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
potent Kings who presuming of their strength opposed the accomplishment of his promises to you 11. Sihon king of the Amorites and Og king of Bashan and all the kingdoms of Canaan 11. First of all Sihon King of the Amorites who were esteemed invincible XXI Numb 24. II. Amos 9. and then Og that giantly King of Bashan XXI Numb 33. III. Deut. II. and at last all the Kingdoms and Kings of the Land of Canaan XII Josh 7 24. 12. And gave their land for an heritage an heritage unto Israel his people 12. Which He graciously bestowed upon us the Children of Israel as an inheritance we should hold of Him by a Divine right of which none while we continue his obedient people shall be able to dispossess us 13. Thy name O LORD endureth for ever and thy memorial O LORD throughout all generations 13. O Lord how astonishing is this thy omnipotent Goodness the fame of which shall never be forgotten But an illustrious memory O Lord shall be continued of it from generation to generation 14. For the LORD will judge his people and he will repent himself concerning his servants 14. For though our enemies may sometimes oppress us when we offend Him yet the Lord at last will take the part of his people and deliver them and being reconciled unto his servants will turn his severity into kindness towards them 15. The idols of the heathen are silver and gold the work of mens hands 15. It is not in the power of the Idols which the heathen worship to divert his kindness from us for they are of no more value then the silver and the gold of which they are made and are so far from being able to doe any thing that they themselves are made by those that adore them 16. They have mouths but they speak not eyes have they but they see not 16. They are mere Images of things without their life having mouths but cannot give a word of advice or comfort to their supplicants and eyes also but cannot see much less prevent any danger that doth approach them 17. They have ears but they hear not neither is there any breath in their mouths 17. Ears they have but cannot hear a word that is said to them and noses also but they do not so much as breathe much less can they smell the odours that are offered to them 18. They that make them are like unto them so is every one that trusteth in them 18. They that make them therefore or put any confidence in them are as senseless as themselves having eyes for instance but do not see that brutes are more excellent then such gods and that no help is to be expected from them 19. Bless the LORD O house of Israel bless the LORD O house of Aaron 19. O how much then are we all bound to bless the Lord the Creatour of all who hath freed us from this stupid blindness Let the whole Nation of the Children of Israel especially the Priests of the Lord praise Him and give thanks to Him who hath better instructed them 20. Bless the LORD O house of Levi ye that fear the LORD bless the LORD 20. Let all the Levites declare how gracious He is yea let all his pious Worshippers of whatsoever Nation they be join in this heavenly imployment of speaking good of the Lord. 21. Blessed be the LORD out of Sion which dwelleth at Jerusalem Praise ye the LORD 21. Let them all say with one accord the Lord be ever praised in this holy place who though He be the owner of all the World yet makes his special residence at Jerusalem The honour the heathens give to their lifeless Images ought to excite you all with the greater devotion to praise the Lord of the World PSALM CXXXVI ARGUMENT This Psalm like the former is a commemoration of the goodness of God expressed in his wonderfull works particularly those He had done for that Nation And it is likely was composed to be sung upon the great Festivals as every day I suppose they sung the foregoing which is of the same strain with this and contains much of the same matter onely here at every half Verse one half of the Quire answers to the other in these words For his mercy endureth for ever A form of acknowledgment prescribed by David to be used continually in the Divine Service 1 Chron. XVI 41 and accordingly followed by Solomon 2. Chron. VII 3 6. when he dedicated the Temple and by Jehoshaphat when by the incouragement of a Prophet he went out to incounter a vast Army with small Forces 2 Chron. XX. 21. and here is repeated six and twenty times to make them the more sensible that they owed all they had to the mere bounty of God and to excite them to depend intirely upon it and rest assured it would never fail them if they did piously and most heartily acknowledge it Such repetitions we use now in our earnest Prayers when we say Lord have mercy upon us c. which are no more vain then these I have variously expressed the sense of this repeated acknowledgment according as the other part of the several verses seemed to direct me 1. O Give thanks unto the LORD for he is good for his mercy endureth for ever 1. OFfer your thankfull Hymns unto the Lord of all who is as good as He is great and will continue his kindness which hath been exceeding abundant towards us unto all succeeding generations 2. O give thanks unto the God of gods for his mercy endureth for ever 2. He is the Sovereign of all the heavenly Hosts and therefore praise Him and give thanks unto Him for He can imploy them all for your help and protection as He hath in former times and you need not doubt of his kindness which continues unto all Ages 3. O give thanks unto the Lord of lords for his mercy endureth for ever 3. All the Kings and Princes of the Earth are his Subjects upon which account also give Him praise and thanks For his kindness endures throughout all Ages to defend you as He hath done hitherto from their tyrannical violence 4. To him who alone doth great wonders for his mercy endureth for ever 4. He it is and He alone whose Works are so great that they surprise all those who seriously consider them with wonder and astonishment and therefore give Him praise and thanks For his kindness will never fail still to imploy his infinite Power for the good of those who are truly gratefull to Him 5. To him that by wisdome made the heavens for his mercy endureth for ever 5. Look upon the Heavens and behold with admiration and praise the splendour and the order wherein his wisdome hath contrived and setled them For his kindness is as large and as firm and durable as they 6. To him that stretched out the earth above the waters for his mercy endureth for ever 6. And then look down to the Earth and thankfully praise Him
the perpetual desolations even all that the enemy hath done wickedly in the sanctuary 3. Make haste good Lord to come and visit the ruins of our Countrey and City which have lasted exceeding long and will never be repaired without thy powerfull help which we implore against the Authours of them who to all the other mischiefs they have done have with a peculiar spite not onely defaced but utterly destroyed thy dwelling-place 4. Thine enemies roar in the midst of thy congregations they set up their ensigns for signs 4. They are thy Enemies therefore as well as ours whose fury and rage so transports them that they roar rather then shout whilst they triumph in those places where thy people were wont to meet to praise thy Name There they have set up their Banners in token of their Victory and bragg as if their Gods were superiour unto Thee 5. A man was famous according as he had lifted up axes upon the thick trees 5. Every one of them laid about him and bestirred himself with all his might as if he hoped to get renown by the mischief he did which was committed with no more remorse then if they had been lopping off boughs in the thickets of a Forrest where they may be spared 6. But now they break down the carved work thereof at once with axes and hammers 6. Just so methinks I see as if it were now a doing how they hacked and hewed with Axes and knocked down with Hammers the curious carved Work of the Temple whose elegance would have moved any but Barbarians to have preserved it with as great a zeal as they imployed to beat it in pieces 7. They have cast fire into thy sanctuary they have defiled by casting down the dwelling-place of thy name to the ground 7. But so mad was their rage it was not satisfied with this but set fire unto thy holy place And what that did not consume they pull'd down till they had utterly profaned the habitation consecrated to thy Majesty by laying it level with the ground 8. They said in their hearts Let us destroy them together they have burnt up all the synagogues of God in the land 8. Nor did all this give a stop unto their fury but they rather grew the more outragious For designing quite to destroy our Religion both in this and in future Generations they left not so much as one place wherein we might meet to say our Prayers or hear the Law throughout the Land 9. We see not our signs there is no more any prophet neither is there among us any that knoweth how long 9. And which is the saddest thing of all Thou seemest to have left us too and we see no token of thy Divine presence with us So far we are from beholding any miraculous works as our Fathers did for our deliverance that there is not so much as a Prophet to be found to give us any advice or speak a word of comfort to us not a man among us that can tell when these calamities will have an end 10. O God how long shall the adversary reproach shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever 10. What a reproach is this O God which hath quite tired our patience and makes us cry unto Thee to make haste to avenge thy self of these insulting Enemies Stop their blasphemous mouths O God and let them not say any more as they have done too long that Thou art not able to deliver us 11. Why withdrawest thou thy hand even thy right hand pluck it out of thy bosom 11. For we are confounded and know not what to say while Thou thus withdrawest thy powerfull presence from us that mighty power which was wont to do such wonders for us exert it again we beseech Thee and stretch it out for the destruction of those who have spoken of it so contemptuously 12. For God is my King of old working salvation in the midst of the earth 12. Why should I despair of it since the great God whom they deride hath many Ages ago undertaken the Government and Protection of us working for us such deliverances in this Land which now lyes waste as astonished all the world 13. Thou didst divide the Sea by thy strength thou brakest the heads of the dragons in the waters 13. Thou art that God to whose power the raging Sea is subject which at thy command retired and opened a way for us to pass thorough but came back again with its wonted violence and overwhelmed the Egyptians who like so many Sea-monsters thought to have devoured us 14. Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces and gavest him to be meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness 14. Pharaoh that fierce Tyrant as terrible as the vastest Whales Thou didst utterly destroy there with all his stern Captains and Commanders whom the Sea spewed up XIX Exod. 30. to find their Tombs in the bellies of the wild Beasts and Birds which people the neighbouring Wilderness 15. Thou didst cleave the fountain and the floud thou driedst up mighty rivers 15. Where when our Fathers wanted drink Thou madest water to gush out of a Rock XVII Exod. 6. XX. Numb 9. which followed them in a full stream till they came to the borders of Canaan And then Thou driedst up the waters of Jordan at a time when they ran violently and as if many Rivers had been joined in one it overflowed all its Banks III. Josh 15 17. 16. The day is thine the night also is thine thou hast prepared the light and the sun 16. And still there are such instances of thy power which the whole world if they would but mind have alway before their eyes For as Thou didst sometimes change the dry Land into a River and a River into dry Land so Thou dost continually change the Day into Night and the Night into Day having settled the Moon to govern the one and the Sun to govern the other in their turns 17. Thou hast set all the borders of the earth thou hast made summer and winter 17. By thy Almighty wisedom also it is that the motion of the Sun not onely makes the days and nights but the different climates of the Earth and the seasons of the year which are sometimes hot and sometimes cold sometimes flourishing as we see in the Summer with all manner of fruit and sometimes stript as we see in the Winter of all its ornaments that afterward it may be the more fruitfull 18. Remember this that the enemy hath reproached O LORD and that the foolish people have blasphemed thy name 18. And we sure have indured a very tedious winter wherein all things have lookt most ruefully May it please Thee now to return like the Sun unto us and let thy Enemies know Thou hast not forgotten how they have reproached Thee O Lord whom they ought to have honoured as the mighty Creatour of all things but wilt vindicate thy glory by punishing these insolent people who foolishly puft up
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
LXXXVI A Prayer of David ARGUMENT The Title satisfies us that David was the Authour of this Psalm which the Collectour of this third Book found I suppose after the other two were made up and published and so placed it here among those which belong to the same subject For though it was composed by David when he was so persecuted either by Saul or Absalom that he was stript of all he had and left in a most forlorn condition Ver. 1. yet Theodoret thinks it was made with a prospect of the attempt which the Assyrians made upon Jerusalem and the hope which Hezekiah then placed in God for deliverance Which Notion it is likely he had from the Jews who say that this Prayer was made use of by Hezekiah in the time of that sore distress for the first words of this Psalm are the same with his in 2 King XIX 16. and the eighth and ninth Verses may very fitly be accommodated to that History as I have there observed but the rest a great deal better to David 1. BOW down thine ear O LORD hear me for I am poor and needy 1. THere cannot be a fitter object of thy Mercy O Lord then thy poor Supplicant who beseeches Thee graciously to condescend to his request for else he is utterly undone being quite destitute of all humane help 2. Preserve my soul for I am holy O thou my God save thy servant that trusteth in thee 2. And yet my life is in imminent danger unless Thou dost preserve it as many reasons make me hope Thou wilt for as Thou the righteous Judge hast been long my benefactour and I am perfectly innocent of that my enemies charge me withal so I my self have been a reliever of others in their need and besides am a faithfull servant of thine who depends intirely upon Thee and hath no confidence in any thing but onely thy Almighty Goodness 3. Be mercifull unto me O Lord for I cry unto thee daily 3. Whose mercifull help I have also implored with most importunate and incessant prayers which is another reason of my hope that Thou wilt take compassion upon me O Lord 4. Rejoice the soul of thy servant for unto thee O LORD do I lift up my soul 4. And turn the present sorrow of thy servant into joy and gladness For I have placed my hope intirely in Thee O Lord and expect nothing but from Thee alone 5. For thou Lord art good and ready to forgive and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee 5. Who art no less bountifull which is another exceeding great encouragement to me then I am indigent ready also to pardon those that have offended Thee yea to shew abundant kindness to every one of them in their greatest distress when with unfeigned devotion they call upon Thee 6. Give ear O LORD unto my prayer and attend to the voice of my supplications 6. As I now do O Lord most humbly beseeching Thee with repeated intreaties to give a favourable answer to these prayers and supplications whereby I deprecate thy displeasure and sue unto Thee for favour 7. In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee for thou wilt answer me 7. Which I beseech Thee let me the rather obtain because my distress is so great and so urgent that thy power will now be the more magnified in delivering me as heretofore Thou hast been wont to doe upon such earnest petitions as these are unto Thee 8. Among the gods there is none like unto thee O LORD neither are there any works like unto thy works 8. For nothing is too hard for Thee nor art Thou unwilling to doe more kindnesses for us because Thou hast done so many already But as appears by thy unparallel'd works dost incomparably excell whatsoever strangers think 2 King XVIII 15. all those that are worshipped in the world as gods who are not able so much as to help and preserve themselves 9. All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee O LORD and shall glorifie thy name 9. Which shall move all our neighbouring Nations 2 Chron. XXXII 23. as all the rest shall do in the days of that Great King which we expect XV. Rom. 9. to acknowledge Thee O Lord to be their Creatour and with humble veneration to submit themselves unto Thee and to honour Thee with their highest praises 10. For thou art great and doest wondrous things thou art God alone 10. For they shall clearly see by the magnificence of thy marvellous works that Thou art infinitely superiour to all those Powers whom they adore And that in truth there is no God but Thou thy self alone 11. Teach me thy way O LORD I will walk in thy truth unite my heart to fear thy name 11. Which I so firmly believe that I desire nothing more then to be perfectly instructed in all thy will which I will sincerely observe knit my heart O Lord in such pious affections to Thee that it may never in the least dissent from Thee nor be disturbed with any vain cares but intirely bent to study this alone what is pleasing unto Thee 12. I will praise thee O LORD my God with all my heart and I will glorifie thy name for evermore 12. Whom I am bound to praise both as the fupreme Lord of all and as my most bountifull Benefactour with all the powers of my Soul and accordingly I do now most thankfully acknowledge Thee and will never cease to honour Thee and to doe Thee service as long as I have any Being 13. For great is thy mercy toward me and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell 13. For the benefits Thou hast bestowed on me are as inestimable as they are innumerable I owe my very life to Thee which hath been often snatched out of the extreamest dangers wherein I had inevitably perished if Thou hadst not mercifully delivered me 1 Sam. XXIII c. 14. O God the proud are risen against me and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul and have not set thee before them 14. Behold O God a new opportunity to glorifie that mercy for proud and ambitious men 2 Sam. XV. 1 2 c. have made an insurrection against me and raised a most formidable Army 2 Sam. XV. 12 13. to take away that life which Thou hast so miraculously preserved having no regard to thy Providence nor refusing any means whereby they may satisfie their unjust desires 15. But thou O LORD art a God full of compassion and gracious long-suffering and plenteous in mercy and truth 15. All our comfort is that Thou not they dost govern the world who art no less compassionate then Thou art powerfull readily forgiving offences or bearing long before Thou punishest Them chusing rather to heap thy benefits upon us and never failing to perform thy faithfull promises 16. O turn unto me and have mercy upon me give thy strength unto thy servant and save the son of
Thee and do not reject my petition accompanied with sad moans and dolefull lamentations but vouchsafe a favourable answer to it 3. For my soul is full of troubles and my life draweth nigh unto the grave 3. For my Soul is overcharged with great variety of long continued evils which have brought me so low that there is but a step between me and the grave 4. I am counted with them that go down into the pit I am as a man that hath no strength 4. All that know my condition look upon me as utterly lost and I have no reason to think otherwise being quite spent and having no power at all to help my self 5. Free among the dead like the slain that lie in the grave whom thou remembrest no more and they are cut off from thy hand 5. I am no longer one of this world from whose society I am quite separated there is little difference between me and those who being slain in a Battel and cast all together into one common grave are no further regarded or those whose families are so wholly exstirpated that there are none left to preserve their memory 6. Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit in darkness in the deeps 6. For Thou hast thrust me down into a deep and dismal Dungeon which I can compare to nothing but a Grave wherein I lie neglected and see no hope of being delivered 7. Thy wrath lieth hard upon me and thou hast afflicted me with all thy waves Selah 7. My spirit is ready to sink under the weight of thy displeasure while my calamities fall upon me so fast and so heavily like the mountainous waves of the Sea one after another that it is impossible to express the soreness of my affliction 8. Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me thou hast made me an abomination unto them I am shut up and I cannot come forth 8. I am not allowed to have any familiarity with my friends or acquaintance no more then if I were in another world And as for other men they abominate to come into such a loathsome place where I am kept so close that I have no means of getting out 9. Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction LORD I have called daily upon thee I have stretched out my hands unto thee 9. Nor can I doe any thing there but weep till I am almost blind by reason of the miseries I endure onely I cease not to look up unto Thee O Lord continually who art my onely companion in this solitary and helpless condition imploring thy aid with fervent prayers and longing expectations saying 10. Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead shall the dead arise and praise thee Selah 10. Make haste good Lord to deliver me if Thou intendest any kindness to me otherwise I shall presently perish and then without the greatest Miracle there is no help for me For can I with any reason expect that Thou shouldest doe wonders for me among the dead when Thou wouldest doe nothing for me while I was alive and raise me out of my grave when Thou wouldest not bring me out of prison 11. Shall thy loving-kindness be declared in the grave or thy faithfulness in destruction 11. Now is the time to declare the love Thou bearest to me and to perform the promise Thou hast made to them that faithfully serve Thee For if Thou dost defer thy relief I die and what can I hope for when I am rotten in my grave 12. Shall thy wonders be known in the dark and thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness 12. Shall thy power be apparent there where nothing is seen And wilt Thou convince men how good and how just Thou art to thy servants in the place where they are no more remembred 13. But unto thee have I cried O LORD and in the morning shall my prayer prevent thee 13. Thus O Lord I cry unto Thee in the anguish of my soul which keeps me awake to present my prayers unto Thee before the morning light 14. LORD why castest thou off my soul why hidest thou thy face from me 14. Though alas they have no effect but I see my self deserted notwithstanding all my prayers in these miserable straits wherein I lie sighing to think what the reason should be that Thou deniest me thy help and takest no notice of me 15. I am afflicted and ready to die from my youth up while I suffer thy terrours I am distracted 15. Which is the more strange because I faint away under my misery which hath continued many years and under the sad prospect I have before me of more dreadfull calamities which so astonish me that I know not what to doe with my self 16. Thy fierce wrath goeth over me thy terrours have cut me off 16. I onely bemoan over again my forlorn estate which grows still more deplorable I suffer not merely the effects of thy anger Ver. 7. but of thy severest and most terrible displeasure wherewith I am so overwhelmed and oppressed that I am scarce able to fetch my breath 17. They came round about me daily like water they compassed me about together 17. Which way soever I turn my self I find that I am inviron'd with them and they increase continually like flouds of water coming from several places and at last meeting all together to inclose and swallow me up 18. Lover and friend hast thou put far from me and mine acquaintance into darkness 18. And there is no Friend no Neighbour comes near me to give me the least consolation But all they whose sweet society was wont to help to mitigate my sorrow are either dead or kept from my sight or hide themselves for fear of being thrust down together with me into this dolefull place PSALM LXXXIX Maschil of Ethan the Ezrahite ARGUMENT The Authour of this Psalm was near of kin to him that made the former see the Argument there and they lived I suppose in the same time Onely Heman bewailed some private affliction which was befallen himself whereas Ethan after a thankfull acknowledgment of the benefits God had bestowed upon them and especially of his promise made to David by Samuel and Nathan of settling the Kingdom upon him and his posterity for ever laments most sadly the publick calamity by the subversion of the Royal Family and Government in the days of Jehojachin or of Zedekiah Whose miserable fate seems in the conclusion of this Psalm to be bewailed with the greater passion because it looked like a breach of God's promise to David and gave the Babylonians and other Nations who assisted in their destruction occasion to say that notwithstanding all the promises they boasted of and the fidelity of their God in the performance there was now a period put to David's Family and Kingdom That 's the clearest account I can give of the meaning of the last clause of the last verse but one where we reade that they reproached the foot-steps of his Anointed The word we render
strength and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted 17. For they owe not their conquests to their own valour or forces though never so great but it is Thou who givest illustrious Victories to the smallest Armies And therefore by thy favour we hope that our Empire which is now broken shall be raised again to its former splendour 18. For the LORD is our defence and the holy One of Israel is our King 18. For the Lord is still our Protectour though our Prince be taken and made unable to defend us He whom Israel adores and acknowledges infinitely to transcend all other Beings is our King and Governour 19. Then thou spakest in vision to the holy One and saidest I have laid help upon one that is mighty I have exalted one chosen out of the people 19. Who then didst reveal thy mind in a Vision to the holy Prophet Samuel 1 Sam. XVI 1. when the Philistines defied Israel and grew terrible to them XVII 10 11 24. saying I have provided myself a valiant Champion 1 Sam. XVI 18. to be your deliverer 2 Sam. III. 18. I have designed a person of singular worth from among the common people 1 Sam. XVI 11. to be promoted to the Kingdom 20. I have found David my servant with my holy oil have I anointed him 20. I have observed David 1 Sam. XVI 1. and find him a man that will faithfully serve me Go and anoint him with the holy Oil for I intend him for the Governour of my people 21. With whom my hand shall be established mine arm also shall strengthen him 21. With whom I will always be powerfully present for his assistance 1 Sam. XVII 45 c. and never desert him as I did Saul XVIII 12 24 28. But my mighty power shall extraordinarily strengthen him in all his enterprises 1 Sam. XXX 6. 2 Sam. VIII 6 14. 22. The enemy shall not exact upon him nor the son of wickedness afflict him 22. The subtilest of his enemies shall not be able to circumvent him nor the most malicious how powerfull soever oppress him 23. And I will beat down his foes before his face and plague them that hate him 23. But after all their vain attempts I will not onely protect him from their crafty violence but subdue all his adversaries under him and destroy those that hate him 2 Sam. VII 9. 24. But my faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him and in my name shall his born be exalted 24. He shall ever find me not onely faithfull in my promise to him but kind above his expectation and by my powerfull assistance and his confidence in it his authority shall be highly exalted 1 Chron. XIV 17. 2 Sam. VII 9. VIII 13. 25. I will set his hand also in the sea and his right hand in the rivers 25. On one hand he shall conquer the Philistines and those that live upon the coast of the Sea 2 Sam. VIII 1. and on the other hand the Syrians as far as Tigris and Euphrates 2 Sam. VIII 9 c. X. 16 19. 26. He shall cry unto me Thou art my father my God and the rock of my salvation 26. For he shall intirely depend on me in all his distresses and fly to me for succour as a Child to his Parent saying with more then usual love and confidence Thou art my Father as well as my omnipotent God from whom alone I expect protection and deliverance 27. Also I will make him my first-born higher then the kings of the earth 27. Which I will never fail to afford him till I raise him to the prime dignity among all those whom I call my Sons and set him so high above all other Kings in the world that he shall be a most eminent Type of my Son Christ the King of kings and the Lord of lords 28. My mercy will I keep for him for evermore and my covenant shall stand fast with him 28. Nothing shall alter these kind intentions toward him but I will always have a love for him and faithfully perform my Covenant with him 29. His seed also will I make to endure for ever and his throne as the days of heaven 29. Which is that his Family shall never be extinct but notwithstanding the changes which all things are subject unto here below have the royal power continued in it as long as the heavens endure 2 Sam. VII 16 28 29. I. Luke 32 33. 30. If his children forsake my law and walk not in my judgments 30. If his Successours indeed shall depart from the Law which I have given you by my Servant Moses and not judge my people righteously 31. If they break my statutes and keep not my commandments 31. If they prophanely neglect or corrupt my Religion and observe not the rest of the Rules of life which I have enjoined them 32. Then will I visit their transgression with the rod and their iniquity with stripes 32. Then will I execute the threatnings which are in my Law XXVI Levit. upon them and punish their transgressions with sore diseases and their Idolatries with several plagues 2 Sam. VII 14. 33. Nevertheless my loving-kindness will I not utterly take from him nor suffer my faithfulness to fail 33. But I will not so chastise them as never more to doe good to his Family 2 Sam. VII 25. but will still have a kindness for it and faithfully keep my promise with it 1 King XI 34 36. XV. 4. 2 King VIII 19 c. 34. My covenant will I not break nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips 34. I will not violate the Covenant I have made with David 2 Chron. XXI 7. nor retract the promise which I have solemnly passed to his Family 35. Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David 35. For I have unalterably sworn by my own incommunicable excellencies that I will as soon cease to be what I am as deceive him 36. His seed shall endure for ever and his throne as the sun before me 36. His Family as I said Verse 29. shall never be quite extinct but always remain in my favour and hold the royal dignity as long as the Sun shineth 37. It shall be established for ever as the moon and as a faithfull witness in heaven Selah 37. The Moon may as well fall from her Orb as his Authority fall to the ground and rise no more Let that be a witness of my fidelity when you look upon it XXXIII Jer. 20 21. and conclude that after all the changes and eclipses his Kingdom may suffer it shall stand as fast as that and all the rest of the heavenly bodies 38. But thou hast cast off and abhorred thou hast been wroth with thine anointed 38. But all these promises alas so sacredly confirmed and oft repeated have not secured it from a dismal subversion For Thou hast rejected with the greatest contempt and indignation our Sovereign one of the posterity of David and
expect an happy issue of all the vexation which they gave them 1. O LORD God to whom vengeance belongeth O God to whom vengeance belongeth shew thy self 1. O Eternal Lord the Sovereign of the world in whose power it is to punish the highest offendors and to whom alone it belongs to take revenge on those who oppress thy people when they should protect them make thy justice conspicuous in a severe vengeance upon them 2. Lift up thy self thou judge of the earth render a reward to the proud 2. Call them to an account O Thou righteous Judge of the whole earth And by making them suffer according to the wrong they have done let those proud men who have acted as if they thought none could controle them know they have a Superiour 3. LORD how long shall the wicked how long shall the wicked triumph 3. We can scarce behold these wicked men without indignation it tempts us to impatience O Lord to see how they prosper and triumph in their injurious proceedings 4. How long shall they utter and speak hard things and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves 4. And to hear their insolent and provoking language for they care not what they say but as they intolerably abuse us so they audaciously blaspheme Thee the whole company of them priding themselves in the mischief they doe and scornfully deriding those that tell them thy judgments will overtake them 5. They break in pieces thy people O LORD and afflict thine heritage 5. They have crushed thy people so that they dare scarce complain of their tyranny which cruelly afflicts those who are dear unto Thee with all manner of rapines and extortions 6. They slay the widow and the stranger and murther the fatherless 6. They have no compassion upon the widow or the stranger but the rather spoil them nay condemn them to die upon false accusations that they may possess themselves of their estates because they have no Patron to defend them and in the same manner they murther for it is no better the poor fatherless children whom they ought to protect from violence 7. Yet they say The LORD shall not see neither shall the God of Jacob regard it 7. And to harden themselves in their wickedness they say what do you tell us of the Lord He knows not or minds not what we doe here though there are such evident demonstrations of the Divine providence over Jacob and his posterity yet for all that they fancy He doth not regard nor will call them to any account for their doings 8. Vnderstand ye brutish among the people and ye fools when will ye be wise 8. What stupid wretches are these who think themselves the wisest but are in truth the most brutish of all mankind whom I would advise if they have not perfectly lost their reason to consider this and sure they are not such fools but they may soon understand it 9. He that planted the ear shall he not hear He that formed the eye shall he not see 9. Shall not He hear your blasphemies who gave you the faculty of hearing and shall not He see all you doe who gave you the power of seeing Is it possible He should give to others what he wants Himself 10. He that chastiseth the heathen shall not he correct he that teacheth man knowledge shall not he know 10. He that taught all Nations his will shall not He correct them when they transgress it To what purpose did he make man to know the difference between good and evil but that he should observe it and expect if he did not to suffer for it 11. The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man that they are vanity 11. Let them devise what ways they please and flatter themselves with hopes to escape his vengeance the Lord knows them all and will make them see one day that all such counsels and contrivances are but mere folly and vanity 12. Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest O LORD and teachest him out of thy law 12. And far better had it been for them to have been punished sooner For not he that prospers in his wickedness is happy but he whom Thou chastenest O Lord when he doth amiss and thereby teachest to study and obey thy Law with greater care and diligence 13. That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity untill the pit be digged for the wicked 13. Which will quiet his mind under all his troubles and at last procure the removal of them when absolute destruction and ruin mean time is preparing for the ungodly 14. For the LORD will not cast off his people neither will he forsake his inheritance 14. For the Lord will never abandon the care of his people nor leave those whom He owns for his peculiar possession to be utterly undone by the oppressions which for a time they may endure 15. But judgment shall return unto righteousness and all the upright in heart shall follow it 15. But how much soever his judgments may seem to depart from the rules of righteousness while the wicked flourish and the godly are afflicted they shall at last return to such a perfect conformity with them that all honest hearted men shall be incouraged thereby still to follow the Lord and by no means to depart from their integrity though all things look as if they were unequally carried 16. Who will rise up for me against the evil doers or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity 16. Let them learn by my example not to despond for who is it but He alone from whom I have expected and still do expect to receive protection and help against these malicious men who make no conscience of what they doe and design my utter ruin 17. Vnless the LORD had been my help my soul had almost dwelt in silence 17. Whose power also is so great that if the Lord had not seasonably interposed for my assistance and deliverance I had not now been praying to Him but laid in a silent grave 18. When I said My foot slippeth thy mercy O LORD held me up 18. This was my constant support if at any time my heart even failed me and I was ready to conclude I cannot subsist any longer then thy mercy O Lord sent me relief and preserved me from the danger wherein I was afraid I should have unavoidably perished 19. In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul 19. I have had innumerable perplexed thoughts and anxious cares which have extreamly disquieted me But as soon as ever I reflected on thy goodness justice and truth they all vanished and I felt such consolation from thence as revived my dejected soul 20. Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee which frameth mischief by a law 20. And made me say I will never imagin it possible that Thou shouldest favour the tyrannical proceedings of these unrighteous Judges who not onely oppress thy people but doe it in
is the propitiatory which is his footstool since he sits on the wings of the Cherubins 1. THe LORD reigneth let the people tremble he sitteth between the cherubims let the earth be moved 1. LET the people fret and be tumultuous if they please it will do them no service for the Lord is the supreme Governour of the world whether they will or no and they had better with a pious fear submit themselves unto Him Though the whole earth should be in an uproar we are safe and secure for the Lord is attended with innumerable heavenly Ministers who are a Guard to his faithfull worshippers 2. The LORD is great in Sion and he is high above all people 2. The Lord whose Palace is in Sion is transcendently great there is no power on earth able to oppose Him who infinitely surpasses the united strength of all people 3. Let them praise thy great and terrible name for it is holy 3. Let them all therefore praise and reverently acknowledge thy mighty and dreadfull Majesty for that alone is every way most excellent and hath no equal and therefore worthy of all veneration 4. The Kings strength also loveth judgment thou dost establish equity thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob. 4. For though none can resist Him yet He is not a King that uses his power to wrong or oppress his Subjects but to do them right and give them relief in which He delights This is thy character O Lord who hast established most equal Laws among us and hitherto governed the seed of Jacob with exact justice and singular mercy 5. Exalt ye the LORD our God and worship at his footstool for he is holy 5. Do you therefore above all other people extoll the Lord our God both in your thoughts affections and words and turning your faces towards the Ark of his presence prostrate your selves before his Majesty in token of your absolute subjection to Him For He is incomparably above all other Beings and the proper object of your adoration 6. Moses and Aaron among his priests and Samuel among them that call upon his name they called upon the LORD and he answered them 6. Thus did Moses and Aaron two of his principal and most famous Ministers XXXII Exod. 11. XVI Numb 45 46. and thus did Samuel one of his greatest Prophets that were wont to intercede for you 1 Sam. VII 5 8 9. VIII 5. XII 19. These holy men fell down before Him to make their humble supplications to Him and He gave them what they desired 7. He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar they kept his testimonies and the ordinance that he gave them 7. He spake to them in a familiar manner telling them his mind out of a pillar of cloud wherein He appeared to them XXXIII Exod. 9 10. XII Numb 5. XVI 42. 1 Sam. III. 10. and they like faithfull servants of his conformed themselves to his precepts by which He testified his will to them and worshipped him after that manner that He appointed them 8. Thou answeredst them O LORD our God thou wast a God that forgavest them though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions 8. Whereby they obtained great favour with Thee O Lord our God for when they prayed to Thee Thou fulfilledst their petitions passing by for their sakes the sins of those who had highly offended Thee but taking a most severe vengeance on all those who contemned their authority and were contriving how to depose them XII Numb 2 9 10. XVI 3 31 35. 1 Sam. VIII 7 8 9 c. 9. Exalt the LORD our God and worship at his holy hill for the LORD our God is holy 9. Imitate therefore the piety of those admirable men and raise your thoughts and affections and voices to extoll and magnifie the Lord our God as much as you are able for you can never do it enough And in token of your absolute subjection to Him go and prostrate your selves before Him at his house on the holy hill of Sion for the Lord our God is incomparably above all other Beings and alone worthy of your adoration PSALM C. A Psalm of Praise ARGUMENT There is no other Psalm hath the like Title with this which is called a Psalm of Praise or rather of Thanksgiving and acknowledgment for Divine blessings as the word is translated below Verse 4. and in most other places For which reason I suppose it is that the Hebrews imagin as the Chaldee Paraphrase as well as other of their Authours tells us it was peculiarly appointed to be sung when their sacrifices of thanksgiving were offered mentioned VII Levit. 12 13. The Companies also or Quires of them who gave thanks to God are called by this Name XII Nehem. 31 38. Which makes it probable that the Levites sang this Song upon that occasion which the Greeks think was made by David who invites all the world to join with the Israelites in the service of Him who was kind and gracious to them beyond expression Accordingly we Christians now properly use it in acknowledgment of God's wonderfull love to us in Christ by whom we offer up continually spiritual sacrifices for redeeming us by the sacrifice He made of himself for making the world anew and creating us again unto good works according to his faithfull promises which we may depend upon for ever I do not know but the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 made Ver. 3. may be used here as it is 1 Sam. XII 6. for advancing raising or preferring them as He is there said to have done Moses and Aaron making them to be what they then were a famous people in a good Land which seems to agree best with the following words and not we our selves and therefore I have not omitted that sense For to deny that we created our selves is altogether needless but that it is not to be ascribed to our industry or wit that we are raised to a happy condition is a proper expression of humility 1. MAKE a joyfull noise unto the LORD all ye lands 1. LET all the people of the earth lift up their voices in triumphant Songs to the honour of the Lord who deserves all our praises 2. Serve the LORD with gladness come before his presence with singing 2. Make the service of the Lord your delight nay greatest pleasure and when you approach into his Tabernacle shout for joy that you are admitted into his blessed presence to praise Him with your chearfull hymns 3. Know ye that the LORD he is God it is he that hath made us and not we our selves we are his people and the sheep of his pasture 3. Consider that the Lord whom you worship is the Creatour and the Governour of the world who gave us our Being and all the good things we enjoy His we are and by his power and goodness not our own we are become so great and mighty a Nation whom out of his own mere good will alone He hath made his peculiar people of
and the King of Gerar XX. 3 c. to prevent the mischief which they were designing to them 15. Saying Touch not mine anointed and doe my prophets no harm 15. For He told them these were sacred persons whom He designed to make greater men then themselves and therefore charged them not to burt them but to honour them not merely as Princes XXIII Gen. 6. but as Prophets XX. 7. by whose prayers they should receive great blessings if they were kind to them 16. Moreover he called for a famine upon the land he brake the whole staff of bread 16. And when in the days of Jacob He punished the Land of Canaan as well as other Countries with such a dearth XLI Gen. 54 c. that the earth brought forth no kind of grain for the support of humane life 17. He sent a man before them even Joseph who was sold for a servant 17. He took a special care in a most wonderfull way to provide both for him and for his family for Joseph whom his Brethren first conspired to destroy but afterward were diverted from their purpose and onely sold for a slave was brought into Egypt by the secret Counsel of God XLV Gen. 5 7 c. to be the instrument of their preservation 18. Whose feet they hurt with fetters he was laid in iron 18. He was oppressed indeed for a long time by a most grievous calumny which was a sorer affliction to him then the chains and fetters that were at first laid upon him in prison 19. Vntill the time that his word came the word of the LORD tried him 19. Till mention at last was made of him to Pharaoh by one of his Officers who related how exactly Joseph predicted what had befaln him and another of his Fellow-servants as if he were a man inspired XL. Gen. 21 22. XLI 12 13. 20. The king sent and loosed him even the ruler of the people and let him go free 20. Whereupon the King presently sent for him XLI Gen. 14. that great Prince whose Dominion extended over many Provinces commanded him to be set at liberty 21. He made him lord of his house and ruler of all his substance 21. And received such satisfaction from him about his dream which none of his Wise men could interpret that he not onely wholly discharged him from his imprisonment but made him the chief Officer in the Court and under himself the supreme Governour of his whole Kingdom XLI Gen. 40 41. 22. To bind his princes at his pleasure and teach his senatours wisedom 22. Yea intrusted him with an absolute power to command all the Rulers of his several Provinces what he pleased and to punish their disobedience according to his discretion The most ancient and wisest Counsellours in the Realm were ordered to repair to him and to doe nothing without his Instructions XLI Gen. 44. 23. Israel also came into Egypt and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham. 23. By which great Authority he procured not onely the leave but the invitation of Pharaoh XLV Gen. 16 17 c. to his Father to come and bring all his Family with him into Egypt and accordingly he came and dwelt in the best part of all the Country XLVI Gen. 26 28. 24. And he increased his people greatly and made them stronger then their enemies 24. Where according to his promise when He bad Jacob accept that invitation XLVI Gen. 3 4. the Lord multiplied them exceedingly I. Exod. 7. and made them mightier then the Egyptians I. Exod. 9. who of Friends were now become their Enemies 25. He turned their heart to hate his people to deal subtilly with his servants 25. For the kinder God was to the Israelites and the more He increased their Numbers the greater jealousie it begat in the heart of the Egyptians which turned at last into an absolute hatred of them and provoked their malice to invent the cruellest ways first to diminish I. Exod. 10 11 c. and then to destroy them Ver. 15 16. 26. He sent Moses his servant and Aaron whom he had chosen 26. This moved the Divine compassion when He saw their oppression grew intolerable to give commission to Moses whom He had in an extraordinary manner preserved from perishing III. Exod. 10. and to Aaron whom He chose to be his Assistant IV. Exod. 15. to go and demand their liberty of Pharaoh IV. Exod. 23. V. 1. 27. They shewed his signs among them and wonders in the land of Ham. 27. And he disputing their Commission and refusing to let Israel go they proved it and perswaded him to obey it by many miraculous works which God commanded them to doe as tokens that He had sent them 28. He sent darkness and made it dark and they rebelled not against his word 28. Among which the pitchy darkness which overspread the whole Land three days except onely where the Israelites dwelt was a very remarkable punishment of Pharaoh's blindness who would not see the hand of God in all those other plagues which Moses and Aaron not fearing his displeasure but pursuing their orders had inflicted on him 29. He turned their waters into bloud and slew their fish 29. As first of all the Lord commanded them to stretch their hand upon all the waters of Egypt which He turned into bloud and made them so putrid that the fish which was in the river died VII Exod. 20 21. 30. Their land brought forth frogs in abundance in the chambers of their kings 30. And at the next stroke produced such a vast number of frogs out of the stinking waters and mudd that not onely the whole earth was covered with them but no house no room in their houses no not the Cabinets of their King and his Princes were free from their annoyance VIII Exod. 3 6. 31. He spake and there came divers sorts of flies and lice in all their coasts 31. And then followed an infinite swarm of the most pestilent sort of flies see Psal LXXVIII 45. after a troublesome and filthy plague of lice which had infested all the Country VIII Exod. 17 24. 32. He gave them hail for rain and flaming fire in their land 32. Which was succeeded after a murrain upon their Cattel and a fiery ulcer on their own bodies by a dreadfull storm of hail when fruitfull showrs of rain were most desirable together with such lightning as was never seen for it ran upon the ground and burnt up all that was not destroyed by the hail IX Exod. 23 24 c. 33. He smote their vines also and their fig-trees and brake the trees of their coasts 33. Which not onely struck down the grapes and the figgs but shattered the vines and fig-trees themselves together with many other fruit-trees in the Land 34. He spake and the locusts came and caterpillers and that without number 34. And whatsoever escaped this tempestuous storm for some things were not then grown up IX Exod. 31. was not long after devoured by an innumerable army
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
Laws which He had begun in a most dreadfull manner to deliver to them they stupidly made a golden Calf and prostrated themselves before the work of their own hands 20. Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that cateth grass 20. Slighting that Glorious presence of the Majesty of God XXIV Exod. 16 17. which appearing in the Cloud had done many wonders for them and chusing rathe to commend themselves to the protection of an Image in which they saw no glory the Image of a dull Ox a creature without reason a servant of man that is supported it self by so weak a thing as hay XXXII Exodus 14. 21. They forgat God their saviour which had done great things in Egypt 21. The root of which sottish Apostasie was that they did not keep in mind what deliverances God had granted them under the conduct of Moses whom they now despised XXXII Exod. 1. But forgat his great works in the Land of Egypt where they never saw any similitude of Him 22. Wondrous works in the land of Ham and terrible things by the Red sea 22. Miraculous works which filled the whole Country with wonder and astonishment and concluded at last in the fearfull overthrow of Pharaoh and all his host in the red Sea through which they passed safely 23. Therefore he said that he would destroy them had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach to turn away his wrath lest he should destroy them 23. Which provoked the Divine displeasure so highly that He resolved to destroy them XXXII Exod. 9 10. and had done it if Moses for whom He had a great respect had not by his earnest intercession made up this breach and reconciled Him so far to them that He did not proceed then to take such vengeance on them XXXII Exod. 11 12 14 35. 24. Yea they despised the pleasant land they believed not his word 24. But when after this they despised XIII Numb 32. that goodly Country to the borders of which He had brought them I. Deut. 19 20. which the Spies themselves confessed was rich and desirable XIII Numb 27. XIV 32. and would not believe that God intended or was able to perform his promise to them XIII Numb 37 25. But murmured in their tents and hearkened not unto the voice of the LORD 25. But murmured against Moses and Aaron in their Tents as if they had deluded them XIV Numb 1 2 c. refusing to march when the Lord commanded them to go up and take possession of it I. Deut. 21 26 32 26. Therefore he lifted up his hand against them to overthrow them in the wilderness 26. Then he solemnly sware that not one of that wicked generation who had so often rebelled against Him should ever come there but all perish in the wilderness XIV Numb 21 22 35. I. Deut. 34 27. To overthrow their seed also among the nations and to scatter them in the lands 27. And some of them be overthrown by the heathen whom the Lord would have delivered up into their hand XIV Numb 45. and others dispersed in several parts of that Country which they despised XXI Numb 1. 28. They joined themselves also unto Baal-peor and ate the sacrifices of the dead 28. Nor did they grow much better by these dreadfull threatnings and executions but not onely most shamefully committed whoredom with the daughters of Moah but embraced their Religion devoting themselves to the vile service of Baal whose Temple stood upon Mount Peor and partaking with them in the Sacrifices which they offered to dead men XXV Numb 1 2 3. 29. Thus they provoked him to anger with their inventions and the plague brake in upon them 29. Which abominable wickedness incensed the Divine displeasure to such a degree that He commanded the Offenders to be kill'd and hang'd up in the face of the Sun and also sent a grievous plague among the people XXV Numb 4 5 9. 30. Then stood up Phinehas and executed judgment and so the plague was stayed 30. Which raged in the Camp till Phinehas in a holy zeal went as boldly to punish as others did to commit their crimes and thrust through the body one of the Princes of the people whom the Judges feared to meddle withall and then the plague ceased XXV Numb 5 6 7 8. 31. And that was counted unto him for righteousness unto all generations for evermore 31. Which seasonable piece of Justice the Lord not onely approved as a praise-worthy Act but rewarded also with the promise of the Priesthood which He intailed upon his posterity throughout all generations XXV Numb 12 13. 32. They angred him also at the waters of strife so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes 32. And before this they had been so unbelieving and rebellious as having had long experience of God's power and goodness in providing for them to murmur for want of water at that place which took its name from their quarrel with Moses XX. Numb 3 13. who sadly suffered upon their account XX. Numb 12. 33. Because they provoked his spirit so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips 33. For being exasperated by their frequent mutinies he let fall some passionate words which expressed such distrust and impatience as did not become so great a Minister of God XX. Numb 12. who thereupon resolved he should not have the honour to accomplish his promise of bringing them to their rest XXVII Numb 24. I. Deut. 37. 34. They did not destroy the nations concerning whom the LORD commanded them 34. In which being settled they did not destroy those seven Nations I. Judg. 21 27 29 c. whose abominations were so foul that the Lord gave them a strict charge not to suffer them to live there any longer XXIII Exod. 30 33. VII Deut. 2. 35. But were mingled among the heathen and learned their works 35. But quite contrary they not onely let them live but against Gods express commandment XXIII Josh 7 12. entred into familiarity and made a Covenant and League with them II. Judg. 1 2. and so at last learnt to doe as they did and imitated their evil manners 36. And they served their idols which were a snare unto them 36. For they forsook the Lord who had brought them thither and worshipped the Gods of those people whom they had conquered II. Judg. 11 12. III. 5 6. which proved their utter ruin and destruction VII Deut. 16 26. II. Judg. 3. 37. Yea they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils 37. For they were so besotted with their Idolatry as to imitate their most barbarous Rites sacrificing to infernal spirits not onely their beasts but as the custom of that Country was XII Deut. 30 31. their sons and their daughters 38. And shed innocent bloud even the bloud of their sons and of their daughters whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan and the land was polluted with bloud 38. Whom they did not merely consecrate to
which they were dispersed 4. They wandred in the wilderness in a solitary way they found no city to dwell in 4. And they also who travelling through vast wildernesses and sandy desarts lost their way and could find no tract to lead them to a City inhabited 5. Hungry and thirsty their soul fainted in them 5. But in this perplexity wandred up and down so long that all their Provision was spent and they were ready to dye with hunger and thirst 6. Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble and he delivered them out of their distresses 6. Yet then recommending themselves to the Lord and earnestly imploring his help in this miserable strait He mercifully delivered them out of it and freed them from all their anxieties 7. And he led them forth by the right way that they might go to a city of habitation 7. Directing them when they were in a Maze into the right path again which brought them to a place inhabited where they found relief for their necessities 8. Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness and for his wonderfull works to the children of men 8. O that such men would never forget to make their thankfull acknowledgments to the Lord for this singular kindness but every where proclaim his wonderfull works 9. For he satisfieth the longing soul and filleth the hungry soul with goodness 9. Who thus seasonably preserved them from starving by providing in this languishing condition drink to quench their thirst and plenty of good things to satisfie their hungry appetite 10. Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death being bound in affliction and iron 10. They also who have no other dwelling but a dark prison nay a horrible dungeon where to add to their affliction they are loaded with iron manacles or fetters 11. Because they rebelled against the words of God and contemned the counsel of the most High 11. As a just punishment for the crimes they had rebelliously committed against the express commands of God and the plain dictates and frequent checks of their own consciences which were the voice of the most High giving them wholsome counsel though they contemned and despised it 12. Therefore he brought down their heart with labour they fell down and there was none to help 12. And thereby provoked Him to throw them into that miserable condition to humble their proud hearts by the hardship of a tedious and painfull imprisonment in which they lay so dejected and helpless that they saw no humane means whereby they should be delivered 13. Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble and he saved them out of their distresses 13. Yet they then making their addresses to the Lord and earnestly beseeching Him to take pity upon their wretched estate He was pleased mercifully to hear their prayers and free them from those miserable straits 14. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of deaâ—h and brake their bands in sunder 14. Bringing them out of their sad confinement in that dismall dungeon and setting their hands and feet at liberty from the chains wherewith they were bound 15. Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness and for his wonderfull works to the children of men 15. O that such men would never forget to make their thankfull acknowledgments to the Lord for his singular kindness but every where proclaim his wonderfull works 16. For he hath broken the gates of brass and cut the bars of iron in sunder 16. Who when their case was desperate removed the greatest obstacles and made even brasen gates and iron bars give way to their escape 17. Fools because of their transgression and because of their iniquities are afflicted 17. In like manner we see others who forgetting God and sottishly giving themselves up to all kind of debauchery in an irregular way of living fall into grievous diseases 18. Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat and they draw near unto the gates of death 18. Which not onely quite take away their appetite but make them nauseate all manner of food which they formerly abused and thereby lay them so low that they are at the very brink of the grave 19. Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble he saveth them out of their distresses 19. Yet even these men when they make their addresses unto the Lord and in the weak estate into which they have brought themselves pray earnestly to Him are wont to find relief from Him when no Medicines whatsoever will avail them 20. He sent his word and healed them and delivered them from their destruction 20. He orders their recovery when all the prescriptions of Physicians prove ineffectual nay when they are left for dead raises them up to life and health again 21. Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness and for his wonderfull works to the children of men 21. O that these men would be so gratefull to the Lord as never to forget his singular kindness to them but every where proclaim such wonderfull works as these 22. And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving and declare his works with rejoicing 22. And not content themselves with the Sacrifices of beasts which in their sickness they were apt to vow unto Him but offer those far more acceptable sacrifices of a gratefull heart acknowledging his Goodness and telling every body they meet withall in such a manner as may express how much they are affected with it what great things the Lord hath done for them 23. They that go down to the sea in ships that doe business in great waters 23. Who shews no less kindness to those that have occasion to be much upon the Sea to fish or to traffique upon the main Ocean 24. These see the works of the LORD and his wonders in the deep 24. Where they behold remarkable acts of Divine Providence in the wonderfull alterations which He makes in that vast collection of waters 25. For he commandeth and raiseth the stormy wind which lifteth up the waves thereof 25. For when they are smooth and still a sudden tempest arises by his command which puts them into such a rage that they are turned into swelling waves and billows 26. They mount up to the heaven they go down again to the depths their soul is melted because of trouble 26. On which the ships are sometimes mounted up as high as if they would touch the clouds and then sink down as low as if they would be buried in the bottom of the Sea to the great astonishment of the passengers who are ready to die with fear 27. They reel to and fro and stagger like a drunken man and are at their wits end 27. For they are so tossed and whirled about that as they are not able to stand upon the decks so the most skilfull Mariners do not know which way to steer or what course to take to save themselves from perishing 28. Then they cry unto the LORD in
the day of thy power in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning thou hast the dew of thy youth 3. For in the day when thy forces 2 Tim. II. 3. compleatly armed with a Divine power IV. Act. 33. shall march forth to subdue the world unto thy obedience they that are fit for thy Kingdom IX Luk. 62. XIII Act. 48. shall chearfully submit themselves and present Thee with free-will Offerings in token of their absolute subjection to Thee II. Act. 45. IV. 34. And great shall be the number of chosen men 1 Joh. II. 13. who glad to see the night of Ignorance gone shall at thy first appearance by the celestial blessing fall unto Thee as thick as the morning dew 4. The LORD hath sworn and will not repent Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedek 4. And happy are they who live under thy Government for the Lord hath unchangeably resolved that Thou shalt be a Priest as well as a King with full power to bless all thy Subjects not onely in that but in all future Ages even to all Eternity For Thou shalt not be a Priest like those after Aaron's order who die to make room for others but like that great King and Priest Melchisedek shalt neither have any Predecessour nor Successour in thine Office but continue a royal Priest for evermore Hebr. VII 5. The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath 5. Who as he will be most compassionate to all those that heartily acknowledge Him for their Lord and submit unto His Government so will break in pieces the greatest powers on earth that provoke his displeasure by obstinate opposal of his Authority at thy right hand 6. He shall judg among the heathen he shall fill the places with the dead bodies he shall wound the heads over many countries 6. From whence He shall demonstrate Himself to all the heathen world to be their Law-giver and their Judge taking a severe vengeance on those that persecute his Subjects and destroying at last even that mighty Empire which shall then rule over many Countries 7. He shall drink of the brook in the way therefore shall he lift up the head 7. But before all this He shall first humble Himself to the meanest condition not living in the state of a King here in this world but of a way-faring man IX Luk. 56. who is content with such provision as he meets withall For which cause after the enduring many hardships even death it self He shall be highly exalted to his Royal and Priestly dignity in the Heavens from whence He shall never fall PSALM CXI Hallelujah i. e. Praise the Lord. ARGUMENT It is certain this is the Title of the Psalm which consists of as many short Metres as there are Letters in the Hebrew Alphabet and therefore cannot begin with Hallelujah whos 's first Letter is the fifth not the first Letter in that Alphabet In which order it proceeds for the better help of the memory being composed thus artificially that every one as well as the singers to whom the Hallelujah perhaps is particularly directed might have in their minds a brief form of thanking God especially upon festival days for the wonderfull things He had done for that Nation It was a meditation which the Authour had in time of peace and quiet for in distress or immediately after a great deliverance mens spirits are not at liberty to use such art and curiosity in their composures as there is in this Psalm being full at those seasons of such passions as make them neglect it even when they are inclined to use it see Psalm XXV For which reason I think Theodoret's opinion hath no ground that the Psalmist hath respect to the great Victory obtained by Jehoshaphat over the Ammonites and other Nations who invaded his Kingdom for which they gave thanks to God presently after 2 Chr. XX. It is more likely that David who composed those larger forms of commemoration Psalm CV and CVI. made this as I said for a compendious remembrance of what is there more largely delivered And that He might not exceed the number of the Ten Commandments as some give the reason of it in the Verses of this Psalm the Metres of the two last are so short that they have each of them three Letters of the Alphabet in them whereas all the former have but two 1. PRaise ye the LORD I will praise the LORD with my whole heart in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation 1. I Will make my thankfull acknowledgments to the Lord not onely with my lips or with some slight affections of my mind but with all my heart and soul And that not onely in the private society of those good â—…en whom I am more inâ—…mately acquainted withall but in the publick congregation of all his people 2. The works of the LORD are great sought out of all them that have pleasure therein 2. Who ought to join together to praise the Lord for his mighty and wonderfull works which it will not cost them much labour to understand for they are easily found out by all those who take any pleasure in such inquiries 3. His work is honourable and glorious and his righteousness endureth for ever 3. And there is not one of them but is full of majesty and splendour and the fruit of his infinite bounty and faithfulness to his promise which He still expresses towards us and will doe so for ever 4. He hath made his wonderfull works to be remembred the LORD is gracious and full of compassion 4. And such is his Goodness lest we should forget his Benefits He hath instituted solemn times for the commemoration of the wonders He hath done for us XII Exod. 14. XIII 3 9 c. which are everlasting testimonies that we serve a most gracious and compassionate Lord. 5. He hath given meat unto them that fear him he will ever be mindfull of his covenant 5. Who gave our Forefathers whom by his wonderfull works He possessed with the fear of Him XIV Exod. 31. the spoil of the Egyptians XII Exod. 35 36. and afterward fed them with Manna in the wilderness XVI Exod. according to his Covenant which He had made long before XV. Gen. 14. and will never forget in future Ages 6. He hath shewed his people the power of his works that he may give them the heritage of the heathen 6. He hath evidently demonstrated to his people the greatness of his power in destroying Sihon the Amorite II. Deut. 24 25. and Og the King of Bashan III. Deut. 21 24. with the rest of the Amorites and other Nations in the Land of Canaan X. Josh 6 11 12 c. which He took from the ancient Inhabitants that He might give it us for our possession 7. The works of his hands are verity and judgment all his commandments are sure 7. In which He did them no wrong but was exactly
both by my Birth and by my Education and by this marvellous Deliverance whereby Thou hast rescued me from the power of death which had in a manner taken hold of me 17. I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving and will call upon the name of the LORD 17. I can never sure prove ungratefull to Thee unto whom I am tied by so many bonds But will always be making Thee my most thankfull solemn acknowledgments for the benefits I have received And together with those praises and thanksgivings wait upon thy Goodness for the like mercies in time to come 18. I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people 18. I resolve again religiously to make good these and all other my vows wherein I stand ingaged to the Lord and that not onely in private but here at this solemnity in the face of all his people 19. In the courts of the LORD's house in the midst of thee O Jerusalem Praise ye the LORD 19. When they are gathered together at his House in the midst of the holy City of our God where they meet to worship Him and to doe Him honour There let them all join with me to bless and praise the great Creatour and Preserver of all things PSALM CXVII ARGUMENT This Psalm like the CX seems to be altogether Prophetical of the joy that all the world should conceive at the coming of the Messiah to give Salvation first to the Jews and then to all other Nations according to his faithfull promise Saint Paul applies the first words of it to this business Rom. XV. 11. and some of the Hebrews justifie his application confessing that this Psalm belongs to that matter The brevity of it makes it the more remarkable and easier to be remembred both by Jews and Gentiles 1. O Praise the LORD all ye nations praise him all ye people 1. LET not the praises which are due to the great Lord of all be confined to our Nation but let all people upon the face of the earth praise Him Let all mankind sing thankfull hymns unto Him 2. For his mercifull kindness is great towards us and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever Praise ye the LORD 2. For they are all concerned in his transcendent kindness which hath done mighty things for us and the Lord who changes not will never fail to perform his faithfull promises to the worlds end Therefore let us all join our praises to our common Benefactour PSALM CXVIII ARGUMENT There is nothing more probable then that David composed this Psalm after God had settled him upon the Throne of Israel as well as Judah and also subdued the Philistines who hoped to have crusht him before he grew too powerfull 2 Sam. V. 17. together with other enemies round about him who though they are not mentioned yet in all likelihood joyned with them as we may gather from Ver. 10 11. of this Psalm compared with 2 Sam. VII 1. For that it was written after he had brought the Ark to Jerusalem mentioned there Chap. VI. and placed it in the House he had prepared for it seems very plain from Ver. 19. of this Psalm Where he begins to praise God in such words as had not their compleat fulfilling till the Lord 's Christ whom the Jews rejected and said He shall not reign over us was made King of the World For to Him R. Solomon himself acknowledges those words The stone which the builders refused c. are to be applied And as the latter part of the Psalm is a Prophecy of Christ in David his Type so the former part may be accommodated to all Christians who being persecuted as Theodoret speaks and tormented and disgracefully treated by many Princes and their people by Kings and Governours got a glorious Victory over them all after they had indured a thousand deaths It seems also to have been pronounced at first in some solemn assembly of all the people met together to praise the Lord for his benefits And it is the common opinion of most Interpreters that they all had a part in this Psalm The greatest part of which was spoken by David who begins with a declaration how much he was indebted to God desiring all to assist him in his praises And then coming in a solemn procession I suppose to the Gates of the Tabernacle calls upon the Porters Verse 19. to open them to him that he might praise God in his Sanctuary which he doth in the very entrance Ver. 20 and then in the Courts of his House Ver. 21. After which all the people shout and magnifie the Divine Goodness in making him who was banished from his Country their King Ver. 22 c. And then the Priests come forth and bless both the King and people in the Name of the Lord Ver. 26 and exhort them to be thankfull Ver. 27 And then David seems to take the words out of their mouth and to declare that he will never be unmindfull of God's benefits desiring all the people also to remember them Ver. 28 29. According to which account of the Psalm I have ordered the Paraphrase 1. O Give thanks unto the LORD for he is good because his mercy endureth for ever 1. O Make your thankfull acknowledgments to the great Lord of all the world who as He is the Authour of all good and hath been exceeding bountifull unto us so will continue his kindness to all succeeding generations 2. Let Israel now say that his mercy endureth for ever 2. Let the Children of Israel who have had such long experience of his love and now see his promises fulfilled let them confess and thankfully acknowledge that his kindness continues to all generations 3. Let the house of Aaron now say that his mercy endureth for ever 3. Let the Priests and the Levites whose business it is to attend upon His service confess now and thankfully acknowledge that his kindness extends unto all ages 4. Let them now that fear the LORD say that his mercy endureth for ever 4. And let all the devout Worshippers of the Lord of whatsoever Nation they be join together with us for there is one Lord of all who dispenses various benefits to every one of us and confess now most thankfully that there is no end of his kindness 5. I called upon the LORD in distress the LORD answered me and set me in a large place 5. You may see an example of it in me who was in grievous straits and dangers 1 Sam. XXIII 26. XXVII 1. but then imploring the Divine Protection the Lord not onely delivered me but placed me in a secure estate free from all such molestation 2 Sam. V. 3. VII 1. 6. The LORD is on my side I will not fear what can man doe unto me 6. For the Lord it is evident takes my part and therefore though I have many enemies I am not afraid of them for when He is for me what disturbance can men be they
never so powerfull give me 7. The LORD taketh my part with them that help me therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me 7. It is sufficient that the Lord who hath done great things for me by weak instruments is still aiding to me therefore I dare look the most malicious enemies in the face and doubt not to see them turn their backs upon me 2 Sam. VIII 8. It is better to trust in the LORD then to put confidence in man 8. This is my hope and long experience hath taught me that it is much safer to relie upon Him then upon the most numerous Armies 9. It is better to trust in the LORD then to put confidence in princes 9. Far more safe to depend upon his help and protection who as He can doe what He pleases and is constant to his word so never dies then to confide in the aid of the greatest Princes whose mind may change or their forces fail or they themselves on a sudden leave the world 10. All nations compassed me about but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them 10. All the neighbouring Nations round about 2 Sam. V. 17 c. VII 1. combined with the Philistines to inviron me but by the Almighty power of the Lord I was consident that I should hew them in pieces 11. They compassed me about yea they compassed me about but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them 11. Again they made a new invasion and beset me with stronger forces 2 Sam. V. 22 c. but still by the Almighty power of the Lord I doubted not that I should cut them off and utterly defeat them 12. They compassed me about like bees they are quenched as the fire of thorns for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them 12. Though they were exceeding numerous swarming about me like angry bees and flaming with such rage and fury as if they would presently consume me yet it was but like the blaze of fire among thorns for by the Almighty power of the Lord I was confident I should destroy them 13. Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall but the LORD helped me 13. They pressed me exceeding hard and as one man conspired with all their might to throw me down from the Throne to which I was advanced But though they shaked it and it was ready to fall yet by the help of the Lord it was supported 14. The LORD is my strength and song and is become my salvation 14. To Him alone I ascribe my present happiness saying with our Forefathers in their triumphant Song XV. Exod. 2. the Lord hath armed me with invincible strength He and He alone is to be praised who hath given me a most glorious deliverance 15. The voice of rejoycing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly 15. Which comforts the hearts of all righteous men whose houses sound with such joyfull shouts of praise for my deliverance as these The mighty power of the Lord hath done most stupendious things 16. The right hand of the LORD is exalted the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly 16. He hath made his mighty power appear to be superiour to all other for not by man but by that power we have again and again obtained illustrious victories over our enemies 2 Sam. XIX 9. 17. I shall not die but live and declare the works of the LORD 17. From whence I conclude that I shall not fall into the hands of those that would take away my life but still prolong it to declare what wonderfull works the Lord hath done for me 18. The LORD hath chastened me sore but he hath not given me over unto death 18. Who hath let my enemies have power to afflict me very sorely but not to proceed so far as to destroy me 19. Open to me the gates of righteousness I will go in to them and I will praise the LORD 19. No instead of that He hath brought me to his own House again from which I was banished 1 Sam. XXVI 19. where I will return thanks unto Him And therefore O ye that minister in the Tabernacle open the Gates at which the righteous enter into the Courts of the Lord that I may go in and make Him my acknowledgments for bringing me from a most forlorn condition to a 〈…〉 20. This gate of the LORD into which the righteous shall enter 20. This is the Gate which I behold and approach with joy that leads to the Courts of the Lord at which the righteous shall enter together with me and hear me say 21. I will praise thee for thou hast heard me and art become my salvation 21. I will never cease to praise and acknowledge Thy goodness O Lord who hast graciously heard my prayer when I implored thy help and delivered me out of all my distresses 22. The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner 22. And let them bear a part with me in this my Psalm of praise saying He whom the great men and Rulers of the people rejected 1 Sam. XXVI 19. as the builders of a house do a stone unfit to be employed in it is now become our King to whom we must all join our selves if we hope for safety in whom we see a figure of that glorious King who shall hereafter be in like manner refused XIX Luke 14. XX. 17. and then by God exalted to be the Lord of all the world and the foundation of all mens happiness IV. Act. 11 12. 23. This is the LORD 's doing it is marvellous in our eyes 23. This is the sole work of the Lord not the effect of humane counsels who opposed and obstructed it which surprises us with the greatest admiration to see a despised person become on a sudden so renowned 24. This is the day which the LORD hath made we will rejoice and be glad in it 24. This is the happy day which the Lord himself hath made illustrious by this marvellous work and which it becomes us to celebrate with joyfull hearts and with all outward expressions of gladness for so great a benefit 25. Save now I beseech thee O LORD O LORD I beseech thee send now prosperity 25. Most humbly beseeching Thee O Lord to preserve our King and to advance and perpetuate his Kingdom especially the Kingdom of Christ which shall be welcom'd into the world with these words XXI Matt. 9 c. It begins most gloriously be pleased now O Lord to give it answerable success and prosperity 26. Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD 26. Which acclamations of the people let the Priests of the Lord meet with their approbation saying Blessed be the King which is set over us by the Divine appointment and Blessed be all the people who live under his happy Government we whose Office
guilty so I do not fear so much what they can doe against me as lest I should doe any thing in my own vindication against thy word 1 Sam. XXIV 6. XXVI 9. 162. I rejoice at thy word as one that findeth great spoil 162. I would not purchase my liberty my peace or the honour they enjoy by any unlawfull actions for I take far more joy in doing thy will and in what Thou hast promised to doe for me then in the compleatest Victory over all my enemies 163. I hate and abhor lying but thy law do I love 163. I hate all fraud and deceit even to the degree of abhorrence and abomination but most heartily love those honest courses to which thy Law directs me 164. Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments 164. It is the subject of my perpetual thanks and praise that I have the happiness to be acquainted with the justice and goodness of those Laws whereby Thou governest us 165. Great peace have they which love thy law and nothing shall offend them 165. The observance of which gives such inward satisfaction and brings so many and great blessings to those who truly love them that they take all things which befall them in good part and nothing will tempt them to turn aside and leave those vertuous paths wherein they lead them 166. LORD I have hoped for thy salvation and done thy commandments 166. I have met with the most grievous discouragements But Lord in the midst of the greatest straits I have expected deliverance onely from Thee and never done any thing for my preservation contrary to thy Commandments 167. My soul hath kept thy testimonies and I love them exceedingly 167. All my care hath been still most heartily to observe thy Testimonies which I prefer infinitely before all earthly injoyments 168. I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies for all my ways are before thee 168. There is not one of thy Laws of any sort but I have carefully observed even then when I might have privily broken them and been a gainer by it 1 Sam. XXIV 4 c. for I knew that nothing can be done so secretly but Thou art perfectly acquainted with it TAV. XXII 169. Let my cry come near before thee O LORD give me understanding according to thy word 169. As Thou art also with my most earnest petitions to which I beseech Thee O Lord vouchsafe a gracious answer and in the first place teach me according as Thou hast promised to walk not onely innocently but prudently in the midst of all the snares that are laid for me 170. Let my supplication come before thee deliver me according to thy word 170. Do not deny admittance to this humble suit but in due time grant this further request that I may according to the same promise be perfectly delivered from this long persecution 171. My lips shall utter praise when thou hast taught me thy statutes 171. Then will I praise Thee without ceasing first for instructing me how to please Thee in all things 172. My tongue shall speak of thy word for all thy commandments are righteousness 172. And next for fulfilling thy promise to me which I will loudly proclaim with my thankfull acknowledgments that whatsoever Thou hast said is truly and faithfully performed 173. Let thine hand help me for I have chosen thy precepts 173. Let thy Divine power therefore succour me in this weak and distressed condition wherein I am for I relie on that alone having resolved to be guided wholly by thy Precepts 174. I have longed for thy salvation O LORD and thy law is my delight 174. And I have long expected with most ardent desires thy help O Lord for my deliverance delighting my self in the mean time in thy Laws while Thou art pleased to delay it 175. Let my soul live and it shall praise thee and let thy judgments help me 175. O let me not perish in these straits wherein I am involved but spare my life according to thy wonted kindness and I will spend it in thy praises Send me relief by executing the judgments Thou hast decreed against my enemies 176. I have gone astray like a lost sheep seek thy servant for I do not forget thy commandments 176. Who have so chased me from place to place during this tedious banishment that like a wandring sheep which hath lost its way I know not whither to betake my self for safety But be Thou pleased like a carefull shepherd to look after me and to put thy servant into the right way of escaping all the dangers to which I am exposed and of recovering my liberty rest and peace again For how hard soever my condition hath been I can still seriously profess it I have not been careless in the observance of thy Commandments PSALM CXX A Song of degrees ARGUMENT There can no certain account be given why this and XIV other Psalms which follow are called Songs of degrees or ascents Their conjecture seems to me most probable who think this Title denotes either the elevation of the voice in the singing these Songs or the excellence of the composure or of the Musick to which they were set or the high esteem they had of them upon some account or other particularly because they were so fit for their use though most of them composed in former times at and after their return from the Captivity of Babylon Then some think this Title was given to them because they sung them as they went up to their own Country again But this present Psalm seems to have been made by David when the calumnies of Doeg and others forced him to flee his Country and to go as far as the Kedarens or Arabians Ver. 6. whose company was very irksome to him We do not reade indeed in his History that he was there but we may well think he sought for safety in more places then are particularly mentioned and might as well be there as among the Moabites and in the wilderness of Paran 1 Sam. XXV 1. which was not far from them As for Mesech I take that to signifie not a place but the length of time which he staid there before he durst stir from thence or which he was forced to spend in exile as all the ancient Interpreters except one understand it See Bochart in his Phaleg L. III. Cap. 12. 1. IN my distress I cried unto the LORD and he heard me 1. I Have had frequent experience of the goodness of the Lord who when I have earnestly implored his help in my straits and difficulties hath constantly relieved me 2. Deliver my soul O LORD from lying lips and from a deceitfull tongue 2. May it please Thee O Lord still to continue thy mercy toward me and now that men strike at my life by calumnies and cunningly devised lies 1 Sam. XXII 9. XXIV 9. to preserve me from the danger into which they have thrown me 3. What shall be given unto
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
thankfull acknowledgments to the Lord in the place where He dwells and makes Himself present among us 2. Our feet shall stand within thy gates O Jerusalem 2. Which motion ought to be the more readily embraced because now He hath fixed his habitation and we need not travel further then Jerusalem to enquire after the Ark of his presence 3. Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together 3. To Jerusalem I say that fair and beautifull City whose buildings do not now lie scattered and divided but are all compacted and united together as we ought to be in a goodly order 1 Sam. V. 9. 1 Chron. XI 8. 4. Whither the tribes go up the tribes of the LORD unto the testimony of Israel to give thanks unto the name of the LORD 4. Thither all the XII Tribes of Israel who own the great LORD for their God go up from all the parts of the Country by his special Commandment XXIII Exod. 17. to acknowledge before the Ark of his Testimony XXV Exod. 21 22. all the benefits they have received from his almighty Goodness and this above the rest that He thereby testifies his singular care and providence over them 5. For there are set thrones of judgment the thrones of the house of David 5. Thither also they repair for Justice for the supreme Judicatory of the Kingdom sits there 2 Chr. XIX 8. and there is the seat of the Royal Family where David and his Sons have their residence and govern the people 2 Sam. VIII 15 18. 6. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem they shall prosper that love thee 6. O let this be part of your devout prayers when you come there that God would preserve Jerusalem in peace Happy shall they be who out of love to the Religion and Justice which is administred in thee O beloved City contribute their indeavours as well as their prayers for thy safety and prosperity 7. Peace be within thy walls and prosperity within thy palaces 7. Let no enemy this shall be my constant prayer approach so much as to thy out-works to disturb thee and let plenty of all good things abound within thy Palaces 8. For my brethren and companions sakes I will now say Peace be within thee 8. The kindness I have for my kindred and my neighbours and friends whether in the City or the Country will not let me cease my earnest prayers to God that He will confer his blessings on thee 9. Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good 9. But above all the love I have to the Lord our God whose house is here whither all his devout servants resort to worship Him and celebrate his Name shall excite not onely my prayers but my study to promote thy welfare PSALM CXXIII A Song of degrees ARGUMENT This Psalm it is certain was composed in a time of great distress when they were extreamly afflicted by some haughty and insolent enemies Ver. 3 4. who those enemies were there are several conjectures And I will add mine that this short form of prayer was made by some pious person when the King of Assyria whose pride the Prophet Isaiah describes VIII 7. and many other places sent Rabshakeh and other of his Captains to besiege Jerusalem where they poured out most contemptuous nay blasphemous words against God and his people 2 King XVIII XIX It is probable if this conjecture be admitted that it was made by Isaiah whom Hezekiah desired to lift up his prayer for the remnant that was left 2 King XIX 4. XXXVII Isa 4. Accordingly we reade 2 Chron. XXXII 20. both he and Hezekiah cried unto the Lord and we may suppose lift up his eyes to heaven and said these words 1. UNto thee lift I up mine eyes O thou that dwellest in the heavens 1. THough all humane help fail us in this sore distress yet I do not despair of relief from Thee O Lord whose Majesty and Power incomparably excells all earthly Monarchs 2. Behold as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God untill that he have mercy upon us 2. Behold how not onely I but the rest of thy faithfull people wait upon Thee submitting our selves to this severe punishment as poor slaves do to the stroke of their offended Master or Mistress and resolving to bear it patiently till Thou our LORD who doest inflict it wilt be pleased to shew thy self our most gracious God and in much pity towards us remove it 3. Have mercy upon us O LORD have mercy upon us for we are exceedingly filled with contempt 3. O be gracious unto us good Lord be gracious unto us and in much mercy take away this heavy scourge from us for we are become so beyond all measure contemptible 2 King XVIII 23 24. XIX 34. that we can scarce any longer indure it 4. Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease and with the contempt of the proud 4. We have a long time groaned under the intollerable load of the derision and contempt of those whose constant prosperity puffs them up with pride nay makes them insolently oppress all those who are unable to resist them PSALM CXXIV A Song of degrees of David ARGUMENT If the Title had not told us that this is a Psalm of David's I should have thought it had been composed by the Authour of the former to acknowledge the wonderfull power and goodness of God in delivering them from Senacherib's Army which came in like a floud LIX Isa 19. and had overflown all the Country as far as Jerusalem VIII Isa 7 8. which might well make them be called proud waters as the Psalmist here speaks Ver. 5. because they fancied nothing could stand before them Such it seems were either the Philistines upon whom when they spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim the Lord broke forth as a breach of waters 2 Sam. V. 19 or the Ammonites and their Associates 2 Sam. X. 6 15 16. Of A Song of degrees see CXX 1. IF it had not been the LORD who was on our side now may Israel say 1. IF we had not had such a mighty helper as the Lord who took our part may Israel now most thankfully acknowledge 2. If it had not been the LORD who was on our side when men rose up against us 2. If it had not been the Lord whom none can resist who took our part when such numerous enemies united their forces as one man to make war upon us 3. Then they had swallowed us up quick when their wrath was kindled against us 3. They would then have made but one morsel of our small Army and in the furious rage wherein they were have immediately devoured us as monstrous beasts doe their prey which they greedily swallow down alive 4. Then the waters had overwhelmed us the stream had gone over
our soul 4. Then they would have overrun all the Country like a violent torrent and we should have been buried in the floud 5. Then the proud waters had gone over our soul 5. Having once made a wide breach by the overthrow of our Army they would have poured in more numerous forces upon us till like an inundation of water which swells more and more they had wholly overwhelmed us 6. Blessed be the LORD who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth 6. Thanks be to the Lord to whose infinite mercies we ought to ascribe it that He hath not permitted them to domineer over us and execute their cruel intentions against us 7. Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers the snare is broken and we are escaped 7. They thought they had laid their design so strongly that we could not escape no more then a little bird which a fowler hath taken in his snare but blessed be the Lord who hath assisted our weakness their plot is defeated they are broken in pieces and we thereby most wonderfully delivered 8. Our help is in the name of the LORD who made heaven and earth 8. This was not a work of our wit no more then of our power nor were we beholden to the help of any of our neighbours but we owe it wholly to his almighty Goodness who commands because He made all Creatures in whom we ought to place our confidence for ever PSALM CXXV A Song of degrees ARGUMENT We may well look upon this Psalm as a pious Exhortation to the people to trust in God when Senacherib's Army threatned to destroy Jerusalem And perhaps these were some of the comfortable words which we reade 2 Chron. XXXII 6 7 8. Hezekiah then spake to them when God chastised them by that rod of his anger as He calls Senacherib X. Isa 5. which the Psalmist here foretold Ver. 3. should not long afflict them Of A Song of degrees see CXX 1. THey that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Sion which cannot be removed but abideth for ever 1. THere are none so safe as they that repose a pious confidence in the Lord by which they shall both maintain themselves in a settled peace and tranquillity and remain for ever as unmoveable conspicuous and illustrious as mount Sion 2. As the mountains are round about Jerusalem so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever 2. For as Jerusalem is surrounded with high hills which make it not easily accessible by any enemies so the Divine providence incompasses his people who depend upon Him to guard and defend them from all dangers not onely now but in all succeeding ages to the end of the world 3. For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity 3. The power of wicked Tyrants indeed may heavily afflict the righteous for a time but they shall not always harrass their Country nor continue their oppression so long as quite to tire out the patience of the righteous and tempt them to forsake their pious confidence in Him and lay hold on any means though never so unjust of obtaining deliverance 4. Do good O LORD unto those that be good and to them that are upright in their hearts 4. To prevent so great an evil be pleased now good Lord to deal well with those who are truly good and reward their fidelity who notwithstanding all these calamities sincerely persist in thy ways and preserve their integrity 5. As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity but peace shall be upon Israel 5. But as for those who instead of growing bettter by these oppressions decline more and more from the ways of piety unto the most perverse and crooked courses the Lord shall deliver them over to be punished with their oppressours when Israel after all these sore afflictions shall be settled again in peace and happiness PSALM CXXVI A Song of degrees ARGUMENT This Psalm is so universally thought to be a joyfull Song composed by Ezra or some such good man when they returned out of Babylon that I shall seek for no other interpretation But observe with Theodoret that when Cyrus gave them all leave to return to their own Land some were so ill minded that they chose to continue where they were But such as had any sense of the piety of their Forefathers and desired to see the worship of God according to the Law restored gladly embraced the opportunity of returning to their own Country Where they thought themselves so happy in the liberty which they enjoyed that they pray Ver. 4. all the rest of the Nation who remained still behind would come and partake of it This is the most received sense else I should have thought the deliverance from Senacherib might be here celebrated who had carried many of them Captive V. Isa 13. and other places and when they were delivered from his oppression they were indeed like men that dreamed as the Psalmist here speaks For awaking in the morning and seeing his vast Army to be dead Corpses 2 King XIX 35. they could scarce believe what they beheld with their eyes it was so wonderfull And perhaps it was first made then and afterward applied with some alteration to their return from Babylon See CXXXIII 1. WHen the LORD turned again the captivity of Sion we were like them that dream 1. TO the Lord alone must we ascribe this wonderfull change which is like the sudden recovery of health out of a tedious and desperate sickness For when the proclamation unexpectedly came forth to give us liberty to return to our own Country out of a long captivity I. Ezra 2 3. we could scarce believe it but were apt to look upon our selves as onely in a dream of so great a happiness 2. Then was our mouth filled with laughter and our tongue with singing then said they among the heathen The LORD hath done great things for them 2. Which presently turned our heaviness into such a heighth of joy that it filled all places with our mirth especially with chearfull hymns in which the heathen themselves accompanied us saying This truly is the Lord's work who hath magnified his power in the strange deliverance of this Nation 3. The LORD hath done great things for us whereof we are glad 3. And truly so He hath we should be very ungratefull if we should not thankfull if we should not thankfully acknowledge the singular benefits which strangers admire the Lord hath not onely restored our liberty but declared the greatness of his power in this deliverance which justly fills us with joy and triumph 4. Turn again our captivity O LORD as the streams in the south 4. O that the Lord would be pleased to perfect what He hath begun and bring back in greater numbers the rest of
doubt for the Title ascribes it to him but this Psalm was made by David And it is little less undoubted that he composed it as Theodoret well judges when he was persecuted by Saul who was instigated thereunto by the calumnies of Doeg and the information of the Ziphites whose falseness and pestilent malice he here describes beseeching God to preserve him from the mischief they intended him and to turn it upon themselves as he rests assured He would When he came to his Kingdom and had settled the service of God in that manner which we reade 1 Chron. XVI XXIII c. he delivered it to the Master of the Musick to be sung at certain times in the Tabernacle But it was not found I suppose no more then the two foregoing and the four following till some time after the other Books of Psalms were published and so were placed here all together by him that collected this Book 1. DEliver me O LORD from the evil man preserve me from the violent man 1. DEfeat O Lord the wicked designs of that naughty man 1 Sam. XXII 9 c. who makes no conscience of what he saith or doeth to compass his ends and let me not fall into the hands of that injurious Prince XXIII 7. whom I have never wronged but done him faithfull service 2. Which imagine mischiefs in their hearts continually are they gathered together for war 2. They are zealously bent to doe me all the mischief they are able which they studiously plot and doe nothing all the day but contrive how to oppress me with armed force which in several places they have laid to intercept me 3. They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent adders poison is under their lips Selah 3. And they have so traduced me by their calumnies and false accusations that they have already given my reputation a deadly wound for the tongue of the Serpent or the teeth of the Adder or Viper doth not more effectually convey their poison into mens bodies then they have infused these venomous slanders into the peoples minds 4. Keep me O LORD from the hands of the wicked preserve me from the violent man who have purposed to overthrow my goings 4. And therefore I most humbly again beseech Thee O Lord to keep me from falling into the power of that naughty man Ver. 1. who instigates his Prince to the most injurious proceedings against me Be Thou my preserver O Lord for otherwise I shall never escape the trains they have devised and laid to supplant and utterly undoe me 5. The proud have hid a snare for me and cords they have spread a net by the way-side they have set grins for me Selah 5. There is no hunter or fowler more industrious and cunning in laying snares and toils in spreading nets or setting gins and traps for the beasts or the birds in the places which they are wont to frequent then they are to trace me in all my motions 1 Sam. XXIII 23. and to invent all manner of wiles and subtle arts to surprise me which they proudly presume will have their desired success 6. I said unto the LORD Thou art my God hear the voice of my supplications O LORD 6. To which I have neither cunning nor power of my own to oppose no Friend whose aid I can implore but onely commend my self unto the Lord saying I have always owned Thee for my Proteetour and Thou hast hitherto owned me and been my mercifull deliverer Do not now O Lord of all power and might deny my earnest request who depend on Thee alone for succour 7. O GOD the Lord the strength of my salvation thou hast covered my head in the day of battel 7. O most mighty Lord whom no Creature whatsoever can withstand O Thou who disposest of all events I again profess that I look for safety from thy almighty Power alone by which I was protected having no other helmet or armour but onely that 1 Sam. XVII 39 40 50. in the day when I fought with Goliath 8. Grant not O LORD the desires of the wicked further not his wicked device lest they exalt themselves Selah 8. Suffer not him O most mighty Lord who now seeks my destruction to effect his desire let him not succeed in any of his mischievous designs and projects against me lest he and his partakers grow so insolent as to dare to attempt all manner of violence against other innocents 9. As for the head of those that compass me about let the mischief of their own lips eover them 9. Let the poisonous and pernicious calumnies of those that now beset me round retort upon themselves and let them be overwhelmed by those very devices which with laborious lies they have contrived for my ruin 10. Let burning coals fall upon them let them be cast into the fire into deep pits that they rise not up again 10. Let their slanders which I can compare to nothing better then burning coals that are not easily quenched be the instruments of their own destruction let them perish in the flames which they themselves have kindled and be irrecoverably thrown headlong into those dangers and mischiefs which like dreadfully deep pits they prepared for my destruction 11. Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him 11. This I am confident shall be their portion for though a false Informer may for a time be believed and thrive by his lies and slanders yet Truth will at last prevail and not suffer him to establish his greatness by such base and wicked practices And as little shall violence and injustice avail him that relies upon it but bring upon him one evil after another which shall pursue him to his ruin as the hounds do the wild beast which after all its windings and turnings becomes a prey unto them 12. I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted and the right of the poor 12. For I am sure the Lord who is stronger then all will assert the cause of the Oppressed and doe right to those who are destitute of humane help by punishing all that are injurious to them 13. Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name the upright shall dwell in thy presence 13. Let the righteous rely on this as an undoubted truth that they shall give thanks to thy almighty Goodness for appearing in their vindication and when these false and violent men shall be extinct they that are sincerely honest shall remain in thy favour and receive the marks of it in thy constant care and providence over them PSALM CXLI A Psalm of David ARGUMENT If the Title had not told us that David was the Authour of this Psalm the matter of it would have led our minds to think of him and of his many sufferings during the persecution of Saul Which he prays to God as Theodoret observes upon the third and fourth Verses he may be able to bear so
patiently that it may not exasperate his spirit to speak irreverently of Saul much less to doe him any mischief but leave it unto God to take his enemies in the snare they had laid for him No body need wonder that there are so many prayers found upon the same Subject for that persecution endured long and they were made upon different occasions or to different purposes and if they had been all to the same purpose it would not have been strange to him that considers the pious disposition of David who loved to spend his time in such devout Meditations And this seems to have been composed about the time of the offering of the evening Sacrifice Ver. 2 when his afflictions also pressed him sorely that they tempted him to speak some thing which was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Theodoret's phrase is unbecoming God's Anointed Saul and the profession he made of duty to him 1. LORD I cry unto thee make haste unto me give ear unto my voice when I cry unto thee 1. THE danger wherein I am O Lord is exceeding great 1 Sam. XXIII 25. or XXIV 1 2. which makes me double my cries and beseech Thee the more importunately speedily to succour me when my distresses call for it with seasonable relief 2. Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice 2. Though I am now in a Wilderness and thereby disabled from offering Thee any other Sacrifice but my Prayers yet they shall be as acceptable to Thee as if they were accompanied with the sweetest Odours and my fervent devotion in them with intire dependance on Thee alone for help be as prevalent as if I could now present Thee at the Tabernacle with an evening Oblation 3. Set a watch O LORD before my mouth keep the door of my lips 3. And in the first place I humbly desire Thee O Lord to lay such restraints upon my tongue and to enable me so vigilantly to observe all the motions of it that none of the troubles I endure though never so grievous may make me burst out into any intemperate speeches which may give a just offence unto them that persecute me 4. Incline not my heart to any evil thing to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity and let me not eat of their dainties 4. Yea govern all the motions of my will so steadily that I may not listen to evil counsels 1 Sam. XXIV 4 6 7. much less ingage with men who have no regard to right and justice in any evil practices but alway refuse to partake in their designs though invited with the specious promises of the greatest felicity 5. Let the righteous smite me it shall be a kindness and let him reprove me it shall be an excellent oyl which shall not break my head for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities 5. I had rather much that a righteous man should give me a severe rebuke then be inticed by evil doers to accompany them in their sins For it will do me a real kindness and be so far from giving me any vexation that it will be as acceptable to me as the most excellent ointments are unto the head and onely make me continue my prayers with the greater earnestness that I may not run into those mischievous courses from which I am deterred by their pious reproofs and admonitions 6. When their judges are overthrown in stony places they shall hear my words for they are sweet 6. The effect of which their greatest Rulers have seen when being left by their Master on the sides of the Rock 1 Sam. XXIV 2 3. while he went into a hole of it to uncover his feet they heard that I spake not a reviling word much less did I stretch out my hand against him but in the mildest and most dutifull language addressed my self unto him 1 Sam. XXIV 8 9 c. 7. Our bones are scattered at the graves mouth as when one cutteth and cleaveth wood upon the earth 7. And yet this gentleness hath been so far from mollifying their hearts that they still persecute me and the small body of men that follow me 1 Sam. XXVI 2. XXVII 1. whom they have reduced to such extremities that like the earth when it is ploughed up we break in pieces and are ready to disperse and flee for our lives with little hope of safety 8. But mine eyes are unto thee O GOD the Lord in thee is my trust leave not my soul destitute 8. But in this sore distress I fix my thoughts on Thee O mighty Lord the Governour of all things in whom I repose an assured confidence that Thou wilt not abandon me to the malice of those that seek to take away my life from me 9. Keep me from the snare which they have laid for me and the grins of the workers of iniquities 9. Preserve me I beseech Thee from all the subtle plots which they have laid to destroy me and though they stick at nothing though never so unjust and have various arts to blind the world and hide their perfidious designs suffer me not to be insnared by them 10. Let the wicked fall into their own nets whilst that I withall escape 10. But let all the contrivances of such wicked men prove pernicious to themselves and bring upon them the evils which they intended me whilst I and they that are with me by thy care of us escape untouched by any of them PSALM CXLII Maschil of David A Prayer when he was in the Cave ARGUMENT When David hid himself for fear of Saul in the Cave of Adullam 1 Sam. XXII 1. or as others think more probably in the Cave of Engaddi 1 Sam. XXIV 1 2 3. this was the meditation he had in that disconsolate place before Saul came thither to uncover his feet in it Which was set afterward to the tune of Maschil See Psal XXXII or called by that name because it admirably instructs Posterity in the most forlorn nay desperate condition to recommend themselves to God and to depend on Him with a resolved Faith Who by an unexpected means granted the desire of David which he makes in the conclusion of this Psalm vers 7. and brought him out of those straits wherein he was imprisoned I say resolved Faith because in the Hebrew the words of the first and second verses run thus I will cry unto the Lord I will make my supplication I will pour out my complaint before Him c. 1. I Cried unto the LORD with my voice with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication 1. THough I am destitute of humane help I will not despair of safety but with the more fervent cryes implore the divine Succour and with vehement sighs and groans deprecate the Lords displeasure 2. I poured out my complaint before him I shewed before him my trouble 2. I will lay before Him at large all the sad thoughts which perplex my
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