 17. Which we beseech Thee turn away and be the mighty Helper of our Sovereign who is dearly beloved by Thee of that excellent Prince whom Thou hast endued with zeal and couragious resolution for thy service and for our defence and preservation Ver. 15. 18. So will not we go back from thee quicken us and we will call upon thy name 18. Which shall be an everlasting obligation upon us never to revolt from Thee to our former Idolatry Do but free us from these deadly enemies and we will worship Thee alone and never cease to praise Thee and acknowledge that we owe our very lives to thy almighty Goodness 19. Turn us again O LORD God of hosts cause thy face to shine and we shall be saved 19. Hear us O great Lord who hast all the Angels in Heaven at thy command hear us we once more beseech Thee and restore us perfectly to our former happiness and in order to it restore us to thy favour and let there be a speedy end of all these calamities PSALM LXXXI To the chief Musician upon Gittith A Psalm of Asaph ARGUMENT There was a special command of God as the Psalmist here takes notice Ver. 4. for the making a joyfull sound with Trumpets upon all their solemn days especially their New Moons X. Numb 10. But more particularly upon the first day of the seventh Month which is called by this peculiar Name above all other days a day of blowing the Trumpets i. e from Morning unto Evening XXIX Numb 1. and a memorial of blowing Trumpets XXIII Lev. 24. For this solemn day I suppose this Psalm was composed and the reason is apparent why they were to blow with Trumpets longer on this day then any other because it was the first New Moon in the Year for according to their old computation before they came out of Egypt their Year began on this Day as appears from XXIII Exod. 16. XXXIV 22. where the Feast of ingathering their Fruits is said to be in the revolution or the end of the year and God intended it is possible to awaken them as Maimonides conjectures to prepare themselves by strict inquiry into their lives and by hearty repentance for the great day of Attonement which was the tenth of this Month. But of what this blowing Trumpets or Cornets was a memorial is not easie to resolve the Hebrews themselves being at such a loss about it that they are fain to go as far back as the deliverance of Isaac and the offering a Ram in his stead for the reason of it The clearest account of which it seems to me may be fetcht from this Psalm which plainly intimates that the blowing with Trumpets at that time related to something which ensued upon their happy deliverance out of Egypt Which though it began upon the first day of the first Month according to their new Computation which took its original from that deliverance in memory of which God ordained the Feast of the Passeover to begin on that day XXIII Lev. 6. yet they had not a compleat body of Laws delivered to them by Moses till the first day of the seventh Month which was the Feast of blowing Trumpets Moses received indeed several Laws in the third Month XIX Exod. 1 3 c. on the third day whereof Ver. 11 16 19 20. God himself appeared on the top of Mount Sinai with the sound of a Trumpet exceeding loud and prolonged to which I believe this Feast hath respect and spake the Ten Commandments after which Moses delivered them a body of civil Laws Exod. XXI XXII XXIII But they did not know the manner of the Divine Service for which they came out of Egypt into the Wilderness till Moses had been twice forty days one after the other in the Mount and likewise as several of the Jews understand those passages in IX Deut. relating to this matter had forty days more bewailed their sin in making the golden Calf Which sixscore days if we add to the time between their coming out of Egypt and the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai and to the six days which passed before Moses was called up into the Cloud it will fall out exactly to be the first day of the seventh month when he began to give orders for the building of the Tabernacle and making all things belonging to God's House according to the direction he had received in the Mount I am sure this was the precise time of their setting up the Altar and beginning to offer burnt Offerings after their return from the Captivity of Babylon before the foundation of the Temple was laid For you reade III. Ezra 1 6. it was upon the first day of the seventh month in the middle of which they also kept the Feast of Tabernacles as Moses had appointed in memory of their dwelling in Booths in the Wilderness under the Government of the Almighty The same day also was kept holy by Nehemiah with great solemnity VIII 1 8 9 10. where you find how the Book of the Law was distinctly read to the people on this day and the sense of it explained so that they came the next day again for further instruction Ver. 13. Now that they might be more mindfull of those Divine Benefits which in this Month they commemorated more then in any other Month in the Year Asaph in the days of David it is likely composed this Psalm and directed it to
the rock should I have satisfied thee 16. He should have made their Country exceeding fruitfull and fed them with the richest Wheat And I my self saith the Lord would have blessed Thee with such plenty that in the Desarts thou shouldest have found the sweetest refreshments and without any care of thine the Bees should have laboured honey for thee in the Rocks and holes of Trees and such like places XXXII Deut. 13. XIV Judg. 8. 1 Sam. XIV 25 26. PSALM LXXXII A Psalm of Asaph ARGUMENT Though there had been a notable Reformation made by Jehosaphat 2 Chron. XIX 5 6 c. of those corruptions which had been growing in the supreme Court of Judicature at Jerusalem as well as in the lesser in other Cities ever since the times of David and Solomon who took care to see Justice done 1 Chron. XVIII 14. 1 King III. 9 28. yet it appears by the frequent complaints of Isaiah that when Hezekiah in whose days that Prophet lived came to the Crown there was a general depravation again and that notwithstanding the amendment he had made in matters of the Divine Worship 2 Chron. XXX XXXI and his resolutions and indeavours no question to reform the abuses which were in their civil Judicatures as I have expounded Psal LXXV 2 3. they continued still exceeding corrupt Insomuch that Isaiah calls their Judges Rulers of Sodom I. Isa 10. when he finds no fault with their religious Services Ver. 11 12 c. and says their Princes were rebellious companions of thieves loving gifts and following after rewards Ver. 23. Where it is evident he describes the Judges in the highest Court of all who are called by the name of Princes in several places particularly in Jeremiah who being condemned by the Priests and Prophets and People as a man worthy to die XXVI Jer. 8 9. was brought before the Princes Verse 10 11. at whose Bar he cleared himself so well that they acquitted him Ver. 16. And as there they are called Princes with respect to their superiority over the people so here in this Psalm they are called Elohim Gods in respect to the fountain of their power which was from the most High who honoured them with his own Name which is so frequent for those of the supreme Court that some not unreasonably understand those words IX Judges 13. which we render Cheers the heart of God and man in this manner Wine alike cheers both Princes and People Judges and Clients the meaner persons called in this Psalm Adam Man Ver. 6 7. as well as the greatest who in opposition to them are called Gods Whom Asaph who lived in the times of Hezekiah 2 Chron. XXIX 30. see Psalm LXXIII admonishes to be more carefull in their duty and to remember that God observed them and would judge them 1. GOD standeth in the congregation of the mighty he judgeth among the gods 1. REmember O ye Judges whose Ministers you are 2 Chron. XIX 6. and consider that you are not so powerfull but GOD who hath put you in his place and honoured you with his Name XXII Exod. 28. is far greater and as He is present in your Court to observe what you do so will call you to a strict account and severely punish you if you judge amiss 2. How long will ye judge unjustly and accept the persons of the wicked Selah 2. How dare you then pronounce an unrighteous Sentence Is it not time to leave off your partiality and no longer to favour a bad cause because the man is rich and great and can either give you a large bribe if you will judge it for him or doe you a mischief if you give sentence against him 3. Defend the poor and fatherless do justice to the afflicted and needy 3. Your duty is to doe equal justice to all men that come before you and to take a particular care that the poor and the fatherless do not suffer because they have no money to give nor any friend to solicit for the defence of a righteous Cause and that the men of low condition and such as are reduced to very great want be not condemned when they are injuriously prosecuted by those who are above them 4. Deliver the poor and needy rid them out of the hand of the wicked 4. See that you protect and deliver him that is quite exhausted and miserably oppressed with poverty let them not become a prey to violent men who have no conscience but put it out of their power to undoe them 5. They know not neither will they understand they walk on in darkness all the foundations of the earth are out of course 5. These are the constant admonitions which the men of God give the Judges but alas hitherto they have little prevailed For they will not study the Laws of God or if they do will not think it their interest to be governed by them but are blinded by bribes or by their corrupt affections to doe any thing that they would have them insomuch that the Foundations of the Kingdom which are Justice and Truth are shaken all things are in confusion and in danger to come to utter ruin V. Isa 23 24. X. 1 2 3. 6. I have said Ye are gods and all of you are children of the most High 6. Hear therefore the sentence of God upon you whose words these are I have put my Majesty upon you and though you be no more then other men in your selves have by my constitution raised you to such a dignity on earth as my celestial ministers have in heaven 7. But ye shall die like men and fall like one of the princes 7. Yet this shall not privilege you in your unjust proceedings but since you have no regard to me nor to your Office I will have as little regard to you for you shall perish like one of the common men without any respect to your honour and be thrown down from your seats like the Tyrants and cruel Oppressours that have been before you 8. Arise O God judge the earth for thou shalt inherit all nations 8. Let us see this sentence fulfilled O God the righteous Judg and do not suffer the insolent iniquity of these men any longer but redress all those evils wherewith such men have filled not onely this Nation but all the world which belongs to Thee and Thou wilt one day sure vindicate mankind as the just owner of them from the tyranny of those impious Governours who now abuse them as if they had an absolute dominion over them PSALM LXXXIII A Song or Psalm of Asaph ARGUMENT It is the common opinion that the combination of powerfull enemies against which they here implore the Divine assistance was that mentioned in the 2 Chron. XX. in the days of Jehosaphat The reason is because the Children of Lot Ver. 8. viz. the Moabites and Ammonites the ground of whose quarrel with the Jews is set down in XI Judg. seem to have been the principal in this Confederacy and the
other but assistants as it is plain they were in that Invasion 2 Chr. XX. 1. And then the Authour of this Psalm must be either Jehaziel one of Asaph's posterity upon whom you reade there Ver. 14. the spirit of the Lord then came or some other in those days whose proper name this was Which is much more probable then their conjecture who think the Authour was Asaph in the days of David who subdued indeed the Moabites and Edomites and other neighbouring Nations but we do not reade of any Confederacy they made against him much less that they sent as far as Assyria for help or that they began the War as the people here mentioned did The same may be said against the application of it to the Conquests made in the days of Uzziah over several people here mentioned 2 Chron. XXVI 6 7 8. Or to the Invasion made by Senacherib King of Assyria who did not join himself as we reade here Ver. 8. with other Nations but by the forces of his own Kingdom alone as far as appears came up against them There are those indeed that take in all the attempts made upon them since that in Jehosaphat's days by several Nations the last of which was Assyria whose King came to doe that which the rest had not been able to effect And then the Authour is easily found to be the same that I have named in the Argument of the foregoing and many other Psalms And which way soever we are pleased to determin the matter it is plain in general that many Nations both near and remote who had a hatred to the Jews set themselves together when this Psalm was penned to destroy them assaulting them not onely severally but conjunctly entring into consultation also and conspiring together how to effect it Which hatred continuing after their return to their own Land from the Captivity of Babylon gave occasion to Theodoret to say both in his Preface to this Psalm and upon the twelfth Verse of it that the Psalmist here complains of the opposition which several of their neighbours made to the rebuilding of the Temple and of Jerusalem But this seems more improbable than all the rest many of those Countries here named being before that time destroyed and the Assyrians themselves as he himself observes upon Ver. 8. being not then extant Though whensoever this Confederacy happened there was very great reason for that solicitous and vehement importunity wherewith this Psalm begins Why it was called a Song-Psalm see Psalm LXVII 1. KEep not thou silence O God hold not thy peace and be not still O God 1. O God the supreme Judge of the World whose power is so great that the united forces of all men on earth or Angels in heaven are not to be compared with it 2 Chr. XX. 6 12. who with one word of thy mouth canst dissipate this great Army do not refuse now to answer our prayers in this sore distress O do not shut thy mercifull ears to our cries nor quietly see us perish most mighty God 2. For lo thine enemies make a tumult and they that hate thee have lift up the head 2. For we are surprised with a sudden Invasion of numerous Enemies haters of Thee and thy Worship as much as of our Nation who make a dreadfull noise like the waves of the Sea 2 Chron. XX. 2. and proudly promising themselves a Victory insult as if they had already won it 3. They have taken crafty counsel against thy people and consulted against thy hidden ones 3. They have with equal malice and subtilty carried on a close design against thy people and with great secresie consulted how to destroy not onely us whom Thou hast hitherto wonderfully protected as thy Jewels but thy Temple also and the secret place wherein Thou there dwellest 4. They have said Come and let us cut them off from being a nation that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance 4. Come say they one to another Let us agree and join all the power we have together not merely to make a Conquest of them but for their utter exstirpation 2 Chron. XX. 11. that there may be no mention hereafter in the world of such a people as the Commonwealth of Israel 5. For they have consulted together with one consent they are confederate against thee 5. And accordingly Ten several Nations are combined heartily in this design and how different soever their inclinations are upon other accounts they have all entred into a solemn league and made a covenant of mutual help and of imploying their joint indeavours totally to subvert that Government and Religion which Thou hast established 6. The Tabernacles of Edom and the Ishmaelites of Moah and the Hagarens 6. Those warlike Nations the Edomites and Ishmaelites who dwell in Tents are ingaged in this enterprise and so are the Moabites and others descended from Hagar the Mother of Ishmael 7. Gebal and Ammon and Amalek the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre 7. With whom are united our neighbours the Giblites XIII Josh 5. the Ammonites our old enemies the Amalekites and Philistines and they that dwell in and about the famous City of Tyre 8. Assur also is joined with them they have holpen the children of Lot Selah 8. And to add to their strength they have called the powerfull Nation of the Assyrians into their association on whose assistance the Moabites and Ammonites the Authours of this War do principally rely 9. Doe unto them as unto the Midianites as to Sisera as to Jabin at the brook of Kison 9. The greater need we have of thy assistance and with the greater earnestness we beseech Thee to make them an example of humane weakness by defeating them as Thou didst that vast Army of the Midianites and their Confederates VI. Judg. 5. VII 12. whom Gideon overthrew with no greater power then three hundred men VII Judg. 21 22. compared with 2 Chron. XX. 23. and as Thou didst in former times to that famous Captain Sisera who fell by the hand of a Woman IV. Judg. 21. and to Jabin his King who together with his Army was swept away in the brook of Kishon IV. Judg. 21 24. V. 21. 10. Which perished at Endor they became as dung for the earth 10. A great slaughter there was of them near Endor compare V. Judg. 19. with XVII Josh 11. where their carkases lay and rotted and served instead of dung to fatten and inrich the earth 11. Make their nobles like Oreb and like Zeeb yea all their Princes as Zebah and as Zalmunna 11. Let their Princes and Commanders fall like Oreb and Zeeb VII Judg. 25. and their Kings not be able to save themselves by flight but be taken and slain like Zebah and Zalmunna VIII Judg. 12 21. 12. Who said Let us take to our selves the houses of God in possession 12. Who came with a design VI. Judg. 3 4 5. as these Nations do now 2 Chron. XX. 10 11. to possess
our Defender 2 King XIX 19. 10. For a day in thy courts is better then a thousand I had rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God then to dwell in the tents of wickedness 10. For one day spent in thy Courts is far more pleasant than a thousand in any other place and I had rather lie at the Gates of thy House then live in the most splendid condition in Idolatrous Countries 11. For the LORD God is a sun and shield the LORD will give grace and glory no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly 11. For though our happiness be sometimes clouded yet the Lord like the Sun will dispell the darkness of affliction and having brought us out of a disconsolate condition defend and secure us in a better 2 King XX. 6. The Lord will give those favour with others and advance them to great honour 2 Chron. XXXII 22 23. He will never be sparing of his blessings but heap them abundantly on those who sincerely doe his will in all things 2 King XVIII 5 6. XX. 3. 12. O LORD of hosts blessed is the man that trusteth in thee 12. O most mighty Lord who commandest all the host of heaven happy is that man who by his integrity preserves this hope and confidence in Thee though for the present he be restrained from the delightfull injoyment of Thee in thy Temple PSALM LXXXV To the chief Musician A Psalm for the Sons of Korah ARGUMENT It is thought by many that this Psalm was composed by some of the Sons of Korah after David's banishment from Jerusalem by his Son Absalom called a Captivity as we reaâ—… Psal XIV ult and his happy restauration to his Kingdom though not to such a settlement as they desired But it may be as well or better applied to the miraculous providence which drove Senacherib out of the Land who had taken many Captives V. Isa 13. and restored them to the happy liberty whose loss they bewailed in the Psalm foregoing Which way soever we understand it the composure is such that it might be much better used by them after their return from the Captivity of Babylon then at any other time when they were infested with many enemies who disturbed their peaceable injoyment of their Country and Religion And therefore it is possible it might be reviewed if not made in those days and delivered to the chief Master of Musick in the Temple to be sung presently after the Foundation of it was laid III. Ezr. 10 11 c. but the Work hindred from proceeding by the opposition of their enemies And so I shall interpret it 1. LORD thou hast been favourable unto thy land thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob. 1. THou hast been exceeding kind unto us O Lord and we most thankfully acknowledge the favour Thou hast done us in delivering us the posterity of Jacob out of our sad Captivity and restoring us to the Land in which Thou thy self hast chosen to dwell I. Ezra 2. Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people thou hast covered all their sin Selah 2. Our sins kept us from it in banishment a long time but now Thou hast graciously pardoned both our Idolatry and all the other crimes for which we justly suffered 3. Thou hast taken away all thy wrath thou hast turned thy self from the fierceness of thine anger 3. Thou hast put an end to the sore punishments which in thy heavy displeasure Thou inflictedst on us and turned thy severity which like sire had almost consumed us into great clemency and mercy toward us 4. Turn us O God of our salvation and cause thine anger towards us to cease 4. Compleat good Lord our deliverance which Thou hast thus graciously begun and let not our ingratitude provoke Thee to continue this new vexation and trouble that is befaln us IV. Ezra 4 5 21 23. 5. Wilt thou be angry with us for ever wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations 5. Which forces us to sigh and say in the anguish of our Souls will there never be an end of our miseries Is it not enough that the foregoing generation hath felt the sad effects of thine anger but it must extend it self to us also and our posterity 6. Wilt thou not revive us again that thy people may rejoice in thee 6. Will it not be more for thy honour not onely to preserve this feeble life which Thou hast bestowed on us but to give us a perfect recovery that thy people may have nothing to damp their joy and intire satisfaction in thy goodness to them 7. Shew us thy mercy O LORD and grant us thy salvation 7. Make us so happy good Lord and though we deserve indeed to be more miserable then we are yet let thy mercy prevail with Thee to grant us a compleat deliverance 8. I will hear what God the LORD will speak for he will speak peace unto his people and to his saints but let them not turn again to folly 8. I will wait patiently upon the Lord the Judge of the world for a gracious Answer to these Prayers hoping that He will not condemn us to further punishment but settle his people who devoutly worship Him in a prosperous tranquillity provided they return not again to their old Idolatry 9. Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him that glory may dwell in our land 9. He will be so far from deserting those who fear to offend Him that I am confident the time approaches when He will finish what He hath begun to doe for us in rebuilding our Temple V. Ezra 2 8. VI. 7 8 c. and restoring our Country to its ancient dignity and splendour 10. Mercy and truth are met together righteousness and peace have kissed each other 10. For methinks I see goodness and fidelity justice and concord which are the principal glory of a Kingdom meeting together like ancient Friends which have been long absent and embracing each other 11. Truth shall spring out of the earth and righteousness shall look down from heaven 11. And as Truth and Honesty with all other Vertues shall grow and flourish among us like Flowers and Herbs in the Spring after a tedious Winter so God shall faithfully fulfill his promises to us and exercise a most gracious providence over us 12. Yea the LORD shall give that which is good and our land shall yield her increase 12. Yea the Lord will doe us good beyond our expectation and reward our fruitfulness in good works with such a large and plentifull increase of the fruits of the earth as shall demonstrate the bounty of heaven to us 13. Righteousness shall go before him and shall set us in the way of his steps 13. He will govern us with great justice and mercy having his faithfull promises always before his eyes from that rule He will never swerve but stedfastly proceed by it as the constant method He will hold in his Divine Administrations PSALM
foot-steps signifies properly the heel of a mans foot and from thence is translated to signifie the end of any thing as in Psal CXIX 33. Which notion of it in my judgment best suits with all that goes before in this Psalm concerning the stability of David's Kingdom which their enemies now boasted as we would express it in our present language they saw upon its last legs And the truth is it was never restored to that Family till Christ the great Son of David came to whom some passages in this Psalm are applied by the Jews themselves in both the Beresiths and in other Books to which Abenezra and R. Solomon consent Why this Psalm is called Maschil see Psal XXXII But why any should fancy as some have done that it was made by Jehojachin after he came out of Prison 2 King XXV 27 28. I cannot conceive unless the first words moved them to think that he who in the foregoing Psalm speaks of himself as in a Dungeon gives God thanks here for his deliverance 1. I Will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations 1. THE innumerable calamities that are befaln us shall not blot out the memory of the innumerable benefits which the Lord hath formerly bestowed on us but I will sing of them without ceasing and indeavour to make all posterity believe notwithstanding our present desolation that Thou art faithfull and constant to thy word 2. For I have said Mercy shall be built up for ever thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens 2. For I am confident thy Mercy which is immovable and indures for ever will raise us out of these ruines thy promises being as firm and stedfast as the heavens in which we see an image of the unchangeableness of thy Nature and of thy will 3. I have made a convenant with my chosen I have sworn unto David my servant 3. Which Thou didst declare by thy Prophet saying 1 Sam. XVI 13. 2 Sam. III. 9 10. V. 2. VII 15 16 28. I have chosen David my faithfull Servant to be the Governour of my people and have made a Covenant with him confirmed by an Oath 4. Thy seed will I establish for ever and build up thy throne to all generations Selah 4. That not onely he but his Children after him shall be settled in the Throne which though it totter sometime or be thrown down shall be raised again and continued throughout all succeeding generations 5. And the heavens shall praise thy wonders O LORD thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints 5. For which stupendious kindness if we should forget to praise Thee or in this our calamitous condition distrust thy power and fidelity to make it good the heavenly inhabitants will not fail to doe it but in their holy Assemblies confess them both with their solemn praises 6. For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD 6. For there are none of the powers of the air they know much less any upon earth that can resist the Lord and hinder the fulfilling of his will The mightiest among themselves they are sensible are not to be compared with his Majesty to whom they are but Ministers 7. God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him 7. And when they assemble in the greatest numbers and make the most glorious Court stand in great fear and dread of Him attending with awfull reverence what commands He will be pleased to lay upon them 8. O LORD God of hosts who is a strong LORD like unto thee or to thy faithfulness round about thee 8. With whom I will join O Lord the Commander of all these heavenly Hosts and celebrate thy Name on earth as they do in heaven saying Where is he among them all that can equal Thee O most powerfull Lord whose Faithfulness is as ready to fulfill thy Promises as the Angels are to execute thy Commands 9. Thou rulest the raging of the Sea when the waves thereof arise thou stillest them 9. The Sea it self which submits to no body else is under thy Government who when it is a calm makest it swell as if it would overflow the earth and reducest it when it is in its greatest rage to a perfect stilness again 10. Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces as one that is slain thou hast scattered thine enemies with thy strong arm 10. There the Egyptians who had been wounded before with many other grievous plagues were utterly overthrown and with the like irresistible power the Canaanites were scattered at the entrance of thy people into the promised Land 11. The heavens are thine the earth also is thine as for the world and the fulness thereof thou hast founded them 11. For Thou art the owner of things both in heaven and earth and hast the justest right to dispose of them to whom Thou pleasest because the world and all the inhabitants of it are thy Creatures 12. The north and the south thou hast created them Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name 12. Whether we cast our eyes to the Southern or Northern parts of the earth to the West towards Tabor or Eastwards towards Hermon they all acknowledge Thee their Creatour and rejoice in thy bountifull Providence which inriches them with all things needfull for them 13. Thou hast a mighty arm strong is thy hand and high is thy right hand 13. And thy power extending it self throughout the whole always effects in every place whatsoever Thou designest whether it be to punish evil-doers or to preserve and exalt them that doe well 14. Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne mercy and truth shall go before thy face 14. But none shall be able to say Thou doest them any wrong Because Thou dost not rule the world merely by thy absolute power but hast placed thy principal glory in justice and equity mercy and fidelity from which Thou never swervest 15. Blessed is the people that know the joyfull sound they shall walk O LORD in the light of thy countenance 15. Happy then are the people who live under thy righteous and mercifull Government and hear the Trumpet sound which signifies the royal presence of thy Majesty among them and calls them to attend upon Thee X. Numb 10. They shall spend their days most chearfully O Lord being secure of thy favour which will let them want nothing that is good for them 16. In thy name shall they rejoice all the day and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted 16. They shall not barely rejoice but triumph and that continually in thy love to them and thy power to defend them and walking in thy holy Laws shall by thy goodness be highly exalted and made superiour to all their enemies 17. For thou art the glory of their
a form of justice and under the colour and pretext of law make them miserable 21. They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous and condemn the innocent bloud 21. They assemble themselves together and in full council combine to destroy the righteous upon whom they pass a solemn sentence though he be perfectly guiltless to lose his life 22. But the LORD is my defence and my God is the rock of my refuge 22. But this doth not discourage me whose case this is let them decree what they please and be too hard for all laws the Lord who hates unrighteousness will be my defence He who hath been long very gracious to me I am confident will secure me from their violence 23. And he shall bring upon them their own iniquity and shall cut them off in their own wickedness yea the LORD our God shall cut them off 23. And more then that retort it upon themselves for the mischief they intended against me shall fall upon their own head He shall cut them off in their own wicked contrivances though it be not in our power yet the Lord our God who hath undertaken the patronage of those that confide in Him shall cut them off PSALM XCV ARGUMENT This Psalm likewise is without any Title in the Hebrew but the Greeks call it A Psalm of David because the Apostle to the Hebrews cites a passage out of it under his Name IV. 7. Though that it must be confessed is no concluding Argument of its being composed by him because it is usual to call the whole Five Books by the name of the Psalms of David when it is certain he did not make them all but onely the greater part Whoever was the Authour it looks as if it were intended to be a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or solemn invitation of the people when they were all assembled together on the Sabbath or some publick occasion to praise the Lord their God and hear instructions out of his Law And is justly imployed still by the Church in the entrance of our Morning Service for the very same purpose For it plainly relates to the days of Christ as the Jews confess and the Apostle proves III. IV. to the Hebrews where he demonstrates to them of that Nation that the Rest here spoken of could not be merely that in the Land of Canaan which their Forefathers fell short of by their disobedience to God in the Wilderness but another far better into which they in that day were to be brought by the Messiah a far greater Captain of Salvation then Joshua And therefore it concerned them then he shews above all other times to take care they did not harden their hearts against Him when He came to invite them to a participation of the greatest blessedness but entertain his holy Gospel with a chearfull and joyfull obedience to it Theodoret is of opinion that it was particularly designed for the times of Josiah when he made that notable reformation which we reade of 2 Chron. XXXIV XXXV and called them from the worship of Idols to the service of the true God But it could never be more properly used by that Nation then when the Lord Christ came to call them to repentance 1. O Come let us sing unto the LORD let us make a joyfull noise to the rock of our salvation 1. OStir up your selves all ye that are come hither to worship the Lord and with united affections let us chearfully sing his praises Let us lift up our voices and triumphantly laud the Authour of all the good we enjoy and in whom we may safely confide for ever 2. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving and make a joyfull noise unto him with psalms 2. Let us approach into his presence with thankfull hearts to acknowledge the benefits we have received from Him and devoutly proclaim with triumphant hymns what a joy it is to us that we may address our selves unto Him 3. For the LORD is a great God and a great King above all gods 3. For the Lord is infinitely powerfull and hath a sovereign authority not onely over all the Princes on the earth but all the Angels and principalities in heaven 4. In his hand are the deep places of the earth the strength of the hills is his also 4. All those Treasures are in his possession which lie in the deepest and most secret parts of the earth whither none of our Monarchs can extend their power and the loftiest hills which none but the clouds can touch are part of his dominion 5. The sea is his and he made it and his hands formed the dry land 5. The Sea also obeys Him alone who hath an unquestionable title to it and to all the rest of his wide Empire for He made both it and the dry Land with all the things contained therein 6. O come let us worship and bow down let us kneel before the LORD our maker 6. O be not backward then to comply with this renewed invitation but let us all with the lowest prostrations devoutly adore his Majesty Let it not suffice us to doe it once but again let us with humble reverence bow both our bodies and souls in token of our subjection to Him Let us fall on our knees and submissively acknowledge the duty we owe to the great Lord who gave us our Being 7. For he is our God and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand to day if ye will hear his voice 7. Which we above all people have reason to doe because He hath a peculiar relation to us and kindness for us providing for all our wants most liberally and continually defending us from all dangers O that you would therefore without delay listen to Him and be obedient to the voice of your Creatour Conserver and Benefactour who calls upon you most graciously by his own Son III. Heb. 6 7. IV. 7 saying 8. Harden not your heart as in the provocation and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness 8. Lay to heart what I have done for you and be not so stupidly insensible as your Fathers were at that place whose Name Meribah and Massah preserves the memory of their provoking strife with Moses and temptation of God in the Wilderness XVII Exod. 2 7. 9. When your fathers tempted me proved me and saw my work 9. When they doubted of my power and demanded new proofs of my presence among them XVII Exod. 7. though they had seen my wonderfull works in their late deliverance at the red Sea and in making the bitter waters sweet and sending them bread from heaven Exod. XIV XV. XVI 10. Forty years long was I grieved with this generation and said It is a people that do erre in their heart and they have not known my ways 10. Nor did they then cease their discontented murmurings and distrust of me but continued their stubborn infidelity vexing nay tiring my patience for the space of
welcome that day and meet the Lord with forward affection who is coming to them For he comes to reform the earth and will govern mankind by righteous and mercifull Laws and faithfully keep his word with all those that truly observe them PSALM XCVII ARGUMENT Some of the Hebrews conceive as I observed upon Psalm XC that Moses was the Authour of this as well as the rest of these Psalms which want an Inscription And indeed he excelled in this faculty of composing Hymns as we learn from Exod. XV. and Deut. XXXII and might upon some other occasion as well as the overthrow of Pharaoh in the red Sea make a Song of triumph after some of those great victories which God gave them over their enemies Which was a thing in use before his time as it appears by the fragments of ancient Songs recorded in his Books particularly that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 made by some Poet among the Amorites after Sihon had taken Heshbon from the Moabites to whom it formerly belonged wherein they triumph over their God Chemosh as unable to deliver his worshippers XXI Numb 27 c. And if we could be sure this Psalm was made by Moses I should think it to have been composed after the Israelites had conquered Sihon and his Land over whom they triumphed as he had done over the former possessours of that Country But the Psalm seems so plainly to have been composed in pursuance of what was said in the foregoing Psalm that the Lord reigneth and is King not onely over Israel but all the earth that one cannot but think they had the same Authour who shews the truth of that by the illustrious Victories which God as their King had given them over all those that opposed them For the eighth verse makes it manifest that this Psalm hath respect to some Conquests they had lately made over the heathen which I suppose were no other then those which David won over divers Nations not long after 1 Chron. XVIII 1. he had brought the Ark to Sion and delivered the foregoing Hymn to be sung to put the Israelites in hope and their enemies in fear of the great things which would insue upon this special presence of God among them Which moved the Greeks to call this A Psalm of David after his Land was restored unto him that is after he was made Master of all those Countries which God anciently designed to be the inheritance of Israel For that it should relate to the restoring his Kingdom to him after Absaloms rebellion is not probable because the mention of Idolaters and of their gods Ver. 7. seem to determine it to other Countries In the subduing of which God it is likely fought for them by some such tempest as we reade of 2 Sam. V. 20 21 24. whereby their enemies Armies were shatâ—ered and so terrified that they not onely fled but left their images behind them such was their haste and gave the Israelites an easie Victory over them But whatever was the carnal sense it belongs in the diviner meaning to Christ's triumph over the grave and all the powers of darkness at his Resurrection and Ascension to his throne in heaven as appears by those words which the Apostle to the Hebrews alledges out of the seventh verse and applies to Christ's royal power and authority over Angels Which the Hebrew Doctours themselves as Kimchi confesses take to be there intended and may be further justified from that exposition which we meet withall in Midrasch Tanchuma of the words of the Prophet Isaiah LII 13. Behold my servant shall prosper He shall be exalted and extolled and be very high This is the King Messiah says that gloss who shall be exalted above Abraham and extolled above Moses and be very high above the Angels of the Ministry 1. THe LORD reigneth let the earth rejoice let the multitude of Isles be glad thereof 1. THE Lord it is manifest is the Sovereign of the world under whose happy Government not onely we and they who are already become subject to Him in other places ought to rejoice but the most distant Countries have the greatest reason to be glad thereof 2. Clouds and darkness are round about him righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne 2. His Majesty is most dreadfull and hath appeared in great terrour against those that oppose Him whom as he will not wrong so He will certainly punish for He maintains his Authority and supports his Government by doing exact and equal justice 3. A fire goeth before him and burneth up his enemies round about 3. Let none therefore resist Him for flames of fire proceedâ— from his presence which make the battel too hot for his enemies who can turn no way but they feel them flashing in their faces 4. His lightnings enlightned the world the earth saw and trembled 4. It was his thunder and lightning the brightness of which the world lately saw and were so amazed that shivering pains took hold upon them as upon a woman in her travail 5. The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD at the presence of the LORD of the whole earth 5. The hearts of the stoutest Kings and Captains failed them and melted like wax before the fire at this terrible appearance of the Lord at the appearance of Him whose dominion extends over all the earth 6. The heavens declare his righteousness and all the people see his glory 6. For He is the Lord of the heavens which have declared by this dreadfull tempest excited by his Angelical Ministers his severity against his enemies and made all the people sensible of the incomparable splendour of his Majesty 7. Confounded be all they that serve graven images that boast themselves of idols worship him all ye gods 7. Which may well make them all ashamed and they shall be confounded by Him if they will not renounce their errours who worship graven Images though of gold and silver 2 Sam. V. 21. and boast themselves in vain gods who can doe nothing for them Let all that are called gods whether Princes on earth or Angels in heaven bow down to Him as the onely Saviour 1. Heb. 6. and acknowledge his supreme authority over them all 8. Sion heard and was glad and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments O LORD 8. Jerusalem the mother City hath received the news of thy Victories with a joyfull heart after whose example all the other Cities of Judah are exceeding glad O Lord because Thou hast judged righteously in destroying our idolatrous enemies and defending thy faithfull servants 9. For thou LORD art high above all the earth thou art exalted far above all gods 9. Whose hearts are filled with the greater joy because Thou O Lord hast manifested thy self hereby to be the supreme and onely Potentate who rulest over all the earth and art infinitely superiour to all that have the name of gods 10. Ye that love the LORD hate evil he preserveth the
they may also look upon themselves as a people created a-new to praise the Lord. 19. For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary from heaven did the LORD behold the earth 19. Because in much mercy He hath been pleased to preserve a miserable Nation from utter destruction and though He be infinitely exalted above all our thoughts yet the Lord hath graciously condescended to mind the afflicted condition of this distressed Country 20. To hear the groaning of the prisoner to loose those that are appointed to death 20. And to be moved by our groans to deliver us out of a sad captivity and to revive us when we had reason to look upon our selves as dead and hopeless 21. To declare the name of the LORD in Sion and his praise in Jerusalem 21. That we might go and recount in his Temple the famous things which He hath done and make the holy City sound with the praises of his power goodness and truth which He hath declared in our restauration 22. When the people are gathered together and the kingdoms to serve the LORD 22. When all the people shall be gathered together there to worship the Divine Majesty and other Kingdoms join with us unanimously in his service 23. He weakened my strength in the way he shortned my days 23. I had hopes to have lived to see this blessed time and thought I had been in the way to it III. Ezra 8 c. But He hath stopt our vigorous beginnings IV. Ezra 4. and thereby so sorely afflicted me that I feel I am like to fall short of my expectations 24. I said O my God take me not away in the midst of my days thy years are throughout all generations 24. Though I prayed most earnestly to Him and said O my God who hast so graciously begun our deliverance take me not away before it be compleatly finished but let me see thy promise fulfilled which Thou who diest not as we do I am sure wilt not fail to make good 25. Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth and the heavens are the work of thy hands 25. For it cannot be too hard for Thee to raise Sion out of her ruins who hast many ages ago created this goodly fabrick of heaven and earth by thy eternal Word I. Heb. 10. 26. They shall perish but thou shalt endure yea all of them shall wax old like a garment as a vesture shalt thou change them and they shall be changed 26. And Thou dost neither decay nor alter in process of time as thy creatures do some of which shall perish but Thou shalt eternally subsist and all of them shall grow old like our garments with long wearing even the heavens themselves which now enwrap the earth as our cloaths do our bodies shall be folded up I. Heb. 12. and laid aside like a tattered garment when Thou shalt command that alteration 27. But thou art the same and thy years shall have no end 27. But Thou and thy Word art still the very same and shalt always continue so without any the least variation 28. The children of thy servants shall continue and their seed shall be established before thee 28. Yet all that I conclude from hence is onely this that though I do not live to see our perfect restauration yet according to thy unalterable purpose the Temple and Jerusalem shall be rebuilt and the children of thy servants who now are in great distress be peaceably settled there yea their posterity after them remain unmovable in thy favour and enjoy the tokens of thy Divine presence among them PSALM CIII A Psalm of David ARGUMENT The Title tells us this Psalm is one of Davids and the third fourth and fifth Verses may satisfie us that he composed it after his recovery from a dangerous sickness to such a vigorous health as the Eagles have when they renew their plumes To that he alludes Ver. 5. as Euthymius and Saint Hierom understand it The latter of which says upon XL. Isaiah that he had often taught the Eagles do no otherway return to youthfulness when they are old but onely mutatione pennarum by change of their feathers I have expressed this a little more largely then ordinary in the Paraphrase as I have done in the rest of the Psalm to fit it the better to their use now that have escaped the like danger who should take occasion when they thank God for such a blessing to imitate David in making a thankfull commemoration of the rest of his mercies both to him and to others both in the present and in past ages And the more to excite devout souls to this and that I might make their thankfulness the more affectionate if they please to make use of this Hymn for that purpose I have oft repeated the beginning of the Psalm which I think refers to the whole and likewise put it into a little different form of a soul actually praising God without the least alteration of the sense 1. BLess the LORD O my soul and all that is within me bless his holy name 1. BLessed for ever blessed be the Lord of life and health and all other blessings Blessed be his eternal power wisedom and goodness with my whole heart do I bless Him with my most ardent love and the devoutest affections of my soul 2. Bless the LORD O my soul and forget not all his benefits 2. Which shall be every day thus employed and praise his name with continual pleasure I will never forget how shouldst thou prove so ungratefull O my soul as not to acknowledge the inestimable benefits I have received from his bounty which are more then thought can number 3. Who forgiveth all thine iniquities who healeth all thy diseases 3. More particularly I render Thee O Lord my most hearty thanks for thy late mercies vouchsafed to me Blessed be thy mercifull kindness that after a short correction for my faults Thou hast graciously pardoned them and healed all the sores and grievous wounds which they had made 4. Who redeemeth thy life from destruction who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies 4. Blessed be God who hath saved me from death and not onely spared my life but surrounded it most graciously with I know not how many benefits which make it exceeding delightfull to me I owe my friends lovers and acquaintance my carefull attendants my warm and quiet habitation the plentifull estate Thou hast given me the liberal provision Thou makest for me with all the rest of thy mercies to the bowels of thy tender compassions towards me 5. Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things so that thy youth is renewed like the eagles 5. Blessed be thy almighty Goodness that my mouth which lately disgusted all things or was restrained from what is desired or was prescribed that which was disgustfull to it can now relish its food again and is satisfied with many good things I can never sufficiently bless thy Goodness who by this
means dost restore my strength and makest my youth and freshness return like the Eagles O that I may with fresh delight and joy be still praising Thee and be lifted up to heaven as they are when they have renewed their plumes in more vigorous love and affectionate desires and indeavours to imploy all my renewed strength in thy faithfull service 6. The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed 6. Nor am I alone obliged to my gracious Lord for his singular favour to me but blessed be his name He relieves all those who suffer wrong and doth justice upon their oppressours who are too mighty for them 7. He made known his ways unto Moses his acts unto the children of Israel 7. Moses and the rest of our Forefathers are witnesses of this whom the Lord delivered in a stupendious manner out of the house of bondage 8. The LORD is mercifull and gracious slow to anger and plenteous in mercy 8. And by other methods of his Providence towards them and dealings with them declared how bountifull his blessed nature is and how ready to forgive forbearing long when men deserve to be punished and soon releasing them from their pain when they heartily repent of their folly 9. He will not always chide neither will he keep his anger for ever 9. He doth not love blessed be his Name to be always chastising us for our faults And when He doth chastise us He neither loves to prolong our miseries nor to inflict them proportionable to our deserts 10. He hath not dealt with us after our sins nor rewarded us according to our iniquities 10. No Blessed be his holy Name there is mercy even in our punishments our sufferings are never so great as our sins but we might justly suffer a great deal more then we do for our faults 11. For as the heaven is high above the earth so great is his mercy toward them that fear him 11. And were we never so obedient there is not a greater disproportion between the vast circumference of the heavens and this little spot of earth then there is between his mercies towards us and our small services 12. As far as the east is from the west so far hath he removed our transgressions from us 12. To those mercies alone it is to be ascribed that we are not bemoaning our selves under innumerable miseries but He hath quite taken away his wrath from us and adored be his goodness perfectly remitted the punishment due to our manifold offences 13. Like as a father pitieth his children so the LORD pitieth them that fear him 13. O what bowels of mercy are these No father can be more indulgent and tender-hearted to his returning children then the Lord blessed be his Name is to those who so reform by his chastisements as to fear hereafter to offend Him 14. For he knoweth our frame he remembreth that we are dust 14. He easily relents and takes compassion on them considering how frail he hath made them and how soon of themselves they will moulder into the dust out of which He took them 15. As for man his days are as grass as a flower of the field so he flourisheth 15. For what is man that the Almighty should contend with him He looks fresh and fair but alas is as feeble as the grass and as a flower in the field whose beauty is far greater then its strength 16. For the wind passeth over it and it is gone and the place thereof shall know it no more 16. Many accidents snatch him away even in his prime Just as the biting wind to which the field flowers are exposed blasts them on a sudden and they spring up no more in the place that was adorned with them 17. But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him and his righteousness unto childrens children 17. O how much doth this magnifie the wonderfull mercy of our God! who designs to be everlastingly kind blessed be his Goodness to such short-liv'd creatures as we are rewarding the faithfull services of a few years with eternal life to our selves and with many blessings to our posterity in future generations 18. To such as keep his covenant and to those that remember his commandments to doe them 18. There is no doubt of this which hath been verified in those who have sincerely kept their faith with Him and not onely promised but constantly performed the obedience they owed Him 19. The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens and his kingdom ruleth over all 19. For none can hinder Thee O most mighty Lord from being as kind as Thou pleasest who art the universal Monarch the blessed and onely Potentate to whom not onely the greatest men on earth but the highest powers in heaven are subject 20. Bless the LORD ye his angels that excell in strength that doe his commandments hearkening unto the voice of his word 20. Let the Angels therefore who know his greatness power and gracious Providence better then I bless his holy Name Let those mighty ones whose strength surpasses all the powers on earth and yet never dispute his sacred commands give praise unto Him with all their might and with the same chearfulness wherewith they obey his word 21. Bless ye the LORD all ye his hosts ye ministers of his that doe his pleasure 21. Let the whole company of heaven all the several hosts of those glorious creatures who have been imployed by His Majesty so many ways for our good and understand how much we are beholden to his love speak good of his Name and bless his Mercy both to themselves and unto us 22. Bless the LORD all his works in all places of his dominion bless the LORD O my soul 22. Yea let every creature throughout the wide world proclaim as well as it is able the loving kindness of the Lord let none of them be silent but all with one consent bless his holy Name And thou O my soul be sure thou never forget to make one O fail not to bear thy part in this joyfull quire that daily sing his praise PSALM CIV ARGUMENT The foregoing and the following Psalm being certainly composed by David the Greeks and from them several other ancient interpreters have ascribed this also to the same Authour For which they had this further reason that it begins as Aben Ezra observes just as the foregoing Psalm ends and celebrates the mighty power and goodness of God in the fabrick of the world as the CIII doth his benefits to himself and to the rest of the children of men As for the occasion of it we may look upon it as a probable opinion that when David thought of building a House for the Divine Service and God sent Nathan to forbid him 2 Sam. VII 5. he fell not long after into the contemplation of the Majesty of God who having built this great world as his Temple needed none of his erecting though He
would be pleased to accept one for the burning Sacrifice before Him as Solomon afterward speaks 2 Chron. II. 6. To strengthen this conjecture of mine it may be observed that he begins this Psalm with such an Admiration of God's most excellent perfection as we meet withall in David's prayer immediately after God had certified him of his love towards him though he would not let him build Him an House 2 Sam. VII 22. Thou art great O Lord for there is none like unto Thee In the same manner he saith here O Lord my God Thou art very great as he proceeds to demonstrate from his wonderfull works And first he begins with the Heavens the Clouds and the Angels and then comes down to the Earth the Sea the Mountains Valleys Fountains and other inferiour things Which depend so much upon the Sun the Moon and heavenly Bodies that all of them together declare the most admirable wisedom of Him by whom they were composed and should excite all mankind to his perpetual praises 1. BLess the LORD O my soul O LORD my God thou art very great thou art cloathed with honour and majesty 1. STir up thy self O my Soul with all thy might to meditate the praises of the Lord. For the highest of all our thoughts are infinitely below thy Greatness O Lord my most gracious God who hast shewn in thy most admirable works the surpassing excellence of thy Majesty which we can never worthily celebrate with all our praises 2. Who coverest thy self with light as with a garment who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain 2. The light which dazles our eyes with its splendour is the royal robe wherein thy invisible and incomprehensible brightness appears unto us and the spacious heavens are the royal Pavilion which thy Sovereign power hath extended like a Canopy for thy Majesty in this great Palace of the world 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 3. The floor of whose Chambers which the Lord hath laid in the upper region of the Air O how highly is it advanced above the top of the stateliest piles that are raised by earthly Monarchs whose pompous Chariots whereof they boast fall infinitely short of those glorious Clouds wherein He makes Himself present to us as their swiftest Horses are slow-paced in comparison with the quick motion more speedy then the wind wherewith He visits every part of his Dominion 4. Who maketh his angels spirits his ministers a flaming fire 4. Into which He sends his Angels and what King is there that hath such noble Ministers sometimes in vehement winds and sometime in lightning and thunder whereby they execute his royal pleasure 5. Who laid the foundations of the earth that it should not be removed for ever 5. Who hath settled the massy globe of earth even in the liquid air upon such firm foundations that none of those storms and tempests which beat upon it from without nor any commotions from within can ever stir it out of the place He hath fixed for it 6. Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment the waters stood above the mountains 6. It was all covered over at the first with waters I. Gen. 2. which were so deep that there was no appearance of the highest Mountains 7. At thy rebuke they fled at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away 7. Till thy omnipotent word charged them to retire I. Gen. 9. at which they started back and suddenly shrunk away as an affrighted Slave doth when he hears the thunder of his Masters threatnings if his commands be not obeyed 8. They go up by the mountains they go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for them 8. Immediately the dry land was seen part of which by thy wonderfull contrivance O Lord rose up in lofty hills and the rest sunk down in lowly valleys where Thou hast cut channels for the waters to run into the main Ocean the place Thou hast appointed for them 9. Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over that they turn not again to cover the earth 9. And there though they restlesly toss and swell yet they cannot get over the shores wherein Thou hast inclosed them nor shall they ever recover their former liberty to overflow the earth again 10. He sendeth the springs into the valleys which run among the hills 10. But still such is the admirable Providence of the Lord they climb through the hollow places of the earth up the steepest parts of it and there break out in springs which fall down into the valleys to make brooks and rivers that run between the hills which on either side send into them fresh supplies to inlarge their streams 11. They give drink to every beast of the field the wild asses quench their thirst 11. Which afford not onely to us but to all the beasts of the earth such abundant refreshment when they are dry that even the dull Asses who live in parched desarts find them out to quench their thirst 12. By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation which sing among the branches 12. The birds of the air also delight to resort thither where having wet their throats they sit and chaunt their various notes among the thick boughs of the trees which grow upon the banks 13. He watereth the hills from his chambers the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works 13. As for the hills which constantly thus inrich the lower grounds He waters them from the regions above whence dews distill and showres of rain come pouring down by thy marvellous contrivance O Lord unto the satisfaction of them and of all the rest of the earth 14. He causeth the grass to grow for the cattel and herb for the service of man that he may bring forth food out of the earth 14. O bless the Lord my Soul who by this means provideth the beasts with grass and hay and us with all variety of herbs and roots and fruit and pulse which He causes to sprout out of the earth that we may never want what is necessary for our food or for our physick 15. And wine that maketh glad the heart of man and oil to make his face to shine an bread which strengtheneth mans heart 15. But rather take our pleasure and delight in the rich wines which He produces to chear the drooping spirits of miserable men together with oil to anoint their heads and bread to recruit their strength when it is spent with toil and labour 16. The trees of the LORD are full of sap the cedars of Lebanon which he hath planted 16. Blessed be the Lord who by this means also supplies with abundant nourishment the largest trees which are not planted by the art nor watered by the care of men but by his almighty Providence who makes whole Forests of them grow as the Cedars in Libanus do
power was which wrought such wonders for us in Egypt and in the Wilderness and in the Land of Canaan where shall we find a man that can set forth as they deserve all the praise-worthy acts of the Lord 3. Blessed are they that keep judgment and he that doeth righteousness at all times 3. Which are so great and many that they are most happy men who by faithfull obedience to all his precepts not onely when they have newly received his benefits but throughout the whole course of their lives preserve themselves in the favour of so gracious a Lord and Master which our Forefathers foolishly lost by revolting presently from their mercifull Deliverer 4. Remember me O LORD with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people O visit me with thy salvation 4. Make me good Lord one of this happy number and let me partake of the favour Thou still designest for thy people and find Thee ready at hand in all dangers to preserve and deliver me 1 Chron. XVIII 6 13 14. 5. That I may see the good of thy chosen that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation that I may glory with thine inheritance 5. That I may live to see thy chosen people Israel settled in a peaceable enjoyment of all thy blessings 1 Chron. XXII 18. and have my share in their joy and felicity 1 Chron. XXIX 9. nay triumph together with them in the highest praises of thy bounty towards thy own Nation and peculiar inheritance 1 Chron. XXIX 10 11 12 13 c. 6. We have sinned with our fathers we have committed iniquity we have done wickedly 6. Our sins indeed may hinder these blessings from us for we are no better then our Forefathers but have offended after their example by which we ought to have been amended we are guilty of many iniquities against one another and much impiety against Thee 7. Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt they remembred not the multitude of thy mercies but provoked him at the sea even at the Red sea 7. We are the wicked offspring of those who were so stupid as not to be affected with the prodigious Works Thou didst in Egypt or presently to forget that long series of miraculous preservations and deliverances by which they were brought from thence But in the very next strait into which they fell at the borders of the Sea that remarkable place the red Sea distrusted his power and wisht He had left them in that cruel servitude of which before they so heavily complained XIV Exodus 11 12. 8. Nevertheless he saved them for his names sake that he might make his mighty power to be known 8. And yet such was his stupendious Goodness He would not let them perish in their ingratitude but to preserve the name He had gotten of their mighty Saviour gave them a new deliverance that the world might not imagin He wanted power to compleat what He had begun to doe for them 9. He rebuked the Red sea also and it was dried up so he led them through the depths as through the wilderness 9. On this consideration He checkt the course of that Sea by so strong a wind that He made a path in the midst of it and led them through those depths on as hard and dry ground as they trod upon in their march through the parched desarts XIV Exod. 21 22. 10. And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy 10. By which means He saved them from Pharaoh's Army which pressed hard upon their backs as the Sea was before their face XIV Exod. 9 10. He rescued them from the power of those implacable enemies whose hatred carried them to pursue them eagerly even into the Sea XIV Exod. 23. 11. And the waters covered their enemies there was not one of them left 11. Where they were drowned every man of them the Sea which had stood fixed as a wall to save the Israelites returning back with a mighty violence to overwhelm their adversaries 12. Then believed they his words they sang his praise 12. Which was so evident a token of his power and goodness that they were perswaded by it at that present to believe God's promises XIV Exod. 31. and to sing a Song of praise to Him for this miraculous deliverance XV. Exod. 1 c. 13. They soon forgat his works they waited not for his counsel 13. But within three days they grew impatient again XV. Exod. 22 24. and forgetting the great and many pledges they had received of his Divine power quarrelled with his Servants and would not expect till He shewed what way He intended to relieve them 14. But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness and tempted God in the desart 14. But not long after this murmured again XVI Exod. And though instead of punishing them for it He satisfied them with bread from heaven and gave them several other demonstrations of his Divine presence among them in the wilderness Exod. XVI XX. XXIV c. yet to please their wanton appetite they mutined another time and cried out vehemently for flesh to eat XI Numb 4 5 c. and desired new proofs of his power to supply them 15. And he gave them their request but sent leanness into their soul 15. Which He was pleased to grant in such abundance that they surfeited of the Quails which He sent them and instead of being nourished fell into a grievous disease whereby great numbers of them were wasted and consumed XI Numb 31 32 c. 16. They envied Moses also in the camp and Aaron the saint of the LORD 16. And they that escaped were not cured of their rebellious humour but seditiously disputed the Authority of Moses And accused both him and Aaron whom the Lord had consecrated for the service of his Altar as ambitious men that took too much upon them XVI Numb 3. 17. The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan and covered the company of Abiram 17. Which moved the Divine Justice to punish their presumption with a most terrible vengeance for the earth opened and buried alive Dathan and Abiram and the faction that adhered to them XVI Numb 32 33. 18. And a fire was kindled in their company the flame burnt up the wicked 18. And the other company raised by Korah were smitten with lightning from heaven which burnt up those impious men who were so bold as to invade the Office of the Priests of the Lord XVI Numb 35. 19. They made a calf in Horeb and worshipped the molten image 19. Whose anger they began very early to incense for even at that very place where the Lord had newly appeared to them in astonishing thunder and lightning and clouds XX. Exodus 18. and had spoken to them with an audible voice and at the second word He spake had charged them not to make any graven image XX. Exod. 4. and had called Moses up into the Mount to receive the rest of his
enemies that invade us not that we may grow more famous no we have no thoughts of the glory that will accrue to our selves thereby but that thy Divine Majesty may be honoured and thy goodness and faithfulness to thy promises be made the more illustrious 2. Wherefore should the heathen say Where is now their God 2. What a sad thing will it be to hear the Nations that surround us insult not so much over us as over Thee saying what is become of their God in whom they trusted If He be so powerfull as they boast why doth He not deliver them 3. But our God is in the heavens he hath done whatsoever he pleased 3. Let them know that Thou art infinitely superiour to them and all their gods being the possessour of the heavens as well as the earth 2 Chron. XX. 6. whom no power of theirs can hurt or so much as restrain but art able to doe whatsoever Thou pleasest for their confusion and for our deliverance 4. Their idols are silver and gold the work of mens hands 4. Their Idols cannot hinder it in the least who are of no more value then the silver and gold of which they are made and are so far from being the makers of things that they themselves are the work of those that adore them 5. They have mouths but they speak not eyes have they but they see not 5. They are mere lifeless Images that have mouths but cannot give a word of advice or of incouragement and comfort to their supplicants and eyes also but cannot see the devotion wherewith they look up unto them or prostrate themselves before them 6. They have ears but they hear not noses have they but they smell not 6. Let their worshippers cry to them never so loudly they cannot hear a word All the Frankincense and sweet Odours which they burn to them are merely lost for they cannot smell them 7. They have hands but they handle not feet have they but they walk not neither speak they through their throat 7. Though they have thunderbolts in their hands they feel them not nor are able to doe either good or harm They cannot stir a foot from the place where they stand unless they be carried nor make so much noise as a fly being utterly void of breath as well as of sense and reason 8. They that make them are like unto them so is every one that trusteth in them 8. To what then but to those Idols shall we compare the makers of them and such as confide in them who are mere Images of men having eyes but do not see that the brutes are more excellent then such gods and that the least help is not to be expected from them 9. O Israel trust thou in the LORD he is their help and their shield 9. O ye Israelites who by the Divine Favour are better instructed repose that confidence in the eternal Lord which they do in those Vanities And He will not onely protect and defend you against all the assaults of your enemies but help you to overcome them 2 Chron. XX. 9. 10. O house of Aaron trust in the LORD he is their help and their shield 10. O ye Priests and Levites do you above all others rely upon that eternal Lord whose praise you sing and to whom you offer continual Sacrifice For He will never fail not onely to protect but to assist all such as piously confide in Him 11. Ye that fear the LORD trust in the LORD he is their help and their shield 11. And let all that fear the Lord and devoutly worship Him of whatsoever Nation they be place the like confidence in his Almighty Goodness For He will never forsake those that depend on Him alone though they be not of the seed of Abraham but defend them also in all dangers and aid them against all their enemies 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 12. We have had abundant experience of his care over us in all ages and therefore though now for the present our enemies afflict us yet let us believe that the Lord will doe us good and bless us with a glorious deliverance All the house of Israel shall see how kind He is especially they that minister unto Him in his holy Temple 13. He will bless them that fear the LORD both small and great 13. And He will not forget those pious Proselytes that are come to worship Him there as the onely God but without any respect of persons give them his blessing also which shall not be denied either to old or young to rich or poor 14. The LORD shall increase you more and more you and your children 14. Nor will He grant you onely a single blessing by sending a present deliverance but heap his benefits and multiply his mercies upon you and upon all those that shall succeed you 15. You are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth 15. Ye are a happy people who live under the care and love and benediction of that mighty Lord whose power nothing can confine for He is not made like the Gentile gods but Himself created both the Heaven and the Earth 16. The heaven even the heavens are the LORD's but the earth hath he given to the children of men 16. In which He cannot be comprehended neither for his Empire extends further then you can see to the heavens which are above these visible heavens from whence his Providence reaches down even to us the children of men whom He hath placed upon this earth to admire and praise his infinite Majesty 17. The dead praise not the LORD neither any that go down into silence 17. And therefore will not suffer us to be rooted out as our enemies design 2 Chron. XX. 11. for then the earth would have none in it to sing his praises which the dead who dwell in the silent grave cannot celebrate 18. But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore Praise the LORD 18. But will continue us still alive that we may praise the Lord and speak good of his Name as we do at this time 2 Chron. XX. 21 22. and leave those to succeed us who shall continue his praises in all future generations to the worlds end Hallelujah Praise the Lord. PSALM CXVI ARGUMENT I do not understand the reason why Theodoret applies this Psalm to the times of Antiochus Epiphanes when it agrees so exactly to the condition of David in his flight from his Son Absalom which seems to be mentioned Ver. 11. when Ahitophel and others proved very false to him and he had little or nothing to depend upon but onely the Goodness of the Almighty who was pleased to plead his cause and deliver him For which he resolved to be very thankfull and to call all his Friends to rejoice with him as I have expressed it Ver. 13. where the first
thee or what shall be done unto thee thou false tongue 3. O thou false accuser what dost Thou hope to get by these specious tales which thou hast forged what will They add to that heap of wealth which thou treasurest up LII Psal 7. 4. Sharp arrows of the almighty with coals of juniper 4. They shall be so far from turning to thy advantage that they shall prove thy undoing for the mighty Lord whom none can resist shall take a sharp and a swift vengeance on thee which shall never cease till it hath utterly consumed thee 5. Wo is me that I sojourn in Mesech that I dwell in the tents of Kedar 5. For it is but fit thou shouldst smart for the mischief thou hast done under which I groan most sadly not onely in a tedious banishment from my own Country but in that I am forced to seek for shelter among the barbarous Arabs 6. My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace 6. Where my mind cannot but perpetually reflect upon the implacable spirit of my enemies whose bitter hatred will not suffer them to come to any terms of agreement 7. I am for peace but when I speak they are for war 7. As I never gave them the least offence so there is nothing that I more vehemently desire then peace and reconciliation but when I make a motion for it they are the more exasperated and as if I distrusted my cause or craftily sought advantage by a treaty betake themselves more fiercely and resolutely to their arms PSALM CXXI A Song of degrees ARGUMENT If David was the Authour of this Psalm and to whom can we with so much likelihood ascribe it it is an expression of the high trust and confidence which he reposed in God when he was in great straits and saw no hope of humane help being either inviron'd by Saul's Forces or pursued by his Son Absalom It is hard to say to which it belongs but if by hills in the first Verse we understand Sion and Moriah where David's Palace and the Ark of God were placed then it must be referred to the latter for Sion was not theirs during Saul's persecution There are those indeed who following Kimchi take the first Verse to be a military form of speech and suppose David to have looked round about him as a Captain in danger doth to see if he could spie any assistance coming to him down the neighbouring hills wherewith he was encompassed But the other sense seems to me more simple which therefore I have followed though if we should adhere to that conjecture still it will best agree to the distress into which Absalom had reduced him For then he might well look to see if any of his Subjects continuing their fidelity to him would appear to defend him Why called A Song of degrees see CXX 1. I Will lift up mine eyes to the hills from whence cometh my help 1. THough I am driven not onely from my own Palace but from God's Dwelling place 2 Sam. XV. 14 25. yet my eyes shall be ever directed thitherward from whence I expect a powerfull aid against those numerous enemies that are combined to destroy me 2. My help cometh from the LORD which made heaven and earth 2. I have no dependance on any other help but wait for deliverance wholly from the presence of the Lord to whom all Creatures are subject and who hath Angels at his command to send to the succour of his servants for he made the heaven as well as the earth 3. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved he that keepeth thee will not slumber 3. And me thinks I hear his Ministers calling to me out of his holy place and saying Fear not since Thou hast placed thy confidence in the Lord alone He will not let thee be subverted thou hast a stronger guard then the most valiant Army would be to thee for they may be tired and fall asleep but He that hath thee in his custody will exercise a most unwearied care over thee 4. Behold he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep 4. Be confident of it He that is the protectour of all good men will never in the least neglect thee much less abandon the care of thee but by a most watchfull providence keep thee in safety 5. The LORD is thy keeper the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand 5. The omnipotent Lord of the world is thy Guardian the very same Lord that covered your Forefathers with a glorious cloud XIII Exod. 21. is always present with thee to defend and assist thee against all the enemies that assault thee 6. The sun shall not smite thee by day nor the moon by night 6. Be not troubled that thou art forced to take up thy quarters in the open field for the Sun shall doe thee no hurt by its vehement heat in the day nor the Moon by its cold and moisture in the night 2 Sam. XVII 1 6 22. 7. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil he shall preserve thy soul 7. The Lord shall preserve thee from all manner of harm He will preserve thy life and not suffer thee to fall into the hands of those that contrive to take it away 2 Sam. XVII 1 2 14. 8. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth and even for evermore 8. The Lord shall secure thee whithersoever thou marchest and prosper thee all along in all thy undertakings either abroad or within doors not onely now but in all future times to the end of thy days PSALM CXXII A Song of degrees of David ARGUMENT The Title satisfies us that David was the Authour of this Psalm who having settled the Ark which before had no certain place at Jerusalem and being at this time upon some occasion in the Country heard the good people there speak one to another as some of them did to him of going to worship God at some of the three solemn Feasts Which devotion of theirs as it rejoiced his heart so it moved him I conjecture to compose this Psalm for their use at such times If the Talmudists may be believed they were wont to sing the first Verse of this Psalm as they went out of the Country towards Jerusalem carrying their first-fruits to the House of the Lord as the Law XXVI Deut. 2. directed them And when they entred within the Gates of the City they sang the second Verse There they were met by some of the Citizens who if this be true sang the rest of the Psalm it is likely together with them as they went toward the Temple Of this custom Mr. Selden treats L. III. de Synedr Cap. 13. Of A Song of degrees see CXX 1. I Was glad when they said unto me Let us go into the house of the LORD 1. I Was exceedingly pleased with the chearfull devotion of those who came unto me before the approaching Feast and said Let us go and pay our
see such variety of humours and inclinations all conspiring with one accord to promote the common good of the whole Society 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 3. The dew of heaven is not more necessary for the parched mountains which though never so distant one from another as far as from Hermon to Sion are refreshed with it then this is for men of all ranks and conditions who every where perceive the comfortable fruits of it for to this the Divine favour is immutably annexed which will pour upon such Societies innumerable blessings giving them an happy and long life an earnest of endless felicity in a constant enjoyment of all manner of good things PSALM CXXXIV A Song of degrees ARGUMENT It is uncertain by whom this Psalm was composed but it seems to have been made to be sung by some one or more of the Levites at the shutting up of the Gates of the Temple to excite the rest whose turn it was to watch that night to be diligent in their office of singing Psalms and making devout prayers for the people It is the last of those that have the Title of A Song of degrees concerning which see CXX 1. BEHOLD bess ye the LORD all ye servants of the LORD which by night stand in the house of the LORD 1. ATtend to your duty O ye Ministers of the Lord who not onely by day but by night also reverently wait upon Him in his House 1 Chron. IX 33. cease not to declare how great and how good the Lord is 2. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and bless the LORD 2. Be fervent in your devotion and disclaiming all dependance on any thing else praise the Lord in his Sanctuary with pure hearts and clean hands and give thanks for all his benefits 3. The LORD that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Sion 3. Pray also for his people Israel and say The great Lord who though He cannot be confined being the Creatour of all things yet hath his special residence in this place dispense his blessings both heavenly and earthly from hence unto every one of you PSALM CXXXV ARGUMENT This perhaps was the morning Hymn which the Praecentor Ver. 4 5. called upon the Levites to sing at the opening of the Gates of the Temple as the former was sung at the shutting up of the Gates in the evening It recounts several of the great works of the Lord especially towards that Nation whom it excites to stedfastness in their Religion and to contempt of Idols and Idolaters It both begins and concludes with an Exhortation to give praise to God and so was intituled as several other Psalms are CVI. CXI c. Hallelujah or Praise the Lord. That is by this Hymn set forth the most excellent perfections and works of the Lord. There are those who conjecture from what we reade Ver. 14. of this Psalm that when it was composed they were or rather had been lately infested by some of their idolatrous neighbours Whose gods the Psalmist derides in the very same manner as he doth Psalm CXV For the four following Verses of this Psalm 15 16 17 18. differ very little from the 4 5 6 8. of that which it is certain was composed in a time of great distress as this was when it was over 1. PRaise ye the LORD praise ye the name of the LORD praise him O ye servants of the LORD 1. LET all here present praise the most wise and omnipotent goodness of the Lord Let Him especially be praised by you his Priests who minister unto his Majesty 2. Ye that stand in the house of the LORD in the courts of the house of our God 2. And by the Levites who attend upon Him in his House together with all the rest of his people that frequent the Courts of God's House who is our constant and most liberal benefactour 3. Praise ye the LORD for the LORD is good sing praises unto his name for it is pleasant 3. Let this excite you all to praise the Lord For as his Nature is most excellent so He is the fountain of all the good we enjoy and no imployment is so delightfull as to acknowledge his perfections and commemorate the benefits we have received from Him by singing Psalms and Hymns of praise and thanks unto Him 4. For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself and Israel for his peculiar treasure 4. I invite you above all other people to this heavenly duty both because the Lord had a peculiar kindness for Jacob your Forefather and doth still exercise a special providence over you his Children as far more dear and precious to Him then the rest of mankind who are under his care 5. For I know that the LORD is great and that our Lord is above all gods 5. And because I am sensible that the Lord under whose government we are is so great and powerfull above all other Beings though called by the name of gods that you can never praise his Majesty enough 6. Whatsoever the LORD pleased that did he in heaven and in earth in the seas and all deep places 6. His own will alone gives bounds to his power for as none can act without his leave so none can hinder Him from doing what pleases Himself in the heavens as well as in the earth and the seas and other deep waters 7. He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth he maketh lightnings for the rain he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries 7. He raises vapours for instance from any quarter of the earth and makes them go up into the air where some of them break forth in flashes of lightning and that which is strange is followed with great showres of rain and from unknown places and causes strong and violent winds blow with such continuance as if they came out of some Treasury where He had gathered and long lockt them up till He had occasion to bring them forth 8. Who smote the first-born of Egypt both of man and beast 8. He made the Egyptians feel how much superiour He was to all their gods XII Exod. 12. who could not defend them from his stroke but He sent his Angel and in one night slew all the first-born in the Country both of man and beast XII Exod. 29. 9. Who sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee O Egypt upon Pharaoh and upon all his servants 9. Before which terrible blow He had given many other wonderfull demonstrations of his power in several miraculous plagues which He openly inflicted on thee O Egypt not onely on the meaner sort but upon the King and all his Court Exod. VII VIII IX c. 10. Who smote great nations and slew mighty kings 10. And after He had by these means brought you out of their bondage He overthrew several great Nations and slew
who brought it out of the waters and preserves it in its just extent from being again overflowed by them for his kindness is no less immoveable and by length of time can never be impaired 7. To him that made great lights for his mercy endureth for ever 7. Witness those great Lights which never go out but always call upon us to praise and give thanks to Him who made them to illuminate the world and to be the emblems of his kindness which sends its benign influences continually upon us unto all generations 8. The Sun to rule by day for his mercy endureth for ever 8. By day the Sun exerts his power to quicken all inferiour Beings and excites us to praise Him and be thankfull to Him whose kindness thereby perpetually administers to us all necessary things and will do so to the end of the world 9. The Moon and Stars to rule by night for his mercy endureth for ever 9. And by night the Moon or the Stars supply its place and let us see how much we are bound to praise and thank Him whose kindness is so constant that in the worst condition it will never quite forsake us 10. To him that smote Egypt in their first-born for his mercy endureth for ever 10. We must needs say so and think our selves ingaged above all others to give Him thanks if we call to mind that memorable night XII Exod. 29. when He punished the Egyptians with the loss of all their first-born For his kindness still continues for ever to relieve those that are injured and to punish their insolent Oppressours 11. And brought out Israel from among them for his mercy endureth for ever 11. Let us not forget how after that stroke He brought our Forefathers out of the cruel Bondage wherein they had long held them XII Exod. 41 42. but thankfully acknowledg that wonderfull deliverance For it is an argument why we should never distrust his kindness in the sorest straits that can befall us 12. With a strong hand and with a stretched out arm for his mercy endureth for ever 12. His Power let us remember is irresistible which first by lesser then by greater signs and wonders delivered us out of their hands VI. Exod. 5 6. VII VIII c. to praise and magnify Him whose kindness is stupendiously great and will never cease to succour those who depend upon Him 13. To him which divided the red Sea into parts for his mercy endureth for ever 13. Let us therefore give thanks to him who when our Forefathers utterly despaired of safety XIV Exod. 10 11. commanded the red Sea to retire and leave a broad way for them to pass v. 21. which plainly proves that his kindness is inexhausted and alway ready to help us in the most dreadfull dangers 14. And made Israel to pass thorough the midst of it for his mercy endureth for ever 14. For he led them safely through the very midst of the Sea which rose up like a wall on either hand of them XIV Exod. 22. and will by his kindness eternally secure all those that piously confide in Him 15. But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the red Sea for his mercy endureth for ever 15. But throw those that oppose Him headlong into destruction as He did Pharaoh and his Host in the very same place where Israel was preserved XIV Exod. 27 c. For his kindness loves to compleat his favours and perfect what He hath begun for his people 16. To him which led his people through the wilderness for his mercy endureth for ever 16. And accordingly when He had thus delivered them He led his people by the direction of a glorious Cloud through an untrodden Desert and there with our thankfull praises let it be remembred made a miraculous provision for them Exod. XVI For his endless kindness wheresoever they went still with new Benefits pursued them 17. To him which smote great Kings for his mercy endureth for ever 17. When potent Kings opposed their passage to the promised Land He utterly discomfited them to his praise be it thankfully acknowledged For his kindness was not stopt by difficulties but ever overcame them 18. And slew famous kings for his mercy endureth for ever 18. Though they were Kings famous for their prowess yet such was his for ever to be praised kindness towards us He gave us as easy and as absolute a victory over them as He had done before over Pharaoh and his Host 19. Sihon king of the Amorites for his mercy endureth for ever 19. Over Sihon King of that fierce Nation of the Amorites who were thought invincible II. Amos 9. For his kindness was mightier then they and gave us this as an earnest of future conquests over our Enemies 20. And Og the king of Bashan for his mercy endureth for ever 20. Over that huge Tyrant Og the King of Bashan III. Deut. 11. For his kindness added that as a new pledge of what He intended to doe for us when we came into Canaan 21. And gave their land for an heritage for his mercy endureth for ever 21. And gave both their Countries to be held of Him as a perpetual inheritance For his kindness doth not decay nor loves to revoke his Favours but continues to the latest Posterity 22. Even an heritage unto Israel his servant for his mercy endureth for ever 22. An Inheritance they were which he setled upon us the Children of Israel as long as we continue his faithfull Servants For his kindness hath no end but delights to perpetuate his Mercies to those who are worthy of them 23. Who remembred us in our low estate for his mercy endureth for ever 23. Nay when for our Sins we were severely afflicted and in danger to be thrown out of this good Land into which at last He brought us Judg. II III IV c. He was pleased graciously to relieve us For his kindness pardoned our ingratitude and was as forward as ever to bestow fresh Benefits upon us 24. And hath redeemed us from our enemies for his mercy endureth for ever 24. And rescued us many a time when we cryed unto Him from the power of those that tyrannized over us For his kindness was not spent by the frequent deliverances it had given us but still granted new matter for our thanksgivings to Him 25. Who giveth food to all flesh for his mercy endureth for ever 25. Whose Bounty is not confined to us alone but supplies the wants of all mankind yea of all living Creatures For his kindness hath no bounds nor will ever cease to make a plentifull provision for them 26. O give thanks unto the God of heaven for his mercy endureth for ever 26. O raise your hearts to give Him thanks with the highest praises whose power extends it self beyond this Earth even unto the highest Heavens For his kindness is so unwearied that we may hope from thence to be ever receiving more and more of his Blessings PSALM CXXXVII
Him the proper object of our confidence in all conditions The vulgar Latin and the present Greek intitle it to Haggai and Zachariah but there is no such thing in the Hebrew nor in other ancient Interpreters nor in the LXX in the Hexaplus as Theodoret tells us And we might rather think it not unlikely to have been composed by David when Saul who at first had a great kindness for him afterward turned his most bitter enemy were it not for one word viz. the mention of Sion which was not then in David's possession This it is possible inclined those that made the foregoing Title to think it was not composed till after-times and they could find none so likely as that after the Captivity when they soon found it was in vain to rely upon the favour of Princes some of which hindred the building of the Temple as much as Cyrus at the first had furthered it I shall not trouble the Reader with any other conjectures but onely note that the eighth Verse was most exactly and literally fulfilled in our Lord Christ when he came to give Salvation to us 1. PRaise ye the LORD Praise the LORD O my soul 1. STir up thy self O my Soul to give the Lord who gave Being to all things those affectionate praises which are due unto Him 2. While I live will I praise the LORD I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being 2. The best resolution Thou canst make is this I will praise the Lord all my life long and never cease to give thanks unto my God who never ceases to bestow his benefits on me 3. Put not your trust in princes nor in the son of man in whom there is no help 3. And let all mankind if they would be happy preserve his favour by being gratefull to Him and not with the neglect of his service court the favour of Princes and settle upon them their dependance For the greatest King on earth though never so just never so bountifull as well as rich and powerfull is still but a man who cannot be present every where when we are in danger nor be able always to help us in our greatest needs 4. His breath goeth forth he returneth to his earth in that very day his thoughts perish 4. For there is a time when he cannot help himself nor by the whole power of his Empire keep his soul from leaving his body nay a small accident may carry him away suddenly and then a clod of earth can do as much as he and whatsoever designs and projects he had laid for any mans preferment suppose they all die together with him 5. Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help whose hope is in the LORD his God 5. He and he alone is the truly happy man who expects help from the mighty God by whom Jacob was fed all his life long XLVIII Gen. 15. who trusts to Him that is Lord of the World and hath made Him his Friend so much that he can call Him his God 6. Which made heaven and earth the sea and all that therein is which keepeth truth for ever 6. For as He never dies so there can be no defect in his power nor want of his presence in every place the heavens the earth and the sea and all that is in them being his own works and as nothing can hinder Him from doing what He pleases so He will never alter his mind nor go back with his word but faithfully keep his promises for ever with those that rely upon them 7. Which executeth judgment for the oppressed which giveth food to the hungry the LORD looseth the prisoners 7. There are innumerable instances of the carefull Providence of this great King who doth not slight or forget the cries of his grieved Subjects but in due time asserts the right of those who are oppressed and can find no relief in other Courts of Judgment He supplies also the needs of poor hungry wretches who are ready to famish and is so gracious a Lord that He sets them at liberty who by unjust or pitiless men have been held in miserable Captivity 8. The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down the LORD loveth the righteous 8. The Lord sends help when there are no hopes of humane cure for He restores sight to the blind as we shall see most remarkably when the Lord Christ appears and lifts up those who are bowed together by tedious weaknesses XIII Luke 11. or crusht under other insupportable burthens and above all the Lord delights to doe good to them who have done good to others 9. The LORD preserveth the strangers he relieveth the fatherless and widow but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down 9. The friendless strangers are preserved by the Lord from those injuries which men are apt to doe them when they commit themselves to his protection And so do the disconsolate Widows and Fatherless Children find support and relief from Him against the injustice and violence of their wicked oppressours whose designs and practices He utterly confoundeth 10. The LORD shall reign for ever even thy God O Sion unto all generations Praise ye the LORD 10. Be of good comfort then O ye inhabitants of Sion who sincerely worship this great Lord that doeth all these wondrous things For his power and authority never fails but from age to age will ever succour those pious souls who are destitute of humane help therefore praise perpetually this everlasting King PSALM CXLVII Hallelujah See CXLVI ARGUMENT Saint Chrysostome and Theodoret think this Psalm hath respect to the return of the Jewish Nation from the Captivity of Babylon and the instauration of Jerusalem which followed upon it And the second and thirteenth Verses may well incline us to be of the opinion that it was made by some holy man at that time Haggai or Zachariah some ancient Interpreters imagin or rather Nehemiah who built the Walls and set up the Gates especially if we observe that there are some phrases in it which savour of the Chaldaean language And though this can be no more then a conjecture yet it is very certain and evident that in that deliverance God gave such illustrious proofs of his power wisedom mercy and justice as the Psalmist here exhorts the people to celebrate with their thankfull praises I shall follow it therefore in my Paraphrase it being reasonable to suppose that devout persons would be as forward to acknowledge the wonderfull Providence of God in their restauration as they were to bewail which they do Ps CXXXVII the ruin of their Country and that posterity would be no less carefull to preserve what was composed in memory of the one then they had been to continue the memory of the other And there is no Hymn we can find so sutable to that occasion as this 1. PRaise ye the LORD for it is good to sing praises unto our God for it is
pleasant and praise is comely 1. LET all the Nations praise the Lord who will send us new benefits when we are truly thankfull to Him our great Benefactour for the old For it is a thing highly acceptable to Him as well as delightfull to those who are imployed therein and best becomes us of all other things there being nothing so decent as to see men gratefull to Him that hath obliged them 2. The LORD doth build up Jerusalem he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel 2. To which we stand bound above all other men for the Lord hath not onely delivered us out of a sad Captivity but in spite of all the opposition our enemies have made to it IV. Ezra 12. hath raised Jerusalem out of its ruines whereby He invites the rest of our Brethren who remain behind to return to their own Country from whence they are expelled 3. He healeth the broken in heart and bindeth up their wounds 3. He comforts us after our long sorrows which had in a manner broken our heart with grief and sadness and hath in some measure repaired our breaches which like a festering wound indangered the life of our Nation 4. He telleth the number of the stars he calleth them all by their names 4. Whom He knows how to gather out of all their dispersions and to find every one of them wheresoever they are though as numerous as the stars of heaven XV. Gen. 5. which He as distinctly and exactly understands how confusedly soever they seem to us to be scattered in the skie as we do those things which we call by their proper names 5. Great is our Lord and of great power his understanding is infinite 5. Let us not despair of it for nothing is impossible with our Lord and Governour who is not like earthly Kings that rule over a few petty Provinces but the great Sovereign of the whole world whose power and wisedom are so unlimited that He is able to doe whatsoever He pleases and knows how to compass whatsoever He designs 6. The LORD lifteth up the meek he casteth the wicked down to the ground 6. And doth not because He is so great despise the afflicted but if they meekly commit themselves to his care will raise them up to a better condition and throw down the mightiest Princes that proudly oppress them as low as the very ground 7. Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving sing praise upon the harp unto our God 7. Celebrate therefore with your thankfull Songs you cannot make a less return unto Him this infinite Power and Wisedom and Goodness Begin now with the usual Instruments of Musick to sing Hymns of praise unto our God for all his benefits 8. Who covereth the heaven with clouds who prepareth rain for the earth who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains 8. Particularly for the great plenty He hath given us by his almighty Goodness II. Haggai 1. which shews it self first in raising vapours from the earth and then turning them into clouds wherewith He covers the face of heaven and then bringing forth rain out of those clouds which He sends back to the earth again and makes not onely the green pastures but the parched mountains and desart places become fruitfull 9. He giveth to the beast his food and to the young ravens which cry 9. By which wonderfull Providence He provides food even for the wild goats and suck like beasts that live upon the top of craggy rocks For He neglects not the vilest creatures but satisfies the hunger of the young ravens though it be so ravenous that they are continually crying for new supplies 10. He delighteth not in the strength of the horse he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man 10. Let us not doubt then but He that takes care of crows will much more take care of us and not be afraid though we are of little force IV. Nehem. 3 4. VII 4. and have no armies of horse and foot to defend us For the Lord who fights for us IV. Nehem. 20. hath no need of these and will not take part with our enemies because they are superiour to us in the strength of their horses and the nimbleness of their souldiers 11. The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him in those that hope in his mercy 11. But delights to give those his assistance and protection who worshipping Him devoutly fear to offend Him and having no help in themselves nor any earthly refuge to fly unto depend notwithstanding with a stedfast faith on his infinite mercy 12. Praise the LORD O Jerusalem praise thy God O Sion 12. Praise the Lord O ye inhabitants of Jerusalem sing joyfull Hymns unto your God O ye people of Sion XII Nehem. 27 31 40 43. who have seen this truth abundantly demonstrated in your days 13. For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates he hath blessed thy children within thee 13. For He hath made this City which was lately without Walls and Gates so strong a place that no enemy dare assualt it VI. Nehem. 15 16. and hath increased the number of thy Citizens which were but few VII Nehem. 4. XI 1 2. by the manifold blessings He hath poured on them 14. He maketh peace in thy borders and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat 14. Which are not confined within the Walls of that City but He hath settled all the Country in peace no enemy appearing to infest thy borders and to disturb the husbandmen in their labours which have produced so rich a crop that plentifull provision is made for all our satisfaction 15. He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth his word runneth very swiftly 15. This we ought to ascribe to his mercifull Providence who shews by the fruitfull seasons He sends after all things seem to be killed by a hard winter that He doth not intend by our affliction to destroy us and that He can easily bring all our Brethren hither who remain still in Captivity For when He would have any alteration made in the earth it is done as speedily as we can speak 16. He giveth snow like wooll he scattereth the hoar frost like ashes 16. He sends for instance a sudden cold which sometimes turns the moist vapours in the air into flakes of snow to cover the earth as with a fleece of wool and defend the corn from the biting winds and sometimes into hoary frost which He gently scatters and straws like ashes upon the earth 17. He casteth forth his ice like morsels who can stand before his cold 17. And sometimes congeals them into ice which He breaks into bits and throws down in violent hail accompanied with such extremity of cold that neither man nor beast nor the fishes in the ponds and rivers are able long to endure it 18. He sendeth out his word and melteth them he causeth his wind to blow and the waters flow 18. But then to prevent the hurt that might insue by its continuance He issues forth
like the Moon and the Stars give a good example unto all the Subjects and stir them up to meditate his praise 12. Both young men and maidens old men and children 12. Let no Sex no Age think themselves exempted from this heavenly imployment But let the Young men praise Him for their strength and the Virgins for their beauty they that are going out of the world for all that they have seen and heard of Him and they that are newly come into it for all the goodly spectacles that are before them 13. Let them praise the Name of the LORD for his Name alone is excellent and his glory is above the earth and heaven 13. Let them praise the incomparable Wisedom Goodness and Power of the Lord For how great soever any other Beings are there is no other God but He whose most excellent Majesty infinitely surpasses all that the Earth or the Heavens can tell us of Him 14. He also exalteth the horn of his people the praise of all his Saints even of the children of Israel a people near who him Praise ye the LORD 14. And yet so great is his condescention unto us who are bound therefore more particularly to praise Him He takes a peculiar care of us and hath set over us a powerfull Prince for the defence and safety of his People LXXXIX Psal 19. Whose fame He hath thereby raised to the highest pitch of honour having obliged the Children of Israel by many peculiar benefits especially this that they are a people more nearly related to Him then any other whatsoever for He dwells among them in his holy place where they approach to Him O praise Him there for this singular favour PSALM CXLIX Hallelujah See CXLVI ARGUMENT Theodoret thinks this Psalm was made for them that after their return from Captivity had many opposers but by the Divine Assistance overcame them And that it is a praediction of those great things which were done by the Maccabees Certain it is that some signal Victory was the occasion of it and thence Saint Chrysostome hath here given us a full account I think of the meaning of A new Song which according to the use of the word new in other places when they would express a thing very wonderfull such as hath not been seen or heard of before XVI Numb 30. XXXI Jer. 22. he takes to denote An illustrious and famous Hymn made for Victories for great Atchievements and Trophies Which were never more remarkable in this Nation then in the days of David and therefore this Psalm may very well relate to his reign who subdued several Kingdoms which had stood out and would not submit to Israel till his time though God had promised to give their Countries to them XV. Gen. 18. XXIII Exod. 31. 2. Sam. VIII 1 2 c. X. 19. The interpretation which I have given of the sixth Verse need not seem strange to any one who considers that it hath been and is the custom of all Nations to stir up themselves to fight by the sound of some musical Instrument or other The ancient inhabitants of Etruria saith Clemens Alexandrinus in the second Book of his Paedagogus chap. 4. used the Trumpet for this purpose the Arcadians the Whistle the Sicilians an Instrument called Pectids the Cretians the Harp the Lacedaemonians the Pipe the Thracians the Cornet the Egyptians the Drum the Arabians the Cymball But it was proper to the Israelites to go forth against their Enemies singing Psalms of Praise to God as we reade 2 Chron. XX. 21 22. who had given great Victories to their Ancestours and had promised never to forsake their Posterity while they served Him onely and piously confided in Him 1. PRaise ye the LORD Sing unto the LORD a new song and his praise in the congregation of saintâ— 1. SIng a new Hymn unto the Lord for the fresh and singular benefits He hath bestowed upon us Let Him be praised not onely in private but in the publick assemblies of those who have received special marks of his favour to them 2. Let Israel rejoice in him that made him let the children of Sion be joyfull in their king 2. Let all the Israelites rejoice in Him that made them his peculiar people and hath now raised them to great splendour among the Nations of the world let the inhabitants of Sion more particularly be exceeding glad that the Lord who is our King hath there settled his royal Throne 2 Sam. V. 9. VI. 12. 3. Let them praise his name in the dance let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp 3. Let them leap for joy and unanimously praise his most excellent Majesty in their Dances to the Flute 2 Sam. VI. 16. let them testifie their gratitude to Him by singing Psalms with the Timbrel and the Harp 4. For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people he will beautifie the meek with salvation 4. For the Lord taketh pleasure in doing good unto his people and will not onely deliver them after they have been oppressed many years but if they meekly depend upon Him make them as great and illustrious as they have been contemptible and mean 1 Chron. XIV 2. 5. Let the saints be joyfull in glory let them sing aloud upon their beds 5. Which shall fill the hearts of good men who are dear to Him with the highest triumph in the honour that He hath done them and make them shout for joy in the security and peace He shall bestow upon them 6. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth and a two-edged sword in their hand 6. Which they shall not doubt to maintain against all opposers for in assured hope of Victory they shall go to War with Psalms and Hymns in their mouths concerning the great acts of the Lord which they shall couragiously sing with a loud voice when they fall upon their enemies and prefer to the two edged sword wich they carry in their hand 7. To execute vengeance upon the heathen and punishments upon the people 7. Wherewith they shall take a just revenge upon the heathen for all the injuries they have done us and so chastise the insolence of the people that they shall fear again to molest us 1 Chron. XIV 17. 8. To bind their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron 8. For their Victories shall be so compleat that they shall not onely rout their enemies and put them to flight but lead away their Kings captive in chains and take their great Captains and Commanders prisoners and keep them fast in fetters of iron 9. To execute upon them the judgment written this honour have all his saints Praise ye the LORD 9. In order to the executing upon them the judgment which God hath long ago decreed and is recorded in his Law VII Deut. 24. XXXII 41 42 43. This is the honour which all Israel shall have when they are in favour with God and such shall be their glorious Victories and