the Lord vz. only and to none other but him ye families of the people vz. of God the Prophet speaking this according to the custome of the Iewes who were diuided first into tribes and then into families Iehoshua 7.17.18 1. Sam. 9.21 which maketh me also to dissent from Immanuel who referreth it generally to al people of the earth which also is confuted by that which followeth in this Psalm ver 10. wher they are cōmaunded to speake to the Gentils giue vnto the Lord vz. only as before glory and power i. al glory and power for vnto him only it is due sée Psal 115. verse 1. Verse 8. Giue vnto the Lord the glory of his name i. that glory and honoure which is due and méete for his name q.d. Striue to glorifie God as much as in you lieth euen according to his excellency bring an offring vz. vnto him in token that you doe vnfeignedly worship and serue him this and that whiche followeth he speaketh according vnto the law by which the people were appoynted to performe these things enter into his Courts vz. to praise serue and worship him For this word Courts see Psalme 84. verse 2.10 Verse 9 Worship vz. according to the rule of his word the Lord vz. only as manye times before in the glorious sanctuary i. in the Tabernacle of witnesse where his glorye appeareth most liuely tremble before him vz. in token of a louing and reuerente feare all the earth sée verse 1. of this Psalme Verse 10. Saye i. speake aloude declare and publish that which followeth among the nations i. the other peoples of the world meaning thereby the Gentiles The Lord reigneth sée Psalme 93.1 surely the worlde shall bee stable i. the whole earth and the people therein shall continue in good order and peace though the wicked laboure to disturbe the same He noteth this as an excellent fruite of Gods gouernmente not moue vz. for all that the wicked can imagine or do and note that this amplyfying by the contrary as that on the one syde it shall be stable and on the other side it shall not moue serueth for the greater certayntye and assuraunce thereof as Iohn 1 20. Romanes 9.1 1. Timothie 2.7 and shée shall iudge the people i. gouerne and guide them putting one parte of gouernmente for the whole in righteousnesse i. vprightlye and iustlye without any partialitie or respecte of persons or without feare fauoure or flatterye Verse 11. Let the heauens reioyce some reade it the heauens shall reioyce and so they doe reade all these verses vnto the ende of the Psalme as foretelling of the greate ioye and gladnesse that shall bée among Gods people for that he exerciseth a gouernmente ouer them They that reade it as the Geneua Texte doeth maketh it an exhortation that the Prophet should vse the more to sette out Gods grace and goodnesse euen for this that hee gathereth men vnder his authoritye and gouernmente q.d. This grace of GOD is so greate that euen the dumbe creatures haue thereby an occasion offered them as it were to reioyce and be glad take whether of these sences you shall thinke good yet for mine owne part I allowe rather the latter because of that which followeth Psalme 98.7.8 Which also Immanuel turneth as exhorting the creatures to reioyce in it though he doe not so in this place let the heauens reioyce vz. for this great goodnesse of god ruling and gouerning and let the earth be glad vz. for the same occasion let the sea roare vz. in token and testimonye of reioycing and all that therein is i. euery thing that liueth and moueth in the same Verse 12. Let the fielde i. the fieldes putting one for many as Psalme 95.9 worke is put for workes be ioyfull vz. for the causes before alleaged and all that is in it i. whatsoeuer groweth and flourisheth in the same fieldes let all the Trées of the Wood i. al trées of what kinde soeuer that groweth in the Woods then reioyce vz. when the Lorde shall beginne this gouernment here for the better vnderstandinge of this of these two verses we are specially to marke these two thinges firste that the Prophet layeth not this duetie vpon the insensible creatures otherwise then they in their kind are able to performe it and to no other end but that thereby he may prouoke men who haue the vse of reason and the light of the worde to doe the same Secondly that he layeth it not only vpon them whom hee here nameth but that by these which he putteth downe he vnderstandeth all the rest of the creatures whatsoeuer Verse 13. Before the Lord i. in his presence and openly for this as playnly appeareth must be ioyned to the ende of the other verse for he commeth for he commeth i. he wil certainly come the certaintie is noted not only in the doubling of the word but also in that he sayeth he commeth as though he were already present putting the present tense for the future to iudge i. to rule and gouern as before verse 10. of this Psal the earth i. the people inhabiting the earth he will iudge q.d. howsoeuer others rule yet he will gouerne the world i. the people of the world both greate and smal with righteousnesse i. vprightly and iustly as ver 10 of this Psal and the people in his truth i. in exactnesse and perfection of truth and vprightnesse for that word his hath a force in this place as discerning betwéene men and him how truely and vprightly soeuer they deale Do. Verse 1. teacheth vs to striue what in vs lieth to make our praises aunswerable to Gods graces though in déede we can not performe the same Verse 2. teacheth vs that our prayses and speakinges of his glory ought to be continuall Verse 3 teacheth vs that we should publish it before al men and in al places Verse 4. Setteth out the excellent power glory and maiestie of the Lord our God Verse 5 paynteth out the vanity and vnprofitablenesse of all counterfeyte Gods and idols Verse 6 teacheth that all honour glory strength c. are due only to the Lord. Ver. 7 teacheth the faythfull to ascribe also and yéelde vnto him the same seing they belong to him and to none other but to him Verse 8 teacheth Gods people carefullye to exercise themselues in the seruice and worship of him that is so gracious a God to them Verse 9 teacheth vs not onelye to frequent the places of publike exercises but also there and euerye where to shew forth assured testimonies of a reuerent feare that wee carrie to his Maiestie Verse 10 teacheth vs to haue a care to publish Gods gouernment amongest others that they also may be subiected to the same It teacheth vs further that the vngodly can not vnlesse the Lord so appoynt it make any hurliburlies or stirs in the Worlde Verse 11.12 teach vs in the example of insensible creatures to shew our selues thankfull to God for all his graces and namelye
should as it were set his féete sée 1. Chronicles 28.2 for he vz. alone is holy and therefore méete to bee worshipped Verse 6. Moses and Aaron were vz. as chéefe and principall among his Priestes i. among them whom he hath appointed to offer sacrifices and to expounde the Law and Samuel vz. the Prophet was as chéefe and principall among such as call i. called vpon his name i. professed his religion and made prayers vnto him sée 1. Samuell 7. almost thorow out these vz. before rehearsed and manye other such like called vppon the Lorde i. prayed vnto him with earnestnesse and continuaunce and hee hearde them i. graciouslye graunted them their requestes as hee doeth all them that call vppon him in trueth The Prophet alleageth these men that by their example he might prouoke the people to the worship and seruice of God and hee nameth rather these thrée then other because to their fayth and custodie speciallye was committed the kéeping of the couenaunt that God had made with his people For the truth of this verse sée Exodus 32.31 c. to the end of the Chapter 1 Samuel 12 20 c. Verse 7. He vz. God whome they serued spake vz. plainlye and audiblie vnto them vz. Moses and Aaron in the cloudye piller i. in or out of the Cloude which séemed to haue the forme of an vpright piller sée Exodus 14 19. sée also Num. 17.5 they kept vz. themselues and caused others what in them lay to kéepe his testimonies i. his commaundementes which God gaue his people as a testimonie that he was their God sée Psalme 19.7 and the lawe that he vz. the Lorde himselfe gaue them vz. as a rule of their life and to be a light vnto their féete and a Lanthorne vnto their steps Verse 8. Thou heardest them vz. quickly when they prayd vnto thée for the Lordes hearing sée verse 6. of this Psalme O Lord our God a sodain but yet an emphatical turning of his spéech vnto God by which the Prophet sheweth that the Lord toke pitie vpon that people in respect of the trueth of his Couenaunt and of his grace only without any other cause thou wast a fauourable God vnto them vz. not only when they prayed vnto thée but continually specially when thou pardonest their sinnes though thou diddest take vengeaunce i. though thou diddest fatherlye punishe and correct them for their inuentions i. for deuyses of their owne by whiche they procured thée to wrath agaynste them I knowe others expounde it otherwise but yet me thinketh that this is a moste simple and playne fence Verse 9. Exalte the Lorde our GOD and fall downe sée before verse 5. of this Psalme before his holye Mountayne hee meaneth no doubte the Mountaine of Moriah vppon whiche the Temple was builded sée Genesis 22 2. meaning by this manner of spéeche that he woulde haue the people to worship the Lorde in his Temple al the rest of this verse is expounded before verse 5 of this present Psalme Do. Verse 1. Teacheth vs that euen to know the God ruleth and gouerneth in his Church is sufficiente to strike terror into all the enemyes of all Gods people Verse 2 teacheth vs that though Gods glory appeare euery where yet in no place more plainly thē in his church Ver. 3 teacheth that it becommeth the righteous to praise Gods great power might Ver. 4 teacheth vs not only what great vprightnes is in the Lord in al his iudgemēts but also how iust faithful he is to his people Ver. 5 teacheth vs that it is not only our duety in respects of benefits receaued to praise god but that we are bound therto also in respect of the holines of his maiesty person also that it is a good thing to do it publikely with the rest of the Church Ver. 6 teacheth vs that the prayers of Gods faythfull people are neuer frustrate Verse 7 teacheth vs that familiaritye with the Lorde and knowledge of his maiestye requireth at our handes obedience to his truth and performaunce of it Verse 8 Is full of great comforte teaching vs these points firste that the Lorde chastiseth and correcteth those whome he loueth most tenderlye secondly that though hee doe correct them yet those punishments do no whit at al lessen his fauour and good will towards them Verse 9 is the same with verse 5 and deliuereth the same doctrines Psalme 100 THis Psalme may be diuided into two parts In the one parte Di. the Prophet exhorteth the faythfull to prayse the Lorde hartilye and with ioyfulnesse verse 1 2 3. In the second he vseth the causes wherefore they shoulde prayse him vz. for his frée election and the continuaunce of his mercye verse 3 5. The Title Se. a Psalme of prayse i. a Psalme penned and appointed to stir vp the people to praise the Lord and not so much for that the Psal it selfe doeth comprehend the prayses of God sing ye loude vnto the Lord for the meaning of these wordes sée Psalme 98 4. all the earth i. all the people of God inhabiting the promised lande for I suppose that he putteth the worde earth here for that part of the earth Verse 2. Serue vz. according to the rule of his worde and not after your owne inuentions the Lord vz. only for vnto him all honour is due with gladnes i. readily and ioyfully because in suche kinde of worships the Lord taketh great delight and pleasure come before him i. appeare before the arke which was the place of his worshippe and seruice with ioyfulnesse vz. both inwarde and outwarde of the hearte and of the body meaning thereby greate and singuler reioysing Verse 3. Knowe yée i. professe this muche and yéelde him this honour for hée speaketh not here of inwarde knowledge onely to disreaue him from all false Gods and such as mans fantasie hath forged that euen the Lorde vz. whiche wée serue and that no other but hée is GOD i. our GOD and the only author of that couenaunt which is betwéene him and vs hée hath made vs marke that hée speaketh not here of the common creation of men onely for in that respecte the godlye haue no greater priuiledge than the wicked haue but of spirituall regeneration wherein by the ministerye of his worde and the working of his spirite he begetteth men agayne to his owne image to the ende that they maye serue him in newnesse of life and not we our selues i. we haue not neyther in respecte of the bodye nor of the soule and spirituall regeneration framed and fashioned our selues no no righteousnesse of our owne hath aduaunced vs to this dignitye but we are made his sonnes and seruauntes by his onely frée goodnesse sée Deutronomie 7 7 8. also Deutronomie 9 4. we are his people i. the people whome he of mercye hath chosen to serue him and to bring forth much fruite and the shéepe of his pasture sée Psalme 95 verse 7. meaning by this manner of spéeche that GOD of his frée
verse otherwise but I like this sence as well as his Ver. 8. As the apple of my eye i. most dearely and tenderly as men are wont to doe the apples of their eye who cannot abide that any thing should touch it hide mee vnder the shadow of thy winges an other similitude to the same purpose q.d. deliuer me with such diligence from present perill as the hens are wont to doe their yong ones vnder their winges when the Kite houereth ouer them or lieth in wait for them The scripture in sundrye places attributeth winges to God that therby it might declare Gods great care to saue and defend the godly such a similitude Christ vseth Math. 23.37 Ver. 9. for my soule i. for my life vz. that they might take it away from me ver 10. They are inclosed in their owne fat i. they are monstrously fat by reason they liue in al plesures and delights q.d. They abound in all delights therefore they spare not to speake proudly which he addeth in this verse describing in this and so on in the rest the maners of the vngodly Ver. 11. They i. the vngodly and wicked enemies haue cōpassed vs i. me Dauid the people that are with mee in our steps i. in our iornies or as we were iornying q. d. In all our iornying they haue most diligently obserued me mine many times haue in the mean while beset vs about they haue set their eyes i. they are earnestly and diligentlye bent as one that fixeth his eyes vppon one to marke him or to know him agayne to bring downe vz. me and mine to the ground i. to destroy and ouerthrow vs as townes and castles rased and made euen with the ground ver 12. He noteth first their crueltie vnder these wordes gréedye of pray next vnder these words lurking in secret places their subtelty craft sée Psalme 10.9 Ver 13. Vp Lord q.d. thou hast deferred a long while vp now and take weapon into thy hand as a notable defender disappoint him vz. of the crueltye he purposeth he speaketh of one as the principal meaning notwithstanding others ioyned with him in the mischiefe cast him down vz. to the ground see ver 11. in these words to bring downe to the grounde deliuer my soule i. my life as before ver 9. of this Psalme with thy sworde i. with thy might and power sée Iob 40.14 Ver. 14. from men vz. deliuer my soule as ver 13. by thine handes i. by thy power and might vsing hande here as he vsed the word sword before from men ad these words I mean for the more playne sence of the world i. worldly men all whose delighte is in things of this life who haue their portion in this life and not in the other which shall be reuealed to Gods sonnes whose bellies i. whose desires and appetites thou fillest with thy hidden treasures i. giuest them great abundaunce of outwarde benefites and blessinges which are called Gods hidden treasures not because they are not séene but because they are not so wel perceyued and vsed of the vngodlye as were méete their children this serueth to amplifie the aboundance of outward blessings that the wicked haue hauing not only more then ynough for themselues but to leaue mountains of mony as it were to their posterity whether sonnes daughters neuewes or any other kindred for so I take the worde children to be vsed in this place ver 15. in righteousnesse i. hauing a good and righteous cause on my side Psalm 4.1 and Gods face is here taken for a more playne and manifest knowledge of Gods mercy then he had set before in the time of his affliction with thine image i. with so much of thy goodnes and grace as it shall please thée in my deliuerance to make knowne vnto me Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth earnestnes in prayer ver 3. that we should kéepe our selues from wicked thoughts and wicked words expressing these thoughts ver 4. Gods word is a notable meane to kéepe vs from wickednesse ver 5. we shall fall vnles the Lord vphold vs. ver 6. He that prayeth to God must bée well assured of the truth of his promises ver 7. If God helpe vs not the enemies rage wil ouercome vs. ver 10. aboundaunce of wealth and pleasure maketh the vngodly proud against God and his people ver 11. setteth out the mischieuous mind of the vngodly ver 12. expresseth their crueltie and craft ver 13. teacheth vs in the time of our afflictions to haue recourse to God by prayer ver 14. sheweth that outward blessings are as well bestowed vpon the wicked as the good and that therefore there is no certaine iudgements to be giuen of gods fauour by these outward things ver 15. Howsoeuer wicked men set their minde on worldly wealth that our delight and pleasure should be onlye in the Lord and his fauour Psalme 18. Di. THis Psalme handleth diuers matters but principally 3. In the first part the Prophet promiseth thankes giuing for benefites receaued and describeth Gods wrath and power from ver 1. to the end of the 15. In the secōd part he reciteth sundry particular graces bestowed vpon him and excellent matters that the Lord inabled him to performe frō ver 16. to the end of the 45. In the third part he yéeldeth praise and thankes vnto the Lord promising neuer to forget these benefits and to publish them continually amongst the people from verse 46. to the end of the Psalme The title is easie these words which spake put for which sung Se. In the day i. at the time from the hand i. from the violent power and raging might and so it is vsed immediatly following of al his enimies he meaneth of the mighty and of the greatest number of thē for Dauid was neuer without enemies this title summarily cōprehendeth the occasion of the making of this Psalm ver 2. My rock this spéech calling God a rock is a metaphor taken from séeking refuge for men are wont for feare of their enemies to go to the rocks or mountayns Mat. 24.16 my fortresse another metaphor meaning that in and by God he might be kept as safely yea more safely from his enemies then in or by the strongest hold in the world my shield another Metaphor because he did as a shield ouershadow and defend him the horne of my saluation saluation here is put for deliuerance and horn put for strēgth or strong meates Another metaphor for euen as horned beasts doe defend themselues with their hornes so Dauid vsed Gods helpe and defence as it were a horne Ver. 3. worthy to be praysed vz. of me and all others that for his wonderful goodnes bestowed vpō vs ver 4. Sorrows of deth i. most gréeuous deadly sorrowes which are therfore called the sorrows of deth because they brought him almost to deaths dore the floods of wickednes i. gret multituds either of wicked deuises or of wicked mē for so I take wickednes to be vsed
put for an other because the greatnes of the worke was as it were fresh in the remembrance of al the faithful through the riuer vz. of Iordan on foote and not in shippes and boates hee noteth here the entrance of the people into the lande of Canaan vnder the gouernement of Iehoshua whereof sée Iehosh 3.14.15.16 c. Ver. 7. Hée i. God ruleth the worlde i. the people and all thinges else whatsoeuer therin conteined his eyes see Psalm 11.4 behold i. déepely and carefully consider as ver 5. of this Psalme all this is spoken of God according to man the nations i. not onely the persons themselues but the thinges they commit q.d. the speciall priuiledge that God then gaue to the children of of Israel hindered not God from continuall casting his sight vpon other nations that he might nourish and maintaine them and represse them also as occasion was offered the rebellious i. such as will not yéelde to him and his worde when hee calleth them shall not exalt themselues vz. any more as heretofore they haue done the reason is because they shal be cast downe from their dignitie and estate hee meaneth that they shall not prosper because God will ouerthrowe them Verse 8. Prayse our GOD O people q.d. all those that you imagine to be Gods are nothing but glory and honour belongeth to that God alone whom we serue and make the voyce of his praise to bee hearde vz. of others q.d. sound it abroad as in this Psalme verse 2. Ver. 9. Which holdeth our soules in life i. by whome alone and from whom wee haue euen the very life that wee haue in this life as Act. 7.28 and suffereth not our feete to slippe vz. into any great danger but was alwaies in good time ready to helpe vs and this procéeded from his great care and prouidence towards vs. Ver. 10. For thou O god he changeth the person from the third to the second hast proued vs vz. by afflictions and troubles thou hast tryed vs a metaphor taken from metals brought to fining that the value and goodnes of them might be knowne as siluer sée Psal 12.6 Hee meaneth that God hath tryed them to the quicke and in good earnest as wee sée siluer put into the fire not only once but many times to purge it is tryed vz. by the goldsmith siluersmith or fyner Ver. 11. Thou vz. O God wherby we sée that nothing is done without his prouidence and appointment into the snare vz. which our enemies laide for vs this is an other metaphor taken from hunting or fowling meaning by snare the troubles dangers and tyrannies that were deuised and prepared for thē and laid a straite chaine i. thou hast brought to passe that wee are come into our enymies power and are bound of them sée Psalm 149.8 and it is a metaphor either taken from captaines and their bands or else from horses that carie packes girded to them with wantes or such like whatsoeuer it is he meaneth that the burthens were very great and did sticke fast to them vppon our loines i. vpon vs putting a part of man for the whole Ver. 12. Thou hast caused men to ride ouer our heads i. thou hast made vs subiect not onely to great but to base personages who ruling ouer vs haue vsed great outrages vilanies against vs as if we had béen poore bruit beasts we went into fire and into water i. we indured most hard dangers sundry kinds of calamities afflictions which he resembleth to water and fire because those two elements doe quickly destroy consume the things put into them thee hardnes of their affliction may be noted by any one of thē but the diuersity thereof by both laid together but thou broughtest vs out i. thou diddest at the length deliuer vs vz. out of those dangers distresses diddest bring vs into a wealthy place i. into a plentiful place frée from penury into a pleasant place void of sorrow and into a safe place from dangers distresses meaning therby a blessed and ioyful estate Ver. 13. I will goe into thy house i. into the place where thou art worshipped with burnt offerings i. with thankfulnes of mind body for he putteth the signes that testified thanksgiuing for the thing it selfe will pay thée my vowes vz. which I haue vowed to thée as appeareth by the next ver he meaneth that he wil holily religiously serue him be alwaies thankful obedient vnto him Ver. 14. Which my lips haue promised my mouth hath spoken hee putteth the instrument wherwith the wordes are vttered as the lips mouth for the words thēselues in mine affliction i. when I was in wonderful afflictiō danger Ver. 15. I wil offer vnto thée vz. alone burnt offrings of fat rams he meaneth that he wil bring the best sacrifices he can get to testify the thankfulnes of his mind with incense i. with swéet perfumes smelling sauors which also were accustomed to be offred I wil prepare vz. to offer in sacrifice vnto thée bullocks goats i. al maner of sacrifices prescribed for he meaneth that he wil do seruice homage to God according to his worde the ordinance of his law Ver. 16. Come vz. vnto me hearken vz. diligently all ye that feare God i. worship him according to the prescript rule of his word I wil tel you vz. as plainely as I can what he hath done i. what great graces goodnes he hath shewed to my soule i. to mee putting a part of himselfe for the whole man Ver. 17. I called vnto him with my mouth i. in wordes I did earnestly pray vnto him for help aide succor he was exalted i. greatly and highly praised with my tongue i. with my words vz. after he had graciously granted my petitions Ver. 18. If I regard wickednes i. delite in or make account of it in my heart yea though it were within me and secretly the Lord wil not heare me i. grant me my requests he sheweth why God heard his prayers vz. because he came to him with a mind frée from wicked vaine things Ver. 19. But god hath heard i. yéelded vnto granted me i. my requests prayers considered vz. déeply and vprightly the voyce of my prayer i. the words I vttered in my prayer all serueth to nothing else but to shew that god had yéelded vnto him that which he praied for ver 20. Which hath not put back vz. out of his presence or sight as though he were displeased with it or could not abide to looke vpon it or me my praier vz. made to him nor vnderstand here wtholdē his mercy frō me but giuē me a plain proof therof by granting my demāds Ver. 1 2. Teach two things Do. first that we ought to be continually occupied in the praysing of our God secondly howe dull we are thereto which appeareth because the Prophet vseth so many wordes of exhortation to one thing
ouerthrowe the children of God may be incouraged to pray vnto him and to prayse him for it and this is conteined in verse 16. also that he himself and his power may thereby be glorifyed in that the wicked whether they will or no must of necessity confesse his might and this is in verse 18. Psalme 84 Di. THis Psalme may be deuided as I take it into two parts In the first part the Prophet sheweth what great desire hee had in the time of his exile to ioyne himselfe to the assemblies of Gods people and what good estate they are in that may so doe from verse 1. to the end of the 7. In the second he maketh his request to God for his returne assuring himselfe that God in good time will graciously looke vpon him for his good concluding that they are blessed that stay vpon the Lord from verse 8. to the end of the Psalme Se. The Title of this Psalme is expounded before Psal 8. Psal 45. in their titles Ver. 1. O Lord of hosts i. O mighty God which hast al things at thy cōmaundement as armies or hosts to execute thy will how amiable i. not onely swéete and pleasaunt but most tenderly beloued of me are thy tabernacles by this word he vnderstandeth both the places wher the holy assēblies were made frō whence he was banished thorow the crueltie of his enemies also the people there assembled namely principally Ierusalē the temple the assēblies made there Ver. 2. My soule i. I my self both body and soule putting one part for the whole longeth i. vehemently and earnestly desireth wee applye this spéech to women with child who if they haue not the thing they lust for are in great daunger yea and faynteth i. with desiring of it and not obtayning of it I languish away and am as it were dead or entring into a swoone for the courts of the Lord he doeth expreslye vse this worde Courtes because hée might not go further vnlesse he had bin a Priest for mine harte and my fleshe i. both my inward and outward man reioyce in the liuing God i. take pleasure in him and his seruices who alone is the only true God for by the terme liuing he separateth him from al the dead idols dum images of the Gentils Ver. 3. Yea the sparrow hath found her a house vz. in which she maye rest and take her pleasure and the Swallowe a neast for her i. a place of ease both for her selfe and yong ones as may appeare by that which followeth euen by thine altars i. not verye farre from them by many hee meaneth onely one for it was not lawfull to haue manye Altars to offer Sacrafice vppon Immanuel readeth the latter part of the second verse and this verse otherwise ioyning them together thus My harte and my fleshe crye oute with desire to come to the mighty liuing God vnto thine Altars O Lorde of hostes my King and my God yea the Sparrow hath found a house and the swallowe a neast for herselfe wherein she maye laye her yong ones but the sence varieth not much Verse 4. Blessed are they that dwell in thine house this hee meaneth of the Priests and Leuites who not only had their houses nigh vnto the Temple but their lodgings also sée 1. Samuel 3.2 c. they will euer prayse thée i. they will be continually occupied in praysing thée for thy goodnesse and truth Verse 5. Blessed is the man whose strength is in thée i. who renounceth his owne and others strength and trusteth onelye to thy mighte and power and in whose harte are thy wayes i. that haue a desire and purpose to walke according to thine ordinaunces and namelye in visiting thy Temple and repayring to the exercises of thy Religion And by the worde Man he vnderstandeth many or that number of good men who vsed that course Verse 6. They Marke the sodaine chaunge of the number going thorow the vale of Baca of this valey reade 2. Samuel 5.23.24 and it should appeare to be a very drie place because of the Mulberry trées therein whiche thriue best in drie places make Welles therein i. make accounte of the drinesse of the place as though they had abundaunce of water for the pleasure that they take in Gods seruice mittigateth the great thirst of this drie place the raine also vz. which falleth from heauen couereth the pooles i. falleth vppon the vpper parts of the waters of the pooles increasing them But for mine own parte I would haue all this verse wholly referred out of Immanuel thus Blessed i. in good case are they that going thorow the valey of Baca or Mulberrye Trées of which somewhat is sayd before make it a well i. make that account of it as of a Well or of a most pleasaunt place wherein are welles and springes whome also i. which men the raine of blessings i. rayne that commeth from God and is bestowed vpon the earth as a blessing of God to make the same fruitfull and by raine of blessings he vnderstandeth also abundaunce of raine couereth i. falleth much vpon them and yet hindereth them not from going to the exercises of god This then is his meaning in these thrée verses 4 5 6 that not only the Priests and Leuites are in better case then he but the cōmon people that trauaile thorow many dangers and distresses to come to the place of Gods seruice from which he was shut by reason of his exile and whether hee would haue come with as great payns as they if he might safely haue done it Verse 7. They i. the people that thus repayre to the exercises of God and his word go from strength to strength i. the Lord indueth them with al maner of strength so that they féele no weakenesse or féeblenesse til euery one appeare i. come and place himselfe not denying but that afterwards also the Lorde doth graciously strengthen them before God vz. according to the law Exod. 23.17 meaning also by this spéech the arke of the couenaunt which to the children of Israel was a testimony of Gods presence in Sion vz. which was the place wherin the arke was the seruice of God vsed when Dauid did write this Psalm Ver. 8. O Lord god of hosts this is sundry times expounded before heare my prayer i. graunt my requests and petitions that I make vnto thée hearken i. yéelde to my suite O God of Iaakob i. of the faythful ones putting the name of the father from whom they came for his holy posteritie Ver. 9. Behold vz. in mercy our languishing and fainting for the exercises of thy word so looke vpon vs that we may be restored thereto for here Dauid prayeth both for him selfe and others that were with him in the like case O God our shield i. protector and defender who kéepeth vs many degrées better then shields and tergats are sée Psal 18.2 looke vpon the face i. graciously accepte the persons and prayers of thine
seruauntes doeth not onely manifest his owne glory but also prouoketh them thereby to bée thankefull vnto him Verse 7. Teacheth that Gods mercy is the cause of all goodnes to vs warde and namely of our deliueraunces from daunger Verse 8. Teacheth first in diligence and patience to wayte the Lordes good will secondly to stay our selues vppon Gods mercy and goodnes towardes vs Thirdly that the name Saint may bee giuen to them that bée liuing which the Papists deny appropriating it onely to the dead fourthly that Gods mercy and goodnesse shewed vnto his people ought to bée an effectuall meane to restrayne them from former folly and sinne Verse 9. Teacheth vs that the ready way to bée assured to haue GOD on our side is to haue a reuerent feare of his maiesty in our heartes and sincere fruites of the same feare in our conuersation Verse 10. Teacheth that the chiefe cause of the reconciliation betwéene God and man and of peace in mens consciences and of faythfull dealing towardes men is Gods great goodnes and mercy and the faithfull perfourmaunce of his promises to vs. Verse 11. Teacheth that it becommeth Gods children euen by the example of their heauenly father who sheweth himselfe most righteous in his promises towardes them to deale faithfully and vprightlye one with an other Verse 12. Teacheth that not onely all good thinges come from GOD as Iames 1.17 but that they are bestowed vppon all and namely vpon his children of his meere liberality onely Verse 13. Teacheth that where God beareth sway there all iustice shall manifestly appeare and bee openly practised Psalme 86. I Suppose that this Psalme of Dauid full of very earnest affections and prayers may bée diuided into two partes Di. In the first hee desireth the Lorde to haue mercy vppon and to deliuer him from all his afflictions sometymes alleadging his owne misery and sometymes Gods mercy and might to induce him thereto and this reacheth from verse 1. to the ende of the 10. In the seconde hee prayeth for light and knowledge desiring also deliueraunce from his distresses alleadging as reasons to moue the Lorde thereto the fearcenes of his enemies Gods owne mercy and his thankefulnes to bee perfourmed to the Lorde from ver 11. to the end of the Psalme The title Se. a prayer of Dauid i. a prayer that Dauid made in the time of some grieuous affliction that hée was in the holy Ghost leauing the same in recorde for vs to see it or the like Verse 1 Incline thine eare O Lorde vz. vnto my prayers and supplications which I make before thée and this is spoken of god according to men who if they bee disposed to graunt suites and requestes wil as a token thereof be ready to hearken to the suppliaunts voyce heare me i. graunt me such thinges as I praying vnto thee doe according to thy wil aske at thy hands for otherwise it is not to be denyed but that god continually heareth and séeth al thinges for I am poore i. miserable and in great distresse and néedy i. stand in néede of thy fauour and ayde hee alleadgeth his afflictions weaknes and misery to the end therby to moue god the more to fauour him for this is proper to his nature to succor the miserable Hosea 14.3 Ver. 2. Preserue thou my soule i. kéepe thou â—ay life whole man either from the rage of mine enemies or from the sharpnes of these afflictions for I am merciful vz. not only towards them that be in miserie but euen to my very enemies and he speaketh thus not as though hee would clayme somewhat for his dignity or worthines but to make his enemies more hatefull as it were to God because they persecuted him that alwaies behaued himself curteously towards them and therefore they had the lesse cause to persecute him Immanuel readeth it thus for I am hée whome thou pursuest with goodnes i. I am he whom thou tenderly louest and therefore hope that thou wilt defende and kéepe me euen as the apple of thine eye both the senses are good my God Dauid speaketh not this as though god were his god onely but to testifie the particular apprehension that hee had in his perswasion of GOD and his goodnes saue thou thy seruaunt i. deliuer him from his present dangers distresses and afflictions that trusteth in thée vz. alone and in none other but thée Ver. 3. Bée mercifull vnto me vz. that am thus distressed and compassed in on euery side out of which I can not get vnlesse thou shew great mercy for I cry vpon thée i. I do earnestly call and pray vnto thee continually i. dayly and without ceasing setting out here two thinges in his praiers the one is earnestnes and vehemency vnderstood by crying the other is perseueraunce ment by the worde continually Verse 4. Reioyce i. giue an occasion of ioy vnto mee by kéeping mée from mine enemies by deliuering mée from the heauines wherein I am and by graunting my requestes the soule i. the whole man but specially the inward and mortal part sore afflicted with continuall assaults striken into heauines and sorrow of thy seruant i. of me whom thou hast vouchsaued to call to this honour to make thy seruaunt and marke here how hee speaketh of him selfe in the third person presently chaunging in the other part of this verse to the first for vnto thée O Lord vz. alone and to no other but thée do I lift vp my soule i. I pray thy helpe and that not with mouth only but also with my heart Ver. 5. For thou Lord art good vz. to all and therefore much more to thine owne seruants and sonnes and merciful vz. to those that turne vnto thée after they haue strayed from thee meaning that God pardoneth them their sinnes and transgressions and of great kindnes i. of wonderful and vnspeakable mercy vnto al them vz. of what condition or state soeuer they be that cal vpon thée i. that pray vnto thee vz. alone and that in spirite and trueth Ver. 6. Giue eare O Lorde vz. I beséech thee and not as though Dauid commanded God vnto my prayer i. vnto my prayer which now I make vnto thée and hearken to the voice i. yéeld to the words of my supplications i. which I vse in my supplication meaning by all this the graunting of his requests it séemeth to be the same almost with ver 1. of this Psalm Ver. 7. In the day of my trouble i. at what soeuer time I shalbée in my trouble affliction or miserie I will call vppon thée i. I will pray vnto thee onely Immanuel readeth it in the present tense I cal vpon thée q.d. nowe that I am in trouble I pray vnto thée and in déed it better agreeth with the circumstance of the place and person for thou hearest me i. I knowe that thou either doest graunt or wilt graunt me my request wherby the Prophet sheweth what a stedfast perswasion he had in God and the word of his
thou hast shewed in former time vnto our Fathers which vz. also thou swarest vnto Dauid in thy truth i. which faythfully and truely thou promisedst and that by an oth adioyned to thy promise to performe to him and his séede see verse 35 of this Psalme In the other two verses vz. verse 47.48 he tooke argumentes from the vanitie of men and their life to moue the Lorde to pittie them In this verse he taketh an argument from the faythfulnesse which GOD vseth towards his seruaunts to induce him therto and in the two nexte verses vz. 50 51. he taketh an argument from the person of their enemies Verse 50. Remember O Lord i. earnestly thinke vpon that thou mayst also redresse it the rebuke of thy seruaunts i. the tauntes and rebukes wherewith thy seruaunts are laded by their enimies sée Psalm 123.4 which I beare in my bosome i. which I suffer most quietly patiently louing them as it were and making so much of them as though I fostred them in my bosome because I know they come from thée of al the mightie people i. which al the mighty people cast vpon me so the Prophet sheweth who were his enemies vz. not only the meaner sort but the most mighty of all Ver. 51. Thyne enemies vz. and ours for thy sake haue reproched thée O Lord vz. because thou hast not holpen vs saying where is now their god Psal 79.10 because they haue reproched i. blasphemed and spoken euil of with taunts rebukes the footesteps of thine annointed i. the good conuersation and behauiour of him whom thou hast appointed to be King if you referre it to Dauid If to Christe then it hath this sence that they speake euill of the doctrine and profession of Christ vpbraiding them also that wayted for his comming Vnderstanding by footesteps the féete themselues because with our féete we make our steps and by féete comming as Isaiah 52.7 Ver. 52. Praysed be the Lord for euermore this is a conclusion with thanksgiuing which in all places and in prosperitye and aduersitie the faythfull vse to giue to the Lord as Iob 1 21. So be it euen so bee it this is a consent yeelded to the same thankes giuing and the doubling maketh both for the earnestnesse and certaintie of it Sée Psalme 72.19 Ver. 1 teacheth that it behoueth Gods saints continually to praise god for his Do. mercy also that their thanksgiuing must not be inward in the hart onlye but outward also in the mouth Verse 2. teacheth that the true taste and féeling of Gods mercy and truth are two principall proppes to our consciences Verse 3 teacheth Gods goodnesse and mercy who for the further strengthening of our fayth and not for any inconstancy in him maketh an oth for the performaunce of his promises Verse 4. teacheth that Kinges and their posterity can not indure without the Lord vphold them and blesse them Verse 5. teacheth men euen by the example of heauenly creatures to prayse the Lord. Verse 6 teacheth that none neither in heauen nor earth is any way matchable with God Ver. 7 is a notable place against inuocation or prayer to Saynts Verse 8 sheweth that it is no small comfort to the consciences of Gods children rightly to consider his great power Verse 9. teacheth that Gods power and prouidence beareth a sway in the stilling of the sea and waues thereof which otherwise séeme to goe by naturall course Verse 10 teacheth vs that the ouerthrow of Gods enemies is not from man but from the Lorde himselfe and his mightye power Verse 11 sheweth that God is Lord ouer all things and that the firmity or stayednesse which the world hath it hath it not of it selfe but from the Lorde who in his power and prouidence vpholdeth the same Verse 12 proueth that God created the earth and that therefore it is not eternall as Philosophie affirmeth also although all the earth belong to the Lord as ouer which he hath a generall care yet specially that part which the faythfull inhabite Verse 13 setteth out Gods mightie strength and power which is so great as none is able to resist Verse 14 setteth out Gods iustice mercy and truth as matters not only of great comfort to his seruaunts but of great instruction also to teache them to striue to the lyke in their behauiour and dealings Verse 15 teacheth first that only Gods people are indéede blessed secondly that there is no matter of mirth or ioy but in the Lord only thirdly that Gods frée fauour and mercy is the onely vpholder of our bodily and spirituall life Verse 16 teacheth that the faythfull neuer reioyce in themselues but in the Lord and in his strength and in the faythfull accomplishment of his promises Ver. 17. teacheth that all the glory strength and power that the godly haue is from the Lord only Ver. 18. teacheth that neyther King nor people nor weapons c. are any thing without the Lord. Verse 19 teacheth that Gods word in the mouth of his ministers is a good both warrante and comforte to those that are his also that it is the Lorde that rayseth vp one and pulleth downe an other Verse 20 teacheth vs that he is in déede approued whom the Lord approueth howe much soeuer otherwise he be reiected of men Verse 21 teacheth that all the strength and power that Princes haue they haue it from the Lorde alone Verse 22 sheweth Gods care ouer his children and how mightily he will defend them it teacheth also that the wicked cannot doe what they list Ver. 23 teacheth that the ouerthrow of the vngodly is from the Lord whatsoeuer instruments he vseth to the performance thereof Verse 24. teacheth that Gods truth mercy and power are the proppes of all common wealths and kingdomes Ver. 25. teacheth that it is the Lord alone who inlargeth kingdoms Ver. 26 teacheth not only how earnest Gods children should be in their prayers but also with what a particular apprehension féeling of his mercy and power they ought to repaire vnto him Ver. 27. teacheth that meane men and high men are so much as God accounteth of them indéede and no more Ver. 28 teacheth that Gods mercy the stedfastnesse of his couenaunt be singular comforts to the consciences of his seruaunts Ver. 29. teacheth that God will be the God of the faythfull and of their séede after them Ver. 30.31 doe euidently declare what sinne is vz. the breache of the law and not obseruing Gods commaundements Ver. 32. teacheth that God wil chastice his for their sins to the end that therby they may come to amendment Verse 33 teacheth that God in the middest of his punishmentes remembreth his mercy toward his secondly that God will neuer vtterly forsake those that are his howsoeuer it pleaseth him to afflict them for a time Verse 34. sheweth that God is frée from all chaunge or shadow of turning Iames 1.17 which is a singular comfort to the afflicted foule Verse 35 expresseth Gods loue towardes vs
goodnesse chuseth men to be a peculiar inheritaunce to himselfe to the end he may alwayes mayntayne them vnder the shaddow of his winges Verse 4. Enter q.d. Because hée hath adopted you therefore striue to serue him into his Gates i. into the Gates of his Temple or Tabernacle he putteth a parte for the whole and the beginning of Gods seruice vz. repayring to the publique place for the execution of that seruice and Worshippe with prayse vz. vnto his name for that and many other his great goodnesses and mercye and into his Courtes hee speaketh according to the number of Courtes in the Tabernacle meaning as before the places of publike assemblies and Gods seruice sée Psalme 94.2.10 with reioycing vz. for the blessinges and benefites which he hath bestowed vpon you prayse him vz. for his great goodnesse and kindnesse towards you and blesse his name i. thanke his maiestye and power for those his mercies sée the word blessing so vsed Mat. 14.19 Verse 5. For the Lorde is good vz. towardes all but speciallye to his owne people meaning by the worde good fauourable louing and gracious his mercye vz. towardes his sonnes and seruauntes is euerlasting i. indureth and lasteth for euer and is neuer subiect to alteration nor chaunge sée Psalme 136. thorowe out and his truth i. the truth and stedfastnesse of his promises made vnto his seruauntes for so doeth the Hebrew worde vsed in this place alwayes signifye is from generation to generation i. is continuall and neuer decayeth euen as one generation succéedeth an other not meaning but that Gods mercy shall indure when all carnall generations of men shall fayle Do. Verse 1 teacheth vs that it becommeth Gods people neuer to be ashamed to prayse the Lord. Verse 2 teacheth vs to yéelde that seruice which we performe to God chearefully and with a good hart Verse 3 teacheth vs that we haue neyther our bodily creation nor our spirituall regeneration of our selues but all from the Lord only Verse 4 teacheth vs that Gods children should shew them selues in publike assemblies publikely thankfull for publike benefits receaued at his mercifull hands Verse 5. Teacheth vs that howsoeuer man be variable in his loue and promise yet God in goodnesse and truth abideth alwayes faithfull to his Psalme 101 THis Psalme as I take it may be deuided into two parts Di. In the first the Kingly Prophet Dauid declareth what hee will performe in respecte of his owne particular person from verse 1 to the end of the 4 In the second he sheweth what hée will doe concerning other vz. punish the wicked and foster the good from verse 5 to the end of the Psalme The Title a Psalme of Dauid i. a Psalme that Dauid made Se. whether before he came to his kingdome or at the beginning of his raigne is vncertain but I suppose rather when he first entred into his kingdome Ver. 1. I wil sing i. I will both speake of and practise sée Isaiah 5.1 mercy i. fauor maintainance towards my good subiects and iudgement i. execution of punishmente vpon the wicked in which 2 parts consisteth the Magistrates dutie as appeareth Rom. 13. sée for the performaunce of this promise 2. Sam. 9.1 vnto thée O Lord will I sing the Prophet meaneth not only that he will prayse God for aduauncing him to the kingdome but that euen for his sake in repect of his own office he wil performe these matters Ver. 2 I will doe wisely i. I wil behaue my selfe vprightly and circumspectlye according to the rule of thy word which is only true wisedome in the perfit way i. in the gouernmente of my kingdome the execution of my office which he calleth a perfit way because there is prescribed in Gods word a perfit rule therof til thou commest to mée vz. to take me out of this life and to cal me to an account for the discharge of my dutie I wil walke in the vprightnes of my hart i. I wil behaue my self vprightly and soundly so that mine own hart conscience shal witnes vnto me my good dealing and holy cōuersation in the middest of mine house i. priuatly and within mine owne walles as it were yea in the eyes and sight of my whole family the Prophet in this verse promiseth two thinges as I take it in the first part of a faythfull executing of his publike charge in the second a godly conuersation priuatly Verse 3. I wil set no wicked thing before mine eyes vz. to performe or doe it yea he meaneth that he wil not only kéepe himselfe from doing wickednesse but that he will so turne himself away from it that his eyes shall not behold it I hate vz. earnestly and from the bottome of my hart the worke of them that fall away vz. from thy truth and from that righte waye that thou hast prescribed meaning by the word worke not only that defection of theirs wch is the principal but al other transgressions whatsoeuer putting one for the whole it i. such maner of dealing shal not cleaue vnto me i. either raign or dwel in me this the Prophet speaketh as assuring himselfe of gods strength to continue the profession of his truth Verse 4. A froward hart i. a peruerse rebellious mind noting in these words the séed or foūtain of sin shal vz. thorow Gods goodnes and strength depart from me vz. farre off he meaneth by this spéeche that he wil indeuour to put of the old man with the lusts therof Ephe. 4 22 I will know none euil q. d. as I wil be far from performing wickednes in acte so I will not allow or like of the same in my iudgement or vnderstanding for so is the word knowing vsed in this place as in sundrye other places before Ver. 5. Him that priuily slaundereth he meaneth not that he wil spare them that shal do it openly for if he punish the lesse offence thus he will not spare the greater which is open slaunder his neighbour i. any whether hée dwell nigh or farre from him for so generally and largely doe I take this worde sée Psalme 15.3 will I destroy i. most sharply punish and that euen by death if the hainousnes of the offence require it him that hath a proud looke i. he that is lofty proud for pride appeareth many times euen in the very eye brées and eyes themselues whē they be lifted vp and high harte or as it is in the Hebrew text large in harte meaning by that maner of spéech one that hath a mind to aspire to great matters therefore is puffed vp with ouerwéening of himself I cannot suffer vz. or indure at any hand he meaneth by these spéeches that he cannot abide pride nor the tokens nor signes thereof nor the persons giuen thereto Ver. 6. Mine eyes shal be i. I wil carefully looke vnto and haue special regard of vnto the faithful of the land i. vnto the good and godlye peo-people that dwell in the lande wheresouer
withholding thy goodnesse from them as verse 29 of this Psalme but also by propagation of séede and ofspring they are as it were anew thorow the strength of thy commaundement and blessing Gen. 1. in sundry places created and thou renuest the face of the earth i. though thou séeme to man by reason of the death which falleth vpon creatures to be a wonderful decay of earthly creatures yet by raising vp the like in their roomes vpon the vpper part of the earth thou giuest as it were a new face and countenaunce agayne vnto the same Verse 31. Glory be to the Lord for euer after the particular description of Gods power and prouidence in his creatures he bursteth forth to Gods prayse for the same and wisheth as it were that both he and all men would yéeld continuall thankes and prayse vnto him therefore let the Lord reioyce i. take singular delight and pleasure in his workes i. in the workes and creatures whiche hée hath made The Prophet addeth vnto his former praysing of God for his power and goodnesse a praier to the Lord for the continuance of the same towards his creatures I know others expound it otherwise but me thinketh this is a simple sence Verse 32. He vz. God looketh vz. with his angry countenāce as it were on the earth i. on the world it selfe and all things therein contayned and it trembleth vz. for feare and reuerence of his maiestie hee toucheth the mountaynes and they smoke q.d. the Lorde néedeth not to doe much to testifie his wrath for euen the very Mountaynes by touching them shall burne and consume All this is nothing else but a consideration of the greate power and Maiestie of God of which sée more Psalme 18 7 8 9. c. Verse 33. I will sing vnto the Lord i. I will prayse him pray vnto him and serue him for hée putteth one part of Gods seruice for the whole q.d. Euen the greatnesse of his power and maiestie shall be one meane to draw me on to the seruice and obedience of him and that not for a small time onely but all my life long I will prayse my God while I liue this is the same with that which went before the doubling of it noteth the resolute purpose whiche the Prophet had to performe this his vow Verse 34. Let my wordes be acceptable vnto him hee promised before prayse and thanksgiuing and now he desireth that that seruice maye be pleasaunt in his sight I vnderstand by wordes not only the words of his prayers though them chéefely indéede but all his other spéeches whatsoeuer sée Psalme 19 14. I will reioyce in the Lorde q.d. I will remooue all my thoughts from the pleasures and profits of this life to the ende I may staye my selfe vpon a spirituall ioy and contentment in God only Verse 35. Lette the sinners i. the notorious wicked men sée Psalme 1. ver 1.5 be consumed vz. vtterly lest they should infect others stay from the the godly abundance of graces blessings out of the earth vz. wherein they dwell and thus he prayeth agaynst the vngodly whom the Lord had sealed vp agaynst the day of his wrath and the wicked vz. men of the worlde meaning by wicked men them that foster and foode themselues in wickednesse till there bee no more vz. of them left vpon the earth he desireth an vtter taking awaye of the vngodlye both of their persons and memories O my soule prayse thou the Lorde sée verse 1. of this Psalme where you haue the same wordes In these wordes hée prouoketh himselfe to prayse the Lorde as in these wordes following prayse yée the Lorde he prouoketh the rest of the godlye and faythfull to doe the like And thus muche for the sence of this Psalme the doctrines follow in order Verse 1 teacheth vs to stir vp our selues to the prayses of God De. it teacheth vs also that Gods power and glorye doth after a sort craue the same at our handes Verse 2 sheweth that euen in Gods creatures we haue euident glasses wherein to beholde his Maiesty power c. the selfe same thing doth ver 3 and and many other verses in this Psalme teach Verse 3 teacheth that God by his power ruleth the waters the cloudes the windes c. the same doctrine doeth verse 4 deliuer Verse 5 teacheth that whatsoeuer firmity the earth hath it hath it from the Lord and not of it self Verse 6 7 teach that neither the waters nor any other creature can go further then the Lord appoynteth them and that his onely word without any déede as it were is sufficient to staye the rage of them all Verse 8 and 9. teach the selfe same doctrine sée Prouerbes 8.29 Verse 10.11 teach that all blessings whatsoeuer yea and the abundaunce of them come from the Lorde only Verse 12 teacheth that God hath made his creatures not only profitable for man but one of them ioyfull and delightful to another Verse 13 teacheth that God can by moysture as a meane make barren places plentifull also that there is no place of the world wherein there is not to be séene abundaunce of his blessinges though in some places more then in other some as must be confessed Verse 14 teacheth what care God hath ouer his creatures in giuing them all thinges necessarye for the mayntainaunce of life Verse 15 setteth out Gods large liberalitie who giueth vs all thinges of pleasure as well as of profite contrary to the assertion of Anabaptistes who would haue vs vse nothing for necessitie only Verse 16 teacheth that which god doth farre excelleth all done by arte or witte of man Verse 17 18. shewe that God hath made all creatures one of them to be delightfull and profitable to an other sée before verse 12. Verse 19 doth not onely expresse Gods power and prouidence in the Sunne and Moone but their obedience also to that course sette them which shoulde teache vs to walke with care and conscience before him Verse 20.21.22.23 set forth Gods great care for man and beast who hath distributed to eyther of them times for their labour and times for their rest whiche also teacheth vs to beware that we turne not the day into night nor the nighte into daye withoute some verye speciall and vrgent occasion Verse 24 teacheth vs that the variety and plentye of GOD his creatures shoulde not onlye draw vs into a maruayling at them and their Creator but also into a praysing of him for the same Verse 25 teacheth vs that euen the Sea as well as the Lande doth lyuely expresse the greatnesse of GOD his power and goodnesse The same in particularitye doth verse 26. whiche verse 25 did generallye Verse 27 doth not onely set out the largenesse of Gods prouidence which stretcheth it selfe to all creatures but also it teacheth vs with patience to attende for euerye thing necessarye from the Lordes hande in due season Verse 28 teacheth that Gods frée and only liberalitye is the very
inhabitauntes being cast out of it they themselues might possesse enioy and dwell in the Prophet meaneth not that they that were dead coulde amongest men prayse the Lorde for these thinges but in as much as the benefite thereof did reach vnto their posterity hée exhorteth their séede being aliue to acknowledge Gods mercyes in that behalfe and to prayse him for the same Verse 8. Let them i. their posterity after them therefore i. for the benefites and blessinges before rehearsed confesse i. prayse and magnifie God before the Lorde i. in his presence and from a good heart whether it bee secretly in their owne selues or openly before the Arke according to the custome of those dayes his louing kindnes vz. fréely and plentifully bestowed vppon them and his wonderfull workes i. the wonderfull workes that hee hath done for his people before the sonnes of men i. openly in mens sight and to them and their posterity Ver. 9. For hee satisfied vz. with abundaunce of all good thinges the thirsty soule i. him that stoode in néede of any good thing putting the word soule a principall part of man for the whole person and filled the hungry soule i. the hungry man with goodnesse i. with abundance of good thinges Ver. 10. They that dwell in darkenesse i. such as were kept prisoners in darke places and in the shadowe of death i. in great extremitie of death and daunger Sée Psalme 23.4 Isaiah 9.1.2 being bounde in misery and yron i. being kept in miserable and harde bondage hée beginneth here to recite how many sortes of people afflicted with diuers afflictions haue alwayes founde the Lorde mercifull and fauourable specially when they came vnto him Verse 11. Because they rebelled vz. both in thought woorde and deede agaynst the woordes of the Lorde vz. manifested and put downe in his Lawe and despised i. regarded not and set nought by the counsell of the most high i. the purpose ready inclination and power that the Lorde had to doe them good if they had yéelded obedience vnto him hée sheweth in this verse the cause of mens correction that hee might thereby deliuer Gods iustice from mens slaunders and reprehension And withall he teacheth that the onely rule of good life is to followe Gods commandement Verse 12. When hee i. God humbled vz. though not rightly and truely not that God was not able to doe it but because hée woulde not vouchsafe them that grace by humbling hée meaneth casting downe Sée 2. Kings 21.29 their heart with heauinesse i. hée made them heauy sorrowfull and sadde there they fell downe vz. before their enemies and there was no helper i. there was none that woulde helpe them This is the Prophetes meaning when they were wounded with a worldly sorrowe in their heartes and by meanes thereof their courages and stomackes were decayed then they laye as an open pray to their aduersaries and none pitied their cases or were able to helpe them Verse 13. Then vz. when they were thus destituted of mans ayde they cryed vnto the Lorde i. they called earnestly vppon him this and all that followeth in the verse is the same both in woordes and sense with verse 6. of this Psalme Verse 14. Hee i. GOD brought them vz. by his almightie power out of darkenesse and out of the shaddowe of death i. out of affliction oppression anguish c. Sée before verse 10. of this Psalme And brake their bandes i. the bandes wherewith they were bounde whether they were the bandes of affliction captiuity c. a sunder i. in pieces and so set them at libertie For the better vnderstanding of this speach Sée Sampsons story Iudges 15.13.14 also Iudges 16.11.12 Verse 15. Is the same both in woordes and sense with verse 8. before going Ver. 16. For hée vz. the Lorde hath broken vz. by his almightie power the gates of brasse and brast the barres of yron a sunder vz. for his peoples sake vnderstanding by brasen gates and barres of yron either most straite bandes and prisons Sée Acts 12.10 or else the bandes of cruell and perpetuall bondage In which respect also Egipt is called in the Scripture a house of bondage Verse 17. Fooles i. wicked and vngodly men as may appeare throughout all the booke of the Prouerbes and Psalm 53.1 by reason of their transgression vz. committed against GOD and because of their iniquities vz. against men are afflicted vz. by the Lord and that with sundry sortes of his iudgements And hée calleth them fooles because they haue no feare of God before them which is the beginning of wisedome Prouerbs 1.7 So that wée may perceiue that he meaneth not that wicked men who are here called fooles fall through ignoraunce or error onely but that their affections being blinded doe take away from them all right iudgement Ver. 18. Their soule abhorreth all meate i. they themselues putting one part of man for an other and not as though the soule were fed with bodyly foode hée meaneth that they are withoute all appetite and lothe euen the verye sighte of meate a punishment wherewithall GOD many times plagueth the gluttonous persons and they are brought to deathes dore i. they are euen ready to dye hée speaketh in this place of vncurable diseases and of which seldome fewe or none at all escape for deathes doore Sée Psalm 9.13 where he speaketh of the gates of death Verse 19. Is the same with verse 6.13 of this Psalme both in wordes and meaning and there is no difference sauing that the former speake it in the tyme past and this in the tyme present Verse 20. Hée sendeth his woorde i. hée commaundeth or speaketh but the word onely Matth. 8.8 and healeth them vz. of all their infirmities and diseases and deliuereth them vz. through his great goodnesse and almightie power from their graues i. from present death and the graue made ready as it were for them by their sicknesses and maladyes Verse 21. Is the same with verse 8. and 15. of this Psalme Verse 22. And let them offer vz. vnto GOD for these his graces the sacrifices of prayse i. not only of praysing but also of thankesgiuing Sée Hebrewes 13.15 and declare his woorkes vz. which hée hath graciously done for them with reioycing vz. both to himwarde and chearefully and gladly in respect of themselues for God requireth chearefulnes in our actions Verse 23. They that doe come into the Sea by shippes i. the mariners for I take it to be a special periphrasis of them and occupy vz. into diuers quarters and countreyes by the great waters vz. of the Sea This I doe especially referre to marchauntes q.d. whether they bée mariners or marchauntes trading by Sea or the armes thereof and that woorde of going downe into the Sea woulde bée marked because the waters séeme to bée belowe the earth Verse 24. They sée vz. sensibly and playnely and that with bodyly eyes if they haue any grace to beholde it the woorkes of the Lorde i. the great workes that
and earth This verse and the verses following conteine and answere to the blasphemous scorning of the aduersaries conteined ver 3. and in this answere the true GOD is manifestly set out ver 4. and further it is declared that the false may not onely not be compared with him but not with men no not so much as with the smallest creature liuing ver 4.5.6.7 and therefore that men shoulde no more feare the worshippers of idoles then the idoles themselues ver 8. so that here he opposeth the assurance of fayth against the blasphemies of vnbeléeuers and declareth that God hath an infinite power and such a one as can not bee limited in so much that all the worlde being vnder his gouernement hée fréely executeth whatsoeuer pleaseth him no man being able to let him therein yea that he is not onely aboue all lets and hinderaunces but also that he vseth the same to serue to the furtherance of his purposes and therefore hée addeth that hee doeth whatsoeuer pleaseth him Ver. 4. Their idoles i. the idoles of the heathen ver 2. of this Psal and which they serue as siluer and golde i are made of siluer and gold q.d. that is the best they can bee made of the worke of mens handes i. they are such woorkes as mens handes haue made Verse 5. They haue a mouth i. the proportion and similitude of a mouth and speake not i. can not speake therewith they haue eyes i. a shewe and likenes of eyes and sée not i. can not sée therewith and after the same sort must you vnderstande all that is sayd of them ver 6.7 The faithful do hereby declare that it is an absurd thing for men demaund of idoles that which they want or to put any trust in them séeing that they haue neither mouing féeling nor any other sense And in these verses hée maketh an opposition betwéene the true God and the false gods which are nothing but dead idoles and haue no power at all in these verses is conteined also a laying of that iustly vpon these false gods which the idolaters vntruely did charge the true God withall and the argumentes are taken first of the effect because their idoles were nothing but terrors and such as did trouble mens myndes with grieuous superstition from whence also they séeme in Hebrewe to haue their names and not comforting and sauing any as God doeth all his continually Secondly of the matter because that though they bee very precious yet they are earthly thinges and without life but God is the author of life and dwelleth in heauen thirdly of their beginning because mens handes made them whereas God is eternall and vncreated who also by his very word made al things lastly because they are idle and vnprofitable and not indued with any power of life but rather vaine shadowes of liuing thinges whereas the Lorde doeth whatsoeuer pleaseth him And by this meanes hee beateth downe the vayne confidence and pride of the wicked who bragged of the helpe of their gods to whome they themselues gaue a beginning and though they bee made of golde and siluer vnderstanding thereby any other precious matter whatsoeuer yet so it is the value of the matter causeth not that the idoles should bée more excellent if they might be compared with GOD. Verse 8. They that make them i. the caruers grauers painters c. are like vnto them i. brutish as it were and insensible q.d. they are no more able to resist thée and thy power then those dead images are able to resist a liuing man neither are they able more to hurt thy people then a blocke or a stocke of it selfe can hurt a liuing creature so are i. in the like case and condition also are all vz. of what state or condition soeuer they bee that trust in them vz. either litle or much and here they shewe one cause wherefore God hateth idoles vz. because the honour due to him alone is giuen to thē Ver. 9. O Israel now he speaketh to the faithfull and exhorteth them to trust in God onely q.d. But thou O Israel séeing thou hast had proofe of the alsufficiency of God and of the vanity of idoles trust thou in the Lorde vz. alone ioyne no other with him for hee is their helpe i. of the faithfull and of those that truste in him q.d. he alwayes helpeth them and their shield vz. in the day of distresse meaning vnder this terme shielde his protecting and defending of them Sée Psal 18.2 Ver. 10. O house of Aaron i. O ye priests and Leuites which were ioyned vnto the priests for their ease he speaketh specially vnto these because they should shew the way vnto others trust ye in the Lord vz. also that ye in féeling the same your selues may the better teach and perswade other men to imbrace it for he is their helpe and their shield sée ver 9. of this Psal Ver. 11. Yée vz. of what nation soeuer ye be and are now come to the knowledge of God that feare the Lord i. worship him and serue him according to his word trust in the Lord for he is their helpe and their shield sée ver 9.10 of this Psalme Ver. 12. The Lord vz. himselfe hath beene mindfull i. by effect and déede hath declared his care and remembraunce of vs vz. being in distresse and that by reason of the couenant which he made with vs hee will blesse vz. vs al of what state or condition so euer we be vnderstanding by blessing all maner of prosperity whatsoeuer hée will blesse the house of Israell i. all the race and posterity of Israel nowe hée applieth that particularly which hée spake before generally hée will blesse the house of Aaron i. the Priestes and Leuites as before verse 10. Ver. 13. Hée will blesse them that feare the Lorde i. such as worship and serue him as before verse 11. Marke also howe he speaketh of God in the thirde person And this often repeating of the woorde blessing serueth not onely to note the continuall course of Gods graces vpon his children but also to expresse the certaintie and assurednes thereof both small and greate i. as well those that are vile and contemptible in the world as those that are in greatest estimation and regard the reason of it is because GOD respecteth no mans person Verse 14. The Lorde will increase vz. through his great goodnesse and mercy his graces towardes you vz. which are his people hée meaneth that he will giue them a dayly supply of new benefites and greater then they haue had before towardes you and towards your children hée noteth in these woordes the largenesse of Gods blessing to be bestowed vppon the godly and their godly posterity Verse 15. Yée are the blessed of the Lorde i. you are such as the Lorde himselfe hath not onely promised bur perfourmed great blessinges vnto and therefore you néede not doubt or feare which made vz. by the worde of his power in the beginning and
euer since the beginning hath preserued and increased the same the heauen and the earth vz. and al thinges therein conteined q.d. you may assure your selues of a most plentiful blessing séeing that he who blesseth you is the author preseruer gouernor of heauen al things therin of the earth al things therin which also he hath giuen to vs as verse following Ver. 16. The heauens euen the heauens i. the most high heauens are the Lords i. apperteine and belong vnto him as the special place of his delight and dwelling and yet we must not so vnderstand it as God were tyed to any one certaine place for his maiestie filleth the heauens and the earth but he hath giuen vz. of his large liberality and goodnes the earth vz. wherein men dwel to the sonnes of men i. to men and their séede after them that they should inhabite and vse it so that in this life they might by the thinges thereof bee prouoked to serue God and stirred vp thereby to the hope and fruition of eternal felicity Verse 17. The dead prayse not the Lord the Prophet meaneth that if God preserued not his Church the whole order and course of the worlde shoulde bee turned vpside downe for to what end should the creation of the worlde serue if there were not a people to call vpon God whereupon he gathereth that there shal always be some which shal praise the Lorde euen vntil the end of the world and so with al there is set out the end wherefore men are placed in the world vz. to prayse serue God q.d. that we dye not must be attributed to gods glory therfore euen our life also must be occupied about his praise sée Psal 6.5 whether they that go downe into the place of silence i. neither do they praise him that are brought to their graues and layed in them sée for this speach Psal 94.17 sée also Isaiah 38.18 The Prophet vttereth vnder diuers words one the selfesame thing Ver. 18. But we vz. which shal liue and be deliuered from our distresses wil prayse the Lord vz. for the benefites that we haue receiued from him from hencefoorth and for euer i. continually and alwaies prayse ye the Lord sée Psal 104. and Psal 105. in the very end Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth vs when we do in prayer appeare before the Lord to craue any thing at his handes vnfeignedly to cast from our selues all trust and confidence in our selues to flie to gods soueraine goodnes and trueth only Ver. 2. Teacheth vs that gods glory is after a sort hazarded amongst the enemies of God and his people when his own people are discomfited or disgraced Ver. 3. Teacheth vs that the more the enemies do blaspheme God the more we should be throughly perswaded of his power because that their dealing doeth prouoke him to execute a more swift and hard iudgment vpon them Ver. 4.5.6.7.8 doth liuely paint out the vanity of idoles themselues and of al such as either make or worship them Ver. 9. Teacheth the godly howsoeuer other men run a whoring after idols to cleaue only to the Lord. Ver. 10. Teacheth the ministers preachers of Gods word to make themselues examples vnto other of stedfast confidence in God Ver. 11. Teacheth vs that with the seruice of god there must be ioyned faith in God and his word or else it is nothing Ver. 12. Teacheth vs that God neuer forgetteth his children and merciful couenant made with them also that the godly shal haue from the Lord both assurednes and plentifulnes of blessings Ver. 13. Teacheth vs that God respecteth no mans person but in euery nation he that feareth him and worketh righteousnes is accepted before him Ver. 14. Sheweth that Gods grace and loue reacheth euen to the godly and their posterity after them Ver. 15. Teacheth vs that those whom the Lord pursueth with his fauor shal not nor can not want any thing that is good Ver. 16. Setteth out the large liberality and fatherly care of God towardes men also it teacheth vs that séeing he hath giuen vs the things of this life we shold vse them wel and so as they may further vs to the hope of a better life Ver. 17. Teacheth vs that when God giueth vs life in this world he doth thereby as it were prouoke vs to set forth his glory and praise Ver. 18. Teacheth vs thrée things first that we should praise the Lorde for his mercies for euen to the ende haue we our life giuen and his blessings are bestowed vppon vs secondly that this our thanksgiuing should be continual and thirdly that we should prouoke and stirre vp other men to do the like Psalme 116. THis Psalme as I take it may bée diuided into two partes Di. In the first the Prophet setteth out on the one side his loue fayth towards the Lord and on the other side Gods mercy and goodnes towards him from ver 1. to the end of the 11. In the second part hee promiseth humble and hearty thankesgiuing vnto the Lorde for that continuall heape of benefites which hee had receiued from his mercifull handes from verse 12. to the ende of the Psalme This Psalme hath no title as many other Psalmes both before it Se. and after it haue not sée Psal 114.115.117.118 c. Ver. 1. I loue vz. with all my heart and vnfeignedly the Lord vz. only and alone and none either with him or besides him and vnder the word of loue the Prophet sheweth that there was nothing without god that either could like him or please him because hee hath heard i. because he hath yéelded vnto and granted my voyce vz. sent forth vnto him and my prayers vz. which I made vnto him vnder these words voice and prayers the Prophet meaneth such prayers as he powred forth vnto the Lord not only with his heart but also with his mouth and words Ver. 2. For he hath inclined his eare vz. as one that were ready for to heare mee this is spoken of God according to mans capacity vnto mée vz. being in distresse and when I prayed vnto him as followeth when I did call vppon him vz. for helpe and ayde by earnest and hearty prayers in my dayes i. in the tyme of my affliction as may appeare by the next verse following sée Psal 137.7 also Lament 1.21 and by the woorde dayes hée noteth that hee had continuaunce and length of trouble Ver. 3. When the snares of death compassed mee vz. on euery side and rounde about so that there was almost no hope of escaping no more then of a bird or wild beast taken in a snare or grin by this manner of speach hée meaneth that euen then when hee was ready to dye the Lord in mercy looked vppon him Sée 2. Sam. 22.5.6 also Psalm 18.4.5 and the griefes of the graue i. great and extreme griefes which brought me almost to the graue made me as it were ready to bee put into it caught
me i. tooke hold of me so that sore that I was almost past hope of escaping when I found trouble and sorrow i. when I perceiued my self to be much plūged in abundaunce of griefe for so much I take these two words trouble and sorrow ioyned together to import Ver. 4. Then I called vpon the name of the Lord i. I prayed vnto him himself and besought his goodnes to manifest his power in helping mee saying I beséeche thée vz. from the bottome of my heart O Lord i. thou that art both able and willing to help deliuer vz. from danger and distresse my soule i. my life which is in great hazarde by meanes of the dangers that hang ouer it and are ment against it Ver. 5. The Lord is merciful vz. towards al but specially towards thē that cal vpon him in truth and righteous vz. in performing his promises made to his people and maintaining them in their iust causes and our God i. the God which we serue is ful of compassion and therefore he wil neuer forsake his that are in misery the Prophet sheweth in this verse what was the comfort of his soule in the middest of his afflictions Ver. 6. The Lord vz. alone preserueth vz. by his mighty power and that out of all the mischieuous imaginations that the wicked can deuise the simple i. such as are destitute of mans counsel and therfore the more subiect to iniury amongst men the more easily circumuented and yet do all that notwithstanding commit themselues and their causes with a simple and quiet mind into the hands of God I was in misery q.d. I can speake this by myne own experience for when I was in wonderful and great distresse so that there was almost no hope of deliuery as ver 3. of this Psal and he saued mee i. deliuered me out of the same according to his prayer made ver 4. Ver. 7. Returne vnto thy rest O my soule i. bee no more troubled and disquieted but stay thy selfe vpon God sée Psal 42.5.12 This same returning to rest is that same stay that the faithful haue in God and his woorde in the middest of their griefes so that they vtterly fal not for the Lord hath bin beneficiall vnto thee vz. many and sundry waies al this verse together is q.d. Take courage vnto thée be quiet go vnto god in whom alone thou shalt find marueilous tranquility for he hath hertofore wil hereafter shew himself fauorable vnto thée ver 8. Because this is a proof by his own experience of that which he spake before that God had béen beneficial vnto him thou vz. alone mark the sodain change of the person from the thirde to the seconde hast deliuered vz. fréely safe and sound and through thy mighty power my soule i. me my selfe from death vz. whereunto I was almost brought or else you may vnderstande by death most extreme daunger mine eyes from teares i. thou hast taken away from me al sadnes and heauines he putteth the outward signe both for the signe and the thing it selfe and my féete from falling vz. into these deadly dangers and trappes which were layd for me and whereinto certainely I had fallen if I had not bene kept and deliuered by thée Ver. 9. I vz. being grounded and stayed vpon God shall walke vz. through his goodnes and defence meaning by walking liuing and being conuersant q.d. I shall liue before God i. safely and soundly for men thinke those things to be sure which they haue their eyes continually fixed vpon in the land of the liuing i. in this world or earth or amongst men dwelling vpon the same and so wee haue had it sundry times vsed before So that in this verse the prophet vpon the benefits which he had before receiued concludeth that he shal be alwaies vnder the care and gouernment of God Verse 10. I beléeued vz. the Lord and his word therfore I spake vz. vnto God by prayer and to my selfe in mine afflictions the wordes before expressed in this Psal for I was sore troubled i. much afflicted with assaultes both inward and outward In this verse the Prophet sheweth how weake and féeble his flesh was in the time of aduersity which almost reiected the promises of God had not Gods spirit vpholden him in faith q.d. then was faith forcible and triumphed in my mind when I called vppon God as is expressed before in this Psal ver 4. and spake vnto mine owne soule words of comfort ver 7. thē I beléeued in déed I spake nothing but that which I was fully perswaded of and my tongue and the affection of my hart agréed well together Ver. 11. I said i. I both thought it and spake it and held it as a resolute conclusion in my feare i. when I was in great feare and ready for feare to flie from the rage of Saul for the word doth not only signifie feare but hast making as appeareth Psal 31.22 q.d. with feare and flying I was caried forcibly into these perturbations of the flesh al men are lyers i. there is no certaintie and assurednes in their wordes q.d. Samuel who for his excellency might be preferred before all men promised me that I should obteine and possesse the kingdome but now I perceiue he spake not in the spirit of prophecie but of his owne brayne and lyingly Thus in the rage and heate of the flesh doth Dauid touch not God in déede openly but his prophet Samuel as though he had not sufficiently known Gods will and had gone beyond the boundes of his calling q.d. wée must no more beléeue men for there is nothing in them but vanity and lying Ver. 12. What vz. thing in al the world shal I render vnto the Lorde i. yéelde giue vnto him for al his benefits towards me i. for that innumerable number of benefites which he hath bestowed vpon me giuen me fréely This interrogation or question sheweth that hee thought himselfe so much bound vnto God for his graces as that he was not able to yéeld any thing that might counteruaile the least part therof Ver. 13. I wil take the cup of saluation or else in the plural number saluations as it is in the Hebrew text that is of very many helpes and deliuerances In this verse and the verse following the prophet promiseth publike profession of Gods name of the benefits bestowed vpō him which he will performe before the Church The meaning is that hee woulde offer to God sacrifices of praise and thanksgiuing and then that he would as the maner was in those sacrifices make a holy feast and banket also vnto the people in remembrance of that manifold deliuerance which hee had receiued from the Lord for in this place he doth no doubt allude to the custome of the law which was to make a banquet of some part of the sacrifice in token of reioysing whē they yéelded solemne thanks to God And because that those sacrifices were offred often times
felt is the speciall matter of comfort to al his children Ver. 77. Teacheth vs that wee can not liue no not in this life much lesse in the life to come without Gods great mercy Ver. 78. Teacheth vs that wee may pray against the wicked also what the nature of the wirked is vz. to vse force and flattery against Gods Saintes to worke them hurt if they can thereby lastly that serious meditation in Gods lawe is a singular comfort agaynst the assaultes of our enemies Ver. 79. Teacheth vs to pray for them that bee shrunke away euen as for our selues also that there is no right worshippe of God without the knowledge of his woorde Ver. 80. Teacheth vs to pray earnestly against the sinne of hypocrisie and dissimulation Caph. Di. THe Prophet in this eleuenth part maketh hearty prayer to the Lorde for helpe and deliuery first because of the miserable estate wherein hee himselfe was in respect of his owne person verse 81.82.83.88 Secondly in respecte of the great outrage and cruelty of his enemies verse 84.85.86.87 Se. Verse 81. My soule faynteth i. my life is euen as it were consumed for thy saluation i. with looking for helpe and deliueraunce from thée yet q.d. notwithstanding all this great distresse wherein I am I doe wayte vz. in hope and patience for thy worde i. for the accomplishment of those thinges which thou in thy worde hast promised q.d. I haue in great patience waited for deliuerance from thée and wil waite for it still for by fainting hee vnderstandeth a certaine patience whose force though it séeme to be vtterly lost yet doeth it not altogether forsake them in whome it is who séeme notwithstanding to bee dead but putteth into their heartes secret gronings yea such as men cannot well expresse Ver. 82. Mine eies i. the power strength and sight of mine eies faile i. decayeth and waxeth dimme for otherwise hée had his eyes still for thy promise i. with looking for the accomplishment of thy promise so long thou séemest to mée to deferre and put it off saying i. in so much that I burst foorth into this speach and saide when wilt thou comfort mee vz. distressed and afflicted on euery side such a sore conflict and battaile had Dauid within himselfe Verse 83. For I am like a bottle vz. made of beastes skinnes in the smoke i. hanged vp in the smoke hee meaneth that through griefe and misery hée was wrinkled withered dryed away and consumed as it were yet do I not forget thy statutes q.d. my miseries driue me not into a forgetfulnes of thée and thy word but make mee more to remember thée it Verse 84. Howe many are the dayes vz. of affliction and trouble of thy seruaunt i. which thy seruaunt shall indure Sée Psalme 116.2 in the Prophetes also we shal read this phrase the dayes of Egipt the dayes of Babilon c. when wilt thou execute iudgement i. when wilt thou punish on them that persecute me vz. without a cause Verse 85. The proude Sée before ver 51.69.78 haue digged pits for me i. haue secretly and by ambushes as it were sought my death and destruction Sée Psalm 7.15 which vz. craftie and subtil kinde of dealing is not after thy lawe i. consenteth not with the trueth of thy woorde but directly fighteth against it and this hee addeth to moue the Lorde the rather to execute iustice Immanuel referreth it to the persons thus The proude who conforme not themselues to thy lawe i. will not bee ruled after thy woorde nor order their life according to it haue digged pittes for mee but me thinketh the other sence is as playne Verse 86. All thy commaundements i. they all generally and euery one of them particularly are true i. most true yea trueth it selfe and in all trueth and vprightnesse enioyned men to obserue them they i. the proude and wicked men persecute mée falsely i. not only without a cause on my part but lyingly and slanderously in respect of themselues helpe mée vz. thus distressed and deliuer mee from these bloody and cruell men Verse 87. They had almost consumed me vz. through their wicked deuises and cruell practises vppon the earth i. liuing here vppon the earth with them Immanuel readeth it better thus cast downe vppon the earth i. being very much humbled and afflicted q.d. my miserie coulde not moue them to pity mee but the more weake I was the more cruell they were against mée but vz. for all that I forsooke not thy statutes i. I ceased not to beléeue thy woorde and to walke in obedience of it Verse 88. Quicken mee i. recreate and refresh mée ouer all my troubles and as it were call mée backe from death to life according to thy louing kindenes vz. which thou wast wont to shewe to thy seruaunts and hast heretofore declared vnto mee so shall I kéepe vz. diligently and carefully the testimonie of thy mouth i. thy woorde and lawe which is thus named to set out the authoritie that it hath in it selfe and shoulde haue amongest men Sée ver 13. of this Psalme Ver. 81. Teacheth vs that howsoeuer the faith hope Do. and patience of Gods children bee for a time darkened yet is is neuer vtterly quenched or put out Ver. 82. Teacheth vs that God many times bringeth his children to a lowe ebbe and doth for a long while withholde his aide yet doeth he not altogether for euer forsake them it sheweth also what great conflicts the godly haue in their troubles Ver. 83. Teacheth vs that no misery shoulde make vs to forget Gods word nay rather the more our miseries are the more should we meditate therin because in it only is sound comfort to be found Ver. 84. Teacheth vs that euen Gods children do many times desire to know those things which the Lord hath not particularly reuealed vnto them in his word Ver. 85. Teachech vs that the wicked are both cruel and crafty Ver. 86. Teacheth vs that the more egerly men molest vs the more earnestly we should call vpon God for his helpe Ver. 87. Teacheth vs two things first that the vngodly are without bowels of pity and compassion secondly that we should be so rooted in the loue and knowledge of God and his trueth as nothing shoulde pull vs away therefrom Ver. 88. Teacheth vs that wee can performe nothing obediently to God till it please him to giue vs the grace and strength Lamed Di. IN this part the Prophet maketh plaine proofe of the certainety continuance and truth of Gods word first by the very works of creation ver 89.90.91 secondly by his owne particular experience and practise ver 92.93.94 and so on to the end of this part Se. Ver 89. O Lorde thy woorde indureth for euer in heauen q.d. euen the very heauens can be witnesse of the continuance and constancie of thy worde séeing that they in the strength of thy word continue and abide much more shall thy word it selfe indure Some expound it thus the Prophet affirmeth
followeth as a citie that is compact together in it selfe i. as a faire glorious and round city whose buildings are euen and proportionable one of them with an other and by this hee compareth the concord which was amongst the citizens of Ierusalem to buildings houses wel proportionably set together Ver. 4. Whereunto i. to which Ierusalem the exercises of religion obserued there the tribes i. the twelue tribes of Israel euen the tribes of the Lorde i. the tribes which the Lorde himselfe hath to be his speciall portion and inheritance for this is added both for explication of the former to set out also the excellency of the persons goe vp vz. to worship and serue God and he vseth the word of going vp because the City stood vpon an hil according to the testimony to Israel i. according to the ordinance that God had ratified established amongst the Israelites by which he sheweth that they did nothing in that behalfe but by warrant from god Immanuel turneth it thus to the testimony of the Israelites i. to the Arke of the testimony which god gaue to the Israelits and for that end he allegeth Exod. 25.21.22 others read it thus which is a testimony to Israel vz. of the couenant made betwéene god and them but methinketh the first sense is most plain of al to praise the name of the Lord i. to set forth by praise and thanksgiuing the maiesty power and glory of God and he putteth one part of Gods seruice for the whole and note that in this verse he commendeth Ierusalem for the exercises of religion as in the next for the execution of iustice equity Ver. 5. For there i. in Ierusalem are thrones set for iudgement i. iudgement places are erected and established putting the places of publike iustice for iudgment and iustice it selfe the persons that administer the same because it were in vayne to haue the places without the men the matter euen the thrones of the house of Dauid i. thrones appointed by God to Dauid and his posterity for so I take house to be vsed in this place and this repetition importeth that it was Gods purpose to haue the prerogatiue of the kingdom established in Dauids posterity vntil such time as the true eternitie of that kingdom were manifested in Christ who hath his throne in the middest of his church Verse 6. Pray vz. O al ye good and faithful people for he vttereth his speach in the plural number for the peace of Ierusalem i. the felicity prosperitie and quietnes of it both publike priuate inward and outward as may appeare by the words following to the end of the Psal let them prosper vz. in al goodnes thus hee teacheth them to pray not only for it but for all them that cary any good affection to it that loue thée vz. vnfeignedly and with a good heart Ver. 7. Peace i. al maner of prosperity and blessednes as ver 6. of this Psalm be within thy wals i. within thy houses O Ierusalem which are compassed about with wals the Hebrew word doeth signifie a ditch wherewith cities are commonly compassed and that maketh some to turne it thus in thy ramparts that is in places about thée appointed for thy defence whatsoeuer it is he wisheth well to the Citie and people and prosperitie within thy palaces i. in the greate and noble houses that are within thée so that he would haue al sortes blessed the city it selfe both within and without Ver. 8. For my brethren vz. which serue God with me dwel there and repaire thither for the exercises of gods religion as I do and neighbors sake to whom I am bound to doe good by gods lawe to loue as my selfe I wil wish thée now i. euen at this present and not onely now but al the dayes of my life if my wishing can do thée good thou shalt not want it prosperity i. all maner of prosperous and good things And these be Dauids owne wordes testifying his great loue to the place of Gods worship and his brethren assembled there Ver. 9. Because of the house i. because of the seruice of the Lord which is in that place where the Arke is so hee putteth the place of worship for the worship performed in it of our God i. of the Lord whom we al serue I wil procure vz. by all the meanes that possible I can thy wealth i. al prosperity and goodnes for thée so he sheweth that hee sought not his owne profit only or the profit of those that were his but generally of the whole Church of God Ver. 1. Teacheth vs that we ought to be very glad Do. to sée or heare the people zealously and willingly giuen to the seruice of God Ver. 2. Teacheth vs to delite and continue in those places and assemblies wherin God is truely and sincerely serued Ver. 3. Teacheth vs that not only glorious buildings but chiefly vnitie and concord are a singular ornament to any City or commonwelth Ver. 4. Teacheth vs that the exercise of Gods worde and religion doe specially commend a Citie or Countrey to vs. Ver. 5. Teacheth vs that the administration and execution of publike iustice is a notable commendation also to any towne or countrey Verse 6. Teacheth vs to exhort others to pray for the state of the Church and teacheth vs also in our owne persons to pray for it and for them that fauour and affect it Verse 7. Teacheth vs to pray both for the outwarde and inwarde quietnes of Gods Church Ver. 8. Teacheth vs to haue a care for our brethren and neighbours in respect of godlinesse euen as for our selues Verse 9. Teacheth vs that euen a holy loue to Gods Church should cause vs to do any thing for the benefit profit and good therof that possible we can Psalme 123. THis Psalme though very short Di. consisteth yet notwithstanding of two parts In the first the Prophet sheweth how earnestly he wayted vpon the Lord for helpe and deliuerance out of all his dangers ver 1.2 In the second hee prayeth to the Lorde for the redresse thereof shewing that euen his own misery and the miseries of others prouoked him earnestly thereto and this is cōprehended in the two last verses The title A song of degrées or Psalm of Dauid this is expounded before Se. Psal 120. and Psalm 122. Ver. 1. I vz. being distressed on euery side séeing all ayde of man to forsake mée lift vp vz. earnestly and attentiuely hoping looking for helpe from thence mine eyes i. not onely the eyes of my body but of my mind and fayth also to thée vz. O my God and Lord which dwellest in the heauens i. which art God almighty he meaneth by this title that God is exalted farre aboue all creatures and that he guideth and gouerneth them according to his good pleasure it setteth out also the power of God ouer all creatures and his gouernement and prouidence and declareth further that
people but specially the Priests and Leuites to whome hée giueth this title by reason of the offices whervnto they were appoynted and that therfore they to the end also that by their example they might draw on others to do the like should be so much the more carefully stirred vp to the spiritual exercises of true religion ye that by night stand in the house of the Lord i. whiche doe not only serue God in the day time but in the night kéeping watch and ward about the temple of the Lord sée Num. 18.1.2 c. 1. Chron. 9.33 And though it be true that many of the people had that affection to remain day and night in the temple as it is reported of Anna Luk. 2.37 yet I refer it in this place only to the Priestes and Leuites and when he sayth stande hee meaneth their continuall aboade there as it were And by house of the Lorde hee meaneth eyther the place where the Arke was or the temple after it was builded Verse 2. Lift vp your handes i. praye and giue thankes the signe of prayer or an outwarde gesture vsed in it put for the thing it selfe as Psalme 141 2. also 1 Timothie 2 8. to the sanctuarye i. towardes the Sanctuarye meaning the place where the Arke was and the Arke it selfe out of which God had promised to aunswere his people and to heare their prayers and prayse the Lorde vz. for his mercyes as verse 1. and here hee sheweth that the principall ende of outward ceremonies is to set forth Gods praise and glory Verse 3. The Lord that made heauen and earth i. the God of all maiestie glory power c. sée Psalme 121 2 also Psalme 124 8 blesse thée vz. with all goodnesse and fauour out of Sion where the arke the sure testimonye of his fauoure and presence was so that here they acknowledge in the firste place his power and in the seconde his fatherlye loue which two must neuer be sundered but alwayes ioyned together for the strengthening of the fayth of gods children And whether he speaketh this in the person of the Priestes whose office it was to blesse the people as Numbers 6 23 or in his own person as praying for them and testifying his great loue vnto them it is not muche materiall Do. Verse 1. teacheth vs to exhort and prouoke all men yea the very ministers of God if they be negligent to the performance of their dutie Ver. 2 teacheth vs that Gods children should alwayes ioyne prayer and thanksgiuing vnto God together Ver. 3 teacheth vs in all holy affection and vnfeigned loue to pray for others as for our selues Psalme 135. IN my iudgement Di. this Psalme may bee diuided rightly into two partes In the first the Prophet exhorteth the faythfull of what state or condition so euer they bee to prayse the Lorde shewing certaine causes that may leade them thereto as his mercy his power his wonderful workes c. from ver 1. to the end of the 12. In the second he sheweth what great difference there is betwéene the true God and all the counterfeite Gods of the Gentiles exhorting al the faithful generally and the Priestes and Leuites particularly to prayse that true God whose seruice they professed from ver 13. to the end of the Psalme The title is prayse yée the Lorde sée this expounded before Psalme 106. Se. also Psalme 113. in the titles so that this title séemeth to comprehend the argument of the Psalme as though the whole Psalme did nothing else but prouoke men to prayse God Ver. 1. Prayse the name of the Lord i. his maiesty power goodnes c. as sundrie times before and namely Psal 20.1 and Psal 124.8 ye seruants of the Lorde this I referre generally to all as Psalm 134.1 but specially to the priests praise him this doubling of the exhortation séemeth to set out as mens dulnes and vnaptnes to the same so the excellency of the thing it selfe Ver. 2. Ye that stand in the house of the Lorde i. ye priestes specially and chiefly because they ought by their duety to shewe the way vnto others and in the courtes of the house of our God i. in those courtes that did appertein to the temple of the Lord amongst which the people had some which place is called 2. Chro. 4.9 the great court and this is the reason why though I referre it chiefely to the Priestes and Leuites yet I would haue it also to be vnderstood that this exhortation is directed to the people likewise Verse 3. Prayse ye the Lorde vz. for his wonderful kindnes and loue sée Psal 134.1 for the Lorde is good vz. euen of his owne nature and from that abundaunt goodnesse which is in him floweth all goodnesse which wee haue and this is as it were the first generall cause why men shoulde prayse him sing prayses vnto his name i. extol his maiesty power c. as before ver 1. for it is a comely thing vz. to do so meaning by comely pleasant and profitable sée Psal 133.1 also Psalm 92.1 Ver. 4. For the Lorde vz. whom I exhort you to praise and magnifie hath chosen vz. of his infinite mercy goodnes Iaakob i. the faithfull séede and posterity of Iaakob to himselfe i. to be a peculiar people vnto himselfe and vz. he hath fréely chosen for here you must repeat or vnderstand that word Israel i. the true Israelites or the Israel of God as Psal 124.1 for his chiefe treasure i. for a people whom hee maketh more account of by many degrees then men do of their chiefest treasures Sée Exod. 19.5 The Hebrewe worde signifieth treasure gathered together of verse most exquisite thinges as pearles precious stones or such like And in this verse is conteined a particular cause to prouoke thankfulnes vz. that GOD chose from al the nations of the earth the issue and séed of Abraham to bee his people Ver. 5. For I know vz. both by his worde workes and myne owne experience that the Lord vz. whom we serue is gret vz. in power might and that our Lorde vz. whom we worship according to his will reuealed in his word is aboue al Gods i. is higher and mightier then they whether they be Angels and magistrates to whom this name is sometimes giuen or idoles which the vaine people worship whose vanity he doeth afterwardes declare in this Psalme Ver. 6. Whatsoeuer pleased the Lord i. whatsoeuer it liked him to do that did he vz. because no power was able to resist him in heauen and in earth in the Sea and in al depthes i. euery where for no place is excepted from his power and presence as Psalm 139.7.8 c. and howe true this is the particular examples of his woorde doe declare specially these two the vniuersall flood and the confusion of Babel Gene. 7.8.11 chapt and in this verse is conteyned a thirde cause wherefore men should prayse God and that is the great power of God declared not onely in
a man should cut wood cleaue it on the earth our bones are scattered ready to be thrust into the graues mouth i. the enemies doe compasse me mine with such great violence are so ready to flie vpon vs all that wée shal be presently broken rent in peces by their rage vnles thou O Lord lay to thy helping hand which danger of theirs is most excellently set out by a verye fit similitude taken from wood cleauers or else thus I and my companions haue bin handled in al cruelty as if that after they haue cut a mans throat they would teare him in péeces before they would bury him Ver. 8. But mine eyes vz. both of my mind of my body looke vz. carefully continually as Psal 123.1.2 c. vnto thée O Lord God vz. only who hast both power wil for to helpe me in thée vz. only and none other but thée is my trust vz. alwayes but specially in this time of my great daunger and calamitie leaue not my soule i. me my selfe a part for the whole destitute vz. of thy defence aid and saluatiō Ver. 9. Kéepe me vz. of thy goodnesse that by thy power might from the snare i. that I fal not into the snare or grin or be taken therwith which they i. mine enemies vngodly men haue layd vz. closely and secretlye for me vz. to take me to catch me in and from the grins he repeateth the same matter in other words which is not vaine because it serueth to amplifie the cruelty craft of his wicked aduersaries of the workers of iniquitye sée before Psal 5.5 also Psal 6.8 also ver 4. of this very Psalm Ver. 10 Let the wicked fall vz. thorow thy iust iudgemēt into his nets i. into his own nets vz. which he hath made and layd for others together vz. with all them that take their parte q.d. let all the vngodly be ouertaken with their own nets thorowe thy iudgements as fishes are taken with a casting net for such a Metaphor he séemeth to vse in this place sée for this metaphor Isaiah 19.8 whiles I escape vz. out of the dangers which they supposed to haue brought vpon me this escaping of his must be attributed to Gods goodnesse and power only Do. Ver. 1 teacheth vs earnestnesse and seruency in prayer to our god not as a man would say to leaue of til he haue graciously graunted our requests Ver. 2. teacheth vs that séeing our prayers smack of the corruption which is in vs we should earnestly desire the Lord to accept of them in his own mercy Ver. 3 teacheth vs that we can not bridle our spéech vnles the Lord giue vs grace Ver. 4 teacheth vs not only to pray against grosse euils but also things that may preuoke and stir vs vp therto by reason of the slipperines of our corruption Ver. 5. teacheth vs that the reproofes of the godly are good and profitable secondly that a godly man should euer take them in good part thirdly that no euil that men can do to vs should make vs neglect our duty towards them Verse 6 teacheth vs not only how subtile and crafty the wicked are to intrap Gods childrē but also that no humble or swéet spéech that the godly can vse will asswage their malice and cruelty against them Ver. 7 teacheth vs to what a low ebbe miserable estate Gods children are many times brought in this life Ver. 8 teacheth vs not only in the great sea of our afflictions confidently to trust in the Lorde but also with patience to attend his leasure time for our deliueraunce Ver. 9 teacheth vs to pray the Lord to deliuer vs from the fraud and force of his and our enemies Verse 10 teacheth vs to pray for the confusion of the malicious enemies of God and his people Psalme 142 THis Psalme may be diuided into two parts Di. In the first the Prophet declareth howe that in the time of his greate affliction and feare yea euen then when all had forsaken him hee cryed earnestly vppon the Lorde from the first verse to the ende of the fift In the second part he prayeth earnestly vnto the Lord to be deliuered from his enemies sometimes alleadging the better to moue the Lord thereto his owne miserye his aduersaryes strength and the prayse that the faythfull will yeelde to the Lorde therefore verse 6.7 The Title A Psalme of Dauid to giue instruction Sée this expounded before Psalme 42 and Psalme 44 in the titles thereof and a prayer vz. Se. which Dauid himselfe made when he was in the caue i. in the selfe same Caue with Saule whereof reade 1 Samuel 24 4. Verse 1. I cryed i. I earnestly prayed vnto the Lorde vz. in my trouble as Psalme 120 1. with my voyce i. wich seruent wordes expressed with my voyce with my voice I prayed vnto the Lord he expresseth the same thing in other termes noting thereby the ardency and earnestnesse of his prayer Verse 2. I poured out vz. plentifullye and in great aboundaunce my meditation i. the meditation of my hart q.d. I did not onely pray vnto him with my hart but layed forth the holy meditations of my soule with abundance of wordes before him i. in his presence not meaning that God was ignoraunt of the thoughts of his hart but expressing his great dutye towardes the Lord and declared vz. playnly and plentifully mine affliction i. the affliction and sorrowe whiche I did suffer and indure not but that GOD knew it for hee knoweth all things but because this is a péece of duty which he hath layd vppon vs to call vppon him in the time of our trouble Verse 3. Though my spirit was in perplexitie in mée i. though I my selfe was full of anguishe as Psalme 7◠ver 3 and troubled with gréeuous assaultes both inwarde and outwarde yet thou knewest i. diddest approue and allowe of as Psalme 1 6. my path i. the order of my life and innocent conuersation In the waye wherein I walked i. what iournie or way soeuer I tooke haue they i. the wicked and myne enemies priuily layd a snare for me vz. to catch me in it sée Psalme 141 9. Verse 4. I looked vz. as well and as narrowlye as I coulde vpon my right hande i. on euerye syde of mée or round about me putting a parte for the whole and behelde vz. on my lefte hande and that as attentiuelye as I coulde but there was none vz. amongst men that would know mee i. haue any care or regard of mée or succour me any maner of waye all refuge vz. of or from men fayled me i. was taken from me none vz. amongst men cared for my soule i. estéemed either me or my life q.d. I looked on euery side I perceiued my self to be destitute of all help and ayd Ver. 5. Then vz. when I saw my selfe thus distressed so that we sée that the true tast féeling of our own daungers and miseries
admonition of God who will not the death of sinners but rather that they should repent wishing them in time for feare of after punishment to turne to his Maiestie from verse 10. to the ende of the Psalme Se. Ver. 1. Heathen put for people not being Iewes If you vnderstand this Psalme of Dauids kingdome if otherwayes of Christes kingdome as it is referred thereto Acts. 4.25 Then vnderstande by Heathen and people of the enemies of Christ whiche were of thrée manner of sorts and in this first verse he noteth two kindes of them some that through rage were caried to outrage and violence and othersome that were not so cruel and yet murmuringly opposed themselues in wordes Some reade the later part of the first verse thus And the Nations meditate or thinke vpon a vaine thing i. a matter that can not be brought to passe but shall lack his effect the sence commeth all to one effect Ver. 2. The kings of the earth i. they that had the highest authority bend themselues or after some stand vp meaning that they cōsent and conspire together as it were and the Princes i. the great men by whose counsel and wisedom kings gouern their countries noting hereby that neither might nor councell was wanting in Christs aduersaries are assembled or after some do take counsell together agaynst the Lord A strange matter that men like Giaunts should arm thēselues against God against his Christ i. his annointed one meaning either Dauid as the figure or Christ himselfe as the truth ver 3. the Prophet putteth down the vngodlies spéeches Let vs breake q.d. Let vs ioyne all our force to assay to breake not that they can but that such purposes they haue in their hartes and wordes in their mouthes their bandes i. God the fathers lawes published by Dauid and Christ which hee calleth bandes because that by them as it were by certaine bandes the subiectes are wont to be bound kept in their dueties their cordes or as some terme it thick i. strong cords from vs I suppose that the Prophet vnderstandeth by cords the rule and authoritie that God hath giuen to Dauid and his son Christ the meaning is Let vs not obaye say the wicked their lawes and let vs labour that they may not rule ouer vs ver 4. He that dwelleth others reade He that sitteth in heauen a notable description of God wherby the Prophet meaneth to show that they are not able to match with him and they are Dauids words q.d. Howe wil these wicked men as wicked as they are fight with him that is so high aboue their reach shall laugh or in the present tense as some reade it doth laugh i. maketh no account of al their rage and murmuring and this is spoken of God as the rest of the words in this verse and the next that follow are according to many and as his capacity is able to cōprehend shal haue them in derision or as others read it doth deride them it is a repetition being the same in effect that the former part of the verse is by which doubling the holy Ghost noteth the certaintie assurednes of the thing Ver. 5. Then vz. when time shal require and at that very instant which God in his eternall decrée hath appointed shall he i. God speake vnto them vz. the wicked and vngodly eyther by his wordes or by his rods Iob. 33.14 c. but chiefly by his roddes as Iob 33.19.20.21 in his wrath i. being angry with them meaning that hee will most vehemently and sharpely rebuke them and vexe them i. plague them so that they shall be vexed greeued in his sore displeasure he meaneth that being moued with great wrath he wil destroy and ouerthrow thē Ver. 6. amend thus Saying vz. God himselfe but I annoynted my kingly placing him in his kingdome putting the signe of his imagination or entrance into his kingdom vz. annoynting for the possession enioying therof And putting these words my king for him whom the Lord had aduanced thereto either Dauid or Christ had made him ruler ouer Sion which place was the seat of Dauids kingdome as may appeare by sundrie places the Prophet vsing a part for the whole land and the people contained therin and a figure also of Christs Church Isaiah 2.3 the Mountains of my holines i. My holy mountaines for so do the Hebrues sundry times speak vsing the Substantiue for the Adiectiue now it is called Gods holy mountaine because that Dauid brought thither Gods own arke and there were the holy exercises of his religion obserued till the Temple was builded sée 1. Chron. 15.16 Chap. and this verse comprehendeth God the fathers wordes sitting in iudgement as it were and condemning the wicked who laboured the ouerthrow of his kingdome Ver. 7. I will declare i. I will faythfullye shew and set abroad the decrée vz. which the Lord hath determined cōcerning men thou art my sonne vz. by adoption if we vnderstand it of Dauid and by nature if we vnderstand it of Christ This day if you vnderstād it of Dauid you must refer it to the time of his first annointing so forward If you vnderstand it of Christ you must refer it to his first manifestation in the flesh not but that he was begotten of the Father from before all beginnings and this 7. verse are the words of Dauid or Christ declaring Gods eternal decrée touching their gouernments Ver. 8. are the wordes of the Father inuiting Dauid or Christ to aske somewhat of him and as it were a prophecy of the inlargement of their kingdomes In Dauid somewhat more narrowly thus that the Heathen round about him and namelye those that inhabited the coasts nigh to the land of Iudea as Ammonites Moabites c. should be brought in subiection to him as may appeare in the Histories in 2. Samuel in Christ more largely to wit that of all the nations and peoples vnder heauen he should haue diuers subiected to his kingdome by the ministerie of the word Ver. 9. is declared the power of Dauid or christ Thou shalt crush or after some thou shalt breake them together vz. not onlye those enemies mentioned in the beginning of this Psalme but all others whatsoeuer that shall rise vp or rebell agaynst thée with a scepter or after some with a rod of yron whatsoeuer it be the holy Ghost meaneth vnder these termes to sette out the inuincible power and force of Dauid or of Christ agaynst their seuerall enemies And breake them in péeces or after some shalt scatter them abroad vz. being already broken which I rather allow of lyke a Potters vessell vz. which is broken alreadye noting by this maner of spéeche not only a iudgement to bee executed vpon the wicked but such a iudgement as the vngodlye shall bée past all hope of repayre and recouery Ver. 10. Is a notable exhortation to Rulers in time to turne to the Lord and his obedience Now i. while it is time before such
he meaneth by Gods holy Mountayne Heauen wherevpon the Lord sitteth as vpon an excéeding high Mountayne Ver. 5. I layde me downe vz. vpon my bed or Couch and that word I is full of force q. d. I whose life so many enemies séeke and slept vz. soundly and swéetely careles as it were of mine enemies The Prophet meaning by sléepe wonderful quietnesse for they that are doubtfull of their successes oppressed with gréefes haue many times sléepe taken from their eyes And rose vp agayne excellētly added for many take their rest yet rise not the Prophet noting that as he slept soundly so he safely awaked and imployed himselfe vpon his affayres for the Lord sustayned me this is the reason of all for without God we can do nothing Iohn 15.5 Ver. 6. For ten thousand a certain number put for an vncertayn meaning innumerable people mend the latter end of the ver thus which standing about me haue pitched their tents agaynst me i. which cōpassing me about are ready euen as it were with their weapons drawne to destroy me q.d. though I were neuer in so great daunger distresse feare yet I will not feare for thou Lord wilt graciously deliuer me now as thou hast done heretofore Ver. 7. O Lord arise vz. Like a couragious and ready souldier that heareth the sound of the Trumpet stande vp vppon thy feete take thy weapons and armes to defend me and wound mine enemies Helpe or after some saue me my God vz. from the subtiltie and power of my foes for thou hast some read which hast smitten both the readinges come to one sence vz. hee prayeth God to deliuer him out of this present daunger as he before had done out of sundrie the like al mine enemies i. the greatest number of them For he meaneth not that God had so destroyed his foes as none of them were left Vppon the chéeke bone as beasts that hurt by byting cannot hurt when their téeth be broken or their iaw bones burst in sunder so the Prophet sheweth that his enemies in former time had bene so cast downe that neyther by word nor déede they were able to hurt him Ver. 8. Saluation belongeth to the Lord true it is that saluation and eternall life belong to God alone but yet saluation in this place is vsed for helpe and deliuerance from daungers which alone indéede belongeth to God how great or small soeuer the meane be that he worketh the same by Mend the latter part thus And let thy blessing be c. For it is as it were a wish and prayer that Dauid maketh for the people as well as for himselfe here is chaunge of the person for in the first part of the verse he spake in the third and now in the second vnderstanding by blessings gods fauour and goodnes and naming the people gods people notwithstanding their sinnes of rebellion and falling away with Absalon against Dauid his Father Ver. 1. Teacheth vs that the multitude of our enemies should not so dismay vs as that we should not pray to God Ver. 2. Neither yet their vile wordes should worke that effect in vs. Ver. 3. Ministreth comforte because God is as a shield in all distresses and teacheth that true faith vanquisheth all distresses and impossibilities whatsoeuer Ver. 4. Teacheth first that in dangers we should pray vnto God secondlye that God graciouslye heareth them that call vpon him in truth thirdly that the consideration of former deliuerance should strengthen our fayth touching deliueraunce of the like either present or to come Ver. 5. declareth that if God be on our side we néed not care who be against vs Romans 8.31 c. to the end of the chapter Ver. 6. True fayth surmounteth all difficulties and distresses of this life whatsoeuer Ver. 7. God alone is to be called vpon in néed because he alone can helpe and saue Ver. 8. Teacheth not only to pray for others as for our selues but also euen for our enemies as Dauid doth for the rebellious people Psalme 4. THis Psalme hath a Title or inscription but thereof wee will speake when we come to the sence and as it may be deuided thus First Dauid maketh his prayer to the Lord in mercye to behold him and graciously to graunt his request and this is contriued in the first verse Secondly he speaketh vnto his enemies not only declaring that God had exalted him but also wishing thē in time to repent from ver 2. to the end of the 5. In the 3. he declareth wherupon he staid himselfe what were the grounds of his assurance vz. Gods fauour and wonderful blessings from ver 6. vnto the end of the Psalme Se. The title is this to him that excelleth viz. in musicke and songs skill vpon instruments for which knowledge sake hee was preferred before the rest or Neginoth here the Geneua note is good ver 1. When I cal i. whē I pray vnto thee righteousnes i. thou that art the witnes iudge and defender of mine innocencie and vprightnes towards Saul or any other thou hast set me at libertie he comforteth himselfe by former experience trusting to féele the like fauour now when I was in distresse all this speech is metaphorical borowed of them which by enemies are driuen into a narow place out of which they can very hardly escape q.d. when I was brought into wonderful dangers thou hast deliuered mee and made mee glad ver 2. O ye sonnes of men hee speaketh here vnto the nobles and mightie men of Israel that had conspired with Absalon q.d. O yee Princes and great men for so the Hebrewes sundry times vse these woordes Sonnes of men Sée Psalme 58.1 My glory into shame glory here is put for the kingdome which God had giuen him q.d. how long wil ye indeuour to kill me that ye might shamefully spoile me of my kingdome louing vanities and seeking lies by vanities and lies hee meaneth euery deceitful thing which falleth not out as he would wish and their vaine councels and indeuours which drawe their hope q.d. how long will yee in vaine indeuour to turne me out of my kingdome by vaine deuises and lying imaginations which ye shal neuer obtaine for the Lord prouideth for me ver 3. the Lord hath chosen q.d. I take it not vpon mee my selfe but the Lord hath laide it vpon me he speaketh here of himselfe in the third person sodainly chaunging it into the first person when I cal i. When I pray to him as ver 1. of this Psalm ver 4. tremble q.d. though yee feare not mee yet feare God at the least who hath appointed me king And sinne not vz. against God and me going forward in your conspiracies and practises examine your owne hearts vpon your beds q.d. thinke well vpon the matter and determine rightly vpon the matter in the night season what time men are wont not only to giue them selues to sleepe but to be free from weightie causes and bee still i. leaue not off
onely to speake euil of me but cease from your wicked purposes ver 5. Offer the sacrifices of righteousnes he meaneth such lawful and holy sacrifices as the lawe commanded to bee offered for sinne and hee calleth them the sacrifices of righteousnes because he would haue them rightly and vnfeignedly to testifie their repentance and chaunge of mind q.d. O ye traytors confesse your sinnes offer sacrifice to God for the purging thereof put your trust in God alone and not in your selues that ye shal obtaine pardon ver 6. Many vz. of the Israelites that haue conspired against me and other mine enemies who will shew vs any good i. Who wil bring to passe that we may obteine our desires and amongst the rest see Dauid cast out of his kingdome and slaine q.d. Wée woulde wée might see that but Lord lift vp the light of thy countenance vpon vs these are Dauids words q.d. I haue many enemies and some trust in one thing and some in an other I wish onely thy fauour and cleaue vnto that alone Wherfore shew vs that vsing light of countenance of fauour and good wil speaking of God according to men who by their countenances declare loue and hatred swéetly louing and chearfully looking vpon them whom they affect and shewing the contrary countenances to others ver 7. He meaneth that being assured of Gods goodnes and fauour he shal haue more comfort of conscience and a better prop to stay vpon then the vngodly shal haue in all their abundance and wealth whatsoeuer which he vnderstandeth by two kinds vz. wheat wine by them meaning all the rest ver 8 He noteth the assured safety that he shal be in being vnder almightie Gods protection sée Psal 8.5.6 Mend the latter part of this 8. verse thus when thou Lord alone shalt place me in safetie noting by these words both the time when he will lie downe c. And the author from whom alone that assurednes commeth Ver. 1. We learne that when men vniustly condemne vs Do. we must flée vnto God a righteous iudge by earnest praier Secondly that wee must haue recourse to his mercy and not to our merits ver 2. Is described mans nature who commonly oppose themselues against God in his members wée learne further that euery one of vs may ought to defend the callings that God hath set vs in ver 3. We learne that whatsoeuer choise man maketh the Lord maketh none but good we learne also to be wel assured that our holy praiers shal be heard ver 4. We are taught to labor by al the meanes we can to bring men to repentance ver 6. Wée learne to prefer Gods fauour before al worldly goods whatsoeuer ver 7. We behold what effectes an assured perswasion of Gods loue and goodnes worketh the same we may learn ver 8. And that God is the only staffe of our strength and standing Psalme 5. THis Psalme hath two parts Di. In the first the Prophet praieth the Lord to heare his praier which thing the wicked can not or may not hope for From ver 1. to the end of the 7. In the second he beséecheth the Lord to direct him that the enemies might take no aduantage of him whose nature he describeth praying God to ouerthrow them comforting on the other side the godly with excellent promises From ver 1. to the end of the Psal This Psalm hath a title which hath béen expounded in the title of the 4. psal sauing that here is an other instrument named then there Ver. 1. My words vz. which I powre forth before thée Se. in praier my meditatiō i. the secret praier of my hart made without words vttered ver 2. The voice of my cry i. My crying voice by wch he noteth his earnestnes vehemēcy in praier ver 3. Amend thus O Lord thou shalt here my voice in the morning q.d. I will cause thée to heare me early in the morning for at that time will I call vpon thée earnestly for in the morning will I directe vz. eyther my selfe or my prayers or both And I will wayte vz. vpon thée and thy prouidence till I haue obtayned my request Verse 4. Euill put for sinne Ver. 5. Foolishe put for wicked and vngodly ones This is vsuall in the Scriptures specially in the Prouerbes Shall not stand vz. with good consciences for otherwise they cannot flée from his presence Psa 139. For thou hatest this is spoken of God according to mans capacitie and not that God hateth any Ver. 6. Abhor i. loth to looke vppon him Bloodie man i. hee that by any meanes sheddeth mans bloud Vers 7. I wil come vz. to serue thee into thy house i. into the court of thy tabernacle for otherwise it was not lawfull for any except the Priestes to approche neare to the Lord In the multitude of thy mercye i. Trusting vpon the riches of thy goodnesse and mercie and not vppon any thinge in my selfe the latter part of this 7. verse amend thus I will bow my selfe i. I will worship the outwarde signe put for worship toward the Temple viz. hauing my eies fixed vppon the Tabernacle where thou doest shewe thy selfe for as yet the Temple was not builded therefore it must needes be put for the Tabernacle Of thy holynesse i eyther where thine holinesse sheweth it selfe or els he vnderstandeth thereby holy viz Temple as you heard it vsed before Psalme 2.6 Psalme 3.4 Ver. 8. In thy righteousnesse or after some by thy righteousnesse i. by the waye of suche righteousnesse as thou teachest and allowest Because of myne enemies or thus whiche I better allowe of because of those which watch me viz. least they might haue an occasion by my sliding to blaspheme thy holinesse and that goodnesse of Religion whiche I professe Make thy waye viz. which thou hast appointed for mee to walke in playne before my face i. make mee so to walke in thy waye that I neuer turne mine eyes from it or thus graunt that that way maye seeme right vnto mee which thou allowest q.d. take from me al lets and hinderances least I stumble and fal vers 9. For no constancye i. There is nothing that a man maye safelye trust to in their mouth viz. whome hee had spoken of before vers 5.6 putting the worde Mouth for wordes vttered with the mouth and the instruments partes thereof it maye also receyue this same no constancie is in their mouth i. they saye and vnsaye a man cannot tell where to haue them so variable are they within they are verye corruption i. Their hearte and whatsoeuer is within them is full of nothing els but deceite and crafte Their throate is an open Sepulcre hee saith that their throat is like vnto an open Sepulchre for as an open sepulchre looketh for the carkase as a man woulde saye that it mighte eate it vp so mine enemies by their faire speech shoote at nothing els but that alluring mee vnto them they maye at length destroy me and
prepare arrowes for the persecutors i. those that with him doe persecute me ver 14. Behold q.d. notwithstanding all this he shall trauaile with wickednesse but yet he shal not be able to bring forth i. to worke that which he hath deuised for he hath conceaued vz. in his vnderstanding mischiefe vz. agaynst me but he shall bring forth a lie i. such a thing as shal deceaue him of his expectation and hope which he doth more particulerly and plainly declare in the next verse Ver. 15. by which and the 16. he noteth that all the mischiefes that the vngodly deuised agaynst the good and all the daungers that they thought to take the godly in shal light vpon themselues and they themselues be taken therewith ver 17. hath this meaning q.d. Propheta When I shall sée Gods iudgements vpon the wicked and his mercy in deliuering me I wil prayse him according to his righteousnesse he meaneth not so much as Gods righteousnesse i. his faythfull kéeping and performing of promises deserueth but rather noteth the cause that God hath giuen to prayse him for and by name in this verse he meaneth the excellent power maiestie of God which then appeareth when he ouerthroweth his enemies and deliuereth his owne ver 1. Trust and confidence in God Do. is alwaies necessary in them that pray to him also we learne to pray for deliuerance from our persecutours ver 2. describeth the cruel and subtill nature of the wicked ver 3. Sheweth that many of Gods children may stand vpō their innocencie to menward though not before God ver 4. Teacheth that we should ouercome euil with wel doing ver 6. Sheweth that we may sometimes pray against some enemies of the Church it teacheth this also to make Gods promises general or particular the ground of our prayers ver 8 Teacheth that when men wil not iudge rightly we may by prayer defer our causes to him that hath no respect of persons ver 9. that we shoulde pray for the direction and prosperitie of Gods people also that nothing no not the secret thoughts of our hearts can be hid from God ver 10. Teacheth two things 1. that we ought to hang vppon God 2. the fauour and loue hée beareth towards thē that sincerely feare him ver 11. Sheweth that God wil not the death of sinners in that he vseth so many meanes to bring them to amendmend ver 12. 13. Declare what mischieuous mindes the wicked carry towarde the godly and what meanes they wil worke to accomplish their naughtines ver 14.15.16 Shew the god shal ouerthrow al their purposes and practises so that good cause we haue to hang vpon him and litle cause to feare the other seeing that their deuises passe into smoke ver 17. Teacheth vs to thanke God either for the destruction of the wicked or the deliuerance of the good Psalme 8 Di. THis Psalme hath principally two partes In the first the Prophet sheweth that the excellent power and prouidence of almightie God may appeare in many his creatures as namely in the heauens and the things therin contained and this is comprehended in the three first verses But specially it is to be seene in man whose excellency in respect of his first creation the Prophet doth wonderfully extol From ver 4. to the end of the Psalme And this is the second part thereof The title of this Psalm hath bene expounded before al sauing this word Gittith which I take to be instruments the custody whereof was committed to Obed Edom the Gittith and to his familie or kinred that came of him of whom you may read 2. Samuel 6.10.11 ver 1. name put for power maiestie as Psal 7.17 q.d. O Lorde howe great doth the whole earth shew thy power to be which hast set thy glory aboue the heauens q.d. not onely the earth but the heauens also declare thy glory as Psal 19.1 Yea he meaneth further by these spéeches that though gods glory appeare in heauen and earth yet notwithstanding hee is infinite in maiestie and glory because his glory is farre aboue the highest heauens vers 2. Hast thou ordained strength i. thou hast strongly established vz. thy prouidence and power q.d. besides the earth and the heauens wee haue very infants preachers of thy power and goodnes and so doth our sauiour vnderstand it Mat. 12.16 Because of thine enemies i. thou hast done this that they thereby might bee confounded that thou mightest stil the enemie i. stoppe his mouth in such sort that he should haue nothing to say and the auenger he that reuengeth his own cause and leaueth not vengeance to the Lord to whom alone it belongeth Rom. 12.19 Who by their facts sheweth that they are perswaded that God careth not for mens matters or else would they neuer so violently breake into his office ver 3. The heauens are called gods both because he made them and also because he gouerneth there and they are as it were his dwelling place the worke of thy fingers i. which thou thy self hast most exactly and perfectly made the moone and the starres Hee particularly reciteth some of the heauenly creatures which thou hast ordeined vz. to bee there to giue light and to keepe their ordinary courses ver 4. That thou art mindfull of him vz. to shewe fauour and loue towardes him or the sonne of man i. his posterity here hee speaketh generally of all comparing man with the rest of the creatures sée Eccle. 1.3.4.5.6.7 that thou shouldest visit him i. haue regarde and consideration of him ver 5. For thou hast made him a litle lower then God Here hee speaketh of GOD in the first place in the second person in the second place in the third person the Apostle Heb. 2.6 expoundeth or translateth in thus Thou hast made him a litle inferiour to the Angels both in this place and in that of the Hebrewes the meaning is that the Lord gaue vnto men in this life a certaine angelicall and heauenly excellencie and crowned him i. Thou hast decked him as it were with a crowne with glory and worshippe some referre this to the mynde and reasonable soule of a man by whiche hee doeth not onely differ from beastes but draweth nigh to the heauenly nature I doe not onely stretch it so farre but vnderstand thereby also the dominion and Lordshippe that the Lorde hath giuen to him ouer all his creatures which followeth ver 6. In the woorkes i. ouer the works of thine hands i. which thou thy selfe hast made all thinges vnder his féete i. made thē subiect vnto him this was true in Adam by creatiō it is verified also in our sauiour as may appeare Heb. 2. We lost it by Adams fall but we haue it in part restored againe vnto vs by Christ in our regeneration ver 7. He doth particularise the general time all in the 6. verse Ver. 8. and that which passeth through the paths of the sea Hee meaneth the whale and other great fishes which make a smooth
path after them in the sea if the sea be calme as a ship or boate doeth sée Iob. 41.23 The 9. ver is expounded ver 1. of this Psalme Ver. 1. The glory of God in his creatures rightly considered Do. should strike an astonishment into vs on the one side and inforce vs on the other side to be thankefull vnto him that maketh his power and prouidence appeare so clearely in them ver 2. Gods power and prouidence seene in his creatures serueth for a double end vz. For the comfort of his children and the terror and confusion of the wicked vers 4. Serueth to humble man and to beat him downe For if he bée compared with other creatures there is no such excellency and durablenes in him as in them neither yet such as hee himselfe imagineth to bee in himselfe vers 5.6.7.8 Setteth foorth the graces and blessings that God hath bestowed vpon man not to the ende that man thereby should waxe proude and swell aboue measure but inforce him 1. to thankfulnes to the giuer 2. to a right vse of them in himselfe and for others 3. the more and more to humble him sée 1. Corin. 4.7 A worde or two touching this matter let man consider what excellencie he hath lost through Adams fall and bewaile his misery and let him on the other side well weigh the grace bestowed vppon him in Christ and bee ioyfull and thankefull for mercy knowing this that if the creatures bee not nowe subiected vnto vs it is by reason of the body and relickes of sinne which yet remaine in vs and that therefore if we would haue a conquest ouer the creatures we must beginne first to get a victory vpon sinne or else wee shall neuer profit that way if any man will obiect and say that many creatures are subdued to many people that are without a god in the world and which notwithstanding remaine in their sinne I answere that Gods dispensing in mercy with our iniquitie or other mens is no impeachment to the truth of this doctrine nay rather it shoulde the more further vs not only in thankfulnes to him for his goodnes but in valiancy and courage to combate against iniquity and that vnto blood because we haue in mercy without any striuing or blow stricken on our side halfe a victory as it were gotten vnto vs the rest no doubt he wil graciously supply that hath begunne this specially if there be a willing mind but al this belongeth to the faithful who are in deede heires of the world and to none other Psalme 9. Di. THis Psalme hath foure parts In the first he prayseth the Lorde and sheweth the causes of that his thankes giuing From ver 1. to the end of the 5. In the second hee scorneth his enemies declaring God to bee iust in punishing the wicked and deliuering his owne children From ver 6. to the end of the 10. In the third he exhorteth others to praise the Lord for his iustice toward the good and bad making a particular praier that he might be deliuered from the hands of his enemies From ver 11. to the end of the 14. In the 4. and last part hee sheweth Gods iudgement vpon the wicked and his fauour to the faithful praying the Lord to rise vp against the vngodly From ver 15. to the end of the Psalme Se. The title hath these words Muth labben which I take to be the beginning of a tune according to which this Psalme was to be sung ver 1. I will speake of i. declare abroad and publish al i. a very great number as Psal 3.7 ver 2. In thee or for thée q.d. for the victory and other goodnesses that thou hast giuen mee I will sing foorth thy praise I wil sing praise to thy name i. I wil praise thy power and maiesty Name is vsed here as Psal 8.1.9 O most high God is so called because he is higher then al thinges or creatures whatsoeuer ver 3. Are turned back i. are discomfited they shal fal and perish at thy presence q.d. They shal not be able to stand before thée much lesse to withstand thée ver 4. For thou hast c. In the third verse he shewed one reason why he would praise the Lord vz. because his enemies were confounded nowe in this verse hee sheweth an other vz. because God maintained his right and iust cause thou art set on the throne vz. to doe the office of an vpright iudge ver 5. Heathen put for the Philistines or some other enemies of Gods people he said that God did rebuke them i. with his terrible countenance or word so cast thē down that they were easily destroied thou hast destroyed the wicked i. some one notorious wicked man among them or other that was their captaine and ring leader as Goliah was amongst the Philistines for the woord wicked is of the singular number though we can not so easilie discerne it in our tongue Thou hast put out i. destroied and cast down to the ground their name i. Their power authoritie glory and what so euer was excellent in them and he meaneth this of those people that come out to warre against gods people who notwithstanding their force were ouerthrowne and destroyed ver 6. Must bée amended thus O enemie he speaketh to one principall meaning all the rest are destructions come to an ende for euer Hast thou rooted out the cities by these speches he derideth the enemies who thought to haue made such a destruction in the land that they shoulde not haue néeded to haue destroyed it againe and therefore they purposed vtterly to haue defaced and destroyed al the cities which the Prophet vnderstandeth by this terme rooting out q.d. is it come to passe as you supposed nay the contrary is fallen out which hee noteth in the next wordes of this verse their memoriall is perished with them i. both them selues are destroyed and all remembrance of them is vanished away from amongst men Ver. 7. But the Lord. q.d. though men fayle yet hee remaineth sure shall sit or after some which I rather allowe indureth Meaning that hee is eternall and shall neuer decay as the enemies doe hee hath prepared his throne for iudgement q.d. hee is alwaies ready to execute iustice putting the throne whereupon hee sitteth for iustice and vpright iudgement pronounced therefrom verse 8. Mend thus that hee may iudge i. That he may performe whatsoeuer hee hath iudged the worlde i. All the people of the world in righteousnesse i. Vprightly and the people with equitie This is a repetition expounding as it were that which went before ver 10. and they that knowe thy name i. Such as haue had experience of thy mercy and power hast not failed them vz. of that thou promisedst and they hoped for that seeke thee vz. vnfeignedly and from a good heart verse 11. Which dwelleth in Sion These wordes make me thinke that this Psalme was not made presently vppon the slaughter of Goliah because the arke was
prieth and watcheth diligently to intrap them that are already afflicted Vers 9. and 10. Hee setteth out the secret councels that the wicked vse to take the godly by Sée for the Lions disposition Iob. 36.1.2 draweth him into his net it is a metaphor taken from foulers who vse closly to lay their nets and snares to catch birds vers 10. He croucheth and boweth i. The vngodly spareth no paine to his owne body that hee may woorke mischiefe Yea hée counterfatteth and pretendeth humilitie but all is hypocrisie Heapes i. Great number and multitudes as it were ver 11. In his heart see ver 6. Of this Psam he noteth in this verse what maketh the wicked so bolde to sinne vz. A false perswasion that they haue of God ver 12. Arise vz. to helpe the oppressed as Psalm 12.5 lift vp thine hand i. declare thy power in striking thine enemies forget not the poore q.d. shewe that thou art not forgetfull of them For in déede he is not forgetfull of them though it so seeme to vs which thing the wicked perswade themselues thou doest as ver 11. ver 13. contemne God Sée ver 3. of this Psalme Thou wilt not regard vz. their sinnes committed against thée and thy seruants ver 14. Mischiefe and wrong vz. which the vngodly haue done to thy children That thou mayst take it into thy hands Not only to iudge betwéen right wrong but also to punish those wicked persons with thy power Himself i. His life al his causes he cōmendeth to thée For thou art the helper this is a reason why the afflicted fléeth to God Of the fatherles i. of those that are voyd of mans help Sée Iob. 29.12 Hosea 14.3 ver 15. breake thou his armie i. al his power and force and whatsoeuer he hath to execute it by Search his wickednes q.d. cal him to account for his sinnes and thou shalt find none vz. To answere thée He meaneth that if the vngodly be sifted the giltines of his owne vngodlines will make him to flée his presence and the iudgement of God will so ouerthrow him that he shal no where appeare neither his place any more be known ver 16. He putteth heathen for the Iewes and Israelits not that they were heathen by nature but because they were corrupted with heathenish maners ver 17. In the Lord part must be read not as a thing already performed but as a praier for the godly Thus strengthen their heart q.d. confirme them more and more in the truth of thy promises dispose their harts to the imbracing thereof bend thine eare i. diligently hearken and yéeld to the praiers of thy poore people as Psal 86.1 ver 18. To iudge i. To reuenge and set frée the fatherles and poore Sée ver 14. Of this Psal That earthly man i. man not only dwelling in the earth but also made of earth cause to feare no more i. Be no more a cause of terror and feare to thy seruants Se. Ver. 1. Teacheth that gods children are wonderfully assaulted when they féele not gods present helpe ver 1.2 c. Till you come to the ende of the 11. ver the holy ghost doeth so diligently set out the wickeds nature not that the godly shoulde feare them For all the mischiefe they can imagine or performe but to teach the Godly the more earnestly therefore to come to God by prayer that they may auoyd these daungers and the more carefully to looke to their steps that they be not ouertaken with these wickednesses Verse 12. Teacheth vs to pray vnto God in the middest of the confusions that wicked men bring into the earth and to desire him to take his owne cause and the cause of his children into his owne hands Ver. 13.14 declare that though the wicked thinke God regardeth not yet hee séeth it and in his good time wil punish them for their sinne Ver. 17. sheweth that it is comfortable for the children of god to think vpon his power because it is their defence and terrible to the wicked because it is their ouerthrow Psalme 11. THis Psalme hath two partes Di. In the first the Prophet flieth to God by prayer that vnder him he might be defended against the violence and mischieuous practises of the vngodly from ver 1. to the end of the third In the seconde part he setteth out Gods iustice in defending his owne seruaunts and in punishing the wicked and vngodlye from verse 4. to the end of this Psalme The title of this Psalme is expounded Psalme 4. Ver. 1. Se. To my soule i. to me a part put for the whole Flie not to as in the Geneua Texte but out of your mountayne Mountaynes are sure places to lodge in from the force of aduersaries but here the enemies tel Dauid and those that were with him that they shal not preuaile to keepe them safe and therefore it were better for them to get them away It may be that by Mountayn hee meaneth the lande of Iudea because it was full of Mountaynes q.d. Get you out of Iudea but the other me thinketh is more simple sée 1. Samuel from chap. 21. to the 27. as a bird vz which séeth the Fowlers snare and therefore flieth away swiftly q.d. You are forewarned of a daunger therefore get you away with all spéede Ver. 2. Bende their bow i. prepare and gather together all the force and subtilties that they haue or can deuise at them vz. at me and those that are with me which are vpright in hart i. which meane no mischiefe or hurt to them or any of them Ver. 3. For the foundations vz. of the places wherein Dauid and his might trust are cast downe he speaketh of that that shall be as though it were alredy done for the certaintie of it in mans iudgement what hath the righteous done q.d. haue I and the people with me committed that these mischiefs should be ment against vs and our liues so sought for Ver. 4. Holy palace i. Heauen as may appeare by that which followeth the Lords throne is in heauen i. he is a heauenly Iudge to reuenge these outrages done vpon the earth agaynst me and mine His eyes will consider or after some doe consider eyes attributed to God after the maner of men meaning that he beholdeth vz. all things that the wicked doe and the godly suffer His eylids i. his eyes it is eyther Metonomya the things contayning for the things contayned or Synecdoche one parte for an other or a part of the eye for the whole eye Chyldren of men i. men of what state and condition soeuer they bee q.d. this one thing comforteth me that though GOD bee in heauen yet from thence he doth withoute respecte of persons behold all things done by men vppon the earth and namely how vngodlye the wicked are agaynst those that trust in him Ver. 5. Will or doth trie vz. by afflictions and calamities that he might make him pure golde vnto him selfe the righteous i. righteous men one
would not obey them but rather vnfainedly imbraced them Ver. 23. I was vprighte also with him i. I walked vprightly before God touching this matter of the kingdome and haue kepte me sée verse 21 from my wickednesse i. from anye wickednesse hée mighte doe which hee calleth his wickednes because naturally he had it in him though it burst not forth Ver. 24. sée verse 20. in his sight q.d. as he himselfe vz. God séeth it sufficiently ver 25. with the godly i. with them that vnfeignedly loue and professe godlinesse thou wilte shew thy selfe godly i. mercifull and gracious for the word termed here godly is taken frō a word that signifieth merciful liberal q.d. thou wilt deale graciously with the good people declaring thy selfe such a one towards thē as thou hast bin towards me ver 26. thou wilt shew thy self froward i. their obstinacye is the cause that thou as it were forgetting thy wonderfull clemency doest deale hardly with them and thunder out iudgemēts against thē or else it may be vnderstād as mē iudge suppose god notwithstāding dealing alwais iustly though he ouerwhelm with cōdēnatiō sée Pro. 3.34 ver 27. wil t saue i. deliuer the pore people i. the afflicted ones wilt cast down i. ouerthrow bring to nought the proud lookes i. the proud people for mans pryde bewraieth it self in the eyes countenance therfore he put eyes for men one part for the whole ver 28. Thou wilt light i. bring to a better state make to shine forth my candle i. my prosperity which séemed to be as it were a cādle put out the Lord will lighten my darknesse i. bring my aduersitie into prosperity for the scriptures vse to vnderstand by darknes aduersity and by light prosperity ver 29. By thée i. by the power or strength from thée ouer a wal vz. of a citie the Geneua note is good ver 30. The way of God i. eyther the maner that he vseth towards his children whom he neuer ceaseth to aid or Gods way else is put for workes q.d. they are so sound that nothing can bée blamed in thē whatsoeuer God doth he doth trustily and iustly performeth whatsoeuer he promiseth the word of the lord i. his promises is tried in the fire i. is most perfect pure q.d. as metall tried by fire hath no drosse so hath Gods word no falshood or corruption in it sée Psal 12.6 he is a shielde i. he saueth and kéepeth them as a shield doth soldiers ver 31. For who is c. q.d. none by consequent seeing none can deliuer but he alone none must be trusted in but he alone such epiphonemata or acclamations are vsuall to thē that haue tryed Gods helpe and ayd ver 32. girdeth me with strength i. maketh me strong able so that I haue strength in my loines rounde aboute me euen as it were a girdle maketh my way vpright i. maketh the order of my life vnblameable teaching me an vpright and a holy kind of life or else he maketh euery thing that I take in hand to prosper this latter I rather allow as most agréeable to this place ver 33. He maketh my féet like Hinds féete i. not only swift if I haue occasion by flight to prouide for my selfe or to pursue my enemies flying before me but stedy also if I come into any dangerous places and setteth me vpon mine high places i. places of sure defēce appointed for me to defend me from the violence and rage of my enimies Ver. 34. He teacheth my hands to fight i. if I haue to do with mine enemies in the field he teacheth me singuler skill in warre to defend my selfe and to hurt my Foe so that a Bowe of brasse q.d. yea hee giueth me so greate strength that a bow of brasse or stéele is broken with mine armes i. with the power and strength that hée giueth mée or else with mine armes indéede because there is muche power and strength in the armes Verse 35. The Shielde of thy saluation i. a helpe for my deliueraunce Shielde being put for helpe and defence because men helpe and defend themselues with Shieldes and saluation for deliuerance as often times before we haue had these wordes so vsed his meaning is that God did defend him againste dangers with his ayd and help as it were with a shield that cannot be pearced and set him frée also by the same ayd out of daungers and troubles thy right hande i. thy might and power hath stayde me vz. from sliding or falling it is a metaphoricall spéeche taken from mans maners who reach them that are sliding their right hand i. the best meanes they haue to staye them from it to increase vz. in honors credit wealth and all maner of goodnes Ver. 36. Thou hast enlarged my steppes i. thou hast brought to pas that whether soeuer I go I goe into a large and ample place that is fréely and without feare yea I haue a plain ready way This is often in the Psalms by straitnes to signifie affliction and danger and by inlarging to signifie libertie and fréedome hee meaneth then that God had set him at libertie straightened the way before him and drawne him out of extreme daunger dispaire vnder me i. either for me or else as I go he meaneth that hee did now tread as it were vpon a sure ground mine héeles i. my féete a part of the féete being put for the féete ver 37. I haue pursued mine enemies vz. in the battaile I haue not turned againe vz. from pursuing them in the field ver 38. Wounded them i. mine enemies as ver 37. that they were not able to rise vz. because their wounds were so deadly they are fallen vnder my féete i. they are brought in subiection vnto mee as ver 44. This phrase also is so vsed Psal 8.6 Ver. 39. Thou hast girded me with strength sée ver 32. and it is a reason why he so mightily preuailed against his enemies to battaile i. against I was to fight or euen in the very time of the battaile whatsoeuer it be his meaning is that he was apted fitted by God to that purpose that rose against me vz. to annoy and hurt me and were in déed rebels ver 40. Thou hast giuen me the necks i. as some of the Iewes expound it thou hast caused my enemies to turne their backes vpon me because the neck is behind but I take it more simply thus thou hast giuen the life of mine enemies into my power so that there néedeth nothing but to chop of their heads or cut their throates as it were if I will and that which followeth in this verse furthereth in my iudgment this sense ver 41. They i. the wicked ones my enemies cried i. séemed to pray earnestly but not of a true affection but there was none to saue i. to deliuer vz. them out of their feare and paine euen vnto the Lord vz. did they cry and
call but hee answered them not i. he regarded not their dissembling praiers ver 42. Then i. after that the Lord had reiected them and their praiers sée ver 7. of this Psalm did beate them as smal as the dust before the wind i. I did wonderfully ouerthrow them in respect of their number which I thinke the word smal importeth and these of them that remaineth were as light as the dust which we knowe to be very smal and light I did tread them flat i. I did quite and cleane subdue them as the clay in the stréetes i. and made no more account of them then men do of durt vnder their féete ver 43. From the contentions of the people hée meaneth either Saul or the rest of the Israelites that tooke part with him against Dauid or else that God appeased the seditions and rebellions of his people that lifted vp them selues against him vnder Absolon and other rebels and this I rather incline to thou hast made me the head i. the ruler and gouernour for so head is many times vsed in Scripture of the heathen as the Ammonites Moabites c. which dwelt round about him he meaneth that by Gods aide he had brought vnder those people that before had discomfited Israel and made them now tributaries to him whom I haue not knowen i. whom I haue not allowed of or else with whom I haue had no familiaritie or acquaintance because the law forbad it with some people as with the Amalichits Exod. 17.14 and others in sundry places of the lawe ver 44. As soone as they heare vz. of me and the fame of my name and the latter part mend thus strangers shal lyingly yéeld themselues to me i. they shall in hypocrisie pretend a subiection and not of a sound and willing mind ver 45. Shal shrinke away vz. from their companions and friendes and feare i. shal be striken with feare in their priuie chambers i. in the places of their greatest ease and assurance ver 46. Let the Lord liue not as though God coulde at any time die or be the better for the Prophets wish vnto him but hee meaneth by this prayer and wish that hee would haue God alwaies to shew his power that thereby there might bée a plaine difference put in the eies of men betwéene him and the dead Idols of the Gentiles and blessed i. praised my strength sée ver 2. of this Psalme of my saluation i. deliuerance from distresses in this life and the giuer of eternal life sèe Psalm 3.8 bee exalted i. lifted vp on high and praysed vz. amongst men ver 47. To auenge mee vz. on his and mine enemies and this Dauid speaketh as a magistrate ver 48. Hast set mée vp vz. in a high and sure place safe and sound that rose against mée Sée verse 39. of this Psalme cruell man hee meaneth some one who was as it were standard bearer to the rest but yet so that vnder him hee meaneth all those that tooke part with him ver 49. Among the nations i. openly and before them and as it were in the middest of them so must it bee vnderstood if it bee referred to Dauid It may appeare also by Rom. 15.9 that it is a Prophecy of Christes kingdome and of the calling of the Gentiles and so hath this sense I that is Christ but yet in the person of my faithfull people but chiefely ministers whom I haue ordeined for the calling of the Gentiles will praise thee among the Gentiles so that if you referre it to Dauid it is a promise if to Christ and the calling of them Gentiles it is a prophecy among the nations or gentiles so the Iewes vsed to call all the people of the world besides themselues ver 50. Giueth he i. God vnto his king he speaketh of himselfe in the third person calling himselfe Gods king because he was by the Lord annointed to and through his power established in the kingdome to his annointed he putteth the signe of his mauguration into the office of the king for the king for Kinges Priestes and Prophetes were annointed by the lawe whereby also the Prophet sheweth that hee thrust not in himselfe into that high and great office for euer If you referre this to Dauid and his posterity euer is here taken for a long tyme but if you referre it to Christ and those that appertaine to him it is put for all eternity Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth that it is no sclender loue that wee owe to the Lorde ver 2. Teacheth vs to hang vpon him alone ver 3. Praier is the meane to set vs frée from the force of our enemies ver 4.5 Declare the manifold and grieuous extremities that gods children many times are brought to ver 6. Teacheth vs in our dstresses to call vpon God onely and sheweth also howe graciously the Lord accepteth the supplications of his seruant In that discription of Gods wrath which is comprehended from ver 7. to the end of the 15. there is comprehended matter of comfort to the godly that they are vnder his protection that hath all creatures at his commaundement for their good and matter of terror to the wicked because they set them selues against him that doeth whatsoeuer pleaseth him in heauen and in earth ver 16.17 Shew gods goodnes towards his seruants in deliuering them from manifold dangers ver 18. Setteth out the malice of the wicked who spie their times vz. the day of aduersitie wherein they may doe most mischiefe ver 19. Gods fauour the only cause of all goodnes to vs ward ver 21.22 Teacheth that we ought alwaies to haue the law of God before our eies and care and conscience to performe the same ver 25.26 Expresse Gods goodnes towards his children his iudgements towardes his enemies ver 27. God is nigh vnto his own though their miseries be neuer so many it sheweth also Gods iudgements against the wicked and namely the proud persons it teacheth also to cary lowlines and curtesie euen in our countenances ver 28. Teacheth vs to haue an assured perswasion of gods goodnes towardes vs. ver 29. Declareth that our sufficiencie to do any thing is of God ver 30.31 is a notable commendation of gods excellent maiesty and of the truth and certainty of his holy word ver 32.33.34.35.36 Teach that God is all in all for vs either to inable vs to the performance of his good things or to preuent put from vs euil and hurtful things the same matter is declared ver 37.38.39 40. Ver. 41. The Lord heareth not the wicked mens prayers ver 43. Teacheth that God exalteth whom it pleaseth him and inlargeth the boundes of kingdomes ver 46. Teacheth thankesgiuing for mercies receiued ver 48. God alone is he that deliuereth his out of al distresses ver 49. Wée shoulde neuer cease praysing of God yea and that before many for his infinite benefites ver 50. God is gracious to the godly and their godly posterity to many generations Psalme 19. THis Psalme
part of the law put for the whole it may also be called iudgments because that thereby hée sheweth what he iudgeth méete to be done are truth and therefore can not be accused of subtilty or falshood and it is more forcible in that hee sayth they are truth then if hee should say they are true because that speach noteth that nothing besides or without them is truth but méere lying ver 20. Sheweth the preciousnes of the lawe If we would desire store or profit we must preferre it before the finest golde that hath beene oftenest tried if present vse and pleasure before hony the hony combe ver 11. made circumspect vz. in his walking being taught what to do and what to flée from and here Dauid speaketh of himselfe in the third person yet so that it doth apperteine to all Gods children There is great reward vz. through Gods mercy for so doth the word rewarde import and not of our merit as the papists imagine ver 12. Who can vnderstand his faults i. knowe them as it were particularly either for the multitude of thē or because ignorantly we cōmit many things which we take to be no sinnes secret faults i. sinnes not only hidden from other men but from my selfe by reason of my ignorance and yet al knowne to thée ver 14. Wordes of my mouth i. the words I shal vtter with my mouth meditatiō of mine heart i. the things I shal meditate in my hart he wisheth that his thoughts words might be such as might be regarded before God and answerable to his profession and he speaketh nothing of déeds and works because this necessarily followeth that when the meditations thoughts of the heart together with the words be good then déeds also wil be good redéemer vz. through Christ none other speaking here not only of deliuerāce frō dangers but from sin that which sinne bringeth with it also vz. eternal death and destruction Do. Out of the sixe first verses we may learne to behold knowe the maiestie power goodnes of God in his creatures secondly that as they in their kind expresse preach these excellent things so yea much more should men that God hath created after so feareful wonderful a sort that not euery man in himself but also to be gods instrument to worke the same in others Out of the 7.8.9.10.11 We learne generally by the excellent cōmendation of gods law reuerently to estéeme it vnfeignedly imbrace it out of ver 7. Where it is called perfect wee haue an answere to the papists that accuse it of some want by bringing in vpon it their vnwritten verities and traditions and in these words conuerting the soule that ordinarily it is possible that any should repent and haue fayth without the hearing of gods word as Rom. 40.17 and in these words is sure there is a doctrine of comfort to the faithful because gods wil neuer faile them of terror to the wicked because gods iudgmēts shal assuredly ouertake them and in these words giueth wisedome vnto the simple we haue not only a notable effect of the law set forth but an argumēt to conuince the papists in this that they accuse the word of darknes as though none could profit by it but the learned sort ver 8. True ioy is to be fet from gods word as also true light of knowledge vnderstanding ver 9. Noteth the propertie of gods word the exact perfection that is in the whole in euery part therof ver 10. Teacheth in what great estimation we ought to haue the word and with what a holy hunger and thirst we should desire the worde ver 11. Teacheth two things first that wee can neuer bee truely wise but by learning gods word secondly that for our better incouragement to the doing thereof the Lord setteth great rewards before vs and indéed graciously in good time giueth vs the same ver 12. Teacheth that our sinnes are innumerable secondly that we must pray pardon of them generally particularly of these which we haue committed either of ignorance or of knowledge and yet remember them not ver 13. Teacheth vs to pray against the power and rule of sinne in vs. ver 14. That we should haue care and conscience ouer our wordes and thoughts that they might be approued before God Psalme 20. THis Psalme hath specially 2. partes In the first Di. there is a prayer for the king for whose welfare the people promise ioyfulnes and thankfulnes from ver 1. to the end of the fifth In the second they do assure themselues of Gods fauour and of their enemies ouerthrow and protesting for themselues that God shal be their aide and praying again for their king from ver 6. to the end of the Psalme The title is expounded before Psas 4. ver 1. heare thée i. Se. the praier that thou makest granting thy requests of Iaakob may be here taken either for the person of the Patriarth who worshipped god with great religion which God also was present with him in al his afflictions or else it may be put for the whole people of Israel who came of Iaakob both the wayes are vsuall in the old new testament ver 2. Frō the sanctuary i. from a place in the arke so called in which God gaue visible tokens of his fauor defence out of Sion this was the place wherin the arke which was a visible token of gods aide defence was receiued he putteth the place the arke therin contained for the assured fauor aid of God Some vnderstand by sanctuary heauen by Sion the visible place of god in his church what soeuer it is the prophet meaneth nothing but aide assistance to be giuen from god ver 3. Let him remēber or as Immanuel readeth let him smel meaning by that metaphor a gracious acceptation of his sacrifices as Gene. 8.21 vz. With fauor graciously accepting al thine offrings he meaneth by offrings the exercises of religion ioyned with them as confession of sins praier c. and turne vz. by fire as it were sent frō heauen Thy burnt offrings into ashes declaring therby that he alloweth thy seruices as he did to Aaron Leuit. 9.24 to Eliah 1. king 18.38 Ver. 4. According to thy hart i. as thy hart wisheth desireth all thy purpose i. whatsoeuer thou purposest he meaneth describeth here a king that asketh nothing but by the direction of gods spirit what God himself hath prescribed ver 5. Immanuel readeth this verse as it were a continuance of the peoples praier this is a reason to moue god graciously to yéeld to their praiers In thy saluatiō i. in that thou sauest deliuerest from dangers vz. our king so haue we had saluation sundry times vsed before And set vp the banner like vnto those that triumph after a victory is gotten hee putteth the signe of ioy for ioyfulnes it selfe in the name this word is taken here as ver 1.
God had ouer him and he ioyned the rod and staffe together because some shepheards vsed a rod and some a staffe but God vsed both q.d. the care that thou hast ouer mee which farre exceedeth the care of a most watchful and diligent shepheard causeth me that in the greatest dangers I neither doubt nor dispaire but am wōderfully comforted I make this difference betwéene rod and staffe that rod is put for some smal wandes wherwith shepheards vse to driue their shéepe and now then strike them and yet hurt them not and staffe is put for shepheards staffe that hath his hooke vpon it by which he catcheth and ruleth thē that sometimes would go astray ver 5. By table vnderstand al necessary things for norishment to be set vpon the table which is a vsual Metonymia by annointing his head with oile and the running ouer of his cup vnderstand abundance of al things not only seruing for necessity but pleasure he alludeth to the custome of those countries and times wherein he liued which was not only to vse oile for finenes cōlines sake as Mat. 6.17 2. Sam. 12.20 but also at feasts banquets as Luk. 7.36.37.38 For which cause also they that mourned absteined from annointing with oile as 2. Sam. 14.2 Ver. 6. Doubtles this noteth the prophets great assurance of Gods goodnes kindenes and mercy vz. from God shall follow me i. be present with me and vpon mee a long season i. all the daies of my life as in this very verse before in the house of the Lorde i. in the place where the tabernacle is and God himselfe worshipped from which to be banished what a great griefe it was sée Psal 84.1.2 c. and yet this hindereth not but that it may be vnderstood also of eternal life Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth this that if we be rightly perswaded of gods goodnes prouidence we shal want nothing that is good méete for vs. ver 2. Sheweth that God is he alone that giueth vs rest plenty deliueraunce from daungers ver 3. Declareth first that God hath the issues of life and death in his owne hands secōdly that he is the author of al wel doing in vs and thirdly that he bestoweth these graces vpon vs for his owne mercies sake only ver 4. Assured faith and confidence in gods goodnes almightie prouidence surmounteth al the difficulties of this life whatsoeuer ver 5. God giueth vnto his cildren many times plenty of all thinges not only for necessity but also for pleasure Ver. 6. declareth that it is no presumption to be fully assured of the continuaunce of Gods grace and fauour towards vs it teacheth vs also what delight we should haue in the seruice of God Psalme 24. THis Psalme hath two principall partes Di. In the first the Prophet declareth that though all the people of the worlde bee vnder Gods gouernment yet those only whome hee frameth to goodnesse are his speciall and peculiar ones from verse 1. to the end of the 6. In the second parte he prepareth this people to submit themselues willingly to God and his holy ordinances from ver 7. to the end of the Psalme The Title is expounded before Ver. 1. Se. he declareth that God is Lord of al thinges whatsoeuer and yet notwithstanding God only hath chosen some certayn people to be particular vnto himself which noteth not only his vnspeakeable good will towards them but setteth out their obedience towardes him Ver. 2. Founded it vz. the earth or the world vpon the seas i. he hath placed it aboue them as may appeare Gen. 1.9 Exod. 20.4 and so must the latter part of this verse also be vnderstood by which meanes also the earth or world is become habitable Ver. 3. mountayne of the Lord i. Sion where the ark was and is called the the Lords mountayne because it pleased him there to dwel some vnderstand it of the mountayne Moriah in which the Temple was builded by Solomon and this is not amisse also in his holye place i. eyther the Court of the Tabernacle or the Temple when it was built but I rather encline to the first sence Ver. 4. innocent hands i. hands that haue not ben giuen to bloodshead or any hurt sée Isaiah 1.15 and a pure hart i. a hart purged from manifold corruptions by these markes he discerneth the true Israelites from false and counterfait sée Psal 12.2 hath not lift vp his minde i. hath not gaped after or attentiuely set his affection vpon it séemeth to bee a borrowed spéeche taken from such as lift vp their eyes that they may diligently beholde a thing sée Psal 123.1.2 vanitie i. vayne and vnprofitable thinges or else as it is also many times vsed in Scripture for wickednes and wicked thinges nor sworne deceitfully he meaneth eyther in respect of himself vz. not taking an oth without an vpright reuerent and sincere mind or else which I rather allow of in respect of others vz. to deceaue them as it were vnder pretēce and religion of an oth Ver. 5. Blessings put for a great and wonderful blessing for such a force the word séemeth to carry with it and righteousnesse some take it for mercy and so doth the Gréeke text reade it in this place I suppose that by righteousnes the holy Ghost meaneth in this place the fruit or reward of righteousnesse or else gods benefits and goodnesses by which the Lord proueth himselfe faythfull and righteous saluation this worde is taken here not only for deliueraunce from daungers as often times before but for eternal life also which God graciously bestoweth vpon those that are his ver 6. this is the generation i. those are the men and persons for generation is here taken for men that seeke him vz. with their harts and vnfaignedly that they may worship him séeke thy face i. haue an earnest desire to behold thy louing countenance this is Iaakob such kind of pepole are true Iaakob and true Israelits for Iaakob is not here put for the name of the Patriarch or for those only that discended of him according to the flesh but for those that followed his faith obedience ver 7. Lift vp your heads ye gates in this sence the Prophet speaketh to the gates of the place into which the ark should enter whether it were the temple or some other place it is not certayne but he biddeth the gates lift vp their heads meaning by heads the vppermost posts of the gates that went ouer from one side to the other he calleth these gates euerlasting dores not that they should or could continue for euer but for a long season meaning by the spéech the stabilitie of the place or temple wherinto the arke should be brought In doctrine the faythful are hereby admonished to prepare thēselues to receaue Christ that he may dwel in their harts by faith their bodies being the tēple of the holy spirit king of glory i. a most glorious and renowned king speaking it of
the Lord who shewed his glory and presence from betwéen the Cherubins in the arke ver 8. who is this c. the demaund or question of the faithful people the Lord strong and mightye this is an aunswere to the former question whereby for the strengthening of their faith they are admonished that God armed with inuincible power commeth to defend his people and to beat downe his enemies ver 10. The Lord of hostes i. he whom al hosts both heauenly and earthly do obay and therfore most strong mighty euen in battaile i. not only in warlike strength but in the very pinch and brunt of battaile Do. Ver. 1. describeth the largenesse of Gods gouernment so that nothing is exempted therfrom for though he speake only of the earth and thinges contayned therein yet he mindeth not to exclude the heauenly creatures Ver. 2. Setteth out Gods power and prouidence Ver. 3. Teacheth men to haue regarde to ioine themselues to his church in this life and to haue a speciall care of etexnal life Ver. 4 Teacheth the brideling of our hands the reformation of our harts the subduing of the vaine and wicked affections of our minds and to take héed that we abuse not an othe so that to sweare is not forbidden as the Anabaptists imagine but to sweare deceitfully and wrongfully ver 5. setteth out gods goodnes plentifully rewarding the holy indeuours of his children ver 6. Teacheth that care and zeale to worship God must be in his children ver 7.9 Teacheth men to be prepared to receaue the Lord when he commeth to them ver 8. and 10. is a particular description of Gods power and glory which serueth for comfort to his children because he will deliuer them and for terror to his enemies because he will punish them Psalme 25. IN this Psalme Di. the Prophets prayers are wonderfullye intermedled and therefore it canne be hardlye well diuided Sometimes he prayeth deliuerance frō his enimies shewing what fruit shall come thereby to him and others ver 1.2.3.15.16.17.18.19.20.21 sometimes he prayeth the Lorde to instruct and teach him and others also in the right way shewing how God dealeth with his children ver 4.5.6.8.9.10.12.13.14 and sometimes he confesseth his sinnes praying pardon for them and shutteth vp this Psalme with a prayer for the Church ver 7.11 18.22 The title is expounded before Ver. 1. My soule i. Se. hart and all that is within me his words shewing that in the outward he gaue himselfe to the Lordes seruice and this spéech proueth that his inward man was ioined therewith ver 2. Let me not be confounded vz. by receiuing a repulse at thy hands ver 3. mend thus yea let none that trust in thée be confounded and ioyne it to the former thus q.d. I pray not only for my self but for the rest of the faithfull that transgresse vz. against me in resisting my kingdom that without any cause on my behalf giuen them and so doth the Chaldee paraphrase expoūd it ver 4 shew me thy ways vz. by or in which thou wouldst haue me to walk meaning by waies the order of life which God himself prescribeth the same he meaneth by his paths as we haue had it before ver 5. Lead me forth vz. without daunger of mine enimies in thy truth i. as thou hast promised to shielde mee from them and teach me vz. the same thy truth teaching me to finde it and féele it by experience the God of my saluation i. such a one as I fynd a present helpe to saue me frō and in al dangers all the day i. continually with an vnwearied constancy Ver. 6. Remember thy tender mercies that I maye féele them now as thou hast shewed them always hertofore ver 7. The sins of my youth i. those that I did commit in my youth nor my rebellions vz agaynste thy maiestie euen for thy goodnesse sake q.d. though my sinnes deserue the withdrawing of thy fauor yet think vpon thy mercy and not vppon my iniquities ver 8. Gracious righteous i. merciful to penitent persons and vprighte in the execution of his iudgements Dauid vseth these termes to strike vp himself therby to praier sinners i. all one and other for none are without sin in the way or rather the way for so it is in the Hebrue text meaning a conuersation the God himselfe alloweth of for so it is ver 9. though al do not imbrace it ver 9. in iudgement i. with a thorow iudgement meaning therby aduisedly rightly it séemeth to be a metaphor taken from them that guide others shew thē the way ver 10. paths of the Lord sée ver 4. of this Psalm are mercy and truth i. are most mercifull faithful because that in thē God giueth testimony vnto thē of his mercy truth meaning by truth gods faithfulnesse in performing that which he promiseth his couenant his testimonies i. his Law which is called his couenaunt because that thereby God maketh a couenaunt or bargayne as it were with vs that we should kéepe his law for testimonies sée Psalme 19.7 Verse 11. For thy names sake i. for thy glory and mercies sake least otherwise by my iniquity thy glory might be called into question Verse 12. The way sée verse 4. of this Psalme Verse 13. His soule i. his whole man a part put for the whole Ver. 14. Secrete of the Lorde i. the law of the Lord which is called secret because we cannot vnderstande it of oure selues without light from him Ver. 15. Mine eyes vz. not of my body only but of my fayth and soule are euer toward the Lord i. are earnestly lifted vp and stedfastly fixed vpon him as Psalme 123. ver 1.2 my féete i. me my selfe a part for the whole out of the net i. out of the snares and daungers that myne enemies haue layde to catche me in Ver. 16. Turne thy face i. thy fauourable and louing countenaunce for I am desolate i. vtterlye destitute of helpe vnlesse thou helpe as Psal 22.11.20 and poore i. maruailously afflicted and so haue you this worde sundry times vsed in the Booke of Psalmes Ver. 17. The sorrowes of my harte i. The gréefes and sorrowes that touche and possesse of my harte are inlarged i. multiplied to a wonderfull numbers so that I am hardly able to thinke vpon them with my hart ver 19. with cruell hatred i. with hatred that will neuer be appeased but by committing some crueltye agaynst me ver 20. Soule put for whole man as ver 13. before in this Psalm ver 22. Israell put for the faithfull Israelites and Gods church as Psalme 14 7. Psal 125.5 Psal 131.3 Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth that prayer must ve made to GOD onlye Verse 2. that seruice cannot bee performed but by trust in God ver 4. We are ignoraunt euen the best of vs in Gods worde till the Lorde lighten and teache vs. ver 5. We must continuallye hang vppon GOD by an assured fayth ver 6. Gods mercye is the onely
cruelly to deuoure consume me after the maner of wild beasts They stumbled euen for weakenes and faynthartednesse fell vz. so that they could not rise vp again to molest me mening that they were destroid ver 3. though an host sée Psa 3.6 it argueth a notable stedfast perswasion in the Prophet he meaneth by these words hoste and warre euery thing that may be terrible and fearefull in this worlde in this i. that the Lord is my light and my saluation as verse 1. of this Psalme ver 4. Haue I desired vz. by earnest prayer that I will require vz. agayne and agayne q.d. I will neuer leaue off till I haue obtayned it dwel in the house of the Lord he vseth the word dwelling for continuall presence and the house of the Lord for the sanctuary or tabernacle sée psal 23.6 the beautye of the Lord i. the wonderful works he doth and the famous gifts he giueth by which he is made beautifull and excellent or his beautie is declared to the sonnes of men and to visit i. to be often present in his teÌ„ple i. the place where the ark was as Psal 5.7 Ver. 5. He shall hide me i. kéepe me safe and sound in his Tabernacle it is not here to be taken for the sanctuarie or arke but for the place of Gods abode and visible presence whereby the Prophet meaneth safetye for where the Lorde is with his there is safety and assurance from dangers which the Prophet meaneth also by the wordes following in the secret place of his pauilion containing vnder these spéeches the assurance he had being shrouded vnder Gods protection set me vp vpon a rock i. such a place as my enimies can not come too to hurt me meaning still his safety ver 6. Lifte vp mine heade i. exalt me sée Psalme 3.9 sacrifices of ioy i. sacrifices to testifie my ioifulnesse for my deliueraunce ver 7. crie i. pray earnestly heare me i. graunt my requests for otherwise it cannot be but that God heareth Ver. 8. Séeke yée my face i. in distresse come to me for fauour and grace so that he maketh Gods commaundement in the which also is closely comprehended a promise as Deut 4.26 the ground of his praier mine hart aunswered i. yéelded to that truth and alwayes thought vpon it vnto thée i. thy sayinges and wordes verse 9. Therefore q.d. séeing I come and that according to thy worde and promise hyde not thy face â— withdraw not thy fauour but make me sensibly to féele thy vertue and goodnesse in my deliueraunce nor cast thy seruaunt away vz. without helpe and succour in displeasure vz. agaynst him God of my saluation sée Psal 18.46 Ver. 10. My father and my mother i. not only my parentes but all other whatsoeuer yea all mans ayde and comfort forsake me i. destitute and fayle me gather me vp i. graciously receiue me into his protection and defence see Math. 23.37 Ver. 11. Teach me sée Psal 25 4.5 right path i. righteous conuersation and vpright dealing because of mine enimies sée Psal 5.8 He meaneth such enemies as did looke into his life to sée whether they could finde any thing blame worthy therein Ver. 12. Mende thus for false witnesses would stande vp against me vz. if thou shouldest so deale with me and so I might easily be cast away speake cruellye i. cruell and vniust things that so by their spéeches I might perish ver 13. to sée i. to féele and tast as it were to haue experience of the goodnes of the Lord i. such good things as he hath promised me in the land of the liuing i. here in the world where men liue and I my selfe haue a portion of that life with them sée Psal 1â—6 9 Isaiah 38.11 Ver. 14. He exhorteth himselfe specially but yet also others wholy to depend vpon the Lord. Do. Ver. 1. Assured fayth in the Lord expelleth all feare of men ver 2. God confoundeth the cruell purposes of the vngodle ver 4. It is a notable thing to bée present at the publike assemblies and exercises of Gods Church Earnestnes also and continuance in prayer for good things is commended vnto vs. ver 5. God is an assured place of refuge for all his Ver. 6. God graciously rayseth his after they haue bene cast downe for the which it is their duty to yéeld him hartye prayse Ver. 8. Gods commaundement and promise are two principall spurres to prayer yea the very ground thereof Ver. 9. the godly many times haue such earnest affections in prayer that they can hardly content themselues with any wordes to expresse their mind withal Ver. 10. God is more sure and fast to his children then all naturall parents and friends whatsoeuer Verse 11. Prayer for vpright conuersation according to Gods word should bee muche vsed ver 12. We may pray to be deliuered from the rage and lust of our aduersaries ver 13. If Gods promises were not we should many times sink downe vnder the burthen of our calamities ver 14. It is good for vs to stirre vp our selues and others to a liuely trust and an assured hope in the almighty for we are all dull and weake Psalme 28. Di. I His Psalme hath two especiall parts In the first the Prophet beséecheth the Lord to heare his prayer for himselfe and agaynst the vngodly whose naughtinesse also he doth in part set out from verse 1. to the end of the fift In the seconde hée prayseth the Lorde for his mercies and declareth also the assured perswasion he had in Gods mercy concluding with a prayer for the Church from verse 6. to the end of the Psalme Se. The title hath bin already spoken of ver 1. Doe I crie i. pray earnestly O my strength i. thou from whom all the strength that I haue commeth bée not deafe i. doe not cast away and neglect my prayers eyther as though thou heardst not at all or wouldst not heare for as the deafe cannot heare so there are some that though they can yet will not if thou answere me not i. graunt not my petition I be like theÌ„ that goe downe into the pit i. like dead meÌ„ that are buried for he putteth the word Pit here for the graue meaning that hee and his glory should vtterly perish from among men Ver. 2. When I holde vp my handes the signe of prayer vsed for prayer see Psal 141.2 Exod. 17.11 toward thine holy oracle i. towards the place where thy arke was froÌ„ whence thou hast promised helpe to them that call vpon thée it may be also taken for heauen ver 3. Draw me not away c. vz. to death in the time that thou executest vengeance against the vngodly sée Psal 26.9 Psal 27.12 speake friendlye i. words that pretend friendship goodwill when malice is in their harts i. they imagine mischiefe though they speake fayre sée Psalm 12.2 ver 4. He meaneth that seing they had multiplied iniquitie the Lord would in his iustice repay them home for
it their rewarde i. a rewarde meete for them and their wickednesse ver 5. Workes of the Lord i. his iudgements against other wickednesse and the order of his prouidence breake them downe vz. as men doe olde rotten and ruinous houses for such a metaphor is vsed here and builde them not vp i. let them be without hope of repayring or establishment ver 7. the Lord is my strength my shield sée Psal 18.2 my hart trusted i. inwardly I was fully perswaded and hoped rightly for the hart is it that God specially respecteth and is the seat of all our affections good and euill my hart shal reioyce i. inwardly I will be glad with my song will I prayse him i. openly also will I testifie my ioy and thankfulnes ver 8. Their strength vz. that went forth with me to warre acknowledging that the meanes that men haue are but the instruments of Gods power the strength of their deliuerances i. the only worker of the deliuerances of his annointed that is which his King hath receaued sée Psal 18.50 ver 9. Saue thy people vz. from the rage of their enemies blesse i. poure plēty of blessings vpō that people that thou hast chosen to be a peculiar inheritaunce vnto thy selfe féede them i. be as it were their sheapheard of which sée psal 29.1 nothing his care watchful gouernmēt of thē exalt thē vz. aboue their enimies as psa 27.6 for euer i. cōtinually Ver. 1. When God séemeth not to heare then must we be most earnest ver 2. Do. we must inforce our voice holding vp our hands c and all that we can doe to prouoke vs to earnestnesse in prayer ver 3. It is not good to partake in punishment with the wicked We must learne also to take héede of dissembling either in word or hart ver 4.5 We may pray against the malicious contemners of God and his truth Ver. 6. We ow thankfulnesse to the Lord after that he hath heard our praiers ver 7. Consideration of Gods goodnesse towards vs in former times is a good meane of hope in time to come ver 8. God blesseth the good and those that take part with thē ver 9. In al our prayers we should be mindfull of the prosperous and good estate of the whole church Psalme 29. THis Psalme hath thrée parts Di. In the first the Prophet admonisheth rulers and Princes to feare the Lord this is contayned in the two first verses In the second part he setteth oute the effects of thunder which is an argument of Gods wonderfull maiestie and power from ver 3. to the 9. In the thirde part he sheweth what effects thunder and other workes of God worke in his children promising prosperitie goodnesse to all those that feare the Lord with a right affection from verse 9. to the end of the Psalme The title is expounded before Se. ver 1. Sons of the mighty i. Princes noble men who many times by reason of their birth wealth swel as it wer against god giue vnto the Lord this doubling doth note first that this belōgeth vnto god alone secondly how vnwilling mē are to giue him that which is his right glory strength vz. euen that which you your selues haue q.d. acknowledge that that which you haue you haue from him alone ver 2. due vnto his name which you do not if you claime either the whole or part by name he meaneth god himself al that is in him as maiesty power excellēcy c. in the glorious sanctuary i. in the tabernacle of witnesse in wch god sundry times gaue playne declaration of his glory and maiesty Ver. 3. The voice of the Lord i. the thunder which is called his voyce because he alone sendeth it out is vpon the waters i. as some expound it is heard vpō the waters but I suppose it would rather be turned thus is aboue the waters meaning the waters that be vphelde in the firmament by Gods almightie power because the thunder is in a higher region of the ayre than the cloudes in which the water are contayned the God of glory i. he to whome all glory is due maketh it to thunder i. is the author of it The Lord or better the Lords voice is vpon the great waters as before in this verse and he calleth the waters in the cloudes greate both because of the abundance of them and also because of the force thereof as may appeare in the vniuersall flood Gen. 9. and the reason why I expoūd this verse is because he sayth afterwards verse 10. God sitteth vpon the floud Ver. 4. Is mightye i. declareth greate might in his maiestie is glorious i. expresseth his great glory ver 5. The voice i. the thunder and those things that eyther go before it or follow it as lightnings the thunderbolt storme tempest c. the Cedars of Lebanon i. most high and excellent Cedars for that place yéeldeth the best the most thick and those that lasted longest Ver. 6. He maketh them i. sundry mountaines or places whereof he nameth two in this verse it may also be vnderstood of the shaking of the trées to leape i. to moue and stir muche vp and downe like a Calfe vz. that is vnruly and for pastime as you would say can hardly stand still Lebanon also and Shirion these are the names of two places for Shirion see Deut. 3.8.9 like a yong Vnicorne i. very lustily and nimblye for the Vnicornes but specially their yong ones be slender and light bodyed and much giuen to leaping or skipping ver 7. Deuideth the flames of fyre i. lightnings so called because they séeme to vs and are indéed flaming fire now the thunder deuideth them because it immediately followeth one flash of lightning goeth before another ver 8. the wildernes to trēble i. after some the beasts of the wildernes by Metonomya or which I take to be more plain by reason of that which followeth it maketh the very ground earth of the wildernes to shake as it were the Lord vz. by his power thūdering voice the wildernes of Kadesh i. that most great and horrible wildernes wherin the children of Israel wandred xl yeres before they came to the land of promise of which of the cruel beasts therin mētion is made Deut. 8.15 ver 9. Maketh the hinds who naturally bring forth with great difficulty as Iob 39.4.5.6 to calue vz. before their time which argueth the thunder to be a very terrible thing discouereth the forrest this place hath thrée sences some expound it thus that by forrests they vnderstand the beasts in the forrests which thorow thunder euen for verye feare come out of their couertures others vnderstand by forrest the mere groūd of the forrest which is layd open by the ouerthrow casting downe of trées in thunder and tempest others vnderstand by discouering the forrest the laying of it euen as it were by taking away the leaues thorow thuūder storme and to this
afflictions ver 8. God alone preserueth his children from the rage of their enimies and if they come into thraldome setteth them at liberty when it pleaseth him ver 9. the afflictions of Gods children in this life are very long in respecte of time and gréeuous in respecte of greatnes ver 11.12 It is no newe thing that those whiche should most loue men do many times eyther for feare or flattery of others make lesse account of them ver 13. Greate men are many times enemies to Gods children also Gods children haue their passions of feare when they are in dangers ver 14. It is a singular thing to haue fayth in the hart and true confession of God his goodnes in mouth ver 15. God hath numbred our dayes and neyther can we passe them nor our enemies abridge thē ver 16. Gods fauour and mercy the only cause of deliuerance from dangers in this life and of eternal saluation also ver 17. that wee maye sometimes pray against the vngodly and ver 18. likewise ver 19. Setteth oute Gods vnspeakeable goodnes towards those that are his ver 20. It is God alone that kéepeth his children safe from the outragious déedes and wordes of the vngodly ver 21. Thankes must be giuen to God for benefits receaued ver 22 Many of Gods children in hast both thinke and speake that they should not as Psal 30.6 Ver. 23. We must prouoke others as wel as our selues to praise the Lord there is also contained the vnlikely reward of the faythful the wicked ver 24. There is none that trusteth so much in God but he hath néede of continual incouragement thereto Psalme 32. THis Psalme hath thrée parts Di. In the first the Prophet reckoneth vp their blessednesse that are fully assured of the ful forgiuenesse of al their sinnes and this is in the two first verses In the second he sheweth what gréefe both of body and soule he was in til such time as by sincere confession of his sinnes he felt that great benefit declaring also what profit came to him and others thereby ver 3.4.5.6.7 In the third be exorteth all to liue godly shewing that they that liue otherwise haue iust occasiō of sorrow the godly of spiritual reioising ver 8.9.10.11 The title A Psalme of Dauid to giue instruction vz. Se. to al sorts of men but chiefly the faithful ver 1. forgiuē i. so takē away that they are not any more thought vpon Ier. 31.33.34 is couered so that not so much as prints or steps much lesse the filthinesse of sinne appeare ver 2. imputeth not i. calleth not his sinne or iniquitie into an account but burieth the same in perpetual forgetfulnes and in whose spirit i. soule and inward man there is no guile i. subteltie he meaneth by this spéech such men as did of a sincere mind turn vnto God truly loue him which hipocrits do not though they make a shew thereof ver 3. whē I held my tongue from humble sincere confession of my sinnes my bones i. my strength which indéed consisteth in the bones for the bones vphold the body it selfe and strengthen al the parts therof I consumed i. wasted and weare away or when I roared amend it thus in my roaring i. when I was caryed away with the féeling of some present aduersitie though not with true touch of my sinne I cried roared like a wild beast rather then poured forth gronings and complaynts beseeming a man ver 4. For thine hand i. thy iudgement mighty power is heauy vpon me i. in a manner presseth me downe day and night i. continually and without any ceasing almost and my moysture i. the naturall moysture of my body whereby life is mayntained is turned into the drought of Summer i. as in the time of summer when the sunne is most hot the moysture of the earth is dryed vp so fareth it with me meaning that Gods iudgements and his own gréefs had wrought that effect in him ver 5. I acknowledged i. confessed hid I as Adam Iob 31.33 as my natural corruptiō would teach me for I thought vz. thus with my self against my self q.d. Yea though it be against my selfe the punishment he meaneth both the punishment and the sinne it selfe for he respecteth the first verse of this Psalme where hée affirmeth not only sinnes to be forgiuen but that it was wel with such mē and they were blessed in deede ver 6. When thou mayst be found which is specially the time of néed as Psal 50.15 and marke that he sayth in the beginning of this verse therfore q.d. Because thou hast shewed thy selfe so mercifull to others namely to me the godly shall repair vnto thée by praier great waters i. manifold dangers as psal 18.16 psal 69.1 him i. the faithfull godly man by one vnderstanding all the rest Ver. 7 Thou art this is the spéeche that the godly shall vse when they praye vnto the Lorde my secrete place vz. into whiche I will withdrawe my selfe to be sure and safe from mine enemies sée Psal 18.45 with ioyfull deliueraunce i. thou doest bestowe deliueraunces vpon me which are ioyfull vnto me and minister matter of greate mirth vnto others also Verse 8. in the way sée psalme 25.8 He meaneth an vpright way and godly life I will guide thée with mine eye i. I will not onelye teache thée but also ouerlooke or ouersée thée that thou mayst profite in goodnesse Verse 9. He noteth that rebellious persons agaynst God bee as bruite beasts sée Isaiah 1.3 and deuoyd of all heauenly vnderstanding be yee not c. i. Be ye not dul brutish as beasts he nameth some whom they had the greatest vse and experience of doest binde i. rule and gouerne come nere thee vz. with their mouth to hurt harme thée the Prophet meaneth that hee woulde haue them diligentlye to applye themselues to the consideration of Gods gouernmente and to profite thereby least otherwise going forwarde in their rebellion against God they inforce him to vse the bridle of his might to tame their fearcenes ver 10. Many sorrowes i. plagues and punishmentes sent from God which are called sorrowes because they make those vppon whome they light sorrowfull mercie vz. from God shall compasse him vz. on euery side noting thereby the abundance thereof ver 11. In the Lorde vz. because hee is your strength and helper vpright in heart vz. towardes God and man Ver. 1.2 Teach that true felicitie in this life Do. consisteth specially in these two partes vz. forgiuenes of sinnes and sanctification towardes God man ver 3. Sheweth that cloaking or close kéeping of sinne bringeth foorth better fruites ver 5. Teacheth humble and vnfeigned confession thereof forgiuenes alwaies following it ver 6. Teacheth the faithfull alwaies to haue recourse to God by praier also that God sundry times deliuereth his children from manifold dangers ver 7. God is al in al vnto his seruants ver 8. Euery faithfull man should haue
the Lord and the great deliueraunces that hee hath wrought for him Psalm 18.50 Ver. 11. Cruell witnesses i. such as exercised al crueltie did rise vp vz. against mee they asked of mee vz. by the way of demaund and questioning hee meaneth that they did as it were examine and worlde haue had him to haue confessed such thinges as he neuer knewe much lesse did ver 12. For good vz. which I did to them to haue spoyled my soule q.d. so farre their euill towardes me extended that they went about to take away my life ver 13. Yet I vz. behaued my selfe otherwise when they were sicke i. in some grieuous calamitie one kind vz. of sicknes put for many clothed with sacke vz. in token of heauines and mourning for them sée Psalm 30.11 Gen. 37.34 I humbled my soule i. I afflicted my life by abstinence from meates c. Now fasting is called humbling not because that euery one that fasted was humbled but because it was an outward testimony of that that either was or shoulde haue beene within and my prayer was turned c. amen◠it thus and my prayer returned into my bosome q.d. I did wish so well to them that I would gladly haue my prayer to come to my selfe so that if I wished them any euill I did as it were pray that the same might fal vppon mine owne head ver 14. As to my friend or as to my brother i. I did al dueties of curtesie to them in their aduersity so that my dearest friend or brother coulde not well haue looked for any more I humbled my selfe i. afflicted my felf with mourning yea mourning as one that bewayleth his mother i. my mourning was so earnest and vehement as his is that is wont to bewaile the death of his mother which we know by natural experience to be very much ver 15. The abiects i. the ofscouring of the common people sée Iob. 30.1.2.9 I knew not i. I did not so much as thinke of it til it was performed and ceased not i. without ceasing ver 16. With the false scoffers vnderstand the worde that goeth before vz. they gathered themselues together or assembled themselues with the false scoffers c. gnashing their téeth against mee i. raging against mee through most vehement anger shewing that their anger by gnashing their téeth for he putteth the signe of great heat and anger for anger it selfe ver 17. Behold this vz. and lettest thou this their wickednes alone vnpunished my soule i. mee my selfe or my whole man from their tumult vz. which they raise vp against me vnderstanding by tumult such things as fal out commonly in tumults as bloodshead murther c. my desolate soule sée Psa 22.20 From the Lions i. from cruell and rauenous men Psal 34.10 Psal 22.21 Ver. 18. Great congregation sée Psal 22.25 Ver. 19. Vniustly vz. in respect of any thing that I haue done against them winke with the eye as men sometimes do when they reioyce in some thing Hee meaneth that hee woulde not haue them made glad by any euil that should come vnto him without a cause sée ver 7. of this Psal ver 20. Imagine vz. first in their hearts afterwards expresse them with their mouthes deceitful words i. words to cloake and color their deceite quiet of the land Dauid speaketh this of himselfe and those that tooke his part who were charged to be rebels disturbers of the peace but he sheweth that they were otherwise and by quiet he vnderstandeth quiet people that would haue bin glad to haue liued peaceably quietly ver 21. They gaped on mee with their mouthes i. they did not onely speake against mee with an open mouth that all men might heare them but also made mockes at me with their gapings and mowings sée Iob. 16.10 Psal 22.7 Isaiah 57.4 Aha Aha these are wordes of reioycing for the hauing of that they desired One eye eye put for eyes vnlesse we would say that al the wicked are so ioyned together that they séeme to haue but one eye heart head c. hath séene vz. his ruine and destruction and the euils which wee hoped and wished shoulde come vpon him such supplies you shall sée made though in an other sense psal 54.7 Psal 59.10 Psal 118.7 And in sundry others ver 22. Séene it vz. their iniury and outragious malice against mee keepe not silence q.d. séeing thou art a iudge sit not still but prepare thy selfe to exercise iudgement against them This and that that followeth ver 23.24 Are spoken of God according to man ver 24. Reioyce ouer me vz. by reason of some calamities and afflictions that thou shalt lay vppon mee sée Psal 30.1 Ver. 25. O our soule reioyce vz. because we haue that wee desired Ver. 27. Loue my righteousnesse i. fauour and beare good will to my righteous cause sée Psalm 4.1 Which loueth i. liketh of and furthereth by wonderfull meanes the prosperitie i. the prosperous estate in all respectes Ver. 28. Shall vtter i. speake of thy righteousnes vz. which thou shewest to thine in defending them and to the vngodly in plaguing them for their wickednes euery day i. continually and without ceasing as it were Ver. 1. When men deale vniustly it is good to go to the Lord for our defence Do. who is the God of all righteousnes ver 2.3 If God be on our side wee neede not care who be against vs. ver 4.5.6 Teacheth that we may pray against the enemies of Gods church as also ver 19. Ver. 7. Sheweth that such is the corruption of the godlies nature that though they haue no cause to work mischief yet they must do it Ver. 9. We may reioyce in the ouerthrow of Gods enemies and in the deliuerance of his people Ver. 10. Gods power onely worketh deliuerance and that then when things séeme to bee most desperate Ver. 11. Cruell and false witnesses are neuer wanting to accuse Gods saintes Ver. 12. It is the nature of the wicked to requite good with euill Ver. 13.14 Gods children spare not to do good to al yea to the vngodly ver 15.16 Shew that it is no new thing that the wicked of all sortes consent and agree together against the good Ver. 17. God sometimes deferreth the punishment of the vngodly that he may in the end pay them to the full Ver. 18. Gods benefites require at our hands thankfulnes Ver. 20. The hypocrisie of the vngodly is set out Ver. 22. God séeth all things euery where Ver. 23.24 Deliuereth the same doctrin that ver 1. of this Psal doth Ver. 25. The enemies of God will reioyce in the destruction of the good when they haue performed it Ver. 26. Is the same almost word for word with ver 4. Ver. 27. The godly should reioyce in one anothers prosperity and praise the Lord for it Ver. 28. And that not in heart but in mouth also and that not once only but continually as it were Psalme 36 THis Psalme may bee deuided into
thrée speciall things first earnest prayers and supplications that the Prophet maketh that God would turne away his wrath from him and deliuer him from his enemies ver 1.9.15.21.22 In the second hee sheweth by manifold words and circumstances the great grief that hee was in by reason of his sinnes ver 2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10 In the third he declareth what his friendes and his foes did against him to the wonderful increase of his griefe also ver 11.12.13.14.16.17.18.19.20 Se. The title a Psalme of Dauid for remembraunce i. which hee made not onely as a meane to put him in remembrance of his sinne and Gods chastisements vpon him for the same but also to admonish him of the deliuerance out of the fame through Gods goodnes ver 1. is expounded Psal 6.1 Ver. 2. Thine arrows i. plagues diseases and griefes that thou hast sent haue light vppon mee vz. violently and with great force as appeareth by that which followeth in this Psalme and thy hand i. thy power and might or else heauie iudgements exercised thereby lyeth vpon mee vz. very sore and grieuously ver 3. There is nothing found in my flesh i. there is no part of my body but it is very much diseased in my bones i. in the parts members of my body because of my sinne vz. committed against thee and the plagues and punishments that thou hast layd vpon mee for the same ver 4. For mine iniquities i. both my sinnes and the punishments vppon me for the same are gone ouer my head i. either are growne to a great height or else which I rather allow of they ouerflowe me and as it were drowne mee this being a metaphor taken from waters as Psal 42.7 Psal 88.17 Psal 124.4 Meaning that hee was drowned or ouerwhelmed in his iniquities and punishments for them as one that were ouerwhelmed in a deepe water and as a weightie burthen this is an other metaphor taken from burthen by which hee noteth the greatnesse and grieuousnesse of his sinne to heauie for me vz. to beare yea they doe as it were presse mee downe vnto the grounde ver 5. My woundes i. the sores that I haue by reason of thy correction and punishments vppon mee for my sinnes are putrified i. are growne to bee full of matter and corrupt vz. so that they are almost past mee no doubt the prophet meaneth by these speaches to expresse both the greatnes of his griefe and length and continuance thereof because of my foolishnes i. because of my sinne in which respect also wicked men are sundry times in Scripture called fooles ver 6. I am bowed and crooked hee noteth the grieuousnes of his punishment which by reason of length and bodily weaknes that he receiued by it had as it were bowed him together very sore i. very much I go mourning al the day i. all the day long I doe nothing but mourne ver 7. My reines vz. of my back are ful of burning i. of wonderful great heat which the Phisitions take to be a signe of great sicknesse and dangerous weakenesse there is nothing c. sée ver 3. of this Psalme Ver. 8. sore broken vz. in my body by reason of my sicknes this is a maner of spéech that we vse in our tongue whē flesh is much abated or strength much decayed the Prophet meaneth that he was as it were consumed and worne away I roare sée psal 37.3 for the gréefe of mine harte i. by reason or thorow the great gréefe that I sustayn euer in the inward mā ver 9. I poure i. lay out my whole desire i. whatsoeuer I wish or desire before thée q.d. All the thinges that I desire are manifest to thée yea the verye sighs and grones which I send out sometimes in my prayers and sometimes in the gréefe of my mind are naked in thy presence But to what ende speaketh the Prophet this vz. To testifye his affection to Godward and how readye he was to come to him by prayer Ver. 10. And the light of mine eyes vz fayleth me as Psal 6.7 are not mine own vz. to vse them as I was wont to do because the vse of them was not so cleare and profitable vnto him as in former time they had bin he speaketh as though he had lost them altogether ver 11. Stand aside from my plague i. by reason of my plague and sicknesse they estrange themselues from me which thing Iob also complayneth of ver 12. Lay snares vz. to catch me imagine deceit continually vz. agaynst me that they may by subteltie take me ver 13. Heard not i. made shew as though I heard not the things they spake as a dumbe mā which openeth not his mouth i. I replyed not againe vpon them but quietly patiently bare their words and that this is the right sence maye appeare by verse 14. and 15. following ver 15. for on thée O Lord doe I wayt he sheweth a reason of his silence q.d. I am deafe and dumbe also at the reproches and iniuries that mine enemies laie vpon me because I hope that thou shortly wilt heare my prayers and deliuer me from this calamitie ver 16. Least they reioyce ouer me a reason to mooue God to heare least otherwise his glory should be blasphemed by these wicked men my foote flippeth i. when I am but likely to fall extoll themselues i. lift vp themselues both in wordes and déedes Ver. 17. Redy to halt i. to slide and flip as mine aduersaries would haue it vnlesse thou Lord strengthen mee and my sorrow vz. for that and other causes euer before me i. continuallye vppon me and in my sight so that I cannot forget it verse 18. Declare my payne i. largely by wordes and otherwise as sighings c. set out my gréefe both outward and inward and am sorry for my sinne which was the cause to pul these heauy iudgements vpon me verse 19. Are aliue vz. to worke mischiefe wheras before they séemed to be as it were dead and hee sheweth by these 2 termes Mighty and many that they haue power and number to performe the same ver 20. reward euill sée Psal 35.12 follow goodnesse i. allow and laboure to performe the things that are good the other two verses are verye plaine in which the Prophet prayeth for present ayde and spéedy deliueraunce Ver. 1. Gods wrath and indignation is much to be feared ver 2. Do. God verye sharpely punisheth many of his children Ver. 3. Sinne draweth vpon vs wonderfull iudgements Ver. 4. We are not able to beare the multitude of our sinnes much lesse to satisfie for them ver 5.6.7.8 shew that sinne the punishments of God therefore doe bring vpon Gods children many times bodilye sicknesses and wonderfull infirmities ver 9. It is good for vs to lay out our causes before God ver 11. A mans enimies many times are they of his owne houshold sée Iob 19.13.14.15 Ver. 12. Describeth the malice and subtilty of the vngodlye Ver. 13.14 Teacheth vs many times to bury
a straunger another reason brought to moue God to mercy taken from his miserable estate sée 1. Chron. 29.5 Psal 119.19 where you shall haue almost the same wordes as all my Fathers he meaneth of the faythfull and godly The sence of this verse is q.d. Hearken O Lord vnto my prayers by which I pray thée that I may be deliuered from this great gréefe wherein I am I aske this at thy hands not that I am very desirous of this life but because I féele my selfe vnable of my selfe to abide such torments for I am with thée or before thée or thou being witnesse of the matter a straunger on the earth neither doe I acknowledge my countrie to be here wherein I follow my Fathers Abraham Isaac Iaakob c. who because they tended towards thée were not taken with this Worlde wherein they were conuersant but vsed themselues as straungers in another countrie hauing alwayes a minde to their home Ver. 13. From me i. from plaguing me so gréeuously my strength vz. decayed and as it were consumed thorow gréefe and vexation before I go hence vz. out of this world meaning before I dye and be not vz. aliue here on the earth amongst men Do. Ver. 1. It is good to striue to the brideling of our spéech speciallye in the presence of the wicked who will insult ouer vs if we slippe in our wordes Ver. 2. It is a hard matter to abstaine from extremities for if we are not too muche giuen to babling we be ouerflow tongued to good thinges Ver. 3. Impaciencye must be fought vgainst ver 4. Curiositie striuing to know that which doth not appertain to vs must be brideled ver 5.6 Describe the vanity shortnes of mans life and the vncertainty of his actions ver 7. God only is to be trusted vnto Ver. 8. Prayer for deliueraunce from sinne punishments due thereto would be often made Ver. 9. We should be well content with whatsoeuer God doeth Ver. 10. We are not able to indure the least of Gods punishments ver 11. Setteth out two things Gods iustice in correcting and mans sinne that pulleth correction and punishment from God Ver. 12. God in tyme of greatest affliction must be most earnestly and hartily called vpon Ver 13. If God with-holde not his wrath we shall all be consumed for our sinnes Psalme 40. THis Psalme may be deuided into thrée parts Di. In the first the Prophet declareth what great mercies the Lord had shewed to him and what he will doe for them that trust in him from verse 1. to the end of the fourth In the second he sheweth the infinitenesse of Gods workes and his owne readinesse to serue the Lorde shewing howe he had published Gods goodnes and mercy from ver 5. to the end of the tenth In the third part he prayeth for his owne deliueraunce wishing also as the ouerthrow of the vngodly so the prosperity of the good and faithful ones from ver 11. to the end of the Chapter The title is expounded before ver 1. For the Lord i. for him Se. and for help frō him inclined to me i. shewed himself fauourable as they do that bow towards one Ver. 2. Horrible pit i. pit full of feare and horror meaning by that spéech most fearefull and great daungers mirie clay by these wordes he noteth both the greatnesse of his daunger and the continuance therein by the name claye which is both weighty and also wil cleaue fast to sée Psalme 69.2 Set my féete vpon the Rock i. hath placed me where I may be safe from al iniurie meaning a most safe place ordered my goings vz. in such sorte that I am sure from stumbling or falling Verse 3. Hath put into my mouth i. hath giuen mee an occasion a new song of praise i. newly to sing a song of praise vnto him or take new song for a singular and exquisite song sée Psalme 33.3 Many shall sée it i. many shall know the benefites that God hath bestowed on me and feare vz. God the giuer thereof Ver. 4. Maketh the Lord his trust i. that trusteth in him regardeth not i. maketh little or no account of sée Psalme 15.4 as thorow their force to be brought to feare them more then God the proude vz. those that boast themselues of the things they haue turne aside vz. from the truth to lies i. lying imaginations as before Psalme 4.2 Verse 5. He ascrybeth to Gods workes not only wonderfulnes but innumerablenesse in respecte of man count in order no nor yet out of order because they are incomprehensible and infinit to thée vz. or before thée that art the only dealer therein thy thoughts this the Prophet attributeth to God that thereby he might the more easily set out Gods wonderfull affection and loue towardes vs and ouer vs. Ver. 6. Sacrifice and offring betwéene these two words I make this difference that Sacrifice respecteth sinne offrings and the other voluntarye and fréewill offrings meaning by these two all other kinds whatsoeuer thou diddest not desire vz. in respect of obedience as 1. Samuel 15.22 for otherwise God regardeth them as parts and péeces of his seruice which he himselfe prescribed but when hipocrites by cold ceremonies would thinke to appease god without true godlinesse then doth the Lord reiect them as Psalme 50.8.9 c. for mine eares hast thou prepared or as Immanuel readeth hast thou boare◠through If you take the Geneua Text there the note is good if you followe Immanuel then he meaneth acceptation and taking of him to be his faithfull seruaunt this is applyed to Christ Heb. 10.5 Verse 7. Then sayde I lo I come vz. readilye and willingly when I vnderstoode thy will in the roales of thy booke i. in the law and this he speaketh according to the Iewes both in time heretofore and at this day who writ in parchment or paper and afterwardes role them vp because they will longer last roaled then folded written of mee i. concerning mée Verse 8. Thy Lawe is within my harte i. I doe earnestlye and from the bottome of my hart reuerence imbrace and loue thy lawe sée Philip. 1.8 Verse 9. Thy righteousnesse i. howe iust and good thou art in the performaunce of thy promises Refrayne my lippes vz. from declaring that O Lord thou knowest vz. that this is true that I speake and that I vtter it from my hart Verse 10. Is verye well expounded in the Geneua note Verse 11. He beséecheth the Lord to shewe his mercye and truth towards him and to make him by effects to féele the same Verse 12. Conteyneth a reason why the Lord should shew him mercy because hee is in suche great affliction haue compassed mée vz. on euery side within and without my sinnes i. both my sinnes and the punishmentes that lye vppon mée for the same sée Psalme 32.4 Psalme 38.2.3.4 and hée meaneth by that whiche followeth that they pressed him so downe that hée was not able to lift vp his heade or as a man
also in scripture because of the certaine perswasion that they haue that the thing shall bee performed and therefore I know is put for I shall know and so doth not triumphe for shall not triumphe meaning it of those that be named before or some such like Verse 12. Set me before thy face i. hast me not only in continuall but in mercifull remembraunce as those that are continually in the presēce and fauour of Princes Ver. 13. Blessed i. Praised so you shal haue this word often vsed in the Psalmes of Israel i. of his faythfull people sée Psalm 14.7 world without end i. for euer and euer Do. Ver. 1.2.3 Teache vs to pitie those that are afflicted and for our better incouragement therein the Lord hath set downe certaine promises whiche hee will performe alwayes vnto vs so farre forth as he shall sée to be for his glory and our comfort Ver. 4. Sinne draweth all iudgements vpō vs both in soule and body Ver. 5. The vngodly wish the death of the faythfull Ver. 6. The vngodly are full of lying and hipocrisie Verse 7. They craftily conspire the hurte and destruction of the godly Ver. 8. They reioyce and clap their hands for ioye in his misery and affliction Ver. 9. A mans enemies are they of his owne houshold as it were and it so falleth out many times that where Gods children assure themselues of greatest friendship there they find least whiche teacheth vs not to hang vpon man Verse 10. We must flie to the Lord onlye in all our distresses Ver. 11. Gods deliueraunce of his children is a testimony of his fauour towards them Verse 12. All our sufficiency to goodnesse is from God aloue and that of his mercy only Verse 13. God must be continually praysed for his louing kindnesse and we must alwayes giue a thorow and earnest consente thereto Psalme 42. THis Psalme consisteth of two partes Di. In the firste the Prophet declareth what great desire he had to serue God among the faythfull whiche because hée coulde not performe he sheweth further into what great heauinesse he fell therefore from verse 1. to the fifte In the second he runneth to God praying comfort from him and labouring by all meanes he coulde to comfort himselfe ouer that heauinesse and sorrow from verse 6. to the end of the Psalme The title to him that excelleth this is expounded before Psalme 4. Se. a Psalme to giue instruction this is expounded Psalme 32 committed to the sonnes of Korah not onely to bée kepte as a treasure but to bee sung also by that posterity amongest whome it shoulde séeme that one Heman was the chéefe 1. Chron. 6.33 1. Chron. 25.5 Verse 1. Vnder a similitude of the Hart which by reason of naturall heate much desireth waters as appeareth by them that haue written of the nature of them Dauid setteth oute his earnest desire to serue GOD before the Arke after thée O GOD i. after thy seruice and worship and after the beholdinge of thy Maiestye a visible token whereof thou shewest in thy Tabernacle and the worde of parting woulde bée marked by whiche Dauid sheweth not onlye the great paynes that hee hadde taken therefore but euen that that little breath whiche hee had yet lefte hee imployed that waye Verse 2. My soule i. I my selfe whollye thyrsteth i. earnestlye desyreth euen as those that bee almost ouercome with thyrst wishe for drinke euen for the liuing God This terme hée vseth to put a difference betwéene the God which he meant and whom he serued and the dead idols of the Gentiles before the presence of GOD hée meaneth by this the Tabernacle where God gaue visible signes of his presence and not as though hee were or coulde be at anye time out of his sight sée Psalme 139.7.8 c. Verse 3. The Prophet meaneth that by reason of abundance and continuance of teares that fell from him he might be sayd to bée fedde as it were therewith sée Psalme 80.5 while they i. the Enemyes thy GOD vz. in whome heretofore thou diddest trust this is a moste bitter vpbrayding of the godly Verse 4. These thinges i. Both the reproches of the enemie and my frequenting of the Tabernacle with the rest of Gods people I poured out my hearte i. my courage consumed as it were and my strength wasted awaye see Iob 30.16 hee meaneth in this Verse that hée was as it were halfe deade when hee remembred the enemies reproches on the one side and on the other side the wonderfull pleasure whiche hée tooke in the holy assemblies going before them as a Captaine or ringleader to the rest that kéepeth a Feast vz. vnto the Lorde wherein there was great mirth vsed as maye appeare by sundrye places Verse 5. Cast downe vz. into doubting and heauinesse vnquiet within mee i. meaning by reason of gréefe the helpe of his presence i. the ayde and deliueraunce which his presence i. his fauour and goodnesse hath giuen vs For so is Gods presence often tymes vsed and namelye in these Psalmes Verse 6. From the Lande of Iorden i. I being in the Lande of Iorden whiche is a place very muche distaunt from Ierusalem where thyne Arke is or from the place where thou arte serued so likewise is Hermonim and the mount Mizar which some take to be a place vnknowne euen to the Iewes themselues whatsoeuer it is this he meaneth that hee was much greeued being in a countrie farre from the place where GOD was serued to thinke that hee was depriued of the assemblyes of his Saynts Verse 7. One déepe i. One greate and gréeuous affliction calleth another déepe i. exhorteth as it were another to come that by accesse thereof my afflictions maye growe as it were to infynitenesse as Psalme 40.12 by the noyse i. in suche manner and with suche greate noyse as thy Water-spoutes i. thy Cloudes sende downe the rayne sée Iob 38.25 and he iustly resembleth the Cloudes to Spoutes because they both poure downe and with hold agayne as it pleaseth God to appoynte and rule all thy Waues and floudes i. great and gréeuous afflictions sent from thée are gone ouer me i. haue in a manner ouerwhelmed me Psalme 38.4 Verse 8. Will graunte i. graciouslye giue and make me to féele the nighte vz. of the day before wherein I haue felt his goodnesse of him i. both of him and his prayses meaning that he would prayse him the God of my life i. the author of my life and being for in him we liue moue and haue our being Acts 17. Verse 9. My rocke sée Psal 18.2 forgotten me sée Psalme 13.1 Verse 10. He noteth what great gréefe he indureth by the vngodlies spéeches Ver. 11. Is expounded before ver 5. of this Psalme Do. Verse 1.2 Teache what an earnest loue and desire we shoulde haue to serue God in the assemblie of his Saynts Verse 3. declareth what greate gréefe we shoulde haue to heare GOD reproched the same doth verse 4. Verse 5. that we should labour to comfort
thus and in thy glory ride prosperously because of the word of trueth c. in thy glory i. being thus established and set vp ride prosperously i. feare not to attempt good and holy things because of the word of truth i. because the matter of trueth yea all trueth it selfe requireth this of thee and hee vnderstandeth by these thrée termes three seuerall things that ought to bee in kinges by trueth he meaneth faithfull dealing by meekenes milde and curteous behauiour and by righteousnes vpright execution of those thinges that concerne either the maintenance of good or the punishmēt of vice if we take it as it is read in the Geneua text hee séemeth then to resemble these vertues to chariotes of triumph vpon which kings were wont to bee carried specially after some great victories gotten and he speaketh of these vertues because that iust vpright gouernement and not outragious and violent giueth credit and authoritie to princes So thy right hand i. thy power and might because that in that hand it most consisteth shall teach thée i. shall inable thée to performe as those that teach others make them able Terrible thinges i. such thinges as shal strike a terrour and feare of thee into the heartes of thine enemies and a louing reuerence into the hearte of thy friendes and subiects Ver. 5. Thine arrowes are sharpe i. the instruments and meanes that thou hast to vse against thy enemies are persing yea so persing that the heart i. the closest part yea the strongest euen that wherein life consisteth shal be pearced thereby of the kinges enemies marke the chaunge of the person meaning thereby thy enemies which art the king shall fall vnder thee i. shall come into thy power and subiection as men are wont to fall when they are stricken wish an arrowe so that a man may do with them what he listeth hee meaneth nothing else but that Salomon should haue instruments and darts to strike his enemies a farre of and to constraine them to yeelde to his obedience Ver. 6. Thy throne i. thy kingdome for he vseth the throne where the Prince did vse to sit that gouerned the kingdome for the kingdome rule dominion and authority that the king had O God Salomon is here called God as kinges and magistrates are in other places of scripture for euer and euer i. indureth a long season the scepter of thy kingdome i. the rule and authority which was signified by the scepter is a scepter of righteousnes i. is iust equall and vpright all this must after this sort be applied to Salomon but for as much as the Apostle Heb. 18. doeth apply it to Christ wee must more largely interpret it vz. that the holy Ghost meaneth to signifie and to set out vnto vs not only the continuance and durablenes of Christes kingdome but also the continual vprightnes and equity that shal be therein Ver. 7. Apply this also to Salomon Christ to the one in figure to the other in trueth thou louest i. allowest likest of and performest righteousnesse i. vpright dealing and equity and hatest i. canst not at any hand away with wickednes i. any manner of sinne whatsoeuer he sheweth wherein vprightnes consisteth vz. in the maintenance of equity and in the sharpe punishment of iniquity hath annoynted thee the Prophet speaketh after the manner of those dayes wherein kinges were annoynted which was a visible signe of their entrance into the kingdome with the oyle of gladnes i. with such oyle as made not onely Salomon glad but the people ouer whom he should raigne aboue thy fellowes i. al thy brethren set aside though they were elder then thou howe this and other places of this Psalme haue their verification in Christ shal be shewed afterwarde in the doctrines Ver. 8. Hee commendeth Salomon for the glory of his garments noting that they were as it were performed with Myrrhe Aloes and Cassia which were things not only of good fauor but of great price because they were set from far countries iuory palaces i. excellent which the holy Ghost meaneth both by speaking in the plurall number and also by calling them or affirming them to be of iuory which was excellent and precious as may appeare Amos 6.4 Where they i. thy people and those that doe thee seruices haue made thee glad vz. by the dutifull deedes cheareful countenances and louing words that they haue declared towards thee Ver. 9. Kings daughters i. those that issued from kings were among thine honourable wiues i. were come vnto thee among the rest all which thou diddest honourably vse and apparel sumptuously of gold of Ophir i. most fine and pure gold sée Iob. 28. ver 16. Ver. 10. Hée admonished Pharao his daughter who was Salomons chiefe wife by mariage newly ingraffed into the body of the church willingly to hearken to Gods worde and quite and cleane to forget all carnall thinges whatsoeuer Marke the wordes of this admonition first hearing then considering of that which is heard and lastly imbracing of that which is hearde ment by inclining of the eare and shee is called daughter not in respect of her husbande but in respect shee was become nowe a scholleresse as a man woulde say in Gods Church as some were called children before Psal 34.10 And by people and Fathers house he meaneth her owne country and all the pleasures therein as friendes kinred and whatsoeuer else she might be delighted in Ver. 11. So shall the king c. i. if thou doest this vz. imbrace the religion that hee shall teach thee thou shalt bee most acceptable vnto him and hee shall loue thée most tenderly for he is thy Lord i. thy head and gouernour as 1. Corinth 11.3 Reuerence thou him q.d. therefore it beseemeth thee to yéelde him all the obedience due to him Ver. 12. Daughter of Tyrus i. the citie Tyrus putting the place for the people inhabiting the same sée Psal 9.14 With the rich of the people q.d. euen the richest and not the meanest only shal doe homage before thy face with presentes i. shall in token of homage and as though they were subiects bring openly presents vnto thée Ver. 13. Kings daughter shee is so called not as though shee were not his wife but because hee did as it were beget her vnto God is all glorious within vz. in the kings pallace where shee remaineth familiarly with the king her clothing is of broidered gold i. is most precious and costly Ver. 14. She shal be brought vnto the King the Prophet alludeth to the manner in these daies vz. that Quéenes might not come when they woulde to the king but when they were sent for Hest 4.11 Hest 5.2 In rayment of néedle worke which is very deare and precious by this variety of apparell the Prrphet mindeth to set out the sumptuousnes of the king his wife by that which followeth after the Prophet meaneth that she shall come with a great number of handmaydes wayting vppon her which séemeth also
Iewes as Gentile clappe your handes vz. for ioy as Nahum 3. ver 19. Hee putteth the outwarde signe of ioy for inward and outward ioyfulnes sing loude vnto God c. in this part of the verse the Prophet requireth of the people on the Lordes behalfe willingnes chearfulnes and gladnes for in all seruices performed to him hee specially regardeth these thinges as 2 Corinth 8.12 Ver. 2. Is high vz. not onely because hee dwelleth in the high heauens but also because hee hath highest yea all authoritie and terrible i. fearefull or méete to bee feared not onely of his children for their good but of the wicked for their punishments a great king vz. as whose power no creature is able to resist ouer all the earth i. such a king as to whose authoritie all the quarters corners of the earth are subiect Ver. 3. He i. God hath subdued vz. by his word spirit the people i. of all the people of the world some vnder vs i. vnder the exercises of his religion seruice which wee professe putting the persons professing a thing for the thing professed vnder our féete by this maner of speach is ment that the gentiles shold be schollers the Iews scholemasters as it were to them for to sit vnder the feet or at the feete is vsed in scripture for being a scholler or learning as Act. 22.3 And not that the Iews had euer such a large Lordship ouer the Gentiles Ver. 4. May be the words as it were both of the Iewes and Gentiles conuerted to Christes kingdome shewing what graces he hath bestowed vpon them hee q.d. he that knoweth what is better for vs then wee our selues hath chosen i. not onely layd out but also appointed and that of his owne good will and mercy towards vs our inheritance i. not onely all thinges méete for this life as landes countries possessions c. but euen all other things that concerne the hope of a better life euen the glory of Iaakob i. euen all these excellent thinges that he gaue and promised to Iaakob wherin he might glory and reioyce The faithful meane that they had as great both abundance and assurance of Gods grace and goodnes as Iaakob euer had Ver. 5. God i. the arke of God which was a true token of Gods presence and so is the word Lord also vsed as Psal 132.5 Is gone vp hee speaketh this no doubt in respect of bringing the Arke into the mount Sion of which sée 2. Sam. 6. Throughout the chapter with triumph vz. against the enemies which also was ioyfull to Gods people euen the Lord with the sound of the trumpet this is euen the same that was sayd in the first part of this verse sauing that here hee addeth the instrument which many times striketh terrour into the enemies and addeth courage to the faithful and by this manner of speach hée meaneth to note out the great glory of the Lord and of the triumph and victories that our Sauiour gotte as Colos 2.15 Ephes 4.8 Ver. 6. The foure times repeating of these woordes sing prayses hath great force q.d. let all your care and study tend to this to prayse the Lorde and his sonne Christ Ver. 7. For God this is a reason why they shoulde extoll the Lorde King of all the earth i. hath power ouer all and exerciseth an Vniuersall kingdome the particulars and the maiesty whereof hée setteth out in the next verse Ver. 8. Holy throne hée meaneth either the Tabernacle or else the heauen for both of these in scripture are called Gods holy throne because he that had the fulnes of holines in himselfe gaue manifestation of himselfe from both these places sée Mat. 5.34 Matth. 23.22 Whatsoeuer it is or howsoeuer it is to be taken the Prophets purpose no doubt is to describe God as a iudge ready to yéelde iustice both to good and bad according to their seuerall causes Ver. 9. The Princes of the people q.d. not onely meane men from among the Gentiles but euen the mighty are gathered vz. by the mightie woorking of Gods spirit and the exercises of the word the Prophet meaneth by this manner of speach that the Gentiles should make profession of true godlines as well as Iewes and he speaketh of it as though it were already performed for the certainty of it people of the God of Abraham i. the Iewes for from Abraham they came according to the flesh And he calleth him the God of Abraham thereby to distinguish him from al the false Gods of the Idolatrous gentiles the shields of the world i. the defence and the protections of the whole earth he vseth shields which are good meanes of defence for defence it selfe belong to God is his right q.d. seeing that the worlde is preserued and maintained by God great cause is there why men shoulde reuerence his so great and high maiesty and therefore he addeth hee is greatly to bee exalted i. feared and praysed Ver. 1. It becommeth all sects of people to praise God Do. and that willingly and chearefully Ver. 2. Sheweth that wée ought to praise him for his maiesty and power Ver. 3. Declareth that it is God alone that draweth mens heartes to the imbracing of his trueth Ver. 4. Gods loue is the first and onely cause of all the graces we haue Ver. 5. Setteth out his maiesty and might Verse 6. Teacheth how earnest we should be in praising our God Ver. 7. Sheweth that both our praises and all the seruices that we shall yéeld to the Lorde must procéede from an vnderstanding heart Ver. 8. In that God is described as a iudge it conteineth matter of comfort to his children of terror to the wicked Ver. 9. God calleth of all states some to the imbracing of his truth also God alone is the defender of the whole world and of all the people 's therein and that therefore he is worthylie to be magnified Psalme 48. Di. THis Psalme may bee diuided into three partes In the first is conteined a commendation of Gods power and goodnes manifested especially to the citie of Ierusalem from Ver. 1. to the end of the third In the seconde is declared that all the conspiracies practises and forces of the wicked against that Citie shal be ouerthrowne because God will defend it from ver 4. to the end of the 8. In the third the faithfull set out the assured perswasion that they had of Gods goodnes towardes them praying for the continuance therof both vppon themselues and the whole Church from verse 9. to the end of the Psalme Se. The title would bée thus a song or Psalme meaning such a Psal or song as both by voyce and instruments was sung the rest is expounded Psal 42. Ver. 1. Great is the Lorde vz. in respect of his power and glory and greatly to be praysed q.d. and therefore no smal prayse doth belong to him in the citie of our God i. in Jerusalem which is called Gods Citie because God had
heart prayseth the Lord doth yéeld him most excellent honour disposeth his way arighte i. rightly and holily ordreth his life will I i. God himselfe speaking of himselfe or else his seruaunt and Prophet shew the saluation of God i. If wée referre it to God he meaneth that he will shew himselfe the sauiour of suche a person but if we referre it to the Prophet and take it to be his wordes hee meaneth that he will declare vnto him excellent saluation for so sometimes these wordes of God are vsed which he shall receaue indéede from God who will for euer kéepe and saue such persons both the sences come almost to one Verse 1. Gods maiestye appeareth excellently in his creatures Verse 2. Do. But specially in his Church Verse 3. Gods iudgements and power are terrible to his enemyes but comfortable to his seruaunts Verse 4. All creatures are at Gods commaundement Verse 5. Gods people are called saynts euen in this life whome it becommeth carefully to kéepe the couenaunt of sanctifycation that passeth betwéene them and their God Verse 6 It is comfortable to consider that God who is iustice it selfe shall iudge Verse 7 When God speaketh all ought to heare Verse 8.9 God regardeth not outwarde seruices when inward is wanting Verse 10. All things in the world are Gods and at his commaundement Verse 11. If he know the creatures then men likewise Verse 12. God standeth not any maner a way in néede of man Verse 13. God being a spirit néedeth not outward nurriture Verse 14. The sacrifice of thankes giuing is acceptable to God Verse 15. Aduersitie is a spurre vnto prayer if we could rightly consider of it Verse 16. Gods ordinaunces being holy and pure shoulde not come into mouthes giuen to filthinesse Verse 17. To hate admonition and to despise Gods worde be two grieuous sinnes Verse 18. Learne to beware of making hast to wickednesse and of communicating with other men in their sinnes Verse 19. Our tongues and mouthes shoulde be dedicated to goodnesse ver 20. To speake euil of or to slander any much more our nighest kinred is a horrible sinne Verse 21. Gods mercy long suffering worketh strange effects in the wicked not of it selfe but because that they in the corruption of their own nature abuse it Verse 22. Gods iudgemeÌ„ts should strike a reuerence and feare of his maiestie into our harts Verse 23. God delighteth in those that giue themselues to godlinesse and honesty Psalme 51. THis Psalme propoundeth specially two thinges Di. the firste is an humble confession of sinnes with an earnest crauing pardon for the same desiring notwithstanding his sinne the continuaunce of Gods fauour towards him and this reacheth from verse 1. to the end of the 17. In the second is comprehended an earnest praier for the whole estate of Gods church and â—â—is is in the two last verses of the Psalme The Title to him that excelleth Se. a Psalme of Dauid this hath bene expouÌ„ded before when the Prophet Nathan came vnto him for the better vnderstanding of this read 2. Sam. 11. and 12 Chapiter throughout after hee had gone in to Bathsheba the scripture speaketh chastly purely of a filthy facte in other places it is expressed by knowing hir in our spéech we say after he had had her company or lain with her Verse 1. Conteineth excellent wordes of a man that doth earnestly confesse his sinnes and he doubleth as it were the same matter in other wordes that hee might more effectually declare his affection he runneth only to Gods mercye and because his sinnes were many and infinite he prayeth the manifestation and féeling of the infinite multitude of gods goodnesses away myne iniquities vz. either as they doe that take spots oute of apparell or as they doe that blot somwhat out of debt bookes for such a metaphor he séemeth to vse here meaning the vtter remouing of them Verse 2. Vnder the termes of washing and cleansing the Prophet alludeth to the outwarde purifyings and cleansings of the law yet so that he knoweth that all these outward things were nothing without the Lord performed that inwardly wch was signified by these outward signs that is frée pardon ful forgiuenes of al his transgressions Ver. 3. For I know i. féele sensibly within my self but yet so that I do withal confes it is euer before me i. is continually in my remeÌ„braunce and the very thought of it doth continually vex me and by iniquitye sinne in the singuler number he meaneth not that he committed no more but one sinne for we sée there was murther adioyned with his whordome adulterye but in confessing one as the principal he acknowledgeth all the branches appertayning therto whatsoeuer Ver. 4. Against thée against thée only c Dauid noteth by this maner of spéech that he did so cuÌ„ningly couer his sinne from mens eyes that none saw it for the time til it was reuealed but God alone so that we see Against thée doth not only note that his sinne was directly agaynste God which also he meaneth by doubling the words against thée agaynst thée but also that it was naked before him as appeareth by that which followeth when he addeth this word only he meaneth not that he had not offeÌ„ded against men also for we sée that he had caused Vriah to be slain but because God was he whose law both in respect of the first and second table was broken whom it did most especially touch that thou mayst be iust i. declared to be iust for otherwise god is alwayes iust though the manifestation thereof appeare not and pure i. sound and vpright when thou iudgest vz. others for God is always iust but it then specially appeareth wheÌ„ he eyther pronouÌ„ceth senteÌ„ce against some or executeth iudgements vpon them Ver. 5. Behold q.d. I confes not only this sin of adultery and murther but al other from the time of my being vntill this present houre he speaketh indéede specially of originall sinne but yet so that vnder the same he comprehendeth al his other sinnes whatsoeuer originall sinne being the fountayne from whence the rest flow and in sinne hath my mother conceyued me these wordes meane not that the performaunce of mariage dueties simply of themselues bee euill as some lewde men haue dreamed and taught but that he hauing originall sinne from his parents was in that sinne conceaued i. fostred and norished in his mothers wombe and brought forth in the same for so largely do I take the word of conceauing the beginning of a thing being put for the grouth procéeding and continuance of the same thing Ver. 6. Thou louest truth i. vprightnes soundnes a sincere good wil to follow thée in the inward affections meaning that God specially respecteth the hart yet so that he wil haue the outward conuersation agréeable thereto haste thou taught me wisedome i. heauenly and right vnderstanding out of thy law All this the Prophet alleageth to aggrauate his own sinne because
haue not set God before them q.d. all this outrage against me springeth from this fountain to wit that they neglect God as he is manifested and reuealed vnto them in his word neyther take they counsell of him but preferre their owne iudgements and deuises in all their attempts whatsoeuer Verse 4. Beholde GOD is mine helper q.d. notwithstandinge all this see howe graciouslye GOD helpeth and succoureth mee is with them i. taketh their parte and is on their side as Romanes 8.31 For otherwise GOD by his presence is with all his creatures and no doubte he meaneth not only those that fledde away with him but euen Ionathan and suche others as euen in Saules Courte fauoured him and his cause that vpholde my soule i. that beare mée good affection haue care ouer my safegarde and take my parte and ayd and helpe me so farre forth as GOD inableth them Soule is here put for lyfe as before in the thyrde Verse not that men are able to vpholde eyther their owne lyues or other mens otherwise then as God maketh them instruments to doe the same Verse 5. He shall reward euill i. God by pouring forth his iudgements vpon them shal in a iust measure recompence them the mischiefe that they haue deuised and done agaynst me for euill here is put for euil of punishment as sundry times before oh cut them off vz. eyther from amongst men rooting them out of the lande of the liuing or else from power and means to performe their mischiefs by in thy truth i. according as thou truely hast promised so make me effectually to féele the performance therof we haue had the same phrase sundry times before Verse 6. Then will I sacrifice vz. the sacrifice of prayse and thanksgiuing fréely i. not onelye with free and chearefull courage but with greate liberalitie also So that he promiseth to shew himselfe after his deliueraunce euery manner of way thankfull to God I will prayse thy name i. goodnesse strength power c. as before verse 1. of this Psalme because it is good i. mercifull almighty c. for so much doth the word God comprehend in this place Verse 7. For he hath deliuered me this is the reason why he will giue hartye thankes to the Lord vz. because God hath set him frée from wonderfull daungers and troubles for so much I take it he meaneth by all troubles and not that he should not indure any moe afterwards And mine eye hath séene i. I haue not only in my vnderstanding perceaued but with these bodily eyes of mine for he putteth one for both I haue beheld poured forth vpon my enimies the iustice and iudgements of God which I prayd for or desired mighte fall vpon them which also we may doe to wit holily reioyce in the execution of Gods iustice vpon the wicked so that our eyes be pure from all naughty affections and our minds clensed from desire of reuenge Do. Verse 1. Teacheth vs not only in our distresses to pray vnto God alone but for the strengthening of our fayth to haue recourse to his goodnesse and power Verse 2. Teacheth vs in prayer to vse both hart and voyce Ver. 3. Doth not only set out the cruelty of the vngodly agaynste the good but also noteth the fountayne of all wickednesse that is the neglect and contempt of God and his will reuealed in his word Verse 4. instructeth the faythfull to assure themselues of Gods present ayde who is mercifull not only to them but also to all those that take their partes and therefore wee sée it is not good to destitute Gods seruaunts vnlesse we will pluck God vpon our owne backes Verse 5. setteth out Gods iustice against the wicked of which sée Psal 18.26 it teacheth also to make Gods faithful promises the grounds of al our supplications and prayers Verse 6. Teacheth vs both to giue God thankes for his mercies and also the maner how we should yield it that is willingly chearefully fréely and plentifully Verse 7. sheweth that it is God alone that must set vs frée from all daungers whatsoeuer the doctrine of the latter part of this verse is put down in the sence Psalme 55. THis Psalme I take it may well bee diuided into thrée partes Di. In the first the Prophet maketh his prayer vnto the Lorde shewing also what great causes he had to moue him thereto and this from verse 1. to the ende of the 8. In the seconde he prayeth agaynst his enimies describing their mischieuous malice hipocrisie and other vices from verse 9. to the ende of the 15. In the third he returneth agayne to his prayers both for himselfe and agaynst his enimies concluding with a comfortable exhortation to the faythfull with a terrible denouncing of Gods iudgements against the wicked and this reacheth from verse 16. to the end of the Psalme The Title is expounded before Psalme 4. and Psalme 32. Se. in the Titles thereof Some there be that thinke Dauid made this Psalme when hee was afflicted with the Rebellion of his sonne Abshalon Othersome vnderstand it of that great and wonderfull daunger wherein hée was in the Citie Keilah whether Saule came to besiege him whereof sée more at large 1. Samuell 23.1.2 c. And to this doe I rather enclyne Verse 1. Heare my prayer sée Psalme 54.2 hyde not thy selfe i. turne not thy selfe away he séemeth to speake after the manner of men who sometimes if they be not disposed to graunt a request will not speake with the parties that sue vnto them but séeme to hyde themselues from presence spéech from my supplication true it is that in scriptures prayers and supplications are many times vsed for one and the selfe same and it may be that they are so taken here but yet you shall sée them sundry times seuered as Ephe. 6.18 Philip 4.6 1. Tim. 2.1 where by supplicatiō the Apostle meaneth requests made to God for deliuerance from those things which trouble vs and by prayers requests which are made for benefits Ver. 2. Harken vnto me i. the praiers that I make before thée as Psal 54.2 and aunswere me i. graunt me my request for those whom we louingly aunswere we séeme in some sort to graunt vnto I mourne i. I am sorrowful and heauy harted and make a noyse he meaneth that by violence and vehemency of his affliction hee was as it were inforced sometimes to heauinesse of heart mournful bewailings sometimes again into most pitiful outcries Ver. 3. For the voice i. for the hard gréeuous threats which are vttered with the voice of the enemy i. Saule vnderstāding notwithstāding vnder him as the principal all those that cleaue to him in these outragious words déeds against him for the vexation of the wicked vz. which they do against me and not wch they thēselues suffer for here the vexatiō of the wicked is vsed actiuely vz. for the oppression wherewith they did afflict the innocent because they i. the enimies and wicked
12. Myne enemy i. mine open enemy or one that I had giuen any good cause vnto to bee mine enemy for otherwise no doubt hee or they whosoeuer they were that put this in practise against Dauid were his foes and here note that though hee seeme to speake but of one yet no doubt hee meaneth more or else vnder one most singular in that craft of dissimulation hee vnderstandeth others for hee meaneth here that by secret deuises which hee coulde not preuent hee was vnder the pretence of friendshippe almost cast away did not diffame mee sée verse 3. of this Psalme for I could haue borne it vz. better then I doe nowe because I looke for nothing from mine enemie but enemy like dealing Exalt himselfe against mee i. set himselfe against mee by worde or deede All this the Prophet speaketh by the way of comparison not denying but that his foes did defame him and oppose themselues against him but if that were compared with the hypocriticall dealings of his counterfeit friends it would appeare to bee nothing as a man would say and this wee call a denyall by the way of comparison I would haue hid me from him i. I woulde haue kept my selfe close and safe from him and his cruelties Verse 13. Hee sheweth who it was that wrought him this iniurie my companion i. my equall and of the selfesame state and condition that I my selfe was of by which wee see that this Psalme was made before hée came to the kingdome for when hee was exalted thither once none was equall vnto him my guyde vz. in matters of counsell and affaires that I had to doe and my familiar i. my deare and tender friend He meaneth no doubt some whom hee had in great regarde and estimation Ver. 14. Which delighted in consulting together q.d. with whom I tooke wonderfull pleasure to conferre of many matters and namely of the exercises of Gods religion which I suppose the Prophet meaneth by going into the house of God as companions consulting as it were together howe they might prepare themselues to his seruice behaue themselues therein Ver. 15. Let death sease vpon them vz. not onely sodainely and or euer they beware for so much the Hebrewe worde in a metaphor séemeth to import but let it take such holde of them that it may neuer leaue till it haue taken them away from amongest men Let them goe downe quicke into the graue as Korah Dathan and Abiram did Numb 16.31 Hee meaneth that hee woulde haue them dye of some sodaine death no disease or sickenesse going before it for wickednes i. all manner of vngodlinesse sée before Psalm 36.1 In their dwellinges i. in their congregations assemblies and fellowshippes putting the places where such wicked persons did méete for their méetings euen in the middest of them i. they norish it within them and haue it alwayes in their company Ver. 16. I will call vnto God i. earnestly pray vnto him will saue mee i. deliuer mee from these cruelties and daungers as Psalm 54.1 Verse 17. Euening and morning and at noone will I pray i. I will bee importunate and neuer cease till I haue obteined from hence and out of Daniel 6.10 wee may gather that in those dayes the faythfull set themselues certaine houres to pray in thereby the better to awake their sluggishnes And make a noyse i. I will bee feruent and earnest in it for many haue prayed long and yet haue wanted feruency and hee will heare my voyce i. graunt the petitions and prayers that I shall powre foorth before him wherein wee see howe hee assureth him selfe of Gods goodwill and mercy Verse 18. My soule i. my life as sundry times before in peace i. safely and soundly and with great quietnes from the battaile that was against mee i. from the great conflictes and daungers wherein I shoulde haue béene snared because they were layde and prepared against mee for many were with mee q.d. though to sée too wee were but fewe yet wee had Gods Angels with vs to dismay our enemies and to comfort vs as 2. Kinges 6.16 Ver. 19. God shall heare vz. mee and my prayers and afflict them i. whereas hee shewed mercy to mee hee shall afflict them and punish them euen hee that reigneth of olde i. hee which in nature counsell and iudgement is eternall and alwayes like to himselfe which thing the Prophet expresseth to giue the wicked to vnderstande that there is no starting holes to hyde them in from GOD because they haue no chaunges vz. from wealth honour and credit to pouerty disgrace and misery but alwayes they goe forwarde in abundance of these outwarde blessinges therefore they feare not GOD i. they neither reuerence him nor his iudgements but abusing his mercye runne riot to all wickednes and so in this verse hee putteth them out for their harde hartednes in vngodlynes Ver. 20. Hee layeth his hand first marke the sodaine chaunge of the number before he spake of them in the plurall nowe of them in the singular next note that by laying of handes vppon others hee meaneth exercising of violence towardes others yea and this outragious discurtesie is aggrauated by howe much it was practised towards them that were at peace with him i. not only such as liued quietly with him but also loued him and so by that meanes hee brake his couenaunt vz. which he had made with him all this Dauid speaketh principally of Saul and himselfe and of the couenant that passed betweene them Sée 1. Samuel 24. from verse 17. to the ende of the Chapter Verse 21. The woordes of his mouth were softer then butter i. hee made shewe in his woordes of nothing but gentlenesse and mildenesse yet warre was in his heart i. inwardly hee imagineth nothing but mischiefe and destruction for so is the woorde warre vsed here vz. put for thinges that commonly followe warres his woordes were more gentle then Oyle this I take to be but the same thing repeated in an other metaphor in summe the Prophet toucheth him here for his peruerse hipocrisie and wooluish mind as it were against him Verse 22. Cast thy burden vppon the Lorde q.d. if there bee any thing that troubleth thee or that thou thy selfe standest in neede for so much I thinke hée meaneth by the worde burden commit all the care thereof into Gods hands and power staying thy self altogether vpon his prouidence and he shall nourish thée i. vndoubtedly thou shalt not want for God wil play the part of a good Father whereunto in deede the Prophet in this place resembleth him giuing vnto euery one of his in measure and as hee shall sée to bee necessary for them for so much doeth the worde import hee will not suffer the righteous to fall for euer vz. into the wicked mans power that he should vse him as hée himselfe lusteth Verse 23. Shalt bring them downe vz. from the wealth credit and authority that nowe they are in and this hee speaketh of the vngodly and
crafty crueltie of the wicked which may teach the godly two things specially first in all holy wisedome to labour the preuenting of these mischiefes that are meant against them secondly to striue to liue a holy and an vpright life because the eies of the wicked are continually vpon them Ver. 7. Sheweth vs howe the wicked flatter themselues in their sinne Ver. 8. Expresseth the great care that God hath ouer his children and how dearely he accompteth euery thing that is done to them or commeth from them Ver. 9. Setteth out the force and effect of feruent prayer Ver. 10.11 Are the same with ver 4. of this Psalme Ver. 12. Teacheth vs in care and conscience to performe the holy promises we haue made vnto God specially those that concerne praise and thanksgiuing Ver. 13. Teacheth two things first that it is God alone that vpholdeth his children and deliuereth them from all dangers and distresses secondly that he doeth this to this end that by holy life and godly conuersation we should glorifie him before men Psalme 57 Di. THis Psalme may bee diuided into thrée partes In the first the Prophet calleth vppon the Lord assuring himselfe that God will graciously heare his prayers and deliuer him from ver 1. to the end of the third In the second hee declareth the dangerous and pitifull estate wherein he was and the craft and cruelty of his enemies praying deliuerance therfrom from ver 4. to the end of the 6. In the third part he sheweth his readines and inforceth himselfe to yéeld thankes to the Lord for his mercy goodnes towards him from ver 7. to the end of the Psalme The title to him that excelleth sée Psal 4. Destroy not In these words is declared the summe of those petitions which are conteined in Psalmes that haue such titles as this is as Psal 58. also Psal 59. It should appeare that Dauid was in some wonderfull feare of death and destruction and therfore praieth the Lord not to destroy him i. not onely not to suffer the wicked to destroy him but also because he alone had al power in his hands not to lay hands vpon him himself A Psal of Dauid on Michtam sée Psal 56 in the title whē he fled from Saul the history hereof is put down at large 1. Sam. 22.1 1. Sam. 24.1.2.3 c. In the caue or rather into the caue He meaneth either Adullam or else an other caue in En-gedi for which sée the places before noted so that in this title wee may sée the occasion of the writing and making of this Psalme vz. Dauids great daunger and affliction Ver. 1. Haue mercy vppon mee O God haue mercy vpon mee this is a most vehement request which also may appeare by the doubling of the words by the which also he sheweth that he was in very great danger for my soule trusteth in thée this word soule importeth that he trusted in God with all his heart which is the part that God especially regardeth and in the shadowe of thy winges i. thy sauegarde prouidence and protection it is a metaphor borrowed from chickens who lye close vnder the hennes wings till the kyte be passed ouer sée Psal 17.8 Wil I trust vz. because I haue heretofore found it good the Prophet meaneth that he had trusted did and would continually trust in Gods almighty protection onely till these afflictions ouerpasse It appeareth that Dauid had more troubles then one yea that hee had as it were flouds of them which maketh him here to resēble his afflictions to a storme or tēpest not meaning by the word til that when the tempest was appeased hee woulde then cease to trust in God but that hee would both then and for euer hang vppon him so haue you the word till vsed Psal 110. ver 1. Ver. 2. I will call i. I will pray vnto the most high God the Prophet addeth this to strengthen his fayth because he whom he would inuocate had all power in his hand and hée strengtheneth himselfe also by that which followeth vz. that god doth faithfully performe his promises made him for God neuer vseth to leaue a worke vnperfite that hee hath begunne but alwaies continueth his benefits and goodnes towards those that are his Ver. 3. Hee will sende from heauen vz. either one or many Angels rather thē I shoulde want helpe and succour and saue mée i. deliuer mee from the reproofe hee meaneth by this worde all that either closely or openly coulde be done or sayd against him of him i. not onely of Saul though he be the chiefe but of those that take part with him against mee that woulde swallow mee sée Psalm 56.1 God will sende his mercy and his trueth this may serue to expound by the way of addition these wordes hee wil send from heauen in the beginning of this verse or else wee may expound them thus hee wil sende vz. vnto mee making mee féele by experience that which I haue had heretofore but in perswasion his mercy and his trueth by mercy hee meaneth the manifestation of his goodwill and grace towardes him and by trueth hee meaneth the faithfulnes and true performance that God obserueth in keeping his promises Verse 4. My soule i. my whole life and body is amonge Lions i. greedy and cruell persons sée Psalm 35.17 Hée meaneth his enemies whome hee resembleth to Lions because they were full of rage and cruelty meaning also by this manner of speach and those that followe in this verse that hee was in wonderfull daunger I lye among the children of men i. such as haue nothing more then that corruption which they haue brought from their fathers which is nothing else but al maner of naughtines and cruelty that are set on fire vz. against mee and that through the malice and mischiefe of their owne heartes without any cause on my part giuen whose téeth are speares and arrowes and their tongue a sharpe sword by téeth and tongue which are the instruments wherby men speake he vnderstandeth the false and hateful accusations that Sauls flatterers made against him and in that he resembleth them to speares arrowes and swordes hee meaneth that they were sharpe kéene and persing euen to the wounding of him sée Psal 120.4 also Psalm 55.21 also Psal 59.7 Ver. 5. Exalt thy selfe O God aboue the heauen hee prouoketh the Lorde as it were by prayer to declare his power q.d. shewe thy might and power which is farre aboue the heauens here vppon the earth in ouerthrowing and confounding mine enemies and let thy glory bee vz. made manifest and appeare vpon all the earth i. all the earth ouer to the ende that thy glory may bee extolled and magnified amongst men which can hardly be if I be oppressed for that should be with the dishonour of thy name Ver. 6. They vz. the wicked and vngodly my deadly enemies haue layd a net for my steppes i. haue either narowly watched me in my conuersation as before Psal 56.6 or else
haue laide snares in my way to trappe me as I go that I may thereby fall into their daunger and this latter I rather allowe of and my soule i. my life and body as sundry times before is pressed down vz. with their cruelty and mine owne misery the Prophet meaneth by this manner of speach the great daunger that hee was in They haue digged a pit before me i. they haue craftely deuised wayes and meanes to intrappe mee and that in the way as I should walke for I thinke that by laying of nets digging of pits the Prophet meaneth to note their subtilty and are fallē into the middest of it i. the mischiefe and hurt which they had prepared against mee is light vpon their owne heads sée Psal 7.15.16 Ver. 7. My heart is prepared O God my heart is prepared by doubling the speach the Prophet noteth not onely how ready he was but also howe resolute a purpose he carried with him to praise God and when he speaketh of the heart hee setteth it against hypocrites who haue nothing in their hart but all in their mouthes sée ver 1. of this Psalme I will sing vz. thy prayses and by singing he meaneth that he would publish them aloud with his tongue as well as haue them in his heart and giue prayse vz. to thee that art worthy all praise Verse 8. Awake my tongue hee stirreth vp the partes and members of his body to a certain liuelines and praysing the Lord sée Psalm 16.9 Awake viall and harp the better to inforce himself to this great duety he addeth certaine musicall instruments sée Psal 32.2 also Psal 43.4 I will awake earely vz. in the morning q. d. I will not be sluggish to praise GOD yea I will breake my sleepe rather then fayle that duety Ver. 9. The Prophet meaneth that hee will spreade abroade the prayses of God in all places and to all persons among whomsoeuer hee shall come and no doubt but in spirite hee did foresée the vocation of the gentiles who were to bee called to the knowledge of God Ver. 10. For thy mercy is great vnto the heauens and thy trueth vnto the cloudes i. thy goodnes and faithfulnes fulfil the whole worlde so that all people in euery place vnder heauen knowe thee to be mercifull and true in thy promises Ver. 11. Is the same with ver 5. both in wordes and meaning in which the Prophet beséecheth the Lord to declare his power not onely in the country of Iudea but also to exercise his iudgement throughout the whole world in succouring the innocent and in punishing the wicked Ver. 1. Teacheth vs in all our prayers to cleaue to Gods mercy Do. and not to our merits it instructeth vs also in our distresses and at all other times to hang vpon his great power and wonderful prouidence Ver. 2. Gods power Gods promise are two very good grounds of our prayers Ver. 3. Teacheth vs to bee assured to obtaine those things that wee shall aske according to his will Ver. 4. Setteth out the cruelty outrage and wonderful bitternes both of word and heart that the wicked haue Ver. 5. Teacheth vs to pray for the manifestation of Gods iustice and glory Ver. 6. Describeth the mischieuous subtilty of the wicked against the vngodly into which notwithstanding through Gods iust iudgement they themselues do fal Ver. 7. Teacheth to bee ready and willing to praise God Ver. 8. Teacheth vs to inforce al the parts and members of our body thereto and to vse al holy meanes either inwarde or outward wherby we may be prouoked to the performance of that duty Ver. 9. Teacheth vs neuer to be ashamed to do it in euery place and before all persons that other men may be drawne by our examples to do the like Ver. 10. Declareth for what causes wee shoulde praise God vz. for his mercy and for his faythfulnes Ver. 11. Is the same with verse 5. of this Psalme both in sense doctrine Psalme 58. THis Psalme may be diuided into two parts Di In the first hee declareth that the wicked are not onely frée from al goodnes but replenished on the other side with all maner of corruption and vngodlines and this reacheth from ver 1. to the ende of the fift In the second he maketh an earnest praier against the wicked shewing that in their ouerthrow the godly shall haue an occasion of mirth giuen them and other men shal be instructed in the iustice and righteousnes of God and this reacheth from ver 6. to the end of the Psalme Se. The title of this Psalme is expounded before Psal 57. Ver. 1. Is it true vz. that yee pretend and speake that yee speake iustly and deale vprightly q.d. no. For by such interrogations they doe certainely deny the thing O congregation hee speaketh no doubt of Sauls counsellers and courtiers against whom he inueigheth here speake ye iustly vz. concerning me my causes or do ye not rather for Sauls pleasure flatter him and flaunder me O sonnes of men sée this expounded before Psal 4.2 Iudge ye vprightly vz. of me and my matters q.d. no. The sense of this verse together is this much Hee directeth this speach to his enemies who were of Sauls court and counsell as if he should say thus I make you iudges whether vnder the shadowe of assembling your selues to consult for the common wealth and for a good iust matter you go not about to oppresse me that am innocent guiltlesse Ver. 2. Yea rather q.d. yee are so farre from that that yee execute the contrary in your heart i. secretly and priuily your handes execute cruelty the Prophet chargeth them with two thinges here first diuising of wickednes then practising and performing of the same by hand he meaneth not only the power they had to worke wickednes but that they thēselues with their owne hands were the executioners of the cruelty they had deuised sée Micah 2.1 vppon the earth i. vpon the people inhabiting the earth meaning also by this manner of speach that their cruelty was manifest as being séene and felt of men Ver. 3. The wicked in this verse the other following he setteth out the cause why Sauls courtiers commit al these things first by reason of the natural corruptiō which is in them maketh them to goe astray from God secondly because they carry with thē a fetled purpose to al maner of euil and wil not be reclaimed from it by any meanes Are straungers vz. from God and godlines as with whom they haue no maner of acquaintance at al frō the wombe vz. of their mother euen from the belly vz. of their mother haue they erred to wit from the right way of holines goodnes q.d. it is not to bee marueiled at that they are so wicked for it is no new thing because they haue had it euē from their birth Ver. 4. Their poison i. the malice of their harts and the mischieuous wordes that they vtter like the
poison of a serpent i. strong and ful of infection able to kil the parties vppon whom it is cast namely the venime of the Aspes of which he speaketh in this place which is vncurable vnlesse the mēbers touched therwith bee immediatly cut off as Plinie noteth lib. 8. cap. 3. like the deafe adder i. the wicked are like to it when he saith the adder or serpent is deafe he meaneth that they make themselues so expressing therby their subtilty against inchantments of whom some write that they stop both their eares after this sort they lay the one of thē close and hard to the ground stop the other with their taile so that no sound can enter when he attributeth eares vnto these adders serpents he meaneth by that speach those open partes of the head whereby they receiue a sound noise made Ver. 5. He noteth that the most cunning inchanter can not once preuaile against thē when their eares are stopped frō hearing of his inchanting words That serpents adders by inchantments haue beene made to lye still not able to hurt is very manifest and famous by sundry examples and yet at this day many in Germany do practise the same I my selfe haue seene it practised vppon a snake by a high Dutchman yet aliue as I take it in England but neither these examples nor this place do proue the lawfulnes of that art as some doe gather thereuppon but rather the contrary for whereas the Iewes cal their charmers by a name importing hauing fellowshippe with an other calling to their fellowship the deuill himselfe and his strength to the practising of these artes Dauid vseth the same word here which also God himselfe condemneth Deutron 18.11 Let vs rather sée what the Prophets purpose is he meaneth to note that his enemies in subtilty and malice did surpasse the most subtill serpents whatsoeuer and that they were so setled in their wickednes that there was no way nor hope of their reclaiming Ver. 6. Breake their teeth in their mouthes he prayeth the Lorde here to remoue all meanes whereby they might hurt either nigh or farre off I take it to be the same with Psal 10.13 sauing that it is expressed in other wordes meaning by téeth the cruell desire or rather their desperate rage to hurt wherwith they were set on fire as though they were raging to byte sée Psalm 3.7 breake the iawes of the yong Lions O Lord i. ouerthrow the force and power of this cruell men who for their force and cruelty hee resembleth to young Lions Ver. 7. Let them melt like the waters vz. turned either into snowe or ice which when the heate of the sunne once commeth vppon them confirmeth very easily and quickly so that he prayeth for a quicke riddance and dispatch of the wicked let them passe away vz. very sodainely when hee shooteth his arrowes i. when hée goeth about any manner of mischiefe whatsoeuer sée Psalm 11.2 Let them bee as broken i. not able to wounde or hurt no more then a broken arrowe can hee prayeth the ouerthrowe of all their mischiefe and power and marke both in this verse and in that that followeth the sodaine chaunge of the number from the plurall to the singular Ver. 8. let him consume like a snaile that melteth vz. after that he is come out of his shell or house for them as Aristotle noteth Lib. 5. de historia animal cap. 32. He waxeth dull and dieth quickly so that here hee prayeth that the wicked might come to a sodaine ende and like the vntimely fruite of a woman i. like a childe borne long before the time It appeareth by Iob. 3.16 that there is two sortes of this vntimely fruite one in which the forme and liniaments of a body doe not yet distinctly appeare an other that hath the parts and members of a body and life it selfe and yet dyeth either before the birth or in the birth I woulde vnderstande the Propet of both but especially of the first part Verse 9. As rawe flesh q.d. let the vngodly bee like rawe flesh taken away out of the pot before the pot haue felt the heate of fire made with thornes or any other wood whatsoeuer by which similitude the Prophet mindeth to note two thinges vz. both the sodaine vengeaunce of God against the wicked which also hee expresseth afterwardes by carrying him away in a whirlewind and also the vnprofitablenes of the wicked For as rawe flesh can not be méete foode for man so these vngodly are such as the Lorde taketh no delight in at all so let him i. God carry them away i. destroy the wicked from amongst men or else tosse them to and fro as the whirlewinde doeth the chaffe dust or any light thing and by the whirlewinde hee noteth their sodaine destruction as by Gods wrath he meaneth the greatnes thereof I know other men read this ver otherwise and giue other senses but me thinketh this is sufficiently playne and hangeth well with that that goeth before Ver. 10. The righteous i. those that are accounted right not that any are so of themselues but that they are so accounted for Christes righteousnes sake shal reioyce i. not onely bee glad for the wickeds ouerthrowe but giue God the glory and praise therefore when hee séeth the vengeaunce vz. from God executed vppon the wicked and vngodly and this is not because the godly are caryed forward with a desire of reuenge that they so reioyce in the wickeds destruction and ouerthrowe but because they conceiue a wonderfull ioy when they sée Gods iudgments executed whereby they knowe that their life is precious before God for as there is mildnes and gentlenes in faithfull mens heartes so being lead with a true zeale they take pleasure in the execution of Gods iudgements and these affections are pure and right because they are ruled according to Gods will hée shall wash his féete in the blood of the wicked the Prophet meaneth hereby that Gods iudgements shalbée so heauily executed vppon the wicked and there shalbée so great a slaughter and discomfiture of them that the good shall euen bathe their feete by a manner of speach in their blood Ver. 11. And men shal say vz. not only the good but euē others that in the great slaughter of the wicked shal remain aliue shal say not in heart onely but also confesse with their mouthes verely there is fruite for the righteous i. certainely it is profitable and good to striue to serue God and to leade a holy life Doubtlesse there is a God vz. in heauen that iudgeth in the earth i. that gouerneth the worlde though the wicked thinke that hee is idle in heauen and regardeth not the things that are done here below Sée Mala. 2.17 also 3.14 Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth vs charitably to debate matters with the wicked and vngodly it sheweth also that hypocrites pretend iustice and iudgement whereas they performe nothing lesse Ver. 2. Declareth how sinne
Psal Whatsoeuer it is the Prophet meaneth that God wil bring al their purposes to nothing and that without making any great adoe but euen as it were playing and sporting Verse 9. He is strong this may be eyther vnderstood of Saule who was in the kingdome and had al at his commaundement or else of all that ioyned with him speaking of them as of one man by reason of their consent to mischiefe though otherwise they were many in number but I will wayt vpon thée q.d. notwithstanding his strength I will paciently tarrie thy leasure till thou ouerthrow him or deliuer me for God is my defence marke the sodayne chaunge of the person from the second to the thirde and this is a reason why he will wayte the Lords leasure because he is sure to bee defended syth God taketh his part Verse 10. My mercifull God i. my God who hath made me sundry times feele his mercy and goodnesse will preuent me vz. with his helpe and fauour yea and that many times before I aske or haue néede he meaneth that Gods ayde should alwayes be readye to succoure him and though he deferred it for a time yet he would not fayle at néede God will let me sée i. thorow his goodnesse hee will make me perceiue the force of my prayers and the execution of his iustice vpon the wicked For that whiche followeth in this verse sée before Psal 54.7 Verse 11. Slay them not vz. sodaynly or at one blow as we would say he prayeth that his enemies maye bée discomfited and ouerthrowne by little and little least the remembrance of gods iudgements shoulde perish but that this vengeaunce of God exercised vppon them might indure a long season in mans memory for their bettering if it might be least my people i. eyther these that are presently with me or shall in time hereafter come vnder my gouernment but scatter them abroad i. cause them to wander vp and downe as troubled people that know not what they do or else as people that be gréeued and can finde no place of their owne or of other mens to ease themselues in by reason of the euill that pincheth them I suppose he alludeth to the iudgement that GOD pronounced against Kaine Gen. 4.12 by thy power vz which they nor any other are able to resist put them downe vz. from their estates and honourable degrées whervnto they are exalted in Saules Court that their miseries may serue them as glasses to beholde thy iudgements in O Lord our shield i. our defender and succourer sée Psalme 18.2 Verse 12. For the sinne of their mouth and the wordes of their lippes i. for the slaunderous and false spéeches that they haue giuen oute and spoken the Prophet sheweth a cause why the Lorde shoulde or woulde plague them by casting them downe from their honour let them be taken vz. by thy iudgement in their pride i. when they are at the height therof or most proude For the more high a man falleth the greater is his fall to him and more noted of others euen for their periury and lies that they speake by these wordes hee toucheth two great faults in them the lesser of them being strong ynough to draw Gods iudgements vpon them Verse 13. Consume them vz. in the end when thou shalt 〈◊〉 scattered them and cast them down as ver 11. and when the time shal come that thou shalt haue sufficiently serued thy selfe with them as a most â—ayne example of thy vengeaunce verse 11. also of this Psalme in thy wrath which is as it were fyre whereas they are but stubble consume them this doubling of the wordes noteth the earnestnesse of the Prophet in his prayer that they bee no more vz. among men hee meaneth that they might not liue any longer see Ierem. 31.15 Math. 2.18 and let them knowe vz. at the last and that by their owne experience and féeling that God ruleth i. not only gouerneth but also careth for in Iaakob i. in and for his Churche as Psalme 14.7 euen vnto the endes of the worlde this maye be taken eyther that it shoulde note the continuall care and gouernmente of GOD in and ouer his Churche or else that it should set out the largenesse of his gouernment as that it shoulde bée stretched from the one side of the Worlde to the other and to this latter doe I rather inclyne Verse 14. And in the euening c. For the vnderstanding of these phrases and maners of spéeche sée before verse 6. where the same wordes are repeated and expounded In this place the Prophet mindeth to mocke them for their indeuours and agréements and sayth that after they shall be much wearyed and haue trauayled all daye long in remouing housholde stuffe as it were and trudging hither and thither to intangle him they shall bee frustrate notwithstanding of their deuices attemptes and purposes Verse 15. They shall runne here and there i. they shall be verye paynefull and laborious for meat i. to hurte and to doe mischiefe for as the godlye thinke it a nourishmente vnto them to doe good as our Sauiour sayth Iohn 4.32.34 also Iohn 6.27 so the wicked take as much delighte in doing ill as in their foode and surelye they shall not bee satisfyed i. they shall certainlye misse of that they desired and sought for yea though they tarry all nighte i. though they watche all nighte long and take neuer so much paines to atchieue it I know others doe otherwise expound it as though they should be pinched with famine and hunger-bitten what toyle and labour soeuer they tooke but the former sence liketh me Verse 16. But I will sing of thy power i. in my songes I will make mention of and set forth thy power made manifest in deliuering me and in punishing mine aduersaries and will prayse thy mercy i. with a loude voyce I will set it forth that others hearing it may reioyce with mee and trust in the same in the morning he meaneth euery morning and euery day putting a part for the whole and yet because the morning is the speciall time for that exercise of prayer and thanksgiuing hée maketh speciall mention thereof for thou haste bene my defence i. thou alone hast defended me and refuge i. the sure place wherevnto I fled as to a high Mountayne sée Psalme 11.1 in the daye i. in the time or times for he meaneth not that he was troubled but one day onely Verse 17. Vnto thée O my strength i. vnto thée O my GOD that arte the God of my strength and from whome alone I haue the strength that I haue will I sing vz. songes of prayse and thanksgiuing and my mercifull God i. he that vouchsafeth me worthy of his mercy and by his mercy doth protect and defend me Do. Verse 1.2 Teach vs to pray deliuerance from our enimies and that so much the more earnestly by how much they are many in number or cruell in déedes or great daungers in multitude increase vpon
vs. Verse 3. Setteth out firste the subtiltie of the wicked secondlye that not the meanest manye times but the mightiest are enimyes to Gods children and that not for anye euill the godly haue done against them but to satisfie their malicious mindes whiche may be terrible to them but comfortable to the godlye Verse 4. Setteth out the paynes and diligence that the wicked take to performe mischiefe Verse 5. teacheth that God euen the God of power must only laye too his handes when matters are as it were desperate to restrayne the rage of the malicious multitude Verse 6.7 shew the crueltye rage diligence boasting and carelesnesse of the vngodly Verse 8. Teacheth that God will make all the mischieuous attempts of the wicked frustrate Verse 9. Teache vs not so muche to regarde the force and multitude of our enemyes as to looke vp to our GOD whose power is present with vs. Verse 10. Teacheth that GOD is more ready to doe for vs then we many times thinke of Verse 11. Gods iudgementes iustly executed vpon the wicked should not be lightly let passe or slippe out of our remembraunce Verse 12. Teacheth vs to looke to our wordes to beware of pride and to take héede of periurie and lying for they are suche thinges as the Lord can not away with Verse 13. Gods iust iudgements executed vpon the wicked are euident testimonies of his iustice towards the vngodlye and of his mercy towards his own children Verse 14.15 Teacheth that all the wicked purposes and attempts of the vngodly shall be frustrate whatsoeuer pain toile and diligence they shall take in the performaunce thereof Verse 16. teacheth vs that Gods iustice vpon the wicked his goodnesse towards his own should inforce vs to yéeld continuall prayse and thanks to him both for the one and for the other Verse 17. Teacheth that all our strength and sufficiencie is from God alone Psalme 60 THis short Psalme may be diuided as I suppose Di. rightlye into thrée parts In the first the Prophet sheweth the great affliction that he had a long time indured and the great blessings that God afterwards poured forth vppon him from ver 1. to the end of the 5. In the seconde hee doth by the spirite of Prophecie foretell the inlargement of his kingdome not onely in the land of Iudea but among the nations about him from verse 6. vnto the end of the 8. In the third he prayeth the Lord to strengthen him agaynst his enemies and assureth himselfe of his ayde from verse 9. to the ende of the Psalme The title Se. to him that excelleth this is expounded before vpon Shushan Eduth I take it to be the name either of some instrument which shoulde bée vsed in the singing of this Psalme or else the beginning of some song according to the tune whereof Dauid would haue this Psalme sung or Michtam q.d. It may be sung eyther vpon the one instrument or tune or vpon the other instrument or tune of michtam we haue spoken before and namelye Psalme 16. in the Title a Psalme of Dauid i. which Dauid made to teache vz. not only himselfe and those of his time but others that should come after him what great care God hath ouer his though he afflict them for a little while when he fought agaynst Aram Naharaim this expresseth the time of the making of this Psalme The history whereof you may sée at large 2. Samuel 8. thorowe out and namely verse 12.13 For Aram Naharaim what Countrie it was and why it was so called sée Gen. 24.10 and the note in that place and agaynst Aram Zobah he maketh only mention of terrible people and such as are farre of leauing to speake of the nations round about him because the discomfiture of those was as it were incredible and yet God gaue him the victory both against the Aramites of Mesopotamia and againste the other Aramites that inhabited Zobah When Ioab returned to wit from the slaughter of the Syrians as 2. Samuel 8.13 where it is sayd that Dauid slew eyghtéene thousand which wée must vnderstand thus because he was the chéefe of that armye and therefore that is ascribed to him which was performed by the people that was subiect to him and in 1. Chronicles 18.12 It is sayd that Abishai Ioabs brother flew thē which must be vnderstoode because he was the first instrument that ouerthrew the Syrians killing sixe thousand of them which victorye his brother and the armie that was with him pursued and flew twelue thousand more of them of which mention is made in this place read diligently for the better vnderstanding hereof the places before alleaged vz. 2. Samuel 8. throughout and 1. Chron. 18. thorow out Verse 1. No doubt he bewayleth the miserable dispersion and long afflictions that the people of Israel aboad in the time of the Iudges and Saule of which you may reade in the booke of Iudges and the firste of Samuel thou hast cast vs out vz. eyther of thy fauour or else of the lande and dwelling places that thou hast giuen vs of whiche the story of Ruth yieldeth an example thou hast scattered vs vz. amongest other peoples round about vs see more of this phrase Psalme 59.11 thou hast bin angry vz. agaynst vs euident signes of which thy wrath haue bin our outcastinges and dispersions turne agayne vnto vs q.d. behold our misery and affliction and once agayne looke vpon vs in mercy and louing fauour as thou hast don sundry times heretofore take not thy flight from vs neyther depart away from vs in sury but in mercy returne to vs and abide with vs for euer Verse 2. Thou hast made the lande to tremble i. thou hast striken a wonderfull feare into the hartes and heads of thy people by reason of forraine warres and heauie troubles or else thus Thou hast brought great disorders amongst the people euen as confusion commonly and ouerthrowing of houses followeth earthquakes but I allow rather of the former sence whatsoeuer it be he doth by a metonymia put the land for the people inhabiting the same and thou hast made it to gape vz. not only as it were with an earthquake but also as it were with a most dry and parching summer meaning thereby seditions and ciuil discordes when the people were diuided among themselues some following Dauid and some the house of Saule as appeareth 2. Samuel from Chap. 1. to the fourth heale the breaches therof i. remedy the disorders therin and cure the diseases like a good Phisition as in déed one to whom alone it belōgeth for it is shaken vz. greatly and gréeuously with the calamities that it hath alreadye endured and is like to indure vnlesse thou redresse it q. d. It is so laden with affliction and misery that it can not long indure euen as if a man had a burthen on his back that were too heauie for him to beare Verse 3. Thou hast shewed thy people heauy things i. thou hast made that people whom
delighted in sinne and vniust dealing and solde themselues as it were for fauor or flattery both to work wickednesse and that with gréedinesse Verse 3. Which haue whet their tongue like a sword i. they haue sharpened it prepared it to cut pierse déepely shoote forth their arrowes bitter wordes he cōpareth their corrupt dealing agaynst him by wordes to arrowes shot out of a bow which wil gal wound this is an allegorical amplification wherin the Prophet compareth their false slaunders with warlike weapons sée Psalme 5.9 Psal 11.2 Psal 57.4 Ver. 4. At the vpright i. me and here hee speaketh of him self in the third person and he giueth himselfe this name not as hauing regard to God but as it were comparing himselfe with his enemies agaynst whom he had neuer done any thing blameworthy in secret i. closelye and priuilye he meaneth it no doubt of the secret accusations they broughte to Saule agaynste him they shoote at him sodaynlye i. when hee thinketh not of it and feare not vz. Gods maiestie or the afterclaps that may insue vpon that mischiefe q.d. They are not with-helde with any reuerence or feare of God or with any humanity or curtesie of man Verse 5. They incourage themselues in an euill purpose vz. to go forward in the performance therof of that wickednesse they haue deuised against me they come together vz. closely and secretly among themselues to lay snares priuily vz. to intangle and intrappe me who shall sée them q.d. They suppose that GOD perceiueth neither them neyther the snares that they haue layde against mee for I referre the word them both to the persons and to the thinges Verse 6. They haue sought out vz. very diligently iniquities i. mischiefes and vniust dealing against me and haue accomplished that which they sought out vz. as they themselues suppose so blinded are men in sinne that they thinke a thing to be done when it is neyther so nor so or else it may be vnderstood thus that they thought themselues so sure of it as that it were impossible they shoulde be deceyued and that made them to make so full account of it as though they had done it already euen euery one his secret thoughtes and the depth of his hart i. whatsoeuer they or any of them had secretlye deuised and that in the depth of their own hartes they thought it was done in the same sence as before but they were fouly deceiued Verse 7. But God will shoote an arrowe at them sodaynly i. God by his iudgements will quickly dispatch them for all the sure account they make of the performaunce of their mischiefe their strokes i. the blowes meaning the plagues that God will lay vpon them shall bee at once q.d. God will not be long in dispatching of them but will make a spéedye riddaunce Verse 8. They shal cause vz. by their wickednesse and vngodlinesse their owne tongue i. those things which their own tongue hath spoken against others to fal vpon them vz. from God and whosoeuer shall sée them vz. when Gods hand and iudgement is vpon them shall flée away i. shall make haste from them vz. seing euident markes and tokens of Gods iudgements against them and vpon them for feare least they should be partakers of their punishments and this he speaketh specially of the wicked as may appear by that which followeth in the next two verses specially ver 10. Ver. 9. And all men shall sée it vz. Gods iudgements vpon them by which maner of spéech the prophet noteth that it shall be a visible and manifest iudgement and declare the worke of God vz. which he in his iust iudgement hath executed vppon the wicked they shal vnderstand what he hath wrought vz. agaynst them for their sinne Ver. 10. But the righteous i. I my selfe for he speaketh of himself in the third person as before ver 4. of this Psalme shall be glad in the Lord vz. because of that which he hath done for my cause and trust in him for euer after and all that are vpright of harte i. those that are voyde of hipocrisie and hang wholy vpon god shal reioyce vz. not only for the ayde that God hath giuen me but also because in me they may behold that God will ayde them q.d. The ouerthrow of mine enemies shal not only minister matter of ioy to me but to the rest of Gods children wheresoeuer Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth vs that when we are sore assaulted earnest prayer made to God is very necessary and profitable Ver. 2. Teacheth that vnlesse God do kéep vs we shal be made a pray to the wicked Ver. 3. describeth the wickeds prophaning and abusing of their tongue Ver. 4. Setteth out their close sodain practising of wickednes and that the fountaine of all is want of true feare Ver. 5. Sheweth that the wicked are bold in their mischiefs because they imagine that God regardeth not their doings Ver. 6. Teacheth vs that the wicked are caried away many times with an idle conceite of their owne thinking they haue dispatched al whē it is neither so nor so Ver. 7. Sheweth that the wicked shal not escape vnpunished also that Gods iudgements shal bee swift and short vppon them yet mighty inough to ouerthrow them Ver. 8. Teacheth that the wicked many times are taken in the mischieuous words of their own mouth also that Gods iudgments vpon them shal cause others to flie from them Ver. 9. Teacheth that Gods punishments powred vpon the wicked is an effectual meane to make not onely the parties punished but others to sée their wickednes and his iustice Ver. 10. Teacheth that euen those iudgements prouoke the good on the other side to reioysing and thankfulnes Psalme 65 THis Psalme may be diuided into three parts Di. In the first is cōprehended a thankesgiuing for the chusing preseruation gouernment and other graces of God towards the faithful from ver 1. to the end of the 4. In the second is conteined a notable description of the feareful power maiesty might of the Lord from ver 5. to the end of the 8. In the third is set out a most cōfortable description of Gods generall graces towardes al but specially to his Church from ver 9. to the end of the Psalme For the title of this Psalme sée Psalme 48. and the title thereof Verse 1. Se. Praise waiteth for thée i. is not onely due vnto thée but is ready nowe to bee rendered to thee in Sion i. in the Church as Psal 51.18 He meaneth that God commonly giueth his people occasion to praise him in his Church whither mē assembled to praise him to thanke him to heare his word and to serue him according to the same for so much he vnderstandeth by the word prayse and vnto thée vz. alone shall the vowe be performed i. the sacrifice of thankesgiuing shal bee offered vnto thée which hee calleth a vowe because Gods people did commonly vowe such sacrifices vnto the Lord.
and the raine also conteined in the cloudes which hee expresseth afterwards by the worde dropping meaning the falling of the raine out of the cloudes which also make the grounde fruitefull which he expresseth vnder the worde fatnes for raine fatteneth the earth as it were In a worde this is the sense that in what place and on what side soeuer it pleaseth the Lorde to walke there hee manifesteth his blessinges and bestoweth great fertilitie and plentifulnes of all thinges sée Prouerb 3.20 Ver. 12. They i. thy steps meaning as before clouds and raine in them droppe i. fal downe vppon the pastures of the wildernes i. vpon the places that are not tilled and manured where nothing growes but wildnes as it were q.d. not onely fruitfull places as furrowes valleis and such like but also barren places as wildernesses mountaines c. shal be made plentifull and the hilles vz. which by reason of their height are in summer parched away with heate and in winter killed with cold shal be compassed with gladnes i. shal be replenished with abundaunce of fruite that shall make mens hearts and bodies glad as Psal 4.7 Psalm 104.14.15 Ver. 13. The pastures are clad with sheepe the metaphor of clothing expresseth the great plenty and store vz. that as a garment couereth the whole body so shall shéepe and other cattel for by one sort he vnderstandeth the rest couer the pastures the valleies shal be also couered with corne vz. in such sort that a man shal behold no void place and this metaphor setteth out the abundance of corne that shal be in the land therefore they i. other men speaking of them indefinitely or else the valleis and corne thereon the plenty wherof maketh men glad as we say the fields laugh whē through their goodly shew they make mens eyes ioyful showte for ioy and sing i. conceiue and expresse abundance of ioy but I rather referre this in mine owne iudgement to men then to other creatures Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth that praises and thankesgiuing are due to God in the publike assemblies of his Saints Ver. 2. Teacheth that Gods readines to graunt his childrens requests shoulde prouoke vs to earnest and often prayer Ver. 3. Teacheth that Gods mercy surmounteth all our iniquities that in the multitude thereof he will do away al our sinnes Ver. 4. Teacheth that the féeling of Gods fauour is the best blessing that can come vnto vs in this life Ver. 5. Declareth that God hath iudgement and power in his owne handes for his childrens defence and the wickeds punishment Ver. 6.7 Sheweth that God by his power gouerneth all thinges in heauen and earth Ver. 8. Gods iudgements executed vpon some do many times strike terror and feare into others Ver. 9.10.11.12.13 Teach two things first that abundance of all earthly benefites procéed from the Lords blessing which instructeth his to hang vpon him secōdly that he performeth these blessings by ordinary meanes which also teacheth vs to vse holy and lawful meanes Psalme 66 Di. THis Psalme may be diuided into three partes In the first the Prophet exhorteth al men to praise the Lord to consider al his works specially his power against the wicked from ver 1. to the ende of the 7. In the second hee declareth that howsoeuer God afflicteth his for a time yet in the ende hee will be gratious vnto them for which hee promiseth thanksgiuing and praise from ver 8. to the ende of the 15. In the third hee frameth his speach to all the faithful declaring what great things God had done for them to the end that in his example they might be comforted from ver 16. to the end of the Psalme The title is expounded before Psal 4. and Psal 48. in the title Se. Some and that of the Hebrewe writers suppose that this Psalme was made by some others rather then Dauid because his name is not here expressed but for this matter sée Psal 45. in the title Likely it is that this Psalme was written and that by Dauid himselfe when God had deliuered the Israelites from the cruell tyrannie of the Philistines and him from his manifold persecutions Ver. 3. Reioyce in God i. be thankefull vnto him and that with great gladnes for his benefits all ye inhabitants of the earth q.d. there is none of you all but you haue great occasion giuen you from him so to do Ver. 2. Sing foorth i. publish aloude that others may heare the glory of his name i. either the glory which is due vnto his maiesty or else his glorious name but I like the first best make his praise glorious i. let all your thankesgiuings tend to this end that his name and praises due thereto may bee glorious continually q.d. adde praise to praise and neuer cease praysing Ver. 3. Say vnto God i. confesse in his presence not that our speaking vnto him doeth make him any whit the more glorious but because that others hearing vs speake of his power goodnes in his sight may haue a reuerent feare of his maiesty striken vnto the how terrible i. reuerend and feareful vz. to the good who beare a louing feare towards thée and to the wicked who feare him for punishment and not for loue in thy workes i. in euery thing that thou doest through the greatnes of thy power vz. exercised heretofore against the godly whereof also thou hast reserued store with thy selfe for them that shall walke in such steppes shall thine enemies i. those that any maner of way set themselues against thée shalbée in subiection vnto thée i. shal forge and faine a subiection to thy maiesty but chuse them whether they will doe it vnfeignedly or no into subiection they shall bée brought for none is able to resist thy power Ver. 4. All the worlde i. all the inhabitants of the world as ver 1. of this Psalme putting all for a very great number shall worshippe thée vz. as thou hast prescribed meaning that they shoulde imbrace his religion and seruice and sing vnto thée i. prayse thee for thy mercy and trueth euen sing of thy name hee noteth what shal be the argument or matter of their song that is Gods maiesty power goodnes c. as Psal 20.2 Ver. 5. Come vz. with mee hee speaketh euen vnto the best sort of people who haue neede to be prouoked to this good thing and behold i. déepely consider with all your vnderstanding and eies both of your bodies minds he is terrible i. reuerend feareful and wonderful in his doings towards the sonnes of men vz. either for their defence or for their punishment The proofe of this plainely appeareth in the gouernement of all creatures whatsoeuer particularly in that hee vpholdeth and maintaineth the estate of men Ver. 6. Hee hath turned the sea i. the red sea into dry land so that this people passed through the same when they came out of Egipt sée Exod. 14.21 They i. his own people of Israel passe i. passed one time
vz. from thine enemies not that they did willingly giue them but that the Lord would haue them whether they would yea or no and they are called gifts not because they gaue them but that the Lorde taking them as spoyles from the enemies gaue them to his people which hee meaneth by these termes following for men i. that thine owne people might inioy and haue the same yea euen the rebellious hast thou lead q.d. Thou hast inforced them to yéeld themselues as tributaries and that not onely those that willingly yéelded but also those that coulde not otherwise bee brought downe but by force that the Lorde God might dwell there i. amongst his people in the sanctuary and by dwelling he meaneth both the manifestation of his power and presence for their good also his continual aboade amonst them as ver 16. of this Psalme S. Paul Ephes 4. ascribeth all this to Christ who is God manifested in the flesh i. meaning that our Sauiour was taken vp into heauen when hee had subdued and ouercome the world the flesh sinne death and the deuill sée Coloss 2.12.13 c. Ver. 19. Euen the God of our saluation i. that worketh gracious deliuerances for vs as sundry times before which ladeth vs dayly i. which filleth vs continually the metaphor expresseth the abundance of Gods benefites with benefites i. with graces and blessings new and old q.d. he neuer ceaseth to doe vs good so that we haue more benefits then we are able to beare as it were Ver. 20. Euen the God that saueth vs i. that worketh wonderful deliueraunces for vs the issues of death i. both meanes and waies to escape death if we referre it to his children and many wayes also to destroy the wicked if we referre it to them as wee may without any iniury to the text referre it to both Ver. 21. Surely i. without all doubt God will wounde vz. vnto death the heade of his enemies hée maketh mention of the head because it is the principall part of the body as wherein life is and from which it is deriued to the other members of the body so that it is as much as if he had sayde that the Lorde woulde take away their life and the heary pate hee meaneth by this the stoute enemies of God because they that woulde bee fearefull to others did foster their heare q.d. their stoute countinance and courage shall nothing preuaile them against God that walketh in his sinnes i. continueth in the same without repentance Ver. 22. The Lord hath sayd therefore it shal be performed I will bring my people vz. safe and sound againe from Bashan i. from dangerous places and distresses such as they were in before that Og king of Bashan was ouerthrowne sée Numb 21.33 and Deutron 3.1.2 c. I wil bring them againe from the depths of the Sea i. from wonderfull perils wherewith they should haue beene as it were ouerwhelmed altogether is q.d. I will worke as excellent a work for this people as I did for those whom I deliuered from the hāds of Og king of Bashan and as I did for them that passed through the red Sea as on drie land as Exod. 14.16 Ver. 23. That thy foote vz. O Israel or my people may bee dipped in blood vz. of the enemies slaine and the tongue of thy dogges in the blood of the enemies by these woordes hée noteth what a great slaughter there shalbée of the enemies of GOD in so much that not onely the faithfull shal haue their féete died in their blood but their very dogs shoulde haue their tongues made red and coloured with the very licking therof euen in it this repetition noteth also the certainetie of the great slaughter Ver. 24. They i. thine enemies to their great discouragement and ouerthrowe and thine owne people to their wonderful comfort thy goings vz. before thy people and thy guiding of them in the day of warre guiding them as a captaine and getting the victory for them and when hee sayth that they had séene all this hée meaneth that they had had the certaine triall and experience thereof which art in the sanctuary i. which giuest manifest signes and tokens of thy power and presēce of thy people there Ver. 25. The singers went before i. euery one in their order did publikely prayse God and pray vnto him sée Exod. 15.1.2 c. Numb 21.17.1 for the maides and women praysing God after the victory sée ver 11. of this Psalme Ver. 26. Prayse yee God in the assemblies i. openly yee that are of the fountaine of Israel i. that come from Iaakob as from a fountaine meaning thereby al the Israelites for he would haue none excepted as it may appeare by the next verse Verse 27. There i. in the publike assemblies to prayse God was little Beniamin i. those of the tribe of Beniamin which is called litle either because it was one of the least in number or else because they came of Iaakob his yongest sonne with their ruler i. with some principall man who was captaine and gouernour of that tribe and the Princes of Iudah i. the noble and great personages of the tribe of Iudah with their assembly i. with the people gathered vnto thē and in such sort must the wordes in this verse following bee expounded Ver. 28. Thy God hath appointed thy strength hee speaketh to the people q.d. the God which thou seruest hath beautified thée with strength because hee hath so appointed or commaunded the same to resist thine enemies shewing that the power of this people was from God and not of it selfe stablish i. strengthen and continue for euer that which thou hast wrought in vs hereby he vnderstandeth the graces and blessings of God both bestowed vpon them their forefathers praying the continuance of his graces Ver. 29. Out of thy temple i. out of the place where the Arke was as 1. Samuel 1.9 from whence it pleased the Lord many times to set foorth the power and maiesty hee had in him for the defence of his Church vppon Ierusalem by Ierusalem hee meaneth the Church of God as Psalm 51.18 And kinges shall bring presents vnto thee i. as some expound it shall yéeld themselues tributaries as it were subiects others to whom I incline giue this sense the Prophet speaketh of himself of his successours meaning that they would with most thankful mindes acknowledge him to be their God speaking in the third person of them altogether and vnderstanding by bringing presents which was a signe of thankfulnes the thing it self Ver. 30. Destroy the company of the speare men i. ouerthrowe both the multitude and the force of common souldiers vnderstanding by spearemen al others that vsed any weapon against them whatsoeuer vnder one sort comprehending all and multitude of the mighty bulles i. the great cōpany of their captaines and men of might who for their greatnes cruelty he compareth to mighty bulles sée Psalm 22.12 with the calues of the people i.
that shame vpon the wicked that they had imagined agaynst the good also it teacheth vs not to reioyce in the miseries afflictions of others Verse 4. God and his goodnesse is the only matter of mirth and ioye to his children also Gods children must alwayes prayse God and be thankfull to him for his blessings vpon them Ver. 5. Teacheth vs that the more wee are in distresse the more earnest we ought to be with the Lord in prayer alwayes taking héede that we prescribe him not a time Psalme 71. THis Psalm may be deuided into two parts Di. In the first part the prophet praieth for himself strēgthning the faith of his praier in the assured promises of God and the particular experience of excellent deliuerances that God euen from his youth had done for him and this reacheth from verse 1. to the end of the 12. In the second part he prayeth earnestly againste his enemies assuring himselfe that God will ouerthrow them and giue him deliueraunce for which he promiseth to yéeld harty praise and thanksgiuing to the Lord and this part reacheth from verse 13. to the end of the Psalme This Psalme hath no title Se. but it is very likely that Dauid made this Psalm when he was old and fled from the face of his sonne Absalon both which may bee gathered by playne words and circumstances in this Psalme Ver. 1. In thée O Lord vz. alone and in none other let me neuer be ashamed whiche I shal be if I be frustrated of that hope I haue in thée Ver. 2. Rescue me vz. frō the rage of mine enemies and deliuer mee vz. from the perils and daungers wherein I am in thy righteousnesse i. according to thy goodnes faithfulnesse and truth which thou hast promised to thine doest then make manifest when thou doest deliuer them incline thine eare vnto mee vz. praying vnto thée bowing of the eare is in this place attributed to GOD according to man for men if they mind to be familiar and yéeld to suites will easilye bow their eares to suche as sue to them and saue me i. deliuer mee from daunger and distresse Verse 3. Be thou my strong rocke i. my assured protection and defence In the lande of Canaan there was great store of rockes into whiche the people sundry times conuayed themselues for feare of the enemies and according to this he speaketh alwaye resorte i. continuallye flye both in prosperitie and aduersitie thou hast giuen commaundement vz. not onely to thine Angels but also to the rest of all thy creatures that they should be thy effectuall instruments and meanes to saue me vz. in danger and from distresse for thou art my rocke and my fortresse sée Psalme 18.2 Verse 4. Out of the hand i. from the power and force of the wicked he meaneth in déede Absalon as the chéefe but yet so that he comprehendeth vnder him al those that tooke part with him in that conspiracy Ver. 5. For thou vz. and none other euen my trust i. he in whome I haue trusted from my youth i. from the time of my birth as it were vntill this houre sée Psalme 22.9.10 Verse 6. Vppon thée haue I bene stayed from the wombe i. thou hast mayntayned sustayned and vphelde me from the time of my conception and birth thou art hee that tooke mee out of my mothers bowels i. by thy prouidence appointment and power was I borne into the world my prayse i. the prayses that I shall yéeld shall be alwayes of thée i. thou shalt be the matter of them He meaneth this muche that for as much as no part of his life neither his conception birth infancye childhoode c. was voyde of Gods benefites but that he did continually furnish him as it were with new matters and occasions to prayse him that therefore he would without ceasing glorifie his name Ver. 7. I am become as it were a monster this word must not be taken here in the ill part and therefore would rather be turned wonder but in the good part meaning that GOD had in such great truth and power defended him that by the example whiche God in him had shewed vnto them many were drawne on to trust in God that this is indéede the very signification of the Hebrew worde howsoeuer it haue bene otherwise here translated al the places of scripture wherein it is vsed and attributed to persons doe sufficientlye prooue it my sure trust i. suche a one as neuer fayleth me I trusting stedfastlye in thée Verse 8. Let my mouth bée filled with thy prayse and with thy glory euery day i. deale so graciously with me that I may haue nothing in my mouth i. in my daylye spéeche but thy benefits giuing continually prayse and glorye vnto thée for the same By wyshing to haue his mouth filled he meaneth plentifulnesse and abundaunce and by euerye daye hee vnderstandeth continuaunce in the same vz. in yéelding prayses and glory due vnto God for his graces Verse 9. Cast me not off vz. from thée and thy fauour in the time of age hee meaneth olde age whiche is full of great infirmities and bodily weakenesses forsake mée not i. leaue mee not to my selfe voyde of thy helpe when my strength fayleth i. when the naturall vigor and force of my body decayeth not that Dauid trusted therein any whit at all but rather prayeth GOD to continue as fauourable vnto him in his youth so mercifull vnto him in his olde age to the which that hee mighte the more effectuallye induce the Lorde hee setteth before him his olde age and weakenesse euen as one that hath greate néede of his ayde and succour Verse 10. Speake of mee contemptuouslye and despitefullye reioycing greatly in this that I séeme to be forsaken of thée that laye wayt vz. closelye and diligentlye by all the meanes they canne for my Soule i. for my life to take it from mee take their counsell together the truth of this appeareth 2. Samuel 16. ver 20. c. Also 2. Samuel 17. verse 1.2 c. Verse 11. God hath forsaken him i. destituted him of ayd and comfort pursue vz. with the power you haue and take him nowe while you haue time these are eyther the wordes of them that consulted together noting the easie dispatch that they might make of him or else the words of some captains to their souldiers incouraging them to the spéedye pursuite of Dauid and his apprehension for there is none vz. either in heauen or earth to deliuer him vz. out of our hands we haue him in such a straight Ver. 12. Go not far from me vz. either in with-holding or in denying me thy ful aid succour my God hast thée to help me sée Psal 70. ver 1.5 Ver. 13. Let them be confounded sée Psal 70.2 and consumed i. come to naught both they their imaginations that are against my soule i. my life as sundry times before let them be couered vz. as with a garment meaning thereby the great shame
and confusion that should fal vpon them that séeke mine hurt i. that indeuour to do me mischéefe Ver. 14. But I wil wait i. looke for help succour from thée and that in hope and patience and wil praise thée more and more vz. because thou ministrest more and more arguments of prayse vnto me by the particular delyuerances that thou doest bestow vpon me Verse 15. My mouth shall daylye rehearse i. continually speake of thy righteousnes i. that righteousnesse which thou exercisest towards the vngodly in punishing them and thy saluation i. the helpe and deliuerance that thou performest to thine when they are oppressed Some stretch the word righteousnesse further as that it should comprehēd also Gods assured goodnesse in sauing his and that he ioineth thē both together because we can not else where be certainly assured but in this that in as much as God is iust and righteous he maintaineth those that are his for I knowe not the number that word for would better be rendred though for here is a modest correction of his former spéech q.d. I wil declare vnspeakeable thinges not according to their excellency but according to the slender abilitie that thou hast bestowed vpon me I will doe my indeuour to set forth thy iustice and saluation though I must néedes confesse that thy iudgements exercised vpon the wicked and thy mercies towards thy children neyther are knowne to me neither can I reckon them sée Psal 40.5 Verse 16. I wil go forward q.d. notwithstanding that great difficultie before alleaged that I know not the number yet I will procéede to speake of them and that in the strength of the Lord God i. assisted and ayded with strength and abilitie from him to the performaunce thereof which I am not able to doe of my selfe and wil make mention i. speake of with my mouth and lippes as before Ver. 15. euen of thine only vz. and of no others q.d. that is sufficient more then I can doe Ver. 17. O god thou hast taught me vz. by thy iudgements vpon others thy benefites towards me he meaneth that God had instructed him in his iustice and in his saluation by those meanes and had giuen him plaine demonstrations and euident proofes thereof and that from his youth i. from the time of his birth as ver 6. of this Psalme therfore I will tell i. speake openly and fréely of thy wondrous workes i. in respect of man as Psal 40.5 Verse 18. Yea euen vnto mine old age and gray head i. euen vntill I come to be very olde vsing graye head or heares a signe of great age for old age it selfe as Leuit. 19.32 Gen. 42.38 This verse may either be ioyned to that that goeth before as it is in the Geneua text with a comma q.d. thou hast taught me from my youth vntil now yea euen vntill that I am very aged or else read by it selfe thus taking away the colon in the middle of this verse thus yea euen vnto mine old age gray head forsake me not q.d. as thou hast continued mercifull and fauourable to me heretofore so I pray thee leaue me not till I come euen to extremity of old age as it were yea euen vntil I haue declared c. as it followeth in this verse and this reading and sence I do approue as most fit vntil I haue declared i. made manifest and set out both by déedes and wordes thine arme i. the moste great workes and mightie power and so is it expounded in the wordes following vnto this generation vz. whiche is yet present and aliue that shall come vz. after these meaning that he would labour to publish it to posterity Verse 19. I will exalt on high i. greatly prayse the same because thou hast giuen me particular triall thereof for thou hast done great thinges i. thou alone without the helpe and assistaunce of any other O God who is like vnto thée vz. either amongst the gods as Psal 86 8. or else in heauen and earth as psa 73.25 and this question sheweth that none is any manner of waye comparable with him Verse 20. Which hast shewed me i. madest me to sée and féele great troubles and aduersities vz. both inwardly and outwardly but thou wilte returne vz. from afflicting me to thy accustomed loue and fauour as Psal 6.4 and reuiue me who was it were almost dead thorow sorrow and gréef q.d. thou wilt refresh me and as it were call me back from death to life and wilte come agayne vz. after this departure and long absence of thine from me and take me vp vz. safe and sound from the depth of the earth i. from very great troubles and extreme daungers Verse 2. Thou wilt increase mine honour which by the conspiracye and rebellion of my sonne Absalon was for a time layd as it were in the dust sée Psalme 3.3 and returne vz. vnto me being pleased with me againe and comfort me vz. with that comfort that belongeth to thine which none can take from them Verse 22. Therefore will I prayse thée he concludeth with promise of thanksgiuing q.d. I will not be vnthankful to thée for thy mercies though I cannot be so thākful as I should or would for thy faithfulnesse i. iust performaunce of thy promises made to me vpon instrument and viol he alludeth to the maner of that age prescribeth not a rule for vs vnder the gospell as some imagine O holy one of Israel i. O God as Psal 8.41 Now he is called the holy one of Israel because that all the sanctification that either that people or his Church haue they haue it from that one alone who sanctifieth al those that be his Verse 23. My lippes will reioyce when I sing vnto thée the Prophet in these wordes expresseth the greate delight that not only his lippes but that al the parts and members of his outward man shall take in praysing the Lord by lips one part vnderstanding all the rest and my soule i. his inward affection al that is within him as Psal 103 ◠which thou hast deliuered vz. from most dangerous distresses yea from death it self Ver. 24. My tongue also shal talk of thy righteousnesse daylye i. I wil inforce my seife continually to speake of thy righteousnesse sée verse 15.17 of this Psalme for they are confounded and brought vnto shame that séeke my hurt sée Psalme 70.2 also verse 13. of this Psalme Verse 1. Teacheth vs to hang vpon God only Do. how great soeuer our gréefes and daungers be Ver. 2. Teacheth that Gods faithful promises made vnto vs or performed vnto vs ought to be the grounds of our supplications prayers Ver. 3. Setteth out what great care God hath ouer his people and what safetie and assuraunce they are in that be vnder his protection Ver. 4. Teacheth vs to pray for deliueraunce from mischieuous men and cruell persons Ver. 5. Teacheth vs that God must be trusted vnto and hong vpon al the dayes of our life
verse 5. of this Psalme All nations either expounde it as before verse 11. or else thus all nations shall blesse him i. speake well of him praise him for his excellent and vpright gouernement and be blessed in him this must néedes bee referred to Christ as Genesis 12.3 Verse 18. Blessed be the Lorde God i. praysed be his maiesty euen the God of Israel i. euen the true GOD who is the defender of his Church and people which only doeth marueilous thinges vz. both for his owne people and also against his enemies Verse 19. Contemeth a plaine and manifest prayer for the manifestation and inlargement of Gods kingdome throughout all the worlde and that doubling of the worde so bée it euen so bee it noteth the Prophets earnest and hearty consent to the prayers hée made in this Psalme here end the prayers of Dauid vz. which hée made for his sonne Salomon for otherwise there followe other prayers of his in this booke the sonne of Ishai this conteyneth part of his Genealogie a further description wherof may be séene Ruth 4.1.19 c. Ver. 1. Teacheth that vnlesse God assist magistrates Do. they can not well and rightly performe their dueties and that therefore it behooueth all specially those that are nigh to them to pray to God for them Ver. 2. Teacheth vs that it apperteineth to magistrates to render right to euery one Ver. 3. Sheweth that where iustice beareth sway there is abundaunce of all goodnes Ver. 4. Teacheth that the magistrats office consisteth of two partes vz. in defending the good and punishing the euill Ver. 5. Teacheth vs that good magistrates shal be continually reuerenced and feared Verse 6. Teacheth vs that good gouernours are a great blessing to the people Ver. 7. Teacheth vs that good gouernours make much of good men Ver. 8. Sheweth that God wil graciously inlarge the dominion and borders of good Princes Ver. 9. Declareth that barbarous people and al their enemies shal be subdued vnto them Ver. 10. Teacheth that other kinges shall not onely be glad of their friendship but willingly submit themselues vnder their obedience Ver. 12. Teacheth vs that the magistrates are ordeined to helpe them that can not helpe themselues Ver. 13. Teacheth that there is required of the magistrates not onely bowels of compassion to the néedy but also merciful preseruation and defence Ver. 14. Teacheth magistrates to make good account of the liues and bodies of their subiects Ver. 15. Teacheth subiects to pray continually for the prosperitie of their Prince Ver. 16. Teacheth vs that where good Princes raigne there is abundance of all blessings and namely of people Ver. 17. Teacheth vs that good magistrates shall sit long in the seates of their kingdome Ver. 18. Teacheth vs to prayse God continually for his mercy and power Verse 19. Teacheth vs to pray for the increase and inlargement of Gods kingdome Psalme 73 Di. THe Psalme may bee deuided into three partes In the first the Prophet describeth the pride prosperitie wealth and great abundance of outwarde blessings that the vngodly haue 3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.11.12 In the second he declareth that by the consideration thereof hee was almost caried away into murmuring against God and falling from God had not God graciously instructed him by his worde and spirit of the miserable end of the wicked and his fauour towards the good Ver. 1.2.3.13.14.15.16.17.18.19.20.21.22 In the third part he declareth that howsoeuer the worlde goe whether the good bee humbled and the bad aduanced it skilleth not he will alwaies hang vppon the Lord from ver 23. to the end of the Psalme Se. The title of this Psalme is expounded before Psal 50. Ver. 1. Yet God is good to Israel i. gracious fauourable ful of compassion to his Church these beginnings ex abrupto such a one as we had before Psalm 62. shewe the marueilous combats the Prophet had in himselfe betwéene the flesh and the spirit out of which difficulties hee sodainely bursting vttereth as it were disorderly this sentence q.d. howsoeuer calamities presse good men and my flesh woulde haue mee to say that therefore God is farre from them yet this is the trueth of the Lorde and I will beléeue it all the dayes of my life that God in goodnes is continually most nigh to his owne people euen to the pure in heart i. to them that haue malice and iniquitie remoued from the heart and walke in roundnes and sinceritie and this the Prophet addeth more plainely to declare what he ment by Israel that is such as are not hypocrites in the Church sée for pure in heart Matth. 5.8 Ver. 2. My féete i. I my selfe putting a part for the whole or else by féete wée may vnderstand afflictions as Psalm 119.105 also Eccles 4.17 were almost gone vz. from the right way which thou prescribedst mee to walke in and the same thing hee meaneth by that which followeth in this verse Verse 3. For I freated vz. euen with griefe of mynde to my selfe and hatred to them at the foolish i. at those that had not at any feare of God which is in déede the beginning of all true wisedome when I saw i. beheld knew and considered the prosperity of the wicked vz. which they inioy Ver. 4. There are no bands in their death i. they are not brought to death tied and bound as prisoners are vnderstanding by bandes sundry sorts of siknesses or else it may be expounded thus there are no bands in their death i. the pangs and paines of death outwardly are not bitter vnto them Immanuel his text maketh the first part of this verse more plaine saying they haue no bands vntill their death q.d. they spende all the time before their death in iolitie and mirth hauing al maner of prosperitie and no maner of griefe and this I take to bee the best they are lusty and strong i. they haue great health so by that meanes growe in strength whereas the godly by sundry sicknesses growe weake and féeble Ver. 5. They are not in trouble i. misery affliction and such like hee meaneth not that they are altogether exempted from them but that they haue them not so long and so commonly as others haue neither are they plagued vz. with diseases sicknesses c. with other men i. when other men are or in such measure as others are Ver. 6. Therefore pride is as a chaine vnto them vz. in their owne imagination and account hee meaneth by this speach that they please and flatter themselues as much in their pride thinking it to 〈◊〉 ornament and beauty vnto them as other men doe their chaines and cruelty couereth them as a garment i. they are altogether giuen to cruelty and vyâ—lence as Psal 71.13 also Psal 69.7 and this voylence procéedeth from pride as the daughter from the mother Ver. 7. Their eyes stand out for faâ—nes hée meaneth by this speach that they haue such abundance of wealth that they 〈◊〉 themselues with al dainties euen vntil their eyes swell
image or shadow see Psal 39.6 Verse 21. Verily my heart was vexed vz. within me and I was pricked in my reines i. in my most secret thoughtes as in this sentence God searcheth the heart and reines the Prophet sheweth what griefe hee had in himselfe for that he had taken vpon him so to discourse against Gods prouidence as it were Ver. 22. So foolish was I and ignoraunt vz. in iudging so yea I was as a beast i. without vnderstanding q.d. all beastes can conceiue nothing of thée no more coulde I in that matter before thée i. in thy presence sight and iudgement so that these two verses are as it were an humble confession of his former sinne Ver. 23. Yet I was alwaye with thee q.d. notwithstanding my rash and corrupt iudgement thou diddest not forsake me but euen then when I was in danger altogether to go astray thou calledst me back and restrained mee Thou haste holden mee by my righte hande i. thou hast held me vp and bene a proppe vnto me that I haue not fallen in the consideration of the slippery estate of this life Ver. 24. Thou wilt guide mee vz. hereafter though I haue fallen heretofore by thy counsell according to thy will reuersed in thy worde and wilt not suffer mee to follow the imagination of my owne heart as I haue done heretofore and afterwardes vz. after that thou hast instructed me and taught me according to thy word receiue mee to glory he meaneth by glory here not only eternal life but also all the blessinges that God giueth vnto his in this life whether it be health wealth wisdom c. which the Lord giueth them sometimes here in this worlde that they might in them haue a tast as it were of the felicity to come Ver. 25. Vttered by the way of an interrogation carrieth with it this sense that the Prophet sought all his ioy contentment in God alone and in no creature whatsoeuer earthly or heauenly Ver. 26. My flesh faileth and my heart also i. my outward men haue béene and are many times wonderfully afflicted so that I haue failed and fallen so lowe that in mans iudgment I am many times past recouery but God is the strength of my heart i. he that inwardly strengtheneth me and he putteth the inwarde part for the whole not only because it is the more excellent but also because if that be couragious that outward mā can not faile my portion i. the portiō assigned to me wherwith I wil be cōtent al the daies of my life Ver. 27. Withdraw themselues from thee i. from thy gouernement and walke not in the obedience of thy wayes shall perish vz. not only from amongest men but also eternally thou destroyest vz. in thy iust iudgement that go a whoring from thee i. that put not their whole trust in thee and hang not altogether vpon thee whereby wée sée that not onely grosse idolatrie is spiritual fornication but also to withdraw the least part of our assurance that can be from God Ver. 28. It is good i. most pleasant and profitable for mee to drawe neere to God vz. by faith assured perswasiō hanging continually vpon him as may plainly appeare by the words following in this verse that I may declare i. publish and set abroad amongst men and that both by word and déede all thy works he meaneth by al a very great number because otherwise it is impossible to comprehend them and by workes he meaneth specially the iudgements that God executeth vpon the earth Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth that Gods goodnes towardes his people is more then flesh can estéeme of it Ver. 2. Sheweth how weake euen the best men are in thē selues Ver. 3. Sheweth that it is no small temptation to the godly to sée the wicked highly aduanced and themselues depressed and kept vnder Ver. 4. 5. teach not onely in what a prosperous estate the wicked many times are in this life but also that we should count no man blessed for his outward felicity Ver. 6.7.8.9 Teach first the disposition and nature of the vngodly describing their wicked qualities secondly they shewe how that Gods forbearaunce and long suffering and mercy is abused by them to the increase of their transgressions Thirdly that for as much as they abuse their power their witte their wealth their vtterance and all that they haue against God themselues and other men that therefore we should learne to vse all his blessings in what quantitie soeuer they be bestowed vpon vs to his glory our owne comfort and the profit of our brethren Ver. 10. Teacheth that Gods people haue abundance of plagues in this life but yet that they should not fal away from God therfore Ver. 11. Teacheth howe farre Gods children slide when they are left for a while vnto themselues euen to the denial of his prouidence Ver. 12. Sheweth the continuall prosperity of the vngodly Ver. 13.14 Shew how farre mans presumptiō breaketh forth when he followeth his own reason Ver. 15. Teacheth vs humble and vnfeigned confession of our sinnes Ver. 16. sheweth howe vnable wee are of our selues to behold Gods dealing and doinges towardes men Ver. 17. Sheweth that the frequenting of publike assemblies and the righte vse of Churche exercises are very good meanes to worke light and knowledge in vs. Verse 18. Teach that the wickeds seate is ticklish and vncertaine Ver. 19. 20. Teach not only the sodaine destruction of the wicked but also that those iudgements are sent vpon them from God Ver. 21. Declarrth that euen the godly men haue their affections though not so right as they shuld Ver. 22. Sheweth what blindnes is in vs til God inlighten vs. Ver. 23. God is the onely vpholder of all his children Ver. 24. Teacheth that without God guide vs we go out of the way to eternal destruction Ver. 25. Teacheth Gods children to hang vpon him alone Ver. 26. Teacheth that when al things quaile yet God alone must be stuck to Ver. 27. Conteineth Gods great iudgements against the wicked and vngodly Ver. 28. Teacheth that howsoeuer other men fall away yet it behoueth Gods children to hang alwaies vpon him Psalme 74 THis Psalme may be diuided into thrée parts Di. In the first the faithfull doe as it were debate the matter with God of their affliction layd vpon them by the cruell and vngodly dealing of the enemies and this reacheth from verse 1. to the ende of the 9. In the seconde part they pray against the enemies of the Church assuring themselues by these particular examples both of his mercy towards the good and his iustice towards the wicked which he had declared before that they should bee deliuered and the enemies plagued and this reacheth from ver 10. to the end of the 17. In the third part is conteined the faithfuls prayer which they make for themselues and against their enemies grounding the same vppon Gods goodnes towards them and his iudgements towards the wicked and this reacheth
dennes of violence vz. which they practise against other men q.d. the holes which men sought for refuge and defence are by these mens cruelties become very dennes of outrage violence Ver. 21. Oh let not the oppressed vz. by the iniurie outrage of cruel men returne vz. from thy maiesty specially séeing he prayeth vnto thee but let the poore and néedy praise thy name i. giue them occasion to prayse and extoll thy power by deliuering them from their enemies and supplying their wantes Ver. 22. Arise O God vz. to declare thy might vpon thine enemies and to helpe thine maintaine vz. against the violence and rage of thine enemies thine owne cause i. thyne own glory now hazarded in the person of thy people like to be ouerthrowne if thou lay not to thy hand q.d. the enemies will say that either thou canst not or wilt not helpe and so thy glory shal be defaced remember this is spoken according to man and not that God forgetteth though hee séeme so to doe thy dayly reproch i. the reproches which thy enemies and the enemies of thy people do daily vtter against thée by the foolish man i. which the wicked man speaketh foole put for a wicked person as Psal 14.1 Verse 23. Forget not this is spokē as in the other ver remember the voice of thine enemies i. the roaring and blasphemies that they cast out against thee thy temple and people sée ver 4.6.7.8.10 verses of this Psalme for the tumult i. the rage and outcries of them that rise against thée i. of thine enemies and thy peoples enemies ascendeth vz. into thy sight and presence continually q.d. thou canst not chuse therefore but remember and thinke vpon the same as in the beginning of this very verse Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth that God many times layeth grieuous afflictions vpon his children to the end he might thereby drawe them nigh vnto himselfe Verse 2. Teacheth the faithful not only to haue recourse to god by praier in the time of their troubles but to ground themselues vppon that experience which either they thēselues or their forefathers haue had of his goodnes Ver. 3. Teacheth vs that we may safely pray against the enemies of the Church Ver. 4.5.6.7.8 Do liuely paint out the rage violence of the enemies of god and that against the outward marks of religion which may teach Gods children hatred and zeale against the monuments of idolatry superstition Ver. 9. Teacheth vs that euident signes of Gods wrath displeasure as the want of his worde the stopping of the true ministers mouthes c. should touch vs to the quicke Ver. 10. Teacheth vs with patience to beare the Lords hand vpon vs till it please him to remoue it and yet notwithstanding to craue according to his wil the taking of it from vs. Ver. 11. Sheweth that Gods right hand and power is the only assured meane of defence of his children the destruction of the vngodly Ver. 12. True tast and féeling of gods former deliuerances should strengthen the hope of his seruants that they shal again be deliuered out of al their distresses Ver. 13.14.15.16.17 are particular descriptions of the might power of God in certaine particular works of his out of which we learne to stay our selues wholly vpon him who hath al power in his owne hands and doth whatsoeuer pleaseth him both in heauen and in earth Ver. 18. Setteth out the malice of the wicked which reacheth not only vnto men on earth but to God in heauen Ver. 19. Teacheth vs to haue recourse to God by earnest prayer in the middest of all our calamities and afflictions Ver. 20. Teacheth vs that Gods frée couenant made with vs is not only a good ground for prayer but also a matter of great comfort to the conscience because we know he wil not go backe from that which he hath promised Ver. 21. Teacheth that it is no small comfort to the godly when they féele by effects that their praiers are heard Ver. 22. Sheweth that God his people be so linked together that reproch can not be offered to the one but it is offred to the other Ver. 23. Teacheth vs that euen the very outrage cruelties of the wicked are effectuall instrumentes to drawe from God as iudgements against their owne soules so deliuerance to his people Psalme 75 IN the argument of this Psalm I do somewhat differ from the Geneua Bible taking it to be a Psalme made by Dauid before that hee bare rule ouer the twelue tribes what time there was such great warres betwéene him and the house of Saul the Prophet promising here that if God will establish him in the full gouernement hee wil praise his name continually for the better proof of this my assertion consider the words of the third verse of this Psal This Psal specially expoundeth thrée things Di. first is a solemne promise of hearty thanksgiuing vnto the Lorde and this is comprehended ver 1.9 The second is a protestation what he wil do when god shall aduance him to the kingdome and this is in ver 2.3.10 And the thirde is a louing admonition to the wicked with graue reasons of that admonition that they set not themselues against God and his ordinance and this is conteyned in ver 5.6.7.8 For the exposition of the title of this Psalme sée Psalm 57. in the title Se. and also Psal 48. in the title and Psal 50. in the title out of al which laid together you shal haue these termes destroy not a Psalme and song committed to Asaph expounded and as for these words to him that excelleth they are declared before Psalme 4. in the title Ver. 1. We wil praise thée O God vz. for thy benefites and graces bestowed vpon vs and the doubling of the wordes noteth the constant mind and earnestnes which they caried with them to performe it and all this Dauid speaketh in the person of the faithful in his owne name also for thy name is néere i. thy power maiesty as Psal 20.1 meaning that God by his power began to approch for his good profit therefore they i. not only I but al other faithfull and godly people will declare i. publish and set abroad and that to all others thy wonderfull workes i. those workes of thine which thou doest for those that are thine are in déed for the excellency and greatnes of them to be wondered at Immanuel readeth the latter part of this ver thus for thy wonderful workes declare that thy name is nigh q.d. this shalbée one cause of our praysing thée because we perceiue by thy wonderfull workes that thou in power drawest nigh to helpe vs in these confusions and troubles and this is in my mind a very good sense Ver. 2. When I marke the sodaine change of the person this Dauid speaketh of himselfe not of God as the note in the Geneua Bible goeth shall take i. obtaine and get a conuenient time i. that time
the beginning Ver. 5. Then i. in this great affliction and heauinesse of mine I considered vz. déeply and diligently the dayes of old i. the graces and goodnesse which in former time I had receaued from thée putting the dayes wherein God had bestowed manye graces vpon him for the graces themselues and the yeares of auncient time he meaneth not only the sorrowes that God sent him but that he gaue vnto others also that were distressed many times before him this goodnes of God towards himself others he set before him as a meane to mittigate his gréefe and to assure his hope of deliueraunce out of the same Ver. 6. I called to remembraunce i. I thought vpon also my song i. the song of thanksgiuing that I was wont to sing vnto thée for these graces He meaneth not that hee had alwayes one song for all kinde of benefites receaued but this that he receaued no benefites frō the Lord but he testified his thankfulnesse by singing prayses vnto him in the night i. which I was wont to sing in the night wherby also hee sheweth the earnest care hee had to prayse God that when other slept hee would be occupyed that way I communed with mine owne harte i. secretly and within my selfe I disputed and reasoned and my spirite i. my soule from whence procéed wit and vnderstanding searched diligently vz. the cause of my affliction the end of my troubles adde here the word saying to ioyne this that which followeth together and then the sence will bee more playne Ver. 7. Will the Lord absent himself vz from me by absenting he meaneth withdrawing of his fauour the signs and testimonies thereof as though he were angry with him for euer i. continually q.d. Shall my afflictions neuer haue end And wil he shew no more fauour vz. to me amongste the rest that stand in so much néed of it Ver. 8. Is his mercy vz. towardes his sonnes seruants that cal vpon him séeke vnto him clean gone for euer q.d. wil he neuer shew it again doth his promise vz. which hee hath made in his word for in his promises made therein is our good and saluation shutte vp as it were fayle for euermore i. Shal they not be accomplished and performed for euer Verse 9. Hath God forgotten to be mercifull q.d. Is it possible that God can forget his mercy which were to forget himselfe and to chaunge his nature hath he shut vp vz. from those that are his his tender mercies i. his fatherly loue and affection who is more tender harted toward his then parents are to their children in displeasure q.d. will he be so angry that he will not thinke vpon his mercy sée Psalme 103.8.9 The Prophet vttereth al these thrée verses not as a man in despayre but as one couragiously wreastling agaynst Sathans assaults and his own corruptions which would haue caryed him to that mischiefe doubtlesse had not the Lord graciouslye stayde him and strengthened his fayth Ver. 10. And I sayd vz. in this my great conflict and combat this is my death q.d. the want of the féeling of Gods goodnesse and mine own calamity will quickly finish my course as I perswade my selfe yet I remembred q.d. notwithstanding these gréeuous assaults I thought vpon the yeres of the right hand i. the former times wherein God hath manifested his great power and goodnesse in my deliueraunce strengthening my hope in this that he that had bin my God before would so continue howsoeuer I were distressed for a while and the next verse confirmeth this sence Imman readeth this verse otherwise giueth another meaning but methinketh this is plaine ynough of the most high by this spéech he meaneth God putting also hereby a difference betwéene God and al others how great and mighty soeuer they be or are imagined to be Verse 11. I remembred vz. in my meditations the workes of the Lord i. those workes that he had done that for his owne people certainly I remembred q.d. it is very true that I thought vpon thy wonders i. the maruailous things that thou diddest for thy people as their deliueraunce out of Egypt such like which were called wonders because mās reason could not conceaue of thē of olde i. in former time or long agoe as Exod. Deut. and the Booke of Iudges doe sufficiently declare Ver. 12. I did alwayes meditate i. déepely and diligently thinke vpon in my minde al thy works vz. which thou hast made don because al Gods work creatures are to his people testimonies of his prouidence goodnesse towards them did deuise he meaneth by this spéech not only unward meditation of the harte but also large discourse of wordes that he made of thine acts i. of those which thou haddest done for thy people and he calleth thē Gods acts because he was the author of thē though he vsed mans ministery in the performance thereof Ver. 13. Thy way O God i. thy manner and order of gouernment and all thy counsels is in the sanctuarie some vnderstand it of the tabernacle some referre it to heauen as wée haue had the worde vsed before q.d. Thy wayes are high and excellente whosoeuer will knowe them must bee lifted vp to the Heauens All this I confesse is true but it agréeth not so well with the Prophets purpose who mindeth to shew that all that God doeth he doth rightly and iustlye and therefore Immanuel turneth it well thus thy waye O God is in holines i. is a holy iust and vpright way whatsoeuer commeth from thée is good though we can not so wel sée and perceiue the same who is so great a God as our god q.d. None sée 1. Cor. 8.5.6 Verse 14. Thou art the God q.d. thou alone that doest wonders i. workest wonderfull things thou hast declared vz. by effect and déede thy power i. thy maiestie and might among the people this may be vnderstood eyther of the people vpon whom and amongst whome God exercised iudgement for his owne peoples sake as the bookes of Genesis and Exodus doe plentifully declare or else for his owne people particularly For myne own part I would refer it to both because the deliueraunce of the one is the punishment of the other the ouerthrow of the one is the establishing of the other and me thinketh that which followeth vnto the end of the Psalm séemeth wel to confirme this because he rehearseth his mercies towards the one and his iudgements towards the other Ver. 15. Thou hast redéemed vz. out of the bondage of Egipt thy people vz. of Israell with thine arme i. by thine owne might and power euen the sonnes of Iaakob now he more particularly sheweth what he meant by the word people vnderstanding by sonnes the posteritie of Iaakob and not the twelue Patriarkes for they were dead long before and Ioseph hee nameth Ioseph for honours sake because that all Iaakobs stocke was preserued in Egipt by his meanes putting also the
rightly glorifie god dissembled with him with their tongue i. they spake one thing thought an other these words flattering dissembling must be takē thus that the Israelites did indéed perform these wickednes and caried with thē this perswasion to flatter dissemble deceaue God if they could not as though God were ouertaken with this their lewdnesse for he can not be deceyued Ver. 37. For their hart i. their affection and mind was not vpright with him i. was not sincere sound towardes him his seruices whatsoeuer they pretended neyther were they faithful in his couenant i. they did not faithfully kéepe the couenant which he had made with thē vz. that he would be their God and they should be his people Ver. 38. Yet q.d. Notwithstanding all their sinnes and namely their sinne of hipocrisie dissimulation he being mercyfull i. not delighting in the death destruction of sinners but rather that they should liue forgaue their iniquitie i. pardoned their sinne and remoued the punishment due vnto them for the same as appeareth by that whiche followeth and destroyde them not vz. in his wrath and iudgemente but did beate them with the rods of his children to their amendment but oftentimes called backe his anger i. the testimonies and signes of his wrath and displeasure euen then when it was ready to bée powred forth vpon them as if a father ready to strike should holde his hand and did not stirre vp all his wrath for then they shoulde haue béene vtterly consumed hée meaneth by this speache that God declared not himselfe so wrathfull against them as he coulde haue done might haue done if it had pleased him and their sinnes iustly deserued Ver. 39. For hee remembred i. God considered and knew full wel hée rendreth in this verse a reason why God forbare them and layd not all his iudgements vpon them that they were flesh i. by nature mortall and subiect to death and therefore hée should not néede to powre heauy iudgements vppon them séeing that of their owne nature they were inclined to corruption sée Gene. 6.3 also Psal 103.14 yea a wind that passeth and commeth not againe i. not onely a thing mutable and inconstant as the winde but also vanishing and flitting away not continuing long in one state sée Iob. 14.1.2 and in this verse he respecteth the state of this earthly life that passeth away as a winde and being passed returneth not againe in his former condition Verse 40. Howe oft did they i. the Israelits prouoke him i. God in the wildernes i. al that fourtie yeere that they were in the wildernes and the propounding of it by the way of interrogation is q.d. who is able to vtter so many and so grieuous rebellions as they prouoked god by in that time of their trauaile sée Numb 14.22 also Psal 95.9.10 and grieue him vz. by their murmuring and this is the same that was spoken before Ver. 41. Yea they returned vz. from their feigned repentance to their former euill wayes and this they did more then once as you would say and tempted God i. ment to try what he was able to do not being contented with the experience of his might and power which hee had shewed vnto them and limit vz. as it were within certaine boundes it is a notable metaphor to expresse the peruersenes of his people who tooke so much vpon them that they woulde set Gods infinite power some hedges either larger or narrower at their pleasure sometimes desiring thinges to bee performed as they would haue them sometimes denying that he coulde doe them as the bookes of Exodus Numbers Deutronomie doe in many places declare the holy one of Israel i. hee that doeth sanctifie Israel and whom Israel ought to sanctifie because he is the only true God Ver. 42. They remembred not i. they quite and cleane forgate his hand i. his might power meaning that power and strength that God had shewed for them so we haue heard the word hand sundry times vsed before nor the day i. the times and seasons when he deliuered them i. set them free from the enemie i. from all their enemies and their mischieuous attempts against them vnder one meaning all but yet so that hee meaneth that by the chiefest and that was Pharaoh and the Egiptians who afflicted them and this sense is warranted by that which followeth in this Psalme Ver. 43. Nor him that set his signes in Egipt this is a discription of God and his power meaning by setting his signes in Egipt giuing a testimonie as of his goodnes towards his children so of his wrath towarde the Egiptians and his wonders i. the wonderful things he did in the fielde of Zoan sée ver 12. of this Psal Ver. 44. And turned i. when he turned for now he beginneth a particular enumeration of his wonders done for them against their enemies their riuers i. the Egiptiās riuers of waters and their floods he meaneth that neither their smal brookes nor great floods were frée from this plague Sée Exod. 7.20.21 That they could not drinke vz. the Egiptians which circumstance also proueth the trueth and certaintie of the miracle Ver. 45. Hée i. God by the ministery of his seruants Moses and Aaron sent a swarme of flies amongst thē i. an innumerable multitude vnderstanding by flies not only flies but flying serpents and venemous beasts whose poison sting did euen corrupt the land Exod. 8.24 Which deuoured thē i. destroyed many of the Egiptians frogs which destroyed thē this is set out Exod. 8. ver 6. whereby we sée that the holy ghost standeth not much vpon order so that the matter bee expressed Ver. 46. He gaue also i. the Lord gaue ouer their fruits i. those fruits that their land by the labor of their hands did yéeld vnto the caterpiller vz. to be consumed eaten vp destroyed by them putting one for the whole number that God sent Exod. 13. They are said to be grashoppers the places laid together shew that the plague was both of grashoppers caterpillers grashoppers not annoying the trées as these did Exod. 13.15 And their labour i. al that which they had labored for For for the fruits of the earth do men labour Ver. 47. He destroyed their vines i. he did vtterly marre al the increase of their earth plants what soeuer whether they were sowen or vnsowen high or low tender or wel grown natural or wild as appeareth by that which followeth in this ver and Exod. 9.25 with the hailestone he meaneth an other kinde of hailestone then that which is ordinarie and common Immanuel readeth this latter part thus and their wild fig trées with fire whiche in what place soeuer it aboad should consume and this text I like wel not only because the Etimologie of the compound Hebrew word yéeldeth it but also by reason of that which followeth in the next ver touching thunderbolts is written also Exod. 9.23 touching
because hee depriued them of his testimonies of his presence and grace meaning that the Lorde as a signe of his wrath refused to let his Arke bee any longer in Shilo in which arke the Lorde did as it were dwell but gaue it into the hands of the Philistines as appeareth 1. Samuel 4. euen the tabernacle where hee dwelt among men hee doeth in these woordes make plaine the former part of this verse for God in his tabernacle séemed to haue as it were his residence and aboad vppon earth Ver. 61. And deliuered vz. willingly freely because it was prophecied of those that were his people in name his power i. his Arke 1. Chronic. 16.11 which is called his power not because his power was inclosed in it but because it was a testimonie vnto the children of Israel of that his power and might which hee had many times manifested for their defence against their enemies and because he was wont out of the same to declare his power and strength into captiuity vz. amongst the Philistines as appeareth 1. Sam. 4.11 and his beauty this is an other title attributed to the Arke signifieth as much as glory because that when the arke was present God manifested his beauty or glory which otherwise was and is inuisible and neuer could be seene and therefore GOD gaue them the arke that in it as in a glasse they might beholde his maiesty Ver. 62. And he gaue vp his people to the sworde vz. of their enemies meaning that the Lorde for their sinnes deliuered them to the slaughter and was angry with his inheritance vz. for their sinnes and transgressions sake and hee calleth the people the Lordes inheritaunce but because it pleased him to vouchsafe to chuse them to that honour and not otherwise Ver. 63. The fire vz. of Gods wrath and not that the Lord vsed fire to destroy them but rather warrelike force which destroyeth and licketh vp al thinges euen as fire doeth the things that are before it deuoured their chosē men i. quickly did consume and eate vp the sodainenes also of it is noted in the worde fire and by chosen men he vnderstandeth the strongest mightiest and as it were the flowre of the people Sée 1. Sam. 4.10 and their maides were not praysed vz. by mariage songs which the Grecians called Epithalamia and were sung by the tēder and deare friends of the bridegrome and bride and this was not onely in vse among the Gentiles but also amongst the Iewes Gods people as may appeare Psal 45. throughout Ierem. 7.34 Ierem. 16.9 Ierem. 25.10 So that by not being praised hee meaneth they were not maried but by death through Gods iust iudgement were taken away before they coulde come to that honour Ver. 64. Their Priestes i. Hophni and Phinehas 1. Samu. 4.11 fel by the sword i. were killed by the battaile by the weapons of their enemies and their widowes i. both the Priests and the peoples wiues lamented not i. did not mourne for the misery that was fallen vpon them and this was not because they were either hard hearted or might not mourne but because by death they were taken away from perfourming of that duety as amongst the rest appeareth in Phinehas his wife 1. Sam. 4.19.20 c Ver. 65. But the Lorde q.d. from al this misery that they were in and notwithstanding all the iniquities they had committed against him awaked vz. at the length as one out of sléep q.d. though he séemed for a season to haue no care of his people as men that are in sléepe care for nothing yet at length hee rose vp and reuenged his and their aduersaries and as a strong man that after his wine i. after his strong drinke that hath made him somewhat sléepie crieth out vz. for his armour weapons meaning by crying out an earnest preparing of himselfe against his enemies these similitudes doe nothing derogate from the glory of God but are vsed to wake the dulnes and heauines of the people And though this text and sense be good yet I rather allowe Immanuels both text and sense here he readeth it thus Afterwards i. after al these miseries laid vppon his people by the Philistines God awaked i. tooke vppon him to set vpon his peoples aduersaries this is spoken of God according to mans capacitie who i. which almightie God was thought vz. both by the Philistines yea and his owne people to bée as one that sléepeth i. idle and negligent doing nothing against the one nor any thing for the other no more then a sléeping man doeth which also may appeare by their scoffing at God 1. Samuel 4.7.8 or as a mighty man singing through wine i. as one that were carelesse and made no account but of mirth thus the idolaters attribute fond thinges to God and so commit blasphemie against God Ver. 66. And smote his enemies i. the Philistines who are called his enemies because they were enemies to his people in the hinder parts these words haue a double sense first this God caused the Philistines to turne their backes vpon their enemies and so by flying to bee wounded and slaine secondly this that the Lorde strooke the Philistines with Emerods which was a very sore punishment and turned them to great griefe this latter I allowe of by reason of that which is written 1. Sam. 5. ver 6.9.12 And put them to a perpetuall shame i. cast vpon the Philistines a shame that shuld sticke by them for euer if they could sée it which was the casting downe of their idole Dagon and breaking him in pieces 1. Sam. 5.4 Ver. 67. Yet he refused the tabernacle of Ioseph q.d. as God plagued his enemies so hée spared not altogether his owne people but refused to let the Arke which was a testimonie of his presence remaine in the tabernacle of Ioseph i. in the place that it was in in the tribe of Ephraim who was the sonne of Ioseph for as it appeareth 1. Samuel 4. the Arke was in Shilo which was a part of the lande giuen to Ephraim and his tribe who came of Ioseph but God refused that place and remoued the Arke to an other as appeareth in the next ver and that is vsuall in the Scriptures to put the father from whome the tribe came for the tribe it selfe and chose not the tribe of Ephraim this doth more plainly and particularly declare that which went before and is as it were an exposition therof Ver. 68. But chose the tribe of Iudah i. chose a place for the Arke to rest in in the tribe of Iudah and mount Sion i. euen the mount Sion which hée loued i. which hee caried a speciall fauour vnto not that God is tyed more to one place then to an other but to shewe that it lieth in him to appoynt where and what hee will and then no body is to reason against it Verse 69. And hee built his sanctuary i. the place of his dwelling and abiding as an high pallace i. easily to
what a one thou wast not that GOD was ignoraunt of it before at the waters of Meribah Sée Exodus 15 22 23 c. Psalme 95 8. Verse 8. Heare vz. me speaking vnto thée by my word and law manifested vnto thée O my people i. the people whome I haue so tenderlye loued and I will protest vnto thée i. I will not only open my will vnto thée but also make a solemn contracte with thée to the ende that my wordes maye haue the greater weighte and authoritie if thou wilte hearken vnto mée vz. speakinge vnto thée in my Lawe then lette this bee fulfilled that followeth Verse 9. Let there bée no straunge God in thée i. let there be no idols or images in all thy Lande hee calleth them straunge Gods because straungers from the couenaunte i. other people besides the Iewes did worship them and hee calleth them Gods not because they were so but because the Idolaters supposed them to be so or that there was a certayne Deitye inclosed within them Sée 1. Corinth 8. ver 5.6 neyther worship thou anye straunge God q.d. bee contente with mée alone I expound this verse thus that in the first parte hee forbiddeth the occasion of idolatrie which are images idols c. and in the second he forbiddeth the thing it selfe Ver. 10. For I am the Lord thy God here hee sheweth a reason of the former verse q.d. there is no other but I and I am God alone sée Isaiah 45 verse 5. and hee laboureth in this parte of the verse not onelye to proue himselfe to be the true God but also to strengthen their fayth first by Gods eternity noted in these words I am the Lord secondly by the couenant which he made with thē noted in these words Thy God thirdly by the workes which he did for thē noted in these words Which brought thée out of the Land of Egipt vnderstanding by one singular worke all the rest of the graces that God had at any time bestowed vpon them open thy mouth wide i. largely and abundauntly aske euen whatsoeuer thou wilte according to my will standing fast in my seruice and religion The Hebrewes vnderstande by this speech boldnesse trust liberty and importunity in prayer and not amisse and I will fill i. I will giue thée whatsoeuer thou shalt aske sée Ioh. 15. ver 16. and besides put songes of prayse into thy mouth for benefits receaued Verse 11. But my people would not heare my voyce i. would not obey the thinges that by my word I commaunded them Whereby we sée that to heare and not to perform is as much as in contempt not to heare at all and Israel would none of me vz. in déede and truth though they made a shew as though they reuerenced and loued me alone the truth of this appeareth in Exodus Leuiticus Numbers Deutronom and the Booke of Iudges Verse 12. So I gaue thē vp q.d. séeing nothing I could doe for them or to them coulde reclaime them or bring them to goodnesse I layd the bridle as it were in their own necks and let them run their full swinge to wickednesse vnto the hardnesse of their harte i. vnto all licentiousnesse and iniquity that their harde hartes setled in sinne could deuise and they haue walked i. their conuersation hath bin in their own counsels i. according to their owne deuises and imaginations and not according to my prescript and rule Verse 13. O that my people had hearkened vnto me i. had obeyed my voyce and lawes giuen vnto them and this God speaketh after the maner of men testifying what a great loue he had to them and how acceptable their obedience should haue bin sée Deutron 5. verse 29. Deut. 32.29 Isaiah 48.18 and Israell had walked in my wayes i. had ordred his conuersation according to my commaundements which he calleth wayes because they are as pathes or beaten wayes that we are to treade in all the dayes of our life neuer being weary of going in them Verse 14. I would soone i. very quickly q.d. then my power should haue sodaynly appeared to their comfort but specially for iudgement vpon the wicked haue humbled i. cast downe and ouerthrowne it is a metaphor taken from thē that in humblenesse throw themselues down at others féete meaning that God in iudgement would haue brought them very low their enimies i. al their enemies of what state condition or multitude soeuer they had ben and turned vz. from mine own people vnto their aduersaries mine hand i. my power and might executing iudgement and vengeaunce q.d. My power and fierce wrath should haue lighted vpon their enemies and not vpon them Verse 15. The haters of the Lord i. the wicked and vngodly people which sundry times oppressed them as appeareth in the booke of Iudges shoulde haue bin subiect vz. eyther willinglye or constreinedly chuse them whether it is true that the worde signifyeth a counterfeit subiection by which he noteth the hipocrisie of the enemies vnto him i. to the people of God speaking of them all in one person as it were of whiche sée verse 6 7 of this Psalme and their time i. the time of their prosperity and florishing and marke here the sodaine chaunge of the number and here he speaketh of the people of God should haue moured for euer i. cōtinued and abode in that state continually according to Gods promise made vnto them Ver. 16. And God marke the sodayne chaunge of the person from the first to the third God speaking of himself in the third person would haue fed them i. nourished and maintained his people with the fat of Wheate i. with the best and picked wheat for you shall haue the worde fat and fatnesse so vsed sundrye times in scripture vnderstanding by wheat also not onely corne but also whatsoeuer else was necessary for the maintainaunce of lyfe sée Deutronom 32. verse 14. and with honie out of the Rock would I haue satisfied thée q.d. rather than they shoulde haue wanted I woulde haue made barren places such as Rockes are plentifull and that euen with things not onlye for profite but for delight and pleasure noting by this maner of spéeche that they shoulde haue had all thinges both pleasaunt and profitable for the maintaynaunce of their lyfe if their naughtinesse hadde not stopped the course of his goodnesse and mercy Ver. 1.2.3 teach that we should not be only thankefull to God Do. but that the sacrifice of thanks giuing which we wil render vnto him must be yéelded coragiously chearfully because the Lorde requireth at our handes both the thing it selfe the maner of the performance of it Ver. 4 teacheth that Gods commaundment is the only ground warrant vnto vs that the seruices which we render vnto him are acceptable in his sight Ver. 5. teacheth first that Gods reuealing of his will word to any people is a plain testimonye of his grace and fauour also that Gods accounteth the afflictions of his people as his
signes of thy wrath vpon them hast remoued from their shoulders the heauie weighte of thy iudgementes and hast turned backe vz. in pittie and compassion as though it were better weying thine own mercy and our miserye from the fiercenesse of thy wrath or else we had bin consumed thereby They meane that GOD kindled not his wrath to the vttermoste agaynste them eyther as in iustice hee mighte or in wickednesse they had deserued Verse 4. Turne vs vz. vnto thée by fayth and repentaince as Lamentation 5.21 or else from that miserable captiuitie and bondage wherein wee are to oure former libertye and fréedome in oure owne lande O GOD of our saluation i. thou that workest our deliueraunce from daungers and distresse so saluation is taken Psalm 3.8 release thine anger towards vs i. frée vs from that wrath of thine the testimonies thereof which we sée and féele presently vpon vs. Verse 5. Wilt thou be angry with vs for euer q.d. wee hope no for that is the force of the interrogations meaning that Gods wrath should not alwayes continue vppon them and wilte thou prolong thy wrath vz. which is now presently vpon vs from one generation to an other i. vpon vs and our posterities q.d. shall it continually abide vpon vs and our séedes Ver. 6. Wilt thou not turne again vz. in loue mercy fauor presence towards vs quicken vs who seeme as it were to be dead sée Ezechiel 37.1.2 c. that thy people i. the people whome thou haste chosen to thy selfe may be deliuered and set frée and so haue an occasion to reioyce in thée i. to prayse thée and to magnifie thée for thy goodnesse towardes them hee séemeth to note two endes of their deliuerance one the good and benefite of the people the other Gods glory Ver. 7. Shew vs O Lord thy mercy i. make vs by effect to sée and féele thy goodnes and graunt vs i. graciously and fréely bestowe vpon vs thy saluation i. the deliueraunce which fréely and only must come from thée For the acception of this worde saluation sée before ver 4. of this Psal Ver. 8. I this the faithful together speak as though they were but one person by reason of the nigh cōiunction of them wil heare i. not only diligently hearken vnto but patiently looke for what the Lorde God wil say i. what he will either speak or performe for the word of God is as it were the déed of god sée Psal 148.5 for he wil speak i. promise and performe in déed and this is a reason why hée will in patience attend the Lorde and his worke peace i. al goodnes and prosperity after that their calamities bee once ended Sée Gene. 43.23 vnto his people i. vnto his faithfull ones putting by this marke a difference betwéene Gods people in déede and those that haue but the bare title only and to his Saints i. to those whom he hath sanctified sée Psal 16.3 that they turne not againe vz. to their old filthines of idolatry distrust and such like whereunto Antiochus laboured to bring them to folly i. to all maner of wickednes and in this respect the vngodly are generally through the Prouerbes called fooles as also Psalm 14.1 Ver. 9. Surely q.d. without all doubt it can not otherwise be his saluation i. succour deliuery and aide from God sée ver 7. of this Psalme is neere i. euen as it were at the doores and wil come vpon them quickly to them that feare him vz. with holy feare and all their heartes leading also their liues according to the rule of righteousnesse which hée hath prescribed that glory i. the sincere seruice and worship of God and all goodnes as may appeare by all the verses following in this Psalme may dwel i. may haue continual aboad notwithstanding the mischieuous deuises of the vngodly in our land i. amongst the people that inhabite this land appointed for vs so had you the word lande vsed ver 1. of this Psal Ver. 10. Mercy vz. from God and truth i. simple and sincere dealing vz. from men shall méete vz. ioyfully and chearefully together q.d. God wil turne his owne iustice towardes his people into mercy and their hypocriticall heartes and handes into sounde and sincere ones righteousnes vz. from God meaning by righteousnes also the faithfull execution of his promises and peace vz. of conscience in men an effectuall worker whereof is Gods faithful performance of his promises shal kisse one an other vz. in token of true friendshippe and reconciliation for by these manner of speaches and metaphors the holy ghost mindeth to note the reconciliation and agréement which shal be made betwéen God and his people Ver. 11. Truth vz. from men as before ver 10. shall bud i. by effects shall shewe foorth it selfe and yéelde fruite as the bud in the spring time appeareth which also is an argument of hope that fruite wil followe out of the earth i. out of the mindes and soules of the godly putting earth conteining them by the figure Metonimia for they themselues therein contained and righteousnes i. the iust performance of Gods mercifull promises as before verse 10. shall looke downe i. shal manifest and declare it selfe from heauen i. from the almighty whose dwelling is in the heauen Ver. 12. Yea the Lord shal giue vz. fréely and of his owne goodnes for so much doth the word import generally throughout the Scriptures good thinges i. heapes and abundance of al goodnes whether they be spiritual graces mentioned ver 10. 11. or bodyly blessings mentioned in the last part of this verse and our land i. the land appointed to vs from God and wherin we dwel shal giue her increase i. shal plentifully yéeld it the same being made fruitful by the mighty power of God Ver. 13. Righteousnes shal go before him q.d. when God shal shew these graces vnto his people then God wil bring to passe that vpright dealing shall haue frée passage amongest men for so I take righteousnesse to bee vsed in this place and shal set her steppes in the way vz. so that a man shal walke no way but there shall appeare certaine printes as it were of his footing Immanuel readeth this verse otherwise but methinketh this sense is plaine Do. Verse 1. Teacheth that the féeling of Gods fauour in former time should minister hope vnto his seruauntes that they should afterwards féele it in like sort when they are in any distresse Verse 2. Teacheth that it is God alone that doeth and must forgiue all the sinnes of his people Verse 3. Sheweth that vnlesse the Lorde in the middest of his wrath remember his mercy wee shoulde bee all consumed Verse 4. Teacheth that vnlesse GOD worke in vs repentaunce wee shall neuer repent Verse 5. Teacheth that Gods wrath indureth not alwayes Sée Psalme 30.5 Verse 6. Teacheth two thinges the first is that vnlesse GOD quicken vs wee are but as dead people the seconde that God in deliuery of his
trueth Verse 8. Among the Gods vz. of the Gentiles and which they worship as Gods but yet are not so there is none like thée O Lorde vz. in any respect hee sheweth that the Gentiles gods are false and counterfeit because they haue no testimony of their might and power Sée Psalm 115.2.3.4 c. Sée also against the vanity of them Isaiah 44. almost throughout and there is none vz. amongest either them or amongst all the creatures in the worlde no all the creatures set together that can doe like thy workes i. can do such workes as thou hast done and dayly doest for all that they doe they do by thee as in whom they liue moue and haue their being whereas thou doest that of thy selfe only whatsoeuer pleaseth thée both in heauen in earth Ver. 9. All nations vz. of the earth whom thou hast made vz. by thy mighty power for without thée they were not neither can be shal come vz. either willingly or by constraint and worship i. either truely or hipocritically serue thée before thée i. in thy presence at thy presence and in the assembly of thy Saints and shal glorifie thy name i. shall either soundly or else for fashion sake acknowledge thy might maiesty and power for so is name taken here as Psal 20.1 Some vnderstande this of the calling of the Gentiles I wil not greatly contend but methinketh it were better to bée vnderstood of a constremed and counterfeit confession such as you shal sée in Abimilech Gene. 20. throughout and in Pharaohs Exod. 9.27 and in some other chapiters of that booke Ver. 10. For thou art great vz. aboue all and declarest that greatnes and excellency of thine by many thinges but specially by thy works and doest vz. dayly and continually wonderous things i. matter farre beyond the reach and compasse of mans wit and reason and therefore very wonderful thou art God alone q.d. though many haue the name of God yet in déede both the thing and the name doth only belong to thée Verse 11. Teach me q.d. I am blind and ignoraunt and therefore humbly craue thy instruction thy way O Lord i. the way that thou thy selfe hast prescribed and is the onely way and manner to liue well and vprightly and I will vz. through thy goodnes assistaunce and strength for otherwise I can doe nothing of my selfe walke i. frame and fashion my conuersation in thy trueth i. according to that rule of trueth and righteousnes which thou thy selfe hast prescribed in thy worde knit vz. fast and sure mine heart i. the affection and perswasion of my heart vnto thée vz. and the trueth of thy promises q.d. bring to passe that my heart being fréed from all feare and care of my enemies it may rest wholly in thy feare This manner of speach declareth that mans heart is distracted and as it were diuided into sundry partes till God haue driuen it to himselfe and helde it fast in his obedience wherefore by this worde hee meaneth that euen they that are wel affected are yet notwithstanding subiect to so many stūblings that they should quickly vanish and bee spilt as water were it not that god strēgtened them with constancy that I may fear thy name i. beare a louing reuerence to thy maiesty and trueth Ver. 12. I wil praise thée O Lord my god vz. when thou shalt haue taught me thy trueth and deliuered mee from mine enemies with al my heart i. vnfeignedly and not outwardly in wordes onely but also inwardly in deed and trueth yea I wil glorifie thy name i. set foorth the praise of thy maiesty might and power for euer i. both in this life and in the world to come or else it may be taken for continually Verse 13. For great is thy mercy towardes me i. thou hast and doest by effect declare the riches of thy goodnes towardes mee and thou hast deliuered my soule i. thou hast set my life or whole man frée for otherwise nothing can touch the soule from the lowest graue i. from most great deepe and extreme dangers it is a metaphor as they that are buried séeme in mans iudgement past hope of life and yet God notwithstanding will rayse them vp againe so when Dauid seemed to be past all recouery by reason of his distresses then did the Lorde most mightily deliuer him Ver. 14. O God the proude vz. persons of the worlde who are not prouoked by any wrong I haue done them but only by their owne pride for so much I suppose the Hebrewe word importeth are risen against mee vz. with great force multitude and counsel thinking to destroy me and the assemblies i. great troupes and multitudes of violent men the Hebrewe worde in déede importeth them that trust in their owne strength who are sayd to bée mighty or violent because with a certaine violent outrage they trouble all and labour to destroy euery thing experience teacheth the trueth of this for we sée that there is no measure kept where pride and violence or outrage preuaileth haue sought vz. very diligently my soule i. my life to wit that they might take it from me sée Matth. 2.20 and haue not set thée vz. who séest and knowest all wickednes and wilt in good time punish the same before them hee meaneth that they had no feare or regarde of God at all but supposed that God did not behold them which is a manifest token of extreme licenciousnes and impiety Ver. 15. But thou O Lorde art a pitiful God and merciful vz. to them that turne to thée and cal vpon thee in truth slowe to anger vz. against any though neuer so wicked looking by long suffering for their amendment and great in kindnes i. of wonderfull great kindnes and loue specially to thy seruants and trueth he meaneth by trueth the faithful accomplishment of all Gods promises and this verse is a certaine description of the nature of God and séemeth to be taken out of Exod. 34.6 Ver. 16. Turne vz. thy fauourable and louing countenance vnto me vz. which am distressed on euery side hee prayeth that hee may in this his misery féele Gods goodnes and mercy and haue mercy vpon me i. make thy mercy appeare towardes me in deliuering mee from the power of these violent men giue thy strength by this spéech he meaneth not to craue all the strength and power of God but to intreate the Lord to giue him strength and ability to passe through al the brunts hee should indure vnto thy seruaunt i. vnto him whome thou hast chosen to be thy seruant true it is the worde importeth slaue or bond seruant which word the Prophet also vseth to moue the Lorde to mercy and saue i. deliuer from daunger and distresse the sonne of thy handmayd i. such a one as hath béene begotten of faithful parents and brought vp in the couenaunt and is as it were a houshold seruant of the Church Sée Psalm 116.16 Verse 17. Shew a token of thy goodnes towards mee
and his people or else speaking it according to the present affection and féeling of the flesh resting notwithstanding resolued howsoeuer his fayth were shaken for a time yet that god wil graciously performe his promises These words also which is to be marked are verified in Dauid and Christ in Christ because God for a season forsooke him as may appeare when he cried My God my God why hast thou forsaken me Matth. 27.46 and in Dauid when it séemed vnto him that Gods promise shoulde take no place and that God had as it were vnsayd the same and when he was driuen out of his kingdome by Abshalon his sonne sée Psalme 3. thorowe out and abhorred i. loathed and despised him as it were thou hast bene angrye which thing also thou hast declared by effects as appeareth in the verses following with thine annoynted i. with the King whome thou thy selfe hast annoynted and chosen to that roome sée Psalme 18 5 Verse 39. Thou hast broken i. it séemeth vnto vs so in the eye of flesh and to our enimies the couenant of thy seruaunt i. the couenaunt which thou haste made with thy seruaunt and it is called his couenaunt not because he made it or was the chéefe in it but because he was one to whome and with whome it was made and profaned his crowne i. brought it to great dishonour and contempt specially among the prophane people as the Gentiles c. and by crowne he meaneth his kingly dignitie casting it on the ground i. ouerthrowing it taking it as it were from his head setting it vpon the ground whether he spake it of Dauids abiection by the hand of his sonne Abshalon or of the renting of the kingdome in the dayes of Rehoboan or of their captiuity vnder Salmanazder and Nebuchadnezar it is not certayne I suppose that without any iniury to Gods spirite a man may well apply it to them all Verse 40. Thou hast broken downe vz. and that vnto the ground all his walles i. al the walles of his kingdome meaning by walls not onely all the strong places thereof but all the instrumentes and meanes that he had eyther for his owne defence or for the annoyaunce of his enemies for to those two endes doe walles serue thou hast layd his fortresses in ruine i. thou hast vtterly ruinated and destroyed and as a man would saye made euen with the ground all his strong holds Verse 41. All that go by the way q.d. he and his kingdome is so weakened that euen way faring men can easily spoyle them there néedes no souldiers or men ofwarre to doe it spoile him vz. and his people meaning that they take away from them euen what they list sée Psal 80.12 he i. he his people kingdome and all is a rebuke i. is such a one as his neighbours that is those that are round about him rebuke contemne and despise sée Psalme 79. verse 4. Verse 42. Thou hast set vp the right hand of his enemies i. thou hast aduanced their power and strength so that they are not onely become more mightie then he and his but in that mighte haue also preuayled agaynste them and made all his aduersaries to reioyce vz. because of the victorye they haue atchieued and the ouerthrowe that is layde vppon the others Verse 43. Thou hast also turned the edge of his sworde i. thou haste blunted it in such sorte that it could not wound and hurte his aduersaries meaning by this manner of spéeche that euen the verye meanes they had of weapons as swordes speares c. to defende themselues and to annoy their enemies were vtterly vnprofitable vnto them and haste not made him i. him and his people to stand vz. stedfastly and in the face of the enemies and agaynst them but to flée and fall before them in the battaile i. at what time the enemies and they came to ioyne battail together Ver. 44 Thou hast caused his dignity i. the great honour and aduauncement that thou hast layde vpon him to decay vz. in the presence of men and in the sight of his aduersaries and cast his throne i. his maiesty and Kingly gouernmente sée verse 36 of this Psalme to the ground i. rased it and layde it flatte with the earth as it were sée verse 39 of this Psalm Verse 45. The dayes of his youth hast thou shortned this the Prophet speaketh of the king and the state of the kingdome both together meaning that the Lord hath broughte both the king and the kingdome to a very poore and weake estate before eyther of them came to their perfection as it were as if a man shoulde before he came to the flowre of his age or his ripe yeares and couered him with shame i. hast altogether made him a reproche and shame for the worde couering and what it importeth sée Psalme 44.19 Verse 46. Lorde the Prophet ioyning this prayer with his complaynts sheweth that howsoeuer his fayth was shaken yet he did not despayre of the truth of Gods promises how long wilte thou hide thy selfe vz. from vs meaning by hyding of himselfe shewing them no signe of fauour and grace for euer q.d. Wilt thou doe this for euer shall thy wrath vz. agaynste vs our King Lande and people burne like fyre vz. to consume vs quite and cleane who are as it were but stubble before fire in respecte of thée and thy wrath Verse 47. Remember of what time I am i. thinke how shorte the time of my life is and this is an argumente taken from his owne estate to moue the Lord to pittie him and his Wherefore shouldest thou create in vayne i. to little or no purpose at all all the children of men i. all men and their posteritie In these wordes hee vseth an other Argumente to mooue GOD to compassion taken euen from the ende of his creation And this hee speaketh because that if in this life wée féele not some taste of Gods goodnesse it should séeme that he had in vayne created vs séeing that this is one end of our creation euen in this lyfe to féele and fynde his liberalitie towardes vs. Verse 48. What man liueth vz. at this presence or shall liue hereafter that shall not see death i. taste of Death or dye q.d. There is no man but hee must passe that waye sée Hebrues 9.27 shall he deliuer his soule i. his bodye and lyfe soule put for body as Psalme 16.10 from the hand of the graue i. from the power of Death putting the graue whiche followeth death for Death it selfe q.d. Both the one vz. to liue and not to die and the other vz. to bee fréede from the force of death is vtterlye impossible sée Psalme 49. almoste thorow ouâ—e and all this is q.d. Séeing mans lyfe is so shorte if thou doe not in good time shewe thy selfe a Father towardes them thou shalte haue no more occasion to make them féele thy fauoure in this lyfe Verse 49. Lorde where are thy former mercies vz. whiche
the beastes of the hunter i. of him that hunteth and séeketh after thée to destroye thée and from the noysome pestilence i. from the pestilence that bringeth with it hurte daunger and destruction By snares and pestilence hee meaneth all manner of euils whether they come from men or be layde vppon vs by GOD giuing vs to vnderstande that God will succour vs in whatsoeuer daunger we be because he hath infinite means to deliuer vs out of the same Ver. 4. He vz. God wil couer thée vnder his winges i. will haue singuler care of thée and thy safety this is a similitude taken from birdes namely from hens meaning that god by his prouidence and protection woulde safelye defende him and thou shalt bée sure vz. from the rage and force of all thine enemyes vnder his feathers i. vnder his protection and sauegarde hee repeateth the same thing i. the assuraunce that the faythfull are in being vnder Gods gouernmente in other wordes and termes his truth i. his faythfull promise keeping shall bée thy Shielde and Buckler i. shall be vnto thée in stéede of a shielde and Buckler to defende thy selfe in all daungers because hée hath promised and therefore will performe it to deliuer thée out of the same Verse 5. Thou shalt not bee afrayde i. thou shalte not néede to feare séeing thou hangest wholye vppon the Lorde Immanuel readeth it in the Imperatiue Moode feare not but methinketh the former is the better of the feare of the night i. of any though neuer so great feare he speaketh this because that the darkenesse of the nighte it selfe much more occasions of feare in the same darkenesse maketh men fearefull nor of the arrow that flyeth by daye by arrowe flying in the day hee meaneth some sodayne mischiefe that commeth vpon a man or euer he bee ware Wée maye also giue this sence that because he speaketh of night and daye he meaneth that the godlye shall haue no néede to feare eyther in secrete or open mischiefs pretended agaynst them because that louing the Lord and trusting only in him all things shall worke to their good Verse 6. Nor of the pestilence vz. sent from God vpon people for their sinnes that walketh i. that is forcible and strong to kill in the darkenesse i. in the night not that he tieth it only to that tyme no more then he doth it to the noonetide in the nexte parte of the verse nor of the plague vz. of mortalitye and death that destroyeth vz. all sortes of people indifferently at noone daye hée meaneth by these manner of spéeches that the godly néede not to feare any maner of euill whether it haue force in the daye or in the night or whether it be open or secrete Verse 7. A thousand i. a very great number putting a number certayn for an vncertain shall fall vz. by the ordinaunce and appointment of God thorow diseases and plagues at thy side i. at one of thy sides meaning indéede the left side as may appeare by this that afterwards he maketh mention of the righte hande and tenne thousande i. an innumerable number as it were a number certaine for an vncertayne as before at thy righte hande i. at thy other side but it vz. Pestilence Destruction or any manner of euill for of these had hée spoken before shall not come neare thée vz. to hurte or harme thée the reason is because GOD will haue suche a speciall care of thée that though all the rest of the World bée destroyed yet thou shalte bée safe Marke here two thinges that vnder the Worde hée which includeth but one man as it were he meaneth all the faythfull whatsoeuer or wheresoeuer Secondly that these temporall blessinges are conditionally promised though the condition be not here expressed vz. so farre forth as the accomplishmente thereof may serue for Gods glory and the saluation of his seruaunts Ver. 8. Doubtlesse with thine eyes vz. of fayth principallye though it must bee vnderstoode also of the bodilye eyes shalte thou beholde and sée the rewarde of the wicked i. that great iudgement which God wil powre forth vppon them as a reward of their sinne q.d. the godly shal knowe by experience that GOD is â— iust iudge against the worlde punishing the wicked thereof Ver. 9. For thou â—ast sayd vz. in a stedfast and assured perswasion the Lorde is mine hope i. hee alone in whome I will put my hope and confidence thou hast set the most high i. thou hast accounted and made the eternal God for thy refuge i. a sure place for thee to flée vnto and to dwell in as Psalme 90. ver 1. to bee kept safe from all the mischiefes of the wicked Verse 10. There shall no euill i. maner of punishment come vnto thee vz. from the almighty as to hurt thee neither shall any plague i. affliction crosse or calamitie come néere thy tabernacle i. the place where thou dwellest putting the place or house for the people therein contained q.d. both thou and thy whole housholde or family shal bee safe and sound Ver. 11. For he i. God himselfe shal giue his angels charge ouer thee q.d. not onely he himselfe will care for thy defence but also when néed shal bée he will appoint his heauenly messengers to preserue thée not that the Angels helpe is greater then Gods but to teach vs that wee shall haue God him selfe and all the heauenly armies at his commaundement to defend vs to kéep thee vz. safe and sound from all hurts and daunger in all thy wayes i. in euery thing that thou shalt take in hande according to thy calling for Gods glory and thy neighbours good staying thy selfe continually vpon him by faith which thinges the deuill cunningly dissembled when hee tempted Christ Matth. 4.6 Ver. 12. They i. the Angels Gods ministers shall beare thée in their handes i. shall carefully looke vnto thée as men doe to those things which they haue in their handes and not that Angels haue handes or any other part or member of a mans body for they are spirituall invisible creatures that thou hurt not thy foote against a stone q.d. the care shal bee so great that euen the lowest and basest member as it were shal be preserued much more the more principal and excellent sée Psalm 34.20 hee meaneth that God will vpholde men from stumbling or falling vnderstanding by the word stone al the hinderaunces that Sathan casteth in our wayes to let vs in the course of saluation Ver. 13. Thou vz. which stedfastly trustest in the Lorde shalt walke vz. with out hurt and daunger vpon the Lion and Aspe i. vppon the cruell and venemous beastes for vnder one of either sort he comprehendeth the rest of the like the yong lion vz. which by reason of his youth is fearce mighty and raging and the Dragon or flying serpent as it were this is an other kinde of most noysome and hurtful beast shalt thou tread vnder thy féete i. shalt thou ouercome and they
in height greatnes strength like a Cedar of Lebanon of these Cedar trées wée haue hearde before Psalm 28.5 and in other places Verse 13. Such as bée planted i. such as haue taken déepe roote and bée well setled for hee speaketh not here of hypocrites which kéepe or occupy a place onely in the Church but of all faithful people in the house of the Lorde i. in the Church as 1. Timothie 3.15 and it is called Gods house both because that GOD taketh a delight to dwell there as it were and also because his exercises are there obserued and hee sheweth him selfe more familiarly to that company then to the rest beside shall florishe i. shall yéelde great store of fruite through Gods blessing in the Courtes of our GOD i. euen in the Church or assembly of the Sayntes hee speaketh of Courtes because both the tabernacle had sundry Courtes and also afterwardes the temple vz. one for the Priestes and Leuites and an other for the people Ver. 14. They shal bring forth vz. through Gods blessing and great goodnes fruite i. abundaunce and store of fruite in their age i. euen in their olde age q.d. although they bee neuer so olde yet they shall not bee barren but shall plentifully yéelde foorth fruites of righteousnesse being watred thereto through the working of the spirite what these fruites are hee sheweth in the next verse they shal be fat and florishing vnder these metaphores he meaneth that they shal be not onely in good liking but couragious and apt to all good thinges through Gods goodnes Ver. 15. To declare vz. abroade in euery place and to all men that the Lord my rocke i. that the Lorde who is my sure defence sée Psal 18.2 is righteous vz. in all his waies and namely when hee blesseth the good and powreth vengeaunce vpon the vngodly and that no iniquity vz. at all is in him vz. either in respect of his being or doings so that hee sheweth that this is one excellent fruit which the godly yéelde to confesse gods iustice and righteousnes Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth vs that it is profitable euen for vs to praise GOD for his mercy and might Ver. 2. Teacheth vs to yéelde thankesgiuing continually vnto God Ver. 3. Teacheth vs to vse all lawful meanes to inforce our selues to that whereunto wee are so dull and backwarde Ver. 4. Teacheth vs that euen the very beholding and consideration of Gods workes ministreth great ioy vnto many of Gods children Ver. 5. Teacheth two thinges first the excellent maiesty of God which in some measure appeareth in his workes secondly that Gods iudgements and wayes are a bottomlesse depth vnto man Ver. 6. Teacheth that the wicked haue very litle or no regarde at al of Gods iudgements workes or wordes Ver. 7. Teacheth two things first that the wicked and vngodly haue in this life great prosperity secondly that they shall come to a perpetual and sodaine destruction Ver. 8. Teacheth that though man bee weake and wauering yet the Lorde is full of power and alwayes like vnto himselfe Ver. 9. Sheweth not onely what great plagues shall fall vpon the enemies of God and his trueth but also how assuredly they shall fall vpon them Ver. 10. Teacheth that howsoeuer God punisheth the wicked yet he wil remēber his own with an euerlasting mercy Ver. 11. Sheweth that God will execute iudgements vpon the wicked to the end the godly may bee strengthened in the assured perswasions which they haue in the trueth of his promises Verse 12. Setteth out the glorious and prosperous estate of the faithfull Verse 13. Teacheth that it is a good thing to ioyne our selues to the assemblies of Gods Saints for there is the place of all godly and plentiful fruites Ver. 14. Teacheth that Gods children are not voyde of the fruites of faith Ver. 15. Teacheth that this is one excellent fruite of faith vz. to set out and prayse the strength power goodnes and iustice of almighty God Psalme 93 THe faythfull in this Psalme Di. doe magnifie and prayse GOD for many thinges they doe commende and prayse him first for his great glory and euerlasting eternity and this is in the two first verses Secondly for his most excellent and mighty gouernment of all thinges and this is in verse 3.4 thirdly of the singular regarde that hee hath of his Church and this is in the last parte of the Psalme This Psalme hath no title and of this sort are Psalme 1.2.10 Se. and sundry others Verse 1. The Lorde reigneth vz. ouer all the earth but specially amongest his owne people and that not onely in ruling and gouerning the course of nature but specially by his doctrine and worde so you shall sée the worde raigning taken Psalm 96. verse 10. Psalm 97.1 Psalme 99.1 and is clothed with maiesty i. decked with great glory which by effect is declared in euerye place maintaining mankinde with a wonderfull power iustice and wisedome yet wee must note that this worde clothed signifieth not any thing that commeth from an other to him for hee hath the fulnesse of all thinges in his owne power and possession but hee speaketh in this and the next verse following of GOD according to the manner of earthly Kinges who beare rule amongest men and for their great maiesty are clothed with the most costly apparell and rich iewels the Lorde is clothed and girded with power vz. both to withstande his enemies and defende his children hee meaneth by the worde clothing that the Lorde hath power continually with him as a garment and by the worde girding that he hath it on euery side and in a readinesse to make it manifest as pleaseth him the worlde also vz. which hee hath created and made vnderstanding thereby al things in the world whatsoeuer shal be established i. preserued and maintained in the right gouernement thereof though men labour to disturbe it that it can not be moued vz. by any thing that man can imagine or doe against it hee commendeth in this verse Gods great power which hath so established the earth and all thinges therein that men can not so much as shake the least part thereof Verse 2. Thy throne i. thy kingdome and the gouernment thereof Sée Psal 89.4 putting a part of the kingdome for the kingdome and gouernement it selfe is established of olde i. was not onely setled thē but hath from that time hitherto indured and so shall for euer and euer and that word which we terme of olde is in Hebrewe before them i. before there was any certaine or set time of which men might pronounce this worde then sée Prouerb 8.22 thou art from euerlasting vz. and so shalt continue for euer euer Ver. 3. The floods i. all floods of the seas and waters haue lifted vppe their voyce i. haue made a great noyse as men doe when they inforce themselues to speake or sing loude some vnderstande by this manner of speach the enemies who with great violence did breake in vpon gods
people as the sea and floods do when they gayne vpon the lande but this in my iudgment is the more simple sense that hee meaneth that though the noyse of the floods and sea vnderstanding thereby if you will all the hurliburlies of the earth bee very great and forcible yea euident testimonies of Gods power and might yet if they bée compared with Gods owne maiesty and might they are as much as nothing and this sense is confirmed by that which followeth in the next verse the floods lift vp their waues vz. and make a great and fearefull noyse and this expoundeth what he ment before when he ascribed voyce to the floods Verse 4. The waues of the sea are marueilous vz. considered in themselues if a man mark their goinges greatnes and the noyse of them but yet more marueilous are they in the respects before alleadged through the noyse of many waters vz. which fal into them and ioyn with them sée Ecclesi 1.7 and so by that meanes the waues and noyse of the floodes are greater yet the Lord on high vz. in heauen is more mighty vz. then them al as who hath the ordering disposing and gouerning of them al at his good pleasure q.d. though it be true that the sea and floods make a great noyse and so expresse a great power yet that is nothing if they be compared to God by whose appointment they doe that which they doe Ver. 5. Thy testimonies i. thy worde and all thinges therein conteined as Psal 19.7 specially thy promises made vnto thy seruants are very sure vz. so that they can not be altered at any time or by any way holines i. thy holines or such holines as thou both appointest and giuest becommeth thyne house i. adorneth and beautifieth thy Church and congregation for euer i. continually Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth sundry thinges first Gods great power and maiesty the consideration whereof is terrible to the wicked and comfortable to his children secondly it setteth out not onely the great care that God hath ouer the earth and the things therein so that they can not be shaken but also how litle or nothing at all mans Counsell can preuaile to hurt or hinder much lesse to vndoe any thing that the Lorde will haue to remaine stedfast and sure Ver. 2. Setteth out the eternity and euerlastingnes of almighty God Ver. 3. Teacheth that the very creatures may manifest vnto vs some part and piece of Gods excellencye and power the same thing doeth Verse 4. Teache but yet so that it sheweth further that all that wee can beholde in them is not so much as a shadowe to the trueth if it bee compared with the Creator himselfe Verse 5. Is comfortable to the consciences of the godly because it assureth them of the certaintie of Gods worde and promises also it sheweth that the holinesse of Gods Church is from GOD himselfe and not from the Church Psalme 94 THis Psalme in my iudgement may very aptly bée diuided into two partes Di. In the first the Prophet doeth not onely praye against the vngodly but reckoneth vp their particular sinnes and doeth sufficiently comfort all their vayne imaginations and this part reacheth from verse 1. to the ende of the 11. In the second part he doth especially shew in what a good and blessed case they are whose God is the Lorde interlasing notwithstanding the attempts of the wicked all which the Lorde will for his peoples sake frustrate bring to nought and this reacheth from ver 12. to the end of the Psalme This Psalme is without title as the Psalme next going before is Se. and also sundry other Psalmes following and namely 95.96.97.99 Ver. 1. O Lorde GOD the auenger O God the auenger i. O God to whome alone it belongeth to punish the wicked Roman 12.19 shewe thy selfe clearly i. openly manifest thy power and might by punishing the wicked and defending the good Sée Deutron 33.2 q.d. punish the vngodly openly and in the sight of all men Verse 2. Exalt thy selfe i. doe not onely shewe thy selfe vnto the vngodly but declare thy selfe to bee great and high q.d. lift vppe thy selfe not onely aboue them but oppose and set thy selfe in thy power and might against them O Iudge of the worlde i. O thou to whome the iudgement of al men and matter appertaine Sée Genesis 18.25 Psalme 82.7 Render a rewarde to the proude vz. for their pryde against thée and men q.d. paye them home and punish them for that they haue proudlye set themselues against thee and thy people Verse 3. Lorde howe long shall the wicked this hée speaketh not as though hée would prescribe GOD a time but as praying that the rage and power of the wicked might not continue long howe long shall the wicked hée repeateth the same wordes not onely to set out the great cruelty and pride of the vngodly but to expresse also his earnestnesse in prayer triumph vz. in their pride and mirth against thée and thy people and by this manner of speach hée meaneth a certaine kinde of gladnesse full of outrage and boasting as though all thinges were lawfull for wicked men to doe Verse 4. They prate vz. with an open and full mouth not béeing ashamed of their speaches and speake vz. rashly and that without any feare of thy maiesty or modesty towardes men fearcely i. not onely rough and harde things but proudly and presumptuously Sée 1. Samuel 2.3 all the workers of iniquitie i. all they that giue ouer themselues to commit sinne with gréedinesse vaunt them selues vz. in themselues and their transgressions making that a great part as it were of their glorye Verse 5. They smite downe vz by their force and might and that vnto the grounde meaning by this speach all manner of affliction that the wicked laye vpon them thy people i. that people whome thou hast chosen for thine owne and trouble vz. very much with sundry sortes of crosses and afflictions thine heritage i. that people whome thou hast chosen to bée a peculiar inheritaunce vnto thy selfe Sée Psalm 28.9 Verse 6. They slay vz. through extortion rauening and violence the widowe and the straunger i. all manner of persons that euen in curtesie should bee fauoured and murther vz. cruellye and without any remourse of conscience or tendernes of heart the fatherles i. them that bee destitute of helpe and comfort Sée Hosea 14.3 q.d. they in their cruelty and rage spare none Ver. 7. Yet q.d. for all this wickednesse that they commit they say vz. not so much in their woordes as in their perswasion and by their factes Sée Psalm 14.1 Hée meaneth that without any checke or controlement of their owne heartes or woordes they gaue themselues ouer to commit euil casting behind them the feare of God and perswading themselues that hee regarded not thinges done vpon the earth the Lord shal not sée vz. the iniquity and sinne that we commit against him q.d. wee haue meanes to bleare his eyes and to stop vp
his sight neither wil the God of Iaakob regard it q.d. hee will make no great account of our transgressions so the wicked are caryed away into sinne perswading themselues either that God maketh no account of it or if hée doe they are able to stoppe his eyes vppe and to shut his mouth Verse 8. Vnderstand vz. howe farre yee goe astray and deceiue your selues q.d. nowe at the length bee of a better mynde yee vnwise i. yee wicked and vngodly men as Psal 92.6 among the people hee meaneth by this speach not onely that they committed sinne in the sight of the people but were as a man woulde saye the ringleaders of the rest and yée fooles i. O yée wicked people as generally you shall haue that worde so vsed throughout the Prouerbes when will yee bée wise i. when will yée returne and bée of a better mynde for that is true wisedome in déede Ver. 9. Hée that planted the eare vz. in the heade and that place of the head meaning thereby the creating and making of it shall hee not heare q.d. it can not bée but hée must needes heare or hee that formed the eye i. hée that not onely gaue shape but substaunce also and being vnto it shall hée not sée q.d. it can not bée auoyded but hée must needes sée and therefore that is a vayne perswasion which you haue to thinke that hee doeth not beholde and marke your wordes and déedes and this is a reason taken from the very order of nature q.d. if GOD giue men power to heare and sée can any thing then be hidden from him as you suppose no in déed Sée such a like argument vsed Exodus 4.11 Verse 10. Or hée that chastiseth vz. with his punishmēts and iudgments the nations i. whole peoples countries yea and the whole world as in the general flood shall hée not correct vz. you that with the same or like punishments q.d. you may assure your selues that hée will come vppon you in seuere iustice and iudgement And this is an argument taken from the more to the lesse q.d. if GOD chastise and correct all people without partialty or respect of persons will he leaue some fewe men vnpunished no in deed he that teacheth man i. all mankynde and euery man that hath any thing knowledge i. any knowledge or vnderstanding that hée hath shall not hée knowe vz. the sinnes and iniquyties which you commit against him either openlye or secretlye q.d. assure your selues hée knoweth them all Verse 11. The Lorde q.d. whatsoeuer you imagine yet this is certaine that hée knoweth i. heareth seeth correcteth yea and pronounceth iudgement of the thoughtes of man i. not only the thinges that man thinketh but also the wordes hee speaketh and the workes hee doeth putting thought which is the beginning of euery thing for the pursuite and perfourmaunce of the thinges themselues that they are vanitye i. that they are vayne and shall come to no ende as by the iudgement which hée will execute vppon them shall appeare Verse 12. Blessed is the man i. certainely hee is in good case howsoeuer the world déeme of him And marke how after hee had reproued the wicked hee commeth to comfort the good whome thou chastisest vz. for a small while and that either by the ministery of wicked and vngodly men as verse 5. and 6. of this Psal or else by thine owne hande and crosses of tryall and teachest him vz. to walke in thy law i. according to the rules prescribed in the same Verse 13. That thou mayest giue him rest vz. after some short and small affliction as Psalme 30.5 vnderstanding by rest deliueraunce from all daungers and distresses and peace after the same deliueraunce from the dayes of euill i. from the tyme wherein hée was exercised with affliction and aduersitie while the pit is digged for the wicked i. not onely while the vngodly is afflicted as though he ment that the good being deliuered the vngodly shoulde bée punished in this life but also death and destruction from the Lorde is prepared for them and commeth vppon them Sée 2. Thessalonians 1. ver 5.6.7 Vnderstanding by pit death and destruction and by digging the preparing and performing thereof Ver. 14. Surely the Lorde will not faile his people i. deceiue or disappoint them in any thing neither will hee forsake his inheritaunce vz. vtterly or for euer hee here laboureth to staye the faythfull vppon the assured loue and trueth of the Lorde Verse 15. for iudgement i. Gods iudgements which in this worlde is rather executed vppon the good then vppon the badde shall returne to iustice i. shalbée brought to full and assured iustice euerye man hauing yéelded to him his right vz. affliction to them that afflict and to the afflicted Gods kingdome for which they suffer Sée 2. Thessalonians 16.7.8 not as though Gods iudgements executed in this life were vniust for hee is iust in all his workes and holy in all his wayes but because wee haue in this life but the beginning of them and in the great daye the full measure of iustice shalbée made manifest and all the vpright in heart i. all that are soundly and sincerely without hypocrisie giuen to godlinesse shall followe after it vz. chearefully meaning by the worde following not onely the approuing of it but also a holy desire to sée and imbrace the same Verse 16. Who will rise vppe with mee i. for mee against the wicked hee meaneth that none woulde defende him and his cause against the wicked or who will take my part against the workers of iniquity q.d. none saue God only by this the Prophet sheweth in his owne example that vnlesse GOD had holpen him hée had béene vtterly cast away so much was hee despised of all and so little coulde or woulde any mans helpe preuaile Verse 17. If the Lorde had not holpen mee vz. in the tyme of my distresse and feare by the woorde holpen hee meaneth plentifull helpe and deliueraunce my soule had almost dwelt in silence i. I shoulde haue béene dead and buryed hée putteth the worde soule for life as sundry tymes before and dwelling in silence for lying in the graue which is called the place of silence not onely because the deade haue no féeling force speaking c but also because they haue no power as then to prayse GOD. Sée Psalme 6.5 also Psalme 115.17 and by the worde almost hee meaneth not that hee shoulde haue escaped death but that hee shoulde shortly haue dyed Verse 18. When I sayde vz. either in wordes or thought in my heart that which followeth my foote slydeth i. I am come nowe into some one daunger or other and I seeme thereby to bee cast awaye and euen at deathes dore as it were If any man list to to take it of small daungers because slyding or slipping of the foote is no great matter I will not gainesay it thy mercye O Lorde stayed mee vz. from falling either into daunger or perill of destruction or into
haue no title yet it appeareth Hebre. 4.7 Se. that Dauid was the author thereof and did write it Ver. 1. Come these are the wordes of the Prophet exhorting others with him to prayse the Lorde Sée Isaiah 2.3 let vs reioyce vz. together and that from the hearte singing prayses by which the Prophet sheweth that the outwarde seruice of God consisteth not in dead ceremonies but especially in the sacrifices of prayses and thankesgiuing vnto the Lord vz. our God let vs sing aloude i. with a cleare and high voyce euen as if it were with a trumpet vnto the rocke of our saluation i. vnto him that is the assured groundwork foundation as it were of our deliuery meaning by this spéech god who is vnto his people in stéed of a rock of defēce deliuery in which they may bée safe frō al assaults Ver. 2. Let vs come vz. quickly and chearefully before his face i. not onely into his presence for men can bée in no place but they are in his sight but also to the tabernacle of witnesse in which place the Lord gaue glorious testimonies of his presence fauor with praise i. with songs conteining his praise for the benefites which we dayly receceiue of him let vs sing loud sée ver 1. of this Psal vnto him vz. alone and to none other but him with Psalmes vz. conteining his praises our thanksgiuing for the blessings which he continually bestoweth vppon vs. Ver. 3. For the Lord vz. which we serue and who giueth vs these graces is a great God i. is the God of al power might who hath both wil and strength to do what soeuer pleaseth him a great king aboue al Gods i. hee is more mighty excellent then any thing or al the things that haue the name of god giuen vnto it whether they be Angels or idoles or magistrates to all which Gods name is attributed in one respect or other in the Scripture sée Psalm 82.1 Psal 86.8 Psal 89.6 Ioh. 10.34.35 1. Cor. 8.5 Ver. 4. In whose hand i. vnder whose power prouidence gouernment are the déepe places of the earth by this spéech he meaneth the most deepe places of the world which if he guide and gouerne then much more doth he gouerne those that are not so déepe he setteth depths against the height of the mountaines expressed in the other part of the verse meaning by both these laid together that God gouerneth al the whole worlde whether it be high or low the heights of the mountaines i. the most high moūtains are his vz. to guid gouerne thē as him liketh best q.d. God according to his good pleasure ruleth both the most secret and the most mighty thinges yea all the things of the world Ver. 5. To whom the sea belongeth vz. to bée guided and gouerned according to his will for hee made it vz. by gathering the waters together into one place sée Gene. 1.9.10 and his handes formed i. his almighty power gaue forme being to the earth the dry land i. that part of the earth which is dry and separated from the water which hée calleth drye in respect of the other ouercouered with water Verse 6. Come vz. together with me sée ver 1. of this Psalm let vs worship vz. by al the meanes we can this Lord our God and fal down the word signifieth to bowe the head to the earth as they were wont to do which receiued either a blessing or som good turne from others q.d. let vs by al meanes testifie the hūbling of vs before god which also he meaneth by the worde kneeling afterwardes put downe before the Lord our maker i. hee that hath made vs. This worde maker conteining a double argument to moue men to his worshippe and seruice the one taken from Gods excellency who is the creator and the other from our basenesse who are his workemanship made of the dust of the earth Gene. 3.19 Verse 7. For hee vz. alone and no other but hée is our God i. our vpholder maintainer and defender and therefore good cause wee haue to serue him and we are the people of his pasture i. such a people as hee with a speciall and fatherlye care nourisheth and defendeth and to whom hee giueth all sortes of blessings True it is that this worde sheepe shoulde agree better to pasture but yet the holy ghost hath vsed the worde people that hée might the better expounde the metaphor and the shéepe of his hande i. the tender ones for so are sheepe which hée guideth and gouerneth by his Fatherly prouidence and power meaning also by that worde his that GOD himselfe taketh care ouer them and committeth them not to an other To day if yée will heare his voyce vz. speaking vnto you out of his worde q.d. If yée mynde as yet to yéelde obedience vnto his trueth then harden not your heartes as followeth in the next verse for so must these two verses bée ioyned together Verse 8. Harden not your harts i. be not obstinate and setled in your sin by this word he generally meaneth al contempt offred to Gods word as vz. your fathers and ancestors did many times striuing against God and namely in Meribah this history is largely handled Num. 14. as in the day of Massah this history is put down Exod. 17. Sée also Numb 20. and conferre all these thrée chapters together for though it shoulde séeme out of Exod. 17. ver 7. that Massah and Meribah were al one place yet by comparison of the chapters and the matters together we shal find that they tempted the Lord more then once and more then in one place in the wildernesse the holy ghost obserueth these circumstances of place time persons maner of doing c. for the certaintie of the history Ver. 9. Where i. not only in the wildernes though that were a principall place but in the other places also your fathers i. your auncestors progenitors of whose stocke you come sée Psal 78.3 tempted me i. would haue more experience and triall of my power then I thought méet and good for them and proued me vz. what I could do through my power might though they had séene my worke vz. which I did before them in their sight vnderstanding by the worde worke in the singular nūber manifold works q.d. although they had had sufficient testimonies of my power might and knew wel inough what I was able to do yet they woulde not leaue off but still proue my power Ver. 10. Fourtie yeeres vz. long and together haue I contended vz. striuen by diuers punishments yea death it selfe as appeareth Numb 14.33 and yet haue nothing profited or preuailed with this generation I wil rather read that noting the rebellious people which perished in the wildernesse and vz. I haue sayde vz. by reason of their continuall wickednesse they are a people i. such a people that erre in heart i. not only without iudgement and reason but also
outragiously following sinne and vngodlinesse for they haue not known i. neither allowed loued nor walked in my wayes i. eyther my doctrine and law or the knowne miracles which I haue done for their sakes Verse 11. Wherefore vz. by this their continuall rebellion being moued I sware vz. vnto them q.d. I tied my selfe by the vertue of an oth in my wrath vz. agaynst them he meaneth by this spéech being angry with them saying vz. in such sort that they might both heare it and know it surely they i. this wicked and rebellious people shall not enter vz. at all into my rest i. into the land of Canaan where they should rest after their long trauayles and he calleth it Gods rest both because God promised it and also after forty yeares by the ministery of Iehoshua performed it vnder which Dauid ment that there was another rest signified and prepared for Gods people sée Heb. 4. ver 8.9 Verse 1 teacheth vs not only to prayse God our selues Do. but also to prouoke others thereto Ver. 2 teach vs to yéeld praise vnto him publikely chearefully and with an vnfeyned hart Ver. 3 teacheth that none in heauen or earth no not all of them together are in any respect to be compared with the God whome the faythfull serue Ver. 4.5 teache that Gods power and prouidence gouerne all things whatsoeuer in heauen earth the water c. Ver. 6. teach vs with all outward reuerence to humble our selues in praiers and thanksgiuing vnto the Lord. Ver. 7. teacheth vs two things first that in respect of God and of our selues we ought to yéeld him seruice and obedience secondlye that when hee speaketh vnto vs out of his word we ought with reuerence to harken vnto the same Verse 8. teacheth vs to cast away and to purge from vs al hard hartednesse and obstinacy when God speaketh vnto vs it teacheth also to set before vs the example of other mens wickednesse and Gods iustice vpon them for the same that we may learne in the sight of them to auoyde them Ver. 9. teacheth that it is not alwayes safe and good to follow the steps of our forefathers also that the more workes God sheweth of his power and prouidence the more we should haue our fayth strengthened in the truth of his promises not demaunding euery day new miracles for the strengthening of our fayth Verse 10. teacheth vs that God beareth long with a people before hee punisheth them Also that he vseth many meanes to bring men to amendmente if it woulde bée Verse 11 teacheth vs that sinne and rebellion against God shutteth vs vtterlye out of the heauenly kingdome Psalme 96. TRue it is that this Psalme doth chéefely contayne an exhortation directed to the people Di. to stir them vp to prayse God for his goodnesse yet notwithstanding I suppose it may be diuided into foure parts In the first the Prophet exhorteth men to praise the Lorde verse 1.2.3 In the second he sheweth causes wherefore they should doe it verse 4.5.6 In the third he doth agayne because men are dull prouoke them to that duety of praysing God ver 7 8 9 10. In the fourth he desireth or rather indéed prophecieth of the good things and blessinges that the godly shall haue from verse 11. to the end of the Psalme Se. This Psalme séemeth to be a part of that Psalme which the Israelites sung at the bringing of the Arke into Ierusalem differing little or nothing sauing in the chaunging of certain words from that which we may reade 1. Chronic. 16. from verse 23. to the end of the 33. verse Verse 1. Sing vz. with harte and voyce vnto the Lord vz. our good gracious God a new song i. not only new in respect of making but an exquisite one and more then a common song by reason not only of a new grace shewed vs from God but one that is more then accustomed yea extraordinary sée Psalme 33 3. sing vnto the Lord vnderstād it as before in the beginning of this verse all the earth i. all the people inhabiting the earth meaning specially the people of the Iewes vnderstanding also by earth the lande wherein the Iewes dwelt Verse 2. Sing vnto the Lord expound this as it was expounded before ver 1. of this Psal and praise his name i. set forth his maiesty power c. as Psalme 20 1. with songes of prayse and thanksgiuing declare vz. in your songs with your words his saluation i. the gracious deliuerance wch he performeth for his people frō day to day i. continually without ceasing as the day neuer ceaseth True it is that god neuer ceaseth to poure vpon vs new continuall benefits but yet the meaning of the Prophet is not in this place to set forth that but to shew rather the faythful what their duty is in publishing these graces Ver. 3. Declare vz. by your words déeds his glory i. the things which he hath don for you getting ther by glory vnto himselfe among al nations vz. of the earth meaning that the people of the Iewes should trauayle what in thē lay to make known his works euen to the Gentils and his wonders vz. whiche he hath done for you and on your behalfe among all people vz. of the whole world q.d. sound sende them abroad that other may heare the same and feare Ver. 4. For the Lord is great vz. in strength might and power and muche to bée praysed vz. of all men but specially of his own children and seruaunts for the graces he bestoweth vpon them he is to be feared vz. with a reuerent and holye feare aboue al Gods i. more then al the idols of the Gentils for of them he speaketh in this place as may appeare by that which followeth in the next verse Ver. 5 for all the Gods of the people i. all those things which the people estéeme as Gods but yet are not so in déed as appeareth 1. Cor. 8.5 and Psal 115.4.5 c. are idols i. vanities and matters of nothing as appeareth 1. Corinth 8 4. whereof also in this place and Leuit. 19.4 they haue their names as the etymologie of the Hebrew word very well declareth but the Lorde vz. our God which we serue made vz. in the beginning and that of nothing the heauens i. al things whatsoeuer heauen earth c. putting one part of the creatiō for the whole Ver. 6. strength vz. to strike his enemies to defend his own people and glory vz. for those whom he loueth liketh are before him i. are continually in his sight and in a readinesse at his cōmandement as it were to goe whether soeuer it pleaseth him power beauty vz. most excellent and glorious are in his sanctuary i. in the place of his abode worship the Prophet meaneth as I take it that though the Lord manifest his great power and glory in many places yet specially doe they appeare in his sanctuary or Tabernacle Verse 7. Giue vnto
for his excellent gouernment and prouidence Verse 13 teacheth that howsoeuer men be corrupted in their iudgements and gouernment yet God is not sée Psal 94. verse 20. Psalme 97 THis Psalme may be diuided into thrée parts Di. In the first is described the greatnesse and excellency of almightye God and and his power From verse 1 to the end of the sixte In the seconde is declared that this power of his is terrible to the wicked and comfortable to the godly whome the Prophet therfore exhorteth to yéeld obedience and thankfulnesse to the Lorde from verse 7 to the end of the Psalme This Psalme hath no Title as sundry both before it and after it haue not likewise and therefore we cannot determine eyther who was the Author of it Se. or when it was penned Certaine it is that the holye Ghost therein purposeth to exhort the faythfull to shew themselues ioifull for the Lordes fauour loue and power towards them Verse 1. The Lord reigneth sée Psalme 93.1 let the earth reioyce i. people inhabiting the earth as Psalme 96.1 q.d. Let the people be excéedingly glad euen in that respecte that the Lordes power beareth a sway Let the multitude of the Iles i. the multitude of people inhabyting the Ilandes be glad vz. for the same cause and occasion Ver. 2. Clouds and darkenesse i. most fearefull and terrible maiestie and power sée Psalm 18.11 And he doth thus describe God that he might more liuely touch mens harts to yéeld him reuerence and honour are round about him i. compasse him in on euery side meaning that he hath both plenty of them and in a readinesse also to performe whatsoeuer pleaseth him righteousnesse i. all vprightnesse and equitie and iudgement i. true and right iudgement and this the holy Ghost addeth as it were to preuent that which the wicked might obiect as though gods power and maiestie were full of iniustice are the foundation of his throne i. are so tied to his kingdom that they can no more be separated from his kingdom then the foundation of his building Vnderstanding by throne the signe of a kingdome the kingdome it selfe and by foundation the straight and narrowe coniunction of iustice and sound iudgement to it Verse 3. There shall goe a fyre before him he vnderstandeth by the word fire the wrath and vengeaunce of God and burne vp his enemies round about i. it shall vtterlye consume those that set themselues agaynst him and that on euerye side before him and behinde him on the lefte hande and on the right hand so that none shall escape Verse 4. His lightninges i. the lightnings that come from him and are sente by his appoyntment gaue lighte vnto the world i. were so great that all the Worlde mighte sée them the earth i. the people dwelling on the earth saw vz. with their bodilye eyes and sensiblye it i. those lightninges one number put for an other and was afrayde vz. of his great power and maiesty whiche appeared therein By this and the thyrde verse before going and the nexte verse following it the holy Ghost myndeth nothing but to shewe the greatnesse of almightye Gods power in so much that nothing though it be neuer so stoute and stéedye is able to stande before it Verse 5. The Mountaynes vz. though they were neuer so greate strong and mighty melted like waxe vz. helde agaynst the fyre or the heate of the Sunne He meaneth by this Metaphor that they quickly consumed at the presence of the Lorde i. so soone as the Lorde gaue some shew of his presence or maiestie at the presence of the Lorde of the whole earth i. of him that ruleth the earth and all thinges therein contayned Verse 6. The Heauens declare his righteousnesse i. euen those thinges whiche are done in the Firmament as fyre hayle thunder lightning the Lorde thereby plaguing the wicked doe sufficientlye declare him to be vpright and iust in all his wayes and all the people vz. of the earth sée i. plainlye and sensiblye perceyue by the thinges done there his glorye i. his great power and mighte In this verse the Prophet mindeth to declare that God is most glorious manifest tokens of whose glory and iustice appeare in the very heauens and are set out before mens eyes to make them without excuse sée Psalme 19.1 Romanes 1 20. Verse 7. Confounded vz. thorowe the mightye power and iudgemente of almightye GOD bée all they vz. of what state or condition soeuer they bee q.d. let them bée confounded and ouerthrowne that serue vz. any manner of waye or with anye sorte of worship grauen Images i. images or pictures made framed and grauen by the hande arte and cunning of man and that glorye i. eyther boaste of or speake of them as to allowe them anye manner of waye in Idols see before Psalme 96 5. Leuiticus 19.4 Worshippe vz. according to the prescripte rule of his worde him vz. onelye all yée Gods i. not only mightye men and Magistrates of the world but all thinges that in the worlde is esteemed as God The Prophet meaning that eyther they shoulde doe it willinglye and of a good mynde or else by constraynt and inforcemente because they coulde not resist his power Verse 8. Sion i. the Church as Psalme 48.11.12 hearde vz. by thy workes and by thy worde of it vz. that goeth before i. the confusion and ouerthrowe of the idolatrers and was gladde vz. for the iust execution of thy iudgementes vppon them and the Daughters of Iudah i. not onely the Cittyes and Townes of that Lande in whiche sence you shall sundrye tymes haue the worde Daughters taken but the people inhabiting the same places meaning notwithstadding the particular members of the Church reioyced i. were excéedinglye glad because of thy iudgementes O Lord vz. executed vppon the wicked and vngodlye by whiche also it hath pleased thée to prouide for their deliueraunce and safetie Verse 9. For thou Lord vz. alone arte moste high aboue all the earth i. arte greater in power and mighte then all thinges in the earth because that they whatsoeuer they be are subiecte to thy authoritie and power Thou arte muche exalted vz. in thy iustice and iudgementes aboue all Gods sée Psalme 95 3. Verse 10. Yée that loue the Lorde vz. indéede vnfeignedlye and with a good hearte hate i. detest and abhorre from the bottome of youre hartes sée Romanes 12.9 Euill i. whatsoeuer is sinne and transgression before him or inclining that waye sée 1. Thessalonians 5.22 hée preserueth i. God mayntayneth defendeth and kéepeth the soules i the life and whole person of his Sayntes i. of those whome hee hath framed to holynesse and inflamed with the loue thereof hée will deliuer them i. set them safe and sounde from the hande i. from the cruell power and outrage of the wicked vz. that séeke to destroy them Verse 11. Lighte i. ioye prosperitie and eternall blessednesse Sée Ester 8 16. as by the contrarye vz. darkenesse is signifyed myserye is sowne
i. is prepared and layde vp and yet lyeth hid as it were séede committed to the earth which shall in good time come forth sée Colossians 3.3.4 1. Cor. 12.12.1 Iohn 3.2 The Metaphor that he vseth in this place is excellent q.d. Euen as wheate or other séede cast into the earth dyeth and lyeth hidde for a certayne while before it waxe gréene and bring forth fruite so the iust suffer manye thinges before they féele ioye but theire ioye shall in good time bee made manifest and they shall haue great increase and store thereof as of one grayne cast into the grounde commeth plentie and abundaunce of Corne for the righteous i. for them whome GOD frameth to righteousnesse of life and holye conuersation and ioye this sheweth playnlye what he meant by light vz. ioye both in this lyfe and in the lyfe to come for the vprighte in harte i. for them that are voyde of hypocrisie and dissymulation Sée Psalme 33 1. Verse 12. Reioyce yée vprighteous in the Lorde q.d. Let him bee the matter of your ioye that doth suche great thinges for you and giue thankes vz. vnto him onelye for his holye remembraunce these wordes maye haue a double sence eyther thus for his holye remembraunce i. for that it pleaseth him that is holye to thinke vppon and to remember you or else thus for his holye remembraunce i. for that you haue good and often occasion giuen you by his continuall graces bestowed vppon you to remember and thinke vppon him that is holye and iust and this latter I take to bee the more simple Verse 1. Teacheth vs that it is a matter of great ioye Do. to knowe that the Lorde ruleth and gouerneth all thinges Verse 2. teacheth vs what greate power and iustice is in the Lorde Verse 3. teacheth vs that the wicked and vngodly shall not escape vnpunished Verse 4. teacheth vs that the least of Gods creatures is able to terrifie all the world Verse 5 sheweth that nothing is able to withstand the Lord in his purposes and that the strongest and gretest thinges are as nothing before him Verse 6. teacheth vs that Gods goodnesse and vprightnesse are so cleare euen in his creatures as none can pretend ignoraunce Verse 7 teacheth two things first that we may pray agaynst idols and Idolaters secondlye it sheweth what greate iudgementes shall ouertake them Verse 8 teacheth the godly to reioyce euen in Gods iudgementes executed vpon the wicked Verse 9 setteth out the excellency maiestie and almightie power of God Verse 10 teacheth first that our hatred and lothing of euill must be a seale of the law of God in our harts secondlye that God hath more then a fatherly care ouer the liues of those that be his and thirdly the wicked for all their power can not doe what they would against Gods children Verse 11. teacheth that howsoeuer the good be afflicted for a time yet is abundaunce of ioy layde vp for them Verse 12 teacheth the faithfull to shew themselues alwayes thankefull to God Psalme 98 Di. THis Psalme contayneth thrée speciall parts In the first hee exhorteth the faythfull to prayse the Lord shewing some causes that should lead them so to doe Verse 1.2.3 In the seconde he sheweth how this thanksgiuing and prayfe should be yéelded to the Lord and that is partly with the voyce and songes and partly with musicall instruments Verse 4.5.6 In the thyrde parte by exhorting dumbe creatures to yéelde thankes vnto the Lord he prouoketh men to the performaunce of that excellente and holye duetye Verse 7.8.9 Se. The Title a Psalme this hath bene expounded before and namely Psal 3. and Psalme 4 in the title Verse 1. Sing vnto the Lord a new song sée for this Psalme 96. verse 1. for hée vz. alone hath done vz. by his power and might marueylous thinges i. matters to be wondred at and farre passing the reache of man his right hand vz. alone meaning by right hand his almightye strength and power and his holy arme i. the arme of him that is holye yea holinesse it selfe vnderstanding by arme the same thing hee did by hande vz. might and strength hath gotten him i. him himselfe and in him his Church the victory vz. against all his and their enemies The Prophet meaneth that God deliuered his Church from the enemies thereof not by the meanes of man or any accustomed order but by his owne power and strength sée Psalm 44 2.3 also Isaiah 59 16. and agayne Isaiah 63.5 Ver. 2. The Lord declared vz. by the meruailous and great workes which he hath done his saluation i. his gracious deliueraunce of his Church out of al daungers and distresses and this is called his saluation because he is the only worker of it and doeth fréely bestowe the same vppon his people and his righteousnesse i. his faythfull and vprighte executing of iustice and iudgemente hath hée reuealed vz. in his mightye and marueylous workes in the sighte of the Nations i. openly not only before the Iewes but before all other Nations of the worlde Verse 3. He hath remembred i. he hath not onelye thoughte vpon but in his remembraunce performed his mercye and his truth i. his gracious goodnesse and his faythfull promises made towardes the house of Israell i. to the people of the Iewes whome hée calleth the house of Israell because they procéeded from Iaakob who was also called Israell and came from him as from one stocke or Fountayne all the endes of the earth i. all the partes and quarters of the worlde and some people inhabiting the same haue séene vz. playnly and sensibly meaning by this spéech that they haue bin made partakers of the saluations vz. mercifully promised graciously to be performed in Christ of our GOD i. of that true and euer liuing GOD whome we serue He speaketh here no doubt of the calling of the Gentiles and of those gracious promises expressed Genesis 12.3 Genesis 22.18 Verse 4. All the earth i. all people inhabiting the earth q.d. Consider this great benefyte euerye one of you and chearefullye prayse the Lorde for it sing yée lowde i. prayse him willinglye and openlye vnto the Lorde vz. who hath bestowed these greate graces vppon you crye out q.d. inforce your selfe to prayse him and reioyce vz. for the mercies which you haue receaued and sing prayses vz. continually and that to the Lorde who hath dealt so fauourablye with you as to make you of no people a people vnto himselfe The Prophet repeateth one and the selfe same thinges vnder diuers termes not only to expresse his own earnestnesse but also to declare mens dulnesse in the performaunce thereof and with all to expresse that the thinges themselues giuen from God and receaued of vs are so excellent that we can neuer be sufficient thankefull for the same Ver. 5. Sing praise vz. for the grace and blessinges receaued to the Lorde vz. who hath freely giuen the same vppon the Harpe i. vppon musicall instrumentes vnderstanding by one many or
all This he speaketh according to the law then in force sée Psalme 33 2. and not to tie vs to the vse of the same euen vppon the Harpe he repeateth the same thing agayne d.q. vse all the meanes you maye the better to prouoke you to performe that dutie with a singing voyce d.q. ioyne to your Musicall instrumentes songes expressed and vttered with your owne voyces because that without them the sounde of the Harpe or any other musicall instrument is to little or no purpose Verse 6. With shalmes and sounds of Trumpets he addeth other instruments vnderstanding as was before noted the vse of all musicall instruments allowed by the Lord to his people sing loude i. blowe them vp chearefully and couragiously and make them to giue a loude noyse or sounde for I rather referre this to the musicall Instrumentes then to mens voyces before the Lorde the King i. before the Lorde whome we serue who is King and ruler ouer all the Worlde Verse 7. Let the Sea roare vz. in token of ioy and thankefulnesse and all that therein is sée Psalme 96. verse 11. the World q.d. Let the Worlde i. the frame of the worlde as the heauens earth c. reioyce and be glad also and they i. all creatures whatsoeuer that dwell therein i. haue their liuing being and continuaunce or aboade in the same Verse 8. Lette the floudes vz. of the earth he meaneth by this worde eyther the standing water or the running riuers whiche are different from the sea clappe their handes vz. for ioye and gladnesse meaning by the signe of gladnesse the thing it selfe and not that flouds haue handes and let the Mountaynes i. the greate and huge hils reioyce together i. testifye also their ioyfulnesse and gladnesse with the rest of the creatures In that he ascribeth this reioysing to dumbe and insensible creatures it is q.d. Let euery one inforce himselfe as muche as he can or will and yet he shall neuer yéelde prayses sufficientlye aunswering the greatnesse of Gods grace Verse 9 Before the Lorde for the sence of this whole verse sée before Psalme 96.13 where you shall fynde it almost worde for word De. Verse 1 teacheth vs to be thankefull to God for his greate workes and power also that the Lord alone without any helpe or ayde of man is hee that defendeth his Church Verse 2 teacheth that God doth his workes openly not only to the end that no man might pretend ignoraunce thereof but also that therby euery man might be prouoked to prayse him Verse 3 sheweth that God in déede is euer as good as his worde whether it be in respecte of particular persons or generall persons Verse 4 teacheth vs to inforce our selues by all the meanes we can to prayse the Lord. Verse 5.6 deliuer the same doctrine vnto vs. Verse 7.8 teach vs euen by the example of insensible creatures to be stirred vp to performe the same Ver. 9. teacheth that Gods iustice and iudgement is alwayes vpright howsoeuer corrupt mans is Psalme 99 Di. THis Psalme may be deuided into two partes In the first the Prophet exhorteth the faythfull to prayse God for the greatnesse of his excellency and power and for his singular graces and goodnesse bestowed vpon them from verse 1. to the end of the 5. In the second he expresseth Gods loue towardes their fathers and auncestors for which also he prouoketh theÌ„ to worship and praise the Lord from verse 6 to the end of the Psalme Se. This Psalme hath no title Verse 1. The Lord raigneth sée Psal 93. ver 1. and he meaneth specially amongst his people the people of the Iewes let the people vz. which border round about them other their enemies though they be neuer so far of tremble vz. euen for feare of this Lord who wil defend his own and punish them he vz. that ruleth and gouerneth al thing according to his good pleasure sitteth betwéen the Cherubins this is a description of god q.d. euen that God which hath shewed himself familiarly to Israel he it is that ruleth beareth the sway sée Exod. 25.22 let the earth be moued i. treÌ„ble and be afrayd as it were at his presence q.d. Let al creatures hauing life or without life striken with his presence and Maiestie yield him singular reuerence and honour Ver. 2. The Lord is great i. hath declared himself to be mightye and strong in al places but specially in Sion i. amongst his own people amongst whom he hath shewed the greatest testimonies of his power putting Sion the principall place of their abode for the people themselues he is high aboue all the people vz. of the world he meaneth not by this that he ruleth and gouerneth them for â—â—eir saluation but that he is exalted ouer them to scatter their counsels and to beate downe and ouerthrow their enterprises Verse 3. They i. the faythfull and godly people shall prayse vz. both in word and déede thy great and fearefull name i. thy Maiestye and power whiche is full of mighte and feare for it is holy and therefore méete to bee praysed and magnifyed Verse 4. And the Kinges power q.d. yea they shal praise the power of the great and mighty King that loueth iudgement i. that not onely liketh and alloweth but also executeth vpright iudgement and marke that after he had as it were set vp God in his seat he speaketh of the maner of his gouernment affirming that God is in such sort mighty and strong that yet notwithstanding hee hath not a tyrannous force with him but that his power is ioyned with his iustice and vprightnes for thou vz. O Lord a sodain change of the person from the third to the second hast prepared equitie i. hast appointed and established amongst thy people a good and vpright forme of gouernment which is a verye good rule to liue well and righteously one with another thou hast executed vz. faythfully and with all vprightnesse iudgemente and iustice i. true iudgement sound iustice in Iaakob i amongst the people of Israel who discended froÌ„ Iaakob meaning no doubt further vnder these terms a iust holy gouernment of the Church and people of God Verse 5. Exalt vz. with your songes of praise and thanksgiuing the Lord our God i. the Lord whom we his people serue who is indéede the only true God Iohn 17.3 and fall downe vz. before him and that in token of true reuerence and worship sée Psalme 95.6 before his footstoole the Chaldean paraphrase expoundeth it thus before his footestoole i. in his Temple others thus Before his Footestoole i. before the Arke of Couenaunt whiche is therefore as they suppose called God his Footestoole because the Iewes shoulde not staye too muche vppon the outward signe but shoulde lifte vp their harte to Heauen that they might there beholde the incomprehensible glory of God I would expounde it thus Before his Footestoole i. fall downe euen vnto the grounde or pauement of the Temple vpon which GOD
of the Lorde i. shal tremble at his great power and maiesty though not with the reuerent and right feare thereof which his owne children only haue and al the kings of the earth q.d. this feare shal not onely sease the heartes of their common people but euen of their greatest and mightiest princes thy glory i. they shal feare thy maiesty glory which doest such great and glorious thinges for thy people Verse 16. When the Lorde hee noteth the time of the trembling of the kings and people shall builde vp Sion i. his Church vz. decayed and cast downe hee vseth this worde Sion generally for the place of Gods seruice because that sometime the arke of couenant was placed there and shal appeare in his glory i. shall shewe himselfe glorious and triumphant which shall no doubt be comfortable to his children and feareful to his enemies Ver. 17. And shal turne vz. his gracious and louing countenance meaning by this speach yéelding or graunting vnto the prayer i. to the harty supplications and requests of the desolate i. of thē that are forsaken of all whom though they stand in néede of euery mans helpe yet no man helpeth The worde properly signifieth a kinde of shrubble which groweth in vntilled places as a brier or such like by which he noteth also the people that were in the captiuity of Babylon as in a deserte and wilde place and not despise their prayer vz. which they make vnto him in their affliction hee speaketh one thing twise as it were of which sundry times before and not as though god did euer despise the supplications of his poore seruants Ver. 18. This vz. gracious hearing of his poore seruants prayers and deliuery of them out of captiuity shal be written vz. as an excellent thing and worthy of continual remembrance for the generation to come vz. that they therby may be instructed both of the power of God and his faithfulnes and trueth in performing his promises and the people vz. of Israel and Iudah which shalbée created i. which shal returne out of the captiuity of Babylon which hée compareth to be a second birth or creation as it were because they séemed therin to bée as dead Sée Ezech 37. from ver 1. to the ende of the 14. of which also for the greatnes of it it is sundry times sayd in the Prophets It shalbée no more sayd the Lord liueth that brought the people out of Egypt but that brought the people from the lande of the North shall prayse the Lorde vz. for his great goodnes and mercy towardes them Ver. 19. For hée hath looked downe vz. vppon the great outrage of his enemies and the wonderfull affliction of his people from the height of his sanctuary i. euen from the very heauens as hée séemeth to expound it euen in this verse out of the heauē which is the throne of his maiesty did the Lorde behold the earth i. not onely the earth it self but specially and chiefly men inhabiting the earth and amongest the rest his owne people as may appeare in the verses following Verse 20. That hee might heare vz. and so take pity of the mourning i. the sighings gronings and lamentable cryes of the prisoner i. of the prisoners one number put for an other meaning those that were bound and helde as captiues in Babilon and deliuer vz. out of daunger distresse and all manner of feare the children of death i. them that were at deaths doore or appointed to death as it were Sée Psal 79.11 Ver. 21. That they vz. so deliuered noting also the end why god giueth deliueraunce vnto his seruants may declare i. set out and publish and that both by word and déede the name of the Lord i. his power maiesty goodnes c. as Psal 21.1 in Sion i. in his Church and his prayse i. the prayse which is due vnto him for the same not that any is able to prayse him sufficiently for his power and goodnes in Ierusalem i. in the Church as before Sion and Ierusalem being the principall places of his worshippe put for his whole Church and the publike assemblies and congregations thereof sée Psal 2.6 Ver. 22. When the people vz. which are nowe in captiuity and dispersed abroad shal be gathered together vz. to serue the Lorde in these places and after that sort which he himselfe hath prescribed and the kingdomes vz. of the earth meaning hereby the calling of other people besides the Iewes to serue the Lord vz. according to the prescript rule of his word The Prophet noteth two thinges specially in this verse the one is the returning of the people out of Babylon the other is the calling of the Gentiles to the religion and seruice of God Ver. 23. He i. the Lorde abated vz. by outwarde and inward afflictions my strength i. whatsoeuer séemed excellent in mee putting one excellent thing for many in the way vz. wherein I walked meaning the daies and course of his life as may appeare by that which followeth in this verse and shortened vz. in mine owne iudgment and as I supposed for otherwise in respect of God our dayes are certainely numbred my dayes i. the dayes of my life Ver. 24. And I sayd vz. in that great affliction and griefe O my God take mee not away vz. out of this life q.d. let mee not vanishe awaye but shewe mée thy fauour in continuing my life in the middest of my dayes i. before I come to the full ende of my race and all this and that in the former verse the Prophet speaketh not onely in his owne person but in the name of the rest of the faithful thy yéeres indure from generation to generation i. thou continuest and abidest for euer and art alwayes one make mee therefore q.d. like vnto thy selfe Verse 25. Thou vz. O GOD hast afore tyme vz. in the beginning layde the foundation of the earth i. created and mainteined the earth and all thinges therein hee sheweth Gods eternitie because hee was before all thinges created and was the maker of all thinges whatsoeuer and the heauens vz. and all thinges therein conteined are the worke of thine handes i. thou hast made them handes attributed to GOD for our vnderstanding sake Verse 26. They vz. the heauen the earth and all thinges therein shall perish vz. not in respect of their substance but in respect of their qualities sée Isaiah 65.17 Isaiah 66.22 Reuelat. 21.1 2. Peter 3.12.13 and this perishing hée calleth afterwardes in this verse a chaunging but thou shalt indure vz. frée from any alteration or chaunge as Iames 1.17 and that for euer and euer hée here commendeth Gods eternity by comparison euen they all q.d. not one of them accepted shall waxe olde as doeth a garment i. shall through continuaunce of tyme decay as doeth a garment as a vesture shalt thou chaunge them this is a metaphor taken from men who changing their garmentes from worse to better of which chaunge of the creatures the Apostle
speaketh Roman 8.19.20.21.22 verses Nowe if any wil demaunde to what vse the creatures shal be imployed I answere that for as much as GOD in his worde hath not reueiled that it is more then curiositie to aske the same and they shal bee changed i. they shall certainely and without fayle bée chaunged for so much doeth the doubling of the worde chaunge import Verse 27. But thou art the same i. alwayes one and the selfe same without any shadowe of chaunging q.d. howsoeuer the creatures bee variable yet thou the creator art alwayes vnchaungeable and thy yeeres i. the time of thy essence and beeing shall not fayle vz. for euer and euer q.d. thou art and hast béene from euerlasting and so shalt continue Verse 28. The children of thy seruantes i. thy godly ones and their godly posterity shall continue vz. stedfast and sure alwayes safe vnder thy almighty defence whatsoeuer great alteration shal bee in heauen or earth and their séede i. their race and posteritie shall stande fast vz. so that they shall not bée mooued for euer in thy sight i. before thée hée meaneth that GOD will care for and preserue for euer the godly Ver. 1. Teacheth vs to be earnest with the Lord to grant vs our holy requests Do. Verse 2. Sheweth that in the time of affliction nothing is more grieuous to Gods children then to perceiue God any long time absent Ver. 3.4.5 Do declare what great affliction the godly are in for their sinnes and the wrath of God vppon them for the same Verse 6.7 Shewe that it is no new thing to sée the children of God forsaken of men Verse 8. Noteth two things the one is howe that the godly are subiect to the vyle both woordes and deedes of the vngodly the other that the wicked giue themselues a full swinge to all manner of outrage both in worde and deede Verse 9. Teacheth that so long as wée féele Gods wrath vppon vs for our sinnes our meat and drinke is not pleasaunt and delightfull vnto vs. Verse 10. Teacheth vs three things first howe much wee shoulde stande in awe of the fearce wrath and indignation of the Lorde Secondly that in this life Gods children haue no durable estate and thirdly that their exaltation and depressing is not by fortune as they say but from the Lorde onely Verse 11. Setteth out the shortnesse and troublesomnesse of mans life Verse 12. Setteth out the eternity and continuaunce of the almightie Verse 13. Teacheth vs to haue an assured trust that God wil looke graciously vppon the afflictions of his Church Verse 14. Teacheth Gods children two thinges first to delyte more euen in the verye ruines of the Church then in the palaces of the vngodly secondly to pity and pray for the reforming of the desolations thereof Ver. 15. and 16. Teach vs that Gods fauour shewed to his Church shalbée matter of sufficient terrour to the wicked and vngodly Ver. 17. Is comfortable shewing that the prayers of Gods poore people shall neuer returne empty from the Lorde Ver. 18. Teacheth the faithful to haue a care for their posterity that both Gods mercy towards them and his iudgements vpon the wicked might be conueyed to their children Ver. 19. Teacheth that God beholdeth al things done vpon the earth contrary to the imagination of them who suppose him to sit as idle in heauen Ver. 20. Teacheth that God taketh speciall regarde of those that be his and namely when they are in the greatest distresse Ver. 21. Teacheth that god doth deliuer his people out of al their feares specially to this end that they might publish his prayse for the same in the Church Ver. 22. Teacheth that our assemblies should be for the seruice and glory of god Ver. 23. Teacheth that God for the trial of his children layeth manifold afflictions vpon them in this life Verse 24. Teacheth vs that wee may pray for long life but yet so that that life may bée referred to Gods glory Verse 25. Teacheth that God is the maker of heauen and earth Verse 26. Teacheth the variablenesse of the creature which shoulde instruct vs so to vse the worlde as though wee vsed it not and no otherwise but as it may further vs to the hope of a better life Ver. 27. Teacheth that howsoeuer variable the creature is yet the creator is altogether vnchaungeable Ver. 28. Setteth out to the comfort of the godly their continuaunce Psalme 103. Di. THis Psalme may bee diuided into thrée partes In the first hee doeth stirre vp and prouoke himselfe to be thankful to the Lord and this is conteyned in the two first verses In the seconde hee sheweth causes for which men shoulde prayse the Lorde as for the forgiuenesse of their sinnes for their deliuery from daunger and the continuall course of his mercies from ver 3. to the end of the 19. In the last part he exhorteth euen all creatures to praise the Lord for the largenes of his goodnes from ver 20. to the end of the Psalme Se. The title of this Psalme hath beene expounded before in others of the lyke inscription Ver. 1. My soule hee exhorteth the soule to this great worke because if that be ready the other cannot be much backward and the word soule is vsed here for the seate of vnderstanding and afflictions prayse thou the Lord vz. for his great mercies and all that is within me as my thought my hart and all the powers both of the one and the other and hee meaneth all inwarde thinges because those parts specially doeth the Lorde regarde as Psal 51.17 Ioh. 4.23 prayse his holy name i. set foorth the glory that apperteineth to his maiesty power goodnes c. name is here vsed as Psalm 20.3 Ver. 2. My soule praise thou the Lord this is expounded before ver 1. and forget not vz. through negligence or otherwise but earnestly thinke vpon to the vttermost of thy power al his benefites i. not onely all but any one of them as possible thou canst and by this meanes he prepareth himself a way to speak of the blessings which afterwardes he reckoneth vp Ver. 3. Which vz. alone forgiueth thée fréely vz. and of his owne mercy onely without any merites or deserts of thyne at all all thine iniquity vz. committed either against God or man either of ignoraunce or of knowledge and he beginneth with the frée forgiuenes of sinnes because it is as it were the fountaine from which al other blessinges flowe many whereof he reckoneth vp afterwardes which are nothing else but the effects of that reconciliation and healeth vz. of his great goodnes his mighty power all thine infirmities vz. bodily or spirituall outwarde or inward Ver. 4. Which vz. alone as before ver 3. redéemeth vz. by his great and mighty power thy life i. thy whole man both body and soule putting a part for the whole from the graue i. from death and destruction Sée Psalm 16.10 putting that which followeth death for death it selfe and crowneth
thée i. adorneth and compasseth thée about as the crowne is a testimony of glory and honour and compasseth the whole head round about with mercyes and compassions i. with great abundaunce and varietye of mercies which appeareth both in that hée vseth two woordes signifiying almost both one thing and also because hée putteth the latter in the plurall number Verse 5. Which satisfieth the mouth i. which filleth thine affection and appetyte Sée Psalm 81.10 hee séemeth to alude to men which take great licence to themselues in eating and drinking meaning that God will abundauntly satisfie vs and giue vs all that wee can wish with good thinges i. with all manner of good thinges so that nothing should bee wanting and thy youth i. the dayes and times of thine age yea euen though thou bee olde yet shall it bée as youth is renued vz. through the speciall blessing and goodnes of GOD as the Egles which liue long and dye not but through want of abilitie to take in their meate as Aristotle and Plinie both shewe Verse 6. The Lorde vz. himselfe executeth vz. both in word and déed specially when men are negligent righteousnesse and iudgement i. suche sentence as are righteous and iuste Sée Psalm 97.2 to all vz. of his children and seruauntes that are oppressed vz. by wicked and vngodly men Verse 7. Hée vz. God the Lorde made his wayes knowne by wayes hee vnderstandeth not onely the deliuerance of the people out of Egipt and all that hée did for them till hée brought them into the lande of Canaan but euen his whole lawe vnto Moses vz. first and before others and afterwardes by him to all his people and his workes i. the excellent and noble workes which hée did and that for their sakes vnto the children of Israel vz. which hee had chosen to bee a peculiar people to himselfe Verse 8. The Lorde is full of compassion and mercye vz. to them that come vnto him slow to anger vz. though men by their wickednesses prouoke him much thereto and of great kindnes vz. towardes them that turne vnto him this sentence seemeth to bée taken out of Exodus 34.6 where the nature of GOD is so farre set foorth vnto vs as is profitable for vs to knowe and séemeth to bée the same with Nehe. 9 17. Psalm 86.15 Verse 9. Hee will not alway chyde vz. with men and specially with his children neither keepe his anger for euer vz. towardes them Sée Leuitic 19.18 Ver. 10. Hee hath not dealt with vs after our sinnes i. hee hath not punished vs according to the greatnesse and grieuousnesse of our sinnes nor regarded vs vz. in his iustice and iudgements heare wée sée what rewardes wee may looke for from the Lorde in respect of our selues according to our iniquities vz. committed against him and our brethren Verse 11. For as high as the heauen is aboue the earth q.d. looke what distaunce there is betwéene heauen and earth which is very great and wonderfull yea infinite as it were so great is his mercye i. the mercy which hée sheweth for if hee had it in himselfe and powred it not foorth vpon others it were to litle purpose towardes them that feare him vz. with an vnfeigned heart putting the feare of GOD for care conscience and obedience to his trueth Verse 12. As farre as the East is from the West vz. which wee knowe to be so farre asunder that they shall neuer come together so farre yea and further to if further possible can bée hee meaneth by this comparison that the Lorde hath vtterly remoued our iniquities from vs hath hee remooued our sinnes i. the sinnes that wee haue committed from vs i. who were the doers thereof Verse 13. As a Father vz. earthly or naturall hath compassion on his children notwithstanding that manye times they doe prouoke him to displeasure so yea and in farre greater measure by howe much GOD is greater then man and his afflictions more certaine and sure hath the Lorde compassion i. hée vouchsaueth them mercye notwithstanding they deserue it not on them that feare him Sée verse 11. of this Psalme Verse 14. For hee knoweth vz. by manye degrees better then wée our selues whereof wée bée made i. of howe brittle a matter wée are created for so much doeth the Hebrewe woorde import which sense also maye bee gathered by that whiche followeth in this verse hee remembreth though men many times forget it that wee are but dust and that into the same wee shall returne Sée Genesis 3.19 Verse 15. The dayes of man i. the course of his yéeres and age or the tyme of his life are as grasse vz. which is cutte downe withered and quickely consumed hee meaneth by this speach the breuitye and shortnesse of mans lyfe as a flowre of the fielde so florisheth hée i. hee is nowe florishing and by and by withered and note that hée speaketh of a flowre of the fielde rather then of a garden flowre because that fielde flowres are more subiect to stormes tempest heate c. then the garden which haue more shelture and couerture Verse 16. For the winde vz. sent from GOD meaning by wynde which is one meane to marre the beautye of blossomes and flowres all other whatsoeuer goeth ouer it vz. with violence and so â—ppeth it either with extreme colde as the Easternewynde or with partching heate as the Westerne wynde and it is gone vz. out of mens sight hée meaneth that it is decayed and the place thereof i. the grounde wherein it grewe shall knowe it no more vz. in mans iudgement meaning also by the woorde it the selfe same and not any other of the same kynde In these two last verses hée doeth nothing else but by a similitude sette out the shortnesse and vanitye of mans lyfe which is no better then an hearbe or grasse subiect to cutting downe weather wynde and such lyke Verse 17. But the louing kindnesse of the Lorde vz. towardes his sonnes and seruauntes indureth for euer and euer the reason is because those whome the Lorde loueth hee loueth for euer vppon them i. playnelye testified towardes them and plentifullye powred foorth vppon them that feare him Sée verse 11. and 13. of this Psalme and his righteousnesse i. his iust and faythfull kéeping of his promise and the succour and ayde by which hée maynteyneth and preserueth his vppon childrens children i. to all posteritye Verse 18. Vnto them that kéepe vz. in their behauiour and conuersation his couenaunt i. his Lawe which is called a couenaunt because it conteyneth the conditions of bargayne as it were betwéene GOD and his people and thinke vppon them vz. in their déepe thoughts and secret heart his commandementes i. the matters which hée hath commaunded to doe them vz. in their outwarde conuersation and dealing Verse 19. The Lorde hath prepared his throne in heauen i. hée hath a kingdome and exerciseth the same euen in heauen and yet that letteth not but that his iurisdiction ruleth our all vz. what
soeuer either in heauen or in earth And this verse conteyneth one cause amongest manye why men shoulde prayse GOD vz. for his gracious and large gouernement Verse 20. Prayse the Lorde yée his Angels Angels are sayde to bée Gods not onelye because hée created them but also because hee vseth them at his pleasure in the execution of his will that excell in strength vz. all other creatures vnderstanding also by strengthe whatsoeuer is excellent in them so haue you the woorde vsed before Psalme 102.23 that doe his commaundemente i. the thinges hée commaundeth you in obeying the voyce of his woorde q.d. you are so readye in obeying that so soone as the Lorde speaketh you are readye to doe it Verse 21. Prayse the Lorde all yée his hostes some referre this woorde generallye to all his creatures because the Lorde hath them at commaundement as a Captayne hath his armed men and Souldiers to vse them as pleaseth him some onelye to Angels but I allowe rather the former reason by that which is written Genesis 2.1 Yée his Seruauntes that doe his pleasure i. what pleaseth him before hee called his creatures hostes for the multitude of them Nowe hée calleth them Seruaunts because hée hath them at commaundemente Verse 22. Prayse the Lorde vz. for his vnspeakeable goodnesse all yée his woorkes i. all his creatures of what order or condition so euer yée bée in all places of his dominion i. euerye where because hee ruleth euerye where and doeth whatsoeuer pleaseth him bothe in heauen and in earth my soule prayse thou the Lorde hee shutteth vppe the Psalme with the same sentence hee beganne it and therefore Sée verse 1. of this Psalme And this is verye ryfe to begynne and ende a Psalme with one and the selfesame sentence Sée Psalme 106. verse 1. and last also Psalme 147. verse 1. and last Psalme 148. and Psalme 150. verse 1. and last Verse 1. Teacheth vs first to inforce our selues Do. to the praysing and thanking of God for his graces Secondlye that our thankesgiuing shoulde be vnfeignedly as procéeding in déede from the inwarde man Verse 2. Teacheth also two thinges the first is that wée shoulde striue in an earnest and déepe meditation to remember so nigh as wee can all the benefits and blessings of almightie GOD Secondly that they rightly thought vppon are strong arguments to prouoke thankfulnes from vs. Ver. 3.4 He teacheth vs for what causes and graces wée shoulde bee thankefull vz. both for spirituall and bodily blessings they teach also that all the graces which wee haue wee receiue onely from the Lorde but yet let vs somewhat more particularly consider them Verse 3. Teacheth vs that God alone forgiueth sinnes secondly that hee doeth it of his owne mercy onely which ouerthroweth mans merites thirdly that in the abundaunce of his goodnesse hée fréely pardoneth al of them originall actual c. by which wée sée that Papistes are deceiued who suppose originall sinne only to bée taken away by Christ and as for actuall sinnes committed after baptisme men must satisfie for them Lastly it teacheth that euen the infirmities and weakenesse of our flesh can not bee cured no though wée vse all meanes vnlesse the Lorde put his handes to that great woorke Verse 4. Teacheth first that the issues of life and death are in Gods owne hande Secondly that if a man escape daunger or distresse it is by the Lorde onely and not by his owne strength or any thing in him Thirdly that the Lorde is not skant or pinching in his goodnesse but plentifullye powreth it foorth vppon those that are his Verse 5. Teacheth vs that those which feare the Lorde can want nothing that good is Secondly that hee graciously bringeth his children to a good olde age and maketh them to passe through the miseries thereof with as great ioye as in the dayes of their youth Verse 6. Teacheth that howsoeuer men deale vniustlye yet the Lorde will deale vprightly which is a great comfort vnto his children Verse 7. Teacheth that it is a singular grace of GOD to haue his woorde and that declared also vnto men by faithfull ministers Verse 8. Teacheth vs to set against our owne wretchednesse and miserye the abundaunt riches of Gods eternall mercye Verse 9. Teacheth vs that this is no small comfort that Gods anger indureth not long towards his children Sée Psalme 30.5 Verse 10. Teacheth vs that howesoeuer our sinnes deserue eternall death yet GOD doeth but beate vs in this lyfe to the ende wee might bee saued in the life to come Verse 11. Teacheth vs that Gods mercye is infinyte and incomprehensible Verse 12. Teacheth vs that sinne and iniquitie shall neuer bee layde to the charge of Gods elect Verse 13. Setteth out the exceeding loue of GOD towardes his sonnes and seruauntes Verse 14. Teacheth that euen our owne miserable state and condition doeth moue the Lorde in mercy to deale with vs. Verse 15.16 Vnder the similitude of the grasse flowre wind c. doe set foorth not onely the shortnes but also the miseries and troubles of mans life in this life Verse 17. Teacheth that though man bée subiect to chaunge yet God is alwayes like vnto himselfe and that there is no ende or measure of his goodnesse towardes them that feare him Ver. 18. Teacheth vs that there must bee ioyned with the knowledge of Gods woorde practise and obedience also that man must diligently meditate in the lawe of the Lorde and his commaundementes to the ende they may perfourme the thinges prescribed in the same Verse 19. Setteth out the largenesse of Gods kingdome which is comfortable to the godly because thereby wée sée that deuils and wicked men can not doe what they list Verse 20. In the Angels examples wee learne willing obedience to the voyce and worde of the Lorde Verse 21.22 Teach vs that if all Gods creatures should praise the Lorde much more man that excellent creature not onely because that for his sake all thinges were created but also because hée hath receiued infinite numbers of benefites aboue the rest Ver. 22. And these woordes in all places of his dominion teach Gods children neuer to be ashamed in any place to set foorth the prayses of their louing GOD and in that hee doeth ende the Psalme with the same sentence that hee did beginne it hee doeth not onely shewe howe excellent a thing the Sacrifice of thankesgiuing is but also howe dull men are thereto and that maketh him in this Psalme to double and treble that sentence that so hee might the better stirre them vp to the perfourmaunce of that great duety Psalme 104 THe Psalme of it selfe comprehendeth diuers and sundry matters and therefore can not easily and fitly be diuided Di. Notwithstanding it principally propoundeth these partes as I thinke In the first the Prophet prouoketh himselfe and others to praise God for his power from ver 1. to the end of the 10. In the seconde hee painteth out the singular prouidence of God towardes his
creatures both generally and particularly and this reacheth from verse 11. to the ende of the 23. And in the thirde parte hee doeth not onely expresse Gods excellency manifested in his creatures but speaketh also together both of his power and prouidence sometymes wondering at the Lordes woorkes sometimes praysing him for the same and sometyme praying against the wicked from verse 24. to the ende of the Psalme This Psalme hath no title as many other Psalmes haue not Se. yet notwithstanding a man may probably coniecture that hee which penned the other penned this also adding it to the former thus whereas hée had in the other set foorth Gods graces to the Church hee doeth in this set foorth Gods goodnes to all creatures Verse 1. My soule prayse thou the Lorde Sée Psalm 103.1 O Lorde my GOD i. the onely true God whome I thy poore seruant worshippe thou art exceeding great vz. in maiesty power glory c. as may appeare by that which followeth thou art clothed with glory and honour i. thou art compassed about on euery side with it and haste it in great abundaunce and all this as many other things in this Psalme are spoken of GOD according to mans capacity Verse 2. Which couereth himselfe with light as with a garment i. his honour and glorye doth greatly appeare euen in the creation of the light so that though GOD be inuisible in respect of his owne nature yet his glorye is sufficiently manifested and shining foorth throughout the worlde and spreadeth out the heauens like a curtaine i. layeth them abroade so that they may euidentlye bée séene as a thing spred out by heauens he vnderstandeth the firmament which also hath his name in the Hebrewe tongue of stretching out or ouerspreading it shoulde séeme that in this ver hee meaneth that which is expressed Genesis 1.3.6 And marke howe in this verse and the rest following hée sodaynely chaungeth the person Verse 3. Which layeth the beames of his chambers in the waters i. whose gouernement stretcheth euen vnto the verye deapthes of the waters The speach is somewhat darke but it is vttered to bring men into the greater admiration meaning that wee néede not to ascende so high as heauen to finde GOD out for if we looke belowe wée shall finde liuely portraitures of his glorye and maketh the cloudes his chariotes hee meaneth that GOD the gouernour of the world turneth the cloudes windes c. according to his good pleasure euen as easily as the cocheman doeth his chariot and walketh vz. as a ruler and gouernour vppon the winges of the wynde hée meaneth that hee gouerneth also the wyndes Sée Psalm 18.10.11 Also Isaiah 19.1 Verse 4. Which maketh the spirites his messengers i. hée vseth the windes and fire as messengers ministers and executioners of his will and iudgements so that in respect of their obedience they haue euen the name of Angels as it were giuen vnto them and a flaming fire his ministers i. hée sendeth forth thundringes lightninges and such other like straunge thinges in the ayre both to terrifie men and to perfourme whatsoeuer hee appointeth them The Apostle Hebrewes 1.7 applieth this to Angels and ministring spirits Ver. 5. Hée set the earth vppon her foundations i. by his vertue and power hée hath made it firme stable and sure euen as a frame set vppon a good foundation standeth fast so that it shall neuer moue vz. ordinarilye and in a continuall course otherwise this place letteth not but that through Gods speciall appoyntment there may bée terrible and fearefull earthquakes And that worde neuer must bée vnderstoode so long as the world indureth and also hauing respect vnto other creatures which by reason of their owne lightnesse and Gods appointment are caried hither and thither whereas the earth remayneth firme and sure Verse 6. Thou vz. O Lorde obserue the sodaine chaunge of the person coueredst it vz. the earth with the déepe vz. waters This may bée vnderstoode either of that which is spoken Genesis 1.2 or of the generall flood at both which times all the earth was ouercouered with waters as with a garment i. euery where and in euery place the waters will stande vz. euen at this day aboue the mountaines vz. vnlesse they were kept through thy power and prouidence within the boundes and borders which thou hast set them Verse 7. But at thy rebuke q.d. euen at thy bare worde and angry countenance only they flée vz. backewarde euen as though they were discomfited so that wee sée they can not rage whither they woulde and by that meanes they are in stéed of an ornament and beautifying vnto the earth some and that not amisse neyther referre it to the parting of the waters from the drie lande mentioned Genesis 1.6 at the voyce of thy thunder by rebuke before and thunder in this place hee meaneth nothing but that commaundement of GOD by which hee represseth the raging of the Seas they haste awaye vz. into the places that thou hast appointed them Verse 8. And the mountaines ascende i. appeare and shewe foorth themselues after the departure of the waters and the valleis descende i. are made manifest also to the place which thou hast established for them i. they lye and are setled in those places which thou hast appointed them Though this sense carry with it some probabilitye yet by reason of that which goeth before spoken of the waters and floods and by reason of that which followeth in the next verse spoken of them also I woulde this verse wholly restored out of Immanuel thus They vz. the waters went vppe by the hilles and went downe through the valleis in to the place which thou haddest establisted for them q.d. thou haddest no sooner spoken the woorde but they made a way for themselues euen through thicke and thinne as wée woulde saye sparing nothing till they came to the place that thou haddest appointed and set for them so that neither the high mountaines coulde hinder them nor the lowe valleyes conteine but of necessitie to that place they must goe which thou haddest set for them Verse 9. Thou vz. O Lorde onely and none but thou hast set vz. by thy almightye woorde and commaundement as Iob. 38.10 them i. all waters either of Seas or otherwise a bond i. a certaine compasse and course which they shall not passe vz. though they doe what they can and rage neuer so sore Sée Iob. 38.10.11 also Ieremie 5.22 They i. the waters generallye shall not returne vz. by any strengthe they haue of themselues or otherwise to couer the earth vz. as they haue doone heretofore Genesis 1. verse 2.6.9 or else as they did in the time of the flood Genesis 7.19 c. it may well bee referred to bothe to the former because GOD by creation hath set them an ordinarie course and to the latter because hée hath promised hee will neuer destroye the worlde with water againe Genesis 9.15 Verse 10. Hée i. GOD and marke the sodaine chaunge of
cause of all goodnesse towardes all his creatures Verse 29 teacheth vs that the wante of féeling of Gods fauour is the fountayne of all woe disquietnesse death c. Verse 30 teacheth vs that the continuaunce of Creatures is not onely by an ordinary course of nature but specially by the commaundement and blessing of almighty GOD. Verse 31 teacheth vs to prayse GOD continually for his mercy and to pray for the continuaunce thereof Verse 32 teacheth vs to stande in awe of so great a Maiestye as can doe whatsoeuer pleaseth him both in heauen and in earth Verse 33 teacheth vs to carrye with vs holy purposes to serue the Lord as long as we liue and carefully to labour the performance thereof Verse 34 teacheth vs to pray that euen our prayers maye bée regarded in Gods sight Verse 35 teacheth vs that we may sometimes pray against the wicked and vngodly also that we should carefully stirre vp both our selues and others to prayse the Lorde Psalme 105 Di. THis Psalme as I take it may be deuided into thrée partes In the firste hée exhorteth to prayse GOD for his mercies shewing who they are that shoulde doe it from the first verse to the ende of the sixte In the seconde part hee resiteth the particular graces that GOD bestowed vppon them from the tyme of their firste calling till their comming oute of Egipt from verse seuen to the ende of the 26. In the thirde hee setteth out both what iudgementes GOD bringeth vpon their enemies for their sakes and also what mercies he sheweth them after their deliuery from verse 27 to the end of the Psalme Se. Though there be no Title of this Psalme declaring who made it yet it should appeare by 1. Chronic. 16.7.8 c. that Dauid made it and committed it to Asaph and his brethren to sing it And it hangeth wel with the other Psalms before going vz. Psalme 103. and Psalme 104. and also with Psalme 106.107 following al being Psalms to stir vp the Church to prayse God partly for his graces towards the Church Psalme 103 and generallye towardes all creatures Psalme 104 and partly for benefites vppon the faythfull euen by trying and correcting them Psalme 105 106. and lastlye for graces towardes all men Psalme 107. Verse 1. Prayse the Lord vz. all ye good and faythful people he would haue them to shew themselues thankefull and to set forth his glorye for graces receaued and call vpon his name i. feare his Maiesty but specially pray vnto him putting one part of Gods seruice for the whole declare vz. openly and playnly and that in euery place his workes i. the maruaylous thinges that hée hath done among the people vz. not onely of Iudea but of the whole earth Verse 2. Sing vnto him sing prayse vnto him vz. alone the doubling of the worde serueth both to stirre vs vp and also to note the excellency of that Sacrifice of thanksgiuing Some make this difference betwéene the two wordes that the firste singing shoulde bée with the mouth and the latter singing with musicall Instrumentes according to the Lawe and talke vz. amongest your selues openlye and euerye where of all his wondrous workes vz. whiche hée hath done for you and your Fathers so that wée shoulde as neare as wée canne call to remembraunce all Gods graces and mercyes bestowed vppon vs. Verse 3. Reioyce in his holye name i. shewe your selues gladde in that greate power and Maiestye of his which besydes the excellencye thereof contayneth in it holinesse also lette the hearte i. the inwarde affection as well as the outwarde behauiour of them that séeke the Lorde vz. vnfeignedlye and with a good harte vnderstanding by séeking of the Lorde seruing of him according to his will reuealed in his worde reioyce vz. in the Lorde and bée glad euen for this that hée giueth them grace to séeke and serue him Verse 4. Séeke the Lorde vz. earnestlye and that euen now while hée maye bée founde as Isaiah 55.6 and his strength 1. the Arke of the Couenaunte from whence the Lorde gaue euidente testimonye of his power and myghte Sée 2. Chronicles 6. verse 41. also Psalme 78. verse 61. séeke his face i. the arke of couenaunte whiche is also called Gods face because from thence GOD gaue playne testimonies of his fauour and goodnesse towards his people continually i. so long as you liue q.d. Be neuer wearye of doing that dutie Verse 5. Remember i. déepely and diligently thinke vpon that you maye thereby bee the better stirred vp to praise him his marueilous workes i. the great and wonderfull things which he hath don for his people he calleth thē maruailous because the Gods marueilous power declared it selfe in thē euen so that a man might easily iudge that they came from him that he hath done vz. in time heretofore and that for you your fathers his wonders i. the strange things which he hath done far beyond the reache and compasse of mans wit and the iudgementes of his mouth i both the punishments whiche he hath threatned against others and also the law and word he hath giuen vnto you for I would referre it to both these Verse 6. Ye séede of Abraham i. O yée that come of Abraham and his posteritie according vnto the flesh his seruaunt i. that serued GOD hee setteth before them their Fathers example the better to draw them on to the performaunce of that great dutye ye children of Iaakob i. O ye that come of Iaakob wch are his elect i. which he hath fréely chosen from amongst al other nations and here he vseth another reason fet from their election to draw them on to obedience Verse 7. Hée vz. alone and none other but he is the Lord our God i. he that gouerneth vs and vpon whome we our selues depend his iudgementes vz. agaynst sinne and vngodlinesse meaning by iudgements punishments are thorow all the earth i. are made manifest in all the world though perhaps men haue not eyes to sée the same or else we may take iudgements for rule guiding and gouernment so you haue the word to iudge vsed Psalm 98 9. meaning that Gods gouernment was stretched thorow out all the world Verse 8. He hath alway remembred his couenaunt and promise vz. made with his sonnes and seruaunts mening by remembred not only thinking vppon it but also the execution and performaunce of it that he made vz. of his owne accord and frée goodnesse to a thousand generations i. not only to infinite numbers of people putting a nūber certayne for an vncertayne but also to last and indure for euer Verse 9. Euen that vz. couenaunt which he made with Abraham vz. our Father sée Genesis 12 2 3 and his oth vnto Isaak sée Genesis 26.3.4 c. and hee vseth the word oth to note the certaintie and assurednesse of the couenaunte passed betwéene God and the people Verse 10. And since vz. the time of Abraham and Izaak meaning after their death hath confirmed it vz. both
by word and déede to Iaakob Isaaks sonne yet so that he vnderstandeth vnder him his posterity also for a law i. as a thing that should continue and abide without any alteration or chaunge and to Israel i. vnto Iaakob for he had two names as appeareth Genesis 32 28. for an euerlasting couenaunt i. referred to Iaakob and his posteritie to last and continue for a long while sée Genesis 28 13 14 15 for his séede hath not alwayes possessed that lande but referred to Christe and his it is true for euer and euer Verse 11. Saying the Prophet reciteth Gods owne wordes vnto thée vz. and thy posteritie after thée but he nameth him as the chéefest will I giue vz. of my frée goodnesse and mercy onlye the land of Canaan he meaneth the whole Countrie wherein dwelt seuen nations greater and mightier then the Iewes sée for this promise also Gen. 35.12 the lotte of your inheritaunce q.d. which lande falleth for your inheritaunce as it were by lot sée Deut. 32 9. the worde that we turne lot is in the Hebrewe text corde or line because that by cordes or lines in those dayes they vsed to measure out inheritaunces see Psalme 16. verse 6. and that word your inheritaunce that God made his couenaunt in that respect with the whole people generally Verse 12. Albeit they were few in number q.d. in this gracious couenaunt making as the multitude did not moue him as Deut. 7 7. so the paucitie or fewnesse of them did not discourage him yea very few and as a man would say scarse two persons in respect sée Genesis 34 30. and straungers in the lande vz. which he had promised them and they possessed Verse 13. And walked about vz. so vncertaine was their estate being inforced so to doe sometimes by occasion of famine and somtimes thorow other means sée Gen. chap. 12 10 also chap. 20 1 2. c. chap. 26.1 c. sée also chap. 46. throughout from nation to nation and from one kingdome to another people he meaneth that they had no long continuance in any place but were stil flitting and remouing too and fro sometimes here sometimes there Ver. 14. Yet q.d. for all their distresses miseries he suffered no man to doe them wrong he meaneth by this spéech vtter oppressing iniuring of them for otherwise it cannot bee denyed but the taking away of Sarah the deflowring of Dinah and such lyke were all iniuryes but reproued Kings for their sake as appeareth Gen. 12.17 also 20.3 Verse 15. Touch not vz. to their hurt or hinderaunce mine annoynted i. those whom I haue annoynted to my selfe with the graces of the holy spirit and he meaneth the holy fathers vnder this name because he had peculiarly consecrated them vnto himself or as it were sanctified them for his speciall inheritance do my Prophets no harm he calleth the Fathers Prophets not only because God did sundry wayes declare himselfe vnto theÌ„ but also because they were his instruments faithfully to spread abroad the heauenly doctrine that the remembrance therof might be in force among their posterity sée Gen. 18.19 Gen. 20.7 compare theÌ„ with this place Ver. 16. Moreouer d.q. besides their waÌ„dring to fro ver 13. of this Psal and as he did not destitute theÌ„ in that so not in this famine he called i. by his mighty word power he caused to come sée 2. Kin. 8.1 Hagg. 1.11 a famin which was as the minister messenger of his wrath to the wicked so a rod of trial to the good vpon the land i. vpon the people of the land meaning also that he did strike the land with barreÌ„nes which was the cause of famine amongst the people sée this history Gen. 42 in the beginning vtterly brake i. tooke away so that it was of no force the staffe of bread i. the strength of foode and sustenance I take this prase in this place to mean not only the God did withdraw the secret force power that bread hath by his appointmente to nourish maintain mans life which is threatned in the Law Leuit. 26. ver 26. because men leaue vpon bread for their maintainance as they doe vpon a staffe for their defence vpholding but also yea rather this then the other that God sent a gréeuous famine vpon theÌ„ so that they had little or nothing to â—at Ver. 17. But he vz. God q.d. He did not for al that famin forsake them sent a maÌ„ vz. an excelleÌ„t and singular man before theÌ„ vz. into Egipt to prouide both for himself and them that they should not perish by famine sée Gen. 45.5 This declareth that whatsoeuer fell vpon this people was guided by the hand counsel of god Ioseph now he nameth that excellent maÌ„ was sold vz. euen by his brethren for a slaue i. to be a slaue not as though he were changed for a slaue read this history Gen. 37 28. Ver. 18. They i. eyther the Egiptians thorowe their cruelty or else his brethren by wickedly selling him thither held his féete in the stocks i. kept him a long while in prison and dealt hardly with him as though he had bin guilty of some deadly crime sée Gen. 39.20 and he was layd in yrons i. hee was hardly and roughly handled Ver. 19. vntill his appoynted time came i. vntil the time which the Lorde had appoynted for Iosephs deliuery was fulfilled But it shal be good to ameÌ„d it out of Imma thus vntil the time in which his word i. gods word should come vz. to be fulfilled performed by god himself who had in a dream shewed to Ioseph what shuld come vnto him Gen. 37 7 9 the councell of the Lord had tried him vz. so far forth as to him séemed good he meaneth by this spéech al that which god had ordeined decréed should fal vpon him Ver. 20. The King vz. Pharaoh sent vz. his seruants messengers losed him vz. out of prison meaning that by special coÌ„mandemeÌ„t he appointed him to be set at liberty euen the ruler of the people deliuered him vz. out of prison danger sée Gen. 41 14. Ver. 21. He i. the King of Egipt made him i. Ioseph Lord of his house i. gouernor of all both men and things in his family ruler of al his substaÌ„ce i. of al that he had whether it were at home or abroad sée Gen. 41.40 Ver. 22. That he i. Ioseph should bind his Princes i. Pharaohs noble men gouernors vnto his wil i. to the executioÌ„ and performaÌ„ce of that that Ioseph himself wold haue coÌ„maund in these words he noteth the largenes of gouernmeÌ„t which Pharaoh gaue to Ioseph so that all the King himself only excepted was at his beck sée Gen. 41.44 teach his antieÌ„ts wisdom as he did Gen. 41 33 34 c. vnderstaÌ„ding by antients al his wise noble men counsellors how wise soeuer they were Ver. 23. TheÌ„ vz. after that god had thus
vz. both of man and beast sée Psal 136.6 also Psa 78.51 Exod. 12.29 euen the beginning of al their strēgth this is another Peraphrasis of their first born or eldest and they are so named because their parents are of principal force then in the beginning of them and their force doth specially then appeare sée Gen. 49.3 Psal 78.51 Sée this story Exod. 12.29.30 c. Ver. 37. He i. the Lord by the ministery of his seruaunt Moses brought them vz. the people of Israell forth vz. out of the lande of Egipt and that with a mighty hand and outstretched arm also i. euen as wel as punished the Egiptians I suppose that the word may note the time whē god performed it vz. after that he had plagued and punished the Egiptians with siluer golde vz. euen as it were faden they had such great abundance of it which they tooke from the Egiptians sée Exod. 12.35 36. and there was none féeble among their tribes q.d. they came al out of Egipt safe and found frée from al not only outward but inward hinderaunces as the Lord had promised Exod. 11.7 Ver. 38. Egypt i. the Egiptians putting the land for the inhabitants was glad at their departure vz. from amongst them for the feare of them i. of the Israelites meaning that God then had made thē terrible and fearful to their enemies who but a little before did cruelly oppres them had fallen vppon them i. had seased taken hold of and possessed the harts of the Egiptians sée Exod. 11.8 also Exod. 12.33 Verse 39. He spread a cloud vz. in the day time to bee a couering vz. vnto his people of Israel and that to kéepe them from the heate of the sunne and fire i. a piller of fire to giue light in the night vz. to lead them in the way that they went sée Exod. 13 21. Ver. 40. They i. the Israelites asked vz. of god and that temptingly as Psal 78.18 and he broughte quailes i. most dainty delicate things so gracious was God vnto them and hee filled thē with the bread of heauen i. with Māna wch is called the breade of heauen because it came from the Firmament sée for this Exodus 16. thorow out also Psal 78. verse 23.24 c. Ver. 41. He opened vz. by his almighty power the rock vz. in the Wildenesse he putteth rock for rocks for this miracle was performed more then once as may appeare Exod. 17 6 Num. 20 11 by diligent cōparing of these two places together the waters flowed out vz. in great abundance and ran in the dry places vz. where there was no water before like a riuer i. in great plenty abundance so that both men beasts were satisfied therwith as Num. 20 11. sée also Psalme 78 15 16. Verse 42. For he remembred vz. euen to performe it sée verse 8. of this Psalme his holy promise vz. which he had made the promise is called holy both because it came frō him that is holines it self and also because it conteineth holy things to Abraham his seruant sée ver 6 of this Psal Now he made him this promise when he promised to bring his séed into the land of Canaan after 400 yeres sée Gen. 15 13 c. also Iosh 24.4 5 c. Ver. 43. And he vz. God brought forth vz. after that he had plagued the Egyptians his people vz. of Israel with ioy vz. both on the behalfe of the Egiptians who were glad to be rid of them and of the Israelites who reioyced to be set free from bondage and his chosen i. that people whom he had chosen with gladnes i. with mirth and singing the truth of this appeareth Exo. 15.1 c. also Num. 33 3 Ver. 44. And gaue them vz. fréely and of his own accord and goodnes and that for an inheritaunce as ver 11. of this Psalme the lands of the heathen i. the lands that the heathen did inhabite and dwell in vnderstanding by Heathen the Amonites Hittites other people that dwelt in the lande of Canaan And they vz. the Israelites tooke vz. vnto themselues the labours of the people i. those things that the people by great labour and trauayle had got vnto themselues in possession i. to bée a possession or inheritance for thē Ver. 45. That they vz. the Israelites might kéepe vz. with al their harts his statutes i. Gods cōmandements obserue vz. in thought word déed his lawes i. those thinges which by his laws he commaunded them to do So that here he noteth the end wherfore God gaue them those graces prayse ye the Lord sée the last verse of Psalm 104. Verse 1 teacheth vs to prayse God for his mercies Do. secondly to ioine with our praises praier vnto him for the things we want thirdly to indeuor that other as well as we may come to the knowledge of his maiestie and power Verse 2 teacheth vs both with hart and mouth to glorify our god that this should be one péece of our spéech to set forth his wonderful workes Ver. 3 teacheth vs that we can not rightly reioyce in any thing but in the power and goodnesse of God it teacheth vs also that none can in déed reioyce but those that loue fear the Lord Ver. 4 teacheth vs to ioin our selues to the publike assēblies of gods church for there the Lord is to be found also it teacheth vs the doctrine of perseuerance that we should neuer be weary of well doing Ver. 5 teacheth vs that in our meditations it is good for vs to ioyn Gods works his word together because al the life light that the works haue they haue it frō the word Ver. 6 teacheth that chéefly and only indéed it appertaineth to the faithful their séede to praise God Ver. 7 teacheth the faithful to comfort themselues in this that God is their God that they are vnder his gouernment Ver. 8 sheweth that this is very comfortable to Gods children that he thinketh alwaies vpon his mercies promised them to perform the same Ver. 9 10 setteth out Gods great goodnes who for the strengthning of our faith in the truth of his promises doth not only oftētimes repeat confirm the same but as it were tieth himself vnto vs by an oth Ver. 11 teacheth that whatsoeuer benefits either outward or inwarde God bestoweth vpō his seruants he giueth thē of his méere liberality goodnes only Ver. 12 teacheth vs that God respecteth not the person of men nor their multitude Ver. 13 sheweth that Gods children are vpō the earth strāgers pilgrims Ver. 14 teacheth that God doth neuer destitute his in any distres Ver. 15 teacheth how deare Gods children are vnto him and what care he hath ouer them so that he wil not haue them so much as once touched Ver. 16 teacheth that God many times euen by outward things exerciseth the faith of his dearest seruants Verse 17 teacheth that he doth not at any time for
all that faile thē of any thing that is méet for thē it teacheth also that nothing is done without gods prouidēce ver 18 setteth out the hard hartednes of the wicked the miserable estate that the Godly many times are brought vnto Ver. 19 sheweth that there is a time set with God wherein he wil deliuer his out of danger cleare thē from al false slanderous accusations wch time it behoueth thē with patience to wayte for Ver. 20 sheweth that God wil make euen Princes to pity his poore seruants Verse 21 sheweth that after long humbling God wil exalt his seruants very highly the same lesson doth ver 22 deliuer Ver. 23 sheweth that God hath many wayes to bring his purposes to passe as for the deliuery of his people out of Egipt which he had promised to bring them into Egipt by the means of the famin Iosephs being there Verse 24 teacheth iij. things first that al increase is of the Lord secondly that do men what they can to hinder Gods purposes they cannot preuaile thirdly that euen thē whē men striue most against God his people then doth he make them principally to flourish Ver. 25 teacheth that gods prouidence and counsel entreth euen vnto wicked mēs harts that they cānot hate or loue the good without Gods sufferance the power that he giueth thē therto yet hée remaineth pure frō al euil holy and as it were an excellent workeman who in performing his work bringeth good out of euil light out of darknes Ver. 26 teacheth that God doth by means worke the deliuerance of his people wch should teach vs to vse means secondly it sheweth that none should take vpō them any office but they that are sent of God as was Moses Aaron Ver. 27 Teacheth men faithfully to do those things that God hath giuen them in charge to perform Ver. 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 teach especially two things First that nothing is don either in heauen or earth but by the very finger power of almighty god secondly that God hath al his creatures at cōmaundement to vse thē at his pleasure for the plaguing punishing of the vngodly Besides this Ver. 30. teacheth that God in pouring forth his iudgemēts is not partial to any person sparing kings or Princes Ver. 31.34 declare that euen Gods word is his déed for when he speaketh any thing it is done as appeareth in the creation Gen. 1. Ver. 37.38 39 40 41 42 43 44 teach first that God maketh al his creatures to serue for the good of his children secondly that euery good thing they haue they haue from the Lord only But more particularly Verse 37 teacheth vs that siluer gold strength c. are the Lords gifts Ver. 38 sheweth that God can make the very name and countenances of his seruaunts feareful to them which had oppressed them Ver. 39 teacheth what a cōtinual care watchfulnes the Lord hath ouer his seruants to kéep thē frō dangers things that might annoy them Ver. 42 teacheth vs that Gods frée promises are the cause of all our goodnes blessednes both in this life the life to come Ver. 45 teacheth vs that the end wherefore God bestoweth al blessings vpon vs is that we should imploy our selues more diligently and faithfully in his seruice which if we do we shal bee sure of his graces in great abundaunce and continuance which if we do not we may for a time haue and inioy many outward things as the vngodly haue but the very hauing of them will be in the end to our great iudgement Psalme 106 THis Psalme may be diuided into thrée especiall partes Di. In the first the Prophet exhorteth men to praise God and yet considering his own weaknes the excellency of gods works he thinketh himself and others far vnméete for it and yet notwithstanding goeth forward to pray both for himself and his people from verse 1 to the ende of the 6. In the second part he doth largely resite as the singular graces and goodnes of God towardes their forefathers so their particular rebellions and iniquities multiplyed against God who had bene so good vnto thē with the iudgements also that for those sins he layd vpon them from verse 7. to the end of the 46. Now gods mercies are resited ver 7 8 9 10 11 12 15 21 22 30 31 43 44 45 46. Their sinnes ver 7 13 14 16 19 20 21 24 25 28 29 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39. Their punishments verse 15 17 18 23 26 27 29 32 40 41 42. In the third part hée prayeth the Lord to gather together the dispersion of his people by which it should séeme that this Psalm was made when they were in some captiuity eyther in Babilon or vnder Antiochus promising therefore to prayse his holye name and inuiting others to doe the like and this is comprehended in the two last verses of this Psalme The title is praise ye the Lord by this we may sée that it was a Psal appointed Se. to stir vp men to the praysing of god Sée the last verse of Psal 104. also in some measure to cōfort thēselues with the consideratiō of gods former graces Ver. 1. Praise ye vz. O ye faithful and good people the Lord vz. only and none but him because he is good vz. towards al but specially towards you for his mercy endureth for euer this is another cause why they shoulde prayse the Lord because his mercy towards his is perpetual neuer shal haue end Ver. 2. Who vz. amongst al his creatures can expresse i. is able eyther by thought to conceaue or by words to declare the noble actes of the Lorde i. the greate and singular workes of creation preseruation c. of all his creatures more particularly of men but most specially of his children or shewe all his prayse i. the prayse that he doth deserue for the same The Prophet vttereth not this as though he would haue vs vtterly leaue off to prayse God because we cānot thorowly sufficiently perform it but that considering on the one side our own weakenes we should earnestly pray the Lord to strengthen vs thereto and on the other side the excellency of his works shoulde indeuour what wee maye to praise him therfore knowing that he accepteth vs according to that we haue not according to that we haue not Ver. 3. Blessed are they that kéepe iudgement Imman readeth it in my mind better thus that kéepe this order vz. of praising magnifying God for his graces though they cannot do that which either they would or should do righteousnes at al times i. that do continually frame their life as an euident patern and a constant and perpetuall example of the prayse of God for so I suppose righteousnesse in this place to be vsed Verse 4. Remember me vz. thy poore and vnworthy Seruaunt hee meaneth not that God doth at any time forget
thus he sent leauenes into the soule i. he punisheth and that with pining away their whole man vnderstanding by a part the whole whatsoeuer it is the Prophet meaneth that God in such sort yéelded vnto the desire of this people that yet notwithstanding in the middest of his benefits he plagued and punished them for their sinne and transgression Ver. 16. They i. the people of Israel but specially Corah Dathan and Abiram Sée Num. 16.1.2 c. enuied Moses in the tents I suppose that the Prophet meaneth that these rebels did secretly murmure at Moses in their tents and that afterwards their rebellion and sins burst forth as at the noone tyde and Aaron the holy one of the Lord i. him whome the Lord had sanctified and separated to serue him in the ministery and Priesthood declaring also in déed that hée was holy Sée Numb 16.5.7 Ver. 17. Therefore i. for this their great sinne the earth opened vz. her mouth as it were and that by Gods appoyntment and swallowed vp Dathan vz. aliue and couered the company of Abiram i. he and all those that tooke part with him See Numb 16.31.32.33 Deut. 11.6 Ver. 18. And the fire vz. sent out from the presence of the Lord was kindled in their assembly i. began with Corahs cōpany the flame vz. of that fire sent from God burnt vp the wicked i. consumed them vtterly hée sheweth how they that tooke part with Korah were punished otherwise then Dathan and Abiram and their companies sée Numb 16.35 Ver. 19. They vz. the Israelites made a calfe i. caused a calfe to be made which they might worship in stéed of God in Horeb he noteth the place for the certaintie of the history and worshipped vz. with outward reuerence of the body and speach of the mouth the molten image of a calfe which they had caused Aaron to make in the absence of Moses sée Exod. 32. throughout Ver. 20. Thus i. by this means they turned vz. foolishly and wickedly their glory i. God himselfe who so long as they serued him onely was glorious vnto them but when they worshipped others besides him they were naked and laye open to their enemies Sée Exodus 32.25 The Prophet meaneth that they forsooke the true God who was their only glory and honour in déed into the similitude of a bullocke that eateth grasse hee noteth the grosenes of their idolatry not onely for that they worship somewhat besides the true God but for that also it was not a liuely and quicke thing sée Rom. 1.23 Verse 21. They forgate vz. quickly as before ver 13. of this Psalme God their sauiour i. he that had saued deliuered them from manifold dangers so you shal haue the word sauiour vsed 1. Tim. 4.10 which had done great things in Egipt vz. for them and their sake a short summe wherof you may sée psal 105.28.29 c. Ver. 22. Wonderous works in the land of Ham i. in Egipt as before psal 78.51 Psal 105.23.27 and feareful thinges vz. both to them and their enemies but specially to their enemies by the red Sea i. when they were at the sea passed through it I suppose that both in it and on this side of it and on the further side the Lord shewed terrible things for his peoples sake some particulars sée Exod. 14.21.24.25 Exod. 16. ver 1. c. Ver. 23. Therefore i. for these their great and horrible sinnes he mynded or as it is in the Hebrew text he said al commeth to one sense for Gods purpose is his word and his word is his purpose to vs ward alwayes prouided that we accuse not God either of inconstancy as though he had sodainly altered or changed his mind or of insufficiency as though he could not do that he woulde or of hypocrisie as though hee spake one thing ment another to destroy them vz. vtterly to haue left none but Moses as should appeare Exod. 32.10.31 c. had not Moses his chosen i. had not Moses whom hee had chosen to bée his ruler and leader of that people Sée Psalm 105.26 stood in the breach before him this is a metaphor taken from warrefare or battry meaning that Moses did so oppose himself against wrath by earnest and hearty prayer made on their behalfe that the Lorde woulde not destroy them euen as after a rupture or breache is made in the wall of a Citie or Towne those that are within runne immediatly to put backe them that woulde giue the assault Sée verse 30. of this Psalme concerning Phinehas also Ezech. 13.5 to turne away his wrath vz. ready to bée powred foorth vppon that people for their sinnes lest hee shoulde destroy them vz. vtterlye in that his great iudgement Verse 24. Also q.d. besides other signes they contemned i. not onely had not in right regarde but reuiled and spake euill of that pleasaunt lande vz. of Canaan which GOD had giuen and appoynted vnto them to the ende that therein they might bée nourished as in his fatherly lappe and haue as it were a gage of the heauenly inheritaunce and hee calleth it a pleasaunt or desirable lande because it abounded with all fruitfulnesse Sée Deutronomie 8.7 also Deutronomie 11.10 in which respect also it is called in scripture a lande that floweth with milke and hony and beléeued not his woorde i. the promises that hee had made them both for the goodnesse and possession of that land Sée for this history Numbers Chapters 13. and 14. throughout Ver. 25. But murmured vz. against GOD and his Seruauntes Moses Ioshua Caleb c. i. secretly and closely as before verse 16. of this Psalme yet so that this brake forth into an opē sinne as appeareth in the chapters before alleaged and hearkened not vz. to doe and perfourme for otherwise they coulde not chuse but heare that which the Lorde spake vnto them in that respect vnto the voyce of the Lord i. vnto Gods commaundement which is expressed Deut. 1.21 Ver. 26. Therefore vz. because they would not yéelde obedience vnto this his commandement he lifted vp his hand against them to lift vp the hande in the scripture is taken for swearing because it was a signe ceremony and gesture vsed in swearing Sée Gene. 14.22 Numb 14.30 Nehe. 9.15 and neuer vsed in the scripture so farreforth as I remember for to punish besides that the punishment followeth in this verse presently and therefore I take the latter part of the note in the Geneua Bible to be superfluous it is then q.d. he certainely sware against them to destroy them in the wildernes i. that woulde ouerthrowe them there and that they shoulde not enter into the lande the execution of this Sée Deut. 2.13.14 c. Verse 27. And to destroy their séed i. their posterity this is an other part or parcell as it were of Gods othe among the nations i. in the middest of them and by their force and might the threatning of this Sée Numb 14.33 Ezech. 20.23 and the perfourmance therof
godly magistrates and ministers which the Lord giueth vs. Ver. 17.18 Teach vs that God doth fearefully punish rebels and contentious persons of what state or calling soeuer they be Ver. 19.20 See out the dotage and blockishnes of idolaters who suppose the Godhead can be fashioned or resembled by any outward thing Ver. 21.22 Teacheth that the forgetfulnes of God his benefites and workes is the high way to all manner of sinne and iniquitie Ver. 23. Teacheth two things first that our sinnes do pul destruction from the Lord vppon vs Secondly how forcible the prayers of Gods children are both for themselues and others Ver. 24. Teacheth that contempt of Gods graces offred and giuen and distrust in the trueth of his promises are two horrible grieuous iniquities Ver. 25. Setteth out what great sinnes murmuring and rebellion against the Lorde are Ver. 26.27 Declare that neither these nor any other sinnes shall escape vnpunished in the parties that do them whether they be fathers or sonnes Ver. 28. Sheweth mans readines and earnest affection to commit idolatry Ver. 29. Sheweth that mans inuentions specially in the worship and seruice of God prouoke Gods angers and bring a plague vppon them Ver. 30. Teacheth vs in the example of Phinehas to lothe and abhorre sinne Ver. 31. Teacheth vs that God graciously accepteth the déedes words of his seruants though many wayes fraught with great defectes Ver. 32. Teacheth vs how peruerse and frowarde mans nature is though the Lorde deale neuer so plentifully and mercifully with him it teacheth also that God spareth no man for his person sake in that hée punished Moses Ver. 33. Teacheth thrée things first that other mens peruersnes shoulde not make vs sinne against God secondly though it doe yet wee shall not escape vnpunished thirdly that rash and vnaduised speaches are sinne against the Lord. Ver. 34. Teacheth vs to strike and not to spare where the Lord will haue vs to destroy for then we must not be lead by our owne fonde affections Verse 35. Teacheth vs that ill company is a shrewde meane to peruerte men from goodnes Ver. 36. Teacheth vs that to serue any besides the Lorde is the next way to come to destruction both in this life and in the life to come Ver. 37. Setteth out the rage of idolaters who spare nothing no not the dearest thinges they haue Verse 38. Teacheth vs that the shedding of innocent blood slayeth the whole lande and that therefore murther shoulde not onely not bée pardoned but sharpely punished Verse 39. Teacheth vs that there is nothing that hurteth man more then in ouerwening of his owne deuises Verse 40. Teacheth vs that our sinnes turne Gods loue and fauour into hatred and displeasure Ver. 41.42 Teach vs that sinne doeth drawe euen all temporall punishmentes vppon vs as forraine gouernement oppression captiuity c. Verse 43. Teacheth vs that God doeth not once onely but sundry times deliuer his people Secondlye that many the more graces they haue from God the more they are puffed vp in their owne deuises Thirdly that sinne against God is not onely a cause to humble vs but doeth in déede humble vs though perhaps wicked men will not sée it or féele it Verse 44. Teacheth vs first that GOD hath a tender eye ouer the afflicted ones Secondly that hée neuer forsaketh them if they call earnestly vppon him Verse 45. Teacheth vs that Gods frée couenaunt and eternall mercy without any thing of ours at all are sufficient inough to mooue him to take pity vppon vs in our afflictions Ver. 46. Teacheth that GOD onely hath the touching of mens heartes to bowe them hither or thither according to his good pleasure Verse 47. Teacheth vs to pray for other and euen Gods dispersed members as for our selues also that our owne ease and prosperity or preferment shoulde not so farre preuayle with vs as to make vs to forget them Verse 48. Teacheth all men continually to prayse the Lorde and to prouoke others thereto what in them lyeth Psalme 107 I Woulde diuide this Psalme into two partes Di In the first the Prophet exhorteth the faythfull to prayse the Lord for his mercy goodnes prouidence and power towardes them from verse 1. to the ende of the 10. In the seconde hée prouoketh them to praise the Lorde for his general power prouidence and goodnes towards others from ver 21. to the end of the Psalme Se. This Psalme hath no title or inscription at all Ver. 1. Is the same both in worde and sense that verse 1. of this Psalme 106. is and therfore sée that Ver. 2. Let them which haue béene redéemed of the Lord vz. out of bondage captiuity and dispersion q.d. let them that haue receiued this benefite at the Lords handes to bée set at liberty when they were in bondage prayse him shew vz. openly and to others howe vz. graciously and mightily hée vz. alone and none but hée hath deliuered them i. fréed them being sore oppressed through the cruelty and tyrannie of them that held them vnder from the hand i. from the power and might of the oppressor i. of them that oppressed them hée putteth in this place the singular for the plurall Verse 3. And gathered them vz. againe and together and that by his mighty power out of the landes vz. rounde about them into which they were dispersed for their transgressions sake from the East and from the West from the North and from the South i. from all quarters whereunto they were dispersed that word that we turne South signifieth also Sea and so shall you finde it translated in sundry textes but the meaning is because the red Sea lay southwarde from the land of promise Verse 4. When they wandered vz. a long tyme vp and downe in the desert and wildernesse out of the way hée meaneth out of the right way which did leade them whither they woulde haue come for GOD for their disobedience made them to wander fourty yéeres in the wildernes that so they might die and not come into the lande of Canaan and found no Citie vz. all that while of their wandering to dwell in i. to stay and refresh them selues in Verse 5. Both hungry and thirsty hée meaneth that whylest they were in the wildernesse they suffered many times great want of bread and drinke yea so much that their soule faynted in them i. their life was ready to decay and there séemed to bée but little difference betwéene death and them Verse 6. Then they vz. being in this great distresse and affliction cryed vnto the Lord in their trouble i. prayed earnestly vnto him and hée deliuered them i. set them frée from their distresse i. from the distresse that they were in Verse 7. And ledde them foorth vz. of the wildernesse and that safe and sounde by the right way vz. into the promised lande that they might goe vz. through his good direction to a Citie of habitation i. not onely to a citie inhabited but to a Citie whose
Verse 8. Gilead i. the whole lande countrie of Gilead with the people inhabiting the same shall be mine i. subiect to my power and authority and Manasseh i. the whole tribe of Manasseh shal be mine i. subiect to me though now for a while they follow the house of Saul Ephraim also i. the tribe of Ephraim shall be the strength of mine head i. shall be a principall proppe and staye of my kingdome and this the Prophet speaketh not only for any affiaunce he had in that tribe but also and chéefly because that tribe was mighty much people and when he sayth the strength of his head he vseth a Metaphor taken from beasts with hornes who vse also to defend thēselues therwith q.d. Ephraim shal be one of my principall meanes of defence Iudah i. the tribe of Iudah or the place where that Tribe dwelt is my lawgiuer i. is the place or people frō whence or from whom my lawes and ordinaunces procéed Verse 9. Moab i. the whole land people inhabiting it q.d. not only the Israelites but euen the Gentiles shal be added to my kingdome shal be my washpot vz. wherein I wil wash my féet meaning hereby that he would handle them more hardly make les account of them then of the Israelites because they were vncircūcised q.d. I wil make no more account of them then of an earthen pot vnder my féete and yet if I will reserue any of them I wil vse them in base seruices sée 2. Sam. 8.2 ouer Edom i. ouer the Edomites and their lande I will cast my shoe i. I will ouercom them when they are cast down tread vpon thē as it were meaning nothing else but that he would bring thē euen easily into his subiection obediēce vpō Palestina i the country it self the people inhabiting it who were called Philistines wil I triumph vz. boldly chearfully q.d. whereas they were wont ieastingly and scoffingly to triumph ouer vs as appeareth Iudges 16 25. 1. Samuel 4.7.8.9 Nowe wee will doe the like vnto them as though he should say now let them brag that they haue vanquished vs heretofore if they can or dare Verse 10. Who vz. besides God q.d. there is none able but he alone as may appeare by the next verse following wil lead me vz. the righte and ready way into the strong Citie vz. of mine enemies he putteth one citie for many and he calleth thē strong because they that possessed thē thoughte them so to be and not that they were able any maner of way to resist Gods power in him who will bring me to Edom vz. to vanquish and subdue it and the people there inhabiting Ver. 11. Wilt not thou O God q.d. I am sure thou wilt for so significant is the interrogatiō in this place which haddest vz. heretofore forsaken vs vz. vtterly leauing vs in the hands of our aduersaries and diddest not go forth vz. as thou wast wont to doe in fauour loue with our armies i. with those armies which we sent out agaynst our enemies q.d. Though heretofore we haue receaued a repulse yet now we perswade our selues that thou wilt giue vs victory ver 12 Giue vs vz. thorow thy mercy and goodnesse only for we craue it as a gift helpe i. aid strēgth grace c. against trouble i. against al trouble that we shall indure eyther outward or inwarde for vayne is the helpe of man i. the ayd that man can giue or bring is to little or no purpose Ver. 13. Thorow God i. thorow the ayd and strength we haue of him and in that assurance that we haue of his succour and assistance we shal doe valiauntly vz. against his and our enemies howsoeuer men be not able to ayd vs for he vz. alone without the helpe of any other shall tread down vz. vnder our féete meaning by that spéeche vanquishing and subduing of them our enemies i. all that shall rise vp agaynst vs either at home or abroad Do. Ver. 1. teacheth to come to Gods seruice with purpose and preparation also to serue him with our inward and outward man both Verse 2 doth teach vs two things first to vse all the meanes that may prouoke to the seruice and worship of God secondly to forgoe some parte of our pleasures and profits to performe it Verse 3 teacheth vs to prayse God so that other men may knowe it and by our example be stirred vp to do the like Verse 4 teacheth vs that Gods mercy and truth and the greatnesse and assurednesse thereof are two singular comforts to the consciences of his children Verse 5 teacheth vs in all our praiers to set before vs Gods glory as the speciall marke to aime at Ver. 6 teacheth vs also in our prayers to remember the safety and deliueraunce of our brethren Verse 7 teacheth vs that Gods worde and promise is ground sufficient ynough for the stay of his childrens perswasion Verse 8 teacheth vs that if the Lord haue promised vs a thing we should make as certayne account of it as though we had it in possession Verse 9 teacheth vs that no enemies whatsoeuer shal be able to resist Gods purpose in his seruants but that he wil both with ease and in assurance cast them down Ver. 10 teacheth that the ouerthrow of cities and peoples is from God only though he vse sundrye meanes for the performance therof Verse 11 teacheth that though God séeme to destitute his children for a while yet he will not forsake them for euer Ver. 12 sheweth that all mans ayde helpe counsell and countenaunce is as much without God as nothing Ver. 13 teacheth that all the strength power and victory that God his seruaunts haue is from the Lord only Psalme 109 THis Psalme as I take it Di. doth principallye propounde two things first the Prophet prayeth for himselfe alleaging his own misery and the mischiefe of his aduersaries as a mean to moue the Lord to mercy promising also praise thanksgiuing if the Lord will performe it verse 1 2 3 4 5 21 22 and so forth to the end of the Psalme In the second he praieth agaynst his aduersaries who were voyd as of all godlinesse in respect of the Lord so of all curtesie in respect of men and this reacheth from verse 6 vnto the end of the 20 verse The title of this Psalme is all one with Psal 13. and Psal 14. in their titles Se. and many others Likely it is that Dauid made this Psalm at some one time or other while Saule was king in whose dayes all the thinges were oute of order and if we compare the second verse of this Psalme with 1. Samuel 26.19 it shall appeare it was not made long before Saules death Verse 1. Hold not thy tongue vz. at these things which the vngodly practise agaynst me leste thou shouldest be thought eyther not to sée or else not to regarde the iniuries that they lay vpon me when they falsly accuse me before Saule the
vngodlinesse and let not the sinne of his mother be done away vz. out of the Lords sight but let it stand fast there as to craue continual punishmēt vpon her children resting in the like Ver. 15. But let thē i. their sins transgressiōs alway be before the Lord i. let the Lord continually remēber thē for we do not forget these things that are alwayes in our sight that he may cut of vz. in his iustice iudgemēt their memorial i. both they thēselues al other things that might bring them to remēbrance frō the earth i. not only from the place wher they dwel wch cannot properly be said to haue any remēbrance of thē but chéefly specially frō the people inhabiting those places or that part of the world Ver. 16. Because now he beginneth to shew some causes of his praier of gods iudgemēt he i. the wicked mā remembred not i. did of purpose forget put out the remēbrance of it in himself to shew mercy i. to haue pity cōpassion vpō others distressed but persecuted vz. with great rage egernes the afflicted poore mā i. him whom the Lord had cast downe brought to the state of néed the sorrowful harted i. him that was wounded and pearced with sorow at his hart for the calamities miseries that he was in to slay him vz. in his heat rage of persecutiō Ver. 17. As he loued cursing vz. of other mē vnderstāding by cursing al maner of wickednes that the vngodly was giuen to so shal it come vnto him vz. frō the Lord the Prophet meaneth that the vngodly multiplying sins against the lord shal frō the Lord receiue abūdance of plagues wch are so many curses sent frō the Lord as he loued not blessing i. good holy dealing generally for so you haue the word blesse vsed Mat. 5.44 so shall it i. blessing from the Lord and goodnes frō the God of Iaakob be far from him vz. so farre that it shall neuer come nigh him nor he in any hope to haue any part or portion thereof Verse 18. As he clothed himselfe with cursing like a rayment i. euen as he loued cursing as many men doe their costlye apparell as he was couered both within and without as it were and wrapped vp and trussed in cursing so shall it i. cursing come vz. being sent from God in his iustice into his bowels i. into his inwarde parts vnderstanding thereby euen the soule and minde also like water i. great abundaunce and like oyle into his bones i. it shall come plentifully vpon him By water he vnderstandeth their vsuall drinke and by Oyle their oyntmentes q.d. as men when they are thirstie drinke muche and when they are full of paines and aches vse much oyntment so let fulnes and abundance of cursing fall vpon the vngodly This is well knowne that water was an vsuall drink in those dayes and amongst that people sée Gen. 21.19 Ver. 19. Let it i. the cursing whiche hée hath vttered and vsed agaynste good men be vnto him i. vnto the wicked and vngodly as a garment to couer him i. let it stick and cleaue as fast vnto him as mens garments doe to their bodies and for a girdle wherewith he shall be alwayes girded hee meaneth by this lette it neuer departe from him but lette it daylye sticke closer and closer vnto him as mens garmentes doe when their gyrdles are aboute them This Verse differeth but a little from the former sauing that it séemeth to bee a prophecie and this a prayer this also further noting the continuance of cursing vppon the wicked Ver. 20. Let this i. al the punishments before reckoned be the reward of mine aduersaries vz. for their iniquities agaynst the Lord and me from the Lorde i. layd and sent vpon them from him by his mighty power and iustice and of them i. let such punishmēts also light vpon them that speake euill hee meaneth vnder this word deuising vttering and performing of crueltye agaynst my soule i. against my life for otherwise wicked men can not touch the soule as appeareth Matth. 10.28 All these imprecations Dauid maketh in a spiritual wisedome and by the motion of the holy Ghost Vnder the name of his aduersaries a man may vnderstand Christs aduersaries for whom al cursing is prepared and against whom the Church may vse suche like prayers because they are Gods obstinate and rebellious enemies Verse 21. But thou O Lorde my God vz. in whom I put my trust only deale vz. according to thy accustomed goodnesse with me vz. so sore distressed according vnto thy name i. according to that power maiestie goodnesse c. as Psalme 20.1 which thou arte wont to shew and thy seruaunts haue felt deliuer me vz. out of all my daungers and feares for thy mercy vz. towards thy children is good i. comfortable profitable and excéeding great And this is the firste reason that Dauid would moue the Lord by to pittie him in his calamities and an other reason followeth in the next verse Verse 22. Because I am poore and néedie q.d. I am most miserable and voyd of all hope this is a second reason taken from his calamities sée Psal 86.1 and mine hart is wounded within me vz. by the reason of the gréefes that I indure He meaneth by his hart wounded that he was almost dead because they that be wounded at the hart can hardly escape so that that metaphor expresseth the great daunger he was in Ver. 23. I depart vz. from amōgst men or out of this life like the shadow that declineth vz. very swiftly and sodainly for so soone as a cloud taketh away the sunne the shadow is presently gone it may be referred also to these long shadowes that appeare cōmonly before the sun set which séemeth to be very great and huge and yet when the sunne is down they sodainly vanish away and appeare no more and I am shakē off vz. from place to place he meaneth by this spéech that he was wonderfully tossed from post to piller as the grashopper wch leapeth hither thither continueth not long in a place how true that was in Dauid sée 1. Sam. frō chap. 18. til ye come almost to the end of the booke namely chap. 23.26 Ver. 24. My knées are weake through fasting he meaneth by fasting not an abstinence willingly layd vpon himself by himselfe but a long abstinence by reason of weakenesse of stomack q.d. I haue so lōg abstained frō meat nourishment that euen my knées and legs which should bear me are not able to beare vp my body my flesh hath lost all fatnes i. I am very lean low brought he meaneth some great gréefe extremity by means wherof natural force comlines was decaied in him Ver. 25. I vz. thus in misery became also a rebuke vnto thē i. to the wicked vngodly he meaneth that the wicked did tauntingly scornfully rebuke him they that looked vpō me vz. in
my misery shaked their heads vz. at me that in sign of mockery contēpt sée 2. King 19.21 this verified in Christ as appeareth Mat. 27.39 Ver. 26. Help me vz. in these distresses O Lord my God q.d. vnles thou help I shal be ouerthrown saue me i. deliuer me frō the power of the wicked according to thy mercy vz. promised to thy seruants performed to many of them Ver. 27. And they i. euen the very wicked vngodly shal know i. féele confesse that this vz. my deliuerance and help is thine hand i. is done and wrought by thy mighty power that thou Lord vz. alone none other with thée hast done it vz. for my good and safety Ver. 28. Though they i. the wicked curse i. speake and doe all manner of euil against me yet thou wilt blesse vz. me meaning by blessing a plentiful giuing of al graces this the Prophet speaketh in the assured perswasion of Gods mercy in contēpt of his aduersaries enterprises q.d. let thē curse as much as they wil or can yet this is my cōfort that thou wilt blesse me with thy fauour they shal arise vz. vp and that to do mischéef against me and be cōfounded vz. by thy mighty power in their wicked enterprises but thy seruants shal reioice vz. in thy goodnesse towards him the destruction of his and thine enemies marke that in these 3. verses 26 27 28. He prayeth for his own safety deliuerance as in the next for his enemies ouerthrow Ver. 29. Let mine aduersaries be clothed with shame i. let them be vtterly confoūded ashamed or couered with shame as men are with their clothes let thē couer thēselues with their cōfusion as with a cloke he meaneth that they should be compassed in on euery side with shame confusion wishing also that the best couerture that they might haue for themselues in the daye of distresse might be but only shame confusion of face This doubling of the sentence serueth not only to note the Prophets earnestnesse but also to set out the abundance continuance of shame to be poured forth vppon the wicked Ver 30. I vz. being thus deliuered from the vngodlies power will giue thanks vnto the Lord greatly i. will oftē and as it were continually prayse his name for it with my mouth i. openly and before others q.d. I wil not do it inwardly only in my hart but openly with my mouth and tongue putting the word mouth wherby voices are vttered for the very words of praise thanksgiuing and praise him vz. for his great power goodnes mercy towards me amōg the multitude vz. of his people assembled also for to praise him Ver. 31. For he i. the Lord wil stand vz. continually at the right hand of the poore i. hard by him that is afflicted meaning by standing at the right hand the continuall power prouidēce goodnes of God watching ouer those that are his to saue him i. to deliuer him and set him frée though he speake but of one yet hee meaneth al the faithful for that which God is to one of his he is to all of them from them that would condemn his soule i. from thē that would condemn him to death By soule he vnderstandeth the whole man and by the word condemn he sheweth that he had to do with the King and other mighty enimies Ver. 1 teacheth vs earnestly to cōmend our selues our causes into gods hāds by prayer Do. Ver. 2 setteth out the deceit hipocrisie lying of the vngodly Verse 3 sheweth how the wicked spare not to speake do euil also though they haue no cause giuen them Ver. 4 sheweth that the wicked many times recompence good with euil it teacheth the faithful also in the midst of alcōfusion to betake themselues to praier Ver. 5 sheweth that it is a portion alotted to Gods childrē in this life to be many times molested of them of whom they haue best deserued the Lord working this because he would thereby bring them out of loue with this life teach thē not to hang to much vpō men Ver. 6 7. c. teach first that we may pray against the malicious obstinate enemies of Gods people Ver. 6 teacheth further that it is a sign god is very angry whē he causeth one wicked man to punish another Ver. 7 sheweth that god wil somtimes make the very intreaty of the wicked serue to his own hurt Ver. 8.9.10 teach that it is many times a token of Gods wrath to be cut off in the middest of our dayes to haue our offices giuen to other to leaue behind vs poore fatherles children widdows I say many times because it is not always so Ver. 11 doth liuely describe the nature of the hard harted extortioner cruel stranger Ver. 12 teacheth that it should be no smal gréefe vnto vs if mens bowels compassion be shut vp against vs. Ver. 13 sheweth that God in his iudgmenes doth many times root out men their rases Ver. 14 teacheth that god punisheth the sinnes of vngodly fathers in their wicked children walking in the same ways Ver. 15 teacheth that it should déepely wound vs to know that God beholdeth al our sins Ver. 16 teacheth that God in his iustice doth punish men with those sins that they haue cōmitted against other Ver. 17 teacheth vs that they wch delighte continue in euil shal frō the Lord haue abundance of euil poured vpon them The same thing doth verse 18 19 teach Ver. 20. teacheth that al punishmēts poured vpon the wicked procéed frō the Lord. Ver. 21 teacheth that whē men sée or know that God wil deale in punishment against the wicked it then behoueth that godly to flie to his mercy by praier Ver. 22 teacheth vs that euē our own miseries shold moue vs to make harty supplicatiō vnto the Lord. Ver. 23 24 shew into what pittiful estate Gods children are many times brought Ver. 25 teacheth that it is no new thing for the wicked to scoffe skorn at the godly Ver. 26 teacheth vs in al our praiers to flie to Gods mercy Ver. 27 teacheth that the very wicked shal be constrained to confes gods hand in their punishment the deliueraunce of his children so did Pharaoh the Egiptians Ver. 28 teacheth that mans cursing cannot hurt where God hath promised his blessing Ver. 29 teacheth vs that we may pray against the wicked in that the Prophet doubleth his praier he teacheth vs that we should do so specially then when Satan bewraieth his subtilties and crafts Ver. 30 teacheth vs both secretly and openly to giue thanks to the Lord for his mercies Ver. 31 teacheth that God is nigh to his children euen to deliuer them in their greatest distresses and feares Psalme 110. THis Psalme being principally a prophecie of the kingdom priesthood of Christ consisteth especially of two parts Di. In the first are described the offices
which god the father hath committed to Dauid in figure but to Christ in truth frō ver 1 to the end of the 5. In the seconde are described what things both Dauid Christ shal do according to the seuerall offices cōmitted to thē this is comprehēded in the 2. last verses of this Psalm The Title is Se. a Psalm of Dauid i. a Psalme which Dauid in the spirite of Prophecie made as appeareth Mat. 22.43 Verse 1. The Lorde i. God the father sayd vz. in the truth of his word vnto my Lord i. vnto Christ the Messiah who is called Dauids Lord by right both of creation and redemption as who is God eternall with the father and the holy Ghost and yet became man at the fulnesse of tyme Galat. 4.4 If we referre it to Dauid then it must haue this sence either that Dauid speaketh of himself calling himselfe a Lord because God had aduaunced him to the kingdome of Israel or els penneth it as though some other should speake it of him We cannot offend in referring it to Christ because Christ doth account it as a prophecy of his kingdom Mat. 22 43 c. and the Apostle also Heb. 1.13 sit thou at my right hand i. receaue chéef rule and authority from me and exercise iurisdiction and power ouer al. And this is spoken according to mens vse specially Kings who are accustomed to set them on their right hand whom they wil highly aduance sée 1 King 2.19 also Psalme 45.9 and this is the right sence of that article hee sitteth at the right hand of God vntil I make thine enemies thy footestoole i. til I make thē that oppose thēselues against thée obediēt wholy subiect vnto thée He speaketh this speciallye of the reprobate who wil they or nil they must bée broughte down 2. Cor. 10.5 these words are largely expounded 1. Corinthians 15.25 c. The word vntil doth not here note a péece of time but a perpetuity for Christ shal be as he hath alwayes ben God coequal coeternal with his father sée the word vntil so vsed 2. Sam. 6.23 and in the new testament Mat. 5.26 Mat. 28.10 Ver. 2. The Lord i. God the father as before ver 1. shal send vz. forth abroad into al the world the rod of thy power i. thy powerfull and mighty rod or the rod and scepter whereby thou declarest thy power and might notwithstanding al the resistance of thine enemies sée for the better vnderstanding of this word rod Psalm 2 9 and by this rod no doubt he meaneth speciallye the preaching of the word which is the mighty power of God to saluation to al that beléeue Rom. 1.16 is able to cast down strong holds euery hie thing 2. Cor. 10.5 out of Sion i. out of the Church of the Iewes yet so that it shall bee spread abroad euen amongst the Gentiles also sée Isai 2 3. Micah 4 2. bee thou ruler vz. by thy word and spirit in thine own children and by thy mighty iudgements amongest the wicked in the middest of thine enemyes i. euen where their greatest force is He meaneth that the kingdome of Christ shall be alwayes assaulted by the enemies but yet al that notwithstanding he shal rule and remayne a Conqueror Verse 3. Thy people i. the people that thou shalte beget vnto thy selfe and shall be subdued vnto thée shall come willinglye i. shall fréely and of their own accord present themselues before thée to yéeld al obedience vnto thée at the time of assembling i. at that time when by the exercises of thy word and working of thy spirit thou shalt assemble and gather people vnto thy self thine armie i. great troupes of thy children vz. shall come before thée and appeare in thy presence in holy beauty i. either in suche comlinesse as shall carrye holinesse with it or else thus in holye beautye i. in thy Temple which is called holy beautye because that holinesse and glory of God did most plainly appeare in the same and therefore it is called a glorious sanctuarye also Psalme 29 2 the youth of thy wombe i. the people that thou shalte beget and bring forth shal be as the morning dew i. not onely pleasaunt and delightfull to thée as the dew is to the grounde but also plentifull and aboundaunt as there is most store of dew in the morning and as the Philosophers saye great abundaunce falleth after the appearing of the daye star Immanuel readeth this verse otherwise and maketh another sence of it but methinketh this is plaine and euident ynough Ver. 4. The Lord hath sworne vz. by himself as Heb. 6.13 wil not repēt vz. himself of the thing that he hath promised sworn to perform he meaneth by al this to assure vs that god will not change his purpose thou vz. O my sonne art a Priest for euer i. an eternall Priest to put a difference betwéene him and the Priestes in the lawe after the order of Melchizedech what his priesthood was appeareth Genesis 14. verse 18. reade also for this matter Hebrewes chapter 5 and also chapt 7. The Prophet meaneth that that was truly fulfilled in Christ which was figured in Melchizedech to wit that the eternall priesthoode and the crown and royall seat was ioyned together in one person which otherwise coulde not bee as appeareth 2. Chronicles 26 21. but by some speciall commaundement from God Ver. 5. The Lord that is at thy right hand i. Christ of whom is spoken before ver 1 of this Psal shal wound vz. by his mighty power vnderstanding by wounding the debasing throwing of thē down some after one sort and some after an other Kings i. the greatest mightiest enemies that can be in the day of his wrath i. in that time wherin he shal be prouoked to wrath and manifest the same He describeth in this place the power of Christ against his most great aduersaries enemies vpon whom he wil in good time pour forth the testimony of his wrath Ver. 6. He i. Christ the Lord Messiah shal be iudge i. ruler and Gouernor sée Psal 96.13 among the Heathen vz. and not only amongste the Iewes he prophecieth of the inlargement of Christs kingdom euen vnto the gētils he shall fill all vz. places with dead bodies i. with the bodies of his enemies and aduersaries being deade and smite vz. with his power might the head i. the chéefe ruler and gouernour by one vnderstanding many vnlesse wée would vnderstand it of the whole body of Antichrist whom the Lorde shall destroy with the spirit of his mouth 2. Thessal 2.8 ouer great countries i. ouer large and manye landes In this verse the Prophet setteth out Christ as a valiant conqueror ouer his enemies Ver. 7. He shall drinke of the brooke in the way this may haue a double sence eyther thus he i. the Messiah shal drinke of the brooke vz. which shall be made by the blood of them which shal be slayne q.d. there shal
charged with iniustice or vnfaithfulnes Ver. 9. He i. the Lord alone sent vz. by the hands of Moses Aaron meaning by the word sending bestowing or giuing redēption i. deliuerance vz. out of Egipt to his people vz. Israel when they were bōdslaues captiues he hath cōmanded his couenant vz. to remain sure certain for euer i. continually holy and fearefull is his name i. his maiesty goodnes power c. is ful of holinesse feare reuerence c. The Prophet meaneth that God in deliuering his people was not a father vnto them for one day only but established his grace and confirmed his couenant made with Abraham to the end that the hope of eternall life and the reuerent feare of his Maiesty might remaine continually in his church and he addeth these words holy and feareful is his name not only to discern betwéene him and al counterfeit Gods whatsoeuer but also to teach his children thereby to walk in the obedience of his maiesty Ver. 10. The beginning of wisdome i. of true holy wisdom such as is acceptable before god is the feare of the lord i. a right a reuerēt fear of gods maiesty imprinted in mēs harts he meaneth not by beginning the A B C as it were but the top height as it were of all holy heauenly wisdom sée Deut. 4.6 vnder the word feare he containeth al piety the seruice of God q.d. They that haue not gods feare and order themselues according to his law are altogether brutish Now we may try whether the feare of God be in vs by this touchstone to wit whether wee willingly receiue his yoke and suffer our selues to be gouerned by his word al they that obserue thē i. his commaundements or statutes as before ver 7 of this Psal haue good vnderstanding i. are truely wise indéed wheras without these there is nothing else but foolishnes his praise indureth for euer i. the praise that is due vnto God for his goodnes and mercy indureth yea and ought to indure amongste his to al posterities Do. Ver. 1 teacheth vs first to thank God for his benefits secondly to do it vnfeinedly with al our affection thirdly to do it both priuatly and openly Ver. 2 teacheth vs that Gods children ought to exercise thēselues in déepe meditation of Gods works Ver. 3 teacheth vs that al gods works do wōderfully set forth his glory maiesty Ver. 4 teacheth vs first that we cannot deface the excellēcy of gods works though we would secondly it describeth the excellency of loue and mercy that is in the Lord specially towards those that are his Ver. 5 teacheth vs that God giueth his children whatsoeuer he féeth good meet for them also that God promiseth nothing to his but he performeth it Verse 6 sheweth that though gods power be known to al yet chéefly to those that are his people Ver. 7 teacheth vs that al that God doth he doth in mercy to his seruaunts and in iudgemente to his enemies Verse 8 noteth the certaintie assurednesse and cōtinuance of gods word Ver. 9 teacheth that God in the middest of their greatest miseries remembreth and deliuereth his own people Ver. 10 teacheth vs that this is true wisedome to yéeld God that seruice only that he requireth at our hands also that it is not ynough to know but that we are bound to do Gods commaundemēts Psalme 112. Di. THis Psalm may be diuided specially into two parts In the first the Prophet sheweth the great blessings of God vpō those that feare him frō ver 1 to the end of the 4. In the secōd he sheweth certain qualities or notes wherby to discern good men describeth all the cursed estate of the wicked Frō ver 5 to the end of the Psalm For the title of this Psal Se. also sée before Psal 106. in the title Ver. 1 Blessed is the man i. fulnes of blessings is to him of what sexe or state soeuer he be sée Psal 1.1 that feareth the Lord vz. vnfeignedly with his whole hart Vnder this word feareth the Lord he comprehēdeth al the whole worship seruice of God and delighteth greatly i. taketh much and continual pleasure as Psal 1.2 in his cōmandements i. in the cōmandemēts which God hath prescribed Ver. 2. His séed i. the houshold race and posterity of such a good man shall bée mighty i. shal grow not only to a great increase but also to strength continuance that shal not rot away vpon earth i. in this earth that the Lord hath giuen to the sonnes of men the generation of the righteous i. the godly race and posterity of good men continuing in their fathers goodnesse shal be blessed vz. with plentiful blessings that from the Lord. Ver 3. Riches treasures i. al maner of wealth wch is noted both because the prophet vseth 2 words signifying almost one thing and also because hee speaketh of them in the plural nūber shal be in his house i. in his possession and vse to serue his own turne and the turne of all those that any manner of way depend vpon him and his righteousnes i. his vprightnes and goodnes both towards God and men indureth for euer i. shall neuer decay q.d. though many rich men through deceitefulnes of riches fall away from their former goodnes yet this good man neuer shall doe so because he is vpholden in the same by the strength of God and his spirite yea and withall he sheweth what difference there is betwéene the good and the bad wicked mens riches goe away by and by but good mens righteousnes continueth for euer True it is that the good are oftentimes poore but the Prophet herein specially magnifieth the grace of god that the godly content themselues with mediocritie and that on the other side the prophane men are neuer satisfied what abundaunce so euer they haue Ver. 4. Vnto the righteous i. vnto thē that striue to a righteous life and holy conuersation ariseth vz. through Gods speciall appoyntment gift and grace light i. all maner of prosperity and blessednes both inward and outward in darkenes i. in the greatest distresse misery and aduersitie that can come vppon him the Prophet meaneth that God maketh them to féele his grace and goodnes which are vpright in heart in the middest of their greatest afflictions they knowing this that all that is layd vpon them shall turne to their good hee i. the godly and faithfull man is mercifull and full of compassion vz. towardes such as are in neede and distresse righteous i. vpright and faithful in al his dealings with other Some referre this to God but methinke the other is the more apt sense Ver. 5. A good man i. one whome God hath framed to goodnes for otherwise none is good saue God onely Mark 10.18 is mercifull vz. to the poore and néedy vnderstanding by mercifull curteous in speach and ready in déede to performe what in him lyeth and lendeth vz.
not onely labour to whet our coldnesse and dulnes but sheweth that God is he who alone is worthy all prayse Ver. 2. Blessed i. praysed and magnified hée the name of the Lorde i. Gods maiesty power and goodnes as before ver 1. of this Psalme from henceforth and for euer i. from this tyme and so forward alwayes In this verse the Prophet amplifieth Gods prayse by the circumstance of tyme q.d. hée would haue it to continue alwayes in mens mouthes as in the next verse hée amplifieth it by the circumstaunce of place q.d. hée woulde haue it remaine and abyde also in all places Ver. 3. The Lordes name i. his maiesty power goodnes c. as before verse 1.2 of this Psalme and also Psalm 20.1 is praysed i. is meete and worthy to bee praysed for the excellency and woorthinesse thereof some read it thus let it be praysed both senses may stand well with the purpose of the Prophet from the rising of the sunne vnto the going downe of the same i. in and through all the world he putteth two of the chiefest parts of the world for the whole world because these two partes vz. East and West were most inhabited for the North by reason of colde and the South by reason of heate are not so well peopled as the other quarters are Ver. 4. The Lorde is high aboue all nations i. is renowmed and more glorious then al the peoples of the world or any one of them and it is a secret reproof q.d. Is there any thing more absurde amongest reasonable men then this that they which haue certaine experience and knowledge of Gods glory amongst them should cease to prayse him for it séeing it shineth euen amongest them that are blinde and his glory aboue the heauens q.d. God doeth not onely excéede and excel al nations in glory but euen the very heauens themselues which are not able to conceiue or conteine his glory Ver. 5. Who either in heauen or in earth is like to wit in power strength prouidence goodnes c. vnto the Lorde our God i. vnto him whom we serue that hath his dwelling on high i. that dwelleth in the heauens as Psalme 2.4 Ver. 6. Who abaseth himselfe vz. in loue and mercy towardes his to behold thinges vz. which are done in the heauen and in the earth he meaneth that God foreseeth all thinges both aloft and belowe and by his power disposeth thereof Ver. 7. He rayseth vz. through his almighty power and of his goodnes the needy i. the poore and abiect amongst men out of the dust i. out of a vile and contemptible estate and lifteth vp the poore out of the dung hee speaketh the selfe same thing in other tearmes meaning that God many tymes aduanceth the most base persons sée 1. Sam. 2.8 also 2. Sam. 7.8 and note that hée speaketh not here of an ordinary course as in other places but of vnaccustomed workes in which Gods hand power is more manifest as when he exalteth a poore man not onely to a simple degrée of honour but also to haue authority ouer his people True it is that this appeareth plainely in the ciuill gouernement but yet especially in the state of the Church which is the principall theatre as it were of the worlde and wherein God giueth the plainest testimonies of his power wisedome and wonderfull iustice Ver. 8. That he may set them with the princes i. that he may giue and commit vnto them gouernement as other princes haue and not onely as euery other Prince but euen such gouernement as the princes of his owne people haue whome hée hath not onely chosen but also most tenderly loued Ver. 9. Hée i. God maketh vz. by his almighty power and working the barren woman i. shee that was barren to dwell with a family i. to haue plenty of children about her the Prophet putteth the whole family for the principall part thereof that is children and vz. God maketh her also a ioyfull mother of children i. to reioyce in her children and fruitfulnes hee ascribeth here ioy vnto mothers because they preferre posterity before all other thinges which they desire that barrennes bred griefe and fruitfulnes ioy appeareth in Hannah the mother of Samuel 1. Sam. 1.2 chapiters throughout prayse yee the Lorde sée Psal 106. and the last verse Ver. 1. Teacheth vs that it becommeth all men Do. but specially the ministers of Gods worde to set forth the noble prayses of the Lord. Ver. 2. Teacheth vs that Gods prayses should be continuall Ver. 3. Sheweth that they shall bée publike in all places Verse 4. Sheweth that all the glory both of heauen and earth and of all the creatures therein conteined is not so much as a shaddow of the glory and maiesty that is in God Ver. 5. Teacheth vs that none is any manner of way comparable with God or like vnto him Ver. 6. Teacheth vs that God looketh vppon all thinges both in heauen and earth which shoulde teach vs to walke with feare and trembling in his sight Ver. 7. and 8. Teach vs that preferment commeth not from the East nor from the West but from the Lorde onely as Psal 75.6.7 Ver. 8. Teacheth further that christian princes and those which gouerne Gods people are more to be estéemed then vnbeléeuing magistrates are Ver. 9. Teacheth vs first that barennes and fruitfulnes are both from the Lord. Secondly that wee may yea that wee ought to reioyce when God blesseth vs with posterity Psalme 114 THis Psalme may be diuided into two partes Di. In the first the Prophet sheweth how the people were deliuered out of Egipt and the wonderfull works which God did for their sake from ver 1. to the end of the 4. In the second is comprehended as it were a dialogue or disputation betwéen the Prophet and the creatures from ver 5. to the end of the Psalme This Psalme hath no title as sundry other haue not and namely Psal 10. Se. also Psal 91. also Psal 93. c Ver. 1. When Israell i. the people of Israell who are called Israel because they descended of Iaakob who was also called Israel went out of Egipt i. were deliuered out of it by the handes of Moses Aaron and the house of Iaakob i. his race and posterity from the barbarous people vz. of the land of Egipt the Hebrew worde vsed in this place signifieth such as spake an other tongue besides the Hebrewe Sée Psalm 81.5 Ver. 2. Iudah i. not onely that tribe but all the rest of the people of Israel for that which hee attributeth to that tribe because it was one of the chiefest appertaineth also euen vnto the whole body of the people was his sanctification i. was a people whom hée had sanctified and seperated from other nations to bée a peculiar holy people to himselfe And Israel i. the people that came of Israel as ver 1. of this Psalm his dominion i. God had purchased vnto himselfe a Lordship and rule ouer them
because he had brought them out of the lande of Egipt The Prophet meaneth that the Israelites were gods people and that he againe was the God of the Israelites Sée Exod. 6.7 Exod. 19.5.6 Ver. 3. The Sea i. the red Sea sawe i. felt and perceiued after the manner that it could it i. the great power of God waking for his people in their deliuery and his loue towardes them and fled vz. from before the presence of the Lord and his people some this way and some that way sée Exod. 14.21 Iordan was turned backe vz. from his naturall course and running sée this history in Ioshua 3.13.14 c. Hée toucheth here some miracles that God wrought for his people q.d. Though the Sea were a dead element and the other creatures insensible yet they were as it were striken with a certaine feare of Gods power and did of their owne accorde yet at Gods appointment willingly yéeld to the passage of his people Ver. 4. The mountaines i. not only Sinai but the mountaines round about it leaped like rammes i. were moued as rammes when they leape or skippe at the presence of the Lorde when hee gaue the lawe vnto Moses Sée Exod. 19.18 and the hilles i. litle hilles vz. leaped or skipped as lambes vz. when they play together hée meaneth that the presence of the Lord made both the great mountaines and the litle hilles to tremble Ver. 5. What ailed thée q.d. what was the cause or was the matter in thy self no no there was an other thing in it and that was gods power and presence as ver 7. O sea i. O red sea as before ver 3. of this Psalm that thou fleddest vz. at the presence of the Lorde and his people Sée for the sense of this and that which followeth in this verse the third verse of this Psalme Verse 6. Yee mountaines c. sée for the meaning of this verse ver 4. of this Psal and note for both these verses together that the Prophet demandeth the question not as though he either doubted or were ignoraunt of the cause but that he might the more euidently declare that whatsoeuer was done was by the almighty power of God done besides or contrary to the course that had set them Ver. 7. The earth vz. it selfe which séemeth to bée insible yea and as it were vnmoueable trembled at the presence of the Lorde i. shooke as it were for feare when the Lord gaue forth testimonies of his presence Sée Exod. 19.18 The Prophet giueth in these woordes an answere to his questions q.d. Gods power presence was the cause of this and that he putting the worde earth for the sea and waters also which by the figure finecdoche are comprehended vnder that name Immanuel readeth it thus at the presence of the Lord I the earth tremble q.d. then I did tremble at his presence and nowe and at al other times I am so striken with his presence when he sheweth it as it were extraordinarily so that I can not but tremble at it Though the wordes vary yet the sense is all one at the presence of the God of Iaakob i. at the presence of the onely true God whom Iaakob that is such as came of Iaakob worship and serue and by this title he seuereth God from al other counterfeit and sorged gods whatsoeuer Ver. 8. Which turneth vz. by his almightie power the rocke into water pooles i. maketh fountaines to come out of the rocke and when he calleth them water pooles he noteth the abundance of water that issued out of them the flint into a fountaine of water i. brought euen abundance of water out of the most hard rocke sée Psal 78.15.16 we may also referre this to the histories written Exod. 17.6 and Num. 20.11 c. if any wil expound it of Gods power what he is able to doe I will not contend for I suppose both senses may stand very well Ver. 1. Teacheth vs that God hath a speciall care ouer his people Do. when they are most distressed Ver. 2. Sheweth that it is a singular fauor when god chooseth any to be a holy and peculiar people to himselfe Ver. 3. and 4. Teach that when the Lorde will haue any thing done hee wil make the very creatures to turne vpside downe their ordinary courses Verse 5.6 Teach vs that wee may many times aske questions and yet neither doubt of the matters nor be ignorant in them Ver. 7. Teacheth vs to stand in awe of God séeing that the very dumbe and insensible creatures feare before him Ver. 8. Teacheth that the Lord doth whatsoeuer pleaseth him both in heauen and in earth Psalme 115 THis Psalme consisteth of two principall parts Di. In the first the faithful pray to the Lord shewing that they trust in him not in the idoles of the gentiles any maner of way from ver 1. to the end of the 8. In the seconde is conteined an exhortation to the faithful to trust in the Lorde with promises of great graces if they wil abide therein from ver 9. to the end of the Psalme It is vncertaine who penned this Psalme and at what time it was written Se. If I should goe vpon coniectures and gesses I suppose rather that the faithful people of God in some captiuity either of Babilon or vnder Antiochus made it then Dauid as Immanuel Tremelius affirmeth Ver. 1. Not vnto vs O Lord not vnto vs q.d. deliuer vs from the tyranny of the Gentiles amongst whom we are not that we might haue glory therby but that it may redound to thine owne glory honour this doubling of the words sheweth that they cast from themselues al trust in themselues but vnto thy name vz. only vnderstanding by name his goodnes maiesty power c. as Psal 113.1.2 giue the glory vz. of one deliueraunce and fréedome for thy louing mercy vz. towards vs and for thy truths sake vz. which thou hast promised vs vnderstanding by trueth not only his promise but also his faithful performance thereof q.d. for the glory of thine owne name and that thy mercy and trueth may bée made manifest worke this deliueraunce for vs. Verse 2. Wherefore i. to what end otherwise then tending to thy dishonour shall the heathen amongst whom we are and vnder whose power we be subiected say vz. with open mouth that in disprayse of thy name where is nowe i. at this pinch and at this distresse their God i. the God which they worship q.d. if thou nowe helpe vs not the mouthes of the enemies will bée open to blaspheme thée as though thou caredst not for thy people and so to wound and grieue vs at the heart Verse 3. But q.d. for all their blaspheming this is our assuraunce of fayth that our God i. the God whome wee serue is in heauen i. is farre aboue all thinges in maiesty power c. hée doeth vz. without either the helpe or hinderance of any what soeuer he will vz. both in heauen
for some deliuerances he addeth the cup of saluation that is deliuerances how Dauid performed this sée 1. Chro. 16.1.2.3 c. and will call vpon the name of the Lord i. pray vnto him also q.d. I wil not only thank him for his benefites but pray vnto him for the increase and continuance thereof Ver. 14. I will pay vz. with a frée and willing heart my vowes i. the thinges that I haue vowed or the sacrifices of thanksgiuing which I promised vnto him if he deliuered me out of distresse for amongst other that vsed to make vowes they did it that were in extreme danger distresse q.d. I wil not only by wordes confesse my self to be safe from danger so witnes the thankfulnes of my mind but I wil declare it also by offring the sacrifices which I vowed to the Lorde at what time Saul did pursue me very hardly The ende of vowes was to seale in the hearts of Gods children a hope to obtaine that which they did aske and moreouer to prouoke and bind them to thanksgiuing and this liberty to vow is permitted vnto Gods children to comfort them in their infirmities and not otherwise and that word pay noteth that it is due debt and that it can not be omitted without sinne if the thing vowed be lawful euen now q.d. I will not deferre it in the presence of all his people i. in the temple or place of publike exercise whether al Gods people resorted or else before all the Israelits whom he gathered together to Ierusalem to bring the arke of the Lorde thither Sée 1. Chro. 15.3 Ver. 15. Precious i. deare and of great account and regard in the sight of the Lord i. before him and his iudgement is the death of his saints i. death or mischief imagined or performed towards those whom he alloweth of q.d. God by my example hath declared how deare vnto him is the life of faithfull men séeing that hee hath so often preserued me assaulted so many wayes and with so great force or thus God doeth grieuously take good mens deathes and therefore they shall not escape vnpunished that kill them And marke this that for his comfort he setteth this against the malice of his enemies that God doth not at al aduenture deliuer his vp to death but maketh great account of them for the word saints sée Psalm 30.4 Ver. 16. Beholde Lord q.d. most true is it Lorde that thou wilt not haue the godly slayne for thou hast preserued me thy poore seruant for I am thy seruant vz. and thou hast shewed mée this grace and fauour I am thy seruaunt hee repeateth the same againe as a matter of no small comfort vnto himselfe neither must wee so vnderstand him as though hée grounded the causes of his deliuerance vpon his seruices perfourmed to God but vppon Gods frée election q.d. from my mothtrs wombe yea before I was borne this honour and goodnes was prepared for mee and the sonne of thy handmayde i. of a woman who did purely worship thée and this he speaketh because that children by reason of their first education imitated the disposition and manners of their mothers for which cause also it should séeme that the names of the kings mothers are so commonly expressed in the bookes of kings sée for this phrase Psal 86.16 thou vz. alone hast broken vz. in pieces or a sunder by thy almighty power my bands i. either the bands that I was bound in or else the bandes that were prepared to bind me in by this maner of spéech he meaneth that god had deliuered him from the danger wherin he was or else he had kept him that he came not into the troubles that his enemies had prepared for him Ver. 17. I will offer vnto thee a sacrifice of praise vz. for thy mercy goodnes shewed vnto mee he meaneth that he wil acknowledge confesse gods goodnes praise him for the same for here he protesteth again as he had done before ver 13.14 that hee would giue God thanks which is a signe that he was not vnthankful and I will cal vppon the name of the Lord marke the sodaine change of the person from the seconde to the third he meaneth by this speach that he wil neuer cease to worship God to praise God sée before ver 13. of this Psal Ver. 18. I wil pay c. This is the same with ver 14. before going both in words meaning therfore we shall not néed to stand vpon it Ver. 19. In the courtes of the Lordes house i. in the place of publik resort and assembly whether the people came together to serue God meaning no doubt the Church euen in the middest of thée O Ierusalem i. openly in that most famous City in which was at that time the only place appointed for gods sacrifices and seruice because there was but one only altar and that was placed there from which also it was not lawful for any man to withdraw himselfe Ver. 1. Teacheth vs vnfeignedly to loue the Lord Do. also that he is nigh to the supplication praiers of the faithful Ver. 2. 3. Teach vs that the time of affliction is an acceptable time to pray to God in that affliction it selfe addeth also an edge vnto our praiers Ver. 3. Doth further teach into what great anguish distresse the children of god are many times brought Ver. 4. teacheth vs earnestnes continuance in praier vnto almighty God Ver. 5. Teacheth vs that the consideration and féeling of Gods mercy is ought to be a notable spurre vnto prayer Ver. 6. Teacheth vs that Gods mercy towards other men our selues also should assure vs that our prayers shal be heard and we deliuered Verse 7. Teacheth vs to comfort our selues what wee may in our distresse and heauinesse also that God himselfe is the onely proppe and stay of those that are his Ver. 8. teacheth that god doth graciously preserue those that depend vpon him how great or how many soeuer their troubles bee Ver. 9. Teacheth that those which are vnder the sauegarde prouidence and protection of almightie God shal neuer miscary Ver. 10. Teacheth vs that faith in God and his promises maketh vs bold in prayer to him and ouercommeth all assaults of Satans malice our owne corruption Ver. 11. Teacheth into what extremities gods children oftentimes fal specially whē they do not presently see the accomplishmēt of Gods promises Ver. 12. Teacheth vs that Gods benefites are so many and excellent that wee are not able to comprehende much lesse to answere the least part of them Ver. 13. Teacheth that vnfeigned and humble thankesgiuing is the most acceptable sacrifice to almighty God Ver. 14. Teacheth vs that when we haue vowed any thing which is lawfull and holy wee ought to performe it but what serueth this for vowes of monkery single life c. Ver. 15. Teacheth vs that god careth for that very tenderly those that are his which is a
sée that fall vpon them that I haue long desired and wished vz. destruction and confusion Immanuel readeth it thus therefore doe I despise mine enemyes q.d. I make no more account of them and their forces then of thinges whiche I contemne so safe sound and vnfearefull am I being vnder Gods defence Verse 8. It is better vz. by infinite degrées and marke that the worde better is not spoken here as though confidence in men were good for to trust in men is to rob god of his glory to trust vz. stedfastly in the Lord vz. only then to haue confidence i. any maner of trust or coÌ„fideÌ„ce at al in man vz. of what calling soeuer he be or how many in number soeuer they are Ver. 9. is the same almost with ver 8 therfore looke vpon that again in Princes this is a certaine kind of amplification q.d. We must not put our trust neither in men of low estate nor in mighty men those that séeme to haue all the power and authority in the world for they that wil cleaue to them shall be deceaued also because they be but men Ver. 10. All nations vz. whiche lie round about me my kingdom as the Philistines Moabits c. haue coÌ„passed me vz. and my people that round about sometimes by fraude sometimes by force and somtimes by one mean somtimes by another but in the name of the Lord i. thorow the goodnesse power strength of God shal I destroy theÌ„ vz. al with al their imaginations deuises In this verse and some other following the Prophet rehearseth the great daunger hée was in hee setteth out also the power cruelty multitude of his enemies and al to this end that hée might the more manifest the grace power of God in his deliueraunce which could not be performed by mans ayd but after a certayn meruailous diuine sort Ver. 11. They i. the nations round about me being my deadly enemies haue coÌ„passed me sée before ver 10 yea they haue coÌ„passed me i. they haue oftentimes enuironed me also very hardly and straitly beset me so that there was no likelyhood of escaping for so much I suppose the doubling of the phrase importeth al that followeth in this ver is the same in words sence with ver 10 Ver. 12. They i. mine enemies came about me vz. on euery side like bées i. not only in great multitudes as though there had bene many hiues of bées together but also with great fiercenesse eueÌ„ as though they would haue ouer-run me sée Deut. 1.44 for this phrase True it is that these little creatures haue no great power yet they are wonderfully fierce and angry specially if they be prouoked and make men somewhat afrayd if they set vpon them at the sodaine or vnawares but they i. mine enemies were quenched vz. thorow the strength and power which the Lord gaue me He meaneth by this spéeche that they were euen as it were vtterly and sodainly confounded as fyre that hath abundaunce of water cast vpon it as a fyre of thornes whiche though it make much noyse at the beginning by reason of the crackling thereof as our experience teacheth vs and yéeldeth a greater flame then greater woode doth yet notwithstanding it quicklye vanisheth awaye q.d. for all the vngodlye mens bragges they shall sodainlye perish and come to nothing sée for this spéeche Ecclesiasticus 7 8. the rest that followeth is expounded before in the other verses Ver. 13 Thou vz. O mine enemie some refer it to Saule as though Dauid spake it particularly of him I rather thinke that vnder one who was as it were the chéefest he meaneth all or manye hast thrust sore at mée vz. with al thy power force and deuises whatsoeuer The Prophet meaneth by this that hée had left no way vnassaâ—ed to hurt him that I might fal vz. either by death or into some dangerous state from the high coÌ„ditioÌ„ wherin I now am but the Lord vz. alone hath helpen me vz. thorow his mighty power meaning that the Lord had deliuered him froÌ„ the dangers distresses that were deuised against him Ver. 14 The Lord vz. alone is my strength i. is the strength that I haue to withstande or to ouercome al mine enemies my song i. the only matter mean of my ioy q.d. I haue nothing else in my selfe to reioyce in but onely in the Lorde who doth thus and thus for me for he hath bin my deliueraunce vz. oute of all my feares and daungers q.d. he alone hath deliuered me Ver. 15. The voyce of ioy and deliuerance i. ioyful voices and soundes for deliuerance vz. bestowed vpon me shal be vz. continually in the tabernacles of the righteous i. in the dwelling places houses of good men q.d. the righteous shall sing praises to god for the great deliuerances wch he hath wrought for them me saying vz. amongst themselues yet so that other may heare it the right hand of the Lord i. his great glory power and might hath done valiauntly vz. againste his enemies and for the defence of his own children he meaneth that they shoulde confesse that God had nobly displayed his power Ver. 16. The right hand of the Lord i. his great power might is exalted vz. aboue euery thing that setteth it selfe against it how high or great soeuer it be the rest of this verse is expounded before Verse 17. I shall not die vz. yet as mine aduersaries supposed and wished and as my weake state did make shew of but liue vz. vppon the earth amongest men suche doubling of spéeches haue bin touched before sundry times such a one there is also Psal 110.4 and declare vz. amongest men and vnto the people which shal come hereafter the workes of the Lorde the great and excéeding workes that he doth specially for his seruauntes and childreÌ„ Ver. 18. The Lord vz. by the hand and rod of his and mine enemies hath chastened me sore i. sharply q.d. It was Gods purpose to correct me by the meanes of mine enemies but the wicked went about thereby to destroy me but this God would not suffer sée Isaiah 10.6 7. also Zacha. 1 15. but he hath not deliuered me to death vz. which mine enemies purposed and practised against me q.d. thorow his goodnesse I haue escaped that daunger Ver. 19. Open ye vz. ye Priests and Leuites that haue the watch garding and kéeping of the Lords house sée Psalme 134.1 vnto me vz. vpon whome God hath bestowed such graces and mercies the gates of righteousnesse i. the dores of the Tabernacle or Gods house which is called righteousnesse either because none ought to enter therein but wise and good people or else because that in that place there was only reade and expounded the law of God whiche is the only true rule of all righteousnesse And by this maner of spéech hee testifyeth his ardent zeale when he desireth that the dores of the Tabernacle may be set
open vnto him euen as though the Sacrifices were already present and ready that I may go into them vz. willingly chearefully and gladly and praise the Lord vz. with all my hart for his graces bestowed vpon me Ver. 20. This is the gate of the Lord q.d. seing that these gates belong vnto the Lord it is very méete they should be opened to his seruaunts the righteous shal enter into it vz. there to prayse the Lord and to pray vnto him Ver. 21. I vz. the people of Israell and Iudah the holy Ghost speaketh of them all as though they were but one because they all make but one body and here beginneth the third part of the Psalme will praise vz. with my whole hart and continuallye thée vz. O Lord for thou hast heard me i. granted my praiers and requests made vnto thée and hast ben my deliueraunce i. him that hath deliuered me out of al trouble Verse 22. The stone vz. which God himselfe had appointed as méete for the building to stay vphold and bind together the whole kingdome whiche vz. stone also the builders refused i. the principal gouernors both in the church and in the Kingdome in Saules time and in the dayes of Ishboseth if wee respect Dauid but if we respect Christ then the Priests Pharises and all the rest who by duty should haue built vp the Church and not destroyd it is vz. now thorow Gods appointment the head of the corner i. the chéefe stone in the building not only because it is sette in the most excellentest place of the whole building but also because it doth sustayne the whole waight of the house In this verse referred to Dauid the people shew how that though the greate men stood agaynst him yet God exalted him to the kingdome maugre all their deuises which as it followeth in the next verse was a wonderfull thing But it is truly accomplished in our Sauiour Christ as appeareth Matt. 21.41 Act. 4.11 who is indéede the true corner stone Ephe. 2 20. in whome all the building coupled together groweth vnto a holy Temple in the Lord Ver. 23. This vz. exaltation of the chéefe corner stone so contemptuouslye reiected of the greate men of the world was the Lords doing vz. only and that in mercy towardes vs miserable men whether wee respect Dauid as the figure and so apply it to the people of the Iewes or else referre it to Christ as the truth and substaunce and it is meruaylous in our eyes i. we déeme it and take it to be a wōderfull thing far beyond the reach of our wit and reason and yet we know and beléeue the same to be faithfully performed Ver. 24. This is the day vz. in which the Lord sheweth by effect that he is gracious towards vs in giuing vs so good a King which the Lord hath made vz. for our comforte and good let vs reioyce vz. before the Lord and be glad in it vz. for the graces which hée hath bestowed vpon vs. Verse 25. O Lord I pray thée vz. euen for thy owne names sake and for thy mercy sake and the word I is to be taken here as verse 21 of this Psalme saue now vz. our King thy seruaunt vnderstanding by the word sauing not only deliueraunce from daunger but aid and succoure to ouercome al our enemies and that word now importeth a present supplye without delay not that they prescribe God a time but to the ende the enemies might be quickly ouerthrowne O Lord I pray thée now vz. at this present wherein good occasion is offred giue prosperity vz. to our King and to vs in his ministery These be the prayers of the people wishing good vnto their King and themselues sée for this purpose Psalme 20. thorowout Verse 26. Blessed be he vz. with all kind of graces both outward and inward that commeth vz. to rule and gouerne amongst vs in the name of the Lorde i. by power and authoritie giuen him from the Lord q.d. That thrusteth not in himselfe but taketh the kingdome vpon him by the commandement and appointment of God Sée this applyed to our Sauiour Christ Mat. 21 9 We vz. which are the Lords Priests and wayt vpon the Altar haue blessed you vz. both King and people vnderstanding by blessing praying for them and wishing them all good which was a part of the Priests office as appeareth Deutron 10.8 Num. 6 23 c. out of the house of the Lord he noteth the place frō whence this blessing was pronounced vz. euen in that place where God was serued and in which place both Priests and people were assembled to worship him and these are the Priests words and prayers Verse 27. The Lord vz. which hath done these things for Dauid and vs is mighty vz. aboue all both in heauen and in earth and hath giuen vs vz. thorow his great mercy goodnesse light i. prosperity and al kinde of gladnes for so much do the Hebrewes comprehend vnder the word light sée Esth 8 16. binde the sacrifice vz. of praise and thanksgiuing which you offer to the Lord putting one number for an other and vnderstanding by one many as may appeare because he addeth with cords for many cords néed not for the tying of one sacrifice but hee meaneth that they should bind and bring al their sacrifices together and haue them in a readinesse as it were presentlye to offer them vp to the Lord vnto the hornes of the Altar he meaneth by this spéech that they shoulde bring them together and fill as it were the whole court of the Lord for further then that place it was not lawfull for the people to goe so that he meaneth by bringing them to the hornes of the Altar nothing else but presenting them before the Lord that as nigh as they might by warrāt of the law go so that Dauid minding to ioin the outward ceremonies of the law with the inwarde affection and seruice of the hart exhorteth euery one to prepare to present that which is necessarye to offer vp to God for the sacrifice of thanksgiuing The hebrew word whiche is here turnd sacrifice doth properly signify a sacrifice offred on some feast day the word that is translated cords signifieth a cord made of many thréeds or ropes put together and hath his name as it should séeme of the thicknes of it Ver. 28 Thou art my God i. he that alone hath mightily deliuered me from mine enemies These be Dauids words vttered either in his own name or in the Priests name concluding the Psalm with thanksgiuing as he had before taken vpon him that person both of the people Priests ver 21. ver 26. of this Psalme I wil praise thée vz. for thy goodnes mercy power manifested vnto me euen my God q.d. Though thou art a God vnto al yet by particular experience I haue found thée so chéefely vnto me therfore I wil exalt thée vz. amongst men with praise thanksgiuing Ver. 29.
which also is the last verse of the Psalm is the same with the first verse of this Psalm both in words and sence therfore haue an eye back to that Do. Ver. 1 teacheth vs to prouoke others to praise the Lord also that we they should do it for the continuance of his mercy towards vs. Ver. 2 teacheth vs that the sacrifice of thanksgiuing doth generally belong vnto al of the housholde of faith Ver. 3 teacheth vs that it doth specially appertain to Gods ministers as who euen in that respect also should be examples to Gods people Ver. 4 teacheth al to profes that presently without any further delay the assurednesse of Gods goodnesse mercy Ver. 5. teacheth vs to pray to the Lord in affliction also that the Lord doth graciously heare the prayers of his seruaunts Ver. 6 teacheth vs that an assured féeling of Gods fauor presence driueth away al fear of man whatsoeuer Ver. 7 teacheth vs that God men many times ioin together for the defence of his seruants Ver. 8 9 teach vs only to hang vpon the Lorde and to trust in none other how many or mighty soeuer they bee but in him alone Verse 10 teacheth that no multitude shall bée able to preuayle agaynste God and his people Verse 11 teacheth vs that no force or fraude shall bée able to preuayle agaynst them Verse 12 teacheth that no rage or cruelty shall bée able to preuayle agaynst them also that the enemies of God and his people shal be sodaynly ouerthrowne Verse 13 teacheth that there is no wisdom strength power or policie against the Lord and his annointed ones Ver. 14 teacheth that al the strength and deliuerance of the godly is from the Lord only Ver. 15 teacheth that God will graciously giue his children great occasions of reioycing in him also that the faithful wil fréely and willingly confesse that whatsoeuer they haue they haue it from the power and goodnesse of God Ver. 16 teacheth vs that Gods power is aboue all Ver. 17 teacheth vs that our life in this life ought to be referred to the setting forth of Gods glory Ver. 18 teacheth that howsoeuer God doth correct his for a time yet hee doth neuer destitute thē for euer Ver. 19 teacheth vs to haue an earnest care to praise and thanke God in the assemblye of his Saints Ver. 20 teacheth that howsoeuer hypocrites thrust themselues into the Churche yet that place doth properlye and peculiarly belong only to the faythfull Verse 21 teacheth vs to giue thankes to God for graunting our requestes and working our deliueraunce Verse 22 teacheth vs that that which is reiected of mā is highly estéemed of the Lord those that be his Ver. 23 teacheth vs that all Gods workes are far beyond the reach of our reason specially that great mistery of sending his sonne into the world Ver. 24 teacheth vs that because we are dul and heauy to consider of matters of spirituall mirth which the Lord giueth vs we should prouoke and stir vp one an other to doe the same Ver. 25 teacheth vs to pray for the safety and prosperity of our Princes Ver. 26 teacheth vs that no man either in Church or common wealth should take vpon him an office without warrant from God also that it is the duty of the ministers to blesse and pray for both their Princes and people Ver. 27. teacheth vs that whatsoeuer prosperity we haue we haue it from the Lorde onlye and of his mere mercy alone also that we should prepare and present our sacrifices of praise vnto the Lord. Ver. 28 teacheth vs that the more particular féelings we haue of Gods graces the more we should labour to prayse his name Ver. 29 deliuereth the same doctrines with verse 1. Psalme 119 Aleph FOr as much as the holy Ghost it selfe hath diuided this long Psalm into 22 partes Di. according to the number of the letters of the hebrew Alphabet I take it that it should be at the least superfluous if not vngodly to vse or make any other diuision of it Euery part of this Psalme containeth eyght verses euery verse also beginning with the same letter that the parte beginneth withall which was vsed as I suppose both to note out the excellency of the Psalme and also to helpe memory sée before Psal 111. in the verye beginning This Psalme as manye other Psalmes before going hath no Title Se. and therefore nothing can be sayd of certaintie notwithstanding very likely it is that Dauid was the pen man which the holy Ghost vsed in making writing this excellent Psalme Aleph this is the first letter of the Hebrew Alphabet and is here put downe to note and sette out the firste parte of this Psalme Whiche I thinke dothh specially consist of two parts or points Di. In the first the Prophet putteth down a general proposition teaching the blessednesse of those whiche yéelde obedience to God and his law and this is comprehended in the 4 first verses In the second is contained a particular applying of the same to his own person who earnestly wisheth grace and strength to performe the same and this is in the foure other verses Verse 1. Blessed i. abundaunce of blessednesse is vnto those that are vpright in their waye i. that haue a pure and vpright affection to follow righteousnesse and which referre their whole life to that marke the word way is put here for maner of liuing or course of life as Psalme 1 ver 1.6 and walke in the law of the Lord i. order and rule their life and conuersation according to Gods law Vnder the word walking hée comprehendeth life and conuersation and vnder the word law hee comprehendeth all the doctrine of Gods word contained in the law and Prophets he sheweth by this that true blessednesse is not in them that are wise in their own eyes and imagine in their own fantasie some holinesse in themselues but in them that giue themselues ouer to the obedience of Gods word Ver. 2. Blessed are they sée verse 1. of this Psalm that kéepe vz. not only in their hart to beléeue them as true and righteous but obserue them also in their outward acts and behauiour his testimonies i. his commaundements whiche testifye and witnesse to vs his will For these seuerall words law testimonies statutes c. whiche are so often vsed in this Psalme and for the difference of them sée before Psalm 19.7 8 9 and séeke him i. the Lorde vz. according to his will reuealed in his word with their whole hart i. not giuing part to him and part to the worlde but giuing all to him to whome it alone is due Hee declareth by this manner of spéech that God will not be serued with eye seruice only but also with a frée and sound affection of the hart Verse 3. Surely they work none iniquity vz. whiche is able to condemne them because all their sinnes are fully aunswered in Christs obedience for he meaneth not that
they are without sinne that walk in his waies i. that lead a life according to such rules as he hath prescribed vnto them Immanuel readeth this verse thus who also worke no iniquitye q.d. They also are blessed who labour indeuour to the vttermost of strength and grace receaued from God to put downe iniquitie and vniust dealing either in themselues or others or both but walke vz. as much as in them lyeth in his wayes i. in the rules of life which he hath appointed them both texts are good and also both the sences but I rather allow of the latter Verse 4. Thou vz. O Lord hast commaunded vz. men or vs thy seruants to kéepe i. to indeuor and in déede what they may to performe both in thought word and déede the obedience of thy law thy precepts i. the thinges whiche thou in thy lawe haste commaunded vs diligently i. with care and conscience and continually as it were all the dayes of our life Immanuel varieth also somewhat in this verse reading it thus which vz. wayes mentioned in the latter ende of the thirde verse thou hast commaunded by thy commaundements to be greatly or diligently kept the Prophet that he might somewhat terrifie men declareth that the obseruation of the law is euen of God himselfe required and that with some seuerity to the end also that men might know that the breach therof shal not remain vnpunished Verse 5. Oh that my wayes i. my life and conuersation as verse 1 of this Psalme were directed i. might be directed that is disposed and ordred thorow thy power prouidence and goodnesse to kéepe vz. vnfeignedly and with a good hart thy statutes i. the thinges that thou hast established as statutes for me to obserue and kéepe This wish of the Prophet noteth both the want of abilitie in himselfe and also the great desire he had therto Verse 6. Then should I not be confounded vz. either before thée or men when I haue respect i. regard both outwardly and inwardly vnto all thy commaundements vz. to do and performe the same He meaneth that after he shal haue learned of God and bin taught of him he wil both acknowledge and hold the same fast and so by that meanes escape shame and confusion Ver. 7. I wil praise thée vz. alone with an vpright hart i. with a sound and sincere affection voyd of hipocrisie and counterfeiting when I shal learn vz. being taught and instructed by thée the iudgements of thy righteousnesse i. thy righteous iudgements vnderstanding by iudgements Gods commaundements whiche containe nothing in them but perfect righteousnesse Verse 8. I wil kéepe vz. very much or very earnestly and diligently he speaketh this not as though he were able of himself to performe them but to shew what a minde and purpose he caried with him and what a great good will he had thereto thy statutes i. thy lawes and commaundements and note that there is neuer a verse in all this Psalme but you haue in it eyther word law statute iudgement cōmaundement or some such like equiualent therto to signifie Gods word by forsake me not vz. in the middest of mine assaults temptations and infirmities ouerlong i. a long season He prayeth the Lord not only not to leaue him in temptation but also to respect his infirmity and weakenesse least he should go aside from the right way Ver. 1 teacheth vs Do. that obedience to Gods law is the high way to al blessednesse Ver. 2 teacheth vs first that with knowledge there must be ioyned obedience and practised secondly that we must séeke the Lord with all our soule and affection Ver. 3 teacheth that Gods children frame not a conuersation to thēselues according to their own fantasie but according to the rule of Gods word Verse 4 teacheth vs to haue care conscience and diligence in the obseruation of Gods lawe least otherwise wee heape iudgement against our owne soule Ver. 5 teacheth vs to carry with vs both purpose and prayer that we may walk in obedience of Gods law Ver. 6 teacheth vs that obedience to God his truth is the way to auoyde shame both before God and men Ver. 7 teacheth vs first to praise God for his mercies secondly to do it sincerlye and with a sounde affection thirdly that we can neuer rightly praise God or serue him til we haue learned his law Verse 8 teacheth vs what holy purposes we should carry with vs of obedience to Gods law and how for the better informing of vs that way wée should as it were lay vowes vpon our selues thirdly that féeling our owne misery and weakenesse we should by earnest prayer haue recourse to the Lord for his mercy Beth. Di. THis is the seconde letter of the Hebrew Alphabet and serueth to sette out the seconde part of the Psalme In which the Prophet sheweth firste that GOD his worde is the onlye rule to reforme corruption by in what state soeuer verse 9. Secondlye what care and conscience hée hymselfe had to walke in the obedyence of GOD and his Lawe verse 10 11 13 14 15 16. Thirdlye hée praysed GOD for his graces and prayeth vnto him more and more to instructe him in his truth and this is contayned in the 12. verse Se. Verse 9. Wherewith i. by what mean or with what thing shall a yong man i. hée that is the sonne and seruaunte of GOD whosoeuer hée bée but hee chéefelye speaketh of yong men because affection of sinne is most raging in them redresse i. reforme it is in Hebrewe purge or make cleane his waye i. the waye that hée is naturally inclined to walke in and this hée propoundeth in the way of a question aunswering the same himselfe which is also vsuall in the scripture and namely Psalme 15 1 2 also Psalme 24 8 10 in taking héede thereto i. in diligent caring and looking to it that he fal not or stumble not in the fame according to thy word i. according to the commaundements and counsels which in thy word thou giuest to that end The Prophet here prouoketh men in good time to dispose of their life and euen speciallye then when affections begin to boyle within them Now when men will chuse vnto themselues an order of life wherein to liue there is no better counsell more readily to direct them in the right way then this to wit to haue an eye to the Lawe and to looke what is prescribed vnto them therein Ver. 10. with my whole hart i. soundly sincerely and vnfeignedly sée verse 2 of this Psalm haue I sought thée vz. O Lord and that according vnto thy worde whiche I haue in part learned and layd vp in my hart as ver 11. and which I do further desire to bée taught and instructed in verse 12. let me not wander vz. hither and thither as one that is out of his way and knoweth not whether he goeth but followeth his owne imagination and yet strayeth from the righte waye from thy commaundementes vz. which thou hast
proposed as the rule of my life Verse 11. I haue hid vz. as it were in a case or chest thy promise i. thy worde he putteth one part of the word for the whole in mine heart i. secretlye and within me not meaning otherwist but that he had them there to remember them to his comfort and profite In the new Testament Luke 2 18 51 it is expressed by an other phrase as where Mary is sayd to haue kepte all these sayings in hir hart and to haue pondered them there Hee meaneth that hée locked vp as it were Gods lawe in his hart for feare of Sathans embushes and assaults that I might not sinne vz. any manner of way or at any time such a minde and will he had though there wanted abilitie to perform it agaynst thée vz. O Lord Verse 12. Blessed art thou O Lord i. praysed or worthye of all prayses by reason of thy goodnesse wisedome iustice and mercy teach me vz. not only to knowe but also to doe thy statutes i. the rules that thou hast appointed for me to walke in so that nothing is or ought to bée the rule of our life but Gods ordinaunce only Verse 13. With my lippes i. with my mouth and the wordes of my mouth hee putteth one instrumente whereby the voyce is framed for all instrumentes appertaining thereto and for wordes expressed by the same haue I declared vz. openly that others also might thereby learne them all the iudgementes of thy mouth i. all thy commaundements which thou hast vttered as playnely as can bée sée iudgements put for commaundements ver 7 of this Psalme and mouth is attributed to God according to mans capacity q.d. I haue not only hidden thy lawe in my hart as ver 11. but I haue often and openly spoken of the same And this is not a vaine brag that he maketh but rather serueth to shew that he did the part of a good and faithful scholler and to make himselfe an example that others might follow him Ver. 14. I haue had as great delight in the way of thy testimonies i. to walke according to the rules orders that thy law prescribeth as in all riches vz. that euer I had or might haue had q.d. I haue taken as great pleasure in kéeping thy statutes as euer I did in gathering great riches together Ver. 15. I will meditate vz. earnestly and continually as Psal 1.2 in thy precepts i. in thy law which thou hast giuen and commaunded as a rule of life and consider vz. déepely and diligently thy wayes i. those wayes that he had prescribed men to walke in meaning his law and commaundements sée ver 3. of this Psalme and not as though God were tied to any wayes in respecte of himselfe Verse 16. I will delight vz. all the dayes of my life and this the Prophet speaketh not as though he had strength of himselfe but assuring himselfe of the continuaunce of Gods loue towardes him in whome he shoulde bée made able to doe it in thy statutes i. in thy law and word and I will not forget i. I carry with me this minde and purpose not to forget thy word i. not only the word it selfe but the thinges layde vpon men by the same worde to bée performed and done Verse 9 teacheth Do. firste that yong men had néede to striue the subduing of euill because affections boyle most in them secondly that Gods word rightlye and reuerently vsed is an effectuall meane to ouercome iniquity Ver. 10. teacheth vs vnfeignedly to cleaue to the Lord our God also to pray the Lord to kéepe vs for otherwise we can not stand in the obedience of his truth Ver. 11. teacheth vs that euen the promises of Gods word rightly considered are good means to beat down sinne Verse 12 sheweth that till God instructe vs wee are blind and ignoraunt also that we should dayly pray for increase of knowledge and vnderstanding Verse 13 teacheth vs boldly and openly to make profession of Gods word Ver. 14 teacheth vs that Gods word should be more pleasaunte vnto vs then all worldlye Treasure Verse 15 teacheth vs not onely barelye to reade but also déepelye to consider and continuallye to meditate in Gods word Verse 16 teacheth vs first that our delight in Gods law is a good step to godlinesse secondly that forgetfulnesse of Gods word is a great meane why sinne preuaileth against many Gimel Di. THis is the third letter of the hebrew Alphabet and serueth to note out the thirde part of the Psalme which containeth thrée speciall things first the prayers that the Prophet maketh for himselfe ver 17 18 19 22 secondly Gods iudgements against the wicked verse 21. Thirdly the earnest desire which the Prophet had to walke in the obedience of Gods law Se. Verse 17. Be beneficial i. be thus mercifull vnto thy seruaunt i. vnto mée thy seruaunt that I may liue vz. here vpon the earth so long time as thou shalt sée the same to be good and conuenient and kéepe vz. vnfaignedlye and with a good hart what I maye both in thoughte worde and déede thy word vz. reuealed and made manifest vnto mée q.d. shewe thy selfe fauourable vnto me and graunt me grace to imploy the whole life that thou shalt giue mee in the seruice of thée according to thy lawe and this is the ende of our life here Verse 18. Open vz. by the mightye working and brightnesse of thy holy spirit mine eyes vz. of my mind and vnderstanding that I maye sée vz. by the eyes of fayth the wonders of thy lawe i. the secretes which are contayned therein and he calleth the doctrine and precepts of the lawe wonders or wonderfull because they excéede mans vnderstanding and reason The Prophet did well know the blindnesse which was in him and in all men naturally which hindereth them from beholding the clearenesse of Gods word and therfore beséecheth the Lord to open the eyes of his vnderstanding to deliuer him out of that great darknesse wherein he was Ver. 19. I am a stranger vpon earth vz. as all men haue bin are and shall bee during this mortall life sée Psalme 39 12 vnder the word straunger he noteth not onely the shortnesse of his life in this life but his ignoraunce and lack of knowledge q.d. I am as a poore pilgrime not knowing what waye to kéepe vnlesse thou shew it mée by thy lawe hyde not thy commaundements from me i. leaue me not to my selfe in suche sorte that I shut vp mine eyes or stoppe mine eares from the knowledge of thy lawe for God hideth his commaundementes from them whose eyes he openeth not Verse 20. Mine hart breaketh vz. within me he meaneth by this spéech that he had an earnest thirsting hungring or longing as it were after Gods law in an other place he vseth panteth and thirsteth after GOD sée Psalme 42 1 2 for the desire vz. which I haue within mée to thy iudgements vz. not only to know them but also to execute and perform
i. performe and accomplish for though Gods worde bee alwayes sure both in respect of his maiesty from whome it cōmeth and of it selfe and the things propounded in it and of vs also in respect of assured faith yet it is then most liuely confirmed vnto vs when it is performed and it declared to bee true and certaine by effect as it were thy promise vz. made to me he putteth one promise for many vsing also promises for the word it selfe conteining promises as ver 11. of this Psalm to thy seruant i. to me for he speaketh of himselfe in the thirde person q.d. make the effect of thy promises to come vnto me who serue thée with a good heart for though it be true that Gods promises perfourmed to others may comfort men yet nothing so much can they comfort vs as this which we féele perfourmed to our particular persons because he feareth thée it woulde rather be turned thus who feareth thée for our feare of God is not a cause why God shoulde performe his promises to vs and the Prophet meaneth by the word feare not onely a reuerent perswasion which he had in his heart of God but the effects and fruits of that reuerence that is the worship and seruing of him according to his word Ver. 39. Take away vz. of thy mercy and goodnes my rebuke i. the euil which I might commit against thy good lawe and so it might tend to my shame as though hée prayed to be kept from notorious transgressions as ver 31. of this Psalm or else thus for as much as by some sinnes and namely the sinne of adultery with Bathsheba and murther of her husband Vriah hee had purchased rebuke and shame amongst men hée beséecheth the Lord euen to remoue that that I feare vz. will not onely fall but increase vppon mee vnlesse in mercy thou cure and couer it for thy iudgements vz. which thou hast pronounced in thy word are good vz. to them that rightly vnderstand them vnderstanding by iudgements not onely the threates of the lawe but also euen those comforts which God hath pronounced in the same Ver. 40. Beholde I desire vz. earnestly and with a very good affection thy commandements i. both the knowledge and obedience of thy commandements quicken mee Sée ver 25.37 of this Psalme in thy righteousnes i. in thy woorde and lawe which is called righteousnes because it is the onely rule of that righteousnes which we ought to performe to God or man Do. Ver. 33. Teacheth vs to pray to the Lord onely for light and instruction out of his holy worde also to cary with vs a holy purpose of perseuerance and continuance in the obedience of God all the dayes of our life Verse 34. Teacheth vs that the vnderstanding kéeping of gods law is a singular gift of his own bestowed vpon his children also that our obedience to god should be vnfeigned and without hipocrisie Ver. 35 Teacheth vs that vnlesse God kéepe vs in obedience wée shall continually wander out of the way also that our continual delight and pleasure should be in Gods word Ver. 36. Teacheth vs what a foule fault the sinne of couetousnes is also that there is no better meane to subdue it in our selues then care and conscience to walke in the obedience of Gods worde Ver. 37. Teacheth vs first to nippe off sinne in the beginning thereof secondly to labour the mortification of our earthly members and the partes of our bodyes inclined to euill and thirdly to pray for liuelines continuance in the obedience of Gods trueth Ver. 38. Teacheth vs that if wee haue by experience either in our selues or others but specially in our selues felt the trueth of gods promises perfourmed to vs wee haue not onely a notable testimony of Gods goodnes but a seale set vpon our fayth for the greater strengthning of it in the same Ver. 39. Teacheth vs to pray the remouing of shame amongst men specially if our shame shal bring with it some dishonour to God also it teacheth vs not to be shameles as many men are who are without blushing and haue gotten to thēselues harlots faces Ver. 40. Teacheth vs to haue an earnest desire both to knowe and walke in the obedience of Gods lawe This part in summe declareth what great weaknes there is in man to vnderstande loue and followe Gods lawe vnlesse he be taught and renued by the power of his spirit Vau. Di. THis is the sixt letter and noteth out the sixt part In which the Prophet specially propoundeth two thinges first he maketh prayer vnto God for the continuaunce of his mercies specially for manifesting his word vnto him with the fruites and effectes which shall follow thereof ver 41.42.43.44 Secondly hée promiseth and voweth as it were a thankefull heart to the Lord for his benefits which he wil declare openly before all men yea euen kings magistrates Ver. 45.46 By a holy and religious life towards God himselfe ver 47.48 Se. Ver. 41. And let thy louing kindnes i. thy most tender and infinite mercy come vnto mée O Lorde vz. from thée q.d. let me haue it plentifully powred forth vpon mée and make mee to féele it effectually and thy saluation i. ayde helpe yea and eternall life it selfe hée setteth louing kindnes or mercy before saluation as the cause before the effect according to thy promise vz. graciously made vnto me q.d. make mee to féele that louing kindnesse and saluation of thine which thou hast promised and I pray for Ver. 42. So i. by that meanes onely and no other shall I make answere i. bee inabled sufficiently to answere vnto my blasphemies i. vnto them that reuile and speake euill of mee q.d. I will not then dissemble any whit at all but speake euen as the thing it selfe shall require for I trust in thy worde vz. which thou hast giuen mee q.d. I perswade my selfe in the trueth of thy woorde that when I shall once sensibly féele thy mercy and goodnes I shal be wel able to answere all my gainsayers Sée Luke 21.14.15 Verse 43. And take not vz. though for my sinnes in iustice thou mightest the worde of trueth i. thy worde which only conteyneth trueth in it vtterly i. altogether or for euer Immanuel readeth this part of the verse thus But take not out of my mouth the very true word i. the word which is most true referring the word which is here translated vtterly not to the word take away as our English text doeth but to the worde of God which in déede is most true out of my mouth in this speach hee doeth not exclude the heart by which we must beginne but it is q.d. vpholde not only my heart in faith lest I bee ouerthrowne through temptations but bring to passe also that my tongue may haue full liberty so that I may praise thee amongst men without any feare so also Saint Paul prayeth the Church to pray for him that vtterance might bée giuen vnto him that he might
open his mouth boldly Ephes 6.19 and if we read as it is in the English text vtterly it declareth that hee had not such a great boldenesse to speake as were to bee wished for I wayte vz. with diligence and patience for thy iudgments vz. to bee executed vppon the wicked in iustice and vppon thy children in mercy the worde iudgementes being vsed here for the promises which God hath made conteining either the punishments of the vngodly or his mercies to his children Sée verse 39. of this Psalme Verse 44. So vz. by this meanes when thou shalt continue with mée the woorde of trueth shall I alway keepe vz. through thy goodnes and strength thy lawe vz. which thou hast prescribed for mee to walke in for euer and euer the Prophet meaneth that through Gods strength hée shall continue in the knowledge and practise of Gods woorde all the dayes of his life Verse 45. And I vz. thy poore and vnworthy seruaunt will walke vz. through thy mercy and goodnesse meaning by walking that hee woulde liue and bée conuersaunt amongest men at libertye i. in playne and easie wayes or in great and broade wayes or as a man woulde say in the kinges high way which Saint Iames chapter 2.8 calleth the royall lawe meaning also that he would walke without feare of daunger as they doe most commonly which are in a kingly or broad way for I séeke vz. with an vnfeigned heart and continually thy preceptes i. the vnderstanding of them and obedience to them Ver. 46. I will speake also vz. fréely boldly and plainely of thy testimonies i. of thy lawe and the pointes and matters therein propounded before kinges i. mighty men of the earth and magistrates q.d. I will doe it in deede and that not only before inferiour persons and in their sight and hearing but euen before them who for their greatnes are wont to stoppe vp other mens mouthes and command thē silence Surely it is a good token that men haue well profited in Gods word when men are armed against all terrors of men and will not bee ashamed vz. to speake of it fréely and boldly Verse 47. And my delight shal be vz. continually and all the daies of my life in thy commandements i. in thy lawe by which thou hast commanded mee what I should do and what I should leaue vndone which I haue loued vz. not in words onely but in déede and trueth and with an vnfeigned loue Ver. 48. Mine hands also will I lift vp vnto thy commandements q.d. I will stretch out my handes that I may readily receiue turne ouer and search out thy commaundements and this similitude declareth the earnestnes of his desire because that looke whatsoeuer we desire to haue we do straine our selues to take it and lay holde of it by stretching out our hands which I haue loued sée ver 47. and I will meditate in thy statutes sée ver 23.27 of this Psalme Do. Ver. 41. Teacheth vs that Gods promise is a sure grounde vnto vs of his loue and our saluation Ver. 42. Teacheth vs that grounded perswasion out of the word maketh vs bold to speake euen in the face of our aduersaries Ver. 43. Teacheth vs that there can no greater punishment be laid vpon vs in this life then to lacke Gods word also that we should in all cases with patience tary the Lords leasure Ver. 44. Teacheth vs to indeuour what in vs lyeth continually to keepe Gods lawe Verse 45. Teacheth vs that he walketh simply and surely that walketh according to the prescript rule of Gods worde Ver. 46. Teacheth vs that no feare of men nor shame of our selues should cause vs to conceale or kéepe backe anye part of Gods trueth Ver. 47. Teacheth vs vnfeignedly to loue and continually to delight in the lawe and word of GOD. Ver. 48. Teacheth vs with earnestnes and readines to labour to apprehende Gods trueth and to holde it fast when wée haue obteyned it also to vse not only hearing and reading of Gods word but dayly meditation therein Zain Di. THe Prophet in this vii part doth first pray vnto God that hee might in himselfe effectually féele the accomplishment of Gods promises and this conteyned ver 49. Secondly he sheweth what great comfort and consolation he had in the word of God and by the keeping thereof and this is ver 50.52.54.55.56 Lastly hee shewed that no scornes of the wicked woulde turne him away from God and his truth and that he recompensed that euil of theirs with this good fearing greatly the great iudgements which for the contempt of God and his trueth should fal vpon them ver 51.53 Se. Ver. 49. Remember i. declare by effect that thou doest remember Sée Gen. 8.1 the promise made i. the promise which thou hast made to thy seruaunt i. to me thy seruant he speaketh of himselfe in the third person wherein i. in which promise thou hast caused mee to trust vz. not onely because thou hast made and giuen me the same promise but also hast commaunded mee to take sure hold thereof The Prophet here desireth God in déede to perfourme that which he had promised him whereby hee sheweth that though God séemed to be farre off yet he would stay himselfe vpon his worde Ver. 50. It i. thy promise made vnto me is my comfort i. doth greatly comfort me in my trouble i. when I am in any trouble whatsoeuer when I thinke of it this is as it were the speach of his heart receiuing singular comfort by meditations in Gods promises for thy promise vz. made vnto me in thy word hath quickened me i. hath not onely strengthened and confirmed mee at all times but euen then when I séemed to be nigh vnto death or as it were dead already it did after a sort restore me to life Ver. 51. The proude vz. men of the worlde meaning thereby the wicked and vngodly whome hee calleth proude because they did despise God himselfe and treade vnder foote as it were all his holy doctrine haue had me excéedingly in derision i. haue scoffed and ieared at me not onely very much but also continually for that word excéedingly noteth also that day by day and one day after an other they did assault him with newe and fresh combats of scoffes and taunts yet q.d. for all that they haue done I haue not declined i. gone aside or astray from thy law vz. which thou hast prescribed for me to walke in q.d. no floutes or taunts of men could pull mee from the obedience of thy trueth Ver. 52. I remēbred i. I called to mynd in my meditations and déepely thought vpon thy iudgements i. such examples as wherby thou shewedst thy selfe to be iudge of the world of old i. which thou diddest and madest manifest in former ages hee meaneth that he thought vppon such iudgements as God in former times had declared vnto the worlde for iudgements read ver 43. of this Psalme vnderstanding thereby Gods punishments vppon the wicked and his mercy towards
his seruants and haue beene comforted vz. excéedingly specially in the inward man by the sight and beholding thereof Verse 53. Feare vz. of heart and trembling meaning thereby also great feare is come vppon me i. hath taken strong holde vppon mee for the wicked i. because of these great iudgments which shall fall vpon the wicked that forsake thy lawe i. that breake and transgresse thy lawe in their wordes thoughts and déedes others I knowe giue other senses but methinketh this is plaine and right vz. that the prophet considering Gods horrible iudgmēts against the wicked was as it were seased and striken with a very great feare Ver. 54. Thy statutes i. thy worde and lawe haue béene my songes i. as some interpret it haue giuen me occasions to write songs I woulde rather expound it thus haue giuen me pleasure ioy and contentment because men greatly reioyce and content themselues in musicke in the house of my pilgrimage some thinke that he meaneth his banishment when he was persecuted by his enemies and fled from the face of Saul Abshalon or others in which distresse he wandered vp and downe and yet because he was long in it hee did count it as it were the house of his dwelling I rather thinke that hee vnderstandeth hereby the whole course and race of his life both that time and all other times for the Prophet had not then comforte only but al the dayes of his life so that in the house or place of his pilgrimage is as much as if he should say in whatsoeuer place of the world I am haue béen or shal be yea al the days of my life and this the rather because the godly haue alwayes estéemed their liues for a pilgrimage as Gene. 47.9 Psal 39.12 also ver 19. of this Psal Sée also Heb. 11.9.10 Ver. 55. I haue remembred sée ver 52. of this Psalme thy name i. thy maiesty goodnes and power as Psal 20.1 O Lord vz. whom I serue in the night vz. when others sléepe q.d. euen then doe I watch and remember thée when others take their rest and haue kept thy lawe vz. with a good and sincere heart Ver. 56. This I had i. al these graces were giuen me from thy goodnes only because I kept i. indeuored what in mee lay to kéepe performe thy precepts i. thy law and commandements he bosteth not here of any merit of his owne but saith that God in working a special deliuerance did yéeld a notable testimony to that goodnes which was in him Immanuel redeth this verse thus This is a comfort vnto me that I kéepe thy cōmandements q.d. euen the litle or slender obedience that I yéelde to thy lawe doeth much comfort me Do. Ver. 49. Teacheth vs that Gods promises made vs in his worde ought to be special grounds of our perswasions touching his mercies towards vs. ver 50. Teacheth vs that Gods promises are speciall comforts vnto vs in the time of our distresses Ver. 51. Declareth what is the nature of the vngodly vz to scoffe continually at gods religion the professers therof also that no contēpt or ignominie in this life should draw vs away from the obedience of our God Ver. 52. Teacheth Gods children to receiue comfort not only in his mercyes practised towards them but also in his punishments powred forth vppon the wicked Ver. 53. Teacheth vs that we should not only be grieued when we sée gods law broken but to be striken with feare of those iudgments that from God shal fal vpon the wicked ver 54. teacheth vs that nothing should minister more ioy contentment to vs in this life then gods word Ver. 55. teacheth vs continually to meditate on gods power goodnes maiesty c. also that wee shoulde many times forbeare euen our ordinary rest and sléepe to the ende wee might performe that duty Ver. 56. Teacheth vs that God giueth continual blessings to them that haue care and conscience to obserue his lawes Cheth Di. AL that the prophet speaketh in this eight part of the Psalme may be referred either vnto God before whom he powreth forth earnest supplications for the assistance of his grace in the obedience of his word ver 57.58.64 or else vnto himselfe wherin he declared what care he had of obedience to gods law and to obserue al the meanes that might cause him to grow therein neglecting also all things that might hinder him therein and this is conteined in ver 59.60.61.62.63 Ver. 57. O Lord thou art my portion vz. alone q.d. I haue none that I hang or depend vpon but thée alone Sée Psalme 73.25 I haue determined vz. with my selfe and that altogether whatsoeuer come of to kéepe vz. in my life and conuersation thy wordes i. the worde that thou hast giuen me as the rule of my life the meaning is q.d. séeing that thou O Lorde art mine inheritance and hast in mercy chosen me to thy selfe I haue fully concluded with my selfe to kéepe thy law Ver. 58. I vz. being priuy to mine owne weakenesse wretchednes made my supplication in thy presence i. prayed before thée and to thée it may be vnderstood euen of some solemne prayer that the Prophet made before the arke with my whole heart i. vnfeignedly and without wandering affections those setting my heart earnestly vpon things that I vttered with my mouth be merciful vnto me vz. thus distressed as I am according to thy promise vz. made and giuen to me and other thy seruants also that call vpon thée sée ver 49. of this Psalme q.d. performe thy promise made vnto me by thy word in Christ and not in respect of my infirmity Ver. 59. I haue considered vz. diligently and carefully my waies i. the maner and order of my life heretofore and turned vz. from those corrupt and naughty pathes of wickednes my féete i. not my féete onely but mine affections also sée Eccle. 4.17 into thy testimonies i. into the way kéeping of thy law q.d. I haue vewed my life past and I do also wel consider my conuersation present and now the thing that I wholy purpose is this to giue my selfe to the vttermost of my power to kéepe thy commandements ver 60. I made hast vz. after the beholding of the former things delaied not i. nothing hindered me q.d. I made spéed in déede for so much doth this doubled spéech meane for such a doubled speach sée Psal 118.17 to kéepe vz. sincerely soundly without hipocrisie thy commandements i. the things which thou haddest commanded Ver. 61. The hands of the wicked i. the great troupes companies of vngodly men by this phrase hée noteth the multitudes of his enemies haue robbed me i. haue taken from that by fraude violence all that euer I had but vz. for all that I haue not forgotten thy law i. the things prescribed in thy law and the comforts therin conteined q.d. neither their flattery nor their fraude nor any thing that they coulde do against me could draw
me away from the obedience of thy trueth Verse 62. At midnight vz. when others are fast and sound a sleepe Sée before verse 55. This declareth his ardency and affection q.d. euen then when I shoulde take my rest as others doe will I rise vz. not onely from my sléepe but euen out of my bed to giue thanks vnto thée vz. for thy gret infinite blessings bestowed vpon me or as followeth because of thy righteous iudgementes i. because of the faithful performing of all those thinges which thou hast promised either in mercy to thy seruants or in iustice to thine enemies Verse 63. I am a companion i. I vse and frequent the company of all thē that feare thee i. serue and worshippe thee with that reuerent feare that appertayneth vnto thée and kéepe thy preceptes i. hee sheweth howe men may know whether they themselues or others feare GOD or no euen by keeping his lawe and doing the things that it requireth And the Prophet kept company with these good men both that he himselfe by them might bee confirmed and also that he might aide and confirme them Ver. 64. The earth i. the whole world it selfe and all the creatures therein conteined O Lord vz. whome I serue alone is full vz. in euery place and quarter so that a man can turne his eye or head no way but he shal sée plaine testimonies of it of thy mercy vz. towardes it and al thy creatures teach me thy statutes sée ver 26. of this Psalme he desireth that the mercy of God which is spred abroad ouer all creatures may be manifested to himward so that thereby he may profit in Gods lawe because that the spirit of vnderstanding is a principal signe of Gods fauour and grace and this petition consisteth of two partes vz. that God pitying his wretchednesse and want of knowledge woulde perfourme his promise made to him in that behalfe whereunto the better to induce God he vseth an argument taken from the abundance of Gods mercy manifested to al his creatures that is the second part or point Do. Ver. 57. Teacheth vs that séeing God hath chosen vs to bee his people wee should carry with vs a resolute perswasion to obey his lawe Ver. 58. Teacheth vs that the prayers which we make vnto God should be vnfeigned and procéed not onely from the tongue but from the heart also also that in our prayers we should make Gods mercies and promises principall proppes of our faith Ver. 59. Teacheth vs not onely to haue a carefull eye to our conuersation past and present but also it sheweth vs that the single sight therof is a good meane to bring vs to the obedience of God Ver. 60. Teacheth vs with speed to turne vnto the Lorde and not to put of from day to day as worldly men doe Verse 61. Doeth not only set out the cruel and spoyling minds that the wicked haue but sheweth also that the children of God shoulde haue such constancie in his trueth as nothing shoulde withdrawe them from it Verse 62. Teacheth vs to haue such care of Gods seruice that wee should many times break our sléepes as it were to performe that duety Ver. 63. Teacheth vs as to auoyd euil company so for the profite that maye come to our selues thereby and for the good that we may do to others to frequent good company Ver. 64. Setteth out the largenes of Gods mercy and sheweth what want of knowledge wée haue in Gods holy worde Teth Di. THis being the 9. part of the Psalme consisteth specially of these pointes first the Prophet confesseth gods great goodnes towards him and prayeth for the continuance therof Ver. 65.66.68 Secondly he declareth that euen the afflictions which they suffered in this life were through the consolation which he had in the word comfortable and profitable vnto him Ver. 67.71.72 Thirdly he setteth out the cruelty and naughtines of the wicked and his owne goodnes and yet without any boasting thereof ver 69.70 Ver. 65. O Lord vz. the only true God thou hast dealt vz. in euery thing Se. and euery way graciously i. in all fauour loue and mercy with thy seruaunt i. with me thy seruant for he speaketh of himselfe in the thirde person according to thy worde i. according to thy promise that thou hast made and giuen mee q.d. as thou hast graciously promised mee all goodnes so hast thou graciously also and in great mercy perfourmed the same Ver. 66. Teach mée vz. who of my selfe am blinde and ignorant good iudgment and knowledge vz. out of thy holy woorde q.d. teach mee by the light of thy holy worde in sound iudgements and knowledge to discerne betwéene trueth and falshoode for I haue beléeued vz. stedfastly thy commaundementes vz. that they are good true and holy he meaneth also by this manner of speach that hee did willingly imbrace all that which was appointed in gods lawe Ver. 67. Before I was afflicted vz from thée and by thine appointment I went astray vz. from the wayes of thy commandements but nowe vz. since thy corrections were vpon mée I kéepe vz. with a sincere and good mynde vnderstanding by kéeping obseruing and obeying thy word i. the things manifested and cōmaunded in thy word Sée Hosea 5.15 Immanuel readeth it thus when I did not yet speake i. euen from my birth I am a sinner a stranger from thy lawe and the childe of wrath as Psal 51.5 I went astray i. I was a sinner against thée as before but now I kéepe vz. diligently or in my heart meaning also that he layd it vp in his mind thy word i. thy promises Thus he applieth it to original sinne whatsoeuer it is certaine it is that hee was not deliuered from that stubbornes and peruerse rebellion wherewith all mankinde is infected but by the mighty working of Gods holy worde and spirit Ver. 68. Thou vz. O Lord art good and gracious as to all so specially to thy people sée Psal 86.5 teach me thy statutes sée ver 26.64 of this Psalme and marke howe to moue the Lord to teach him in his lawe hée setteth before him Gods bounty and goodnes Ver. 69. The proude sée ver 51. of this Psalme hee meaneth by this speach the chiefe men amongest them who were puffed vp with a peruerse and vayne trust in their honours and riches haue imagined as secretly and within themselues so cunningly and finely a lye i. false and vniust accusations hee putteth one for many against mee vz. euen to take away my life if it be possible but I will kéepe vz. through thy goodnes strength and assistaunce thy precepts i. the thinges that thou hast commaunded with my whole heart i. sincerely and vnfeignedly Ver. 70. Their heart i. their minde vnderstanding is fat as grease i. is mightily fatned so that there is nothing in it as it were but fat he meaneth by fat as grease not onely that they were puffed vp with prosperitie and so made vnapt to vnderstand holy thinges
but also that they were dayly more and more indurate and hardened Sée Isaiah 6.10 but my delight is in thy lawe vz. aboue and before all thinges Verse 71. It is good i. both profitable and pleasaunt as Psalme 92.1 for mee vz. thy poore and vnworthy seruant that I haue béene afflicted vz. graciously and mercifully at thy handes and that with the rods of thy children sée ver 67. of this Psalme that I may learne vz. not onely to knowe but also to obserue thy statutes i. the lawes which thou hast established Ver. 72. The law of thy mouth i. the worde which procéeded and came from thée and was vttered as it were with thy mouth is better vnto me i. is more deare and precious and swéete then thousands of gold and siluer i. then a very great number or infinite treasure he meaneth that he did preferre Gods woorde before all earthly things whatsoeuer Do. Ver. 65. Teacheth vs that God alwayes graciously performeth his promises to his seruants Verse 66. Teacheth vs that we can haue no sounde knowledge till God teach it vs. Ver. 67. Teacheth vs that afflictions are profitable instruments which God doeth vse to draw vs on to the practise of his worde ver 68. Teacheth vs to make gods grace goodnes our special ground worke of our prayers Ver. 69. Teacheth vs first that the wicked will leaue no stone vnrolled that thereby they might hurt the godly Secondly that wee shoulde striue vnfeignedly to kéepe Gods lawe Verse 70. Teacheth vs that the wicked are hardened and baked as it were in their sinnes also that wee shoulde take singular delight and pleasure in gods word Ver. 71. Teacheth vs that afflictions are euen good for vs because they pull vs on to the obedience of Gods trueth Verse 72. Teacheth vs to preferre Gods woorde before all worldly things whatsoeuer Iod. Di. THis tenth part consisteth wholly of supplications and prayers partly for himselfe verse 73.76.77.80 partly also for others ver 79. and partly against the wicked and vngodly ver 78. lastly hee sheweth what fruite the godly shal reape in that his petitions are granted vnto him and cōfesseth that he hath deserued al punishments ver 74.75 Se. Ver. 73. Thine hands haue made me i. thou by thy mighty power O Lorde hast created mee of the flime and dust of the earth and fashioned me vz. in this order and shape wherein I nowe liue giue mee vnderstanding therefore i. make mee apt and able so to vnderstand thy will that I may learne vz. to knowe and keepe thy commaundements Marke here two thinges first that in making his prayer for holy vnderstanding hée iustly accuseth himselfe and all others of blindnesse which procéeded not from the Creator but from man corrupted Secondly that euen by his creation he conceiued hope that God woulde continue his worke begunne in him because God leaueth not his worke and therefore hee requireth God to bestowe newe grace vpon him and to finish that which he had begunne in him Verse 74. So i. by that meanes when they shall beholde and sée that they that feare vz. with the reuerent feare of thy sonnes from which as from the cause procéedeth this true effect of the right worshipping and seruing of thée séeing mee vz. thus instructed and taught by thee in the knowledge of thy lawe shall reioyce vz. for the graces that I haue receiued from thee because I haue trusted vz. stedfastly and with patience in thy woorde vz. generally but specially in thy promises Verse 75. I knowe O Lorde vz. not onely by the trueth of thy woorde but also by mine owne particular experience and practise that thy iudgments i. all thy iudgments whatsoeuer but specially these punishments whereby thou doest prouoke men to repentance are right i. are ministred in all equity and right so that no man can charge thée of iniustice and that thou hast afflicted mee i. corrected and chastened mee as verse 67.71 of this Psalme iustly i. being mooued thereto by very good right and cause Ver. 76. I pray thée vz. humbly and heartily that thy mercy i. thy singular and vnspeakeable goodnesse may comfort mee vz. alwayes and namely when I am in any sorrowe and distresse according to thy promise vz. made and giuen that is according to the promise that thou hast made vnto thy seruant i. to mée thy seruaunt for hee speaketh of himselfe here in the thirde person as sundry tymes before in this Psalme Verse 77. Let thy tender mercyes vz. which thou was wont to shewe heretofore to thy afflicted seruauntes come vnto mée vz. also that is let mee bée partaker of thy excéeding loue in trueth and féeling as they haue béene that I may liue vz. here vppon earth among men and set foorth thy prayse Sée verse 17. of this Psalme and it is as much also q.d. It is impossible that I shoulde liue till such time as I féele my selfe reconciled to thée through thy mercy for thy lawe i. study practise and knowledge of thy woorde is my delight i. all my whole delight for the Prophet vseth here a worde of the plurall number delights Ver. 78. Let the proude bee ashamed vz. euen before thee and before men what hee meaneth by proude persons sée before verse 51.69 for they haue dealt wickedly i. vniustly and cruelly against mee and falsely vz. also with mee meaning that they had both by force and fraude as lying hypocrisie c. sought his ouerthrowe but I meditate vz. earnestly and continually for all that of thy precepts i. of thy lawe and word and of the things conteyned therein Verse 79. Let such as feare thée i. loue and serue thee with an vnfeigned heart turne vnto mée i. ioyne themselues to mee agayne in familiaritie after that through thy iudgements thou shalt haue declared and made knowne vnto them the goodnesse of my cause Sée Iob. 6.29 q.d. as the good haue for a tyme through the insolency and pryde of myne enemies béene beaten backe so let them nowe take courage agayne when they shall sée mée restored and lifted vp and they that knowe thy testimonies vz. to doe them Verse 80. Let my heart be vpright in thy statutes i. let me haue a sound affection towardes thy word and obedience of it and let mee bée frée in these things that I doe of all hypocrisie and dissimulation that I bee not ashamed i. made ashamed and that before men which should in deede betyde me if I should depart from thy statutes sée ver 31. of this Psalme also Psalm 44. almost throughout specially towards the end Do. Ver. 73. Teacheth vs to pray earnestly for light and vnderstanding out of Gods word Ver. 74. Teacheth vs that Gods mercies bestowed vppon some of his children should bée an occasion of comfort and ioy to the rest Ver. 75. Teacheth vs fréely to confesse that whatsoeuer God doeth he doth it vprightly because there is no vnrighteousnes with him Ver. 76. Teacheth vs that Gods mercy and goodnes rightly
woorde more then the ancient vz. in whom wisedome vnderstanding should specially abound partly for their experience and partly for their yeres because I kept i. labored and endeuoured to kéepe with a single and sincere heart thy precepts i. thy commandements word where the Prophet saith in al these thrée verses first that he was more wise then his enemies because that with al their subtilty craft they profited nothing in diuising his destruction and that he was better learned then euen the wise and ancient he declareth that whosoeuer he bee which shall haue brought his vnderstanding in subiection to gods word he shal find wisdom inough not only to kéepe him from the snares of his enemies but also to make him excéede his teachers in iudgment Ver. 101. I haue refrained vz. through the strength that thou hast giuen me and being instructed by thy law my féet vz. from going or walking in corruption féet also may be here vsed for affections as Ecel 4.17 from euery euil way i. not only from all corrupt courses and orders of life but also from euery prouocation which might draw me on thereto that I might kéep thy word q.d. al this I did to this end that I might testifie my obedience to thy law therfore I did take diligent héede to my selfe that I did not walk in the way of sin Ver. 102. I haue not declined vz. either to the right hand or to the left from thy iudgements i. from thy law and word which he calleth iudgments because that according therto the Lord wil iudg the world for thou diddest teach me vz. to walke in the obedience thereof q.d. If thou haddest not helde me in obedience thereof I had gone astray and he meaneth no doubt by teaching a speciall kind of teaching as when God draweth his electe vnto himselfe inwardly by his spirit Verse 103. How swéete q.d. I am not able to expresse the swéetenesse of them are thy promises vz. which thou hast made vnto thy seruaunts The word which he vseth here comprehendeth the whole doctrine of Gods word the principall part whereof is the frée couenaunte and promise of saluation and that maketh our translator to turne it promise vnto my mouth i. vnto the mouth of my hart and soule for otherwise the spirituall promises yéeld but little swéetenesse vnto the bodily mouth yea more then hony to my mouth q.d. They are more swéete and pleasaunt vnto my minde then hony is to my mouth He meaneth that with his mouth he neuer tasted anye meat how good or pleasaunt soeuer it were as he felt Gods word and specially the grace of adoption swéete and comfortable to his soule Vers 104. By thy preceptes i. by thy word I haue gotten vnderstanding vz. in great measure and abundance as before verse 93. therefore I hate vz. from the bottom of my hart al the wayes of falshood i. all false deceaueable and wicked wayes whatsoeuer Verse 97 teacheth vs two things Do. first that we ought to haue a harty affection towards Gods word secondly that we should meditate in it continually or else we can neuer profite in it Verse 98 teacheth vs that in all our affaires wée should presently conferre with Gods word Verse 98 99 100 teach vs that Gods word is only our wisedome also that knowledge of it maketh vs to excell not only our enemies but all men whatsoeuer Verse 101 teacheth vs in care and conscience to striue to abstayne not only from grosse euils but from all manner of euil whatsoeuer Verse 102 teacheth vs that if God be our guide and schoolemaister we can not go astraye and that therefore we should suffer oure selues to be lead by him Verse 103 teacheth vs that only Gods word and specially his promises are comfortable and delightfull to the consciences of his Ver. 104 teacheth vs that if we be once truly enlightened with Gods word it wil make vs loth all sinne and corruption both in our selues and others Nun. THe Prophet in this xiiii part of the Psalme Di. first commendeth the worde for the light and comfort that it yéeldeth to those that are afflicted Ver. 105.111 Secondly he declareth what a great care and loue he had to kéepe Gods Lawe Verse 106 109 110 112. Thyrdly he prayeth to the Lord not only to comfort him by his word but also to accept the thinges which shall come from him verse 107 108. Verse 105. Se. Thy word vz. O Lord is a Lanthorn i. is in stéede of a Lanthorne vnto my féete i. vnto my wayes or vnto mine affections as verse 101. and a light i. standeth in stéed of a light vnto my path i. vnto my behauioure and conuersation where in I walke as in a path He meaneth that Gods lawe did lead him out and teache him what he should doe Vnder which similitude also he teacheth vs that without the light and guidance of Gods worde the world can not go else where but in darkenesse and terrible downfalles Verse 106. I haue sworne i. I haue bound my selfe vnto God and the obedience of him by an oth and will performe it vz. thorow his strength and assistaunce who at this time hath giuen me a stedfast purpose and will hereafter adde a power that I will kéepe vz. according to the measure of grace receaued from God and as mans frailty will suffer me for he bound not himselfe to kéepe the law wholy and in euery point because that is impossible to vs thy righteous iudgements i. the rules and precepts of thy worde which containe nothing else but righteousnesse and well doing Ver. 107. I am very sore afflicted vz. in the outward man by enemies troubling me and infirmities weakning me and in the inwarde man with continuall anguish of hart and dayly assaultes O Lord quicken me i. deliuer me from death and daunger whereto I am very nigh according to thy word i. according to thy promise in thy worde sée it so vsed in this Psalme sundry times and namely verse 25 81. Verse 108. O Lord I beséech thée vz. vnfaignedly and from the bottome of my hart accept vz. in good part or of thy good pleasure only fauour and allowe the trée offerings of my mouth i. my prayers and thanks giuings which I fréely and willingly offer vnto thée they are called in other places of the scripture the calues of our lippes Hosea 14 2. and in an other place the fruit of our lippes Heb. 13.15 and teach me vz. not only to know but also to perfourme thy iudgments i. thy word and the rules thereof as sundry times before in this Psalm Ver. 109. My soule i. my life for otherwise the soule cannot bee touched and it is put for life because that whatsoeuer life this life hath it hath it from the soule is continually in my hand i. is in most present daunger of death and destruction sée 1. Samuel 28.21 also Iob. 13.14 he vseth this phrase or manner of spéech because that those things
mutual performance of duties one of vs towards another so is the word vsed Mica 6 8. by thy testimonies i. by and in thy worde and truth i. not only sound and sincere dealing but doing of it with an vpright affection specially for though a man do the thing and do it not with the same mind that God requireth it is sinne to him For in the obedience of Gods commaundements we must carefully take héede that we tread in these thrée steps to doe the same thing that he appointeth and none other to do it with the same mind that he demaundeth it to be done and to refer it to the same end Ver. 139. My zeale i. the gréefe of my hart as before ver 136 and the anger which I did conceaue hath euen consumed me i. almost wasted me worn me away so that there is little or no hope of my life he meaneth not that he was thus cōsumed by reason of the sorrow which he conceaued for priuate iniuries but because the law of his God was trāsgressed because mine enemies who the particulars were as whether it were Saul or others it is not certain but he speaketh of thē al generally haue forgotten thy words i. wil not acknowledge it but cōtemtuously tread it vnder their féete Ver. 140. Thy word is proued most pure i. is by experience of thy seruaunts found to be most excellent as the gold and siluer is best which hath bin most fined sée Psa 12.6 thy seruant i. I thy seruaunt speaking still of himself in the third person and that same worde and may wel be turned therefore loueth it sée ver 97 113 127. Ver. 141. I am smal i. of small account and little estimation and despised vz. of all men specially of the great ones yet q.d. for all that I do not forget thy preceptes vz. but think vpon them both to know and do them sée ver 109. Ver. 142. Thy righteousnesse i. not only the righteousnesse which is in God but that which God himself requireth of men in his word is an euerlasting righteousnes vz. both because it indureth for euer and bringeth the doers of it to eternal blessednes and thy law i. thy word as sundry times before verse 109 is truth i. not only true but very truth it self which is more significant noting that there is no truth without or beside that word Ver. 143. Trouble and anguish i. abundance and great store of troubles for so much I think the two words together import are come vpon me i. haue seased and taken hold of me yet q.d. for all my gréefes are thy commandements my delight i. thy word doth not only delight and pleasure me but much comfort me Ver. 144. The righteousnesse of thy testimonies i. that righteousnesse which thou prescribest in thy word is euerlasting i. indureth and abideth for euer as before verse 142. graunt mée vnderstanding vz. thereof and I shall liue vz. a blessed certayne and assured life hereby he sheweth that to speake properlye men liue not when they are destituted of the light of God and heauenly wisedome and therefore that note in the Geneua Bible is good for the doctrin that the life of a man without the knowledge of God is nothing else but death Do. Verse 137 teacheth vs alwaies to confesse Gods iudgemēts to be righteous though perhaps it appear not so to our own reasō Ver. 138 setteth out before vs the excellency of Gods word by the things which it commandeth Ver. 139 teacheth vs to be greatly gréeued when other men transgresse gods law Ver. 140 teacheth vs that the excellency of Gods word should drawe from it loue and liking of it on our parts Ver. 141 teacheth vs that no aduersity should cause vs to forget God and his truth Verse 142 teacheth vs that Gods word is the only rule of righteousnesse and truth so that whatsoeuer is not according to it is to be condemned for falshood Ver. 143 teacheth vs that only Gods word can delight and comfort vs in the dayes of our trouble and anguish Ver. 144 teacheth vs that howsoeuer men liue in this life yet they liue not in déede the life of God without the knowledge of his maiesty by his word Koph Di. THis xix part standeth especially of prayer wherein the Prophet first promiseth obedience and propoundeth his earnest desire and patience verse 145 146 147 148 as arguments to moue the Lord to graunt his request Secondly he vseth reasons for that purpose taken firste from the person of God who is most merciful ver 149 ready to helpe ver 151. and most constant in his word verse 152. Secondly from the person of his aduersaries who pressed vpon him to doe him mischiefe ver 150. Thirdly from the experience whiche hée himself had had of Gods goodnesse ver 152. Se. Ver. 145. I haue cried i. earnestly and vehementlye prayed vnto the Lorde for that word crying declareth that he directed all the affections of his harte to GOD alone and that with vehemency and ardencye with my whole harte q.d. My mouth hath not onely bene nigh thée but euen my very harte and all the powers and partes thereof haue consented to the good thinges which I vttered with my wordes heare me O Lord i. graunt me my requests and petitions for otherwise it is not to be doubted but that the Prophet knew that the Lord heard him and I will kéepe thy statutes sée verse 115 and 134 of this Psal Ver. 146. I called vpon thée vz. heretofore speciallye when I was in trouble as Psal 120 1 and thou heardest me Psal 3 4. q.d. I hope thou wilt doe so now saue me i. deliuer me from daungers and distresses and I will kéepe thy testimonies this is the very same but yet in other wordes which hée spake before verse 145. Ver. 147. I preuented vz. with my prayers the morning light i. the dawning of the day or the light whiche commeth before the morning and cried i. prayed earnestly vnto thée The Prophet meaneth that he vsed to pray vnto the Lord euen before the day dawning sée before verse 55 62 for I wayted on thy word i. I stedfastly stayed my hope vpon thy promise and did patiently abide the performaunce thereof Verse 148. Mine eyes preuent the night watches i. I my selfe am more attentiue to meditate thinke vpon thy law than the night watches to kéepe their watche and ward Or else thus Euen before the night watches beginne to sette their watche doe I beginne to medytate on thy word and as they continue in the same so doe I. For the better vnderstanding of this place sée Psalme 1 2. also Psalme 130 5 6. Verse 149. Heare my voyce i. graunt the prayer which from my hart I vtter with my voyce according to thy louing kindnesse vz. shewed heretofore to others of thy Seruantes and to me as verse 132 specially when they call vpon thée O Lorde quicken me vz. in the knowledge and obedience of thy truth
and he testifyeth by this worde so often vsed in this Psalme that euen in the middest of life we are dead vnlesse we be quickened and vpholden by the power of God according to thy iudgement vz. pronounced in thy word or we may take iudgement to be put for the word it selfe which declareth vnto vs Gods goodnesse he alludeth no doubt to the office of an earthly iudge whose duty cōsisteth in these ij points to absolue and lose some and to pronounce the sentēce of condēnation vpon other some in which sence also we say in the cōmon cōfession of our fayth that Christ our sauiour shal come from heauen to iudge the quick and the dead Ver. 150. They draw neare vz. to me euen to persecute hurte and destroy me that follow after malice i. that pursue the mischieuous and wicked attempts which they themselues in their own malice had maliciouslye and wickedly deuised against me and are far from thy law i. they care not either for the sight hearing or knowledge of it thus he giueth two properties to know the wicked by the first is that they are malicious the second which indéed is the welspring of al mischiefe they despise Gods law Ver. 151. Thou arte neare O Lord vz. to al thine euen to aid succour them in their distresses for al thy commaundements are true that word for would better be turned and and he meaneth that not only the words wherwith gods commandements are expressed but euen the very things commanded therein are iust true holy Verse 152. I vz. my selfe haue knowne vz. euen by mine own practise and experience long time i. not only of late but sundry times heretofore whiche I will neuer forget by thy testimonies i. by thy word that thou hast established them for euer i. that thou hast ordained that it should abide firm and stable for euer and euer sée ver 89 of this Psalm and verse 144. Verse 145 teacheth vs that in all our supplications praiers to the Lord Do. our hart and our words should concur consent together Verse 146 teacheth vs that the former experience of Gods goodnesse in hearing our praiers shoulde imbolden vs both to pray and to hope to receaue the like Verse 147 teacheth vs euen to breake our sléepes to giue our selues to prayer and calling vppon the name of GOD. Verse 148 teacheth vs to be continually diligente and carefull in the meditation and studye of Gods worde Verse 149 teacheth vs that Gods frée mercy is the first cause of the graunting of al our requests Ver. 150 doth liuely paynt out the nature and disposition of the wicked and vngodly Verse 151 teacheth vs that the Lord is neuer absent from those that loue and feare him Verse 152 teacheth vs that to know the assurednesse of Gods worde and to haue felt by proofe the certainty thereof are two notable proppes of our fayth and hope Resch Di. IN this part as in the former the Prophet continueth his prayers to almighty God vsing certaine arguments to induce the Lord to graunt him his requests as first his own misery affliction and gréefe verse 153 154 158. secondlye the desperate estate of the wicked and the greate heape of his enemies 155 157. Thirdlye the great loue mercy and truth of the Lord verse 156 159 160. Se. Verse 153. Behold mine affliction i. how great the affliction is which I presently indure not that the Prophet thought the Lord did not beholde it but because he would haue him by effect to declare that he did regard and consider it and deliuer me vz. out of the same for I haue not forgotten vz. as the wicked men doe verse 139 but I haue thought vpon it to doe it thy lawe i. thy worde as sundrye times before Ver. 154. Pleade my cause vz. against mine aduersaries that would oppresse me sée Psalme 35. verse 1. and verse 122 of this Psalme It is as much as if he should desire the Lord to defende him and his case and deliuer mée vz. from them that would oppresse me as ver 134 sée also for this phrase ver 153. quickē me according vnto thy word sée verse 25 of this Psal Verse 155. Saluation i. helpe and deliueraunce out of daunger as Psalm 3 8 is farre from the wicked i. they shall haue no parte or portion of it and this he speaketh specially of his aduersaries who defended an vniust cause against him because they séeke not vz. vnfeignedlye and from a good harte thy statutes i. thy worde and that to know and to do them Ver. 156. Great are thy tender mercyes O Lord vz. towards thy sonnes and seruaunts Sée Psalme 86 5 13 15. quicken me according to thy iudgements sée verse 149 of this Psalme Verse 157. My persecutors and mine oppressors i. those that persecute and oppresse me are manye vz. in number and great in power yet doe I not swarue from thy testimonies q.d. for all that I leaue not the loue and obedience of thy truth sée verse 110. of this Psalm Ver. 158. I saw vz. euen with mine eyes meaning that he did certainly know the naughtinesse of the wicked men the transgressors vz. of thy law for sinne is the transgression and breache of Gods lawe 1. Iohn 3 4 and was gréeued vz. with them and at them for their sinnes sake sée before verse 53 136 139. because they kepte not thy worde i. because they had no care eyther to know it or doe it Sée verse 136. Verse 159. Consider O Lorde the Prophet speaketh this not as though he doubted whether god knew it yea or no but to intreat the Lord by effects to declare the care that he had of him how I loue thy precepts i. how much I loue them sée ver 97 113 127 and sundry other places of this Psalm quicken me according to thy louing kindnesse this may stand vs in stéed of an exposition of that which was sayd before 149 156 if that bée not plaine ynough as that he should vnderstand by iudgements Gods promises and mercies in which sence also the word is vsed in sundry places of scripture Ver. 160. The beginning of thy word is truth i. thy worde hath bin true euen since the beginning and al the iudgements of thy righteousnesse i. all thy iust and righteous iudgements indure for euer the Prophets purpose is in this verse to note that Gods word is most certain faithful stedfast and durable Ver. 153 teacheth vs Do. that euen our very affections are good matters to moue the Lord to haue mercy vpon vs. Verse 154 teacheth vs whether we haue mās ayd or no yet we should continually hang vpon the Lord and pray vnto him for our iust defence euery maner of way Ver. 155 teacheth vs that a very cōtempt of Gods word which the wicked vse is a seale vnto Gods children that no parte or péece of Gods fauour belongeth vnto them Ver. 156 doth notably set out the aboūdant riches infinit treasure
of Gods eternal mercy Ver. 157 teacheth vs that no persecution or oppression should cause vs to decline from God or the obedience of his truth Ver. 158 teacheth vs to pittie and pray for other men in their fals and transgressions and not to reioyce in them as the world doth Ver. 159 teacheth vs that vnfaigned loue to Gods law is a meane to moue the Lord to shew mercy vpon vs. Ver. 160 teacheth vs that it is no small comforte for Gods children to know that Gods word shall neuer fayle Schin IN this xxi part the Prophet first setteth out mens malice towardes him Di. and his vnfeigned loue to the law and word of God ver 161 162 163. Secondly he sheweth how he did delight in the exercises thereof and carefully indeuoured the performaunce of the same Ver. 164 166 167 168. Thirdlye hée sheweth what blessings shal be not only vpon him but vpō al those that loue and like the same ver 165. Ver. 161 Princes i. great and mighty men of the earth haue persecuted mée Se. vz. being smal despised as ver 141 without cause vz. giuen vnto them on my behalf but mine hart i. I my selfe putting a part for the whole man and yet he doth not without cause mention the hart because if there be not in it rightly planted a true reuerence of God all outward thinges are but hipocrisie stood in awe of thy words i. had a reuerent and childish feare and cared not for Princes hauing thy law on my side Verse 162. I reioyce at thy word i. I take as much delight and pleasure in it yea I loue it and estéeme it as he sayd before ver 127 128. as one that findeth vz. after an ouerthrow giuen or a conquest and victory gotten a great spoyle i. a riche bootie and pray He meaneth that he was as glad of Gods word and found as muche pleasure in it as hée that being a conqueror did besides the honour of the triumph inrich himselfe with the spoyle of his enemies Ver. 163. I hate sée verse 113 of this Psalme falshood i. lying hipocrisie dissimulation which is contrary to round walking and vprightnes and abhorre it vz. from the bottome of my hart so that I can not abide so much as to beholde it with mine eyes sée Rom. 12.9 but thy law do I loue vz. earnestly and vnfeignedly sée verse 113 of this Psalme Verse 164. Seuen times a day i. very often in a day and as it were continually a number certaine put for an vncertaine which is an vsuall thing in the scriptures see Leuit. 26 18 doe I praise thée vz. with my whole harte whiche kinde of spéeche is often vsed in this Booke of Psalmes because of thy righteous iudgments vz. practised and performed towards men and declared in thy holye word al this is as much q.d. that he hath found in Gods law such great perfection of righteousnesse and wisedome that euen from time to time hée hath as it were betaken himselfe to praise God and to yéeld him continuall thanks Verse 165. They that loue vz. vnfeignedly and with a good harte thy Lawe i. thy worde shall haue great prosperitie i. shall haue abundance of blessings poured forth vpon them the worde whiche is here turned prosperitye is in the hebrew peace by which they vnderstand the abundaunce of all blessinges speciallye outwarde blessing and they shall haue none hurte this doubling of one and the selfe same thing in contrarye woordes is muche vsed in the Scriptures as wee haue sundrye times noted heretofore and serueth in this place to shewe that they shal be deliuered from al euill and haue aboundante of all good Verse 166. Lorde I haue trusted i. I haue both stedfastlye hoped for and patiently wayted for in thy saluation i. fréedome and deliueraunce from thée from all distresses sée verse 155. and haue done thy commaundementes i. haue had thorow thy goodnesse not onlye care and conscience but also strength and abilitye to performe the same Verse 167. My soule i. I my selfe a parte for the whole and yet in vsing this worde he noteth his vnfeignednesse in obseruing Gods lawe hath kepte thy testimonies i. hath indeuoured to kéepe them and thorowe thy strength hath sometimes performed them for I loue them excéedinglye sée for the truth of this verse 97 127 and 162 of this Psalme Verse 168. I haue kepte vz. vnfeignedlye and from the bottome of my harte thy precepts and thy testimonies i. thy worde he vseth two words signifying one thing For kéeping of his testimonies and precepts sée verse 22 of this Psalm for all my wayes are before thée some expound it thus my whole life and conuersation is knowne to thée putting this word way for order of life as Psal 1. ver 1.6 some thus all my wayes are before thée i. thou séest knowest orderest and carest for my whole life this latter comprehendeth the former which maketh God the Iudge and arbitrator of al his thoughts and goeth somewhat further that is to shew that God guideth him and all his actions Do. Verse 161 teacheth vs first that it is no new thing that great men bee the enemies of Gods people secondly that it is a comfort to Gods children when they are persecuted without a cause thirdlye that howsoeuer men deale with vs yet we must haue a continuall reuerence of God and his word in our harts Verse 162 teacheth vs in what great regard and account we should haue Gods word Ver. 163 teacheth vs to auoid al hipocrisie and to striue to al roundnesse soundnes of conuersatiō Ver. 164 teacheth vs to be continual in the praysing thanking of God for his graces Ver. 165 to prouoke vs the more earnestlye to loue Gods law setteth before vs not only the auoiding of all euill but also the abundaunce of all good Ver. 166 teacheth vs both to hope for and patientlye to looke for deliueraunce from God out of all our daungers whatsoeuer Ver. 167 teacheth vs that where there is a sincere loue of Gods law planted in the hart there wil be striuing and indeuoring to performe the same Verse 168 teacheth vs that to know that God hath an eye ouer our conuersation is a good mean to draw vs to the obedience and practise of his truth Tau THe Prophet in this last part first maketh his prayer vnto God Di. that his requests may be graunted that he may be indued with knowledge deliuered from daunger and receaued to Gods fauour Verse 169 170 173 175 176. Secondly he promiseth after the graunting of his petitions humble and vnfeigned thanksgiuing to the Lord protesting both his great patience and the singular delight he had in Gods law ver 171 172 173 174. and thus I thinke may this part be fitly diuided Verse 169. Se. Let my complaint i. the complaint crie which I make vnto thée come before thée O Lord i. appeare in thy sight q.d. shew by effect that thou hearest my complaint and
giue me vnderstanding vz. in thy law and worde according to thy word i. according to thy promise made vnto me sée verse 25 of this Psalm where word is vsed for promise Ver. 170. Let my supplication i. the prayer which I make come before thée i. appeare in thy presence It is the same in other words which he said before ver 169 and deliuer me vz. out of al my feares and distresses according to thy promise vz. made vnto me q.d. deliuer me as thou hast promised Ver. 171. My lips shal speake praise vz. to thée He putteth lips which are some of the instruments wherby the voice is framed for the rest of them Meaning that he would not only with his hearte bée thankful to God but that he would with his mouth and words expresse the same and that phrase of speaking praise doth shew that he wil do it plentifullye and sing as it were with an open and full mouth when thou hast taught mee vz. to know and vnderstand thy statutes i. thy worde q.d. before he had knowledge thereof he could not doe it and so we learne that such as are ignoraunte of Gods doctrine can not prayse and glorifie him Verse 172. My tongue i. my mouth one part of it put for the whole and the whole mouth it selfe put for the wordes expressed thereby shall intreat of thy word i. not onelye simplye speake and talke of it but solemnly sing and set forth the prayses of it for thy commaundementes are righteous i. the thinges that thou commaundest are most iust Verse 173. Let thine hand help me i. let thy power preserue and defend me from all mischiefs and inconueniences whatsoeuer hand put for power for I haue chosen vz. before all other things whatsoeuer thy precepts i. thy law and word Ver. 174. I haue longed i. I haue greatly and earnestly desired euen as women with child lust after a thing sée Psal 84.2 for thy saluation O Lord i. for helpe and deliueraunce from thée as ver 155 166 of this Psalme and thy law i. thy word as sundry times before a parte for the whole is my delight i. is the chéefest thing wherein I take most delighte and pleasure sée verse 77. Ver. 175. Let my soule liue i. graunt mee to liue long vpon the face of the earth soule put for the whole man as ver 167 and it shall praise thée vz. continually and that for all thy mercies both bodily and spirituall and thy iudgements i. the vengeaunce that thou shalt shewe vpon mine enemies shall helpe me not only because they shall be weakened beaten down and so I by that means strengthened but also because I shal be holpē forward thereby to the knowledge and obedience of thy truth Ver. 176. I haue gone astray vz. from thée O Lord wandering vp and downe hither and thither in the vayne and wicked imaginations of mine own hart like a lost shéepe i. like a shéepe that strayeth and stragleth farre both from the flock and the shéepeheard whereof there can be no other account made then as it were of one that were lost séeke vz. euen as the sheepeheard doth the straying shéepe sée Ezech. 34 4 also Luke 15 4. thy seruaunt i. me thy seruaunt for he speaketh of himselfe in the third person for I doe not forget thy commaundements i. I heare thy voyce euen as thine own shéepe Iohn 10 3 c. these words are often times repeated in this Psalm as verse 61 93 c. Do. Verse 169 teacheth vs to pray earnestly to the Lorde for the vnderstanding knowledge and practise of his word Ver. 170 teacheth vs in all our prayers to call to minde the gracious promises of GOD made vnto vs in his worde as the chéefest grounde in déede of all our supplications Verse 171 teacheth vs that as we cannot prayse God till he haue giuen vs light so when wee haue receaued that light from him wée should then speake continually to his prayse Verse 172 teacheth both to speake of Gods worde continuallye and also to labour to praise the same according to the dignity and excellency thereof Verse 173 teacheth vs that vnlesse God helpe vs by his almightie power wee cannot stand Verse 174 teacheth vs in patience to tarrye the time wherein the Lord will worke our deliueraunces Verse 175 teacheth vs that the ende of our life in this life is to praise and glorifie God also that the faithfull are furthered to Godward by his iudgemēts poured forth vpon the wicked Ver. 176. teacheth vs first in all humblenes and simplicity to confesse our sinnes secondlye with a stedfast faith to come vnto the Lord that so we may be cured and holpen of our diseases Psalme 120. THis Psalme as I take it may bee diuided into thrée partes Di. In the first the Prophet sheweth what experience hee had had of Gods mercy in hearing his prayers whereuppon in assurance of the like grace he calleth vpon the Lord that he may be fréed from slaunderous tongues Ver. 1.2 In the seconde he speaketh to such as vse deceitfull wordes shewing that they themselues profite not thereby and also doe much harme and hurt to others Ver. 3.4 In the thirde part he grieuously lamenteth his owne case in that he is inforced to dwell with such wicked men as nothing on his part could make them quiet Ver. 5.6.7 The title A song of degrées Some as the Geneua note Se. take it to bee so called because of the lifting vp of the tune the rising in singing some thinke the worde degrées to be vsed in the plurall number for excellent because those places are excellent whereunto men assend by degrées and that therefore it is as much q.d. a most excellent song and of this mind is Immanuel Some take it to be ment thus that this and the other xiiii Psalmes following are called songs or Psalmes of degrées that is of staires or steppes because they were sung vppon the staires or steppes of the Lords house of which you may read 2. Chro. 9.11 and I for mine owne part incline thereto because there is mention made of the staires of the Leuites that is of the staires whereuppon the Leuites were wont to stand Nehem 9.4 Ver. 1. I called i. I praied earnestly vnto the Lord vz. only because he alone was able to helpe in my trouble i. when I was greatly and much troubled with affliction and hee hearde me i. he granted me my request sée Psalm 3.4 Ver. 2. Deliuer my soule i. me my selfe as Psal 119. ver 167. and 175. from lying lippes i. from the lying woordes of the wicked and vngodly who did continually accuse him before Saul as Dauid himselfe sheweth 1. Sam. 24.10 also 26.19 Sée for this purpose also Psalm 52. almost throughout and from a deceitfull tongue i. from a tongue that vttereth deceit and craft and in these wordes hee noteth particularly the kind of affliction that made him to cry vnto god Ver. 3. What doth thy
neither hee himselfe imagined neither should we imagine any fleshly thing of God Ver. 2. Beholde euen as the eies of seruants looke vz. earnestly and attentiuely vnto the hand of their misteris i. vnto their power aide and helpe not doubting of their faithfulnes succour and defence neither yet looking for aide from others besides their misteris and as the eyes of a maide vz. looke and wayte vpon the hande of her maistresse i. the power helpe and succour of her whom God hath placed ouer her as before in this verse so our eyes vz. both of our bodyes and of our mindes as ver 1. of this Psalme wait vz. with patience continuance vpon the Lorde vz. only our God i. whom we serue and worshippe vntill hee haue mercy vpon i. vntil he shewe by effect that hee wil take pitie vpon vs and deliuer vs out of our griefs the woord vntil in this place meaneth not as though that then they would leaue of to trust in him but it noteth continuance and perpetuity of tyme sée Psalm 110.1 and many other places Ver. 3. Haue mercy vpon vs vz. that are so greatly distressed and afflicted O Lorde haue mercy vpon vs this doubling of their prayer noteth both their great earnestnes and also their great néede wherein they were for wee haue suffered vz. a long while together to much contempt vz. from the proud and wealthy men of the world as may appeare by the next woordes following Verse 4. Our soule i. euen our whole life is filled to full vz. in our iudgements if thou O Lord thinke it so also of the mocking of the wealthy i. with the mockes and taunts which the rich men of the world vomit out against vs and he speaketh thus because that many times riches ingender fearcenes and pride of heart and of the dispitfulnes of the proude i. with that despite and hatred which the proude vse against vs. Do. Verse 1. Teacheth in all extremities whether men sticke to vs or forsake vs to hang vppon the Lorde our God onely Verse 2. Teacheth vs by a notable similitude neuer to leaue off either trust in God or prayer vnto him til such tyme as hée graciously looke vppon vs and graunt vs our petitions Verse 3. Teacheth vs to bee earnest in prayer with the Lorde our God Ver. 4. Setteth out the naughty nature of the wicked men of the worlde who can doe nothing else but mocke and disdayne the sonnes and seruants of the most high God Psalme 124 THe Prophet in this Psalme specially propoundeth two things Di. first in what case he and the rest of the godly should haue béene through the rage of the wicked had not the Lorde taken their part ver 1.2.3.4.5 secondly hee prayseth the Lorde for setting him and others frée from the great dangers wherin they were and so concludeth the Psalme in the commendation of Gods grace and power ver 6.7.8 The title is expounded before Psalme 122. in the title thereof Ver. 1. Se. If the Lorde vz. by his almightie power and presence had not béene on our side i. had not taken our partes may Israel nowe say vz. very iustly and truely hee putteth this worde Israel for the people of God as Galat. 6.16 Verse 2. If the Lorde had not béene on our side by this repetition of one and the selfe same thing hee noteth both the greatnes of the daunger wherein they were and the excellency of the benefite which God did bestow vpon them in deliuering them from the same and it may stand vs in stéede of a bridle to keepe vs occupied in the meditation of Gods deliueraunces to the end we forget them not when men vz. casting all feare of God and loue of his people aside rose vp vz. in their rage and madnes against vs vz. to destroy vs. Ver. 3. They had then swallowed vs vp quicke i. without all doubt they had destroyed vs and by these woordes swallowing vp quicke they signifie both the barbarous crueltie of the enemie and also their owne weakenes to resist so mightie enemies and here marke that very likely it is that Dauid made this Psalme in his owne name and the name of the Church when their wrath was kindled against vs i. when they were set on a rage presently as it were to destroy vs. Ver. 4. Then the waters i. the great abundaunce of their wrath and fury and the daungerous estate of affliction wherein wee were Sée Psalm 69.1 had drowned vs i. had ouerwhelmed vs and quite and cleane destroyed vs and the streame vz. of their rage had gone ouer our soule i. had persed euen vnto the inward man and had doubtles taken away our life Verse 5. Then had the swelling waters gone ouer our soule hée repeateth the same thing againe both to set out the cruelty of the enemies and the desperate estate as it were wherein they themselues were that by this meanes Gods mercie might bee the more magnified who had graciously deliuered them from the same and in that they compare the forces of their enemies to great riuers streames waters and such like they therby declare that the enemies had more outwarde force then the Churche had and they doe it also to this ende that declaring it in his liuely colours other men might bee made the better to féele it Ver. 6. Praysed be the Lord vz. continually for this his great goodnes mercy towards vs which hath not giuen vs vz. vp that is deliuered vs or made vs which in his iustice for our sinnes he might haue done as a pray i. to be spoyled and deuoured vnto their téeth i. vnto their cruelty and rage hée compareth the enemies here to wild beastes that with their téeth teare in sunder such things as they get to pray vpon Ver. 7. Our soule i. our life and we our selues as sundry times before and namely Psal 120.2.6 is escaped i. is graciously deliuered and so by that meanes hath escaped their barbarous cruelty euen as a birde vz. taken in a foulers snare or grinne and yet notwithstanding is by some mean or other deliuered escaped thence out of the foulers snare i. out of that snare which the foulers lay for it or for thē the snare vz. which our enemies prepared and layd for vs and this word sheweth that the wicked did ioyne to their force and violence treason and subtiltie and that yet notwithstanding Gods people yea though they were voyd of counsell and of force were miraculously preserued by Gods owne hande is broken vz. through the might and power of our God and wee are deliuered vz. through his goodnes out of al those dangers Ver. 8. Our helpe i. the help and succour which we looke for and must haue is i. standeth onely and is no where else to be found but in the name of the Lorde i. in his might power maiesty goodnes c. as Psa 20.1 which hath made heauen and earth this is expounded before Psal 121. ver 2. Do.
Ver. 1. Teacheth vs that if God take not part with his children defend them they shal easily be ouerthrown Ver. 2 teacheth the selfsame thing and sheweth further that men are many times to men wolues and deuourers though happely not in action because by god they are restrained therfrom yet in affection Ver. 3 teacheth vs that when God his children are in the greatest dangers he is most nigh to deliuer them also that the wrath of man neuer worketh the righteousnes of God Verse 4. and 5. Declare and set out the rage and crueltie of the wicked and vngodly men Ver. 6. Teacheth vs first Gods mercy in deliuering his from al their dangers and feares secondly our duty that we ought by al maner of meanes to shew our selues thankful vnto him for the same Ver. 7. Teacheth vs that the wicked ioyne to their power and crueltie craft and subtiltie but it sheweth further that there is no wisedome strength or policy that can preuaile against the Lorde and his people whome hee will succour Ver. 8. Teacheth vs that God alone is hee whom his people must trust to for helpe and succour Psalme 125 Di. THis Psalme consisteth of two parts in the first the prophet propoūdeth doctrine shewing in what assurance the faithful are which do trust in the Lord. ver 1.2.3 In the second he maketh his prayer for them that bee good and sheweth what punishments shall ouertake the wicked and what prosperitie shal be to the faithful holy people ver 4.5 The title is expounded before Psalme 120. Ver. 1. Se. They that trust vz. assuredly and stedfastly in the Lorde vz. onely ioyning none other neither in heauen nor in earth with him shalbée vz. stedfast and vnmoueable as mount Sion i. as the rocke whereuppon the Church is builded yea and as the Church it selfe against which no stormes nor tempests no nor the gates of hell shall preuayle Sée Matth. 7.24 Matth. 16.18 which can not bee remooued vz. though the worlde and wicked men doe what they can against it but remaineth vz. stedfast and sure for euer i. continually nowe we must knowe that the stedfastnes of the Church and euery particular member therof hangeth not of themselues but of Gods eternall loue towards them and Christs earnest prayers for them as when hee sayth to Peter Luke 22.32 I haue prayed for thée that thy fayth fayle not Verse 2. As the mountaines are about Ierusalem vz. to strengthen and defende them from the force of their enemies so is the Lorde about his people vz. on euery side of them to saue them from the violence of men from hencefoorth and for euer i. hee is presently their defence and will bee so continually so that by this similitude taken from the mountaines compassing Ierusalem The Prophet setteth out the sure and secret defence of GOD towardes euery particular one of his Church and this wée sée playnely set out Psalme 5.12 also Psalme 34.7 also Psalme 91. throughout also Psalme 121. throughoute Zachari 2.5 Verse 3. For in this verse hée preuenteth an obiection which might bee made thus doe we not sée the Church many tymes afflicted notwithstanding this large promise yeas sayth hée but it continueth not long yea the very calamities them selues make the defence of the godly more famous and notable the rodde vz. of gouernement and authoritie meaning thereby the Scepter putting the signe of gouernement for gouernement it selfe of the wicked vz. men of this worlde in the Hebrewe text hee vseth the woorde wickednesse putting the thing for the men giuen thereto and so the Geneua text yéeldeth the sense shall not rest vz. longe but shal bee quickely remooued and so the good deliuered as 1 Corinth 10.13 on the lot of the righteous i. vppon the Church and inheritance of the godly people which hee calleth the lot of the righteous because GOD hath as it were giuen the same vnto them by lot as it were for an inheritance lest the righteous put foorth their hande vnto wickednesse i. doe commit wickednesse and sinne eyther by murmuring against GOD or by falling to the impieties of their persecutours and so hee sheweth a reason why affliction lyeth not long vppon Gods children and for this cause as it shoulde séeme did the Lorde commaund them to bée flayne that inhabited Canaan leste the people shoulde followe theire fashions the summe of all is q.d. though the Lorde appoynt his to bee afflicted for a tyme by very wicked people yet hee will not leaue them for euer for the wicked shall not alwayes haue power and authoritie ouer the godly So that this thirde verse is as it were a correction of the other q.d. Gods protection lettteth not but that his should be waked by crosses and tribulations to the end that the righteous being tryed by temptation should not giue themselues ouer to licenciousnes in sin which he expresseth by stretching out their handes their hands I say which before were subiected to the obedience of Gods will vnderstanding by hands their whole man putting a part for the whole Verse 4. Doe well O Lorde i. blesse and pursue continually with thy fauour Sée Psalme 119.17 vnto those that be good i. vnto such as thou hast made good vnto thy selfe by thy worde and the working of thy spirite for otherwise there is none good no not one as Psalme 14.1.3 and true i. found and vpright both to thy maiesty and to men in their hearts i. in their affections hee putteth the seate of affections for affections them selues Verse 5. But those that turne aside i. hypocrites which haue a place in the Churche and liue in it though they bée not of it and by turning a side hée meaneth going stray from the right way which God hath sanctified in his worde by their crooked wayes i. by deuises and imaginations of their owne for all that man deuiseth without God is crooked and peruerse Immanuel readeth it thus but those that set their mindes vppon their own crooked waies which in my iudgement is more playne shall the Lorde vz. himselfe in his great iustice and iudgement leade vz. out of his Church foorth vnto iudgement meaning that he shall pull them out from the godly and then pronounce sentence of condemnation agaynst them and giue them their portion euen eternal iudgment Matth. 21.41 Matth. 25.32 Luke 12.46 with the workers of iniquities i. with all others that haue giuen ouer themselues with gréedines to commit sinne sée Matth. 7.21.22.23 but peace i. al maner of blessednes and prosperity as Psalm 122.6.7 shal bee vz. continually vppon Israel i. vppon Gods Church and people Sée Psalme 124.1 and by Israel hee meaneth not onely them that came of Abraham according to the fleshe but those that are Abrahams children by fayth So that he sheweth that the peace of the Church shall procéed from this that the wicked shal bee driuen out of it Do. Verse 1 teacheth vs what stedfastnes Gods people haue as who can neuer fal away
from grace because whom the Lorde loueth he loueth for euer Verse 2. Teacheth vs that God compasseth his seruants so on euery side that no euil can come vnto them further then hee himselfe wil. Sée Iob. 1.10 Ver. 3. Teacheth vs that howsoeuer we be afflicted yet our afflictions are but momentary and indure but for a short space Sée Psalme 30.5 also 2. Corinth 4.17 Ver. 4. Teacheth vs to pray for the continuance of gods fauour vpon our brethren euen as towardes our selues Ver. 5. Teacheth vs that howsoeuer hypocrites florish in the Church for a while yet the Lorde will plague them in the end also it teacheth vs that howsoeuer he punisheth the wicked yet hee will graciously blesse his owne Psalme 126. THis Psalme may bée diuided into two partes Di. In the first the faithful declare how strange a thing their deliueraunce out of Babilon was confessing it to be done onely by God for which they declare their ioy Ver. 1.2.3 In the seconde they pray the Lord to performe the worke which he had begun prophecying euen by the spirit of prophecy the ful accomplishment and performance thereof ver 4.5.6 The title A song of degrées this is expounded before Psalm 120. Se. in the title or Psalme of Dauid this is not in the Hebrew text and therfore would bee left out for this Psalme seemeth not to bée made by Dauid or in Dauids tyme but in the dayes of Cyrus who published a proclamation for the returne of the Iewes into their countrey at the which diuers of the godly reioycing together penned also this Psalme Verse 1. When the Lord vz. of his great goodnes and mercy brought againe vz. out of Babylon whither they were taryed captiues for their sinne and thus they ascribe all the worke of deliueraunce wholy to the Lorde the captiuity i. the captiues he putteth the thing for the persons as wée haue noted out before Psalme 125.3 out of the Hebrewe text of Sion i. of the Church of the Iewes hée meaneth all the people by the place which was of greatest excellenty amongest them to witte Sion whereuppon the temple was builded in which God was worshipped wée were vz. in our owne iudgement and estimation like them that dreame vz. that dreame of excellent things and yet haue theâ—â— not not but that they were deliuered but the wonderfulnes of the deliuerance was so great and so incomprehensible to all mens vnderstanding that it séemed almost impossible to bee performed q.d. wée coulde hardly perswade our selues of it til wée saw the Gentiles speake of our great deliueraunce and 〈◊〉 help vs forwarde with ayde towardes our owne Countrey sée Ezra 1. through out Verse 2. Then when wee knewe that God had done this great worke for vs was our mouth filled with laughter i. wee had a plentifull and large occasion giuen vs of reioycing because the countenance and face are specially occupied in laughing and the mouth is a part thereof hee putteth a part for the whole yea euen for the whole man if you will and our tongue with ioy i. wee had great occasion also to speake ioyfull words q.d. wee had occasion giuen vs not onely to bée merry in countenaunce whereas before in our captiuity wee hanged downe our heades but also we expressed the ioy of our heartes by our woordes then vz. when they also sawe it sayde they amongest the heathen i. diuers and many of the heathen amongst whome wee were captiues and prisoners the Lorde vz. their God whom they worshippe and serue hath done vz. through his great strength and power great thinges i. excellent yea and wonderfull thinges for them i. for their sake and euen for their particular persons also They meane that the miracle of their deliueraunce was so great that the Gentiles themselues did euen perceiue it and confesse it Verse 3. The Lorde vz. our GOD for these are the woordes of the faythfull answering as it were the heathen that confessed GOD to bee the worker of their deliueraunce q.d. wée confesse it also with you the Lorde hath done great thinges all this is expounded before verse 2. for vs though wee bee his poore and vnworthy seruauntes so all serueth for the magnifiyng of Gods might and mercy Verse 4. O Lorde bring agayne vz. through thy almighty power and that out of Babylon into the lande of Iudah our captiuity i. our brethren and friendes which yet remayne captiues Sée ver 1. of this Psal as vz. thou many tymes bryngest the riuers i. abundaunce of waters in the South i. into the South putting the South Countrey for dry and barren places because of the continuall and ardent heate of the sunne in that quarter which parcheth all their grasse come c. and dryeth vp as it were all their riuers and waters and nâ—ce that in this place the Prophet compareth Gods fauour in the deliueraunce of his people with the riuers of water and the people themselues in captiuity with a barren and drye lande from whome none could turne away Gods fauour if it pleased him to water them therewith So that in this verse the Church prayeth the Lorde to stretch out his hande to the faythfull which remayned yet in Babylon and to helpe them from thence for albeit it was a very harde matter that the remnaunt dispersed shoulde bee gathered together into one body yet they stayed themselues vppon the power of GOD who coulde as easily do that as cause riuers of waters to runne through the South Countryes Verse 5. They that sowe in teares this is an other allegory as it were or similitude in which the people caryed into captiuity are compared to néedy husbandmen who cast into the grounde for séede euen that which was left them for the sustentation of lyfe shall vz. in good tyme reape with ioy q.d. their sorrowe shal bee recompensed with gladnes in this other part of the similitude hee compareth the people returning out of captiuity to reapers or husbandmen which are glad for the abundaunt haruest which they finde the meaning of altogether is that the Iewes who were heauy and sad when they were caryed captiues into Babylon shal bee ioyfull when they shall haue reaped that is to say obteyned the fruite of their hope that is a glorious deliueraunce And this similitude declareth that such as were vphelde by the promise of God albeit that in extreme famine or neede they did cast séede into the grounde euen as it were at all aduenture yet that they were notwithstanding nourished and felt in their heartes the hope of that returne which GOD had promised them Verse 6. They this word may either bee referred to the néedy husbandman that hauing by some meane or other gotten séede are wont to sowe it with griefe or else to the people in captiuitie who went thither with heauinesse of heart and abundaunce of teares I referre it rather to the people went vz. out of their owne lande into Chaldea being caryed captiues weeping i. sorrowfull
and heauie hearted expressing that griefe of theirs by teares and caryed vz. with them into that straunge countrey precious séede i. hope and fayth in the trueth of Gods promises which none coulde take from them but they shall returne vz. from thence into their owne Countrey with ioy i. with great store of outwarde and inwarde comfort and bring vz. with them after that they haue gathered in their haruest as it were their sheaues or after some their handfuls whatsoeuer it is hee meaneth that they shall returne againe with greater abundance of féeling then they caryed with them thus doeth GOD make his children to thriue vnder the crosse Verse 1. Do. Teacheth vs that whatsoeuer instruments or meanes GOD vseth in the performaunce of his counsels yet all the glory of the fact must be adscribed to him alone Verse 2. Teacheth vs to bée glad and to reioyce specially in the Lorde and his goodnesse when it pleaseth him to offer vs occasion and to giue vs matter of mirth also it sheweth that Gods works for his children are so playne and sensible that euen the wicked are inforced to confesse them Verse 3. Teacheth vs plainely and with thankefulnesse to acknowledge Gods graces bestowed vppon vs. Verse 4. Teacheth vs that when GOD hath deliuered vs from misery yet wée shoulde not forget our brethren that lye plagued in the same wherein wée were but that wee shoulde remember them in our earnest prayers to the Lord. Ver. 5. and 6. Teach vs that howsoeuer wee bee afflicted and made sorrowfull for a tyme yet a day will come wherein we shall reioyce and haue our heades lifted vp which time we ought to attend in all patience Psalme 127. THis Psalme consisteth wholly of instruction and doctrine Di. and may bée diuided into two partes In the first the holy Ghost sheweth that both publike administration and rule must bee blessed by GOD or else they will bee to no effect Verse 1.2 Secondlye hee declareth particularly that children are a speciall blessing giuen to men from the Lorde and this reacheth from verse 3. to the ende of the Psalme The title A song of degrees this is expounded before Psalme 120. Se. or Psalme of Salomon i. which Salomon made some read or for Salomon as though Dauid his father had made it as an instruction for him Sée somewhat of this matter Psalme 72. in the title thereof whether Salomon made it or Dauid for his vse it is not much materiall this is to bee marked that here the Prophet woulde giue vs to vnderstande that all thinges whatsoeuer must bee directed and gouerned by God or else they can not come to any good successe or ende Verse 1. Except the Lorde builde the house by house hée meaneth not onely the frame of an house wherein men dwell but the persons commonly called the housholde or familie yea and the very order and manner of gouernement thereof and by building hee meaneth blesse it and further it yea do all in all in it and about it they labour in vayne i. they take paines to no end or purpose but lose their trauaile that builde it i. that indeuour or toyle about it to builde it set it vp and bring it to good order except the Lorde keepe the Citie vz. from the rage and spoyle of the enemie vnderstanding by Citie not onely the houses and wals but the people and the whole common wealth yea the very fourme and order of their politike gouernement the kéeper i. he that is appointed by office to keepe it meaning hereby not onely the watch which order is obserued in al townes of warre and those that suspect the enemy but euen the iudges and maiestrates who also in the Scriptures are called watchmen watcheth in vayne i. to no ende or purpose hée meaneth that all the industrie of men either in maintaining or gouerning a familie or in vpholding a good pollicie and gouernment in a Citie shalbée vayne and vnprofitable vnlesse GOD guyde all and giue good successe thereto Verse 2. It is in vayne vz. vnlesse Gods speciall blessing bee present with you for you vz. of what state or condition so euer you bee to ryse earely vz. to your labour and worke and to lye downe late i. to goe to bed from your worke and eat the bread of sorrowe i. sustenaunce gotten with great payne and trauayle of the bodie and great griefe of mynde so that they can not eate quietlye with a mind free from labour care and feare but q.d. notwithstanding the vngodly haue these griefes and cares hée i. the Lorde will surely i. without fayle giue vz. of his méere liberalitie and mercie rest i. both norishment and all good thinges whatsoeuer and yet not yéelding vnto them an idle life or forbidding them labour because the faythfull doe willingly subiect themselues thereto through the obedience of fayth to his beloued vz. people putting one for all for hee speaketh here in the singular loued by beloued ones hee meaneth them whome the Lorde loueth and such also as being confirmed in his loue towardes them doe wholy commit themselues vnto him Verse 3. Beholde q.d. consider it as a thing most certayne and profitable children i. posteritie and issue which it pleaseth GOD to giue in this life are the inheritance of the Lorde i. are a portion that as it were for an inheritance the Lord giueth vnto vs and the fruit of the wombe i. children sée Micah 6.7 his reward i. a reward that he giueth to men in this life and mark that in these thrée last verses he maketh thrée degrées as it were of gods blessing in this ver he mentioneth the blessing of posterity or generatiō in ver 4. hee speaketh of their good liberall and obediēt education and verse 5 he sheweth what fruits come by them that are well brought vp The hebrew word whiche we turne here reward signifieth euery good thing whatsoeuer that God giueth vnto men Ver. 4. As are the arrowes i. the cleane and well kept arrowes in the hand of the strong man or at the hand of the strong man that is to say alwayes in a readinesse so are the children of youth i. so are the children that are begotten in the flower of their parents age meaning it of those children whiche are well brought vp that they are in a readinesse alwayes to goe and come and to doe all good things enioyned them I know there is another sence of these wordes as to the end he might the more commend this benefite of God he should commend them for their naturall force because their fathers might strengthen and defend themselues by them as it were by archers and good men But me thinketh the other is a more fit sence for this place Verse 5. Blessed is he vz. from the Lord and euen in the sight and presence of men that hath his quiuer full of them i. that is replenished and hath his house garnished with such good children for he continueth in the similitude
of shafts and arrowes still whiche he had put downe in the other verse before going for this is a reason of the thinges which go before they i. neyther the fathers nor the children for so largely would I take it shall not bee ashamed i. they shall not giue place to their enemies but shall ouercome them yea and shall possesse the gates of their enemies as is promised whē they speake with their enemies vz. face to face in the gate vz. eyther of the Citie if it be besieged or else in the place of publike iustice because the iudges were wont to fit in the gates of the Citie to determine publike causes as Genesis 34 20. Deut. 25 7. 2 Samuel 15.2 and in many other places Ver. 1 Teacheth vs that nothing eyther in house or citty Do. can be well begun go well forwarde or come to good end except the Lord be the directer and guider thereof Verse 2 teacheth vs that no meanes eyther lawfull or vnlawfull can performe any thing except the Lords blessing concurre with the same and yet we should not therefore neglect the meanes but vse them alwayes with prayer to God to blesse them to vs so farre forth as maye make for his glory and our comfort Verse 3 teacheth that children are a blessing which it pleaseth the Lord to bestow vppon the sonnes of men not that wée should conclude them to be accursed that want them For the want of blessing yea of sundrye blessing maketh not accursed for who then should be blessed Verse 4 doth teache vs both how good and profitable holy education is to children and also what fruite it yéeldeth to wit in the children readinesse and obedience to the parents Verse 5 teacheth vs that good children are a singular glorye vnto their parents yea and they adde estimation vnto themselues also Psalme 128. Di. THis Psalme may be diuided into two parts In the first the Prophet doth both generally and particularly set out the blessinges of God towards the faythfull Verse 1 2 3. In the second part hée assureth them of the continuaunce of Gods fauour and blessing vpon them and their posterity ver 4 5 6. Se. The title is expounded before Psalme 120. Ver. 1. Blessed is euery one vz. of what estate or condition soeuer he be and that word blessed containeth in it abundance of blessednesse q.d. he shal be plentifully blessed whosoeuer he bée that feareth the Lord i. that rightly serueth and worshippeth him He putteth the beginning of Gods seruice for the whole for wee can neuer rightly serue God til we haue a reuerent feare of his maiesty printed in our hartes walketh in his wayes i. that kéepeth his commaundements and directeth his life according to such lawes as God hath prescribed For God doth not otherwise allow of our life except it be reformed according to his law walking is put here as in sundry other places of the Psalmes for order of lise and conuersation Verse 2. When thou eatest this by the consente of the best interpreters would be turned thus for thou shalt eat shewing a reason as it were of his blessednesse and not as though the godly man were not blessed till hée did eate the fruit of his labours which many times he doth in this life and so the blessing of God vpon him in this life should be called into question and doubte we will therefore turne it thus for thou vz. that hast a care and conscience to fear God and marke how he passeth from the third person to the second shalt eate vz. quietly thorow Gods blessing and fauour towardes thee meaning by eating enioying and liuing by the labours of thine hands i. that whiche thou thy selfe with thy hand hast laboured for q.d. no forrain enemy nor any extortioner shal spoile thée of that which thou hast trauailed for but thou shalt enioy with al profit vse it with al pleasure thou shalt be blessed vz. with all maner of blessings from the Lord both outward and inward both bodily spirituall and this is another grace that God wil shewe to his seruants it shal be well with thée vz. whersoeuer thou art whether at home in thy house or abroade in thy fields as is promised Deut. 28 3. meaning also by this maner of spéeche that euen all his affayres businesses should mightily prosper go well forward Ver. 3. Thy wife shal be as the fruitfull vine i. shal beare thée many childrē as the fruitful vine doth many clusters and bunches of grapes posteritye séede is reckoned amongst the outward blessings that God bestoweth vpon his on the sides of thine house some expound it thus nigh to thy house Methinketh he alludeth to the common custome of men who plant vines vnder their houses and at the sides of them specially at the sides of them where they may haue the most sun by which they may be most defēded frō the cold for heat maketh the Vine plentiful faire and flourishing and thy children vz. which god shal giue thée by hir shal be what like the Oliue plants i. as faire as pleasaunte as the plants of yong Oliue trées or as the yong trées themselues yea I stretche it somewhat further that is they shal be alwayes gréene fresh florishing and increasing sée Psal 52 8 round about thy table by this spéech he expresseth the great delight that children bring vnto their fathers while they sée them as many in number so neate and trimme standing alwayes as it were in their fight Ver. 4. Le here he stirreth vp the faithfull both to behold and also to acknowledge the blessings of God reckoned vp before and these that followe after surely vz. without all doubt thus vz. as is before expressed and as hereafter followeth shal the man be blessed i. euery man as verse 1 of this Psalme that feareth the Lord sée also ver 1 of this Psalme Now we must know that hee promiseth the faithfull earthly blessings from God not that they should stay and rest themselues there but to the end that by the same they might be lifted vp to the meditation of the heauenly life Verse 5. The Lord vz. whom we serue and worship out of Sion i. out of the place wherein he dwelleth and is worshipped and here he putteth the faythfull in minde that it is because of the couenaunte which he hath made with thē that he bestoweth these graces vpon them not for any merite or worthines in them shal blesse thée vz. with his grace and fauour and that so largely and plentifully that thou shalt sée i. both with the eyes of thy body with the eyes of thy faith yea that thou thy self shalt enioye the wealth i. the prosperitie peace and all maner of goodnesse sée Psal 122 9. of Ierusalem i. of the Citie and Church of God because God was serued therein so that he descendeth from particular blessings to the common blessing of the whole Church from whence as it
were from a fountayn the particular blessing floweth all the dayes of thy life i. so long as thou shalt liue in this life Ver. 6 Yea thou shalt sée thy childrens children i. thou shalt perceaue the singular fauour and blessing of God towards thée and thy family first by the length of thy own life as Exod. 20. in the fift commaundement secondly by the plentifull increase of thy posterity and séede and peace i. all maner of blessing and goodnesse as Psalme 122.6.7 vpon Israell i. vpon that people whiche serue God sincerely sée Psal 124.1 Ver. 1. Teacheth vs first that such as serue God Do. according to the rule of his word shal receiue al maner of blessing from the Lord secondly that a godly cōuersatiō is a notable testimony of the right worship seruice of god Ver. 2. teacheth vs that not only gaines gotten by labor are gods blessing but to haue the fruition vse of them after we haue obteined them is gods blessing also Ver. 3 Teacheth vs that the fruitfulnes of our wiues and store of children is a blessing from the Lord likewise Ver. 4. Teacheth vs that the blessings which God hath promised vs shal be most assuredly performed Ver. 5. Teacheth vs that this is the blessing of al blessings in this life to sée the florishing and prosperitie of the Church Ver. 6. teacheth vs that old age and large posterity both are good blessings from the Lord. Psalme 129. Di. THe Psalme may be deuided into two parts In the first the faythfull declare that they were gréeuouslye oppressed by their enemies but yet that the Lord did graciously deliuer them verse 1 2 3 4. Secondly in the spirite of Prophecie as it were they doe foretell the assured destruction and ouerthrowe of all their enemies from verse 4 to the end of the Psalme Se. The title is expounded before Psalme 120 in the Title thereof Ver. 1. They i. our wicked and cruel enemies whom as a man would say he will not vouchsafe to name haue oftentimes vz. heretofore and euē at this present one time after another doe afflicted i. troubled gréeued and persecuted and that after sundry sorts and by sundry meanes and wayes me i. vs hee speaketh of the holy body of the faythfull as it were but of one person by reason of the vnitye and fellow-like féeling that is or should be amongst them from my youth i. euen from the beginning of the world when the Church then began may Israell i. the faythfull people as Psalme 124 1 also Psalme 128 6. now i. euen at this present So we sée that the Church counteth those afflictions that the faythful haue indured before hir owne euen as those which she presently suffereth say vz. iustly rightly and vpon very good cause They meane by this and that which followeth after that the Church thinking diligently vpon auntient examples and experiences might easily gather both after what sort God had exercised his people from the first beginning of the world as from Abel Abraham and other Patriarks from whom the churche came and also howe they had a blessed ende of all their afflictions and this is done to the end that by the former deliueraunces they might in a good hope comfort and confirme themselues that God woulde deliuer them from the like in time to come Verse 2. They haue oftentimes afflicted me from my youth this is the same with verse 1 the repeating of it serueth to this ende both to shewe that they were sore afflicted in déede and also to set out the assurednesse of their deliueraunce but they could not vz. for all their subtiltie and for all their power preuayle vz. at any time or by any meanes agaynst me the reason because God hath bin on our side as Psalme 124 1 2. Verse 3. The Plowers i. the emies which God did vse as husbandmen to plow and till his Churche plowed vpon my back i. went quite and cleane ouer vs by which he noteth both the weake estate of the Church and the hard hartednesse of the enemies made long furrowes vz. vpon vs not sparing vs any whit at all for all the miserye that we are in In this verse he compareth the people of God to a fielde which men till and plough that he might the better shew that the crosse hath alwayes bin fastened vpon the back of the Church meaning that they suffred many gréeuous thinges from the enemies and that they did both a long season and very sorely afflict them Verse 4. But the righteous Lord i. he that dealeth and doth vprightly howsoeuer men deale cruelly and iniuriously hath cut vz. euen in sunder and that of his goodnesse towards vs thorow his almightye power the cordes i. all the powers of the wicked whether they consisted in coūsels purposes practises or any such like of the wicked i. whiche the wicked men did imagine and vse All tendeth to this end that here he putteth downe a comfort and sheweth that God hath very easily and with little adoe repressed the rage and crueltie of his enemies and set his owne people at liberty as if one should cut in sunder all that belongeth to the horses that goe to plowe which as I take it in some countrye they call the geares and so by that meanes the plow and the owner thereof should stand still and the horses be at libertye from their labours and so he continueth still in his allegory or Metaphor Verse 5. They that hate Sion i. the Churche of God as Psalme 125 1. also Psalme 128 5. Now if the haters shal be punished hate being an affection of the hart only how shall they escape whiche put their hatred in execution and practise shal be ashamed vz. not only before God but euen before men and that word all noteth of what state or condition soeuer they be whether high or low rich or pore c. for with God there is no respect of persons and turned backward vz. as those that in the day of battaile come forth with fiercenesse and yet thorow a sodayne feare are glad to turne their backes so that in this verse he setteth out the ruine and destructiō of the enemies which thing also he doth in the next verses amplyfiing it by similitudes or metaphors taken from husbandry Ver. 6. They i. that hate Sion and such other wicked and vngodlye persons shall be as the grasse vz. which groweth on the house toppe as wee sée by dayly experience that grasse groweth on the tops of houses and in gutters specially in those houses which are not much inhabited whiche withereth vz. thorow the great and parching heat of the sunne afore it come forth vz. so farre as that it may be cut downe with the sithe or sickle This is the firste allegory or metaphor wherein the wicked are resembled to haye or grasse by the which he meaneth that they shall presently perish though they be lifted vp very high euen as the grasse or hearbe that
groweth vppon houses incontinently withereth because it hath not earth sufficient vnder it to giue it moysture and nourishment wherefore looke by how much they shall thorow the greatnesse of their pride draw nigh to the Sunne so much the more sodainlye shall they be consumed because they haue no roote Verse 7. whereof i. wherewith the mower i. he that should mowe it filleth not his hande q.d. it is so skarse that he can not take a handful of it neither the glainer vz. which commeth after the mower and looketh more narrowly his lappe i. can get anye thing to speake of this may haue a double sence and both good though I confesse there is but one right sence of all scriptures for it may bee referred vnto the grasse spoken of before in the house toppe and then his meaning is that it commeth not to any ripenesse in so muche that it can neyther be mowed nor gathered but this I approue not because men vse not to mow grasse on the house toppe nor yet to gather it to any vse or it maye bee another Metaphor taken from Corne that commeth thinly vp here an eare and there an eare noting that the wicked thorow Gods iudgements should be brought to such a wasting that very few or none of them should be left and I take to be the more fitte sence Verse 8. Neither they which go by vz. the mowers and reapers say the blessing of the Lord be vpon you i. the Lord blesse you and your haruest because they cannot say so for they sée Gods hand vpon them in scarsitie Those that passed by were wont to wish well to the haruest workers as appeareth Ruth 2 4 so that this is as much q. d. They shall not pray no not for the worke men much lesse wish well to the haruest it selfe or this particle sheweth that it is an other kinde of spéeche that they vsed to the haruest men wée blesse you i. wée wishe you good in the name of the Lord i. thorow his maiesty power and goodnesse Do. Verse 1 setteth out the continual both malice assaults of the wicked against the godly Ver. 2 sheweth that they can neuer preuaile vtterly against them Ver. 3. declareth the hard hartednes and vnmercifulnes of the wicked Ver. 4 teacheth vs that God doth frustrate al the purposes and attempts of the vngodly whatsoeuer Ver. 5 conteineth the destruction of them that persecute the church Ver. 6 sheweth that the vngodlye are of no long continuaunce because they haue no déepe roote Ver. 7 sheweth that the vngodly wicked are vtterly vnprofitable to euery good thing Ver. 8 teacheth vs that it is a testimony of Gods greate curse vpon vs to want eyther the prayers or good wishes of the godly Psalme 130. Di. THis Psalme may be diuided into two parts In the first he maketh his earnest prayer vnto the Lorde desiring him to remoue his sinnes that so he may féele his singular mercy ver 1 2 3 4. In the second he testifyeth his fayth and patience exhorting the faythful continually to hang vpon the Lord from ver 5. to the end of the Psalme Se. The title is expounded before Psal 120. Ver. 1. Out of the déepe places i. out of most deepe and huge dangers it is a metaphor taken from waters ready to drown a man sée Psal 69 1 2. haue I called vnto thée Lord i. earnestlye prayed vnto thée sée Psal 116.3 4. so that we sée that the Prophet when he felt himself sore oppressed with distresse yea as it were plunged in a gulfe of perplexity calleth earnestly vpon God for the greater the afflictions are whiche Gods children indure the more earnest are their supplications Ver. 2. Lord heare my voice i. graunt me the praiers which I expresse with my voice let thine eares attend i. harken diligently meaning that he would haue the Lord by effecte to shew that he had carefully heard his prayers to the voice of my prayers i. to the words whiche I vse in my praiers because the voyce is a meane to vtter wordes he putteth it for the words themselues Ver. 3. If thou O Lorde vz. which séest and knowest all thinges straitly markest i. narrowlye weighest or kéepest as a man would a register or reckoning iniquities i. the infinit numbers of sinnes committed agaynst thée and others for so I take the word in the plurall number who shall stand vz. in thy presence or before thée sée Psalme 1 5. q.d. who is hée that shall be able to beare thy iudgement or the least parte thereof Verely there is not one amongst all men that either haue bin are or shal be He meaneth then that we can not be iust but by the remission of sinnes and I take this verse to containe a reason as it were of his former prayer q.d. Spare vs not for our owne sake for there is nothing in vs that can mooue thée to pitie vs but for thine own mercy sake as in the next verse Verse 4. But mercy is with thée i. thou hast infinite and abundaunt mercy that thou mayst bée feared vz. amongest men and hée putteth feare in this place for the reuerente and sincere seruice of GOD so that he doth as it were desire GOD to haue regarde of his owne glorye whiche consysteth in the fayth and truth of his promises and in his worship and seruice both whiche shoulde vtterlye decaye if the Lorde did straightlye obserue our iniquities and destroy vs in his iudgement therefore and so he sheweth that there is no reuerence of God in mens hartes till his mercies bee sensiblye felte and knowne whiche is the foundation thereof and by feare he meaneth in this place the reuerent feare of Children and not the slauish feare of Seruaunts Verse 5. I haue vz. heretofore and yet at this present doe for vnder this hee comprehendeth also the present time wayted i. trusted and hoped and haue obtained that which I hoped for my soule hath waited vz. vpon the Lord as in the next verse Hée meaneth by this that he trusted in God not feignedly or in hipocrisie but hartily and from the déepe affection of his hart whereby he sheweth that the seate of sure hope is in the hart and I haue trusted vz. stedfastly in his worde i. in all his word generallye but specially in his promises made vnto mee Meaning that as he had before trusted and obtained fauour so he would doe still Verse 6 My soule wayteth on the Lord sée this expounded before verse 5. the repeating of it séemeth to shew the ardencie of his zeale and his continuaunce in hanging vpon God more then the morning watch i. that watch that is appointed to watch til the morning hath no body to ease him from his watche al night long watcheth for the morning i. for that time wherein in the morning he shall leaue his watch q.d. I am more desirous to inioy God and the fauours of his grace then the watchmen which are weary with
watching all night do desire to sée the breaking vp of their watch in the morning Verse 7 Let Israell i. Gods faithfull people as before Psalme 129 and afterwardes Psal 131 3 and in this verse he exhorteth all the Church by this example to hāg vpon God wayt vz. with patience on the Lorde vz. only and no other but him for with the Lord is mercy i. hee is gracious and mercifull as before verse 4 of this Psalme and this is a reason why he woulde haue the faithfull to hang vpon the Lord and with him is greate redemption vz. procéeding from that mercye of his as the streame from the Fountayne Meaning by that word great redemption that the Lord hath diuers meanes to deliuer his by and to draw them out of all daungers wherein soeuer they shal be Ver. 8. And he vz. himself and no other for him shall vz. most certainlye and assuredly redéeme i. set frée and deliuer Israell i. his faythfull people which shall haue their trust in him from all his iniquities i. not onely from all their sins but also from all daungers and distresses whereinto their sinnes mighte cast them For so largely doe I rest perswaded that the word shoulde be taken in this place Do. Verse 1 teacheth vs that the more afflictions increase vpon vs the more earnest and often should we be with the Lord by prayer Verse 2 teacheth vs that because sinne cleaueth fast vnto vs and our praiers pierce little or nothing that therefore we should continually call vpon the Lord to heare our prayers Verse 3 teacheth vs in our prayers to haue recourse vnto Gods mercy onely also that no man is able to stand as righteous in the presence and iudgement of God Verse 4 sheweth that Gods mercy should not breede carelesnesse in vs but care and conscience to walke before him in feare and trembling Verse 5 teacheth that there was neuer yet any one confounded that did vnfeignedlye put his trust in the Lord Verse 6 teacheth vs earnestly to hunger and thyrste after the Lord. Verse 7 teacheth vs to prouoke others as well as our selues with patience to waite vpon the Lord. Verse 8 teacheth vs that it is God onlye that can deliuer from sinne and from all those punishments whiche sinne hath pulled vpon vs. Psalme 131. Di. THe Prophet in this Psalme propoundeth two thinges first he setteth downe the simplicitie and humblenesse of his own minde ver 1 2. Secondly he exhorteth the faithfull by his example to stryue to patience verse 3. Se. The title is expounded before Psalme 120 also Psalme 122 in the title thereof Verse 1. Lord vz. whom I serue q.d. thou knowest whether it bee true or no that I speake though men will not beléeue me mine heart is not haughty he beginneth with the fountayne of pride which is in the heart q.d. Thou knowest that I haue not so much as in hart affected the Kingdome or Saules ruine or taken in hande any great matter but by a stedfast faith haue wholye stayed my selfe vpon thée and rested in the obedience of thy will neither are mine eyes loftie from the inward which is the hart he commeth to the outward which are the eyes q.d. that there was not in his visage or countinance any signe of pride but that outwardly he gaue an euident testimony of the humilitie of his hart inwardly neither haue I walked in great matters i. I haue not attempted high enterprises by fact without the reache of my calling and hid from me i. I haue not assayed to looke into such thinges as passe the lighte of capacity and vnderstanding which thou gauest me Verse 2. Surely q.d. this is most certain and thou knowest it though I would not report it I haue behaued my selfe vz. both outwardly and inwardly like one weaned from his mother i. euen as a little childe which is humble and lowly in whiche respecte our sauiour sayth except we receaue the kingdome of God as a little child we shall not enter therein Mar. 10 15. and Paul bee not children in vnderstanding but as concerning maliciousnesse be children 1 Cor. 14 20. and kéept silence i. speake very little or nothing I am in my selfe i. in mine owne perswasion and that in the vpright testimonie of a good conscience before God as one that is weaned i. as a yong childe in respect of affections and wicked desires for children commonly are not very old when they are weaned Ver. 3. Let Israell waye on the Lord sée this expounded Psal 130. ver 7. from henceforth and for euer i. from this time and continually Ver. 1 teacheth vs to auoyd pryde and arrogancye Do. both inwardly in the hart and outwardly in the countenance and behauiour Ver. 2 teacheth vs to striue to all humilitie and lowlinesse of affection Ver. 3 teacheth vs not only with patience for the time to wait vpon the Lord but to doe it continually for euer Psalme 132. THis Psalme may be diuided into two parts Di In the first is conteined a prayer for Dauid the Lords Priests and the faithfull people of God with a declaration of their zeale to Gods worship and seruice from verse 1. to the end of the 10. In the second there is expressed both Gods promises made particularly to Dauid and his posterity also to the whole churche generally from ver 11. to the end of the Psalme The Title is expounded before in the title of Psal 120. Ver. 1. Lord vz. Se. which art the only true God iudgest vprightly remēber i. declare by effects that thou remēbrest and beholdest him that thou doest approue the purpose of his mind in graunting him his request for otherwise God neuer forgetteth specially those that are his sée Gen. 8.1 Dauid vz. thine annointed king seruaunt and al his affliction i. al and euery one of the troubles which he hath indured specially the great care of his hart for the building of thy Temple of which sée 2. Sam. 7 1 2 3. but specially that which followeth in this Psal and all this he alleageth not as boasting of any thing he did but that séeing the Lord mercifull vnto him he might thereby take an argument of good things Ver. 2. who sware vnto the Lord i. bound himselfe vnto him by an oth and that to this end that therby he might be the more carefully bound to perform the good wch hée had promised sée Psal 119 6 vowed a vow i. promised that certainly this difference I take to be betwéen an oth a vow that the one is made with calling god to witnes the other is a solemn protestation or promise only yet so that if it be made concerning good things and by them that haue power in themselues to perform it it bindeth the cōscience sée Num. 30 thorow out to the mighty god of Iaakob i. to God who by his mightie force and power did deliuer the Patriarche Iaakob from all his daungers faying vz.
vnfaignedly and from his hart Ver. 3. I wil not enter vz. willingly and gladly into the tabernacle of my house i. into any part of the house or the house it self which I haue caused to be newlye builded sée 2. Samuel 5 9 also 1 Chronicles 15 1. nor come vpon my pallet or bedde vz. whiche are set and made in my new house to lye down vpon them or take my rest there Verse 4. Nor suffer mine eyes to sléepe vz. verye muche specially in that house which I haue newly made nor my eye liddes to slumber q.d. I will bee continually watchfull and carefull for to build God a house The Prophet meaneth not in al this that he was so proude as to think that either by oth or vow he could prescribe God a law neither yet that he was so rash as to promise that he would dwel openly in the ayre not sléepe neither daye nor night till the arke were brought to a place whiche hee woulde prepare for it which could not be very quickly done for that had but after a sort to haue killed himself but this he meaneth that he made religion conscience of it to goe into his new house vnlesse he had prepared a place for Gods arke to rest in also q.d. I must not be more carefull for my selfe either in respect of pleasure or profit or both then I am for God and his seruice Ver. 5. Vntill I finde out i. vntill I shal by searching find out a place i. a fit méet and conuenient place for otherwise there were places ynow for the Lord vz. to dwell and rest in not that God is tied to any place for the heauen of heauens can not contain him but he meaneth the Ark which is called the Lord himself because it was a most manifest testimonie of his maiesty and power an habitation i. a place to rest dwel in that it may no longer bee caried from place to place as it hath bin for the mighty God of Iaakob i. for that great God whom Iaakob worshipped or else for him that saued and deliuered Iaakob frō many daungers as before ver 2. Ver. 6. Lo we i. both I and others heard of it i. not of the place but of the arke in Ephrathah i. that it was Ephrathah I take this rather as Immanuell doth to be the name of the countrie wherein the tribe of Ephraim dwelt then of any one particular place yet so that it should note Shilo in the Tribe of Ephraim where the Arke of the Lord was kept from the dayes of Iehoushua vntill the death of Helie the Priest at what time it was taken by the Philistines sée 1 Samuel chapiters 1 2 3 and 4. and found it i. the Arke in the fieldes of the Forrest or as Immanuel turneth it as it is in the hebrew text in the fields of Iahar i. in the citie of Iahar which was situate both in a plain and woody place and therfore is turned here in the fields of the forrest in which respect also it hath seuerall names for of the woodes it is called Kiriah Iearim that is the citie of woods and of the playn or fielde it is called Baal or Baalah or Kiriah in Baalah and sometimes Bala of Iuda that is plaine place for the sence of this place sée 1. Sam. 7 1 c. and for the citie it self sée Iehosh 15.60 where it is reckoned vp among the cities alotted to the tribe of Iudah hath two names I know other men giue other sences but methinketh this is most plain Ver. 7. We wil enter vz. cherefully gladlye into his tabernacles i. into the places where this arke shall rest he himself be religiously serued which in Psal 100. ver 4. are called his gates his courts and worship vz. him before his footestoole i. before the ark of the couenaunt which is so called to put the faithfull in mind that they must not stay in the beholding of the ark only as though god wer inclosed therin but that they must lift vp their harts to heauen to worship God there with all reuerence as though GOD stretched his féete from the heauen to the earth that hée might lifte vs vp to heauen Now he must be sought to in Christ who is the verye Arke of Couenaunte in déede Verse 8. Arise vz. now at the earnest prayer of thy people O Lord this is to be referred both to God himselfe and to the Arke also as may appeare by that which followeth in the Vers Sée the word Lord also put for Arke verse 5 of this Psalme to come into thy rest i. into the place of thy rest because that before the Arke stayed not long in one place as maye appeare by the continuall concourse of the stories thou and the Arke of thy strength i. both thou thy selfe and the visible sacrament as it were of thy strength and power and he calleth it the ark of Gods strength because that in and from the Arke the Lord did plainly declare his maiesty power c Ver. 9 Let thy Priests i. the Priests which thou hast chosen vnto thy selfe to bée the administers of holy things be clothed i. compassed about on euery side let it cleaue stick fast to thē as apparel doth to the body with righteousnes vz. both outward inward q.d. Let thē that are sanctified to this gret office be more and more sanctified let thy saints i. thy people whom thou hast sanctified to thy self reioyce vz. greatly that for this because the Ark shal stay in one place not flit as heretofore it hath done so that here he praieth both for Priests people Ver. 10. For thy seruaunt Dauids sake i. for him those promises which thou hast made to him others vnderstād by Dauid christ the sonne of Dauid who also in the Prophets is called by that name as Hosea 3 5 in the letter the first sence is most playn he speaking of himself in the third person in the doctrine the other is very true refuse not the face of thine annointed i. of me whom thou haste appointed to be King vnderstāding by not refusing his face the graunting of him his requests for here he prayeth the Lord to be merciful to his priests and people not to reiect the prayers which the king maketh for thē Ver. 11. The Lord vz. himself hath sworn in truth i. hath truly iustly sworn to perform whatsoeuer he hath promised vnto Dauid i. vnto me speaking stil of himself in the third person will not shrinke from it i. will not at any hand or by any meanes go back from his word sée Psa 110.4 and note that God sweareth not for any inconstancy in his word but for the strengthening of our fayth of the fruit of thy body i. some one or other of thy children sée Psal 127 3 wil I set vpon thy throne i. I will establishe them as thy lawfull heyres in thy kingdome after
thée meaning that he would prouide that one of his children posterity should cōtinually succéed him in the kingdom Ver. 12. If thy sons i. thy posterity these are gods words to Dauid establishing the couenāt with him his séed kéepe vz. vnfaignedly and with all their hart my couenaunt i. the couenante which I haue made with them and is passed betwéene them me and my testimonies i. my law word and that euery particular péece of it for so muche do I think doth the plural number in this place signifie that I shall teach them vz. by the ministery of my seruaunts the Priests and Prophets their sonnes also i. their posterity euen to many generations shall sit vpon thy Throne i. shall succéede thée and them in the Kingdome putting throne a part of the kingdome for the whole and it is called Dauids throne or kingdome because he was the first man of al his race that God aduanced to that high honor for euer i. for a lōg season referred to Dauid his natural séede but for all eternitie referred to Christ sée these words expounded 1 King 2 4 also 1 King 8 25 also 2. Chron. 6 16. Verse 13. For the Lord vz. himselfe hath chosen vz. of his great mercy Sion i. his Church or Ierusalem vz. to be the place where his arke should abide he himselfe be serued and loued vz. of his own good pleasure and not for any excellency or worthines that was in it to dwell in it i. to remayne and to abide there as in the next verse Ver. 14. This vz. place is my rest i. is the place wherein I will haue mine arke to staye for euer i. for a long tyme if we referre it to the Materiall Ierusalem but continuallye euen to all eternitye if wée referre it to the Churche here will I dwell i. in this place I will giue of my presence power and continuall aboade for I haue a delight therein i. I haue delighted and loued to dwell there as in the nexte verse before going sée Psalme 78 68. Verse 15. I vz. who am able to do it wil surely i. without all fayle blesse vz. plentifully and abundantly hir vitailes i. all thinges that I shal giue her necessarye for the maintaynaunce of this present life q.d. I will not only giue them abundaunce of vitailes but I will make their meate and drinke profitable vnto them and will satisfye vz. with abundaunce and plentye her poore i. the poore which shal be in Sion or in the Churche with breade i. with thinges necessarye for the nourishmente of this life He ioyneth here spirituall graces to the temporall blessinges declaring that hée will so prouide euen for the poorest of them that they shall not onelye not want their ordinarye vittayles at anye tyme but haue them in greate plentye Verse 16. And vz. I my selfe who am the only Lorde will clothe sée before verse 9. of this Psalme hir Priestes i. those that attende vppon holy exercises and seruices in hir with saluation i. with deliueraunce from daungers and distresses he meaneth that hee will defende and kéepe vnder his sauegarde the ministers of his Church and his saynts i. the people of Sion or of the Church sée before verse 9 shall shout for ioy vz. of that goodnesse and grace whiche GOD shall shewe to the whole Churche and euerye particular member of it and this phrase shouting for ioye or as it is in the hebrew in singing shall sing doth not only note the great ioy which they shall haue But the certaintie and assurednesse of it also Ver. 17. There i. in Sion Ierusalem or in the Churche will I make i. cause thorowe my power goodnes the horn of Dauid i. the power might kingdome c of Dauid my seruant to hud i. to prosper and increase it is a metaphor taken from beasts who haue snags in their heads as deare haue which are vnto thē in stéed of bowes as it were by which he noteth their flourishing and prospering for I haue ordeined vz. in mine eternal counsel a light vz. euen in that place meaning by light the regall dignity glory and the godly person that should execute the same as 2 Sam. 21.17 1 King 11 36. for mine annointed i. for Dauid my seruaunt whom I haue appointed to be King some expound it thus q.d. I wil bring to passe that the kingly dignity shal not so be quenched but that it shall always shew forth some light the other sence is better in my minde Ver. 18. His enemies i. Dauids enemies and the enemies of his godly posteritie will I clothe with shame i. compas them about with confusion of face so that they shall not dare to lift vp their heads meaning further that he would euen confound and destroy them but on him i. him himselfe his posterity shall his crown florish i. his kingdom shal continue florishing and not wither away but be preserued alwayes in his force and beauty and this was fully accomplished in Christ Verse 1 teacheth vs to beséech the Lord to declare by effect that he thinketh vpō vs. Do. Ver. 2 teacheth vs to bind our selues by all lawful means we can to the obedience seruice of our God Ver. 3 teacheth vs that we shoulde little estéeme all the pleasures of this life in respect of God and his glory Ver. 4 teacheth vs that we should make but little account of profitable necessary thinges in respecte therof Ver. 5 teacheth vs to ioyn our selues to the exercises assemblies of gods congregation Ver. 6 doth cōmend vnto vs the care of Gods Church religion seruice Ver. 7 teacheth vs not only to heare of Gods Church but when wee haue heard of it to labour the finding of it Ver. 8 teacheth vs to pray the Lord to be continually present with vs to beséech him to giue vs al the signes testimonies of his fauour Ver. 9 teacheth all but specially Kings to pray for the ministers and officers of Gods Church for the whole congregation Ver. 10 teacheth vs to offer vp all our prayers in the name meditation of Christ Iesus only Ver. 11 sheweth how that God for the strengthening of our fayth in the truth of his word doth euen bind himselfe vnto vs by an oth Ver. 12 teacheth vs that albeit the couenant that God hath made with vs be of it selfe and as it procéedeth from God frée yet it is deliuered vnder certaine conditions whiche he would haue to be obserued that we in some measure performing the same might be more and more confirmed in the truth of it Ver. 13 sheweth vs that gods frée loue is the chéefe cause of al his graces towards the Church Ver. 14 teach vs that Gods grace towards his Church is vnchangeable and abideth for euer Ver. 15 setteth forth Gods great liberality towards the Church and his singular fauour who will not destitute no not the meanest or poorest Ver. 16 teacheth vs euen in
thereof i. which willowes are a long by the riuers sides in that Countrey Ver. 3. Then vz. in this great heauines and griefe of ours they that lead vs captiues i. the Babilonians and Assyrians in whose countrey we were prisoners required of vs vz. scornefully and disdainfully thinking thereby to adde vnto our griefes songs i. such songs as we were wont to sing in Sion Ierusalem and our owne countrey before the destruction of the temple and our captiuity and mirth i. they scoffingly desired vs to be merry when they sawe vs so heauy hearted as nothing could make vs glad when we had hanged vp our harpes as before in this Psalm ver 2. sing vs i. for vs or in our hearing one of the songes of Sion i. some one or other of those songes which yee were wont to sing in Sion when yee were at home in your owne countrey thus the faithful put downe the wordes of the Babylonians to which they themselues answere in the next verse Ver. 4. Howe shall we sing said we i. vy what right or reason can we sing a song of the Lord i. some one or other of those songs which were dedicated to the honour and seruice of the Lorde in a strange land vz. besides our owne countrey hee meaneth not simply that either the place was of it selfe vnfit for such a purpose or the thing it selfe vnséeming their persons but because heauinesse is not a fitte tyme for singing as Iames 5.13 and they would not deliuer Gods holy songes to bee prophaned by and before a company of vnbeleeuers therfore do they say thus ver 5. If I forget thee this is a certayne kind of oth or vow as it were by which they bind thēselues to think vpon gods Church And here he chaungeth from the plural to the singuler which also would be marked O Ierusalem i. O thou citie and temple of the lord meaning that no afflictions should cause them to forgette let my right hand i. that hand wherwith we sound our harps and play vpon other instruments forget to play i. forget all her cunning or let it be as wee woulde say dead dryed vp and withered not able to play Verse 6. If I doe not remember thée i. continually thinke vppon thée and that not onely in the meditation and griefe of my heart but will testifie by my dayly lamenting and mourning for thée and thy case let my tongue vz. wherewith I shoulde speake and sing cleaue to the roofe of my mouth vz. in such sort that I may not be able to do either the one or the other and this is an other wish by which hee declareth that hee woulde rather want the vse of his tongue then sing at those mens pleasures and requestes which was after a sort to forget Sion and Ierusalem yea q.d. let that thing fall out vppon mee likewise if I preferre not Ierusalem to my chiefe ioye i. if I make not more account of it then of any thing in this life whatsoeuer that coulde make mee neuer so ioyfull q.d. this shal bée my whole and perfect ioy to thinke earnestly vpon Ierusalem and the restitution thereof any where else or in any other thing I shall finde no matter or occasion of ioy this hee speaketh in the person of one meaning notwithstanding thereby all the rest of the faythfull that were in captiuity Verse 7. Remember vz. when thou powrest foorth thy iudgementes to punish q.d. declare by effect that then thou thinkest vpon their wickednes the children of Edom i. the Idumeans or Edomites who though they were their neighbours came of Esau Iaakobs sonne who was called also Edom as it shoulde séeme Gene. 36.1 yet they tooke part with the Babylonians and Chaldeans and prouoked their rage and crueltie agaynst the Iewes Sée Obadiah chapt 1. ver 8.9.10.11.12 c. Sée also Psalm 79.12 in the day of Ierusalem i. in that same miserable day of the ruine and destruction thereof which sayde vz. in the spyte and crueltie of their owne hearts and that to the incouragement of the Chaldeans and Babylonians Sée Ezechiel 25.12 Rase it rase it this the Edomites spake to the Chaldeans and Babylonians q.d. spare it not at any hande to the foundation therof and leaue not so much as any appearaunce of a foundation as it were our Sauiour expresseth the ruine of it by an other terme vz. that they shall make it euen with the grounde and shall not leaue a stone vppon a stone Luke 19.44 for the destruction of this people Sée Ierem. 49.7 c. Ezech. 25.12 c. also Lament 4.12 c. Verse 8. O daughter of Babell i. O Citie of Babylon for the Hebrewes doe vse to vnderstande by daughter many tymes Cities and Townes Sée Ioshua 15.45 with the note in the margent and if my memorie fayle mee not I haue noted once or twise before in this exposition vppon the Psalmes meaning also thereby not the citie onely but the whole Countrey and the gouernement thereof as verse 1. of this Psalme worthy to bée destroyed vz. for thy excéeding great wickednesse and namely for thy wonderfull crueltie and harde heartednesse blessed shall hee bee i. they of what state and condition soeuer they bee here hée speaketh of one in the stéede of many neither meaneth hee that the seruice of the Persians and Medes who destroyed Babylon was acceptable to God because they were caried to the doing of it for the satisfiyng of their owne ambition and couetousnes and not of zeale to serue the Lorde but by blessing hée meaneth outwarde commodities as riches wealth spoyle and the wishes of the people and their good woordes because that for the tyrannies of Babell euery one shoulde not onely desire but also reioyce in the destruction of it as it had deserued that rewardeth thée as thou hast serued vs i. that shall destroye thée and thy people as thou hast done our Citie Ierusalem the whole land of Iudah and vs sée concerning the destruction of that great Citie Babell and the whole kingdome thereof Isaiah 13. also Ieremiah chapters 50.51 Verse 9. Blessed shall hée bée this must bee expounded as it was before ver 8. that taketh and dasheth thy children against the stones i. that dealeth most sharply and seuerely with thée according to the heinousnesse of thine owne euill déedes that is that as thou sparedst none no not yong children but cruelly destroyedst vs and all ours so shal they be wel thought of and wel spoken of amongest men that shall yéelde the like measure vnto you O yee Babylonians and Chaldeans Do. Verse 1. Teacheth vs what greife of heart and abundaunce of teares the affliction of Gods Church shoulde wring from vs. Verse 2. Teacheth vs that the tyme of affliction and miserie is not seasonable for outwarde mirth and meriments Verse 3. Teacheth vs what is the harde heartednesse crueltie and scoffing nature of the wicked when they haue gotten Gods children into their nets Verse 4. Teacheth vs not to
obey the wicked no though they haue the mastery of vs in euery thing that they demaunde specially when God and his glory shal be prophaned thereby Ver. 5. Teacheth vs continually to thinke vppon Gods Church and the misteries thereof that thereby we may be prouoked to powre forth earnest prayers to God for it Ver. 6. Teacheth vs that we should rather forget our selues then Gods Church it teacheth vs also that nothing in this life shoulde bee so ioyfull vnto vs as the restitution and florishing therof Verse 7. Teacheth vs that wee may safely pray against the wicked and vngodly Verse 8.9 Teach vs that God many times punisheth one sinne with an other as cruelty with crueltie not that he delighteth in sinne but to shewe that sinne shall not escape vnpunished and that to this ende and purpose hee rayseth vp one wicked man and people against an other Psalme 138 THe Psalme may bée deuided into thrée partes Di. In the first the Prophet promiseth humble and hearty thankesgiuing to the Lorde for his mercies towardes him verse 1.2.3 In the seconde hee doeth by the spirite of prophecie as it were foretell that other kings and people shall doe it as well as hée shewing the cause wherefore they shoulde so doe ver 4.5.6 In the thirde hee setteth out the assured perswasion that hee had of God and his goodnes towardes him praying for the continuaunce therof ver 7.8 The title A Psalme of Dauid i. a Psalme that Dauid made Se. to set foorth his thankefulnesse to God-warde Sée Psalme 4. in the title Ver. 1. I will prayse thée vz. O Lorde and that for thy mercies and benefites and this Psalme shoulde séeme to bee a publike confession that Dauid made vnto GOD for the blessinges which hee had receiued at his handes with my whole heart i. in sinceritie of heart with a sounde and not an hypocriticall heart and this is opposed against a double heart q.d. no parte of my heart nor of the affections thereof but they shall bée all wholly occupied in praysing of thee euen before the Gods i. openlye and before the Kinges and Magistrates of the worlde for so haue you the woorde Gods vsed Psalme 82.1 which thing also Dauid him-selfe promiseth Psalme 119.46 and in other places will I prayse thee vz. continually and vnfeignedly Verse 2. I will worshippe towardes thy temple i. I will call vppon thee bending my presence towardes the place where thou art serued Sée Psalme 5.7 and prayse thy name i. thy maiestye power goodnesse c. as sundry tymes before because of thy louing kindnes vz. towardes mee and for thy trueth vz. in accomplishing thy promises so here hee putteth downe the causes of his thankesgiuing Sée Psalme 115.1 for thou hast magnified thy name aboue all thinges i. thou hast made thy maiesty and power appeare more excellent and great then all thinges whatsoeuer by thy word i. by faithful accomplishment of those thinges which thou hast promised in thy word It may also receiue this sense q.d. the things which thou speakest and performest in thy woorde are more great and large then that men can either name them or thou bee sufficiently praysed for them Sée Psalme 71.15 Ver. 3. When I called vz. vpon thée by prayer then thou heardest mee i. grauntest mée my requestes and petitions Sée Psalm 120.1 and thou vz. alone for none could do it but thou hast increased strength in my soule i. hast made my soule and inward man very mightie and strong with patience to suffer all calamities whatsoeuer it may be also vnderstoode thus that God had more and more strengthened himselfe putting a part for the whole Ver. 4. All the kinges of the earth This séemeth to bee a prophecie of the calling of the Gentiles he meaneth that many kings their people shal bee conuerted to the Lorde shall prayse thee O Lorde vz. by myne example for they haue hearde the woordes of thy mouth i. they haue not onely with their eares heard but with their eyes séene and with their heartes consented vnto the trueth of thy word generally and particularly this that thou hast by wonderfull meanes brought mée to the kingdome and this hee speaketh specially of Hiram king of Tyrus and others néere vnto him Verse 5. And they shall sing vz. openly and in the hearing of others of the wayes of the Lorde i. of the thinges which the Lorde doeth and of the order and course which he obserueth therein he meaneth that they shal both acknowledge gods workes and prayse him for the same specially for the course which hee hath kept in preseruing Dauid from his enemies and exalting him to the kingdome because the glory of the Lorde is great i. because the thinges that he hath done gloriously and openly as it were a conquerour are very high and excellent Verse 6. For the Lorde is high i. mightie and passing the very heauens them-selues and so it may bée a reason of the great glorye of the Lorde whereof hée spake before yet q.d. notwithstanding the great distaunce betwéene him and vs hee beholdeth vz. with a fauourable and louing countenaunce and that not idlely but effectually and as one that hath altogether care ouer such the lowly i. such as are humbled despised and contemned amongest men but the proude vz. men of the earth hee knoweth vz. thorowly both within and without a farre off vz. howe farre off so euer they bée from him and it may bée that hee meaneth that as the proude doeth scornefully and as it were a farre off beholde others so dealeth the Lorde with them Immanuel readeth the whole verse thus though the Lorde bee lifted vppe vz. in great and exceeding glorie yet hee beholdeth the lowly i. such as are depressed and beaten downe of men and though hee him-selfe bee high i. lifted vppe euen aboue the heauens hee knoweth a farre off q.d. GOD hath both sight and certaine knowledge both of the good and of the bad the senses in my iudgements differ not much Verse 7. Though I walke i. though I bee much conuersaunt in the middest of trouble i. in very great daunger so that I am compassed about with both before and behind on the right hande and on the left Sée Psalme 23.3.4 yet wilt thou reuiue mee q.d. though my dangers were so great that I shoulde séeme to be dead yet thou wilt quicken me and preserue me from death Thou wilt stretch forth thine hande vpon the wrath of mine enemies i. thou wilt not onely set thy power betwéene mee and their rage to the end that they doe me not any hurt but thou wilt also oppose and set thy selfe against them Immanuel readeth it thus thou stretchedst out thy hande agaynst the face of mine enemies i. thou wilt strike them and that openly as it were with thy left hande and wilt defende mée with thy right as followeth in this verse and thy right hande i. thy gracious and mighty power shall saue me i. deliuer me out of
al my dangers Verse 8. The Lorde vz. whose purpose and power none is able to withstand will performe vz. graciously and in good time his worke i. the worke that hee hath begunne in me towardes me i. vpon me and for my cause q.d. hee will procéede 〈◊〉 declare that hee hath care ouer my saluatioon and will bring to perfection that which hee hath begunne Sée Philip. 1.6 O Lorde thy mercy vz. towardes all but chiefely towardes thy children indureth for euer i. shall neuer haue ende for though that in the life to come wee shall not sinne no more then the Angels in heauen doe nowe yet as they stand now so must wee then by his only mercy in Christ forsake not the woorkes of thine handes i. leaue not mee in myne affliction and the good thinges that thou hast begunne in mee Ver. 1. Teacheth vs vnfeignedly to prayse the Lorde for his mercies Do. yea that wée shoulde not bée ashamed to doe it before men of might and countenaunce Verse 2. Teacheth vs that Gods continuall grace towardes vs and the faythfull accomplishment of his promises shoulde alwaies prouoke vs to bee thankefull vnto him Verse 3. Teacheth vs that GOD is nigh to the earnest supplications and prayers of his seruauntes Verse 4. Teacheth vs that it is the duety euen of Kinges to serue the Lorde euen as well as the meanest of the people and that the hearing of Gods woorde is a good meane for mens conuersion Verse 5. Teacheth vs to take singular delight in the meditation and speach of Gods workes and worde Ver. 6. Teacheth vs that God considereth the conuersation both of the good and the bad but to diuers endes and effectes Verse 7. Teacheth vs that when Gods children are in the greatest distresse that euen then they should assuredly beleeue that God will worke most comfortably for their deliueraunce Verse 8. Teacheth vs that GOD beginneth nothing in his children but hee doeth accomplishe and make the same perfect and yet that it is our duety notwithstanding to vse continuall and hearty prayers vnto him for the performance thereof Psalme 139 Di. I Doe suppose that this Psalme may rightly bee diuided into foure partes In the first the Prophet sheweth that the Lorde did thorowly know him and al his waies both inward and outward and this reacheth from ver 1. to the ende of the 6. In the seconde hée declareth that nothing neither in heauen nor in earth nor in places vnder the earth is able to hyde him from this great presence and exact knowledge of God from verse 7. to the ende of the 12. In the thirde parte hee setteth out certaine reasons thereof taken from mans creation concluding with the excellency of Gods workes and wayes from ver 13. to the ende of the 18. and in the fourth part hee prayeth earnestly agaynst the wicked desiring the Lorde more and more to try him that in the ende hee may bee founde fit for him from ver 19. to the ende of the Psalme Se. The title to him that excelleth a Psalm of Dauid sée this expounded before Psalme 4. in the title Sée also the title of Psalme 14. Ver. 1. O Lorde vz. who alone art the searcher of the heartes and reynes thou hast tried vz. by sundry and many meanes mée vz. whome men speake so much euill of and knowne mee vz. thorowly both inwardly and outwardly so that my thoughtes wordes and déedes are open in thy sight and that which hee speaketh here generally hee vttereth in the next verses more particularly And this Dauid doth appealing to the iudgement of God and making him witnesse of his heart because hee sawe that hee was vniustly accused of his enemies Verse 2. Thou knowest vz. thorowly as before verse 1. my sitting and my rising i. whether I sit downe or ryse vp or doe any thing else it is naked before thée vnderstanding also by these two al the actions of the whole life of a man thou vnderstandest i. knowest and perceiuest my thought i. both it and the thinges that in it I thinke vppon a farre off i. long before it bee brought to effect yea long before it come into my minde or I haue conceiued any thing in my selfe Verse 3. Thou compassest my pathes and my lying downe i. thou art alwayes with mée whether I iourney trauayle or lye still and are accustomed i. well acquainted and as it were familiar with all my wayes i. with the conuersation and actions of my whole lyfe Verse 4. For there is not a woorde in my tongue i. I am not about to speake any thing at all hée putteth the instrument of speach and woordes conceiued and ready to bée vttered for woordes vttered already as it were but loe thou knowest it wholly O Lorde vz. euen before I speake it so that neither it nor any part of it can bee hidden from thée Verse 5. Thou holdest mée straite vz. by thy almighty power behinde and before i. on euery side as aboue and belowe on the right hande and on the left q.d. thy power and presence enuironeth mée on all sides so that I can neither thinke doe nor speake any thing but thou séest it and knowest it and layest thyne hande vppon mee i. thy power q.d. euen as though thou haddest arrested mee and made mee thy prisoner thou kéepest mée in such sort that I can not goe out of thy sight nor doe any thing but thou knowest it yea and guidest and gouernest mee also Verse 6. Thy knowledge i. the knowledge of thy maiesty and of thy wonderfull and excellent woorkes is to wonderfull i. ouer high and marueilous for mee vz. to reach vnto it it is so high i. excellent and exquisite that I can not atteine vnto it vz. by any wit or industrie that I haue q.d. I am not able to comprehende of my selfe or by any thing that is within mée or without mee to knowe thée and thy great woorkes because they are farre beyonde the reach of my reason capacitie and vnderstanding Verse 7. Whither i. into what place of heauen and earth shall I goe from thy spirite vz. to hyde mee from thy knowledge and vnderstanding because men conceiue and vnderstande thinges by the spirite which is a facultie and power of the inwarde man hee speaketh thus of God not meaning it of the holy Ghost which is the thirde person of the godheade q.d. I knowe not whither to goe but thou wilt alwayes perceiue and vnderstande where I am whither shall I flie from thy presence q.d. I knowe not whither to get mee from thy sight as may appeare by the particular enumeration following Verse 8. If I ascende i. goe vp into heauen vz. which is thy seate and dwelling house as it were thou art there i. I shall certainelye finde thee there if I lye downe in hell i. in the graue as wee haue had it sundrye tymes in this booke of Psalmes q.d. if I should rest in the graue and lower partes of the earth as men
doe in their beddes thou art there vz. in thy almightye power prouidence and presence Verse 9. Let mee take the winges of the morning i. as I take it the sunne beames putting a parte for the whole q.d. albeit I had as great quickenesse as the sunne hath both when it riseth and when as it were in a moment it goeth rounde about the worlde yet that woulde not profite mee to hyde mée from thy presence and knowledge and dwell in the vttermost partes of the Sea i. shoulde dwell as farre as there is any Sea or at the furthest ende of the Sea Verse 10. Yet thither vz. euen to that same very place shall thine hande i. thy power and might leade mee vz. euen as a shephearde is wont to leade his sheepe and thy righte hande i. thy great power and might holde mee vz. there and keepe mee in that place q.d. though I woulde thinke by flying hither and thither to withdrawe my selfe from thy presence yet I shoulde be in thy presence and power still because by it I should bée caried whither I my selfe would to stay there and to returne againe from thence at thy pleasure euen as the shéepe hang vppon the shephearde Verse 11. If I say i. if I shoulde either speake or thinke thus yet the darkenesse q.d. séeing other places and meanes can not helpe yet this shift I will haue I shal bee hidden from thée in the night for I take it that by darkenes hée vnderstandeth night as may appeare by that which followeth shal hyde me vz. from thy presence and knowledge so that thou shalt not sée or perceiue mee euen the night shal be light about me q.d. certainely I shal bee but deceiued for that which is done in the night is as wel known to thée as that which is done in the noone day for howsoeuer to me and other creatures the night is darke yet to thée that art the creator all thinges are open naked and bare as Heb. 4.13 Ver. 12. Yea the darknes i. the night nor no other darkenes whatsoeuer though it were as thicke and palpable as the darkenes of Egypt hydeth not vz. any either thought worde or déede from thée i. from thy sight and knowledge but the night shineth vz. before thée and in thy sight meaning by the worde shineth that it is as cleare for God to beholde any thing in as the noone tyde the darkenes and light i. the night and the day Sée Gene. 1.5 are both a like vz. to thée for thou séest as clearely in the one as in the other Verse 13. For thou hast possessed here hée yéeldeth a reason why God shoulde knowe the thinges before mentioned and it is taken from the notable creation of man by Gods wonder full gouernement q.d. by good reason all these thinges are knowne to thée because thou hast created man and euery part and péece of him and vnder the worde possessed the Prophet noteth first the knowledge that God hath of vs for no man possesseth euidences or houses but hee knoweth the right title roomes thereof Secondly his right and authoritie for howsoeuer men obtaine vniust possessions yet with the Lorde there is no iniustice my reines i. mine affections yea the most secret thoughtes of my heart and whatsoeuer lay or lyeth hid within me thou hast couered me in my mothers wombe Immanuel addeth here a terme that maketh the sense most plaine thus from the time that thou hast c. q.d. yea euen from my conception long before thou knewest al thinges concerning me And yet I deny not but this text of the Geneua Bible may haue a good sense thus thou hast couered mee vz. with flesh sinewes skin c. in my mothers wombe i. before I was borne when in that place thou gauest a forme and fashion to me and so it may be a reason why nothing can be hidden from God because God made him there and knewe him there therefore much more in this life Ver. 14. I wil praise thée vz. with my whole hart as psal 138.1 for I am fearefully wonderously made i. the very creation and making of me and the due consideration which I haue thereof do strike into me a feare of thy maiesty a wondering at thy workmanship or else thus thou hast created me after a feareful and wonderful sort Immanuel readeth it thus I doe praise thée because by these thy reuerend woorkes I am brought to wondering then repeateth these words I praise thy marueilous works my soule knoweth thē very well but I take the other text to be as good as this marueilous i. very excellent wonderfull are thy workes vz. euerie one of them and namely the continuall forming and creating of mankynde and my soule knoweth it well vz. through thy great goodnesse who hast put that light into it to know and consider of that excellente and wonderfull worke Verse 15. My bones i. neyther they all nor any one of them for thou kéepest them in a continuall account sée Psal 34 20. are not hid from thée for thou knowest both their names and their number though I was made in a secret place vz. in my mothers wombe as verse 13 q.d. the closenesse of that place could not hide them from thy presence and knowledge and fashioned beneath in the earth whereas thou notwithstanding was in heauen q.d. the distaunce of the place could not hinder thée from the sight and knowledge of me and of euery part and péece of me Verse 16. Thine eyes did sée me this is spoken of God according to mans vnderstanding not that God hath eyes but that the Lord knew more perfitly by many degrées then we know things by our sight when I was without forme i. when I had neither shape nor fashion but was as it were a rude lumpe he speaketh here of a great secret of nature Of which we should both think and speake reuerently and modestly for in thy booke this is spoken according to men who vse bookes for the helpe of their memory that they may haue euery thing by péecemeale as it were were all thinges written i. all the members and parts of my body were as well knowne in thy prouidence vnto thée as if they had bin written in a booke and layd before thée which vz. members and parts of mine in continuance vz. of time were fashioned vz. thorow thy great power woorking when there was none of thē before vz. created and made This is it that he meaneth that as God in the beginning made heauen earth as a huge heape without forme yet afterwardes gaue them that notable forme which they haue and out of them framed that great variety of excellent creatures so out of the rude lumpe conceaued first in the womb which yet notwithstanding did in it self containe the whole body did the Lord by a merueilous workmanship create that excellent forme and proportion of mans body and of the seueral members ioynts therof Ver.
more profite in the knowledge and apprehension of his maiestie goodnesse power c. Ver. 19 teacheth vs not only to pray agaynst the malicious and obstinate enemies of Gods Churche but also to haue no society nor familiarity with them Verse 20 doth liuelye set out the nature of the vngodly who in the pride of their own harts spare not to speake agaynst God himselfe it sheweth also further that this their pride and haughtinesse is but in vaine Verse 21 teacheth vs to oppose our selues against those that set themselues against God and his truth this belongeth generally to all christians but most especially to Kings and Princes suche a one as Dauid was Verse 22 teacheth vs that this setting of our selues againste suche must be done as not for any worldly or carnall respect so of a single and sound hart towards God and men Verse 23 teacheth vs that it is good to pray the Lord thorowly to trie vs because that the more we are tried the more pure and fyne we are to him Verse 24 teacheth vs to pray for constancy and continuaunce in euery good and holy way Psalme 140 Di. THis Psalme consisting wholy as it were of prayer may be diuided into two parts In the first the Prophet prayeth to bée deliuered from his enemies describing their mischieuous malicious minds towards him from verse 1 to the end of the seuenth In the seconde parte he prayeth agaynst the wicked and prophecieth their destruction assuring himselfe that God in mercye will saue his and that they therefore shall prayse his name continually and this reacheth from verse 8 to the end of the Psalme Se. The Title to him that excelleth a Psalme of Dauid this is sundrye tymes expounded before and namely Psalme 4 in the title thereof Verse 1. Deliuer me O Lord vz. of thy goodnesse thorow thy almighty power from the euill man i. from him that wholy giueth himselfe euen as it were without prouocation or occasion to doe euill preserue me vz. safe and sounde and that according to thy good pleasure from the cruell man i. from him that setteth himself in cruelty to performe agaynst me whatsoeuer they can And though in this verse he speake but of one yet he meaneth many as may appeare by the sodain chaunge of the number for in the next verse he speaketh in the plurall number and these many were Saule and his counsellors and his seruauntes who both by fury force and fraude did persecute him Verse 2. Which imagine vz. euen vppon their beddes and continually sée Micah 2 1. euill thinges vz. agaynst me vnderstanding by euill thinges such thinges as tended to his hurt and destruction in their hart i. secretly and closely and make warre vz. both by themselues and others whom they prouoke and stirre vp by all meanes they can against me sée Psalme 120 7. continually i. euery day so that no daye escapeth them In this verse he chargeth his enemies that they did both openly and priuately both in purpose and counsell by themselues and by others deuise all mischiefe against him and verse 3. and others following hee sheweth that both in worde and déede they attempted to perfourme it Verse 3. They i. the wicked and vngodly men haue sharpened their tongues vz. to destract and speake euill of me and to hurt me like a serpent i. as the serpents tongue is sharpe and so striketh by reason thereof more déepely So these men both hard by and a farre off doe pierce and wound me with their poysons Adders poyson is vnder their lippes i. their mouth is full of wicked and venemous wordes agaynst me some reade Adders some reade vipers some Aspes for mine owne part I suppose that the word being somewhat of a doubtfull signification should be referred to such kind of serpents as though they lie still in a place doe yet notwithstanding spit their poyson or venim far from them Selah this hath bene expounded before as I suppose Psalme 3. verse 2. It is as much as if the Prophet should say marke this being a note or warning of attention Verse 4. Kéepe vz. vnder the shadow of thy winges and thy almighty power and protection me vz. whom am thus sought and set for by myne enemies from the handes of the wicked i. from their power and that whiche they would do vnto me for he putteth the instruments whereby they perform thinges for the thinges themselues preserue me from the cruell man sée verse 1 of this Psalme which purposeth vz. in himselfe to cause vz. eyther by his force or by his fraude or by both my steppes to slide i. to cast mée downe and to cause me to fall that so when he hath me downe he may the more easily and tyrannously exercise his will agaynst me I take it to be a metaphor taken from men who lay grinnes and cords to ouerthrow wild beasts withal Verse 5. The proud i. the wicked and vngodly which are puffed vp in the pride of their own imagination haue layde vz. closely and secretly a snare for me vz. to take or catche me withall sée Psalme 119.69.85.95 and spread a nette with cordes i. haue set a very great and strong net thinking assuredly to catch me so fast therein that I shall not escape in my pathway i. euen in the playne or beaten way that I should walke and set grinnes for me i. to catch and take me as before Vnder all these metaphors borrowed from fowlers and hunters tending all to one end he meaneth nothing else but this that they did not only vse open force and violence agaynst him but also subtelties and craftes to surprise and take him Selah this is expounded before verse 3. Verse 6. Therefore i. I séeing my selfe thus beset by men did run to the Lord by prayer I sayd vz. with a féeling hart when I was in these daungers and distresses vnto the Lord vz. whose goodnesse and power I had had great experience of as appeareth verse 7. Thou vz. alone and none but thou art my God i. he vpon whom only I will depend for helpe and succour heare O Lorde the voyce of my prayers i. graunt me those requestes whiche with my voyce and wordes I make vnto thee Verse 7. O Lord God the strength of my saluation i. thou that sauest and deliuerest me from all daungers with maruailous power and strength and in whome only my deliueraunce standeth this is a notable title attributed to God for the strengthening of his faith thou hast couered vz. by thy power and might euen as it were with a Helmet and shield my head i. me my selfe a part for the whole and yet hee nameth this part rather then others because it is the most excellent as which in some mens iudgemēts conteineth life in it and doth disperse the same into all the parts of the bodye in the day of battaile i. when I was in the field and did fight q.d. thou hast deliuered me heretofore from all the assaults of mine
enemies and I hope that thou wilt hereafter likewise deliuer me Verse 8. Let not the wicked haue his desyre O Lord i. the thinges that he hath desired agaynst me q.d. Let him not sée mine ouerthrow which he much wisheth and desireth performe not i. giue him not leaue or strength to performe agaynst me his wicked thought i. the wicked thing which he hath wickedly thought vpon and deuised againste mée and by one no doubt he vnderstandeth many mischiefs of theirs least they bée proude vz. aboue measure for he had before charged them with pride ver 5. he meaneth least they should wax proude euen agaynst God and man Selah this is expoūded before Ver. 9. As for the chéefe of them how great or high soeuer he or they be Whether he speake it of Saul Doeg and such like particularly it is not certaine that compas me about vz. to destroy and are my deadly enemies sée Psal 3.6 also Psal 118.10.11.12 let the mischiefe of their own lips i. that mischiefe which with their own lips they haue spoken agaynst me come vpon them i. fall vpon thē thorow thy iust iudgemēt I know others both translate this verse otherwise and giue some other sence but methinketh this is playn Ver. 10. Let coles vz. of thy wrath iudgement fall vpon thē vz. frō heauen as it did in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah to which he séemeth to allude let him vz. god thus he speaketh to him or of him in the third person cast thē into the fire vz. that neuer goeth out but burneth for euer Mar. 9.43 into the déepe pits vz. of danger destruction that they rise not i. that they may neuer be able to rise vp again to do any more hurt Ver. 11. For the backbiters i. slanderers such as haue their tongues ful of venime and worke mischiefe rather by fraud flattery and backbiting then by opē force shal not be established vz. any long while vpon the earth i. in this life to liue long here euill i. plagues and punishments from the Lord shall hunt vz. from place to place pursue him so that he shall not escape it the cruell man sée verse 1.4 of this psalme to destruction i. in such sort that it shall in the end vtterly destroy him Immanuel others read this whole verse as a prayer Ver. 12. I know vz. certainly and assuredly q.d. I am fully perswaded both by Gods word and the dayly executing of his iudgements vpon the wicked that the Lord vz. himself will auenge i. in good time not only deliuer his but ouertake with his iudgements the wicked vngodly for the iniuries they haue done them the afflicted i. such as are afflicted by the wicked and iudge i. not only pronounce righteous sentence but also deliuer from the cruelty of the vngodly the poore i. those his seruants which are here despised amongst the worldlings of the earth Ver. 13. Surely the righteous i. those whom thou hast made righteous by imputing righteousnes vnto them by framing them to a righteous conuersation shal prayse vz. vnfeignedly with all their hartes thy name i. thy maiesty power goodnes and the iust i. such as deale faythfully both with thée and their brethren shall dwell in thy presence i. shall not only in this life be maynteined and vpholden by thy fatherly care and prouidence but shal be made partakers of eternall glory Do. Verse 1 teacheth vs to pray to be safely deliuered from the rage of the wicked ver 2. 3. doe generally paint out the malicious nature of the wicked Ver. 2. doth particularly teach vs that wicked thoughts against gods childrē are sin before him Ver. 3 teacheth vs that the wicked spare not euen with slaunderous venemous toungs to persecute the godly Ver. 4. teacheth vs that vnles the Lord kéepe vs we can not be deliuered frō the rage power of the vngodly Ver. 5. sheweth the malicious minds of the wicked who cease not both opēly secretly to indeuour the destruction of the good Ver. 6 teacheth vs that the more men set themselues against vs the more earnest and often we should be with God in prayer for his gracious assistance Ver. 7 teacheth vs that God is the protector of his in all dangers distresses whatsoeuer Ver. 8 sheweth that if God let not wicked men in their attempts they will be more bold in mischiefe and swel against his maiestie and men also Ver. 9 10 teach vs that we may pray against the malicious wicked and desire their ouerthrow Ver. 11 teacheth vs what a gréeuous offēce the sinne of backbiting and slaundering is Ver. 12 teacheth vs to bee assured of Gods fauour goodnes towards vs and of his iudgmēts towards the wicked Ver. 13 teacheth vs two things first that it becommeth the godly to shew them selues continually thankful secondly what is the excellent estate and condition of Gods children Psalme 141 THis Psalme consisting wholy of supplication and prayer vnto God may be diuided into two parts Di. first he beséecheth the Lord to accept his prayer and to guid him into a godly conuersation and for this end to prouide such for him as maye brotherly admonish him from verse 1 to the end of the 5. In the second he foretelleth as it were the destructiō of the wicked desiring the Lord to deliuer him from them and to ouerthrow them in their deuises from verse 6 to the end of the Psalme The Title A Psalm of Dauid i. which Dauid made Se. this hath bin expoūded sundry times before It should séeme that Dauid made this Psal at some time or other whē he was gréeuously afflicted persecuted we may refer it without iniury as I suppose to the history conteined 1 Sam. 24. Ver. 1. O Lord I cal vpon thée i. pray vnto thée earnestly continually specially in the time of my gréeuous afflictions hast thée vnto me vz. to helpe me to deliuer me out of the same neither doth he here prescribe God a time but rather declareth the great danger distresse that he was in q.d. vnlesse he were spéedily holpen in the iudgement of flesh and blood he should perish heare my voyce i. graunt the prayers which I vtter with my voyce and words when I cry vnto thée i. whē hartily and earnestly I pray vnto thée Ver. 2 Let my prayer vz. which I make vnto thée be directed in thy sighte i. come before thée and bée accepted of thée as the incence vz. which was wont to bée offred vnto thée by thine own commaundement And here hée alludeth to the perfumes whiche they vsed in the time of the law of which read Exod. 30 chap. and the lifting vp of my hands i. euen my prayer supplication He putteth a gesture vsed in prayer for prayer it selfe as 1. Timoth. 2.8 as an euening sacrifice i. as that sacrifice which thou hast appointed to be offred to thée in the euening God prescribed
wil spéedily send vs to god cried I vnto the Lord sée this expounded verse 1. of this Psal and sayd vz. froÌ„ the bottome of my hart thou art my hope i. he in whom I put my hope to be deliuered from al my distres feare for otherwise he had his hope fast setled in his hart and my portion vz. wherewith I do content my self knowing that hauing thée I haue all things wanting thée I haue nothing in the land of the liuing i. in this worlde in this very present life as Psal .. 27 13 Ver. 6. Hearken vnto my cry i. graunt my petition which I do earnestly make vnto thée and poure forth before thée for I am brought very low vz. by outward persecutions and inward gréefes as ver 3 of this Psal meaning by this spéech also that he was at the last cast and euen as it were at deaths dore deliuer me vz. of thy goodnesse thorow thy great power might from my persecutors i. from such as persecute me that without anye cause on my part for they are too strong for me vz. alone of my selfe meaning that he was not able to deale with theÌ„ any maner of way vnles God tooke his part and strengthened him Ver. 7. Bring vz. thorow thy goodnes and power my soule i. my life me my selfe a part put for the whole as Psal 14.1.8 and ver 4 of this Psal out of prison i. out of this most present daunger and captiuity wherin I am with which I am coÌ„passed about on euery side by the reason of the rage of mine enemies as the prison is with strong wals that I may praise thy name i. thy maiesty power and goodnes for that deliueraÌ„ce so we haue had the word name vsed sundry times in that sence before then i. when thou shalt haue deliuered me shal the righteous come about me i. a great number of good people shal come vnto me and heare me setting forth thy praise for thy mercy towards me shal not only reioyce be glad on my behalf but prayse thy name together with me when thou art beneficiall vnto me i. when thou shalt haue bestowed vpon me this great benefit of deliueraunce sée Psal 119.17 Do. Verse 1 teacheth vs earnestnes and feruency in prayer Ver. 2 teacheth vs that the way to be rid from affliction is harty calling vpon the name of the Lord. Ver. 3 teacheth vs that howsoeuer we be distressed either outwardly or inwardly this is our comfort that the Lord approueth vs. Ver. 4. teacheth vs of what little estimation Gods children be with the world and worldly men Ver. 5 teacheth vs that the more afflictions increase vpon vs the more chearefully should we stirre vp our fayth and hope and earnestly call vpon the Lord. Ver. 6. teacheth vs that the féeling of our own misery and weakenesse and the feare of our foes force should be good whetstones to sharpen our prayers Verse 7 teacheth vs not onlye to prayse God for those mercies which he bestoweth vppon vs our selues but also to repaire to others vppon whome God hath bestowed great graces that thereby we may be prouoked to prayse God not only for theÌ„ but for our selues also and his mercy towards vs. Psalme 143 I Doe iudge that this Psalm may very fitly be diuided into two partes Di. In the first the Prophet beséecheth the Lord to grant his petition and to remooue his sins which might be a hinderaunce to his mercies alleaging certayne reasons of his supplication as the rage of the enemie his owne weakenes the experience he had had of Gods goodnesse c. from verse 1. to the end of sixt In the second part he doth as it were renewe his prayer afresh desiring the Lord to graunt his requests to shew him his mercy to order his conuersation and to deliuer him from his aduersaries and oppressors from verse 7. to the end of the Psalme The title A Psalme of Dauid i. which Dauid made Se. this is the title of sundry Psalmes and hath bin expounded before Ver. 1. Heare my prayer O Lord i. graunt me the things that I pray for hearken vnto my supplication i. giue me the things that I humbly sue vnto thée for answere me vz. who call vppon thée and pray vnto thée vnderstanding by answering also yéelding vnto his requests in thy truth i. according to thy gracious promises which contayn in theÌ„ nothing but truth because they procéed from thée that art the God of truth and truth it self in thy righteousnesse i. according to thy righteous nature who doest deliuer a iust cause from iniustice or else by righteousnes we may vnderstand gods goodnesse by which he maintaineth those that are his for gods righteousnesse specially shineth forth in his faithful accomplishment of his promises Ver. 2. And enter not into iudgement i. be so farre of from pronouncing sentence I pray thée that I would not haue thée to begin to prepare thy selfe to lay out my faults or to come into iudgement with thy seruaunt i. with me thy seruauÌ„t speaking of himself in the third persoÌ„ as sundry times before namely Psal 119 17. for in thy sight i. before thée if thou shouldest once take vppon thée to enter into iudgement with theÌ„ shal none of what state or condition soeuer he be that liueth vz. euen now or shal liue hereafter be iustified i. be fouÌ„d iust if he be loked vpon in himself for otherwise he mindeth not to say that al shall be condeÌ„ned for God hath a remnaunt in election according to grace Ver. 3. For the enemie i. my enemy or enemies rather â—utting one who was the chéef as Saul or some such other for him al his coÌ„plices hath persecuted my soule i. hath egarly pursued me and my life to take it awaye from mee hee hath smitten vz. with his rage and crueltie my life i. me my selfe my company that I haue with me who are means for the preseruation of my life which appeareth plainly by the history of the first booke of Sam. and by Psalme 141.7 he i. the enemye as in the beginning of this verse hath layde mée in the darkenesse i. hath caused me and mine to dwell in Caues and holes and other darke places sée 1 Samuel 24.4 as they that haue bin deade long agoe q.d. By the importunitie of our enemies we are inforced to flie the light to liue in darke places euen as it were in the graues with them that died long sithence Ver. 4. And my spirit was in perplexitie in me i. I was greatlye and gréeuously troubled sée Psal 77.3 also Psal 142.3 and my hart within me was amased vz. by reason of the gréeuous assaultes that both outwardlye and inwardly I did indure Ver. 5. Yet q.d. notwithstanding al my heauy affliction do I remember vz. euen to my great ioy and comforte the time past i. the graces and blessinges whiche in former time thou diddest bestowe vppon my
busie with him either the Philistine as 2 Sam. 5. or els some other as 2. Sam. 8. Ver. 1. Blessed i. praised and that continually be the Lord my strength i. he who alone giueth me strength to ouercome mine enemies sée Psal 18.2 which teacheth my hands to fight vz. against his mine enemies meaning hereby also that God gaue him strength to ouercome them as wel as knowledge in warlike affaires to deale with them and my fingers to battaile i. apteth them and maketh thē able to indure fighting Ver. 2. He vz. alone is my goodnesse i. whatsoeuer good thing I haue eyther within mee or without mée hee is the Fountayne from whence it floweth meaning also that hée had euer felte GOD liberall and mercifull towards him my Fortresse my Tower and my deliuerer my Shield all these termes are expounded Psalme 18.2 and in him I trust vz. stedfastlye and continually which subdueth vz. by his almighty power my people i. the subiectes that hée hath giuen me vnder me i. vnder the obedience of me and my lawes he meaneth that GOD did put into the hartes of his people a minde willing and faythfull to commit themselues vnder him and his gouernment Ver. 3. Lord what is man i. of himselfe what account or regard is he to be had in that thou regardest him vz. so greatly and so much as thou doest or the sonne of man i. his posterity how great or famous soeuer it bée that thou thinkest vppon him vz. in such great mercy and with so fatherlye a care sée Psalme 8. verse 4.5 c. Verse 4. Man is lyke to vanitie i. to a thing of no accounte or regarde or to a vayne thing In an other place hée sayeth that they are vanitye that the chéefe men are but lyes and to laye them vppon the Ballance they are altogether lighter then vanitie Psalme 62.9 his dayes i. the dayes of this life in this worlde are like a shadowe that passeth vz. oute of mennes sightes and remembraunces quicklie and sodainlie q.d. his life is but short and of small continuaunce see Iob. 14.1.2 see also for this verse Psalme 39.5.6 and psalme 90. almoste throughout Ver. 5. Bow thine heauens O Lorde vz. to come to succour and help me this is spoken of God according to mens vnderstanding he calleth the heauens Gods owne both because he created them and hath his principal habitation and dwelling in them sée for this phrase 2. Sam. 22.10 also Psal 18.9 and come downe vz. to deliuer me from the hands of mine enemies persecutors touch vz. in thy wrath and furie q.d. thou néedest not vse al thy power or any great might against them begin but only to lay thy hand vpon them q.d. and do but touch them as a man would say softly and yet they shal be consumed the mountaines i. my most high and mightie enemies this kind of metaphor is very often vsed in the Prophets sée Isai 2.14 they shal smoke yea burne and that to their owne destruction he putteth the beginning of their miseries for the accomplishment and ful performaunce thereof And hee vseth all these maner of speaches both in this verse and in the verse following that hee might more excellently set out Gods power who deliuereth his after a wonderful sort and that he might declare that no worldly lets or hinderaunces are able to do any thing against Gods infinite power which hee apprehended by faith Ver. 6. Cast forth the lightning scatter them vz. one from an other so that they may not be able to gather their forces together againe q.d. by thy heauenly wisedome and power destroy and ouerthrow them shoot out thine arrowes vz. against them vnderstanding by arrowes either thunders or some other particular iudgments and consume thē vz. vtterly and from amongst men that they may no longer molest me and thy people Ver. 7. Send thine hand from aboue i. display and make manifest here below vpon the earth thy might and power which séemeth after a sort to be shut vp in heauen because thy seruants be not deliuered from their distresses deliuer me vz. of thy goodnes and through thy power from the rage and violence of those that persecute me and take me vz. who am ready to be drowned with troubles out of the great waters vz. which are ready to ouerflow and drowne mee by great waters he doth not only vnderstand the grieuous afflictions wherein he was but also the extreme rage of his enemies who did breake in vppon him as waters of the sea into the land sée Psal 18.4 also 69.1 also 124.4 and from the hand i. from the power and force of strangers this may be referred either to coūterfeit and bastardly Israelites who though they bragged in mouth that they were good people yet were they in déede starke naught or else to thē that were in déed idolaters and infidels such as the Philistines were and to these latter would I rather apply it Ver. 8. Whose mouth talketh vanity i. who doe nothing else but speak and vtter vaine and vncertaine thinges proudly promising vnto themselues great things and their right hand is a right hand of iniquitie i. they are vnfaithful people and ful of subtilty and haue no certainetie nor assuraunce in them This speach is borrowed from the common custome of men who when they make a promise giue one another their hands sée Gal. 2.9 Ver. 9. I wil sing vz. euen from my heart a new song i. a singular and excellent song sée Psal 98.1 vnto thée O God vz. when thou shalt haue performed these graces in deliuering me and ouerthrowing mine enemies and the Prophet maketh this promise and carieth with him a purpose to performe it because he was certainely perswaded and assured that God would in déed do both the one and the other sing vnto thée vpon a viole and an instrument of ten strings sée Psal 33.2 also Psal 92.3 he meaneth that he would vse these instruments as meanes to stirre vp his affectiōs and to prouoke him more earnestly and heartily to serue the lord Ver. 10. It is hee vz. alone that giueth vz. of his goodnes and mercy deliuerance vz. from all dangers and distresses and rescueth vz. when no other can do that for him Dauid his seruaunt i. me whom he hath aduaunced to this honour to serue him in the gouernment of the kingdome and thus hee speaketh of himselfe in the thirde person from the hurtful sword i. from the sworde of his enemies who did purpose to hurt him if they coulde haue caught him or ouerthrowne him wée may also stretch this worde further as that vnder it he should comprehende all the daungers through the which hee had passed and hee meaneth that this should be the argument or matter of the song that hee woulde sing to the Lorde Ver. 11. Rescue me vz. O Lord for vnto him onely hee directeth his prayers and deliuer me vz. who am in distresse and daunger on euery
afflictions or aduersities or whether they bee already fallen into the same God reacheth out his hande and either keepeth them from falling or else deliuereth them being fallen Verse 15. The eyes of all vz. thinges whatsoeuer wayte vppon thée vz. with patience and that for their â—â—â—â—re and sustenaunce and thou giuest vz. euen in thy mercy them their meate i. that portion of foode that thou hast appointed for them in due season i. in that time that thou séest with thy selfe to bee good and méete for them Verse 16. Thou openest thyne hande i. thou stretchest forth thy power and giuest plentifully and largely to all thy creatures and fillest all thinges liuing i. whatsoeuer liueth and moueth or hath sense féeling and groweth of thy good pleasure hee noteth here the cause why all the creatures are norished vz. Gods good pleasure and will Sée for these 2. ver Psalme 104. ver 27.28 c. Verse 17. The Lorde is righteous i. iust and equall in all his wayes i. in euery thing that hee taketh in hande hée meaneth that God obserueth a most vpright course in euery thing he doeth howe corrupt or partiall so euer men be in their dealings and holy in all his workes i. his very workes declare that there is a certaine kynde of vnspeakeable holinesse in his maiesty that woorde holy would bee better turned good or mercifull and so doeth Immanuel turne it sée to this end ver 9. of this Psalme Ver. 18. The Lorde is néere i. euen ready at hand not onely to heare them but to helpe them vnto all that call vpon him i. to those that worshippe and serue him a part of Gods seruice put for the whole as Gene. 4.26 1. Corinth 1.2 also 2. Timot. 2.19 yea to all that called vppon him in trueth i. without feigning or hypocrisie or else that call vppon him in such sort that they perfourme not the inuocation of his name by their inuentions and superstitions In summe hee setteth trueth against infidelitie doubting impacience murmuring counterfeite humilitie and vicious affecting of thinges which are the fruites of lying for true worshippers Sée Iohn 4.24 and this hée addeth in the way of correction q.d. though I sayde before that the Lorde heareth all them that call vppon him yet I meane it of al them that call vppon him in trueth Verse 19. Hée will fulfill i. accomplish and perfourme the desire of them i. the thinges which they shall desire and will according to his will Sée 1. Iohn 5.14 because God setteth vppon their affections a lawe of obedience that feare him i. that serue and worshippe him this hath béene sundry tymes expounded before hee will also heare their cry i. graunt them their requestes which they pray euerlastingly vnto him for and will saue them i. both deliuer them out of all the daungers of this lyfe and at the ende bring them to eternall life Verse 20. The Lorde preserueth vz. from any notorious hurt or daunger or if not so yet hée maketh away for them to escape out of it as shal bee most for his glory and their comfort all them that loue him vz. vnfeignedly and with a good heart Sée Roman 8.28 but hee wil destroy vz. in his wrath and iust iudgement all the wicked vz. of the worlde of what estate or condition so euer they bee Verse 21. My mouth shall speake the prayse of the Lorde i. I will boldly and openlye in wordes set foorth his prayses hee putteth the instrument wherewith wordes are vttered for the wordes themselues all flesh i. all men for when this word is so put alone without adding any thing to it doeth most commonly in the Scriptures respect men shall blesse his holy name i. shall prayse his maiesty power and goodnes for euer and euer i. continually sée ver 1.2 of this Psalme Verse 1. Teacheth vs not onely to be thankfull to God for his mercies Do. but also to continue in the same because his mercies are continually powred forth vppon vs. Ver. 2. teacheth vs that wee shoulde let no day passe without heartie thankesgiuing to the Lord for his graces Ver. 3 teacheth vs that Gods power and incomprehensible maiesty should prouoke vs to thankfulnes Verse 4. Teacheth vs to haue a care to conuey the remembraunce of Gods benefites to our posteritie Verse 5. Teacheth vs to imploy more time in the meditation of Gods workes then heretofore we haue done Verse 6. Teacheth vs as well to publish Gods iudgements as his mercies that the wicked may bee pearsed with a feare of his maiesty Verse 7. teacheth vs neuer to be ashamed to publish gods promises Ver. 8 9. Are excellent descriptions of god by his qualities and comprehende much matter of comfort for those that bee afflicted and also conteine very excellent causes why we should prayse and thanke God Ver. 10. Teacheth vs that it becommeth all Gods creatures but specially his faythful people to blesse and prayse the Lorde Ver. 11. and 12. Teach vs not onely for our owne good and the discharge of our owne duety but that others also therby may be drawne to do the like Ver. 13. Teacheth vs that howsoeuer mens kingdomes be brittle yet Gods gouernment ouer all but specially ouer his indureth for euer Ver. 14. Teacheth vs that God so prouideth for his children in their daungers and distresses that howsoeuer they bee afflicted yet they do not vtterly perish Ver. 15. Setteth out Gods gracious prouidence fatherly care ouer his children Ver. 16. Sheweth that the Lorde is liberall handed towardes his creatures and that al the good thinges which we haue procéede from his good will and pleasure Verse 17. Teacheth vs that whatsoeuer God doeth he doeth in all vprightnes though perhaps we through the blindnesse and corruption of our nature can not conceiue so thereof Ver. 18. Teacheth vs that God quickly heareth the earnest and vnfeigned prayers of his Seruauntes Verse 19. Sheweth that God will graciously deliuer his out of all their daungers Verse 20. Sheweth the vnlikely reward betweene the godly and the vngodly Verse 21. Teacheth vs both in our owne persons and in others to stirre vp and prouoke our selues to continual thankfulnesse Psalme 146 Di. THis Psalme may bee diuided into two partes In the first hee prouoketh himselfe to prayse God promising to perfourme it as long as he liueth to which he addeth a dehortation that we should not trust in any man nor giue them the matter of praises Ver. 1.2.3.4 and 5. In the second he sheweth certaine causes why he and other should prayse the Lord from ver 6. to the end of the Psalme Se. The title Prayse ye the Lorde sée Psalme 106. in the title Ver. 1. Prayse thou the Lorde O my soule vz. for his mercy and goodnes towardes thée vnderstanding by soule the seate of his affections which is the heart Sée Psalm 103.1 Ver. 2. I will prayse the Lorde vz. for his mercies during my life i. as long as I liue and all the dayes
of my life as long as I haue any being vz. either in this life or in eternall life for the action of prayse and thanksgiuing to God shal not cease then I will sing vz. prayses and thankesgiuing vnto my God i. vnto him whom I serue and whom I haue founde by particular experience to haue bene a singular God to mee Ver. 3. Put not your trust i. haue not any confidence or affiance in them as though that without God or against him they were able to helpe you in princes vz. how litle or how great soeuer they be in authority nor in the sonne of man i. in any man whatsoeuer and this he doeth to the end that God may haue his whole gloryâ—â—ecting and abolishing all peruerse hopes specially those which we haue in great personages for there is none helpe in them i. he or they altogether are not able of themselues to helpe either themselues or other distressed and this is one reason why they shoulde not trust in men Verse 4. His breath departeth i. euen his soule and vitall spirite that is hee dieth and so the hope which men repose in him or them perisheth and hée returneth to his earth vz. out of which he was taken as Gene. 3.19 and this must bée vnderstoode in respect of his body then vz. when hee dieth his thoughtes perish i. all that hee thought vppon and deuised in his imagination come to nothing and this is an other reason taken from the vanity of mans life Verse 5. Blessed is he i. he is in a good and blessed state that hath the GOD of Iaakob for his helpe i. that hath the true GOD to helpe and deliuer him in all assayes Sée Psalme 144.15 whose hope is in the Lorde his GOD i. that putteth his trust onely in that true god howsoeuer men do destitute forsake or faile him Ver. 6. Which made heauen and earth sée Psalme 124.8 also Psalme 121.2 the Sea and all that therein is i. whatsoeuer liueth and moueth in the same Sée Psalm 8.8 which kéepeth his fidelitie for euer i. which doth faithfully and continually performe whatsoeuer he hath promised Ver. 7. Which executeth iustice vz. vpon the wicked and vngodly and that woorde Iustice sheweth that God doeth them no iniurie when hee punisheth them for the oppressed i. on the behalf of the oppressed q.d. when they are oppressed and none able to deliuer them then doeth God take vppon him the defence of their iust cause against the oppressours which giueth bread to the hungrie i. foode and sustenance to them that want it the Lorde loseth the prisoners vz. out of their prison and bondage as he did Ioseph by bowing rulers heartes to set them at libertie Sée Psalm 105.20 Verse 8. The Lorde giueth sight to the blinde the Lorde raiseth vp the crooked i. hée healeth all diseases yea though they be neuer so harde and incurable howe true this is the whole body of the Scripture declareth and specially the miracles of our Sauiour Christ in the newe testament and by crooked he meaneth them that bee broken and bowed as it were together with afflictions and infirmities the Lorde loueth the righteous i. pursueth them especially with his fauour séeming after a sorte to restraine that to the godly which hée had generally spoken before Ver. 9. The Lorde keepeth vz. safe and sounde and free from hurt and daunger the strangers vz. which are tossed from one place to an other and haue as it were no body to comfort them hee relieueth the fatherlesse and widowe i. hee comforteth them in their distresse and heauinesse vnder these three hee comprehendeth all them that bee destitute of ayd and defence or haue no means to come by the same of these see Exodus 22.22.23.24 but hee ouerthroweth vz. in his iust iudgement the way of the wicked i. all his deuises woordes and workes Sée Psalme 1.6 Ver. 10. The Lorde vz. our God which we serue shall raigne for euer vz. do his Enemies against him and his what so euer they can O Sion he speaketh to Sion that is to the Church because God speciallie raigneth for the preseruation thereof thy GOD vz. whom thou seruest endureth from generation to generation i. ruleth and raigneth for euer and euer as Psalme 145.13 Prayse yee the Lord sée Psalme 106. in the end Do. Ver. 1. teacheth vs that our praysing of God should procéed from the harte Ver. 2. teacheth vs that we should continue in it and neuer be wearie of well doing Ver. 3. teacheth vs earnestlie to fight against that naturall corruption which is in vs that is to trust in others besides the Lord. Ver. 4. setteth out the breuitie and brittlenesse of mans life Ver. 5. teacheth vs that how soeuer wée be forsaken of men yet we are in good case if we trust in the Lorde Ver. 6. teacheth vs to prayse God first for the workes of creation secondlie for his mercifull promising and faythfull performinge of that which he hath promised Ver. 7. teacheth vs that how soeuer men deale vniustlie one with an other yet God alwayes executeth Iustice Secondlie it teacheth vs that he doth not for euer forget the pore afflicted estate of his people Thirdlie that we ought to prayse him for his prouidence towardes the poore and néedie and his pitie towardes the prisoners Verse 8. teacheth vs that many times in matters past mens reache the Lord worketh most mightilie to the end that all the glorie might be geuen to him Ver. 9. teacheth vs that these whom men commonlie make least account of GOD most highlie regardeth and estéemeth it setteth out also the vnlikelie rewarde of the wicked and of the godlie Verse 10. teacheth vs that it is a singular comfort to the Church and to euerie member thereof to knowe that GOD is the King thereof and his Kingdome and gouerment shall endure for euer Psalme 147. THis Psalme standinge chieflie in exhorting men to the prayse of GOD Di. may be deuided into thrée partes First he prouoketh men to prayse God speciallie for his Graces and goodnesse towardes his Church from Verse 1. to the ende of the sixt In the second he exhorteth men to prayse him speciallie for his prouidence to all creatures and namely towardes Men. from Verse 7. to the ende of the 11. In the thirde he prouoketh them to prayse him for his might power and goodnesse towardes all but chiefly towardes his Church from Verse 12. to the ende of the Psalme Se. This Psalme hath no title as many other before going haue none Ver. 1. Prayse ye the Lord vz. for his mercy and goodnesse for it is good i. profitable and comfortable euen to vs sée Psalme 92.1 To singe vz. prayses and thankes giuings vnto our god i. vnto him who hath testified by infinit tokens his great care and loue towardes vs and we agayne on the other side do serue and worship for it vz. prayse and thankes giuinges is a pleasaunt thing i. is an acceptable thing euen vnto
GOD also as who requireth the same at our handes as a péece of his seruice Psalme 50.15 and prayse vz. giuen vnfeynedly vnto GOD is comelie vz. both before him and all good men though the wicked of the worlde make no account of it but as a deformed thing sée for these two wordes good and comelie Psalme 133.1 Verse 2. The Lord vz. him selfe doth buyld vp vz. thorowe his goodnesse and power Ierusalem i. his Church and vnder the terme builde the Holy Ghost doth meane that GOD is the author the founder yea all in all for his Church and gathereth to gether vz. by the voyce of his worde and the vse of his Sacramentes the dispersed of Israell i. the straying members of his Church If we referre it to Ierusalem and the Iewes he meaneth that GOD hath bene alwayes a gracious Father vnto that people and that howsoeuer they were now scattered abroad into other cuntreyes yet he would bringe them home agayne to theyr owne If wée referre it to the Church as wée may and ought to do in déede he meaneth then that it is not builded by mans power but by a heauenly and diuine power that is by GOD himselfe who gathereth into the bosome or lappe of his Church all those that are strayed from it and appertayne to his election Verse 3. Hee i. the Lorde healeth vz. by his worde and most comfortable promises conteyned therein which are the medicines of our soules and the diseases thereof and this he doth for his promise sake broken in harte i. humbled in the inward man for their sinnes committed agaynst him sée Psalme 51.17 it may also be taken for such as be grieuouslie afflicted either outwardly or inwardly yea throwen downe and ouerwhelmed as it were with their affliction and buildeth vp their sores i. remedieth and redresseth their hurtes and euills and cureth as it were theyr griefes like a good Shéepheard Ezech. 344. and as the good Samaritane Luke 10.34 and as a good Surgion is wont to doo after that he hath opened and dressed his patients woundes Verse 4. He i. the Lorde counteth the number of the starres i. knoweth the very certayne number of them and not that we should thinke that he sitteth there to reckon them after the manner of men calleth them all by their names i. knoweth howe to name euery one of them q.d. that GOD which sitteth in heauen and knoweth all thinges yea euen the least thinges that are and who also ruleth all thinges euen in the very Heauens and doth by name beare rule ouer euerie one of them according to his authoritie and might sée Isaiah 40.26 yea euen that God is worthie to be praysed declaring also that it is no more harde matter for God to gather his Church the dispersion thereof then to number the starres and to giue to euery thing his office might property guiding them all by his prouidence and wisedome in such sorte that nothing shal be disorderous in that great multitude Ver. 5. Great is our lord vz. in goodnesse great is his power vz. also d.q. both his goodnes and power is very great yea infinite Sée Psal 135.3 his wisedome is infinite vz. to men as who can neither account it nor throughly comprehende it vnderstanding by wisedome his most fatherly and wise gouernement also and the particulars thereof Ver. 6. The Lorde relieueth i. comforteth by his woorde and spirite and many times in his prouidence exalteth to great honour as Psal 113.7 the méeke i. the humble hearted and such as by their afflictions are brought to true lowlines and abaseth the wicked to the ground i. casteth them downe from the top of their honour euen as lowe as can bee Ver. 7. Sing vz. prayses and thankesgiuing vnto the Lorde vz. our God with prayse i. with ioyfulnes also as well as with prayse sing vz. Psalmes of prayse vpon the harp hee addeth instruments for the better stirring of men vp Sée Psalme 144.9 and yet this was but temporal and arbitrarie vnto our God sée ver 1. of this Psalme Verse 8. Which couereth the heauens with cloudes i. casteth thick cloudes conteining raine in them ouer the firmament meaning thereby that God doeth by that meanes chaunge as it were the face of the heauen which shoulde drawe vs euen to wonder at his power and prepareth vz. by that meanes raine for the earth i. for the good and profit of the earth because without raine and moisture from heauen it woulde bee vtterly barren and maketh vz. through his speciall blessing as the first cause and the raine as the instrument the grasse to growe vz. in great plenty and abundaunce vpon the mountaines i. in most barren and drie places which are for the most part very scant of grasse because they are nigh to the parching and pearsing heate of the Sunne Verse 9. Which giueth vz. in mercy to beastes their foode i. the nourishment wherewith they are maintained and liue and to the young rauens which are not able to féede themselues which crye vz. through want of foode and sustenaunce Sée Iob. 39.3 and in this verse the Prophet setteth out Gods fatherly care and prouidence which stretcheth it selfe euen to Rauens or Crowes whiche are the most contemned foules almost that are men making no account of them as for foode but vtterly to destroy them as hurtefull and noysome Verse 10. Hée i. GOD hath not pleasure i. careth not for nor delighteth in in the strength of an horse of which you may reade a liuely description Iob. 39.22.23 c. and vnder this and that which followeth hee comprehendeth all meanes of flesh and blood whatsoeuer in which many men put their trust but that is a peruerse thing and much to bee condemned and yet without that wee may lawfully vse all holy meanes which God shall giue vs neither delighteth hee in the legges of man vz. howe strong well proportioned swift and nimble so euer they bee meaning notwithstanding that God exerciseth this goodnes towards vs of the vse of the meanes not for any worthinesse that is in any of the Creatures but for his owne glory fake and the good of his Church Verse 11. But the Lorde delighteth in them i. both careth verye much for them and taketh singular pleasure in them that feare him i. sincerelye worshippe and serue him hauing a reuerent feare of his maiesty in their heartes and attende vz. in hope and patience vppon his mercy i. the time till in mercie hee perfourme that which hee hath graciously promised them Verse 12. Praise the Lorde vz. for his mercy and goodnes O Ierusalem i. O thou his Church prayse thy God i. the GOD which thou seruest O Sion by Sion and Ierusalem he vnderstandeth both one thing vz. Gods Church and congregation Sée Psalme 51.18 meaning also by this often prouoking of men to prayse the Lorde to teach them this that they can neuer want occasion or matter in that behalfe Ver. 13. For he hath made
the barres of thy gates strong vz. in such sort that no enemy is able to breake them or to make any irruption into them meaning by this speach that the Church was well defended with ayde and succour from GOD yea in such sort that it néede not feare the enemies thereof because it was defended and shoulde bee deliuered from all euill and hath blessed vz. with al maner of goodnesse and namely with increase of multitude thy children within thée i. those that appertaine vnto thée whether they bée young or olde for all are the children of the Church Verse 14. Hée vz. alone setteth peace in thy borders i. keepeth thy coastes Countrey and people in all quietnesse not onely in that hee mightily driueth away all thyne enemies but also in that hee inclineth the heartes of thyne owne people to mutuall peace and so kéepeth them from tumults and rebellion and satisfieth thee vz. to the full in all abundaunce and plenty with the flowre of the wheate it is in Hebrewe with the fat of the wheate Sée Deutron 32.14 Sée also Psalme 81.16 meaning euen that part of the wheate not onely which yéelded greatest plentie but also wherein the greatest strength of nourishment consisted vnderstanding also by this particular thing whatsoeuer did appertaine to this present life and was fit for mans nourishment Verse 15. Hée i. God the Lorde sendeth foorth his commaundement vppon earth i. hée needeth no more but to commaund onely and then by a certaine secret motion and inclination which hee hath giuen vnto the earth the earth bringeth foorth the effectes thereof as wée sée by experience and his worde i. the woorde which hée vttereth runneth very swiftly vz. to be accomplished and perfourmed q.d. when hee hath declared what he woulde haue done all thinges are prest and prepared ready to obey him so that looke whatsoeuer he speaketh by his woorde and commandeth it is presently done as appeareth Psalme 33.9 and by the particular enumeration of thinges which followeth in this Psalme Ver. 16. Hée giueth i. sendeth vz. from heauen and casteth it vppon the earth snowe like wooll i. very whyte and light as wool is so that in these respectes snowe and wool may bée compared together and scattereth the hoare frost vz. in sundrie places like ashes or dust which being light of themselues and cast out are scattered hither and thither with the winde Verse 17. Hée casteth foorth his yee like morsels the Hebrewe worde that is here turned yee is diuersly interpreted by sundry men some take it as we vse to take it for water vppon the earth congealed to a hard substance other take it for frost that commeth vpon raine presently fallen but a litle before yea wee haue séene that almost at the one and the selfe same instant there hath been raine and frost other some for haile and tempest and to this latter do I incline because that the droppes of raine by very great colde in the aire are turned into hayle which seeme to bee little morsels or pieces as it were who can abide the colde thereof or rather thus who can abide his colde that is the colde which God can sende for otherwise the cold of yce or hayle is not much Ver. 18. He sendeth vz. forth his worde i. his commaundement and melteth them vz. presently q.d. he néedeth but onely speake the woorde and they are by and by molten and consumed as it were hee causeth his winde to blowe and the waters flowe i. hee bringeth speedily the winde into a warme quarter and there commeth presently a thaw of the snow frost yce haile c. and by their melting the waters are increased and flowe and swell beyonde their ordinarie and accustomed boundes The winde is called Gods both because he created it and hath it continually at his commaundement to doe with it whatsoeuer pleaseth him and by waters hee vnderstandeth both the waters of the Sea and the waters in the land Verse 19. Hée sheweth vz. plainely and manifestly so that they can not pretende ignoraunce his word i. his doctrine and certaine knowledge out of the same that they may follow him whither hee calleth them thereby vnto Iaakob i. vnto his faythfull people his statutes and his iudgementes i. his whole lawe and euery part thereof whether it consist of commaundements or punishmentes for the breath of those commaundements vnto Israell i. vnto his faithfull people Iaakob and Israel are here put both for one thing Sée Psal 14.7 Ver. 20. Hée hath not dealt so vz. mercifully and graciously with euery nation no not with any nation for vnto the people of the Iewes al that time were the oracles of God committed onely Sée Rom. 3.2 and Rom. 9.4 neither haue they i. other nations and people of the world besides the Iewes knowne his iudgments i. his word putting a part of it for the whole as sundry times in Psalm 119. True it is the Gentiles before their calling knewe him by his woorkes and that was sufficient to make them without excuse before him but by his worde hee was onely knowne to his owne people praise yee the Lord sée Psalm 106. in the ende also Psalm 113. in the ende Psal 146. in the end and the rest of the Psalmes following euen vnto the end of this booke Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth vs that it is profitable for our selues acceptable to God to bée earnest and often in praysing and thanking of him Ver. 2. Teacheth vs the continuall care and loue which God beareth towards his Church Ver. 3. Setteth out Gods pitie and loue towardes all such as are truely beaten down with their afflictions either outwarde or inwarde Verse 4. Setteth out his excéeding great power and care in the gouernement and disposing of his creatures Ver. 5. Teacheth vs that wee can not of our selues attaine to the least part of Gods wisedome Ver. 7. Sheweth howe dull wee are in praysing our God in that wee are so often prouoked vnto it and haue néede of so many both outward and inwarde things to stirre vs vp thereto Ver. 8. Teacheth vs that raine the fruitfulnes of the earth and all other such like thinges procéed from God alone Ver. 9. Teacheth vs to bee rightly perswaded of Gods prouidence who séeing he féedeth the vnreasonable beastes and rauens will not leaue vs destitute Verse 10. Teacheth vs that no outwarde thing which we haue nor can doe as of our selues can commend vs to God Ver. 11. Teacheth vs that if wee will bee acceptable before God wee must striue to these two thinges vz. in hope and patience to wayce vppon him and to yéelde vnto him that seruice that in his woorde he requireth at our handes Verse 12. Teacheth vs that Gods faythful people and his Church are specially bound aboue others to prayse the Lorde Verse 13. Teacheth vs that the safetie prosperitie and multiplying of the Church commeth from God onely Ver. 14. Teacheth vs also that the peace and plenty of his people procéede from him
in that he beginneth with them he doth not only closely as it were reproue them for their vnthankfulnesse because that whereas they are more bound to God then others by reason the greater benefits they haue receaued from him and yet notwithstanding they are more slow to doe their dutie in this behalfe vnlesse they be wonderfully prouoked and pricked on forward defrauding God by that meanes of the praise which is due vnto him supposing that the world was made only for them but also secretly telleth thē their dutie to wit that they should go before others in the performance of that great office for the more that any hath receaued and in the offices of his exaltation draweth nigh to God the more is he bound to serue him and to magnify the riches of his grace and al people vz. of the world of what nation country or kinred soeuer they be princes and all iudges of the world i. al that haue the matters of state or publike iustice committed vnto them Ver. 12. Yong men and maids old men and children the particular recitall of the distinction of ages and sexes which the Prophet vseth in this verse doth sufficiently declare that all without exception should imploy themselues in the seruice praysing of God And these two words virgins children import an amplifying as it were of the matter q.d. yea let virgins which are not so well instructed as the male kind is and let children which are not so skilfull as the old sort are performe this dutie of praise vnto the Lord. Ver. 13. Let them vz. altogether both heauenly and earthly reasonable and vnreasonable but chéefely the reasonable creatures laste rehearsed verse 11 12. prayse the name of the Lorde i. his goodnesse power and might for his name only is to be exalted vz. in the songes and prayses of his peoples meaning that none is worthy of prayse in respect of himselfe but he alone sée Psalme 145 3. and his praise aboue the earth and the heauens i. he is to be praysed more then the heauens or the earth or else his prayse is so great that neither the heauens nor the earth nor all thinges therein contayned are able sufficiently to expresse it and this is the firste reason why they should prayse him taken from the excellēcy of Gods own maiestie Ver. 14. For he vz. alone hath exalted vz. by his power and mighte the borne of his people i. their strength for so haue we had the word horne vsed sundry times heretofore meaning that God aduaunced his Churche both into great strength and dignity which vz. exaltation and lifting vp of their glory and strength is a prayse to all his saints i. tendeth not only to their glory and prayse but also offreth them a plentifull occasion to prayse and magnifie his name by reason of the grace which he hath shewed them For the worde Saints sée Psalme 145 10. euen for the children of Israell i. euen for the true and right Israelites and this is an other terme proper and peculiar to Gods sonnes and seruaunts a people that is nere vnto him vz. by the reason of the couenant which God hath made with them in the person of Abraham and confirmed in his sonne Christ and thus he doth more and more specifie the people who haue most singular occasion to praise him praise yee the Lorde sée Psal 146 in the end Do. One generall doctrine is offred in this Psalme from ver 1. to the end of the 10. vz. that if all Gods creatures in the dutie and by the right of their creation are bound to praise God in their kind much more man for whose sake all the creatures were made that are made An other generall doctrine wee may gather out of verse 2. that if Angels must be put in mind of the performance of this dutie men had much more néede to be remembred and not only so but to bee pricked and prouoked forward thereto Verse 5 being a generall inference vpon the particular premisses doth playnly proue that Angels as well as other things were created and that therefore that is a dotage of some to thinke that they were without beginning and withall it plainlye and sufficientlye ouerthroweth the dreame of the Sadduces who did thinke that there was neither Angell nor spirit Verse 6 teacheth vs that not one of the creatures nor all the creatures can go beyonde the boundes which God hath set them in his eternall decrée Verse 8 teacheth vs that al gods creatures are but instruments to execute that which God will haue them to doe Verse 11 teacheth vs that as Kings are the highest so they should be the first and examples to others in the seruice of God Verse 12 teacheth vs that no age or sexe can or should be exempted from the sincere worship and seruice of God Ver. 13. teacheth vs that as God onely is to be praysed so he is only to be prayed vnto because praise and prayer belong onlye vnto him alone Verse 14 teacheth vs first that al the glory and strength which the church hath it hath it from God secondly that God neuer bestoweth benefit vpon the Churche but that it becommeth the same aboue all others to bée thankfull to God for it Psalme 149 THis psalme may bee deuided into two partes Di. In the first hee exhorteth the faithfull to praise God for his great grace and mercie bestowed vpon them from Ver. i. to the end of the 4. In the second he prouoketh them to prayse him for the strength and power which he gaue them to subdue their enemies from Ver. 5. to the end of the psalme The title is expounded before Psalme 148. Se. in sundrie other places Ver. 1. Singe yee vz. which are his sonnes and seruantes vnto the Lord vz. your God a newe song i. a singular and excelent song by reason of an vnacustomed benefite which you haue receaued from the Lord. sée Psalme 33.3 also psalme 144.9 let his praise i. songes and Psalmes made vnto his praise be heard vz. openlie and painelie in the congregation of saincte i. in his Church this is an excelent description of the Church for saincts sée Psalme 148.14 Ver. 2. Let Israell i. the Church of God and faithfull people sée Psalme 147.19 also 148.14 reioyce vz. excedinglie and with an vnfeyned ioye in him that made him i. in God and hee meaneth it not here of the generall creation onely but also of their frée adoption by which they were chosen seperated from all mankinde to be a peculiar people to God which was as it were a newe creation and let the children of Sion i. the faithfull members of the Church sée Psalme 146.10 and 147.12 reioyce vz. as before in this verse in their king i. either in Dauid and so by consequent in Christ because Dauid was but a figure of him or els in God whom the faithfull many times call their king as Psalme 5.2 and this latter do I rather allowe
they should prayse God by all holy and lawfull meanes they could sée to this purpose before Psalm 149 3. Concerning these instruments it is true that vnder the law they serued to lead the people to a certayne kind of holy ioy If any would inferre herevpon therefore they should be vsed now publikely in the Church they are much deceaued for they were but ceremonies we know and beléeue that the ceremoniall law and euery part and péece thereof is abolished so that we can not without iniury to Christ retayne them publikely in our Churches Concerning the priuate vse of them they are so far forth to bée vsed as they prouoke vs to holinesse if they be instruments to stirre vp men to sinne and filthinesse they must be detested and abhorred as vile and abhominable Ver. 6. Let euery thing that hath breath prayse the Lord. Some referre it to all creatures and it is true that the word may well beare import so much I for mine own part refer it only to men who though they liue as other creatures do yet the word breath as also the word life doth more properly agrée to them then to beasts prayse ye the Lord sée before in the end of thrée or foure of these last Psalmes Now let vs marke that when the scripture doth so often times put vs in mind to prayse the Lord it doth iustly charge and vpbrayd vs with our vnthankfulnesse and slouthfulnesse in that behalfe Do. Verse 1 2 teach vs that we are bound to praise God and shew also certayne causes why we should doe it vz. for the holinesse he communicateth to vs for his great care and prouidence ouer vs and all creatures for his mercies towards vs and his iudgements towards the wicked Ver. 2 teacheth vs that though we cannot praise God or pray vnto him as we should and he iustly deserueth yet we should not for all that leaue of Ver. 3.4.5 teache vs to vse all the holy and lawfull meanes wée can to stir vp our selues to vnfeigned thankfulnesse to our God Ver. 6. teacheth vs that men aboue all his other creatures are specially bound to bée continually thankefull vnto him Ephes 3. Ver. 20.21 Vnto him that is able to doe exceeding abundantly euen aboue all that we aske or thinke according to the power that worketh in vs bee prayse in the Church by Christ Iesus thorowout all generations for euer So be it Faultes escaped The first number noteth the page the second the line Pag. 1. l 13. they r theirs 2. l. 12. in the r of the. 3. l. 40. they r men 5. l. 3. many r maÌ„ l. 15. kingly r king by l. 16. imagination inauguration 9. li. 28. of r. from l. 41. coÌ„triued r conteined 10. l. 6. or r on l. 22. draw deceiue 14. l. 39. such r further 15. li. 20. rebuked reputed li. 26. crueltie subtiltie r cruelly and subtilly li. 31. par r per. 19. l. 21. time terme 22. l. 24. putteth r put them li. 37. summe r same 23. l. 20 consisteth r trusteth 27. li. 7 tâ—â—e r terme 35. li. 2. out r on li. 9. not to r to note 40. l. 32. thy r my 46. l. 28. possible r impossible l. 31. Gods r God 46. l. 18. lustines loftiner l. 26 sentences senses 51. li. 20. remoued reuiued 59. li. 32. strike r stirre 68. li. 27. affection r affliction 70 l. 38 quarellors quarellous 73. li. 10. better r bitter li. 30. set r fet 74 li. 3. intent innocent 77. li. 20 guilty r guile 82. l. 24. reiected recited 85. 38. spoke r smoke 88. l. 33. past me past cure 91 li. 40. drunke dumbe 96. li 20. trusty vntrusty 97. li. 30. parting for panting 104. l. 39. kimcho for kimchi 100. l. 37. performed for perfumed 110. l. 20. 1. Cor. for 1. Chro. 111. l. 15. breathing for breaking 113. l. 30. sects r sorts 161 l. 21. expounded r propounded l. 36. ceased r seized 172. l. 34. captaines r captiues 174. l 20. mother read both our 176 l 6. expound for propound l. 7. expoundeth propoundeth l. 16. seeke for setteth out 181. l. 6. altogether r All together 186. l. 17. faithful r faith 203. l. 1. afflictions r affections 205. l. 29. godly for vngodly 255. l. 24. first r for so 259. l 27. referred r corrected 265. l. 18. see r vse 266. l. 10. mortal for immortal 271. li. 26. strange r strong 303. l. 16. comfort r confute 315. li 11. three r two 347 li 35. for necess r. but for necess 354. l. 18. peraphrasis read periphrasis l. 19. beginning r begetting 363. liÌ„ 13. meaneth for nameth 364. li. 28. lande read hand 367. l. 13. slaieth for staineth 397. l. 31. reed for rod li 38. bands r bounds li. 40. supposes r suppostes 399 li. 13. Himites r Hiuites 405. li. 4. shal r should 406. l. 25. inuisible for insensible
Ver. 3. Teacheth that there is no wisedom power nor policy against the Lord. Ver. 4. Setteth out the inlargment increase of Gods kingdome vpon earth Ver. 5. Teacheth vs that gods works would be diligently déeply considered otherwise they shall litle profite vs. Ver. 6. Teacheth that for the benefite of his children the Lord can and will inuert the nature of thinges Ver. 7. Teacheth first that Gods power ruleth ouer all secondly that nothing can be hid from his presēce thirdly that the wicked howe mighty so euer they be shal neuer preuaile against him Ver. 8. Deliuereth the same doctrines that ver 1.2 doe Ver. 9. Teacheth that in God we liue and moue and haue our being also that it is he alone that vpholdeth vs that we sinke not downe vnder the burthen of sinne and calamities Ver. 10.11.12 Teach that God sundry ways exerciseth the faith and proueth the patience of his children whereby also we learn that it is no new thing that the godly are afflicted Ver. 12. And these wordes but thou broughtest vs out into a wealthy place doeth teach that howe great and gréeuous soeuer the afflictions of Gods saints be yet in the end hee remembreth and deliuereth them with an euerlasting mercy Ver. 13. Teacheth vs to frequent the publike assemblies of the Church and to shewe our selues thankeful to God for his graces Ver. 14. Teacheth that affliction is the time that maketh vs to drawe nigh to God both in word and déede Ver. 15. Teacheth vs to yéeld vnto God such a seruice as he hath prescribed and not as we deuise Ver. 16. Teacheth vs reuerently and diligently to hearken vnto good thinges that others speake to vs also that we should declare to other the graces of God shewed to vs that therby their fayth might be increased Ver. 17. Teacheth that mother tongues and all the members that we haue shoulde bee earnestly occupied in hearty calling vppon God Ver. 18. Teacheth that when we come to pray to God wee must labour to cast away from vs our wickednes and corruption Ver. 19. Teacheth that god is nigh to the earnest supplications of his children Ver. 20. Teacheth vs to yéeld humble and hearty thanksgiuing to our God for al his mercies towards vs. Psalme 67. Di. THis short Psalme may be diuided into thrée partes In the two first verses is comprehended a prayer for that people whome God had prepared vnto himselfe and for the blessing of them with al maner of knowledge In the second part is comprehended an other prayer for the increase and inlarging of Gods kingdome throughout the earth and this reacheth from ver 3. to the end of the 5. In the third is declared what great benefites and blessings shall insue after that God shal haue thus multiplied his Church and this is in the two last verses Se. The first part of the title of this Psalme is expounded before Psalm 4. A Psalme or song sée Psalm 48. in the title Ver. 1. God be merciful to vs vz. who by the meanes of sundry our infirmities stand in néede of it and blesse vs vz. with all good things both bodily spiritual and cause his face i. his fauour to shine i. to appeare and bee felt among vs vz. though there bee no cause on our partes why he should so do The Church prayeth that God would shewe not onely lay aside that wrath which hee had exercised vppon it but also that hee would shewe himselfe gracious and fauourable putting into their hearts by the working of his holy spirite a true tast and féeling of his fatherly loue Verse 2. That they they change the person from the first to the thirde they meane that by Gods fauour practised towardes his Church the Church is more and more confirmed in the obedience of Gods trueth and not onely the Church it selfe but euen diuers that are without may knowe vz. by thy word and spirite thy way i. which thou thy selfe hast prescribed vnto them in thy lawe to walke in vppon earth i. so long as they liue here and thy sauing health i. that saluation and deliueraunce which thou bestowest and giuest to men among all nations vz. of the worlde in what quarter soeuer they dwel Verse 3. Let the people vz. of the earth meaning chiefely the Gentiles let all the people vz. if thou sée it so good or else hee putteth all for an infinit number which I take to bee the more simple sense Verse 4. Bee glad and reioyce q.d. they haue no cause of sorrowe that thou gouernest but rather of vnspeakable ioy for thou shalt iudge the people righteously i. with great equitie and vprightnes shalt thou rule and beare sway after the manner of Iudges Kinges for wee knowe that the people of the Iewes were a long time ruled by Iudges and Kinges to which here hee alludeth and gouerne the nations or else as some read which also I like better lead them out vz. as sheepeheards doeth their flockes noting thereby Gods tender care towardes his Church and all that is here spoken of Gods gouernement must be vnderstood of the spirituall iurisdiction which hee exerciseth in his Church by the scepter of his word and discipline to bring all peoples in obedience to him Ver. 5. Is the same in wordes and sense with ver 3. Ver. 6. Then shall the earth vz. which was cursed for mans sinne and striken with barrennes bring forth her increase i. all manner of fruite and that in abundance through Gods especiall blessing and God euen our God i. the onely true God shall blesse vz. with all good thinges both bodily and spirituall as ver 1. of this Psalm Ver. 7. All the endes of the earth i. people out of al parts and quarters of the world hee putteth the places inhabited for the people inhabiting them this worde all for the great multitude that God will drawe to himselfe shal feare him i. imbrace his religion and seruice and that either soundly in déede or else in hypocrisie and flauish feare Verse 1. Gods mercy must bee fled to Do. as the onely fountaine of all goodnes to vs warde Verse 2. Teacheth vs to pray for increase of knowledge in Gods worde also that wee shoulde wish the same not to our selues only but to others also Verse 3. Teacheth vs to wish and pray for the inlarging of Gods kingdome and his prayses in the same Ver. 4. Teacheth vs that it ought to bee the greatest ioy that can come to vs in this life to bee vnder the gouernement of our God by his worde and discipline Ver. 5. Repeating the same both words and matter with ver 3. Teacheth the earnestnes of the Church in prayer and continuall care for the conuersion of others Ver. 6. Teacheth that when God is fauourably reconciled to his people there can be no want of good things Ver. 7. Teacheth all to haue a care to imbrace Gods religion and to followe his worship Psalme 68 Di. THe Prophet in
own Ver. 6. teacheth that God alone is he that deliuereth his people from all dangers and distresses Ver. 7 teacheth that the Lord is nigh to earnest supplicatiōs requests of his poore afflicted ones Ver. 8.9 teacheth that our obediēce to God is no better manifested by any meanes then by remouing al idolatry al the occasions therof whatsoeuer Ver. 10. setteth out Gods large liberalitie towards his people who many times giueth more then they do aske Ver. 11. describeth the malice corruption stubbornesse of mans hart Verse 12. sheweth how God iustlye punisheth sinne by sinne and that there are no ways so hurtful to man as those which he himselfe deuiseth Verse 13 expresseth Gods singuler care loue that he hath to man and his saluation Ver. 14.15 teach that obedience faithfully performed to the Lord not only draweth from him iudgements against all the enemies of his people but continual fauour and flourishing to themselues Ver. 16. teacheth that those that feare and serue the Lord shall want nothing that is good and that rather then Gods children shal want the Lord wil extraordinarily nourish and maintaine them with abundaunce of al things both profitable and pleasaunt Psalme 82. Di. I Take it that this Psalme maye bee deuided into two partes In the firste the Prophet reproueth vngodly Magistrates for their partialityes exhorting them to the faythfull execution of their office from verse 1. to the end of the fourth In the seconde he setteth out their carelesnesse and pronounceth iudgement agaynst them for the same beséeching the Lord to execute iustice and iudgement seing they were negligent from verse 5. to the ende of the Psalme Se. The Title hath bene expounded sundry times before and namelye Psalme 50. in the Title thereof Verse 1. GOD standeth vz. as the théefe and principall to sée what matters passe and howe they passe in the assemblye of Gods i. in euery Session or sitting of Princes Magistrates or Iudges whom he calleth Gods because in them appeareth some speciall part of Gods Maiestie now when God is present with them it is not as an inferior but as the Lorde of Magistrates and the Author of all iust iudgementes sée Deutron 1. ver 17. also 2. Chronic. 19. verse 6. he iudgeth among Gods i. hée kéepeth his authoritye and preheminence aboue all the Iudges and Gouernors of this worlde Verse 2. How long will ye iudge vniustly q.d. Will ye go still on forward in corruption and naughtinesse shall not Gods forbearing of you bring you to amendment and accepted the persons of the wicked i. peruert iustice and iudgement for their sakes and causes Verse 3. Doe right nowe he teacheth them what they shoulde doe indéede to the poore and fatherlesse i. to those that are in misery distresse and not able by any mean of man to helpe themselues or their causes sée Hosea 14 3. doe iustice i. performe that with iustice and equitie requireth at your handes and this is the same matter expressed in other wordes Verse 4. Deliuer the poore and néedy vz. from the outrage and iniurie that the mightye men offer them saue them i. set them frée safe and sounde from the hande i. from the mighte and power of the vngodly Ver. 5. They i. these wicked vngodly iudges or Magistrates know not i. approue not neither allow or performe good things for otherwise it is not to be doubted but they had knowledge sufficient sée Matth. 7.23 vnderstand nothing vz. of right and iudgement to put the same in execution practise for it must not be vnderstood as though that they were sencelesse they walke in darkenesse i. they take euen delight and pleasure as it were to bleare their own iudgements and light and then how great is that darkenesse Mat. 6.23 albeit al the foundations of the earth be moued q.d. al the troubles confusions of the land procéede from this iniquitye of theirs and yet they though all things be out of order sit stil and take their ease neuer séeking redresse Dauid was of another mind as appeareth Psal 75.3 vpon which looke for the better vnderstanding of these wordes foundations of the earth Ver. 6. I haue saide we may refer these words either to God or the Prophet but I rather referre them to the Prophet q.d. I haue before vz. verse 1. confessed you to be Gods yeare Gods i. not only excellent great personages but such as exercise the very iudgements of God when you doe your office rightly 2. Chron. 19.6 and such as to whome God hath giuen his word Iohn 10.34 35. such as to whom God hath communicated part of his power Rom. 13.1.2 c. and ye are all children of the most high vz not in name only because he hath communicated vnto you some of his Titles but because you doe by his appointment succéede into some part of his iudicial authoritie which he hath cōmitted to you as princely parents doe to their children Ver. 7. But q.d. for al your glorious titles and great renoune by which you might séeme to promise vnto your selues lōg life and immortality as it were ye shall die as a man i. a cōmon ordinary death q.d. death shal no more feare you then other men sée Psal 49. almost thorowout and ye Princes vz. of the people for al your great state and pompe shal fal vz. by death like others vz. of the common sort of people some expounde it thus like others vz. Princes and mighty men which haue gone before you I would not greatly cōtend but me thinketh the other sence is plaine ynough Verse 8. O God the Prophet seing iustice to bee perished from the earth praieth the Lord to take the matter into his own hands rise vp vz. to iudge iustly séeing men are so negligent and carelesse iudge vz. with iustice and equitye the earth i. the people inhabiting the earth He prayeth that God would bring things which amongst men were confused into good order for thou shalte inherite al nations q.d. Thou whether they wil yea or no shalt haue power and gouernment ouer al people and therfore seing that office belongeth vnto thée take into thine own hand séeing men neglect the duties and charges that thou hast committed vnto them The first verse teacheth two things Do. first that Magistrates should deale with good consciences seing God beholdeth them secondly that people should reuerence Magistrates seing some part of Gods glory shineth forth in them Ver. 2. teacheth how wicked men abuse good things to their own condemnation and other mens hurt Ver. 3. 4. set out very liuely the Magistrates duety whiche consisteth of two parts in maintaining the good and punishing the euill Rom. 13.3 Ver. 5. Simple ignorance or malitious ignorance or both in Magistrates be the very nurses of all confusions in cōmon wealths kingdoms Ver. 6 teacheth vs to giue iust titles and honors euen to vniust magistrates alwayes reseruing that which belongeth to God sound and safe
vnto another that wanteth yea he lendeth fréely looking for nothing againe Luke 6.35 This is a fruite of mercy the vsurer lendeth also but that is to sucke away the wealth of an other and measureth his affaires i. ordereth and disposeth the thinges he hath to do not doing any thing rashly or yet forslowing the occasion when hee may doe a thing well not being prodigall on the one side or miserable on the other side but in all his dealings obserueth the rule of equitie and right by iudgement i. by sound iudgement and good aduise Ver. 6. Surely hee shall neuer bee moued vz. vtterly or altogether q.d. he shall remaine always stedfast and sound what soeuer aduersities come vnto him Sée 2. Corinth 4.8 but I woulde rather read and the righteous sée before ver 4. of this Psalm shal be had in euerlasting remembraunce vz. before God and his Angels and amongest all the company of good and godly people Ver. 7. He will not bée afrayd of euill tydings i. of any euill tydings how heauy soeuer they bee which shalbée brought to him by euil tydings he meaneth reports of some euill or mischiefe that séemeth to drawe nigh or hang ouer mens heads for his heart is fixed vz. stedfastly vppon God and his prouidence and beléeueth vz. with all his heart in the Lord vz. who is able and will also in good time deliuer him q.d. whatsoeuer euill newes he may heare hée will not be afrayd but will alwaies remaine quiet in his spirit the reason is because he hath wholy reposed himselfe vppon Gods fatherly prouidence and care euen as though hee were in his bosome or lappe Ver. 8. His heart i. the perswasion of his heart is stablished i. surely and firmely set vppon God and the trueth of his promises therefore hee will not feare vz. any thing whatsoeuer that man can doe against him Sée Psalm 118.6 vntill he sée his desire vppon his enemies i. vntill he sée them through Gods might and power ouerthrowne as hee himself hath wished by the word vntill hée meaneth not that when they are ouerthrowne then hée shoulde bée afrayd for that were to feare where no feare is but vntil is vsed here for perpetuity of tyme as before Psalm 110.1 q.d. hée shall neuer feare Ver. 9. Hée i. the good and righteous man hath distributed vz. vnto others the things hée had and that not slenderly or niggardly but fréely and as euery mans necessitie requireth and his power able to perfourme and giuen vz. of his owne and that fréely and liberally to the poore i. to the néedy and such as wanted his righteousnesse remayneth for euer i. hée shall continually haue a meane and ability to doe well it may bée also vnderstoode of the fruit of righteousnesse Sée before ver 3. of this Psalme his horne i. his head as 1. Sam. 2.1.10 vnderstanding also therby his force strength state dignitie prosperity and whatsoeuer was excellent in him shal be exalted vz. mightily and greatly with glory i. with abundance of glory q.d. hée shal increase and grow from glory to glory till hée come to the height or toppe of glory Verse 10. The wicked shall sée vz. both with his mynde and eyes it i. the felicity and the prosperity of the good and be angry i. grieue despite and freate at it hee shal gnash with his téeth vz. euen not only for anger as the Bore which whetteth his tushues but also for griefe and payne as Matth. 8.12 and consume away vz. out of this life and from amongest men and that through despite and enuy and the desire of the wicked shall perish i. the wicked shal not attain and performe that which they wish and desire but shal bee frustrated of their hope by desire he vnderstandeth their wicked thoughts counsels indeuours labours and attempts against the good and by perishing he meaneth that they shal be made frustrate and come to nothing sée Psal 146.4 Do. Ver. 1. Teacheth first that the way to attaine true blessednesse is to serue the Lorde according to his worde Secondly that Gods seruants shoulde haue a very great and continuall delight in his lawe Ver. 2. Teacheth first that Gods people shall both inwardly and outwardly growe much euen in this life secondly that the riches of Gods blessings reacheth not onely to the godly but also to their godly séede and posterity Verse 3. Teacheth vs first that riches are not euil because they are reckoned amongst Gods blessinges secondly that we can not haue them vnlesse it please him in fauour to bestow the same vppon vs thirdly that the godly through the strength and power of GOD continue stedfast in goodnes vnto the end Ver. 4. Teacheth vs first that the godly shal be 〈…〉 middest of their greatest heauinesse secondly that godly men 〈…〉 hearted and â—â—ithful in all their dealings Ver. 5. Teacheth men that are able to lend fréely and vtterly condemneth al vsury secondly it teacheth men holy wisedome to doe euery thing they doe with aduise and vprightnes Verse 6. Noteth not onely the continuaunce and sure footing as it were that the godly haue but also euen the great glory and renoune wherwith the Lorde crowneth them Ver. 7. Teacheth vs that whosoeuer stedfastly trusteth in the Lord néed not feare any thing whatsoeuer Ver. 8. Teacheth vs that we ought to haue a stedfast and an assured perswasion of the truth of gods promises also that the wicked shall come to ruine and destruction Ver. 9. Teacheth vs that this is one good note to knowe good men by that they are liberall handed to the néedy also that the Lorde will make the glory of his children more and more to increase Ver. 10. Teacheth first that it is the nature of the wicked to pine away at the prosperitie of the good Secondly that all the deuises and attempts of the vngodly agaynst the good shall through Gods mightie power either come to no effect or else fall in his iust iudgement vppon their owne heades Psalme 113 I Thinke this Psalme doeth specially consist of two partes Di. In the first the Prophet exhorteth men to prayse the Lorde deliuering them also a forme thereof and this is comprehended in the thrée first verses In the second hee sheweth as it were causes wherefore he is to be praysed vz. for his infinite power and wonderfull prouidence from ver 4. to the end of the Psalme The title of this Psalme is the same with the title of Psalme 106. Verse 1. Se. Prayse vz. the Lorde O yee seruantes of the Lorde hée speaketh both to the Leuites and other people whome the Lord had chosen to serue him but specially to the Leuites whom the Lord had appoynted for leaders and guydes vnto the rest prayse vz. both in the inwarde man and in the outwarde man i. both with heart and mouth the name of the Lorde i. his maiesty power and goodnesse manifested to all but especially to you and in that hee doubleth this woorde prayse hee doeth