faile to be worshipped 6 And thou againe wilt powre downe vpon thy people from heauen al good things like a showre comming downe vpon the new mowne medowes and none otherwise than thou vsest to water the earth with showres in due season 7 Whilest he reigneth the iust shal flourish and great peace shal be so continued as is the firme course of the starres 8 And the king himselfe shal haue dominion from the one sea to the other euen from Euphrates to the farthest coastes of the earth 9 The inhabitants of the countries of the desert shal come vnder his yoake falling downe vnder his feete and his enimies falling downe before him shal licke the dust of the earth 10 The kings of Silicia and of the Islands shal offer presents vnto him the Aethiopians also and the Arabians shal bring him giftes 11 Finallie al kings shal worship him al nations shal serue him 12 For his righteousnes shal be praised throughout the whole world for that he heareth the crie of the poore and doth defend the needie forsaken of others 13 He hath mercie on them that are needie and he refresheth those that are in danger of their life 14 He defendeth the poore against the iniurie of the mightie neither doth he suffer the violence done vnto them to be vnreuenged 15 God also wil keepe him safe and gold shal bee brought vnto him out of the middest of Arabia al men shal make praiers for his life and safetie and shal dailie wish al prosperitie vnto him 16 Then shal wheate be shorne euerie-where with ful handfuls in the verie mountaine tops the corne growing as high as the trees of Libanus and there shal be such a multitude of inhabitants in the cities that they may almost seeme like plants springing out of the earth 17 Therefore his memorie shal be for euer euen durable as the Sunne and this king shal be an example of al felicitie vnto al nations which shal account him blessed 18 But vnto thee ô Lord the Prince of the heauenlie companie the Author of al things so wonderful let al praise be giuen 19 The same of thy glorie be praised for euer that it may fil al the earth so euen so shal it be ¶ Here end the praiers of DAVID sonne of Jshai PSALME LXXIII The Argument That which is written in the end of the former Psalme is not so to be taken as though the Psalmes of Dauid were al ended here as it is euident seeing that diuers of them that folowe haue his name set before them and some of them that go before are without anie title but those 11. that folowe are attributed to Asaph an excellent Prophet and Leuite one of the singers of whome mention is made in manie other places and chiefelie 2. Chro. 29 30. vnlesse we had rather saie that there were diuers men of that name or that his posteritie were called by that name And in this Psalme is dâ—scribed the victorie of the spirit against the flesh the which the Sophisters and Papists do falselie imagine to be that which is taught by the Philosophers when they dispute of the strife betwixt reason and the affections whereas yet in those things which peculiarlie belong vnto God there is nothing that striueth more against the true wisedome than doth the verie reason of man as he is natural and not regenerate yea euen then when he hath granted the true principles so true is it that the Apostle saith euen that mans wisedome doth end in foolishnes as appeareth also in this Argument For mans wisedome doth iudge and rightlie iudgeth that if men be gouerned by the prouidence of God it must go wel with good men and euil with euil men But where it gathereth thereby that therefore men are not gouerned by the prouidence of God and that their paines and trauel is in vaine which seeke vertue because the life of wicked men fâ—r the most part floweth with prosperitie but the life of the godlie is contrarilie ful of calamitie herein it sheweth it selfe to be most foolish For it should rather haue bin gathered by that same principle that we must determine otherwise of the ends of good and euil things than men vse to do because God doth bestowe euen vpon euil men certaine commodities his prouidence is not therefore abolished but rather his infinite goodnes and patience commended And that good men are exercised with diuers calamities in this life it commeth to passe partlie that they should not abuse the mercie of God partlie because they stand in neede of chastisement and also that they may learne to hope for better things and the more hard battels that they suffer so much the more excellent might the power of God appeare in their victories and the souldiers themselues might be rewarded with so much the greater reward Finallie which is the chiefest of al that it shal neuer go wel with the euil men and that by their owne fault Contrariwise that it shal neuer go euil with the good and that by the singular mercie of God For vnto the euil men good things are turned to euil and on the contrarie vnto the good men euen euil things turne to good This is a verie pretious doctrine which is handled oftentimes both in other Psalmes and in diuers places of the scripture especiallie in Job and the Prophet Abacuc but aboue al in this Psalme the which doctrine Asaph worthilie saith that it must be sought onlie in the sanctuarie of God whereas bare slender and sometime foolish things are taught in the scholes of the difference of good and euil things and of the vertues and of their causes and effects euen among those Philosophers which did count vertue their onlie meede and did iudge onlie the wise man to be alwaies blessed THE PARAPHRASIS 1 BVT whatsoeuer things are now brought on the contrarie it must needes be true and inuiolable that God can not be but fauourable vnto Israël that is to them that worship him purelie and deuoutlie 2 Howbeit I confesse that I could scarselie wrestle out at the length from contrarie cogitations so that I was verie like to fal and scarselie could I staie my selfe least I should fal downe headlong 3 For I was wholie set on fire beholding mad men so proud and puffed vp with prosperitie 4 For they are lustie so that thou wouldest saie that they were free from diseases and almost from death it selfe they are of so strong health 5 When others are in trouble and oppressed with manifold miseries these men haue the comforts of this life in readines whereby they auoide these miseries 6 Therefore are they haughtie and testifie with how great pride and fiercenes their heart swelleth by the verie apparel of their bodie adorned with chaines with gold and pretious stones 7 And their fat panch doth declare with what and how great delicates they abound and their eies sticke out with fatnes and if they desire anie thing they obteine also more than
and poore 2 Preserue the life of him that is promoted by thy benefite preserue ô my God I saie thy seruant that flieth vnto thee 3 Haue mercie vpon me ô Lord crieng dailie vnto thee 4 Refresh the soule of thy seruant for vnto thee alone ô Lord my soule doth lift it selfe 5 For thou ô Lord art verelie good and merciful and vsest great clemencie and kindnes towards them that cal vpon thee 6 Giue eare vnto my praiers ô Lord and receiue the words of him that praieth vnto thee 7 Neither doe I crie without cause vnto thee but being in most extreame miserie therefore thou wilt heare me 8 For verelie amongst al those feined gods vnto whome the mad men doe attribute so much who is to be compared vnto thee ô Lord and who is able to doe like vnto thee 9 Wherefore al nations in the end shal cast awaie their false gods and shal knowledge thee their creator and reuerencing thee shal giue thee al praise 10 For thou verelie art great thou onelie art God the author and worker of maruellous works 11 Teach me ô Lord the waie that thou hast appointed that I may shew my selfe faithful and trulie obedient vnto thee and cleauing wholie vnto thee may set my mind to serue thee 12 O Lord my God I wil praise thee with my whole heart and magnifie thy name for euer 13 Seeing I haue the experience of thine infinite goodnes in my selfe and am deliuered from the lowest pit of the graue by thee 14 Thou seest doubtles how cruel and proud men do arise vp against me and how such as regard nothing lesse than thee doe labour with al power to take my life from me 15 But thou ô Lord God vpon whome onlie I do depend wholie art verelie merciful and pitiful and art not hastie vnto anger most merciful I saie and most ful of truth 16 Take care of me therefore for thine infinite mercie and helpe thy bond-seruant 17 Grant finallie that I may manifestlie knowe that thou louest me that mine enimies may be ashamed of themselues when they see that thou dost helpe and comfort me PSALME LXXXVII The Argument Manie do applie this Psalme to the time of the second temple but I had rather to attribute it to that time of the kingdome of Dauid when he set vp a tabernacle for the Arke of the Lord in that part of the citie that bare his name euen the mount Sion whilest that the temple was builded Howsoeuer it is besides the prophesie of spreading the Church of God thoughout the whole world this Psalme doth teach vs with a maruellous and diuine breuitie vnder the figure of that earthlie either temple or tabernacle either first or second that the worke of the building of the spiritual temple of God which is made of liuely stones euen the Church is altogither diuine and that the foundation thereof is onelie the good pleasure of God and that the Church is not bound to one place alone and that nothing is more stable and durable than the Church finallie that the true and euerlasting ioie doth onlie there remaine as hauing the promises both of this life and of the life to come THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THe Lord minding to build vnto himselfe a firme and stable habitation hath chosen these hils consecrated them to himselfe 2 And he hath preferred the gates of Sion aboue al the habitations of Iacob because it so pleased him 3 Wherfore excellent things are decreed of thee ô citie of God 4 For behold saith the Lord I wil account both Aegypt and Babylon amongst my people so that they shal be no more enimies vnto thee and the verie Philistins the Tyrians and Arabians shal be numbred amongst thy citizens 5 Finallie men of al nations shal not be as aliens and strangers but they shal be the natiue citizens of Sion the which God wil establish from aboue 6 For God accounting the people wil write them al in his booke 7 There shal al sound with singers and shawmes there saith the Lord al the fountaines of my benefits shal flowe foorth PSALME LXXXVIII The Argument The Hebrue title doth testifie that the writer of this Psalme was Heman by his countrie surnamed Esrait a kinsman and fellowe of Asaph of whome most honourable mention is made 1. Chron. 6 33. and 15 4. where it is said that he was a Prophet to the king and a singer and of singular wisedome 2. Kings 4.31 So that I thinke they are deceiued who refer this Psalme to the time of Joakim the last king of Iu l◠saue one who was captiue in Babylon And it conteineth such a lamentation as there is none more lamentable and pitiful in the whole Psalmes the which the whole Church and the families and also euerie priuate man may vse both in publike and priuate miseries Therefore was this Psalme afore-time named amongst the penitentials as they called them and was sung at the publike confession of the excommunicate persons the which Psalmes afterward we haue seene to be applied foolishlie and without reason to a daily and priuate babbling without respect either of time or person THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Lord GOD of whome I doe wait for my deliuerance I cal for thy helpe daie and night 2 Let my praiers I beseech thee come vnto thee and giue eare vnto my crie 3 My soule is ful of miserie neither is my life far from the graue 4 For I am more like to a dead than to a liuing man by the iudgement of al that doe behold me 5 And as though I had no part with the liuing I am now counted amongst the dead and amongst them that lie in graue of whose life there is none account as those whome thy hand hath cut off at once 6 And I am cast by thee as into the lowest darke and deepe pit 7 Thy wrath lieth vpon me and thou hast ouerwhelmed me with al thy flouds 8 Thou hast put al my familiars from mee vnto whome I am so loathsome not without thy knowledge so that I keepe my selfe within my house as it were in a prison and dare not go one foot forth 9 Mine eies are consumed through sorowe yet cal I vpon thee dailie ô Lord spreading foorth my hands 10 And wil there be time to exercise thy great power when men are dead wilt thou restore them to life againe that they may giue thee praise 11 Shal they that lie in graue set foorth thy mercie there and shal they that are dead set foorth thy truth againe here 12 Shal those that lie buried in the darknes of death knowe thy woonderful workes and they whose memorie death hath blotted out from the liuing acknowledge thy righteousnes 13 Wherfore I cease not to cal vpon thee ô Lord and I doe preuent the morning light in powring foorth my praiers 14 Why dost thou refuse mine oppressed soule ô Lord why doest thou turne awaie thy face from mee 15 Ah! I am miserable and readie to
his couenant that he hath made with vs as the singular testimonie of his mercie 11 I beseech thee ô Lord therefore for thy great mercie and for the honour of thy holie name forgiue me my sinnes the which I acknowledge to be great and manifold 12 O how happie is he that feareth the Lord for he wil teach him the waie that he ought to walke 13 His mind enioieth a continual rest a blessing shal alwaie followe him wherof his posteritie shal be partakers 14 These are they to whome the Lord doth reueale his counsels which are otherwaies hid from vs euen that his couenant I saie to them that feare him 15 Wherefore I haue mine eies alwaies bent vpon the Lord alone for he in the end wil rid my feete foorth of these nets 16 O looke vpon me and haue mercie vpon me for I am verie miserable and forsaken of al. 17 Sorowes oppresse my heart on euerie side deliuer me from these miseries 18 Behold how miserablie I am vexed and tormented and put awaie my sinnes which are the verie cause of al these miseries 19 Behold how manie do hate me and how bitter hatred they beare against me 20 Defend me and keepe me from shame for in thee onlie do I trust 21 Graunt that I may be preserued safe in simplicitie and integritie the which I do waite for of thee 22 Finalie ô God deliuer thou Israël out of al troubles PSALME XXVI The Argument It is a verie hard thing in the Court to retaine true religion and vprightnes of life and conuersation chiefelie when wicked men do reigne there flatterers do rage partlie by open violence partlie by false accusations and an other sort doth sing in their eares that they must frame their wits to serue al turnes and purposes euen as the fish called Polypus doth change himselfe into the colour of the stone whereunto he cleaueth so that some do altogither leaue their vocations prouiding for their owne commodities to the great damage of the common wealth others do by little and little fal to the Courtlie maners like the rest And some there be who for the wicked life of certaine others do either absteine from the holie assemblies or gather vnto them-selues apart priuate conuenticles as did the Catharians and the Nouatians and manie Monkes that went into solitarie places and the Anabaptistes of our time But Dauid contrariwise though his state was no better in the Court of Saul yet doth he perseuere in his place and vocation and doth the more diligentlie frequent the holie assemblies that were polluted with no idolatrie whiles he is driuen from them by violence neither when he is driuen thence doth he repent of his constancie but being alwaies one man he doth commit his cause vnto God and stil continueth to abhorre the counsels and the examples of the wicked and plainelie testifieth that he wil make a true profession of his faith and that he wil liue an vpright life resting vpon the promises of the most merciful and most mightie God THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O LORD iudge thou my cause for surelie according to my power I haue endeuored my selfe to walke vprightlie and I setling al my confidence in thee ô Lord am minded to continue without wauering 2 Thou ô Lord prooue me and trie me and search the secret of my heart 3 Surelie mine eâ—es are alwaie bent vpon thy goodnes and I haue appointed thy truth to be the guide and leader of my life 4 I haue carefullie auoided the companie of these most vaine men and I haue fled awaie from these deceitful dealers 5 I hate the assemblie of euil men neither do I accompanie the wicked 6 I do present my selfe before thine altar not onlie with my hands washed in water but rather purified from al wickednes 7 That I may openlie set foorth thy praise and celebrate thy wonderful workes 8 For there is nothing that I loue more dearelie than that temple wherein thou hast set thy seate euen the house of thy Maiestie 9 Wrap me not in I beseech thee with these wicked persons neither account me with these cruel men 10 Who do speedilie put in execution their wicked deuises and whose hands are ful of bribes 11 But I haue walked vprightlie to my power therefore haue mercie vpon me and deliuer me 12 That I do stand vpright in the waie I do attribute it to thee ô Lord and wil magnifie thy name in the publike congregations PSALME XXVII The Argument Whether we saie that Dauid did write this Psalme when he was now deliuered or when he was in the middest of his daungers it is no great matter But here are opened vnto vs euen when al things seeme most desperate three liuelie and neuer failing fountaines whence we may drawe assured comfort One is to take hold of the power of God by true faith and oppose it against al the bragges of the enimies The second a continual desire alwaie of the glorie of God keeping euermore a safe conscience and vsing diligentlie the meanes whereby our faâ—th may be confirmed that is to saie the hearing of the word preached and the vse of the sacraments if so be that we may haue thâ—m if not yet must we haue a continual meditation of them The third is earnest praier wâ—th faith and patience THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Lord seeing thy wil doth manifestlie appeare like a most bright light vnto me in this so great darkenes to deliuer me whome shal I feare seeing my life standeth vpon the strength of the Lord of whom shal I be afraid 2 I speake of experience for so oft as those wicked tyrants mine enimies did runne vpon me as though they would deuour me with their teeth they fel downe voide of their purpose 3 Hereafter therefore though the enimies come foorth with their armies set in araie against me yet wil I stand without al feare yea though they enter into battel against me I wil hereof take the occasion of more confidence 4 Neither do I yet herein prouide for mine owne priuate commoditie but I beg and craue this one thing of the Lord that I may dwel in the house of the Lord and leade my life with him euen to spend my whole life in beholding the beautie of the Lord and to meditate in his holie temple 5 For there trulie vnder the roose of his house wil I lie hid when anie storme commeth in the secret place of his pauilion shal I be hid whilest that I be set vpon an high and safe rocke 6 Yea euen now alreadie like a conquerour I mount vp listing mine head aboue mine enimies that compas me about wherefore I wil offer sacrifice ioifullie in his tabernacle and I wil sing and praise the Lord. 7 Receiue therefore ô Lord the voice of my crie haue mercie vpon me and heare me 8 My heart doth continualie meditate that same thy commandement Seeke ye my face that is euen as I now open my selfe wherfore I do obeie thee
confirme our faith and to continue vs in patience First that our sinnes are the verie cause although neither onlie nor alwaies of the miseries wherewith we are vexed so that there is no cause why we should murmur against Gods iudgements Secondlie that their sinnes vndoubtedlie are freelie forgiuen to al them that beleeue in Christ both concerning the fault and also the punishment but yet that this forgiuenes is not streightwaies felt no not alwaies in the hearts of the Saints and therefore that there remaineth euen in them for a time a most greeuous temptation of distrust the which yet in the end is ouercome by an earnest acknowledging and loathing of sinne and by constant and continual praier for Gods mercie Furthermore that there do remaine great and grieuous temporal punishments euen after the sinnes be forgiuen howbeit not for that by them anie satisfaction can be made to Gods iudgement but by the which we being chastised and tamed may learne to waxe more wise and more and more diligentlie than before in feare and trembling to accomplish our saluation Finalie that the Saintes of God praieng for deliuerance doe not so much regard themselues as the glorie of God to this purpose that his mercie may therâ—in appeare and least the wicked if they should see the godlie forsaken and altogither oppressed should be confirmed in their impietie THE PARAPHRASIS 1 AH Lord I do not refuse to be reproued and chastened but I do require this one thing of thee that thou do not correct me in that thy terrible and hot burning furie 2 Neither do I thus praie without cause for I do see that I haue not to do with man but with thee especialie with whose arrowes I am striken thorough and by whose hand laied heauie vpon me I do lie prostrate 3 Therefore the sense and feeling of thine indignation worthilie kindled against me doth so throughlie strike me that I seeme wholie deuoured my verie bones consuming for the multitude of my sinnes â— For mine iniquities as also the iust punishments wherewith thou chastisest me do rise vp from the soales of my feete aboue the crowne of my head and ouerwhelme me being vnable to beare so great a burthen 5 My blacke and bloudie woundes which thou hast worthilie giuen me being mad and senseles do powre forth filthie woore and madder 6 I go crouching and altogither stooping with sowre and heauie countenance scarse trailing my bodie 7 My reines do burne with intollerable paine neither is there any part of my body void of griefe 8 I do wholie languish and faint broken with so manie strokes the which do compel me to roare from the bottome of my heart 9 Thou ô Lord vpon whome wholie I do depend doest knowe what I desire and it is euident vnto thee what al my sighes do seeke 10 My miserable heart tossed to and fro faileth me al my strength is gone I am bereft not onlie of my sight but of my verie eies also 11 And also they whome I accounted my most friendlie companions al do behold me thus wounded a far off neither wil anie of my neighbors once come at me 12 And for al this as though so manie miseries were not ynough to kil me there wanteth not such as lie in wait for my life and that haue such a bitter hatred against me that they cease not to inuent most wicked waies to destroie me and mutter their subtiltie amongst themselues secretlie 13 But I behaue my selfe as though I were deafe and keepe silence as though I were dombe 14 I refraine my selfe I saie as though I heard none of these things and as though I had nothing to answere their slanders 15 For Lord I wait with silence for thy succour nothing doubting but that thou wilt answere me in due time which cal for thy helpe 16 For as I may not dissemble with thee I do thinke that I am in great danger least they triumph ouer me for they desire nothing more than to see me ouerthrowne vtterlie 17 And I do now wauer in deede like one that should streightwaies fal neither do I feele my selfe free from griefe one moment 18 And I graunt verelie that these things are worthilie laied vpon me for my sinnes the which how great they be both thy chastisements and the anguish wherewith I am tormented do declare 19 But mine enimies in the meane time do flourish and increasing in power waxe more cruel they waxe mightie I saie that hate me without anie cause 20 Yea for my benefites they requite mee with iniurie and onelie hurt me for this cause that I would liue wel and godlie 21 Forsake me not ô Lord ô my God be not far awaie from me 22 Thou Lord my saluation hasten to helpe me PSALME XXXIX The Argument The drift and end of this Psalm is the same that the 36. 37. is but here that is spoken particularlie which in the other places is set forth more generallie that is to wit by what reasons we ought to be erected and confirmed when as in a good cause we are vexed of wicked men God after a sort winking at our miserable afflictions Therefore the Prophet doth teach vs chieflie by his owne example that in such like cases our affections are to be bridled euen for this cause for that otherwise the furious rage of the wicked is wont for the most part rather to be increased than diminished of the which thing Paule doth admonish vs Rom. 12 19. and 1. Pet. 3 13. But if our enimies do not cease to abuse our meekenes and some danger there is least our patience should be ouercome then must we turne our mind vnto God oppose or set these arguments against our wicked thoughts That this life is transitoâ—â—e and therefore this strife cannot be long neither can anie thing be taken from vs by our enimies but that which of it selfe is fraile and readie to fade awaie furthermore though we be afflicted with aduersitie yet we are not hated of God who fauoring and defending vs there is no cause of doubting but that al things wil turne to our coÌ„moditie at the length and also euen that the sinnes which we haue committed do deserue greater punishments fourthlie sith nothing commeth to passe vnaduisedlie neither anie thing done of God but iustlie it is most meete that we settle and rest our selues in his wil that doth thus righteously punish the disorder or confusion of mankind Lastlie we must set before our eies the example of other most holie men whome the Lord hath thus also exercised and yet hath not neglected or despised them And the Prophet doth throughout this Psalme mixe praiers ful of affections that he might teach vs that these things are not to be disputed coldlie of vs as though we were in Philosophers schooles but we must vse most vehement and earnest praiers whereby we should aske of God both to haue our afflictions eased and our faith continued THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THe wicked
trust in him 4 O blessed is that man who putting al his confidence in the Lord turneth awaie from men that are puffed vp with most vaine and deceitful confidence 5 O Lord my God! how manie and maruellous are thy works who is able to comprehend in his mind or to declare and vtter thy thoughts towards vs seeing they are innumerable 6 Howbeit this doth chieflie set forth the greatnes of thy benefites that al this doth proceed freelie of thine vnspeakeable mercie For thou hast not required of me the oblations and sacrifices of the law as though I could satisfie thee by them which were a madnes for anie man to persuade himselfe but thou hast required this one thing for al maner of oblations and offering that I should heare thee the which thing also thou hast graunted vnto mee making me apt and readie to heare thee 7 Wherefore I trusting to this thy grace haue streightwaies againe answered within my selfe Lo I am here for in the verie beginning of the booke of thy lawe I doe heare my selfe thus called when thou saiest Heare ô Israël 8 Neither dost thou command vs ô my God to heare thee for anie other cause but that we should obeie thee when thou speakest Seeing thou hast graunted vnto me ô Lord this wil I haue testified my wil and that thy lawe is setled in the secret of my heart 9 Neither haue I done this dissemblinglie for I haue openlie declared thy righteousnes neither wil I euer cease to declare it for feare of anie peril of the which my wil thou art witnesse ô Lord vnto me 10 I haue not kept secret I saie thy righteousnes which I did knowe in my heart but I haue most plainlie professed how faithful thou art in thy promise and that al our saluation doth consist in this thine onlie goodnes I haue testified thy mercie truth also before al the assemblie of thy people 11 Now thou againe my God seeing that new enimies do arise continue as thou hast done hitherto to haue mercie vpon me and ioine neare vnto me those thy faithful keepers euen thy mercie and fidelitie in keeping thy promises 12 For innumerable troubles doe againe hang ouer my head and so manie and so great punishments due vnto my sinnes do presse me that I can scarselie behold them a farre off with mine eies for they are aboue the number of the haires of mine head and my verie heart faileth me 13 Let it please thee therefore ô Lord to deliuer me ô Lord I saie make haste to helpe me 14 Cause them to be confounded ashamed and frustrate of their expectation that seeke my death and let them be turned backe with shame voide of their purpose which bend themselues wholie to hurt me 15 Let them suffer the same blot of infamie for a reward of their wickednes wherewith they would haue spotted me which cried Ha ha in my miserie 16 But contrariwise let al that seeke thee being confirmed comforted by mine example reioice and they that haue set al their hope of saluation in thee let them exhort one another to praise thee I was miserable and destitute of al mens helpe but the Lord prouided for me and mine affaires Thou wast my helper thou wast my deliuerer and now ô my God I beseech thee make no delaie PSALME XLI The Argument This is a most greeuous temptation which was the occasion of the making of this Psalme treating the same matter with the booke of Job wherein this question is handled to wit whether seeing God is iust and al the miseries wherevnto men are subiect doe come for our sinnes we may determine of the wrath of God and of the condemnation of anie by the present miseries wherewith they are oppressed For it is the common iudgement of the world supposing of the contrarie that they are in Gods fauour which doe abound with the commodities of this life And both these are false as God himselfe doth decide the controuersie betweene Job and his friendes and Salomon also in his booke called Ecclesiastes Now this temptation is most greeuous for it openeth the doore to blasphemie and desperation and this euil iudgement is the more greeuous when it proceedeth from faithlesse and churlish persons of whom chiefly we looked for comfort Thus was Dauid maruellouslie vexed of them who liked not his sincere and vpright dealing and seueritie of discipline as it appeareth by the historie that the son was drawen away froÌ„ his father by the practise of wicked Achitophel and others and driuen to that horrible conspiracie Moreouer these faithles persons had an horrible disease in their hearts which increased the desire of alteration in them for they supposed when Dauid should be taken awaie that they could raise vp one who would satisfie their lustes and would set them at more libertie Dauid therefore greeued with so manie sorrowes acknowledgeth himselfe a sinner and both by faith resting vpon God and vpon an vpright conscience towardes these traitors flieth vnto God and wisheth wel vnto them that had a better opinion of him and powreth foorth most feruent praiers for the safetie of himselfe and his kingdome of the good issue whereof he is so sure as he might wel be hauing a particular promise of God that he giueth thanks for the performance of the same And heerein there is a maruellous figure both of Dauid compared with Christ and of Achitophel with Judas as the verse of this Psalme is cited Iohn 13 18. For like as Dauid being betraied chased awaie by his sonne dâ—d yet recouer the kingdome euen so Christ betraied of his disciple and nailed vpon the crosse by the malice of his owne people did then verelie begin his kingdome and both the traitors had the like and the same end THE PARAPHRASIS 1 BVT wel may it be vnto you that iudge more vprightlie of me being in most great miserie for surelie the Lord wil deliuer me forth of this calamitie 2 The Lord wil not faile to prouide for me and wil restore me to life againe yea whatsoeuer these do prattle God wil againe blesse me neither wil he suffer mine enimies to satisfie their lustes vpon me 3 The Lord rather wil strengthen me though I be throwen downe with the greatnes of my sorowes and he wil go about my verie bed 4 For I haue called vpon him with these words which cannot be frustrate I knowledge ô Lord that I haue sinned against thee and am therefore punished most iustlie but thou hauing compassion vpon me heale me being wounded much more in mind than in bodie 5 Behold these churlish and faithles persons doe not cease to cursse me wish nothing more than my destruction When saie they shal he once perish and his name be wholie extinguished 6 If anie man come vnto me vnder the colour of friendship he may wel testifie amitie in his words but he meaneth in his heart to hurt me casting manie subtile fetches in his mind and
but to haue taken them of the king himself that we might acknowledge al our goodnes to proceede from his bountiful mercie that hath couered our nakednes and therfore that that is to be counted the true Catholike Church which goeth crowned amongst hâ—r felowes with the onlie righteousnes of Christ fâ—eelie imputed vnto her although also an other righteousnes begun in vs doth consequentlie fellowe this iustice and separateth the children of light from the children of darknes the which thing is by a like allegorie shadowed of Christ himselfe Matth. 11.22 These things being declared wherein almost al the mysteries of our saluation are contained the Prophet turneth his speach to the Church it selfe or rather to euerie member thereof exhorting it to studie how to approue it selfe more and more to her husband of whom she is loued so tenderlie and he also sheweth by what meanes she may do it namelie if hearing him diligentlie for faith commeth by hearing without the which we can not please God and turning vnto him that is continuallie beholding his wil in the glasse of the lawe she cast awaie al corruptions either ingendred in her nature or taken from her elders or continued and confirmed by long custome that she may learne more and more to obey this her husband alone as her head and Lord. There is annexed an exhortation which hath respect to the verie infancie of the Christian Church that first began in Iewrie for we may knowe by the verie historie it selfe how slender poore and miserable the Church was concerning the flesh consisting onlie of an hundred twentie persons and those verie poore and needie He doth therefore comfort it foreshewing that at length they of Tyre also should ioine themselues vnto them by the which name he vnderstandeth the Gentiles comprehending euen the princes themselues but yet so that he might warne vs that al the beautie of the which he spake and which is by infinite degrees more excellent than al the ornaments of al Queenes how pretious soeuer they be is inward and now in deede is not to be seene of fleshlie eies but shal in the time appointed appeare so bright and glorious in the Queene and in her whole nursserie that it shal passe al mens capacitie euen then when as the Apostle saith we shal go to meete Christ and shal be for euer with him being entred into his palace But what saist thou in the meane time shal be done Doubtles this Queene shal bring forâ—h children for her husband and al those shal be worthie and true Kings and shal reigne euerie-where like those their elders that were the ancient Patriarchs hauing brought Sathan sinne death and their owne selues into subiection Hereof it commeth to passe that this same marriage shal be perpetual and euerlasting THE PARAPHRASIS 1 MY heart so boileth within me that it must needes burst forth that which it hath conceiued euen a magnifical song of the King consecrated to the King himselfe and that with such zeale and feruencie that no pen may seeme to be able to attaine vnto the voice of the speaker 2 Doubtles thou art the most beautiful of al men an incomparable eloquence and grace of speach is in thy lips for God hath adorned thee most bountifullie with al these giftes which shal neuer be taken from thee 3 Come foorth now ô most mightie champion girded with the sword and shew that thy beautie ful of maiestie 4 Come foorth I saie and do al things prosperouslie caried vpon thy triumphant chariot euen the word as a gouernour directing it and let truth mercie iustice drawe it O how great and maruelous things do I see that thou shalt bring to passe by this thy mightie power 5 Yet shalt thou not want such ô King who shal resist thee howbeit I do see thee againe armed with sharpe arrowes wherewith thou wilt wound the hearts of thine enimies and so cast downe al people 6 For thy throne ô God is for euer and euer and as nothing is more stable than thy kingdome so is thy scepter righteousnes it selfe 7 For thou louest righteousnes and hatest what so euer is against it for ô God that our King God that is thy God hath powred foorth vpon thee al his bountie that no man is able to be compared vnto thee 8 For when thou commest foorth of thy iuorie palace a most fragrant odour of thy garments doth spread it selfe than the which nothing can be more pleasant therefore do al men run together with prease vnto thee to declare their ioie 9 Yea and the kings daughters beautified with thy giftes do come also amongst the which the Queene being present sitteth at thy right hand bearing a crowne of most pure gold 10 Heare therefore ô daughter consider diligentlie vnto what maner of husband thou art coupled learne of him alone what he requireth of thee that thou shouldest forget thine owne nation and thy fathers house and al other things when thou commest vnder the authoritie and into the familie of this husband 11 So wil it come to passe that thou shalt be more and more in his fauour to whome onlie it is meete that thou shouldest be subiect as to thy Lord. 12 And thou shalt be againe honourable euen to strange people of whome euen the most rich honouring thee shal desire thy friendship 13 But at home chieflie euen with thy husband thou shalt sit most richlie decked clothed altogether with garments broadered with gold 14 Thus shalt thou then be set before the King with such and so pretious apparel the virgins thy companions waiting and going with thee vnto the King 15 Whilest that you altogether with most great ioie and reioicing enter into the palace 16 Here shalt thou see thy children whom thou hast borne vnto thy husband flourishing and nothing inferiour vnto those thy most noble elders reigning ouer the prouinces of the whole world 17 Therefore ô King I wil praise thy name in al ages for euer and the people with me shal sing praise vnto thee world without end PSALME XLVI The Argument Jiudge that this and the 47. Psalme was written of Dauid or of the sonnes of Corah after those great victories which they had ouer so manie and so mightie enimies whereof mention is made 2. Sam. 8. And two principal commodities of such like victories are set forth vnto vs in this triumphant Psalme the one is because the glorie of God is by this meanes amplified with the care whereof the saintes are much more touched than with their owne profites whatsoeuer the other for that thereby it may be seene in deede that the Church alone is in safetie though it be most fiercelie assaulted by Sathan the world vtterlie destitute of mans aid the which thing the Prophet doth set forth with maruelous words figures ioining also therevnto a prophesie of the calling of the Gentiles THE PARAPHRASIS 1 WE haue proued sufficientlie by due experience that God is our defence and strength
in our dangers 2 Therefore we wil not feare at al though the earth be shaken from her foundations and the mountaines be carried into the middest of the sea 3 Though al the stormes of waters sound about vs with most horrible noise and mounting vp doe shake the verie mountaines 4 Yet the citie of God which the most high hath consecrated vnto himselfe for his habitation doth rest in the meane time safe and comforted with his most gentle and pleasant riuers 5 For seeing that God himselfe doth dwel in it how can it be subuerted nay as oft as neede is he wil wake earlie in the twi-light and wil helpe it 6 Behold the nations did rage on euerie side and the kingdomes had prepared battel euerie-where against vs but as soone as he thundered out his voice al their fiercenes although they filled the land with their multitude did fal downe their hearts melting for feare 7 For the Lord hauing farre other armies is on our side that God I saie of Iacob is our defence 8 Come hither I praie you if anie doubt of this matter or negligentlie regard these thinges and consider with me the workes of the Lord namelie what destruction and desolation is now come vpon those countries which did rage so mightilie against vs. 9 Behold how sudden these battels and tumults are ceased on euerie side behold how he hath broken the bowes and hath cut in sunder the speares and burnt al their chariots with fire 10 Heare the Lord himselfe finalie setting forth this example and thus calling vpon your enimies O ye mad men leaue off these things and learne at the least by these your miseries that I am GOD whom ye haue wounded by the sides of my people and whose name ye labour in vaine to abolish But it is so farre from your power to doe this that contrariwise I wil once dilate my glorie wide broad throughout the whole world 11 Finalie let vs conclude this fullie that the Lord being furnished with innumerable and most mightie armies standeth on our side and that that God of Iacob is a most sure defence vnto vs. PSALME XLVII The Argument The verie order of this Psalme chieflie the fift verse seemeth vnto me manifestlie to declare that this song was written by Dauid ful of most feruent zeale and sung of the sonnes of Corah in that pompe most ful of maiestie wherein he brought the Arke of the Lord at the length into the citie which was called after his owne name the which excellent storie is set downe 2. Sam. 6 1. Chro. 15. And this song of praise doth teach foure principal things 1 With how feruent zeale we are bound to seeke the glorie of God 2 How careful the princes chieflie ought to be to establish the publike holie ministerie and to amplifie it 3 What great difference there is betwixt the people chosen of God and other nations proceeding only of the mercie of God Last of al that other nations also in the end shal be partakers of this so great mercie Of these foure there is no part which doth not much more appertaine vnto vs than to the old people now when this prophesie is fulfilled at length and Christ him selfe is come vnto vs. THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Al ye people being gathered together clap your hands and praise God with most ioiful voices 2 For this is that Iehouah not closed vp in this Arke for he is higher than the verie heauens notwithstanding he setteth before our eies this testimonie of his presence and mercie this I saie is the King shewing himself terrible against his enimies this is the Lord of the whole earth 3 This is hee that wil bring into subiection the people that lie neare vnto vs ouer whome we shal haue authoritie 4 This is he that hath giuen vs that most excellent heritage by whose power we may worthilie glorie of our dignitie and honour and that by his singular benefite for none other cause but that it hath pleased him to receiue vs into his fauour 5 Behold God commeth vp to his holie mountaine with triumph the Lord commeth with sound of trumpets 6 Sing vnto God sing I saie sing praises to our King sing praises 7 For this is the greatest King by farre euen the Monarch of the whole world sing al you that can sing 8 Praise God I saie who is not onelie our King but the King of al people sitting vpon his holie throne 9 For the verie gouernours of the people shal submit themselues to the people of the God of Abraham for he is onelie the Lord of the whole world and the preseruer of the same farre higher than al powers beside PSALME XLVIII The Argument There is the same argument of this Psalme and of the 46. although it seeme to haue bene written long after in the daies of Josaphat as may appeare and is to be referred to the storie which is written 1. Chron. 20. there is added therfore the praise of the citie of Ierusalem which was a figure of the Church by the beautiful situation and by the strength of the wals and forts whereby yet the Prophet doth not saie that the safetie thereof doth stand but by God alone the Lord of the citie that we may vnderstand that the Church is preserued by the same onlie defence although so oft as it so pleaseth God it is not destitute of mans armour and defence THE PARAPHRASIS 1 DOubtles the Lord doth shew himselfe great and most worthie of al praise euery-where but this is seene chieflie in that his owne citie which knowledgeth him for their God and worshippeth him in his holie mountaine 2 For this is that mount Sion of most pleasant situation looking towards the north the ornament and ioie of the whole earth the citie of the great King 3 For there verelie God dwelleth as in his palace and there is he knowledged againe to be the onlie defence thereof 4 Neither neede we to fetch anie farre proofe of this most plaine thing for behold the kings associate together were about to set vpon it 5 The which so soone as they did behold being striken with the admiration of it fled awaie speedilie 6 For so wonderful terrour and so sudden came vpon them as the pangs of a woman that trauelleth with child 7 And as the most raging violence of the wind vseth to shake the ships sailing in the deepe seas 8 Therefore we our selues haue seene the woonders which we heard of our elders of old that were done by God to deliuer them done also in the citie of the most mightie Iehouah the citie I saie of our God the which being now defended of him he wil from hencefoorth also preserue for euer 9 Surelie ô God thou hast not disappointed vs calling for thy mercie in thy palace with ful confidence 10 And the fame of this thing whither soeuer it shal come shal stir vp al men euen to the vttermost coastes of the earth to set
I deliuer from al perils and make him partaker of euerlasting felicitie PSALME LI. The Argument This Psalme was then written of Dauid as the Hebrue title doth declare when he was most sharpelie rebuked of the Prophet Nathan for that his most horrible adulterie ioined wi h manslaughter as is witnessed 2. Sam. 12. Jt is one of the principal Psalmes of Dauid conteining a notable example of repentance which must go before remission of sinnes I saie it is notable whether thou respect the person it selfe of Dauid or else his sinne or lastlie the verie matter that is euerie part of repentance For first here is set foorth vnto vs an example of a most mightie King and of a most holie Prophet such a one who as much as anie man could had wel deserued of the Church euen to this end that we should learne that kings haue none other God than poore men haue and the higher that one is in authoritie among men the more euident and infamous is his sin for that cause he must labour the more carefullie to giue vnto other an example of repentance But now concerning him of whom here we haue to speake I knowe not whether hâ—uing consideration of the circumstances of Dauids person any monument be extant of so many heinous crimes proceeding out of one fact whereof we perceiue how great weaknes there is euen in the best most excellent men and againe we learne what exceeding mercie the most gratious and most mightie God doth shew to euerie one that do repent But if we carefullie ponder that which is the principal point I can not tel whether euer there were anie example heretofore of such a repentance For as concerning the inward acknowledging and abhorring of the sinne which they cal contrition J see not what can be required as wanting in it sith Dauid confesseth that he was guiltie of eternal damnation euen from the first moment of his conception and most exquisitelie searcheth forth al the circumstances of his offence so farre is he from seeking anie excuses to couer it and from dreaming of anie recompence for his deserts But if we consider the outward confession of the sinne which is another part of true repentance the which commonlie they confound with satisfaction what a rare example is this of so great a king and so worthie a Prophet that laieng aside al humane respect either of his roial maiestie or priuate reputation did not onlie suffer the storie of that his crime to be put in writing but euen he himselfe wrote a perpetual testimonie of his acknowledging of the fact thereby to satisfie the whole Church For the holie man knew that we must be ashamed of sinne not of repentance or turning from sinne and that a skarre that is seared or a blot that is printed in vs by sinne is not increased by such a publike confession as is made before the Church but rather is cured vp and taken awaie Dauid so farre differeth from the deintie men of our age that had rather beare anie thing than the yoke of this discipline and gouernement that though he were a king of great power yet he willinglie submitteth himselfe vnto it Finallie the commoditie of true repentance doth here also most euidentlie appeare in that God doth neuer forsake those that are truelie penitent but contrariwise turneth euen their verie sinnes both to his glorie and their amendement and comforts And there are ioined in this Psalme also two principal pointes of true religion the one of original sinne the other of the abuse of sacrifices as though the purgation of sinne consisted in that outward ceremonie whereas on the contrarie part the sacrifices that proceeded from vnpure men did not please God and therefore forgiuenes of sinnes must go before which afterwards should be sealed in the hearts of the beleeuers by the sacrifices which are made and offered by faith THE PARAPHRASIS 1 WHat excuse shal I bring ô God what pretence shal I make None at al. I onelie beseech thee most merciful GOD to haue mercie vpon me most miserable sinner And whereas this one wickednes of mine conteineth manie sinnes that thou wouldest grant vnto me not one mercie but thy whole mercies whatsoeuer that my sinnes may be done awaie at once 2 Certeinlie this fault is so fowle and this blot sticketh so sore vnto me that I can not persuade my selfe that it can be washed awaie of thee but by great difficultie wash me therefore ô my God againe and againe and oftentimes whilest the filth of so great wickednes be vtterlie washed awaie 3 For I do not denie or lessen my fault but I detest and abhorre my most greeuous sinnes dailie set before mine eies 4 For though I haue greeuouslie offended men yet haue I chieflie to do with thee For vnto thee vnto thee haue I peculiarlie offended and though I went about to deceiue men yet could I not deceiue thee a most euident eie-witnesse and my iudge Therefore I neither desire to be iustified neither can I desire it seeing thou hast decreed most iustlie those things that thou hast pronounced against me and I confesse plainelie that nothing is faultie in thy iudgements toward me 5. Yea and though I had not committed these horrible factes who am I but a mortal man most worthie death and destruction being euen then corrupt and guiltie when my mother conceiued me and polluted with sinne euen then when she nourished me in her wombe 6 And why should I alledge the sacrifices offered vnto thee by me and such other things for thou doest onlie alow that righteousnes that resteth in the secret of the heart the which this same thing yet declareth that I wanted notwithstanding I confesse that thou hast taught me that thy wisedome not as thou hast done euerie one but as one of thy houshold priuatelie and most familiarlie 7 Wherefore I stand heere before thee the greatest of al sinners but doe that which thou onlie canst do purge me ô God with that thy true hysop al my filth shal straightwaies vanish awaie wash thou me I shal suddenlie be whiter than snowe 8 Comfort me with the testimonie of thy holie spirit which may bring vnto me that most comfortable and most ioiful message of the forgiuenes of sinnes so shalt thou suddenlie refresh the bones which thou hast worthilie broken 9 Doe not I beseech thee doe not behold my sinnes but rather rase out of thy tables at once al the wickednes that I haue committed 10 Begin againe ô God that thy verie worke which thou hadst begun in me and is left off because I haue letted it namelie the purenes of my heart of the which thou art the onelie author and creator and renew those holie motions of my heart within me 11 Ah! do not cast me awaie out of thy sight though I be worthie to perish neither spoile me at once of the gift of thy holie spirit 12 Restore vnto me rather that vnspeakable
that moued him to that crueltie by whose rage to auoide their craftie snares he came into so great danger Howsoeuer it be this Psalme doth shew vnto vs the example of a singular faith and constancie especiallie if we consider the person of Dauid and from how great dignitie without anie fault committed of him he was throwne downe into so miserable condition THE PARAPHRASIS 1 AH my God! haue mercie vpon a man most miserable how neare was it that he should swalowe me neither doth he yet cease to beset me round about and to bring me to extremitie as if he would deuoure me 2 These men I saie whither soeuer I remooue or go lieng in wait most diligentlie haue a mind to deuoure me and a great multitude do fight against me ô God most high 3 Notwithstanding when feare commeth vpon me I flie vnto thee 4 And why should I not glorie of that thou hast spoken vnto me most boldlie Wherefore I trust in thee ô God and wil not be afraid For what can these mortal men do against me that rest vpon the power of God who hath testified his good wil vnto me 5 They are wholie bent vpon this that whatsoeuer I intend I speake or doe they may peruert it and therevpon take occasion falselie to accuse me 6 They go together closelie following me at the verie heeles seeking this one thing how they may take my life from me 7 Notwithstanding yet they hope by their crafts to escape thy hands but thou ô Lord how manie soeuer they be and how great soeuer their conspiracies be cast them downe I beseech thee 8 I knowe that thou hast al my wanderings to and fro in a reckoning I beseech thee gather my teares into thy bottels they are I trust registred in thy counting bookes 9 Wherefore so oft as I shal cal vpon thee mine enimies shal be put to flight For I knowe this assuredlie that thou art of my side 10 For I haue the word of God whereof I glorie the word of God I saie whereof I wil glorie 11 Wherefore resting vpon God what should I feare and what can anie mortal man doe against mee 12 O how greatlie do these so manie and so great benefits bind mee vnto thee but I wil paie that which onlie I am able namelie the continual magnifieng of thy mercie 13 For thou hast deliuered my life foorth of the most present doores of death and thou hast raised me when I was cast downe and that I liue now I may onlie thanke thee PSALME LVII The Argument Another most great daunger much like to the former which is sâ—t foorth 1. Sam. 24. gaue the occasion of writing this Psalme whereof we may gather that it lieth in the hand of God not onlie with how great but with how long miseries yea euen by wicked men he wil exercise his seruants and therfore that we must praie continuallie as wel for the gifts of constancie and perseuerance as for the gift of faith Jn other things this Psalme is to the same purpose as certeine other that went before and written of like occasion THE PARAPHRASIS 1 NOw at the length ô Lord it is high time that thou either looke vpon me or else I am vndone Wherefore haue mercie haue mercie vpon mee I saie ô God for this my soule doth onlie trust in thee and I flie onlie vnto thee vnder the shadow of whose wings I may lie hid so long whilest these great calamities do passe ouer 2 I crie vnto thee ô God most high that thou wouldest finish that which thou hast begun in me 3 And so doubtles wil it come to passe For the Lord wil send helpe from heauen because I find none in the earth and he wil not suffer mee so shamefullie to be deuoured For there wil come downe from the heauen to deliuer me two inuincible helpes for defence euen his mercie and that most high and sure faith which he declareth in the perfourming of his promises 4 In the meane season I graunt my selfe exposed of the one side to the pawes of the lions and the crueltie of most outragious men and of the other side to the false slanders of most shameles accusers whose teeth are like vnto speares and arrowes and their tong more hurtful than most sharpe swords 5 But thou ô God declare that thou dwellest euen aboue the heauens and cause that thy glorie may be published throughout the whole world 6 Whither soeuer I mooue my foote their net is spread to take me I doe lie as it were throwne downe vpon the earth I see before mine eies the pit into the which they hope to cast me downe headlong but the matter wil go otherwaies For they contrariwise shal fal into the selfe-same pit 7 Therefore ô God I being now prepared with my whole heart with my whole heart I saie haue great desire to praise thee both with my voice and harpe 8 Go to my tongue go to both lute and harpe awake with me in the morning 9 Euen the gentils most farre distant shal heare me declaring thy praises the people shal heare me sing vnto thee 10 For surelie thy goodnes extendeth it selfe vnto the heauens and thy truth vnto the clouds 11 Declare thy selfe ô God to sit aboue the verie heauens and shew forth thy glorie to the whole world PSALME LVIII The Argument Jt may be collected of this Psalme that Saul that he might haue some excuse to couer his hatred against Dauid did gather a councel of the states whereby he procured him being absent to be condemned as a publike enimie now there is no greater iniurie than that which doth oppresse vnder the cloake of lawe wherefore Dauid comforting himselfe and appealing to God doth paint forth those most corrupt iudges in their owne colours as one that knew them verie wel and also doth pronounce the sentence against them in the name of God himselfe not as a priuate man but as a Prophet and as a king alreadie allowed of God and he vseth similitudes most agreeable to the couetousnesse and ambition of such maner of men For where they haue this purpose chieflie that they may set themselues aloft and their children by these practises yet God doth oftentimes cut them off in the mid course of their couetous desires furthermore their posteritie cleane contrarie to the opinion of their fathers doth either consume awaie by little and little in the sight of al men or is destroied by some sudden rage THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Yee states and senatours tel me I praie you if there remaine anie sparkle of conscience in you Is this to decree iust iudgement O ye mortal men of how great dignitie soeuer ye be doe ye iudge aright 2 Naie surely seeing the matter it selfe declareth that inwardlie ye deuise al manner of wickednes outwardlie and openlie in al mens sight yee doe weigh nothing but iniurie in your ballance 3 Neither is this now the first time that ye do so for I
he is my rocke my saluation my tower I cannot fal 7 My health dependeth on him alone although I be forsaken of al men he wil exalt mee into the highest place of honour whome these men couet to cast downe he wil receiue me which am assaulted of al into his high and inuincible tower This is he in whome onlie I haue setled my hope 8 Powre foorth therefore vnto him al the cares and griefes of the mind al yee people following mine example trust in him if you be wise both in prosperitie and aduersitie seeing he alone is the most safe refuge vnto vs. 9 For men are but meere vanitie and nothing is more deceiuable than the men euen of most might yea if thou wouldest weigh in ballance nothing it selfe with mortal men and withal that is in their power nothing would weigh them al downe 10 Dreame not therefore as mad men vse to doe that you can growe more great by force or by deceit and if riches fal vnto you set not your minds vpon them and so be deceiued with vaine hope 11 But rather set this before you that God hath testified so plainlie both with wordes and by the end of things I my selfe haue proued oftentimes by experience that al power remaineth in God 12 Oh Lord as thou art the greatest so art thou far the best and most merciful therefore it cannot be but thou wilt giue due punishment vnto the wicked as they deserue and thou wilt comfort thine that loue righteousnes for thy great mercie sake PSALME LXIII The Argument The Hebrue title of this Psalme doth refer the argument thereof vnto the time when Dauid wandered miserablie and ful of sorowe in the wildernes of Herith 1. Sam. 22.5 and Engaddie 2. Sam. 24. Now the greater that these dangers were so much the more excellent example of faith constancie doth this Psalme shew as some other before and folowing after But this is chiefelie to be obserued that he being cast downe so suddenlie from so high dignitie doth lament for nothing that was taken from him but onlie that he had not libertie to go into the tabernacle of the Lord the which is a most greeuous accusation of them who either do despise so good a thing being present especiallie contemning the vse of the sacraments either caring for nothng lesse than that they should be counted in the Church yet doth he comfort himselfe in this thing that he wanteth this great commoditie neither by his fault nor negligence THE PARAPHRASIS 1 AH God my God! though I do want the sight of thy house most sore against my wil be it far from me yet that I should not remember thee naie the farther and longer that I am absent so much the more my soule is inflamed with desire to seeke thee dailie in the twi-light and I wholie desire thee in this drie ground and thirstie wanting chiefelie thy waters 2 Vnles the rage of mine enimies had letted me I do testifie that I desired nothing more than to behold thee in thy sanctuarie and therefore would haue hastened speedilie to those visible signes of thy power and Maiestie 3 For doubtles this thy goodnes that offereth itselfe as it were there to be handled is more sweete by farre than life it selfe the which also I would set foorth with al my power 4 Wherefore I would leade my life there in setting foorth thy praises there would I lift vp my hands with others and openlie cal vpon thy name 5 There would I sound foorth thy praises with lowd voice with my heart satisfied with the fatnes and marowe of thy most holie delicates 6 But seeing that this thing is now denied vnto me most miserable man and I am compelled to change my place euerie moment I do that thing which onelie I am able to wit whithersoeuer I come I cease not to thinke of thee and I do euen consume the nightes without sleepe in the meditation of thy benefites 7 And why should I not do so hauing experience so oft of thy helpe therefore do I now not onlie rest safelie vnder the defence of thy wings but also I reioice and triumph 8 For I am far absent in deede in my bodie from thy house but without anie fault of mine yet do I cleaue vnto thee in my heart wholie as thou doest strengthen me againe which am weake with thine inward strength though I be destitute of those thy dailie helpes 9 But these contrariwise are wholie bent to cast me downe yet shal they be cast into the verie lowest places of the earth 10 I forewarne I saie that the edge of the sword shal consume him and they shal be torne of wilde beastes 11 But I ô God to whome thou hast appointed the kingdome wil reioice and praise thee vnto whome they that do worship thee trulie and deuoutelie wil ioine themselues as companions with me but these men that beare thy name in hypocrisie shal then haue their mouthes stopped at the last and keepe silence PSALME LXIIII. The Argument By this Psalme as by manie other we may euidentlie perceiue how Dauid did not powre out so manie complaintes for naught and how great his constancie was of the which examples how great the commodity is those onlie knowe to whome it is giuen not onlie that they should beleeue but also that thy should suffer for Christes sake THE PARAPHRASIS 1 VErelie ô God to whome besides thee shal I flie thou then heare me powring foorth iust complaintes with a lowd voice and preserue me sore striken with the feare of the enimie and brought into most present danger of life 2 Couer me against the craftes of these wicked men and against the assemblies of mischieuous persons 3 For they haue sharpened their tongue like a sword against mee and most bitter slanders as it were arrowes laied to the string 4 That they might wound me by subtile traines though vnguiltie that they neither fearing God nor men might strike me through suddenlie at vnwares 5 Neither do they this lightlie or by errour but they harden themselues more and more in these most wicked purposes and do with al diligence laie snares for mee and that so boldlie that they saie that their crafts can be perceiued of none 6 For they haue searched out most hid things and there is no craft so subtile and lieng so deepe in the heart of anie which they haue not throughlie searched out 7 But what haue they prevailed for God wil strike them through with a most certaine and greeuous wound which streightwaie shal followe 8 And they shal be perceiued in the end that they haue called downe vpon themselues by their cursed speech that euil which they thought to bring vpon me this shal be done in the sight of al men standing amazed at their iust punishment 9 They shal be I saie a gazing stocke vnto al men and there shal be no man which shal not commend and haue in admiration this worke of God
which he did of old when he preserued our elders putting to flight the kings of Basan and brought them through the deepe streames of the sea 23 Wherefore then ô people thou didst walke through the middest of the heapes of thine enimies that were slaine dogs licking their bloud 24 Then ô God our elders did see thee going ô my God they did see thee going I saie within thy holie tabernacle ô my King 25 The singers went before thee the trumpetters folowing thee the companie of damsels also did plaie vpon the timbrels on euerie side one sort exhorting an other by course with this maner of song 26 Go to praise God with courage praise the Lord by course ye that come of Israël 27 Beniamin on the one side which was the youngest hath mightilie ouercome the enimie Iuda on the other side hath destroied them with stones also the valiantnes and noble victorie of the princes of Zabulon and Ephraim is famous 28 And as we knowledge al this power to haue proceeded from thee alone so disposing it so doe we now praie ô God that thou wilt confirme it more and more vnto vs. 29 And we doubt not but thou wilt so doe much more hereafter than euer before foorth of thy holie palace which thou hast chosen vnto thee at Ierusalem whither the verie kings also shal once come and shal offer gifts vnto thee 30 Represse therefore and bridle with thy terrible rebuke those cruel beasts that breake foorth of their holes and dens fierce rankes of buls and scatter the people that are like wanton calues that go proudlie decked in siluer euen the people that couet wars 31 Surelie the time wil come when the princes of Aegypt shal run hither vnto thee the Aethiopians with great haste shal hold vp their hands humblie vnto thee 32 Go to then ye kingdomes scattered through the earth praise God with melodie and sing vnto the Lord 33 Euen vnto the Lord that sitteth vpon those most high heauens from al eternitie as it were vpon a chariot and maketh a terrible and most mightie sound from thence 34 Acknowledge ye his power the maiestie wherof doth no lesse shine foorth in Israël than the thunders sounding in the clouds 35 For this is that sanctuarie ô God out of the which thou declarest thy selfe terrible vnto thine enimies but vnto thine ô God of Israël thou wilt minister power and strength therefore al praise and glorie be giuen vnto thee for euer PSALME LXIX The Argument Although this Psalme is altogether agreeable with the 22 Psalme written in the forme of a praier and no doubt by the occasion which either the flieng of Dauid out of the court of Saule seemeth to offer when the chastitie of his wife was not preserued safe vnto him who was married vnto an other husband much lesse did they spare his goods to the which opinion I doe incline or the treason of Absalom yet is it certaine that the holie Ghost did so gouerne the mind and the hand of the Prophet that he seemeth to haue regarded those things rather whereof he was a figure than himselfe if not in euerie place of the Psalme yet surelie in the most part thereof So then is Christ our mediatour rather brought in complaining vnto God of the crueltie of his people which could be ouercome by none of his benefits than Dauid complaining of his enimies and he also wisheth and forewarneth those punishment which the people of the Jewes did worthilie suffer for their ingratitude wherewith we also now see that they are punished of the which mystical interpretation we haue most cleare witnesses Matth. 27 48. Luke 1 20. Iohn 2 18. and 19 28. Last of al Paule Rom. 11 9. and 15 3. And seeing the members must be conformed vnto the head it followeth that there wil be great vse and commoditie of this Psalme so long as the Church shal soiourne vpon earth THE PARAPHRASIS 1 DEliuer me ô God euen now readie to be swallowed with these streames of water 2 For I am now cast downe into the most deepe mirie pit where I can by no meanes fasten my foote and I am drowned with most deepe waters flowing vpon me on euerie side 3 I am wearied with crieng my iawes are pained with hoarsenes also mine eies haue failed while I earnestlie wait for my God 4 Furthermore I may more easilie tel the haires of mine head than the multitude of mine enimies which hate me causelesse yea and the number of them that hate me deadlie is increased dailie and which thing is most greeuous of al those that spoile my goods deale so with me as though I had first spoiled others 5 But thou ô God knowest verie wel whether I haue behaued my selfe vprightlie and wiselie or no and whether I be a wicked man as these doe slander me 6 What then if I be forsaken of thee verelie they must needs also be ashamed who haue ioined them selues with me trusting to the promises that thou hast made vnto me O most mightie Lord staie thou this thing that it come not to passe neither suffer that they faile of their hope which seeke thee the God of Israël in the defence of my cause 7 For doubtles whatsoeuer they pretend they would wound not me but thee by my side and for thy cause alone am I so railed vpon and doe lie downe couered with reproch 8 Neither am I forsaken of strangers onelie but also my kinsemen and mine owne brethren doe despise me as an vnknowne person and as I were not ioined vnto them with any bond of consanguinitie 9 For euen so oft as I perceiued thy glorie to be diminished I burnt with sorrowe the which thing I neither would nor could dissemble and I accounted my self to be wounded with the reproches cast out against me 10 Wherefore I being in great heauines haue absteined euen from my meate for sorrowe the which my care these men had in derision 11 I laid downe my garment I saie and tooke vnto me haire cloth the which thing these men turned into scoffes 12 So that in the publike assemblies also they ceased not to prate on me and feasting merilie they made songs of me 13 What shal I do then Verelie ô Lord I doe notwithstanding powre out my praiers vnto thee being nothing afraid either of the power or of the pride of these men For though thou hast now loosed the raines to their dissolute wickednes I doe knowe that thou hast appointed a time againe when thou wilt bridle them and wilt declare in deed how much thou louest thine Wherefore I beseech thee ô God by that thine infinite mercie that of thy great and most assured goodnes thou wilt heare me when I crie 14 Deliuer me I beseech thee from this deuouring pit least I be wholie swallowed vp deliuer me from mine enimies and from the floud of so manie miseries 15 Forbid I beseech thee least I be ouerwhelmed vtterlie by the abundance of waters least
Asaph and others THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Lord mightie in battell how amiable are thy tabernacles 2 Wherefore for the desire of the visiting of thy courtes ô Lord which is vtterlie denied me I am wholie consumed coueting most earnestlie both in bodie and mind to come vnto thee ô God the authour of life 3 Oh alas is my condition worse than that of the sparowes and swalowes to whome it is permitted to finde some place where they may make their nests ô thine altars Lord of hosts my King and my God 4 O blessed are they that are permitted to dwel with thee and to set foorth thy praises continuallie 5 O blessed is that man to whome thou giuest grace to vse those thy sacraments appointed to strengthen their faith and who as he commeth in bodie vnto thy sanctuarie carrieth thy lawes grauen in his heart 6 Wherefore me thinkes I see the great multitudes of them that come vnto thee to go thorough the drie mores and wild figtrees affraid of no difficulties by the waie who rather than they should leaue off the iournie that they haue vndertaken do partlie dig pits with great diligence to receiue the running waters partlie do make cesternes with great labour to holde the raine-water 7 Neither do they ceasse but continue and increase in constancie whilest that one band and multitude meeting now and then with another they do come vnto thee ô high God into thy presence euen vnto Sion 8 O Lord of hosts heare my praiers giue eare vnto me poore miser ô God of Iacob 9 O God our defender behold me and regard the king whome thou hast annointed 10 For how far better is it to passe one daie in thy house than a thousand in anie place elsewhere therefore I wish rather my God to be the porter in thy house than to haue anie maner of condition amongst the prophane men polluted with sinne 11 For in other places there are continual and horrible darkenes but light is onelie with thee which art the verie true Sunne it selfe ô Lord and nothing is safe anie where else but in thee ô God the defender of thine there is most certaine safetie and the abundance of thy blessings which is appointed to them that trulie and sincerelie worship thee is infinite 12 O blessed is he Lord of hoasts which setteth al his confidence onlie in thee PSALME LXXXV The Argument This Psalme hauing the Korites for the authours thereof manie do refer to the time which folowed their returne from the captiuitie of Babylon when yet the building of the temple and the citie was letted by the Gentiles that dwelt about them But I leaue it to be considered whether it ought rather to be applied to the beginning of the kingdome of Dauid so that by the name of captiuitie not the carieng awaie of them from their habitation is to be vnderstood but the miserable seruitude of the people vnder the Palestines which had ouercome them after the death of Saule Howsoeuer it is we vnderstand by this Psalme that the Church is so pressed and vexed euen when God seemeth most iustlie to be angrie that yet it is not oppressed Furthermore this Psalme doth teach vs with what weapons chieflie the enimies being conquerours are repulsed euen by repentance and by praiers proceeding of faith whereof we haue heere a most excellent example Finallie there is added a verie cleare prophesie of the sending of Messiah in whom as Paule saith al the blessings are ratified that we may learne which are the proper and peculiar benefites of the Church and of the spiritual kingdome of Christ and to whome we must attribute the benefite of publike peace and tranquillitie when God doth grant it vnto vs. THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Lord thou hast manie times shewed thy selfe merciful to the inhabitants of thy land thou hast restored the posteritie of Iacob from most miserable bondage vnto libertie 2 Thou hast taken awaie the iniquitie of thy people thou hast couered al their sinnes 3 Thou hast put awaie al thy wrath thou hast suppressed thy wrath I saie that it should not vtterlie flame foorth 4 Continue now therefore ô God our deliuerer to change our miserable condition and command thy wrath wholie to depart 5 I praie thee wilt thou be angrie for euer and wilt thou continue thy wrath vnto al ages 6 Wilt thou not rather restore vs to life againe and giue vs occasion againe to praise thee with great gladnes 7 Ah Lord graunt that thy mercie may appeare vnto vs and that we being deliuered may haue experience of thy great benignitie 8 But why should I vse manie words vnto God surelie it is better diligentlie to heare what God our Lord answereth vnto me For I nothing doubt but he wil answere most gentlie and promise al prosperitie to that his people towards whome it hath alwaie pleased him to vse so great liberalitie that they being admonished may be wise hereafter 9 For although al things seeme desperate deliuerance is not far off from them that worship him and that time is neere when our land now lieng in miserie shal recouer her former beautie 10 For the mercie of God shal shine vnto vs to whom also his truth shal ioine in societie Furthermore iustice and peace another noble match meeting together with mutual imbraceings shal receiue one another 11 Then the minds of men being changed againe from infidelitie vnto faithfulnes truth comming downe from heauen shal appeare in earth which the spirit of righteousnes shal make fruitful from aboue 12 So wil it come to passe that the Lord wil powre out al kind of good things vpon vs and the earth shal bring foorth her fruits abundantlie 13 Finallie al things shal be done in most due manner and order and euerie man shal frame his manners after the rule appointed of God PSALME LXXXVI The Argument This Psalme of Dauid doth also containe a verie notable example of most feruent praiers with most pretious sentences adioined partlie of the wil of God declared vnto vs and oftentimes experienced towards vs partlie drawne from his infinite power whereby wee may be comforted euen in the greatest miseries and most desperate Now the praier of Dauid is of two sorts one that he may be preserued in this life against his most cruel and most mightie enimies vnto this end that the name of God may be spread to the vttermost coasts of the earth namelie by the comming of Messiah which should be borne of him the which promise should come to naught vnlesse God did bridle the rage and madnes of the enimies another cause the chiefe is euen as the foundation of the former that God should not suffer him being broken with the greatnes of the dangers to fal awaie as it happeneth somtimes euen to them that are most strong vnlesse that God by the power of his spirit doe strengthen our wauering faith THE PARAPHRASIS 1 GIue eare vnto me ô Lord and heare mee that am oppressed
Psalme and other foure that followe haue neither the name of the writer nor the occasion of the writing set before them in Hebrue but they seeme altogether to be written by Dauid which thing is noted in the Greeke and that at the same time when he brought in the Arke of the Lord into his citie as it is written 1. Chron. 15. whereof we did speake vpon the Psalme 47. either verelie when he dâ—clared the building of the temple of the Lord a little before the death of Salomon which historie is written 1. Chron. 29. and it doth conteine the doctrine of the true vse of the temple of al the holie rites wherewith both Messiah himsâ—lfe and al his office was shadowed Therefore notable and plaine prophesies are adioined of his comming and of that spreading of his spiritual kingdome throughout the whole world so that Christ did not vnworthilie admonish the senselesse Jewes with these words Search the scriptures for they beare witnes of me THE PARAPHRASIS 1 SIng vnto the Lord a new song sing vnto the Lord al ye inhabitants of the earth 2 Sing I saie vnto the Lord giue him thanks shew foorth without ceasing the saluation that he hath wrought 3 Rehearse vnto the Gentiles and to al people his excellent and maruellous works 4 For the Lord alone is great and no praise is sufficient for him and he is to be feared worthilie but not those false and feigned gods 5 For they verelie are vaine though the people do worship them so deuoutlie but the Lord hath created the verie heauens 6 Maiestie and honour doe go befoâ—e him shining foorth in his works and it is declared in his sanctuarie both how great his power and glorie is 7 Giue therefore vnto the Lord al ye people assembled together giue I saie vnto the Lord the praise of power and glorie 8 Giue honour vnto the Lord due vnto his name and take an oblation and enter into the courts consecrated vnto him 9 Worship the Lord sitting in that his renowmed sanctuarie al ye inhabitants of the earth reuerence his Maiestie 10 Proclame on euerie side ô ye criers Now is the Lord come to reigne ouer the whole earth now verelie the world shal be established now shal the people be gouerned with a iust and righteous gouernement 11 Let the heauens be glad and the earth reioice and the roring sea how wide soeuer it lieth testifie her ioie 12 Let the fields leape for ioie and whatsoeuer is in the fields finallie let al the trees of the wood now reioice 13 Before the Lord for lo he commeth he commeth to gouerne the earth to gouerne the world I saie and al the people with the scepter of his iustice and truth PSALME XCVII The Argument Jt falleth out in the Psalmes as in a doubtful feast that thou canst not easilie iudge which to prefer before another This Psalme verely is most worthie for al the godlie to meditate most diligentlie as a most diuine briefe summe of al the mysterie of the Gospel and these are the chiefe places thereof First the diuinitie of Christ by the repeating of the name Iehouah sixe times and by attributing al glorie and power vnto him verse 2 5 6 9 10. finallie by worshipping of the verie Angels verse 7. it is most manifestlie confirmed as the Apostle doth interpret it Heb. 1 6. Secondlie his humanitie as the same Apostle doth interpret it which thing is also prooued hereby that here it is treated of that kingdome as it were first then to be begun verse 1 2 6 9. wherby it is plaine that it cannot be referred onelie to his godhead but that it apperteineth necessarilie vnto the King that should be borne of the stocke of Dauid which should so be God that he should also be man and so also man that he should be verie God Thirdlie a plaine prophesie of the spreading of the spiritual kingdome throughout the whole world verse 1 5 6. wherevnto Christ himselfe had regard Ioh. 5 22. Mat. 28 18. Fourthly the rebellion of verie manie vnto whom the Gospel should be now is the sauor of death vnto death verse 2 3 4 5 wherevnto Christ had respect Luke 12 49. For J had rather interpret these things thus than to applie them to the preaching of the lawe Fiftlie that incredible power of the spirit of God which should declare it selfe in the ministerie of the Apostles verse 1 6 7 9. the which thing Christ also foretold before Iohn 12 32. and 14 12. Sixtlie the exaltation of the verie person of Christ verse 9. wherevnto the Apostle manifestlie alluded Ephe. 4 10. and Philip. 2.9 Seuenthlie faith by bearing the word in the elect and the vnspeakable ioie of the conscience that shal folowe thereof verse 8. Eightlie the office of those that are iustified and sanctified verse 10. Ninthlie the crosse is like a certaine apparitor attending vpon the promises of the Gospel which yet shal haue a most ioiful end verse 11. and 12. Wherevnto the Apostle most manifestlie alluded Philip. 4.4 THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THe Lord being so long inclosed as it were within the smal and narrowe bounds of one people now at the length he beginneth his kingdome ouer al the world wherefore let the earth reioice and al ye most great countries euen beyond the seas be ye ioiful 2 For he is come although verie mild and meeke towards his yet to be reuerenced of his owne both for his diuine Maiestie and also terrible to his enimies how fierce soeuer they be euen compassed about with the blacke darknes of the clouds and sitting vpon a throne staied as it were with two vnmoueable pillers namelie iustice which he sheweth in keeping promise with his owne and defending them by his couenant and most seuere iudgement whereby he punisheth his aduersaries 3 A flaming fire shal then go before him and shal take hold on his enimies on euerie side 4 The lightenings breaking forth from his iudgement seate shal fil the world with glittering light they shal see this in the end euen against their wils which are most blind and they shal tremble thoroughout the compasse of the earth 5 The hils at the sight of the Lord at the sight I saie of the Lord of al the earth shal melt 6 But vnto others that are willing to be taught and readie to obeie he wil shew himselfe so iust and minful of his mercie promised that the verie heauens being astonished with so great so glorious bountie powred out by him vpon al people as farre as the heauens are extended shal set foorth this so great a benefite as it were with a sounding voice 7 Go to then be ye ashamed of your most filthie seruitude ô ye slaues of the idols but ô ye euen the verie Angels worship him as your Lord and King 8 But who wil heare these things verelie the true Sion who with the residue of the cities of her dominion as a mother with her daughters
his diuine worship 8 And thou ô Lord our God giuing eare vnto them hast suffered thy selfe oftentimes to be pacified by their praiers although thou diddest not leaue the sinnes of some of them vnpunished that were wicked 9 Wherefore take courage and extol the Lord our God with praises and worship at his holie hil for the Lord our God is holie PSALME C. The Argument The Hebrue title doth declare that this Psalme most short in deede but verie excellent both for the pleasantnesse of words and the grauitie of the matter was written for this cause that it should be sung in the sacrifices of thankesgiuing And it doth rehearse two most great benefites the one of the creation which is common vnto al men the other of the free adoption annexed with the perpetual protection the which vnspeakeable benefite is peculiar vnto the Church which for this cause is called the worke of God THE PARAPHRASIS 1 SOund out the trumpets vnto the Lord al ye inhabitants of the earth 2 Come hither with ioie to giue due worship vnto the Lord present your selues in his sight and offer praiers vnto him 3 Knowledge at the length this Iehouah to be the God This is he that hath euen made vs when we had no being of our selues and which is another peculiar benefite of him toward vs euen the far greatest of al This is he by whose mercie we are a people consecrate vnto him and the sheepe of his pastures 4 Come therfore I saie to the gates of his house to praise him enter into his courts to sing forth his praises praise ye him and publish his name 5 For the Lord is good of infinite mercie and mindful of his promises through al ages for euer PSALME CI. The Argument Dauid when he had receiued the promise of the kingdome not thinking so much of the great honour that was giuen him as of the greeuous burthen that should be laide vpon him and as it is probable beholding the faults of Saul and the disordered state of the whole kingdome he would bind both himselfe and his posteritie as it were with a solemne vow before God in this Psalme wherin al the office of a king with a maruelous breuitie is explaned though generallie yet verie exactlie First of al then he bindeth the whole office of a king to two principal vertues euen mercie and iudgement whereof the one causeth that kings be rather loued than feared and this other by the vse of scripture declareth the seueritie whereby the obstinate are brideled and kept in order and it is contrarie to that softnes which doth not onelie giue some release from the bonds of the lawe but doth vtterlie dissolue them Neither doth he treate of these vertues after the maner of the Philosophers but he wil haue them both consecrate vnto God and therefore to be applied vnto the lawes appointed by God himselfe Then comming to the vse of these vertues he doth testifie that he wil not arrogate vnto himselfe the gouernement of this kingdome promised but onelie receiue it of the hand of GOD himselfe deliuering it vnto him the which thing hee did most religiouslie afterward obserue Hee treateth first of the preparing of himselfe to performe this office secondlie of the right ordering of his owne priuate familie and thirdlie of the verie office charge and duetie of a king Wherefore in the second verse beginning the right order of gouernement at himselfe far vnlike vnto those which do nothing lesse than that they command to others he maketh a vowe that he wil giue great care to vnderstand which is the right waie beeing mindful doubtles of the words of the Lord vnto Joshua Ioshua 1. 7. and 8. and that he neuer declining from that waie declared by God he wil learne by the right gouernement of his owne familie to execute the office of a king as is conuenient Afterward treating of the verie publike charge and beginning againe at himselfe he promiseth that he wil neither take euil counsel willinglie of himselfe neither that he wil followe euil examples And whereas the Princes that haue power in their hands to satisfie their lustes do vse to inuent infinite such things either of themselues or take hold of the same most greedilie which they learne of others that are about them Dauid addeth that he wil most carefullie eschue men of corrupt manners Finallie whereas Princes are compelled of necessitie to vse the seruice of manie others by whose eies both they must see manie things and heare by their eares and stand in neede of their counsels he promiseth that he wil receiue no man whome he shal knowe to be of an euil conscience and that he wil punish euen with death the false accusers which are the poison of mankinde and that he wil by no meanes suffer the proude and the ambitious and that he wil vse the counsel and endeuour of men of fidelitie and vprightnes and wil diligentlie search for them and either neuer cal to counsel or chase far awaie the craftie and deceitful Finallie he promising that he wil be no lesse a seueare iudge against wicked men than a merciful dâ—fender and foster-father of his owne he declareth the last and chiefe end of the ciuil gouernement which was vnknowne of the Philosophers to wit that the Lord should be worshipped purelie and sincerelie in his Citie that is in his Church THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Lord I being appointed king by thee after such a manner of bountifulnes as neuer was heard do consecrate this song vnto thee both of mercie and iudgement wherevnto I do bind my selfe before thee to performe them in the gouernement of the kingdome 2 First of al then vnto that time that I be set ouer the kingdome by thee whome I determined neuer to preuent I wil giue al diligence that both I may throughlie knowe the right waie appointed by thee and may obserue the same purelie in my house 3 I wil neuer set before me to do anie wicked thing I wil forsake them that are of corrupt manners neither wil I take anie such to me 4 I wil put far from me the authours of euil counsels neither wil I embrace at anie time the thing that I knowe to be euil 5 I wil destroie the slanderers and false accusers I wil not suffer the proud and the ambitious 6 I searching out on euerie side men that loue the truth wil take them to be my familiar companions and I wil not vse in doing mine affaires anie but such as are trustie and faithful 7 The subtil man wil I thrust foorth of my house neither wil I suffer those that speake deceiptfullie 8 To conclude I wil painefullie and without anie delaie worthilie punish whomesoeuer I shal vnderstand to be wicked and I wil purge the holie citie of the Lord from al wicked persons PSALME CII The Argument The Hebrew title doth insinuate and the text it selfe especiallie verse 14. and 15. doth much more euidentlie declare that this
3 For it is he alone who forgiueth al thy sinnes of his vnspeakeable mercie and so plaieng the part of a Physician wiping away the woore of the deadlie woundes wherewith thou wast wounded thorough thy sinnes doth cure the verie diseases themselues to wit euen the original sinnes 4 This is he who when thou wast appointed to death did redeeme thee as his owne and hath adorned thee with benefites as testimonies of his singular goodnes and mercie 5 This is he who vseth to minister vnto thee most abundantlie meate to eate and to renew thee with giuing thee new and new strength like the eagle that liueth most long 6 This is he who being mindful of his promises doth defend the suppliants flieng vnto him for succour and doth punish seuerelie those that do anie iniurie vnto others 7 This is he who declared the waie vnto Moses wherein we should walke and hath preserued Israël shewing so manie miracles 8 This is finallie that Iehouah who euer was most readie to haue compassion vpon the miseries of his people and most readie to pardon them most slowe to anger ful of goodnes and mercie 9 Euen readie to forgiue and not retaining iniuries in memorie 10 For surelie he hath not so dealt with vs as our sinnes did deserue neither hath he rendred punishment agreeable to our wickednesse 11 Naie looke how much more greater the heauen is than the earth both in largenes and in height so much more doth his goodnes excell and as it were swalowe vp their sinnes who being penitent and sorowful for them do feare him 12 So far as the east is distant from the west so far hath he remoued our sinnes from vs. 13 With how great and how louing kindnes the parents are moued towards their children being in anie miserie with so great tender loue doth the Lord embrace those that feare him 14 For he knoweth that we are but earthen vessels he knoweth that our substance is made of the earth 15 For I praie thee vnto what thing rather shalt thou saie that the life of men is like though they flourish neuer so much than like a little plant or a little flower 16 For when as euen the least blast of hurtful weather doth touch this flower it perisheth so that thou canst not easilie knowe the place it selfe wherein it grew a little before 17 Howbeit thus flightsome then is mans life by it owne nature but the euerlasting mercie of God toward them that feare him and that tender affection to preserue his owne which is also extended to their posteritie doth redresse this miserable condition 18 Of them I saie that keepe his couenant and applie themselues diligentlie to obserue the statutes that he hath made 19 Finallie to passe ouer al these his benefites towards vs what honour is not the Lord worthie of whose seate is set in the heauens and whose dominion is stretched forth ouer al things without exception 20 Go to then with me you mightie spirits being his apparitours and the diligent executioners of his wil so soone as ye heare him speake celebrate ye the praises of the Lord. 21 O ye mightie armies of his most obedient souldiers praise the Lord I saie 22 Praise ye the Lord ô al his workes in what place so euer of his dominion you be Finallie thou my deare soule set thou foorth the praise of God PSALME CIIII. The Argument There is onelie this difference betwixt this Psalme and the former that in the other the particular benefites of God towards his Church but in this his general benefits towards al mankind are rehearsed namelie the creation of the world and of euerie part thereof and the gouernance thereof for mans sake both the which things he so amplifieth with such an excellencie of words and grauitie of sentences that nothing can be thought to be spoken either more elegantlie or more learnedlie than this heauenlie poëtical inuention THE PARAPHRASIS 1 PRaise the Lord ô my soule thou surelie my Lord God art ful of maiestie and art so accounted declaring thine honour and glorie wherewith thou art adorned in al thy workes 2 For the Lord shineth wholie as he were cloathed with most bright light the heauens beeing spread round about him as it were a most large and beautiful pauillion 3 He himselfe hath built a chamber vnto himselfe in the verie waters being staid onelie by his power he is caried vpon the cloudes as in a chariot he is caried and walketh vpon the wings of the windes 4 He vseth the windes none otherwise than his messengers and the lightnings as his ministers 5 Thou hast established the masse of the earth also to be vnmoued in her foundations by thy maruelous wisedome and power 6 And thou hadst couered it wholie in the beginning with the deapth of the waters which ran ouer the verie tops of the hils 7 But so soone as thou diddest rebuke them they fled awaie and being afraide by the terrible sound of thunder they departed hastilie 8 Wherefore the hils then did lift vp themselues and the vallies contrariwise did fal downe and go into the place appointed for them 9 But thou diddest shut vp the waters within their bounds that they should neuer returne to couer the face of the whole earth 10 Yet the fountaines and the riuers gathered of them meeting together came foorth to run by the bottoms of the mountaines at thy commaundement 11 Euen that the cattel might drinke of them and the wild asses and other wild beastes might quench their thirst 12 By the which the shril sounding birds should abide and sitting vpon the boughes euerie one should sing his owne tune 13 But on the other side euen from heauen thou waterest the mountaines powring downe raine from thy chambers and by that thy benefite it commeth to passe that the earth as it were drinking drinke to the fil doeth not deceiue the hope of the husbandman 14 That selfe-same power bringeth foorth of the bowels of the earth grasse and manie kinds of hearbs to nourish the beasts which are necessarie for the vse of men finallie it bringeth al kind of nourishment 15 Euen wine wherewith the strength of man is refreshed and oile whereby his face being annointed doth shine and bread wherewith the heart of man is strengthened 16 And also the verie trees of Libanus which we behold so high that it may seeme that God hath set and planted them with his owne hand because they growe so mightilie must attribute it vnto the moisture which the Lord doth send them most plentifullie from the heauens 17 There do the birds build there the storke maketh her house in the high fir trees 18 The tops of the most high hils also are for the goates and the rocks are a refuge for the conies 19 He also hath created the moone to change her forme by certaine seasons and the sunne also to haue the appointed time of his setting 20 And so soone as he setteth the darknes of the night
awaie al the cause of their deadlie disease and restored them to health 21 Let these men therefore praise this his so great mercie before the Lord also and publish his maruelous workes before other mortal men 22 Let them offer the sacrifices of praise vnto the Lord I saie and let them rehearse with great ioie what he hath done for them 23 But they which go vnto the seas by ship and there continue and are occupied in the waters 24 They surelie behold the great workes of the Lord and they may see with their eies how maruelous he doth shew himselfe in the mightie surges of the sea 25 For so sonne as he speaketh the windes do rise and streightwaies stir vp horrible tempests and the seas do swel with the raging stormes 26 The mariners with their ships are now lifted vp to heauen and now rolled downe to the lowe bottomes their minds fainting for feare 27 The whirlewindes do tosse them round about they stagger here and there like dronken men so that neither their cunning nor their strength hath anie place 28 Whome yet calling vnto him in this distresse the Lord deliuereth from these miseries wherwith they were vexed 29 For he which had raised the stormes doth calme them and the raging of the flouds doth suddenlie cease 30 But they when the flouds are asswaged being ioiful are at the length brought by him into the desired hauens 31 Go to then ye also set forth so great mercie of the Lord before him and declare vnto other mortal men his maruelous workes 32 Let these men I saie praise the Lord in the mid multitude of the people standing about them yea let them praise him in the assemblie of their chiefe men 33 For he the same so oft as he pleaseth turneth the wildernes into flouds and the wel warred places into a drie wildernes 34 And he turneth the most fruiteful countries into extreame barrennesse prouoked by the sinnes of the inhabitants 35 Contrariwise he bringeth in againe springs of waters flowing abundantlie vpon the deserts and countries not inhabited for their drinesse 36 And he placeth there men that liue most miserablie before who do also build most populous cities 37 Do sowe the fields do plant vines do reape corne in abundance 38 Euen because he of his singular mercie doth both multiplie them and doth increase their cattel maruelouslie 39 And they againe so doth he change the course of things are diminished and oppressed with anguish and are broken with al kinde of calamitie and miserie 40 He also maketh the princes which were terrible to others before by taking aware al their authoritie most contemptible and despised that they knowe not whither to turne them 41 He also raiseth vp the poore and oppressed and spreadeth their families like a flocke 42 Let al them therefore which are of vpright iudgement behold marke these things and take great pleasure thereof but contrariwise let al the wicked which raile against Gods prouidence being conuicted hold their peace 43 Lo then therefore whosoeuer is desirous of true wisedome let him giue himselfe wholie to consider these things that he may atteine vnto the knowledge of the infinite mercie of the Lord. PSALME CVIII The Argument This Psalme is gathered partlie of the 7 8 9 10 11 verses of the 57. Psalme partlie of the 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 verses of the 60. Psalme where ye may seeke the argument THE PARAPHRASIS 1 I Being prepared with my whole heart ô God to praise thee desire to do it both with voice and instruments go to therefore my tongue 2 Go to viol and harpe awake with me in the morning 3 The nations most far off shal heare me publishing thy praises the people shal heare me singing vnto thee 4 For thy goodnes surelie hath extended it selfe vnto the verie heauens and thy truth euen vnto the clouds 5 Declare thy selfe ô God to sit aboue the heauens and shew thy glorie to the whole compas of the earth 6 That they may be deliuered whome thou louest saue them therefore by thy power and heare me 7 And doubtles it wil so come to passe God speaking vnto vs out of his sanctuarie Wherefore I wholie reioice now of the victorie for GOD wil graunt vnto mee that I shal set my kingdome in order and ouercome mine enimies Therefore I wil diuide the fieldes of the Sichemites and wil measure out the vallie of Succoth 8 I wil haue in possession my Gilead and Manasseh beyond Iordan driuing awaie the Gentiles that are about them Ephraim shal be the greatest part of mine armie I wil place the throne of iudgement in Iudah 9 But the strangers how stout soeuer shal do my seruile workes the Moabites shal hold vnder the basen to wash my feete I wil command the Idumëans to take vp my shooes being put off and cast vpon their heads I wil triumph ouer proud Palestina with ioiful acclamations as she hath triumphed ouer vs before 10 But by whose conduct shal I win so manie strong cities and what power shal I rest vpon to come into Idumëa 11 Verelie thou being our captaine and trusting vnto thy power ô my God though thou haue forsaken vs before and hast refused a long space to go before our armies 12 Therfore helpe thou vs ô Lord after the calamities of so manie yeares for the help is vaine that is hoped for of men 13 We trusting onlie vnto God shal do valiantlie he alone wil treade downe our enimies PSALME CIX The Argument This Psalme is written by Dauid with such a terrible and feareful stile as thou canst scarselie finde anie example in the whole scripture like vnto it wherefore it must be vsed in praier and also read with greate iudgement yet is there some vse thereof so that we adde these cautions Namelie first of al that we be not drawne with the spirit of vâ—ngeance or false zeale but that wee seeke rather the glorie of God onlie and that earnestlâ—e and as he himselfe commandeth then least we vse these and such like praiers vnaduisâ—dlie against certaine persons seeing that we can not easilie knowe who do sinne vnto death and we are bound to praie for the repentance and saluation of al. For otherwise that wee may make praiers indefinitelie and with the exception of the sâ—cret iudgements of God being led with the true zeale of God against the enimies who of desperate malice yeeld their seruice vnto Sathan and persecute Christ and his members cruellie with an euil conscience that he wil destroie those euil men as they deserue it is plaine hereby that Christ himselfe commandeth vs dulie to praie that his kingdome may come the which thing verelie can not come to passe but by the ouerthrowing of the kingdome of Antichrist and by destroieng al the desperate enimies of the Gospel and of the true Church Yea of such imprecations conceiued against certaine persons we haue not onelie this example and others also in the Psalmes but
Og the king of Basan and al the kingdoms of Canaan 12 Whose countries giuen to them before he deliuered to be possessed of Israël 13 Wherefore doubtles ô Lord thou hast gotten vnto thy selfe a name of perpetual praise neither shal the remembrance of thee be extinguished for euer 14 And thou wilt chieflie more and more set forth thy glorie in the preseruation of thy people and in thy louing kindnes that is so prone and readie to pardon thy seruants 15 But euen these most gorgious and pretious images which the senseles nations do worship are nothing else but gold siluer made by the workmanship of man in this or that forme 16 They haue a mouth and yet are dumbe they haue eies but they see nothing therewith 17 They haue eares but can not heare and haue a nose but wanting breath 18 And verelie in this point the workemen and worshippers of them differ nothing from them 19 But ye the stocke of Israël praise the Lord ye the familie of Aaron go before others in praising the Lord. 20 Ye Leuites praise the Lord as manie as professe his worship praise the Lord. 21 Let the euerlasting inhabitants of Ierusalem sound foorth the praises of the Lord out of Sion PSALME CXXXVI The Argument There is the same argument and the same vse of this most magnificent Psalme as of the other but the benefites of God both toward the whole mankind and especiallie bestowed vpon his Church are heere more plainelie set forth and euerie where there is a singular verse often repeated partlie that we should certainlie iudge these benefites onlie to come of the most liberal bountie of God partlie that we should iudge not onelie that al things generallie but also euen particularlie euerie thing is as a testimonie and pledge of Gods fauour and mercie to our saluation although this his liberalitie turne to the destruction of the wicked And it appeareth by 1. Chro. 7. that Dauid was the authour of this song the which was sung with most great solemnitie both in their high feasts and in their triumphant victories euer repeating this singular verse by course as also the historie of Iehosaphat doth declare 2. Chron. 20. THE PARAPHRASIS 1 PRaise the Lord for his great goodnes for his mercie endureth for euer 2 Praise the God of gods for his mercie endureth for euer 3 Praise the Lord of lords for his mercie endureth for euer 4 Who by his onlie power bringeth to passe maruelous things because his mercy endureth for euer 5 Who hath created the heauens by his infinite wisedome for his mercie endureth for euer 6 Who hath commanded the earth to stand vp aboue the bankes of the waters being appointed to susteine and giue nourishment to the beasts of the earth and the soules of the aire for his mercie endureth for euer 7 Who hath created those two great lights for his mercie endureth for euer 8 The Sunne to rule the daie for his mercie endureth for euer 9 The Moone and the Starres to rule in the night for his mercie endureth for euer 10 Who smote Aegypt slaieng their first borne for his mercie endureth for euer 11 And deliuered Israël from thence for his mercie endureth for euer 12 And that with a strong force and as it were by lifting vp his arme on high for his mercie endureth for euer 13 Who did part in sunder the Rushie sea which is called the red sea that it should lie open vnto the people passing to and fro by multitudes for his mercie endureth for euer 14 And led Israël through the middest thereof for his mercie endureth for euer 15 And drowned Pharao and al his armies in the same for his mercie endureth for euer 16 Who led his people by the waste wildernes for his mercie endureth for euer 17 Who stroke great kings with plagues for his mercie endureth for euer 18 Who slue mightie kings for his mercie endureth for euer 19 Sihon king of the Amorites for his mercie endureth for euer 20 And Og the king of Basan for his mercie endureth for euer 21 And gaue their dominion to be possessed by others for his mercie endureth for euer 22 Euen to be possessed by Israël his seruant for his mercie endureth for euer 23 Who when we were oppressed was mindful of vs for his mercie endureth for euer 24 And deliuered vs from our enimies for his mercie endureth for euer 25 Who giueth foode to al liuing creatures for his mercie endureth for euer 26 Praise ye God the Lord of heauen for his mercie endureth for euer PSALME CXXXVII The Argument The holie Ghost would haue this excellent Psalme to be extant which no doubt was made by the Leuites the fingers in the time of the captiuitie that he might teach vs verie notable things and necessarie to our comfort to wit that there is a time of silence vnder the crosse when the power of darkenes hath his time notwithstanding that we must retaine alwaies our constancie not onelie in faith but also in zeale least we betraie the truth with our silence or forsake our dutie for feare of men The dogs verelie are vnworthie to haue anie holie thing offered to them but this same thing is not to be dissembled that they are dogs when it standeth vpon the glorie of God and that the oppressors of the Church shal neuer carie awaie their wickednes vnpunished and chieflie they which do inflame the crueltie of the mightie men against the innocent THE PARAPHRASIS 1 WE being caried awaie vnto that prophane Babylon euen auoiding so much as laie in vs the sight of the wicked enimies did confesse with most doleful silence euen with aboundance of teares both our sinne and our sorowe at the floud of Euphrates being mindful of Sion 2 And though we caried our harpes euen to be our comfort in so great calamitie yet seeing that it seemed vnto vs that we should rather mourne than sing in that time and place we did hang them vpon the sallowe trees making no noise in the sight of the Babylonians 3 When they themselues which had drawne vs awaie into this most miserable captiuitie outrageouslie mocking our miserie did require of vs that we should delight them with our songs and take againe into our hands the harps that we had hanged vp speaking these words Come off sing vnto vs those tunes of your Sion 4 But we did not agree vnto them bearing most heauilie this their derision as breaking out into the reproch of the Lord himselfe For with what countenance or with what conscience could we abandon the holie praises of the Lord to be derided of those wicked enimies 5 But be it far awaie and God forbid ô Ierusalem that though we be far separate from thee we should forget thee but let rather euerie one of our right hands forget al plaieng of instruments 6 Let the tongue of euerie one of vs rather cleaue to the roofe of our mouthes than that it being vnmindful of thee
should set foorth thy holie name to be derided of them and vnlesse so long as we shal be banished awaie from thee we do mourne so long and againe that then we begin our ioie when we shal be restored vnto thee 7 But thou ô Lord do not forget these our vnkinde kinsmen and with what exhortations they haue kindled the crueltie of the Chaldees when they cried in the day of the cruel destruction of the citie Rase it rase it euen to the verie foundations 8 But the time shal be also when euen thou ô Babylon shalt be destroied and this thy prosperitie shal be giuen vnto him which shal deale with thee againe as thou hast dealt with vs. 9 And blessed shal he be that shal take thy yong infants also and dash them against the stones PSALME CXXXVIII The Argument When Dauid had atteined to the kingdome and brought the Arke into the citie thinking also of the building of the temple euen prophesieng that it would come to passe that al the kings of the world should acknowledge and celebrate this so great a benefite which was fulfilled in the end in Christ the eternal sonne of Dauid But because the instruments of Sathan vse commonlie to lie in waite for none more than for them that are the chiefe in the Church of God he adioineth also praiers as it becommeth vs to do in prosperitie to consider the battel against Sathan and the world neuer more carefullie than in the time of truce And he doth praie resting vpon that certaine foundation of our hope which is threefold euen that God beholdeth al things that he cherisheth the oppressed that he is the enimie of the proud howsoeuer he seeme to winke for a time that we are the worke of God without repentance and therefore of necessitie to be made perfect in due time THE PARAPHRASIS 1 I Wil praise thee with my whole heart neither wil I be ashamed to sing foorth thy praises also in songs before the assemblie of the mightie and before the verie Angels that stand about thine Arke 2 I wil praise thee in the palace consecrate to thy Maiestie and I wil sing of thy mercie truth because thou hast gotten vnto thee now at the length most great honour for that thou hast so maruelouslie performed vnto me that which thou diddest promise in thy word 3 For thou hast deferred for a space my deliuerance notwithstanding so oft as I called vpon thee thou ministring vnto mee an inuincible strength of mind hast streightwaies heard me when I cried 4 And surelie it wil come to passe ô Lord that al the kings of the world when they shal knowe what thou hast promised vnto me and how assuredlie thou hast performed thy promise made vnto me they wil giue thee praise 5 Hauing in admiration chieflie this thing that thou hast fulfilled thy promises after such a maruelous maner aboue expectation confessing therein thy power and glorie chieflie to appeare 6 In that thou hast declared in deede that though thou sit in a most high throne yet doest thou behold al the base and most lowe things that thou knowest a far off those that proudlie lift vp themselues although thou maiest seeme to winke at both twaine for a time 7 Doubtles although I be inwrapped in the middest of most rough tempests thou wilt preserue me safe and laieng thine hand vpon mine enimies how cruel soeuer thou wilt deliuer me with thy right hand 8 For thou ô Lord thine owne selfe wilt fullie performe the work that I haue enterprised by thine authoritie for this is thine euerlasting mercie testified by thy word neither wilt thou leaue the worke vnperfect which thou hast once begun PSALME CXXXIX The Argument This Psalme doth teach vs when we are oppressed against right and equitie by men of power and chieflie for religion we must alwaies keepe a good conscience and appeale to the iudgement seate of God who beholdeth the verie hearts whose infinite power is described in this Psalme by Dauid with great maiestie THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Lord vnto whome I appeale and whome I can not deceiue though I would I am throughlie knowne manifest vnto thee 2 For no part of my life is vnknowne vnto thee whether I sit or I rise yea thou doest euen vnderstand al my thoughts a far off 3 And thou obseruest narrowlie my walking and my lieng downe neither is anie of those things hidden from thee which I go about 4 For thou knowest euen my words ô Lord before my tongue pronounce them 5 Thou holdest me inclosed before and behinde and as it were compassed by thy hand laide vpon me 6 Thy knowledge is so high that no man can comprehend it it doth astonish me assuredlie with the admiration thereof 7 Wherefore if peraduenture I be so mad that I go about to flee awaie from thee whither I praie thee can I go that thou shouldest be ignorant where I lie hid and whither shal I flie from thy fight 8 If I shal euen go vp and flie vp into the verie heauens verelie there shal I find thee contrariwise if I lie downe in the close places of the graue behold againe there shal I perceiue thee 9 If the sunne it selfe arising vp should lend me his most swift wings whereby I might flee euen into the farthest part of the west 10 That same shal be euen as though thou thy selfe diddest leade me thither and thy right hand wil there find me out and take me 11 And if I were so mad that I should persuade my selfe that the darkenes at least should hide me the night it selfe shal be like a light compassing me about that I shal be open vnto thy sight 12 For the verie darkenes doth not so couer anie thing but that thou seest it fullie yea the night doth shine vnto thee none otherwise than light it selfe so that there is no difference of light and darkenes with thee 13 And no maruel for euen the verie bowels within me are thine owne by right and authoritie because thou hast made me and couered me in my mothers wombe 14 And this worke surelie which I behold in my selfe is so wonderful that I am vtterlie most senseles and vnthankeful vnlesse I praise thee for this cause and professe that thy workes are exceeding maruelous seeing I do perceiue that thing manifest so to be 15 Euen then the ioining of my bones was knowne vnto thee when I was formed in so secret a place and was fashioned in the darke caue as it were with needle worke 16 Euen then I saie thou diddest behold mee when I was yet an vnfashioned lumpe without shape and al this my fashioning and also the verie time appointed therevnto was set downe in thy booke before that anie part of that workemanship was made 17 Therefore ô God how do I prefer the consideration of these things before al others which are so great verelie that no man is able once to account the summe of them 18
haue spoken in the former Psalme how that it is not expedient that the vse of this musicke should be reteined in the holie assemblies which was a portion of the Leuitical worship of the lawe and wherof this fruit at the length did arise in the daies of our fathers that the preaching of the word was changed into songs not vnderstanded of the singers themselues and at the length that graue and plaine singing of Psalmes which as I thinke hath alwaies bin in the Church hath bin turned into a vicious curiositie THE PARAPHRASIS 1 PRaise ye the most holie God which sitteth in that high sanctuarie praise him I saie that testifieth his infinite power and strength from that his most stable palace 2 Let the cause of his praise be vnto you that his great power declared in so manie maruelous workes 3 Let the trumpet sound out his praise let the viols and the harps sound out his glorie 4 Let the timbrels thunder him out let the fluites whistle vnto him let the virginals striken with the fingers and the organs blowne with the bellowes praise him together 5 Let the high sounding cimbals sing out his triumph let the cimbals I saie sound vnto him 6 Finallie whatsoeuer hath breath let it set forth the praise of GOD. FINIS A BRIEFE TABLE OF THE PRINCIPAL POINTS OF EVERIE PSALME WHEREBY Euerie man may meditate in them as his mind is most affected 1 Psalme Who are blessed who are miserable 2 A prophesie of the kingdome of Christ 3 A comfort in great troubles by the mercie of God 4 He reproueth his aduersaries and staieth himselfe vpon the louing kindnes of God not vpon worldlie commodities 5 God our God and our King wil punish the wicked for his owne glorie 6 A conflict of the conscience with sinne and comfort in the end 7 We must set the defence of God against reprochful slanders 8 A thankesgiuing to God for our creation and redemption in Christ 9 A thankesgiuing for benefites receiued and comfort against imminent miseries 10 Al the enterprises of the giants and tyrants against the Church shal come to naught for the Lord wil heare the poore 11 The Lord trieth the good men and destroieth the wicked 12 Cal vpon God when al things seeme desperate and past al hope 13 The more desperate that things appeare more earnestlie must we praie 14 The corruption of the natural man chieflie vttering it selfe against the Church 15 Who shal be the inhabitants of the heauens 16 An exercise of the faithful soule 17 A complaint of the pride and crueltie of the enimies 18 Gods maruelous power in deliuering his 19 A briefe sum of al godlie knowledge with a praier for the atteining thervnto 20 The people praie for their king 21 A thankesgiuing for a victorie wherof al the praise is giuen to God 22 Of Christs agonie greuous sorowe which he suffered ouercame for vs. 23 The Lord is my shepeheard I can not want 24 God is the Lord of al but chieflie of his Church in the which we must pray that God may reigne and set forth his glorie 25 A praier for faith forgiuenes of sin direction of the holie spirit and for Gods merciful protection 26 A meditation for them that liue amongst the wicked 27 28 To the same purpose 29 A necessarie meditation of the maiestie of God 30 A thankesgiuing for deliuerance from some great danger 31 A praier in great danger 32 The blessednes of man is in the forgiuenes of sinne 33 Praise God with a pure heart 34 A thankesgiuing and other necessarie doctrine 35 Against the flatterers of the wicked and false accusers of the godlie 36 The wickednes of men the prouidence of God and his mercie 37 To the same purpose most excellentlie 38 Sin is the cause of our miseries yet put awaie by faith although temporal punishments do folowe for our amendment 39 A meditation of the shortnes of mans life and his miseries 40 Manie godlie lessons 41 A comfort of the miserable against traitors 42 An earnest desire to be in the assemblie of the Church 43 A praier for the deliuerance from the enimies to praise God 44 An earnest praier for helpe in present miseries by the consideration of former mercies 45 The mariage song of Salomon 46 A thankesgiuing for some great deliuerance of the Church 47 An ernest exhortation to praise God 48 God is chieflie to be praised for the defence of his Church 49 Outward felicitie worldlie honor is nothing 50 The worship of God is spiritual and the outward ceremonial hypocrisie is detestable 51 A most earnest praier for the forgiuenes of sinnes 52 53 The crooked nature crueltie and punishment of the wicked with comfort to the godlie in the end of them both 54 The saints being in great dangers powre forth their praier and doubt nothing of their deliuerance 55 56 57 Against traiterous enimies with hope of deliuerance 58 Against wicked iudges he appealeth to Gods iudgement 59 Against his cruel aduersaries with comfort in the end 60 Though the Church be afflicted yet shal it be comforted againe 61 A zealous praier with great faith and confidence 62 By the example of Dauid we may confirme our faith in troubles 63 To the same purpose we must onelie looke vnto God in troubles 64 Against the wicked with the godlie 65 66 A praise thanksgiuing vnto God for the preseruation of the Church 67 A praier for spiritual and temporal blessings 68 The great mercie of God toward his people 69 The complaint and anguish of Dauid as a figure of Christ 70 For the deliuerance of the Church or anie particular member 71 For comfort constancie in the old age when feigned friends doe faile 72 A praier conteining the sum of godlie gouernement 73 God is alwaies fauorable to the godlie euen in their miserie but the vngodlie shal perish 74 A feruent praier against the spoilers of the Church 75 God is the author of al iust policie the dutie of magistrates 76 God is knowne by preseruing his Church and destruction of the enimie 77 Comfortable considerations in the trouble of conscience 78 The maruelous works of God both in trieng and preseruing his Church and punishing of his enimies 79 Against the oppressers of the Church who fight against God 80 A lamentation for the oppression of the Church 81 An exhortation to praise God for his benefits and a reproch of their ingratitude 82 A necessarie admonition to al that are in authoritie 83 A praier against the enimies of the Church 84 The great zeale of Dauid to be in the holie assemblies 85 In the midst of miserie we must hope for mercie 86 A feruent praier for deliuerance forth of miserie that the name of God may be glorified 87 That the Church after the captiuitie should be restored to such glorie that euerie man should count himselfe happie that is accepted as a member thereof 88 A most doleful lamentation 89 Another
greeuous lamentation with great consolation in the end 90 An excellent praier of Moses 91 An assurance vnto him that putteth his trust in God 92 An exhortation to praise God with a comparison betwixt the wicked and the iust 93 The power of God and his promises 94 Against tyrants with a comfort to the afflicted 95 The praise of God and a terror to the vnthankeful 96 An exhortation to praise God chieflie for Christs comming 97 Christ dreadful to the rebels but ioiful to the iust 98 An exhortation to praise God for his power mercie and truth and for saluation in Christ 99 To the same purpose 100 To praise the Lord for his creation redemption and perpetual protection 101 How a king should gouerne 102 A lamentation a consolation a prophesie of the dignitie of the Church a song of triumph 103 An excellent thankesgiuing both for corporal and spiritual blessings 104 105 To the same purpose 106 A thankesgiuing for Gods mercies with a declaration of the stubbornesse of the people and a praier for ful deliuerance 107 To praise God for his maruelous and woonderful prouidence in al maner of things 108 Dauid praiseth God with great confidence 109 A most terrible imprecation against the enimies 110 An epitome of the Gospel 111 A thankesgiuing and declaration what is true wisedome 112 They that feare God are blessed al other shal perish 113 God worketh aboue nature in his Church 114 Of the deliuerance from Aegypt a figure of our spiritual deliuerance 115 A praier for deliuerance for the onlie honor of the true God who is compared with their fained Gods 116 Dauid protesteth that he wil giue thankes and acknowledgeth that he can render nothing else for Gods great benefites 117 118 To praise the Lord for his mercies in Christ 119 A long and most feruent praier for the true meditation and exercise in Gods holie word 120 A praier against slanders and a lamentation for his long abode amongst the wicked 121 The Lord must onlie be looked to in troubles 122 Dauid reioiceth and praieth for the prosperitie of the Church 123 Like the 121. 124 The power of God onelie deliuereth from dangers 125 The assurance of the godlie in their afflictions 126 The people that were so wonderfullie deliuered praie for them that remained in captiuitie so should we doe 127 The whole state of the world both in publike and priuate dependeth vpon Gods onlie prouidence 128 They are onelie blessed that feare the Lord. 129 The Church oft afflicted but by the Lord deliuered 130 The faithful crie vnto the Lord in their miseries they confesse their sins and are deliuered 131 Man may not exalt himselfe but wait vpon the Lord. 132 The people praie for the posteritie of Dauid and for the building of the temple that is both for their spiritual King the Messiah and for religion 133 A commendation of brotherlie loue and concord 134 135 136 A thankesgiuing to the Lord for the benefites bestowed vpon his Church 137 There is a time of silence vnder the crosse so that neither faith nor zeale decaie 138 Dauid praiseth God for things past and assureth himselfe against troubles to come 139 A most excellent Psalme dailie to be meditated 140 The state of the godlie in this world and the staie of their faith 141 Dauid praieth for the brideling of his tongue and that he ioine not with the wicked but that iust men may admonish him 142 An earnest praier with great confidence 143 An earnest praier for remission of sinnes the cause of miserie 144 He praiseth God with great humilitie 145 He praiseth God for his wisedome mercie power and iustice and for his benefites toward his Church The other foure Psalms are exhortations also to praise God chieflie for his mercies toward his Church And whereas musical instruments are named they were agreeable to that ceremonial time but now al ceremonies being ceased we must worship in spirit and truth and so sing Psalmes with the voice as our heart may be most stirred vp to praise and magnifie the Lord our GOD. FINIS 1581 SVBLIME DEDIT OS HOMINI Imprinted at London by Henrie Denham dwelling in Pater Noster Rowe at the signe of the Starre Cum priuilegio Regiae Maiestatis
Lord and they shal testifie vnto their posteritie that shal be borne after them that he onelie is the authour of this maruellous worke PSALME XXIII The Argument Dauid of a shepeheard being made a most mightie king contrarie to the errour of the Epicures which do dreame that al that they haue commâ—th vnto thâ—m either by fortune or by thâ—ir owne industrie and so abuse al the good things that they haue vnto al filthines doth attribute al those things to the liberalitie of God alone vsing two similitudes one of a shepeheard that prouideth for his flocke with great carefulnes the which similitude is most apt for Dauid being once a shepeheard and it also admonisheth the kings that they ought to be the shepeheards and feeders of the people The other similitude is taken from them that keepe good hospitalitie which most liberallie receiue those trauelers that come vnto them the which thing also doth admonish vs of our state and sheweth how al things are sanctified vnto vs by the word of God and thankesgiuing whatsoeuer the Lord ministreth vnto vs for the vse of this life Last of al it teacheth vs that we ought to rise from those transitorie benefites to those euerlasting and heauenlie blessings seeing that godlines hath the promises both of this present life and of the life to come THE PARAPHRASIS 1 THE Lord is my shepeheard I neede not to feare anie famine 2 He lodgeth me in greene pastures and leadeth me to the pleasant riuers of waters 3 He restoreth me to life being ouertyred and doeth leade me in a plaine and pleasant waie deseruing thereby euerlasting praise for his mercie 4 Therefore though I should go by most darke and dreadful vallies of death I wil feare none euil trusting vpon the rod and shepeheards hooke of my shepeheard 5 Thou in the verie sight of mine enimies doest prepare a deintie table for me thou doest annoint my head with oile and giuest me a ful cup. 6 And surelie thy goodnes and mercie shal followe me to cause me to dwel in thy house al the daies of my life PSALME XXIIII The Argument This most sweete Psalme doth teach vs that as God is the creator of al things so is he the Lord of al howbeit that he hath chosen vnto himselfe out of the multitude of men some certaine persons whome onlie he accounteth for his subiects and whome alone he hath appointed to euerlasting blisse Furthermore he declareth who these are and by what workes the true members of the Church may be knowne that we may vnderstand that they are not al of the Church who are outwardlie conuersant in the Church But because there was but one certaine nation as yet comprehended vnder the couenant the Israëlites I meane and there was but one place certaine in the which the Church was bound to assemble that holie mountaine I meane in the which the Temple was then to be builded therefore doth Dauid chieflie make mention hereof and doth treate by the spirit of prophesie of the magnificent building of the Temple Yet doeth he exhort the people that they should not onlie regard the outward building and the outward rites and sacrifices but that they should chieflie giue their hearts vnto him that promised to dwel in the Temple And this same doctrine doth euen now at this daie declare the true vse of the sacraments and doth much more appertaine vnto vs vnto whome the truth is plainelie reuealed al the shadowes of the lawe being abolished than it did to the old fathers THE PARAPHRASIS 1 GOD is the Lord of the earth and of al things therin conteined euen of the whole world I saie and of al that dwel therein 2 For it is he that built the earth vpon the sea placed it to appeare aboue the flouds as we see 3 Howbeit he hath chosen vnto himselfe a certaine mountaine into the which loe who shal ascend and who shal stand in that place consecrate vnto him 4 Euen he whose hands are not polluted with wickednes that is of a pure heart which gapeth not for vaine things neither sweareth deceitfullie 5 Such a man shal receiue blessings of the Lord abundantlie and in the end shal find him a sauiour as he that can not lie hath promised 6 And this is thy true seede ô Iakob euen the generation of men that seeke God and present themselues before thee ô Lord. 7 O ye gates lift vp your postes mount vp I saie ye eternal gates that the King of glorie may enter 8 Who is this glorious king That same Lord strong and valiant that mightie warriour 9 Lift vp your head postes ô ye gates mount vp I saie you gates that this King of glorie may enter 10 Who is this glorious King The Lord of hoastes he is this King of glorie PSALME XXV The Argument This Psalme teacheth a forme of praier dailie to be vsed of the whole Church and of euerie one of the saintes of God wherein three things are requested euen by faith regarding the promises alreadie made vnto vs and confirming it selfe by the experience of former benefites The first is the free forgiuenesse of sinne The second that we may be gouerned by the holie Ghost in the whole course of our life that remaineth The third a defence from the iniuries of our enimies the which three do answere to the petitions of the Lords praier wherein we require to haue our sinnes forgiuen and that we be not led into temptation and to be deliuered from euil THE PARAPHRASIS 1 VNTO thee ô Lord I lift vp my whole heart 2 O my God my hope is onlie fixed in thee let me not be repulsed I beseech thee and put to shame and so be derided of mine enimies 3 And surelie thou wilt not suffer them that depend vpon thee to be put to shame but rather must these faithles persons that persecute the innocent be brought to shame 4 Graunt ô Lord that I may vnderstand in these so great perplexities and extremities what way thou appointest thine to walke and teach me thy pathes 5 Guide my steps in thy truth and teach me continualie for thou art he ô my God of whom I do looke faithfullie for my deliuerance 6 Be mindful ô Lord of thy mercies which thou hast shewed so oft to thy seruants and of thy manifold goodnes which thou hast declared in al ages 7 Contrariwise ô Lord forget al the follie of my youth and al my trespasses and remember me ô Lord of thy sinâ—ular mercie and goodnes 8 And why should not I thus hope seeing the Lord is merciful and true in his promises therfore doth he cal againe into the way the sinners that go astraie 9 He also after they be humbled made meete to learne doth teach them gentlie and meekelie and declareth how louinglie he vseth to gouerne his 10 Which waie so euer the Lord doth leade his his mercie appeareth as also how constantlie he keepeth his promise to them that keepe
foorth thy praise for euen this one sact doth plainlie declare what great fidelitie thou keepest in preseruing thy seruants 11 Therfore let the whole mount Sion breake out into gladnes ô ye damsels of Iuda reioice you of the iust iudgements of God! 12 Compas Sion round about account her towers 13 Consider diligentlie her wals her bulwarks and set foorth the praises of her palaces so that ye may spread forth the memorie thereof euen to the posteritie 14 And let al men vnderstand that this is God and wil for euer be our God which wil not leaue vs no not in the last minute of our life PSALME XLIX The Argument The Prophet doth vse a most graue preface in this Psalme and that not without cause seeing that it conteineth a doctrine necessarie to the nobles commons to the rich and to the poore to this purpose that the one should not be so insolent and proud and the other should not be discouraged or caried away with the desire of riches beyond the rule of righteousnes therefore this Psalme conteineth the same argument in substance with certaine Psalmes that went before and that do followe Wherein the vanitie of the fading goodes of this world is described especiallie when they be gotten with craft and deceit or their owners do abuse them But a peculiar and certaine special matter is regarded in this Psalme namelie of those rich men which oppresse the godlie poore which poore men the Prophet doth comfort chieflie with two reasons One that there is nothing more vaine than the pride of the rich men as the thing it selfe proueth in the end whereby it solloweth that these proud men are not to be feared as though they had like power to hurt as they haue wil to doe it The second that the certeine hope of a better life is to be set against al those cogitations which vse to come into our minds in such temptations and that we must fullie determine that they are more like beastes than men who being increased with honours and riches do not vnderstand how to vse them much lesse that anie wise man should enuie them THE PARAPHRASIS 1 O Al ye people heare what I shal saie giue eare al ye inhabitants of the earth 2 Both noble and simple both rich and poore 3 For I wil speake of things which who so regardeth is verie wise and I haue meditated with my selfe things that al men ought to vnderstand 4 I my selfe wil diligentlie consider that I haue determined to teach vnto others euen great and most hid things that this my harpe may be perceiued to haue sounded not onlie vnto others but vnto my selfe also 5 For why should I tremble though I be neuer so much oppressed and be set round about with my mightie enimies compassing me and following my verie foot-steps 6 They trust I graunt vnto their riches and are proud resting vpon their great wealth as though it were lawful for them to doe what they lust 7 But I beseech you what is more vaine than this momentanie confidence for the vse of riches doutles is no longer durable than the life it selfe which is most short although a man should possesse them to the last minute of his life For no man can redeeme another much lesse himselfe with his riches neither can he make anie couenant with God for the restoring of life 8 For the price of the life is greater than that it can be paied by anie man much lesse that a man should get immortalitie to himselfe by anie riches 9 Naie no man can obtaine vnto himselfe the prolonging of his life by anie summe of monie 10 For the verie experience of al ages doth teach that al men must die be they wise be they foolish and that there is no difference in this thing either of kind or of age or of state of the person and that those goods which they leaue when they die do commonlie go vnto others euen whome they knowe not 11 Yet notwithstanding such is the foolishnes of manie that they so leade their life as though they should neuer depart hence whiles a fained imagination doth occupie their mindes as though their families remaining for euer and their faire houses that they had built should continue alwaies vpon the earth in their name 12 Howbeit there is nothing more vaine than the madnes of these men seeing man doth not remaine long in this worldlie honour so that they which liue thus minded are not much differing from the beasts 13 For their life is nothing else but meere foolishnes and yet their posteritie being no wiser tha◠they praise their example and followe it 14 Howsoeuer it is and howsoeuer these men doe please themselues in these fantasies yet like beasts shut in the night in the stable so these men when the euening of their life commeth are gathered into the graue where death doth eate and deuoure them as it doth others Contrariwise although they must die also which walke the right waie yet another light shineth out in due time at the rising whereof it shal appeare how much more excellent these be than those mad men For that shadowed power of them shal streightwaies be changed into the graue the which shal deuoure them caught awaie from these their glorious buildings 15 But God contrariwise wil bring the godlie from the prisons of the graue and wil receiue them to himselfe 16 Therefore I wil thee to be quiet and not to bee discouraged at the sight of anie proude rich man howsoeuer thou see him to abound in riches 17 For the time shal come when his dead bodie shal lie in the graue spoiled of al this dignitie and his glorie shal not followe it so farre 18 Wherefore let them delight themselues and please themselues as they list and iudge none other to be happie but them that giue themselues to pleasure after their example 19 Yet if thou consider their great grandfathers of whom they boast and al their continuance thou shalt find that they are buried with an euerlasting death the which doth manifestlie condemne the foolishnes of their posteritie 20 Finallie although anie man be increased with riches and honours yet if he want true wisedome he is to be counted to differ little or nothing in this life from the beastes which wholie perish PSALME L. The Argument Like as God hath giuen vnto man a spiritual soule and a visible bodie so would he alwaies and wil be worshipped with them both euen with the inward and outward worship and as he would haue the external actions to be the witnesses of the inward so hath he diligentlie admonished men that both twaine should consent and agree together Furthermore least men depraued by nature should go out of the waie either in the one or the other part of the worship of God he hath giuen commandement most fullie vnto the people of Israël by written lawes both for religion and maners how he would be worshipped